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Author Spotlight,  Giveaway,  Hope-filled Fiction

Debra DuPree Williams: Spotlight on Grave Decisions

May 7, 2025 / 38 Comments

I’m thrilled to have Debra DuPree Williams on the blog this week shining a spotlight on Grave Decisions, Book Two in the Charlotte Graves Mystery series. I met Debra at a writers’ conference in 2019, and learned very quickly what a gem she is.

She’s offering US winner’s choice of Grave Consequences or Grave Decisions in ebook or paperback format as a giveaway. To enter, be sure to comment below by May 13. (US winner only)

Take it away, Debbie!

My late sister and I became family genealogists about 35 years ago. In doing research to join the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) we learned our connection to the Lanier family of Virginia. When we put together our family tree, we were surprised to learn that we had not only French roots, but what we thought were Italian ones as well. Those turned out to be Iberian Peninsula, by a sidetrack to Italy, France, and later England and eventually, the American colonies.

Years of research and reading revealed that our ten-times great-grandfather, Nicholas Lanier, the elder, married Lucrece Bassano. We had no idea who the Bassano family was. Further research led us to distant cousins who told us about this famous family of musicians, artists, instrument makers, jewelers, and even writers. 

Grave Decisions introduces my ten-times great aunt. I use her real name, Emelia Bassano Lanier. She and Lucrece Bassano were sisters. Of course, the story I tell regarding Charlotte and her relationship to this family is purely a work of fiction. I don’t know if anything as valuable as the item they find at Rose Haven ever existed. History says no, but could it have happened? Anything is possible.

I don’t go into deep detail about the Bassano and Lanier families. The hidden item is just one of a few sub-plots. As in all murder mysteries, Grave Decisions has that. At least, a murder plot.

Even small Southern towns have a mixture of upstanding citizens and those who tend to operate on the dark side of life. Loblolly is no different. From Lanie Kellogg, whom we met in Grave Consequences, who turned out to be the leader of the drug ring, to Hal and Doo, the bumbling crooks, you never know who is lurking around a corner. And I established in Grave Consequences that the walls within the estate of Miss Marge Mayhew, Rose Haven, hide more than their share of secrets.

My hometown, Andalusia, Alabama, wasn’t intended to be Loblolly, but it provided a perfect   pattern for that adorable little town. Well, other than the bad guys. I never met one of those when I lived there. Life was idyllic. With their permission, I use a couple of friends’ names in the two books. 

I loved weaving my family into this story. Author’s notes in the back of the book share more information about the Bassano/Lanier family. And don’t forget the recipes. Lots of meals are eaten gathered around the big farm table in the kitchen at Rose Haven. Recipes for a few of those meals are in the back of the book. 

I feel confident you will love reading Grave Decisions. I can promise an ending filled with hope for the future.

Grammy and Charlotte would be pleased to have you join them for a big ol’ Southern supper, complete with tall glasses of sweet tea, and topped with a delicious homemade dessert. After supper, grab a good book and let’s gather on the front porch to rock a while. Maybe Oreo, the resident Tuxedo Cat, will jump into your lap and keep you company. 

Thanks so much for sharing your fascinating genealogy and insights into your novel, Debbie. I pray God will bless you as you continue your publishing journey!

Visit the #HopeFilledFiction blog and comment on @DDuPreeWilliams’ spotlight on #GraveDecisions by 5/13 for a chance to win one of her novels. #giveaway #ChristianMystery

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Join the conversation. Have you researched your own family history? Are you a fan of Genealogy Mysteries? Does Debra’s books sound like stories you’d enjoy? What comments or questions do you have for Debra?

Be sure to comment below by May 13 for a chance to win your choice of Book One or Book Two in Debra’s Charlotte Graves Mystery series.

Grave Decisions by Debra DuPree Williams

Click the book cover for purchase link

Settled comfortably into her new life at Rose Haven with her grandmother—while reconnecting with the love of her life—twenty-six-year-old Charlotte Graves is surprised when Grammy offers to give her the entire estate. As she wrestles with that decision, Charlotte’s past literally comes knocking on the door.

Things quickly go from bad to worse when the unexpected intruder makes claims to Rose Haven. Add someone she loves being accused of murder—plus a search for a secret treasure hidden inside the grand old estate—and Charlotte’s life becomes as sticky as the red Alabama clay.

Will she be able to learn the truth and keep the treasure and Rose Haven out of unscrupulous hands before someone gets hurt? 

Debra DuPree Williams brings her love of family into the stories she shares. A true Southerner, she can’t help but weave her ancestors’ tales into all she writes. 

She’s an award-winning author whose first novel, Grave Consequences, A Charlotte Graves Mystery, won third place in the Director’s Choice category at the 2021 Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. Her work has appeared in the Selah Award Finalist, Moments With Billy Graham, and in Michelle Medlock Adams’ deluxe edition of Love and Care for the One and Only You. Debra is a guest blogger on the Blue Ridge conference website and The Write Editing among others. 

Debra is a wife, mama, and a grandmother. Debra and her amazing husband make their home in the majestic mountains of western North Carolina. 

Connect with Debra: Website / Facebook / Facebook Author Page / X / Pinterest / Instagram / Amazon

Please share Debra’s spotlight on social media to help spread the word about her books!

If you missed Denise Hunter’s interview last week about The Summer of You and Me, FIND IT HERE.

As a Jesus girl for more than thirty years, Deena Adams understands how important hope is to daily life, which fuels her passion to inspire others through hope-filled fiction based on true to life stories. She is a multi-award-winning writer, an active ACFW member, and ACFW Virginia president. Connect with Deena through her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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38 Comments

  • Kelly VanDemark
    May 11, 2025 at 10:07 pm Reply

    Your books sound fantastic! I have an aunt who is very into genealogy, and she discovered that we are related to Charlemagne. I’m also related to William Penn (founder of Pennsylvania) on the other side of the family.

    • Deena Adams
      May 14, 2025 at 9:57 am Reply

      Congratulations, Kelly, you’re the winner of Debra’s book! Please check your email for instructions on how to claim your prize.

      Thanks to all who read Debra’s spotlight and joined the conversation!

    • Debbie Williams
      May 14, 2025 at 4:57 pm Reply

      Kelly,
      That’s wonderful! I love finding my roots. I discovered I have Native American. The Nansemond Indian Nation as they’re called, is my Mama’s family, She never knew. I’m so glad you can carry yours back that far. Exciting to make these discoveries.
      Thanks for stopping in!

  • g Hein
    May 10, 2025 at 10:20 pm Reply

    I am looking forward to reading these. My mother worked to organize our family history. It was such a joy for her to travel to her family home in Germany in the 1980’s. We are so blessed by her hard work!

    • Debbie Williams
      May 14, 2025 at 5:00 pm Reply

      Hello G!
      I love this. My DNA says I have a lot of German. I have many German friends. I attended college with many of the kids whose parents came over to the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville AL and worked with Dr. von Braun. The father of one of my besties designed the lunar rover! I’m so glad you found your roots!!
      Thanks for stopping by!
      Debbie

  • Aubrey
    May 10, 2025 at 2:35 pm Reply

    My father has done extensive genealogical research on our family, but it’s all just names, dates, and locations. I long for a greater understanding of who these individuals were, what they did for a living, and what might’ve caused them to cross the ocean to America (though there are historical and societal events that I can assume may have led them to want to leave their homeland). I’ve visited a few of their hometowns in Germany, but have yet to take the step of consulting town records or other things that might help me know who they truly were.

    • Deena Adams
      May 13, 2025 at 8:15 am Reply

      Having the names, dates, and locations are a great first step to learning more about your family history, Aubrey! I hope you get to learn more about your ancestors one day. Thanks for your comment. 🙂

    • Debbie Williams
      May 14, 2025 at 5:03 pm Reply

      Aubrey,
      I love that you have a starting place. Do you have Ancestry or another genealogical search site? I’ve used Ancestry for a long time and made many discoveries. I prefer going out and finding the records myself. My sister and I did that for many years. Love visiting graveyards and cemeteries. Even the dusty old library areas and courthouses. Fun trips!!
      Good luck finding your family!
      Thanks for stopping by.
      Debbie

  • Lual Krautter
    May 10, 2025 at 12:17 pm Reply

    Hi. Would love to win a print copy of either one, especially since she is a new-to-me author. Thanks for the opportunity!

    • Debbie Williams
      May 14, 2025 at 5:05 pm Reply

      Lual,
      Thanks for stopping by. I hope you like reading about generational women. I loved creating these characters. The Josie in book one is based on my great-grandmother. While I never knew her, the story in Grave Consequences closely follows her life. Including marrying a much younger man! Maybe I’ll find her final resting place one day!
      Debbie

        • Debbie Williams
          May 14, 2025 at 5:18 pm Reply

          Wendy,
          We could be kindred spirits! I love making up stories that reflect facts I’ve learned about my family. Of course, they are works of fiction, but they do contain some real people and a few real events. I’ve always been a reader. When my sister and I began doing our family searches, I never knew I’d wind up writing about those people. So much fun! How far back have you traced your roots?
          Thanks for stopping by.
          Debbie

    • Debbie Williams
      May 14, 2025 at 5:14 pm Reply

      Leslie,
      Hi! Thanks for stopping by. I experienced that same thing, learning that a dear friend is a distant cousin. The late Karen Lynn Nolan is my cousin through the family of Laniers and Bassanos that I write about. Karen had her first novel published just months before mine. She went home to Jesus last year. I miss talking with her. Her book, Above the Fog is an excellent read. Appalachian fiction.
      I’m looking forward to reading Stealing Magnolias! Congratulations!!
      Debbie

  • Teresa Warner
    May 7, 2025 at 2:34 pm Reply

    This is a new author for me in one of my favorite genres to read. Would love to get a print copy!

  • Starr Ayers
    May 7, 2025 at 2:11 pm Reply

    Thanks, Deena, for this great feature on Debra and Grave Decisions. I’m enjoying it now digitally but looking forward to the paperback on my steps today. I do so much better with a book “in my hands.”

    Congratulations, Debra!!! I wish God’s richest blessings for you in this renewed journey. Starr 😘

  • Debbie Williams
    May 7, 2025 at 1:09 pm Reply

    I am thrilled and honored to be featured here on Deena’s site. She has done so well since we first met back in 2019! At that time, she had been writing for only 3 months yet she won first place in her category in the Foundations awards. I knew she was going places. Congratulations, Deena on all your many accomplishments.

    • Deena Adams
      May 7, 2025 at 1:23 pm Reply

      I’m honored to have you on my blog this week, Debbie. Thank you for your kind words and congratulations. A couple of corrections…I had been writing about 6 months when I attended Blue Ridge in 2019, and I received second place in Foundations, not first. And congratulations again to you on your book launch!!

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