Saving Grace

By: Aubrey Wynne

Narrated by: Sara K. Sheckells

Length: 3 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

A tortured soul meets a shattered heart....

Chloe Hicks' life consisted of an egocentric ex-husband, a pile of bills, and an equine business in foreclosure until a fire destroys the stable and her beloved ranch horse. What little hope she has left is smashed after the marshal suspects arson. She escapes the accusing eyes of her hometown, but not the memories and melancholy.

Jackson Hahn, Virginia Beach's local historian, has his eyes on the mysterious new woman in town. When she arrives in Pungo, he is struck by her haunting beauty and the raw pain in her eyes. Her descriptions of the odd events happening in her bungalow pique his curiosity.

The sexy historian distracts Chloe with the legend of a woman wrongly accused of witchcraft. She is drawn to the story and the similarities of events that plagued their lives. Perhaps the past can help heal the present. But danger lurks in the shadows....

©2017 Plato Publishing (P)2017 Aubrey Wynne

Sweet, clean, confusing . .

I very much enjoyed the story. I found that Chloe finds that her life gets turned upside down with the destruction of her barn and death of her beloved horse. She finds that it was odd to have her ex wanting her back. To get away for it all for a bit she takes off for some solace. There she meets an old acquaintance, Jackson. They both find that there is more to the site that Chloe calls her temporary home than meets the eye.

I enjoyed the backstory of Grace, but I found that it was more interesting than the lead story. I wanted to see a real romance bud between Chloe and Jackson. It was more just a words to let you know. I felt more of connection to the crazy ex than I did the short time with Jackson.

The performance Sara K. Sheckells gave was good but at the same time just not enough. Her voice was rich and full of life. The audio was smooth and clear. Even at the speeds that I listen. I was just wanting more from the story.

A mix of two unrelated stories

Chloe’s life is working with horses, but a sudden arson and the threat of her ex-husband coming for her, pushes Chloe to seek refuge camping close to the ancient town of Virginia Beach. There she will meed a charming historian and will connect with the ghost of a famous witch.

I understand this book wanted to transmit the story of the Pungo Witch, but somehow the feeling I got from it was that Whynne mixed two different stories, confusing the listener. About the first third of the book deals with Chloe’s situation and the ongoing investigation about who burnt her barn. Also the loss of her most precious mare, and the threat posed by her ex-husband. Spending the first third of the book focused on this creates certain expectations on the listener, making them think that the story will continue on this plot line. But then we switch to a completely different scenario. Chloe camping close to an old town and experiencing the presence of a ghost. First, who would just go camping in the middle of the woods to hide from a dangerous ex-husband? Wouldn’t it be safer just to stay at a friend’s place? Maybe more predictable, but what then if the ex-husband decided to tail Chloe? That option would have been my last choice.

Despite these minor issues, the book was entertaining, and it allowed me to learn the story of the Pungo witch. It’s scary to think about what humans are capable of due to ignorance and fear. I hope that learning about historical mistakes will bring some light and hope for the present and future.

This was not the first time I had the opportunity of enjoying Sara K. Sheckells’ narration. She’s versatile, has a very soothing voice and has a decent voice range. The thing Sheckells does best is transmitting emotions, though. It’s like listening to real people’s feelings.

I received a copy of this book in audio format from the author in exchange for an honest review.

You'll want more

Saving Grace was so good I didn't want it to end. The use of historical information made this story come alive. I love how the author wonder reality, fiction and the paranormal into a seamless tale of a woman standing strong when everyone would understand if she broke. The use of a woman long gone to give her support, comfort and assistance is brilliant. I definitely want more.

Fast paced, fun story that kept my attention

Even though Saving Grace is only a little over three hours long, it's packed full and really moves along. Aubrey Wynne did a great job of interweaving Chloe's story in with that of Grace, who used to live in the bungalow that she is staying at after her stables are set ablaze in a suspected arson case. Chloe meets Jackson while staying at the bungalow, who is also the brother of one of her friends and the local town historian, and together they unravel Grace's story set in the past, as the investigation into the stable fire continues. I don't want to go into more detail because I don't want to give away any spoilers, but it's a good listen. Sara Sheckells has a lovely voice and did a great job narrating this book. I'd listen to another of her performances in the future.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher for an honest review.

I didn't realize how sucked I would become

Where does Saving Grace rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

definitely within the top 5 of the books I've listened to

What other book might you compare Saving Grace to and why?

There is nothing like Saving Grace....it is a very unique and incredible book

Which scene was your favorite?

Paul going after Mike for the asshole moves he continues to make

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

100% definitely....unfortunately life got in the way

Any additional comments?

I volunteered to review this book without any promises about the review (the rating or the posting).

The moment I saw the cover and read the blurb, I knew that this book had everything I wanted and more. I didn’t realize how much this book would suck me in. I would become. I never wanted it to end and truly hope that Ms. Wynne does a second book with these characters. I was extremely surprised to find out that there really was a Pungo Witch and that her ghost is said to still be a part of the current history of Virginia Beach. That was just the icing on the top of a 5 tier cake.

The following is my personal opinion and thoughts about many aspects of this book and its author.

COVER: ✯✯✯✯✯ - Absolutely stunning. What more can I say. The past and present are both represented in this cover. And adding a horse...which also has meaning to the story...well...that’s more icing on the cake.

PLOT: ✯✯✯✯✯ - There was a lot of thought and planning to this plot. Everything word and action had a reason and a purpose. The history lesson I learned was well researched and I’m so happy I didn’t know previously the Grace Sherwood had really “existed”. An awesome job.

WRITING STYLE: ✯✯✯✯✯ - Ms. Wynne’s words allowed vivid and descriptive scenes to play out in my mind like a personal movie. I’m a huge fan of descriptive writing and Ms. Wynne didn’t fail to deliver.

NARRATOR: ✯✯✯✯ - This is the only thing about this book that I find fault in. And I have to admit that it was only in the first few chapters. I felt Ms. Sheckells was unsure of the narrating in the beginning, but once she hit her stride the words were like magic. Her range for each character left no doubt who was speaking. And, her emotions hit exactly as they should have depending on the section of the book. Personally, I would rather had her go back and redo the first few chapters (or minutes) just to rid me of this persistent nagging I was left with. Overall, however, an excellent job but a very talented narrator.

CHARACTERS: ✯✯✯✯✯ - Each of the characters were true to life.
Chloe is very calm and playful. Paul was the perfect “father figure” and protector.
Mike is the self-absorbed and angry a**hole that I have come to expect from ex-husbands.
Dottie is the mother I have always dreamed of having. Very outspoken and afraid of no one.
Jackson was sweet and lovable. I fell for him right away.
And, Grace. What can I say? A woman with a heart of gold. A caring, compassionate woman who fell on a string of bad luck due to the close-minded people of her generation.

OVERALL FLOW: ✯✯✯✯✯ - I can’t find one flaw in the flow of this story or the flow of the narration. Suburb job done by both Ms. Wynne and Ms. Sheckells.

After a fire destroys her barn, killing her prized horse, Chloe Hicks is informed that it may have been arsen. To add to her increasing troubles her ex-husband begins to make accusations around town causing her further stress. At the urging of her mother and good friend, Paul, she leaves town till the “heat” dies down. While in Muddy Creek, Chloe begins to experience strange things. Through her best friend Chloe meets Jackson and together they put together the pieces of the strange occurrences.

Even though Grace and Chloe lived in different time periods, I saw similarities in the lives they led. How their independent natures gave them strength to fight against their own type of evil. The saying “we girls have to stick together” is very true in this book. I believe that is the main reason Grace never moved on. And for Chloe’s sake I’m grateful to know there are supernatural forces out there that shouldn’t be explained.

Under no circumstances was I approached by the author to read or review this book. I offered without any agreement or promise for any compensation. I am voluntarily giving my opinion about this book. My only affiliation with the author is that I am a fan and want to support by reading and posting this review of my own free will.

AWESOME!!!!

What a book. I loved how the author wove two stories into one from different times. This book is full of many facets from strong characters who know how to preserver, a witch, a talisman, history facts, a stalker, a romantic interest, wonderful pets, hope and a great storyline. I thought the narrator did an excellent job with the various emotions needed and was able to create the right sense of urgency. This is a standalone book by a very talented author whom I am grateful to have found. I will definitely listen to more of her books. I requested this review copy audiobook and have voluntarily written this review. I can't recommend this book enough. It really is worth listening to and the ending did a fantastic way of tying the two stories together.

Very Entertaining!

What did you love best about Saving Grace?

The storyline

What did you like best about this story?

This was a very good book. Narration was also very good. Has a story line twist that makes you wonder what will happen next. Looking forward to the next book.

Have you listened to any of Sara K. Sheckells’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Very Good

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Love this book!

This is my first book by Aubrey Wynn. She had my from the authors note! I knew instantly I was going to love this book and I was right. I will skip a recap of the storyline as that’s what the book blurb is for instead I will say It is so well written with characters I loved immediately, well except for Mike who I instantly hated. I loved both Grace’s and Chloe’s story’s and how the book followed them both at the same time. This book has everything I love, Great characters, strong supportive friendships, real life history of 17th century witchery, a magic orb, a sweet love story and of course the wonderful canines Emma and BW and the horses. I would love to go shopping at Enchanted Keepsakes. After finishing the book I immediately researched Grace Sherlock the real life witch of Pungo as I couldn’t get enough of this story.
Lastly Sara K Schekells did an amazing job with narration. Get the book. You will love it!

Great story

This is an intriguing story, I loved how it went from present to past. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it. The narration was great

Entertaining, Narrator does a great job

Sweet story with some suspense! I enjoy Aubrey Wynne's story telling, and how she blends the past with the present. I enjoyed the bit of ghostly element as well. I listened to the audio for Saving Grace, and the narrator does a great job. The narrator's voice fits the tone of the story very well, and she gives a clear performance. Chloe awakens to her barn on fire, she receives some burns from trying to rescue her horses, but she's physically okay. Chloe runs a horse business, and she can't do that with her barn burnt down. Unfortunately, the police suspect arson, so this throws a wrench into some of Chloe's plans. On top of this mess, Chloe's ex-husband is trying to win her back. Chloe isn't feeling safe at her ranch, so she decides to go away for a little while until the police find the culprit. While away, Chloe has some ghostly experiences. The premise makes this story seem like it focuses more on romance, but I don't think it really does. I enjoyed the romance elements, but I would've liked for there to be more. I still really enjoyed the whole story though. It's very interesting, and I loved that there's scenes that take place in the past. Wonderful story!