On Tour: Silence by Deborah Lytton

Silence

Silence by Deborah Lytton

Release Date: March 3, 2014  
Page Count: 320
YA Romance

Stella was born to sing. Someday Broadway. Even though she is only a sophomore at a new high school, her voice has given her the status as a cool kid. But then a tragic accident renders her deaf. She cannot hear herself sing not to mention speak. She cannot hear anything. Silence. What happens when everything you have dreamed of and hoped for is shattered in a single moment?

Enter Hayden, the boy with blonde curls who stutters. He is treated like an outcast because he is not normal. And, yet, Stella feels an attraction to him that she cannot explain. As Hayden reaches out to help Stella discover a world without sound his own tragic past warns him to keep a distance. But their connection is undeniable. Can the boy who stutters and the girl whose deaf find a happily-ever-after?

Silence is a story of friendship and hope with a lesson that sometimes it takes a tragedy to help us find beauty and love in unexpected places.

My thoughts about Silence ~~ 

Stella has a mantra she lives by.

'No boys. No distractions. Someday Broadway.'

She has dreams of singing on Broadway some day and boys will only get in the way. And it seems like she might be on the right path. She lands the starring role of Maria in Westside Story and she is only a sophomore. Usually the leading role goes to a senior. Yes, sir - her dream just might come true.

'When I sing, I make my own soundtrack. I believe anything is possible. Miracles can happen.'

That all changes one night after an accident which leaves Stella completely deaf. She can't even hear anything, how is she supposed to sing? There goes her dream. But then along comes Hayden, the high school misfit who has no friends but with whom Stella feels a very strong comnnection. Hayden has his own issues weighing him down but he wants to be there for Stella.

'Why am I doing this, letting myself get so close? It's better if I keep to myself. It's better not to let anyone in. Trust is synonymous with pain. And love is nothing more than a shiny, wrapped present that turns out to be empty inside.'

Stella and Hayden become very close as Hayden embraces this chance to teach Stella that there is so much more to life and being able to hear and sing should not be her reason to live. And that maybe living in silence is not the end of the world.

'A lone tear slips down my cheek. Lodges itself between my skin and the pillow. I feel the dampness soak into the pale blue cotton. I keep the other tears inside, not letting them fall. One tear is enough. If I let them out one at a time, maybe I won't drown.'

I really did love this story. It was sad. And sweet. And touching. These young adults rely on each other to get through the tough hands that they have been dealt. It is an emotional journey as we watch these young people deal with their pain, as well as witnessing their joy as their relationship develops.

'He is the white feather of hope drifting through the darkness of my days. And if I can hold on, I just might be able to fly.'

Deborah has such a beautiful way of writing. As you can see by all the quotes I pulled out of the story that there were so many great lines that spoke to me, ones that I just wanted to savor. I look forward to reading more of Deborah's stories!

About the author

I’ve always loved books. I started writing many years ago because I had stories I wanted to tell and words I wanted to share. Writing allows me to journey into my own imagination where anything is possible. Since I was twelve years old, my favorite author has always been Jane Austen. I have read her books more times than I would actually like to admit. In honor of her, I write realistic fiction to reveal truth. My goal is to take readers on an emotional journey that fills them with hope.

My childhood was spent on film sets. I began working as an actor when I was 6, and my first role was on The Mod Squad. My acting credits include The Incredible Hulk, The Waltons, The New Land, Sara, Family, Streets of San Francisco, The Man in the Santa Claus Suit, Days of our Lives and a Disney film called Hot Lead and Cold Feet. I was also a professional singer/songwriter and performed background vocals for many different artists like Belinda Carlisle, Lou Rawls, Frank Sinatra and Johnny Tillotson. You might hear my voice on soundtracks like Rudolph the Movie and KidSongs. I went to college at UCLA and law school at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. I graduated with honors from both schools, and then went on to pass the Bar Exam in California and Tennessee.

My home is in Southern California with my two daughters and our dog, Faith.

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