A few years ago, I started noticing comments in my blog from a woman named
Patry Francis. I didn't know who she was, I only knew that every post was warm, kind, encouraging. I saw that she was posting similar sentiments on some of the other blogs I read.
I clicked into
Patry's blog and found that she was a writer with a wonderful voice and an enormous heart. So when she got a tremendous book deal for her first novel,
THE LIAR'S DIARY, I was thrilled for her.
It came out in hardcover to rave reviews from readers and critics alike. And no wonder. It's a gorgeous book about a dark crime and the people it affects. In Patry's own words, "
Though my novel deals with murder, betrayal, and the even more lethal crimes of the heart, the real subjects of THE LIAR'S DIARY are music, love, friendship, self-sacrifice and courage. The darkness is only there for contrast; it's only there to make us realize how bright the light can be. I'm sure that most writers whose work does not flinch from the exploration of evil feel the same."
Many of us fellow writers followed Patry's career because we were so happy for her. We couldn't wait to see what would happen when
THE LIAR'S DIARY made its paperback debut. But before that happened, her blog revealed some startling and terrible news:
Patry was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer and was battling for her life.
The many writers who had grown to know and love
Patry were stunned and wondered if there was anything we could besides send her our prayers and best wishes.
And then, my dear friend
Susan Henderson brainstormed with
Laura Benedict and came up with the brilliant idea of getting the blogosphere to rally around Patry and help promote her paperback release. Sue wrote to me and I immediately signed on, and was just as shocked as she was when the thing mushroomed to include over 300 bloggers!
Patry baby, that's karma in action!
Anyway, I urge you to click into
Susan Henderson's LitPark to read the full story about how this whole thing got started. But even more importantly, I urge you to
learn more about this wonderful book and
buy a copy for yourself.
Here's copy from the publisher's site:
Answering the question of what is more powerful—family or friendship
? this debut novel unforgettably shows how far one woman would go to protect either.
They couldn’t be more different, but they form a friendship that will alter both their fates. When Ali Mather blows into town, breaking all the rules and breaking hearts (despite the fact that she is pushing forty), she also makes a mark on an unlikely family. Almost against her will, Jeanne Cross feels drawn to this strangely vibrant woman, a fascination that begins to infect Jeanne’s “perfect” husband as well as their teenaged son.
At the heart of the friendship between Ali and Jeanne are deep-seated emotional needs, vulnerabilities they have each been recording in their diaries. Ali also senses another kind of vulnerability; she believes someone has been entering her house when she is not at home—and not with the usual intentions. What this burglar wants is nothing less than a piece of Ali’s soul.
When a murderer strikes and Jeanne’s son is arrested, we learn that the key to the crime lies in the diaries of two very different women . . . but only one of them is telling the truth. A chilling tour of troubled minds, The Liar’s Diary signals the launch of an immensely talented new novelist who knows just how to keep her readers guessing.To hear a sample from
THE LIAR'S DIARY audiobook from my buddy (and publisher) Eileen Hutton over at
Brilliance Audio,
click here.
And now here's another cool thing.
Sheila Clover English, C.E.O. of Circle of Seven Productions, volunteered her time and resources to put together a video for THE LIAR'S DIARY in record time. Take a look:
9 comments:
Oh, wow. Talk about darkness and light...the book sounds wonderful and the outpouring gives me hope in humanity. Thanks, Ellen! Healing thoughts, Patry!
oh wow that is so cool that authors are rallying together to help another one of their own. :) Definitely puts the book on my list of ones to buy next month. :)
Thanks for the tip! I will link from my blog to yours to pass this along to my few friends and fellow readers! Thanks!
Hi Ellen,
Great article! Thanks for posting this.
You'll find my review of The Liar's Diary on my blog, http://mstephens-musings.blogspot.com
Beautiful post, Ellen. But why would I expect anything less?
And thank you so much for graciously contributing to a challenge over at my blog in connection with this historic day...I will be back later with more details as they develop.
Wow Ellen! Very powerful and moving on so many levels. The internet is a powerful tool, if it helps this fine author overcome her obstacles, it is a tool well used.
Thanks for posting this, Ellen!
Pamela E
Thanks for sharing, Ellen. I've been reading about this on Shelf Awareness. I am thinking positive thoughts for this author and look forward to reading her present novel and more to come.
I am so inspired to be a part of this blog-tastic effort with so many generous souls!
ps. loved 'Applewood PTA', Ellen!
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