Books > What Doesn't Kill You

What Doesn't Kill You
What Doesn't Kill You
A Novel  
This edition: Trade Paperback, 320 pages
Availability: Ships on or around January 12, 2010
Our Price: $14.00
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Description

"I really thought I had a handle on life -- then it broke off."

Opinionated, straight-talking, and witty, Tee is a fly forty-something. Divorced since her daughter, Amber, was young, Tee has been "handling her business," supporting herself after her would-be songwriter husband took off for L.A., and she's done all right. Organized, responsible, hardworking, and loyal, Tee went from being the first employee of a start-up purveyor of organic lotions to the right hand of the president of what became a major player in the home and personal fragrance market.

But then everything changes. First, she's outplaced from her longtime job and doesn't tell anyone. Then she gives her daughter the wedding of her dreams and, after overindulging in champagne, Tee wakes up in bed with the younger best man.

For the first time in twenty-five years, Tee doesn't know who she is or what she's going to do every day. Deep in denial, she continues to live her life as if nothing has changed. After a series of financial mistakes, miscalculations, and missteps compound her already shaky situation, she's soon teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. That's when Tee decides that it's time for her to wake up and face reality.

Beyond "making money," Tee never really decided what she wanted to do with her life. Then she just stopped thinking about it and invested her hopes in someone else's dream. Now it's her chance to invest in herself. Can she step out on faith to follow her own dream?

How did you come to write this book?

Writing this book was a catharsis of sorts. Several years ago Donna and I had our own financial meltdown--that like Tee's arrived quite unexpectedly. All of our friends thought we should write about it. So we gave ourselves enough time to have a bit of perspective and then came up with a story that was "inspired by" our experiences rather than one that was completly autobiographical. Time also allowed us to give Tee a sense of humor about her predicament--because you can't really see the funny until after you have gone through your trials and come out the other side.

Learn more about Virginia DeBerry
"The anti-pity party: snappy, fun, and inspiring."
-- Publisher's Weekly