Today's Pub Day for Necessary Lies!
I’m inviting you to join me in 1960 rural North Carolina, where a fifteen-year-old girl named Ivy Hart wants only two things: to hold the tattered remnants of her family together and to one day marry and have children with the boy she’s loved since she was a little girl. I’d like you to see how hard she works on a tobacco farm to keep a roof over her family’s heads, and how the neighbor kids who are her friends on the farm cannot be her friends off the farm because they are black and she is white. I’d like you to feel what it’s like to know that your ability to have a family of your own could end in a heartbeat. I’d like you to see that Ivy is full of goodness and love.
And then I’d like you to join me in a well-to-do neighborhood in Raleigh, the capital city of North Carolina, where a twenty-two-year-old social worker named Jane wants only two things: to make her new husband happy and to work for a while before having her own family. I’d like you to imagine how she feels when she discovers that those two powerful longings are in opposition to each other. I’d like you to understand her humiliation when she needs her husband’s permission to get a prescription for birth control. I want you to see how hard she works to help people less fortunate than she is. I’d like you to see just how much she’ll risk to do what she believes is right. I’d like you to see that Jane is full of goodness and love.
I’m inviting you to see what happens when Ivy and Jane’s worlds collide.
Necessary Lies has already been available for a month in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, and the reader reviews have warmed my heart. I can’t wait to hear what my American and Canadian readers think of this story I’ve been dying to tell for years. Do let me know your thoughts, and remember that I love visiting book clubs via Skype and speakerphone. I hope to hear from you soon!
I felt all those things and more Diane! I was lucky enough to receive an advanced readers edition to review for Amazon and I absolutely loved it. It broke my heart to read it and know that this actually happened in our country. I have recommended it to all my friends!
Thank you, Stephanie!
It should be available in Canada today, Stephanie.
Is your book out in Canada yet? I have read all your books except those no longer in publication. I have been patiently waiting for more material from you – I love your writing. Cant wait to read it.
It should be available in every country now, Alison.
I bought the book over the weekend off Amazon and read the entire thing in one day. Beautiful story – I highly recommend all your books to my friends, this one will be too. Please tell me your working on another amazing story ?
Thank you, Jana! Just finishing up the next one.
I just finished reading Necessary Lies. Beautiful story! I couldn’t wait for it to come out. The first book I read of your was Summer’S Child. I have now found, ordered and read every one of your books. The only one I couldn’t find was FIRE and RAIN. Is it still available?
After I read one of your books I think, This is the best………..until I read the next one!!!!! However, I think NECESSARY LIES is the best. I read the end 3 times.
When is your next book coming out?
Thank you, Barbara. I’m not sure where you live, but Fire and Rain was published in print many years ago in both the US and the UK, so you might be able to find very old copies. It’s also available in ebooks format in the US and Canada right now and will be available as an ebook again in the UK in a few days. Hope that helps!
I recently read “Necessary Lies”. It was one of the most creative and eye-opening novels I have ever read. You truly are a brilliant writer. I can’t wait until I can read another one of your books. The ending of “Necessary Lies” made me sob, not just like a light cry, but sobbing!
I thank you for sharing your talent with the world.
Thank you, Ashley! I sobbed when I wrote that ending, so I’m glad I have company in the sobbing department.
When will Necessary Lies be available in paperback in USA?
August, 2014!
Necessary Lies….
Hi there,
I belong to a Book Club in France . Your book was my choice after my daughter recommended it to me saying ” It’s your kind of book Mum!”. How right she was, I enjoyed every minute of what I call ” a good read” ” I will let you know what everyone else thought, once we have met to discuss it on Friday 24th January. The feedback so far, has all been very positive.
Kind Regards
Judith
I’m so glad your daughter suggested my book! I don’t know how the time difference would work out, but if it did, I’d be happy to Skype with your book club when you meet to discuss it. Have fun!
subject: Avery and Braille: I am a retired teacher from The Governor Morehead School for the Blind. I taught from 1978 until 2008. I spent my last 15 years teaching Braille for K-12. I love Braille and think it is a fascinating code. As a resident of Raleigh, I am familiar with places mentioned in the book such as Carolina Country Club and Hayes Barton area. I would love to know, how you researched Braille and living in a residential school.
Braille has always fascinated me. I did not do in depth research into Avery’s education that would take place after the main part of the story was over, except to know that he would be in a residential setting to get the help he needed in the sixties. Also, my research told me he would have the itinerant teacher in rural NC in 1960. While Avery didn’t have a huge role in the book, I really loved his character. Thank you for the work you do!
This was such a wonderful read. I couldn’t put it down for even a minute. Always enjoy your books and look forward to many more.