After The Sucker Punch

A realistic and profound journey of realization and forgiveness...a solid novel that admirably explores the fragile fraught relationship between parent and child. --Publishers WeeklyWilke writes with razor-sharp wit and radiant flair and the proses high quality is the novels principal strength. She also sensitively portrays how real love and affection can survive and even flourish in an otherwise dysfunctional family. Kirkus ReviewsThey buried her father at noon at five she found his journals and in the time it took to read one-and-a-half pages her world turned upside down... he thought she was a failure. Every child no matter what age wants to know their father loves them and Tessa Curzio - thirty-six emerging writer ex-rocker lapsed Catholic defected Scientologist and fourth in a family of six complicated children - is no exception. But just when she thought her twitchy life was finally coming together - solid relationship creative job; a view of the ocean - the one-two punch of her fathers death and posthumous indictment proves an existential knockout. She tries to just let it go as her older sister suggests but life viewed through the filter of his damning words is suddenly skewed shaking the foundation of everything from her solid relationship and winning job to the truth of her family even her sense of self. From there friendships strain bad behavior ensues new men entreat and family drama spikes all leading to her little-known aunt a nun and counselor who lovingly strong-arms Tessa onto a journey of discovery and reinvention. Its a trip thats not always pretty - or particularly wise - but somewhere in all the twists and turns unexpected truths are found. Author and longtime Huffington Post contributor Lorraine Devon Wilke takes an irreverent look at father/daughter relationships through the unique prism of Tessas saga and its exploration of family faith cults creativity new love and old and the struggle to define oneself against the inexplicable perceptions of a deceased parent. Told with both sass and sensibility its a story wrapped in contemporary culture but with a very classic heart.With bare-bone honesty and fiery dialogue Wilke explores the loaded relationship between parents and their adult-children examining the brave and lonely journey of self-discovery reinvention and healing...raw and brave--a great read.--Tracy Trivas author of The Wish Stealers (Simon & Schuster) Cover design by Grace Amandes. Cover photographs by Lorraine Devon WilkeMedia & Reviews for this and Lorraines other books availableHERE.