Book Description:
Winner: Eric Hoffer Award for publishing excellence and the Indie Excellence Award for notable new fiction! 5 Star Clarion ForeWord Review!
Publisher: Musa (November 16, 2012)
Category: Contemporary Fiction/ Women’s Fiction/ Southern Fiction
Tour Date: April/May, 2014
Available in: Print & ebook, 347 Pages
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.
My Thoughts:
Grace lives in the south with her father, brother, mother, and grandfather in a trailer park called, Paradise. We Grace is old enough all her mother wants her to do is get a job and save enough money to move to New York and find stardom. Her mother had the chance when she was Grace’s age but ended up getting married.
Grace isn’t sure what she wants. She has a boyfriend, Lenny Bean and a pretty good job cleaning hose and taking care of a baby. However, it later becomes crystal clear to her that she has to at least go to New York and see what happens.
Dancing Backward in Paradise is the third book I have read by Vera Jane Cook. Cook is amazing at drawing out her characters and the landscape in which they live. Her books are not for the easily offended. There is some described sexual acts and profanity. However, to me, these things are real life. I dare someone to go out into the real work and not hear profanity. It would be pretty difficult. LOL!
Out of the three books by Vera Jane Cook, my favorite is ‘The Story of Sassy Sweetwater’ however, ‘Dancing Backward in Paradise is a very close second, almost a tie. If you haven’t read anything by Vera Jane Cook, I suggest your run to you computer and order an ebook or two. You have to give this immensely talented author a try! Don’t miss out on the Vera Jane Cook Experience!
5/5
I received the ebook for my honest opinion.
About Vera Jane Cook: 
Vera Jane Cook, writer of Award Winning Women’s Fiction, is the author of The Story of Sassy Sweetwater, Lies a River Deep, Where the Wildflowers Grow, Dancing Backward in Paradise and Annabel Horton, Lost Witch of Salem.
Jane, as she is known to family and friends, was born in New York City and grew up amid the eccentricity of her southern and glamorous mother on the Upper West and Upper East Side of Manhattan.
An only child, Jane turned to reading novels at an early age and was deeply influenced by an eclectic group of authors. Some of her favorite authors today are Nelson DeMille, Calib Carr, Wally Lamb, Anne Rice, Sue Monk Kidd, Anita Shreve, Jodi Picoult, Alice Walker and Toni Morrison. Her favorite novels are too long to list but include The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, Cheri and The Last of Cheri, The Picture of Dorian Grey, Wuthering Heights, Look at Me, Dogs of Babel, The Bluest Eye, The Art of Racing in the Rain, Body Surfing, Lolita, The Brothers Karamazov, She’s Come Undone, Tale of Two Cities, etc., etc., etc.,
Vera Jane Cook’s Website: http://www.verajanecook.com/
Vera Jane Cook on Twitter: https://twitter.com/verajanecook
Vera Jane Cook on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vera.j.cook
Buy Dancing Backward in Paradise:
Thanks to Vera Jane Cook, I am giving away one ebook copy of ‘Dancing in Paradise.’ This giveaway is open internationally and ends on May 27, 2014.
Follow the Tour:
Indie Reviews Behind the Scenes Mar 29 Interview- Listen to the Recording
Teddy Rose Book Reviews Apr 14 Review & Giveaway
Open Book Society Apr 15 Review
Wall to Wall Books Apr 16 Review
Sapphyria’s Book Reviews Apr 17 Guest Post & Giveaway
Manic Mama of 2 Apr 18 Review
Rantin’ Ravin’ and Reading April 21 Review
Rantin’ Ravin’ and Reading April 22 Interview & Giveaway
Vicky Deal Sharing Aunt Apr 23 Interview & Giveaway
Being Tillys Mummy Apr 25 Review & Guest Post
Rebecca’s Writing Svcs Apr 28 Guest Post
Networking Witches May 1 Review
From Isi May 5 Review & Giveaway
Romance & Inspiration May 6 Review
Room With Books May 8 Review & Giveaway
Margay Leah Justice May 9 Guest Post & Giveaway
Carole’s Book Corner May 14 Guest Post
Bound 4 Escape May 26 Review