MY REVIEW:

As the second series featuring the O’Connor family draws to a close, readers finally get to see Steven fall in love. Of course if you’ve read any of Julie’s previous novels, you know it’s not going to be quite that simple. What would be the fun in that? As in all the earlier novels, “A Love Surrendered” is fraught with romantic tension as the primary couple struggle to keep their relationship pure.

Although Steven and Annie are the main characters, the other members of the O’Connor family share the limelight with them. Readers who have read and loved the other books will enjoy the updates on each member of the beloved family as well as their spouses and children. A balanced blend of drama, humor, and romance is spiced with plenty of secrets, some conflict, and joyous events. As usual, what looked at first to be a lengthy book ended much too soon.

I love how real Julie’s characters are. Although each of them has a strong faith, they all struggle with the same everyday temptations as her readers. Then without coming across as preachy, she manages to convey a strong spiritual lesson that illustrates how total dependence on God and lots of prayer is the only way to overcome both temptation and the past.

I am sorry to see the end of the O’Connor family’s story but am looking forward to whatever Julie has planned for us next. At least I can anticipate one more O’Connor story in the prequel “A Light in the Window” waiting on my iPad to read and review later this month.

Please forgive me if my story details have been skimpy. This book is just too good to spoil with too much information. It’s best if you just read it yourself. I do recommend that if you are new to Julie Lessman’s novels that you start at the beginning and read both series in order. Each book can stand on its own but are oh so much better in sequence. Take my word for it.

This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.



ABOUT THE BOOK:

With heart-pounding romance, intense family drama, and emotional twists and turns, A Love Surrendered is everything Julie Lessman’s many fans have been waiting for.

Orphaned in Iowa, Annie Kennedy moves to Boston to stay with her spinster aunt. She longs for romance to fill the void left by her parents’ death. But when she falls hard for Steven O’Connor, the man who broke an engagement to her sister, Annie is worried. Will he break her heart too when he discovers who she really is?

 
 
 
 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Julie Lessman is the popular author of A Passion Most Pure, A Passion Redeemed, and A Passion Denied, as well as A Hope Undaunted, which was one of 2010’s Booklist Top Ten Inspirational Fiction winners, and A Heart Revealed. Lessman has garnered several writing awards, including ten Romance Writers of America awards. She lives in Missouri.

 
 
 
 

Praise for Julie Lessman & the Winds of Change Series:

 2011 1st Place Award – Historical Fiction Author of the Year&Romance Author of the Year – Family Fiction

 A Hope Undaunted

“A rich girl and a poor boy find that love can be the great equalizer in Lessman’s engrossing tale, which has more awareness and sizzle between the hero and heroine than your average inspirational romance.”

Booklist, starred review

4 Stars

The storyline flows evenly throughout this well-written romance and the characters are well realized. Fans of the 1920s will be extremely satisfied. – RT Reviews

 

A Heart Revealed

4 Stars

The second book in the widely popular Winds of Change series has romance, secrets and unforgettable characters.  Lessman has the ability to bring her books to life for the reader every time. – RT Reviews