Sacred Hart

By: A.M. Johnson

Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton, Vanessa Edwin

Sleep, it was luxury I didn't have. I could hear it then, in the dark light of night, in the dusky morning; the click of the trigger, the smell of her blood, the sound of the rain. I never thought I would see her again. She was a ghost. She was dead. When Maggie Wright pushed her way into my life, she brought the phantom with her, and I was helpless to her pull. Everything I had, all of it, had been taken from me 10 years ago. I had nothing but the shirt on my back, the memories that still burned through my veins, and the regret I drowned in every day. I am Ryan Hartford...and I have nothing left to lose.

©2016 Amanda Johnson (P)2017 Amanda Johnson

What an emotional story!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Sacred Hart to be better than the print version?

I'm not sure because I haven't read the print version. But I do have a lot of experience with different audiobooks and narrators and I thought they really brought this story to life.

What other book might you compare Sacred Hart to and why?

Oh gosh, let me think. I would say Kismet by AE Woodward because it was another hugely emotional book, an ugly cry.

What does Teddy Hamilton and Vanessa Edwin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I liked the roughness in Teddy's voice. I think it really spoke to all of the experiences and tough life that Ryan had. Both of them made it feel as though you were watching a movie rather than someone simply reading a book.

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

No... and that's not a bad thing. I think I needed to give myself a break from time to time due to the emotional nature of the story.

Any additional comments?

I thought this was a great story about getting to live out a second chance at life and how maybe bad things happen, but that they may be the thing to set you on the path for something better.

Wow!! An emotional ride with solid narration

This story is really a beautifully emotional telling of a man's life... His trials, his loneliness, his loss and being able find hope in order to live again. The narration is outstanding and both performances were solid and were able to convey so much. Really, a great listen!!

Amazing narration

After enduring tragedy, Ryan moves as far from his home than possible hoping to start over. Ryan meets Maggie at the scene of a car wreck. They see eat other again at the diner where Ryan works and soon her visits become more frequent and a relationship begins.
Sacred Heart is a sweet love story about overcoming heartbreak and being given a second chance at happiness. This story is well written and Ryan and Maggie were likable characters. I loved that Ryan was always honest about his background and that Maggie never gave up on him.

Teddy Hamilton and Vanessa Edwin brought the emotions out of this story and were absolutely perfect for these characters. Amazing narration.

So Beautiful and Heartbreaking

Sacred Hart was such a gut-wrenching story. What the hero of this story went through and the pain of losing his daughter was so tragic and emotional. He was broken in a lot of ways and his past was jaded, but that didn't keep Maggie from wanting him, loving him. Maggie and her beautiful daughter gave Ryan a reason to live again and to love. I really loved that the author didn't make Ryan's past a issue in their relationship. It took him a little bit to open up, but Maggie accepted all of him, and continued to love him. That was the best part of this story.

The narrators were outstanding. Teddy Hamilton really had me emotional sometimes as we got glimpses into Ryan's past and what happened the night he lost his daughter. Vanessa Edwin was also great voicing Maggie and I think they messed very well on this audiobook. It made the whole experience that much better. Sacred Hart is a lovely novel and audiobook.

My Two Pennies

If hearing Ryan’s story doesn’t instantly start the water works I don’t know what will. This story is filled with heartache throughout but we’re also given love and laughter when Maggie and Beth push their way in. The descriptiveness is on point for each scene that each and every event that takes place feels as though you’ve lived through it yourself. There are so many lessons learned by multiple characters and it really makes you stop and think about life’s perspective. Beautifully written emotionally gutted and a must read.