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Grace Notes
Grace Loring, a successful author haunted by the experience of being a battered wife, turned that experience into a non-fiction book on domestic violence, Hit or Miss. The book became an immediate bestseller, and both critics and readers praised her courage and honesty. Women began to contact Grace, and she willingly offered advice to others struggling with the shame and terror of domestic violence.
Now, years later, Grace has evolved into a caregiver for her brother, who has fallen prey to the crippling effects of rheumatoid arthritis. Though she adores Gus, Grace is feeling ever more pressured as his expensive care slowly drains her resources. Her daughter, twenty-two-year-old Nicky, provides most of the brightness in their lives, but Grace�s funny, clever and irreverent daughter is soon to graduate from college and leave home.
Stephanie Baine enters Grace's life via a simple e-mail saying how much she enjoys Grace's work. Grace replies and a short time later another message from Stephanie arrives, asking, "Is it really you? Or does someone else answer your e-mail for you?" Grace falls into an intense personal e-correspondence with the woman. As Stephanie chronicles intimate details about her tragic past and her present situation of escalating physical and verbal abuse, Grace seeks to console and counsel the young woman.
To her surprise, Gus cautions Grace against getting involved. "She could be anyone," her brother insists. Angered by his take on the situation, Grace ignores him and continues her e-mail correspondence, advising Stephanie to take whatever steps necessary to escape from her husband.
When Stephanie's e-mails abruptly stop, Grace is thrown into a state of dread, fearing the worst. But as she embarks upon an investigation of the sinister circumstances surrounding Stephanie's "silence," what she learns casts doubts on what she's been told. Then, when Stephanie gets back in touch, Grace is forced to wonder what is true and what isn't. Something is terribly wrong. But what?
"She could be anyone."
Who is Stephanie Baine? What does she really want?
Review from Booklist
Allen, the popular author of several works of contemporary fiction that often deals with incest, abuse, or other awful human behaviors, may be most familiar to readers for her book Daddy's Girl (1980), which detailed her own childhood and the sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her father. Here Allen tells the story of Grace Loring, a one-time victim of spousal abuse who is now a successful novelist. Despite still being haunted by her experiences, Grace often provides advice and counsel to those of her fans suffering domestic violence. She soon begins a personal correspondence via e-mail with a young woman who is suffering horrifying acts of abuse from her husband, which she describes to Grace in graphic detail. When the woman mysteriously stops writing, Grace fears the worst and begins an investigation that unearths more questions than answers. Despite its serious subject, Allen has written a gripping and diversionary read. Fans will enjoy the surprising plot twists and turns.
Now, years later, Grace has evolved into a caregiver for her brother, who has fallen prey to the crippling effects of rheumatoid arthritis. Though she adores Gus, Grace is feeling ever more pressured as his expensive care slowly drains her resources. Her daughter, twenty-two-year-old Nicky, provides most of the brightness in their lives, but Grace�s funny, clever and irreverent daughter is soon to graduate from college and leave home.
Stephanie Baine enters Grace's life via a simple e-mail saying how much she enjoys Grace's work. Grace replies and a short time later another message from Stephanie arrives, asking, "Is it really you? Or does someone else answer your e-mail for you?" Grace falls into an intense personal e-correspondence with the woman. As Stephanie chronicles intimate details about her tragic past and her present situation of escalating physical and verbal abuse, Grace seeks to console and counsel the young woman.
To her surprise, Gus cautions Grace against getting involved. "She could be anyone," her brother insists. Angered by his take on the situation, Grace ignores him and continues her e-mail correspondence, advising Stephanie to take whatever steps necessary to escape from her husband.
When Stephanie's e-mails abruptly stop, Grace is thrown into a state of dread, fearing the worst. But as she embarks upon an investigation of the sinister circumstances surrounding Stephanie's "silence," what she learns casts doubts on what she's been told. Then, when Stephanie gets back in touch, Grace is forced to wonder what is true and what isn't. Something is terribly wrong. But what?
"She could be anyone."
Who is Stephanie Baine? What does she really want?
Review from Booklist
Allen, the popular author of several works of contemporary fiction that often deals with incest, abuse, or other awful human behaviors, may be most familiar to readers for her book Daddy's Girl (1980), which detailed her own childhood and the sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her father. Here Allen tells the story of Grace Loring, a one-time victim of spousal abuse who is now a successful novelist. Despite still being haunted by her experiences, Grace often provides advice and counsel to those of her fans suffering domestic violence. She soon begins a personal correspondence via e-mail with a young woman who is suffering horrifying acts of abuse from her husband, which she describes to Grace in graphic detail. When the woman mysteriously stops writing, Grace fears the worst and begins an investigation that unearths more questions than answers. Despite its serious subject, Allen has written a gripping and diversionary read. Fans will enjoy the surprising plot twists and turns.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2002
2 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte Vale Allen
54 books40 followersCharlotte Vale-Allen was born in Toronto and lived in England from 1961 to 1964 where she worked as a television actress and singer. She returned to Toronto briefly, performing as a singer and in cabaret revues until she emigrated to the United States in 1966.
Shortly after her marriage to Walter Allen in 1970 she began writing and sold her first novel Love Life in 1974. Prior to this book's publication she contracted to do a series of paperback originals for Warner Books, with the result that in 1976 three of her books appeared in print.
Her autobiography, the acclaimed Daddy's Girl, was actually the first book she wrote but in 1971 it was deemed too controversial by the editors who read it. It wasn't until 1980, after she'd gained success as a novelist, that the groundbreaking book was finally published.
One of Canada's most successful novelists, with over seven million copies sold of her 30+ novels, Ms. Allen's books have been published in all English-speaking countries, in Braille, and have been translated into more than 20 languages.
In her writing she tries to deal with issues confronting women, being informative while at the same time offering a measure of optimism. "My strongest ability as a writer is to make women real, to take you inside their heads and let you know how they feel, and to make you care about them."
A film buff and an amateur photographer, Allen enjoys foreign travel. She finds cooking and needlework therapeutic, and is a compulsive player of computer Solitaire. The mother of an adult daughter, since 1970 she has made her home in Connecticut.
Shortly after her marriage to Walter Allen in 1970 she began writing and sold her first novel Love Life in 1974. Prior to this book's publication she contracted to do a series of paperback originals for Warner Books, with the result that in 1976 three of her books appeared in print.
Her autobiography, the acclaimed Daddy's Girl, was actually the first book she wrote but in 1971 it was deemed too controversial by the editors who read it. It wasn't until 1980, after she'd gained success as a novelist, that the groundbreaking book was finally published.
One of Canada's most successful novelists, with over seven million copies sold of her 30+ novels, Ms. Allen's books have been published in all English-speaking countries, in Braille, and have been translated into more than 20 languages.
In her writing she tries to deal with issues confronting women, being informative while at the same time offering a measure of optimism. "My strongest ability as a writer is to make women real, to take you inside their heads and let you know how they feel, and to make you care about them."
A film buff and an amateur photographer, Allen enjoys foreign travel. She finds cooking and needlework therapeutic, and is a compulsive player of computer Solitaire. The mother of an adult daughter, since 1970 she has made her home in Connecticut.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 12, 2010
Grace Notes (Charlotte Vale Allen)
Grace Loring is an established author and single mother of a 20 year old daughter. Her marriage ended when her husband became abusive, she packed up grabbed her daughter (Nicky) and headed to her brother Gus' house.
Gus is crippled with severe Rheumatoid Arthritis, Grace is his caretaker while writing her books. She is well noted for her book on abused women and is used to getting emails from battered/abused women. She is not shocked when she receives an email from a woman named Stephanie. They correspond through email for quiet some time, then for about three weeks the emails stop. Grace is concerned.
What happens next is perplexing to grace. she receives a few more emails but the "voice" in the emails appear a bit different from Stephanie. Grace begins to wonder what she got herself into, her brother and daughter were against her involvement from the beginning.
Fascinating read. Makes a person wonder who they are talking to , and what can happen when you meet someone online. I would like to read more books from Charlotte Vale Allen.
Grace Loring is an established author and single mother of a 20 year old daughter. Her marriage ended when her husband became abusive, she packed up grabbed her daughter (Nicky) and headed to her brother Gus' house.
Gus is crippled with severe Rheumatoid Arthritis, Grace is his caretaker while writing her books. She is well noted for her book on abused women and is used to getting emails from battered/abused women. She is not shocked when she receives an email from a woman named Stephanie. They correspond through email for quiet some time, then for about three weeks the emails stop. Grace is concerned.
What happens next is perplexing to grace. she receives a few more emails but the "voice" in the emails appear a bit different from Stephanie. Grace begins to wonder what she got herself into, her brother and daughter were against her involvement from the beginning.
Fascinating read. Makes a person wonder who they are talking to , and what can happen when you meet someone online. I would like to read more books from Charlotte Vale Allen.
April 6, 2009
This is the first Charlotte Allen novel I've ever read. A very well written novel that kept me turning page after page. I was so engrossed with the story of Grace and Stephanie that I felt as if I was at Grace's home. I adored Grace's daughter Nicky who is your typical 20 year old. Grace's 'manfriend' Vinnie is a hoot.I enjoyed this so much that I've already ordered two more of Allen's novels from Chapters on-line.
By the way, Charlotte Allen was born in Toronto, Canada but moved to the U.S. in 1966 and currently lives in Connecticut.
From back cover:
"Early in her marriage Grace Loring became the victim of her husband's sudden, unpredictable rages. Taking her infant daughter and a few belongings, Grace fled to the safety of her brother Gus's home in Vermont. Now, years later, Grace is a successful author.
Accustomed to abused women writing to ask for advice, Grace is sympathetic when she is contacted by a troubled young woman named Stephanie Baine. In the course of their e-mail correspondence, Stephanie reveals details of a nightmarish life-her terrifying abduction as a teenager, the psychological and physical abuse at the hands of her husband. Grace's advice is clear: Stephanie must do whatever is necessary to escape this madman.
After several weeks of an intensive exchange, the e-mails abruptly stop, and Grace begins to fear the worst for Stephanie. Then the e-mails resume, and what Grace learns casts doubt on everything she believed. Who is Stephanie Baine? Has anything she's told Grace been the truth? Is she really a young woman in danger, or is something else-something sinister, even deadly-going on?"
By the way, Charlotte Allen was born in Toronto, Canada but moved to the U.S. in 1966 and currently lives in Connecticut.
From back cover:
"Early in her marriage Grace Loring became the victim of her husband's sudden, unpredictable rages. Taking her infant daughter and a few belongings, Grace fled to the safety of her brother Gus's home in Vermont. Now, years later, Grace is a successful author.
Accustomed to abused women writing to ask for advice, Grace is sympathetic when she is contacted by a troubled young woman named Stephanie Baine. In the course of their e-mail correspondence, Stephanie reveals details of a nightmarish life-her terrifying abduction as a teenager, the psychological and physical abuse at the hands of her husband. Grace's advice is clear: Stephanie must do whatever is necessary to escape this madman.
After several weeks of an intensive exchange, the e-mails abruptly stop, and Grace begins to fear the worst for Stephanie. Then the e-mails resume, and what Grace learns casts doubt on everything she believed. Who is Stephanie Baine? Has anything she's told Grace been the truth? Is she really a young woman in danger, or is something else-something sinister, even deadly-going on?"
February 13, 2020
Famous writer begins email relationship with troubled young women.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2023
Not really much focus on the helping of the women in danger but a good plot twist at the end. The story lacked a bit of depth
August 7, 2011
I found this one to be rather run of the mill. There weren't really any surprises and the only two characters I really liked were Nicky and Vinnie. But Vinnie was way too patient. He should have lost it with Mom at some point and he never did. Not sure I'd read any other books as it appears they are all in the same vein.
April 4, 2007
Writer who leaves an abusive husband begins emailing woman who tells her she's in an abusive relationship. Writer deals with daughter and a brother crippled by RA, her responsibilities and her love. She's threatened by woman who is trying to cover for killing her husband.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2008
This story drags. I finally skimmed through the third quarter of the book to read the ending (which I almost never do), and I didn't miss a thing. There are so many great books out there, I wouldn't want to waste my time on another one like this.
July 7, 2010
Quick read, kept my interest...for awhile, then I got bored. It would make a PERFECT Lifetime Movie of the week!
February 21, 2013
A page turner, interesting characters. Another review thought the ending was obvious. I had a general idea, but not the details.
Read
August 7, 2013Read 3/02
Read
November 15, 2013it was a ok book .have read better
January 31, 2015
A little slow at the beginning but overall was a nice book. It told the story of not only domestic violence but family values as well.
December 22, 2015
Did not like the book. Sluggish plot.
December 6, 2017
Onvan : Grace Notes - Nevisande : Charlotte Vale Allen - ISBN : 1551666677 - ISBN13 : 9781551666679 - Dar 338 Safhe - Saal e Chap : 2002
March 13, 2013
Just like a Lifetime movie...slow start, last 20 pages were the most exciting.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews