**Giveaway is now closed**
Maddie Dawson was inspired to write "The Stuff that Never Happened" (Broadway Paperbacks; August 2, 2011) after a chance encounter on the train with an old flame. After that day, it seemed that everywhere she looked, people were talking about their old loves and the paths not taken, and this story of a modern marriage—and one woman's temptation to revisit her tumultuous past—was born. Exposing the inner workings of relationships and love, and brutally honest about both, Maddie Dawson’s beautifully written novel is a journey into the realm of life's haunting what-ifs.
Annabelle McKay and her husband Grant have been married for over twenty-five years. They have a loving and stable relationship, two grown children, and sex once a week. But when Annabelle is called to New York City to help care for her pregnant daughter, she runs into her old lover, and her uncomplicated world is thrown into a tailspin. Twenty-six years ago, in the first chaotic days of her marriage to Grant, Annabelle carried on a clandestine affair with the one person whose betrayal would hurt her husband the most. When it ended, she and Grant found their way back together and made a pact that they would never speak of that time again. But now years later, with her children grown and gone, and an ominous distance opening between her and her husband, she can't help but remember those glorious, passionate days and wonder if she chose the right man.
Thanks to Jonathan Lazzara of Crown Publishing Group (a division of Random House), we have three copies to give to some lucky readers in the US.
Maddie visited us last year to talk about herself and "The Stuff that Never Happened." Check out the interview she did with Melissa P. You can also visit her on Facebook, Twitter or at her blog.
Here is an excerpt from the novel.
How to win "The Stuff that Never Happened": Read the interview and/or the excerpt we posted and tell us one thing that stands out for you. Please include your e-mail address or another way to contact you.
US only. Giveaway ends August 7th at midnight EST.
Annabelle McKay and her husband Grant have been married for over twenty-five years. They have a loving and stable relationship, two grown children, and sex once a week. But when Annabelle is called to New York City to help care for her pregnant daughter, she runs into her old lover, and her uncomplicated world is thrown into a tailspin. Twenty-six years ago, in the first chaotic days of her marriage to Grant, Annabelle carried on a clandestine affair with the one person whose betrayal would hurt her husband the most. When it ended, she and Grant found their way back together and made a pact that they would never speak of that time again. But now years later, with her children grown and gone, and an ominous distance opening between her and her husband, she can't help but remember those glorious, passionate days and wonder if she chose the right man.
Thanks to Jonathan Lazzara of Crown Publishing Group (a division of Random House), we have three copies to give to some lucky readers in the US.
Maddie visited us last year to talk about herself and "The Stuff that Never Happened." Check out the interview she did with Melissa P. You can also visit her on Facebook, Twitter or at her blog.
Here is an excerpt from the novel.
How to win "The Stuff that Never Happened": Read the interview and/or the excerpt we posted and tell us one thing that stands out for you. Please include your e-mail address or another way to contact you.
US only. Giveaway ends August 7th at midnight EST.
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ReplyDeleteIt must be hard not knowing if you chose the right man
ReplyDeletekyfaithw at aol dot com
What caught my attention was wondering if you choose the right path in life.
ReplyDeleteabrown546ATgmailDOTcom
Caught my attention during the interview when she mentioned it being hard to create a flawed character who does things that hurt others but still making her someone the reader cheers on. Reminds me of Emily Giffin's characters.
ReplyDeletesnitz76 [at] gmail [dot] com
That meeting with the "once loved" man stood out for me. That time must have been bittersweet. Gettting closure but also knowing that you will never see each other again.
ReplyDeleteCarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I always wonder about the people that me and my bf have in our past and if they may resurface and if that would impact us.
ReplyDeletekdurham2@gmail.com
Choosing the right path is always difficult.
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting to read this book forever. I think everyone wonders at one time or another what life would have been like if they had gone the other direction or chosen someone else.
ReplyDeletejaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net
Wow, I've HAD that breakdown at the supermarket! Not a pretty sight, but I guess life really does get the best of us all sometimes. Can't wait to read the book--thanks for the reccomendation!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting what she said about meeting her old flame and both of them needing for it to happen just for closure. I recently got back in touch with two really important people from my life, an ex boyfriend and a childhood best friend. Just talking to both of them again took me back to the past. I am definitely wondering what life would be like had I kept them both in my life and am glad to have reconnected.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it's nice to hear about the isolation that other writers have when working on books. It's tough trying to explain to people why I need time and space if I'm truly going to meet my goal of not only writing a book but being successful at it. I'd rather take my time working on something great than rush through something mediocre.
miss_kris_11(at)yahoo(dot)com
I was happy to see her mention Anne Lammott as an inspiration in the interview! I feel the same. :)
ReplyDeletenina565(at)aol(dot)com
Definitely choosing the right path is difficult. Just like in the Wizard of Oz. The characters frequently had to decide which yellow brick road to take. And in the movie "Labyrinth" w/ Jennifer Connelly & Bowie, how many times did she have to decide which way to go, and it was to save her baby boy, like saving a marriage
ReplyDeleteI read the excerpt and what stood out to me was firstly the issues with wondering whether you have chosen the right root for your life to go. It definatly got me thinking
ReplyDeletegeorginascott1989(at)hotmail(dot)com
It makes me think back to an old boyfriend.
ReplyDeletelkish77123 at gmail dot com
It made me think about how we all sometimes have regrets and we all sometimes wonder what might have been.
ReplyDeletejeryl.marcus@gmail.com
Wondering what might have been.
ReplyDeletevlopes@plymouthrock.com
I might be a little different, but what got me was the description of her process. The fact that she can buckle down and completely sequester herself in order to get the work done is inspiring. It's probably a good reason she's published, and I'm not. :)
ReplyDeletefilzlh@gmail.com
As much as I'm interested in the whole idea of this book, what stood out for me was that the author writes like I crochet. A little in the morning, a little in the afternoon, then sudden inspiration that keeps you up right as you were ready to go to bed. A blessing and a curse. Good luck breaking that habit :)
ReplyDeleteanjibeane@comcast.net
What stood out to me was after 25 years of marriage is that she still bears the scars of her old lover past hurt. Looking forward to this as it seems like a very interesting read.
ReplyDeletesorry my email address is
ReplyDeletepiabernardino(at)bermillion(dot)com
I like that the author says that she journeys into the land of what-ifs.
ReplyDeletemtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com
Great interview. I always like to read about writers and their process. What stood out for me is the discussion of writing as a solitary activity. I spent years writing a dissertation (not nearly as tough as writing a novel, but still, a long project), and those were LONELY years. I've been finished for a few years now, and I still marvel at the joy of hanging out with friends again!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win! mep (at) nottobrag (dot) net
I always wonder if I could have a breakdown like she did in the grocery store. Seems like we go and go and go. At some point we have to crash, don't we? I am not sure how I would handle something like that, if it happened to me.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book!
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