Book excerpt: Grace Natalie Burke was named after her mother's two favorite Hollywood actresses, but the only thing they seem to have in common is the ability to put on a good show. Growing up under the iron thumb of her mother, she's never made a mistake or gone off script. But as her 30th birthday comes, the illusion shatters. Motivated by a need for more, Grace sheds her sheepish ways and buys a one-way airline ticket to Lavender Island, TX in order to fulfill a lifelong dream of hers to see the Halstead House mansion she's heard so much about.