Dignity & Grace by Alison Ragsdale
Date of Release: July 27, 2020
Summary:
On her 21st birthday, gifted cellist Iona Muir receives a package from her estranged father containing a letter from her mother, Grace, a talented musician who tragically died ten years earlier. Reeling from what she reads, Iona soon discovers a mysterious, faded photograph of Grace, hidden inside her cello case.
Honoring her mother’s request, Iona visits Grace’s beloved music teacher, taking the first step on an emotional trail of discovery that has been left for her. As Grace’s story unfolds, Iona gains a deeper insight into the mother she lost and the heartbreaking truth about Grace’s last months. The more Iona learns, the more she is drawn back to her family home, on the remote Scottish island of Orkney, and to her father.
Serena visited Scotland, too! She Loved Edinburgh Castle!
Reviewer: Serena Soape
Alison Ragsdale has touched my heart deeply with this poignant, heart-wrenching novel.
With recently losing my mom, “Dignity & Grace “ evoked many emotions from the very first page when Iona received the package from her Dad about the things that her mother wrote her so many years ago.
The characters were magnificently interesting as they were introduced during Iona’s emotional journey. I felt like I was sitting next to Iona as she traveled from place to place.
Alison Ragsdale has a brilliant writing style that never disappoints, through both the smiles as well as the tears.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for fair and honest review.
5 Stars.
I never visited Scotland! But, Alison Ragsdale truly had the Orkney Islands and the Ring of Brodgar to Edinburgh Come alive for me!
Reviewer: Annie McDonnell
Every once in a while I meet a book that stops my heart from beating so often I find myself actually catching my breath! Stirring my Soul a bit Loose!
“Dignity & Grace” by Alison Ragsdale moved me, both profoundly and evocatively! I was enamored with the British vernacular and sharp writing! All of the Characters I adored! I was taken away completely, from place to person to emotion! All levels! I was deep into this novel!
Losing her Mum’s very essence changed the vibration of Iona’s life. This is the story of Iona’s aching reach to regain it once again. Iona is coming full circle with a wondrous guide in Grace!
I was capturing the very heartbeat of this experience! Extremely palpable! From Orkney to Edinburgh! From first learning to play the cello to becoming a gifted cellist, Iona played her way into my heart!
I was drawn to the Cello because it was such a huge character! I felt it’s cries!! Such Aloneness….It’s unbearable aches!! It’s Pains…it’s relief!! It’s Release….It’s love for its owner! The Cello has a voice and a heart like a human, and the way Alison used this instrument and its music is breathtaking! It came alive!
Rhythmically, Alison’s story moved me gently between tears of anger and laughter and sadness. Like the cello playing it’s own life’s song!
Written with tender hearted story-telling and super smart accuracy for its serious subject matter, Alison Ragsdale scores a standing ovation from me!
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
5 Stars.
Side-bar I must include for myself outside of my review, Annie:
First, I was my (step)Mother’s caregiver for the last nine months of her life. She had decided both graciously and heroically that it was time to stop her treatments for Breast Cancer. I had already been a volunteer for years at Hospice, so I was well-equipped at end-of-life care with Dignity. I was determined that my Mom was going to have the very best End-of-Life experience! Each day was anew for us. It was beautiful. Poignant yet celebratory. She actually thanked me for creating an extremely special time for her. Fun! She called it! It has been my highest honor. I felt as though Grace was my Carmela. The letters evoked extreme emotions from me. Iona laying her head in Grace’s lap was truly my experience in life! #TissuesToTheMax
Alison truly understands the end of life experience.
Secondly, I have a neurological disorder, which I am now in the “tremor”, and “in-bed-all-the-time” phase. I understand choosing to remain in the heart of my home, as a Grace did. While it’s not ALS, it is in the same classification, and they are both on the Compassionate Allowance List for Social Security Disability. My end of life will be quite similar, and knowing this is difficult. Reading Alison’s book, I’m realizing my truth, I also have a lot going through my head. I believe if I had a daughter, I would have chosen to leave something like letters. “Dignity & Grace” has me realizing, my heart breaks that there is no one I’m leaving behind, so I need to find my persons! I’m thinking my nephews Xander & Adam will be my Legacy’s! I realized no one will be looking in the mirror and seeing my image, or missing much of anything about me because I haven’t accomplished much. So, I’m determined to write a story!
Alison hit the nail on the head with neurological changes in the body, and what it does to the people around you.
I also googled a lot of the places in the story! It was too overwhelming not too! I had to know if they were real.
“Dignity & Grace” is a call to action for me! I’m on it!!
I’m going to leave part of me somewhere! Thank you, Alison Ragsdale for this reminder!
Author Bio:
Originally from Edinburgh, Alison now lives in the US with her husband and dog. Educated in England, she holds an MBA from Leicester University.
Alison’s Amazon best sellers include: TUESDAY’S SOCKS, THE FATHER-DAUGHTER CLUB, FINDING HEATHER, A LIFE UNEXPECTED, THE ART OF REMEMBERING and THE LIAR AND OTHER STORIES.
THE FATHER-DAUGHTER CLUB was awarded the 2016, IPPY Bronze medal for Best regional fiction – Europe.
A LIFE UNEXPECTED, was awarded a 2018, IPPY Bronze medal in the Popular Fiction category.
THE ART OF REMEMBERING, debuted as an Amazon best seller, was honored as a finalist in the 2019 American Fiction Awards, was a finalist in the 2020 Eric Hoffer Award, was a BookBub Best Book Club Book pick and was nominated for the Goodreads Readers Choice Award.
THE LIAR AND OTHER STORIES, a collection of short stories was released on May 12th, 2020.
Ms. Ragsdale’s seventh novel, DIGNITY AND GRACE, will be released on July 27th, 2020.
For more information: www.alisonragsdale.com.
Order Here:
Or, From Annie’s Local Indie Bookshop, Book Hampton:
https://www.bookhampton.com/book/9781733037754
Tell us one thing you’d like to pass on, or leave to the next generation! Words of wisdom! Please post directly in the comments!
The Write Review 
Reblogged this on Claire Fullerton Author and commented:
This book looks fantastic, so I’m re-blogging here. The reviewer, Annie McDonnell, hosts an author interview forum on Facebook called The Write Review, and it’s wonderful. Thank you, Annie McDonnell for sharing your review of Alison Ragsdale’s Dignity and Grace on Kate Rock Book Tour.
I’d like to leave my love of life and travel. Thanks for the giveaway chance. Stay safe and healthy. 💕📚😷📚💕
Wonderful review! I hope to be as much of an inspiration as my mom was before she left us too soon.
Annie! Sometimes, even for a writer, there are no words to express ourselves well enough. I feel like that now, reading your beautiful review, and heartfelt essay. You should know that you are touching so many lives, every single day, with your light, love, enthusiasm and wit. There is no real way to measure how we affect others, aside from what we leave in their hearts, and you leave a profound footprint wherever you walk. Your strength is an inspiration to so many, and if this book brought you any kind of comfort, then that was the reason I wrote it. Thank you for everything you do, and for being the person you are. Alison x
I loved reading your review of Alison’s book! Her book sounds intriguing and like a Must read for me. You are a Great person Annie and your Legacy will live on in so many people, you are a strong and very brave kind hearted lady. My dad had Gullian Beret and it was very hard for him because he was a machinist, he always worked with his hands, but pretty much he kept on doing what he could with his hands. I had the privilege to help my mom until right before he passed away. I’m sure Alison’s book will bring me tears also. Have a Great weekend and take care. I Love you my friend.
Beautiful review! Annie, you ARE leaving a legacy behind. You have done so much for debut authors. You’ve also given your heart and soul to teach others like me about the book world and the responsibility and honor of being a reviewer. Thank you for all you do and all you are.