The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee Giveaway

Do you know what fills me with the warm & fuzzies? Watching a friend’s dream come true and witnessing the joy and pride in their eyes as they send off their creations into the world. The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee is one such dream, one warm & fuzzy, and the work of my friend and #palsie Talya Tate Boerner from Grace, Grits, Gardening.

The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee was published back in January of this year. It is Talya’s debut novel and is a coming-of-age story of Gracie Lee, a ten year old from the Arkansas Delta. The novel is a thought provoking and insightful look into the mind of a ten year old who accidentally finds herself seeking salvation and pondering questions about religion, family issues, growing up in an Arkansas farming community, and difficult decisions. I was excited to see Talya at her book signing last week in Batesville. I saved reading the novel until that week so that it would be fresh in my mind.

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I asked Talya about writing Gracie Lee. Note: I actually video’d this mini-interview but I can’t get it to play! Talya’s responses are to the best of my memory and not direct quotes.

Me: There were parts of the book that were difficult to read. Were they difficult to write and what did that process look like?

Talya: The process began as a writing exercise. It was a short story I had written and worked into the novel. They say write what you know and so I did. It was actually therapeutic for me.

Me: Was PFC James Taylor a real soldier?

Talya: Was that his name? (so full of grace)

Me: Umm…I think so (so full of something-emberrassment? Yes! The soldier in the book was PFC James TYLER, not the singer)

Talya: I tried to come up with a name that was not someone from the war to avoid any issues but I did have my own POW bracelet in real life.

Me: I see a lot of people asking about a sequel. Did you think you’d write one?

Talya: I knew there could be one. I didn’t think I would start writing one so immediately because I have two other things in process. But, I feel so involved in Gracie Lee’s world I feel like I need to get it out while it’s on my mind. I haven’t written a lot, yet but I’m constantly thinking about it. I’ve written, like, two chapters. The whole farm thing, it’s what I know.

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Love the sweet giveaways Talya brought. Thom and I planted our Delta cotton over the weekend.

Blurry, but seeing Talya light up while she laughed with readers was sweet.

Talya signs a book for you. Yes! You! I mentioned wanting to buy a book to giveaway here and Talya threw in a whole package so we’re having a fun Gracie Lee Giveaway! Thank you for your generosity, Talya! Prize package includes a signed copy of The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee, an I’m with Gracie Lee t-shirt (size-large), an I’m with Gracie Lee coffee mug, your own Delta Cotton, some Spaceship squash, and a bookmark.

Contest open to US residents only.
Entries open until 4/25/2016
Winning entry must respond by email within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen.

Thanks for reading and good luck! I can’t wait for you to meet #GracieLee

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