Protecting their children comes naturally for Zoe and Will Tyler–until their daughter Leah decides to actively destroy her own future.

Leah grew up in a privileged upper-middle class world. Her parents spared no expense for her happiness; she had all-but secured an Ivy League scholarship and a future as a star athlete. Then she met Todd.

Leah’s parents watch helplessly as their daughter falls into a world of drugs, sex, and wild parties. While Will attempts to control his daughter’s every move to prevent her from falling deeper into this dangerous new life, Zoe prefers to give Leah slack in the hope that she may learn from her mistakes. Their divided approach drives their daughter out of their home and a wedge into their marriage.

Twelve-year-old Justine observes Leah’s rebellion from the shadows of their fragmented family. She desperately seeks her big sister’s approval and will do whatever it takes to obtain it. Meanwhile she is left to question whether her parents love her and whether God even knows she exists.

What happens when love just isn’t enough? Who will pay the consequences of Leah’s vagrant lifestyle? Can this broken family survive the destruction left in Leah’s wake?

• IN LEAH’S WAKE: Winner of the CTRR, Reviewer Recommend Award
• BOOK BUNDLZ 2011 BOOK PICK
• BOOK BUNDLZ 2011 BOOK CLUB FAVORITES, FIRST PLACE
• “Terri Giuliano Long writes about the complexities of marriage and parenting . . . pulled me right along, as I continued to make comparisons to my own life.”–Jennifer Donovan, Managing Editor 5 Minutes For Books
• In Leah’s Wake is beautifully written, haunting, fascinating, and a book that has a lot to say, a lot to teach you, without getting preachy. –Haley Stokes, Triumphal Writing

Reader Comments

A wonderful job of plotting and characterization in this debut novel. Poignant, thoughtful, well-written – lots to relate to here and much to think about as the story unfolds. Ms. Long has a wonderful career ahead of her, and I look forward to her next book!

– Molly Greene, Amazon Reviewer, 5 Stars

Very well written. In Leah’s Wake draws the reader in at the beginning and doesn’t let you go. With it’s many twists and turns, this is an incredible book about one family and the teen-age exploits that threaten to tear then apart. I look forward to reading more by Terri Giuliano Long.

– Amazon Reviewer, 5 Stars

Readers often ask why I write family stories. Families fascinate me. While my stories differ–Nowhere to Run, my novel-in-progress, is a psychological thriller with a historical twist–they always tie back to the family, the ways we love, yet hurt one another, the grief, the sorrow, the revelation, the joy. People connect with those stories, I think. So many readers have told me that In Leah’s Wake feels real, the problems complex. They’ve been there – as a parent or teen. They feel they know these characters, and they care about them. This connection, for me, is the most important reason for writing.

Terri Giuliano Long grew up in the company of stories both of her own making and as written by others. Books offer her a zest for life’s highs and comfort in its lows. She’s all-too-happy to share this love with others as a novelist and as a lecturer at Boston College.While her passion lies in the written word, Terri’s primary inspiration comes from her interest in existential philosophy and her observations of people and human nature. Her stories expand upon the subtle truths and what-ifs of everyday life. No matter where her stories journey, they always tie back to the family–the ways we love yet, in loving, too often hurt one another, the grief, the sorrow, the revelation, and the joy. Terri’s goal is to offer lasting hope and deep emotional connection in a compact and entertaining package.Her life outside of books is devoted to her family. In her spare time, she enjoys walking, traveling to far-flung places, and meeting interesting people. True to her Italian-American heritage, she’s an enthusiastic cook and she loves fine wine and good food. In an alternate reality, she could have been very happy as an international food writer.

Terri loves connecting with people who share her passions. She can be reached on her website (tglong.com), blog (tglong.com/blog), Facebook page (facebook.com/tglongwrites) or on Twitter (twitter.com/tglong).