Reviewed by Teresa Mathews
~5 Stars*****
Once again Julie has created a story that finds me at a loss of words to describe its magnificence. This story is the prequel to all the other stories in Julie’s Daughters of Boston and the Winds of Change Series. It’s the story of Marceline Murphy and two of Boston’s most notorious rogues, Sam O‘Rourke and Patrick O‘Connor.
After a five year absence Marceline Murphy is excited to be back in Boston. And she is even more excited to be reunited with Julie O’Rourke her best friend since childhood. While spending time with Julie, Marcy runs into Sam, Julie’s older brother. Marcy has had a crush on Sam since she made the mistake of climbing a tree as a child and he had to come up and rescue her. But Marcy is leery of Sam now because rumor has it he and his best friend Patrick O’Connor are the most well known rogues in the south end of Boston. And Marcy has no use for a rogue, regardless of how handsome he is or how long she has known him.
Sam and Patrick have been close as brothers almost their entire life, they have both made quite a reputation with the ladies. Nothing has ever come between the two of them and both are sure nothing ever will until the day Marceline Murphy comes back to town. Both young men are quite smitten with Marcy, but she wants a husband that has turned his heart over to God. Which young man will win Marcy’s heart? Both men profess their love for her but only one man really means it and is willing to give up everything for her.
Julie has once again given my heart a workout with another pulse pounding passionate masterpiece. If like me, you have been a fan of Julie’s writings since her Daughters of Boston series you already know the ending to this story, but for the dear hearts that haven’t had the pleasure of reading Julie’s work yet I won’t give it away. But I will say this is the absolute perfect place to start reading Julie’s books, I promise your life with never be the same again. Julie thank you for the perfect story that wraps up one of the most heartwarming series I have ever encountered. It’s bittersweet for it to come to an end but it has left me with a smile on my face and joy in my heart that will last a lifetime.
I have one more thing I want to add...there is an extra surprise in the book that had me rereading that part. Needless to say it was a shocker!!! LOL That's all I'm saying about it! Now you have to rush and buy a copy!!
You can find this e-book and other books by Julie on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Question: How do you feel about reaching the end of Julie's Boston series?
Giveaway: This ebook will be given away to one commenter on this post. You must be one of Julie's Facebook author page followers to win. Simply go to her FB author page and click "Like" (Here is the link to her page.) Just put JL in your comment so we know! Thanks!
I have one more thing I want to add...there is an extra surprise in the book that had me rereading that part. Needless to say it was a shocker!!! LOL That's all I'm saying about it! Now you have to rush and buy a copy!!
You can find this e-book and other books by Julie on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Question: How do you feel about reaching the end of Julie's Boston series?
Giveaway: This ebook will be given away to one commenter on this post. You must be one of Julie's Facebook author page followers to win. Simply go to her FB author page and click "Like" (Here is the link to her page.) Just put JL in your comment so we know! Thanks!
What an exciting review, TERESA! It clearly shows how much you like the book and how surprised you were with the surprise in there. ;)
ReplyDeleteTERESA, that brilliant, passionate review was almost as passionate as JULIE's book!! Well, almost ;) But I understand your excitement, because that was exactly how I felt when I read this book!! But that does go also for any of Julie's books!
ReplyDeleteWhile it's sad to see this series come to an end, I'm not that sad because I know Julie will soon take us all on another exciting and inspiring series! Plus, they'll all be there to be re-read again one day to enjoy a re-union with the wonderful O'Connors!
Hey Julie and Carrie! Two of my favorite people on the same blog. How fun is that! I loved, loved, LOVED, this book and now when my TBR book is gone (it's getting down there) I am going to start the O'Connors saga all over. OMGosh I felt like I was going to lose touch with family members when I finished this book. Julie, I wish I had your magic, girl! How do you make us fall in love so deeply with all your characters? Hmmm, have you put in for teaching a class at conference? Because I think that would be an awesome class! And who better to teach than the Queen of the art? I bet I could get a lot of people to agree with me that you should teach this class. So what do you say, girlfriend?
ReplyDeleteOh, TERESA GIRL, I got goose bumps!!! THANK YOU, SOOO very much, my friend!!! WOW, what a review ... And WOW, what a blessing you and all the ladies of this blog are to me!!! I swear, if I have a bad day or feel like I can't write worth a hoot (a weekly occurrence, I assure you!), all I have to do is mosey on over to a review written for me by one of you ladies, and I'm smiling again. You sure know how to support Christian fiction ... AND how to write FABULOUS reviews!!!
ReplyDeleteNOELA SAID: "TERESA, that brilliant, passionate review was almost as passionate as JULIE's book!! Well, almost ;)" LOL, girl, it was, indeed, and we all know how I LOVE passion, which is one of the many reasons I love you guys so much -- you are VERY passionate about supporting Christian fiction and passionate in with your reviews as well!!
DEBBIE!!! LOL, girl, not sure I want to add anything to my plate right now or I will go TILT, but I do thank you for your VERY kind words, my friend! And I will say that Ruth Axtell and I are pitching another workshop this year called "From Sweet to Swoon: Ramping Up the Sigh Factor in our Heroes," so say one for us, will you? We pitched this last year and didn't make the cut. Also, in my Seekerville March blog, I am posting something that I think might be pretty close to what you're talking about. It's called "GET "REEL" ... With Characters You Can See, Feel and Love (Like in a Movie)!!
NOTE TO CARRIE: I promise I will try to stay away today in responding to comments because I know you will yell at me if I show up too much, and frankly I'm scared of you ... ;)
Hugs,
Julie
MARIAN are you sure you could tell how excited I was to read this?? ~grin~ It's like that old song "I'm so excited...I just can't hide it..." LOL!!
ReplyDeleteNOELA when I received this part of me wanted to hurry right through it because that's what I always do with Julie's books, BUT since it was the last O'Connor book I thought maybe I'd better slow down and savor it. WELLLLL I did try to take my time (and even though I KNEW who wins the girl) I couldn't help myself I started flipping those pages like there was no tomorrow! :D
ReplyDeleteDEBBIE LYNNE GF you are the best!! You have been on here since Sunday starting with your heart touching testimony and you were right here yesterday commenting with everyone that came on, and now I am blessed to have you on here today. You are such a blessing, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
ReplyDeleteJULIE my sweet, YOU are like a bright ray of Sunshine in my cloudy world this morning. WOW!! Nothing like waking up to find your beautiful message on here!! Could you tell I "liked" this book a tiny bit?? hehehe If I could GF I would announce it from the rooftops...YOU HAVE TO READ JULIE'S BOOKS!! :)
ReplyDeleteI loved, loved, loved this book! Everything about it! And TERESA you did a wonderful job reviewing it -- makes me want to start reading it again!
ReplyDeleteAnd, JULIE, you are right to be scared of CARRIE. She's tough! She's actually a little pussycat with a heart of gold, but don't let her know I told you that. (whispering)
DIANA thank you my dear... this book added just the right touch to the O'Connor series, even though I knew the ending finding out how it came to be was sooo good!
ReplyDeleteAS for JULIE being afraid of CARRIE I had to giggle a little at that...someone I know used to feel that way too until I...I mean SHE met CARRIE. :) CARRIE is a sweetheart and I know JULIE knows that by now too. She is always looking out for others...she is a fine example of what a CHRISTIAN should be!!
AMEN!!
ReplyDeleteTERESA, I tried to read mine last night but found it wasn't on my Kindle!!! May have to have you guys help me or I will just order from Kindle. In fact, I will, lol! That way I can keep it, too, because these PDFs we are supposed to take down after 60 days.
ReplyDeleteCARRIE I can't wait for you to read it and tell us what you think. :)
ReplyDeleteLADIES I will be back in a little while, must make that last minute grocery run before Thanksgiving. :)
ReplyDeleteJL - I have this book on my list of Christmas reads. I have read a couple of other books by Julie and love her writing. Looking forward to reading this one.
ReplyDeleteLORAINE, you will love this one! I would have loved to have read it closer to Christmas time, but it IS right around the corner! This book served to rev me up for the holidays, that's for sure!
ReplyDeleteI've read all of Julie's books except A Light in the Window (and I'm hoping to read it). I feel kind of sad to be at the end of this great saga about the O'Connor family. I'd love to read more about them.
ReplyDeleteJL
pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
PAM you will love this...it's so great to see how the O'Connor family got started. Good luck in the drawing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story for the celebration of Christmas. Thank you for offering this review and giveaway! I'm a follower of both Julie's and this blog.
ReplyDeleteNancee
quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Wow what a wonderful story. I would love to finish it and see what the big secret reread is in it. Thanks for the chance of letting me enter.
ReplyDeletejoeym11@frontier.com
NANCEE, it's always so wonderful to see you! And you know that Santa is giving away some chocolate to a lucky person who comments on all of the reviews this week! So come back! This book is indeed a wonderful celebration of Christmas!
ReplyDeleteDIANA (it feels as though I'm talking to myself -- which I have been known to do before -- ahem), lots of luck in the giveaway and hope you enjoy the surprise in the book!
ReplyDeleteJulies books seem to have a lot of surprises! Wonder what they are in this bookmark?
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteJL
Hey MELODY!!! Did you see those comments on your recipes over at Colonial Quills?!!! We are looking forward to posting your awesome recipes here on Overcoming With God, too! I just downloaded an Amazon copy for myself. We got PDFs from Julie but I couldn't find my link. Plus I wanted to keep it and I think technically we are supposed to delete after 60 days. Great to see you here!!!
ReplyDeleteWow, Teresa, LOVED the review!
ReplyDeletePlease don't enter me in the ebook giveaway because I already won this one from the Seekerville blog (how exciting); I'm planning on reading it this weekend and Teresa has me even MORE eager to find out what surprise is in store :)
How do I put this? I'm well familiar with Julie Lessman's dynamite personality and the woman LIGHTS UP the room with her sweetness and humor, seriously she puts a smile on my face EVERY time I read her comments (on blogs, her website, and facebook). However, I have never read her books before so A Light in the Window will be my first....and I own the Daughters of Boston series but haven't had the chance to read them yet. I hope to change that over the holiday season because Julie Lessman is already the best in my eyes without ever having the chance to read her work :)
Teresa, I'm looking forward to never being the same again once reading this fabulous ebook and the rest of Julie's books :)
By the way, LOOOOVING the new name you ladies have on the blog....Overcoming With God, that fits perfectly :)
Hugs and blessings all around, looking forward to more reviews here!
I'm so sad that the O'Connor's stories are over!! :( I am going to try and stretch it out as long as I can! I'm reading ALS right now and am loving it! I also can't wait to read A Light in the Window-I've seen some great reviews on it!
ReplyDeletemarissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com
JL
I'm very sad to see Julie's Boston series come to an end=( I look forward to reading this final book, just haven't bought the ebook yet. I have so many books on my TBR shelf, but I'm sure I'll find time to read this one soon!
ReplyDeleteJL
Pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
KARA, you are in for an enjoyable ride!! So glad we didn't give away any spoilers in this one, since you are just starting this awesome series. Make sure you start with A Light in the Window, though, so no spoilers!
ReplyDeleteI love our new name, too! Thank you for your kind words!
MARISSA, I feel your pain! Savor that last one and here's hoping you will get a copy of A Light in the Window in your hands ASAP! Oh, you will love it!
ReplyDeletePATTY, hoping you will get a chance to read this one during the holidays! It's so special you just HAVE to move this one to the top of your TBR list! And maybe you won't have to buy it either. Enter as often as you like on all of the reviews this week!
ReplyDeleteDIANA thank you so much for having my back. I had so much to do for Thursday I'm just now getting to check back in. You're the best friend a girl could ever have. :)
ReplyDeleteNANCEE thanks for stopping by and you are very welcome!! Good Luck with the drawing!
ReplyDeleteDIANA My lips are sealed about the "surprise" and man that's a hard thing for me to keep my mouth closed! :D
ReplyDeleteMELODY I hope you get to read it to find out the suprises. :)I can't wait to go over to CQ to read your yummy recipes.
ReplyDeleteOhmygoodness KARA I can't believe you haven't had the chance to read Julie's books! If you love JULIE then you will love her books. This one is the prefect start! ENJOY!!!
ReplyDeleteMARISSA I'm going to miss those sweet O'Connors, I think Faith and Colin were my favs...no wait maybe it's Charity and Mitch..what am I saying??? I LOVED THEM ALL!! Everytime I would read one of Julie's book I would think there's no way they can get any better and BAM the next one would be even better. That must be the reason Julie ended the series... if it had gotten any better we couldn't have taken it!! :D
ReplyDeletePATTY I'm very sorry to see this sweet series come to an end also...when I read Julie's books it's like reading about my family. :) The O'Connors will always have a place in my heart.
ReplyDeleteI am sad to see the O'Connor's story end but I know that they will always be right there in the books so that I can go back read about them over and over!
ReplyDeleteJL
samanthaakuiper(at)gmail(dot)com
The cover of A Light in the Window caught my eye, but the review, I realized I need to read this book... Daughters of Boston series - I am going to read these... this book sounds great .. thanks for the chance to win it !!! I love the cover !!!! have a blessed day !! Rosemary rfoley@salemstate.edu
ReplyDeleteSAMANTHA..isn't that great...we can always re-visit them, just like family!
ReplyDeleteROSEMARY...I promise you will love this series! Julie is a terrific writer and after reading her books I always come away feeling like I just visited with family. :)
ReplyDeleteI just started The Daughters of Boston series and I'm loving getting to know the O'Connor's! I'll be sad to finish these. JL shopgirl152nykiki(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI am sad, VERONICA! :( But I plan on reading A Light In The Window every Christmas -- it's so full of everything -- Christmassy! You're blessed to be just beginning this awesome series!
DeleteA great review! I have not yet read any of these, but it sounds like this is where I should begin. Since I have not yet read any of her books I can't say how I feel about them ending, but I oook forward to the chance to begin them. vmarney at hotmail dot com
ReplyDeleteThis book is the prequel, VICKI, so you won't know until the end who the heroine ends up with (though you will have an idea I'm sure -- lol), which I DID know since I have read both of the series. But it was sure fun reading how it all started!
DeleteTeresa, awesome review. I LOVE Julie's books and am SO sad to see the O'Conner series come to an end. I love this family and am anxious to see how it all began. Thanks for the opportunity to enter. JL.
ReplyDeletebookwarp(at)gmail(dot)com
Teresa, what a great review. Thank you so much. I haven't read any of Julie's books yet but definitely intend to. I have liked her on facebook.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jo