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Saving Grace
After spending most of her life on the streets of Toronto, Taylor Sinclair suddenly finds herself in the lap of luxury as she attempts to protect Gray Rowan, a woman she’s idolized since she was ten years old, from becoming a repeat victim of escaped serial rapist/murderer Ralph Morse. The connection the two women share quickly develops into a deep friendship, something that Taylor denied herself for years. Just when Taylor begins to believe in herself, her world turns upside down. Taylor’s past becomes fuel for the insatiable appetite of the media, triggering a police investigation targeting her abusers. Taylor has to deal with the horrors of her past if she has any hope of making it through the Police Academy or developing a relationship with the gorgeous Caillen Worthington.
432 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 11, 2013
9 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Hewlett
12 books36 followersThis Scottish-born Canadian writer has returned to her roots. Originally planning to spend a year exploring Scotland, she has moved permanently to her birth city of Edinburgh and is loving life there.
Wendy began writing in earnest in 2011, after being laid off during the economic decline of the big three auto companies in North America. Her first novel, Saving Grace, has received a 5-Star Readers Choice Award and set the stage for the Taylor Sinclair Series of novels that have followed to date – Unfinished Business, Runed, and Trafficked.
Strong female characters are Wendy’s passion and most of her main protagonists have suffered through childhood trauma, coming out the other side as strong, determined women. After Saving Grace was published, Wendy was awed and inspired by the women who contacted her to thank her for helping them to heal from their own childhood trauma. As a former Addictions counsellor, Wendy is well aware that there are far too many people, men and women, who have suffered trauma in their youth. The fact that she can help with their healing through her writing is humbling and motivating.
Wendy is preparing to release her latest novel, the first in a brand new series set in Edinburgh, Scotland featuring Detective Constable Maggie Glass. Each book in this series will be inspired by or based on a piece of Scottish history. She can’t wait for you to read it!
Wendy’s other passions include reading, spending time with family and friends, and travelling and exploring Scotland. She hopes to spend more time travelling around Scotland, England, Wales, and Ireland … and possibly beyond.
She misses her son and the rest of her family back in Canada, but plans to visit them regularly or have them visit her in Scotland.
Visit the author's website wendyhewlett.com for the links to your favourite bookstore.
Wendy began writing in earnest in 2011, after being laid off during the economic decline of the big three auto companies in North America. Her first novel, Saving Grace, has received a 5-Star Readers Choice Award and set the stage for the Taylor Sinclair Series of novels that have followed to date – Unfinished Business, Runed, and Trafficked.
Strong female characters are Wendy’s passion and most of her main protagonists have suffered through childhood trauma, coming out the other side as strong, determined women. After Saving Grace was published, Wendy was awed and inspired by the women who contacted her to thank her for helping them to heal from their own childhood trauma. As a former Addictions counsellor, Wendy is well aware that there are far too many people, men and women, who have suffered trauma in their youth. The fact that she can help with their healing through her writing is humbling and motivating.
Wendy is preparing to release her latest novel, the first in a brand new series set in Edinburgh, Scotland featuring Detective Constable Maggie Glass. Each book in this series will be inspired by or based on a piece of Scottish history. She can’t wait for you to read it!
Wendy’s other passions include reading, spending time with family and friends, and travelling and exploring Scotland. She hopes to spend more time travelling around Scotland, England, Wales, and Ireland … and possibly beyond.
She misses her son and the rest of her family back in Canada, but plans to visit them regularly or have them visit her in Scotland.
Visit the author's website wendyhewlett.com for the links to your favourite bookstore.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 24, 2021
A stunning novel that is both heartwrenching and powerful. Fast-paced and beautifully written, I could barely put this one down. When Taylor shows up at the house of reclusive author, Gray, a whirlwind story emerges detailing the horrific abuse that Taylor endured. The man that killed her sister, and also abused Gray, is only the beginning.
I loved the characters, especially Taylor and Chris. I must admit, I wasn't the biggest fan of Cail, but he came around by the very end, lol.
The drawings that Taylor done were beautiful (well, the ones in the white folder. The ones in the black folder tore my heart in two!) Taylor is an unbelievably strong woman, and I'm still in awe of her courage and her strength. She deserves all the happiness in the world, and I'm excited for book 2! Although I might need a day or two to recover from this one, I've been on an emotional roller coaster, lol. Wendy Hewlett is one of my favourite authors; this is the third book I've read and I can't wait to read another!! Thank you for a wonderfully emotional story!!
I loved the characters, especially Taylor and Chris. I must admit, I wasn't the biggest fan of Cail, but he came around by the very end, lol.
The drawings that Taylor done were beautiful (well, the ones in the white folder. The ones in the black folder tore my heart in two!) Taylor is an unbelievably strong woman, and I'm still in awe of her courage and her strength. She deserves all the happiness in the world, and I'm excited for book 2! Although I might need a day or two to recover from this one, I've been on an emotional roller coaster, lol. Wendy Hewlett is one of my favourite authors; this is the third book I've read and I can't wait to read another!! Thank you for a wonderfully emotional story!!
June 23, 2018
This is quite possibly the longest book I've ever read, and I don't mean that in terms of how many pages it had or even how long it took me to read, but in terms of the sheer emotional journey the author took me on.
Taylor Sinclair is a woman of mystery, but gradually throughout the book, we learn more about her and her shocking past, which has helped craft the woman she is today. I had no idea where this plot was going to take me, I just had to buckle up and hang on. The author pulls no punches. Life is hard. Life is unfair. Life is cruel. And the author shows just how hard, unfair and cruel by the events that play out within the pages of this novel.
The plot is sharp and precise, using wonderful imagery so you can imagine yourself seeing life through the characters eyes. Her characters are amazing people, people I'd like to have as friends. Even one, whom on first encounter I assumed was going to be the villain of the piece, turned himself around to become one of my favourites. And I love that showing humans as what they are, human, flawed and capable of making the most horrendous mistakes in the heat of the moment.
The writing is excellent, no typos I could see, and the punctuation, grammar and formatting are very professional.
There was so much I loved about this book, maybe the only thing that had me rolling my eyes occasionally, was how perfect the main character was sometimes. After all she'd been through, I would have expected the odd personality flaw, but that is a minor quibble and in no way detracts from the solid five stars I am awarding this novel. I tend to lean towards complex and deeply flawed characters and love it when I find them in a book.
There are a few adult intimate scenes in the book, and the author handles those nicely and without any unnecessary fuss or bother. They are simply there because the plot calls for them, and that is that.
If you like your books fast-paced, with strong female leads and an intriguing, suspenseful plot, then this is definitely the book for you. The first in a series, I have already purchased the next book as I am curious to see where the author is going to take Taylor (and us) next.
Overall, a strong and sophisticated debut novel which leaves no doubt this is one author to keep an eye on.
Taylor Sinclair is a woman of mystery, but gradually throughout the book, we learn more about her and her shocking past, which has helped craft the woman she is today. I had no idea where this plot was going to take me, I just had to buckle up and hang on. The author pulls no punches. Life is hard. Life is unfair. Life is cruel. And the author shows just how hard, unfair and cruel by the events that play out within the pages of this novel.
The plot is sharp and precise, using wonderful imagery so you can imagine yourself seeing life through the characters eyes. Her characters are amazing people, people I'd like to have as friends. Even one, whom on first encounter I assumed was going to be the villain of the piece, turned himself around to become one of my favourites. And I love that showing humans as what they are, human, flawed and capable of making the most horrendous mistakes in the heat of the moment.
The writing is excellent, no typos I could see, and the punctuation, grammar and formatting are very professional.
There was so much I loved about this book, maybe the only thing that had me rolling my eyes occasionally, was how perfect the main character was sometimes. After all she'd been through, I would have expected the odd personality flaw, but that is a minor quibble and in no way detracts from the solid five stars I am awarding this novel. I tend to lean towards complex and deeply flawed characters and love it when I find them in a book.
There are a few adult intimate scenes in the book, and the author handles those nicely and without any unnecessary fuss or bother. They are simply there because the plot calls for them, and that is that.
If you like your books fast-paced, with strong female leads and an intriguing, suspenseful plot, then this is definitely the book for you. The first in a series, I have already purchased the next book as I am curious to see where the author is going to take Taylor (and us) next.
Overall, a strong and sophisticated debut novel which leaves no doubt this is one author to keep an eye on.
February 26, 2015
I want to thank the author for sending me a copy of Saving Grace to review. I also acknowledge that the subject matter of this novel is both brave and emotional for the author to tackle. The story line is good; descriptive and linear. I was a little disappointed to find a number of edit flaws in the story. The characters and plot lines were well-constructed, but there were parts of the story when I found all of the main characters to be a little too mellow-dramatic or not entirely genuine, despite the emotional subject matter of the book. I understand the author's intent to build these characters; however, some of their actions were repetitive to the point of frustration for the reader i.e. a lot of crying and running. The author painted a visual of the scenes, which were engaging and I particularly liked the action scenes. I thought that more could have been left to the reader's imagination and intuition to fill in the blanks concerning the characters' actions, perceptions and emotions -- show, don't tell. The writing was strictly prosaic; in this vein, I felt there were opportunities to use metaphors, monologues, flashbacks to Taylor's daily life on the streets, or other writing techniques to bring the pages to life and engage the reader more deeply into the psyche of the characters. Some of the book was like watching a tennis match. The dialogue was raw, and mostly appropriate or in context; although, at times I felt the foul language could have been diluted or simply not used in certain scenarios. I was glad that the romantic/sex scenes weren't overly graphic. I commend the author on the accomplishment of her first novel and writing subsequent novels. I may follow Taylor into the next chapter of her experiences.
December 7, 2018
This book deals with subjects that are very hard, but continue happening a lot in today's society, all around the world. It's heartwrenching to think of what some childre are subjected to, and I commend the author on her braveness to choose such a theme for a novel, one that we all know is sadly far too common than we want to admit. The story is a good one and sheds light on these things, although sometimes the writing was a bit repetitive.
November 30, 2013
Overall I really enjoyed reading this book.
The characters were well written and the story was quite gripping. However, I think that it got a little repetitive in terms of scenes, reactions and things that were said by the characters.
The characters were well written and the story was quite gripping. However, I think that it got a little repetitive in terms of scenes, reactions and things that were said by the characters.
August 30, 2019
This is one of the best books that I have read in a long time and I read a lot of books. The hero, Taylor, has a heart wrenching story and circumstances that she has overcome. This book and the one that she fictionally wrote during the story are an inspiration to any youth who find themselves in circumstances that they cannot live with.
This book has every element. It runs the entire gamut of emotions. You will laugh, cry and gasp with horror. It is well written, gives you each of the main characters perspectives on every situation and also delves into their backgrounds, enhancing the story enormously.
I could not put it down once I started reading it and I cannot wait to read the other books in the series.
Well done, Wendy.
This book has every element. It runs the entire gamut of emotions. You will laugh, cry and gasp with horror. It is well written, gives you each of the main characters perspectives on every situation and also delves into their backgrounds, enhancing the story enormously.
I could not put it down once I started reading it and I cannot wait to read the other books in the series.
Well done, Wendy.
June 9, 2018
Taylor Sinclair might be intuitive, or a visionary; either way she puts two and two together right at the beginning of this story and opens up a whole mess of painful secrets.
She makes it her mission to catch a psychopathic murdering rapist from her own past but the problem is that it's a cold case from over a decade ago; and will the media interference force her to give up her quest.
Enjoyed the plot, lots of dialogue (which I happen to like) and the epilogue wrapped it up nicely for me. It made me want to read the sequel where I assume Taylor fights crime in her new role.
She makes it her mission to catch a psychopathic murdering rapist from her own past but the problem is that it's a cold case from over a decade ago; and will the media interference force her to give up her quest.
Enjoyed the plot, lots of dialogue (which I happen to like) and the epilogue wrapped it up nicely for me. It made me want to read the sequel where I assume Taylor fights crime in her new role.
August 5, 2018
This book deals with a really tough topic with sensitivity. It does not go into in-depth detail of the abuse in the girls' past, but you know it happened. And you learn how each woman deals with the aftermath.
Taylor - determined survivor of abuse and the streets
Gray - awesome woman and author
Their lives have similarities, yet very different paths.
But this book is about so much more; deep friendships, trust building, and hope.
The characters are all well rounded, and it's beautifully written.
Really powerful stuff!
Taylor - determined survivor of abuse and the streets
Gray - awesome woman and author
Their lives have similarities, yet very different paths.
But this book is about so much more; deep friendships, trust building, and hope.
The characters are all well rounded, and it's beautifully written.
Really powerful stuff!
March 8, 2019
The author makes you feel like you are actually in the book. From the first word, I had been hooked. Couldn't put it down. The characters come to life on each page. Twists and turns everywhere. Great crime suspense ....
August 27, 2020
This was a truly engrossing, heart-wrenching, and engaging read. Following the life and ordeals that Taylor Sinclair had lived and endured had me riveted. A compelling story about abuse, neglect, violence, and through it all, courage, bravery and determination to put all the darkness behind and move forwards with life. Now that I'm hooked, I need to find out more in the continuing books, 2 and 3.
December 29, 2019
Taylor Sinclair has grown up on the streets where haunted by the traumas of her past, she trusts no-one and relies only on herself. When she learns the rapist/murderer Ralph Morse has escaped prison, she sets out to protect the woman responsible for his conviction and finds herself being drawn into friendship.
I love a feisty female lead, so this book was right up my street. It’s also a long read, so by the end I felt connected with all the characters and was sad to say goodbye. The author does a great job with the subject of Taylor’s traumatic past. While the reader is made aware of the horrors she experienced, Hewlett does not assault with graphic details. This results in a powerful but sensitive handling of a difficult subject. I enjoyed the great mix of dialogue and action in this book. The pace keeps moving along nicely and the characters are all believable. There are two more books in this series and I’m looking forward to seeing how Taylor and Co. develop. A solid five stars.
I love a feisty female lead, so this book was right up my street. It’s also a long read, so by the end I felt connected with all the characters and was sad to say goodbye. The author does a great job with the subject of Taylor’s traumatic past. While the reader is made aware of the horrors she experienced, Hewlett does not assault with graphic details. This results in a powerful but sensitive handling of a difficult subject. I enjoyed the great mix of dialogue and action in this book. The pace keeps moving along nicely and the characters are all believable. There are two more books in this series and I’m looking forward to seeing how Taylor and Co. develop. A solid five stars.
August 20, 2020
Taylor Sinclair is a street rat. At least that what her abuser called her. The truth is so much deeper in Wendy Hewlett's amazing, disturbing and beautiful novel.
Hearing that the abductor and murderer of her sister has escaped custody, Taylor rushes to protect the one woman whose survival put him away. What she finds at the home of Gray Rowan is the beginning of a long journey of recovery from her own horrific past.
Saving Grace is a peculiar book in that I struggled to pigeonhole it, bearing elements of the detective thriller and compelling self discovery. Taylor is strong, vulnerable, driven and frustrating in equal measure and she's just one of a slew of cleverly drawn characters that sneak up and grab your heart.
Maybe not perfect, but still five stars for taking me on a surprising and touching ride amidst the trauma.
Hearing that the abductor and murderer of her sister has escaped custody, Taylor rushes to protect the one woman whose survival put him away. What she finds at the home of Gray Rowan is the beginning of a long journey of recovery from her own horrific past.
Saving Grace is a peculiar book in that I struggled to pigeonhole it, bearing elements of the detective thriller and compelling self discovery. Taylor is strong, vulnerable, driven and frustrating in equal measure and she's just one of a slew of cleverly drawn characters that sneak up and grab your heart.
Maybe not perfect, but still five stars for taking me on a surprising and touching ride amidst the trauma.
September 12, 2014
I loved this book! Romance and suspense all set in our very own backyard - Ontario! So glad I have the second in the series to continue on. Hope her third book in the series is almost ready!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews