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26 June 2012

A Hope Undaunted by Julie Lessman Reviewed by Teresa Matthews

A HOPE UNDAUNTED
By Julie Lessman
(Revell Publishing, 2009)
reviewed by Teresa Matthews

5 Stars! *****

In this first book in the Winds of Change series Julie Lessman once again takes us back to Boston to join the O’Connor family. If you have read any of Julie’s Daughters of Boston series you know what a treat they are, this one is no different. Going back to visit the O’Connor family is like going home. If you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting them yet I promise you will love them.
  
The year is 1929 and the spirited Miss Katie O’Connor has her life all planned out. She is going to study to be a lawyer and maybe on to be a congresswoman. As for right now she has a wonderful boyfriend, Jack Worthington, whom she has wrapped around her little finger and life is good.
  
One night while out late with Jack and some friends they stop for a quick bite to eat at a nice little dinner, the gorgeous young man Luke, working there tells them it’s almost closing time and all he can serve them is a soda or ice cream. Jack becomes angry when Katie wants a burger and Luke refuses, so Jack decides to teach the “soda jerk” a lesson. They dart out without paying for their sodas and shakes only to find out that he is right behind them. After going a few rounds in the street with Jack and his friends, Katie steps in to stop the fighting and throws enough money to pay the bill at Luke’s feet. As she is getting into the car, he grabs her arm and whispers “nice girls don’t run with riffraff”.

When Katie arrives home late once again, she tiptoes up the stairs hoping to avoid her father but has to stop when she hears him calling her name, after a nice conversation he informs Katie that he has had enough of her disregard of his rules, and that he and her mom have decided that she needs to do something worthwhile for the summer so they have made arrangements for Katie to volunteer to work for the Boston Children’s Aid Society. Little does she know this will be a life changing decision, little does she know she will be working for the pesky Cluny McGee, her nemesis from childhood.

Luke “Cluny” McGee hasn’t been to the O’Connor house since he was a young teen hanging around Brady,(husband of Lizzie O’Connor). Cluny was the name he had been known as back then, Cluny the runt of a boy that lived to pester Katie O’Conner baby of the family. Now that he was a lawyer he had dropped “Cluny” and taken up using the name Luke. He couldn’t wait to eat the delicious food the O’Connor’s women were known for, but truth be known he couldn’t wait to see little Katie. When Luke walks in and sees the girl from the night before and realizes that it’s Katie, he is very surprised, but no more than Katie is to see the”soda jerk”. Poor Katie is in for a lot of surprises this summer, the biggest of all is that maybe the life she planned for herself is not the life that God has in store for her.

Ms. Lessman has once again created a story that will hold you spellbound until the very end. I love how she brings you up to date on the others in the family that you have met in the earlier books. Like Faith and Collin who were in A Passion Most Pure, the first book in the Daughter of Boston series. In this book Collin and Faith will face a situation that could bring an end to their beautiful marriage. There are a lot of pages in this but if you haven’t read one of Julie’s books I know you will be pleased at how fast you will be able to read it. To me it was like a taking a drink of cold water on a hot summer day--you just can’t get enough.


GIVEAWAY:  Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week’s contest.  Drawing will be late Saturday.  Your choice of Julie's books, choice of format*. Void where prohibited by law. *International winners will only receive the book in ebook format not as a paperback. Three giveaways this week!!!
                                                                                                                                                         


102 comments:

  1. Wonderful review, TERESA! You refreshed my memory with this review.
    JULIE's books have a lot of pages, but it doesn't slow down the read!!
    I like how you said that it was like taking a drink of cold water on a hot summer day--you can't get enough. :))

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  2. WHOA.. I'm early!!
    WHICH is a good thing, since I know this place will soon be overflowing with comments!
    Appreciate your review there madam, thank you!
    Julie is truly unique. :)

    Blessings,

    Ganise

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  3. Forgot to add: no need to enter me in the giveaway, please. Got my chance already previously and won.
    Wishing everyone the best!

    Ganise

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  4. These books/covers have pulled me to them more than once, but I have yet to read one of Julie Lessman's books!! Thank you for the review and the giveaway-- I really do need to just break down and read them! :)

    Thanks Teresa for a great review. I can always count on this site to make my TBR pile taller! lol

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  5. TERESA, YOU SWEETHEART YOU!!! Gosh, even I want to read this book after your review!!! ;)

    Like Marian, I love the line: "To me it was like a taking a drink of cold water on a hot summer day--you just can’t get enough." WOW, what a well-written review, my friend, and I cannot thank you enough either!!

    MEGA thanks to each of you fine ladies -- Carrie, Diana, Marian and you, Teresa, for not only blessing me with absolutely fabulous reviews, but your fabulous friendships as well.

    LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  6. GANISE!!! WOW, girl, you are a real earlybird this morning ... a precious Canadian earlybird!! ;)

    Thank you SO MUCH for your incredible support, my friend. It's dear reader friends like you that make all the deadlines and doubt of being an author worth it, and I hope and pray we get to meet some day!!

    Hugs and more hugs,
    Julie

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  7. Thanks MARIAN! I remember the first time I discovered "A Passion Most Pure" I COULD NOT put it down, I stayed up almost all night reading it, I'm pretty sure I had it finished up in a day. :) SOOO GOOD!

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  8. GANISE thank you for coming by and I'm so glad you won! It's always fun when you are the "lucky one". :)

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  9. WHOOPS, MARIAN ... it's pretty early where I am and I have only had about two sips of coffee, so I passed right by your name -- forgive me!!

    Since I tend to run off at the mouth when I write books, it does make me feel a lot better when people tell me they are a fast read despite the number of pages, so THANK YOU!! But you and every other reader friend (almost, because some tell me they don't want me to cut any pages) will be happy to know that all of my future books will be about 100 pages shorter each, if not more, so I'm trying to crank out more books with fewer pages. Duh ... not real smart to write mammoth tomes I can only put out once a year. Now, with this new restriction of mine (and my publisher's, for whom fewer pages means less work, less cost and hopefully more less-intimidated readers), I will actually have THREE BOOKS out within six months time by April, so YAY!!!

    HUGS,
    Julie

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  10. Ladette...Thanks for the kind words.
    Can't wait for you to dive in and take the plunge on Julie's books, you will NEVER be the same!:)

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  11. LADETTE SAID: "I really do need to just break down and read them! :)"

    LOL ... YES, you DO, darlin', so what's the holdup??? Actually, I totally understand because there is a wealth of wonderful Inspy books out there and nobody can read them all, BUT ... I'd love for you to take a shot at mine and to prove it, I will offer you the same deal I offered one other commenter a while back.

    If you read the first book A Passion Most Pure (American Christian Fiction Writers Debut Book of the Year for 2009 and 136 5-star reviews on Amazon) and like it enough to read the rest, I will send you the last book signed and FREE, deal? Two books for the price of one ... uh, if you like the first enough to continue on with the others, that is. All I ask if you like them is to post a short 2- or 3-line review on Amazon, so let's hope you win in this contest to get you started, okay??

    By the way, the other gal who I offered this to is Jen Whitney and I dared her to read all four books within a certain time period in order for me to send the 5th free and she did!! Now she is one of my favorite reader friends and loves my books ... and I love her!!

    You also said: "Thanks Teresa for a great review. I can always count on this site to make my TBR pile taller! lol"

    LOL ... yeah, Teresa and her cohorts on OTT tend to have that effect on me, too, not only because I totally respect their taste in books, but because they make them sound SOOO good!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  12. Ooh, giveaways all week- I'm excited! I haven't gotten around to reading Julie yet, but like I've mentioned before, I've heard rave reviews about her work. Thanks for the awesome giveaway and the chance to win!

    lubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com

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  13. Julie's books look wonderful- and full of tension! I'd love a chance to win a copy of one of her books!

    jennycohen104(at)gmail(dot)com

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  14. Count me in on this one! Thanks for the great giveaway!

    thejesusfreak62(at)gmail(dot)com

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  15. Why Miss Julie you are making this little ole southern belle blush this morning! You are so SWEET!! It means the world to be able to call you my FRIEND!! BE STILL MY HEART! ~sigh~
    CUTTING your books down by 100 pages??? NOOOOOO!! But then again if it means more books I guess I can endure! :)) WOOHOO!!!! The world will be a better place with MORE JL books!

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  16. ELYSSA! Maybe you will win one of Julie's books and when you have one in your hands you will just HAVE to read it! LOL! I konow you will love it!

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  17. i love a hope undaunted! that and a passion most pure are my two favorites! enter me in the contest as pinkbonnie93@yahoo.com

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  18. JENNY, Julie's books definitely have some tension in them! LOL! Julie's books will have you going through every emotion possible, that's what makes them so GOOD! :)

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  19. ELYSSA!!! You and Ladette are on my "hit list," darlin', so LOOK OUT!! I will offer you the same deal I offered her, so check it out above, okay? And here's to a WIN this week, girl -- THREE CHANCES!!!

    JENNY SAID: "Julie's books look wonderful- and full of tension!" LOL ... "full of tension"??? At least one reader out of ten throws (or is tempted to throw) one of my books across the room ... not out of disgust, mind you, but tension!! ;) So hopefully we can get one in your hands to make you a wee bit tense, eh? Good luck!!

    JESUS FREAK ... good luck, my friend, and thanks for coming this week's giveaway -- here's to a win!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  20. PINKBONNIE93, those are two wonderful books, I think A Passion Most Pure is my favorite, but then again I thought that about all of them. Good Luck!

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  21. TERESA ... of COURSE we are friends!! I already know I would love you because if Carrie does, that cinches it for me and then there's those STELLAR reviews!! YIKES ... no way I could NOT be friends with a Southern sweetie like you!!! :)

    PINKBONNIE93 ... SO glad AHU is one of your faves -- mine too!! Thanks for coming by, my friend, and GOOD LUCK in the contest!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  22. I'd love to win "A Passion Most Pure". I have been out to get that book ever since I learned of it. I believe it's been on my to-read list over a year (or two) now.

    I have yet to read any books by Julie Lessman, but she is highly recommended by a few of my favorite authors.

    If I do win, I'd want a paperback copy, and my email is katelynmwhitley@yahoo.com

    God bless and great review!

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  23. This series is so good! I've always been impressed with the spiritual depth she puts into her books. I definitely want to win a copy of one of her books!

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  24. What an awesome review, TERESA! I really loved this book! What am I talking about?...I loved them all! JULIE, it's such a delight to have you back!

    Teresa is our piano player at church--her hubby and she lead the worship service in song. Are we not blessed? She is so talented in so many aspects, not to mention a wonderful person and very nutty just like me! What's not to love??

    Now all that being said, I can't wait for A Love Surrendered!!!

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  25. I love all these books and was supper excited about the newest one coming out! But had no idea that she was coming out with the story of Patrick and Marcy that just made my day! So can't wait to read them both now!!! I would love to win a copy of one of her books! My email is albauman1@yahoo.com

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  26. JULIE said: "LOL ... yeah, Teresa and her cohorts on OTT tend to have that effect on me, too, not only because I totally respect their taste in books, but because they make them sound SOOO good!!"

    I think that's a huge compliment for the four of us! Thanks, JULIE!!

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  27. So excited about this! I'm SO looking forward to reading the prequal about Marcy and Patrick! Keeping my fingers crossed on that one!

    Emreilly303(at)gmail(dot)com

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  28. Sign me up please! Love your books, Julie! Me and my daughter share them and they are truly a highlight for me! Can't wait to read your upcoming books!

    Dreilly316(at)gmail(dot)com

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  29. Thanks for the giveaways! I'm entering for a friend who is dying to read your books, Julie! Keeping my fingers crossed for her!

    Jreilly316(at)verizon(dot)net

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  30. JesusFreak thanks for coming by..good luck winning one of Julie's Books.

    J:-)mi that's another reason I love Julie's books..good luck in the drawing. :)

    Katelyn..hope you win because NO one should go without reading one of Julie's books! :)

    Diana thank you for saying such sweet things about me...but did you have to say I'm NUTTY???? I thought I could keep that quiet! hehehe! ~sigh~ I guess there are some things you just cannot hide! LOL!!! Love ya BFF!

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  31. ASHLEY that is very exciting...now we get to see why these kids are the way they are! :)

    MARIAN That is a wonderful compliment, JULIE is so precious!

    EMILY thanks for coming by today, maybe you'll win one of Julie's books! Good Luck!

    DEBBIE wish I had a daughter I could share with but alas I only have 2 sons. Good Luck in the drawing! :)

    JOHN how sweet of you, hope you win and can surprise your friend! :)

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  32. WOAH!!! Have sweetie boy almost ready for pick up for day camp and logged on to check in. 30 comments already!!!

    TERESA, our poetess, you have the prose that makes your reviews ring. Did you know that such skills is what novelists acquire last, normally?

    JULIE, keep writing so we have more of your awesome books to read. THREE books in SIX months!!! DO share!!!! What and where and when?

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  33. My favorite part of Julie's writing is that she has a special way of allowing her main characters to get caught by those who will prod them into mending their ways. This was an enjoyable book to read.

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  34. CARRIE I keep telling myself I should write a book...I so many funny stories from my childhood and on...maybe one day. I don't think I could write beautiful books like you and Julie. :) If yall haven't noticed I love to make people laugh!

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  35. WALT thanks for coming by, I agree Julie has a special way of handling those wayward characters and having someone love them back to where they should be. :)

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  37. Angi said...
    Good morning , ladies. Great review, Teresa. I love ALL of Julie's books. Your review reminded me of how much I enjoyed Katie and Luke's story. I am SO looking forward to her upcoming books, so YAY for more books in a shorter amount of time! Thanks for an opportunity to enter your giveaway. :)

    Hi, Julie!!! :) *waving*

    bookwarp(at)gmail(dot)com

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  38. I loved A Hope Undaunted, and as I recall that book seemed very long also, but like you said, it goes fast.:)
    Please enter me. kimberlyj503(at)gmail(dot)com

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  39. This book review is based on one of the spiciest of Julie's book--one sassy young girl! But they are all good. Please add me in for a chance to win her latest books!

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

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  40. Wonderful review, Teresa! You really hit the high points of this stellar book in this great series!

    I've said it before and I have to say it AGAIN - nobody writes like Julie Lessman:) I am SO thrilled that she's going to treat us to a novella soon - can't wait!! But no spoilers here;) That said, Julie is every bit as wonderful as her books and I'm so blessed to call her a friend and colleague. I couldn't do it without her! Publishing is a much brighter place with her Christlike presence.

    Pls don't enter me in the drawing as I have Julie's books. I know the winner will savor the giveaway!

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  41. ANGI..Thank you for your kind words. Good Luck! :)

    KIMBERLY...they are so good if Julie had said she was adding 100 more chapters I would still yell...WOOHOO! :)

    LINDA.. you are right.. it is a little "WARM" oops I meant SPICEY! I thought when I read APMP Collin sounded so "dreamy" but when Cluny grew up into LUKE I think poor Collin was left behind! LOL!

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  43. Thank You So Much Laura, you are so sweet. I agree with you 100% that Julie is a one-of-kind. But I am talking to someone who is a legend in my book....I absolutely LOVE your books too! The Frontiersman's Daughter is one of my all time favorites. :)

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  44. I've loved all of Julie's books that I've read (the first 4) and can't wait to see how the story continues. Looking forward to Patrick and Marcy's story as well.

    Holly
    oceandreamerfla(at)gmail(dot)com

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  45. I loved Katie and Luke's story and look forward to your latest release Julie. Can't put your books down once I start reading. Keep those great book coming so we can read more great stories.
    Thanks for opportunity to enter giveaway.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  46. Julies stories in this series have caused an addiction in my being. But, it's a good addiction and I can't get enough of her writings. I've read all the books...so far, in this series and I wouldn't have missed a word in any of them. I have read this wonderful book...so don't need to be included in the giveaway. Julie is an inspiration to me and I value knowing her. Someone is going to win a great read!

    Blessed by Grace,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10@ tx dot rr dot com

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  47. Julie's books are long but when you reach the end, you wish they were longer!!!

    I ♥♥♥ her books so PLEASE enter me :)
    I want the new one coming out!

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  48. Pray about that TERESA! Your poetry is beautiful!

    Thanks JULIE, for your kind words about us. WE LOVE you over here. But I bet you can't tell that, can you?

    ANNE, you are like part of the family!!! I feel the same way about JULIE's books!

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  49. I love all of Julie Lessman's books. After I read the newest one, that one instantly becomes my favorite. I can't tell you how happy I am that now she will be releasing books every 9 months! :) YAY!
    Crossing the fingers that I will be chosen,
    Tiffany

    kohlert@mail.gvsu.edu

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  50. KATELYN!!! Girlfriend, we have to get one of my books in your hot, little hands, don't we, now??!! If you win here, I will be happy to send you APMP, okay, so GOOD LUCK!!

    J:-)SAID -- thank you SO much for that incredible comment, my friend -- that means more to me than anything that you feel my books have spiritual depth because that's what I'm going for here!! Here's to a win!!

    DIANA, you lucky dog!! You get to see Teresa all the time??? You guys are blessed. Now if I could sit down for lunch or coffee with each of the gals on this blog, that would be HOG HEAVEN ... uh, I mean, BLOG HEAVEN!! ;)

    HUGS,
    Julie

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  51. AHSLEY!!! Soooo glad I could make your day, darlin', and trust me, when both my hubby and my agent said that the prequel had the same effect on them that APMP did, I was PUMPED!!! Can't wait to see what you guys think ... ;) Good luck!

    MARIAN, you bet it is, girlfriend!! HUGE!!

    Hey, EMILY, yes, I hope you like the prequel, but Steven's story, with your name in it??? Gotta feeling that may just be your favorite ... ;)

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  52. DEB!!! Are you Emily's mom??? If so, GREAT JOB, girlfriend, on a really wonderful daughter!! And it blesses the socks off of me when I see Mother/Daughter teams read my books -- SOOO fun, especially if you get to discuss it over dinner!!! Here's to a win for the Reilly famiy ... :)

    LOL, JOHN!!! The Reillys are out in force today, aren't they??!! You guys are TOO cute, you know that, and you should win on persistence alone, so here's a win!!

    CARRIE ... I have the prequel coming out Sept., I hope, called A Light in the Window: An Irish Christmas Love Story, then Steven's story releasing Oct. 1st, A Love Surrendered, then book 1 in my new "Heart of San Fran" series, Love at any Cost, which releases April 1. :) Cool, huh??

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  53. WALT!!! How very fun to see you here today, my friend -- I never see you on the comment circuit except in Seekerville, it seems, so YAY!! Thanks for the kind words on my books. I was "prodded" into mending my ways by the gal that led me to the Lord, and then God took over, so I LOVE prodding my characters in the same way. What's good for the goose, you know, and God knows I'm a goose!! ;)

    TERESA, you won't know till you try, girlfriend!! Besides, anyone who can write a review as beautifully as you and the rest of the ladies on this blog is a writer, pure and simple. Which means, you can write ANYTHING you put your mind to, so maybe down the road a bit???

    Hey, ANG, thanks for coming by and for your sweet comments!! I'm all for books in a shorter amount of time and ... ahem ... so is my hubby! It was his idea, actually, and I do respect his opinion greatly!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  54. KIMBERLY ... thank you, my friend! AHU is my fave of all the books I've written because it involves all of the O'Connors so much, the era is so rich with history and Katie is a hoot. Of course, Luke McGee doesn't hurt the book one iota. Hubba hubba!!

    LINDA, really?? Do you think AHU is my "spiciest" book and if so, do you mean the most romantic passion and edgiest? I always thought it was A Passion Denied that took that title, but maybe you mean because Katie is so sassy and Luke and her butt heads so much?

    Hey, LAURA, my face always lights up when I see you in the comments, my friend. Right back at ya, too, as you know. I have few friendships among authors as deep as the one you and I share and I wouldn't want to take this journey without you either, God's truth!! And guess, what? The prequel was originally supposed to be a novella when I pitched it to Revell a couple of years ago, but it is now a full-fledged novel because God help me, I just can't write anything short!! It's actually 350 ms. pages. Sigh. :) Thanks for dropping by, Laura -- LOVE YOU!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  55. Paperback for me! Love, love, love to receive a Julie Lessman novel!! How about Steven's story?? Thank you for entering me in drawing! Kathleen
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  56. TERESA SAID: "I thought when I read APMP Collin sounded so "dreamy" but when Cluny grew up into LUKE I think poor Collin was left behind! LOL!"

    LOL ... I'm right there with you on that one, Teresa. Luke and Mitch are my top faves, although I have to admit, both Steven and Jamie MacKenna (my hero in book 1 of my new series) DO give him a run for their money! ;)

    EMILY, YES!!! I'm with you, girlfriend -- AHU all the way!! As my daughter-in-law put it, "AHU is a convergence of all types of love -- agape love (or sacrificial love), romantic love and brotherly love and then, as I said before, Luke McGee is the icing on the cake. :)

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  57. HOLLY GIRL ... oh, honey, we need to get AHR in your hands, it sounds like, so GOOD LUCK in this contest, my friend, and here's to a win!!

    MISS KALLIE ... always love seeing your name pop up, my friend, and trust me -- I am doing everything in my power to keep the stories coming ...

    BARB!!! First of all, it is SO very good to see you in the comments -- thank you for coming by!! And secondly -- LOL!! Now I'm an addiction?? I do think I like the ring of that, girlfriend, so THANK YOU!! ;)

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  58. ANNE SAID: "Julie's books are long but when you reach the end, you wish they were longer!!!"

    LOL ... NEVER thought I would hear that, Anne, but THANK YOU!! And when you're done reading them, they make great doorstops too! ;)

    TIFF ... LOL, THANK YOU, sweetie, for that sweet comment, and I'm hoping and praying I can keep those books coming out every 9 months, so say one for me, okay? GOOD LUCK in the contest!

    KATHLEEN!!! Trust me, I would love, love, LOVE to send you one of my books, so here's to a win, my friend!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  59. ANNE, your comment made me smile! JULIE's books are long, but when you are done you wish they were longer! So true!

    Yay, just finished another review for the blog. Not one of yours, JULIE-unfortunately! :( But it was a good book written by someone I'm sure you know and is probably a good friend of yours, and we will leave it at that, b/c this is YOUR time!! :) Can't wait until I'm typing up my review for A Heart Surrendered!

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  60. JULIE ought to count as having almost TWICE as many books out as she has. I can see the rationale of the publishers to cut the word and page count. Am thinking JULIE will be thrilled as well as her readers to have more books out to be read!!!

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  61. YAY, CARRIE! Patrick and Marcy's prequel is not going to be a novella, but a full fledged book!!

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  62. A Heart Revealed was such a great book! I agree with the 5 stars there. :)

    I know what Anne's talking about!! Julie's books look so long, but before I know it, I'm already finished with them!

    I'm very excited for Patrick and Marcy's story even though we all know how it ends.

    marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com

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  63. MARISSA...Good Luck in the drawing! :)

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  64. JULIE, CARRIE and DIANA...I took a break to take my mom some chili...I don't normally make chili in the summer but Mom is 85 and not in good health so if she wants chili I make it for her. :) I would appreciate prayers for her, yesterday she couldn't remember my name when I went to see her. But after eating a snack of Zaxby's onion rings she perked up and remembered it! LOL!!

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  65. Ohhhh, that is so sweet TERESA!!! I am making chili too!!! No mommy tho :(

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  66. Well, make sure to put plenty of onions in the chili then, T! LOL!

    My hubby is getting takeout tonight and we are having a candlelight dinner. haha Well skip the candlelight...he always says he can't see what he's eating! He is so afraid he might get a little piece of fat in his mouth from the meat. sheesh! I spoil him; I cut all the fat off when I cook meat for him--rotten man! hehe

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  67. Wow a lot of commments...but the its for an awesome author! Another one of my favorites. I would love to win cause theres several of Julie's books I want to read!
    Blessings....Joy
    ibjoy1953(at)yahoo.com

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  68. LOVE, love, love her books! Would love to win her new book.

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  69. CARRIE...I'm so sorry your mommy had to leave you! :( I'll give mine an extra hug for you next time.

    DIANA...What would our boys do without us? They are just a little spoiled!:)

    JOY... thanks for coming by, I think everyone LOVES Julie..if they don't something must be wrong with them! ~grin~

    MELISSAB...GOOD LUCK! Maybe you'll win. :)

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  70. Would love the chance to get to read one of Julie's books!

    fictionwithfaith@gmail.com

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  71. KARA we would LOVE for you to read one too! Good LUCK, thanks for coming by. :)

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  72. I'm so excited for Mrs. Lessman's upcoming books!
    Would love to win one as well! :) Thanks for the chance!

    kentuckykate@earthlink.net

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  73. Love, love, love this series by Julie! Hope the newest release is available as a choice if I win!
    Patty
    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  74. Wow...great and thorough review!

    Brenda
    brendon8@bellsouth.net

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  75. I can't wait to read Julie's newest....have read all of her books so far and loved, loved them!! She's so inspiring and so fun!
    Thanks for this chance!
    jackie.smith[at]dishmail[dot]net
    Jackie S.

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  76. I have this book in kindle format, and this great review has reminded me that I need to move it up my TBR list. :-) I would love to win a copy of "A Passion Most Pure" thanks for the opportunity.

    gwen[dot]gage[at]gmail[dot]com

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  77. I've read all of Julie's books and am eagerly waiting for the 6th book this fall. I really enjoy reading about the O'Connor family and will be sorry when the series comes to an end. However, I'm sure her next series will be just as good. Thanks for giving away one of her books this week.

    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  78. Great interview. This is an author I haven't read. Would like to win her book.
    Maxie ( mac262@me.com )

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  79. Great review, Teresa!!! And I couldn't AGREE MORE! Julie's books are in a class by themselves!! Simply Dreamy. That's the best way to describe them! And I'm thrilled to call her friend. Waving at my twin sister!!
    For those of you who want a slightly steamy, intense romance and family drama that will make you forget all your trouble, run, not walk to your nearest store and buy all of Julie's books!!

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  80. PATTY thanks for stopping by, Good Luck!

    BRENDA Thank you, sometimes I think my reviews go on and on but I don't want to short-change Julie's Books! LOL

    JACKIE..you're right Julie is a lot of FUN!

    GWENDOLYN..GOOD LUCK...You are very welcome! APMP is a wonderful book!

    MAXIE...hope you win, you have to read one of Julie's books!~

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  81. Oh MY Oh My~ MaryLu and Julie all in one day....be still my heart! MY DAY HAS BEEN MADE ~GRIN~ Two of the my favorite authors EVER!!!
    Thank you for stopping by to spend some time with your TWIN SISTER and little ole me!

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  82. I would to add a new author to my TBR list. Thanks.
    Amy
    Campbellamyd at gmail dot com

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  83. "To me it was like a taking a drink of cold water on a hot summer day--you just can’t get enough." -- I couldn't agree more, Teresa! Great review! : )

    I love Julie and her books! Thanks for the chance to win the latest book!

    Michelle
    scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

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  84. I love watching the O'Connor family grow older and wiser. They are an inspirational family to be continually reading about! Please enter me into the giveaway!
    samanthaakuiper(at)gmail(dot)com

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  85. AMY, you have been missing out!!! JULIE's books are FANTASTIC!

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  86. MICHELLE, we will have three drawings, so your odds are good!

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  87. SAMANTHA, I can't wait to read Marcy's and Patrick's prequel story!!!

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  88. Great review! I LOVE all of Julie's books but I still think A Passion Most Pure is my favorite (I love me some Collin)!

    ecriggs1990(at)aol(dot)com

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  89. MARISSA SAID: "I'm very excited for Patrick and Marcy's story even though we all know how it ends."

    LOL, yeah, it's one of the few books of mine that you actually are 100% certain of the outcome ... or are you??? ;) Thanks for your kind words, my friend and for coming by. GOOD LUCK!!

    Oh, TERESA, what a great daughter you are -- chili is a fave of mine too!! And my heart goes out to you about your mom not remembering your name. That happened to me for the first time last night with my Aunt Julie who is like my mother. She was 94 yesterday, and Keith and I took her a milkshake and lots of presents and played Uno with her, but when I asked her who I was, she said, "Elizabeth." "No, I'm Julie," I told her, and she started arguing with me, but when I pointed to my hubby and said, who's that, she said, "Keith." We all laughed, but it was very sad inside because up until last week, she knew who I was. It's so sad to get old, but we just have to love on them while we can.

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  90. Oh, DIANA, I just LOVE candlelight dinners!!! Hope it was wonderful!!

    Oh, JOY, we definitely have to add to your library, girl, so here's to a win in this contest, my friend. With THREE CHANCES, hope one of them is YOU!!

    MELISSA B ... LOL! And I love, love, LOVE hearing you love my books, too, my friend, so THANK YOU and GOOD LUCK in the contest!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  91. KARA, thanks SO much for coming by and I'm pulling for you 'cause I'd love for you to read one of my books too!! GOOD LUCK!!

    HANNAH ... I'm excited too, I have to admit, because Steven's story is a tearjerker, at least it was for me, so hope you think so too! Good luck and here's to a win!

    PATTY, you bet the new release is available if you win, so good luck in the draw, my friend!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  92. BRENDA ... I totally agree -- Teresa knows how to pack a review with great stuff, doesn't she?? In fact ALL the ladies on this blog are pros at reviews, in my opinion, and I am SO blessed they opt to read and review my books!!

    Aw, thanks, JACKIE -- "inspiring and fun" are two great compliments, and I SO appreciate your kind words and your incredible support. Here's to a win, my friend!

    GWEN ... If I remember correctly, you are not reading AHU until you read APMP first, right?? If so, GOOD GIRL!!! Here's hoping I get to send you a copy of APMP in this contest!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  93. Hey, PAM, great to see you here, my friend, and I have a sneaky feeling you will like the McClares too. Maybe not as much as the O'Connors, because they hold a special place in my (and I hope your) heart, but you will get a kick out of them, I think. Good luck in the contest, my friend!!

    Oh, MAXIE GIRL ... you are JUST the type of reader I love ... one who hasn't read my books yet!! I SO love introducing new readers to the VERY passionate O'Connor family, so I'm pulling for a win for you, and with three chances, the odds aren't bad!!

    MARYLU!!! Hey, sis, I ALWAYS perk up when I see your name, girl, whether it's on the spine of a book or in the comments section, so thanks for coming by!! You said, "For those of you who want a slightly steamy, intense romance and family drama ..." Ooooo ... like that "slightly steamy" part, as you know, and right back at ya on YOUR books, girlfriend!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  94. AMY!!! Gosh, girl, I would LOVE to be added to your TBR and who knows? Maybe it will be through this contest, I hope, so GOOD LUCK!!

    MICHELLE!!! I just LOVE seeing your name pop up, my friend, so thanks for dropping by. And you KNOW I would LOVE to send you a signed copy of ALS, so here's to a win, girlfriend!!

    Aw, THANK YOU, SAMANTHA, for your kind comment AND for coming by to enter. Here's hoping it nets you a win, my friend!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  95. LOL, LIZ ... you'd "love you some Collin," eh??? Well, that's how I feel about Luke and Mitch, although Collin triggers my pulse as well. Sigh ... so many heroes to choose from and come next April, there will be two more -- Steven and Jamie MacKenna from the new series. Decisions, decisions!! Good luck, Liz, and thanks for coming by!

    Going on midnight here, so I best call it a night, although I still need to check in on Helen and her review of A Passion Denied, so see you there tomorrow (Wed.)!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  96. Julie, I will take you up on that offer!! :) Thanks, I look forward to reading!

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  97. Please enter me!!
    I am so excited about reading A Love Surrendered, I cant wait to find out what happens with Steven!
    thanks for this chance to win!
    dymesich(at)juno(dot)com

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  98. oh, cool. I have all her books except A LOVE SURRENDERED thanks for chance to win. love hard copy don't have reader thanks

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  99. LADETTE -- WHOO-HOO!!! Soooo grateful you are going to give it a shot, my friend!! If you like book 1, A Passion Most Pure (only $5.79 on Kindle right now!!) and then read the next three, I will send you the most recent one, A Heart Revealed (see Diana Flowers' EXCEPTIONAL review on 6/19 on this very same blog (DIANA'S REVIEW OF A HEART REVEALED), signed, sealed and delivered, okay? Happy reading, sweetie, and can't wait to see what you think!! Just send me the links to each of your reviews on Amazon and the book will be in the mail!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  100. LOL, LEAH ... I had SO much fun meddling in Steven's life (along with Charity, of course), so I hope you enjoy my "Eliot Ness" style prohibition agent who, yes, I am happy to say, carries a gun!! :)

    ABI!!! Hey, girl, so good to see you here, and ALS is only THREE MONTHS AWAY, so buckle up for a bumpy (and weepy) ride, okay?? Good luck!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  101. I may be late! I love Julie's early writing - so anything new would be awesome!

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