Everything Claire believed about Christians was shattered when her parents died on a cool autumn evening. From the ashes of loss, Claire's faith is put to the ultimate test. Set in the small town of Walters Bluff, Claire struggles with grief and betrayal. Desperate for solace, she is drawn in by a gray-haired group of church ladies serving up stories with a side of Ella Mae's scones. The Grace Writers becomes a lifeline for Claire, as she finds unexpected friendships, laughter, and a glimmer of hope amidst her pain. And when a new business opportunity presents itself, Claire's passion is reignited, and she begins to let her guard down. But just when things seem to be falling into place, tragedy strikes again, threatening to undo it all. Can Claire and the people of Walters Bluff withstand the weight of fresh grief, old wounds, and painful truths? Dive into the heartwarming world of The Grace Writers, a story of second chances, community, and the power of forgiveness. If you loved Jan Karon's Mitford Series, you'll be swept away by this tender and uplifting story. Diane Donovan, Midwest Book Review; Editor, Donovan's Literary Services; Editor, Bookwatch; Author: San Francisco Relocated In The Grace Writers , Claire Baldwin lies wide awake in bed next to her husband, Will, "in a house steeped in years of vacancy" on her first night in a new town. A year ago, he'd awakened her on a similar night with the news that her parents had been killed in a car accident. She hasn't moved on from that event, when her good life came to a halt: She mourned the little things—her mom's laugh and her dad's optimism ... Then, as always, grief turned to anger. That one detail—the drunk driver was a deacon at their church, a pillar of righteousness. She's moved to Walters Bluff to get away from memories and grief, awakening to a newfound determination to let go of both. She also needs to find her faith again, because God seems to have abandoned her following the death of her parents. The Grace Writers is about finding all these things and more. From reluctantly visiting the First Community Church to try to form a new connection with God to being drawn into and embraced by The Grace Writers, a group of church ladies who share friendship, stories, and scones, Claire moves from uncharted territory into something familiar, yet different, as she regains her belief and forges new connections in the community. The small town processes of Walters Bluff force her to make changes in her approach to life - but not before tragedy strikes again, threatening the new foundations she's struggled to rebuild. The Grace Writers is exceptionally good at employing realistic dialogues between these women, who identify problems in their community, faith, and relationships. This injects a full-bodied, realistic feel to the unfolding events that test Clare, adding the perspectives and dilemmas of other community members who form bonds around faith, sisterhood, and life purpose. The cast of auxiliary characters, from Harley and Bertie (who are also struggling with issues of forgiveness and death) to Josephine and the daughter she's never spoken of, hold their own experiences and insights into God and develop changed paths in life as a result of their interactions. As Waters Bluff comes to life with undercurrents and relationships that prove unexpected and thought-provoking, readers receive a warm, cozy introduction to the presence of faith and friendship in their community. The insights on how ties are forged, tested, and redevelop are especially thought-provoking. Librarians and readers seeking an ultimately uplifting story of change and new beginnings will welcome how The Grace Writers brings all these facets to light in a journey that focuses on female friendship-building and connection. Cemented with a spiritual undercurrent, the plot leaves readers with profound lessons about connection and the power of hope.