Review: A Hope Undaunted

A Hope Undaunted (Winds of Change series - Book 1) by Julie Lessman

Publication Date: September, 2010
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group (Revell)
Format: Paperback, 505 pp
Genre: Christian Fiction
ISBN-13: 9780800734152
ISBN: 0800734157

(Received for review from Revell Books)

Synopsis (courtesy of Barnes & Noble):

The 1920s are drawing to a close, and feisty Katie O'Connor is the epitome of the new woman - smart and sassy with goals for her future that include the perfect husband and a challenging career in law. Her boyfriend Jack fits all of her criteria for a husband - good looking, well connected, wealthy, and head-over-heels in love with her. But when she is forced to spend the summer of 1929 with Cluny McGee, the bane of her childhood existence, Katie comes face to face with a choice. Will she follow her well laid plans to marry Jack? Or will she fall for the man she swore to despise forever?

A Hope Undaunted is the engrossing first book in the Winds of Change series from popular author Julie Lessman. Readers will thrill at the highly charged romance in this passionate story.

Thoughts:

You know they always say that you end up falling for the boy or man that absolutely can't stand when you first meet them. Author Julie Lessman plays on this theme in her new book, A Hope Undaunted. Katie is forced to spend the summer with the boy who made her life miserable when she was a kid and the worst part of it is... she likes him in spite of herself. She had her life all planned out and then it her illusions all came crashing down around her. What's more important? The best laid plans of mice and men or true and lasting love from a man she never expected?

There were several things that I really liked about this book. The setting of course was one of them. The roaring twenties are on their way out, but there is still that attitude of celebration and rebellion that pervades the times. Katie is striking out on her own in the profession of law, she's an educated and sophisticated woman, but when she finds herself empty and looking for fulfillment it isn't found where she thought it would be.

I liked how the author was able to let the story portray the ideas that she wanted to get across. She didn't force the issue of faith on the reader, she let it play out in a way that encouraged the reader to think about what was happening and why but not feel like they had been beat over the head with a hammer. In our daily lives faith is subtle. People learn more from how you live your faith than how much you talk about it. If it's all talk and you don't follow through with action, you haven't shared anything with them. This book relies on that same principle... actions always speak louder than words.

I liked this book a lot and I look forward to seeing where Lessman will take us with this series and the cover is just gorgeous, I love it!

Available September 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!





Julie also having a great promotion where she will be giving away a Kindle loaded with, A Hope Undaunted... Check it out!

It's a Giveaway Extravaganza! Kindle Giveaway, Facebook Party and Book Bomb - OH MY!

Visit the Roaring 20’s with Julie Lessman in the Technology and Romance KINDLE Giveaway! Julie’s latest series has just ‘shimmied’ it’s way onto the scene with book 1 in The Winds of Change series, A Hope Undaunted!

Find out more about the book, Julie here.

Enter The Technology and Romance KINDLE Giveaway!

One Grand Prize winner will receive a KINDLE preloaded with Julie Lessman's latest title. The Prize Pack (valued at over $150.00) includes:

* A brand new KINDLE, with Wi-Fi

* A Hope Undaunted by Julie Lessman

To enter, simply click on the icons below to fill out the entry form and be sure to tell your friends about the contest.

Oh, and enter soon! Winner will be announced on October 7th.