1106 Grand Boulevard [Paperback]

Betty Dravis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2006

Will Billie Jean find true love and happiness?

All her life, Billie Jean Sloane, a charismatic, exquisite, small-town beauty, has been desired and spoiled by men. At sixteen, following a tragedy involving her first husband--"the love of her life"--she is heartbroken. Unable to forgive or forget, her parents take drastic measures to keep them apart.

The vain, yet innocent, Billie Jean--one of seven siblings--is swept from her humble beginnings at 1106 Grand Boulevard in the Midwestern town of Hamilton, Ohio to a luxurious life-style in Phoenix, Arizona and other fascinating locales... through a World War II marriage and a Mafia scare in Sacramento, California... to vicious seduction at Lake Tahoe... to the fabulous wealth of the "San Francisco Sinclairs," real estate and jewelry tycoons. Then back to her hometown to search for her first husband.

This story takes you through Billie Jean's seven marriages and sixty-four years--1933 to 1997--of happiness and tragedy. Always searching for her first love and her childhood, the enchanting child/woman captivates many men along the way, each wealthier than the one before ... each sending her scurrying back to 1106 Grand Boulevard, a trail of broken hearts in her wake.

1106 Grand Boulevard is the story of passions that last a lifetime; of family love and betrayal; of spousal abuse and sadistic child abuse; a story of Billie Jean's desperate search for happiness, self-worth, and maturity ... a story of people needing people and people using people.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"1106 Grand Boulevard reads like Harold Robbins's The Carpetbaggers, but with a beautiful woman in the lead." -- Paul Kyriazi, Hollywood movie director (Omega Cop), author of How to Live the James Bond Lifestyle, Hard Rock Lovers

"Betty Dravis is a dynamic writer! It was hard for me to put this book down!" -- Katherine A. Becker, Hamilton City Council person

"Edge-of-your-seat suspense. Dravis grabs the reader up front. A pageturner story that tugs the emotional heart strings." -- David E. Meadows, author of the best-selling Joint Task Force and Sixth Fleet series

About the Author

Betty Dravis (nee Barger), the author, was born in Hamilton, Ohio where her natural writing ability was nurtured by s "great school system, caring teachers, and a loving family." She is a sensitive writer, adept in many genres.

This is her third book. Dravis, a former newspaper publisher and long-time California journalist, also hosted a Cable TV talk show. She has five surviving children, one angel in Heaven, nine grandchildren, and two "greats." She resides in San Jose, California, where she is currently writing a horror novel and fine-tuning two more children's books. She is an honorary Kentucky Colonel, a member of Romance Writers of America and Sigma Delta Chi.

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: Just My Best (April 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932586393
• ISBN-13: 978-1932586398
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,546,483 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

WHAT ACCLAIMED MOVIE PRODUCER/DIRECTOR ARMAND MASTROIANNI SAYS ABOUT "SIX-PACK OF BLOOD"; co-author Barbara Watkins:

"This is a feast expertly cooked up by master chefs venturing into the dark side designed to leave us captivated, enthralled and horrified. The perfect dish to accompany your six-pack...or if you prefer, a fine wine." - Armand Mastroianni, Producer/Director, Silver Screen Pictures, Hollywood

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Betty Dravis is a retired newspaper publisher and career journalist who also hosted a Cable TV talk show. She is a celebrity interviewer and author of seven books, including her latest two e-books, "Six-Pack of Blood" (with Barbara Watkins) and "Star Struck: Interviews with Dirty Harry and Other Hollywood Icons." Three are novels in print and e-book format: "1106 Grand Boulevard," "The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley" and "Millennium Babe: The Prophecy." Two others are nonfiction in print: "Dream Reachers" and "Dream Reachers II," collections of celebrity interviews (with Chase Von).

Dravis also wrote three short stories that were consistent best-sellers in the Amazon Shorts program and had short stories published in the anthologies "Every Child is Entitled to Innocence," "Sweet Sunshine," "Just Our Best Short Stories 2005." She recently finished her first full-length horror/paranormal book "Evil Voices" (unpublished at present).

She is the devoted mother of six (two are now angels), grandmother of nine, and has five great-grands and one great-great grand. Dravis, a decades-long resident of Silicon Valley, currently resides in the Central Valley of California. She's a Kentucky Colonel, an honorary title bestowed by the Governor of Kentucky, featured in two Who's Who books and former San Jose (CA) Woman of Achievement. She's also a member of American Author Association (AAA) and Dames of Dialogue, a former member of Sigma Delta Chi and San Jose Newspaper Guild and is an Amazon and Midwest Books Reviewer.

Her most recent awards are: "BEST PARANORMAL/HORROR BOOK," presented for "Six-Pack of Blood" by Dimi Nakov, producer/director of ZODIAC ENTERTAINMENT of New Zealand: TOP 20 IN BEST OF WOMEN'S FICTION, presented by Heart Press; and placed 18th in the 4th ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL SHORTY AWARDS (author division).

Betty is also working to promote Stem Cell Research, along with her daughter Mindy James whose son Seth suffered a spinal cord injury in a motocross practice race. Read Seth's story on the Internet at Bridges to Hope.

Another of Dravis's favorite things is interviewing; among those she has interviewed are the "living legend" actor/director/producer Clint Eastwood, country singer/actress Tanya Tucker, the late actress Jane Russell, the late Senator Ted Kennedy, Tanya Tucker, the late San Francisco Mayor Joseph Alioto, actresses/singers Katherin Kovin Pacino and Marissa Autumn, actor/producer/director Tony Tarantino and many more...the list keeps growing. Please see the Celebrity Section of her website.

Of writing, Betty always says, "It's exhilarating--like sliding down a rainbow with a huge smile on my face, filled with love for the whole of God's magnificent creation." She laughs as she adds: "Yeah...and marketing is like trudging through a field of 'chewed' bubblegum on a hot, sticky day." :-)


WHAT THE LEGENDARY JOHN LOCKE SAYS ABOUT "SIX-PACK OF BLOOD":
"I know Betty Dravis as a multi-genre writer, but no matter what genre she writes in, make no mistake, Betty's a treasure, far as I'm concerned. This collection is special because it offers you a glimpse into the 'other' mind and character of this author." - John Locke, famous creator of the fictional character Donovan Creed and the first self-published author to sell a million e-books.

AND AUTHOR MARK LAFLAMME:
"Betty Dravis is a fantastic mix of Shirley Jackson, Edna Buchanan and Janis Joplin. Don't ask me how I came up with that unlikely comparison--I just feel it, and I haven't been drinking much tonight...." - Mark LaFlamme, author of "Dirt: An American Campaign"

FROM REVIEW OF "TOONIES INVADE SILICON VALLEY":
"Betty Dravis's ability to present real people, places, and things in the midst of a fantasy story is very close to what I strive for in my own writings. Characters with last names and problems who live in real places, but still have fantastical things happen to them, make for a wonderful story. "The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley" is truly a modern "James and the Giant Peach" or "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" kind of tale." - J. H. Sweet, author of The Fairy Chronicles

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 42 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great book by, Betty Dravis. February 15, 2008

By Richard Neal Huffman

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

BY POPULAR DEMAND 1106 Grand Boulevard is coming as an eBook and will be posted separately on Amazon in a few days. Look for it!

What a great read, Betty! 1106 Grand Boulevard did not disappoint. It just shows the versatility of this extraordinary writer. Betty has shown her skill over a wide swath of genres: V.O. comes to mind; see my review on that one. 1106 is a page turner. I was immediately caught up in the exciting life of the protagonist, Billy Jean. Betty's descriptive words and phrases provide an easy read that keeps ones eyes glued to the scenes as they unfold; making snow angels, a near fatal encounter with an enraged spouse. I could go on, but I refuse to spoil the grip this book will have on each person who picks it up. Suffice it to say you the reader will not be let down.

Richard Neal Huffman - Author of, Dreams In Blue: The Real PoliceDreams in Blue: "The Real Police"

1106 Grand Boulevard

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ups and Downs of Love February 14, 2008

By an honest reviewer VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

We are introduced to the Sloans, a lovable lot. A home bursting with love,little feet,laughter and ghost stories in the attic.
Billie Jean is the stunning,young wife of handsome,troubled Cal. She is also victim of his moods swings.
Billie Jean is quick to forgive but never to forget her first true love.
The pain he caused her heals but no pain is worse than a broken heart.
In Arizona Billie Jean is introduced by aunt Tommie to high society. She's amused and distracted. Wealthy young bachelors fall hard for plucky Billie Jean. She's different from the girls they know.
Underneath the lavish clothing and cat like eyes is a heart of innocence.
She's never seen Cal and neither have seen Norma Sue, Billie Jean's next heartbreak.
Back home later, Billie Jean is reunited with the comfort of her family.Her siblings had grown so much during her absence.
Smart and high spirited little Betty, youngest of the sisters is quite an achiever.Billie Jean sees that "famous twinkle" in her deep blue eyes , Billie Jean will learn a lot from the insightful, wise child in years to come.
With Billie Jean's second marriage comes two children,a boy and a girl.Her husband away on military call. At twenty eight she finds herself
growing independent,raising two children. She is what her mother calls "a modern woman".
I learned from this book that while passing years age skin, muscle and bone, the heart stays forever young, forever sensitive. The soul never changes nor breaks.
The accumulated trauma Billie Jean suffers could cause a breakdown. Her family,large in number and generous with heart and wisdom soothe Billie Jean
Down to the youngest sibling "when she thought about it the brat was good for her. She did have a way of taking herself too seriously."
I imagined Elizabeth Taylor reading the book and thinking to herself "well, what's one more?", "the more the merrier".
Through the unpredictable mishaps the voice of the books remains optimistic.
By chapter twenty, I felt close to Billie Jean and wanted her to find some contentment.Reading from beginning to end crying sad and happy tears as Billie Jean manages to pick up every single piece of her broken heart.
It is a victory all readers will share and feel in their own hearts.
....and now I know the story of that masked hero with the twinkling eyes.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Love that Lasts Forever April 18, 2008

By Kendra

Format:Paperback

This is the story of Billie Jean Sloane-- and Cal, and Don, and James, and Mark, and Elliot and Jackson. It is also the story of the author's sister's life and it is simply enthralling!

It spans several decades-- the novel begins with 16 year old Billie Jean marrying the love of her life, Cal. He has some baggage, though, that winds up ruining their marriage. She spends many more years giving love and marriage another shot (and several other shots) yet, for various reasons, those relationships do not work out, either. Her life, though, is always interesting and never stagnant. Even with all her faults and foibles, she's likable, charming, and intriguing-- and although the path she takes seemingly lacks direction, it actually (and surprisingly) finally does lead her to life long happiness.

Betty Dravis is a talented and prolific author who has been compared to Grandma Moses-- as both of them found their true niche later in life. She definitely knows how to tell a story. 1106 Grand Boulevard is full of colorful characters, rich dialogue, and fascinating locales. Most importantly, it's a fun and exciting story written by an excellent storyteller.