Graceland by Nancy Crochiere
Summary
People-pleasing Hope Robinson can't seem to please anyone lately--not her slogan-spewing boss, not her pink-haired teenage daughter, and especially not her mother, the flamboyant soap-star, Olivia Grant. Olivia loves Elvis more than Jesus, and now that she's on oxygen, she insists Hope take her on a final trip to Graceland. Unfortunately, that's the one place Hope can't go. Eighteen years earlier, pregnant and distraught, Hope fled Tennessee with a secret agreement: to never reveal her baby's father and never return to Memphis.
Olivia, though, has never learned the word no. After she wrangles Hope's impulsive daughter, Dylan, to drive her from Boston to Memphis with the promise of meeting her mystery father, Hope has no choice but to chase after them. She must stop them before they ambush Dylan's father, exposing Hope's lies, breaking the NDA, and igniting a political and media firestorm.
Along the road to Memphis, as the women encounter former soap actors, free-range ferrets, and a trio of Elvis-impersonating frat boys, everyone's long-held secrets begin to unravel. In order to become the family they long to be, Hope, Olivia, and Dylan must face hard truths about themselves and one another on the bumpy road to acceptance, forgiveness, and ultimately, grace.
Book Setting: Memphis, Tennessee
Graceland: Olivia’s destination, Elvis’ bedroom, but had an awakening in the Meditation Garden.
Peabody Hotel: Olivia & Hope stayed here, where Aaron’s fundraiser was held, and the famous Peabody Ducks have their palace on the roof.
Memphis Pyramid: Originally built as a venue for sporting events but now this unique structure houses a Bass Pro Shop and many other entertainment activities.
River Garden: Park on the Mississippi River where Aaron and Hope spent time together.
Hernando de Soto Bridge
University of Memphis, Tupelo House: Dylan hung out with the three “Elvi”.
Forest Hill Cemetery: Cemetery where Elvis was buried before being moved to Graceland and where Beth was buried, and Hope noticed something important on the headstone.
Shelby County Jail “ 201 Poplar” Houses a police station, courts, and a jail, often used for unruly and drunk frat boys, but where Jordan and Hope spent some time.
Beale Street: Home of the Blues.
BB King Boulevard: Olivia reflected on times with Harold while looking at the young ppl enjoying the nightlife.
Reviews
"Graceland is a sparkling, warm-hearted, witty debut. I so enjoyed joining these three generations of women on their action-packed road trip to Memphis!"
--Liane Moriarty, #1 New York Times bestselling author
"Irresistible, addictive, and utterly entertaining, Graceland is bound to win readers' hearts... This story of family secrets, broken promises, and the healing power of love will stay with you long after the final page is turned."
--Susan Wiggs, New York Times bestselling author
"Nancy Crochiere writes with such warmth and wit that I felt I was there alongside the women, cheering them on at every step of their crazy journey."
-- Sarah Haywood, New York Times bestselling author of The Cactus