BLOG TOUR: The Firefly by Laury A. Egan (Excerpt + Q&A with Author)

BLOG TOUR

Book Title: The Firefly

Author: Laury A. Egan

Publisher: Spectrum Books

Cover Artist: Design by Laury A. Egan with assistance by Andrew May and Vicki DeVico

Release Date: August 12, 2023

Genres: F/F Romance and portrait of a teenager, age 14, through adulthood, age 40.

Tropes: teenage lovers separated

Themes: Solitariness of a creative girl/woman, sexual orientation confusion in the 60s, pressure to conform to social expectations

Heat rating: 3 flames

Length: 74 000 words/ 304 pages

It is a standalone book and does not end on a cliffhanger.

Goodreads

Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US | Amazon UK

A Romance by a Lake; a Life Searching for a Teenage Lover

Blurb

1964: A dark summer night on a still black lake. A lantern is lit at the end of a dock. A blond girl in white appears and begins to dance, her body illuminated like the fireflies surrounding her. A second girl emerges from a house and is beckoned forward. The two meet, swim, and then kiss. Thus begins an ethereal romance and a young woman’s journey into adulthood.

Robin Bennet, age fourteen, has been accidentally abandoned at a lakeside rental house in the Pocono Mountains. Her parents were arguing, and each believed the other had remained with Robin. Alone, Robin discovers that someone has been sleeping in the house and is now stealing vodka and snacks. A fifteen-year-old boy, Kieran, the intruder, appears and invites himself to dinner. Robin is charmed by him, especially when she learns he is the brother of the beautiful girl who magically appeared on the dock the night before. After Kieran leaves, the “Firefly” returns, lights the lantern, and circles around it until Robin joins her. The two swim and make love on the beach. When Robin awakens, the Firefly—Stella—has disappeared, and Robin’s mother arrives, announcing they will return to New Jersey immediately because she is divorcing Robin’s father. Frantic, Robin tries to find Stella, a search that continues while Robin builds a career as an architect in Manhattan, fails in marriage, and struggles with her sexual identity.

Excerpt

[Robin’s parents have left her alone in a rented lake house, each thinking the other would remain. The year is 1964, Robin is 14, and has just drunk some wine.] “Robin shuddered awake. She shook her head, which felt on the verge of aching, and lifted her gaze toward the lake. To her amazement, the lantern was lit on the dock. Standing by it was the Firefly, dressed in white, her blond hair bright against the darkness of the water and the forested hill beyond.

Robin rubbed her eyes. She must be having drunken hallucinations, but when she looked again, the beautiful vision remained. Excitement shot through her, and she lurched to her feet, descended the stairs with the bottle of wine, and walked down the grassy hill to the path, afraid to blink and lose sight of the enchanting image that lay before her. As she stepped onto the dock, the Firefly circled the lantern and offered her hands in invitation, her long fingers sweeping through the air with elegant fluidity. It appeared the girl was smiling, but perhaps this was what Robin hoped.

She made her way carefully. Some of the boards were uneven, and she didn’t trust her steadiness after drinking so much. Her ears also seemed filled with a pulsing sound, or was that the loud beating of her heart? Nearing the girl, Robin knew the figure was Stella because of the strong resemblance to Kieran—the same yellow hair, slender build, neat features, and gracefulness. But Stella was more magnetic, more enchanting. Instantly, the dinner with Kieran was forgotten. This moment was all present, all now.

Dazed, Robin stopped and stared at this beautiful apparition, one she struggled to believe was real. Almost afraid of breaking the silence with words, she whispered, “Hello.”

“Hello,” the girl replied.

“Stella?”

“Yes. Robin?”

“Yes.”

The water lapped against the dock pilings, and a bird called from a distant tree. Above, the dark sky shrouded them in an illuminated enclosure.

They smiled at each other.

Robin inched closer, reveling in the sensuous figure before her. Stella had blue eyes. Perhaps a paler shade than Kieran’s or maybe the lantern’s glittering reflections were creating the appearance of translucence. Her skin was unblemished, smooth, and creamy. The fragrance of Jean Naté floated in the air.

“I hoped you’d return,” Robin said.

“I’m glad. I waited until Kieran left.” Her expression was amused, flirtatious.

Robin sighed. “I don’t think the dinner went well. I mean, the meal was fine, but Kieran is hard to understand.”

Stella laughed. “He’s perfected the fine art of being secretive.”

“And you? Are you the same?”

“Yes, I suppose so. You’ll have to find out.”

This sounded like a teasing challenge. “I will,” she answered in kind. “Would you like some wine?”

Stella accepted the bottle, drank, and wiped her mouth. Her lips were perfectly cut, pink, and alluring.

“Thank you.” She handed the wine back to Robin, who took a swallow. “Good. Now, it’s a warm night, Robin. We should swim, don’t you think?”

Without waiting for a response, Stella began undressing. Underneath her blouse, against her tanned skin, a lacy white bra was revealed. Robin noticed that Stella’s breasts appeared to be larger than hers, but Stella was two years older.

When Stella leaned down to unbuckle her sandals, Robin unbuttoned her own shirt, overcome with shyness. Although she showered with girls after gym class, Robin had never exposed herself like this. She fixed her eyes on Stella, who had dropped her pants and stepped clear. The girl was slightly taller than Robin, with legs and arms that were lean and strong. Clad only in cotton underpants and a bra, Stella gave her a captivating smile, turned, and dove neatly off the dock. For what seemed like a minute, she stayed underwater until she resurfaced about fifteen feet away. Stella brushed back her short hair and watched as Robin took off her slacks and sandals and executed a clean entrance into the black water. Rising near Stella, the two swam closer to each other and kept upright by paddling their arms.

Robin felt a wave of dizziness pass over her. Because of the wine or because of the nearness to this radiant being? She waited for the girl to speak, to act. Instead, Stella laughed, the sound reminding Robin of wind chimes blowing in a light breeze.”

Q&A with Laura A. Egan

Introduce yourself and your writing

The Firefly (August 12) is my 11^th novel, with three additional titles contracted with Spectrum Books, UK, (my amazing new publisher) for November, December, and April 2024. Previous titles include Once, Upon an Island; Wave in D Minor; Doublecrossed; The Swimmer; and others. A collection, Fog and Other Stories, has been published as well as 85 stories and poems in literary journals and anthologies. Four volumes of poetry have been issued in limited edition. My background was as a university press book designer and fine arts photographer. I live on the northern coast of New Jersey.

How long have you been an author?

I began writing poetry at age 7 and wrote my first novel age 12-13; stories and poems thereafter, some published in my high school literary magazine. Adult publication began with a short story in 2007, then in 2009, my first poetry collection, Snow, Shadows, a Stranger, appeared, which was followed by Beneath the Lion’s Paw in 2011. My first novel, Jenny Kidd, a psychological suspense set in Venice, was published in 2012.

What/who inspired you to start writing?

I was an only child, who lived a distance from town, with two busy and incompatible parents. The area was stunningly beautiful (coast of New Jersey), with a hillside view of the ocean, bay, distant Manhattan skyline, and a forest. My surroundings were my first inspiration, and writing served as entertainment and a way to understand the world and my life.

Tell us about your new release. What inspired you to write it?

I wanted to create an elegant, romantic night by a lake with two girls who have a first-time lesbian experience that becomes indelibly etched in their lives.

How did you decide on the title?

When I imagined the night scene on the dock with Stella (the Firefly) dancing around a lantern, The Firefly was an instant choice (plus I’ve always loved fireflies). The title epitomized the ethereal and romantic beauty of the moment.

What are you working on at present? Would you like to share a snippet?

I am terrifically honored to have a new publisher, Andrew May, of Spectrum Books in London. After The Firefly appears August 12, my suspense novel, The Psychologist’s Shadow, will be the premiere title in his new imprint, Enigma Books—a therapist acquires a stalker (November 18). A very creative, strange project, two partially linked novellas featuring magical realism, The Black Leopard’s Kiss & The Writer Remembers, is due December 16 (shares some similarities with Woolf’s Orlando). In April 2024, Jack & I is slated for publication—a story about a boy with dissociative identity disorder told by the “host” and the “alter.” With all these projects ongoing, I’m really busy with editing and production, plus all four feature my cover designs.

What is the hardest part of writing any book?

That’s easy. Promotion. Like many authors, marketing my own work goes against the grain of my introverted personality. Secondly, dealing with the impoverished formatting inherent in print-on-demand production makes me crazy. As a book designer who worked for over 20 national publishers, who was trained in classical typography, the limitations are frustrating.

Did you learn anything from writing your recent book? What was it?

Somewhat similar to an earlier title, Turnabout, I realized that my sense of romanticism is rooted in my teenage years. In this novel, I was able to highlight the conflict between the demands of career (a creative one) vs. relationships, which has been an ongoing challenge in my life.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

As a book reviewer (The New York Journal of Books and for some authors), I am stunned by how many typos, plot snags, repetitive words, and comma errors appear in published books, particularly those by small presses, but I’ve also seen an increase in these problems from books by trade houses. On my own fiction, I usually read 30-40 rounds and still find mistakes (a lot of self-swearing goes on in my home office). I suspect many authors would benefit from more revisions, the use of beta readers, and keeping The Chicago Manual of Style at one’s elbow.

Are there any genres you prefer to write, and if so, why?

I write the book that wants to be written. Because of a lifelong fascination with psychology, I tend toward psychological suspense as a favorite genre, such as Doublecrossed, The Ungodly Hour, A Bittersweet Tale, and Jenny Kidd. I love to write literary fiction, too, such as Once, Upon an Island; The Swimmer; and my forthcoming novellas. Also enjoy writing YA and even comedy (the gay guy who “appeared” one day and forced me to write Fabulous! An Opera Buffa was very funny.)

Is there a book you wish you had written?

I’m very admiring of two brilliant authors. Kate Atkinson is sly, wry, and a magnificent writer of character and plot—see her Jackson Brodie series. And I’ve been devouring all of Mari Hannah’s books, especially her Kate Daniels’ series. I wish I had the mental braininess to concoct such elaborate puzzles. I’m green with envy.

Why an LGBTQ story?

I’m a “bridge” writer and tend to follow my characters wherever they wander, so sometimes I may not always have LGTBQ characters in mind at the outset, though sometimes I do, such as in The Firefly. All of my fiction is aimed at all readers, i.e., when gay characters are featured, they are integrated with a mix of straight characters. Because this is reality, this blending feels comfortable. The Firefly is about a lesbian romance, but it transforms into a portrait of a woman as she matures and encounters a variety of people.

Do you have genres you prefer reading, and if so what are they?

Most of my reading is in the mystery/suspense genre, particularly by masters like Mari Hannah, Val McDermid, Ann Cleeves (note the UK preferences), and some Nordic noir authors. I also read literary work, poetry, and the occasional biography. Not fond of sci-fi, fantasy, horror, or most romance genres.

What book/s are you reading at the moment?

Pattiann Rogers, Flickering (poetry) and Lauren Groff, The Monsters of Templeton).

What novels do you adore/re-read?

Patricia Highsmith’s work was an early inspiration, though I wish she would have polished her writing a bit more. Virginia Woolf—a big influence for my own novel, Wave in D Minor, about a composer writing an opera about the relationship between Woolf and Vita Sackville-West. I seldom re-read novels; poetry, yes, on occasion.

Which other writers do you follow?

Kate Atkinson is my current favorite. Mari Hannah, Jo Nesbø, Lilja Sigurdardóttir, Val McDermid. Love Donna Leon, too, and when she was active, Martha Grimes.

Are any of your characters based on you or people you know?

Ha! Of course there are bits of myself and people I know, particularly in Once, Upon an Island, set on St. Croix in 1966. My mother and I were there then, and she and some other people from the Pink Fancy, a small hotel, were included after some biographical and personality changes. Other than that, I shall remain mysterious!

Do you have a favourite character and/or book you’ve written? Who, what and why?

Once, Upon an Island is the book I love the most, perhaps because I was on St. Croix at the time and promised myself to write a novel about living on an island (I was a teenager—only took me 50+ years to fulfil this vow). The island setting is—I think—beautifully rendered and the story is dramatic. Of forthcoming titles, I’m really pleased with The Black Leopard’s Kiss & The Writer Remembers (December 16), which stretched my creativity and imagination. Wave in D Minor is another favorite—loved writing the brief opera lyrics in the style of Woolf and Sackville-West.

Do characters and stories just pop into your head, or do you take your time thinking about and planning them?

On occasion, characters appear in a strange channelling process. Gil, in Fabulous! An Opera Buffa, arrived while I was sitting on my deck. He was so funny and wouldn’t be quiet until I went to the keyboard and started to write his story. Jango in A Bittersweet Tale did much the same, both with voices that were absolutely different from my own or from anyone I knew. The most disturbing was “Joe,” a story about a young psychopath. He made my skin crawl.

Are you a panster or a plotter?

When I begin a work, I often have an end zone in mind but not always…mostly I let the plot unfold organically. Sometimes I envision a setting (Venice in Jenny Kidd or Mykonos in The Ungodly Hour) and let place inspire what happens. Usually, I keep a plot calendar and draw floor plans of houses, etc. For me, the joy of writing is discovery. I like to let the characters and situations dictate what happens as I learn about the personalities and histories of my protagonists and they become fully formed.

How often do you write? Do you have a schedule?

Seven days a week, mostly all day. This includes revising, editing, designing covers, and promotion.

What are your writing and personal goals for 2023 and beyond?

With four titles in various stages of production, I have my hands full. My lovely new publisher has cleared off all the manuscripts on my desk. However, there is a slim possibility that a very, very old first novel (begun in the early 1990s) might be salvageable…oh, but so much work to do on it!

Are you a cat person or a dog person? Tell us about your pets.

Dog person. I’ve had three beagles (or, more accurately, they have had me.) And I’ve written a comedy, Morley: The Very Best Basset Hound, which I’ve just sent to my publisher. It includes my professional photographs of my “godson.” I doubt it will be accepted, but I’d love to see it in print. No pets now, sadly, because I have a walking disability.

Are there big events in your life that affect your writing?

The death of my wife, from pancreatic cancer, inspired The Swimmer, about a therapist who travels to Cape Cod to make life decisions. As a semi-disabled person for over 20 years, this condition has terminated my favorite activities (travel, tennis, opera-going, walking on the nearby beach, etc.). Without these distractions, the good news is that I can focus on my writing full time.

If you had access to a time machine just once, is there anything you’d go back and change? Either on a personal level or an historical event?

Absolutely. The wrong road taken. When applying to universities, I was accepted in creative writing at Bennington College and also Bard. Had I chosen either, I would have been placed in the pipeline to New York City publishing, and my career would have begun in my twenties. Instead, I attended Carnegie Mellon University and studied graphic design and photography. This launched a long career beginning at Princeton University Press as a book designer, but it took several decades to have the time and wherewithal to return to my writing.

If you could choose any superpower or magical ability, what would it be and why? What would you do with it?

I’d reverse aging, ditch my walking and medical issues, and travel, play sports, swim in the ocean…

If you could go anywhere in the world, all expenses paid, where would you go, who would you take with you, if anyone, and why?

First, I would need two new feet. If granted, then I’ve always wanted to travel to the Loire region of France (a wine-tasting tour on a canal riverboat) or to return to Greece or the Lake Como area, two places I love. And how about a cottage rental in Cornwall, facing the ocean? I could pretend I’m Virginia Woolf summering in St. Ives.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things (or people) would you want there with you?

Some way to write…I guess a computer is out? A big stack of blank journals? And a pen, of course, and books. At the moment, no person comes to mind…though she/he should be adept at climbing palm trees and opening coconuts and devising tools for fishing. (Plus be willing to listen to me drone on about writing.)

Many thanks for the thoughtful, smart questions! A pleasure!

THANK YOU

About the Author

Laury A. Egan is the author of eleven novels: The Firefly; Once, Upon an Island; Doublecrossed; The Swimmer; Fabulous! An Opera Buffa; The Outcast Oracle; Turnabout; Wave in D Minor; The Ungodly Hour; A Bittersweet Tale; The Outcast Oracle; and Jenny Kidd as well as a collection, Fog and Other Stories. Four limited-edition poetry volumes have been published: Snow, Shadows, a Stranger; Beneath the Lion’s Paw; The Sea & Beyond; and Presence & Absence. Eighty-five of her stories and poems have appeared in literary journals. She lives on the northern coast of New Jersey.