Love Comes Calling

Love Comes Calling
Siri Mitchell 
Bethany House Publishers 
Fiction, Historical, Romance 
March 4, 2014

Dreaming of becoming an actress, Boston socialite Ellis Eaton captures Griff Phillips' attention. But while filling in for a look-alike friend at the telephone exchange, she overhears a call that threatens Griff's safety. With handsome policeman Jack Flanigan investigating - and her heart in a muddle - will she discover what might be the role of a lifetime?

The unfortunate part of this book is that I never actually liked Ellis, the main character. I found her bratty, spoiled, self-centered, and obnoxious. I also found her captivating. So while I was annoyed with her I kept reading the book to see what would happen next. Mitchell continues to write at about a 4 start level. Never amazingly good but never so bad I quit reading. This book felt a bit like a hot mess and all over the place. Multiple levels of stories left me grasping a bit. Jack is easy to like and keeps the book moving. Overall a decent read, just be prepared for a bit of annoyance over the main character. 

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

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.

 

A Heart Most Worthy

A Heart Most Worthy
Siri Mitchell
Bethany House Publishers
2011
Genre: fiction, romance, historical


It's 1918 in Boston. World War I is still raging and 3 Italian seamstresses from the North End are daring to dream a different dream. The elegance of Madame Forza's gown shop is a far cry from the North End of Boston. Each day Julietta, Annamaria, and Luciana make their way to the shop and create beautiful gowns that will never see their part of town.

Impulsive and lively Julietta longs for something more than what life offers in her family's boring flat. When the mysterious Angelo catches her eye she is instantly drawn to him. He lives on the edge and his passion about a revolution is much more dangerous than Julietta could ever imagine. While Angelo draws Julietta further and further into his confusing web Mauro the family friend and doctor stands waiting for Julietta to notice him. When the danger becomes more than anyone could imagine Julietta must choose between the two men.

Quiet and shy Annamaria is the eldest daughter of her Italian family and thereby is destined to never marry and to take care of her parents until their deaths. Dutiful and accepting Annmaria resigns herself to her fate until the day her mama sends her across the street to the forbidden Sicilian produce stand for some tomatoes. When she meets Rafaello her entire world is turned upside down. A forbidden love in more ways than one Annamaria knows she must ignore what her heart longs for most.

Secretive and cautious Luciana is such because she is the daughter of the Count of Roma who was recently killed in an assassination. Even in Boston the assassins are hunting for her. Forced to find work beading gowns to provide for herself and her grandmother Luciana is constantly looking over her shoulder. The North End is a culture shock but no more so than the Irish son of one of the gown maker's clients. He's drawn to Luciana and creates ways for them to meet. In her desire to see no more people she loves killed she must run again.

I will be the first to admit that I typically approach a Mitchell novel with caution. I'm usually drawn to her books due to the story lines and creativity and I'm always dissapointed. Not so with a Heart Most Worthy. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters flowed well and were very well developed. I was absolutely transported to Boston and I loved it. The amount of detail in regards to the Italian emigrants of that time completely fascinated me. While not the crux of the book I also appreciated Mitchell's handling of the Spanish Influenza which was completely devastating during that time and not often remembered. Seeing the transition Luciana made from being a Countess of Roma to just a regular emigrant living in the dirty North End of Boston was truly engaging. This was a great read and I'm a little sad it's over...which you know means it's a good one!


rated: pg for adult content



Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest and real review.