Accidental Paradise

Natural talent, hard work, and a childhood friend help LaVern Whitaker find her calling as an actress.  When her life becomes overwhelming, they discover a small town where her true identity can remain unknown and she can stay out of the spotlight.  The more she visits her secret getaway, the more deeply she feels connected to the history, the lifestyle, and the people.  Could this place be her home away from home, or become the home she has dreamed of?  Or will sinister forces rip it all away?

my review...

We all have things we’d like to run away from and yet it isn’t practical. But what if we were someone else. That’s what happened to LaVern in Louiston South Carolina. Loving a town and making friends can be a mistake when you’ve told everyone a tale.

Speaking of a “tale”, Eric Grandy has told a great one. This story was easy to read. It caught me right at the beginning, and I didn’t stop.

There are some very good  things in here besides a basic plot and story. There are characters with values, people desiring education, people trying to be helpful to others. This is just an overall enjoyable book. I couldn’t wait to read to the end but was sad when I found there were no more by Eric Grandy. Write some more, okay?

read an excerpt...

“I’m going to miss you so much sweetheart. I’m so proud of you.”

 The tears began to flow.

 “I’m going to miss you too, Mom.”

 “I miss you already, Peaches,” cried Shaundra. “You better text me every day.”

 LaVern broke her tight hold on her mother and transferred it to Shaundra.

 “I told you a long time ago that nothing will ever come between us. I meant it then and I mean it now.” She clutched her best friend even tighter. Then it was Freeman’s turn. He’d been holding off his goodbye intentionally. He wrapped his arms around his daughter and held on. He rested his chin on her head. LaVern was sobbing uncontrollably, but she didn’t let go. He finally relaxed his grip and looked directly into LaVern’s crying eyes.

 “I want you to know you have made your mother and me so proud, Peaches.” He wiped a tear from his daughter’s face with his thumb. “You’re ready for this. You’ve been preparing your whole life.”

“Thank you, Daddy. I love you so much.”

He released his daughter, picked up the luggage and, along with everyone else, headed outside. LaVern turned to take one last look. The realization that she wouldn’t be back for months was just hitting her. It’s really happening, she thought. I’m actually leaving. She closed and locked the door. The second part of her life was about to begin.

about Eric Grandy...

Eric Grandy was born and raised in Baltimore City and graduated from City College. After he graduated from Essex Community College, he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs and played six years for that team. He went on to a variety of jobs: photographer, lab manager, driver for DHL and warehouse manager. After retirement, he decided to devote himself to writing, producing several short stories and Accidental Paradise, his debut novel.

 Grandy still lives in Baltimore with his wife Rhonda and his daughter Marti.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Accidental-Paradise-Eric-Grandy/dp/B0FKPYYH8S