Arienne Christina Childrey

The Grove Arienne Christina Childrey

Twenty-year-old college student, Lexi Moreau feels like the outcast and embarrassment of her small southern town. Attending a conservative Christian College and being the transgender stepchild of a local pastor, isn't the most welcoming of revelations in Pinehurst. Still living at home, her unsupportive stepfather (Charlie) rules his house with an iron fist, while her mother often cedes to his demands. The one bright spot is her eccentric grandmother, Olivia Moreau. Olivia is everything Charlie hates; free spirited, headstrong, open minded and decidedly not Christian. When Olivia dies, Lexi is left with everything her grandmother possessed; a tiny new age bookstore with adjoining apartment and the mysterious, burnt out remains of the old family homestead. As her college and homelife continue becoming more and more contentious, Lexi see's her way out; the old bookstore willed by Olivia. The town is nearly two hours away from Pinehurst, perfectly suited for her to strike out on her own. In Oak Grove she finds much more than she bargained for. Not only is the re-opening of Moreau Books less than wonderful news for the more conservative townsfolk, there is also something dark lingering over Oak Grove. As women throughout the town are abducted, Lexi finds herself the target of both a dark entity and a small town looking for anyone to blame. Worst of all, it seems her time is running short. As she battles her demons, both metaphorical and literal, she must pull a small town from the brink of disaster and save the new love she'd finally found.