A Hope and A Prayer by Julie Lessman

About the Book

She’s in love with her best friend. 

He’s in love with her cousin.

But when the war reveals a gift so rare, 

will they be saved by a hope and a prayer?

As Head Nurse at 2d Hospital in Nancy, France, Lieutenant Hope Dennehy is known for her healing touch, especially when it comes to mending the wounds and spirit of her best friend, Lieutenant Bren O’Neill. When Hope’s cousin breaks Bren’s heart, Hope is always there, helping to heal him with a friendship so anointed and deep, it threatens to break her heart too.

Flying high as a daredevil aeromedical evac pilot in the European Theatre, “Lieutenant Love” O’Neill crashes and burns when the woman he loves falls for another. Depending on the support and prayers of Nurse Hope Dennehy to save him, Bren re-evaluates his free-wheeling lifestyle when he witnesses the heinous atrocities of the Buchenwald concentration camp. Suddenly nothing in life is as important as taking care of those he loves … or is it? Battling demons from his past, Bren learns that only one thing can truly save him from himself.

My Thoughts

The O’Conners have long been one of my absolute favorite fictional families so I’m always excited to reenter their world! This time it’s the first of the O’Conner grandchildren’s turn to find love.

Hope is a very selfless and loving person and her faith shines through everything that she says and does. Bren appears to be her opposite with his reputation and drinking but he also has the biggest heart and would do anything for those closest to him. He’s a bit thick headed though and it took him far to long to get his act together despite the love and care of his friends, sobering experiences, and the risk of losing everything he cared about. He finally does wake up and he and Hope are very well matched, she softens him and he brings out some of her fire.

There were times where the story dragged a little and I wasn’t as engaged with the plot but I did still enjoy Hope and Bren’s journey and was happy to see them come together in the end.

It was also great to get to see more of the rest of the O’Conners and catch up on their lives!

*Couldn’t end this review without a little bit of a disclaimer/warning. There are a few chapters that take place at a liberated concentration camp and it gets a little more descriptive than necessary at times. Plus there are a few comparisons that’s aren’t particularly sensitive so just a heads up if that's something that bothers you.

About the Author

A lover of all things Irish, Julie Lessman writes close-knit Irish family sagas that evolve into 3-D love stories: the hero, the heroine, and the God that brings them together.

Author of The Daughters of Boston, Winds of Change, Heart of San Francisco, Isle of Hope, and Silver Lining Ranch series, Julie was American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Author of the Year and has garnered over 21 Romance Writers of America and other awards. Voted #1 Romance Author in Family Fiction magazine’s 2012 and 2011 Reader’s Choice Awards, Julie’s novels also made Family Fiction magazine’s Best of 2015, Best of 2014, and “Essential Christian Romance Authors” 2017-2020, as well as Booklist’s 2010 Top 10 Inspirational Fiction and Borders Best Fiction.

Julie has also written a self-help workbook for writers entitled Romance-ology 101: Writing Romantic Tension for the Sweet and Inspirational Markets. Contact Julie through her website at www.julielessman.com.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Love's Silver Bullet by Julie Lessman

About the Book
(NOTE!! THIS BOOK IS A SWEET INSPIRATIONAL WITH A BIT HIGHER LEVEL OF ROMANTIC PASSION.)
She’s targeting his love.
He’s aiming to steer clear.
Till true love picks them off in a bull’s-eye of the heart
Eighteen-year-old Sheridan Donovan has been in love with Jake Sullivan since the age of four, when she used to tag after him and her big brothers on the Silver Lining Ranch. From little on, Jake has been her hero, convincing her brothers to play school and wedding with her whenever she’d begged and cried. From horsey rides and tickle fests to his sweet willingness to be her pretend groom, Jake’s gentleness and affection had nurtured two dreams in Sheridan’s heart—becoming both a teacher and Mrs. Jake Sullivan. Preferably not in that order.

At the age of thirty, Jake figures he pretty much has everything he needs at the moment. A good job as the Assistant Foreman for Silver Lining Ranch, great friends in Blaze and Dash Donovan, and a true mentor in their uncle and owner of the ranch, Finn McShane, the man who’d given him a family to replace the one he lost. But when Finn’s niece, Sheridan—Blaze’s and Dash’s little sister to whom Jake became a big brother as well—turns eighteen, Jake discovers there’s one more thing he needs: distance and lots of it. From pinafores and bows at age six to overalls and dirt till age fifteen, the grown-up Sheridan looks nothing like the little girl who’d once been his constant shadow, now transformed into a young woman who races his heart. Painfully aware that Sheridan is determined to win his love, Jake is equally determined to keep a promise to her uncle, a promise that not only shoots a hole in his well-ordered life, but in his heart as well.

My Thoughts
I’m always giddy happy when I finish a Julie Lessman novel and this time was no different! Nobody writes romance like her and I love it!
I had so much fun diving back into the lives of all the people who call the Silver Linings Ranch home! And I was especially excited to get Jake and Sheridan’s story! I absolutely loved Jake’s character in the last book and I knew Sheridan was going to have her work cut out for her to convince him to give up his vow to never marry!
Sheridan started out a little naive and flighty but I loved watching as she grew and matured throughout the book and especially how she learned to trust God with her life instead of trying to control it herself.
Jake was just as awesome as I remembered, an honorable man who was honest, hardworking, loyal, and loving. His interactions with everyone were colored by him wanting to the very best for those he loved. From his interactions with the orphan boys, to his respect for Finn, to his friendship with Blaze and Dash that was more like brothers, to the way he tried to do what he thought was best for Sheridan despite the pain it caused him. His every action was for the good of those he cared for and I couldn’t help admiring him.
Jake and Sheridan’s relationship sure had its ups and downs but I loved every second whether it was toe-curling kisses, or frustration that they didn’t see eye to eye! Lessman always makes you feel every emotion while reading her books and it’s one of my favorite things about her writing! There are tears, laughter, and most importantly, happy giddy sighs!
And I can’t write this review without talking about the spiritual element! Julie Lessman has a knack for infusing every part of her story with a biblical message that always resonates with me. And it doesn’t come off in a preachy way but is natural to the story. Few authors enhance my spiritual walk like Lessman does and I’m always grateful for it!
So yes, I of course loved this book and I’m already anxiously awaiting the next book (I have opinions on who I want it to be about)! If you haven’t read the first two books in this series I recommend you do before starting this one because there is a lot of carry over-it will be well worth your time!

Meet the Author
Julie Lessman is an award-winning author whose tagline of “Passion With a Purpose” underscores her intense passion for both God and romance. A lover of all things Irish, she enjoys writing close-knit Irish family sagas that evolve into 3-D love stories: the hero, the heroine, and the God that brings them together.
Author of The Daughters of Boston, Winds of Change, Heart of San Francisco, Isle of Hope, and Silver Lining Ranch series, Julie was American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Author of the Year and has garnered over 21 Romance Writers of America and other awards. Voted #1 Romance Author in Family Fiction magazine’s 2012 and 2011 Readers Choice Awards, Julie’s novels also made Family Fiction magazine’s Best of 2015, Best of 2014, and “Essential Christian Romance Authors” 2017-20, as well as Booklist’s 2010 Top 10 Inspirational Fiction and Borders Best Fiction. Her independent novel A Light in the Window was an International Digital Awards winner, a 2013 Readers' Crown Award winner, and a 2013 Book Buyers Best Award winner.

Julie has also written a self-help workbook for writers entitled Romance-ology 101: Writing Romantic Tension for the Sweet and Inspirational Markets. Contact Julie through her website and read excerpts from each of her books at www.julielessman.com.

I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

A Wing and A Prayer by Julie Lessman

About the Book
(NOTE! THIS BOOK IS A SWEET INSPIRATIONAL WITH A HIGHER LEVEL OF ROMANTIC PASSION)
She’s dead-set on giving everything to the war overseas …
Even if it means losing everything in a war of the heart.
A street orphan abused and abandoned by an alcoholic father at age five, Gabriella (Gabe) O’Connor has never let a man stand in her way yet. So when a handsome flight officer thwarts her plans to become a WASP -- Women Air Force Service Pilot -- she’s determined to join the war effort anyway she can. Her chance comes when she “borrows” foreign correspondent credentials from the Boston Herald—where her father is the editor—to stow away on a medical ship to the front.
Lieutenant Alex Kincaid pegs Gabe O’Connor as trouble the moment she steps foot on Avenger Field as a WASP cadet. As the eldest brother of a boy whose jaw Gabe broke in grade school, Alex is familiar with her reputation as both a charismatic ringleader and a headstrong hooligan who’s challenged every male and nun from grade school to college. As her WASP flight instructor, Alex eventually expels Gabe when she pulls a dangerous stunt. But when he is an evacuation pilot in France eight months later, their lives intertwine once again, exposing them to a danger as perilous as the German tanks roaming the Reichswald Forest: a love that neither expects.

My Thoughts
I have been waiting for Gabe’s story since she first stormed onto the pages of A Hope Undaunted, stealing the scene and the hearts of readers! And finally her book is here and it’s everything I wanted it to be and more!
Gabe hasn’t changed a bit since we saw her last, still as spunky and hot tempered as ever in a way that is both endearing and a little frustrating. As Alex quickly learned! Watching her struggle and fight her way through life was painful in ways but also beautiful as she finally realized her brokenness and found wholeness in the arms of the only One who will never let us down. When she made one reckless choice after another despite the love and guidance of her family and Alex I wanted to shake her a little but then I realized it was the perfect depiction of the way we continue to sin again and again despite knowing God’s love and how He wants us to act.
I absolutely loved Alex! He was one of the only people who could stand up to Gabe and win and I loved watching the sparks fly and the heads butt between them! I really admired the way that Alex stood his ground not allowing his attraction for Gabe to sway him from choices he knew were for her (and his) best even when it hurt.
It was a hard and long journey for them but I loved watching their relationship play out and those couple swoon worthy kisses definitely didn’t hurt!
The other relationship I adored in this book was between Gabe and her adoptive father Patrick O’Conner (love him)! Not only was it a beautiful picture of God’s unconditional love for us and the way He lovingly guides us to better ways, but it was just absolutely endearing in its own right! Nobody got through Gabe’s tough exterior like Patrick and I just loved the way her tenderly loved her!
This review is getting long but I have to mention my love for the time period this book is set in as well as how amazing it was to catch up with the other O’Conner’s!! I love this loud crazy family and I just want to spend all the pages with them! I really can’t wait for Hope’s story (I have opinions of who I want her to end up with) and also Henry’s!
If you are like me and have fallen in love with the O’Conner’s you will absolutely love this story! And if this is your first introduction, buckle up, you’re in for the ride of your life!

Meet the Author
Julie Lessman is an award-winning author whose tagline of “Passion With a Purpose” not only underscores her intense passion for God and romance, but her staunch advocacy for sexual purity before marriage as well. A lover of all things Irish, she enjoys reading what she writes -- close-knit Irish family sagas as well as both historical and contemporary religious and inspirational romance for the sweet and Christian markets.
Author of The Daughters of Boston, Winds of Change, and Heart of San Francisco series with Revell Publishing, Julie was named American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Author of the Year and has garnered 17 Romance Writers of America and other awards. Voted #1 Romance Author of the year in Family Fiction magazine’s 2012 and 2011 Readers Choice Awards, Julie was also named on Booklist’s 2010 Top 10 Inspirational Fiction and Borders Best Fiction list. Her latest novel, Surprised by Love, appeared on Family Fiction magazine’s list of Top Ten Novels of 2014, and her independent novel A Light in the Window is an International Digital Awards winner, a 2013 Readers' Crown Award winner, and a 2013 Book Buyers Best Award winner. Julie has also written a self-help workbook for writers entitled Romance-ology 101: Writing Romantic Tension for the Sweet and Inspirational Markets.
You can contact Julie and read excerpts from her books at www.julielessman.com, or through Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, or Pinterest, as well as sign up for her newsletter. Check out Julie’s group blog, The Seekers, Writers Digest 2013, 2014, and 2015 “Best 101 Websites for Writers,” and Julie’s own personal blog, Journal Jots, voted blog of the month in the Readers’ Choice poll of Book Fun Magazine.

I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Short Stories/Novellas

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

I didn't realize how many novellas I love until I tried to make this list-lol! So I decided to do ten contemporary and ten historical!

CONTEMPORARY NOVELLAS

#1. Three Little Words by Melissa Tagg

#2. Enchanted novellas by Melissa Tagg

#3. As Easy As Riding a Bike by Bell Renshaw

#4. One Christmas in Winter by Bell Renshaw

#5. Love in Three Quarter Time by Rachel McMillan

#6. Oh The Weather Outside is Frightful by Susan May Warren

#7. Second Impressions by Pepper Basham

#8. A Place to Belong by Melissa Tagg

#9. Crossfire by Susan May Warren

#10. Titanis & Lygos by Ronie Kendig


HISTORICAL NOVELLAS

#1. This Quiet Sky by Joanne Bischof

#2. A Lady of Esteem by Kristi Ann Hunter

#3. For Love of Liberty by Julie Lessman

#4. Facade by Pepper Basham

#5. Out of the Storm by Jody Hedlund

#6. Love by the Letter by Melissa Jagears

#7. Worth the Wait by Karen Witemeyer

#8. Gentleman of Her Dreams by Jen Turano

#9. A Search for Refuge by Kristi Ann Hunter

#10. Bourne & Tributary by Lisa T. Bergren

Top Ten Books With 'Heart' in the Title

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

This is going up late because life has been a little non-stop the past few days and then my battery died on me the one chance I had to get it up. But better late than never! There are a lot of frequently used words in Christian Fiction book titles and one I come across quite a lot is the word "heart" I found about 20 titles with the word on my shelves and here are ten of them!

#1. A Heart Revealed by Julie Lessman

#2. Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer

#3. My Foolish Heart by Susan May Warren

#4. My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade

#5. Paper Hearts/A Change of Heart by Courtney Walsh

#6. The Bound Heart by Dawn Crandall

#7. The Heart Between Us by Lindsay Harrel

#8. Rebelious Heart by Jody Hedlund

#9. A Heart Most Certain by Melissa Jagears

#10. When a Heart Stops by Lynette Eason

Top Ten Series I Could Reread Forever

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

#1. The O'Conner Family Saga by Julie Lessman
I adore every book in this series and I've already reread them and honestly don't think I would ever get tired of them!

#2. The O'Malley Series by Dee Henderson
I used to reread this series about once every six months and I still love them all!

#3. The Walker Family Series by Melissa Tagg
Cannot love this family more and I'm desperate to have the chance to reread them and love them even more!

#4. The Christiansen Family Series by Susan May Warren
Another family I absolutely love and wish I had the chance to revisit!

#5. The Californians by Lori Wick
I've read this series a few times but I never got tired of them and I often wanted to reread them the second I finished!

#6. Love Comes Softly Series by Janette Oke 
My first introduction to romance and I love going back time and time again!

#7. Lassoed in Texas/Montana Marriages/Sophie's Daughters by Mary Connealy
All three of these series were so good and I've wanted to reread them so many times!

#8. Hawthorne House Series Kristi Ann Hunter
Loved this regency set family series and I can imagine reading them again and again!

#9. The Wings of Glory Series by Sarah Sundin
Brothers and WWII-couldn't be a more perfect match and I would love to read them again!

#10. Ladies of the Manor and Shadows Over England by Roseanna M. White
Both of these series are brilliant and beautiful and I know they'd be just as good each time I read them!

Top Ten (New) Heroes to Love

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

I wanted to feature some swoon-worthy heroes for the V-day freebie but there are just too many that I love! So I narrowed it down to heroes from books that I've read in the last year(ish) and limited myself to one per author. So without further ado, here are some heroes that had me melting more than a little bit!

#1. Lawry Hampton from The Bound Heart by Dawn Crandall

#2. Trent Hawthorne from An Uncommon Courtship by Kristi Ann Hunter

#3. Peter Holstein from A Name Unknown by Roseanna M. White

#4. Ryan Brooks from Just Look Up by Courtney Walsh

#5. Wyatt Paxton from The Sea Before Us by Sarah Sundin

#6. Seb Pierce from One Enchanted Noel by Melissa Tagg

#7. Wes Harrison from Just the Way You Are by Pepper Basham

#8. Chase Griffin from His Steadfast Love by Julie Lessman

#9. Noble Rynallt from The Lacemaker by Laura Frantz

#10. Parker Mitchell from Still Life by Dani Pettrey

So if you've read these books do you agree with me? Who are some heroes you've been loving lately?

For Love of Liberty by Julie Lessman

About the Book
A Match Made in Heaven?
Or Someplace a Whole Lot Warmer?
She’s stubborn, educated, and looking to give women the vote.
He’s bullheaded, successful, and looking to give her a piece of his mind.
But when things heat up, they just may give each other a piece of their hearts.

My Thoughts
There's usually a bit of trepidation when an author ventures into a new genre but I didn't think for a single second that Julie wouldn't deliver another amazing story despite it being a different setting. And of course I was right! I absolutely adored every second of this prequel!
The fireworks were flying of the page and it was the best thing ever! To say that Liberty O'Shea and Finn McShane butted heads would be the understatement of the century. They both had fiery tempers that seemed to come out most when they were with each other and made for some of the best (and most amusing) verbal sparring I have ever read! But underneath all their bickering with each other, they had both always had feelings for the other that they kept buried and never admitted. And when they finally did reveal their feelings there were fireworks of a whole different variety!
The secondary characters were so much fun too, especially Pastor and Mrs. Poppy, and Milo Parks (Finn's best friend and Libby's boss).
I absolutely love how this author manages to weave passion (the good kind), humor, and a strong spiritual message seamlessly into all of her books. And even though this was shorter than she normally writes everything was still beautifully written in and I never felt like it was lacking at all.
So in short this story was beyond amazing (I devoured it as fast as I could) and I cannot wait to read the rest of this series!

About the Author
Julie Lessman is an award-winning author whose tagline of “Passion With a Purpose” not only underscores her intense passion for God and romance, but her staunch advocacy for sexual purity before marriage as well. A lover of all things Irish, she enjoys reading what she writes -- close-knit Irish family sagas as well as both historical and contemporary religious and inspirational romance for the sweet and Christian markets.
Author of The Daughters of Boston, Winds of Change, and Heart of San Francisco series with Revell Publishing, Julie was named American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Author of the Year and has garnered 17 Romance Writers of America and other awards. She has also written a self-help workbook for writers entitled Romance-ology 101: Writing Romantic Tension for the Sweet and Inspirational Markets.

You can contact Julie and read excerpts from her books at www.julielessman.com, or through Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, or Pinterest, as well as sign up for her newsletter. Check out Julie’s group blog, The Seekers, Writers Digest 2013, 2014, and 2015 “Best 101 Websites for Writers,” and Julie’s own personal blog, Journal Jots, voted blog of the month in the Readers’ Choice poll of Book Fun Magazine.

I received this book free from the author in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

17 Best Books/Series I Read in 2017

I made an attempt to just pick 10 favorites but that was impossible so I tried to do 17. That too was extremely hard so I decided to cheat a little and count series as one and to list my favorite novellas as a bit of an add-on. The reason choosing was so difficult was because I read some amazing books this year! I only managed to finish 65 books but of those, 45 were 5-star and 15 were 4-star so you can see why picking favorites was hard! But without further ado, here are my favorite books I read in 2017 (in no particular order)! 

#1. Never Forget by Jody Hedlund

#2. An Uncommon Courtship and An Inconvenient Beauty by Kristi Ann Hunter

#3. Rescue Me, A Matter of Trust, and Troubled Waters by Susan May Warren

#4. Still Life and Blind Spot by Dani Pettrey

#5.  Where There's Smoke, Playing With Fire,  & Burnin' For You by Susan May Warren

#6. When Tides Turn by Sarah Sundin

#7. I'll Be There by Susan May Warren

#8. His Steadfast Love by Julie Lessman

#9. Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer

#10. A Name Unknown by Roseanna M. White

#11. Crown of Souls by Ronie Kendig

#12. All This Time by Melissa Tagg

#13. Hometown Girl by Courtney Walsh

#14. Vanishing Point by Lisa Harris

#15. Four Winds by Lisa T. Bergren

#16. Just the Way You Are by Pepper Basham

#17. Falling Like Snowflakes by Denise Hunter

Novella Honorable Mentions

You Don't Have to Be a Star by Susan May Warren

Worth the Wait by Karen Witemeyer

Titanis by Ronie Kendig

Then Came You by Becky Wade

A Maple Valley Romance by Melissa Tagg

A Sweethaven Romance by Courtney Walsh

Oh The Weather Outside is Frightful by Susan May Warren

Lygos by Ronie Kendig

One Enchanted Noel by Melissa Tagg

One Christmas in Winter by Bell Renshaw

What were your favorite books you read this year? Did any of my favorites make your list?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #274

Hosted by: The Book Date

Here is what I finished the past few weeks:

I've gotten some great reading in lately! Loving getting all these Christmas stories read as Christmas rapidly approaches!

What I am currently reading:

Loving this (After glancing back through the series to remember what exactly happened with Azzan since it's been years since I read them)!

What I hope to read this week:

Pretty sure these are the last Christmas stories on my docket!

Hope you have a great reading week, thanks for taking the time to check out mine!

Leave your link below and I'll be sure to stop by!

Top Ten Books on My Winter TBR

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Christmas Stories

#1. Falling Like Snowflakes by Denise Hunter

#2. Cowboy Chrismas Homecoming Novella Collection 

#3. O Christmas Bree by Erynn Mangum

Review Books (Hopefully)

#4. For Love of Liberty by Julie Lessman

#5. Troubled Waters by Susan May Warren

#6. A Song Unheard by Roseanna M. White

#7. The Sea Before Us by Sarah Sundin

Non-Review TBR 

#8. Just Look Up by Courtney Walsh

#9. The Hesitant Heiress by Dawn Crandall

#10. A Twist of Faith by Pepper Basham

His Steadfast Love by Julie Lessman

About the Book
She’s bent on fun.
He’s bent on faith.
Till true love bridges the gap.
Cat O’Bryen is the prodigal daughter unhappy with God. First, the father with whom she reconciled dies of cancer and now her twin sister and best friend marries, leaving Cat at home with a newlywed mother, her new husband, and a little brother. But when Cat moves in with a roommate of questionable morals, her family is worried, certain she’s on a path that could damage her faith forever.
Reluctant to get involved with a woman like the one who destroyed his life, ex-Navy SEAL Pastor Chase Griffin steers clear of the attraction he feels for Cat O’Bryen. Until her family begs him to take her under his wing, hoping he can draw her back into the fold. But when the draw she has on him proves too strong to resist, he must rely on the strength of God to offer a friendship as steady and strong as the God whose love is wooing her home.

My Thoughts
I have so many emotions and feelings going through me right now after finishing this book that I don't know where to begin or even if I can put them into words!
By now most people know of my love for anything Julie Lessman writes (I even loved her writing how-to book and I'm not even remotely a writer) so it's pretty much a given that I will be deliriously happy and gushing non-stop when I read one of her novels. So brace yourself!
I think this may be my favorite of this series! Cat and Chase have been coming since book one and I just knew their relationship was going to make an epic story. Of course I wasn't wrong about that! I literally hated putting this book down and was always trying to squeeze in reading time even if I could only read a few pages. I was completely and totally lost in the story, feeling every emotion as if it were my own, and often breathless as I turned page after page to find out more.
And now I have to talk about Chase Griffin because I just can't hold back anymore, HE WAS AMAZING! I greatly admired his fierce, strong, and close relationship with God and the way that every aspect in his life was funneled through that without him ever seeming like a holier than thou know it all. He was an everyday guy who was just completely on fire for God. And as if that wasn't attractive enough (along with his extremely good looks) he was also humble and selfless, always taking care of everyone he met. And the way he was with Cat was enough to melt anyone into a puddle. Always being there for her when she needed it, encouraging her but calling her out when necessary, and constantly showing her God's love with his actions as well as his words. He stepped up time and again even when it was painful for him. Gah! Can you tell I liked this guy a lot?!
As for Cat, my heart broke for her. I can't imagine going through life feeling like you weren't good enough in the eyes of the people you loved, constantly feeling compared and found lacking. And then to feel abandoned over and over, it was no surprise that she turned from God and even her family to a degree. Honestly I want to cry over the pain she must have felt. She had so many things to work through and I loved seeing Chase make his way through her walls to help her find healing in the arms of God.
Chase and Cat were made for each other, as anyone with eyes could see, but they had a hard road to walk before they could be together and while some steps were painful every part of it had its purpose to weave together their beautiful relationship.
I of course loved catching up with all the couples from the other books, Tess and Ben, Jack and Lacey, Shannon and Sam, and watching them all interact as a family.
I think one of my favorite things about this book was the way God's love was woven into every page. And this book drew me closer to God in a way that no work of fiction has before. It hit something inside me and I several times stopped reading because I just felt a burning desire to spend time with God in those moments. It was truly amazing.
Well I could go on for days but I think you get the idea that I adored every second of this book and if you haven't read a Julie Lessman novel yet then you need to get yourself one and dive in! Then come talk to me about it because there are few things I like more than discussing my favorite books!

Meet the Author
Julie Lessman is an award-winning author whose tagline of “Passion With a Purpose” not only underscores her intense passion for God and romance, but her staunch advocacy for sexual purity before marriage as well. A lover of all things Irish, she enjoys reading what she writes -- close-knit Irish family sagas as well as both historical and contemporary religious and inspirational romance for the sweet and Christian markets.
Author of The Daughters of Boston, Winds of Change, and Heart of San Francisco series with Revell Publishing, Julie was named American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Author of the Year and has garnered 17 Romance Writers of America and other awards. She has also written a self-help workbook for writers entitled Romance-ology 101: Writing Romantic Tension for the Sweet and Inspirational Markets.
You can contact Julie and read excerpts from her books at www.julielessman.com, or through Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, or Pinterest, as well as sign up for her newsletter. Check out Julie’s group blog, The Seekers, Writers Digest 2013, 2014, and 2015 “Best 101 Websites for Writers,” and Julie’s own personal blog, Journal Jots, voted blog of the month in the Readers’ Choice poll of Book Fun Magazine.

I received an ebook copy of this book free from the author in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Top Ten Fictional Moms

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

BOOKS

#1. Marcy O'Conner from The O'Conner Family Saga by Julie Lessman

#2. Ingrid Christiansen from The Christian Series by Susan May Warren

#3. Tess O'Bryen from Isle of Hope Series by Julie Lessman

#4. Adri Betarrini from The River of Time Series by Lisa T. Bergren


#5. Belle (Tanner) Harden from The Husband Tree by Mary Connealy

#6. Caitlyn McClare from The Heart of San Francisco Series by Julie Lessman

TV SHOWS

#7. Lorelai Gilmore from Gilmore Girls

#8. Angie Rizzoli from Rizzoli & Isles

#9. Rebecca Pearson from This is Us

#10. Martha Rodgers from Castle

Top Ten Novellas

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This week's topic was all about one-sitting reads so I decided to feature some of my favorite novellas! All of these are either prequels to or continuations of one of the author's series but they can be read on their own. Though reading any of these will probably make you want to read the rest of the series!

Three Little Words by Melissa Tagg

Grace Like Rain by Julie Lessman

I Really Do Miss Your Smile by Susan May Warren

A Lady of Esteem by Kristi Ann Hunter

Gentleman of Her Dreams by Jen Turano

Out of the Storm by Jody Hedlund

Sophie's Other Daughter by Mary Connealy

The Husband Maneuver by Karen Witemeyer

Fairchild's Lady by Roseanna M. White

Love by the Letter by Melissa Jagears