Songs for Lucy VBT

Blurb:

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.

Excerpt:

Dean Richardson went to the podium, looked back at Allison, and smiled. “It is now my great pleasure and privilege to introduce Allison Connelly to give the Valedictory Address. Allison has made an extraordinary contribution to our school. Not only has she achieved the highest academic standing in her graduating class, but she captained the tennis team – which won the Northeastern Intercollegiate Championship – and was on both the swim and debating teams. Rumor has it that she also sings occasionally at one of the local pubs. I really don’t know when she found time to study. It had been my hope that Allison would stay at BHU and continue with our MBA program, but... I am delighted to announce that she has been accepted into Harvard Law School. While I’m very sorry to lose her, Allison is the first BHU grad to be accepted into HLS in almost a decade and I’m sure you will all share my pride in her achievement. Allison.”

         

There was a burst of applause. Prepared to stand and approach the podium, she again felt a searing pain over her left eye. She remained seated and again breathed deeply, fighting the pain.

“Allison,” the dean prompted again.

To Allison’s great relief, the pain dissipated. She stood, walked confidently to the podium, and looked out at her classmates and others in the auditorium.

Allison paused and the audience waited expectantly, anticipating the usual salutation acknowledging students, friends and families, alumni, the dean, and the faculty.

“Hi Guys,” Allison began with a smile.

How did you get started writing?

No sudden flash of inspiration. After a career in finance (more specifically mathematics,) I just thought I’d try it. I didn’t take any courses, I didn’t start with short stories; I just started right in on my first novel, The Librarian. Now that I’m well into it and starting my third novel, I’m having fun and beginning to enjoy some success. I sometimes wonder if I should have started earlier. However, I think I’m having fun largely because I had a ‘real’ career and I don’t feel the pressure to build a writing career. I write when I feel like it, which means there are many days I don’t write at all.  

What was the inspiration for your book?

My first book, The Librarian, was a revenge thriller. It’s getting great reviews and was featured by the Huffington Post as one of the best Indie books in 2017. It would have been easier to try another in the same genre that would appeal to the same audience. However, I wanted to try something different – more thoughtful, emotive and hopefully more inspirational for readers. In considering possible plots, the story of a talented young woman, Allison, struck down in the prime of life with a terminal disease, seemed to provide a good foundation for pursuing these objectives.

I felt I was taking a risk with Songs for Lucy. It’s not the type of book I would normally buy, and it’s certainly not the type of book I would imagine myself writing. That said, I like it and I’m glad I wrote it. For those who wanted another kickass librarian, think about giving Songs for Lucy a try anyway. With Ayla’s Arc (see below) I will be back to a kickass female protagonist.

What’s a genre you haven’t written in yet that you’d like to?

I’m working on a new book, tentatively titled ‘Ayla’s Arc’. it is about a young Syrian woman who is orphaned during the recent Syrian civil war and who goes to work for the CIA in the Middle East, first as an interpreter, then as a spy and ultimately as an assassin. She becomes one of the most successful and prolific assassins on the CIA payroll, but she realizes she can’t do it forever. Ayla eventually moves to New York to pursue a legal career; but still finds the occasional need to fall back on her old skills. While it’s primarily a thriller, I suppose it also falls into the category of Current Historical Fiction. Having fun with it, but it does require a little more research.

Are there any genres you won’t read or write in? Why?

Probably Sci-Fi and Romance. I’m not sure I have the imagination for sci-fi, and as for romance, I like including some romance, but I just don’t think I’d have fun writing strictly romance.

What are you up to now? Do you have any releases planned, or are you still writing?

As mentioned above, I’m starting a new book, Ayla’s Arc. The Librarian was well received and I’ve had a lot of requests for a sequel. The Librarian didn’t lend itself to a sequel but I thought I’d go back to the same genre with a kick-ass female protagonist. It certainly seems to be the trend (Hunger Games, Red Sparrow, Tomb Raider, Wonder Woman, etc.) and I found The Librarian fun and satisfying to write.  

Alright, now for some random, fun questions. Favorite color?

Blue.

Favorite movie?     

The Last Samurai

Book that inspired you to become an author?

No single book. I was generally inspired by good books that made an impression – and bad books that made me think I could do better.

You have one superpower. What is it?  

Have to pass – nothing stands out.

You can have dinner with any 3 people, dead, alive, fictitious, etc. Who are they?

Have to pass on this one too as I’m not quite sure.

Last question: Which of your characters are you most like and how/why?

At least aspirationally, Jack Rollins, the MBA who walked away from a Wall Street finance job to buy a pub and a sailboat, and who was Allison’s love interest in Songs for Lucy. I had to wait until retirement to buy the sailboat and no pub (yet?)

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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.

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