Welcome today to the book tour for Grace Doll by Jennifer Laurens. I have my book review , insight into how Jennifer created Grace Doll and wonderful Giveaway !
GRACE DOLL
Grace Doll had everything a girl could want: Fame. Fortune. Beauty.
Everything except, of course, her freedom. So when a powerful movie producer forces an experimental treatment on Grace--one that's purported to make beauty immortal--she stages her own death to escape him.
With the help of trusted friends, Grace slips into hiding. She's forever flawless, forever young and forever pursued by her past.
But when a stranger arrives on her doorstep, holding the key to a life she thought she'd left behind, Grace must decide between the safety she's known... and embracing the role she was born to play.
HOW GRACE DOLL BECAME ABOUT
Like
a lot of people, I was jobless after college. My Dad and his wife ( my
step-mother ) both worked in the entertainment business. My dad was an art
director for Aaron Spelling, and his wife was a secretary to Aaron Spelling's
right-hand producer, Leonard Goldberg. Like everything in showbiz, you have to
'know someone' to get anywhere it seems, and they arranged for me to get a job
as a stand-in and background player.( Extra - but the industry called us
background )
My
first job was at 20th Century Fox Studios - on Dallas. It was a rainy day, and I
wasn't sure HOW I'd get INSIDE the studio. Did I need a pass? A golden key?
Would I be frisk searched? Surely there'd be serious security. After all, some
of our biggest Hollywood stars were at work within the hallowed walls of the
studio.
My
'chair' in one hand, ( every background player carries his own portable chair to
and from jobs so she has a place to sit during the long tedious hours between
shots ), bag of makeup and junk in the other, I walked right past the guard
station with a smile and onto the lot. No one asked me anything! No one stopped
me. I was shocked.
I
found the sound stage and had my first day of many working in the fabulously
exciting world of show business.
I did
this for 3 1/2 years, meeting so many interesting people, seeing so many
bizarre, fascinating, unbelievable moments that I stored them all in my head,
knowing someday I'd have to write them down.
At
first I was intrigued by the business--the way it took HOURS to shoot five
minutes of footage. The politics of it all--every aspect of the business was
interesting. I studied old Hollywood, comparing it to the Hollywood I was
working in. Little things came to light such as when I stood in for Julie (
Lauren Tewes ) On the Love Boat, and when it was "Disembarking Day" we
background folk all stood on deck waving to nobody ( except a bunch of bored
workers off set ). Or when there was a closeup of Julie's hand and someone elses
hand was used so Lauren could go home.
I
saw Divas and lecherous men. I worked under the nose of big-time producers and
always marveled when someone would say to me," I'm coming to Hollywood to be
discovered. All I need is to be seen..." Hopefuls had no idea how many people
producers 'saw' every day--people with their foot in the door who never
progressed beyond the background. Gorgeous, talented people willing to do
ANYTHING for five minutes on film.
I'd
smile at the hopeful and say, "Good luck."
Some
of my best pals were the makeup artists and hair people, camera men and
stage-hands. One makeup artist in particular was very fond of me. He had a son
who worked background with me, and their quiet relationship was part of the
inspiration for Grace Doll.
The
other inspiration was my own distant relationship with my dad--my feelings for
him playing out heavily in Brenden's attitude about his dad.
Grace
Doll was my dad's sister. Her name was so different, any time we went anywhere
together, or anyone spoke of her name, people were like, 'What?"
It
was the perfect name for my character.
Many
elements of my life weave into my work and Grace Doll is no different. Writing
is therapeutic for me, so it doesn't surprise me when my characters feel a
certain way. Writing is my safe exploration of fantasies often
unrealized.
My
hope is that the reader who is in "paranormal, vampiric, shape-shifters
overload" will enjoy something out of the ordinary like Grace Doll. Maybe
readers will enjoy a trip to Hollywood fantasy land--like I
did.
MY REVIEW
I’ve now read Grace Doll twice, and must say I was just as eager the second time around to read it. I was pulled into the pages, and entranced in Grace's world and story from the very first page.
** They wait for me, the crowd, like savages awaiting a sacrifice. They want me. What I am, what I have...** (( what an opening line )) I was compelled to read on...........
Jennifer Laurens has taken us on a different path with Grace Doll, slightly darker than any of her previous books. The story concept only, I found it intriguing and mesmerizing till I Turned that last page.
Grace Doll is every girls dream, Young, Beautiful, Talented and loved. A wonderful career ..... Even some may say, Loved to much. Rufus was every girl’s nightmare, dominant, demanding and possessive, to the point of wanting his Doll Forever Flawless, Forever young and forever his.
Rufus decides he wants to give Grace a gift for eternity - he puts his plans in motion for his Grace Doll to be his for all immortality. HIS LIVING DOLL. Unaffected by age, Forever his beauty.
At a young age, Grace was given the chance to shine - sizzle and be a movie star. Upon Meeting Rufus her dreams were met, but with harsh consequences.
Grace became his possession, his obsession - his to deal with as he pleased, and in time, Grace no longer wanted to be his Living Doll. His controlling nature and ways was not the life Grace wanted for herself.
A night that was meant to be her way out, ended up being a sentence.
A life in hiding, from the evil that hunted her.
80 years later - Destiny came knocking at her door.
***********************************************************************
Wow - I’ve read this book twice and I’m sure I read it in record breaking time both times. Second time around I think I was even more excited to see the edited copy and the extra’s that Jennifer added it. (( This will be an added extra for the readers )) grins.
A compelling storyline, with crisp dialogue that was fluent flowing, filled with twists and turns, and suspense that will keep you eagerly flipping till the last word.
The plot is intricate, intriguing, and solid. Giving the reader many thoughts along the way, a story that was definably unpredictable.
Heartfelt moments that will make your heart sag - moments where you will want to rip Rufus’s head of his shoulders and other moments where you are briskly reading to find out what’s next. Even the gooey moments, I was waiting for that first kiss ;) sigh ....
The emotions that Jennifer has put forth In Grace Doll, I’m sure are beyond words. As the reader I can feel everything that Grace felt, the hurt, hate, horror, and love.
At times, you will be taken aback by Grace's life, what Rufus put her through - and as a mother - My heart was aching for what poor young Grace went through at the hands of an older man.
Can someone be loved too much??
In Grace's case yes... He possessed her in every way possible. The animal and abusive man that he was portrayed well, and instantly as a reader I disliked him from the very first pages. Cringing along with Grace as I read about her life, I was unsure where the story was headed but eager to find out if she escaped Rufus's evil demands and clutches.
I loved the way in Which Jennifer put forth all her vivid descriptions, giving the reader every detail possible to see what is happening within the pages. So fluent - so detailed ...... it’s like your peering through a looking glass watching the story unfold.
The characters are all defined well, with depth and definition. Villains we all wanted to see vaporized, the bad portrayed at exactly that, the kindness and love of others shone from the pages.
We see Grace change along the way - from a timid young girl to a young girl with a mature mind. This will make more sense as you read on.
The chemistry and passion between Brenden and Grace was sizzling, not just because of Grace's circumstances, but because they both felt that connection. Brenden was a character that I easily fell in love with, caring and considerate and honestly innocent. Despite his upbringing and the hurt he felt, he found it within himself to Give Grace a chance. Even though beforehand he has other ideas.
As the suspense builds throughout the story, I felt like I was holding my breath just waiting for what was to come next.
Over all…..
Grace Doll is a well-paced suspense-filled with a story that will leave you breathless and many a heart stopping scenes to leave your heart sagging – yet also relieved.
An ending every reader will surely be smiling over ;) I Know I was.....
A must read to add to your shelves…
If you are viewing the kindle version make sure you click on the link titled GRACE DOLL HAPPY ENDING for the link ;) its after the Vanity Fair article on the last pages..
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