In Leah's Wake [Kindle Edition]

Terri Giuliano Long (Author)

Book Description

***Newly Edited by Sara-Jayne Slack, Inspired Quill Press (3/12)

Recipient of the CTRR Award for excellence

2011 Book Bundlz Book Pick

Book Bundlz Book Club Favorites First Place, (12/11)

WINNER Global eBook Awards, Popular Fiction, 2012

WINNER, Literary Fiction - IndieReader Discovery Awards (IRDA), 2012

The Tylers have a perfect life--beautiful home, established careers, two sweet and talented daughters. Their eldest daughter, Leah, an exceptional soccer player, is on track for a prestigious scholarship. Their youngest, Justine, more responsible than seems possible for her 12 years, just wants her sister's approval. With Leah nearing the end of high school and Justine a seemingly together kid, the parents are set to enjoy a peaceful life...until Leah meets Todd, a high school dropout and former roadie for a rock band.

As Leah's parents fight to save their daughter from a world of drugs, sex, and wild parties, their divided approach drives their daughter out of their home and a wedge into their marriage. Meanwhile, twelve-year-old Justine observes her sister's rebellion from the shadows of their fragmented family-leaving her to question whether anyone loves her and if God even knows she exists. Can this family survive in Leah's wake? What happens when love just isn't enough?

Editorial Reviews

Review

WINNER, Literary Fiction - IndieReader Discovery Awards (IRDA), 2012
WINNER Global eBook Awards, Popular Fiction, 2012
Book Bundlz 2011 Favorites - First Place, 12/11
Book Bundlz 2011 Book Club Pick
CTRR Reviewer Recommend Award, 2011

WINNER Global eBook Awards, Popular Fiction, 2012
IN LEAH'S WAKE: Winner of the CTRR, Reviewer Recommend Award
BOOK BUNDLZ 2011 BOOK PICK
BOOK BUNDLZ 2011 BOOK CLUB FAVORITES, FIRST PLACE

"Terri Giuliano Long writes about the complexities of marriage and parenting . . . pulled me right along, as I continued to make comparisons to my own life."

--Jennifer Donovan, Managing Editor 5 Minutes For Books

In Leah's Wake is beautifully written, haunting, fascinating, and a book that has a lot to say, a lot to teach you, without getting preachy. 

--Haley Stokes, Triumphal Writing

Recipient of the Coffee Time Reviewers Recommend (CTRR) Award. This award, selected by reviewers, recognizes outstanding writing styles in all book types and genres. --Coffee Time Romance

2011 Book Bundlz Book Pick
Recipient of CTRR, Reviewer's Recommend Award

2011 Book Club Book Pick - 2011 FAVORITES, FIRST PLACE

Book Description

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 654 KB
• Print Length: 368 pages
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0044XV7PG
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,765 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

161 of 186 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the 99 cents! December 26, 2010

By A Customer

Format:Kindle Edition

I downloaded this book for my kindle mainly because the price was so cheap, and Im glad that I did! I finished the book in about 4 days. once I picked it up, I couldnt put it down! Terri does an awesome job using foreshadowing in all the right places.. and writes an ending that you will never ee coming! I highly recommend this to anyone, but I advise any strict parent to consider purchasing this as a gift for anyone under the age of about 16, as there is qite a bit of suggestive material throughout. But over all, this is a FANTASTIC book!

67 of 76 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Overall a decent story September 5, 2011

By Read for Fun

Format:Paperback

***I received a complimentary copy in exchange for a review.

I enjoyed this story for the most part. Leah went through a series of bad decisions that put her in a spot her pride couldn't back track on. The characters were well developed and it was easy to understand the things they did for the family.

I only gave it 3 stars because I felt like at times the story wandered away from the main plot and some of the story lines were too long and unnecessary. Overall, though, I enjoyed it.

71 of 84 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read! May 23, 2011

By Donna Dowd

Format:Paperback

It's hard to believe this book was the author's debut novel. The characters and storyline kept you riveted to the book and you didn't want to put it down. Very true to life story that anyone who is raising or raised teenagers could definitely relate to and see themselves, as parents, in almost the same type of situations. I enjoyed reading about the family dynamics and how each individual's actions affect everyone in the family. Very good read! Great job Terri!

46 of 56 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars great page-turner February 10, 2011

By Michael Kors

Format:Paperback

Wow, this book really kept me from sleeping! Once started I had to know the end!
A big compliment to the author! I guess it must be a gift to be able to `create' a book of this caliber.
Being a parent myself with, I guess I may compare myself with Zoe and Will. Do they make mistakes!! Page after page it became more obvious they don't leave Leah a chance but to run away! The grenade in her was planted long ago, it just needed a Todd or Hope to pull the pin out! How good of the author to show that even a mother whose profession it is to train other parents how to get on the right track, can make such mistakes in her private live. The frustration (especially from Will) of not living the live they wanted, is mirrored onto the kids.
I can fully recommend this book, and I hope Terri Giuliano-Long is inspired to write another book.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Summer Read! June 5, 2011

By Emily

Format:Paperback

Holding my daughters for the first time, watching them absorb the world around them, smelling their sweet breath, I pictured a fairytale future. My vision of them held details of first steps, first boyfriends, college, marriage and eventually grandchildren. A lifetime of accomplishments mixed in with minor disappointments, disappointments that would only strengthen them to be the amazing women I know they will be. I pictured sharing this joy with my best friend and partner, my husband.

I didn't picture rampant sexual teens, drugs, drop-out coke dealing boyfriends, drunken parties or searching relentlessly for my runaway daughter. Thoughts of them failing school, insulting their team mates by quitting, or squandering a chance at college scholarships never crossed my mind. It was an impossible possibility that my older daughter could influence her younger sister to follow down a dark, dangerous road with her, causing a 12-year-old mental breakdown. My marriage could never be stripped down by the stress of raising an emotionally drowning teenager, worn thread bare, exposing gaping holes where adultery could seep in and communication lost. That could never happen to my family. Could it?

That's what Zoe and Will Tyler must have thought too, as they watched their two beautiful daughters, 12-year-old Justine and 16-year-old Leah, grow up in Terri Giuliano Long's debut novel In Leah's Wake.

"They had no idea, he and Zoe, how easy they'd had it when the girls were young."

In Leah's Wake is a dramatic contemporary novel about the average suburban family. Will and Zoe Tyler are both hard working parents trying to provide the perfect life for their children: a nice house, good schools, sports and academic enrichment.... Leah is a soccer star, groomed for a future in collegiate sports, captain of her team and a positive role model for her younger sister. Justine's strengths are in academics, a compassionate heart, a desire to please her family and an unquestionable faith. The Tyler family seemed to have it all, a life of promise and privilege, and a life, not too unlike my own. Until suddenly, they find themselves drowning in the wake of Leah's tumultuous teenage transformation.

Early in the novel, Terri pulled at my heartstrings so much, the story became personal. My identity started to intertwine with Zoe Tyler. Her voice echoed in my head, the same as so many other moms.

"...Zoe vowed. From now on, if one of her children needed her, she planned to be available. She would rearrange her patient schedule so she was free to pick up Leah after practice, would attend every game. She would set aside at least four hours of individual, quality time, per week, for each of the girls. She would pack their lunches. Bake cookies. Sew Halloween outfits. She'd be the perfect mother. Better than perfect, she thought..."

It's clear that Terri is a parent, and not surprising to know that she is raising four daughters. Her concrete descriptions and detailed passages engaged all my senses, creating a sense of inclusion, as if I were a part of the Tyler family. She has an extraordinary ability to allow the reader to see the action unfolding from all of the characters' viewpoints, reminding the reader that reality and truth are influenced greatly by each person's perspective and personal experiences.

We start to see a crack in Leah's vision, the beginning of her unraveling, when she has to engage in a classroom conversation about their futures.

"When her turn came, Leah mumbled her answer. A professional soccer player, she said, the choice they all expected to hear... Lately, she'd begun to wonder if playing pro soccer was something she really wanted to do. The adults in her life all pushed her in that direction, told her she'd be a fool not to play; maybe she'd simply adopted their dream."

How many times, as parents, do we push our children to do something because they show a natural talent? Thousands of times I have thought, "They'll thank me later".

Leah's restless spirit finds solace in a 19-year-old high school dropout, Todd. His carefree lifestyle and independence are intoxicating, lulling Leah into a false sense of adulthood. Like most teenagers, Leah thinks she is old enough to handle life on her own, without the support of her loving family. What starts out as normal teenage rebellion, breaking curfew, secrecy, and talking back soon turns into a full-blown revolt as Leah's parents try to regain control. But they are no match to a life of parties, drugs and music.

Justine is caught between wanting to please her parents, and wanting her sister's approval. She begins to slip away into the dark waters her big sister treads, hoping to maintain their relationship. Justine is also the peace-maker of the family, and when she can't help her parents reconcile with her sister, not only is her heart broken but her faith in family, friends and religion is shattered. She begins to take on a more maternal role, taking care of her mother after a debilitating accident and battle with depression.

Ironically Zoe is a family counselor and leadership coach but is unable to utilize her well trained, professional skills to recognize the red flags her daughter Leah was flailing. As her perfect life starts to dissipate, revealing instability, she retreats into herself, extends too much grace and not enough discipline for fear of losing her friendship with her daughter.

Perhaps Will could have been more present if he wasn't trying to dig himself out of his own drama. Life throws us many unexpected trials, and for Will a demanding work schedule and marital discontentment blinded him from what his family really needed until it was too late. He also got caught up in his parental dreams, picturing his daughter playing soccer at a collegiate level, forgetting to make sure that was what his daughter wanted too.

Although In Leah's Wake is a sad story of family experiencing traumatic growing pains, Terri does a fantastic job leaving the reader with some hope in the end. This book made me take a look at my own children, marriage and priorities. It reminded me how precious each day is and that we can't take anything for granted. Terri also gave me some insight on how the teenage brain works, letting me hear Leah's thoughts and inner voice, hopefully giving me a small clue to what goes on behind those frustrated eyes of my own teenage daughter, tossing me a life preserver for my own future wake.

Will is reminded of some advice his mother gave him when his children were younger.

"Your children will bring you the greatest joy in your life...They will also break your heart. You've got to take the good with the bad." Read more ›

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars In Leah's Wake - lovely, moving, well-written October 2, 2011

By Molly Greene

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

A wonderful job of plotting and characterization in this debut novel. Poignant, thoughtful, well-written - lots to relate to here and much to think about as the story unfolds. Ms. Long has a wonderful career ahead of her, and I look forward to her next book!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Heavy Subject Matter but Delivered Well January 16, 2012

By Readinista

Format:Paperback

I took a step out of my comfort zone when I decided to read In Leah's Wake. My comfort zone is normally filled with fiction that takes me far away from real life issues. In Leah's Wake is the exact opposite of what I normally read in that it features very real life problems. When Leah Tyler trades in her straight A student, star athlete lifestyle for one of rebellion, her family and even her whole town feels the weight of her shift in behavior.

Told from the alternating perspectives of the member of Tyler family and a local police officer, the reader experiences the all sides of the story. Leah's descent into disorder begins when she meets Todd, a high school drop out and drug dealer. She falls hard for Todd and soon she begins cutting class and skipping soccer practice to be with him. He introduces her to drugs, sex, crime, and in many ways turns her against her parents. When her parents finally catch on to her behavior, they over react to point where they end up driving Leah deeper into the arms of Todd and further away from a healthy lifestyle.

When Leah's father, Will, learns of her behavior and her lousy boyfriend, he looses his temper merely upon the mention of her boyfriends name. He see Todd as the sole reason why his daughter has changed so drastically from the little girl he once knew. Although Todd has a key role in Leah's behavior, her father also pushed her too hard to be perfect. He also refuses to curb his temper when around his daughter and so the fighting becomes inevitable.

Zoe, Leah's mother, is a stark contrast to her husband behavior. In fact, she barely reacts to Leah's behavior. As a self help speaker, one would think Zoe would be an expert in correcting her daughter's misbehavior, but instead she chooses to ignore and escape.... Her worst moment is when Leah actually comes to her for help and she tells her daughter she is too busy with her self help business.

Justine, Leah's younger sister, is the one stuck in the middle of all the chaos. She is a straight A student, responsible, hard working, and overall good girl. At first she is confused and disappointed by her sisters behavior, but as the family fighting goes on Justine begins to understand Leah's behavior and turns against her parents.

Author Terri Guiliano Long expertly develops her characters and paints a picture so real that you can't help but feel the effects of the characters decisions. There are many points in the book where you see things starting to go wrong and you want to scream at the characters to save them from their horrible decision. Long's character develop is so solid that despite of all the characters bad decisions, you truly understand their reasoning. You know why Leah's mom chooses to escape, you understand why Leah lashes out, and you feel Will's frustration as he sees his daughter drive off with Todd.

In Leah's Wake is a well written journey into a family's soul. There were times where I wished the author would take a break from problems and interject some scenes with joy. Rather the scenes with any ounce of joy were quickly quelled and the Tyler family storm would strike back at full force. For most of the book, there is a feeling of a constant downward spiral only to hit bottom at the end. It takes a lot for me to pick up a book when I know I will encounter turmoil upon reading its pages and I had to really push myself to keep reading. A few times, I wanted to throw the book across the room I was so made at the characters (that was until I realized I was reading it on my Kindle).

Long's writing no doubt stirred up emotions within me and I have a feeling that was her precise intent. I gave the book three stars mainly because I don't like being dragged through book that consists almost entirely of sad and painful to watch scenes. I have nothing but praise for the Long's writing but the story she created it wasn't one that I was particularly enjoyed reading. There was very little light in this dark story. I recommend this book to readers of women's fiction and to those who can weather heavy subject matter.

Thank you to Terri Giuliano Long for providing a copy of her book to review in exchange for an honest review. Read more ›

More About the Author

Terri Giuliano Long has written marketing pieces for print and online media, edited technical articles, and written news and feature stories for numerous publications, including the Huffington Post. She lives with her family on the East Coast and teaches at Boston College. In Leah's Wake is her debut novel.

Please visit her website: www.tglong.com Or connect on her blog (www.terriglong.com/blog), Facebook (www.facebook.com/tglongwrites) or Twitter (www.twitter.com/tglong).