Dare to Love Again

Dare to Love Again
Julie Lessman 
Revell Publishing 
January 2014
Fiction, Romance, Historical 

Spunky Allison McClare is determined to be a fearless, independent woman, resorting to a mammoth hat pin for protection on her way to and from the school where she teaches. But when she takes a notion to explore the wild Barbary Coast she quickly discovers she is no match for rum-soaked brute strength.

Detective Nick Barone would rather do almost anything than teach this petite socialite jiu-jitsu, but it seems he has little choice in the matter. Sparks fly every time the two meet until a grudging friendship develops into something deeper. But when Nick suddenly leaves town, Allison realizes he’s a fraud just like all the rest of the men she’s cared for. Does she dare love again?

Lessman always delivers in the romance department with depth and solid character development. Perhaps I read too many of her books in a row or was just not completely in the mood but this book was not my favorite. Allie and Nick are predictable and their age did not seem to match their life experience. Could have been a lack of story development. They did become endearing as the story continued and the mysterious side of Nick had me interested. The sub plot between Uncle Logan and Allie's mother almost overtook the main plot and I'll keep reading this series to find out what happens with them. 

Predictably the women are the strong spiritual characters, the men are the rogues, the children are precocious, and the kisses are all encompassing. While they're isn't anything wrong with that I personally was a bit over it all. I'd love to see Lessman break out of the predictable cycle and truly surprise the reader. She does, however, have a niche that works so who am I to say differently? Just know ahead of time what you're going to get.  Surface level spirituality and romance that possibly sizzles just a bit too much. 

My thanks to Revell Publishing for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my real and honest review.   
 

Love at Any Cost

Love at Any Cost
Julie Lessman
Revell Publishers
April 1, 2013

Jilted by a fortune hunter, cowgirl Cassidy McClare is a spunky Texas oil heiress without a fortune who would just as soon hogtie a man as look at him. Hoping a summer visit with her wealthy cousins in San Francisco will help her forget her heartache, Cassidy travels west. But no sooner is she settled in beautiful California than Jamie McKenna, a handsome pauper looking to marry well, captures her heart. When Jamie discovers the woman he loves is poorer than he is, Cassidy finds herself bucked by love a second time. Will Jamie discover that money can't buy love after all? And can Cassidy ever learn to fully trust her heart to a man? 

With delectable descriptions and a romantic sensibility, bestselling author Julie Lessman brings the Gilded Age to life in this sumptuous new series. Readers will faithfully follow Lessman to the West Coast for more romance, passion, and surprising revelations found in "Love at Any Cost."

Perhaps one of my favorite parts of Lessman's books are hows he weaves historical fact into fiction. This book does not disappoint. San Francisco comes to life and you'll be instantly transported. Lessman also write very real characters who are likable. Cassidy is spunky and a spit-fire. Jamie is a typical Lessman man, he has roguish good looks, struggles in his relationships, and has secrets. Of course he opens up and changes through this book. Call me crazy but I found myself feeling a bit "over" the typical man that Lessman writes. I had a hard time getting into the book and found myself frustrated with the shallowness of the characters. One could argue that that's real characterization but I found it to be a bit tired. Overall, this is an enjoyable read and a very typical read for fans of Lessman. I look forward to her possibly branching out into different kinds of characters at some point. 

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above 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

A Love Surrendered

Julie Lessman 

Revell Publishing

Oct 2012

Fiction, Romance, Historical 

 

Orphaned in Iowa, Annie Kennedy moves to Boston to stay with her spinster aunt. She longs for romance to fill the void left by her parents' death. But when she falls hard for Steven O'Connor, the man who broke an engagement to her sister, Annie is worried. Will he break her heart too when he discovers who she really is?

With heart-pounding romance, intense family drama, and emotional twists and turns, A Love Surrendered is everything Julie Lessman's many fans have been waiting for.

Steven the "hero" of the story is a likeable guy with his own demons. He has a hard time getting over the fact that Annie was so young. I tended to agree with him. The other snag was the fact he had slept with her sister. Seriously, there are times I wonder if it's necessary to complicate things so much in fiction.  Annie is a sweetie with her own journey. She's a great character. 

As always it's wonderful to catch up with the entire O'Connor family. Seeing how all the characters from previous books are growing and changing is always a delight. You'll enjoy the twists and turns of this book although I wouldn't say it's one of Lessman's best ones. 

 

Lessman is an excellent writer. I always enjoy her books and the O'Connor family feels like family. She writes with depth, historical accuracy, and passion. Some readers may find the passionate side of things to be a bit much for Christian fiction. I'm not convinced that she needs to be as detailed as she is to round out her story. In some cases it seems to distract from an excellent story line. 

My thanks to Revell Publishing for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A Heart Revealed

A Heart Revealed

Julie Lessman 

Fiction, Historical, Romance

Revell Publishing

September 2011

Ten years ago, Emma Malloy fled Dublin for Boston as a battered woman, escaping the husband who scarred her beautiful face. The physical and emotional wounds have faded with time, and her life is finally full of purpose and free from the pain of her past. But when she falls for her friend Charity's handsome and charming brother, Sean O'Connor, fear and shame threaten to destroy her. Could Sean and Emma ever have a future together? Or is Emma doomed to live out the rest of her life denying the only true love she's ever known? 

  

The Great Depression is still raging and jobs are at a premium. When Sean denies the romantic advances of a young girl at work he suddenly finds himself working for Emma Malloy. Sean has sworn off women and wants nothing to do with them in a romantic sense. Sean is also dealing with deep rage and a past of his own. he and Emma are the best of friends and he never expected to see her any other way. Working side by side with her everyday he finds himself more and more drawn to her. Before he even realizes it he is head over heals with Emma Malloy, a married woman.

 Emma is a woman of great integrity and grace. She runs her store with a tight ship and loves the O'Connor family deeply. Her face may be healed but her past is anything but. She still wears the wedding ring that her husband put on her finger 10 years ago. He was abusive and abandoned her but she still considers herself married to him. She loves Sean like a brother but when that love turns into something deeper she's terrified. Running from her own past and dealing with her wounds she desperately tries to avoid Sean. 

Will they find away to be together in a matter that is pleasing and acceptable to the Lord? 

Lessman is an excellent writer. I always enjoy her books and the O'Connor family feels like family. She writes with depth, historical accuracy, and passion. Some readers may find the passionate side of things to be a bit much for Christian fiction. I'm not convinced that she needs to be as detailed as she is to round out her story. In some cases it seems to distract from an excellent story line. 

Both Emma and Sean are wonderful well thought out characters. I did find myself a bit impatient with Emma as she seemed to dwell and mire in her past. I do believe that is extremely true to real life at times but as a reader I wanted her to get there sooner. 

Of course throughout the book we are brought to date on characters from former books and we continue to see the O'Connor family grow. 

Filled with suspense, romance, and intrigue you'll find yourself up late at night to finish this one. I promise! 

My thanks to Revell Publishing for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.