Welcome to my release celebration for Julie Lessman’s newest contemporary romance novel, Love Everlasting!
I’m delighted to have you join me for my #TuesdayTea review. Please come sit by the FIRE, with a HOT mug of STEAMING tea, as we chat about this faith-filled, SIZZLING emotional story…..accompanied with WARM, just-from-the-oven cookies. Yep, you get the idea…..this is a fiery story of finding love….and realizing the power of God. Congratulations, Julie Lessman, on the release of your powerful new book, Love Everlasting!
ABOUT LOVE EVERLASTING (ISLE OF HOPE series, BOOK 2)
He sets hearts on fire.
She’s been burned by love.
Can hope survive the flames of the past?
School teacher by day, ghostwriter by night, sweet and shy Shannon O’Bryen doesn’t mind writing romance on the sly, but to live it? No, thank you, not since the man she loved turned out to be a player who broke both her heart and her spirit. Now focused more on her faith and her fiction, she vows the next time she falls in love, it will be safely—through the pages of a book.
Dr. Sam Cunningham is a charismatic player who breaks hearts as regularly as he washes his pearl-white Corvette. Abandoned as a baby, Sam was an orphan shuffled through the foster-care system, bitterly driven to prove he is worthy of love—the kind that lasts forever. Once he learns Shannon is a romance writer, he enlists her help in winning back his ex-girlfriend. She teaches him about faith and the true definition of love, and he soon discovers he’s been seeking it in the wrong place all along—and with the wrong girl. But can he convince a woman who’s been burned by love to open her eyes—and her heart—to a love everlasting?
MY REVIEW
Love Everlasting by Julie Lessman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A story filled with emotional FIREWORKS!
I’ve come to anticipate fireworks in author Julie Lessman’s stories. She’s known for her books of “Passion with a Purpose.” Her second book in the Isle of Hope series, Love Everlasting, does not disappoint….in the passionate and purposeful departments! The pages sizzle with intense feelings and faith-filled romance…..with the twist of a powerful emotional explosion I didn’t expect.
I’ve read the prequel (A Glimmer of Hope) and the award-winning first book in the Isle of Hope series (Isle of Hope: Unfailing Love), so I enjoyed reconnecting with the characters in this story. The focus in this second book is the romance between sweet Shannon O’Bryen and handsome Sam Cunningham, fittingly known as Dr. Love. Wounded by past loves, these two face barriers to finding happiness. Lessons learned about facing fears, learning to forgive, and the true meaning of everlasting love are laced throughout this beautiful story. Also, I liked the development of the romance between the mature couple, Tess O’Bryen and Ben Carmichael. Their love story is touchingly poignant with its combination of human weakness and lingering desire.
Julie Lessman’s passionate writing always touches my heart….and my soul. The intensity of emotions felt while reading her stories always lifts me to a greater place, reminding me of the true significance of faithful love. I highly recommend this passionate and faith-filled book. If you want to read an emotional book filled with hope and heart-touching love, I believe you will enjoy LOVE EVERLASTING!
Favorite quotes:
“But the truth is, it’s that very weakness—that futility and failure, that utter despair—that brings us to the bottom line.” Her smile quirked. “Finally letting go and letting God carry us through.”
“…there is no greater guarantee than God’s love, and although His timing is not always in sync with ours, He will provide…”
*I was given an e-copy of this book.
ABOUT JULIE LESSMAN
Julie Lessman is an award-winning author whose tagline of “Passion With a Purpose” underscores her intense passion for both God and romance. Winner of the 2009 ACFW Debut Author of the Year and Holt Medallion Awards of Merit for Best First Book and Long Inspirational, Julie is also the recipient of 14 Romance Writers of America awards and was voted by readers as “Borders Best of 2009 So Far: Your Favorite Fiction.”
Chosen as the #1 Romance Fiction Author of the Year in the Family Fiction magazine 2012 and 2011 Readers Choice Awards, Julie was also awarded #1 Historical Fiction Author of the Year in that same poll and #3 Author of the Year, #4 Novel of the Year and #3 Series of the year. She resides in Missouri with her husband, daughter, son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter and is the author of “The Daughters of Boston” series—A Passion Most Pure, A Passion Redeemed, and A Passion Denied. Book 1 in her “Winds of Change” series A Hope Undaunted ranked #5 on Booklist’s Top 10 Inspirational Fiction for 2010.
You can find out more about Julie on her website: Julie Lessman
I recommend signing up for notifications of her blog posts, Journal Jots. She sends out informative updates and often has contests. Julie’s Journal Jots
TREATS
Cookies, cookies and more cookies!
Cookies, especially Monster Cookies, are a favorite treat for many of the characters in Love Everlasting, so I’m putting out a big tray of Monster Cookies. I used the basic recipe for chocolate chip cookies, but added three kinds of chips, milk, semi-sweet and dark chips…with the addition of pecans. Next time I’ll add toffee pieces and walnuts. And since it’s a party, I didn’t forget the colorful sprinkles! Extra sprinkles for everyone!
BIBLE SCRIPTURE
The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3 (KJV)
PRAYER
Dear Lord,
We lift up author Julie Lessman and her strong family for everlasting blessings. She walks so passionately with You…..her example and her stories inspiring others to draw close to You. Please continue to strengthen her as she writes for Your glory.
In Jesus name,
Amen
THANK YOU, dear friends, for stopping by my #TuesdayTea review blog. Since my website is focused on “God’s treasured blessings,” this quote from Love Everlasting is particularly perfect: “Now your faith has been forged in fire to produce a gleaming treasure of truth.” May your life be filled with God’s treasured blessings!
Blessings,
Sherida
Sherida Stewart 
Sherida, Love Everlasting sounds wonderful. I’m putting it at the top of my reading list. I can’t wait!
I hope all is well with you & yours!
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Donna! So good to have you stop by for a blog visit! Julie’s books are so filled with emotional fireworks….and reminders of what a faith filled life truly means. You will enjoy this story. And there will be a third story featuring Cat and Chase. Fun to look forward to!
Things here are busy…and going well. Hope all is great with you and your family!
Blessings!
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SHERIDA, THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!! What a great review (and blog post!!), my sweet friend!! I am SO grateful for your support and precious friendship and can’t thank you enough, especially for the prayer at the end — that means more than anything!! 🙂
And, DONNA — the prequel novella to this series is available for FREE DOWNLOAD right now and the first book in the series, Isle of Hope: Unfailing Love, is 50% off right now, so here are the links!
A GLIMMER OF HOPE
ISLE OF HOPE: UNFAILING LOVE
HUGS AND MORE HUGS!!
Julie
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Julie, I’m so VERY HONORED to post a review of this amazing book which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!! Your stories of moving on from past issues into the light of God’s grace ALWAYS touch my heart!
Thanks for posting the links for A GLIMMER OF HOPE and UNFAILING LOVE!
Blessings!
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Sherida – I love your beautiful review and relate to everything you included in your post today, including your prayer re: Julie’s passionate walk with God, her writing for His glory, her example and stories inspiring others to draw closer to Him. Such an accurate description of my sweet friend, Julie – and what should be the description of every Christian Fiction author. I love ‘Love Everlasting’, just as I have loved every novel and novella she has written – the passion and faith in her writing always touch my heart and soul, just as it does yours.
I love your blog, Sherida – especially the inclusion of prayer for the authors and readers, a beautiful element I’ve not seen in any other blog!! I’m blessed by your friendship, Sherida!!
Shared post!!
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Bonnie, thank you so much for your sweet comments! We definitely are on the same “wave length.”
I’m a reader who reads an author’s dedication page first before I start the book. I was especially touched by Julie’s dedication in Love Everlasting. You, dear Bonnie, are a treasured gift from God…a blessing to me and to so many others. Thank you for your friendship and for all you do to encourage Christian authors.
Blessings!
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Aww, thank you for YOUR sweet comments, Sherida – just hope I live up to them and Julie’s also!! She surprised me with the dedication, just another example of her loving kindness to others. I don’t think it possible I could be anymore devoted to Christian books and their authors, they occupy a huge part of my life. It’s a mission God gave me a number of years ago, followed by the vision for CFRR. It blesses and brings me joy – He knew it would, also that it would be a way for me to serve Him when I physically became unable to in many other ways. I’m so conscious of how God can use Christian books to change lives and draw readers to Himself through them and am grateful to be able to play a very tiny part in spreading that message to readers.
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Thank you Sherida for this review! You did a wonderful job of summing up why this is such a wonderful story and why Julie is such a great author! This is not just another bad boy- good girl romance,but a story filled with heart and inspiration! Julie’s an author that definitely should be recommended to everyone!
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Hello, Lynne! I so agree with you about this story of “heart and inspiration” as I find in all of Julie’s books. I feel the emotions behind her words…and close the book, reluctantly, with a fresh look at situations around me. I’m looking forward to her next Isle of Hope novel.
Thank you so much for visiting today! Blessings!
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