Julie Lessman – Sherida Stewart

#TuesdayTea review of A GIFT LIKE NO OTHER by Julie Lessman!

Welcome to #TuesdayTea! I’m thrilled to review Julie’s newest story, A Gift Like No Other, a historical romance featuring the O’Connor family. Doesn’t this cover inspire thoughts of a joyful Christmas spent with loved ones?

Even though I’m already anticipating the Christmas season, I’m savoring the last days of autumn (and pumpkin spice) until Thanksgiving. Today I’m serving pumpkin muffins with your choice of a pumpkin spice latte or a cup of bracing English Breakfast tea. Please join us as we chat about this special holiday romance with it’s reminder of the importance of keeping marriage vows strong…..with His loving guidance.

ABOUT A Gift Like No Other

WARNING: Due to a subject matter that deals with marital problems, please be advised that this sweet inspirational novella contains a higher level of romantic passion.

Her dream is writing.
His is the perfect wife and mother.
Until God fulfills them both
with a dream like no other.

Twelve years ago, Faith O’Connor happily gave up her dream as a copywriter to become a wife and mother, clinging to her husband’s promise she could return someday. But when the opportunity arises to write for the Boston Herald again two days a week, her dream hits a snag … along with her marriage.

To Collin McGuire, family is everything because he never really had one of his own. Raised by a father who died early and a mother who didn’t care, Collin is determined to give his children the very best with a full-time mother. But when he denies Faith her dream, he soon discovers he’s denied his own as well … until Christmas day brings a healing through a gift like no other.

MY REVIEW

A Gift Like No Other (An O'Connor Christmas)

A Gift Like No Other by Julie Lessman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved it! Snuggle up with a cup of orange-cinnamon tea and a sugary snickerdoodle, ready to be blessed by this sweet, spicy story!

Devoted fans of Julie Lessman’s writing know her books are filled with passionate emotions. Her well-developed characters settle into a special place in the reader’s heart. This is so true with this story as Collin and Faith’s seventeen-year marriage faces a few challenges, which all marriages do over time. I loved the way this husband and wife confronted their problems with advice from their family and with the realization of God’s gifts. Very touching and very real. The heartfelt emotions of the Christmas Eve epilogue provide the perfect ending for this story…like a present for the reader, wrapped in festive paper and topped with a sparkly bow….the blessings of a gift like no other.

Favorite quote: “Guilt is like a cancer that eats away at our soul, robbing us of joy, hope, and all too often, the very forgiveness that will set us free.”

A note of warning from the author: Due to a subject matter that deals with marital problems, please be advised that this sweet inspirational novella contains a higher level of romantic passion.

*I received a complimentary ebook with no requirement to write a review. I’m pleased to offer my honest opinion about this story.

SCRIPTURE

You will pray to Him, and He will hear you, And you will fulfill your vows.~~Job 22:27

ABOUT JULIE LESSMAN

Julie Lessman is a dear author who writes inspirational contemporary and historical romances. I love her heart for the Lord and her tag line…..stories of “passion with a purpose.” For more information about her other books, please visit her website, where I suggest you also sign up for her newsletter, JOURNAL JOTS. http://www.JulieLessman.com.

Thank you for stopping by for an autumn tea and my review of Julie’s sweet (with a touch of spice) inspirational romance story. I pray your days are filled with faith, love and abundant joy during the holidays ahead.

Blessings and prayers always,

Sherida

*Your comments are appreciated and will be visible after moderation. I apologize for delays in posting.

#TUESDAYTEA Review of LOVE EVERLASTING by Julie Lessman!

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

#TuesdayTea-Review of ISLE OF HOPE by Julie Lessman

Welcome to #TuesdayTea!

I’m reviewing Julie Lessman’s new book, Isle of Hope: Unfailing Love (Isle of Hope Series Book 1).

I’m thrilled Julie has written a contemporary romance…..and in the lovely coastal setting of Isle of Hope, Georgia. Please have a snickerdoodle (as featured in this book) and some peach tea….either iced or hot, as we chat about this emotional book of forgiveness.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

She stole his heart.
He stole her peace.
Can hope steal their pain?

At the age of eighteen, Lacey Carmichael was a wild girl bent on fun, promised to Jack Carmichael, a straight-and-narrow pastor’s kid bent on the seminary. When her father kicks her out of the house, she runs away from Isle of Hope, turning her back on everything she loves. Now, eight years later, she’s back as a woman of faith, hoping to make amends to the father she defied, the boyfriend she deserted, and the best friend she denied. Only the bridges she’s burned are still smoldering, kindled by an adulterous affair by Jack’s pastor father that damaged his son’s faith. But can a turning of tables—and hearts—lead the way back to “hope” for them all?

TREATS

Please enjoy some snickerdoodles before reading my review. I loved all the food treats included in this story! Here is recipe I found on the AllRecipes site for Snickerdoodle Mix in a Jar. This would make a yummy hostess gift for the upcoming holidays…..or a friendship gift to go along with a copy of Isle of Hope.

MY REVIEW:
Unfailing Love by Julie Lessman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Extraordinary! Isle of Hope: Unfailing Love is a riveting story of humility, selfless love, and extraordinary forgiveness!
“Wow!” and “Oh, my!” …..my thoughts as I read the pages of Isle of Hope, a novel packed with emotion!
The first line of Isle of Hope lets us know there is drama and intensity ahead in this story. This is a reunion romance–a romance which started back in high school between Lacey, the class flirt, and Jack, a pastor’s son. Years later, they are back in Isle of Hope for a wedding celebration. Many issues come to light as the story evolves. Just as I felt the characters had solved an emotional crisis and all would be fine, another mountain would rise before them, definitely surprising me. This book compelled me to read as fast as I could to find out if their happily-ever-after was even a possibility after so much pain and regret.
I like Lacey’s courage and her persistence as she tries to reconcile with her father concerning their hurtful past. Jack is great. He shows such tenderness towards the woman who left him. He is dedicated to his family and to helping his pediatric patients. All the other characters were intriguing, but I especially liked Tess, with her warmth and gentle faith…and her nurturing gifts (bribes?) of food, including bacon for Beau, Ben’s dog. It is satisfying to live with these characters as they struggle with forgiveness.
Isle of Hope is fantastic to read…filled with the unimaginable pain of betrayal, which then escalates with the tension of powerful anger and hopeful love. Julie Lessman is a passionate writer who excels at filling a story with heart-thumping emotion, while including the gentle reminder that God is our HOPE, and He is truly in control.
Favorite lines:
“You should know better than anyone—there is no hope without forgiveness.”
“I believe that the truth spoken in love is not only the best gift I can give, but the most critical as well.”
“This is the moment you’ve been praying for.”
“It’s never too late to love.”
*I received a copy of this book for my review. This is my honest opinion of this extraordinary book.

ABOUT JULIE LESSMAN AND HER CONTEST

Julie has a contest on her website, which you can check her contest page for how to enter. JULIE’S CONTEST PAGE

For more information about Julie Lessman, you will find her website is filled with information about her books, how to sign up for her newsletter, and her spiritual journey. JULIE LESSMAN WEBSITE

MY THOUGHTS

As I’ve mentioned above, Isle of Hope is an extraordinary book. Since I mainly read contemporary romance, I was delighted to learn Julie has expanded from her historical novels to begin a contemporary series. After reading this first book, I’m hoping for some of the characters I so enjoyed will have their own HEA.

I appreciate the forgiveness theme in this book. We probably all have some issues, big or small, in our lives which cause bitterness. This book powerfully hit me with the reminder that forgiveness is the only way to peace….and God will give me the strength to forgive……extraordinary strength…..if I listen and obey.

I need to tell you this: Julie is such a gracious person. Regretfully, I had to back out of her official blog tour because I had over committed my time. Since I like to believe I’m a responsible blogger, I was embarrassed to let her know I couldn’t promise to have a review done by the date of the blog tour, even though I had already accepted an electronic version of her book. Perhaps someone else might have been upset and angry that I had broken my promise of promotion and reviews. However, Julie absolutely understood my situation, making me feel completely forgiven. I have the greatest respect for Julie because she does truly live her faith. It’s not just words in a book.

PRAYER

Dear Lord,

Please help me remember you are our God of hope and extraordinary forgiveness. You know all things…my sins against others for which I need forgiveness and the forgiveness I need to extend to others as you have forgiven me. Please continue to help me have a forgiving and humble heart.

Thank you for gifting authors, like Julie Lessman, with the ability to write words which challenge me to walk more perfectly in your ways. Bless Julie’s efforts with this book to bring the hope of extraordinary forgiveness to many.

I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ.

Amen.

BIBLE VERSE

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:32 NIV

Thank you for joining me for #TuesdayTea!

May all your days be blessed with the extraordinary treasure of God’s forgiveness!