This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Eric Grandy will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Tell us about your current book in ten words.
Contemporary fiction, Humorous, Tense, Poignant, Memorable characters, Picturesque locations, Relatable
E-Reader or print and why?
Print, without question. A book is three dimensional. I like holding a book and turning the pages. I like to see it resting among the others in my library. A book is more personal and impressive looking.
One book at a time or multiples?
One at a time. I find reading more than one at a time too distracting. Only having one to finish is less intimidating.
Do you have any bad book habits?
I mark all my books. I write in the margins, and I highlight passages that I want to find later. I also write the definition to words that I don’t know in the back, on the blank pages.
Favorite place to read.
In good weather, I read on my front porch. I like the warm sun, the trees, the breeze and the chirping birds. During the wintertime, I sit in my living room and read by window light.
Favorite book to recommend.
It’s a book of historical non-fiction. “The Warmth of Other Suns”, by Isabel Wilkerson impacted me so much. I am a big reader of history and her well researched and intelligent recounting of the diaspora of Blacks from the deep south continues to resonate with me to this day.
Do you loan your books?
No. I’ve kept all my books. The few I’ve loaned out I never got back. If someone wants to read a book from my library, I’d rather buy it for them. Also, I like watching my library expand.
What would make you not finish a book?
I usually finish every book I start, even if it’s an ordeal, but I read a book many years ago where the author seemed to be in love with vocabulary. Unnecessarily complicated vocabulary seems pretentious to me. I couldn’t enjoy the story because the verbiage got in the way. I put it down and never picked it up again.
Favorite Genre
I am a lover of history and autobiographies. This was all I read before I started writing fiction. I love reading people’s life sagas through their own words, and I love true, factual accountings of people and events in the past.
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?
“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.
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. Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Accidental-Paradise-Eric-Grandy/dp/B0FKPYYH8S
Thank you for featuring ACCIDENTAL PARADISE.
ReplyDeleteMy name is Eric Grandy and I want to thank straight from the library for sharing my debut novel with their followers.
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