The Day Before Tomorrow
by Monique Britten
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GENRE: Literary Fiction (Historical)
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BLURB:
Juliette and George Morgan know all about Living the Good Life. As
the town’s newest ‘it’ couple, they succeed in transforming the otherwise
sleepy farming community of Rickshaw into a hotbed for musical talent and
social enterprise. A poignant and beautifully layered tale, the Day Before
Tomorrow is a portrayal of an era once removed, yet not forgotten – from the
early to late seventies - with much of the story taking place within the Morgan
family’s domestic locus and the community in which they live. Relationships
become so intricately woven, adult and adolescent lines become blurred and an
illicit connection between teacher and student builds into hidden, often
disturbing scenes of love, secrets and human experience. When the Morgan’s
future essentially falls down in mid-flight, the family is forced to cope with
not only trauma, but coming of age and ultimately moving away from their safe
haven of Rickshaw. An indictment of survival, shattered innocence, death, love
and optimism, this tale is one that will transport your mind, speak to your
heart and stay in both long after you have closed the cover.
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EXCERPT
Prologue
Sitting before her coffee, she dips her toast into her
soft-boiled egg and opens the paper. Her pulse guns as she scans two – no wait,
three – pages of obituaries. She opens her day-planner. A long, slow sip of
coffee and she begins to write:
Monday, May 17, 10:30 am: McQuade and Bitter Funeral Homes,
46-year old male, Everett Churchill, survived by wife and four boys
Tuesday, May 18, 2:00 pm: Guthrey and White Funeral Home.
37-year-old female, Elizabeth Florence Merchand, cancer victim, survived by
husband and four children
Wednesday, May 19, 3:30 pm: Park Memorial, 92-year-old
couple, Mr. and Mrs. Edward and Bernice Piccallo, five kids, 25 grandkids.
Thursday, May 20, 2:30 pm: Tracy and Bros. Funeral Home,
46-year-old male, Richard Lougheed, tragic and unexpected death, survived by
two children.
Thursday, May 20, 3:00 pm: Guthrey and White Funeral Home,
Abigail Finley, 13-year-old female, tragic and unexpected death.
Rats, she thinks, two at the same time. She crosses out the
Lougheed funeral.
Saturday, May 22, 6:40 am: Whitehorse, AC876. She scoops out
the rest of the yoke, closes the paper. A front-page sideline catches her eye.
Fetus Alive in Brain-Dead Mother
A thirty-six year old woman traveling westbound on hwy 622
was hit head-on when the driver of a semi carrying timber logs fell asleep at
the wheel. The woman, currently on life support at the Northampton General
Hospital, is eight months pregnant. The mother will remain on life support
until the baby can be safely removed from the womb. Health professionals say it
appears the baby remains unharmed. read more page D7.
Outside the kitchen window, the breeze of new spring brushes
up against the empty swing set, its cold metal hinges complaining shrilly of
the wait.
The hospital hums with quiet industry. Across the hall, two
nurses are discussing the best way to make lentil curry. “Excuse me. Sorry to
bother you, Miss,” the woman says to the nurse at reception whose nametag says
Amy. “I’m looking for a woman who was recently in a car crash?” Amy flips open
a chart. “Annabel Grace.”
“Yes, I know the one. She’s pregnant.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
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Our Thoughts
This was an emotionally layered tale that takes place in the early to late seventies. The story centers around the Morgan family and the struggles they face.
From a false front of perfection to tragedy this takes this reader through the emotional gauntlet
The characters were developed and complex. I found their responses relatable. Not just the everyday trials that are living but also how they confronted their grief and learned to live again after facing such an emotional tragedy
The author crafted a unique blend of historical fiction highlighting the social commentary of that period
I enjoyed the vivid scenes and was easily able to visualize myself there
The story was slow-paced and does deal with some sensitive topics which may be difficult for some readers.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
About the
Author: Monique Britten is an emerging author known for her ability to craft
compelling stories that resonate deeply with readers. With a passion for
capturing the essence of different eras and the complexities of human
relationships, Britten's writing leaves a lasting impact on those who delve
into her novels. "The Day Before Tomorrow" offers a poignant
exploration of love, loss, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.
Buy Link:
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Day-Before-Tomorrow-Idea-Whose/dp/B094T3Q9W9
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Monique Britten will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Thank you for featuring this book today.
ReplyDeleteSuch an inspirational book cover!!
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