27 September 2011

A Heart Revealed, Book review


Book description:

Ten years ago, Emma Malloy fled Dublin for Boston as a battered woman, escaping the husband who scarred her beautiful face. The physical and emotional wounds have faded with time, and her life is finally full of purpose and free from the pain of her past. But when she falls for her friend Charity's handsome and charming brother, Sean O'Connor, fear and shame threaten to destroy her. Could Sean and Emma ever have a future together? Or is Emma doomed to live out the rest of her life denying the only true love she's ever known?

My review:

'A Heart Revealed' is number two of the 'Winds of Change' series, bringing to readers a world of such longing, passion, even deception that you will soon find yourself drawn to the world of the O'Connell family!
With over 500 pages, this inspirational work of fiction is filled with many dreams and secrets as only Julie Lessman  offers without boring her readers.
This is an interesting tale set in the thirties with many protagonists, each character's true heart revealed amongst the emotional conflicts they face individually yet always reminding us that nothing is impossible with the Lord by our side!

Subtly reminiscent of the rich narrative of 'Gone with the Wind', this is a story that you will enjoy reading slowly, never rushing any of the chapters and it is certain to bring in the true fashion of romance, a few sighs!
I found entreating the many little details that brings readers a glimpse of a world gone by where women first realized their full potential in particular. It also introduces readers to the very Irish O'Connor family legacy, thus even if you have not read book # 1, 'A Hope Undaunted', you will enjoy this story on its own.

Perhaps the most attractive aspect of Emma and Sean's relationship is that it is based on mutual respect for each other. Their relationship evolves from friendship to romance with exquisite warmth and you soon appreciate the beauty and delicacy the author uses to describe any intimacy between the characters.This is first and foremost a Christian novel, but it is also a story of living a full life with the good times, and the bad times.
It remains for me to say the intricacy of the relationships of the O'Connor family will leave you feeling their very emotions as only a good author such as Julie Lessman can or shall I say, an author whose passions are God and Romance!

I give this one 5 stars.

“Available September 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Meet 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. Julie has garnered several writing awards, including ten Romance Writers of America awards.

I received this book free from BAKER PUBLISHING GROUP as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.
I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

2 comments:

  1. Definately one for me to curl up with this winter!
    Blessings,
    Annx

    ReplyDelete
  2. NOELLE!!! Thank you SO much for the great review!! And, WOW, to even hint at mention of my all-time favorite novel, Gone With the Wind, with your statement, "Subtly reminiscent of the rich narrative of 'Gone with the Wind" gives me warm chills!! I cannot thank you enough for not only taking the time to read my book, but to write such a beautiful review.

    I saw that you posted this wonderful review on Amazon (THANK YOU!!) and I don't know if you are prone to posting them anywhere else, but if you are, I wanted to let you know I am running a newsletter contest where anyone who posts a review on Amazon.com, CBD.com, Goodreads, B&N or anywhere else, gets a point for every review posted. Then even just one review posted enters you into a drawing for a signed copy of Steven's story, A Trust Restored when it comes out next year. The persons who come in first and second in posting the most reviews will get a character named after them in Steven's story and the top winner will also get a $50 gift card. So if that sounds like something you'd be interested in, just sign up for my newsletter on my website and let me know, and I will enter you. Then if you post this review anywhere else (and yes, your blog counts!), I will give you contest points for each one. BUT ... if posting reviews is NOT your thing, PLEASE do not worry about it, okay? I am just grateful for you being part of the Revell blog tour and blessing me with a great review.

    Thanks again, Noelle! Have a FABULOUS day!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

    ReplyDelete

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