Introduction by Melissa Amster
We're thrilled to welcome Heather Frimmer back to CLC today. I read her debut novel, Bedside Manners, a few years ago and really enjoyed it. When I received Better to Trust this year, I couldn't wait to read it! It was also really interesting and thought-provoking and I'm glad we can finally share it with you today. (See my review.) Aside from having a love of books in common, Heather and I also can relate about being Jewish and enjoying all things musical theater. Heather is friendly and easy to chat with, and she always supports other authors. I hope you will enjoy getting to know her! Thanks to Get Red PR, we have one copy of Better to Trust for a lucky reader!
Heather Frimmer is a radiologist specializing in breast and emergency room imaging. Her first novel, Bedside Manners, was published in 2018 and has received several awards including National Indie Excellence, Readers' Favorite and Independent Press awards. She completed her medical training at Weill-Cornell Medical College, New York Presbyterian-Cornell and Yale New Haven Hospital. She lives with her husband and two children in suburban Connecticut.
Visit Heather online:
When trust is violated, can it ever be recovered?
Alison Jacobs needs brain surgery and places ultimate trust in her sister's husband, Grant Kaplan, a world-renowned neurosurgeon and expert in treating her condition. But Grant is hiding a dark secret which threatens the outcome: an addiction to prescription pills. As Alison struggles to rebuild her life, Grant's daughter, Sadie, spends more time with a new friend. Frustrated that her parents exclude her from the conversations about her beloved aunt, Sadie makes increasingly risky choices which could endanger not only her, but her entire family.
Alison is also harboring her own secret-an extramarital affair with a woman. Her close call with mortality spurs her to take a closer look at her marriage, explore her newfound sexuality and figure out what she wants for her future. How will she rebuild her life and move forward? Can she find a way to repair her broken relationship with her only sister?
Secrets swirling around drug use and sexual identity must be dealt with in order for the family to learn to trust each other again
What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
By far the best compliments I’ve received are from readers who are personally familiar with a condition explored in one of my novels. Readers of Better to Trust who’ve survived brain surgery and resultant disability or those who’ve been touched by addiction have told me the scenes in the story hit close to home and the emotions rang true. I am truly honored this special group of readers took the time to read my story and I couldn’t imagine higher praise.
By far the best compliments I’ve received are from readers who are personally familiar with a condition explored in one of my novels. Readers of Better to Trust who’ve survived brain surgery and resultant disability or those who’ve been touched by addiction have told me the scenes in the story hit close to home and the emotions rang true. I am truly honored this special group of readers took the time to read my story and I couldn’t imagine higher praise.
What did you learn from writing Bedside Manners that you applied to Better to Trust?
As I was writing Bedside Manners, I was figuring out the plot points and how to write a novel at the same time. It was certainly a steep learning curve. One of my goals was to make the story as true to life as possible. I later learned that in order not to bore the reader to tears, fiction must be much more dramatic than reality. I eventually had to go back and rewrite the whole book, amping up the tension and drama in nearly every scene. For Better to Trust, I inadvertently created a difficult challenge for myself with a much more complex structure (two timelines and three points of view). But I’d learned to keep the tension level high in order to keep readers turning the pages.
If Better to Trust were made into a movie, what are some songs that would be on the soundtrack?
As you know, I’m a massive Broadway enthusiast. In fact, the only music I listen to with any sort of regularity are show tunes. Since I don’t think that’s the right vibe for this story, I would leave the choice of soundtrack music to someone who is much more up to date than I am. My teenage children often ridicule me for not being familiar with popular songs on the radio. When I take solo walks, I almost always wear headphones, but I listen to audiobooks rather than music. Anytime I can pack in more reading, I grab the chance.
What is the last book you read that you would recommend?
I just finished listening to the audiobook of We Are the Brennans, a debut novel by Tracey Lange. It’s a messy family drama that follows multiple members of a large Irish clan in Westchester County, New York. The story is chock full of secrets, lies, unbreakable family bonds, and loves lost and found. The narrator, Barrie Kreinik, does an incredible job voicing the disparate family members and she also puts on a wonderful Irish accent. I loved every minute of the listen.
As I was writing Bedside Manners, I was figuring out the plot points and how to write a novel at the same time. It was certainly a steep learning curve. One of my goals was to make the story as true to life as possible. I later learned that in order not to bore the reader to tears, fiction must be much more dramatic than reality. I eventually had to go back and rewrite the whole book, amping up the tension and drama in nearly every scene. For Better to Trust, I inadvertently created a difficult challenge for myself with a much more complex structure (two timelines and three points of view). But I’d learned to keep the tension level high in order to keep readers turning the pages.
If Better to Trust were made into a movie, what are some songs that would be on the soundtrack?
As you know, I’m a massive Broadway enthusiast. In fact, the only music I listen to with any sort of regularity are show tunes. Since I don’t think that’s the right vibe for this story, I would leave the choice of soundtrack music to someone who is much more up to date than I am. My teenage children often ridicule me for not being familiar with popular songs on the radio. When I take solo walks, I almost always wear headphones, but I listen to audiobooks rather than music. Anytime I can pack in more reading, I grab the chance.
What is the last book you read that you would recommend?
I just finished listening to the audiobook of We Are the Brennans, a debut novel by Tracey Lange. It’s a messy family drama that follows multiple members of a large Irish clan in Westchester County, New York. The story is chock full of secrets, lies, unbreakable family bonds, and loves lost and found. The narrator, Barrie Kreinik, does an incredible job voicing the disparate family members and she also puts on a wonderful Irish accent. I loved every minute of the listen.
Side note from Melissa: I added this to my five-book print queue recently, thanks to your recommendation!
What is something you've learned about yourself during the pandemic?
I’ve always known I’m an introvert, but more than a year essentially locked in my home confirmed that fact beyond a shadow of a doubt. I can stay home for hours—reading, writing, taking walks around my woodsy Connecticut neighborhood—and be perfectly content. When the world began to open up, I was simultaneously relieved and secretly disappointed. Going forward, I will make sure to carve out alone time for myself on a regular basis, to recharge my batteries and keep myself mentally healthy.
What is something you've learned about yourself during the pandemic?
I’ve always known I’m an introvert, but more than a year essentially locked in my home confirmed that fact beyond a shadow of a doubt. I can stay home for hours—reading, writing, taking walks around my woodsy Connecticut neighborhood—and be perfectly content. When the world began to open up, I was simultaneously relieved and secretly disappointed. Going forward, I will make sure to carve out alone time for myself on a regular basis, to recharge my batteries and keep myself mentally healthy.
What is your favorite autumn treat?
I am one of those people who loves the pumpkin flavored confections that show up in every store at the beginning of September. Sickeningly sweet iced pumpkin scones call to me from the glass case at Starbucks, though I don’t allow myself the indulgence too often. I also enjoy going apple picking on a cool fall day and then coming home to make apple crisp topped with French vanilla ice cream.
Thanks to Heather for chatting with us and to Get Red PR for sharing her book with our readers.
How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here.
Giveaway ends October 5th at midnight EST.
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14 comments:
A friend shared something I had told her in strict confidence. I could never trust her again after that.
This sounds like an intense and intriguing book. The secrets are so serious. I would love to dig into it and see how it evolves.
I could not overlook how a close relative betrayed me. Unfortunately I wanted a friendship but she decided not to be truthful.
I had a diary when I was in college.
I put it in a drawer of my clothing.
I went out to a to meet someone and came back earlier than expected and found a roommate reading it.
I honestly can't think of a time someone betrayed me.
There have been a couple of times someone has betrayed my trust.
A friend shared a confidential matter with others.
Someone who chose to gossip has betrayed my trust in the past.
Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
It was a work incident.
work
When I was in high school this girl said she was my friend, but she just wanted to get close to me so she take my boyfriend.
I can't think of anyone who betrayed my trust. Thanks for your generosity. Linda May
I caught someone I thought I could trust talking about me behind my back.
A co-worker I trusted unfortunately decided to tell others about some personal issues I was having at the time.
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