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Madison Falls #1
Saving Grace
What happens when a New York City opera singer flees to a small town in Montana to escape a stalker? Tracy Fontaine is about to find out. When an obsessive fan forces Tracy to change her name to Grace Addison and go into hiding, the last thing she wants is to get to know the locals. Now, not one but two men have worked their way into her daily routine, much to the chagrin of jealous local girl Sophia, who insists on prying into Grace’s past and stirring up deadly trouble. Will Grace find love in Madison Falls…or will her stalker find her? Madison Falls. Home of faith, love, peach pie…and a dollop of danger.
278 pages, Paperback
First published July 20, 2013
59 people are currently reading
564 people want to read
About the author
Lesley Ann McDaniel
48 books90 followersLESLEY ANN MCDANIEL is a lifelong lover of words, animals, and musical theatre. While earning a degree in acting, she fell in love with theatrical costuming, and pursued that as a career while nurturing her passion for writing on the side. Through God’s guidance, she has shifted her focus to honing her skills as a writer of women’s fiction. She is a member of the Northwest Christian Writers Association and of a wonderful critique group. A native Montanan and a Big Sky girl at heart, Lesley now resides in the Seattle area.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
August 22, 2013
I just loved this story! Grace's quick wit and dry humor drew me in and had me cheering for her from the get-go. But it was the mystery that kept me turning pages to figure out just what was going on. This author is so talented at dropping little hints that answer some questions, but only raise others all the way to the satisfying conclusion. This story would have been great if Grace was the only character I liked, but add in a handsome handyman, a vivacious dog, and a spunky neighbor and they all equal an author who deserves a standing ovation! I've read every one of McDaniel's books and can't wait for more of her stories.
August 23, 2013
Double Shot of Espresso
Want to stay up all night for a change? Then SAVING GRACE, by Lesley Ann McDaniel, is the book to read! Grace Addison, an actress, has fled from her stalker to Madison Falls, Montana. She has wry wit and a cat named Trouble. Dry humor, crisp prose and a dramatic plot make SAVING GRACE a must-read novel. I kept turning the pages, breathlessly waiting for Grace's stalker to show up. He LEAPS into the plot, captures Grace and races to a horrifying but satisfying conclusion.
Want to stay up all night for a change? Then SAVING GRACE, by Lesley Ann McDaniel, is the book to read! Grace Addison, an actress, has fled from her stalker to Madison Falls, Montana. She has wry wit and a cat named Trouble. Dry humor, crisp prose and a dramatic plot make SAVING GRACE a must-read novel. I kept turning the pages, breathlessly waiting for Grace's stalker to show up. He LEAPS into the plot, captures Grace and races to a horrifying but satisfying conclusion.
August 20, 2013
While the writing itself wasn't terrible, the story wasn't anything memorable. Girl moves to small town to avoid a stalker, her nerves are on edge and she overreacts constantly. She misjudges the 2 main men in her life, but eventually it's all tied up in a perfect little bundle as she finds Jesus and a hunky new love, but not without some crazy drama.
Some issues that prevented me from rating the book higher: I never really connected with Grace/Tracy -- there was very little about her personality to draw me in. What else did she do besides sing (oh, and miss her Dad)? And finally, the ending was just ridiculously over the top. (POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT, although I'm trying very hard not to provide specifics) Even with the detailed play-by-play the "bad guy" so obligingly provides, I cannot buy the body switch story. The fire, chase scene, etc. were all ridiculous, and felt more like the ending from a cheesy cable movie than a decent novel. (Oh, and the tidy little final chapter? Seriously, how did Grace not talk to Sophia before that night?!) Lastly, I was born and raised in Montana, so generally enjoy books set there, but this was so lacking in detail that it could have been set in virtually any American small town.
Thankfully the story wasn't peppered with misspellings and grammatical errors, but I can't say I'll be reading anything else from this author.
Some issues that prevented me from rating the book higher: I never really connected with Grace/Tracy -- there was very little about her personality to draw me in. What else did she do besides sing (oh, and miss her Dad)? And finally, the ending was just ridiculously over the top. (POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT, although I'm trying very hard not to provide specifics) Even with the detailed play-by-play the "bad guy" so obligingly provides, I cannot buy the body switch story. The fire, chase scene, etc. were all ridiculous, and felt more like the ending from a cheesy cable movie than a decent novel. (Oh, and the tidy little final chapter? Seriously, how did Grace not talk to Sophia before that night?!) Lastly, I was born and raised in Montana, so generally enjoy books set there, but this was so lacking in detail that it could have been set in virtually any American small town.
Thankfully the story wasn't peppered with misspellings and grammatical errors, but I can't say I'll be reading anything else from this author.
October 19, 2022
I found it hard to get into this story right from the beginning, especially with Grace's lack of interest in the cute house and town, and then her critical attitude about everything and everybody in the town, who were all so nice and helpful. The middle of the story picked up a little, but overall it was cheesy, with an unbelievable ending involving all the 'potential' men in Grace's life. I am guessing the author was trying to illustrate that all things work out for good to those who love God, but the plot and ending felt really forced to me as the author tried to tie up loose ends.
This was my first read by this author, the grammar and editing was well-done, and I purchased this book through the boxset 'Pursued' because of other authors that I enjoyed. I am reviewing each book separately as I read them.
This was my first read by this author, the grammar and editing was well-done, and I purchased this book through the boxset 'Pursued' because of other authors that I enjoyed. I am reviewing each book separately as I read them.
December 19, 2018
An amazing book
Unlike many books that include a romantic twist, this book doesn't spend chapters talking about how attracted to each other the main characters are. Instead it focuses on an actual storyline which happens to include two people who are drawn to each other. Very refreshing and well written! I also appreciate that it shows that God is the only who can truly save us.
Unlike many books that include a romantic twist, this book doesn't spend chapters talking about how attracted to each other the main characters are. Instead it focuses on an actual storyline which happens to include two people who are drawn to each other. Very refreshing and well written! I also appreciate that it shows that God is the only who can truly save us.
November 24, 2019
A woman of mystery
To stay safe, Grace must be a woman of mystery in her new town. The love and kindness of the town's people smooth the rough edges of the city and make her feel at home in a short time. Will it be enough to keep her safe and most importantly, receive Christ's salvation?
To stay safe, Grace must be a woman of mystery in her new town. The love and kindness of the town's people smooth the rough edges of the city and make her feel at home in a short time. Will it be enough to keep her safe and most importantly, receive Christ's salvation?
September 17, 2019
Sweet suspenseful romance
I enjoyed this story of Grace as she hides away in a small town where she meets a variety of people, some of whom talk openly about how by God guides their lives. Good recommended read!
I enjoyed this story of Grace as she hides away in a small town where she meets a variety of people, some of whom talk openly about how by God guides their lives. Good recommended read!
February 26, 2021
Saving Grace
This book kept me entertained, but I felt it really lacked on the romance side of things. Lots of twists and turns, and overall, a good read.
This book kept me entertained, but I felt it really lacked on the romance side of things. Lots of twists and turns, and overall, a good read.
February 16, 2022
Good
I struggled to get into this story at first. And really didn't care for Grace's attitude. But as the story continued it drew me in.
I struggled to get into this story at first. And really didn't care for Grace's attitude. But as the story continued it drew me in.
Read
May 6, 2023rtc
January 23, 2016
SAVING GRACE wasn’t flawless, but it was entertaining.
Tracy/Grace flees New York to escape a stalker. Leaving her burgeoning opera career behind, she decides to lay low in Madison Falls, Montana until she can figure out what she’s going to do. Her skittish behavior and lack of trust puts her on the outs with local handyman, Sam. But suave businessman, Devon, seems to have worked his way under her radar. Not knowing what to do with herself, Grace is drawn to the local theatre where she gets a part time job. Trying to fit in, she begrudgingly makes friends with the locals, and soon finds herself swept up by small town life. No sooner does Grace feel as if things are going her way, her world once again is completely turned upside down.
I enjoyed SAVING GRACE, I just felt at times Grace wasn’t always likable. Her skittish, over reactive ways made sense after all she’d been through. And a person not use to watching her every move is going to make what looks like obvious mistakes. But her personality just didn’t always lean towards likeability. I feel someone who was as terrified as she should’ve been would’ve been a little more humble. When fearing for your life, your number one goal is staying alive, not feeling as if you are above a certain job. And the difference between the way she treated Sam and Devon seemed a bit unbalanced. Other than that, SAVING GRACE had all the ingredients for a suspense filled, romance.
Book provided for review purposes.
June 24, 2019
I can't relate to perfect characters because in real life, I don't know any perfect people. Grace is flawed and realistically damaged by the frightening circumstances in her life. She has fled the past, but is in bondage to the horrible memories and the present threat of danger.
To escape from the bad, she disengages from the good, her family and her career. She has just enough hope and money to start over in a small town Madison Falls, Montana. In her new life, she enjoys a few fleeting moments of normalcy in the midst of the scary reality - her stalker may have found her.
She immerses in the drama of the local people and the local theatre. She can smell the smoke of danger but doesn't know where the flames are. So emotionally damaged, she has trouble discerning the motives and intents of the new people in her life, especially the men. Trust is a commodity she isn't sure how to use.
I was so disturbed by the imminent danger to Grace's life, I had to finish the book to feel safe. I enjoyed the multiple story threads and how they tied together in the end. I grew up in Montana and loved visiting the state through the pages. The small town life she portrayed in Madison Falls made me want to move there. I've read all McDaniel's books, and her humor and her realistic characters are my favorite aspects of her writing.
To escape from the bad, she disengages from the good, her family and her career. She has just enough hope and money to start over in a small town Madison Falls, Montana. In her new life, she enjoys a few fleeting moments of normalcy in the midst of the scary reality - her stalker may have found her.
She immerses in the drama of the local people and the local theatre. She can smell the smoke of danger but doesn't know where the flames are. So emotionally damaged, she has trouble discerning the motives and intents of the new people in her life, especially the men. Trust is a commodity she isn't sure how to use.
I was so disturbed by the imminent danger to Grace's life, I had to finish the book to feel safe. I enjoyed the multiple story threads and how they tied together in the end. I grew up in Montana and loved visiting the state through the pages. The small town life she portrayed in Madison Falls made me want to move there. I've read all McDaniel's books, and her humor and her realistic characters are my favorite aspects of her writing.
August 28, 2013
Tracy is a New York opera singer who has an appreciation of good food, fine art, and a well-dressed man. Poor character judgment causes her to have to flee to escape a stalker, and her destination of choice is a small Montana town. With heel scraping reluctance, "Grace" sets up a new life, poorer but wiser... or at least poorer.
Confession time-- I didn't have much grace for Grace at first. I found her spoiled and arrogant, and I was looking forward to the day she got what was coming, or, at very least, the day she woke up and smelled the mochas.
There is no lightning bolt change. It arrives bit by bit, and not without some foolish decisions and substantial blunders over the toes of kind neighbors. Her need for grace is clear.
I'm not sure when I started empathizing with Grace and wishing her a brighter future, but I did. That growth, as well as layers of intrigue kept me reading until I finished at 2 AM- a thing that doesn't often happen anymore. I suspect, in Grace's story, the author has a message for readers who seek a smooth, handsome hero, and misjudge others as less than the heroes they are. Kudos to Lesley Ann McDaniel for taking on this difficult subject. Kudos also for accomplishing the task with grace, beautiful prose, humor, and page-turning writing.
August 30, 2013
This one will keep you guessing right up to the end.
Saving Grace contained far more suspense than I thought it would. You enter the world of a young lady that is on the run. We don't know what exactly she is running from at first. What we realize early on is, that whatever it is, she is completely on edge and running on her last nerve. She is jumpy and suspicious of nearly every one and every thing in the town she has chosen as her getaway spot. The town of Madison Falls is about as far from the sophisticated life of New York city as one can imagine. Grace discovers that it is both not far enough and just far enough. Author Lesley Ann McDaniel has crafted a fine suspense novel with enough just enough romance to keep the reader off balance. Who can Grace trust with her secrets, with her life and the failed plumbing? Pick up a copy and find out for your self.
Saving Grace contained far more suspense than I thought it would. You enter the world of a young lady that is on the run. We don't know what exactly she is running from at first. What we realize early on is, that whatever it is, she is completely on edge and running on her last nerve. She is jumpy and suspicious of nearly every one and every thing in the town she has chosen as her getaway spot. The town of Madison Falls is about as far from the sophisticated life of New York city as one can imagine. Grace discovers that it is both not far enough and just far enough. Author Lesley Ann McDaniel has crafted a fine suspense novel with enough just enough romance to keep the reader off balance. Who can Grace trust with her secrets, with her life and the failed plumbing? Pick up a copy and find out for your self.
September 1, 2016
This could have been a really good story, except for main character who fled New York to a small town in Montana to get away and hide out from some psycho fan. From the time she sets foot in said small town, nothing is good enough for her - the people, the atmosphere, even the coffee. She looked down her nose at everything and everyone and was very quick to jump to conclusions about a person just from a mere 5 minute observation, and then proceeded to be judgmental and rude. (Potential spoiler alert coming). The one person that did meet her high and mighty standards was the one person she should have been more leary about - even the dog hated him, that should have been her first clue. The story in itself could have been really good, but for the fact I hated the main character and could not get past that.
March 23, 2014
I really tried to like this book, unfortunately, it didn't happen. The main charactor, Grace, was just plain annoying, if not stupid. The secondary characters were more likable. I did like the hero, Sam, but never felt a connection between he and Grace. The entire book was about them tolerating each other, her more than him, followed by an almost kiss, before she went back to the guy she really wanted. The last few pages of the book she declared her love, with the first kiss on the last page. The entire book, at least for me, was mechanical, no warmth or depth. The storyline has possibilities, as does future books, but it's going to require assistance from a coauthor, or a really good editor. That's just my opinion. Based on the reviews, others feel differently.
August 15, 2013
The book could possibly do with a little more of the back story explaining nearer the beginning, but as you read on it's all explained.
I hadn't expected the religious theme from the description, but it wasn't too preachy. The story centres around Grace, who's on the run for her life, as she tries to work out who to trust and believe. There are a lot of misunderstandings and twists which as a reader I guessed in advance, but there were a couple of twists that I hadn't seen as well.
It's a feel good romance at the end of the day, and if you're looking for a light, enjoyable read this ticks all the boxes.
I hadn't expected the religious theme from the description, but it wasn't too preachy. The story centres around Grace, who's on the run for her life, as she tries to work out who to trust and believe. There are a lot of misunderstandings and twists which as a reader I guessed in advance, but there were a couple of twists that I hadn't seen as well.
It's a feel good romance at the end of the day, and if you're looking for a light, enjoyable read this ticks all the boxes.
June 13, 2016
Grace is hiding from her life in NY in a small town named Madison Falls. You are swept away into her life with many twists and turns that keep you guessing about what is going to happen next. The characters are believable and the plot is well written. I love the small town characters and the warm feelings it evokes. This is my first book by Lesley, but will not be my last. Her writing style reminds me of Colleen Coble. If you love mystery, suspense, romance, and Faith then this is the book for you. I will read the rest of the books in this collection.
I received a copy from the author for an honest review and I have done that.
I received a copy from the author for an honest review and I have done that.
May 1, 2015
Saving Grace is appropriately named, as Grace the main character is stalked by a very rich killer, who is not afraid to pay for what he wants. Tracy becomes Grace and moves from New York City to Madison Falls, Montana to hide from Kirk her stalker. She finds much more than she expected in the small community where she makes friends and finds her way to God and a good man.
Most of the story builds to the ending where her stalker comes to Madison Falls; well you will just have to read the book to find out what happened...
Most of the story builds to the ending where her stalker comes to Madison Falls; well you will just have to read the book to find out what happened...
June 6, 2016
Grace leaves New York to escape a stalker and moves to Madison Falls,Mt.
She slowly becomes comfortable in the small town then things start to happen.
The suspense grabs at you throughout the book as she struggles to escape her past.
In the process she finds Jesus and accepts him as her saviour.
God's grace and protection helps her escape death.
I read this book as a part of Beyond the Shadows: A Christian Romantic Suspense Boxed Set Book Bundle Collection.
I look forward to more book by this author..
She slowly becomes comfortable in the small town then things start to happen.
The suspense grabs at you throughout the book as she struggles to escape her past.
In the process she finds Jesus and accepts him as her saviour.
God's grace and protection helps her escape death.
I read this book as a part of Beyond the Shadows: A Christian Romantic Suspense Boxed Set Book Bundle Collection.
I look forward to more book by this author..
August 16, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. It had a great plot with lots of little subplots to keep me guessing throughout the story. Apart from guessing the the main character, Grace, would probably end up with the best guy, I was not sure how the book would end and I really like that in a story! Author, Lesley McDaniel obviously knows how to write. I couldn't believe how beautifully she wove the story along with all the little descriptive details that make a book a work of art!
January 23, 2015
I enjoyed this romantic suspense set in Montana. The suspense steadily built to the climax.
Grace is an interesting character. I enjoyed Devon. The twists and turns in Saving Grace were really fun--multiple surprises for me. I enjoyed the easy flow of getting to know Sam. As for the women… Sophia and Lucy were really fun contrasts.
You can tell that Lesley McDaniel knows the world of theatre. Enjoy!
Grace is an interesting character. I enjoyed Devon. The twists and turns in Saving Grace were really fun--multiple surprises for me. I enjoyed the easy flow of getting to know Sam. As for the women… Sophia and Lucy were really fun contrasts.
You can tell that Lesley McDaniel knows the world of theatre. Enjoy!
January 13, 2014
A cute little fluffy Christian read. The Christian elements weren't too in your face.
I have to say though
Moral Note: Some violence & a description of a murder scene
I have to say though
Moral Note: Some violence & a description of a murder scene
November 12, 2013
I absolutely love love loved Saving Grace!
I enjoyed getting to know main character, Tracy er…. I mean Grace. She wasn’t just a cookie-cutter, perfect person.
I loved the suspense and mystery throughout, the author did a great job keeping me on turning pages.
This book had a small town feel, which I loved!
Fans of Romantic Suspense- don’t miss SAVING GRACE!
I enjoyed getting to know main character, Tracy er…. I mean Grace. She wasn’t just a cookie-cutter, perfect person.
I loved the suspense and mystery throughout, the author did a great job keeping me on turning pages.
This book had a small town feel, which I loved!
Fans of Romantic Suspense- don’t miss SAVING GRACE!
April 30, 2014
Grace is hiding out from a stalker. She is a big city girl hiding in a small town and has to adjust to the differences. Sam helps has father at the hardware store and takes care of handyman issues for Grace. Misunderstandings keep getting in their way, along with another man, and several women. The story is entertaining and suspenseful. Will keep you guessing what in the world is going on!
February 24, 2015
While the plot was good enough to keep my interest and to make me have a hard time putting it down, I felt like it was quite choppy. There were a number of times where I felt a little confused at the jumps between scenes and had to figure out where we were now, how much time had passed, etc. I also felt like it was a plot I'd read and seen on movies a few too many times.
August 8, 2015
Very interesting book. It takes awhile to fully understand why "Grace" ran to Madison Falls, Montana, but the author does a great job of continually revealing details of Grace's past to us as Grave reveals them to others. I enjoyed that it was a good, clean romance with a suspense twist. It also keeps you guessing the entire time as to whom you can trust.
August 26, 2015
Nothing good can happen when preconceived notions collide with gullibility and conclusion-jumping, as Grace discovers within the covers of this well-written novel. Terrific story from the magic pen of Lesley Ann McDaniel.
March 3, 2015
Grace was one of the most frustrating and stupid heroines I've ever read. Supposedly running from a stalker, she shows no discretion except for occasional bouts of jumpiness. The bad guy was so easy to spot it was ridiculous.
August 17, 2013
I enjoyed reading this book of redemption. Great character development, action and suspense.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews