Blog Tour: Grace Doll by Jennifer Laurens

Title: Grace Doll
Author: Jennifer Laurens
Pub. Date: Aug. 20, 2012
Find “Grace Doll”:
Amazon / B&N / Fish Pond / The Book Depository

Grace Doll had everything a girl could want: Fame. Fortune. Beauty.

Everything except, of course, her freedom. So when a powerful movie producer forces an experimental treatment on Grace–one that’s purported to make beauty immortal–she stages her own death to escape him.

With the help of trusted friends, Grace slips into hiding. She’s forever flawless, forever young and forever pursued by her past.

But when a stranger arrives on her doorstep, holding the key to a life she thought she’d left behind, Grace must decide between the safety she’s known… and embracing the role she was born to play.

~From the Author~

Character Interview with Grace Doll

Hello Ms. Doll, I can’t tell you what a joy it is to meet you! After hearing your story, I felt compelled to speak with you. Is it okay if I call you “Ms. Doll”? I know you’ve been, understandably, hesitant to equate yourself with Grace Doll in the past.

You may call me Ms. Doll, of course. Thank you for asking.

You’re welcome!

I apologize if some of these questions may be difficult. But, I really am curious as to what you went through when you were a young girl. What I’ve been wondering is, at what point after you were taken by Mr. Solomon, did you realize that something wasn’t quite right?

He was very charming at first, very kind–or what my young girl’s mind perceived as kind. He told me elaborate stories about the studio, about what he was going to do for me, making me the biggest star the world had ever seen, buying me gifts, clothing, cars, houses–every possession I wanted. One tour of BMB studios and I was hypnotized by the business. Within days I had a beautiful cottage on the lot that was to be my dressing room (only later did I find out Rufus had kicked out veteran actress Lamae Summer so that I would have the coveted spot – a move that made her despise me) My first inkling that something was wrong was when I started seeing a certain look in people’s eyes whenever I was with Rufus. Even then, at thirteen, I sensed people thought there was something unusual about the way he always had his hand at my back, steering me everywhere I went, his arm ready to sneak around my waist and possess me. The only person I had to compare Rufus to was Daddy–who’d never tried to possess me.

Thirteen. You were so young. This must be horrible to remember.

I know it’s been years since you’ve seen your family. Do you remember much about them? Does anything stand out to you?

It’s been difficult to reconcile my feelings about my family allowing Rufus to take me away. I spent years questioning, wondering. Daddy sent my sisters and I across the pier to feed the seagulls while he and Rufus ‘talked’ so I will never really know the specifics of their conversation. I only saw the two of them shake hands and then Daddy, with his head slightly bowed, walking behind Rufus– crossed the wooden planks to us.

What do you think it was about Mr. Solomon that made them trust him enough to let you go with him?

Rufus could charm the devil into hell. So convincing. So charismatic. People were awed and silenced and paralyzed by his presence. He was very powerful. You felt like he knew exactly what he was doing, so there was a measure of stability in that, even if fear and bewilderment came along with it.

The more I hear about Rufus from you, the more I’m terrified for the little girl that you were back then.

Something else I’ve been wondering…What was life like for you immediately following the fire in ’49? Was everything planned out, precisely?

I have Jonathan to thank for saving me that night. Yes, the fire was planned by Jonathan. But I didn’t know that. I only knew he was going to get me out of the Dollhouse that night. Jonathan and Oscar both worked together on the details of what happened directly after the escape. We had passports (courtesy of the art department) clothing and disguises (courtesy of the costume department) and Oscar and I took a leap of faith.

I can’t IMAGINE what you were feeling right then. Risking it all and just leaving.

What was your first thought when you faced Mr. Solomon for the first time, in what had been years?

Thrill. Trepidation. I wanted to get the entire moment behind me forever. Of course I was curious– I had no idea if he’d had any results from the short infusion of the treatment that night. The only thing I did know going in was that I had to be prepared to fight for my future, for my life.

After all the “Rufus Solomon confrontation” was over, what is the first thing you did, for you? You know, the first fun thing you did as yourself, not having to hide anymore?

Well, I can’t say I’m not done ‘hiding’. I have photographers and paparazzi following me constantly and it began the night Judy brought everything to light. So, what did I do fun? Fun’s not been a word I’ve been familiar with for a very long time. After discovery, I really just wanted to go home to Oscar. With Brenden, of course. To answer your question, one of the ‘fun’ things I can remember doing was going to the beach with Brenden and watching him surf.

Well, I really hope that you manage to work more and more fun into your life as time goes on.

What’s married life like for Grace Doll? Is having a relationship everything you’d hoped it would be and more?

Married life is about the experiencing ultimate contentment with another soul. It’s beautiful.

I am beyond happy for you that you found that contentment. I’m sure your fans would agree that it’s something you greatly deserve.

And you have children! Did you ever think that would happen?!

Two adopted children, yes. So many of my dreams were crushed in the early years, I didn’t allow myself to hope ANY would ever come true. They’re so much fun! Yes, I finally have fun in my life, every day!

Finally, can you sum up for us, your fans, what a day in the life of Grace Doll consists of?

Work, children and Brenden mixed with plenty of sunsets at the beach. (I adore the ocean)Sleep and repeat.

Oh, boy! That sounds perfect!

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions!

Great questions!

~About the Author~

Jennifer Laurens, aka JM Warwick aka Katherine Warwick was born and raised in Southern California and her hometown of Palos Verdes Estates flavors her books: A Season of Eden and An Open Vein. She doesn’t limit herself to writing one genre, and was the first to author four romance novels centered around the popular sport of ballroom dancing.She has YA novels published under her YA romance name of Jennifer Laurens: Falling for Romeo, Magic Hands, Nailed and the Heavenly series: Heavenly ( 2009) Penitence (2010) and Absolution (2010) A Season of Eden (2011) and Overprotected ( 2011 ).An Open Vein is under her JM Warwick pen name. Jennifer lives in Utah and has 6 children, one of whom has autism.

Webpage / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Grace Doll Blog Tour Schedule

Aug 20 PageFlipperzYA

Aug 21 myguiltyobsession.blogspot.com

Aug 22 http://www.readinglittlebitofeverything.blogspot.co.uk
and
Kimmie’s Bookshelf

Aug 24 http://simplyinfatuated.wordpress.com

Aug 25 Captivated Reading
and http://www.merryreading.blogspot.com

Aug 26 http://www.papercutsya.blogspot.com
and
http://www.dinda-l.blogspot.com

Aug 27 http://thebletheringbookworm.blogspot.com

Aug 28 http://www.narrativelyspeaking.com
and http://www.2readornot2read.com

Aug 29 http://www.thereisabookinmybag.blogspot.com

Aug 30 http://globugneedsabook.blogspot.com

Aug 31 http://www.bodaciousbookaholic.blogspot.com
and
http://lettersinsideout.net