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Beyond Time #1
Haunting Grace
Having endured years of an abusive marriage, Grace Evans finally walks out on her loveless marriage and boards a train for York. Within hours of arriving in the ancient city, her life is changed forever by a portrait in her hotel room.
‘Haunting Grace’, ‘Changing Grace’ and ‘Saving Grace’ have been published in short story form to allow readers the opportunity to sample Ms Marshall’s work. These three books are part of a much larger piece of work; the ‘Highland Secret Series’.
‘Beyond Time’ is a compilation of the three ‘Grace’ books and is the second book in the ‘Highland Secret Series’. ‘Beyond Time’ will soon be available in both ebook and paperback format.
The first book in the ‘Highland Secret Series’ is ‘When Fate Dictates’; a full 90 000 word novel set in the Scottish Highlands and York and is available as an ebook and paperback.
The third book of the series, ‘Entwined’, is due for release shortly and will also be available in ebook and paperback format.
‘Haunting Grace’, ‘Changing Grace’ and ‘Saving Grace’ have been published in short story form to allow readers the opportunity to sample Ms Marshall’s work. These three books are part of a much larger piece of work; the ‘Highland Secret Series’.
‘Beyond Time’ is a compilation of the three ‘Grace’ books and is the second book in the ‘Highland Secret Series’. ‘Beyond Time’ will soon be available in both ebook and paperback format.
The first book in the ‘Highland Secret Series’ is ‘When Fate Dictates’; a full 90 000 word novel set in the Scottish Highlands and York and is available as an ebook and paperback.
The third book of the series, ‘Entwined’, is due for release shortly and will also be available in ebook and paperback format.
33 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 27, 2011
9 people are currently reading
429 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Marshall
8 books119 followersElizabeth Marshall is the pen name of the author of the ‘Highland Secret Series’. She was born on Christmas Eve at St Mary’s Hospital, at the Marianhill Monastery, in the province of Natal, South Africa.
Elizabeth grew up in a small village called Hillcrest surrounded by a large Scottish farming family.
Her primary education was delivered by Nuns from the Monastery in which she was born. The teaching that Elizabeth received during her primary school days provided an invaluable foundation and grounding.
Smiling, Elizabeth recalls a gift, presented to her by Sister Domianis at the end of a school year. It was a prayer card and on it was simply written the word – Patience.
Through secondary school and into adult-hood, Elizabeth’s life centred on a love of reading, music, writing and history.
A hopeless romantic and dreamer with a head full of stories, Elizabeth wanted desperately to write.
Many real adventures later and Elizabeth is now living in the land of her ancestors and telling the stories she was born to tell.
Elizabeth grew up in a small village called Hillcrest surrounded by a large Scottish farming family.
Her primary education was delivered by Nuns from the Monastery in which she was born. The teaching that Elizabeth received during her primary school days provided an invaluable foundation and grounding.
Smiling, Elizabeth recalls a gift, presented to her by Sister Domianis at the end of a school year. It was a prayer card and on it was simply written the word – Patience.
Through secondary school and into adult-hood, Elizabeth’s life centred on a love of reading, music, writing and history.
A hopeless romantic and dreamer with a head full of stories, Elizabeth wanted desperately to write.
Many real adventures later and Elizabeth is now living in the land of her ancestors and telling the stories she was born to tell.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
September 29, 2011
I just finished reading this wonderful book. Now get a glass of wine and a nice cozy fire to curl up in front of
and listen to this great ghost story.
It is about a women Grace who has left her abusive husband and has trave to York
The story tell of how she meets a ghost from 400 years ago. She thinks she is loosing her mind.
Yet she feels close and safe with him. Things really start to happen when she see a picture of him and his wife.
You have to read it if you want to know what happens next.
and listen to this great ghost story.
It is about a women Grace who has left her abusive husband and has trave to York
The story tell of how she meets a ghost from 400 years ago. She thinks she is loosing her mind.
Yet she feels close and safe with him. Things really start to happen when she see a picture of him and his wife.
You have to read it if you want to know what happens next.
October 26, 2011
Haunted by Haunting
====================
Elizabeth Marshall might be tempted to consider herself somewhat outside her normal genre when writing ghost stories. Readers may wonder what to expect with Haunting Grace. But I'll tell you: She had me by the second paragraph.
Of the prologue.
Haunting Grace carries the same warm, human element of other Elizabeth Marshall works. We get to know main character Grace by her recent tribulations; we commisserate with her as she begins a new life, vascillating between true-ringing alternations of courage and doubt. And we wonder at a strangeness that creeps immediately into her life--so immediate that one wonders deep in the soul at the possibility of Destiny's hand.
It's difficult to say too much without spoiling this warm yet spooky human drama, so I'll be a little brief. Marshall crafts the language like she always does--deftly, softly. With heart. Her main character and support cast are all realistic, as is their dialog. Feels very real, very street-corner or office or public house. And all the while, a reader gets this odd creepy feeling.
I have to say I thought, and still think, there may be more to this tale than a short story allowed. It almost feels like the opening of a much larger, much more provocative work. All the same, it holds its own nicely, an island of questions and haunting suspense, and yes ultimate revelation, in what might be a bigger picture.
Maybe the thought of that bigger picture is what makes it seem as realistic as it does. No one's life is a twenty-minute read, after all. Grace seems real; I'm still thinking about her.
I have to say I love Marshall's style and grace, and I was caught up in this tale in a way her fans will lap up like milk. Haunting Grace is the stuff of which Marshall's magic is made.
====================
Elizabeth Marshall might be tempted to consider herself somewhat outside her normal genre when writing ghost stories. Readers may wonder what to expect with Haunting Grace. But I'll tell you: She had me by the second paragraph.
Of the prologue.
Haunting Grace carries the same warm, human element of other Elizabeth Marshall works. We get to know main character Grace by her recent tribulations; we commisserate with her as she begins a new life, vascillating between true-ringing alternations of courage and doubt. And we wonder at a strangeness that creeps immediately into her life--so immediate that one wonders deep in the soul at the possibility of Destiny's hand.
It's difficult to say too much without spoiling this warm yet spooky human drama, so I'll be a little brief. Marshall crafts the language like she always does--deftly, softly. With heart. Her main character and support cast are all realistic, as is their dialog. Feels very real, very street-corner or office or public house. And all the while, a reader gets this odd creepy feeling.
I have to say I thought, and still think, there may be more to this tale than a short story allowed. It almost feels like the opening of a much larger, much more provocative work. All the same, it holds its own nicely, an island of questions and haunting suspense, and yes ultimate revelation, in what might be a bigger picture.
Maybe the thought of that bigger picture is what makes it seem as realistic as it does. No one's life is a twenty-minute read, after all. Grace seems real; I'm still thinking about her.
I have to say I love Marshall's style and grace, and I was caught up in this tale in a way her fans will lap up like milk. Haunting Grace is the stuff of which Marshall's magic is made.
October 25, 2011
I started to read the first instalment of this trilogy and I haven't been able to put my Kindle down until I had read all three parts. I love a good ghost story and I love York as well so the two go really well together.
Grace has just left her husband and moved to York where she takes a hotel room and is fascinated by a portrait hanging in the room. From then on we follow the story of how Graces' life changes quite dramatically.
This was a real page turner and it is satisfying when you see all the threads come together at the end. The only criticism I would offer is that I would like another instalment please! I think there is room for more of the story, what happened to Jenny, Kate and Harry? And more of Graces' new life please!
Grace has just left her husband and moved to York where she takes a hotel room and is fascinated by a portrait hanging in the room. From then on we follow the story of how Graces' life changes quite dramatically.
This was a real page turner and it is satisfying when you see all the threads come together at the end. The only criticism I would offer is that I would like another instalment please! I think there is room for more of the story, what happened to Jenny, Kate and Harry? And more of Graces' new life please!
October 10, 2011
A delightful story!
I'm usually not into fantasy or anything paranormal, but Elizabeth Marshal's book turned out to be a delightful read. Just the book to curl with on the sofa.
This author has a great imagination and lots of courage to cross the borders of the accepted science facts. All these combined with the lovely characters and a very thorough researched historical setting, turned this story into a great read. Although I must to admit, after reading "When Fate Dictates" I had expected nothing less.
I'm usually not into fantasy or anything paranormal, but Elizabeth Marshal's book turned out to be a delightful read. Just the book to curl with on the sofa.
This author has a great imagination and lots of courage to cross the borders of the accepted science facts. All these combined with the lovely characters and a very thorough researched historical setting, turned this story into a great read. Although I must to admit, after reading "When Fate Dictates" I had expected nothing less.
January 1, 2012
This book is 30 pages, the second is 36 pages and the third book in this "series" is 30 pages. If you read all three books, for a total of 96 pages it is still just a short story. The premise of the book is interesting. But I will not be purchasing the rest of this series. The writing does not flow smoothly and I just don't see it being worth $1.98 to finish this book.
March 14, 2012
I downloaded Haunting Grace because it was free. It sounded like an interesting book. I wasn't disappointed. The story starts with Grace arriving in York after leaving her husband. Strange things start to happen concerning a ghost. The entire story was well written and I looked forward to reading the rest. The scenes with the ghost fascinated me. Almost as if I was there with Grace.
March 31, 2012
for such a short story its really good keeps u sucked in to the very end,i gave it 4 stars because of that reason,and minus a star because its sooo short
September 12, 2012
I loved this book, and I'm so glad I found it. It is an amazing story and a great read. I can't wait to read the next one. :)
October 8, 2017
Grace leaves her abusive husband. And in the process must leave all she knows and has; including her parents, job and even her daughter.
She comes the city of York, the most haunted city in Britain. Grace finds a nice hotel and a job. She realizes the man in the picture in her room is appearing to her everywhere she goes. He haunts even her dreams.
I found this book slow and boring, Until he last few pages. That is when I got reeled in and want to read book 2 to see where it goes. This is a short story. Only about 1 or 2 hours , 81 pages on my Nook.
She comes the city of York, the most haunted city in Britain. Grace finds a nice hotel and a job. She realizes the man in the picture in her room is appearing to her everywhere she goes. He haunts even her dreams.
I found this book slow and boring, Until he last few pages. That is when I got reeled in and want to read book 2 to see where it goes. This is a short story. Only about 1 or 2 hours , 81 pages on my Nook.
May 6, 2019
I did enjoy this book and was looking forward to reading the further two books from this series but I am unable to download them from anywhere.
July 25, 2012
Reviewed for www.bookchickcity.com
HAUNTING GRACE, CHANGING GRACE and SAVING GRACE are three short stories that together comprise a novella. At the time of writing this review, they are all free to download on Kindle (UK), so I thought I’d give them a whirl. As they are all essentially three parts of one story, I’ve found it easier to review them as one. Each are a quick read, and I read each in the space of an hour. So if you fancy something a little bit different one evening, they’re worth picking it up.
The stories follow Grace, a woman escaping her manipulative and abusive vicar husband. Grace is a brave women with a sad past, who also begins to wonder if she’s starting to lose her mind when she begins to see the ghost of local legend Robert Hamilton. The three stories follow her starting anew, being haunted and afraid she’s losing her sanity, so hold onto your hats… a bit of crazy time travel.
The writing did feel a bit clumsy at times, the flow not always as smooth as it could have been. But by the second story this had either improved or I had got used to the author’s style. It made me wonder if this was perhaps the author’s first piece of writing, as it did just feel stilted in certain sections.
HAUNTING GRACE builds the tension quite nicely, you get a real sense of spooky mystery around the ghost that is plaguing Grace and her loneliness. CHANGING GRACE moves on as she comes to terms with the hauntings, but more and more begins to question her sanity.
She was going to have to register with a doctor; there was nothing else for it. [...] She couldn’t possibly be allowed to roam the streets in this condition. She was a danger to herself and everyone around her.
You feel sorry for Grace, but also a little irritated by how everyone else seems to willingly accept the hauntings and also the belief that Grace is somehow going to travel through time.
Then of course comes SAVING GRACE and we’re transported to the 17th century. Enter the real Robert Hamilton and the anticipated love story. The love story was nice, even if the chemistry was perhaps not as smoking as I would have liked. I enjoyed seeing Grace get her happy ever after. Although, perhaps there is a subsequent story planned but I felt somewhat disappointed about how the threads regarding Grace’s daughter were left.
VERDICT:
The stories were an ok read, but if I’m honest not the best I’ve ever picked up. I enjoyed the ghostly aspects of the narrative. Normally a lover of time-travel romances, I felt this aspect was under-developed. Overall I felt like it just needed stepping up a gear and the writing could have been smoother. But never-the-less I did not begrudge my reading time either.
HAUNTING GRACE, CHANGING GRACE and SAVING GRACE are three short stories that together comprise a novella. At the time of writing this review, they are all free to download on Kindle (UK), so I thought I’d give them a whirl. As they are all essentially three parts of one story, I’ve found it easier to review them as one. Each are a quick read, and I read each in the space of an hour. So if you fancy something a little bit different one evening, they’re worth picking it up.
The stories follow Grace, a woman escaping her manipulative and abusive vicar husband. Grace is a brave women with a sad past, who also begins to wonder if she’s starting to lose her mind when she begins to see the ghost of local legend Robert Hamilton. The three stories follow her starting anew, being haunted and afraid she’s losing her sanity, so hold onto your hats… a bit of crazy time travel.
The writing did feel a bit clumsy at times, the flow not always as smooth as it could have been. But by the second story this had either improved or I had got used to the author’s style. It made me wonder if this was perhaps the author’s first piece of writing, as it did just feel stilted in certain sections.
HAUNTING GRACE builds the tension quite nicely, you get a real sense of spooky mystery around the ghost that is plaguing Grace and her loneliness. CHANGING GRACE moves on as she comes to terms with the hauntings, but more and more begins to question her sanity.
She was going to have to register with a doctor; there was nothing else for it. [...] She couldn’t possibly be allowed to roam the streets in this condition. She was a danger to herself and everyone around her.
You feel sorry for Grace, but also a little irritated by how everyone else seems to willingly accept the hauntings and also the belief that Grace is somehow going to travel through time.
Then of course comes SAVING GRACE and we’re transported to the 17th century. Enter the real Robert Hamilton and the anticipated love story. The love story was nice, even if the chemistry was perhaps not as smoking as I would have liked. I enjoyed seeing Grace get her happy ever after. Although, perhaps there is a subsequent story planned but I felt somewhat disappointed about how the threads regarding Grace’s daughter were left.
VERDICT:
The stories were an ok read, but if I’m honest not the best I’ve ever picked up. I enjoyed the ghostly aspects of the narrative. Normally a lover of time-travel romances, I felt this aspect was under-developed. Overall I felt like it just needed stepping up a gear and the writing could have been smoother. But never-the-less I did not begrudge my reading time either.
March 20, 2016
I know exactly why I purchased this book—it takes place in northern England near Scotland (York to be precise), there's a young woman down on her luck and a mysterious fellow haunting her. It has all the elements I adore in my lighter reads. Plus it's a short story so it was a quick read!
I admired Grace's tenacity to make it on her own after years in a loveless marriage. What it must take to walk away from a toxic relationship and start it over is mind-boggling to me. And days after getting out there on her own, Grace is trying to help someone else. You can't help, but marvel at that. Plus Grace is a big reader!
"She had fallen absolutely and utterly in love with the main characters. A dreamer by nature, Grace read to escape the harsh reality that had been her life with Jack. In books she could be whoever she wanted to be and go wherever she wanted to go. Fantasy, romance, thriller, it didn't matter as long as it took her away from Jack."
At the end of the story, I wanted more time with Harry and more history about Robert Hamilton and his wife. Based on Grace's brief encounters with Harry, he knows more about the parallel worlds of York and more about Robert Hamilton and his wife than is shared in the story. I especially wanted to know more about these shared planes of existence. But, alas, this is just a short story and not all secrets are shared in just 30 short pages.
Haunting Grace by Elizabeth Marshall gets a thumbs up. It was a short, lighter read with a nice twist at the end.
Note: I believe this short story is now part of a larger series. The description fits book 2 of the Highland Secrets series listed on Amazon.com.
This review was originally posted on Second Run Reviews.
I admired Grace's tenacity to make it on her own after years in a loveless marriage. What it must take to walk away from a toxic relationship and start it over is mind-boggling to me. And days after getting out there on her own, Grace is trying to help someone else. You can't help, but marvel at that. Plus Grace is a big reader!
"She had fallen absolutely and utterly in love with the main characters. A dreamer by nature, Grace read to escape the harsh reality that had been her life with Jack. In books she could be whoever she wanted to be and go wherever she wanted to go. Fantasy, romance, thriller, it didn't matter as long as it took her away from Jack."
At the end of the story, I wanted more time with Harry and more history about Robert Hamilton and his wife. Based on Grace's brief encounters with Harry, he knows more about the parallel worlds of York and more about Robert Hamilton and his wife than is shared in the story. I especially wanted to know more about these shared planes of existence. But, alas, this is just a short story and not all secrets are shared in just 30 short pages.
Haunting Grace by Elizabeth Marshall gets a thumbs up. It was a short, lighter read with a nice twist at the end.
Note: I believe this short story is now part of a larger series. The description fits book 2 of the Highland Secrets series listed on Amazon.com.
This review was originally posted on Second Run Reviews.
July 23, 2012
I'm not sure how to rate this short story. I don't care for most short stories and this one is really short. It ends on a completely unnecessary cliffhanger. The next two stories in this "trilogy" appear to be just as short, so I'm not sure why they were not combined into a single short novella. For how short it is and how abruptly (and unnecessarily) it stops mid-story, I want to give it only one star. BUT...
I was pleasantly surprised by the writing. Most of the freebies I've read are clearly "free" for a reason. But this one actually has a fairly good quality of writing. Not brilliant or great, but pleasant to read. Most of the things the characters say and do actually make sense, if they are bizarrely coincidental. However, I did at first think this was a historical story until the heroine mentioned a television in her hotel room and buying a new phone to replace her Blackberry. So the sense of time could have been better detailed early on in the tale. But it's a fun, pleasant to read, if predictable ghost story. This almost makes me want to give it three starts. I'm almost tempted to give it four stars just because the writing is such an improvement over the last "freebie" I read.
But in the end, I was too unsatisfied with the abrupt ending and lack of greater detail in the story, so I'm going to settle on two stars.
If you don't mind very short stories and like ghost stories that are not at all scary, you might like this. If you're looking for world building and character development, I suggest finding another, longer book.
I was pleasantly surprised by the writing. Most of the freebies I've read are clearly "free" for a reason. But this one actually has a fairly good quality of writing. Not brilliant or great, but pleasant to read. Most of the things the characters say and do actually make sense, if they are bizarrely coincidental. However, I did at first think this was a historical story until the heroine mentioned a television in her hotel room and buying a new phone to replace her Blackberry. So the sense of time could have been better detailed early on in the tale. But it's a fun, pleasant to read, if predictable ghost story. This almost makes me want to give it three starts. I'm almost tempted to give it four stars just because the writing is such an improvement over the last "freebie" I read.
But in the end, I was too unsatisfied with the abrupt ending and lack of greater detail in the story, so I'm going to settle on two stars.
If you don't mind very short stories and like ghost stories that are not at all scary, you might like this. If you're looking for world building and character development, I suggest finding another, longer book.
January 26, 2016
Haunting Grace:
Grace has escaped her marriage and old life. She was brave enough to stash money away then open an account in her name. She has now arrived in York, free. She settles in a hotel and finds a job. Unfortunately she keeps seeing the face of the man in the portrait in her room. She doesn’t understand why but it is starting to scare her. She finds out his name is Robert Hamilton who lived in the 1600s. She is even dreaming of him at night.
She is unsure of anything as the dreams seem real and time seems to blur. She starts seeing him at the pub and learned Robert once owned it. The current owner, Harry, has seen the past owner himself. Grace is scared to accept that she is being haunted by a ghost but she is strangely drawn to the story.
This book kicks off the series. It is a short read but a good one. I couldn’t put it down. I absolutely loved Grace from the beginning. She has taken charge of her life, leaving behind an abusive situation. She is a strong woman.
She is hesitant and unsure but willing to try. She is a very realistic character that is dropped into a ghost story. She ends up in the most haunted city in Britain. The story is a fascinating start. It leaves the reader wanting more. I’m wanting to read the next book after the shock Grace receives in the end of this one. I give it a 4 out of 5.
Grace has escaped her marriage and old life. She was brave enough to stash money away then open an account in her name. She has now arrived in York, free. She settles in a hotel and finds a job. Unfortunately she keeps seeing the face of the man in the portrait in her room. She doesn’t understand why but it is starting to scare her. She finds out his name is Robert Hamilton who lived in the 1600s. She is even dreaming of him at night.
She is unsure of anything as the dreams seem real and time seems to blur. She starts seeing him at the pub and learned Robert once owned it. The current owner, Harry, has seen the past owner himself. Grace is scared to accept that she is being haunted by a ghost but she is strangely drawn to the story.
This book kicks off the series. It is a short read but a good one. I couldn’t put it down. I absolutely loved Grace from the beginning. She has taken charge of her life, leaving behind an abusive situation. She is a strong woman.
She is hesitant and unsure but willing to try. She is a very realistic character that is dropped into a ghost story. She ends up in the most haunted city in Britain. The story is a fascinating start. It leaves the reader wanting more. I’m wanting to read the next book after the shock Grace receives in the end of this one. I give it a 4 out of 5.
December 1, 2011
Grace is unhappy in her marriage. She decides to pack her things and leaves her husband and daughter behind. She moves to York, finds a job and is staying at a hotel. In her hotel room hangs a portrait of the man who used to own the place. The man in the portrait starts to haunt Grace in a most peculiar way... and I think she kind of likes it.
This very short story is well written and is one of three books in the series. All of the books in the series are short in length. The very last sentence will definitely make you want to read the rest of the books to see what the heck is going on.
I'm a woos when it comes to ghost stories but I found that this one wasn't so bad. It was a little slow in the beginning but I think that had more to do with the fact that I knew it was a ghost story and was anticipating the jumping out of my skin parts... which again didn't come BUT the book is interesting enough.
I say try it! You might like it.
This very short story is well written and is one of three books in the series. All of the books in the series are short in length. The very last sentence will definitely make you want to read the rest of the books to see what the heck is going on.
I'm a woos when it comes to ghost stories but I found that this one wasn't so bad. It was a little slow in the beginning but I think that had more to do with the fact that I knew it was a ghost story and was anticipating the jumping out of my skin parts... which again didn't come BUT the book is interesting enough.
I say try it! You might like it.
November 12, 2013
Short, sweet and to the point. Overall this was a decent story with an interesting premise. However (and this may just be me) I found the writing a little tiresome. I just couldn't get invested in any of the characters as I really know nothing about them. I'm not even sure what Grace looks like (may have missed something there) and the overuse of the characters names during conversation got really irritating. To be honest I found it a bit amateurish but again this is just my opinion. I started reading the second book but I just can't get into it, so I think this is a short story-series that I will have to pass on.
May 22, 2013
I enjoyed this quick, short read with a cliff hanger. I was also happy to have the other two books in which the story continues. It was an interesting, ghost, time travel, story with a wonderful ending at the end of book 3. Really, grab these books, you won't regret it if you are into those genres.
August 23, 2012
Definitely well written and interesting. I'm only disappointed in the abrupt ending. It was a good spot to end on to make a cliff hanger but was just so abruptly done. I will definitely read the next books in the series.
April 16, 2012
I really enjoyed this short story and can't wait to see what happens in the next one.
March 16, 2012
Fun and quick read. I wish that there had been more to it, but I believe that it is a continuing series. I would love to read the rest to see how the story finally comes together.
April 6, 2012
2.5 stars
A decent story, but not complete. I imagine that if all 3 short stories were printed together, it would be complete.
A decent story, but not complete. I imagine that if all 3 short stories were printed together, it would be complete.
October 3, 2014
Read 37% of this and really didn't like it.
July 2, 2012
Pretty good for a short story, which I usually do not care for.
July 16, 2012
I enjoyed reading this little tale but it was very predictable and far too short!
August 18, 2012
I enjoyed reading these short stories just wish they would have been full length novels.
August 24, 2012
It's part of a 3 book story, all very short. The third one had an abrupt ending that made me wonder if that was it...and it was.
January 30, 2013
Not my cup of tea. Not big on really short stories.
October 8, 2012
nook. short book 81 pages. freebie.
September 15, 2012
This book is a great way for people who like paranormal things, like time travling and other creepy things.
November 10, 2012
in this short story, Grace discovers herself being haunted by Robert Hamilton after she moves into a hotel room that was first Roberts' some 400 years earlier
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews