Customer Reviews

Saving Grace

5 star:		(100)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I have to admit that this book, like most of Ms. Garwood's books have very similar characters. Her perference of 'huge' and outwardly grumpy hero and small and femine heroine are evident once again in this book. However, this book is still exciting, fun, loving and beautifully written. Through reading the book, you see the transformation of Lady Johanna from a timid, scared girl into a courage, smart young woman. Her suffering at the hands of her ex-husband and ex-priest was extremely sad and painful to read. Gabriel is the biggest teddy bear among all of Ms. Garwood's heros. He was allowed to believe that he is in total control of the marriage all throughout the book which created a lot of funny circumstances. All of the supporting characters, brother, first-in-commands, son.. etc are all well written and had great personalities. I also love the scenes related to how the clan tried to please Johanna and behave themselves. This is a great book... the storey is cohensive and moved along at a good pace. It is always refreshing to read a romance novel that the hero and heroine are not consistently misunderstanding each other and at each other's throat. Their acceptance of their marriage and great sex is also great in the story. If you have never read a Garwood book, this one you should definitely pick up.

I've spent the past week in a happy Julie Garwood book re-reading daze. I whizzed through eight of her historicals and left Saving Grace for last. For some reason I had convinced myself that Saving Grace was good - but not great - and that the novel wasn't as strong as say, The Secret, Ransom, or Honor's Splendour. I couldn't have been more wrong. The more I read, the more enchanted I became. Saving Grace deals with a very serious issue (domestic abuse) and I think this is why I rushed through it during the first read. However, I now realise that it's a super book with absolutely lovable characters, and a fine addition to the Scottish Laird / English Lady Garwood books.

Lady Johanna is simply wonderful; she enters the book as quite shy and scared as she has been beaten many times by her deceased first husband and yet she still manages to hold her own with Laird Gabriel. I liked it that first of all Johanna had difficulty fitting in with her new clan - any woman would be vulnerable and untrusting at first if they had experienced Johanna's past and yet she becomes stronger and braver with each day that passes. Johanna is actually very clever and analytical, as well as being sweet and kind hearted. Gabriel is off the chart as a hero. What is so special about him is that as well as being strong and brave he is also very sensitive to Johanna's feelings and never treats her cruelly - in fact he is very considerate and kind as he tries to earn her trust (without being soppy). Gabriel was stigmatised as being illegitimate when he was younger and had a hard upbringing and I think this is part of the reason why he suits Johanna so well. I especially liked the way that the author told you about how vulnerable Gabriel felt as a boy and how he dreamed about having a lovely wife and home as it showed a softer side to the powerful Laird. Johanna and Gabriel are clearly perfect for each other. There are great secondary characters too. Auggie (an old man obsessed with golf), Alex (a boy Gabriel claims as his son), and Dumphries (a dog Gabriel rescued) all have their own unique personalities and quirks.

The plot is great. It gives you some information about the horrible ways that women were restrained and abused in the past without going into too many details. There is plenty of hilarious dialogue between Johanna and Gabriel and Johanna comes out with loads of funny sayings (There's more than one way into a keep!). The ending ties up the loose ends nicely and the reader has no trouble in imagining Johanna and Gabriel living as a happy, passionate married couple for the rest of their lives. Sigh! :-)
JoAnne

My sister told me to read this book for the longest time. The reason why I prolong reading this one is cuz I didn't like the synopsis in the back of the book. Call me old fashion but I prefer my heroine a virgin. Since Johanna was once married, she didn't peaked my interest. I also thought I was getting tired of Julie Garwood's style of similar characteristics in her novels but I was wrong. Sure, this one does have a share of similar descriptions (such as heroine has freckles in nose, smells like rose and hero's a big, tall handsome warrior) just like on her other books, but i still love it :-) It's been awhile since I read a Julie Garwood novel, I just realized how much I love her style. The humor, the romance, the secondary characters that adds spice to the story & of course, the unexpected twist. What more can a reader want? Once again, this book trully satisfied me. I was entertained more than I expected. I should have read this one as soon as my sister told me to.

I read here in Amazon that some readers don't find Johanna an interesting heroine because of her timidity and weakness. In my opinion, this is what made her different and more appealing. Yes, she WAS timid and I can't say I blame her considering her past marriage. I would find the story too far fetch if Johanna would right away snapped out of her timidity and fear after what had happend to her once before. She lived in fear, she walked on eggshells for far too long to simply be bold & audacious. The readers will also consider that Johanna was in a different environment, married (2nd time) to a stranger who's a big handsome brute, wouldn't u be timid and scared? It took time for her to trust McBain, it took time for her to come out of her shell. Deep down,she is actually fiery, spirited, spunky & a courageous woman. She just needs some encouragement, stability and security to let that flow out. She was married too young the first time (and what a mess that was) and therefore, didn't really know herself until McBain taught her how to find her true identity. In short, I think Johanna's character developed perfectly and realistically. As for their age difference, well, i do agree it's somewhat a big gap but I overlook this flaw merely because they fit in together.

I agree with quite a few reviewers comments here however, that this book needs a sequel.

When I read my first Garwood, I fell completely in love and flew to my book store to buy every book of hers that was in stock. I got to *Saving Grace* about halfway through my pile, and was rather shocked by the begining. You hear of how preists had instructed their students in the 13th century and are shocked. Being a girl myself, I could see why women would feel awful about themselves.

And then you get a veiwpoint swich and we are taken to fourteen year old Johanna who is being told that her husband is dead. Poor dear, she can barely contain her joy as the news is being told to her. You later hear that he was a cruel man who beat Johanna, blamed her for the lack of an heir, and flaunted his mistresses in her face. Then there is the local preist who beats the following facts into Johanna's brain: you are a woman, women are slime, you will never amount to anything, blah, blah, blah. So this poor teen is scared out of her mind, and amazingly happy to be free. Knowing that something bad might happen, she smartly files for a divorce, just in case.

Two years later, the king demands that she must marry. Although reveling in her spinsterhood, Johanna has no choice. The trusty brother comes to the rescue and whisks Johanna off to the highlands where she is to marry his friend, Gabriel. Johanna is natuarally terified of marriage given her past experiences and defies her strong new husband.

When Gabriel introduces her to real passion, though, she is forced to admit to herself that he is not the monster her first husband was and that she is falling in love with him. And she realizes she may trust him and that he will protect her. The fishyness behind Johanna's first husband's death starts to reveal itself, and the precious new love is put to it's first test. Will Johanna and Gabriel survive?

One of the reasons I loved this book was that the characters' actions were clearly described so there was no doubt about what was going to happen. Also, there was definatly a hard coating to Gabriel and I think he is Ms. Garwood's BIGGEST male, but he was also very loving and heartstopping. Johanna was wonderful and truly had Gariel wrapped around her little finger. But their's was a rare love and it made the pages sparkle like gold. The topic of female degregation by the church was obviously well researched by Ms. Garwood and it shows. It is also so well written into the book that I actually screamed at it becuase of the unfairness of the issue. I sincerely hope that Ms. Garwood writes a continuation of this story, and I think it will go over extremely well with her fans.

I first read this story a few years ago and just purchased a new copy because my original is so worn from me constantly reading it. What makes Julie Garwood's characters stand out in this story is the fact that I can see why Gabriel and Johanna fell in love. The reader is taken through every turning point of their relationship, the laughs and the tears. I have lent this book to friends who have never read a romance before, and now they own their own copy. So if you are a fan of 13th century romances or have never read one in your life, I definitely recommend this book.

Married to a wealthy and powerful baron at a young age, Lady Johanna lived a rather solitary life, trapped in a loveless marriage with an abusive and oppressive husband. Made to feel worthless, she kept her agony a secret, opting to suffer in silence while praying fervently to God for salvation. Then one day, she thought that her prayers are finally answered when she hears the news that her husband, Baron Raulf, is dead. But it doesn't take long before she is faced with another catastrophe for King John intends to marry her off to another baron, one whom she fears and abhors. When her brother, Nicholas, hears of the king's intentions, he convinces Johanna to marry a Scottish laird whom he holds in high regard, for he knows that Johanna's life is in danger if she stays in England because she holds some knowledge that will incriminate the king.

Born illegitimate, Gabriel MacBain carried the taint of his bastardry for a long time. Never once acknowledged by his father, Laird MacLaurin, he learned to fend for himself growing up to be a respected and esteemed warrior. When an English army attacked the Highlands, his late father's clan turned to him and he became Laird over the two clans, the MacBains and the MacLaurins. When Nicholas approaches him offering his sister's hand in marriage, he adamantly says no, but upon realizing that Johanna had a legitimate claim on their land, he reluctantly agrees and secretly vows to stay away from his future wife after they marry.

But both are in for a surprise for it doesn't take long before their initial hesitation leads to acceptance of each other. While Gabriel thought that Johanna was too timid for his liking, he realized that this was the effect of her abusive marriage, and immediately felt an overwhelming need to protect her. As for Johanna, she quickly realizes that underneath the gruff exterior lays a tender and kind-hearted man who will respect and keep her safe. And it was good seeing Johanna come out of her shell and learn to stand up for herself. Yes, she does start off quite timid from the start, but this is understandable considering her age and experience with her previous husband. That's why I liked how she managed to tame Gabriel's fearsome dog, earned the respect of his men and befriend the jealous women from the MacLaurin clan. And I especially enjoyed Gabriel's pride in her, and more importantly, the fact that he is the first one to admit his love for her and how much he needs for her to trust and love him.

SAVING GRACE is a medieval romance set in 13th century England and Scotland. Featuring great characters, I enjoyed seeing the love that blossomed between the Gabriel and Johanna. Their tenderness toward each other is something to cherish and, in the end, I was happy that Johanna has finally met her own archangel.

This is my first Julie Garwood book (indeed, a terrific introduction) and I look forward to reading more of her work.

This was a very cute story. I really enjoyed reading it. Made me laugh and sigh a lot.

Johanna was married at a very young age to a mean English Baron. The Baron died and then the King told her she had to remarry. Johanna did not want to marry again but the King ordered her to. She was going to have to marry another evil English Baron, but then her brother told her of another man that might be acceptable to the King. The only problem is that this man was a Scottish Highlander. Laird MacBain did not really want to marry but he wanted the land that Johanna had inherited.

Johanna has a timid nature but tries to overcome it. When she first came to the Highlands the clan thinks that she is a coward and in some ways she is, but she has courage when it counts. She is faced with a lot of problems concerning the clan but she does not bring them the Gabriel, she wants to solve them herself. She has her timidity but is sassy at the same time. She has to over come a lot of fears because of her first husband. At the end she is very well respected by her clan.

Gabriel is such a sweetie. Gabriel had a very hard life. He had given up hope of having a family. He has a lot of problems and fears but they do not come to the foreground until Johanna becomes important to him. He wants her to rest all the time because he does not want her to be like his mother who worked all the time and died young. He is scared of losing her. He is a very strong man and respected and feared by many of the other clans. He has a kind heart but is also a bit stubborn. He might not fight honorable but he is a very honorable man. When he says he is going to do something he will do it. He is also very possessive, which I just loved. By the end he is so happy that she is a part of his life, he calls her his Saving Grace.

This story had so many things that I liked. I loved the fact that he admitted to himself that she was the love of his life before she did. He was not all about looks. Her appearance had nothing to do with why he loved her. It was her Character, the beauty in her heart and in her soul that he loved. He was a proud man and did not like being questioned but was so proud of her when she stood up to him because it proved that she felt safe. He loves the fact that she is sassy. It is so sweet also because he thinks she is perfect just the way she is. I just loved that because he was such a strong man and you really did not know that he was going to end up being so....romantic in his thinking. Julie Garwood wrote this well. I really was not sure of Gabriel in the beginning because he was not opening up but by the end I loved his character. Julie Garwood did that very well. You could see him changing his thinking and it was great. I love books where you really feel like you get to know the characters and I so got that from this book. This is a very sweet story and I would suggest reading it when you feel the need to...sigh.

Chrissy

I'm not a reader of romance novels, but recently one of my good friends, who reads widely in that genre, said that I must sample what she considers to be the cream of the crop in romance. Reluctantly I paged through the several novels she lent me, and Saving Grace turned out to be the only one I could finish. I found it really enjoyable.

What drew me in at first was that the hero, Gabriel, and the heroine, Johanna, are not good-looking, empty-minded twits who come together for the sake of the plot. Despite the fact that both are beautiful people, their looks aren't belabored... it's plain to us that it's their characters that hold the key attraction. What begins as a marriage of convenience, blossoms into a relationship of trust, respect, and ultimately love. They bring out the best in each other and each is nourished by the unique strengths of the other.

As the hero, Gabriel is great. Sure he's gruff, and likes to grumble and shout, but as the heroine realizes very early on, he's just a big softy; it's an amusing moment in the book when she likens him to his pet dog - growls a lot, but really just wants to be petted and scratched behind the ears. He's honorable and loyal (would defend his wife at the drop of a pin), and despite all his bluster about how a wife should listen to her husband, he swells with admiration each time his wife shows him spirit and gives him sass, and he supports her various clever initiatives in improving clan life (so long as she doesn't place herself in harm's way, of course... he's terribly overprotective). Despite a professed inability to figure out women, and his repeated claims that warriors don't know anything about matters of the heart, from the onset he makes sincere efforts at knowing his wife's thoughts and feelings, even as he's confused by his own. When he learns at the start of the novel that she has been abused in her first marriage, he makes sure to always behave gently, tries his best to always be patient, and - on those occasions when he does tear his hair out in frustration - gives her repeated assurances that for all his barking he has no bite. Also refreshing - when he realizes that what he feels for his wife is deep and abiding love, he doesn't fight the vulnerable feeling, but tries to figure out how to make her feel the same way; he doesn't want to be mushy-hearted on his own.

Johanna starts off a bit on the timid side (which, given her age and her first marriage, is understandable), but even from the start she shows pluck. And once she settles in with her new husband and realizes that he's a good man who would sooner kill himself than harm a hair on her head, her confidence continues to grow and she thrives, becoming a commanding and remarkable woman. She has very appealing traits for a heroine - strength of character, great warm-heartedness (particularly for people who are weaker and undefended), and great force of spirit and cleverness; it's no wonder that within a few short months of marriage, her husband is eating out of her hand. Garwood writes her transition in her new home very well, how she breaks out of her old mentality of guardedness and fear and gains the respect and admiration of all the people in her clan.

Aside from two very appealing main characters, what makes the novel a good read is that it isn't written melodramatically or in an overwrought fashion. Though some of the writing and the plot twists are a little cliche, I really didn't care. Garwood writes with a great deal of wryness and humor, so that when truly emotional moments do come, the reader feels their power all the more. The light touch in the writing is great, and there are many very unexpected moments and bits of dialogue - another refreshing facet of Saving Grace that readers will appreciate. The hero and heroine actually have intelligent discussions and banter wittily (though they don't always intend to be funny).

A satisfying read. I enjoyed the time I spent reading it, and if there's any romance novel I would recommend to someone wanting to get a taste of the romance genre, this would be it.

I really started out hating this book. A timid, shy, cowardly Johanna is basically forced to marry an extremely arrogant and egotistical Gabriel? And they both stay that way for most of the book! What the?!? When I started I honestly didn't think that I would get past the first 100 pages, but was I wrong!!!

In most books the shy heroine turns into a courageous woman in a few pages. Not here. Her's and his transformation is very subtle. That's the point. It sort of catches you by surprise. You can't expect a woman who has been physically abused into submission to become a warrior overnight and you can't expect a man to soften his stance rightaway either, so it takes most of the book. Johanna bungles her way trying to find her place amoung the people with a bit of humor and Gabriel remains steadfast against any changes and violations against his orders. Then all of a sudden things turn one by one. You can see how Johanna is gaining the trust of her people, even though she's an english woman married to a highlander larid. The chemistry is fantastic, but again not in the usual way. There's no complements or declarations of love through most of the book, but its obvious they love eachother. He doesn't hurt/rape her or keep a mistress (ARGH! I hate those kind of books!)

I tell you this, you WON'T be able to put the last 100 pages of this book down! The ending is romantic and contains some surprises as well. I agree with the other reviews -sigh- if only a sequel!

If you loved The Bride (another 5 stars), you'll love this one. Just STICK IT OUT! The ending is worth it!!!!

Oh, and yeah there's plenty of love scenes!

This is one of the best --- if not the best --- books by Julie Garwood that I have ever read.

Gabriel MacBain, the hero of this story, was not just another prototype of what I deem to be "the Garwood hero," though there were a few things in common. He never tried to change his wife, and was honest with her when it came to the important issues. He had no qualms about falling in love with her; he didn't even go through the stage of denial that most of Julie Garwood's characters from other books went through.

Johanna, the wife & another protagonist, was empowering. She believed she deserved to be treated well though people tried to bring her down. She was also devoted to her husband without being a doormat.

The book was laced with lots of humor. I found myself laughing over it, and rereading certain pages. What made some parts really funny was that they were believable.

The plot was also no weakling. One never guesses what is about to happen next, but I'm not going to give too many hints, or I'll spoil the book (like some of the other reviews did for me). Even if you do learn some of the tidbits that would have been better found out when reading the book, it's still a great read! Buy it...soon.