Visible Signs

Written by Grace Marcus

Narrated by Jean Ann Douglass

In the aftermath of the turbulent 60s, unable to reconcile her monastic existence in upstate New York with the plight of the community’s poor, Sister Jude leaves the convent only to become ensnared in her best friend’s crumbling marriage. Intimidated by her talented but overbearing husband, Vincent, a pregnant Connie shows up at Jude’s door with her two children in tow.

Jude's mission to feed the hungry and free Connie from her weakness for Vincent is complicated by her own attraction to Matt, a passionate but burned-out activist, back from the inner city to work his family’s farm.

Tormented by Vincent’s treachery and Matt’s ultimatum, Jude learns how little she understands the vagaries of the heart. And that her fierce faith and determination may not be enough to save Connie from her husband, the children from danger or herself from a fall from grace.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Everand Productions
• Release date: Feb 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9781094454115

Grace Marcus

Grace Marcus holds a Master in Theatre Arts from Montclair University. Visible Signs is her debut novel. An early version of the book was a semifinalist in the William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition. Her checkered past includes stints as an actress, waitress, social worker, newspaper editor, and radio and cable TV show producer. Her work has been published in Philadelphia Stories, The Bucks County Writer Magazine, Adanna Literary Journal, TheWritersEye, Women on Writing, Me First Magazine and Embark Literary Journal. A Brooklyn native, she has lived on both coasts, and presently calls North Carolina home where she is working on a new novel and a collection of short stories.

Reviews for Visible Signs

[Katie Scholl · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

My goodness keeping the character straight is a nightmare. I tried to be dedicated and I actually did listen through the whole thing until the 34th chapter and I could not take it anymore. I should not have given it this much time horrible horrible horrible the storyline is great, but the author is all over the place and is very difficult to keep up. I never knew from one minute to the next who what or where big waste of my time disappoint

[Brenda Shealey Steele · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It is always intriguing to read about the insights of peoples lives to hear different antidote they use for living. It’s just interesting to experience their emotions.

[Joyce Harout · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Couldn't do it. I tried, but I couldn't follow the story. Sorry.

[Mary Lu Walden · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really good I didn’t want to put it down. Not the norm!!

[Ela M · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Well written and floqeimg seamlessly from one chapter to the other, a pleasure to read on a quiet day.

[Beth Jennings Villarreal · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A beautiful story of faith , love , and friendship

[Janet Bradley · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This book didn’t seem to go anywhere. I think that it would have been better if I had read it instead of listening to it. I’m not inspired to do so though.

[Julie Hamm OBrien · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The anticipation that grows throughout the book is so beautifully unpredictable. The deep commitment of the two women reminds me of Fried Green Tomatoes and The Color Purple. The love for family and community resonates with me, and I appreciate the author’s respect of faith and a realistic portrayal of how that often conflicts with real life. I will recommend this book to others, and its characters will stay with me from now on.

[allisonewoldt · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A beautiful exploration of commitments, families, love, nature, spirit, the spectrum of passions, self-discovery and personal growth.-- a wonderful story with many threads woven into a lovely, heart-felt tapestry of the human experience.

[Sharon Czudak · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Well written and thoughtful but a little slow burning for my liking. Slightly saccharine in parts when it comes to the children. I think you have to like the subject matter to enjoy this book.

[Melanie Jessop · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A remarkable piece of writing. Deeply insightful. Beautifully told. Narrated with thoughtful understanding, and a mesmerizing cadence. Taking one gently by the hand and leading carefully through the tall, majestic, dark trees of the forest; guiding between sharp truths and unclear choices; onwards, ever hopeful, towards the still dell where the warm sun awaits.

[Julie Minich-Castro · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a very good read, and I’ll recommend it to my book club.

[Juliana Barnet · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This story of two women making and living with hard choices resonated with me a lot.

[Cindy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The absolutely only thing that prevented me from rating this book with 5 stars was, at times there were a bit too many adjectives used to describe people, places, things - causing me to zone out a bit. Overall however, it was a very engaging story. The narrator was AMAZING. Her voice was very easy to listen to as she pulled you in to the character’s lives. A great read!!

[Victoria Lob · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The only thing keeping it from a love - the lack of inner dialogue with her source of faith. How can you understand her conflicted decision without knowing the inner landscape.

[Natale Michaud · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed the story. Will Connie and her children be safe from her abusive husband? Will Rita remain living as Rita and be with Matt, or go back to being Sister Margaret Jude after her sabbatical from the church to start a food bank?