"This is the story of my mother's death, my father's lighthouse, my slutty sister and the dog I betrayed." A heart-felt, at times funny, coming-of-age story set in Nova Scotia about a quirky couple who adopt a 16-year-old girl when their son, the main character, is 14.

Eric Sparling is a freelance writer and stay-at-home father. The former editor and reporter lives in Nova Scotia with his wife, daughter, three cats and a dog.

Eric Sparling's profile page

“[Tantramar] is an accomplished and multi-layered piece of work…a story with adroit, rich characterization and a gripping plotline. Individuals are built ground-up from their actions, and allowed complexities that continue to emerge to the end of the piece." - Joan Sullivan, The Telegram

"An important addition to Atlantic fiction...Eric Sparling has given us a novel that is sensitive, sad / funny and very real. The characters, especially Dante, leap to life." – Helen Fogwill Porter, award-winning author of January, February, June or July and Finishing School

"From the moment I read the back cover quote, I was sold. Eric Sparling’s first book is a novel of genuine sentiment, quiet wisdom, and darkly funny prose...With characters played out realistically and with hints of true humanity, the unfolding of Dante’s story can hit a cord within every one of us." - Sasha Van Katwyk, The Argosy