2007 Eric Hoffer Award

2007 Notable New Fiction Indie Excellence Award

Life for Grace Place is all about sucking on “meat jerkys” and Lenny Bean, her handsome lover. Grace’s mother has loftier plans for her daughter. She insists that Grace save her money and move to New York City so she can find fame and fortune as an actress.

Grace works as a cleaning lady for wealthy Betty Ann Houseman so she can pool her pennies for the trip north. Betty Ann has a passion for men more pronounced than her overbite, and it isn’t long before she’s parting the sheets for Lenny Bean. But just before Grace leaves Hixson for New York City, she uncovers an insidious plot: the Bean family is trying to steal Betty Ann’s estate.

Grace flees to New York, where she faces her darkest hours. In a world of surprises, Grace truly discovers paradise.

“A rare find, great timing in her writing and a tightly woven story. Finished it in 4 days which is rare for me. Lovers of southern literature will devour this book!” – 5 Stars

Vera Jane Cook, a descendent from a fine line of Southern eccentrics, is working on her next novel, which is a family saga that spans the twentieth century and three generations of women. She resides on the upper west side of Manhattan with her partner. Visit Vera’s website at: http://www.verajanecook.com/.