Monday, Sunday by Fenton Grace:

Publisher: Hanover Press (May 4, 2015)
Category: Women’s Fiction, Literary, Contemporary, with a Noir edge
ISBN: 978-0-9961534-0-9
Tour Date: August/September, 2015
Available in: Print & ebook, 287 Pages

Set in a small town in Colorado, Monday, Sunday tells the enthralling story of Laney Secord.  She is a 32-year-old single mother who finds herself attracted to a 16-year-old Eagle Scout, Christopher.  Unable to accept her feelings, Laney becomes involved with Christopher’s father, Bill.  In the course of a week, a romantic triangle envelops the trio and changes their lives in ways in which none of them could have imagined.

A gripping story of a complex woman at a crossroads in her life. A woman who is determined to rediscover herself.  She becomes powerfully aware that every decision she makes could mean life or.. death.

“In this beautifully written and compelling novel, author Fenton Grace explores the consequences of flawed choices, the nature of betrayal and forgiveness, and the boundaries of sexual attraction.” Noah, Book Reviewer

INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR

What initially got you interested in writing?

I’ve been interested in writing since high school.  Initially, I wrote poetry.  I quickly realized that you can’t make much of a living writing verse.  Over the years, I turned to writing novels.

How did you decide to make the move into becoming a published author?

I was inspired in part by the success that some indie authors have had self-publishing their work.  I heard the story of how E.L. James published “50 Shades of Grey” when the film was released, and I thought, Why not give it a chance?  The opportunities in self-publishing didn’t exist ten years ago.  It’s almost as if the major publishing houses of today are actually Amazon, Nook, and Lulu.  Previously, almost all writers were dependent on the New York literary machine for their work to reach an audience.  I think a revolution is afoot, and I’m happy to be part of it.

What do you want readers to take away from reading your works?

I’d like readers to learn to have a little more compassion for their fellow man.  I’d like them to realize that the world can be a better place.  The self-contained world that is embodied in a novel can pave the way for these opportunities.

What do you find most rewarding about writing?

I think the most rewarding aspect of writing is being able to create a living, breathing universe, replete with characters, places, things, ideas, and anything your imagination can conjure.  Novel writing in particular has no limits.  You can write a book like “Ulysses” or you can write “Valley of the Dolls”.  All have their merits.  Some are pure entertainment.  Some are chock full of ideas and offer a complete lack of entertainment.  Many are a blend.  Being able to express ideas and thoughts through your characters’ storylines is very exciting.  It enables me as an author to experience things that I couldn’t through an ordinary course of living.

What do you find most challenging about writing?

I think the hardest part is making what characters do and say be believable.  It’s interesting that you can take a completely factual incident, dramatize it exactly how it happened, and a reader won’t perceive it as being real.  That’s where the craft comes in.  You need to change things, heighten certain points, ignore others.  And most of all fib.  That’s what fiction is about – fibbing, all in the essence of creating “truth”.  What makes it especially hard is that the author often can’t see the missing points him or herself.  We need readers or editors to point things out so we can improve our scenes.

What advice would you give to people wanting to enter the field?

I’d tell anyone who wants to be a writer that a back-up career is needed.  Very few people actually make a good living writing full-time.  They usually have some other occupation that pays the bills.  I’d encourage young people to learn some trade or profession where they can make a living that will suit their needs.  They should find something that they like almost as much as writing because chances are, they’ll be spending most of their waking hours at that profession.  In their free time, they should write.  Write as if it’s a hobby, because essentially, that’s what it will be for most writers at the beginning.  Write every day, get feedback from as many professionals as you can, learn the craft from taking courses, participating in workshops, and most of all through practice.

What are the best ways to connect with you, or find out more about your work?

I like to connect with people via Twitter.  It’s a great way to stay in touch on current activiites.  I welcome direct messages from readers and writers.  I have a website (www.FentonGrace.com), which I update with important news about my novel and my work.

EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK

As the water ran over her hands, Christopher placed his clipboard on the counter near the breakfast area.  He was fidgeting toward the kitchen island, closer to her, as if he were listening to music in his head.  When he noticed her watching, he stopped.

“You can have a seat if you’d like,” she said.

He smirked, angling around the stool and spinning the seat before spreading his legs and sitting down.

“You must be getting ready to go off to college soon?” she ventured.

“If my SAT’s are good, I hope to get into Boulder.”

“Boulder’s my alma mater.”

His eyes lit up.  “For real?”

‘For real’:  She was struck by the enthusiastic way he used the expression.  “What do you want to study?” she asked.

“Business.”

The confidence of his answer impressed her.  He would probably be quite successful in corporate America.

“For me, it was psychology.”

“Nice.”  He let his voice trail off in such a way that suggested he was referring not to psychology but to something else.

She turned off the faucet and watched the water flow down the drain, drying her hands on a towel propped against the granite backsplash.

His eyes darted about the room.  She put the towel on the counter, where a picture of Jay was set in a silver frame.  In it, he waved hello—or goodbye—while trekking up a trail.  It was the last photo she had taken of him.

Christopher’s feet tapped on the footrest of the stool, unsettling her.  She noticed him scratching or reaching for something in his pocket.  She cautiously filled a glass of water using the automatic dispenser on the refrigerator door.  Her twitching fingers cooled.  As she handed him the glass, he stood and pulled a stool from the island and offered it to her.

She tried to dispel the flush of her cheeks.  “Such a gentleman,” she said, half sarcastically, half flirtatiously.

“I try,” he said, picking up on her sarcasm, his eyes narrowing, suggesting that he enjoyed her tone.  “At sixteen, you have to keep up your image.”  He gave a quick wink.

The wink struck her as odd.  Perhaps he was trying to imitate what he saw older men do.  At the same time, she found the gesture charming.

Sixteen, she thought.

About Fenton Grace:

Fenton Grace was born and raised in New England.  She graduated from Brown University with a degree in French.  She enjoys playing piano, tennis, and keeping in shape with Pilates.  She’s worked in the entertainment industry at several television and movie studios in a variety of business services roles.  Happily married for 17 years, she is the proud mother of two kids and currently lives in beautiful Southern California.  Monday, Sunday is her first novel.

Website: www.FentonGrace.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/fentongraceus

Buy Monday, Sunday by Fenton Grace:

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Book Depository
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