Award-winning indie author Brianna MacMahon will launch The Great Dempseys, the first book in her new coming-of-age series. This anticipated release follows MacMahon’s acclaimed debut, On the Precipice, which won the 2024 Readers’ Favorite bronze medal for Fiction – Thrillers – Political.
A Story of Family Secrets and First Love
In The Great Dempseys, MacMahon introduces readers to fifteen-year-old Audrey Nielsen, a bright scholarship student who enters the world of Great Gray, an elite private high school on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Raised in modest circumstances, Audrey must quickly adapt to her new surroundings, where wealth and privilege set her apart from her peers. At Great Gray, she meets Bobby Dempsey, the sole heir to his father’s legacy. The Dempseys are wealthy, powerful, and undeniably influential, but behind closed doors, their legacy harbors secrets that could unravel it all.
Audrey’s and Bobby’s immediate attraction is met with curiosity from their classmates and families. As Audrey and Bobby grow closer, their connection transcends the typical high school romance, challenging them both to explore what they want out of life. While Audrey dreams of finding her own voice within a privileged world, Bobby faces pressure to inherit his family’s legacy at Dempsey Corp–a path he isn’t sure he wants to follow.
With the story’s backdrop set against the corporate world of Manhattan, MacMahon explores universal themes of ambition, power, and sacrifice, portraying the often unseen costs of wealth. The Great Dempseys ultimately invites readers into a world where the pursuit of one’s identity collides with the expectations of family and society.
An Unfiltered Look at the Cost of Privilege and Legacy
MacMahon’s unique lens as an indie author allows her to weave an authentic story that delves into the stark realities of privilege and ambition. As Audrey’s relationship with Bobby deepens, she learns more about the dynamics of the powerful Dempsey family. Bobby’s father, Robert Dempsey, represents an Old World view of power and influence, and as the CEO of Dempsey Corp, he has high expectations for his son’s future. Audrey’s presence disrupts this vision, and Robert’s subtle disapproval of their relationship reflects the complexities of maintaining family honor amid societal expectations.
In this way, MacMahon examines the human impact of societal hierarchies and inherited wealth, themes that resonate deeply in today’s world. Set in late 1970s and early 1980s New York–a city in the midst of financial booms, cultural shifts, and increasing social divides–The Great Dempseys serves as both a time capsule and a reflection on the timeless struggle between individual ambition and familial duty.
Bringing Complex Characters to Life
MacMahon’s characters are layered and multifaceted, appealing to readers who enjoy deep, introspective storytelling. Audrey’s journey at Great Gray reveals the conflicting emotions of belonging and alienation, and she quickly becomes a mirror for readers’ own struggles with self-identity and societal roles. Bobby’s character, meanwhile, provides a fresh look at the weight of family legacy, as he is torn between living up to his father’s expectations and carving his own path.
The Dempsey family itself becomes a character, with the weight of generations pressing down on each family member’s decisions. Through her portrayal of family, MacMahon paints a powerful picture of how secrets can bind and fracture relationships in equal measure. Readers will find themselves drawn to Audrey and Bobby, whose relationship unfolds in a way that feels both tender and tumultuous. As graduation nears, the stakes rise for both characters, leading to a decision that will alter the course of their lives and leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in MacMahon’s series.
Indie Author Spotlight: Brianna MacMahon’s Rise in a Competitive Industry
Brianna MacMahon stands out in today’s literary world as a passionate and dedicated indie author. Lacking the traditional support of a major publishing house, MacMahon has taken a hands-on approach to her career, engaging with her readers directly and promoting her books through word-of-mouth, online communities, and social media. Her status as an independent author gives her work an authentic voice that speaks to readers who appreciate stories driven by pure creative vision.
MacMahon’s first novel, On the Precipice, received high praise for its exploration of political and personal intrigue, establishing her as a writer capable of handling intricate plots and complex emotions. The Great Dempseys builds on this foundation, incorporating a fresh, character-driven narrative that examines universal themes of love, loyalty, and legacy. MacMahon’s rise as an indie author is a testament to the power of resilience and dedication in the literary world, and her work continues to attract readers who value both her literary talent and her commitment to her craft.
About Brianna MacMahon
Brianna MacMahon is an acclaimed indie author known for her engaging and character-rich novels. Her debut work, On the Precipice, won the 2024 Readers’ Favorite bronze medal in Fiction – Thrillers – Political, marking the beginning of a promising writing career. As an independent author, MacMahon combines complex narratives with compelling character studies, bringing unique perspectives to the literary world. Her upcoming novel, The Great Dempseys, is the first in a planned series that explores the lives of young people navigating identity and ambition in the face of societal expectations. The Great Dempseys will be released on November 18, 2024.
To learn more about Brianna MacMahon’s work and upcoming projects, visit www.authorbriannamacmahon.com, or follow her on Instagram at @brmacmah.
(Original Article: Award-Winning Indie Author Brianna MacMahon Announces the Release of The Great Dempseys, a Powerful, New Coming-of-Age Series)