Book excerpt by Victoria Marshall

Book Blurb: http://victoriamarshal.com/

Angie Palmer likes her life just the way it is–private. She has no desire to entangle herself in complex friendships, and her relationship with her two beauty queen sisters is safely distant.
Unfortunately, life doesn’t always go as planned.
When disaster strikes her Grandmother, Angie takes her into her home. A life with Grandma comes a world full of changes, and new friends, including Val, a drag queen with hopes of being the next US-Gay Beauty Pageant winner. Angie is determined to keep Val at a distance. Val has an instinct for knowing what is in Angie heart.
Just as Angie gets comfortable with Grandma living with her, a budding friendship with Val, and a new romantic interest, everything takes an unexpected turn.
Val becomes the victim of a violent crime and ends up in a coma. Angie begins a struggle against Val’s family who wants to remove their son from life support.
Suddenly her private life becomes very public, and her world becomes a media circus. Angie is caught in a clash between religious beliefs and gay rights.
Through many twists and turns, Angie discovers a new appreciation for family, friends, and love.
In the end, Angie learns that a life filled with people to care about is never too crowded.

Excerpt

“My sisters haven’t even called to see how grandma’s doing. They haven’t offered to help her look for an apartment or take her shopping for new clothes. Nothing.”

“Did they spend a lot of time with her before the fire?” Val asked.

“No.”

“Did you?”

Angie felt Val’s point as sharp as the point of a fine tipped pen. “No.”

“So they’re going about their lives like they always have?”

Angie didn’t respond.

“If Anne’s apartment hadn’t burned you wouldn’t have been calling her to see how she was doing, would you?”

“No, but this is different.”

“Is it?”

“Yes, if grandma were staying with Jess or Shay I would call to see how she was doing.”

Val folded his fingers together. “Then you should feel good about that.”

Angie felt sick to her stomach. She dropped her spoon on the table and wiped her fingers on a paper napkin.

“Well, I did until you put it that way.”

Angie sank down in her seat and shredded the edge of the napkin.

“You’re the middle child right?” Val asked.

Angie nodded.

“Then you should be used to this by now. Let me guess, you’ve always been the responsible one. Everyone always came to you with their problems because you’re close in age to your older sister and your younger sister.”

Val had hit the nail on the head. Angie had been the confidant for both Jess and Shay growing up. Not that she enjoyed the role; they forced it on her.

“So why are your panties in such a bunch?” Val gave her an exaggerated pout. “Feeling sorry for yourself?”

“Yes, damn it!” Angie slapped her palms onto the tabletop. “I have the right to feel sorry for myself every once in awhile.”

“Agreed,” Val said. “You go ahead and have your pity-party.”

Angie felt suddenly deflated. She’d expected an argument, or a pep-talk of some kind.

“What?”

“Everyone gets twenty-four-hours to feel sorry for themselves.” Val glanced at the clock. “I’d say you have eighteen left, so wallow all you want. After that honey, go buy yourself a new dress, or a new pair of shoes, or whatever you need to do to pick yourself back up. Then get on with your life.”