A Light in the Window

Julie Lessman’s books are quickly becoming some of my favorites since reading the Winds of Change Series which follows the O’Connor family. When I was given the opportunity to read her newest E-Book, A Light in the Window, I could not wait!! A Light in the Window tells the story of Patrick O’Connor and Marceling Murphy, the parents of the O’Connors in the Winds of Change Series and also the Daughters of Boston Series. In 1895 Marceline Murphy moves back to Boston, Massachusetts after her father is laid off from his job in New York, where they lived for the past 5 years. Marcy is now in her last year of high school, and her beauty has attracted the attention of Sam O’Rourke, her childhood crush and older brother of her best friend Julie. Not only is Sam showing her attention, but Patrick O’Connor is also drawn to her kind and caring nature. Both Sam and Patrick are known throughout their Boston community as rogues, who spend their time in a local bar with many different local women. Rather than ruin their friendship, they flip a coin to determine who will be given the chance to date Marcy.

Set amid the backdrop of planning a Christmas play, the love triangle between Marcy, Patrick, and Sam plays out in a way that would keep any reader interested. Marcy was not the typical type of girl either of Patrick or Sam would have normally dated, but it was great to see that she did not change her morals for a relationship with either of them. Marcy was very strong in her faith, and she allowed it to be an example to others. Although I do think at some points she was a bit too harsh toward Patrick. She pre-judged him based on past experiences with a family member wronged by her fiancée who reminded Marcy of Patrick. When her friend reminded her that she needed to show Christ’s love to all people, she seemed to reevaluate her attitude and give Patrick the chance for friendship that he deserved. I loved Patrick’s trait of being the protector of others. He befriended many of the youth who were involved in the Christmas play, as well as the elderly people who would come to the community center for meals. Even though his background was checkered, in terms of past relationships, he truly wanted to turn his life around, in part because of Marcy but also because of his new-found faith.

Once again, Julie Lessman wrote a book that had me interested from page 1 to finish. I cannot wait to go back and read her Daughters of Boston series and any other books she puts out in the future. This would definitely be a great book for anyone to read who is interested in not only historical books, but also books about romance, faith, family, and friendship.     

Also, check out Julie Lessman's website to see details about the contest she is running with the release of her new book!! http://www.julielessman.com/contest/

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

A Promise to Love

After reading some of the other books by Serena B. Miller, I was very excited to read her newest book A Promise to Love. Ingrid Larsen is a Swedish immigrant in Michigan in the year 1871. Ingrid has, for all intents and purposes, an arranged marriage with Joshua Hunter, a widower who may lose his 5 children if he does not find a bride. Ingrid seems like the perfect homemaker and is able to restore order to his home, but he cannot love his new bride after losing his wife of 13 years. Although Ingrid is hurt deeply by his lack of romantic feelings, she continues to work to keep his home in order and to grow a relationship. In addition to the romance contained in the book, there are facts which come out regarding Joshua’s first wife, and a battle with his in-laws to regain custody of his young child.

I really like the characters in this book. Ingrid was very caring, and it was clear that she felt strongly about all of the people in her life. I also think it was very interesting that the book mirrors the life of Serena Miller’s grandmother. Any time a book is based on a real person’s life, I always feel more invested in the book and the characters. I also liked the secondary characters who helped fill in the book by adding humor and showing Ingrid’s relationship and interactions with her new family.  

"Available October 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group."

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Twice Promised

 

Twice Promised: The Blue Willow Brides, is the most recent book by Maggie Brendan. The book beings with Greta Olsen travelling to Colorado as a mail-order-bride after her fiancée, Bryan Gifford, was killed in a battle. Little does she know, there are two mail order brides who think they will be marrying Jess Gifford. To add to the problems, Jess doesn’t even know there are any mail order brides coming to his home. Unbeknownst to Jess, his brother Zach was corresponding with the women in the hopes of helping him find a wife.

 

I really enjoyed this book, and I liked the characters of both Cora and Greta. They could have been rivals because of the circumstances when they met, but I was glad they formed a friendship. It shows that even good can come out of bad situations.  

 

"Available October 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group."

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

A Love Surrendered

I absolutely love all of the books I have read by Julie Lessman, and I was equally impressed with her newest book, A Love Surrendered, which is the last of the Winds of Change Series and again focuses on the O’Connor family. Although this book looks at all of the O’Connors, the main focus of this book is Steven O’Connor and Annie Kennedy. Annie is an orphan who moves to Boston from Iowa, with her young sister, to live with her estranged aunt. Annie always seems to want to be older than she really is, especially when it comes to making friendships with her older sisters’ friends. When trying to become friends with this older crowd, Annie meets Steven O’Connor. He is a prohibition agent who once had a relationship with Annie’s older sister, unbeknownst to them.

The relationship between Annie and Steven was very cute and made the book so enjoyable. Steven was always trying to protect Annie so she wouldn’t be hurt by the older group of friends. Although this book is relatively long, it didn’t even feel like it was long enough. It was written in a way that made me want to read more and more about  Steven and Annie’s relationship and the entire O’Connor family.

 
Available October 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.  

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Sinner's Creed

 

 

I remember being in Junior High and High School and listening to Creed and being surprised to hear what I though were Christian lyrics, since their music was completely different than any other Christian Music I listened to at that time. Knowing the songs of Creed, as well as hearing about some of the difficulties with drugs and alcohol lead singer Scott Stapp struggled with, made me really want to read the book Sinner’s Creed by Scott Stapp. Scott’s life is what I would expect of some of the partying-type rock-stars. He faced addictions in his life which led to the eventual breakup of his band and family. Scott Stapp’s book looks at the aspect of God’s forgiveness and how he was able to move beyond his past.

 

I really enjoyed this book and was glad I had the opportunity to read it. I found Scott Stapp’s testimony to be very truthful and interesting. His memoir looks at not just the time he spent in the band Creed, but also his upbringing and relationships after the break-up of his band. I think anyone who enjoyed listening to the band Creed will enjoy this book, and I can’t wait to give it to my sister to borrow since she was a huge Creed fan.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."