Title: Hadley & Grace by Suzanne Redfearn
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense, Women’s Fiction
Length: 344 pages
Summary:
The author of In an Instant delivers a heart-pounding and emotional roller-coaster ride of self-discovery in the tradition of Thelma and Louise.
Needing to escape her abusive marriage, Hadley flees with her two kids, knowing it might be her only chance. A woman who can’t even kill a spider, Hadley soon finds herself pushed to the limits as she fights to protect her family.
Grace, new mother of baby Miles, desperately wants to put her rough past behind her for good, but she finds it impossible when her path crosses with Hadley’s, and her quest for a new start quickly spirals out of control and turns into a terrifying flight for survival.
Stronger together than apart, the two find their fates inextricably entwined, and as the danger closes in, each must decide how much she is willing to risk for the other.
A powerful story of self-discovery, Hadley and Grace is the heart-racing tale of two women facing insurmountable odds, racing to stay one step ahead of the trouble that is chasing them, and discovering new kinds of love and family along the way.
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Excerpt
Excerpted from Hadley & Grace by Suzanne Redfearn. © 2021 Published by Lake Union Publishing, February 1st, 2021. All Rights Reserved.
From Chapter 1:
Her watch says 12:52, which means eight minutes remain to get the cupcakes.Plenty of time, yet Hadley feels her pulse ticking. She looks at the two women in front of her and wills the line to move faster. She doesn’t like to be late.
The woman at the counter is struggling to make her decision. “So, the special today is strawberry cheesecake?” she asks for the third time. She is older, with silver hair and a bend in her spine.
The salesgirl, perhaps sixteen, offers a patient smile. “Yes, but if your granddaughter just wants plain strawberry, we have that as well.”
“She told me strawberry,” the woman says, her voice unsure as she clutches her purse tight against her, a frayed black bag possibly as old as Hadley.
Impatience bleeds from the woman directly in front of Hadley, midforties and professional, her arms folded across her chest and her Prada wallet held at the ready, the blush-painted nail of her index finger tapping against it.
Hadley’s phone buzzes, and she looks down to see a text from Frank.
Truck ok? Mercedes will be dropped off this afternoon. How u holding up?
“The cheesecake one is very pretty,” the grandmother says. “She’s six. Did I mention it’s her birthday?”
The Prada woman rolls her eyes. The grandmother did mention it is her granddaughter’s birthday. She also mentioned she is turning six and that they’re celebrating with a picnic in the park beside her daughter’s apartment. Her daughter is bringing pizza, and the grandmother is supposed to bring a Sprinkles cupcake for dessert.
Hadley wants to tell her she should buy the original strawberry cupcake, not the special. If it’s what her granddaughter asked for, then it will be what she’s expecting, and anything other than strawberry will be a disappointment.
Strawberry has always been Mattie’s favorite as well. “Stwawbewrry, pwease,” she used to lisp when asked what flavor she preferred for cake, ice cream, or Jell-O. And Mattie would have been terribly let down if she’d been given strawberry cheesecake, especially on her birthday.
“The cheesecake is really good,” the counter girl says, trying to be helpful. She holds up the special. The pink frosting is decorated with red sprinkles and has a ruby-red candy in the shape of a strawberry on top. The strawberry cupcake literally pales in comparison—cream frosting, no sprinkles, no candy on top.
Hadley returns to her phone and pecks her answer back to her husband.
Truck is fine and I’m ok as long as I don’t think about it.
She feels the lie in her chest as she presses send.
Frank’s text is instant. Hang in there. Love u.
Prada woman lets out an audible groan, and the grandmother glances back to see her laser glare.
The grandmother returns to the salesgirl and stutters, “F-fine. That’s fine. I’ll take the special.”
She shuffles to the register as Prada woman shakes her head and steps to the counter. Succinctly and rather loudly, she rattles off her order as if demonstrating how cupcake ordering should be done. The grandmother stands a few feet away, her face pinched, clearly uncertain of her decision.
Hadley’s phone buzzes. Love u!!!
“Can I help you?” the salesgirl says.
Hadley feels Prada woman watching, judging her on her cupcake-ordering ability. She tucks her phone in her pocket and recites sharply, “Two dozen chocolate marshmallow, two dozen strawberry, one dozen red velvet, and one dozen vanilla.” She just stops herself from looking at Prada woman for her approval.
The grandmother is counting out the exact change from her purse as the girl at the register smiles patiently, and Hadley thinks kindness must be the number one job requirement for applicants, and she wants to commend the manager on her hiring. This would be a lovely first job for Mattie, she thinks at the exact moment she realizes that, God willing, she and Mattie won’t be anywhere near this place when Mattie is old enough to work.
Author Bio
Suzanne Redfearn is the bestselling author of four novels: Hush Little Baby, No Ordinary Life, In an Instant, and Hadley and Grace. In addition to being an author, she’s also an architect specializing in residential and commercial design. She lives in Laguna Beach, California, where she and her husband own two restaurants: Lumberyard and Slice Pizza and Beer.
Author Links: Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads * Instagram
Giveaway
I am giving away ONE PRINT copy of Hadley and Grace (US/CA Addresses ONLY). To enter today’s contest, fill out the form below. PLEASE NOTE: Contest is open to US/CA mailing address ONLY. Contest ends 4 PM mountain time Monday February 8th.
CONTEST OVER
* I am the only person who will have access to info that is submitted to me UNLESS a publisher or author has donated an eBook or print book for the giveaway. For a prize donated by an author or publisher, I will forward your e-mail and format selection or address to the person responsible for distributing the prize. Please refer to the privacy page HERE if you have questions about how your information is used. In the event the contest form is not working, please leave your book selection in the comments below.*
The book for this giveaway has been generously provided by Suzanne RedFearn and/or Lake Union Publishing. Winner will be selected by random.org. Suzanne RedFearn and/or Lake Union Publishing will mail the prize to the winner. Not responsible for lost or misdirected packages.
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