Act of Grace Online Book Tour February 2012

Join Karen Simpson, author of the contemporary speculative fiction novel Act of Grace as she virtually tours the blogosphere in February 2012 on her second tour with Pump Up Your Book!

About Karen Simpson

Karen Simpson is passionate about the craft of writing fiction, the art of quilting, and the discipline of historical research. She received her bachelor’s degree in Animal Husbandry, M.A. in Foreign and International Trade and a M.S. in Historic Preservation. A historic preservationist trained in heritage interpretation and administration, the subjects and themes of her fiction are often taken from the stories she discovers while doing research for museum exhibits. In 2009 Simpson was awarded the Speculative Literature Foundation’s Older Writers Grant. She is lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Act of Grace is her first novel.

You can visit Karen Simpson’s website at www.karensimpsonwrites, her blog at www.lafreya.blogspot.com or connect with her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lafreya1

About Act of Grace

Why would Grace Johnson, an African American high school senior, take a bullet to save the life of a Ku Klux Klansman named Jonathan Gilmore?

The question hovers unanswered over Grace’s hometown of Vigilant, Michigan. Few people, black or white, understand her sacrifice, especially since rumor has it years ago a member of Gilmore’s family murdered several African Americans including Grace’s father. Grace doesn’t want to talk about it, but the decision to speak is not hers to make. Ancestor spirits emerge to insist, in ways Grace cannot ignore, that she bear witness to her town’s violent racial history so that all involved might transcend it.

With hindsight made telescopic by the wisdom found in African American mythology and the book The Velveteen Rabbit, Grace recounts a story of eye-for-an-eye vengeance that has blinded entire generations in her hometown. Faced with the horrific crimes that have disfigured her life, Grace wonders if in the end, she can do as the spirits have asked and lead Mr. Gilmore, the town of Vigilant and her own soul on a journey toward reconciliation, redemption and true grace.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Grace’s intimate narration and folksy-but-modern-Southern-down-home voice immediately pulls the reader into the story. You can’t help but like her: she’s sassy, she’s smart, and when her Nana explains to her that she is to be a conduit for their ancestral spirits, you know immediately that the right girl was chosen for the task.

~Marlon Edwards-The Speculative Literature Foundation

Loved this story. I was even more impressed when I realized that this is Ms. Simpson’s first novel. Her style of writing is just beautiful, as she weaves the character’s stories together in a seamless journey. I don’t want to be a spoiler, but let me just say that this is a timely novel that reveals much about race, gender, and the search for peace across generations. My guess is that there are many among us who will be able to relate to Grace’s journey, as she is challenged by her spirits to push herself further than she ever thought possible. Bravo! I can’t wait for the movie.

~Lisa Ruby

Monday, February 6
Review at Broken Teepee

Tuesday, February 7
Review at The Book Connection

Wednesday, February 8
Guest Post at Bookish Ardour

Thursday, February 9
Guest Post at Words I Write Crazy

Friday, February 10
Review at Words I Write Crazy

Monday, February 13
Guest Post at Literal Exposure

Wednesday, February 15
Review at Live to Read

Friday, February 17
Interview at As the Pages Turn

Monday, February 20
Spotlight at Everday is an Adventure

Tuesday, February 21
Spotlight at Celtic Lady’s Book Reviews

Wednesday, February 22
Review at Coffee and a Keyboard

Friday, February 24
Review at The Book Vortex

Monday, February 27
Spotlight at The Hot Author Report

Wednesday, February 29
Interview at Beyond the Books

Karen Simpson’s ACT OF GRACE ONLINE BOOK TOUR will officially begin February 6th and end February 29th. Thank you for your support!

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