Although their petite appearances are strikingly similar, ROBIN and DESIREE (DESI) have little in common. When Desi moves to the small town of Shady Gully, Louisiana, the unpopular Robin feels diminished by the new girl’s notoriety.
But fate has other ideas, and as these two isolated girls are drawn together, a friendship born in high school evolves into a bond that promises to last a lifetime. Even as their paths diverge, and they clumsily marry and plow through raising families of their own, they remain true.
Even as they nurse their respective bruises, and carry their traumas from childhood into their own marriages, they always have each other’s backs. Even when a sordid secret from their past emerges to threaten their families, together…they remain a force to be reckoned with.
Until years later, when they’re enjoying the prime of their lives, a stunning rumor surfaces that threatens their lifelong connection. The allegation suggests that one has betrayed the other.
Truth? Lie? Does it matter? Sometimes just the hint of betrayal is enough to ruin a lifelong bond.
As their worlds collide, and old insecurities rise to the forefront, the layers of Desi and Robin’s legendary friendship begin to unravel.
Just when it seems they’ve lost everything, the truth brings them full circle…and in their brokenness they come to realize that there is only one true way to fill the emptiness inside, to quiet the lies…and to ultimately become…fearless.
“Lee’s prose is fluid and full of personality.” –Kirkus Reviews
“A standout novel for contemporary women from all walks of life.” –Readers’ Favorite
“Novelist explores themes of faith and lies; betrayal and redemption; and the unfathomable value of friendship when everything falls apart.” –Wordcrafts Press
About the Author
Born and raised in Louisiana, most of Hallie Lee’s screenplays and novels are set in the south. Inspired by a landscape rich with cantankerous, salt of the earth folks, Hallie’s characters tend to be dramatic, but kind, and quirky, but smarter than they appear.
A move to the creative community of Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2005 gave her the opportunity to take up screenwriting. As her screenplays were recognized with awards and placements in various contests, she had the opportunity to learn from award winning talents like Kirk Ellis (The John Adams miniseries) and Ronnie Clemmer (A League of Their Own).
But alas, her heart is southern, and when she and her family made another move to Kentucky, it renewed her passion for writing novels. And southern story telling.
Paint Me Fearless is the first in The Shady Gully Series, a series which promises thought provoking, relatable journeys whose cast of characters tend to be ornery, but loveable.
It’s women’s literature. It’s book club fiction. It’s faith based. It’s Hallie Lee.
Such fun questions!!!
1. What is on your nightstand?
My Kindle, my Cell Phone, my Bible, and my morning devotionals. Oh….. and a cup of coffee!! Teehee!
2. What author would you totally fan?
Oh, so many! Kristin Hannah, Nelson Demille, Ken Follett, Phillipa Gregory, Karin Slaughter, Tami Hoag… I’m sorry. I can’t stop! Must be the coffee! LOL
3. What makes you cringe?
I don’t even have to think about this one. You’re vs. Your. The sad thing? I find this common mistake in my own work sometimes. I’m embarrassed to admit that. You probably hate me now. Lol.
4. Do you obsessively plot out each point or just go with the flow?
What a great question! I have an idea where I’m going, but sometimes my characters resist, and take me in other directions. I’m forced to comply. For instance, a minor character in Paint Me Fearless, Brad Wolfheart, eventually insisted on his own book. Coming October 6, 2021, Book 2 in the Shady Gully Series….Wolfheart. Guess he showed me who was boss!
5. Is there a word you love to use?
Another super question. Palpable. Echoed. Painstaking. So many words. All the words. LOL
6. If you have a pet, would you like to share a photo or blurb about them?
I do, and I’m already uploading photos…
Lucy Belle, my feisty Papillion of 12 years, died on May 28th. She was my CEO (Chief Encouragement Officer) and my best cowriter, always at my feet as I wrote. We found out she had multiple tumors a year ago, but she remained rambunctious until March of this year. After that, we had the difficult decision of determining when ….well, you know. It was agony, and even writing this is hard for me. I’ll never forget that she licked my tears until the end, and sometimes I can still feel that last sluggish swipe across my face… just as she set out for the Rainbow Bridge.
Patches, our 22-year-old cat, never wanted to share the house with any other pets. She made her point by outliving them all. Trust me, she’s living her very best life right now.
I’m going to include a pic of them both, as well as a super short “story” I wrote about Lucy Belle’s Arrival at the Rainbow Bridge.
It’s how I hoped it was for her…
Two audiobooks of Paint Me Fearless by Hallie Lee (US)
Two audiobooks of Paint Me Fearless by Hallie Lee (UK)
Ends October 6, 2021
looks interesting
Thank you!
Cover looks awesome! Excerpt is intriguing. Great work!
Thank you, Thomas! I hope you’ll give it a try! And if you enjoy your trip to Shady Gully, book 2 debuts next week. It’s narrated from the male POV 😃 so much fun!