How could a story that revolves around someone being chased down, probably to be killed and out of the picture for good, be funny? Well, GRACE UNDER FIRE is filled to the coffers with wildly witty moments that absolutely have you laughing out loud. Immensely enjoyable with one of the best characters destined to become one of your all-time favorites. That would be Grace Isabel McKenna. Isabel dreams of being a song writer but that didn’t feel adequate to her mother. So Isabel had alternate choices as well. But music and songs were practically all she thought about. This distraction was, at times, the bane of her existence and candidly the basis for some of the best situations in GRACE UNDER FIRE.

Julie Garwood decided that Isabel would embody everything you could think of as a distracted artist type. But Isabel has an even more compelling side, compassion. Isabel is a great listener, and that seems to be how she manages to make strangers into friends. It is this innate talent that mystifies Michael Buchanan. Isabel’s sister is married to one of Michael’s brothers which automatically makes her a member of this huge family of larger-than-life folk. Each one a joy to meet.

It is the inner discussions that Isabel has with herself that radiate off the page. She admits that Michael is attractive, but he is barely beyond the grunting level of mankind. At least, according to Isabel. Michael is trying to keep his distance but finds himself unexpectedly and unhappily drawn to this strange woman.

Isabel finds herself the target of unwanted attention coming from very different directions. She handles troubles somewhat easily but then gets swallowed up by frightening events after the fact. Michael realizes Isabel is a lot stronger than she gives herself credit for. And when things get dicey, the two of them join forces. Actually, Michael charges in like a bull but Isabel graciously has to admit her relief having him at her back.

At the center is a tale of greed and bullying but what shines through is the gift of love and laughter. GRACE UNDER FIRE is a joy to read. Isabel barely filters out what she harbors in her mind and what escapes her mouth. It is those moments of irreverent blasts that endear Isabel to the reader and will no doubt win Julie Garwood a new batch of fans. Julie Garwood is a true master of creating fabulous larger than life characters. Isabel is one of her best and destined to be one of yours too. Flaws and all Julie Garwood captures the inner beauty of her characters. Welcome to GRACE UNDER FIRE.

Book Summary