The Girl From Long Guyland

by Lara Reznik

A timeless mystery of lust and youth, duplicity and obsession Laila Levin enjoys a successful marriage and a thriving career as an I.T. executive in Austin, Texas, but she can’t quite shake her lifelong sense of not truly belonging anywhere. When her company announces a major layoff, Laila finds herself caught between an unscrupulous CEO and her promiscuous boss. Then news of her college roommate’s suicide stirs up a dark secret involving three devious friends from her past. One has betrayed a vow, another wants to rekindle their romance, and the third is out for revenge. Suddenly for Laila, it’s 1969 again. She’s only seventeen, and she’s left her sheltered home in Long Island for college in Connecticut. Amid protests of the Vietnam War, she’s tempted by the sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll that rule her generation. Laila gets swept up in a deceptive love triangle with two older locals and initiated into their unethical hippie family. Too late she realizes her search to belong has led to tragedy. Laila must now juggle the demands of her perplexed husband and her baby boomer past forcing her to make choices that endanger her survival and challenge her conscience. She learns that the lines between right and wrong are often blurred, and sometimes you have to risk everything to be true to yourself.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Drama, Suspense, Contemporary, Thriller, Ebooks

331 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2012

About the author

Lara Reznik, a native New Yorker, attended college at the University of New Mexico where she studied under esteemed authors Rudolfo Anaya and Tony Hillerman. Ambidextrous from birth, Lara preferred her right-brained creative side, but discovered she could make a better living with her left-brain skills so entered the I.T. field in 1995.

Lara launched her debut novel, THE GIRL FROM LONG GUYLAND, on Amazon on Nov 16,th 2012. The novel consistently ranked the #1 spot in Suspense, #1 in Contemporary Fiction, and #1 overall during it’s Amazon promotions..

http://www.amazon.com/Girl-From-Long-...

After the breakout success of THE GIRL FROM LONG GUYLAND, Lara retired from her day job to write fulltime.

In 2015, Lara published THE M&M BOYS. Currently, this coming-of-age digital book has had over Amazon 100k downloads.

Currently, Lara is finishing up BAGELS & SALSA the prequel/sequel to THE GIRL FROM LONG GUYLAND.

Coming Soon: BAGELS & SALSA - The much anticipated prequel/sequel to THE GIRL FROM LONG GUYLAND.

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

IF you grew up in the 60's and IF you are now "older and wiser" and IF you are looking for some fluff to read, then this is for you. Although I could identify with the generational leap, the murder was a little much. Overall it beats reading ketchup bottle labels . . . .

[Walt · Rating 4 out of 5]

recived free from goodreads first reads. a woman confronts long-buried secrets when an old college friend commits suicide. While effective as a page turner, the novel also tells a timeless, universal tale of a woman’s journey toward self-acceptance. An exciting tale of past crimes and dangerous friendships.I love a mystery and I love stories about the late 60's/early 70's and this book has both! Really a fun read

[John Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes, I like to read a book that I might not normally read. The title caught my eye so I downloaded this to my Kindle. Guess what? I really enjoyed it! It has an interesting story and I like the way the author alternated between present {2012) and past (1970) to unravel the mystery. I must admit, it had added appeal for me, because I was also in college at the time that the trouble began. This is a cautionary tale. Be careful who you hang out with and what you get involved in. It can come back to haunt you. I also learned the correct pronunciation of Long Island.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freebie from Book Bub. Took me right back to the 60's.

[John J Asher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A happily married sucessful business woman living quietly in Austin, Texas, is shaken when her 1970s past imvolving a mysteerious death catches up with her. A good read. Highly recommended.

[Tosh McIntosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can run, but you cannot hide . . . from your past, that is.

Laila Levin exists in a comfortable world of the present with a successful career, a loving husband, a son with the opportunity to attend Stanford, a house on the lake, and a Jack Russell Terrier who adores her. In other words, life is most excellent.

Then a short, cryptic note left behind after the suicide of her college roommate threatens to unravel all the threads of the current life she holds so dear. Laila must face the ugly consequences of a past in which the compulsion to belong shoved aside common sense and good judgment.

What do you do when the sordid mistakes of a previous lifestyle come calling, especially when they contain a dark secret better left veiled by the passage of time? Enter the world of Laila Levin and experience the fear and apprehension of being relentlessly stalked by your previous self.

They say you can never go back again, but that's not true of fiction. Reznik skillfully juxtaposes chapters in current story time with back story. Her use of present and past tense heightens the effect of the two narratives and smooths the transitions.

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me back in time to the early 70's and did a terrific job of portraying this nostalgic time period. Reznik captured the reality of the hippie lifestyle and values, then contrasted it with the 2012 corporate world where the main character Laila, was asked to make some painful choices to keep her job safe.

The novel left me with much to contemplate well after I finished it. Like Laila, I was a young naive girl thrust into a world that pressured girls to have sex and do drugs. I saw how the "recreational" drugs destroyed a lot of people I knew, and how damaging it was to young women who had sex for all the wrong reasons. I remember when abortion was illegal and friends of mine went to desperate means to deal with unwanted pregnancies just like Ivy did.

All and all, a great read I'd highly recommend whether you were there, or just want to learn about the time period and how it affected someone who'd lived through it in her current 2012 world of corporate politics and family values.

[Rachel Gioia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, this book was most definitely not what I expected. Being a Jewish girl from LI, I could relate to much of this, though I was born about 25 years later than the main character. I wanted to know what happened of course, and the truth comes out on the very last few pages. However, I felt it was kind of anticlimactic. Expected more.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story oscillates between the late 60’s, early 70’s and present day with Laila as the girl from Long Island. A nemesis of hers tended to draw out the name making it sound like “Long Guyland.”

There was a lot going on in the late 60’s and early 70’s. People were protesting the war in Vietnam. John Lennon was on the radio singing “Give Peace a Chance." Spiro Agnew was the Vice President; Richard Nixon, President. It was a time of sex and drugs and rock ‘n roll, and for Laila and her college friends in Connecticut, it was no different.

Present day and news is out that Laila’s college roommate just committed suicide leaving behind a somewhat cryptic suicide note seeming to implicate one of their college friends for something done long ago. A pact was made swearing themselves to silence but now people want answers. Laila was among those who made the pact and her present-day husband is among those who want answers.

What a fantastic tale of a radical era of change and liberties. I would have liked it to go on – the story, not the era. My review isn’t going to do this narrative any justice.

[Talltex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished Reznik's "The Girl from Long Guyland." It rings true from this Baby Boomer's perspective and captures the flavor and culture of the late sixties to help us understand how even nice kids could get caught up in things that were way over their heads. While Laila is trying to emancipate from her family and childhood self, she finds herself vulnerable to amoral, narcissistic people who disguise themselves as cool, hip activists. These self serving character types also show up in her present life. As the stories of past and present are interwoven, some dangerous secrets threaten to destoy everything that she has built. Reading this book is like going on a wild, scary, funny, roller coaster adventure which accelerates in intensity until reaching the inevitable confrontation of Laila's past and present lives. I highly recommend taking the ride!

[DE Jorgensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess if the characters leveled with one another the book would only be about 4 pages long, but I spent most of the book being frustrated by the lying, hiding, evading, etc. Laila was a stupid teen in 1970 (as was I) who did stupid stuff that happened to be illegal because she was in "love" with Chris, or Ben, or Chris AND Ben. It caught up with her in 2012. Time to tell her husband that she was a stupid kid and is now a smarter adult. Nope. She reverts to stupid kid.

So the plot is interesting, the characters are enraging because they don't level with one another, and there were almost no typos. Yay.

[Cynthia J Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

The twists and turns kept me flipping pages until I found out how this Baby Boomer executive owned up to her past of sex, drugs, and misbehavior, while dealing with a crazy work situation. Reznik is a talented writer who has captured the 60s scene with wit, style, and wistfulness -- a yearning to belong -- we can all relate to. Flash forward to current time and hang on for a wild ride of deceit, revenge, and the possibility of rekindling a romance that never should have happened in the first place. Highly recommend this novel.

[Gs Elmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Baby Boomer who actually does remember the late 60s, I related to the story of events surrounding this suspense. The main character was naive and made some clueless choices with harrowing results. Reznik's excellent writing held my attention 'til the end, even with all the switching time sequences, without getting in the way of my enjoying a good mystery. Dialogue was spot on. Highly recommend this book. Looking forward to the next one from this author.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book! It was a page burner for me. Every chapter brought a new twist. The story flips back and forth from the present (2012) to the past (1970s). The 70s were crazy what with all the drugs, anti war movement, etc. the story is about a young innocent middle class girl going off to college. She wants to fit in, be hip and experience new cool things. Unfortunately she makes some bad decisions...

[Val Wilkerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done Lara! I grew up in this exact time period and for me this book was totally
realistic. . .Laila was a young girl, away from home, easily influenced by the bad boys "Ben & Chris",
I think its true girls do fall for "bad boys" at some time in their lives. How easily a fun situation can turn around into "something has gone terrible wrong". This was a page turner for me and I look
forward to your next book Lara.

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't the type of book I normally read, so I must admit that I bought it mostly because of the title. The story kept me reading, though, and the plot unfolds at the right pace without feeling forced. I would have preferred less of the seventies flashbacks, but overall I enjoyed this light and entertaining novel.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this would be a quick silly light read but was surprised and happy to read a very well written edge of my seat book. The characters were likable and relatable. I loved the time changes and to see you never really leave your past behind.

[Ruchel Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it ~ t5

[Jennifer Rosenthal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't know what to expect when I downloaded this for free from Amazon. Pleasantly surprised-- I really enjoyed the plot.

[Jessica Robitaille · Rating 4 out of 5]

good read, I enjoyed it. it was hard to put down.

[Debra Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice tie-in of the turbulent time of 1970 and how events changed the lives of college friends

[Royal Morse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for a person who grew up in the 60's. All the turns and twists in the plot keep you wondering where the story would lead to.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a real page-turner. I hope to read more from this author.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as mystery goes, it's good. As far as memoirs go, it's good. As far as be sure your sin will find you out, it's good. No holds barred from the sex, drugs, and rock n roll era.

[Janette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pretty well entertained by this story! I couldn't put it down once I started reading it.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't stop reading this gripping novel! It truly was a trip back on time with accurate vivid descriptions and a tangled plot involving characters you really begin to care about.}

[Tejas Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. Would give between 3 and 4 stars. Some of it is set in Austin, and the author is an Austinite : )

[Kathy Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting storyline. Different from what I expected. Not crazy about the ending. Quick vacation read. Enjoyable.

[Christy]

Too many adjectives.

[Tony Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

2012, Austin, TX. Lake Travis. Laila Levin (Jewish, daughter, wife, LBJ; IT, narrator, U of B; U of NM: history, biology), informed Eduardo “Ed” (Laila’s husband) she/Katie Birnbaum (Jewish, rich, Rachel’s sister, U of B), were going to Denise Manelo’s Catholic funeral/burial in Queens NY.
Others in attendance are: Mrs. Manelo (widow/mother), Danny Manelo (Denise’s brother), Iris Gelaro. Bill Gelaro, Benny Capechi, Lillian Rinaldi, Val Manelo, Tony Manelo, Tony Gargulio, Sylvie Costello (Joey’s mother), & Benjamin “Ben” Franklin Jones (Laila’s ex-BF).
Juanita Bonita (Detective Agency, Albuquerque, NM) had come to see Laila (CIO).
What was on the note left by Katie addressed to Chris Reynolds (PI, Tucson, AZ., former Hells Angels).
Now Juanita Sanchez (PI) is interviewing Laila (LBJ communications).
Margaritaville restaurant. What were Laila & Dr. Chris Reynolds (psychologist) discussing?
Seton General Hospital. Darlene McIntire (VP/CFO Corporate Services, former I.T. Solutions Mgr.) is in ER.

Santa Fe General Hospital ER. Dr. Yellow Horse was att4ending to Joey Costello’s foot.
2 of his toes had serious frostbite & gangrene. Amputate.
Ms. Levin did not know what to say to him.
FBI SA Marty Lopez was interviewing Laila alongside her attorney Steve Berman.
Max Fowler mediator, was her to oversee Darlene’s sexual harassment suit against Bob Englewood (CEO).
Others present are: Laila (former CIO), Loren Baylor (Darlene’s plaintiff attorney), & Steve Berman (defendant attorney).
What did the Austin American Statesman headlines say?
Now it is Special Asst. U.S. Attorney Jeremy Sutherland discussing Joey Costello cold case.

Ivy Foreman (nee Banter), Chris Reynolds, Laila, & Dr. Douglas Stewart (A/A, NW Medical Center pediatrician, Tucson, AZ.) were being questioned.
Will anyone be held accountable for this accusation or crime?

Warning: This book contains extremely graphic adult content, violence, or expletive language &/or uncensored sexually explicit material which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive or have potential adverse psychological effects on the reader.

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.

A very awesome book cover, & great font/writing style. A very well written mystery book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a large set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great mystery movie, or better yet a mini TV series. A very easy rating of 5 stars.

Thank you for the Violet Crown Publishers LLC.; enchanted Indie press; Smashwords; Lisa at many books; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons (Washburn)