Love at Any Cost by Julie Lessman
Revell Publishing 2013
Revell Publishing 2013
5 Stars*****
Reviewed by Teresa Mathews
When I hear the name
Julie Lessman mentioned I have to break out in a grin, can't help but have that
reaction to someone who has brought so much joy into my life with her
wonderful books. Julie is well known for her Daughters of Boston and Winds of
Change books, which introduced us to the O'Connor family. Now it seems she will
be known for this one too.
In this novel Julie
takes us clear 'cross the country to the big ole state of Texas where we meet a
feisty little ole spitfire that goes by the name of Cassidy McClare. Cassie is more
at home roping cattle on the range than all dressed up going to dances. When a
handsome man proposes marriage to Cassidy she thinks her life is complete until
he finds out her daddy's oil wells have dried up and he dumps her. Cassie decides
she needs a new start so she takes a trip out to San Francisco to spend time
with her Aunt Caitlyn, who is the widow of her dad's brother.
While Cassie is collecting
her baggage at the train station she is literally swept off her feet by a
handsome man who isn't watching where he is going. Trying not to be rude she
accepts his apology knowing she will never have to see this "pretty
boy" again or so she thinks.
Jamie McKenna is a
handsome lawyer working at one the best firms in San Francisco run by Logan
McClare, Cassie's uncle. No one would ever know Jamie was raised in one of the boardinghouses
in the unsavory Barbary Coast. Jamie worked three jobs to put himself through
college but not only did he accomplish that he moved his mother and crippled little sister
to a better part of town. Now if only he could find a beautiful, rich young
woman to marry he might be able to fulfill his dreams; to get the surgery his
sister needs and to have a beautiful house on the affluent Nob Hill.
When Jamie shows up at Caitlyn
McClare's house he is shocked to find the beauty he bowled over at the train
station earlier that day, but Cassie is not the least bit happy to see him. Now
this is where the fun begins...Jamie is quite smitten with Cassie but it seems
it's going to take a lot of smooth talking and a few kisses to get her to succumb
to his charms. He may even have to up the ante by going to church with her and
that is not high on his list of things to do because he's been angry at God since
his sister's accident. Will things work out for Cassie and Jamie or will
something happen to send Cassie running back to Texas faster than a spooked
filly?
What a book! There are heated
moments of Cassie and Jamie sharing kisses that could start fireworks that are
hotter than the Fourth of July. There's a juicy little secret from her past
that Cassie's Aunt Caitlyn is keeping, as usual it seems Julie thought of
everything to get your heart racing!! I even found my mouth hanging open at a big
ole shocker she threw in but my goodness this is a Julie Lessman book, what
else could I expect??!! In my opinion Julie has written another fabulous book
that you DO NOT want to miss but don't take my word for it, this is one you
have to savor for yourself!!
Amazon, CBD, and Barnes and Noble
GIVEAWAY! ANSWER THE QUESTION AND LIKE JULIE'S FACEBOOK PAGE PUT (JL) IN YOUR COMMENT AND DON'T FORGET YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS. WE ARE GIVING AWAY A BOOK WITH EACH REVIEW THIS WEEK!
QUESTION: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE JULIE LESSMAN BOOK?
Amazon, CBD, and Barnes and Noble
GIVEAWAY! ANSWER THE QUESTION AND LIKE JULIE'S FACEBOOK PAGE PUT (JL) IN YOUR COMMENT AND DON'T FORGET YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS. WE ARE GIVING AWAY A BOOK WITH EACH REVIEW THIS WEEK!
QUESTION: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE JULIE LESSMAN BOOK?
A Passion Most Pure would be my favorite. That one I threw across the room, then promptly emailed Julie and told her how much I loved it :)
ReplyDelete(JL)
LOL, ANNE ... so YOU were one of the violent ones, eh?? I'd forgotten that since you are SO sweet now ... ;)
DeleteAPMP usually wins hands-down, so I'm not sure if that means I've gotten worse as a writer or Faith & Collin are favorites. ;)
GOOD LUCK in the contest, my friend!!
Hugs,
Julie
ANNE you have me ROFLOL!! I KNOW what you mean girl!! All of Julie's books so far have made me talk to myself like a blooming idiot...WAIT I am a BI!! LOL Thanks my sweet non-violent friend! :)
DeleteOh, you haven't gotten worse :) It's just any book that can make me pitch it like I did, and love it like crazy is going to remain at the top of my list! I won't even loan out my copy so I suppose I'm not TOO nice ;)
DeleteLOL ... talk about "grinning"!!! I'm ear-to-ear right now, Teresa, because I was SO hopin' you'd enjoy this book. And the big surprise?? I can almost see how your jaw must have dropped, and that tickles me!!
ReplyDeleteWOW ... a killer review that once again makes me want to buy the book myself -- THANK YOU, my sweet friend. And you know what? I actually thought that I had toned the sizzle in this book WAY down from my DOB and WOC series, but apparently not because a number of people have mentioned it, so I guess it's a case of you can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl. :|
Thanks SO much, Teresa, for a wonderful review and your sweet friendship!!
Hugs and more hugs,
Julie
JULIE it is always my pleasure to read and review one of your books. And mygoodnessgracious don't you even think about toning down the sizzle!! I thought it was just right! Besides God wants us to have a little sizzle in our lives, look what He put in the Song of Solomon...WOW talk about some sizzling romance!! Ole Solomon had 900 wives and 300 "sometimes" wives! WHAT A MAN!! hehehe But then again as my hubby likes to say poor ole Solomon had 900 MIL's too!! lol
DeleteIn answer to my own question...I loved EVERYONE of your books but there was something special about COLIN! ~sigh~
I want to tell you how much I appreciate the hard work that goes into your books. Love ya to pieces Julie!!
LOL about the 900 MILs!!! Your hubby sounds like a hoot! And right back at you, my friend -- I SO appreciate you and Carrie, Diana and Marian taking the time to read, review and PROMOTE my books -- you guys ROCK!!
DeleteI had a feeling you and I were evenly matched when it comes to liking "sizzle" in our romance, which I SO appreciate, Teresa, because sometimes I get tired of the other side beating me up. :|
Hugs and more hugs,
Julie
NOELA!!! I cannot believe I left you out of the lineup in my comment above!!! Can you tell it's late at night??? PLEASE forgive me -- must be because you're the new kid on the block, my friend. :)
DeleteLOVE YOU!!
Julie
Teresa! Great review! I just know that I'm gonna love this new series! Which book of Julie's is my favorite? Hmmm...that's a hard question, they're ALL SO good. But I think I can narrow it down to two. A Heart Revealed and A Light in the Window. Can't wait to add LAAC to my keeper shelf. :) JL
ReplyDeletebookwarp(at)gmail(dot)com
ANGI thanks a bunch! I know you are going to love this one too, Cassie and Jamie are quite the pair! Thanks for coming by!!
DeleteANG!!! Would LOVE to see you win a free book, my friend, so keeping my fingers crossed. With FOUR giveaways on OWG this week, the odds are certainly good.
DeleteHere's to a win!!
Hugs,
Julie
I have never read any of your books and i want to , so this would be a good way to get started, thank you
ReplyDeleteShirley Blanchard
SHIRLEY!! You have been missing some terrific reading, but better late than never. Here's hoping for a win for ya!
DeleteMake sure to come back and give us your email address so we can contact you if you win. :) Thanks for dropping by!
Hey, SHIRLEY -- you've never read any of my books? Well, girl, we're just going to have to remedy that, now aren't we?? I like to encourage people who have never read me before to check out the "Excerpts" tab of my website at the link below to read samples of my favorite romantic and spiritual scenes for each of my books, because that will give you a good idea of my style of "passion with a purpose" writing. If you only have time for one excerpt, I suggest scrolling down for the romantic scene from A Hope Undaunted because that's my fave!!
DeleteAnd also, my 5-star e-book A Light in the Window is on sale for almost half off ($3.99), so I encourage you to check it out.
Finally ... book 1 in the 2nd series, A Hope Undaunted, is available for free download RIGHT NOW, so I hope you take advantage!!
Here’s the link to my EXCERPTS tab:
Here's the "Excerpts" link: JULIE'S EXCERPTS
GOOD LUCK and Hugs,
Julie
What a delightful review, TERESA, as always! I smacked this one closed on the twist near the end...I was sooo mad! I have NEVER done that with a JULIE book before. Hubs looked at me as if I'd lost it. lol
ReplyDeleteOh no! Another one to throw :) Now I KNOW I have to have this book!
DeleteDIANA I's usually mumbling under my breath....when I got to that part I was in bed with a terrible headache, I closed the book and mumbled out loud "I did NOT see that one coming" Julie you got us good!!! But that's what keeps us coming back for more. It was Charity's story that made me the most upset! lol CASSIE is such a good girl too, she reminds me of Faith, or maybe it's just because I LOVE COLIN so much!! :)
DeleteThat was supposed to be "I'm" usually mumbling not "I's" LOL!!
DeleteLOL! Teresa, that's yer pirate side coming out. Great review, matey!
DeleteIf I recall correctly, DIANA, TERESA, AND ANNE, I slapped the book closed at that point as I was so devastated! I could never throw it though lol, gosh it's a JULIE book after all... plus I had to give her a chance!! ;) BUT, I can tell you I was in half a mind to write to JULIE about this if she didn't redeem herself before the book finished LOL!!!
DeleteLOL, DIANA, NO!!! You slammed the book closed??? And now I find out Noela, Teresa and Anne did too?? Oh, ye of little faith!!! Have I not pulled a rabbit out of my hat in every book to give you your happy endings???
DeleteWhat can I say -- I'm a card-carrying drama queen who will try to pull a fast one on you every chance I get. Although, you will ALL be happy to know that there is no great shocking surprise in book 2, just a bit of mystery and almost NO kisses!! But the romantic tension??? So thick you could cut it with a knife. :)
I did have one gal e-mail me in the middle of the night while reading A Passion Denied, and when she got to the big surprise in that one, she said she jolted up in bed and said, "Holy cr___!! so loud, she woke her husband. ;)
Now keep in mind that I put all you guys and my characters through the ringer so I can spare my husband all the drama in our marriage, so it's actually all for a very good cause. ;)
Hugs,
Julie
I haven't read any of your books but this one looks really good! I liked your Facebook page as well, so now I'll be better able to keep up. :)
ReplyDeletedjpankr@yahoo.com
DARCI here's hoping you will win this one so you can see all the fun you've been missing. Thanks for coming by!!
DeleteHey, DARCI, SO glad you popped by!! I like to encourage those who have never read my books before to check out the "Excerpts" tab of my website at the link below for samples of my favorite romantic and spiritual scenes for each of my books. That will give you a good idea of my style of "passion with a purpose" writing. If you only have time for one excerpt, I suggest scrolling down for the romantic scene from A Hope Undaunted because that's my fave!!
DeleteAlso, right now, book 1 in the 2nd series, A Hope Undaunted, is available for free download, so I hope you take advantage!!
Here’s the link to my EXCERPTS tab:
JULIE'S EXCERPTS
GOOD LUCK and Hugs,
Julie
(JL), A Passion Most Pure hooked me for life, and though it's my favorite, I loved the entire series. You have such a way of intertwining scripture/wisdom into these "situations" that it has actually helped me to minister to others. Blessings to you!!
ReplyDeleteTania Williams
xihawsis@yahoo.com
TANIA JULIE does have a way with words, you will always find encouragement in her books. You never have to wonder to whom her heart belongs, you can tell she has a heart filled with God's love! Thanks for coming by!
DeleteWOW, TANIA, your comment absolutely blesses the socks off of me, my friend, so THANK YOU for taking the time to encourage me. Here's hoping it nets you a win, you sweet thing!!
DeleteHugs,
Julie
Loved your review, Teresa, you have me and other OWG readers intrigued with reviews like this one :) Julie definitely has a talent for jaw dropping moments and this book sounds like it meets the standard and THEN some! My fave Julie Lessman book would be...A Passion Denied and probably A Light in the Window (will be re-reading it soon), but since I got to love the O'Connors it's tough to pick just one. Loved reading about Anne's and Diana's reactions to these books, only a great author can do that :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway, sending my love to Julie and my OWG sisters!
Hugs and blessings, Kara *JL*
wman4jcATaolDOTcom
KARA it's so good to see you on here...always love "talking" with you! ANNE had me laughing really hard this morning...I could see myself doing something like that! :) I LOVE a book that gets your emotions moving!! :) BIG OLE HUGS right back at ya!!
DeleteKARA!!! Do you know I've missed you??? Soooo good to see you here, and WOW, I love the comment, "only a great author can do that." Either that or a flaming CDQ!! ;)
DeleteHugs!!
Julie
Love your review Teresa .. As far as reading any of Julie's books i am not sure rather i have or not. Don't think so, but this one sounds so good and have been trying to win it. Would love to win this book .Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
lizd225(at))gmail(dot)com
HI LIZ it's great to see you on here! I hope this will be your lucky week! We are giving away a book with every review! If you haven't read one of Julie's books I know you will love this one. :) Thanks for coming by!
DeleteELIZABETH!!! Boy, girl, you have been working hard for this book, so I would LOVE to see you pull out a win -- GOOD LUCK!!
DeleteHUGS,
Julie
Hello everyone. Great review Teresa. I haven't read any of Julie's books yet, but have read her excerpts for each. Tho they all sound good, being a country girl I must say I believe this one might just be my favorite. Time will tell. I would sure love to win this one, but haven't been very lucky on winning books from this wonderful site, But, still keep trying! And, I do love this blog, my favorite, with these wonderful girls. So, no chance of me leaving. GOD bless you all, including Julie. MAXIE mac262(at)me(dot)com
ReplyDeleteMAXIE!! So glad you keep coming back to be with us! Hang in there this could be your lucky day! :) We love you too and are so glad we've met you.
DeleteMAXIE!! I can hardly believe you still haven't won one of my books or ready any yet after all this time, but you like to read them in order, don't you, which I SO appreciate! I am reallllly pulling for you to win, so you go, girl!!
DeleteHugs,
Julie
Hey, Julie. If it will make you feel better, then by all means, go buy it, then you can send it to me. LOL
ReplyDeleteLOL, ANONYMOUS ... it would make me feel better, but not my husband, unfortunately. He keeps telling me I'm supposed to be MAKING money at this, not spending it ... ;)
DeleteGOOD LUCK!!
Hugs,
Julie
That was Maxie that was talking to you. Do you ALWaYS listen to him? LOL
DeleteI haven't read one of her books yet so I don't have a favorite one. But I liked her FB page - JL. I think I will like her books once I get a chance to read one. I love inspirational fiction set in the old west. And this character sounds like me!
ReplyDeleteKim LitlePokie@aol.com
JL
KIM I just know you will love JULIE"S books. They always keep you going back for more! :) Thanks for coming by!
DeleteWell, KIM, I sure would love to see OWG pull your name out of the hat, so here's crossing my fingers for you. :)
DeleteGod bless!
Julie
I don't believe I have had the privilege to read any of Julie's books. I can tell by the review, that I really must remedy that as soon as possible!
ReplyDeleteJL
Betti
bettimace(at)gmail(dot)com
BETZ maybe you will win one of the ones we are giving away! I promise you will love JULIE'S books. So glad you came by!
Delete
DeleteBETZ ... SOOOO glad you stopped by and would LOVE to see you win a book, my friend, so GOOD LUCK!! And I think I may have already mentioned this to you, but if you have never read any of my books before, I encourage you to head on over to the "Excerpts" tab of my website to check out my favorite romantic and spiritual scenes in each of my books, okay? Here's the link and GOOD LUCK!!
JULIE'S EXCERPTS
HUGS,
Julie
BETTI, This is about to be remedied!!! You are the winner from this post!!! CONGRATS on winning a Julie Lessman book!
DeleteI haven't had the pleasure of reading one of Julie's books yet but this one sounds like a great one to start with.
ReplyDeletewfnren(at)aol(dot)com
OOPS! Forgot to put that I do like Julie's facebook page!
Deletewfnren(at)aol(dot)com
GOODNESS, WENDY, your e-mail addy looks SO familiar that I just assumed you had read one of my books or else you've been trying real hard to do so. :) Well, maybe THIS will be your lucky blog ... ;)
DeleteGOOD LUCK!!
Julie
WENDY one will be the perfect one to start with!! Here's hoping for a win!! Thanks for coming by! :)
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to say that I still haven't read one of Julie's books, but I do intend to do so. I've read such good things about her writing.
ReplyDelete(JL)
may_dayzee (at) yahoo (dot) com
KAY Julie's writing is marvelous!! You will absolutely love her books! So glad you came by.
DeleteOh, goodness, KAY, we DO have to get one in your hands, girl, because you are just WAY too diligent on these blogs. Saying one for you RIGHT now, so GOOD LUCK!!
DeleteHUGS,
Julie
I couldn't choose a favorite.
ReplyDeleteJL
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
MARY it really is hard to choose between Julie's books, everyone is so good! Glad you dropped in!
DeleteLOL, MARY ... that's what I like ... short and sweet! ;) Heaven knows SOMEBODY's got to write "short" because I sure can't!!
DeletePulling for you, my friend, so GOOD LUCK!!
HUGS,
Julie
Hey TERESA -- fabulous and very entertaining review!! :) It's almost a let-down now as it's sinking in that I've read it and that's it until... I don't know when?? When IS your next one released JULIE?? I know, I know... we're being GLUTTONOUS!! :)
ReplyDeleteFavourite JULIE Lessman book hmmmm.... To be honest I don't think that's a fair question lol, truly I LOVE them all. 'IF' I had to pick one that I loved a minuscule amount more, I'd venture to say A Passion Denied, then A Passion Redeemed... maybe because of the very handsome and sweet but tortured John Brady.. ;)
NOELA thanks for asking JULIE the question I wanted to ask and didn't!!! lol Love the GLUTTONOUS" comment, too funny and very true! :)
DeleteSorry for asking a loaded question, I knew for anyone that has read JULIE's books it would be hard to answer. Devious of me huh??? lol
COLLIN was my fav but BRADY wasn't far behind. :)
Hey, NOELA, Dare to Love Again releases January 2014, at least there isn't a year between my books like the last series.
DeleteOh, and I am SO glad APR made your favorites list, girl, because that is my fave of the DOB series. Gotta love that Mitch the grouch, too, along with tortured Brady. :)
Hugs!!
Julie
Well I have to admit I haven't read a single one yet - I'm just finding all these fantastic authors to start reading! Most certainly she is added to the list - especially if her books are "toss" worthy. Haha - gotta love those ones that drag you in so deeply that you feel every emotion they do! Can't wait to read them!
ReplyDeleteSusan P
JL
farmygirl at hotmail dot com
OH SUSAN I promise every word we've told you is the gospel...JULIE'S book will take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions! You might throw 'em, toss 'em or even talk to 'em but YOU WILL LOVE 'EM!! Thanks for coming by!
DeleteLOL, SUSAN ... "Toss" worthy ... I like that!! ;) And you would honestly be SHOCKED at how many letters I've received from readers telling me they either threw my books or wanted to. What can I say -- I'm a die-hard CDQ (caffeinated drama queen). :)
DeleteI like to encourage people who have never read me before to check out the "Excerpts" tab of my website at the link below to read samples of my favorite romantic and spiritual scenes for each of my books, because that will give you a good idea of my style of "passion with a purpose" writing. If you only have time for one excerpt, I suggest scrolling down for the romantic scene from A Hope Undaunted because that's my fave!!
And also, my 5-star e-book A Light in the Window is on sale for almost half off ($3.99), so I encourage you to check it out.
Finally ... book 1 in the 2nd series, A Hope Undaunted, is available for free download RIGHT NOW, so I hope you take advantage!! Here’s the link to my EXCERPTS tab:
Here's the "Excerpts" link: JULIE'S EXCERPTS
GOOD LUCK and Hugs,
Julie
solid review Tommy! Good work on a good book!
ReplyDeleteMURRAY thanks! Did you decide I needed a new name? Lol I have been called a lot of things before but that's a new one for me. :D Glad you dropped in, it's always great when you do.
DeleteHey, MURRAY ... I'm chomping to get to your book that's on my desk right now because I know these gals at OWG LOVE you and dubbed you King of Romance, so I'm ready to dive in. :)
DeleteHugs,
Julie
Another great review! I can't wait to find the time to begin reading this book!
ReplyDeletewhat is my fave Julie book? Well, I guess I will have to say at the point, that it is Candle in the Window, since it is the only one I have read...so far! :-) I am truly looking forward to reading more!
Vicki CFP JL
vmarney(at)hotmail(dot)com
Hey, VICKI ... SO glad you enjoyed Marcy and Patrick O'Connor's prequel ... that sets you up nicely for the Daughters of Boston series, of WHICH, by the way, book 1, A Passion Most Pure, will be available for free download this summer, so check out my Journal Jots blog every Friday to see when that will be, okay?
DeleteGood luck!!
Hugs,
Julie
What an enjoyable review, T.!
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you MARIAN! Glad you enjoyed it! :)
DeleteI agree, MARIAN ... I LOVE T's reviews too!! :)
DeleteHugs,
Julie
A favorite Julie Lessman book? That would be like a mother picking a favorite child=)
ReplyDeleteI did just recently finish A Light in the Window and really enjoyed it.
pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
PATTY thanks for the giggle...you are so right, ALL of Julie's books are out-of-this-world good!! Thanks for stopping by! :)
DeleteHey, PATTY, soooo glad you enjoyed ALITW!! Here's hoping you'll like LAAC as well ... after you win it here, of course! ;)
DeleteHugs,
Julie
The more reviews I read makes me want to quit all the work I do just to read all of these wonderful books! But then I couldn't purchase books or have a place to live.....hmmmm.
ReplyDeleteTeresa, this review is awesome. You certainly have a gift my fried. I have to be honest here and say I have yet to read one of Julie's books. I won one of her books but it was the 3rd of a series. I have not had a chance to purchase 1 and 2 yet. I could never start a series in the middle..I am a weird one I guess...but I really want to read Love At Any Cost..it sounds wonderful!
(JL) Sunydey26@aol.com
Ladies, please keep up the good work here at OWG. I keep saying this..but you all are a huge blessing to me.
Smiles,
Johnette
Hey, JOHNETTE ... well, like I told you on Diana's review blog, keep your eyes peeled for the free download this summer of BOOK 1 in the first series, A Passion Most Pure, WHICH, I'm very proud to say, was American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Book of the Year. Then you have five more books to follow right on its heels. :)
DeleteHugs,
Julie