Addiction by Loree Lough

Addiction.


Statistics tell us that one in six adults will deal with substance abuse at some point, either personally, through the suffering of a loved one, or by way of the resulting costs … more than $200 billion in healthcare, criminal justice, lost workplace production, and more. Women, it’s said, become dependent more quickly on prescription drugs—tranquilizers, stimulants, mood stabilizers, sedatives, and pain relievers.

Such was the case for Lillie Rourke …

Young, vivacious, jubilant, and well on her way to establishing a successful career in the music industry, Lillie was the proverbial girl next door who had it all, including a handsome fiancé. And then, on an ordinary day, while running routine errands, her life was upended when her sensible compact was T-boned by a runaway Baltimore City bus. Multiple surgeries led to weeks in the hospital, weeks more in a rehab center, and an addiction to painkillers that turned the once-honest, hard-working Lillie into a desperate woman who regularly risked everything—and everyone—to secure her next ‘fix.’ It took losing Jase, the love of her life, to open her eyes to what she’d allowed herself to become. With the help of a musician friend in New York, Lillie signed into an intense live-in rehab therapy program. She returned home more than a year later, clean and healthy and hopeful for reconciliation with everyone she had hurt and disappointed.



Jase, for his part, was beside her during ambulance trips to the ER where, if not for the quick actions of skilled first responders, she would surely have died. He stood by her when she didn’t show up for work. When she stole from family and friends to support her habit. When she stole from him. The roller coaster ride might have killed him, too … if he hadn’t decided that enough was enough. She was gone nearly six months before he dated someone new.

And then she came home, upending his life with her new ‘look’ and her new attitude.

So yes, The Redemption of Lillie Rourke is about a woman’s struggle to overcome addiction, to make things right with everyone her disease had infected, to prove that by dint of her hard work, she’d changed, permanently. But it’s also about forgiveness. The forgiveness that Jase must learn to give the woman who’d already stolen his heart. Forgiveness that Lillie must learn to show herself. Without it, the music that had drawn them together will grow cold and silent, forever.



Take a moment to comment, below, to share your thoughts about addiction—and the overcoming of it—and I’ll add your name to my trusty winners hat! The prizes? A $25 Amazon e-gift card and TWO chances to win a free download of the book! (Larry will choose the three random winners’ names on Friday, April 20th.)



I hope you’ll enjoy this, the third and final novel in Heartwarming’s “By Way of the Lighthouse” series. And just in case you, or someone you love, is struggling with addiction, I’ve included a few links that will help lead to a cure.





About Loree:

With nearly 7,000,000 books in circulation, best-selling author Loree Lough's titles have earned numerous 4- and 5-star reviews and industry awards. She splits her time between her home in Baltimore and a cabin in the Alleghenies (where she loves to show off her “Identify the Critter Tracks” skills). She has 115 books in print. Loree loves to hear from her readers and answers every letter, personally. Visit her at Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and www.loreelough.com

Comments

  1. Kudos, Loree, for tackling such a tough subject - one which many many people know about either due to addicted family members or friends. This sounds like a powerful book and it must have been emotionally challenging to write. But we need books like this, don’t we? Congratulations!

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    1. Thanks for the support, Janice. It certainly wasn't the easiest book I've written, but I believe facing this challenge was worth it. Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

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    1. I hope you'll enjoy the story, T.R.! Have a great weekend!

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  3. I agree, WOW. I can't wait to read this! You took on a tough topic. All the best with your release.

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    1. Thanks, Virginia! Wishing you the very best weekend!

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  4. Good luck, Loree, with your new book!

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    1. Thank you, Cathy! I'm looking forward to feedback on this one. Wishing you a great weekend!

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  5. Wow. I can't wait to read this. My mother was only 49 when she died due to alcoholism. when she was younger, she was addicted to pain killers. She was a wonderful, sweet person with a heart of gold, but her addictions cost her everything. I love that your book overs hope and can't wait to read it!

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    1. Yes, that's often the problem isn't it, LeAnne ... perfectly nice people get involved with drugs and/or alcohol and everyone pays a price. So sorry you lost your mom to this dreaded disease. Hope your weekend is wonderful!

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  6. I just finished reading the story, and wow is right. You did a wonderful job of personalizing the struggle, both for Lillie and for Jase. I was rooting for them all the way. Terrific story.

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    1. Thank you, Beth! That's truly high praise coming from a writer as talented as you! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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  7. I read the book and have to say you did an excellent portrayal especially in loss of trust, and when/how does a person dare to trust again.

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    1. Thank you, Roz. That's high praise coming from an author as talented as you! Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

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  8. Fascinating subject, Loree. I love how you take on the big questions.

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    1. Thanks, M.K.! I hope you'll find the story an enjoyable read! Have a great weekend!

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  9. Loree, my admiration for you grows by the day. Such a difficult subject as we have discussed. Drug addiction and the fallout to everyone around the addict takes on a universe of it's own. Living inside that bubble of chaos is harrowing for all concerned. The book is on it's way to me from Amazon, probably be here tomorrow...on Sunday. As with all your work, I'm know it will be astounding. Have a restful weekend and no more trips to ER!

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    1. Thank you for your kind and supportive words, Cath. I hope you’ll enjoy the story! Wishing you a restful weekend!

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