Seeking Grace in Beulah Land: A Novel

by Lutricia Clifton

"You can't guess the ending so don't even try. Just hang on and enjoy." --Sharon Dove, Amazon Reader Review". . . a satisfyingly engrossing, close examination of a family married to the land, and what happens when war and nightmares change everything." --D. Donovan, Senior Review, Midwest Book ReviewAward-winning author Lu Clifton's latest novel, SEEKING GRACE IN BEULAH LAND, is a tale about a small Oklahoma community and the mystery that has haunted its residents for decades.In the days following WWII, residents of rural Pittsburg County were mystified by the sudden disappearance of Grace Barlow, a young wife and mother of two daughters. When Grover Cleveland Barlow, her veteran husband, did not file a missing person's report or treat her disappearance with suspicion, assumptions were made that Grace had left of her own free will; she was known to be a free-spirited woman with high aspirations. Grover carried on quietly, working as a sharecropper to raise his two daughters. Over the next sixty years, he spoke Grace's name not once. Until now.At an urgent request from his mother, Mack Barlow, has returned to Pittsburg County to deal with his grandfather's eccentric behavior and end-of-life requests. What Mack discovers about the night Grace disappeared is more astonishing than anyone could have imagined. Stirring up long-dead memories creates a domino effect, causing several others to come to terms with long-held resentments and guilt. Piece by piece, what emerges is a story of dashed hopes, impulsive acts, and a series of extenuating circumstances that demand an old man receive forgiveness.Filled with down-to-earth characters, Seeking Grace in Beulah Land is a mesmerizing tale that will speak to those who struggle with long-buried emotions and fears. It's a tale that speaks to all of us.

310 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2019

About the author

Lutricia "Lu" Clifton writes novels for both children and adults. Most of her adult novels are set in southeastern Oklahoma and include a mingling of Native American cultural beliefs and traditions. She became interested in those cultural traditions while tracing her mother’s Choctaw roots.

She was born in and spent her early childhood in southeastern Oklahoma, then moved to the Texas Panhandle with her family. She completed an associate degree at Amarillo Junior College in Texas and a B.A. and M.A. in English at Colorado State University. She now resides in Illinois with a gray tabby named Mary Jane that she rescued from a shelter. Her oldest son and wife life in Oregon and her youngest son and wife live in Illinois.

She is a member of the Oklahoma Writers Federation, Mystery Writers of America, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

NEW RELEASE: SEEKING GRACE IN BEULAH LAND, A Novel -- April 1, 2019

HONORS/AWARDS:

FREAKY FAST FRANKIE JOE -- 2012 Friends of American Writers Award for Juvenile Fiction

SEEKING CASANDRA --Winner of the 2017 Oklahoma Book Award for YA Fiction

SCALP DANCE--A Sam Chitto Mystery --Finalist for the 2017 Oklahoma Book Award for Fiction

THE BONE PICKER, A Sam Chitto Mystery Finalist for 2018 Oklahoma Book Award in Fiction

THE HORNED OWL --A Sam Chitto Mystery -- Finalist for 2019 Oklahoma Book Award in Fiction

Reviews

[julie bromley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read.

I went to high school and junior college with Lu Clifton and was very excited to hear that she is an author. Seeking Grace in Beulah Land is a very good read. I love the characters and found it hard to put the book down. I can't wait to read more of her work.

[Sandra Jeter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who Killed Grace?

A superior story with mystery about two missing things: a woman named Grace and place called Beulah Land. The story is full of twists and turns and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and recommend it to anyone to read.

[Donna Wear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read!

I have read all of Ms Clifton's Sam Chitto series and enjoyed each one. Seeking Grace was completely unexpected! I couldn't put it down! Please keep writing and thank you.

[Susan D. Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really different

I enjoy this book. Not at all what I expected. It is a good story containing all the right reasons, with BB to little good sense. Common sense took last place e