Dancing with the King at Conyers

"I've got CFIDS," she explained. "Epstein-Barr. And I really hate it." "I've got HIV+AIDS," he said softly. "And I really hate it." The two medical syndromes looked at each other. So starts out this beautifully written novel about Grace McHeath whose life is turned upside down when famous fashion designer Henry "Honri" Smith comes to the lake on her property to die. Faced with the task of unburdening himself with his prior life, he gratefully accepts Grace's terse invitation to stay in her studio until his disease wins its battle.Coming out of her own personal shell of isolation, Grace weaves a tale to help ease the pain of his suffering. The guided meditation takes Grace, Henry, and Henry's faithful nurse, Myrtle on a road trip to Conyers, but not before taking a detour to Graceland where Henry dances to Jailhouse Rock. As she tells her story with detailed meticulousness, Grace discovers an awakening within her soul. Through Henry's suffering, she uncovers her own limiting truths. On a scale of one to five Kleenex boxes, Ms. MacDonald's wonderful book scores a seven.