Guest review by: Becki Bayley
Grace Lee calls her granddaughter, Judith, with a dying wish…for Judith to travel from Los Angeles to Nashville to come visit her. But there’s a catch. Judith must make the journey by bus.
Book Review and GIVEAWAY: Finding Grace, by Gary Lee Miller
Amarillo, TX to Erick, OK
Judith was surprised to see Lucille ready to take her bag, greeting her with that same million-dollar smile as the morning before.
“Well, good morning, Ms. Gucci!” she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. “You look positively bubbly this morning. Had a good night’s rest, I assume?”
Lucille did not wait for an answer; her observations poured out like coins from a penny slot machine. “Mm-hmm. Positively bubbly and mighty fine, dressed to the nines. Fine shoes those are. Don’t know how anyone can balance on those without breaking’ somethin’.”
She chuckled. “My, my. That I would have the pleasure of handling a fine piece of luggage like this two days in a row.”
Who knew my luggage and attire would end up being such a big deal?
Judith Lee is on the trip of a lifetime, that she never would have chosen for herself. The people she meets on her bus trip across the country all have their own stories, and Judith has been tasked with listening to them.
Official synopsis:
The award-winning novel Finding Grace shares Judith Lee’s transformative, cross-country journey, revealing what truly matters. Each day of Judith’s journey becomes a story on its own, as the people she meets and places she visits along the way challenge her to rethink her life. Finding Grace is about Judith’s transformation back into the real world during this journey as a result of the people she meets on the bus, how she deals with the imminent passing of her grandmother, and how all this changes her life’s future plans. There are tears and laughter throughout, with interesting characters whom readers would recognize from their own lives. Today, more people are reflecting on what is and is not important. Finding Grace provides food for thought on many levels.
Judith is richer than rich. And everyone on the bus can spot that a mile away. She definitely does not fit in, but her dying grandmother, Mimi, wants her to call each night to check in and tell stories about all the people she’s met and adventures she’s had. Mimi knows that Judith has been living to work, and not doing much else to experience life. She’s using her last wish to force Judith out of her cozy comfort zone, and getting her to interact with people she never would have encountered in her ivory tower.
The stories are told to the reader in enlightening alternating chapters—first a bus passenger’s backstory, and then the story of them and Judith hanging out together on their travels. The background stories vary from bad choices, to bad luck, to just life running its course. Of course none of the stories are anything Judith has dealt with before, in her sheltered and luxurious current life. Most of the stories also lead to the main characters giving some expression of their faith, whether it’s faith in a higher power, or just faith in the goodness of people.
Overall, the book was enjoyable, as well as inspirational in parts. Judith’s wealth was almost beyond imagining, but her character was still likable. The information about St. Jude’s hospital was also interesting. I gave the book 4 out of 5 stars and would recommend it as a pleasant contemporary story.
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Becki Bayley is a wife and mom who enjoys catering to her children’s whims, ingesting caffeine like her life depends on it, and insisting on being in bed (okay, usually with a book) by 9pm. Check out her exciting spring adventures on Instagram, where she posts as PoshBecki.
GIVEAWAY:
One of my lucky readers will win a copy of Finding Grace!
Enter via the widget below. Giveaway will end on Wednesday, March 23rd, at 11:59pm EDT, and winner will be notified via email the next day, and have 24 hours to respond, or an alternate winner will be chosen.
U.S. residents only, please.
Good luck!
Book Review and GIVEAWAY: Finding Grace, by Gary Lee Miller
