Accolades
2011 Winner of the Houston Writers Guild Novel Contest
2010 Winner of the Writers League of Texas Manuscript Contest
2012 Winner of the Houston Writers Guild Ghost Story Contest
2012 USA Best Book Winner, Nonfiction
2013 USA Best Book Award Winner, Nonfiction
2014 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Quarter-finalist
2014 USA Best Book Award Winner, Fiction
The Katie & Annalise Series, including Saving Grace
“An exciting tale . . . twisting investigative and legal subplots . . . a character seeking redemption…an exhilarating mystery with a touch of voodoo.” – Midwest Book Review Bookwatch
“A lively romantic mystery.” – Kirkus Reviews
“A riveting drama . . . exciting read, highly recommended.” – Small Press Bookwatch
“Katie is the first character I have absolutely fallen in love with since Stephanie Plum!”– Stephanie Swindell, Bookstore Owner
“Engaging storyline…taut suspense.” – MBR Bookwatch
The Emily Series
“Grabs you by the throat from the get-go for a suspenseful, rollicking ride.” — Ken Oder, author of The Closing
“Full of heart, humor, vivid characters, and suspense. Hutchins has done it again!” – Gay Yellen, author of The Body Business
“Hutchins is a master of tension.” – R.L. Nolen, author of Deadly Thyme
“Intriguing mystery . . . captivating romance.” – Patricia Flaherty Pagan, author of Trail Ways Pilgrims
“In my book . . . the makings of a great novel: cheating husbands, murder, and hot cowboys.” — Melissa Algood, contributing author, Eclectically Criminal
The Michele Series
“Immediately hooked." – Terry Sykes-Bradshaw, author of Sibling Revelry
"Spellbinding." – Jo Bryan, Dry Creek Book Club
"Fast-paced mystery." – Deb Krenzer, Book Reviewer
"Can't put it down." – Cathy Bader, Reader
"Full of real characters and powerful emotions." Rhonda Erb, Editor
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Saving Grace
By Pamela Fagan Hutchins
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For Eric, of course
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An excerpt of Saving Grace, under the working title Leaving Annalise, won the 2010 Writers League of Texas Manuscript Award, in the Romance Category. That’s pretty darn cool, especially since it’s not a Romance, although it contains some. Another excerpt won top “Ghost Story” from the Houston Writers Guild in 2012.
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Saving Grace
By Pamela Fagan Hutchins
Copyright © 2012 Pamela Fagan Hutchins
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Acknowledgements
Huge thanks to my editor Meghan Pinson, who managed to keep my ego intact without sacrificing her editorial integrity. Thanks of generous proportions to my critique partners, without whose encouragement and honesty I would not be publishing this book. The biggest thanks go to my Cruzans: husband Eric, friend Natalie, and house Annaly. They are the ones who inspired me to dream up stories in the islands. Eric gets an extra helping of thanks for plotting, critiquing, editing, listening, holding, encouraging, supporting, browbeating, and miscellaneous other roles, some of which aren’t appropriate for publication.
Thanks also to princess of the universe Heidi Dorey for fantastic cover art. Heartfelt appreciation to Alayah for good eyes and a spirit of adventure.
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Saving Grace is a complete work of fiction. Period. Any resemblance to actual persons, events, or places is just good luck.
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Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-five
Chapter Twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-seven
Chapter Twenty-eight
Chapter Twenty-nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-one
Chapter Thirty-two
Chapter Thirty-three
Chapter Thirty-four
Chapter Thirty-five
Chapter Thirty-six
Chapter Thirty-seven
Chapter Thirty-eight
Chapter Thirty-nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-one
Chapter Forty-two
Chapter Forty-three
Chapter Forty-four
Chapter Forty-five
Chapter Forty-six
Chapter Forty-seven
Chapter Forty-eight
Saving Grace (What Doesn’t Kill You, #1): A Katie Romantic Mystery Page 1