Sunday, October 14, 2012

"A Love Surrendered" Book Review {Giveaway}



*October is book giveaway month!*
Don’t miss out on your chance win You Don’t Know Me by Susan May Warren and When a Heart Stops by Lynette Eason!

Do you remember those cheap romance novels you hid under the covers in high school, the ones that would get your heart pounding?  No? Well maybe that was just me… But Julie Lessman will get your heart rate up with her stories and without the trashy stuff!

A Love Surrendered
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?

 

My thoughts:
While I might be a bit biased, since I have absolutely loved everything Julie Lessman has published, I really enjoyed A Love Surrendered. I am so thankful that Ms. Lessman writes fast and writes THICK books that take more than an hour to devour, because I hate for them to end!
I have been waiting for Steven’s story, as the last O’Connor, and I knew that I wouldn’t be disappointed. I don’t know how Julie Lessman does it, but she weaves such a tangled (in a good way!) story that draws you in and makes you laugh, cry, want to scream and even sigh in the same chapter!
I love Annie and my heart just about broke when... Well, I don’t want to give anything away, but I promise you will go through every emotion while reading and you will be sighing with me at the end of the book! 
Note:
While A Love Surrendered can be read as a standalone novel, if you LOVE a good story, I suggest you start with A Hope Undaunted, the first book in the Winds of Changes series. Or better yet, A Passion Most Pure, the first book in the Daughters of Boston series. (And don’t miss later in the month, when I will be reviewing and giving away a copy of A Light in the Window, the story of how it all began!)

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.

The extras:
Check out Julie’s website for more great information, book excerpts and contests!

Don’t miss my review of Julie’s A Heart Revealed (the 2nd book in the Winds of Change series).

The giveaway and fine print: 
The winner will receive a copy of Julie Lessman’s A Love Surrendered via media mail.  

A Love Surrendered is available October 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. The opinions expressed are all mine and I was not required to give a positive review. 


20 comments:

  1. ATHENA!!! Thank you SOOO much for this WONDERFUL review -- I am SO BLESSED!!

    I am entering you in my review contest, so GOOD LUCK, sweetie!!

    Hugs and more hugs,
    Julie

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  2. You are not biased! Everythign Julie writes is great!! Can't wait to read this newest in the O'Conner family saga.

    Patty
    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  3. Ooh, What a fantastic book...that I sadly haven't read yet. Got to get right on it.

    That silly question I was asked...if someone was to write my life story who would play the lead. I think I'd pick Julie Lessman, because she's just so darn cute!!!

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  4. If someone were to be me, it would probably have to be Ashley Judd and my husband would have to be Hugh Jackman since they are probably my two favorite.

    luvsherfam @ gmail dot com

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  5. I'm all about Lessman, in any form or fashion!!!!
    woohoo....vrush729@aol.com

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  6. PATTY!!! Bless you, sweetie -- music to my ears and a tingle to my fingers!!

    CARLA ... are you kidding??? Get your eyes checked, darlin', although if I could play someone as cute as you, I might just do it!

    VIRGINIA!!! Thanks for your AMAZING support and friendship, girl, AND for sharing this on FB -- you ROCK!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  7. Karen B - Loved the book and posted a 5 star review on Amazon :-D It was a great fast read with great plot twists I didn't' see coming. The characters are well developed and the dialogue is great. Wish I'd had it at the Lake! Congrats Julie.

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  8. I so want to win your book Julie. Here's hoping! Maxie ( mac262@me.com )

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  9. Forgot to answer the Question. My story wouldn't be very interesting, But would pick Jane Seymour and Clint Black. Just because I like them. Maxie ( mac262@me.com )

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  10. KAREN, you sweetheart, you!!! Cannot believe you came by to comment!! We had a blast with you guys and wish we could go more often!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  11. MAXIE ... good girl!! You're going to win this book yet ... ;)

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  12. I would love to win! Rhonda
    rhonda_nash_hall@comcast.net

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  13. I love to find new authors and I will be looking for your books thanks!

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  14. I'm always looking for a good book and this one sounds great! I will be looking for your books! Thanks Athena! Love our Crazy life!

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  15. If someone was to play me, they would have to be a combination of a chef, tax driver, therapist, nurse, and friend. Who would that be? I have know idea! lol

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  16. If someone was to play me they would have to be a combination of nurse, chef, doctor, therapist, taxi driver and friend. Who would that be? I have know idea! lol

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  17. Saw your post on FB reminding us to enter. Came to make sure that I had entered! I commented before, but didn't answer the rafflecopter question.
    I would never think that I looked like this person, but after someone mnetioned it I can see maybe a tiny resemblence, and that would be Drew Barrymore=) So I guess she could play me!

    Patty

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  18. Gwenyth Paltrow and Matthew Macfadyen!

    Jes
    jswaks

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  19. I am so happy to win Jule's book "A LOVE Surrendered". I have tried several times. This was my lucky day. Thank you. Maxie

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