Fall Again: Lost Boy

Fall Again: Lost Boy

By

Donna Figueroa

Author Bio:

About Donna Figueroa

Donna Figueroa is an actor and writer living and working in Los Angeles, CA.  She has worked on stage and on the big and small screens. Her credits include appearances on several daytime dramas, voiceovers for animation, commercials and industrial projects, audiobooks and several television commercials.

She is a producer and storyteller at The Story Salon, Los Angeles’s longest running storytelling venue where she has written, performed and developed three one person shows.

Donna considers herself an athletic shopper always in search of the ultimate bargain.

She lives in Hollywood with her husband writer/comedian Tony Figueroa, and their three neurotic cats.

Social Media Links

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www.fallagainseries.com/

Blurb:

What if you met the right person-at the wrong time?

In Fall Again: Beginnings, the first instalment of the Fall Again series, actors Marc and Lauren meet in New York City in the late 1980’s. While there’s an obvious attraction, circumstances dictate that their relationship remain within the realm of a platonic friendship. Over time they struggle to maintain the façade of friendship to their closest friends and to each other. Until one night…

The Fall Again Romance series continues.

Fall Again: Lost Boy

Marc: The Interim Years

1989-2010

When Marc Guiro learns Lauren Phillips is gone, his life shatters.

LOST BOY, the second novel in the FALL AGAIN series begins as Marc frantically returns to New York, only to find that the woman he loves has left New York permanently. Marc is devastated, but struggles to put his life back together, often making choices that drastically alter the course of his life.

With support and encouragement from old and new friends, Marc unknowingly begins a personal odyssey to find himself- an arduous journey that brings Marc personal and professional fulfilment, and eventually leads him back to the woman whose memory refuses to leave him.

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Excerpt

Two minutes later, when Mel opened the door to the apartment, Marc barged inside. “Where’s Lauren?” This was a frantic demand as opposed to a question.

If Marc had looked at Mel, he would have seen she was deeply troubled, but he hardly noticed her.  The only thing that mattered was seeing Lauren.

Marc was moving toward Lauren’s closed bedroom door before Mel stopped him by firmly grabbing his arm.

“Marc, stop-I need to talk to you!”

Marc tried to shake her off. “And I need to talk to Lauren!”

But Mel only tightened her grip and angrily raised her voice. “No, I said stop!”

Mel had never intended to sound so cruel, but at least Marc stopped and looked at her, stunned, as the manic energy that had come over him dissipated.

Mel slowly released the grip on Marc’s arm while making every effort to calm herself down. “Look, I don’t have a lot of patience right now. I’ve had a rough day!”

Marc resented her comment. The only thing preventing him from exploding was fatigue. “That’s funny, Mel, because I’ve had a rough day too! Actually I consider today a continuation of yesterday, since I didn’t sleep last night knowing that this morning I would be breaking things off with Miriam. That task was successfully accomplished before nine this morning. Needless to say she wasn’t too happy about the breakup, and neither were her parents-or my parents! I made my mother cry and my father called me a disgrace to the family.”

Mel remained still as Marc recounted the events of his day. Her day had been smooth and easy in comparison. “Marc…I’m so sorry.”

He took a deep breath and continued to recount what had to be the longest day of his life. “Since I’d already caused enough pain in Montreal, I decided to head back to New York. Three major airports, a four-hour layover in Boston and one trip through U.S. Immigration later, I’m here.”

Mel could see that Marc was under a lot of stress. She took his coat before giving him what she felt was a much needed hug. Her voice took on a soothing quality. “I just wasn’t expecting you back until tomorrow.”

Marc was hardly in the mood for small talk. “That was the plan but I’m back now-and I need to see Lauren.” He broke free of Mel’s embrace and quickly moved to Lauren’s closed bedroom door. He called to her while opening the door. “Lauren?”

Marc stood frozen in the doorway of Lauren’s room, confused. All of her belongings were gone. He turned back to Mel as his voice caught in his throat. “Where’s Lauren?”

Mel could see that Marc was worn down, vulnerable and exhausted as she dreaded what was coming next. “Marc…she’s gone!”

For the first time since he arrived, he heard the sadness in Mel’s voice, a sadness that now filled his own. “God, Mel! Where is she?”

As she spoke, Mel saw tears fill Marc’s eyes. “I don’t know!”

With that Marc brushed past Mel as he headed to the front door. But instead of opening the door, he struck it hard with his fist, and then struck it even harder a second time.

Mel was frightened by Marc’s unexpected and violent display of emotion. “Marc stop. Please calm down. You’re scaring me!”

Her emotional outburst stopped him. When he turned to face her, he was barely audible. “Mel, I’m sorry.  I’m so sorry.”

Mel watched Marc shakily sink down against her front door before she heard uncontrolled sobs. At first, all she could do was stand and watch helplessly before her instincts kicked in. She sat on the floor next to him while doing her best to console him.

All this time she had only been worried about Marc hurting Lauren, never imagining that Lauren would hurt Marc. But as Marc put his head into her lap, she sadly realized that Marc and Lauren had hurt each other.

Author Interview:

Please tell us a little bit about your current projects?

Fall Again is a four-part contemporary series set against the backdrop of working actors. In the first novel, Beginnings, Actors Marc Guiro and Lauren Phillips meet again after not seeing each other for twenty years. The story then flashes back to Marc, Lauren and their closest friends in the optimistic New York City of the late 1980’s. Marc and Lauren are attracted to one another, but decorum dictates that their relationship remain within the boundaries of a platonic friendship. Over time, they’ll struggle to maintain the façade of friendship to their closest friends, and to each other-something that will become increasingly difficult.

The second book of the series is Lost Boy: Marc the Interim Years. This chronicles Marc’s life during the time that Marc and Lauren were separated. Without Lauren in his life, Marc is devastated, but seeing no other choice begins to put the pieces of his life back together. Marc unknowingly begins a personal odyssey to find himself-an arduous journey that brings him personal and professional fulfilment, and eventually leads him back to the woman whose memory refuses to leave him.

Fall Again is also about lifelong friendships and second chances. The series also provides a realistic look into the lives of working actors and a profession that is often misunderstood.

When was the moment that you knew you had to be a writer? I don’t remember a particular moment when I knew I had to write, but it seems I’ve always written. When I was a kid I wrote short stories-many featuring my Barbies. When I was a teenager, I filled many journals I filled with stories, memories and lists. I started early and have never stopped. Writing has always been a part of my life in one form or another.

Who gave you the one piece of writing advice that sticks with you to this day? It was a professor at Emerson College, who was making a blanket statement about different forms of artistic expression. Her advice, “Always be true to yourself and the art you create. Keep your own integrity, as well as those you’re writing about, or the characters you’re bringing to life on stage. Be honest and tell the story.”

What are some of your favourite pastimes? Do you have any hobbies or collections? For as long as I remember, I’ve been fascinated with Classic Hollywood. I have a nice collection of films (Roman Holiday, Rebecca and Casablanca are just a few of my favourites), and several books on the subject.

All these years watching these beautifully crafted films with beautifully crafted clothing led me vintage clothing. I often incorporate pieces of vintage clothing into my everyday wardrobe. In my opinion the best decades for women’s clothing were the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. My latest purchase was a beautifully tailored 1940’s “swing coat.” I’ve also acquired several handbags and pieces of jewellery that can bump a basic outfit up several notches on the style meter.

Several years ago my husband and I began collecting animation art. We have a nice collection of drawings and cells (Peanuts, Looney Tunes, Hanna-Barbera). There’s something about owning a piece of art that was in a small way, part of our childhoods.

If your fairy godmother waved her wand and whisked you away to the location of your choice, which place would you choose, and why? Paris! It’s the one city I’ve just never had an opportunity to visit. As to why, where do I start? There’s the art, history and architecture. Then there’s the food, wine and shopping. And of course Paris is the fashion capital of the world! The fact that Paris is also known as one of the most romantic cities in the world only makes it more appealing.

When it comes to food, are you the adventurous type who will try anything once, or do you prefer to stick to tried and true foods and recipes? My mother wisely taught me that I should everything. So I’m pretty adventurous when I comes to food. However, I don’t do puddings or custards. I’ve never had the opportunity to taste anything prepared with insects…and that’s just as well. I think that’s where I’d draw the line- and I don’t think my mom would have a problem with that.

What is your favourite comfort food? Pastry or anything with a crust, (just since there’s no cream or custard involved.) Fruit pies and quiches are my favourites, and only in moderation.

What is your favourite season? What do you love about it? I’ve always adored fall. There’s something about the chill and scent in the air that invigorates me. I look forward to wearing sweaters and boots. I’ve lived in Los Angeles for the past several years, and miss the colourful trees and the crunching sound of dried leaves under your feet. Thankfully we have cool nights just right for cuddling.

What is this romance writer’s idea of the “ideal romantic evening”?

Hmm…a quiet evening at home. Preparing a home-cooked meal together (there’s something about working together in close proximity in the kitchen), and a good bottle of wine. After a leisurely candlelit dinner, relaxing with a good romantic movie, (something classic) will hopefully lead to an amorous conclusion of the evening.
What project are you working on next?

I’m looking forward to launching the remaining two novels in The Fall Again series in 2016. California Girl: Lauren the Interim Years is Lauren’s story during the time she was separated from Marc. Then the series concludes with Reunion. Beyond that I’m looking at a stand-alone novel about a family funeral-a dark comedy. I’m also seriously thinking about spinning off two of the characters from Fall Again into their own series.
Any place we can find you in person or on the net this month or next?

On December 10, I’ll be at Barnes & Noble in Burbank, CA where I’m doing Throwback Thursday with Herbie J. Pilato. I’ll be on a panel that will also feature author Ed Robertson who has just written a new book on the Perry Mason television series. https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/event/9780061720851-6

And of course, I’d love to hear from you! Drop a line on the Fall Again series website. www.fallagainseries.com