Susie Black's Saturday Author Spotlight

This week, the spotlight shines on Liz Flaherty

This week, Susie Black’s Saturday Author Spotlight shines on iconic romance and women’s fiction author Liz Flaherty.

About the Author in her own words: I was always daydreaming as a kid, about living in elegant places where other people made your bed and dusted your furniture, wearing clothes that screamed triumphantly, “Liz Claiborne, size two!” every time I put them on, and writing blockbuster novels. Instead, I live in a big old farmhouse back a dusty lane, where whoever is the last one out of bed makes it, and no one bothers with dusting. My clothes mumble sheepishly, “J. C. Penney, buy a bigger size.” And my novels aren’t what you’d call blockbusters. But, they are stories about people like me and maybe like you, whose dreams have gone awry or just withered up and died. It’s my job as a writer to take care of those dreams, either by straightening out the old ones or finding new ones.

Pieces of Blue, a recent re-release, is a shining example of women’s fiction at its best.

Here is a blurb to whet your appetite:

Life comes in shades of blue...
Self-imposed loner, Maggie North, has worked for bestselling author Trilby Winterroad her entire adult life, starting as his assistant and ending up as his ghostwriter. Through ups and downs--including a divorce from an abusive husband--he has been the one person on whom she could always rely. So, when Trilby dies suddenly, Maggie finds herself adrift, not sure what she’ll do or where she belongs in the world any longer. And the confusion continues when she discovers he’s not only left her his beloved dachshund, Chloe, but a house she knew nothing about, on a lake she’s never heard of.
It only takes one visit for Maggie to fall in love with both the house and the small lakeside community. The longer she’s there, the safer she feels and the more her life begins to expand...as do her feelings toward her friend and Trilby’s attorney, Sam Eldridge. But is she really safe? Or are the glistening pieces of her new life about to shatter as an old danger returns?

Here is what readers have to say about Pieces of Blue:

N. N. Light: “Pieces of Blue is the quintessential women’s fiction about discovering simple joys and embarking on new experiences without fear. There’s also a bit of romance and suspense. The fictional lake community Liz Flaherty creates is filled with quirky townsfolk, small-town charm, and a feeling of togetherness. From the moment I opened page one until the very last page, I was captivated by Pieces of Blue. I couldn’t put the book down. It became a part of my soul.

Let’s start with the characters. Maggie is the star of Pieces of Blue, and she’s quite the complex character. Yet all her contradictions make me love her more. I connected with her on so many levels. She’s written from a part of the author’s soul, and it makes for compelling reading. The other characters provide a well-rounded story that is impossible to put down. Each character has a specific purpose and helps Maggie figure things out. I love the lake residents and, of course, the steady love and friendship of Sam.

What makes Pieces of Blue unputdownable is the lake community. I grew up surrounded by lakes and the people who call it home. There’s a tight-knit vibe to the residents, and that feeling is present throughout Pieces of Blue. I have to assume Liz Flaherty lived in a lakeside community at one point. It’s this kind of immersive detail that makes Pieces of Blue one of the best books I’ve read this year.”

Nan Reinhardt: “Gorgeous Story! Liz Flaherty has done it again--brought us a touching story with heartfelt characters who draw you into their world and keep you enraptured there. Maggie is such an unassuming heroine, but as her life is revealed, you see so many different sides of her. Sam is a perfect romantic hero--strong, wise, kind, and loving. And even though he’s dead, Trilby is fascinating. But the house--oh, the Burl! It is a character in itself with its quirky layout, secret spaces, and the pieces of blue set throughout the house. You will fall in love with Harper Loch and want to return again and again. I hope this isn’t the only book that Ms. Flaherty sets there...I want to go back!”

Nancy Fagan: “Excellent story. Loved the pace and flow. Loved the characters and the relationship building. I highly recommend it.”

Michelle Pruett: “This was the first Book by Liz Flaherty that I have read, but it will not be my last.
The flow and pace were smooth and seamless. The story pulled me in from the very first page. I am not a very emotional person, so when a book brings me to tears, it gets 5 stars. The Characters felt like friends and not just characters in a book. The scenery and surroundings were described in such detail that I got a clear vision of the place, and I became homesick. The plot had so much depth and meaning. It showed that it is never too late to follow your own heart. This book showed real-life struggles, pains, and heartaches. The characters are imperfect, who are broken, but doing the best they can. I hated to see it end.”

Vicky: “This story really spoke to me. I loved the main characters, Maggie and Sam. I especially loved the old house that went every which way. And the bits of blue that showed up everywhere. There was so much to love about this story. The author made me laugh, cry, cringe… She evoked my emotions on a deep level. It’s a story about friendship, love, second chances, and yes, a bit of suspense. But mostly, it’s about finding yourself at a later point in your life. About what to do when you’re not sure what you want.”

M.J. Schiller: “I’ve always enjoyed reading Liz Flaherty’s posts on her blog, but this is the first book of hers I’ve read. Some people can string words together beautifully but can’t write a cohesive story. Liz Flaherty is not one of those people. I thoroughly enjoyed reading PIECES OF BLUE. The author has a sort of tongue-in-cheek style of writing, which I love. But, along with being witty, she can also be very thought-provoking. She reminds me of Erma Bombeck in that regard. I admire the intricate way this story was woven and the symbolism throughout. I reveled in passages like, “Not that I’m removed from reality, but I do address it on my own terms,” and “Just like my hair is a plain light brown, regardless of how Tim’s loving eyes saw it. Neither thick nor thin, curly nor straight. If I were a dog, I’d be a mutt.” Great descriptions! Flaherty has a way of writing common everyday scenes--like the ladies who take walks--in a way that brings them to life and warms you with its familiarity. If you’re looking for something witty, but with weight to it, too, this is your book. I highly recommend it and look forward to reading more from Liz Flaherty!”

Colleen L: “Pieces of Blue is told in such a way that the reader falls into the story rather than observing it from afar. Smoothly and cleverly the author disrupts main character, Maggie’s, comfortable life then begins to reveal and fit pieces of her past (the satisfaction of perfect love contrasted with the horror of an abusive relationship) into the surprising components of her new world (the utter lack of the seclusion she prefers), creating in the end a masterpiece of broken and whole parts that mesh in a way Maggie never expected. Blue is the perfect color choice for Maggie’s trek through pieces of loss, genuine fear of harm, self-discovery, new beginnings, and new love. Add to her adventure the fellowship of community, the support of a faithful band of women, the discovery of new meanings for family, and a few pets with personalities of their own, and you have the perfect blend of pieces that come together to make a new whole. Maggie’s journey is an experience rather than a story, one that will leave me satisfied for a long time.”

https://www.amazon.com/Pieces-Blue-Liz-Flaherty/dp/0997