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28 April 2013

Three Reasons to LOVE Julie Lessman's "Love at Any Cost"


Love at Any Cost


Julie Lessman’s Love at Any Cost
Revell (2013)

Great new cast of characters!

So wonderful to be able to dig into a new Julie Lessman series and “meet” her new characters and delve into a new story line.

Cassidy McClare is a funny little gal from Texas.  Thankfully Julie can write spunky well—sometimes it comes off as silly when other authors do so. I think it is very difficult to write this type of character and pull it off but Julie does.  Similarly she has a hero who is very similar to an antagonist(!) I have in one of my manuscripts (my “problem child” that is giving me fits.).  For her to make me give Jamie MacKenna the time of day, she had a hard sell.  I am not a rogue lover you see.  She deftly manages to convince the reader that he has compelling reasons for his behavior. 

I accidentally purchased several copies of this book, not wanting to miss out on it when it released.  So glad I had it to read, almost all in one “sitting” or laying down in my case as I was ill in bed. 

Julie Lessman fans will LOVE this book!  And I think she will gather an entire new group of admirers with this series, set in SanFrancisco at the turn of the century.  Love the little historic details about the area at that time. 

THREE Reasons to LOVE this book:
1) Voice: positive , perky, hopeful voice underlies the novel but there is more than enough tension.
2) Storyline:  Lovely with a great twist at the end.
3) Characterization: This is Julie Lessman after all—need I say more? Of course it is awesome!

Purchase LaAC at AmazonCBD, and other bookstores!

GIVEAWAY: We are giving away a copy of Julie's book with EVERY review this week!  Leave a comment and LIKE Carrie's and Julie's Facebook Author pages (put CFP and/or JL on your comment):
Carrie's Page
Julie's Page


79 comments:

  1. CARRIE, I agree with your well written post! I simply loved this book...one of my favorite JULIE books so far!

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    1. Really cute heroine, DIANA! Great job of not making her too cutesy yet keeping Cassie spunky!

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    2. CARRIE AND DIANA!! WOW ... I am SO blessed that you both liked LAAC, my friends -- THANK YOU!!! And, Carrie, I LOVE the review and can't thank you enough for promoting LAAC this week on OWG -- you guys are one of the biggest blessings in my life, there is NO no question about it.

      Love you!!
      Julie

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  2. Good morning!! :)

    *waves happily* Eek, did I make it here first!? Ooh boy! :) I'm always excited to celebrate Ms. Lessman's books, in fact, this Spring I was able to bring *the Daughters of Boston* home after having borrowed them extensively through my local library!! I'm a BIG supporter of hers, and find it exhilerating to note she'll be featured throughout the week! :) I haven't yet dug into Winds of Change or Heart of San Franscisco as I always read 'series' in order -- but, I will lament, that Ms. Lessman always puts her heart and soul into each story that spills out of her pen! She's an extraordinary author, and a giving spirit to everyone she encounters! Wicked sweet, let's celebrate!!

    Blissful Hallos, to Ms. Pagels and Ms. Lessman, alike! And, to all who frequent OWG! :)

    inkand-blogaways(at)usa.net
    OWG, & Journal Jots RSS feeds
    *Sorry, not on FB, but I fully support both of you! :)

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    1. Jorie, welcome! LOVE Julie's books! You will love this new series!!

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    2. JORIE ... "Wicked sweet" to see you here, my friend! LOVE that expression and LOVE seeing you pop up on these blogs, encouraging your heart out, not only me, but everyone you meet. You are a true blessing and I would love to see you win a book, so GOOD LUCK!!

      Hugs,
      Julie

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    3. Hallo, Hallo Ms. Pagels & Ms. Lessman!! :) :)

      I was wondering where everyone was yesterday! :) Laughs. I actually was 'early' this time around! Smiles. Thanks for the encouraging words, Ms. Pagels, yes, I dearly believe that I will! :) It's practically writ that I'll love all of her stories, because the O' Connors have soldified a place in my heart! That's one family that has a way of warming themselves into your life, endearing you to remember them even after you have to step away when the book concludes,... they feel so very real, as if their lives continue even when the book is closed! And, blessedly, Ms. Lessman keeps coming up with wicked sweet ideas for sequel trilogies!

      Ms. Lessman,... I'm always happy to light up a person's day with a dash of joy and happiness! :) I love conversing about things that I love, and your books are definitely a topic I could speak about for hours on end! Smiles. Thank you for giving so much yourself to your readers through the stories that thread into our hearts and memories! And, I hope one day I'll win a book of yours too, that would be smashingly brilliant!!!

      I have a propensity for reading heroines who not only are spunky, but put their heart out there, to see if they can thrive in whichever path they choose in life!! And, your books are always a testament of pursuing a life lived with faith, family, and the pursuit of individual dreams!

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  3. I love the cover of this book! Doesn't she just scream "spunky"? I'm really looking forward to reading Love at Any Cost. Carrie, you are so funny---"...accidentally purchased several copies of this book, not wanting to miss out on it when it released." That sounds exactly like something I would do (and have done)! BTW, I hope you are feeling better. I pray for you often.
    Blessings,
    may_dayzee (at) yahoo (dot) com

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    1. Yes!!! I agree!! I have a lot of senior moments, Kay! LOL!!! Thanks for your prayers, my foot acting up again!!!

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    2. Hey, KAY -- YES, Cassie is DEFINITELY spunky, I'll give her that, and I can't wait to see what you think of her, Jamie, and the McClares.

      And isn't Carrie a royal hoot?? I laughed out loud when she told me she accidentally bought a number of copies of LAAC -- she alone improved my ranking on Amazon!! ;)

      Good luck, Kay, and here's to a win.

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  4. Sounds like a book I really need to read. Thanks for the review, Carrie :)

    CFP & JL

    Betti
    bettimace(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. BETTI, really worth the read--I always hate to waste time--well worth spending wonderful hours in Julie's story world!

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    2. Hey, BETZ ... I agree!! ;) Seriously, if you are interested in reading my books, then I always suggest checking out the EXCERPTS section of my website at the link below to read samples of my favorite romantic and spiritual scenes for each of my books. This will give you a good idea of my style of "passion with a purpose" writing. Here's the link and GOOD LUCK!!

      JULIE'S EXCERPTS

      THEN ... book 1 in the 2nd series, A Hope Undaunted, is available for free download RIGHT NOW, so I hope you take advantage!!

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  5. Like CFP and JL

    Looks like a great book!!
    susanlulu@yahoo.com

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    1. SUSAN, this starts a brand new and wonderful series, sigh....I love this new cast of characters!

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    2. Hey, SUSAN ... I sure hope so, but only you can make that decision for yourself, so I sure hope you win!!

      GOOD LUCK!!
      Julie

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  6. LOVE AT ANY COST is a book I could very easily purchase accidentally too. I had to laugh.

    CFP JL

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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    1. I wasn't about to MISS it, MARY!!! Glad I had it because I got a chance to read it last weekend and then do the review!

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    2. LOL, MARY ... I've done the same thing, so I relate to both Carrie and you!!

      Good luck in the contest!!

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  7. Oh you two this book sounds so good. I am friends with both and I also shared on FB. Wold love to win this book thanks CFP and JL.
    lizd225(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. ELIZABETH!!! I've seen you pop up on several of my giveaways of late, so I am pulling for you, girl -- here's to a win!!

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  8. Thank you for the chance to win - this looks like a good book. JL

    griperang at embarqmail dot com

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    1. Thanks, ANGELA!! I sure hope so ... and hope you get the chance to find out with a win right here on this FABULOUS blog!!

      GOOD LUCK!!

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  9. Carrie, excellent review! I LOVE Julie's books and am really excited about her new series. Yes, her characters are SO engaging. Julie knows how to write 'em. :) I chuckled over your buying several copies. I don't blame you for not wanting to miss out either. Please enter me in the drawing. Would LOVE to win this book! CFP and JL.

    bookwarp(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Angi, I sure was surprised when three arrived in the box, lol! I checked and they were ordered for me in three different months, lol! Blessings!

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    2. ANGI!! Gotta get this book into your hands, my sweet friend, so GOOD LUCK in this contest. With three chances to win, I am counting on you, girl ... :)

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  10. I'm glad to read another very positive review for this new book of Julie's. I haven't been able to read it yet (it would be fantastic to win one of your extra copies!) but I've read all of her other books and loved them. I read a review by someone who said she couldn't even finish the book because she didn't like it. I can't understand that. We read A Passion Most Pure for our book club a couple of years ago and we all loved it and became Julie Lessman fans.
    Thanks for giving away Love at Any Cost.
    CFP and JL.

    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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    1. Pam, I dk who got me hooked on Julie but I think it was Diana or Teresa or both lol! Hugs!

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    2. LOL ... ah yes, PAM, the infamous 1-star reviewer who said she couldn't finish it did put a crimp in my day, but you can't please everyone, so here's hoping I can please you and a few others with this news series. :)

      GOOD LUCK!!

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  11. Sounds like a great read and would love to read it centraleast2 at gmail dot com CFP and JL on facebook

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    1. Thanks, CENTRALEAST2 -- SO appreciate you coming by to enter and I hope it nets you a win!

      Hugs,
      Julie

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    2. This is a very affordable book and available through multiple sites. We have drawn a different reader but I encourage you to pick up and read and review LaAC!!! Thanks for visiting!

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  13. I've accidently purchased the same book twice before! I think that means my TBR stack is too tall. I forget what's in it=)

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

    JL
    CFL

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    1. PATTY, I pre-ordered it before it released! And forgot I had done so before, twice in fact, lol!

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    2. LOL, PATTY ... that's too cute, my friend!! Mmmm ... maybe you accidentally bought this one, too, and it's waiting in your TBR!! ;) If not, fingers crossed for a win here. :)

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  14. I would LOVE to win this book, thank you for the chance.

    CFP and JO on facebook.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Hey, WENDY ... and I would "LOVE" for you to win it too, so GOOD LUCK!!

      Hugs,
      Julie

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    2. Wendy, not on this post but maybe one of the others. I'd recommend running over to CBD and ordering it right now! Blessings!

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  15. Thanks Carrie for this great review. I think this will be a VERY popular book for miss Julie. She is quite a character. Love to check out her FB and blogs. And, O just looove her video. I have watched it several times. And love to check out Carrie's FB and blogs too. Such a sweet lady. I sure would love to win Julie's new book. Please put my name in the drawing. Have liked both CFP and JL's Facebook pages. of course. And, hello to the rest off you sweet gals! MAXIE mac262(at)me(dot)com

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    1. MAXIE, Julie is very much in person the way she is on social media, lol! Very huggy and outgoing around people but a secret introvert who likes to be in her book closet. She's a lot like me which is one of the reasons I connected with her so immediately when we met. Except unlike her I don't cop to being a CDQ. nor will I confess the DQ part either, lol--we just call that Carrie's story world!!! Have a great week!!!

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    2. MAXIE!!! You make me smile every time your name pops up, my friend, so I'm pulling for you because you are ONE diligent young lady who NEEDS to win this book!! :)

      Thank you SO much for your kind words and support!

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  16. CARRIE what a great review! Julie's a wonderful writer I have loved her books 4-ever! :)

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    1. TERESA ... can't wait to see what you think of LAAC, my friend, because I always feel that you and I are very similar in what we like in a book, so here's hoping ... :|

      Hugs,
      Julie

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    2. Of course u do--n I believe u r the one who got me addicted!!!!!

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  17. Great review CARRIE - And you're so right in saying Julie writes SPUNKY sooo well!! :) This is going to be an awesome series!! Already hanging out for the next edition. :)
    I'm like that with books I don't want to miss out on as well lol.

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    1. NOELA!!! Soooo fun to know you have read this book already, because I know you guys across the pond don't always get it when others do. VERY excited to see what you think!!

      Hugs,
      Julie

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    2. lookin' forward to your Aussie review!

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  18. Another great review for Julie !!! You write great reviews Carrie, you do such a good job, we need to go right out and get the book !!! :-) I love the way Julie writes, spunky !!! :-) CFP and JL ... :-) thanks so much for the opportunity to win a great book.. Rosemary rfoleyatsalemstatedotedu

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    1. ROSEMARY ... if you like "spunky," Cassie McClare has it in spades, so here's hoping she wins you over too!

      GOOD LUCK!!

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  19. Love this review! :) And yes it totally makes me want to go out and get it to read.
    Susan P
    farmygirl at hotmail dot com

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    1. Just order it , SUSAN!!! U will be glad u did!

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    2. LOL, SUSAN ... I am ALL for you "running out" to get it, girl!! :) But wait first to see if you win it here, okay?

      Good luck!!

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  20. I am a lover of perky and spunky. Julie really makes her characters come alive, I can't wait to meet Cassidy in the pages of Love at Any Cost.
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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    1. I have a second cousin named Cassidy who I've never met ! ( :( )

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    2. Hey, MERRY ... thank you, my friend, and boy, do I have "spunky" for you with a capital "S" and spurs to boot!! ;)

      Good luck in the contest!!

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  21. Would love to win this book! I haven't read anything by julie lessman yet.
    mandaandtom(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Liked both CFP and JL on FB.

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    2. U haven't live yet, then, darlin'!!!

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    3. Oh, AMANDA ... you are SO what I'm looking for ... NEW BLOOD!! ;)

      Because if you have never read any of my books before, I HIGHLY 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 to see if you like my brand of "passion with a purpose" writing, okay? Here's the link and GOOD LUCK!!

      JULIE'S EXCERPTS

      HUGS,
      Julie

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    4. You are our firs winner, Amanda, congrats!

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  22. This book sounds so good. I am friends with both and I also shared on FB. Wold love to win this book , thank you so much my friends

    Shirley Blanchard

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    1. Thanks, SHIRLEY, and I have SO learned to trust Carrie's opinion on books because she seems to love what I love, which is why her reviews mean SO much to me!! Thank you for sharing this and here's hoping it nets you a win!!

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  23. I've been reading summaries of Julie's books lately after recently joining these blogs and ACFW on yahoo groups. She sounds like an author I'd definitely like to read about. I love inspirational fiction especially when it has a historical setting!

    Liked both CFP and JL on FB.

    Kim LitlePokie@aol.com

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    1. Hmm, your msg is doin weird things, KIM! Blessings!

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    2. Hey, KIM ... when you say you've been reading "summaries" of my books, do you mean excerpts? Because it's the excerpts that will really tell you if you are going to like my style of "passion with a purpose" writing or not, so I strongly encourage you to check one out at JULIE'S EXCERPTS. And if you only have time for one excerpt, scroll down to either the romance scene for A Hope Undaunted OR for Love at Any Cost, which is the book that Carrie reviewed above -- they're my faves! :)

      And who knows ... maybe you'll win a copy here, so GOOD LUCK!!

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  24. You know, you just about don't have to even read reviews of Julie's books once you've read one of her books. Hands down, they're addictive and you just have to come back for more...in a good way, of course!

    (CFP) (JL)

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    1. But I do like the way you wrote this one CARRIE! Should have mentioned that first. The way you break down so succinctly is precise and to the point. I like that!

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    2. Aw, ANNE, thank you SO much, my friend. I forgive you for throwing my books ... ;)

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  25. Thanks for the great review of Julie's book--you gals already got me hooked with her "Candel in the 'window" which I won and just finished reading it a couple weeks ago, so why not win this one to go with it? ;-) I enjoy reading about 'spunky' characters, so this sounds like a fun book.
    Vicki CFP JL
    vmarney(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Hey, VICKI ... you want "spunky"??? I'll give you spunky, guaranteed, so GOOD LUCK in this contest!

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  26. I love twists in books!! There always some surprise to look forward to in Julie's books!

    marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Hey, MARISSA ... yep, am rather partial to those twists. :) And this one was particularly good, I think, so can't wait for you to read it. :)

      Hugs,
      Julie

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