Anita Campbell
County Reporter
When she is not out checking the cattle, Edwards resident Leslie Grace is busy at her computer turning out her latest thriller. Grace, a seventh generation Benton Countian, recently published her first book “Flight Through the Darkness” on Amazon.
“I have always loved to read and writing just came as a natural outlet for me,” said Grace.
“Flight Through the Darkness” is a post-apocalyptic story following four young people faced with trying to survive when the lights go out, and the world they knew changes dramatically.
“I based the story loosely on my daughter Monica and her friends at the University of Missouri,” said Grace. “Young people today do not know how to survive without their phones and other modern conveniences and this story follows four young people as they adjust to a world without those conveniences.”
The story begins in Columbia, Missouri on the MU campus with two young women faced with traveling to southwest Missouri to a safe haven after the power goes off and the city becomes a dangerous place.
“I’ve heard that you should write about what you know so I decided to set the story in Missouri,” said Grace.
Grace is currently working on her second novel which will be a follow-up on the story of the young people who travel through Missouri to reach a safe destination in rather difficult times.
“Amazon and the Kindle have changed the way books are marketed,” said Grace. “I did a great deal of research and found that E-books are a cheap way to publish.”
Grace stated that in her research she found that 70% of books published today are independently published.
Grace is the office manager at Henderson Ranch located between Edwards and Warsaw. She and her husband Mitch have a ranch near Edwards and raise cattle.
She and her husband have four children: Taylor, 41, Landon, 38, Justine, 36 and Monica, 26. They also have seven grandchildren.
When she is not writing, Grace stays busy on her ranch, gardening and working in her flower bed. She recently preserved 70 jars of pickles.
“I write at night,” said Grace. “I never have been a fan of TV so I am usually reading or writing.”
Grace also has a blog “Adventures of Gate Girl” on ranchinginmissouri.com.
“I try to write on my blog at least twice a month and I have several followers,” said Grace.
A 1980 graduate of Warsaw High School, Grace is the oldest of the Scotty and Roberta Henderson family. She has five sisters and two brothers.
“According to my siblings, I was bossy, but I think of it as being responsible,” said Grace.
Grace said local response to her book has been wonderful.
“Everyone has been very kind,” said Grace. “I hope they like my follow-up novel.”
