Sherryl Woods - Amazing Gracie

Dear Friends,

People often ask me if, after more than a hundred books, I have a favorite. Most of the time I swear its whatever just came out or whatever Im working on at the moment, because thats usually true. However, my next thought is almost always Amazing Gracie .

When this book first came out more than ten years ago, it was an RT Book Reviews Top Pick. The same magazine later named Amazing Gracie as one of the top two hundred books during its twenty years of publication. I wish I could say exactly what combination of plot and character came together to make this book so special, but I have no idea. It was just one of those serendipitous things authors wish would happen with every single book.

Of course, the fictional setting is very special to me. It was the first mainstream book to be based on my favorite summer town of Colonial Beach, Virginia, which later provided yet another fictional setting for the Trinity Harbor trilogy. The heroine, Gracie MacDougal, still has a place in my heart. And the herooh, myKevin Patrick Daniels combines just about everything I love about laid-back, generous, contrary and caring Southern men.

Im so delighted to have Amazing Gracie back in print for a whole new audience. I hope youll fall in love with the town, Kevin and Gracie as others have before. Welcome to Seagull Point!

Looking ahead to later this spring, Ill be taking you back to Serenity, South Carolina, for three more books with the Sweet Magnolias. The new trilogy will begin with Ty and Annies long-awaited story, Home in Carolina. I hope youll be watching for it.

All best,

W alking briskly through the small, elegant lobby of the Maison de Sol in Cannes, Gracie MacDougal noted every tiny detail, from the single wilted daffodil in the lavish arrangement of spring flowers to the fingerprints on the beveled glass in the double mahogany doors. She plucked the offending flower from the arrangement, then beckoned to the young man working behind the reception desk. Andr was one of her best, most dutiful employees. Theyd become friends. Someday, she was sure, hed replace her.

Andr, call housekeeping at once, sil vous plait. Take care of that window.

Of course, madame, he said dutifully, then discreetly studied the glass to figure out what was wrong with it.

Fingerprints, Gracie said, grinning at him.

He peered more closely at the decorative windowpane. Ah, he said when he discovered them.

Youll learn, Andr. Youll learn. Our guests expect perfection down to the tiniest detail.

Our guests, madame, or you?

Perhaps youre right, she conceded. If Im doing my job, then the guests will take it for granted. I only wish

What? Andr asked, regarding her intently. What it is that you wish?

I only wish our new boss cared more about the details than the bottom line.

Monsieur Devereaux is a bit of aWhat is it they say in America, a suit?

Gracie fought a chuckle and lost. That he is, Andr. He is a bit of a suit.

Handsome, distinguished, and annoying, Maximillian Devereaux was, in Gracies opinion, more of an accountant than a hotelier. If the books balanced, he wouldnt care if there was a layer of dust an inch thick on the gleaming antique tabletops in the lobby. His attitude and the battles it engendered were beginning to take a toll.

He was the third CEO of Worldwide Hotels in the last five years. Hed been brought in to improve the bottom line after Worldwide was acquired by a larger chain to add some class to its image. Though Worldwide continued to operate as a separate division with its own corporate identity, in Gracies view the small chain of exclusive, luxury inns was in serious danger of losing its reputation and its clientele. The wilted daffodil in her hand was symptomatic of the problem.

Less than an hour later, after inspecting every nook and cranny of the hotel, she dropped the flower on Maxs desk and said just that. He peered down his long, aristocratic nose at her, glanced at the broken petals, then sighed with evident exasperation.

What is it now, Ms. MacDougal? he asked, as always reverting to formality to indicate his own annoyance with her.

The flowers werent changed this morning as they should have been, she said.

There is no need to change them daily. Weve discussed that. Every three days will be sufficient and will cut the flower budget by two-thirds.

And our guests will find wilted flowers in the lobby and assume that if we no longer care about appearances in such a public area, we will be even more careless in places they dont see, such as the kitchen. Details like this make a lasting impression. If you doubt it, check the reservation book.

Were booked solid for the next month.

And this time last year we were booked solid for six months in advance, she countered. At this rate, well have rooms available for every Tom, Dick and Harry who forgot to book a reservation before leaving the States.

Dont exaggerate, Gracie.

Its true. She studied Max intently. You really dont see it, do you? You dont see what youre doing to this hotel, to this entire chain.

Have dinner with me tonight and explain it, he suggested.

This time she was the one who sighed in exasperation. The man was relentless, when it came down to something he wanted, namely her. On paper, she and Max Devereaux were a perfect match. They were both talleven at five eight, she barely reached his chin. Max had dashing, Cary Grant looks. Gracie prided herself on her polished, classic appearance. Maxs intelligence, his quick rise in the international hotel industry paralleled hers.