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16 October 2012

Jody Hedlund's new release Unending Devotion reviewed by Marian Baay


Unending Devotion
Unending Devotion by Jody Hedlund

Reviewed by Marian Baay
5 stars~*****

Jody Hedlund takes the reader to the lumber town Harrison where Connell McCormick is the boss-man of his father’s lumber business. Harrison is a town full evil. There are lots of brothels for the many shanty boys. One of them is run by an evil man named James Carr. He kidnaps young women and forces them into prostitution.
Connell doesn’t like the brothels, but believes that they are a necessary evil to keep the shanty boys satisfied.

Lily Young is a young woman of 18 years old. She has lost her parents and her only remaining family is her younger sister Daisy. When they were too old for the orphanage, Lily found a job with Oren and Betsy—an older couple. Daisy was going to live with a family while Lily was trying to make enough money for them to begin their own life. Betsy died and Lily remained with Oren and helped him with his photography business. When Lily received a letter from Daisy that she left the family she lived with to find a job in prostitution, Lily was shocked and determined to find her sister and get her out of the life she has chosen.


In the winter Oren is visiting the lumber town to take photographs of the shanty boys. Lily is traveling with him as his assistant, meanwhile searching for her sister in the brothels – without luck so far. 

When they visit Harrison they are staying in the Northern Hotel, where Lily meets Connell for the first time. They are attracted to each other, but both are trying to convince themselves a relationship will never work, because they are so different. Lily wants to fight injustice, but Connell thinks there is not much he can do to change anything.

Soon Lily is searching the Harrison brothels in the hope to find her sister. While doing this, she is witness of how a girl is kidnapped by Carr’s wife. Lily is going after the girl without telling anyone and gets stranded in a snowstorm and needs rescuing herself. When Connell finds her she is unconscious and suffering from hypothermia. He needs to get her warm again and finds a shelter for them where they will have to stay until the storm is calming and someone will come to rescue them.


After they get back to town rumors are spreading about Connell and Lily together in their shelter. Rumors are traveling to Connell’s parents’ home and his brother is coming to deliver a message from their father. 

When Connell’s brother meets Lily he thinks he has seen her before, but it seems that he has met Lily’s sister and knows where to find her.

A rescue plan is made, but will it all work out alright? Will Lily come in time and get Daisy out without being seen – and keep her safe?
What troubles are waiting for Lily and Connell? And will their attraction grow into something more? When Connell has to choose between helping Lily fighting injustice and his responsibility for his father’s business – what will he choose?

I really enjoyed this story – loved Lily and Connell and loved the secondary characters Oren, Vera and Stuart. Based on a real event, the story was very realistic. It broached the tough subject of prostitution, but Jody surely handled it well.

Jody's books can be purchased through Amazon, CBD and other bookstores.

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

49 comments:

  1. What an interesting plot. Answering an ad and finding yourself in a brothel. Hard stuff! But I have the feeling there's so much more involved. Please add me to the giveaway. Thanks.

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

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  2. Oh my gosh JODY, this sounds like a story to tear at your heart and keep you reading late into the night! Definitely a must-read. Great review MARIAN!!

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  3. Sounds like a winner! And the cover...yep. I voted for this one :)

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  4. LINDA, this was an amazing story. You're entered in the contest and good luck!

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  5. Thanks NOELA! Have you read any of JODY's books?

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  6. I also voted for his cover, ANNE! :)

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  7. Greeeaaattt (I sound like Tony the Tiger!) review, MARIAN. This was such a different type of book for Jody, and she did such a good job on a very difficult subject. Kudos, JODY!

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  8. I'd like to hear that shout, DIANA! :)

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  9. MARIAN, I've only read The Doctor's Lady which I really loved so I need to do some catching up! Though I may snatch this one up first! :)

    DIANA, Lol Tony the Tiger! :))

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  10. This book looks like it will be very interesting. I probably won't be able to put it down! luvsherfam @ gmail dot com

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  11. MARIAN wonderful review. This sounds like a book I NEED to read. :)

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  12. hi SUSAN, I hope you'll enjoy the book when you read it! Good luck in the drawing.

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  13. Yep, I think you should read this book, TERESA. :)

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  14. Thanks for the review - it sounds like such a good book.

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  15. Thank you for commenting LADY JENNIE!

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  16. This looks like an interesting read... Would love to read it :) jking23(at)kent(dot)edu

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  17. Thanks for stopping by JEN. You're entered!

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  18. Marian, you did a great job with your review of Jody's book. I think it is one that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I want to win it really bad. Lost out last week, maybe have better luck this time. I've not read any of Jody's books yet, but the reviews have been great. Please enter me.
    Maxie ( mac262@me.com )

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  19. Will there be a redraw of books that the winners didn't respond? Just wondering. Don't remember how long we have to reply. Maxie

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  20. Thank you, MAXIE! Good luck in the contest this week - maybe you'll win this time. :)

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  21. I can't answer that second post, MAXIE. Let's ask CARRIE.

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  22. WOW....This story held my interested and I can't wait to read this book. Unending Devotion will bless everyone. Thank you for writing it. God bless you.
    Sandi Borgens
    anchored@swbell.net
    110 Della Drive
    Fenton, MO 63026

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  23. I have this featured book however, wouldn't mind having another title by Jody. thanks

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  24. Sounds wonderful! Please enter me:
    debsbunch5@jesusanswers.com

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  25. SANDI, APPLE BLOSSOM & DEBBIE, you are all entered and I wish you tons of luck.

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  26. MAXIE, Yes, I will give them up to a week then will redraw winners!

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  27. I would love to win The Preacher's Bride! Thank you for entering me in the contest for any of Jody's books!! Kathleen
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  28. LANE HILL HOUSE
    Good luck in the drawing, thanks for coming by. :)

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  29. sounds interesting! enter me:
    rhonda_nash_hall@comcast.net

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  30. You're entered RHONDA. Good luck in the drawing!

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  31. What a great review, really makes me want to read this book! Jody is a great new author, I have really enjoyed her first two books.

    Patty
    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  32. Times were so hard in those earlier years - this sounds like a very strong woman who perseveres for what she wants - can't wait to read it

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  33. Thank you PATTY! Good to hear that you enjoyed JODY's first two books! She's a great writer.

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  34. I hope you'll enjoy the story when you get to read it, KIM. Please leave an email address to be entered.

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  35. Thank you again for your review of my book, Marian! You guys are really doing a fabulous job here this week with the interview, reviews, and giveaways! WOW! :-) Thanks for all of your support and encouragement!

    And thank you to everyone else for all of the kind words about my books! I hope you'll all have the chance to read Unending Devotion at some point! Blessings to all! :-)

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  36. I would love to win this book.Thanks...jackie_tessnair@yahoo.com

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  37. I'd love to win a copy of this book based in Michigan! Thanks for the wonderful review!
    Nancee
    quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  38. Wow, I want to read this even more now ... thanks for the chance to win. The book cover is beautiful!

    jafuchi7[at]hawaii[dot]edu

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  39. JACKIE, NANCEE & LADY DRAGONKEEPER, you are entered and I wish you lots of luck!

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  40. Wow what a story, loaded subject for sure, but this still happens today. So good job Jody! Marian your review makes me want to have a copy of this book! Sounds very interesting especially to read what Jody writes about the photography (being a doughter of a photographer).
    Please enter my e-mail
    mirjam(at)fotoflits(dot)com

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  41. Marian, thank you for this review. I look forward to reading Unending Devotion even more.
    Amy C
    campbellamyd at gmail dot com

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  42. MIRJAM & AMY, thank you for commenting. Blessings!

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  43. Thanks for sharing your review. Heartbreaking was the word that came to mind as I read your review with regard to Lily and Daisy and others who find themselves in a similar situation.

    Jes
    jswaks at gmail dot com

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  44. Thanks for stopping by JES. It was heartbreaking for the girls in their situation. Good luck in the drawing!

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  45. Well, as usual I'd love to win. The cover and your review have convinced me Marian! Count me in. Blessings!! spangldlady[at]gmail[dot]com

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  46. DARLENE, as usual we will enter you. ;) Good luck!

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  47. MARIAN, I told you my grandfathers and uncles were lumberjacks didn't I and that my grandfather had his own camp in upper Michigan?

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  48. CARRIE, you told me about Michigan, but I didn't know that your grandfather had his own camp there.

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