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Safe Havens #1
Saving Grace
Grace Riley is on the run--from her past and from her fears. The victim of a violent rape at the hands of a rich politician's son, she must "disappear" to escape his constant attempts to recapture her. Moving from cattle drive to cattle drive as a cook, she avoids her tormentor for nearly twenty years. When she discovers that the brother she gave up for adoption after their mother died in childbirth was orphaned at an early age, she is frantic to verify that he's safe. She tracks him to a cattle ranch in Montana.
Widower Adam Morgan owns the Twin Springs ranch, but finds himself falling into a life of loneliness. Although he enjoys spending time with his grown daughter and the two men he rescued when they were living on the streets, he longs to meet a woman he can love. Living in the Montana territory where men greatly outnumber women makes finding a new wife difficult. Weary of working cattle, he is ready to make some changes in his life.
Grace falls ill on her journey, but she manages to make it to the Twin Springs ranch where her brother is supposed to be living. Adam takes her in, concerned for her health and the reason she's searching for one of his adopted sons. Their chemistry is immediate and intense, but can Grace heal from her past of pain and fear? When her secrets are finally revealed, can Adam forgive her deceptions and learn to love again?
Widower Adam Morgan owns the Twin Springs ranch, but finds himself falling into a life of loneliness. Although he enjoys spending time with his grown daughter and the two men he rescued when they were living on the streets, he longs to meet a woman he can love. Living in the Montana territory where men greatly outnumber women makes finding a new wife difficult. Weary of working cattle, he is ready to make some changes in his life.
Grace falls ill on her journey, but she manages to make it to the Twin Springs ranch where her brother is supposed to be living. Adam takes her in, concerned for her health and the reason she's searching for one of his adopted sons. Their chemistry is immediate and intense, but can Grace heal from her past of pain and fear? When her secrets are finally revealed, can Adam forgive her deceptions and learn to love again?
236 pages, Paperback
First published May 30, 2013
1219 people are currently reading
2072 people want to read
About the author
Sandy James
39 books272 followersSandy lives in a quiet suburb of Indianapolis and is a high school psychology teacher. She is published through Grand Central Forever Yours and Carina Press as well as indie-published. An Amazon #1 Bestseller many times, she has won numerous awards, including two HOLT Medallions.
Please visit her website at http://sandyjames.com for more information or find her on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/sandyjamesbooks)
Please visit her website at http://sandyjames.com for more information or find her on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/sandyjamesbooks)
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March 30, 2018
Saving Grace is book one in the Safe Havens series by Sandy James. I am such a fan of Sandy’s books but this book just blew me away. My love for the hero, Adam, was instantaneous. He was everything, just perfection.
Adam Morgan lives on his ranch, The Twin Springs Ranch, which is just outside of White Pines, Montana. The year is 1881. Adam is a widower and has raised his now twenty one year old daughter, Victoria, on his own. He also shares the ranch with his two adopted adult sons, one of which is now married and has moved into town. Adam’s been alone for a long time. He’s beginning to wonder if he’ll ever find love again. Perhaps to find it once should be enough. Then, on a rainy cold night, a sopping wet woman knocked on his door looking for her brother Jake who just so happens to be his adopted son that now lives in town. The woman was beautiful but frail and freezing. Then she simply collapsed in his arms.
Grace Riley has been on the run for twenty years now. She and her brother go from cattle drive to cattle drive, she as the cook, in hopes of staying one step ahead of the man who has stalked her since she was fourteen years old. She had given Jake up for adoption as a baby. With her own mother dead and she and her brother Matthew forced to live a life on the run, there was no way she could also take care of an infant. She wanted him to have a real family. But years later she learned that his adoptive family was dead. Now she needed to find him, just to know he was safe and happy. The last lead she had led to this man, Adam Morgan and the Twin Springs Ranch. But she’s exhausted, she’s freezing, and she’s hungry. She made it to his door and that’s the last thing she remembers. Now she’s tucked away in his guest room with him sitting vigil at her side.
“This woman needed someone to watch over her. He appointed himself to the job.”
Grace was sick. She had a raging fever and a cough that wouldn’t let up. Adam was afraid they would lose her. While she slept, she dreamt. But the dreams were not good ones, they made her cry out, scream and thrash in her sleep. There is no way he would leave her side.
As Grace recovered, she and Adam got closer. She never allowed a man close to her. She couldn’t stand to be touched. But not so with this man. His touch calmed her, soothed her. Still, once she was able to see Jake, she knew she had to leave, to keep moving. It was the only way.
Soon, her brother, Matthew, finds her at Twin Springs and he has his own dilemma to deal with in the way of Adams daughter, Victoria. Their relationship is combustible. They are constantly at each other’s throats. Adam knows it’s only a matter of time until these two realize that the true reason for the friction between them is really their attraction for each other.
Adam knows that Grace is meant for him. But something is haunting her. There is no way he is letting her go. He just has to convince her that she can trust him, that this is meant to be her forever home, with him.
“He’d known from the moment he’d scooped her feverish body into his arms Grace was going to belong to him. Now he just needed to convince her.”
Soon, though, Grace’s past catches up with her and it puts everyone in danger. Can she stay and fight for the happiness she has so newly discovered? Or does she run again? What will Adam think when he finds out her secrets?
First, I think I spent this entire book swooning over Adam. That man. He was so perceptive. He pretty much had everything figured out before Grace was ready to tell him what had happened. He loved her so much and would do anything for her. He was one of those cowboys women dream about, a true hero in every sense of the word. I loved that we got two love stories in this book. Adam and Grace’s and also, Matthew and Victoria’s. There are so many sweet moments in this book but there is also danger and suspense. Grace only thinks she is helpless but she is really such a strong woman to have survived all she has. And she is so full of love.
This book was just wonderful. Whether or not you are a fan of historical romance, I really think you will enjoy this. These characters will long live in my heart!
Adam Morgan lives on his ranch, The Twin Springs Ranch, which is just outside of White Pines, Montana. The year is 1881. Adam is a widower and has raised his now twenty one year old daughter, Victoria, on his own. He also shares the ranch with his two adopted adult sons, one of which is now married and has moved into town. Adam’s been alone for a long time. He’s beginning to wonder if he’ll ever find love again. Perhaps to find it once should be enough. Then, on a rainy cold night, a sopping wet woman knocked on his door looking for her brother Jake who just so happens to be his adopted son that now lives in town. The woman was beautiful but frail and freezing. Then she simply collapsed in his arms.
Grace Riley has been on the run for twenty years now. She and her brother go from cattle drive to cattle drive, she as the cook, in hopes of staying one step ahead of the man who has stalked her since she was fourteen years old. She had given Jake up for adoption as a baby. With her own mother dead and she and her brother Matthew forced to live a life on the run, there was no way she could also take care of an infant. She wanted him to have a real family. But years later she learned that his adoptive family was dead. Now she needed to find him, just to know he was safe and happy. The last lead she had led to this man, Adam Morgan and the Twin Springs Ranch. But she’s exhausted, she’s freezing, and she’s hungry. She made it to his door and that’s the last thing she remembers. Now she’s tucked away in his guest room with him sitting vigil at her side.
“This woman needed someone to watch over her. He appointed himself to the job.”
Grace was sick. She had a raging fever and a cough that wouldn’t let up. Adam was afraid they would lose her. While she slept, she dreamt. But the dreams were not good ones, they made her cry out, scream and thrash in her sleep. There is no way he would leave her side.
As Grace recovered, she and Adam got closer. She never allowed a man close to her. She couldn’t stand to be touched. But not so with this man. His touch calmed her, soothed her. Still, once she was able to see Jake, she knew she had to leave, to keep moving. It was the only way.
Soon, her brother, Matthew, finds her at Twin Springs and he has his own dilemma to deal with in the way of Adams daughter, Victoria. Their relationship is combustible. They are constantly at each other’s throats. Adam knows it’s only a matter of time until these two realize that the true reason for the friction between them is really their attraction for each other.
Adam knows that Grace is meant for him. But something is haunting her. There is no way he is letting her go. He just has to convince her that she can trust him, that this is meant to be her forever home, with him.
“He’d known from the moment he’d scooped her feverish body into his arms Grace was going to belong to him. Now he just needed to convince her.”
Soon, though, Grace’s past catches up with her and it puts everyone in danger. Can she stay and fight for the happiness she has so newly discovered? Or does she run again? What will Adam think when he finds out her secrets?
First, I think I spent this entire book swooning over Adam. That man. He was so perceptive. He pretty much had everything figured out before Grace was ready to tell him what had happened. He loved her so much and would do anything for her. He was one of those cowboys women dream about, a true hero in every sense of the word. I loved that we got two love stories in this book. Adam and Grace’s and also, Matthew and Victoria’s. There are so many sweet moments in this book but there is also danger and suspense. Grace only thinks she is helpless but she is really such a strong woman to have survived all she has. And she is so full of love.
This book was just wonderful. Whether or not you are a fan of historical romance, I really think you will enjoy this. These characters will long live in my heart!
August 2, 2014
Grace has been on the run for most of her life. Together with her brother they work cattle drives, she as a cook and he has a cowhand. But despite the passage of years, Stephen who sees her as his possession continues to hunt her and every time they stop he's there waiting.
When she arrives in Montana she collapses on Adam's door with a raging fever. As he tends her it becomes apparent that she is broken and he decides to make it his job to put her back together. They fall in love but she is reluctant to marry him and terrified of telling him the truth...that the man she came looking for is her son from a rape.
Saving Grace is kind of a little hokey. Normally that would bug me...when I read Walking on Air by Catherine Anderson I felt like banging my head into a wall after one or two of the cringe worthy moments, but with this book the hokey actually works. I'd even say it's a net gain for the book.
So...Ellen O'Connell this is not, but I still enjoyed the book.
When she arrives in Montana she collapses on Adam's door with a raging fever. As he tends her it becomes apparent that she is broken and he decides to make it his job to put her back together. They fall in love but she is reluctant to marry him and terrified of telling him the truth...that the man she came looking for is her son from a rape.
Saving Grace is kind of a little hokey. Normally that would bug me...when I read Walking on Air by Catherine Anderson I felt like banging my head into a wall after one or two of the cringe worthy moments, but with this book the hokey actually works. I'd even say it's a net gain for the book.
So...Ellen O'Connell this is not, but I still enjoyed the book.
November 29, 2025
On the run from her past, Grace Riley has known the life of a traveler. Jumping from cattle drive to cattle drive for work she still desperately searches to find the child she had to give up when she was only 15. Finding a lead sends Grace to Adam Morgan’s Twin Springs ranch in Montana.
Arriving on Adam Morgan’s door step racked with fever, Grace’s life hangs in the balance. While Adam nurses Grace back to health a more intimate connection evolves. Adam was the man that had taken Grace’s son in when his original adopted family died.
Can Grace ever escape the tragedy of her past and find happiness? If her secrets are revealed will Adam leave her forever?
This was an intriguing look at life when the west was a much harder place to live. Besides the lack of modern amenities, dealing with the social aspects of an unmarried woman living on a ranch was completely unexpected but the accuracy only added to realism the story line.
The chemistry between Grace and Adam was powerful and recognizable but watching them (especially Grace) struggle with their feelings made you feel like not just a by-stander but a participant in the plot.
As a side story, I can’t help but mention that I immensely enjoyed the love/hate banter between Grace’s brother and Adam’s daughter.
Saving Grace was a wonderfully delightful story chuck full of family, friends and eventually healing but had enough suspense filled drama to keep you glued to the pages till the very end.
I received this copy of Saving Grace from Sandy James in exchange for an honest review.
Arriving on Adam Morgan’s door step racked with fever, Grace’s life hangs in the balance. While Adam nurses Grace back to health a more intimate connection evolves. Adam was the man that had taken Grace’s son in when his original adopted family died.
Can Grace ever escape the tragedy of her past and find happiness? If her secrets are revealed will Adam leave her forever?
This was an intriguing look at life when the west was a much harder place to live. Besides the lack of modern amenities, dealing with the social aspects of an unmarried woman living on a ranch was completely unexpected but the accuracy only added to realism the story line.
The chemistry between Grace and Adam was powerful and recognizable but watching them (especially Grace) struggle with their feelings made you feel like not just a by-stander but a participant in the plot.
As a side story, I can’t help but mention that I immensely enjoyed the love/hate banter between Grace’s brother and Adam’s daughter.
Saving Grace was a wonderfully delightful story chuck full of family, friends and eventually healing but had enough suspense filled drama to keep you glued to the pages till the very end.
I received this copy of Saving Grace from Sandy James in exchange for an honest review.
November 1, 2014
It was well written I just didn't particularly like reading about a rapist stalking his victim for 20 years.
What I did like was the two developing romances, a cowboy quoting Shakespeare, a mother reuniting with her son. All heart warming events that make it an interesting read.
What I did like was the two developing romances, a cowboy quoting Shakespeare, a mother reuniting with her son. All heart warming events that make it an interesting read.
January 29, 2020
This was a very enjoyable read. It had lots of twists and turns. I loved the characters especially Grace and Adam; but every character was so important to telling the story. And it wasn't just one love story between Grace and Adam; but also between Grace's brother Matthew and Adam's daughter Victoria. Thinking about family relationship the two marriages would create I thought of the song, "I'm My Own Grandpa." The characters were so very well developed and the pace of the story was great. The last 2 to 3 chapters were very heartwarming and tearjerkers. The story ended well. My favorite line of the book is the last when Grace says, "Thank you Adam"... For giving me my first home I've ever known. For giving me back my son." Her voice chocked with emotion. "And for showing me what love truly is."
November 28, 2019
Great story!
There is so much in this story. There are sad & happy and really terrible & really true love. Even though Stephen Shay seems like the worse character Grace's father is the most deplorable. Just wanted to let you know that there are some grammatical errors that you have to go over again to put the correct words in.
There is so much in this story. There are sad & happy and really terrible & really true love. Even though Stephen Shay seems like the worse character Grace's father is the most deplorable. Just wanted to let you know that there are some grammatical errors that you have to go over again to put the correct words in.
March 21, 2014
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 1, 2013
Grace Riley is on the run—from her past and from her fears. The victim of a violent rape at the hands of a rich politician’s son, she must “disappear” to escape his constant attempts to recapture her. Moving from cattle drive to cattle drive as a cook, she avoids her tormentor for nearly twenty years. When she discovers that the brother she gave up for adoption after their mother died in childbirth was orphaned at an early age, she is frantic to verify that he’s safe. She tracks him to a cattle ranch in Montana.
Widower Adam Morgan owns the Twin Springs ranch, but finds himself falling into a life of loneliness. Although he enjoys spending time with his grown daughter and the two men he rescued when they were living on the streets, he longs to meet a woman he can love. Living in the Montana territory where men greatly outnumber women makes finding a new wife difficult. Weary of working cattle, he is ready to make some changes in his life.
Grace falls ill on her journey, but she manages to make it to the Twin Springs ranch where her brother is supposed to be living. Adam takes her in, concerned for her health and the reason she’s searching for one of his adopted sons. Their chemistry is immediate and intense, but can Grace heal from her past of pain and fear? When her secrets are finally revealed, can Adam forgive her deceptions and learn to love again?
REVIEW: SAVING GRACE is the first instalment in Sandy James’s historical western, romance Safe Havens series. The series focuses on a tight knit group of friends and family from Montana. There are two love stories building throughout Saving Grace: Grace Riley and Adam Morgan’s story; Matthew Riley (Grace’s brother) and Victoria Morgan (Adam’s daughter).
The premise follows Grace as she searches for her ‘brother’ Jake- given up for adoption twenty years earlier. Believing she has finally found the clues to her missing sibling, Grace runs into trouble when her past stops at nothing to keep Grace from running away. When Grace finds herself at the Twin Springs ranch where years earlier Jake had found a home, she will come face to face with her future and the man she would grow to love.
Adam Morgan is the personification of the perfect husband and mate. He is supportive, protective and although he knows the woman with whom he has fallen in love keeps buried a secret that results in numerous nightmares, Adam allows Grace the time to recover and more forward. But not too much time because Grace is being stalked and the man is obsessed with the woman he cannot have.
The second storyline focuses on Adam’s daughter Victoria and Grace’s brother Matthew-their relationship is a little more angst ridden as Matthew pushes all of Victoria’s proverbial feminist buttons. For a woman from the 1800s Victoria is an independent female who isn’t afraid to speak her mind, wear pants or get her hands dirty rustling up a few new horses for the farm. Their relationship is a bit more volatile as Matthew keeps pulling away with each encounter.
SAVING GRACE is a story of pure romance where one woman’s past can never be forgotten. From a rape at fourteen years of age to finally finding that special someone in her life, SAVING GRACE blends betrayal with heartache; truth with lies; moving on and letting go. Sandy James writes a sweet storyline of finding love and a happily ever after.
Copy supplied by the author.
www.thereadingcafe.com
Grace Riley is on the run—from her past and from her fears. The victim of a violent rape at the hands of a rich politician’s son, she must “disappear” to escape his constant attempts to recapture her. Moving from cattle drive to cattle drive as a cook, she avoids her tormentor for nearly twenty years. When she discovers that the brother she gave up for adoption after their mother died in childbirth was orphaned at an early age, she is frantic to verify that he’s safe. She tracks him to a cattle ranch in Montana.
Widower Adam Morgan owns the Twin Springs ranch, but finds himself falling into a life of loneliness. Although he enjoys spending time with his grown daughter and the two men he rescued when they were living on the streets, he longs to meet a woman he can love. Living in the Montana territory where men greatly outnumber women makes finding a new wife difficult. Weary of working cattle, he is ready to make some changes in his life.
Grace falls ill on her journey, but she manages to make it to the Twin Springs ranch where her brother is supposed to be living. Adam takes her in, concerned for her health and the reason she’s searching for one of his adopted sons. Their chemistry is immediate and intense, but can Grace heal from her past of pain and fear? When her secrets are finally revealed, can Adam forgive her deceptions and learn to love again?
REVIEW: SAVING GRACE is the first instalment in Sandy James’s historical western, romance Safe Havens series. The series focuses on a tight knit group of friends and family from Montana. There are two love stories building throughout Saving Grace: Grace Riley and Adam Morgan’s story; Matthew Riley (Grace’s brother) and Victoria Morgan (Adam’s daughter).
The premise follows Grace as she searches for her ‘brother’ Jake- given up for adoption twenty years earlier. Believing she has finally found the clues to her missing sibling, Grace runs into trouble when her past stops at nothing to keep Grace from running away. When Grace finds herself at the Twin Springs ranch where years earlier Jake had found a home, she will come face to face with her future and the man she would grow to love.
Adam Morgan is the personification of the perfect husband and mate. He is supportive, protective and although he knows the woman with whom he has fallen in love keeps buried a secret that results in numerous nightmares, Adam allows Grace the time to recover and more forward. But not too much time because Grace is being stalked and the man is obsessed with the woman he cannot have.
The second storyline focuses on Adam’s daughter Victoria and Grace’s brother Matthew-their relationship is a little more angst ridden as Matthew pushes all of Victoria’s proverbial feminist buttons. For a woman from the 1800s Victoria is an independent female who isn’t afraid to speak her mind, wear pants or get her hands dirty rustling up a few new horses for the farm. Their relationship is a bit more volatile as Matthew keeps pulling away with each encounter.
SAVING GRACE is a story of pure romance where one woman’s past can never be forgotten. From a rape at fourteen years of age to finally finding that special someone in her life, SAVING GRACE blends betrayal with heartache; truth with lies; moving on and letting go. Sandy James writes a sweet storyline of finding love and a happily ever after.
Copy supplied by the author.
www.thereadingcafe.com
February 21, 2015
I discovered Sandy James last year during a book tour of her Alliance of the Amazon series. Because of the tour, I read all 4 books in the series and fell in love with the characters. Ms. James was ever so kind enough to ask if I wanted a chance to read another one of her books, and I jumped at the chance. It has taken me awhile (sorry!) but I finally read Saving Grace, the first book in the Safe Havens Series. While the Alliance of the Amazons was more an Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance, the Safe Havens series is Western Historical Romance set in the wild west just before the turn of the twentieth century.
We are introduced to Grace Riley in San Francisco, as she is getting ready to confront a man who obviously terrifies her, one she has been running from for 20 years. All to get information he may have on someone named Jake Curtis. When the man, Stephen Shay, threatens to assault her, in what appears to be a repeat of a prior attack, Grace pulls a gun and shoots him in the chest. Shocked and scared, she grabs the papers and takes off, believing the monster dead.
Next we meet Grace, she is in White Pines, Montana, at the ranch of Adam Morgan, widower and ranch owner. Grace shows up in the middle of the night, in a downpour, looking for Jake Curtis. When she collapses, Adam takes her in and with the assistance of his daughter, Victoria, begins to nurse Grace back to health. While Grace is delirious with fever, she unknowingly spills most of her darkest secrets to Adam. Adam appoints himself her protector and watchdog, much to her chagrin. When Grace's younger brother shows up looking for Grace, he and Victoria clash at every opportunity and create plenty of sparks. Dark, hidden secrets will finally come to light causing pain for both Grace and Jake Curtis. But acceptance and eventual forgiveness, of self and others, will take a bit longer to achieve.
This book has some really ugly, heavy topics covered in it and runs the gamut of emotions. I especially liked that the author didn't gloss over the hardships of life during that time. So often, historicals, gives us the glamorized version of the time period. It could be a hard, dangerous life, especially for women. And yet, in many ways, we haven't come so very far that a lot of these same issues don't plague us today, making this a very relevant story. This was a very good book, though a bit draining emotionally. I really enjoyed the characters and the story. I gave it 4 stars.
We are introduced to Grace Riley in San Francisco, as she is getting ready to confront a man who obviously terrifies her, one she has been running from for 20 years. All to get information he may have on someone named Jake Curtis. When the man, Stephen Shay, threatens to assault her, in what appears to be a repeat of a prior attack, Grace pulls a gun and shoots him in the chest. Shocked and scared, she grabs the papers and takes off, believing the monster dead.
Next we meet Grace, she is in White Pines, Montana, at the ranch of Adam Morgan, widower and ranch owner. Grace shows up in the middle of the night, in a downpour, looking for Jake Curtis. When she collapses, Adam takes her in and with the assistance of his daughter, Victoria, begins to nurse Grace back to health. While Grace is delirious with fever, she unknowingly spills most of her darkest secrets to Adam. Adam appoints himself her protector and watchdog, much to her chagrin. When Grace's younger brother shows up looking for Grace, he and Victoria clash at every opportunity and create plenty of sparks. Dark, hidden secrets will finally come to light causing pain for both Grace and Jake Curtis. But acceptance and eventual forgiveness, of self and others, will take a bit longer to achieve.
This book has some really ugly, heavy topics covered in it and runs the gamut of emotions. I especially liked that the author didn't gloss over the hardships of life during that time. So often, historicals, gives us the glamorized version of the time period. It could be a hard, dangerous life, especially for women. And yet, in many ways, we haven't come so very far that a lot of these same issues don't plague us today, making this a very relevant story. This was a very good book, though a bit draining emotionally. I really enjoyed the characters and the story. I gave it 4 stars.
December 1, 2015
Grace Riley has been on the run for 20 years. She's hiding from Stephan Shay who raped her when she was 14 and has been stalking her ever since. Grace's brother, Matthew, stayed to protect her all these years and they've worked on cattle drives, always moving so Shay couldn't find her.
Grace was looking for Jake Curtis for years and finally got some information to help her find him. When she went to get the information about Jake things went badly and Grace shot the man. She ran again afraid she would be hung.
She found out Jake was working on a ranch in Montana so off she went to find him. She was very sick when she got there and collapsed in front of the owner, Adam Morgan. He and his daughter, Victoria, looked after Grace while she recuperated.
Matthew tracked her down at the ranch and he and Victoria are constantly arguing with each other.
This historical romance shows that things were certainly not easier in those times, as I had always thought. I liked the detailed descriptions of the surroundings and the scenes in this beautifully written novel. The characters were well developed and easy to like. But I felt sorry for Grace and Adam with the heart-breaking things that happened to them. It was fun watching Matthew and Victoria squabble and fight their interest in each other.
If you like historical romance, you'll love Saving Grace.
Grace was looking for Jake Curtis for years and finally got some information to help her find him. When she went to get the information about Jake things went badly and Grace shot the man. She ran again afraid she would be hung.
She found out Jake was working on a ranch in Montana so off she went to find him. She was very sick when she got there and collapsed in front of the owner, Adam Morgan. He and his daughter, Victoria, looked after Grace while she recuperated.
Matthew tracked her down at the ranch and he and Victoria are constantly arguing with each other.
This historical romance shows that things were certainly not easier in those times, as I had always thought. I liked the detailed descriptions of the surroundings and the scenes in this beautifully written novel. The characters were well developed and easy to like. But I felt sorry for Grace and Adam with the heart-breaking things that happened to them. It was fun watching Matthew and Victoria squabble and fight their interest in each other.
If you like historical romance, you'll love Saving Grace.
August 10, 2016
A pretty forgettable read that had some nice moments, especially the secondary romance between the hero's daughter and the heroine's brother. I do like that the hero is in his 40's and the heroine is 35. The villain doesn't have much to him and he's not really frightening, although he what he has done to the heroine (when she was 14) and has stalked her for 20 years makes him psychotic. But he comes from a well respected and rich family, so he gets away with it. But the heroine's personality is somewhat dull so I can't understand why the villain was so obsessed with her, and why the hero fell for her hard.
The love scenes are your typical ones I've read many times before. Unfortunately the writing isn't all that engaging, which is one of the reasons you can take it or leave it.
http://katiebabs.booklikes.com/post/5...
The love scenes are your typical ones I've read many times before. Unfortunately the writing isn't all that engaging, which is one of the reasons you can take it or leave it.
http://katiebabs.booklikes.com/post/5...
November 27, 2015
Set in San Francisco and Montana in the late 1800’s, Grace is on the run. After escaping the psychopath who has stalked her for over 20 years, she flees to Montana to try to find her long lost brother. She finds love instead with rancher Adam Morgan, but will her secrets make him run from her when he discovers them? This had a lot of intrigue and suspense. The villain is super evil and scared me enough that I couldn’t put the book down in case he found Grace while I was busy doing laundry or cooking supper. The characters are nicely fleshed out and the book well edited. There are some intimate scenes—not full detail, but enough I had to skim over.
October 13, 2016
Saving Grace (Safe Havens Book 1)
The love story of Grace and Adams. Grace is on the run from the man who rape her. She lean he at the Twin Spring Ranch. She go and she meet Adams. They fall in love and find happiness. Will her rapes find her again or will her happiness last. You love this one.
The love story of Grace and Adams. Grace is on the run from the man who rape her. She lean he at the Twin Spring Ranch. She go and she meet Adams. They fall in love and find happiness. Will her rapes find her again or will her happiness last. You love this one.
October 15, 2016
What a great book. I was so captivated by this story of a young lady searching for her son. She gets very sick and passes out at this man's home. Adam is so kind and loving to Grace. I loved this book and definitely want to read more from this author.
January 26, 2022
This was very well formulated, even if I didn't personally enjoy some of the characters--I felt like their actions (while flawed, imo) were made according to their written personalities, and I can't shame a book for following through with that. We are, after all, all unique people on our own webs of goo--can't snort at that.
Anywho.
This was good! I wish the author had a little more skill in writing characters that FEEL exceptional. I felt like the action on the page was very disconnected from me as a reader, and I disliked that styling. But other than that, this was a good first installment. I enjoyed how it was a dual love story with a lot of string to unravel, it was a fun departure from what I've been reading as of late.
Potential triggers: rape, resulting PTSD, romantic connections between step-family members, generic violence, battery of women.
Anywho.
This was good! I wish the author had a little more skill in writing characters that FEEL exceptional. I felt like the action on the page was very disconnected from me as a reader, and I disliked that styling. But other than that, this was a good first installment. I enjoyed how it was a dual love story with a lot of string to unravel, it was a fun departure from what I've been reading as of late.
Potential triggers: rape, resulting PTSD, romantic connections between step-family members, generic violence, battery of women.
January 20, 2020
Saving Grace
I’ve had this book for some time and just got around to reading it. I loved it!!! Grace is someone to really admire. A strong loving young woman who takes life in both hands and does what is necessary. Alone with just her younger brother she spends many years working cattle drives to survive for herself and brother. All the while the rich man who badly abused her searches for and trails her. Then one stormy night she meets a man like no other. A wonderful story about the power of love and forgiveness.
I’ve had this book for some time and just got around to reading it. I loved it!!! Grace is someone to really admire. A strong loving young woman who takes life in both hands and does what is necessary. Alone with just her younger brother she spends many years working cattle drives to survive for herself and brother. All the while the rich man who badly abused her searches for and trails her. Then one stormy night she meets a man like no other. A wonderful story about the power of love and forgiveness.
June 22, 2017
Safe Haven
A wonderful story about second chances and family! Grace is an amazing woman and the story deals with adversity, fear, shame and the healing powers of love. Power in its worst and most re demeaning of ways and the clarity that true love without judgment can bring!! I couldn't put it down! The depictions of the strength and nurturing qualities of the pioneer women were inspiring .
A wonderful story about second chances and family! Grace is an amazing woman and the story deals with adversity, fear, shame and the healing powers of love. Power in its worst and most re demeaning of ways and the clarity that true love without judgment can bring!! I couldn't put it down! The depictions of the strength and nurturing qualities of the pioneer women were inspiring .
May 1, 2019
Good read
Good read with predictable outcome for the characters but still enjoyable read. A few twist it also had characters that you root for. As . Always good trumps evil. Truths Always the best policy. Sometimes you wish the bad guys wouldn't even live so long. Long story.
Good read with predictable outcome for the characters but still enjoyable read. A few twist it also had characters that you root for. As . Always good trumps evil. Truths Always the best policy. Sometimes you wish the bad guys wouldn't even live so long. Long story.
May 26, 2019
Beautiful😍💓
Crime, mayhem and thrilling relationships are all that's needed to enjoy this novel which is absolutely amazing and ❤️loving and worth every page!!!
Crime, mayhem and thrilling relationships are all that's needed to enjoy this novel which is absolutely amazing and ❤️loving and worth every page!!!
January 20, 2020
Great read
Terrific story. Kept my interest to the very end. Great characters. Interesting story line. Nice to see good strong male characters.
Terrific story. Kept my interest to the very end. Great characters. Interesting story line. Nice to see good strong male characters.
April 28, 2019
This book has a lot of sadness. Grace got brought into this with the worst experience a women could have. If it wasn’t for her brother Matthew she never would have made it to adulthood. Adam is the perfect man for her and his daughter Victoria is perfect for Matthew. Add into the mix Jake and a man from her past and you have enough drama for anyone.
January 23, 2022
beautiful
This story was so romantic. It had such a sad tale yet with a great HEA. It also involved multiple romantic tales of characters around the hero and heroine. Great read
This story was so romantic. It had such a sad tale yet with a great HEA. It also involved multiple romantic tales of characters around the hero and heroine. Great read
February 7, 2022
Great book
April 29, 2019
A good book
Good book.Easy to get involved in the story. Leaves reader with a happy warm feeling at the end of the story
Good book.Easy to get involved in the story. Leaves reader with a happy warm feeling at the end of the story
February 15, 2022
A Long Struggle to Life
Grace had to keep running from a crazy possesive man ever since she was 15 years old. She was responsible for her younger brother after the death of her mother and the betrayal of her drunken father. Her life was a. living hell until she stumbled soaking wet in the middle. of the night onto the doorstep of a small town ranch house. She was ill with a fever and these folks nursed her back to health. She had secrets she could never share with anyone and they brought much trouble to all.
Grace had to keep running from a crazy possesive man ever since she was 15 years old. She was responsible for her younger brother after the death of her mother and the betrayal of her drunken father. Her life was a. living hell until she stumbled soaking wet in the middle. of the night onto the doorstep of a small town ranch house. She was ill with a fever and these folks nursed her back to health. She had secrets she could never share with anyone and they brought much trouble to all.
June 26, 2019
Great book
Very good book l! Saving grace is suspenseful and loving family ties! Taking something from bad to good! I will read more of safe havens books
Very good book l! Saving grace is suspenseful and loving family ties! Taking something from bad to good! I will read more of safe havens books
May 4, 2015
Grace Riley is on the run from a rich politician’s son who raped her at a young 14 years old. Now she and her brother Matthew goes from cattle drive to cattle drive always trying to stay one step ahead of her tormentor for almost 20 years. The rape left her pregnant, a son whom she had to give up to a family where he would have a stable life and be away from his father’s evil grasp.
But Grace is determined to find her long lost son when she finds out years later that his adoptive parents were killed and he was placed in an orphanage. She tracks him to a ranch just outside a small town in Montana. When she arrives in the dead of night, soaked from the pouring rain, sick with fever, she is met by Adam Morgan, a widowed rancher and her savior.
Adam Morgan, a well to do rancher lonely after losing his wife has spent the last years with just his only daughter. He’s ready for the touch of a woman, someone he can share his life and love with. Then along comes a little slip of a woman in the middle of the night and he can’t shake the feeling that she has many secrets and needs him in.
But can Grace and Adam find love; can she ever fully trust another man? Even though Adam is a kind and gentle man and shows her nothing but tenderness, can she ever truly give herself freely to another man? Will her tormentor find her and destroy all that she is trying to gain for herself?
This is a jam up story line, I loved it. The characters are real, you know when you put the book down and during the course of your day the characters pop into your mind and you just can’t wait to pick up the book and keep on reading to see what happens. This is that kind of book. I love Grace’s character she’s been through hell, but yet she is a spitfire and don’t put up with no foolishness from any man now. She has fought long and hard to stay ahead and in hiding from her rapist. She is one tough little cookie.
Adam, well he is just a dream come true kind of man. His character is all gentleness and kind but don’t piss him off or mess with his friends and family, because he will come after you and you won’t like the outcome. He can be tough as nails when he sets his sights on someone that has entered his domain so to speak.
There were quite a few sub characters in this book and more than one romance going on which I liked. It didn’t leave you hanging and waiting or having to read the next book to see what happens. This is a stand along book and will give you what you’re looking for in a romance. There is intrigue, secrets, lovers and happiness in this book. Some action in the western style, you know the kind, shoot em up a little bit and knock your lights out kind of stuff.
The editing was good and the book was not a short story, it gets into detail and gives you a sense of that you have read a good length in this story. The author’s imagination runs wild in the story and she really gets down to the nitty gritty of how life was in the old west style. The book moves along at a good pace and won’t bore you to death.
If you’re a western fan I would highly recommend this one.
But Grace is determined to find her long lost son when she finds out years later that his adoptive parents were killed and he was placed in an orphanage. She tracks him to a ranch just outside a small town in Montana. When she arrives in the dead of night, soaked from the pouring rain, sick with fever, she is met by Adam Morgan, a widowed rancher and her savior.
Adam Morgan, a well to do rancher lonely after losing his wife has spent the last years with just his only daughter. He’s ready for the touch of a woman, someone he can share his life and love with. Then along comes a little slip of a woman in the middle of the night and he can’t shake the feeling that she has many secrets and needs him in.
But can Grace and Adam find love; can she ever fully trust another man? Even though Adam is a kind and gentle man and shows her nothing but tenderness, can she ever truly give herself freely to another man? Will her tormentor find her and destroy all that she is trying to gain for herself?
This is a jam up story line, I loved it. The characters are real, you know when you put the book down and during the course of your day the characters pop into your mind and you just can’t wait to pick up the book and keep on reading to see what happens. This is that kind of book. I love Grace’s character she’s been through hell, but yet she is a spitfire and don’t put up with no foolishness from any man now. She has fought long and hard to stay ahead and in hiding from her rapist. She is one tough little cookie.
Adam, well he is just a dream come true kind of man. His character is all gentleness and kind but don’t piss him off or mess with his friends and family, because he will come after you and you won’t like the outcome. He can be tough as nails when he sets his sights on someone that has entered his domain so to speak.
There were quite a few sub characters in this book and more than one romance going on which I liked. It didn’t leave you hanging and waiting or having to read the next book to see what happens. This is a stand along book and will give you what you’re looking for in a romance. There is intrigue, secrets, lovers and happiness in this book. Some action in the western style, you know the kind, shoot em up a little bit and knock your lights out kind of stuff.
The editing was good and the book was not a short story, it gets into detail and gives you a sense of that you have read a good length in this story. The author’s imagination runs wild in the story and she really gets down to the nitty gritty of how life was in the old west style. The book moves along at a good pace and won’t bore you to death.
If you’re a western fan I would highly recommend this one.
February 18, 2020
Ridiculous is the word that comes to mind. Love the idea, which is why I got it. But you can't call something a historical or western just by changing 'car to horse', throwing in a few comments relating to 'proper behavior' and reminding the reader that cursing in front of women is bad. If you're going to be historical, you either need to find a way to show your women as bucking the trend without being modern women in the wrong time or write in some time traveling. This book would have been great as a more modern setting. Waiting for marriage can still be pulled off with a bit of thought, and if you're so concerned about limited communication that simply being remote with limited contact wouldn't do it for you, set it back a decade or two before technology really sunk it's teeth in. No need to regress a century or two.
And... using characters... there is one that is literally a prop. He has like two lines in the entire book and no purpose other than staging for the others story. You either need to find another prop, or include the damn character. Same goes for having a town. Gunshots are fired in town, but no one comes to investigate! The situation arises that requires help, but there's no one there to even offer ideas or concerns, let alone participate in the follow-up.
The author seemed to enjoy pointing out how backwards all the cultural mores and ethics were and how her characters were so good at bucking them... but she chose to write in the 1800's and there's simply no way the majority of the goings ons would have been ignored let alone accepted. It just removed any remaining - and there weren't many to start with - authentic or realistic elements.
...oh, and the book is a decent length... but I found myself wishing it was one of those books that I hate because they say it's 200pages, but really turns out that the last 60pages are chats and book previews. It just needed to be over. And by the time we finally got there, a whole section of wrapping the plot up had just been overlooked. The equivalent might be saying 'trouble still could be brewing' to 'and the tulips grew in spring'.
And... using characters... there is one that is literally a prop. He has like two lines in the entire book and no purpose other than staging for the others story. You either need to find another prop, or include the damn character. Same goes for having a town. Gunshots are fired in town, but no one comes to investigate! The situation arises that requires help, but there's no one there to even offer ideas or concerns, let alone participate in the follow-up.
The author seemed to enjoy pointing out how backwards all the cultural mores and ethics were and how her characters were so good at bucking them... but she chose to write in the 1800's and there's simply no way the majority of the goings ons would have been ignored let alone accepted. It just removed any remaining - and there weren't many to start with - authentic or realistic elements.
...oh, and the book is a decent length... but I found myself wishing it was one of those books that I hate because they say it's 200pages, but really turns out that the last 60pages are chats and book previews. It just needed to be over. And by the time we finally got there, a whole section of wrapping the plot up had just been overlooked. The equivalent might be saying 'trouble still could be brewing' to 'and the tulips grew in spring'.
September 5, 2014
4/1881 (1860), San Francisco, CA; Grace Riley came to San Francisco Arms to meet with Stephen Shay (Pinkerton detective). She was supposed to get some papers from him, but he had other things on his mind & tried to rape her. She shot him dead. Grace got the papers & fled the scene of the crime.
Twin Springs Ranch White Pines, Montana; Grace (Gracie) ended up on the doorstep of
Adam Morgan (45).
Grace caught ill & Adam, Victoria Morgan (Adam daughter, 21) & Daisy (housekeeper) nursed her back to health. She revealed to Adam she was looking for Jake Curtis (20, Adam adopted son) who Grace claimed is her brother. Adam wife/mother Clara had died several years ago.
Amazingly Matthew Riley (brother, cowboy) shows up at Twin Springs Ranch. Grace & Matthew had a long history of cattle drives together. Grace (35) drove the chuck wagon & cooked for all the cattlemen.
Adam asked Matthew to stay on at his ranch. Ty Bishop (cowboy) also worked there.
Later Grace goes into town & meets Emily Spencer (Em, Jake wife, P/G, 18). The couple lived with William (Will) Spencer. He owned/ help run Four Aces (saloon). Jake worked there also.
Jake & Grace finally meet at suppertime & he tells his side of the story. He was bounced around to an orphanage, the nuns, & then the Curtis family. Jake claims Grace is not his sister.
Grace has been having terrible dreams & Adam seems to know something horrible happened to her in her past. .
Will Grace & Adam ever go see Reverend David? What about Victoria & Matthew?
Will the truth of Grace mysterious past ever be reveled?
Zane Grey eat your heart out. Well it started to get hot steamy (pg. 105; 168). Next book you write make it that way. Victoria is my kind of girl.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. Wow, a very well written mysterious wild & wooly western romantic book. It was very easy to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make great western romance movie, or mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free book (Smashwords)
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Twin Springs Ranch White Pines, Montana; Grace (Gracie) ended up on the doorstep of
Adam Morgan (45).
Grace caught ill & Adam, Victoria Morgan (Adam daughter, 21) & Daisy (housekeeper) nursed her back to health. She revealed to Adam she was looking for Jake Curtis (20, Adam adopted son) who Grace claimed is her brother. Adam wife/mother Clara had died several years ago.
Amazingly Matthew Riley (brother, cowboy) shows up at Twin Springs Ranch. Grace & Matthew had a long history of cattle drives together. Grace (35) drove the chuck wagon & cooked for all the cattlemen.
Adam asked Matthew to stay on at his ranch. Ty Bishop (cowboy) also worked there.
Later Grace goes into town & meets Emily Spencer (Em, Jake wife, P/G, 18). The couple lived with William (Will) Spencer. He owned/ help run Four Aces (saloon). Jake worked there also.
Jake & Grace finally meet at suppertime & he tells his side of the story. He was bounced around to an orphanage, the nuns, & then the Curtis family. Jake claims Grace is not his sister.
Grace has been having terrible dreams & Adam seems to know something horrible happened to her in her past. .
Will Grace & Adam ever go see Reverend David? What about Victoria & Matthew?
Will the truth of Grace mysterious past ever be reveled?
Zane Grey eat your heart out. Well it started to get hot steamy (pg. 105; 168). Next book you write make it that way. Victoria is my kind of girl.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. Wow, a very well written mysterious wild & wooly western romantic book. It was very easy to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make great western romance movie, or mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free book (Smashwords)
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
August 26, 2013
“Saving Grace”, published James Gang Publishing is the first book in the Safe Havens series by Sandy James. I read this book in a day and a half because it was really hard to put down.
The story begins in 1881. We meet Grace Riley as she tries to talk with a man of her acquaintance in his suite in the San Francisco Arms. The circumstances turn very ugly and Grace is in a struggle for her life. A gun she had hidden goes off and she sees blood on this man’s chest. She runs for her life, afraid that the law will find her and hang her.
One week later finds her at the Twin Springs Ranch outside White Pines, Montana during a heavy thunderstorm. She is at the door of the ranch house seeking Jake Curtis, her long-lost brother. Adam Morgan, the ranch owner, comes to the door to find a bedraggled, wet and sick young woman. He tells her that Jake is not there and she turns to retrace her journey, but she collapses in front of him. He takes her in and, along with his daughter Victoria, nurses her back to health meanwhile falling in love with her. She is falling in love with him too, but doesn’t want to stay because of the secret she carries about her past.
Grace’s brother Matthew, who has tried to save her by running with her, follows her to the ranch. He and Victoria don’t hit if off very well and their constant run-ins make the story more interesting.
I enjoyed this novel very much because it kept me guessing all through each page to the end. I highly recommend this book as a very good western romance novel. The characters have more problems than I can count, but it is very entertaining trying to figure out how they will survive them. I look forward to reading book two in the series, "Runaway".
I was sent a free kindle copy of this book by Night Owl Reviews in return for my honest review.
You can find this review on my blog at http://wp.me/p2pjIt-7w.
The story begins in 1881. We meet Grace Riley as she tries to talk with a man of her acquaintance in his suite in the San Francisco Arms. The circumstances turn very ugly and Grace is in a struggle for her life. A gun she had hidden goes off and she sees blood on this man’s chest. She runs for her life, afraid that the law will find her and hang her.
One week later finds her at the Twin Springs Ranch outside White Pines, Montana during a heavy thunderstorm. She is at the door of the ranch house seeking Jake Curtis, her long-lost brother. Adam Morgan, the ranch owner, comes to the door to find a bedraggled, wet and sick young woman. He tells her that Jake is not there and she turns to retrace her journey, but she collapses in front of him. He takes her in and, along with his daughter Victoria, nurses her back to health meanwhile falling in love with her. She is falling in love with him too, but doesn’t want to stay because of the secret she carries about her past.
Grace’s brother Matthew, who has tried to save her by running with her, follows her to the ranch. He and Victoria don’t hit if off very well and their constant run-ins make the story more interesting.
I enjoyed this novel very much because it kept me guessing all through each page to the end. I highly recommend this book as a very good western romance novel. The characters have more problems than I can count, but it is very entertaining trying to figure out how they will survive them. I look forward to reading book two in the series, "Runaway".
I was sent a free kindle copy of this book by Night Owl Reviews in return for my honest review.
You can find this review on my blog at http://wp.me/p2pjIt-7w.
June 26, 2014
Grace has been running, with your younger brother for 20 years. When somehting happens, something BAD, she runs again, but this time lands on the doorstep of Adam, a rancher who took in the boy she has been looking for, for as long as she has been running. Jake isnt there, but Adam knows where he is. Grace, however, falls ill and needs to rest. Once she meets up with Jake, she'll be fine and all will be will. BUT it isnt. Her brother Matthew turns up, takes a shine to Adam's daughter, Victoria. The feeling is almost entirely mutual! When the said something from before finds its way into WHite Pines, Grace's first instinct is to run, and run far. Adam stops her. But she still has to tell who Jake really is, and why she has been running. Will he hate her? Will Jake??
A delightful historical romacne, nothing too complicated, just the thing when coming down from a previous book hangover! I would have liked the secret Grace is keeping to have been kept a while longer, but that said, it didnt spoil the story for me. The relationship between Grace and Adam is lovely, it shows that even after being so badly hurt, love can bloom. Matthew and Victoria are just plain funny together when they are fighting, the mud scene turned quickly into something else. I felt somewhat for Victoria while Matthew was fighting his demons though. Some witty one liners from Will, Jake'sw father in law gave the book a lighter feel, while dealing with some difficult issues, rape of a minor being the main.
Ive read a few historical romances, and this is on the more steamier side, but that said, its nothing like the new adult books! also some violence to Grace when said something turns up. still, a really really nice read!
A delightful historical romacne, nothing too complicated, just the thing when coming down from a previous book hangover! I would have liked the secret Grace is keeping to have been kept a while longer, but that said, it didnt spoil the story for me. The relationship between Grace and Adam is lovely, it shows that even after being so badly hurt, love can bloom. Matthew and Victoria are just plain funny together when they are fighting, the mud scene turned quickly into something else. I felt somewhat for Victoria while Matthew was fighting his demons though. Some witty one liners from Will, Jake'sw father in law gave the book a lighter feel, while dealing with some difficult issues, rape of a minor being the main.
Ive read a few historical romances, and this is on the more steamier side, but that said, its nothing like the new adult books! also some violence to Grace when said something turns up. still, a really really nice read!
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