When Lady Johanna learned that she was a widow, she vowed she would never marry again. Only sixteen, already she possessed a strength of will that ...
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Nov 06, 2011
Dina
rated it: 
Having heard such high praise about this book, I had sky-high expectations and expected to be blown away by it. Unfortunately, that didn't happen - not in the firsst half of the story, anyway. It took me a long time to like Gabriel - too arrogant and distant - and Johanna - too ditzy and scared. At one point, I was ready to scream if he told her to rest one more time! That was funny at first, like a recurring joke, but it got old pretty fast - probably because she didn't put a stop to it soon en
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Nov 14, 2011
Holly
rated it: 
Re-read 11/14/11 - LOVE!
This is one of my top 5 favorite Julie Garwood books. I absolutely adore everything about it from the setting to the characters.
The overall message - that women are just as important as men - could have become preachy, but it didn't. Joanna dealt with a lot during her first marriage and I like that Garwood addressed her issues. She was a strong character who really came into her own throughout this book. My heart ached for her and all she endured.
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This is one of my top 5 favorite Julie Garwood books. I absolutely adore everything about it from the setting to the characters.
The overall message - that women are just as important as men - could have become preachy, but it didn't. Joanna dealt with a lot during her first marriage and I like that Garwood addressed her issues. She was a strong character who really came into her own throughout this book. My heart ached for her and all she endured.
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Nov 04, 2011
Amanda
rated it:
I actually heard about this book on an Historical Fiction thread and decided I'd branch out from my Regencies. Married off young to an abusive husband, Lady Johanna has become a scared, withdrawn woman, but with her husband dead, Prince John is determined to marry her off to another so her information will stay within his control. Her brother, however, marries her off to a Highland lord, gentle but very commanding and reticent. He's intrigued by her beauty, but annoyed at her cowardice, thinking
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Aug 11, 2011
Mia
rated it:
Where to begin?
In fear of sounding pathetic, I'd have to say that Julie's Saving Grace found me.
My aunt works in a hotel, and they always find books left behind (I know, blasphemers!). They store them neatly in shelves and, my guess is, wait for someone to take them home.
I was 9 or 10 at the time, when she brought me in to pick something out for myself.
English being a foreign language and all, I really didn't know which one to pick, so I reached my hand More...
In fear of sounding pathetic, I'd have to say that Julie's Saving Grace found me.
My aunt works in a hotel, and they always find books left behind (I know, blasphemers!). They store them neatly in shelves and, my guess is, wait for someone to take them home.
I was 9 or 10 at the time, when she brought me in to pick something out for myself.
English being a foreign language and all, I really didn't know which one to pick, so I reached my hand More...
May 20, 2011
Cyndy
rated it:
If Nora Roberts is the queen of contemporary romance fiction, then Julie Garwood is arguably the queen of period romance. One excellent example of her command of the genre is her New York Times bestseller Saving Grace.
::: True Love in Feudal England :::
Lady Johanna was married to the brutal Baron Raulf at the age of 13. After his death, her foster brother arranges for her to be married to a Scottish laird, Gabriel MacBain, now running her late husband's land holding in Scotla More...
::: True Love in Feudal England :::
Lady Johanna was married to the brutal Baron Raulf at the age of 13. After his death, her foster brother arranges for her to be married to a Scottish laird, Gabriel MacBain, now running her late husband's land holding in Scotla More...
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Jul 02, 2010
Harmonybites
rated it: 
This is set in Britain in 1206 and revolves around a 16 year old English girl, Johanna, who was married for three years to an abusive husband, then second time around marries a Scottish laird, Gabriel, in an arranged marriage. I did actually stick it out to the end with this novel and enjoyed some of it. On the other hand, there were parts that struck me as implausible, there were the usual style issues that seem endemic to romance (God, the Ping-pong point of view problems in these books!), not
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May 19, 2010
Crista
rated it:
Julie Garwood's style of writing humorous yet emotionally deep romances puts her in an elite group of writers that I would say are "sure things". Saving Grace is in the same league as all her stories are and I recommend it highly.
Johanna is unlike many of Garwood's heroines in that she was married before and was abused by her husband and also by her priest. She is afraid, of nearly everything, which is unlike Garwood's normally self sufficient strong women. You can tolerate More...
Johanna is unlike many of Garwood's heroines in that she was married before and was abused by her husband and also by her priest. She is afraid, of nearly everything, which is unlike Garwood's normally self sufficient strong women. You can tolerate More...
Jan 03, 2010
Lady
rated it:
Review courtesy of: http://escapebetweenthepages.blogspot......
Have you ever found yourself reading a certain book over and over again. Not because you didn't understand it, but because it was just that good? That is how I feel about Saving Graceby Julie Garwood. This book has it all. When I first bought it, I read it straight through, never putting it down, except for the occasional potty break.
After looking over the elegant cover, with its simplistic style and inviting More...
Have you ever found yourself reading a certain book over and over again. Not because you didn't understand it, but because it was just that good? That is how I feel about Saving Graceby Julie Garwood. This book has it all. When I first bought it, I read it straight through, never putting it down, except for the occasional potty break.
After looking over the elegant cover, with its simplistic style and inviting More...
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Nov 10, 2011
Valen
rated it:
This was a fast read for me. It's like I breezed through this book without a second glance on what's around me. I totally had my eyes locked on what's going to happen next.
It wasn't that exciting for me in terms of climactic events. I was waiting for that shocking secret or event that would put everything together in place but I didn't get it. I was hoping for that deep impact when Johanna tells her secret to Gabriel but I didn't feel it. It was a mellow ride for me. Nothing spont More...
It wasn't that exciting for me in terms of climactic events. I was waiting for that shocking secret or event that would put everything together in place but I didn't get it. I was hoping for that deep impact when Johanna tells her secret to Gabriel but I didn't feel it. It was a mellow ride for me. Nothing spont More...
Feb 27, 2010
Karen
rated it:
I'll start by letting you know I was torn between giving this book 3 stars and 4 stars. Maybe I could have given it 3.5 stars. I only recently started reading Julie Garwood novels and really enjoying them, so I immediately ordered more. This book did not get the best reviews from some of her other followers, but I thought I'd give it a go anyway.
I did enjoy this book. Maybe I am easily pleased...particularly when the main man is a Scottish Highlander.
There were times in the book th More...
I did enjoy this book. Maybe I am easily pleased...particularly when the main man is a Scottish Highlander.
There were times in the book th More...
Oct 18, 2009
Tasha
rated it:
I think I am finishing up the last of the Garwood books, she is one of my favorites because she does historic romance which is my favorite. This was another good one, I would probably go 3.5 stars and it's because she does an amazing job of writing fear and distrust into Lady Johanna's character who had been abused in first marriage. She did a great job with creating it but of course it was unrealistic to think someone could move past it so quickly and completely but that's why it's a romance
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Mar 04, 2010
Miglet
rated it:
I found this paperback at a used book sale in San Diego. The prices were paperbacks $.25 and hardcovers $.50...how can you not pick up a weather beaten historical romance by an author you've never heard of with such a bargain. Two days later, I finished the book, immediately Googled Julie Garwood and ordered 2 more used historical romances by her to be delivered ASAP. I always think of "Saving Grace" as Julie Garwood's first book, but it wasn't. It's because it was my first, and, as
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Sep 26, 2010
Jane
rated it:
Good but not great. This was an enjoyable read, but I had two minor problems with it.
The characters were simple and predictable. Johanna was too syrupy, sweet and perfect. She recommended that the Scots not rob other Scots, but barter instead. She was good with bow and arrow. When she told stories to children, she had the female be the hero/rescuer. Also, one historical inaccuracy bothered me. She told people to use salve on cuts to avoid infection, yet germs and infections we More...
The characters were simple and predictable. Johanna was too syrupy, sweet and perfect. She recommended that the Scots not rob other Scots, but barter instead. She was good with bow and arrow. When she told stories to children, she had the female be the hero/rescuer. Also, one historical inaccuracy bothered me. She told people to use salve on cuts to avoid infection, yet germs and infections we More...
Jul 27, 2010
Slavena
rated it:
This one was not very good. I do love Ms Garwood’s work but this book was very uninteresting until page 200 or so. Once you get past half of the book the story becomes very engaging.
Lady Johanna an abused ex wife of English baron is married to a Scottish laird who is in charge of 2 clans who do not understand each other very well. The love that blooms between the 2 characters is almost immediate but the story lags big time until the moment Johanna decides that she will act for the good of More...
Lady Johanna an abused ex wife of English baron is married to a Scottish laird who is in charge of 2 clans who do not understand each other very well. The love that blooms between the 2 characters is almost immediate but the story lags big time until the moment Johanna decides that she will act for the good of More...
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Nov 14, 2011
Melissa
rated it:
Johanna is a young girl in an arranged marriage to a brutal Baron. He beats her because he feels it is his right (as taught by the local Bishop). She endures this for three years before the Baron is killed. She is grateful for his death and tries with all her might to avoid any future marriages thinking they will all be like this one. Her brother (Nicholas) feels it is safer for her if she is wed. Johanna has a secret that affects the King of England and needs a protector. Nicholas marries
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Mar 13, 2011
Jess
rated it:
I don't know what it is about these books with the Highland Lairds, but I'm in love with all of them. There are not that many writers that I enjoy reading both their contemporary romance and historical romance but Garwood is one of them. She writes both genres so well and I find myself enjoying every book I read by her.
This book was about an Englishwoman named Johanna who was widowed and being asked by her king to marry another baron. Johanna had no interest in marrying the baron and More...
This book was about an Englishwoman named Johanna who was widowed and being asked by her king to marry another baron. Johanna had no interest in marrying the baron and More...
Nov 28, 2010
Sandy
rated it:
Sometimes you just want to escape into a book and that's what I do when I read Julie Garwood's historical romances. I don't try to analyze the characters or find fault with them or the storyline. I just relax, read and let my imagination meld with the words. I've read this book again and again over the years and it's still an enjoyable love story for me. I'm a sucker for them but I do love the humor that Garwood brings to many of her historical romances. There are other books that I've give
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Jan 22, 2012
Shannon
rated it:
This will probably be my last Julie Garwood book for awhile. I've read so many of them now that they are starting to all run together. This book wasn't bad by any means, but I think part of me is beginning to get burnt out. Too many highland romances is making me feel a bit blah. So I think I'll have to turn to something else to read now.
Johanna was the typical beautiful, sweet-natured heroine of JG books. However, there was one thing that set her apart. Johanna isn't an innocent, b More...
Johanna was the typical beautiful, sweet-natured heroine of JG books. However, there was one thing that set her apart. Johanna isn't an innocent, b More...
Apr 02, 2011
Mommaseymour
rated it:
So-So Romance
Recommend: Great read for summer vacation by a lake, or just an easy read to pass the time.
positives:
*good main female character. Johanna is determined to stay a widow due to her horrible first marriage. She has a great independent spirit.
*Gabriel-nice tall sexy highlander. Really what more could you ask for in a main character. His background is up and down as well.
*Lots of little power plays and the match power match between them bounce More...
Recommend: Great read for summer vacation by a lake, or just an easy read to pass the time.
positives:
*good main female character. Johanna is determined to stay a widow due to her horrible first marriage. She has a great independent spirit.
*Gabriel-nice tall sexy highlander. Really what more could you ask for in a main character. His background is up and down as well.
*Lots of little power plays and the match power match between them bounce More...
Jul 17, 2011
Kathie (katmom)
rated it:
What an ADVENTURE...
Lady Johanna, widowed at 16 after 3 years of HIDEOUS ABUSE in her marriage...forced to marry again by the King's command.
BUT her foster brother convinces his friend, Gabriel MacBain to take her as a wife. He has to convince her too. The deciding factor was Gabriel's 4 y/o son...Johanna has been called barren and now she can have a son. Doesn't hurt that Gabriel is kind either.
I loved watching Johanna find her backbone...and her love for More...
Lady Johanna, widowed at 16 after 3 years of HIDEOUS ABUSE in her marriage...forced to marry again by the King's command.
BUT her foster brother convinces his friend, Gabriel MacBain to take her as a wife. He has to convince her too. The deciding factor was Gabriel's 4 y/o son...Johanna has been called barren and now she can have a son. Doesn't hurt that Gabriel is kind either.
I loved watching Johanna find her backbone...and her love for More...
Mar 03, 2010
Sam
rated it:
This is a historical romance set in the Highlands during the 14th century. I would rate this as a 3.5 star book. It was enjoyable and a really nice quick read.I read it in 2 settings.
Johanna is a English lady that finds out that her abusive husband has been killed and then she is informed that due to her land holdings the King has pledged her to Scottish Clan leader Gabriel MacBain for marriage. They fall in love, and the dead husband comes back to claim her. . .
There More...
Johanna is a English lady that finds out that her abusive husband has been killed and then she is informed that due to her land holdings the King has pledged her to Scottish Clan leader Gabriel MacBain for marriage. They fall in love, and the dead husband comes back to claim her. . .
There More...
Jul 10, 2011
ErinReadsTooMuch
rated it:
This one was OK. It kind of dragged out a little bit longer than I think it really needed to. But I liked the fact that once the Hero realized he was in love with his wife, he didn't try to fight it. I also liked that he actually appreciated it when his wife took control and spoke her mind. Most of the Heros in her medieval books want their women to be submissive and obedient. It was a good story, and I liked the characters, especially the Heroine. She came from a very abusive situation, a
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Mar 09, 2011
Judith
rated it:
Was it just me or did this book seem incredibly long? It usually takes me a day or two to read a romance if I'm really into it. This one took days. I'm giving it 3 stars because Garwood can write well, but I am not giving it more because this story was frankly dull in the middle. I have read maybe 700-800 romance books of all genres and this wasn't my first Garwood, however, this one was just too slow. It takes place in 13th century England and Scotland. It's the story of Lady Johanna, married a
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Jan 21, 2012
Celina
rated it:
"You are my saving grace." It reminds me a lot of the song, Saving Grace by the Maine and that's why it sort of makes me cry.
<spoiler>
My favorite parts of this book are when Johanna tries to lecture them about standing up politely when a woman enters or stands and when she says, "There are other ways to enter the keep," "There are other ways to skin a fish,"
Gabriel (oh, how I love that name! archangel name adds up to the equation) is a More...
<spoiler>
My favorite parts of this book are when Johanna tries to lecture them about standing up politely when a woman enters or stands and when she says, "There are other ways to enter the keep," "There are other ways to skin a fish,"
Gabriel (oh, how I love that name! archangel name adds up to the equation) is a More...
Dec 22, 2011
MichelleKCanada
rated it:
Wonderful add to my Julie Garwood collection.
http://anotherlookbookreviews.blogspot.c...
I put up both covers of Saving Grace because I have both books. Julie Garwood books are so timeless. The cover may change and age but her stories go on and on regardless of the decade.
I have a stack of Julie Garwood books on my shelf. I haven't read them all yet. I try to pace myself because I just love them so much that I don't want to run out of her historicals. Sadly this dep More...
http://anotherlookbookreviews.blogspot.c...
I put up both covers of Saving Grace because I have both books. Julie Garwood books are so timeless. The cover may change and age but her stories go on and on regardless of the decade.
I have a stack of Julie Garwood books on my shelf. I haven't read them all yet. I try to pace myself because I just love them so much that I don't want to run out of her historicals. Sadly this dep More...
Sep 03, 2011
Stevie
rated it: 
I feel like two people wrote this book. The last half of the book was good, and very much like the Julie Garwood books I have read. She has a wonderful way to create a vivid scene of total chaos between all the characters in one event. The dialogue quite humorous. But the first half of the book was a constant scattering of unorganized thoughts from each character. Johanna, to me was a complete wishy-washy ditz in the first half of the book. If I had to read one more time of what she decided in h
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Dec 23, 2011
MichelleKCanada
rated it:
http://www.anotherlookbookreviews.blogsp...
I put up both covers of Saving Grace because I have both books. Julie Garwood books are so timeless. The cover may change and age but her stories go on and on regardless of the decade.
I have a stack of Julie Garwood books on my shelf. I haven't read them all yet. I try to pace myself because I just love them so much that I don't want to run out of her historicals. Sadly this depletion is the case. I only have a few left that I More...
I put up both covers of Saving Grace because I have both books. Julie Garwood books are so timeless. The cover may change and age but her stories go on and on regardless of the decade.
I have a stack of Julie Garwood books on my shelf. I haven't read them all yet. I try to pace myself because I just love them so much that I don't want to run out of her historicals. Sadly this depletion is the case. I only have a few left that I More...
Aug 18, 2010
Trang
rated it:
Just cant go wrong with a Julie Garwood Book!! Saving Grace was another wonderful read that kept me intrigued and in awe throughout all the pages.
Lady Johanna was saved by her "Maker" when she is informed her abusive husband for the last three years has died. With her spirits lifted she spends the next year in London to find out she has to get married again. When Lady Johanna meets her future husband, Gabriel she is instantly frightened because he is such a huge man with a More...
Lady Johanna was saved by her "Maker" when she is informed her abusive husband for the last three years has died. With her spirits lifted she spends the next year in London to find out she has to get married again. When Lady Johanna meets her future husband, Gabriel she is instantly frightened because he is such a huge man with a More...
Aug 13, 2010
Janelle
rated it:
Yet another story of a seemingly puny English woman who is quickly married to a large, handsome and daunting Laird of the Highlands of Scotland. Lady Johanna is told her husband has died. Her husband was a baron who was ruthless and abusive. He warred with the highlands and took over a clans land. Once the baron was presumed deceased, the land became Lady Johanna's. In order for the King of England not to force her to marry another baron, Johanna's brother arranges for her to marry the Laird of
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