Manhattan Grace
Clarice G. James
Elk Lake Publishing
June 1, 2018
eBook $7.99
Print $12.99
About the Book:
When a door opens
for Gracie Camden to leave Cape Cod and move to Manhattan as a nanny for a
Juilliard drama instructor, she fully expects God to use her acting talent and
launch her to stardom. She’s been here been six months. What’s taking him so
long?
Seymour Kaufman relocates to New York City from Iowa due to a shortage of mohels (circumcisers) in the tri-state Messianic congregations. Secretly, he hopes to explore a deeper relationship with Metropolitan Opera star and fellow Moldovan, Polina Zelenka. Seymour is conflicted when he meets her less complicated, widowed cousin.
Meanwhile, fresh from Palm Beach, the Chief plans to cap off his short yet lucrative career as an international jewel thief with a multi-million dollar heist during the Met’s gala in Polina’s honor. His usual modus operandi is to work alone—but this time is different.
While Seymour celebrates every closed door by believing God will open a better one, Gracie whines and wonders why God doesn’t bless her plans. Gracie finally learns success is not about making it big in the Big Apple, but about living God’s perfect plan for your life.
My Review
I just like these
characters and this fun story. Gracie has a ways to go to grow up, but don’t we
all? I loved her grandmother who kept her grounded with fun sagacity and the
always funny “say goodnight, Gracie” schtick that never grows old. I thought
Seymour was a hoot, especially since I have family near Postville and really
enjoy hearing how people adapt to the craziness of America.
I wondered how on
earth these two stories were going to intertwine and, while I occasionally got
a little impatient waiting for something to happen, was thoroughly entertained
by a jewel thief, ala Cary Grant, prepping for his biggest heist. I figured out
several whos, and loved finding out the why, which all came together in a
symphonic, justifiable end.
Written from
multiple viewpoints, readers follow a young woman on her way to fame and
fortune and a middle-aged Jewish immigrant on the hunt for his soulmate.
Strangers not for long in the Big Apple, they blunder and assist each other to
the good and Godly life.
About the Author
Author Clarice G.
James writes smart, fun, relatable contemporary women's fiction. When she's not writing, Clarice is reading, planning another New England
Christian Authors Round Table Talk, or involved in a home decorating project.
She and her husband, David, live in southern New Hampshire. Together, they have
five married children and ten grandchildren.
