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When Are You Leaving
When she gets a call claiming her eighty-two-year old father is selling drugs to the locals, Iris Lee, an unemployed bank executive, is forced to abandon the real world and return to the land time and style forgot, her hometown. In a quest to uncover the history of an odd broach she finds among her mother’s things, Iris is reacquainted with Mt Pleasant, Virginia, and its entertaining, sometimes odd, inhabitants. The mystery of the broach, a plot to take over her father’s properties, and a hidden family secret keep Iris pining for the good old, back-stabbing days of her past corporate life. While facing the loss of her identity, Iris struggles to repair the rocky relationship with her father and to gain his trust and love before it’s too late. When Are You Leaving is a story about letting go of the past, accepting change and following it into the clear blue unknown.
274 pages, Paperback
Published January 25, 2016
4 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Powell Gay
5 books15 followersI like all types of books. I'll read a cereal box if it has a great first line.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 10, 2021
Lovely characters
I’ve seldom read a book where I felt like I got to know the characters so quickly as I did reading this book. They were all colorful characters, with close and interesting ties to each other.
While the plot was “ok,” it was the personality of each character and the dynamics between them that kept me reading. The main
character, Iris, and her BFF from childhood forward, Jonnie, were both intelligent, empowered women of today. The author also had a handle on the preceding generation, Iris’s parents, and was good at contrasting the changing times from one era to the next.
Despite Iris being an empowered, savvy business woman living in the Big Apple, she was quite vulnerable and confused about her relationship with her father. I admire the true-to-life way this conflict was reconciled. A lesser writer would have tied it all up too neatly before the elder died, with deep conversations that have been done before in so many books and movies. I’m glad the author went with a more nuanced path, allowing Iris to find the answers within herself.
I took off half a star for the rather mundane plot. It really wasn’t that exciting to me. A couple of subplots also seemed to go nowhere, but as I said, the excellent character development carried the story.
Another half star was taken for typos and vocabulary fumbles. The one that irritated me the most was using the word “eminent” for “imminent.” Eminent means esteemed. Imminent is inevitably pending. So a death that is bound to happen soon is imminent, not eminent. This was written into the thought process of a very educated and intelligent woman, who would know the difference. It took me out of the experience of reading the story, and made the writing seem amateur.
Ok I’m being nit-picky. Probably because most of the book was so well written that the few mistakes really jumped out at me. The mistakes really were few and far between.
I will definitely read more from this author.
I’ve seldom read a book where I felt like I got to know the characters so quickly as I did reading this book. They were all colorful characters, with close and interesting ties to each other.
While the plot was “ok,” it was the personality of each character and the dynamics between them that kept me reading. The main
character, Iris, and her BFF from childhood forward, Jonnie, were both intelligent, empowered women of today. The author also had a handle on the preceding generation, Iris’s parents, and was good at contrasting the changing times from one era to the next.
Despite Iris being an empowered, savvy business woman living in the Big Apple, she was quite vulnerable and confused about her relationship with her father. I admire the true-to-life way this conflict was reconciled. A lesser writer would have tied it all up too neatly before the elder died, with deep conversations that have been done before in so many books and movies. I’m glad the author went with a more nuanced path, allowing Iris to find the answers within herself.
I took off half a star for the rather mundane plot. It really wasn’t that exciting to me. A couple of subplots also seemed to go nowhere, but as I said, the excellent character development carried the story.
Another half star was taken for typos and vocabulary fumbles. The one that irritated me the most was using the word “eminent” for “imminent.” Eminent means esteemed. Imminent is inevitably pending. So a death that is bound to happen soon is imminent, not eminent. This was written into the thought process of a very educated and intelligent woman, who would know the difference. It took me out of the experience of reading the story, and made the writing seem amateur.
Ok I’m being nit-picky. Probably because most of the book was so well written that the few mistakes really jumped out at me. The mistakes really were few and far between.
I will definitely read more from this author.
January 15, 2018
You can go home again, but it's never the same. Gay tells the tale of Iris Lee who must put her life on hold to return home to care for her father in Mt. Pleasant, Va. In this fictional-yet-believable small town, intrigue and entertaining characters abound. And while trying to mend her relationship with her father, Iris also must discover the provenance of a family brooch. This is good southern fiction that welcomes every reader.
September 28, 2017
A good story that moves along at acceptable pace and develops into a hurry towards the next chapter. Truly enjoyable reading and I am looking forward to the author's next story, whether a continuation of "When Are You Leaving" or something totally new. Being a fellow southside Virginian and relish stories of time and places I identify and know. Faulkner would enjoy this story!
September 7, 2019
A local author writes about the fictional town, Mt. Pleasants, VA. Iris returns home after receiving a call about her father being arrested. The author does a fantastic job exploring dementia, unresolved family issues, and women’s roles.
September 10, 2018
Southern small town characters, believable and fun to get to know. Loved reading about Mt. Pleasant felt like going again!
June 12, 2016
Blogger's Note: As much as I enjoy promoting local authors, I do have be respectful of my Christian, Clean Read, and Family Friendly review followers: This book contains some profanity, use and overuse of alcohol, and rude behavior.
Richmond, Virginia author, Melissa Powell Gay, debuts with a quirky contemporary story of a driven, metropolitan business woman’s return to her rural roots to care for her aging parents. Caregiver is not a skill on Iris Lee’s immaculate resume, but her love for her mother has her scurrying to find help, while her relationship with her father is anything but loving. With the tough-love of caring friends, Iris realizes how desperate her parent’s financial and health situations have become. The discovery of an unusual broach has Iris searching for answers to its original owner, while discovering there is more to her parent’s history than she ever realized or appreciated. Perhaps the unfortunate circumstances that brought her home are truly a blessing in disguise.
What drew me to the story was the author’s persuasive uncle, Jim Powell, and the story’s setting being a fictional version of my hometown set in the Blue Ridge foothills of Virginia. Although the author calls the county, Fallam County, she mentions actual local landmarks: Smith Mountain Lake, Roanoke, and Boones Mill which left me wondering why she didn’t call the county by an actual name instead of using a fictional name. Still Ms. Gay captures some of the rural political dynamic, historical influence, and country charm that makes Fallam County (and my hometown) a unique and wonderful place to live. I found Iris Lee intriguing; one moment I was laughing at this ‘polished’ woman’s ineptness in dealing with life, and the next I wanted to give her a swift kick in the pants to get her moving in the right direction. The relationship between Iris and her father, Mr. Henry, is bittersweet, neither recognizing nor respecting the other’s true intentions, or how much alike they are until it is too late. However, both father and daughter love Elizabeth Lee, and struggle with the changes and challenges that Alzheimer’s brings to the individual and family of its victim. Add the mystery of a historical war-time brooch, some colorful supporting characters (who could not love Ms. Bert or Donnie), one disinterested dog named Heyu, a dose of southern fried hospitality, and some shady bad guys and you have a compelling read that is idiosyncratic and amusing.
When Are You Leaving is Ms. Gay’s first self-published novel. The Franklin County native now lives with her husband in Richmond, Virginia. After a 25 year career in the corporate world, Ms. Gay decided to indulge her dream of telling stories and becoming a writer. She finds inspiration from Harper Lee's character, Scout Finch (To Kill A Mockingbird), and Pierre Probst's Caroline and Her Friends. Upcoming 2016 releases include, Parkland Tales, which the author describes as a series of connected short stories about the animal life in and urban park. She states, "I refer to it as grown-up bedtime stories for 3 am readings." Running From The Rain is a story about a boy and his electric bike, and choosing to do what is right over doing what is easy, will release in 2017.
Final note: When Are You Leaving has been left open enough for the author to continue writing about Iris Lee's adventures (scheduled to release in early 2018), so yes there are some unanswered questions, but the essentials are covered. Pick up your copy of When Are You Leaving at www.amazon.com, and learn more about Melissa Powell Gay at http://melissapowellgay.com/ and www.goodreads.com. Ms. Gay is available for book discussions and signing events. Contact her webpage for details.
Richmond, Virginia author, Melissa Powell Gay, debuts with a quirky contemporary story of a driven, metropolitan business woman’s return to her rural roots to care for her aging parents. Caregiver is not a skill on Iris Lee’s immaculate resume, but her love for her mother has her scurrying to find help, while her relationship with her father is anything but loving. With the tough-love of caring friends, Iris realizes how desperate her parent’s financial and health situations have become. The discovery of an unusual broach has Iris searching for answers to its original owner, while discovering there is more to her parent’s history than she ever realized or appreciated. Perhaps the unfortunate circumstances that brought her home are truly a blessing in disguise.
What drew me to the story was the author’s persuasive uncle, Jim Powell, and the story’s setting being a fictional version of my hometown set in the Blue Ridge foothills of Virginia. Although the author calls the county, Fallam County, she mentions actual local landmarks: Smith Mountain Lake, Roanoke, and Boones Mill which left me wondering why she didn’t call the county by an actual name instead of using a fictional name. Still Ms. Gay captures some of the rural political dynamic, historical influence, and country charm that makes Fallam County (and my hometown) a unique and wonderful place to live. I found Iris Lee intriguing; one moment I was laughing at this ‘polished’ woman’s ineptness in dealing with life, and the next I wanted to give her a swift kick in the pants to get her moving in the right direction. The relationship between Iris and her father, Mr. Henry, is bittersweet, neither recognizing nor respecting the other’s true intentions, or how much alike they are until it is too late. However, both father and daughter love Elizabeth Lee, and struggle with the changes and challenges that Alzheimer’s brings to the individual and family of its victim. Add the mystery of a historical war-time brooch, some colorful supporting characters (who could not love Ms. Bert or Donnie), one disinterested dog named Heyu, a dose of southern fried hospitality, and some shady bad guys and you have a compelling read that is idiosyncratic and amusing.
When Are You Leaving is Ms. Gay’s first self-published novel. The Franklin County native now lives with her husband in Richmond, Virginia. After a 25 year career in the corporate world, Ms. Gay decided to indulge her dream of telling stories and becoming a writer. She finds inspiration from Harper Lee's character, Scout Finch (To Kill A Mockingbird), and Pierre Probst's Caroline and Her Friends. Upcoming 2016 releases include, Parkland Tales, which the author describes as a series of connected short stories about the animal life in and urban park. She states, "I refer to it as grown-up bedtime stories for 3 am readings." Running From The Rain is a story about a boy and his electric bike, and choosing to do what is right over doing what is easy, will release in 2017.
Final note: When Are You Leaving has been left open enough for the author to continue writing about Iris Lee's adventures (scheduled to release in early 2018), so yes there are some unanswered questions, but the essentials are covered. Pick up your copy of When Are You Leaving at www.amazon.com, and learn more about Melissa Powell Gay at http://melissapowellgay.com/ and www.goodreads.com. Ms. Gay is available for book discussions and signing events. Contact her webpage for details.
March 5, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed "When Are You Leaving" by Melissa Powell Gay. It was a fun read with a great plot, and really likable characters. It's a coming home story that uses mystery and comedy to tell the story of Iris Lee, an out-of-work corporate executive forced to go back to her childhood home and aged parents, as she discovers what home really is and why. The book has many memorable moments and well drawn scenes. I still chuckle every time I think about Iris, Bert and Elizabeth in the yellow Pacer headed to the city. I highly recommend this book. Reading it will leave you analyzing your life motives and desires and wondering if you are where you are really meant to be, or are you following a dream that will never completely fulfill you. I am anxiously awaiting a sequel.
August 12, 2018
If you want a fun, quick read, with a great story plot, you should read this new author's first novel. If you live in Virginia, you will recognize some of the places mentioned in the book. Ms. Gay's development of the characters was quick, and her writing makes one feel like they are right in the story, part of what is going on. I love the Southern sayings mixed into the story as well. Read the back cover to find out the story....I hope Ms. Gay will be publishing a follow up to this novel or more books, as I thoroughly enjoyed this one!
Ms. Gay's sequel to this book, Every Now and Then, is now available at Amazon.com. Can't wait to see what has happened to these characters!
Ms. Gay's sequel to this book, Every Now and Then, is now available at Amazon.com. Can't wait to see what has happened to these characters!
August 26, 2016
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book; good humor as well. The character was engaging.
July 6, 2016
Great read! Descriptive enough to make you feel like you were in the story. I know towns like this in VA so fun to read!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews