Author Peggy Simms Lyles Talks to Us About Her Debut Novel

Author Peggy Simms Lyles Talks to Us About Her Debut Novel

MIDWEST REVIEW

The following review from the Midwest Book Review on my new book Lila: A Journey of Life and Love was posted on Amazon.Com.

"When you have to set your own rules, life becomes more difficult. "Lila: A Journey of Life and Love" is the story of Lila Anderson, alone and unsure of who she is, having her place in life decided by others for so long. With a long road trip ahead of her, she soon finds that if you're not avoiding it, life will reveal itself to you very quickly. "Lila" is a remarkable read that many women will relate to."


"Lila: A journey of Life and love is an inspiring story of a woman in middle age who suddenly finds herself, after the death of her beloved husband, breaking away from her gentle and not unwilling life of servitude to her family. Peggy Simms Lyles has created, in the pages of her book, a strong portrayal of a woman with faith and character who strikes out on her own, finds herself in a highly unlikely situation, and works her way through it with aplomb. An entertaining read." -La Vaughn Kemnow

Upcoming Interviews

Monday, August 16 2010- 7pm EST on Blog Talk Radio's show "Women's Recreation Show"
Link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/womensrecreation


Thursday, September 30, 2010- 8pm EST on Blog Talk Radio's show "WordThirst Literary Journal" Link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ashea-goldson/2008/12/25/wordthirst-literary-journal-and-writers-showcase


Thursday, October 7, 2010- 8pm EST on Blog Talk Radio's show "Empower Yourself with Lorna Blake" Link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lornablake/2010/06/11/empower-yourself-with-lorna-blake

Tuesday, October 12, 2010- 6:30 EST on Blog Talk Radio's show "A Book and A Chat"
Link:http://www.blogtalkradio.com/across-the-pond

Tuesday, January 4, 2011- 12pm EST on Blog Talk Radio's Show "Power Women Magazine"
Link:http://www.blogtalkradio.com/powerwomenmag

Saturday,February 12, 2011- 11am EST on Blog Talk Radio's show "Off the Shelf Radio"
Link:http://www.blogtalkradio.com/denise-turney-

"OMG"

In less than 45 days working with Abrah-Cove publishing and all I can say is "OMG". Everyday there is something new in the promotion of my book. Now I am scheduled for not one: but 4 blog radio interviews. I am so pleased with the diligence of the Abrah-Cove team. I said this morning that am just going to be prepared for whatever God has in store for me. I thank God for his blessings.

Fresh starts

Writing what I considered a short story was amazing to me in itself. I couldn't stop as the words just started flowing. Looking at the stack of printed pages for more than eight years, I would stall each time I thought of publication. Finally I took a step to have the manuscript copyright. Just in case, you know. One night at the midnight hour I decided to self publish "Lila". It seemed easy enough. I saw my book in print and was quite proud of my accomplishments. I had used some of my life experiences, observations, and creativity to tell a story to others. The story of just a portion of Lila's life. Lila had given so much and now was not really needed by anyone. So many of us are Lila, with strong broad shoulders, the one everyone calls on, the one everyone needs for one thing or another. Often finding ourselves asking, "what about me" and then realizing there is not even time for that question. In God's time, the time for all the Lila's will come. They will get fresh starts as they continue in their lives.

"Lila, A Journey of Life and Love"

Between the pelting rain and her tears, Lila could barely see her way along the narrow winding road. The illuminated fuel light warned her that she had no choice but to pull off the interstate for gas. How she got turned around she did not know, but now she was lost. If only she didn’t have to stop for gas: but again, it was not her choice.

That was the story of Lila’s life: no choices. Other than this trip, she could not remember the last time she had actually made a life decision that was not based on the needs, wants or expectations of others. She had habitually let her parents or kids make the decisions, just to keep the peace and make them happy. Whatever was expected is what Lila did. Even marrying her beloved Ben represented more of what was expected of her than anything else. Whether her choice or not, she figured God always worked things out and she and Ben had a great life.

While struggling to concentrate on where she was, Lila’s mind drifted back to when she had first seen Ben. She was attending a meet and greet dance when she noticed the newest student at Lincoln High. With his hands in the pockets of his gray gabardine slacks and his black jacket open to show a matching shirt, he idled in the comer next to the bandstand where he was moving his feet and body to the rhythm of every song. Multicolored lights from a disco ball intermittently shined on his five-foot-ten frame, highlighting a ruddy complexion and reflecting off large framed eyeglasses.

Lila and a group of other students couldn’t hold back outbursts of laughter as they watched awkward versions of the latest dances being performed by a couple of teachers. Still laughing, Lila’s attention drifted from the dancers to the young man standing alone near the bandstand. She started to walk toward him. He didn’t look unhappy, just a bit out of place.

A sense of guilt came over Lila; she couldn’t believe that none of the other students had taken the time to engage the newcomer in conversation. What the heck is wrong with these people? How hard could it be for someone to just speak to him? Well it’s up to me, I guess. Lila ran her hands down the front and sides of her skirt and strode directly up to him.

“Hi, I’m Delilah – Lila Carpenter,” she said.

“Ben Anderson,” he replied, as he stretched out his hand to give Lila a strong handshake.

“What are you doing over here in the corner?"

“Just listening to the music. There’s not much else to do.”

“Didn’t anyone tell you that this is a dance? Come on,” Lila said, pulling Ben toward the dance floor.

“Oh, no, I can’t,” he protested.

“Sure, you can. Just follow me. You’ve been listening and moving to the music for the past thirty minutes, so you can do the same thing with me on the dance floor.”

Sporting a big grin, Ben followed Lila to the dance floor. They danced to the next four songs before he suggested they take a break.

Finding two seats near the side exit, Ben and Lila shared their short life stories. Ben and his family had moved to the neighborhood the past summer from Michigan. Stella and Peter Anderson were Ben’s adopted parents and the only family he had. His biological father was Peter’s brother. Ben’s mother had died giving him birth and his father asked Stella and Peter to take care of him. It was only six months later that his father became ill and died. Peter’s job transferred him to Maryland. Ben had a part-time job in his father’s office. Working and maintaining a 4.0 grade average was a real challenge and left him little time for socializing.

Lila had lived in the same town all her life. Born to Isabel and Charles Carpenter, who were both in their late thirties at the time, she was also an only child. Lila and her parents lived a very reserved life that revolved around their family and church. Her mother never wore make up or fancy clothes and no jewelry other than her wedding band. There were hardly any visitors to her home and her parents rarely went out.

While in junior high, Lila dressed just like her mother—in plain, neat clothing with no frills. Just under five feet, Lila often found herself standing off to the side waiting for the taller and more confident students to rush by before she walked to her next class. A part-time job after school at the mall opened her eyes to fashion and accessories. By the end of junior high she was jumping right into the crowd, dressing in all the latest fashions and accessorized to the hilt. None of this made her forget what her parents had instilled in her; treat everyone as you want to be treated. Often disappointed that everyone did not follow this golden rule, Lila absolutely refused to break it. Sometime before her senior year, Lila had more friends than she could count and was invited and tried to attend every social event. She had a knack for making everyone feel special and she loved to see other people happy.

Lila introduced Ben to other students, who accepted him immediately. He came off like a real gentleman, and that night was the beginning of a very special friendship; a special bond grew between Lila Carpenter and Ben Anderson.

Over the next two years Ben treated Lila like a queen, flattering her in every possible way. He drove her to and from school, took her to see all the latest shows and never missed an opportunity to give her a gift. Lila liked Ben a lot and enjoyed all the fun times they spent together. His constant attention made her feel very special. The Ben and Lila saga was a sweet one that brought smiles and speculation to almost everyone in town. Even the most envious teens couldn’t help but speak kindly of the duo and wish them well. No one doubted that the two would someday be married--no one, that is, except Lila. As much as she enjoyed sharing time with Ben, she did not love him and certainly wasn’t going to marry him. Ben was her very good friend and that was that. Ben, on the other hand, had no clue that the girl he spent every free minute with didn’t love him as he loved her.

Along with most of the boys from Ben’s high school class, he was drafted into the military. Three months after graduation, Ben was saying goodbye to his friends and family from a platform at Union Station. Lila pulled Ben close and kissed him gently on the lips. Surprised by the kiss, Ben smiled and pulled her closer for a second, longer kiss. Prompted by the crowd to go for a third, Ben stepped back and mouthed the words “thank you” to Lila. She smiled and gave him one last hug before he boarded the train. It was at that moment she realized that Ben wanted more. She had never looked beyond the safety of their friendship. An intimate relationship was out of the question for her--with Ben or anyone else. Any thoughts she might have in that direction had long since been destroyed by Ray-Ray.