Deborah Smith Charming Grace Review

Overall Rating

Charming Grace
Deborah Smith
Little, Brown, Feb 2004, $24.95
ISBN: 0316805874

Action star Stone Senterra visits Dahlonega, Georgia to try to meet with Grace Vance, widow of Georgia Bureau of Investigation hero Harper. Her deceased husband died two years ago taking out the psychopath Turn-Key Bomber just before the serial killer was going to blow up a hospital. The world saw Harp's heroism as he died saving many innocent lives. Now Stone, known for dumb down action thriller flicks, wants to film Harp's life. He tries to charm Grace, but she rejects his deal as she believes he is only capable of an action-packed cinematic insulting dolt of a movie.

Stone's bodyguard Boone Molene tries to intercede as he is grateful to his employer for giving him a chance straight out of Angola Prison. As Boone and Grace become acquainted they fall in love, but she still refuses Stone's efforts as she believes that the action hero will destroy the dignity of her late husband.

This entertaining contemporary is more a character study than a romance, though a love subplot adds depth to the tale. The story line provides insight into Grace and through her eyes Harp. Fans will appreciate Grace's efforts to keep her late spouse's life from becoming a bogus macho action adventure flick as he was deeper than just a GI Joe doll. Deborah Smith furbishes a strong look at legends and how Hollywood can corrupt and propagandize or enhance heroes.

Harriet Klausner