Raised in a crumbling New England mansion by four women with personalities as split as a cracked mirror, young Francis Grayson has an obsessive need to fix them all. There’s his mother, distant and beautiful Magdalene; his disfigured, suffocating Aunt Stella; his odious grandmother; and the bane of his existence, his abusive and delusional Aunt Lothian.
For years, Francis plays a tricky game of duck and cover with the women, turning to music to stay sane. He finds a friend and mentor in Aidan Madsen, schoolmaster, local Revolutionary War historian, musician and keeper of the Grayson women’s darkest secrets. In a skillful move by Fullbright, those secrets are revealed through the viewpoints of three different people–Aidan, Francis and Francis’stepdaughter, Elyse–adding layers of eloquent complexity to a story as powerful as it is troubling.
While Francis realizes his dream of forming his own big band in the 1940s, his success is tempered by the inner monster of his childhood, one that roars to life when he marries Elyse’s mother. Elyse becomes her stepfather’s favorite target, and her bitterness becomes entwined with a desire to know the real Francis Grayson.
For Aidan’s part, his involvement with the Grayson family only deepens, and secrets carried for a lifetime begin to coalesce as he seeks to enlighten Francis–and subsequently Elyse–of why the events of so many years ago matter now. The ugliness of deceit, betrayal and resentment permeates the narrative, yet there are shining moments of hope, especially in the relationship between Elyse and her grandfather.
Ultimately, as more of the past filters into the present, the question becomes: What is the truth, and whose version of the truth is correct?
Lee will be giving away a $100 Amazon gift certificate to one randomly drawn commenter at the end of the tour, you can follow the tour HERE the more often you comment the better your odds.
EXCERPT:
“I’ll tell you what I’m ready for, Aidan. I’m ready for the top floor.” His eyebrows shot up.
“I beg your pardon?”
“The third floor of Grayson House. I’m ready for it. I’m really ready.”
“I don’t think I understand—”
“Please, Aidan.” I emphasized each word: “I’m ready to meet Jamie.”
I turned and walked out of that parlor then, and into the foyer and up the ten steps to the landing where the grand staircase turned direction. I ran up the first flight, then paused at the second landing, waiting for Aidan. When I glimpsed him behind me, I turned and ran up the next flight, to the third floor, straight for the door at the end of the hallway, next to the door that opened onto the outside stairs.
I’d been able to pinpoint this door as the one by the soft thumps I’d heard when I’d sneaked into Papa’s room on the second floor—things nobody thought I’d hear—and by watching from my spot across the road: the quick deliveries and arrivals, the things and people nobody thought I’d see.
I hesitated, not feeling anything, I was now so empty. No more anger. Instead I was in tune with senses: the steady tick-tock of the clock at the end of the otherwise soundless hallway, the wallpaper’s perfectly vertical stripe, even an aromatic odor reminiscent of the appendectomy I’d had when I was six—was it ether? And then, finally, Aidan’s ragged breathing when he caught up with me. We were ready, in position—and it was understood I’d assumed leadership: I’d go first.
I turned the doorknob. My opponent had just run through his resources.
AUTHOR INFORMATION:
Lee Fullbright, a medical practice consultant in her non-writing life, lives on San Diego’s beautiful peninsula with her writing partner, Baby Rae, a 12-year-old rescued Australian cattle dog with attitude.
The Angry Woman Suite, a Kirkus Critics’ pick, 5-starred Readers Favorite, and a Discovery Aware winner, is her first published novel.
LINKS:
Goodreads
Facebook page
Blog/website
Amazon
Thank you for hosting today.
ReplyDeleteHmmm ... wondering if it has a happy ending. I need my HEA! Sounds really interesting.
ReplyDeleteMnark111 AT gmail DOT com
Great excerpt! Aiden is one of my favorite characters, I admire his patience with Francis.
ReplyDeletelennascloud AT gmail dot com
I don't think she should open that door. Dying to find out what happens next.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Great excerpt! And I agree with Mary-- don't open the door.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous teaser. Now I have to find out what is behind that door.
ReplyDeleteThat scene reminds me of a horror movie and I always tell the hero not to do it and try not to look.I'm not big on horror movies, can you tell :)
ReplyDeletegalaschick78(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you so much for hosting! Lee
ReplyDeleteI'm computer challenged today (sigh, what's new?) ... so I'll identify any comments by signing off as, well, myself :) ... anyhow, I LOVE this "door excerpt," and I loved writing it. Felt like being on the cusp of (heart-pounding) adventure ... you CANNOT not look behind that door ... Lee
ReplyDeleteThe scene certainly has a lot of suspence, the reader wants to know what is behind the door.
ReplyDeletelyra.lucky7 at gmail dot com
No, don't open it. This is a very intriguing story, I'm dying to find out what happens.
ReplyDeleteKit3247(at)aol(dot)com
Hallo Lee, I'm glad to hear you are working on a new book! My favorite aspect of your book are the characterizations, you've done an outstanding job!
ReplyDeleteemiliana25(at)web(dot)de
Thank you, Emiliana!(love that name)
DeleteLee
Hi Lee, is it sometime hard to get back to writing or find the time to write?
ReplyDeleteshadowrunner1987 at gmail dot com
Yes! Hardest thing ever ... okay, except for trail hiking the Devil's Punchbowl here in San Diego.
DeleteBut, yes, in my perfect world (which is isn't, and whose is?), I'd love to have every morning just to write, in my jams. Instead, like most everybody else, it's hit the floor running and off to the office ... Lee
Intriguing excerpt!
ReplyDeletevitajex(at)aol(dot)com
This is your first published work isn't it? I think it's the best debute novel I've read that was published in 2012. Is there any pressure to publish the next book or are you going to take your time writing it?
ReplyDeletemoonsurfer123(AT)gmail(DOT)com