As a longtime avid reader and writer of books in a series, today's guest in My Writing Corner quickly caught my interest. Joining me is author L. B. Griffin and she is here with us to feature her book, Secrets, Shame and a Shoebox. Just that title should catch the attention of readers. L. B. was my guest last year with her book, The Twenty-One-Year Contract and today she joins us to tell us about the prequel to that book.
L.B. says she is happily married and surrounded by her family. While she seamlessly weaves reality into compelling fiction, she says her stories are inspired from life experience and the people she continues to have the privilege to know, and work with.
Griffin also warns she is a self-confessed chocolate raisin and strawberry addict. Her debut novel: Secrets, Shame, and a Shoebox was released world-wide and instantly received rave reviews.
Let's find out more about L.B.'s featured book and how she came up with the idea to write it?
Thank you, Rebecca, for giving me the chance to talk about my debut novel Secrets, Shame, and a Shoebox. When I first started this book I had a plan, I knew what I wanted to say, all I needed was to put pen to paper. It sounds easy right? No, writing is never that easy. Not for me anyway. So I settled down and took stock of my life then mooched about a bit. Life, when it is kind, is a truly amazing experience, but it can so easily be taken for granted. In my earlier years I was in the privileged position to teach, and mentor vulnerable adults and I have met many amazing people. I quickly realised how incredible they were. They didn’t complain about their lot in life, their attitude was astonishing. While they were shy and unassuming, they were oh, so brave. In short they inspired me to write. While my stories are blended and fictionalised, we all know everyone good should have their happy ever after. Harriet is the shining light. She is the ultimate story of courage and survival. Survival is a triumph of the human spirit.
Tagline: 1950s London and everyone has a secret.
1950s London, on Harriet Laws 17th birthday her only living relative, her beloved Nana dies. Alone, bereft, and about to be made homeless, she thinks wildly about ending it all. Tom, the baker steps in and saves her. She begins to have feelings for him, but he feels he’s too old for her.
CJ Rutherford, younger, sophisticated, and suave, steps in and sweeps her off her feet. But CJ is not all he seems and once married she finds her life is in danger. Can she escape? Will she survive?
How about an excerpt?
She should go back, speak to her employer, explain the truth, beg him to reconsider. No, the only proof would be given by her absence, though it wouldn’t resolve the situation. She knew she needed to be strong, but she didn’t feel strong. She felt feeble, weak, miserable, and oh, so tired. Too tired to think straight. Without thought or plan, Harriet mechanically walked toward the tube, running over and over different scenarios, each one becoming its own reality. The entrance to the station filled with the relentless ebb and flow of commuters. A fleeting gap. She stepped between, slowly traversing the internal echoing medley of tiled chambers and escalators. With each step, Harriet felt more anger, accompanied by guilt. She should never have kept pushing Nana to tell her about her family. She had been unwell. It was her fault Nana died. She didn’t deserve a future. There could be no future. Not without Nana. Harriet continued weaving through the sea of jostling, purposeful faces, colliding with a group of schoolchildren and tourists. Normally she would apologize, but she barged by. One of the regular buskers struck up loudly, acknowledging her presence and her usual generosity. He nodded, playing something for her, she didn’t know what; she didn’t hear. It was futile. Her mind was elsewhere. She ended up on the platform with a plan, and a perfect sense of calm. She felt the telltale gust of wind from the ink-black cave. The train was coming. A strand of hair came loose from her plait, flicking her face as debris skittered along the dais. The train was imminent. People throw themselves in front of trains all the time…
Want to read more? Here are Secrets, Shame, and a Shoebox's buy links:
Let's now find out about L.B.'s sequel novel, The Twenty-One-Year Contract and how she came up with the idea to write it?
The Twenty-One-Year – Kathleen Gray is adopted, and starts her wonderful life in Somerset, with her adoptive family.
Why adoption? My curiosity was first piqued when my grandfather told me about a little girl his parents ‘took in’ because her mother wasn’t coping – this was way back in the 1900’s. I guess it was the first form of ‘fostering’. My grandfather always wondered what happened to the little girl, and, from the way he spoke he was clearly distraught when she left. I too have always wondered how her life turned out.
Since then I have been surprised to learn how many peope have been adopted.
My story starts in 1950s. Kathleen Gray was born from the little girl who came and lived with my grandfathers family and left my grandfather wondering what happened to her. I have always been keen to try to understand how my friends felt when they learned they were adopted. While it seems they were grateful they had a wonderful life, there were always those unanswered questions: Who am I? Why was I rejected? What did I do wrong?
This story isn’t just about adoption, it is a whole heap more. It is about life, all its glorious wonder. It questions life. It shows the coming of age and the kindness and courage of the human heart. When Kathleen meets Harriet she could never have known her new found friend has a shoebox full of answers.
Click on The Twenty-One-Year Contract book title to see my previous blog on this novel and find its buy links.
If you would like to get in tour with L. B, here are her Social links:
www.instagram.com/lynngriffinauthoruk
www.Facebook.com/lynngriffinauthor/
www.twitter.com/lbgriffinauthor
www.wifeinthewest.com – blog for budding writers and spotlighting authors
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Both your books capture the time periods very well and the characters become your new friends. I enjoyed both of them tremendously! Happy holidays to both of you ladies!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading where you got your inspiration to write, L.B. Thank you for sharing. I'm wishing you continued success!
ReplyDeleteInteresting pair of stories. Best on them!
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