February 22nd, 2018

On today's 20 Days of Love, Mary Finley is sharing a novel about a special love, All Right At The Same Time. That between a mother and a daughter. These relationships can be beautiful, or volatile filled with hurt and pain. Reaching beyond the scars to the true heart can oftentimes be difficult, but worthwhile in the eyes of a daughter.

I read this novel a while ago, and I loved it. It moved my heart to compassion and many scenes filled my eyes to tears. Read on...

About All Right At The Same Time...

Ray and Mary Ann Lewis are a young couple who have been married since they were seniors in college. As it nears their seventh anniversary their marriage is reaching a tumultuous level and both are tempted by exes, who seem to come from out of nowhere. Will they stay together, or yield to and scratch a seven year itch?  
 
Carrie and Jordan Barrett-Bennett are a middle-aged, lesbian, happily married, urban, professional couple who've known one another since they were first graders. When Carrie was a child her mother, Loraine, put her through a traumatizing ordeal that resulted in them becoming more estranged from one another as the years passed. Loraine even refused to attend Carrie's wedding. When fatal illness strikes will one of them step up and let bygones be bygones before it's too late? 
 
All Right At The Same Time is a tale of love, regret, heartache and forgiveness. Will love conquer all in the end?

Loraine returned to the living room with a small glass bottle in her hand and Carrie folded her arms. “Please don’t start with the crazy stuff, okay? I didn’t come here to be prayed over.” She scooted back on the couch. “I respect your beliefs, always have, but you can’t seem to respect mine.”

“What do you believe, Carolyn Marie?” Loraine gave Carrie a blank stare.

“Not this. My scars from that one night are . . . deeper than the ocean.” She closed her eyes. “It’s like it happened yesterday for me.”

Loraine started pacing. “If you would’ve had faith then, you wouldn’t be suffering right now.”

“Momma, I was twelve years old. If Daddy hadn’t heard about it and came to get me . . .”

Loraine looked at Carrie and grimaced. “He didn’t talk to me for almost a week after what you did.”

“What I did!” Carrie stood and made a beeline toward the door with Loraine on her heels.

“You chose to stay in your sinful ways and George didn’t make it no better. Acting like he approved of you putting on, having relations with women.”

Carrie did an about-face and glared eye-to-eye with her mother. “One woman. I was a virgin until age 19 when Jordan and I decided to live our truth, and not anyone else’s. She’s the only person, male or female, I’ve given my body to, yet you always talk about me like I’m a whore.” She cocked her head to the side. “So, how many men did you sleep with before marrying Daddy?”

Loraine pursed her lips. “Don’t ask me a question like that. It was too long ago and none of your business.”

“You’re right, and neither is it your business what goes on in my bedroom.” Carrie wiped her eyes. “I’m 40 now, but no matter how successful I’ve been personally and professionally, you’re still ashamed of me. That’s not real love.” She opened the door. “There’s a gift coming for you in the mail soon. I’ll keep you informed of my health situation.” She kissed her mother’s jaw and left.

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About Mary...

Mary A. Finley is owner and CEO of MayRann Speaks Productions LLC and publisher for McCurtain Press. She’s author of the Thicker Than Blood novel series, and publisher/editor of The Jars of Clay Chronicles autobiographical series.

Contact Mary Finley: mayrannspeaksllc@gmail.com

Thanks for joining us for another 20 Days of Love! Please leave a comment below, Mary would love to hear from you!
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