song for lucy by philip wilson + giveaway

Songs for Lucy

by Philip Wilson

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GENRE:   Women's Fiction

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.

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.

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.

Links:

Website: www.philipmwilson.com

Facebook: @authorphilipwilson

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Guest Post

Topic: On the relationship that evolves between Allison and Jack and its importance to Allison’s character
development. When Allison first receives her terminal diagnosis, she’s too devastated to even think of
relationships or romance. She even remarks regretfully to Terri, a friend she meets at the hospice, “I’ll probably
never have sex again.” Later, when she meets Jack – the owner of the local pub The Seawind – for the first time,
she finds she’s attracted to him. It was a feeling, she had never expected to experience again. Terri notices and
comments, “I saw that, girl. You’re not dead yet.”
Jack is obviously interested and flirts constantly, and Allison enjoys it. For the first time since her diagnosis,
she feels alive and still desirable. Allison lets things naturally build between herself and Jack although
something continues to nag at her, preventing her from really letting the relationship grow.

She’s afraid to tell Jack of her situation fearing he will lose interest, yet she’s conflicted because she doesn’t
think it’s fair to start a relationship without telling him. Terri, quite typically, urges her on. “We’re talking about
a date, not marriage. Go for it, girl.”

Jack later accidentally learns of Allison’s condition and makes it clear he’s still interested. They begin a
relationship, fall deeply in love and start to build a life together. This new life includes Lucy, Jack’s nine-year-old
niece, who finds in Allison the mother and role model that she’s never had. It is through her relationship with
Jack and Lucy that Allison finds love – both in a partner, and even more so in a supportive family. As this love
develops and strengthens, Allison finds a renewed sense of purpose and a reason for living beyond what she’d
imagined upon learning of her terminal diagnosis.

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