Title: Accidents of Marriage
Author: Randy Susan Meyers
Published: September 2014, Atria Books
Format: Hardcover, 368 pages
Source: Publisher via TLC Book Tours
Accidents of Marriage examines the
effect of a husband—and father’s—verbal rage and the aftermath of a
serious accident caused by his unchecked anger.For Madeline Illica, her husband Ben is her greatest blessing and
biggest curse. Brilliant and caring, he turns into a raging bull when
crossed—and despite her training as a social worker Maddy was never sure
what would cross him. She kept a fragile peace by vacillating between
tiptoeing around him and asserting herself for the sake of their three
children until a rainy drive to work when Ben’s temper gets the best of
him and the consequences leave Maddy in the hospital, fighting for her
life.The novel explores emotional abuse, traumatic injury, and children lost in the shuffle of recovery. Accidents of Marriage
is an account of life inside a troubled marriage and how the unexpected
gift of clarity can make the difference between living in hell and
salvation.
My thoughts: I first came across Randy Susan Meyers when I read her book, The Comforts of Lies, for one of my online book clubs. I really enjoyed that book and was thrilled to be given the opportunity to be part of the book tour for her latest release, which I think is another reason why this author is one not to be passed up.
This book is at times a tough read because it is so emotionally raw and gut-wrenching, yet at the same time, it is a book that you just can’t put down. I found myself completely wrapped up in the lives of Ben, Maddy and Emma – the three narrators of the story. I love that Randy chose to tell the story using three narrators – this really allows us to understand and even explore the full consequences of a man with anger management issues. We see not only his side of things, but his wife’s perspective and his daughter’s. These are all multi-dimensional characters and we fully see that.
I also love that Randy doesn’t create likeable or unlikeable characters, but rather, she tries to create character studies. It’s more about why people act a certain way instead of liking them or disliking them. There is so much to think about when reading this book. What would you do if you were in Maddy’s shoes? Would you stay with your spouse and make the best of it, tiptoeing around them, hoping for the nice guy to show up each day? Would you stash away those pills to make your interactions that much more manageable when things do get out of hand? Or would you walk away? And, it’s not like Maddy’s family and her close friends don’t know what’s going on…oh, they do. What’s their responsibility in all this? Again, more to think about…
This is the type of book that stays with you long after you finish reading that last page. And, you can’t stop wondering…what would happen next? What would you want to happen next if you could revisit these characters? This book is definitely a keeper, maybe not to reread, but definitely just to remind myself of the story. I cannot wait to read Randy’s other book, The Murderer’s Daughters, and to see what she writes next. She’s definitely on my authors not to miss list!
About the author: The drama of Randy Susan Meyers’ novels is informed by her work with families impacted by emotional and family violence.
Her newest novel, Accidents of Marriage, examines the
slippery definitions of emotional abuse and explores tragic
circumstances forcing a family to challenge the dynamics that have
long-defined them.
Randy is a founding member of Beyond The Margins, a site dedicated to the craft of writing and the business of publishing, and coauthored the guide, What To Do Before Your Book Launch, with writer M.J. Rose. She lives in Boston with her husband, where she teaches at Grub Street Writer’s Center.
Authors Links:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads
To see who else is participating in Randy Susan Meyer’s Accidents of Marriage tour, click here.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS – CLOSED (US only)
Thanks to Trish at TLC I have one copy of Accidents of Marriage to give away to my readers.
To enter…
- Leave a comment below & be sure to include your email address.
- Tweet, share on Facebook, or blog for 2 extra entries.
- You MUST include email address or entry will be invalid.
- I will contact winner at the conclusion of the giveaway & they will have 2 days to respond or I will pick a new winner.
This giveaway is open to US residents only and ends September 15th.
Good luck!
Sounds great. Thank you for the giveaway. jtretin at aol dot com
Thanks for this great giveaway. Sounds compelling. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
This novel interests me greatly. Many thanks. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
I love Randy's books!! What I love most about the synopsis of this book, is that domestic violence isn't wrapped up in the "traditional" way. Rather, the wife is educated, is a social worker, and her husband is the educated, busy, overwhelmed man-and the book addresses the dilemmas a couple can face.
I would love to win this book! I have shared this giveaway on FB & Twitter.
My email is: booksintheburbs(at)gmail(dot)com
Stories like ACCIDENTS OF MARRIAGE helped me extricate myself from a situation similar to the main character's. I hope that this novel helps even one other woman do what I did. I've shared the giveaway at twitter.com/kate_ivan/status/509077908468416512. Thank you! kateivan {at} aol {dot} com
This book sounds so good! I really want to read it. Thanks for the chance! Shelby (dot) Neuzil (at) gmail (dot) com.
I tweeted about the giveaway twitter.com/ShelbyJo85/status/509128002639519744
forgot to add my email! Shelby (dot) Neuzil (at) gmail (dot) com
Thanks for the insightful review. Although it sounds like a tough book I know I'd like to read it. The characters and the story sound like they have a lot of depth.
carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx
I also tweeted a link: twitter.com/carlrscott/status/509131031392575488
and pinned: pinterest.com/pin/336573772125623780/
Thanks again!
Sounds like a very emotional read, but I'd like to find out what caused his rage, which caused the accident. I'd also like to know what the moment of clarity was. Thanks for the chance to win!
Tweet
irbratb(@)gmail(.)com
I've got a copy of this book, and I can't wait to read. Randy is a really nice woman, I've met her and I agree her books are very well written. Great review, thanks!!
This sounds like a very emotional novel. Thanks for the giveaway.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com
I saw this on Goodreads – I'm very excited about it! Thanks for the review
shermie40 at yahoo dot com
Thank you for a great review and giveaway. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
mauback55 at gmail dot com
Thank you for hosting this giveaway, Kristin. The book sounds heartbreaking, but good. I will add this giveaway to my blog's sidebar.
suko95(at)gmail(dot)com
This sounds fantastic if heartbreaking. I've heard other raves for Randy Susan Meyers books and I'm definitely going to have to give her a try. I think this one may be a great book to start with!
I've loved Randy Susan Meyers' novels ever since I read The Murderer's Daughters. I'm looking forward to read this!
Forgot to add my email
fishiegirl22[at]yahoo.com
Great review. I am very curious about the book.
je2kids(at)gmail(dot)com
I think I have signed up to win this book on over a dozen blogs, including Goodreads. I really, really want to read this one!! Good luck to all of us.
The Murderer's Daughters was one of my favorites! Melissa S.
Email is Lis32@aol.com
I've read great things about this book! Thanks for the opportunity to possibly win!
suzannef @ ppai.org
I'm certainly wondering what happens next for this family!
Thanks for being a part of the tour. I'm featuring your reiew on TLC's Facebook page today.
This book sounds intriguing. I need a good read for these crisp fall days by the fire place.
Nkd1945[at]yahoo.com
I absolutely adored this book. It hit very close to home. Am entering to win for a friend….
Oops, scoster1@comcast.net
I loved The Comfort of Lies, I know I'll love this one. Thanks for the giveaway!
bjoneill[at]hotmail.com
sounds good! superbookgrl[at]gmail.com