A Hope Undaunted
By
Julie Lessman
Back Cover: The 1920's are drawing to a close, and feisty Katie O'Connor is the epitome of the new woman-smart and sassy with goals for her future that include the perfect husband and a challenging career in law. Her boyfriend Jack fits all of her criteria for a husband--good looking, well-connected, wealthy, and eating out of her hand. But when she is forced to spend the summer of 1929 with Luke McGee, the bane of her childhood existence, Katie comes face to face with a choice. Will she follow her well laid plans to marry Jack? or will she fall for the man she swore to despise forever?
A Hope Undaunted is book one in a wonderful christian romance fiction series Winds of Change which continues the story of the O'Connor children from the Daughters of Boston series. The Daughters of Boston followed Faith, Charity and Lizzie. The Winds of Change follows their younger sister Katie in A Hope Undaunted, older brothers Sean in A Heart Revealed (unknown release date) and Steven in A Soul Restored. (unknown release date) Got that? I had no idea when Amy asked me if I wanted to read A Hope Undaunted, it was part of the Daughters of Boston series which I hadn't read yet. Now I want to read them and look forward to the two brothers stories as well. I love series.
Katie is 18 years old and very headstrong, keeps breaking curfew staying out late with her boyfriend Jack and her father has decided to do something about it. She will spend the summer, grounded and working as a volunteer for the Boston Children's Aid Society. She wouldn't mind it so much but there's one problem. The poor boy from the wrong side of the tracks, she used to fight with so much growing up, Luke "Cluny" McGee is one of the law partners running the society. They clash big time. They are both attracted to each other but Luke simply doesn't fit into Katie's plan for her future. The sparks fly and things get difficult for both Katie and Luke when extenuating circumstances threaten to keep them apart. I thoroughly enjoyed A Hope Undaunted which also continued following the lives of Katie's parents and siblings marriages and love lives. I highly recommend it.
Thank you to Amy (My Friend Amy) of Winsome Media Communications for asking me to be a part of the blog tour, Revell publishing for providing me with a courtesy copy of the book and Julie Lessman for writing such a wonderful cast of characters. She's gained a new fan.
Pages: 505
Publisher: Reveal
Released: September 1, 2010
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
Other Thoughts:
"Characters were not portrayed as do-gooders with no faults. Lessman painted realistic people with problems that are prevalent in contemporary times."
"It amazes me how one person can create a 500+ page novel that has all the twists and turns of your favorite roller coaster! Julie had me laughing, crying, and at one point mad enough to want me to throw the book across the room."
"The title A Hope Undaunted speaks for many individuals in this story. The peripheral characters get careful consideration in the scope of the tale, presenting the unique family components and how they mesh into each other’s lives."
ROBIN!!! Sooooo excited you enjoyed A Hope Undaunted and even MORE excited you plan to read the prior series, The Daughters of Boston -- WHOO-HOO!!! I am THRILLED you said "yes" to Amy's blog tour for AHU, and look forward to your thoughts on them.
ReplyDeleteI have to smile at the quote on your "Leave your comment" form ... "Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader--not the fact that it is raining, but the feeling of being rained upon."--E.L. Doctorow
I quite agree about evoking sensation or emotion, although a lot of my reader friends (not partial to the word "fan") would accuse me of evoking a wee bit too much, likening it to a roller-coaster ride that leaves them breathless and exhilarated, yes, but also a little wind-blown and spent. :)
I don't know if you are prone to posting reviews on CBD.com and Amazon.com, but if you are, have at it because I would LOVE to see your review there.
Have a blessed weekend ... I know you helped to bless mine!
Hugs,
Julie
Julie: Thanks for dropping by. I just downloaded A Passion More Pure to my nook and will be reading it soon. A roller coaster ride - that's a great analogy! I just happen to enjoy stories that take me on a roller coaster ride and make me want to go back for more. I love that feeling of being immersed in a story, getting to know the characters. That's why I prefer reading series. I am so looking forward to reading Sean and Emma's story when it comes out.
ReplyDeleteI'll certainly post my reviews on Christianbooks.com - one of my favorite sites and Amazon as well. The Blog tour was also great timing since this week's theme on my read 52 books in 52 weeks challenge starts with L. I'm sure it will earn you a few more "reader friends". :)
Thanks and *Hugs* to you as well.
Great review Robin!! Book one of the Boston series should be waiting for me on Monday at the library. Can not wait to revisit this author!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the shout-out!