Illuminating Gracie by Lisa C. TempleAs an old woman's lifeless body lies on a cold stone floor, her soul stands before an angel who offers her a miraculous opportunity: the chance to do it all again. But that is easier said than done. In order to change the path her life has taken, she must put aside years of self-loathing and pain, so she can help the young girl she once was become the woman she should have been. At 17 years old, Grace Bennett is a bitter young woman. Though blessed with a loving family, looks and brains to spare, she hides her light under a bushel, spending most of her time in the darkness of her mind with little more than sarcasm and self-pity to keep her company. But things are about to change for Grace. While delivering food for her family's bed and breakfast, she turns onto a desolate dirt road and drives straight into her destiny. It's on this isolated country lane that the damaged girl meets a strangely familiar old couple and two mysterious young men. Together the group fights the demons that surround Grace, and they teach her what it means to let her light shine. "Illuminating Gracie" is, at once, a metaphorical tale of the fight between good and evil and a spiritual saga of one girl's journey from darkness into the light. If you liked "Twilight" and "The Hunger Games," you will love the story of Gracie.
"A well-paced fantasy story of redemption and self-improvement." ~Kirkus Review (Sept. 1, 2013 Magazine)
"Just the right amount of love story to the action packed plot line left this book a perfectly balanced read." ~Maryann (Amazon “Top 1000” Reviewers)
"The story also contains little mysteries that keep you turning the pages, as gems of insight turn up along the way. It is a story of hope and redemption, and a beautiful request of each of us to let our light shine brightly." ~Kimberly Raadt Higgins (Amazon Review)
"On a personal level, I can relate to Grace in so many ways. As I read, a lot of memories and feelings from my teenage and young adult years have come flooding back, some a little painful, others fun and exciting, even hopeful. Yet it also has me contemplating where I am today as a middle-aged adult; am I who I thought I would be, who I want to be?" ~N.J. Collar (Amazon Review)
"The plot is masterfully drawn and keeps the reader guessing until the end. This book tells the story of the fight between good and evil in a young woman's life. It is brilliant in its use of humor and emotion to draw the reader into the characters." J. Pitts (Amazon and Goodreads)
Author Lisa C. TempleOn thirty-nine Senior scrolls, the Headmaster of author, Lisa C. Temple's, small, private school wrote "Good Luck and best wishes for a prosperous future!" On the fortieth and final scroll, which was Temple's, the Headmaster penned the words, "Lisa, I can't wait to see to what use you put your unusual talents!" Temple spent the next 30 years trying to assuage her former leader's curiosity - and her own. She sold BMWs in her hometown of Montgomery, Alabama, and hillbillies (as a booking agent) in Nashville, Tennessee. In an effort to escape the enforced servitude of the Junior League, she even attended and was graduated from law school and passed the Alabama State Bar exam in 2002. Through it all, she battled problems and illnesses, many of her own making. But, it wasn't until her father - her hero - was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS), that Temple found her true calling - the "talent" that she finds joy in putting to use. "Illuminating Gracie," is loosely autobiographical and born from a desire to, if only, metaphorically right the wrongs of Temple's own past. It tells the story of a miserable old woman who is given the opportunity - by an angel - to go back in time and help the young girl she once was become the woman she should have been. "Illuminating Gracie," is the first book in a four-book series. The second book, "Instigating Gracie," is due for release in December 2013. Temple laughs when saying she has a loving and complicated husband she deserves, and a wonderful son and two loving stepchildren that she does not. She also shares her life with her beloved pets: Pomeranian, Phebe; Bordernese, Flash; and Tabby cat, MInx.
1.
Do you have a secret talent?
When I was young, every time I saw an instrument played I immediately became obsessed with the idea of mastering the skill. My parents would inevitably give in to my pleading and I would eventually be hauled off to classes. Unfortunately, practicing was never a forte. Therefore, I'm pretty dang decent in piano and guitar; I'm reasonably proficient in mandolin and banjo; I'm just a hair above adequate on the violin, bass, organ and accordion.
1. Is there a song that really reminds you of your
book?
Worn by Tenth Avenue North, reminds me so much of Gracie and every time I hear the song, I can see in my minds eye, Gracie running through the dark woods. I don't like giving away parts of the book - but, yes, the song could have been written for a certain scene in Illuminating Gracie.
1.
What was the easiest thing about writing this
book?
Just writing it - nothing has ever come easier to me. It was like I couldn't write fast enough; it was just pouring out of my brain.
1.
Is there a word you love to use?
Though I'm not given to "redneck lingo" and, in fact, I usually avoid writing "southern dialect," I still find that certain words not uttered past the Mason-Dixon line just work for me. One of those words is "fixin'. . . ex: I'm fixin' to get back to writing. There just IS NOT another word in the English language that operates the way "fixin'" does. I'm always telling folks that there is a HUGE difference between southern and country. I was born and raised in the South and I'm proud of it, but that doesn't mean I don't know proper English or etiquette. I know "fixin'" isn't proper English. I just don't care!
1.
Any real or imaginary pets?
I just lost my precious Pomeranian, Phebe, who was on the back cover of Illuminating Gracie. I had Gracie for almost 14 years and she died in my arms last month of congestive heart failure. She was my best little friend and I wrote I.G. in its entirety with her in my lap. I miss her terribly and I'm so, so glad my friend suggested she appear with me in my author photo. My family also has a bordernese named "Flash," a tabby cat named "Minx," and a pomeranian named Gracie.
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Ends 12/31/13
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