{Revell Blog Tour}: Dare to Love Again by Julie Lessman

About the Book:

 

Spunky Allison McClare is determined to be a fearless, independent woman, resorting to a mammoth hat pin for protection on her way to and from the school where she teaches. But when she takes a notion to explore the wild Barbary Coast she quickly discovers she is no match for rum-soaked brute strength.

Detective Nick Barone would rather do almost anything than teach this petite socialite jiu-jitsu, but it seems he has little choice in the matter. Sparks fly every time the two meet until a grudging friendship develops into something deeper. But when Nick suddenly leaves town, Allison realizes he's a fraud just like all the rest of the men she's cared for. Does she dare love again?

The lushness of the glorious Gilded Age beautifully showcases Lessman's passion as a writer in this engaging love story written with humor and heart. From the glamour of San Francisco's Nob Hill to the seedy gambling dens of the Barbary Coast, Dare to Love Again is a journey to find a love that never fails. Fans will love revisiting the world of the cousins McClare, and new readers will seek more of Julie's passion-filled novels.

My Star Rating:  5 Stars

My Review:

 

What a fantastic story! Julie Lessman has proven again why she is one of my top favorite authors! Dare to Love Again is a fine example of all the things I've come to love from a Julie Lessman novel.

Stellar dialogue and the playful (and not so playful) banter, shines brightly as one of my favorite elements of all of Julie's novels; this novel being no exception.

The San Francisco setting is superb, and the amount of research and detail that has went into this novel is top notch. 1903 San Francisco truly comes to life, and I was left feeling as if I had jumped into the story along with Allison, Nick, and the rest of the McClare family. From the danger of the Barbary Coast, the excitement of the cable cars and Chinatown, the smell of crab on the wharf, and the fine elegance of Nob Hill, Julie has left me longing for a trip to San Francisco, but more importantly, she's left me anxious for the third installment of The Heart of San Francisco series.

Last, but certainly not least, I must say how effortlessly the spiritual thread is woven throughout the story. The messages of God's love, forgiveness, and redemption are portrayed beautifully, and it's one of the elements that I appreciate most. Bravo, Julie!

**Thank you to Revell for providing me with a free copy, in exchange for my honest opinion.**

Revell Blog Tour: {Love at Any Cost} by Julie Lessman

About the Book:
Jilted by a fortune hunter, cowgirl Cassidy McClare is a spunky Texas oil heiress without a fortune who would just as soon hogtie a man as look at him. Hoping a summer visit with her wealthy cousins in San Francisco will help her forget her heartache, Cassidy travels west. But no sooner is she settled in beautiful California than Jamie MacKenna, a handsome pauper looking to marry well, captures her heart. When Jamie discovers the woman he loves is poorer than he is, Cassidy finds herself bucked by love a second time. Will Jamie discover that money can't buy love after all? And can Cassidy ever learn to fully trust her heart to a man?

With delectable descriptions and a romantic sensibility, bestselling author Julie Lessman brings the Gilded Age to life in this sumptuous new series. Readers will faithfully follow Lessman to the West Coast for more romance, passion, and surprising revelations found in Love at Any Cost.

My Star Rating: 5

My Review:
We have another winner!  I've said it before, and I'll say it again -- Julie Lessman never fails to impress!  Love at Any Cost is Book 1 in The Heart of San Francisco series, and it truly does take the reader into the heart of San Francisco at the beginning of the 20th century.  All of the elements that I've come to love from a Julie Lessman novel are here, with a new cast of characters!  The McClare family comes to life atop the affluent Nob Hill, while we also get a taste of the seedy, dark side of the Barbary Coast.

As with all of Julie's novels, there's always the historical element that I love so much.  As a native Californian, who's been to San Francisco many times, I appreciate that I was able to see the city come to life in 1902, through these beautifully penned pages.  In the beginning of the book, I found myself stopping to do a bit of research, and I discovered some rich San Francisco history that I was unfamiliar with.  I'm always in awe of how well Julie weaves the historical elements into her stories, and makes you feel like you've stepped back in time.  It's always a fun history lesson!

This novel has everything I've come to love from Julie's novels -- passion, romance, witty dialogue, laugh-out-loud interactions between the characters, eye-popping twists, and the ever present thread of faith.  It's always the perfect mix, and I love how Julie effortlessly weaves key spiritual elements into the lives of her characters.  So not only are we entertained by the spunky Cassidy McClare, and the handsome Jamie MacKenna, but we see the power of what God can do in a human life.  How He can change a heart, mend relationships, and give us the desires of our heart.

With top notch writing that will keep you turning pages, you don't want to miss Love at Any Cost!  It's one for the keeper shelf, and I highly recommend picking up a copy today!

"Available April 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group."

A Book Preview: {Love at Any Cost} by Julie Lessman (April 2013 Release)

From beloved Christian author, Julie Lessman, comes the long awaited first book in The Heart of San Francisco series.  Love at Any Cost is Julie's eighth novel, and is scheduled for release on April 15, 2013.  As a fan of Julie's work, and the rich history of San Francisco, I can't wait to read this one!  Thankfully, Julie's eager reader friends won't have to wait much longer!  It's hard to believe the wait is almost over!

About the Book/Series:

From the glitter and glamour of San Francisco’s Nob Hill and Napa wine country, to the seedy dance halls and gambling dens of the Barbary Coast, “The Heart of San Francisco” series is a study in contrasts between the haves and have-nots, and barriers between rich and poor that only faith can transcend. 

The story of the McClares, a wealthy political family in 1902 San Francisco, not only highlights the struggles of faith and heart of three cousins, but of the matriarch of the family as well, Caitlyn McClare. A widow of strong faith and beauty, Caitlyn butts heads and hearts with her handsome brother-in-law Logan McClare, the fiancé who betrayed her before she married his brother. In a breathtaking city where the Irish were predominant in the early 1900s and wielding power in both politics and wealth, the story of the McClares is a glimpse into beauty and degradation, poverty and promise during a riveting time in our nation’s history.

Jilted by a fortune hunter, cowgirl Cassidy McClare is a spunky Texas oil heiress without a fortune who would just as soon hogtie a man as look at him. Hoping a summer visit with her wealthy cousins in San Francisco will help her forget her heartache, Cassidy travels west. But no sooner is she settled in beautiful California than Jamie McKenna, a handsome pauper looking to marry well, captures her heart. When Jamie discovers the woman he loves is poorer than he is, Cassidy finds herself bucked by love a second time. Will Jamie discover that money can't buy love after all? And can Cassidy ever learn to fully trust her heart to a man?

With delectable descriptions and a romantic sensibility, bestselling author Julie Lessman brings the Gilded Age to life in this sumptuous new series. Readers will faithfully follow Lessman to the West Coast for more romance, passion, and surprising revelations found in Love at Any Cost.

Love at Any Cost is currently available for preorder at amazon.com.

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Revell Blog Tour: {A Love Surrendered} by Julie Lessman

About the Book:
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?

With heart-pounding romance, intense family drama, and emotional twists and turns, A Love Surrendered is everything Julie Lessman's many fans have been waiting for.

My Star Rating: 5 Stars

My Review:
Oh, where to begin!  There's so much to love about the latest installment by Julie Lessman!  A Love Surrendered has so many beautiful facets, and I loved them all!  From the unique setting of the Ocean Pier Dancing Pavilion, the dynamic characters, the heartwarming family connections, and some of the best dialogue I've ever read . . . A Love Surrendered has all the makings of a novel that will sweep you away to another time and place!

As with all of Julie's books, the writing is top notch!  No matter where the story takes you, you can't help but be pulled into the scene, where your senses are sure to be awakened.  You'll be surrounded by the sights, sounds, and feelings of angst, humor, passion, and love . . . and it's a beautiful thing, indeed!  Like good coffee or chocolate, a Julie Lessman novel is a sweet treat to be savored!  I'm so grateful that Mrs. Lessman continues to write stories that touch the heart on so many levels! 

And rest assured this story is not one dimensional -- not only do we get to experience the burgeoning love of Annie and Steven, we get to peek into the lives of our favorite characters from past books in the O'Connor family saga.  It's all woven together perfectly, and includes the trademark Passion with a Purpose, that readers have grown to love from Julie Lessman's novels.  It's that spiritual thread that is always so well done, and never an afterthought.  Not only am I entertained, I'm able to walk away from the novel having gleaned something through the beautiful messages of faith and God's love.

Since each book builds on the previous book, you'll want to be sure to start with the Daughters of Boston series, followed by The Winds of Change series. This is definitely a series that you need to read in order to get the full effect, and I highly recommend both series!  It's Christian Historical fiction with drama, passion, and romance that you won't want to miss!

**Available October 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.**

**Thank you to Revell for a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.**

{A Quote to Inspire You} Julie Lessman