 |
| Genre: Women's Fiction |
It’s spring, and Allison Connelly has it all – pretty, popular and smart. With a summer job teaching tennis and starting Harvard Law School in the fall, Allison plans on a successful law career, marriage and kids – and dreams of becoming a Supreme Court Justice.
When relentless headaches drive her to her doctor, Allison receives a terrifying diagnosis that destroys her plans and imperils her life. Devastated, Allison struggles to accept her
shattered dreams and uncertain future. One night, she happens into a small-town pub and, on a whim, takes a job singing, finding solace and a measure of peace in her music. She settles in the town, and from that small beginning finds love, a new life and a new reason for living.
When relentless headaches drive her to her doctor, Allison receives a terrifying diagnosis that destroys her plans and imperils her life. Devastated, Allison struggles to accept her
shattered dreams and uncertain future. One night, she happens into a small-town pub and, on a whim, takes a job singing, finding solace and a measure of peace in her music. She settles in the town, and from that small beginning finds love, a new life and a new reason for living.
EXCERPT
Doctor Mackay spoke for the first time. “Allie, I’ve known you since you were a kid,” he began sadly. “You’re a fighter. Your first reaction is to look for other options, to refuse to accept defeat. But — both Doctors Smythe and Graham are experts in their fields. They’ve conferred with some of the leading oncologists at Johns Hopkins, the Cleveland Clinic, and others; and the response has been unanimous and unequivocal. If I thought there was the remotest chance that something might work, I’d say go for it. You’re young, healthy, and
should have your whole life ahead of you. But I just don’t believe there are any legitimate realistic treatment options out there, and I don’t want you spending your remaining time chasing false hopes, only to be disappointed. I’m so terribly sorry.”
Allison looked at him, hearing the pain in his voice and seeing the anguish in his face. Doctor Mackay had known her since she was a baby. He’d watched her grow up; he had been close friends with her father. Now he was telling her she was going to die – and it was tearing him apart.
“How long do I have?” Allison asked quietly.
“Each case is different,” Doctor Graham replied.
“We’d estimate two months. Could be one, conceivably three. We’ll prescribe corticosteroids which reduce the swelling around the tumors. This should also reduce the headaches and any drowsiness you’ve been feeling. You will probably feel fine for a month or so.”
“And then?”
“The headaches and nausea will eventually recur, and will increase in frequency and severity. All we’ll be able to do then is treat the symptoms.”
Where do you get your storylines from?
Was this book easier to write than others? Why?
Do you only write one genre?
Do you have a specific place or setting where you write?
Describe what made you want to be a writer?
AUTHOR INTERVIEW
What made you want to write this book?
My first book, The Librarian, was a revenge thriller. While
it would have been easier to write a sequel or another novel in the same genre
that would appeal to the same audience, I wanted to try something different – something
more thoughtful and character driven. The result, Songs for Lucy, is not the kind of book I would normally choose to
read, and certainly not the kind of book I would ever have imagined writing.
That said, I thoroughly enjoyed writing it, and I like it.
Where do you get your storylines from?
I’ve come to
believe that if you can come up with a powerful and distinctive storyline,
you’re halfway to writing a good novel before you type the first word.
Conversely, if the storyline is uninspiring, it’s very tough to turn it into a
good novel. As a consequence, I spend a lot of time just thinking about
possible storylines long before I even start to write. The inspiration behind The Librarian was probably The Count of Monte Cristo, an obviously
successful revenge thriller. I decided that a female protagonist would be an
intriguing twist. I’m not sure where the inspiration for Songs for Lucy came from. I wanted to write something quite
different from The Librarian and
contemplated but rejected several possibilities before deciding on the
storyline I used.
Was this book easier to write than others? Why?
Yes. This
surprised me as it’s not the genre I would typically read, nor one I would have
expected to be comfortable writing. I’m not sure why I found it easy. Perhaps I
liked the characters and they just pulled the story along. There’s probably a
bit of me in Jack – at least on an aspirational level. Lucy, Jack’s
nine-year-old niece, was conceived as a minor character but evolved into
playing a major role. Terri Wright, a young woman Allison meets at the hospice,
faces her terminal diagnosis with courage and an absolute determination to make
every day count. Marion Siegel, Allison’s aunt, is tough, principled, and
compassionate, and willing to defy both her husband and Allison’s doctor to
ensure Allison has choices. The characters seemed to carry the story forward as
I was writing.
Do you only write one genre?
No. Songs for Lucy represented a significant
change in genre and I enjoyed writing it, so I think I’ll keep an open mid to
exploring other genres.
Do you have a specific place or setting where you write?
It varies. Usually
on a couch with my laptop on my lap. Never at a desk. I probably spend more
time thinking than writing (about plot, subplots, characters, etc.) and I can
do that anywhere.
Describe what made you want to be a writer?
Mainly books I’ve
read. Some really worked for me and I wanted to see if I could write something
that would have the same effect on my readers. Some didn’t work (including many
best sellers) and left me feeling I could do better, or at least try to do so.
Have a question for Mr. Wilson? Leave a comment.
MY REVIEW
I know I
cannot write a review worthy of this book. That's how good it is. It is full of both sadness and
happiness. It's an enjoyable read about
people trying to live with the loss of loved ones or maybe even worse, the
knowledge that they will soon lose a person they love. The waiting and knowing must
be so hard to manage. Sounds crazy to call this an enjoyable read but while no
subject about death can ever be enjoyable, it was handled better here than I
ever thought such a subject could be. This story has a little bit of
everything...family relationships, a love story, music, tennis, sailing,
laughter, and the vast differences in so many of our lives. There are people with money in this story and
people without. Sadly, there are people who must face the end of their lives
almost completely alone and yet there are those who make the best friends of
their entire lives.
I've talked
a lot about what I loved reading about in this book but I should also discuss
the reason it is so enjoyable to read. The characters become so real; so much
so that you laugh with them and cry with them. The scenery is described well
enough that you are sitting there, whether it's the bench looking out over the
ocean at Second Journey or in the little coastal town of Mackenzie Cove. I have never seen a subject that most people
do everything they can to avoid, written as a story this well. A story you will
want to read and one that might even make you discuss some of those tough
issues a little.
Wilson has
another book titled “The Librarian” which I intend to read right away. I suggest you do the same after you read this
wonderful book.
**This book was provided to me free of charge in exchange for an honest review.
**This book was provided to me free of charge in exchange for an honest review.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Philip Wilson is a retired financial executive who spends winters in Florida and summers sailing on the Great Lakes in his 32-foot sailboat. Songs for Lucy is his second book. His first, The Librarian, was rated one of the best reviewed books of 2017 by IndieReader and featured in the Huffington Post. Learn more at www.philipmwilson.com.
Buy Links:
Links:
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteGood Morning. Look forward to any comments or questions. Will check in regularly during the day. Philip Wilson
ReplyDeleteGood morning Mr. Wilson, as you can tell from my review I just fell in love with your book. Hope everyone gives it a chance and reads it.
ReplyDelete-kathy
P.S. Not usually such a cheerleader but this was really a special book.
Kathy, Wow! A truly wonderful review. Thanks again for everything - hosting, reading and most of all, an awesome review. Cheers, Philip
ReplyDelete