Precious Words
Leigh Fleming, 2013
iUniverse
274 pp.
ISBN-13: 9781491713471
Summary
Emberly Fallon is a smart, beautiful American attorney who goes on a dream vacation with her two best friends to the UK, where she meets the irresistible Niccolo Bartoli, an Italian tennis pro who is just as commanding off the court as he is on.
Emberly resists his advances, not wanting anything to do with paparazzi and Nico’s rabid fans. Currently ranked number two in the world, Nico finds himself struggling with his game and his personal life. Although always surrounded by his entourage, he is lonely in his world of celebrity and constant travel. Emberly makes him feel grounded, and despite her best intentions, she does fall in love with the dashing, foreign sportsman.
Their romantic adventures take them to Miami, New York, and Rome. This whirlwind love story was not in Emberly’s future plans, but she allows herself to be happy with Nico—until she becomes the victim of threats. Someone is trying to bring Nico’s success and newfound happiness to a tragic end … and that person is much closer than they suspect.
Author Bio
• Birth—1961
• Where—Elkton, Maryland, USA
• Education—B.A., West Virginia Weslyan College
• Currently—lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia
Leigh Fleming is the owner of the Scrapbook Cottage, a weekend retreat center for craft enthusiasts. She lives with her husband, Patrick, in Martinsburg, West Virginia, and is mom to adult children, Tom and Liza, and two beloved dogs, Lula Belle and Napoleon. Precious Words is her first novel. (From the author.)
Visit the author's website.
Follow Leigh on Facebook.
Discussion Questions
1. The title Precious Words refers to something Nico said to Emberly. What do you think he meant by “it feels like home”? How important were these words in expressing his love for her?
2. In the beginning, Emberly was hesitant to get involved with Nico because of his celebrity. Do you think Emberly’s feelings about his celebrity status were justified? If you were in her shoes, would you have reacted to his celebrity life the way she did? Have you ever known a celebrity?
3. Riccardo and Nico were life-long friends, even referring to each other as brother. Is it possible for close friends to be jealous of one another? Do you feel Nico had left Riccardo behind? What could have Nico done to prevent the situation?
4. Emberly was a career driven, goal oriented person, but she gave it all up to be with Nico. Would you have done the same thing?
5. Which character in Precious Words do you relate to the most and why?
(Questions courtesy of the author.)
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Never Have I Ever Joshilyn Jackson Amy Whey's sins come back to haunt her when she's extorted for money by a glamorous stranger. |
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Deep River Karl Marlantes A breathtaking family saga of Finnish immigrants settling in the old-growth forests of the American Northwest. |
Red, White & Royal Blue Casey McQuiston What if the half-Mexican son of the first female US president fell in love with Prince Henry, England’s heir? |
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Gods of Jade and Shadow Silvia Moreno-Garcia The Mayan god of death sends a young woman on a harrowing journey in this dark Mexican fairy tale. |
Right Swipe Alisha Rai Two rival dating-app creators find themselves at odds in the boardroom but in sync in the bedroom. |
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Hollow Kingdom Kiri Jane Buxton A romp through a zombie Apocalypse, with a foul-mouthed crow as our guide and narrator. |
Secrets We Keep Kate Hewitt Two women befriend one another at a lake house. But one carries a secret that could changes their lives forever. |
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How to Be an Antiracist Ibram X. Kendi A combination of ethics, history, law, and science with the author's own story of awakening to antiracism. |
Things You Save in a Fire Katherine Center Cassie is a firefighter with a passion for saving lives. But can she rescue herself from her own emotional fortress? |
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Inland Tea Obreht Arizona Territory, 1893: Two remarkable lives collide in a magical epic journey. Camels included. |
Turn of the Key Ruth Ware A nanny alone, a house that appears haunted, and children who aren’t quite what they seem. |
Jun/Jul 2019____________________________←BACK to our newest list
Bookish Life of Nina Hill Abbi Waxman Introvert Nina learns she has a huge extended family–& they all want to meet her… Oh nooooo!! |
Scent Keeper Erica Bauermeister Emmeline's talent for identifying scents aids her in a journey of self-discovery once she leaves her remote childhood home. |
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City of Girls Elizabrth Gilbert In the 1940s, Vivian heads to glitzy NYC, where she learns far, far more than she ever bargained for. |
Stationery Shop Marjan Kamali In 1953, Roya's hopes of marrying Bahman are dashed when he disappears during the Iranian coup d'etat. What happened to him? |
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Evvie Drake Starts Over Linda Holmes A funny, charming rom-com in which long-time friends find love and new beginnings. |
Stay Sexy & Don't Get Murdered: How to Guide Kilagraff and Hardstack The popular My Favorite Murder podcasters share their personal struggles and deepest fears. |
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Late Migrations Margaret Renkl A gorgeous memoir of family loss and the consolations of beauty & death in the natural world. |
Three Women Lisa Taddeo A riveting true story about the sex lives of three very different American women, based on nearly a decade of reporting |
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Nickel Boys Colson Whitehead Based on the real story of a reform school in Florida that warped the lives of 1000s of children. |
Underland Robert MacFarlane An extraordinary journey in "deep time" — exploring what lies beneath both the natural world and ancient civilizations. |
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Recursion Blake Couch A force sweeping the world threatens not only minds but the very fabric of time itself. Thrilling sci-fi. |
Unhoneymooners Christina Lauren They're not married & can't stand one another. But when a chance for a free honeymoon crops up, what's there to lose? |
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Resistance Women Jennifer Chiaverini An intimate, historical tale of four women who do what they can to help the resistance in Germany. |
Whisper Network Chandler Baker A new boss takes over. But whispers surround the way he's treated women for years. A bitterly funny, bracing, & timely thriller. |
May 20, 2019________________________← BACK to our newest list
Ask Again, Yes Mary Beth Keane Friendship between two families is breached when tragedy occurs. About the power of forgiveness. |
Furious Hours Casey Cep A series of rural Alabama murders inspired Harper Lee to write again, years after To Kill a Mockingbird. |
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Book Woman of Troublesome Creek Kim Michele Richardson An indomitable librarian travels by pack horse to deliver books during the Great Depression. |
Guest Book Sarah Blake Past mistakes & betrayals ripple through generations of a privileged American family, that used to "run the world." |
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Bride Test Helen Hoang A young Vietnamese woman travels to America hoping to find a husband and a better life. |
The Last Hanna Jameson A historian documents his days hiding out in a Swiss hotel after a nuclear war… when the body of a young girl is found. |
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Cape May Chip Cheek A naive young couple in Cape May meets up with rich, urban sophisticates. Uh-oh. |
Light from Other Stars Erika Swyler A town falls into a sinkhole in time, and a spacecraft prepares a planet for colonization race to fix their life support system. |
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Courting Mr Lincoln Louis Bayard The courtship of Mary Todd and Abe Lincoln in this delightful new take on American history. |
Mother-in-Law Sally Hepworth When a family matriarch dies unexpectedly, evidence points to possible homicide… and too many family members with motives. |
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The Farm Joanne Ramos Set in a luxurious secret facility where women who need money bear children for the wealthy. |
Southern Lady Code Helen Ellis Humorous, even hilarious, essays on southern etiquette and traditions from an Alabamian now living in NYC. |
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Flight Portfolio Julie Orringer American journalist Varian Fry’s helps famous artists out of Nazi-occupied France. |
Woman of No Importance Sofia Purnell The book's subtitle says it all: "The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II." A Gripping story of a true hero. |
April 20, 2019_________________________ ← BACK to our newest list
Boy Swallows Universe Trent Dalton A wonderful tale of a boy’s coming of age in 1980s Australia–infused with crime, magic & fate. |
Lost Roses Martha Hall Kelly A prequel to the author's beloved Lilac Girls. Set on the cusp of WW I–fleeing the collapse of Russia & the Romanov family. |
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The Editor Steven Rowley A young writer meets his new editor–who's none other than Jackie Kennedy Onassis! Whoa… |
Maybe You Should to Talk to Someone Lori Gottlieb A gaze into the process of psychotherapy while the author battles her own demons. |
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Girl He Used to Know Tracey Gravis Graves A woman on the autism spectrum bumps into an old sweetheart, sparking hope for something more. |
Miracle Creek Angie Kim A web of lies surrounds a fatal fire at an unusual treatment facility in this courtroom drama. Learning & page-turning in one book. |
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Honey Bus Meredith May A moving memoir of how helping her grandfather tend his beehives helped a troubled girl survive. |
Normal People Sally Rooney A young Irish couple gets together, splits up, gets together, splits up…but no spoilers here. Humor and insight throughout. |
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I Miss You When I Blink Mary Laura Philpott Musings on the ups & downs of life as a mother-wife-career woman. Big-hearted & funny. |
The Parisian Isabella Hammad The life of one man against the stormy backdrop of Palestine in the final years of British occupation. Big, beautiful, packed. |
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Last Stone Mark Bowden True crime story, focused on a heartbreaking 40-year-old cold case. Riveting. |
Queenie Candice Carty-Williams The life and loves of Queenie Jenkins, a vibrant, troubled 25-year-old Jamaican Brit who is not having a very good year. |
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Lights All Night Long Lydia Fitzpatrick Devoted brothers, a world apart, (Russia & the US) are enmeshed in a mystery. |
Trust Exercise Susan Choi First love for high school drama students twists into something much darker; Choi has won big kudos for this work. |
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Lost and Wanted Nell Freudenberg An MIT physicist gets a text from her dead best friend. Big issues, yet smart and witty. |
Women Talking Miriam Toews Sexually abused Mennonite women gather to talk about their options–the 1st time any have ever spoken up for themselves. |
March 20, 2019________________________←BACK to our newest list
Bad Beautiful Annie Ward A psychological thriller that begins with a 911 call from a couple with a 3-year-old son. |
Impossible Climb: Alex Honnold, El Capitan, and the Climbing Life Mark Synnott The true story of a young man who climbed 3,000 feet of a sheer rock face–and stunned the world. |
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Before She Knew Him Peter Swanson A twisty, fast-paced thriller depicting picket-fence suburbia's seamy, murderous underside. |
Island of Sea Women Lisa See Set on Korea's Jeju Island, where women divers, called the Haenyeo, risk their lives in hard physical labor. A tale of young friendship. |
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Bird King G. Willow Wilson A swashbuckling fantasy novel amid an epic clash between cultures during the Spanish Inquisition. |
Little Faith Nickolas Butler A family is ripped apart and nearly destroyed when one of its own becomes involved with a radical church. |
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Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls Anissa Gray A trio of sisters reel from a criminal conviction in this moving debut. |
Lost Night Andrea Bartz A woman must confront gaps in her memory as she investigates the death of best friend a decade earlier. |
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Gingerbread Helen Oyeyemi A novel set in the land of fairy tales that riffs on "Hansel and Gretel" … without the breadcrumbs. |
Priory of the Orange Tree Samantha Shannon A massive epic fantasy with court intrigue, travel in dangerous lands, fantastical religions, blood and, of course, love. A #1 bestseller. |
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Hunting Party Lucy Foley Old friends gather in a English manse… but one turns up dead. Agatha would be thrilled. |
Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland Patrick Radden Keefe A gripping account of a murder and its aftermath when peace finally comes to Belfast. |
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The Huntress Kate Quinn A Nazi "Huntress" commits unspeakable war crimes then vanishes in the postwar chaos. |
We Must Be Brave Frances Liardet In WWII England, a childless woman discovers joy after she begins caring for a young girl. A beautiful story of love and loss. |
March 5, 2019_______________← BACK to our newest list
At the Wolf's Table Rosella Postorino Haunting story of young women forced to protect Hitler…by testing his food for poison every day. |
Last Year of the War Susan Meissner Two girls meet in a US internment camp during WWII. Eventually separated, they spend decades searching for one another. |
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City in the Middle of the Night Charlie Jane Anders Exiled from the city on planet January, Sophie befriends an unusual species. |
Lost Man Jane Harper Three brothers in the Australian Outback: one is found dead–by his own hand … or not. Deeply buried secrets begin to surface. |
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Daisy Jones & The Six Taylor Jenkins Reid A rock band–headed by beautiful & talented Daisy Jones–breaks up, & we learn why. |
The River Peter Heller Camping, two young men feel the force of nature–a rampaging forest fire and a heated domestic dispute. It all means trouble. |
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Friend is a Gift You Give Yourself William Boyle An unlikely trio of women band together to escape the clutches of the mob. A screwball crime noir! |
Wartime Sisters Lynda Cohen Loigman Estranged sisters, burdened with their own shocking secrets, are reunited at the Springfield Armory in the early days of WWII. |
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Golden Child Claire Adam Set in Trinidad, a father must make a devastating choice regarding his twin sons. |
When All Is Said Anne Griffin At the bar of a grand hotel sits 84-year-old Maurice. Pull up a stool & refresh your drink: we're about to hear his remarkable story. |
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Good Riddance Elinor Lipman Daphne tosses out her late mother's old year book, unleashing a series of crazy events. |
Where the Forest Meets the Stars Glendy Vanderah A mysterious girl, a researcher in rural illinois, & a reclusive neighbor learn to love and trust again. |
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In Another Time Jillian Cantor A blend of historical and science fiction: it's WWII, & two young people fall in love in Germany. |
Woman Is No Man Etaf Rum Three generations of Palestinian-American women are torn between individual desire & the strict mores of Arab culture. |
February 15, 2019______________________← BACK to our newest list
Age of Light Whitney Scharer The tumultuous story of photographers Man Ray & Lee Miller, former model, in 1930s Paris. |
Lost Children Archive Valeria Luiselli A remarkable fictional take on families trying to enter the U.S. Intimate, intelligent & emotional. |
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American Spy Lauren Wilkinson An African-American intelligence agent takes part in a real-life African coup d’etat 30 years ago. |
Lost Girls of Paris Pam Jenoff Based on real-life WW II history: a team of British female spies dropped behind Nazi lines in German occupied Europe. |
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Black Leopard, Red Wolf Marion James An African "Game of Thrones" fantasy in which a missing boy may be heir to a fabled kingdom. |
More Than Words Jill Santopolo A hotel heiress takes care of her dying father and discovers his deepest held secrets. A tale of self-discovery for Nina. |
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Bowlaway Elizabeth McCracken Whimsical take on an odd-ball group of people who adore one another and adore bowling. |
Next Year in Havana Chanel Cleeton In Havana, a Cuban-American woman discovers a long hidden family secret–leading to a new understanding of her true self. |
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Early Riser Jasper Fforde Richly detailed, humorous dystopia about most of Wales hibernating through the harsh, wild Winter. |
Night Tiger Yangsze Choo A young houseboy and a dressmaker's apprentice are drawn into a mystery in 1930s Malaya. Sumptuous & riveting. |
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Falconer Dana Czapnik A teen basketball player, smart, talented & female, struggles to grow up in NYC in 1993. |
One Day in December Josie Silver A lovely, propulsive romance about two people, missed connections at love, and final chances. Read it any time of year. |
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Girls at 17 Swann Street Yara Zgheib The riveting tale of a dancer turned anorexic now fighting for her life. |
Silent Patient Alex Michaelides A wife mysteriously shoots her husband–then refuses to utter another word. But a pyschologist believes he can win her over. |
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Her One Mistake Heidi Perks Bone-chilling work of psychological suspense in which a woman loses her best friend's daughter. |
Storyteller's Secret Sejal Badani After a miscarriage, a journalist heads to India to learn about her remarkable grandmother and a family legacy. |
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Last Romantics Tara Conklin A sweeping yet intimate epic about an American family: reminiscent of Ian McEwan's Atonement. |
Winter Sister Megan Collins When a woman heads home to help her ailing mother, she must come to grips with the death of her sister 16 years earlier. |
January 30, 2019_______________________ ← BACK to our newest list
Au Pair Emma Rous A strange photo causes Seraphine to wonder about her identity & the family's deepest secrets. |
Late in the Day Tessa Hadley The death of one man has a devastating impact on his wife and the couple who have been dear friends for years. |
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Code Name: Lise: The True Story of the Woman Who Became World War II's Most Highly Decorated Spy Larry Loftis Reads like a thriller. |
Only Woman in the Room Marie Benedict A novel based on the true story of film star Hedy Lamarr and her brilliant invention to help the U.S. war effort. |
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The Current Tim Johnston A young woman turns Nancy Drew after losing her friend in an accident. But was it an accident? |
Paragon Hotel Lyndsay Faye In 1921 a white woman flees the mob & the East Coast, finding refuge in a hotel for people of color in Portland, Oregon. |
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Elsey Come Home Susan Conley An American expat in China attends a retreat to try to cope with old hurts and losses. |
She Lies in Wait Gytha Lodge A teen girl went missing; 30 years later her body turns up & a small-town cop is determined to find the truth. |
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Freefall Jessica Berry A woman with a secret survives a plane crash only to be stalked by a ruthless killer. |
Water Cure Sophie Mackintosh A dystopic fantasy about three sisters on an isolated island, raised to fear men. And then a boy and 2 men wash ashore … |
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Ghost Wall Sarah Moss A teen joins a group enacting life in the iron age but fears enactment of that age's brutality. |
Weight of a Piano Chris Cander Two women and the piano that inexorably ties their lives together through time and across continents. |
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Kiss Quotient Helen Haong An autistic woman takes a methodical approach to learning about sex but gets a lesson in love. |
Winter of the Witch Katherine Arden Last in the series of The Bear and The Nightingale and The Girl in the Tower—a trilogy critics have called "bewitching." |
January 10, 2019_______________________← BACK to our newest list
12 Dogs of Christmas David Rosenfelt Love dogs? Consider this for the next Christmas season. |
Looker Laura Sims A woman whose obsession with the beautiful actress on her block drives her to the edge. |
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The Adults Caroline Hulse An ex-husband and wife holiday together with their partners and daughter. What could go wrong? |
The Maid Stephanie Land A single mother struggles in poverty to raise her daugher while working for well-off clients. |
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The Dreamers Karen Thompson Walker An ordinary town is transformed by a mysterious illness that triggers perpetual sleep. |
No Exit Taylor Adams Four strangers, a blizzard, a kidnapped child, and a young woman desperate to outwit a vicious psychopath. |
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Far Field Madhuri Vijay A young Indian woman sets out for a Himalayan village in the troubled region of Kashmir. |
Once Upon a River Diane Setterfield A powerful novel about the disappearance of three little girls and its devastating effect on their small town. |
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The Gown Jennifer Robson Two women befriend one another as they create the gown for Prince Elizabeth's wedding to Philip. |
Sugar Run Mesha Maren A 35-year-old woman, newly released from prison, sets out with her girl friend to return to her home in West Virginia. |
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Inheritance Dani Shapiro A memoir about the staggering family secret uncovered by a genealogy test. |
These Truths Jill Lepore An engaging (and long) history of the U.S. and its difficulty in living up to the promise of equal rights for all citizens. |
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Leave No Trace Mindy Mejia A thriller about the strange disappearance of a boy and his return 10 years later. |
Watching You Lisa Jewell A murder shocks residents of a wealthy English village where everyone seems to watch everyone else. |
The Secret Son
Jennifer Burke, 2013
Poolbeg Press
312 pp.
ISBN-13: 9781842236048
Summary
Sean Murtagh, who has been living and working in New York since leaving college five years ago, returns home to Wicklow in Ireland when his wealthy father, Liam, is unexpectedly killed in a car crash. He is shocked to discover that Liam’s will disinherits his wife and children, leaving the family home and fortune to a secret son, Andrew Shaw.
For the Shaw family, the news offers a lifeline. Twenty year old Andrew is seriously ill with kidney disease and the inheritance may mean the difference between life and death. However, the lives of Andrew, his devoted older sister Tors and younger brother Jack are changed when their mother insists they move across the country to Wicklow to stake their claim under the will.
Thrown together, Sean Murtagh and Tors Shaw find their loyalties tested as they try to find some middle ground between the families, while each dealing with their own grief and personal tragedies. Further revelations from the past, along with Andrew’s deteriorating health, creates an impossible situation that threatens everything Sean and Tors hold dear.
Author Bio
• Birth—January 25, 1983
• Where—Dublin, Ireland
• Education—B.A., Trinity College Dublin; PostGrad Diploma, DIT
• Awards—TV3's Write A Bestseller Award
• Currently—lives in Dublin
Jennifer has been writing stories for as long as she can remember but it was only in 2011, after qualifying as a solicitor, that she realised if she didn't get down to the serious business of writing a novel soon, she'd never do it. So she joined the Irish Writer's Centre, took a couple of courses and put time aside to write properly.
Eager for feedback, Jennifer joined a writing group which she is still a part of today. She also starting entering competitions with encouraging results—a short story was shortlisted in the From the Well competition in 2012 and published in the resulting anthology, and she was shortlisted in the Fish Flash Fiction competition in both 2012 and 2013.
Eventually, in 2013, her big break came. Jennifer won TV3's Write A Bestseller competition, securing a three book deal with Poolbeg Press. The Secret Son was published in September 2013 to critical acclaim.
When not writing, Jennifer works as a solicitor and enjoys singing with the Lassus Scholars choir and travelling. (From the author.)
Visit the author's website.
Follow Jennifer on Facebook.
Book Reviews
Dramatic from the opening chapter, The Secret Son dismisses any form of slow build up and drops the reader right into the heart of the story—as well as the heart of two families whose lives are about to be thrown into disarray.... Right up to the last page, this story kept me enthralled and the quality of storytelling and writing is phenomenal! It’s hardly surprising it’s the TV3 competition winner.
Mary Malone - Writing.ie
FOR the past couple of years, Poolbeg Press and TV3 have given aspiring writers the chance of a lifetime. The publishers teamed up with TV3's The Morning Show to run the Write A Best Seller competition, which gives the winner an opportunity to see their novel in print.... This year's winner is Jennifer Burke's [The Secret Son]. As a solicitor, [Burke] saw many family disputes over dead relatives' wills, which gave her the idea of a will that did not just involve the division of monies but went a step further to reveal a dark secret.... With its many twists and turns, this unusual and absorbing book takes the reader on a touching journey to an unpredictable ending, making it likely that Jennifer Burke will follow the success of the previous winner and have a bestseller on her hands.
Ann Dunne - Irish Independent
The Secret Son was a brilliant read from start to finish which had me hooked with its twists and turns throughout. I had to keep reading to discover how both families would react to the details of the will, the legalities of the will and whether or not the Murtagh's would contest it, but more importantly how would they react when they finally meet face to face when there's so much animosity between them? This was a gripping read with a completely unexpected ending, it's hard to believe that this is Jennifer's debut novel so I cannot wait to hear what she has in store for us next.
Shaz's Book Blog
Discussion Questions
1. Which character grows most as a person throughout The Secret Son?
2. Can Glenda Wilson & Karen Shaw ever be friends?
3. By all accounts, Liam Murtagh was a loving father and loyal friend & neighbour. Does his act of cowardice in choosing to reveal his secret only after his death undo or undermine these positive attributes?
4. What is the significance of the house the Shaws use in Wicklow being situated by an isolated beach?
5. Is Karen Shaw likeable, unlikeable or a bit of both? Why?
6. Give examples of how the sea is used to mirror the emotions of the characters.
7. Which of the Murtagh children do you feel the most sorry for and why?
8. Who in The Secret Son would you like to have as a (a) parent, (b) sibling, and (c) child, and why?
9. If the Murtagh's had formally contested Liam's will in court and you were the judge, would you change the will?
10. What is The Secret Son's message about keeping the past hidden?
11. Is Liam in any way redeemed by Karen Shaw's revelation at the end of the book?
12. How would the book be different if Andrew Shaw was, and always had been, perfectly healthy?
(Questions courtesy of the author.)
Playing St. Barbara
Marian Szczepanski, 2013
High Hill Press
385 pp.
ISBN-13: 9781606530771
Summary
In the Depression-era coal patch known as The Hive, miner’s wife Clare Sweeney keeps secrets to survive. Stripped of her real name, she hides her friendship with a town pariah, haunting guilt around the deaths of her three infant sons, and determination never to bear another. She defies her abusive husband and the town’s rigid caste system to ensure a better future for her daughters, who harbor secrets of their own.
Deirdre conceals her attraction to a member of the despised Company police. Katie withholds her plans for a college education—and the convent—from her high school sweetheart. And Norah suppresses the cause of her mother’s frequent miscarriages, the devastating memory of one brother’s death, and her love for a married man.
Each is cast as St. Barbara in the town’s annual pageant, but scandal and tragedy intervene, allowing just one to play the coveted role. In turn, they depart from The Hive, leaving Clare to endure her difficult marriage—till a mine explosion rocks the town. Forced to confront the ghosts of her past, she faces a life-changing choice. Her decision will test her capacity to forgive and challenge her to begin a courageous journey to self-redemption. (From the publisher.)
Author Bio
• Birth—N/A
• Raised—Greensburg, Pennsylvania, USA
• Education—B.A., University of Notre Dame; M.F.A, Warren Wilson College
• Awards—Clackamas Literary Review Award (Emerging Writer in Fiction); Houston Press
Club Magazine Feature Prize
• Currently—lives in Houston, Texas
The granddaughter of immigrant coal miners, Marian Szczepanski grew up in southwestern Pennsylvania and lived as a young child in the Jamison Coal Company house where her mother and aunts were raised.
She holds an MFA in fiction from the Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College. Her short fiction has appeared in Clackamas Literary Review and won the magazine's Peter and Jean de Maine Award for an Emerging Writer. A Houston Press Club award recipient for magazine feature writing, Szczepanski also has published articles in University of Houston’s Collegium magazine and Houston Woman Magazine. Playing St. Barbara is her first novel. (From the author.)
Visit the author's webpage.
Follow Marian on Facebook.
Book Reviews
Playing St. Barbara by Marian Szczepanski is a great book, a stunning debut novel that shimmers with unforgettable characters while casting necessary light on a dark chapter in American history. Drawn to the social and political history of coal mining in southwestern Pennsylvania because of her personal connection (her grandparents were immigrant miners), Szczepanski focuses on the lives of the mothers, daughters, and wives of coal miners. Telling their stories, she illuminates the terrible burdens forced on coal mining families and the immense spirit required to endure, much less thrive, in such an environment...Szczepanski made a believer out of me—I believe in the possibility of light and grace, even in the darkest of times, and I am more enthralled than ever by the powerful stories of women: sisters, mothers, daughters, and friends.
Nina Sankovitch - Huffington Post
Playing St. Barbara is a beautifully written piece of historical fiction set in a 1930s Pennsylvania mining town...Szczepanski brilliantly weaves in the legend of St. Barbara, patroness of miners, through an annual town pageant. Her four main characters' lives also eerily mirror the seventh-century legend...Themes of poverty, alcoholism, women's liberation, family loyalty, heritage, sacrifice, race and more play out, while each woman narrates her own story of living in the unsettled Great Depression era...Though this story takes place 80 years ago, some of the same themes haunt our news headlines today. Book clubs across the country can read Playing St. Barbara and discuss the historical novel on a wider scale, comparing and contrasting to our world today, while using these four strong female characters to give us hope in a world that is still often confused.
Margo L. Dill - The News-Gazette
Clare and each of her daughters are the little people caught up in the sweep of history, but Szczepanski brings their fictional voices to a larger audience.... Playing St. Barbara equally pays tribute to Szczepanski's grandmothers and all the women who call a hotline hoping for a little hope of their own.
Tarra Gaines - Culture Map Houston
Discussion Questions
1. What are Clare’s secrets? What does she gain by keeping them? What does she lose?
2. How would you describe the caste system in The Hive? In what ways is it controlled by the Company? The Klan? How do Clare and her daughters attempt to subvert this system? Do they succeed? If so, at what cost?
3. What is the Company’s motivation to initiate the St. Barbara Festival? Why does every girl in The Hive—other than Norah—want to play St. Barbara?
4. What role does religion play in the characters’ lives? Is it a comfort or constraint? Do you agree with Clare’s belief that she is damned?
5. Fin is both idolized and feared in The Hive. How would you describe his character? Do you ever sympathize with him?
6. Would you describe Clare as a victim? What about her daughters?
7. What attracts Deirdre to Billy? How does Clare overcome her hatred of Cossacks to endorse the match?
8. Katie changes her mind twice about entering the convent. Should she have followed through with her original plan?
9. Why does Mary Clare reject Paul? Do you think she made the right decision?
10. Was your initial response to the mine explosion similar to or different from Clare’s and Norah’s?
11. How does St. Barbara’s story mirror the lives of Clare and her daughters?
12. How do different languages and customs affect women’s relationships in The Hive?
13. Why does Clare wait so long to leave Fin? Do you believe the reason she gives in Chapter 4—“How could a worn-out woman with no skills beyond housework possibly do otherwise?”—or is there a deeper reason?
14. What will Clare’s life be like in Pittsburgh? Do you think she’ll remarry? Will she ever revisit The Hive?
(Questions courtesy of the author.)
The Disillusioned
D.J. Williams, 2013
384 pp.
ISBN-13: 9781449786007
Summary
A mother's suicide threatens to destroy a family legacy. Her sons, Sam and Daniel, are forced to leave their comfortable worlds behind and search for a woman they believe can unlock the secrets that have remained hidden. They are propelled into separate journeys from Los Angeles to the heart of the Zambezi, where they are forced to confront a man known as Die Duiwel, the Devil.
On their adventures they will find themselves in a place where death is one breath away, where thousands of children are disappearing into the darkness, and where the woman they are searching for is on the hunt for revenge. When they stand face-to-face with the forgotten slaves of Africa, they will fight to redeem what has been lost.
Author Bio
For the past fifteen years Williams has worked in the non-profit and entertainment industry. He has produced media projects that have raised awareness to help those in need. With the DNA of a world traveler, Williams was born in Hong Kong, has ventured into the jungles of the Amazon, the bush of Africa, and the slums of the Far East, to share stories of those who are overcoming incredible odds. His first novel, The Disillusioned, released in May 2013. As an Executive Producer, Producer, and Director, Williams has worked on over 200 television episodes syndicated on NBC, ABC, FOX and various cable networks worldwide. He currently lives in Los Angeles, California. (From the author.)
Visit the author's website.
Follow D.J. on Facebook.
Book Reviews
A fast-paced mystery…you won’t put it down until you’ve unlocked the secrets and lies to find the truth.
Judith McCreary, Co-Executive Producer, Law & Order: SVU, Criminal Minds, & CSI
Riveting…an indelible picture painted with suspense.
Mitch Kruse, Author of Restoration Road
An engrossing tale…makes you think about the world we live in and your place in it.
Tony Guerrero, Founder of F.A.C.T. Alliance: Fight Against Child Trafficking
A real roller-coaster of a read…powerful, well written…a thought provoking novel full of topical issues that, as well as wonderfully compelling reading for the individual, will make superb reading and prompt much discussion for reader groups.
Tracy Terry, Book Reviewer (UK)
The Disillusioned pulls its reader headlong into the adventure and achieves an entertaining story of life, love, faith, and both the strength and fragility of the human spirit.
Casee Marie - Literary Inklings
The Disillusioned is a powerful novel written by D.J. Williams which brings to light what happens when one family has lost much of its color, luster, and vibrancy once clearly seen in their family’s mural. This well written, fast paced novel will keep you on the printed page from start to finish. Characters are well defined, well crafted, and a story line that is both interesting and easy for readers to follow. Some endings come in a dramatic way and others will change so many lives. The Disillusioned: find out who finally sees the light.
Fran Lewis, Book Reviewer
The Disillusioned is gripping, riveting and keeps the reader on its toes till its very last page.
Yatin Gupta, Book Reviewer
This novel will literally keep you guessing up to the very last second. It has it all. Romance. Suspense. Intrigue. Mystery. Inspiration. I absolutely could not put this book down. Just when I thought I was going to uncover something, Williams switches the point of view character. Every time I said to myself, “Okay, just one more chapter” I ended up reading for at least another hour, “C’mon,” I thought. “The suspense is killing me! With complex, realistic characters, descriptive settings, and an intricately woven plot, my craving for a meaty story was completely satisfied page after page. I really felt like Williams took his time planning this novel which, as a reader, made me feel valued. This guy knows his stuff.
Sara Ella, Book Reviewer
Have you ever read a book that just grabs you into it and you cannot put it down? Author D.J. Williams does a magnificent job in writing a story full of mystery that puts the reader into a trance.
Terri - IEMommy.com
Some books you should not start unless you have time to finish it without interruption “The Disillusioned” by D. J Williams is one of them. I declined an invitation from my husband to go out so that I could finish this book. Yes, it is better than good. “The Disillusioned” is truly a well written novel filled with intrigue. Of course I recommend this book, it is too good to pass up!
Marsha Randolph - Beyond The Bookstore
I really enjoyed this book. It brought out a plethora of emotions. I felt anger at the father, sympathy for the mother, and whole range of feelings with the brothers as they went through their plight. Notice I said “with” the brothers because the author had me right there with them in every situation. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone so I won’t go into any of the plot details, but this is a book you do not want to miss. It is the adventure of a lifetime; I did not want to put it down!
Kandy Kay Scaramuzzo, Book Reviewer
The Disillusioned is an amazing story! I just finished reading it, and I’m feeling that withdrawal you feel after reading a good book. It’s as if you have been on an incredible journey and now must return to real life. This book is suspenseful, mysterious, thrilling, eye-opening, and convicting all at the same time. From the very first chapter, it grips you and keeps you wanting more. It is a book that really makes you think. It transcends genres. It is a book for anyone who cares about fixing what is wrong with the world. It is for anyone who loves adventure. The action is riveting and keeps you on the edge of your seat. It’s for anyone driven by compassion for a suffering world. And it is for anyone willing to be convicted to be more than what they are.
Christy Maurer, Book Reviewer
The intricacies of religion, politics and child slavery are woven into a riveting story where death is all too common. The Disillusioned is an excellent book and I highly recommend it, giving it an A.
Cindy Johnson, Book Reviewer
Plenty of mystery, intrigue, action, suspense, and more. It is thought-provoking, showing that there is a difference between faith and religion and also shining a light on the subject of human trafficking. There was much more here than I was expecting. Kept me reading and wondering and occasionally biting my nails. I recommend this one if you like a book that keeps you guessing.
Brinda G. - WiLoveBooks
The back of this book will tell you a lot about the story that lies within. But you could never imagine what will happen. While it is a work of fiction there is so much truth in it. It is a book that will haunt me the rest of my life. This is one of the best books I have read in this genre. The way it is thought out and crafted is brilliant. Right from the start you realize it will not be a book you will want to set aside and do other things. For me it was read as much as I can. I even cried at parts of the story. The author gives us a great story that is filled with realism. Thank you D.J. Williams for working so hard and opening our minds to things we know happens, but do not think about enough.
Sandra Heptinstall - Whispering Winds Book Reviews
I happily found within this book, a truly emotional and heartfelt story full of mystery, intrigue and a genuine concern for both the characters and the reality behind their fiction. As with every good mystery, you have to claw your way through all of the lies and deceit surrounding Sam and Daniel’s family to get to the bottom of a wonderfully disturbing book. The Disillusioned features mental health problems, suicide, child labour, kidnapping, murder, religion and so much more. It is fast-paced from the beginning though a little distant to begin with though after moving some way through the book and learning about the characters and who they are, I can’t help but feel that the initial cold start was intentional and brilliantly done. In just one moment, the lives of two brothers drastically change and we follow them as they uncover a barrage of secrets and lies whilst discovering who they are, and the type of people they want to be. As I’ve already said, the book has great characters and the writing is perfect for the book. D.J.Williams isn’t afraid to tell it like it is and the plot was so well described (without constant reiteration) that I could picture it perfectly – not always a good thing considering the topic but still. I could definitely see it being a movie full of action and intrigue. The Disillusioned could very well be held at the centre of important and intelligent discussion as there is quite obviously more to the story than what is on the pages. A great novel from D.J.Williams and if it sounds like something you’d enjoy then I suggest you do so, soon!
Caragh Finnan - Loaded Shelves
Starts with the point of view of an old woman in a mental institution thinking over her life. I was drawn in right away, wondering what secrets she is keeping that are causing her so much pain. The focus shifts to her sons and there is plenty of mystery, intrigue, action, suspense, and more. It is thought-provoking, showing that there is a difference between faith and religion and also shining a light on the subject of human trafficking. There was much more here than I was expecting. Kept me reading and wondering and occasionally biting my nails. I recommend this one if you like a book that keeps you guessing.
WiLoveBooks Review
Discussion Questions
1. Which character did you find yourself identifying with? Why?
2. Which character was the most surprising throughout the story?
3. How did you see the main characters change by the end of the book?
4. Were you hooked by the first chapter? If so, why?
5. Do you think the shorter chapters kept you engaged more?
6. What were the main themes you pulled from the story?
7. What was your favorite moment in the story?
8. At the end of the book did you find yourself imagining what happened next?
9. If you could ask the author one question, what would you ask?
10. Has this novel changed you? If so, how?
(Questions courtesy of the author.)