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Monday, September 19, 2011

Therapeutic Review and Giveaway of Julie Lessman's A Heart Revealed

*sigh*

Julie Lessman's newest release made it to my doorstep a few weeks ago and that was my reaction: *sigh*

I love that Julie's books are thick...I know I've got hours of reading pleasure ahead of me. A Heart Revealed was no exception. I joined my old friends, the O'Connor's, and all the drama that each of their lives have...and just smiled and sighed. Smiled and sighed.

Here's a blurb from Julie's website:

The ring on her hand belongs to one man …
but her heart belongs to another.

As a battered woman, Emma Malloy fled Dublin for Boston ten years ago, seeking shelter for a heart badly bruised by both her husband and guilt. But when she falls in love with Sean O’Connor, a man who wrestles with demons of his own, fear and shame almost destroy her … until she is finally set free by a heart revealed.


Julie brings her signature passionate love scenes to this book, though due to Emma being married, the reader has to wait a really long time to see some actual sparks between her and Sean! (Julie, if I could change anything...it would have been that long wait!!) But it was oh-so-worth the wait.

The thing I like about Julie's writing is that she truly digs deep into the issues that couples face, and she does so with a brazen boldness that I truly admire and respect. The issues facing Charity and Mitch, Marcy and Patrick, Katie and Luke....issues like the woman wanting a career when the man wants her home raising babies (remember, story set in 1931, but this is still applicable!), a woman worried about her husband's fidelity...these are the types of everyday issues that plague couples across cultures, across decades.

Julie has a priest in the book that might as well be a marriage and family therapist. (Seriously...you should consider Father Mac getting a license to practice.) I read those scenes with the most intense interest...as Father Mac helps several characters connect to and overcome the soul-deep traumas that have seized their hearts and minds for years. This wasn't done in any cliche way, either, and I love that! No church scenes or sermons!

I hope to offer one lucky commenter the chance to win this book for your own reading enjoyment. It can be read as a stand alone novel, but I assure you...you're going to want to read the first book in this Winds of Change series, A Hope Undaunted (which is available as a free download from Amazon right now!), as well as Julie's Daughters of Boston series.

Julie, I ever remain one of your biggest fans.

Leave a comment to be entered to win. As I truly desire for these books to be something special for my readership, please click "Follow" on the left of the screen to become a follower of my blog if you haven't already done so. :)

31 comments:

Keli Gwyn said...

I'm looking forward to reading Julie's latest. The premise is so intriguing.

Joanne Sher said...

Ohh - I read the first one, and enjoyed it. Would LOVE to get my hot little hands on the second. Thanks for the contest, Jeannie!

Shilpa Mudiganti said...

The book sounds very interesting. I am looking forward to reading it even if I do not win the giveaway! Such books are worth the time...and oh, I love thick books! :D

Sarah Forgrave said...

I love Julie's books! I just downloaded A Hope Undaunted and would love to have the next book ready to read afterwards. :)

Kathryn Barker said...

This is a new author for me, but from your delightful post I think I'd love her books. Issues that trouble and affect all of us make stories easier to relate to. Definitely will download A Hope Undaunted. Thanks for introducing me to Julie Lessman.

Unknown said...

I don't really read a bunch of romance... or historicals... but this one sounds pretty good. :)

Anonymous said...

Just read Hope Undaunted (free for Kindle) and was totally blown away. It was by far the best Christian book I have read. I am looking forward to reading more from her.

Anonymous said...

I LOVED this book... keep writing, Julie!
Jo

Lisa Self said...

I love Julie's books also. I can't wait to read this one!

Deborah said...

I have been hearing such good things about this book and I cannot wait to read it for myself! I really appreciate the chance to be entered into your drawing-I just became a follower of your blog as well!
Deborah
dleathers36(at)yahoo(dot)com

Katey said...

I absolutely love the books by Julie Lessman. Her stories are so good. I feel like you are right there with the characters.

Kaylah Marie said...

wow this book sounds really good!!! I have never read any books by Miss Lessman but I think I will start ;)

Anonymous said...

This book sounds amazing! Would love to win.
Thank you for the chance.


wdesirees[at]yahoo[dot]com

Anonymous said...

I've downloaded the first one. Hooray for free Kindle books! This one sounds great, as well.

briannasoloski at gmail dot com

Janet said...

This books sounds really good! I would love to read it!

dowelljanet@hotmail.com

karenk said...

I agree w/ you Jeannie, it is an honor to visit the O'Connor family...I am so looking forward to reading Sean & Emma's story...thanks for the chance :) I'm a follower, too.

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Julie Lessman said...

JEANNIE!!! THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH for doing this giveaway AND for the incredible review!! Love ya to pieces, my friend, and can't wait to give you a HUGE hug!

KELI!!! And I'm looking forward to giving you a giant hug, too, girl!! Can't wait to read the new book -- when is out??

JOANNE ... And trust me, sweetie, those "hot little hands" will be a wee bit warmer when you peruse Katie and Luke's scenes!! Couldn't show any romance between Sean and Emma, so I had to resort to the newlyweds! ;)

SHILPA!!! Oh, girl, do I have a deal for you!! If you haven't read any of my books, my last one (A Hope Undaunted, the first in this continuing series) is FREE right now as an e-book on Amazon.com, CBD.com, B&N.com and Sony e-reader, so go for it, sweetie, and see if you like my style. Then if you do, good luck in this contest and PLEASE pass the word about the free download -- it goes until 9/30.

YAY, SARAH!!! Good for you, taking advantage of the free download. A Hope Undaunted is my FAVE of all my books I've written, so I hope you like it too. :)

Hugs,
Julie

Julie Lessman said...

KATHRYN!!! My FAVORITE kind of reader -- one who hasn't read me yet! ;) And like I told Shilpa above, if you haven't read any of my books, my last one (A Hope Undaunted, the first in this continuing series) is FREE right now as an e-book on Amazon.com, CBD.com, B&N.com and Sony e-reader, so go for it, sweetie, and see if you like my style. Then if you do, good luck in this contest and PLEASE pass the word about the free download -- it goes until 9/30.

LIBERTY ... LOVE your name, my friend, and if you are not a usual romance reader or historicals, well, how 'bout family saga??? This is ONE passionate family, both for God and romance, so there's A LOT going on that may keep your attention, so give it a shot. You have nothing to lose because the first book in this series, A Hope Undaunted, is FREE right now as an e-book on Amazon.com, CBD.com, B&N.com and Sony e-reader, so go for it, sweetie, and see if you like my style. Then if you do, good luck in this contest and PLEASE pass the word about the free download -- it goes until 9/30.

WHOA, ANONYMOUS -- YOU MADE MY DAY, GIRLFRIEND!!! Thank you SO much for that incredible comment, and I hope you enjoy (and win!) A Heart Revealed AND read the prior books in this family saga, starting with A Passion Most Pure, American Christian Fiction Writers Debut Book of the Year in 2009. Good luck in the contest!

JO!!! Hey, girl, ALWAYS soooo great to see your beautiful name pop up!! Thanks for dropping by, my friend.

LISA ... Thank you SOOO much, sweetie, for your kind words and I wish you MEGA BLESSINGS in this contest, my friend.

Hugs,
Julie

Julie Lessman said...

Thanks, DEBORAH -- I am THRILLED you are "hearing good things" about this book. I have to admit, the reviews have been very kind and most of my die-hard reader friends have been saying that this is their new fave of all my books, so good luck in the contest!

KATEY!!! Bless you, sweetie, for your sweet comment, and LOL ... it's not always good to feel like you are "right there with the characters" with some of angst I put them through, but oh well -- I'm a drama queen, what can I say?? Good luck in the contest!! :)

KAYKAY MARIE!!! Oh, girl, BLESS YOU for your interest and GREAT TIMING!! If you haven't read any of my books, my last one (A Hope Undaunted, the first in this continuing series) is FREE right now as an e-book on Amazon.com, CBD.com, B&N.com and Sony e-reader, so go for it, sweetie, and see if you like my style. Then if you do, good luck in this contest and PLEASE pass the word about the free download -- it goes until 9/30.

ANONYMOUS ... thank you for stopping by and I wish you the very best in this contest. If you don't win here, check out my website calendar for additional opportunities, okay? And GOOD LUCK!!

Hugs,
Julie

Elizabeth said...

Wow, most Christian authors today would not dare to pull out such a plot. But I love those types of books. I love drama and you certainly provide it.
llmarmalade at yahoo dot com

Julie Lessman said...

BRIANNA!!! GOOD FOR YOU, GIRL, downloading A Hope Undaunted FREE!! It's my fave out of all my books, so I hope you like it too! Good luck in the contest!

JANET ... trust me, I would "love" for you to read it as well, so good luck in the contest. BUT ... if you haven't read any of my books, my last one (A Hope Undaunted, the first in this continuing series) is FREE right now as an e-book on Amazon.com, CBD.com, B&N.com and Sony e-reader, so go for it, sweetie, and see if you like my style. Then if you do, good luck in this contest and PLEASE pass the word about the free download -- it goes until 9/30.

KAREN!!! Hey, girl, you have GOT to be close to winning a book, seriously ... or at least you DESERVE to be! ;) Good luck, sweetie.

YIKES ... I'm hosting 17 Seekers and hubbies for a dinner tomorrow night PLUS overnighting five of the gals PLUS cleaning, cooking, practicing for my workshop I'm giving with Ruth Axtell Morren on Thursday to 165 people!!!! Not to mention I have a first grand baby coming ANY minute now ... WHOA, BABY ... say one for me, okay? :)

Hugs,
Julie

Embrace said...

Thanks for the tip of another great author to check out Jeannie. The folks commenting above that have read it are as excited as you. I downloaded the first one just now from the CBD site. Thanks to Julie for that!
I look forward to checking it out tonight!

Julie Lessman said...

Hey JODI -- YAY!!!! THANK YOU for downloading A Hope Undaunted -- hope you enjoy it. It made #5 on Booklists Top Ten Inspirational Fiction for 2010, so hopefully you'll like it and won't think you paid too much ... :)

Good luck in the contest!!

Hugs,
Julie

Elizabeth said...

Hey Julie! I finally have a smidgen of head space to pop in here and comment...first time for A Heart Revealed. Hehe - you know why = my little 3 month old sweetie. Anyway, I would LOVE to read this, your latest book. After reading through all the others and definitely enjoying them I'm ready for the next installment! I certainly agree with you Jeannie about the smiles and sighs! I LOVE it when I get a new Julie Lessman novel to read - a good meaty sized book to sink into which I know will be a good read too! Loved your review. Please enter me! e[dot]johnsen[at]clear[dot]net[dot]nz

Helen Wakefield said...

Julie - haven't been able to get Katie and Luke out of my mind since I finished reading "A Hope Undaunted"! I'm starting to feel desperate to read the rest of your books :P

Jeannie - GREAT review! As if I didn't already want to read this book, I do so even more now :)

helenblogspot[at]gmail[dot]com

Julie Lessman said...

ELIZABETH!!! What, that sweet, little bundle is keeping you busy???? :) Sooo glad she's on the mend, though, and you are breathing easier now.

Would LOVE to see you snag this one, my friend, so good luck in Jeannie's contest, and if you don't win here, I have one or two still going on, so check my website calendar. :)

Hugs,
Julie

Julie Lessman said...

HELEN!!! Music to my ears, sweetie!! That's what every author wants to hear, that her characters have made an impact! :) Now we have to get the rest of these books in your hands, girl. Good luck!!

Hugs,
Julie

rittywrites said...

I hope I'm not too late! I would love a chance at winning the book! What a great review! I definitely want to read this book now! Thanks for sharing!

Julie Lessman said...

Hey, RHONDA, thanks for your interest and good luck in Jeannie's contest!

Hugs,
Julie

Anonymous said...

Julie Lessman is one of my new favorite authors. She's joined the ranks of my all-time favorite Francine Rivers. As a 22 year old young woman, her books have truly spoke to my heart. I've read The Daughters of Boston series as well as the first Winds of Change novel, and I'd love to get a copy of her latest, "A Heart Revealed"!

Best,
Hannah E.

Anuoluwa Oyetoran said...

I love all of Julie Lessman's book, I think my favourite one is Sean and Emma's story because there was so much emotion involved, especially when they both find out they are in love with eachother. I hope Stephen's story will be better, looking forward to it.
anuoyetoran(at)gmail.com

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