"A Killer's Grace" review by Alison Taylor

Thank you to Alison Taylor for today's review of: ”A Killer’s Grace” and thank you WOW! Women on Writing for allowing us this opportunity to participate in the book blog tour with Ronald Chapman.

Alison's Review:

I was blown away by Ronald’s Chapman’s novel “A Killer’s Grace” for a multitude of reasons. Chapman’s style really connects to the reader on many levels including but not limited to: suspense, trauma, nature, relationships, and spirituality.

I was immediately hooked from the time Kevin Patcairn (main character/journalist) received a letter from a convicted murderer. The criminal is begging to be understood rather than be labelled a “monster” for the horrific crimes he has committed. I’ve always been a sucker for crime stories and this one proves no different. It delves into the criminal psyche and tries to show a potential “reason” or “root cause” for the unacceptable behavior. As a special education teacher, I observe and work with a variety of behaviors, but it’s the story and rationale behind these behaviors that can really stimulate or paralyze positive change. To be successful, I realize the importance of seeing beyond the action and moving into the grey area of “why?” This is where growth and change can happen – beneath the surface and beyond the superficial.

Throughout the novel, Chapman weaves in Pitcairn’s shortcomings. Namely alcoholism and acts committed under the influence of drugs and alcohol. This gives Pitcairn a kindred-ness or a common thread (if you will) with the convicted killer. Chapman crafts an amazing connection between the healing needed by both the journalist and criminal. Time and time again, he weaves in a thread of trauma and the cyclical effect it has on our fragile humanity. The truth is those who experience trauma very often commit traumatic acts on others or inwardly in their own lives (ie: self-destructive tendencies).

After reading this book, I must visit New Mexico!! I thoroughly enjoyed the setting of “A Killer’s Grace” and appreciate how Chapman used Pitcairn’s hikes throughout the novel as his therapy. Chapman’s beautiful storytelling style allowed me to see the colors and feel the air as I read. Pitcairn’s hikes with his dogs were so meaningful and therapeutic for both Pitcairn and the reader. A true example of the healing effects that nature and walking can have on a person.

One of my most favorite parts of the book were the relationships. I so loved the supportive and unending love between “Cito” and Maria Elisa. I also appreciated the amazing bond between Pitcairn and his two AA sponsors. The author clearly did a lot of research into the recovery process as well as the beliefs of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Innocence. Forgiveness. Interconnectedness. I knew I liked the book, but it took a totally unexpected turn for me when it introduced a very deep and complex dive into spirituality. Mind blown! This book made me reconsider my own judgements towards others and reminded me to look deep into myself prior to pointing any fingers at others.

Chapman is a true artist. Not only is he is able to develop intriguing characters and an interesting plot, but on top of that urges his readers to examine some important social issues as well.





Bio: Alison Taylor is an educator, a mother, a wife, a friend, and oh so much more. She lives along the Branch River in beautiful rural Wisconsin with her husband and four children. Alison's favorite authors include Nickolas Butler and Glennon Doyle Melton.

A Killer’s Grace will stay with you long after you finish reading the final page. From the high desert of New Mexico comes a tale of mystery, murder and redemption. When journalist Kevin Pitcairn receives a disturbing letter from a serial killer, he is drawn into a compelling journey with profound psychological and spiritual implications, not just for the murderer, but for himself and society as a whole. As he tries to investigate and then tell the story, he finds himself battling his own inner demons and sordid history. Events conspire to propel an isolated matter to a national stage and audiences that are increasingly hostile. Forced to explore the roots of human psychology and sanity, Pitcairn must navigate moral and philosophical realms. What is the nature of evil? What powers of choice do humans actually possess? How may we be redeemed? And in the end, how do we reconcile with ourselves?

“…a work of fction, it was inspired by a real letter from a serial killer…important and compelling… will stay with you long after the last page.”
—Kam Aures, reviewer for Rebecca’s Reads

“A Killer’s Grace delves deep into the human psyche… Those who have experienced abuse or violence in their own lives will not only relate to the story, but may find their own self-discovery journey unfolding alongside Kevin’s.”
—Paula Renaye, author, Living the Life You Love: The No-Nonsense Guide to Total Transformation

Paperback: 240 Pages
Genre: Fiction/Spirituality
Publisher: Terra Nova Books; 2 edition (September 1, 2016)
ISBN-10: 1938288750
ISBN-13: 978-1938288753

A Killer’s Grace is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and IndieBound.

About the Author:


Ronald Chapman is owner of an international speaking and consulting company, Magnetic North LLC. In addition to international accreditation as a speaker and national awards for radio commentary, he is the author of two novels, My Name is Wonder (Terra Nova Publishing, 2016) and A Killer's Grace (Terra Nova Publishing, 2016 and 2012), two works of non-fiction, Seeing True: Ninety Contemplations in Ninety Days (Ozark Mountain Publishing, 2008) and What a Wonderful World: Seeing Through New Eyes (Page Free Publishing, 2004) and the producer of three audio sets, Seeing True: The Way of Spirit (Ozark Mountain Publishing, 2016, 2005), Breathing, Releasing and Breaking Through: Practices for Seeing True (Ozark Mountain Publishing, 2015), and Seeing True – The Way of Success in Leadership (Magnetic North Audio, 2005). Ron provides a wide array of social media content at www.SeeingTrue.com, content for people in substance abuse recovery at www.ProgressiveRecovery.org, and other content from his master site, www.RonaldChapman.com. He holds a Masters in Social Welfare from The University at Albany (New York.) Prior to his relocation to Atlanta, Georgia in 2008, he was a long-time resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Ronald can also be found online at:

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1338592.Ronald_Chapman

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/seeingtrue/

----------Blog Tour Dates

Monday, August 29 @ The Muffin
Stop by for an interview and book giveaway!
http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/

Tuesday, August 30 @ Linda Loves Chocolate
Linda reviews A Killer's Grace by Ronald Chapman; find out what she had to say after reading this highly acclaimed novel!
http://lindaloveschocolate.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, August 31 @ Selling Books with Cathy Stucker
Cathy Stucker interviews Ronald Chapman about his highly acclaimed novel A Killer's Grace
http://www.sellingbooks.com/

Thursday, September 1 @ Choices with Madeline Sharples
Find out what fellow author Madeline Sharples has to say about Ronald Chapman's latest novel A Killer's Grace.
http://madelinesharples.com/

Friday, September 2 @ Bring on Lemons with Tara Forst
Tara Forst shares her thoughts and ideas after reading the highly acclaimed novel A Killer's Grace by Ronald Chapman
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/

Monday, September 5 @ Bring on Lemons with Penny Harrison
Wisconsin business woman and mompreneur Penny Harrison shares her thoughts and feelings after reading A Killer's Grace by Ronald Chapman - don't miss this exciting blog stop.
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, September 6 @ Writers Pay it Forward
The lovely MC Simon takes time to review A Killer's Grace by Ronald Chapman. She shares her thoughts with her readers in today's insightful post.
http://writerspayitforward.org/

Wednesday, September 7 @ Bring on Lemons with Alison Taylor
Educator and mom of four Alison Taylor reviews A Killer's Grace by Ronald Chapman. Alison offers her ideas and insight to readers at Bring on Lemons!
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/

Thursday, September 8 @ Linda Appleman Shapiro
Renowned speaker, historian, memoirist, and psychotherapist Linda Appleman Shapiro reviews A Killer's Grace by Ronald Chapman. You won't want to miss this insightful review.
http://applemanshapiro.com/category/book-reviews/

Friday, September 9 @ Mari McCarthy's Create Write Now
Mari McCarthy at Create Write Now hosts Ronald Chapman on the topic of "The Power of Mentors and Teachers in our Lives". You won't want to miss this guest post and an opportunity to learn more about Chapman's novel A Killer's Grace.
http://www.createwritenow.com/

Monday, September 12 @ The Muffin
Crystal Otto of WOW! Women on Writing shares her review with readers of the Muffin. Find out how Crystal felt after reading Ronald Chapman's novel A Killer's Grace.
http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/

Tuesday, September 13 @ Beverley A Baird
Beverley A Baird reviews A Killer's Grace by Ronald Chapman. Find out more about this highly acclaimed novel.
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/

Wednesday, September 14 @ Book Santa Fe
Elizabeth Seratt reviews Ronald Chapman's A Killer's Grace.
http://www.booksantafe.info/blog

Thursday, September 15 @ Bring on Lemons
Cathy Kwilinski reviews Ronald Chapman's A Killer's Grace.
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/

Friday, September 23 @ Renee's Pages
Tange Dudt reviews A Killer's Grace by Ronald Chapman; find out what she had to say after reading this highly acclaimed novel!
http://reneespages.blogspot.com/

Get Involved! If you have a website or blog and would like to host one of our touring authors or schedule a tour of your own, please email us at blogtour@wow-womenonwriting.com.