Waking up in Graceland

by Kelly Peach

191 pages, Paperback

First published January 8, 2015

About the author

Kelly Peach has spent her career stringing words into stories. For 30 years, she has written and produced for news, advertising, videos, public relations, corporate communications and more. Kelly won an Emmy in 2002 for producing a local prime time TV special. For 12 years, she has devoted her writing talents to the mission to end homelessness at St. Patrick Center, where she is Senior Director of Communications. Kelly lives in her hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. Amazing Grace is her second novel (her first is Waking Up in Graceland).

Reviews

[Mary Engel]

“I absolutely loved your book! I’m usually a fast reader, but I read it slow, as I didn’t want it to end! Within the first 30 pages, I realized that Maggie could be me! I, too, was born into a Catholic family. I have all of Elvis’ movies, books, vinyl, CDs, etc. I even have a room in my house called The Elvis Suite that is full of everything Elvis! I try to go to Graceland at least once a year (with my Elvis luggage). I read your book with tears in my eyes because it’s like you’ve written my life story! Thank you for writing this book for fans like me. Much respect!”

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

If any of you Elvis fans have ever wondered what it might have been like to spend time in Graceland with Elvis, this is the book for you! “Waking up in Graceland” is the debut novel by Kelly Peach and one that kept me awake until the wee hours of the morning not wanting to put it down. After reading the first page of this book, I was totally hooked! Who hasn’t thought of what it might have been like to have been close to Elvis and have him look at you the way he looked at many other women, gaze into those beautiful, blue eyes and kiss those pouty lips? Well, read this book and you’ll get an idea of what it could have been like.

I learned some surprising and interesting things from Kelly’s book I didn’t know previously and that’s saying something, my being an avid Elvis fan. Believe me, if you have a good imagination, it will definitely take flight reading this book. This is one of those books you don’t want to see end and left me hoping for a sequel.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

If the University of Memphis had an Elvis study program, Kelly Peach would have a Ph.D.

Her knowledge of the King and his world is phenomenal. Waking Up In Graceland is a showcase of her research and attention to details. Kelly’s creation of a few days in the life of Elvis Presley at Graceland is flawless.

Everyone knows Elvis and has a mental image of him. When reading the book, the conversations she writes for him can be viewed as he would really speak.

The tensions she creates between two main characters is palpable. The confusion of her heroine in between worlds feels real to the reader. I was anxious to get to the end to see how the situation resolved itself. I’m sorry I finished the book so fast because I still want to savor it.

[Deena Dietrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! If you enjoy a good Elvis-themed fiction, then this book is for you! Starts with her excitement arriving at Graceland and touring and shopping - I swear it was me writing this. Then she gets transported back to 1960 at Graceland with Elvis. I loved this story. SO much fun!

[kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book (and the sequel). So much fun. Definitely something I will read many times over.