Book Week 39 - L is for Julie Lessman

Julie Lessman

"Passion with a Purpose"

What perfect timing that this week's theme starts with L.  I just finished reading Julie Lessman's A Hope Undaunted,(review)  book one in the Winds of Change series that continues the story of the O'Connor siblings from The Daughters of Boston Series.   I joined in on the A Hope Undaunted blog tour not realizing the book was a continuation of another series.   I enjoyed the story and the characters so much, wanting to find out more about them, so  was happy to discover I could.

Julie Lessman's story of the O'Connors is a passionate one, but from a christian perspective so heated romance and passion without the R rated stuff. Her characters are very real and life isn't simple or always easy and wrapped up in a neat little package.  Lessman does an excellent job of portraying a faith filled family without getting overly preachy.  Faith is a part of their lives and blends in with the story.  The Daughters of Boston series is a historical romance set in the early 1900's and starts with Faith's story in  A Passion Most Pure, then Charity in A Passion Redeemed, and little sister Lizzie in A Passion Denied.   The Winds of Change series starts with Katie in A Hope Undaunted.  She is a feisty 18 year old in the 1920's who wants to be a lawyer. She has a plan for her life with a list of the perfect man and she's trying to stick to the plan even though life has thrown her a curve ball.  The series will be continuing in the near future featuring her two older brothers, Sean in A Heart Revealed and Steven in A Soul Restored. 

If you haven't read any of her stories, I definitely recommend starting with A Passion Most Pure in order to get to know the family.  I've just downloaded it to my nook and will be reading it soon.

To find out more about Julie Lessman and her books, check out her story here.

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Link to your reviews:

Book Week 38 - J is for Jackson, Lisa Jackson

Book Week 38

I'm currently reading Wicked Games by Lisa Jackson and Nancy Bush. I discovered Lisa Jackson a couple years ago and love her romantic suspense stories.  I'm a series person. I love series that follow a group of characters and tells each character's story. I started with her New Orleans series and fell in like with her writing, the characters, the setting.  The stories are intense and sometimes dark with spooky, creepy villains who chill you to the bone.   Creepy good stories that will keep you up reading way past your bedtime.    She not only writes romantic suspense stories, but historical romantic suspense, medievals and contemporary stories as well.  Check out her booklist and discover for yourself.

What is your most spookiest, chilling, goose bumpiest read?

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Link to your reviews:

Book week 37 - K is for the Kicken "Book Blogger Appreciation Week 2010"

Book Week 37

Book Blogger Appreciation Week
September 13 - 17, 2010

In 2008 Amy of My Friend Amy started the Book Blogger Appreciation Week (BBAW)  It has grow exponentially since then and I heard at last count that this year over 600 bloggers are participating.

"Book Blogger Appreciation was started  in an effort to recognize the hard work and contribution of book bloggers to the promotion and preservation of a literate culture actively engaged in discussing books, authors, and a lifestyle of reading."

Bloggers will be hosting giveaways (some worldwide, some USA only) as well as publishers and authors including:  Belle Bridge Books, Chronicle Books, Harper Collins, Penguin, and Sourcebooks to name a few.   Each day bloggers will be posting on the following topics:

Monday—First Treasure
We invite you to share with us about a great new book blog you’ve discovered since BBAW last year!  If you are new to BBAW or book blogging, share with us the very first book blog you discovered.  Tell us why this blog rocks your socks off and why you keep going back for more.

Tuesday—New Treasure—Interview Swap
Post the interview you did with your BBAW Interview Partner.

Wednesday—Unexpected Treasure
We invite you to share with us a book or genre you tried due to the influence of another blogger.  What made you cave in to try something new and what was the experience like?

Thursday—Forgotten Treasure
Sure we’ve all read about Freedom and Mockingjay but we likely have a book we wish would get more attention by book bloggers, whether it’s a forgotten classic or under marketed contemporary fiction.  This is your chance to tell the community why they should consider reading this book!

Friday—Future Treasures
We’ve been visiting each other and getting to know each other better…now is your chance to share what you enjoyed about BBAW and also what your blogging goals are for the next year!

I will be hosting a couple giveaways on my personal blog My Two Blessings: Monday, a package deal - Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire Series books #1-9  and on Wednesday, a Mystery and Suspense bundle consisting of 6 books by authors Allison Brennan, Tess Gerritsen, J.T. Ellison, Jordan Dane, Robert Gregory Browne and John Ramsey Miller.    And be sure to check out my interview with Allison of Piling on the Books on Tuesday. 

So don't miss out on your chance to win some free books, meet new friends and explore new blogs. 

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Link to your reviews:

Book Week 36: Random Book Title - J is for Justice

I've traveled the world twice over,
Met the famous; saints and sinners,
Poets and artists, kings and queens,
Old stars and hopeful beginners,
I've been where no-one's been before,
Learned secrets from writers and cooks
All with one library ticket
To the wonderful world of books.
~ Anonymous ~

I have a mini challenge for you today:  This week's letter is J so going to do a random book title pick.   Use Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Borders or your favorite independent book store site and see what books come up.  I happen to like ordering hard bound books from Amazon and buy all my e-books from Barnes and Noble, and browsing and buying from the brick and mortar Borders or my local indie bookstore next to my business, Book Lovers Cafe.  However for this exercise, will use Amazon.com.

Justice is the word that has been floating through my head this week and since I like mysteries and thrillers, did a search on Amazon.  Several of my favorite authors came up which is a plus, and some authors I haven't read. 

 Sullivan's Justice by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg

Divine Justice by David Baldacci

Final Justice by Fern Michael

House Justice by Mike Lawson

Justice Hall by Laurie R. King

Your task is to decide which book you think I should read.  Let me know either in the comments here or on the WTM 52 books week 36 thread and I will read the book with the most votes and review it for you. 


Play along if you like. Choose a word starting with the letter J, see what book titles come up and list them on your blog or in the WTM 52 books a week thread. We'll choose which one we think you should read.

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Link to your reviews: