💌 Dear Reader, Love Lindsay Lees

 

Dear Reader,

  I’m so pleased that you’ve decided to join me on this wild ride that is my novel, The Willing. I realize that you have many options when it comes to what books to read and I just want to say that I really appreciate that you’ve chose to read an independently published book. It takes a lot of initiative and faith to pick up a story that doesn’t have the same support or hype of a traditionally published work. Instead you’re taking the authors word that they’ve written a story that will captivate and entertain you.

I’d like to thank you for having faith in me even though we most likely haven’t met. I’d like to be able to assure you that my goal in writing this novel is to entertain and inspire thought. I’ve spent a decade learning how to craft a novel and worked with many professionals in order to hone my talents and polish my writing.

The reason I decided to self-publish was because I didn’t want this story to fall into the wrong hands of literary professionals who weren’t going to be brave enough to confront the controversial themes within the story. The themes of The Willing are designed to illicit a variety of opinions and feelings. It is supposed to make you think and acknowledge the challenges we face as a society and as a part of human kind.

The publishing industry is unfortunately flawed. It focuses more on the quantity of money it can make than the quality of literature it produces. It also means that writers become beholden to the expectations and agendas of the companies that publish them. While there are many benefits to working with a traditional publishing house, especially from a marketing standpoint. It wasn’t a path that I wanted to confine myself to. I know many independently published writers feel the same way. Even though we have chosen a more challenging path, it’s comforting to know that we’re in control and that it’s up to us to attract readers and secure the book’s success. It’s readers like you who have given us this opportunity and I pray that I don’t let you down.

Sincerely,

Lindsay Lees

 

Lindsay Lees is originally from Los Angeles and holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and the United Kingdom, and while growing up and later in college, she split her time between the two countries. Lindsay earned a B.A. in 2008 from Manchester Metropolitan University, and next an M.F.A.in Creative Writing from California College of the Arts. 

The Willing is Lindsay’s debut novel. 

She currently lives a quiet Southern life with her husband and a houseful of pets. 

Visit her website or connect with her at FACEBOOK and GOODREADS.

In less than a year, fifteen-year-old Gypsy Capone will be considered a woman in Ovoidia, a “utopian” city-state where every woman can be approached for immediate sex by any man, where curving architecture adds weird whimsy, sporks are the only cutlery, and true intimacy between the genders is a sign of suspect subversion. After all, if a woman just plays along, she’ll also do her job and have children, with the reward of a fine home in the “Communities,” where she and the other “Mamas” live together in harmony with everything they need. Right?

The irony: Diam and Isis, the two leaders of Ovoidia, are themselves females. Fun, yes! And just below the surface, perversely sinister. They personally execute these precise sacrifices by women to establish their “happy,” absurdly totalitarian utopia, and are backed up by their chosen army of male “crusaders,” enforcing a crime-free, fully controlled society.

Men are relegated to work in the “City” where they may “enjoy”—right there on the street if they wish—any woman they want and are welcome to satisfy their sexual and emotional needs at establishments called Gaje Clubs where only the most “gifted” among women are chosen to work.

Not surprisingly, in Ovoidia women have evolved until they feel nothing of sexual pleasure. But in Gypsy’s deepest heart, she realizes her own dark secret: she is the exception. Next she discovers to her horror that her secret, if known, could result in the ultimate punishment—genital mutilation.

To save her body and even her soul, Gypsy chooses a dangerous path—to single-handedly confront this scary and absurd world. She has the support of her allegiant sister Sadie and Miles Devine, a rogue, secretly gay crusader, and also “Doctor,” a morally questionable physician to help her. But none of them fathom the levels of paradox, incongruity, and twisted evil they will soon face, and the ride becomes something even Gypsy could have never imaged.

You can pick up your copy of The Willing at Amazon.