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Saving Grace  By  cover art

Saving Grace

By: Julie Garwood
Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor
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Publisher's summary

In this splendid New York Times best-seller, Julie Garwood brilliantly crafts the majestic story of a young Englishwoman determined to fight for her freedom...a woman whose life would be transformed by the rare, unexpected gift of love.

When Lady Johanna learned that she was a widow, she vowed she would never marry again. Only sixteen, already she possessed a strength of will that impressed all who looked past her golden-haired beauty. Yet when King John demanded that she remarry - and selected a bridegroom for her - it seemed she must acquiesce, until her beloved foster brother suggested she wed his friend, the handsome Scottish warrior Gabriel MacBain.

At first Johanna was shy, but as Gabriel tenderly revealed the splendid pleasures they would share, she came to suspect that she was falling in love with her gruff new husband. And it was soon apparent to the entire Highlands clan that their brusque, gallant laird had surrendered his heart completely. But now a desperate royal intrigue threatened to tear her from his side - and to destroy the man whose love meant more to her than she had ever dreamed!

©2012 Julie Garwood (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about Saving Grace

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

WOW... WHAT A JOURNEY, A PERFECT HIGHLAND ROMANCE

Now hold on and bare with me 'cause I'm about to gush here and probably say love and loved quite a few times - so apologies in advance.

I just love Julie Garwood's books, and this one especially as it's filled with such a rich array of strong, loveable, quirky and funny characters that you can't help but fall in love with. Then I love the way Johanna & Gabriel's (I definitely loved him) characters evolved as they grew closer together and they learn from and with each other as their love story unfolds. I also love the way JG writes - painting each scene for us to soak up and mentally visualise the clothes, the culture, the Castle, the Warriors, the fighting, the love scenes and all the other touching, tender, violent, funny and sad events contained within these precious hours of listening. I love her story which blends heartache, violence, lust, love, betrayal and a host of other emotions making it a (Highland) Historical romance lovers perfect listen.

Finally, I love Rosalyn Landor's narration as she not only breathes life into every character, successfully tackles the difficult task of dialects but she also puts just the right feelings that's needed whether it be anger, sorrow, pain, lust, happiness or love and so, as each chapter is revealed, it captures the great synergy between author and narrator that I wish all books would have.

Worth a credit? I think you may have got the impression that I loved it - so that my friends is a OH AYE twas a bonny wee book and an offa gid listen.

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37 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Beautifully Written Highland Tale

This story is beautifully written and the characters are so real to life. This is a highland story that has a backdrop of domestic violence. It may not seem unusual to read of domestic violence in highland historical romances but most stories just show it as common place. This book shows how Johanna deals with the abuse and handles it. Of course there is more to the story as it wouldn't be a highland story without the romance. There are many poignant moments that had me upset or mad but there were just as many times I smiled. It is more of a sweet tender highland story rather than a highland battle adventure. Its worth listening to.

Also, Rosalyn Landor was excellent as usual!!

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33 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Highland Romance at its Best

Any highlander books by Julie Garwood are a must read. Her books are the greatest!

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31 people found this helpful

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Love it

My favorite book, I have read the book many years ago and love it then! I have listened to many times since I bought it, and never grow tired of it

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14 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Another fantastic JG!


I read this many years ago but being an avid book reader, remembering books I read years ago is unlikely. I am thrilled to be able to reread (listen) to Julie Garwood, and other favorite authors, again! Instantly, listening to it just brought me back and I remembered why I love the characters she creates.

This story is written extremely well and the characters are so much fun and you can’t help but fall in love with them as they make you laugh and cry. I wish she would have written more to expand on some of the other characters stories. There are many moments with both the main, as well as secondary characters that had me in a various array of emotions. It is a sweet and tender highland story and I love the way Johanna & Gabriel's characters grew closer together as they learned from and with each other.

Rosalyn Landor was excellent as usual. She does such a great job of being spot on with accents, as well as keeping many many characters right! I cant imagine how she does it, and does it so well!! In addition, she somehow manages, in the middle of keeping track of dialects and characters, to capture the emotions OF the characters!

I just love Julie Garwood's books. She does such a phenomenal job at painting each scene for us mentally visualize everything , from the clothes, the culture, the castles, the endearing warriors, the fighting, the love scenes and so much more.

The only problem I have with this book is that I enjoyed it so much, I struggled to stop listening.

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13 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Highland romance

The book had a rather predictable plot but was told nicely. The narrator was excellent. There were disturbing scenes of mental and physical abuse (trigger warning) and the sex scenes were pretty detailed without being vulgar (something I'd rather know before buying a romance).

It wasn't as rich as outlander (Diana gabaldon) but it was quite enjoyable.

Things felt quite wrapped up at the end, which I also enjoyed.

That's the best I can do without spoilers!

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Good but I expected something different!

Would you listen to Saving Grace again? Why?

Probably not, good story but predictable and therefore not worth another listen.

Would you recommend Saving Grace to your friends? Why or why not?

While I enjoyed the story overall and did find the growing love between the hero and the heroine sweet, I was often bothered by the hero. I understand that he was supposed to be a big, bad, highland warrior and laird but I just found his demeaning ways to be annoying at times. When the characters were intimate it was one way and when they weren't Johanna always had to "obey" his commands.I didn't understand how the hero could be demanding and stubborn but then they could just have sex and it was all fine. And yet he wished she wasn't as timid which didn't make any sense at all. I have ready many many romances including a number of highland romances and this one was just a little off to me. I probably would not recommend this novel to a modern woman. While I like some of the roughness from the hero I appreciate a little softness too.

Which character – as performed by Rosalyn Landor – was your favorite?

Johanna's character was my favorite. Her character I enjoyed the most in the story.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Highland Romance

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Fantastic Team make for fantastic entertainment!

Julie Garwood is truly one of the best of the historical romance writers, and Rosalyn Landor delivers the story to its best.

Once again the Highlanders and the English butt heads with a beautiful lady in the middle. Johanna is a powerful character who overcomes unspeakable terror to become a voice that strikes fear into the hearts of pitiful weaklings.

Excellent Story!

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9 people found this helpful

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A SWEET & WARM HIGHLANDER ROMANCE!

I just love me a good Julie Garwood novel, especially with Highlanders. It’s so true that her historical novels seem to be her trademark. This book was so sweet because of the warm relationships that encompassed the story. Garwood weaves a beautiful tapestry of characters who make this a most colorful, and enjoyable read/listen. Narrator Rosalyn Landor was at her best in bringing the characters to life.

I loved everything about this novel. It made me feel warm & fuzzy inside and that was an excellent reprieve from all of the dark-themed novels I’ve read as of late.

In this story the woes of the characters are in times past. The Highlanders are rebuilding after suffering great losses from an onslaught of the English. What starts off as an arranged marriage between Lady Johanna and the mighty, Highland Laird Gabriel blossoms into a beautiful, comfortable, loving relationship that brings out the best in this couple, and those who surround them. I was touched by the drive for a brother (Nicholas) to protect his sister as he made a fabulous match in Gabriel and Johanna.

There is danger, past abuse to heal from and new adventures, and challenges to overcome in this book. Also, a continued confrontation between Scottish Highlanders and the English, this time with a beautiful maiden caught in the middle.

The love scenes are sweet and steamy (I love how Gabriel wasted no time in seducing his beautiful bride). Other touching relationships include Johanna’s love and acceptance of little Alex and “clever” Ogey. I thought there was a wonderful redeeming quality about the highland priest and his relationship and trust he inspired in Johanna. Also, Johanna’s sayings and expressions were adorable, and it was so funny to see how her new clan learned the meanings. In this book the evil characters receive a just ending, and the good characters find their complete happiness.—and, that’s the way I like it!!!

Lastly, I believe what I enjoyed most about this story was the empowerment of the heroine, especially coming from this era. It was a joy to see Johanna rise above her past abuse and fears, and hold on tight to the saving graces that surrounded her. In the end, a maiden rescues a mighty, arrogant warrior and becomes his saving grace, as he becomes hers. That’s just my kind of happy!

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8 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Yes! Classic Garwood with a first-class narrator!!

This is a must-have for fans of early Garwood books. I'm so pleased to finally have this book on audio and read to me by an outstanding narrator. This one is a long-time favorite and the audio version is no disappointment. Perfect!!

Garwood and Landor are a great match! I love reading the books, and now I can enjoy listening to them. Garwood and Landor are great companions while walking or driving or ... anything!!

Please (Brilliance Audio?) please, please consider re-recording the other recently released Garwood classics-- The Secret, Lion's Lady, Guardian Angel, Ransom. They, too, deserve the talent and expert performance of Rosalyn Landor. I would even spend credits or money for audio books I already own if she were the narrator. Pleeeeease.
(I bought two Garwood books narrated by Susan Duerden and shuddered throughout the dreadful performances. Another reviewer suggested using 1.5 speed and this helped a bit. I have resisted purchasing the other two for fear that they would also be ruined by the narrator.)
Although I already own the audio books, I would even buy Honor's Splendour, The Prize, and Rebellious Desire again if Rosalyn Landor were the Narrator. I would probably enjoy listening to her read the phone book-- she's that good!

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