The Purple Ribbon is a gripping novel set in the picturesque seaside town of Fort Pierce, Florida, where serenity masks deeper storms in the lives of its residents. At its heart is Chelsea Whitlock—a woman who has turned past trauma into a life filled with love and prosperity. When Tyler Atwater unexpectedly enters her world, emotions she thought were long buried resurface. Little did they know that fate was harboring a perilous threat to the delicate foundation of their burgeoning relationship.
Parallel to Chelsea’s journey we are introduced to J. Scott Anderson, a man who appears to be living the dream, with a flourishing career, good health, and a loving family. However, Scott's idyllic life falls apart as he becomes the obsession of an evil presence whose twisted envy mutates into a psychological game of control, manipulation, and destruction, targeting everything—and everyone—Scott loves.
Masterfully woven, The Purple Ribbon explores the tangled destinies of this coastal community, revealing a web of deception, longing, and the irrevocable consequences of a choice made in the shadows. This captivating saga delicately balances the darkness of deceit and envy with the uplifting power of the human spirit and its resilience, offering a harrowing yet mesmerizing descent into the fragile boundaries of truth, obsession, and survival.
About the Novel
The Purple Ribbon
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The Purple Ribbon 〰️
If you know me, you know that my ideal wind-down routine after dinner and evening chores usually involves something light and silly to ease my mind before bed. Seinfeld or Two and a Half Men reruns – perfect! But one night in late spring 2024, my husband had already claimed the TV and was well into a documentary on Sigmund Freud. Begrudgingly, I decided to give it five minutes before retreating to the novel waiting on my nightstand. After all, documentaries are far too heavy for my evening brain. Or so I thought.
To my surprise, I was completely drawn in. What began as reluctant viewing turned into an unexpected fascination. I stayed put, captivated by Freud’s strange and provocative theories on the twisted corridors of the human psyche he so boldly explored.
By the time I fell asleep that night however, Dr. Freud had fled my thoughts, replaced by the characters in my bedside novel. Waking up in the middle of the night with a wildly intricate story rushing into my mind was a new experience. I’ve never been the kind of woman who keeps a notebook by the bed for midnight musings—but sleep was clearly out of the question. So, careful not to wake anyone, I slipped quietly into my home office. With a warm mug of peach tea in hand, I powered up my computer and began typing as quickly as my thoughts would allow, eager to capture every detail. And just like that, The Purple Ribbon was born.
“It was a dream, literally!”
Kip Lyman, Author
Kip’s Story
Kip was born and raised in Connecticut until her preteens, when her family relocated to south Florida. She loved everything about Connecticut; her home, friends, Catholic school, dance, piano and violin lessons, ice skating on the frozen pond behind the house, sleepovers with her cousins, and especially summer nights playing kick ball and chasing fireflies.
Florida, on the other hand, took a while for Kip and her family to get used to. First of all, the tropical heat was oppressive. That alone was enough to make them all want to pack up and move back to CT. Making friends in Florida was not easy, and Kip will be forever thankful for Catherine, her first real best friend.
Kip’s father, Jim was an aeronautical engineer and, on the side, a hang-gliding instructor. He owned a private plane and for a few short years Jim and Kip flew together, just the two of them. Kip’s mom Connie was afraid to fly. Kip will cherish those times for the rest of her life because little did she or anyone realize that her dad would die suddenly at the age of 40.
Life moved on in leaps and bounds after that tragic summer for Kip. High school and college flew by and she quickly found her first life’s purpose when, at 24 her daughter Jessica was born. A year later her son Olin came along and her world took shape. Kip built a solid career as an executive assistant and director of marketing, but motherhood always came first. She came to love the tropics and rooted her little family in Florida for good.
What would Kip say she is most proud of? Without question, her children. They've been the greatest joy and achievement of her life. Along the way, Kip also had the privilege of being awarded a U.S. Utility Patent, as well as several design patents—milestones that reflect years of creativity and persistence. Kip is extremely proud to have served on multiple boards in a volunteer capacity, a commitment that began even before her children were born. Giving back has always been a priority, and she consistently found ways to stay involved and contribute. Once her children left for college, Kip married the man of my dreams. Her commitment as a volunteer continued by serving as a Guardian ad Litem, and together she and her husband Ron became foster parents; a role that was as humbling as it was rewarding.
Calling Kip an adrenaline junkie wouldn’t be far off. Over the years, her free time had always revolved around physically demanding pursuits: beach volleyball filled her teens and twenties, followed by mountain climbing, scuba diving, and skydiving in her thirties. Kip’s forties and fifties brought a love for hang-gliding and motorcycle riding - perhaps a nod to the classic midlife crisis. Ironically, Kip never imagined herself writing a novel; it always seemed far too sedentary for someone like her. And yet, here she is, embracing a completely different kind of adventure.
“Writing The Purple Ribbon has been an incredibly rewarding journey, and I’m thrilled to bring readers even deeper into the story with an upcoming sequel. I can’t wait to share what’s next.”