Wendy H. (donkeycheese) -
Unending Devotion is a page-turning story that will find a place in your heart. Lily Young is looking for her missing sister and she will do whatever it takes to find her. She works as a photographer's assistant and it takes her to different towns and camps. Not only can she do her job, but visiting these different areas let her broaden her search more than she could on her own.
Connell McCormick works for his wealthy father and is determined to increase the family coffers by expanding their business. But when Lily comes into his town, things start to look a bit differently. As the two get closer and he begins to help Lily with her quest, things take a different turn. I won't tell you what all happens because I don't want to spoil anything, but I will say that things get a bit hairy and unexpected. The characters are well-developed and real, as well as the plot can be paralleled to today's times. A suspenseful, clean romance that will endear readers to Jody Hedlund's talent!
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Connell McCormick works for his wealthy father and is determined to increase the family coffers by expanding their business. But when Lily comes into his town, things start to look a bit differently. As the two get closer and he begins to help Lily with her quest, things take a different turn. I won't tell you what all happens because I don't want to spoil anything, but I will say that things get a bit hairy and unexpected. The characters are well-developed and real, as well as the plot can be paralleled to today's times. A suspenseful, clean romance that will endear readers to Jody Hedlund's talent!
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A thrilling historical drama by a bestselling author and a fabulous storyteller.
Unending Devotion is the latest from the pen of a talented author. I found the story unique from her previous two titles in that the themes were almost a bitdarker. But I actually liked the mood of the story. It broods below the surface as Lily fights to save her sister from prostitution.
Lily is a determined heroine. What she wants she sets her mind too and she wants her sister back. She has honorable determination, but how do you save someone who doesnt want to be rescued?
What I loved the most about this book was the parallels between Lilys love for her sister and Christs love for us. The beautiful weaving of faith and strengthening of that faith pulled at the storys strengths, weaving the plot completely together.
Connell McCormick is such a fine hero. Not very often do you find a historical hero we get to watch open up before a readers eyes. A hero who is silently strong, but also discovering who God wants him to be, instead of the expectations pushed upon him. I loved watching him be transformed. And I loved watching him fall in love with Lily. Oh did their romance sizzle on the page!
All in all, another great addition to my Hedlund collection. Ive failed to be disappointed.
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers through CFBA for my copy to review.
Unending Devotion is the latest from the pen of a talented author. I found the story unique from her previous two titles in that the themes were almost a bitdarker. But I actually liked the mood of the story. It broods below the surface as Lily fights to save her sister from prostitution.
Lily is a determined heroine. What she wants she sets her mind too and she wants her sister back. She has honorable determination, but how do you save someone who doesnt want to be rescued?
What I loved the most about this book was the parallels between Lilys love for her sister and Christs love for us. The beautiful weaving of faith and strengthening of that faith pulled at the storys strengths, weaving the plot completely together.
Connell McCormick is such a fine hero. Not very often do you find a historical hero we get to watch open up before a readers eyes. A hero who is silently strong, but also discovering who God wants him to be, instead of the expectations pushed upon him. I loved watching him be transformed. And I loved watching him fall in love with Lily. Oh did their romance sizzle on the page!
All in all, another great addition to my Hedlund collection. Ive failed to be disappointed.
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers through CFBA for my copy to review.
Unending Devotion by Jody Hedlund
1883 Michigan
Lily Young is only eighteen but she has been taking care of her younger sister for years. While Lily takes a job and tries to make a life for them, Daisy takes things in her own hands and runs away from the home she is in. Lily will not rest until she finds her sister and pulls her out of a life she knows her sister truly wouldnt want to live. Rescuing other young girls along her journey. Lily has lost sight of one thing though, that God is in control and not her. Can the young woman learn to let go and trust God to handle things?
Connell McCormick works hard and lives a clean life. He tries to please his dad by building their lumber empire larger. When he meets Lily she challenges everything he believes. Can he take the chance to stand up for whats right if it would hurt his fathers business? Will evil men be able to continue in their ways because not one good man will challenge them?
This was an excellent read. Very emotional because many of the facts are based on true history. It was a time in the lumber business when men became richer but morals were poor. Where an evil man truly did falsely advertise for young girls to work in his hotel when it was actually a brothel. Very intense but so good.
**Received from Bethany House Publishers for review
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/2011/10/bethany-house-publishers.html
1883 Michigan
Lily Young is only eighteen but she has been taking care of her younger sister for years. While Lily takes a job and tries to make a life for them, Daisy takes things in her own hands and runs away from the home she is in. Lily will not rest until she finds her sister and pulls her out of a life she knows her sister truly wouldnt want to live. Rescuing other young girls along her journey. Lily has lost sight of one thing though, that God is in control and not her. Can the young woman learn to let go and trust God to handle things?
Connell McCormick works hard and lives a clean life. He tries to please his dad by building their lumber empire larger. When he meets Lily she challenges everything he believes. Can he take the chance to stand up for whats right if it would hurt his fathers business? Will evil men be able to continue in their ways because not one good man will challenge them?
This was an excellent read. Very emotional because many of the facts are based on true history. It was a time in the lumber business when men became richer but morals were poor. Where an evil man truly did falsely advertise for young girls to work in his hotel when it was actually a brothel. Very intense but so good.
**Received from Bethany House Publishers for review
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/2011/10/bethany-house-publishers.html
Renee C. (steelergirl83) reviewed Unending Devotion (Michigan Brides, Bk 1) on + 54 more book reviews
It's always nice to read a book that has romance, drama and at the same time is based on historical fact or a real person in history. Author Jody Hedlund has a real talent for writing a story that does all these things and more! In her latest book Unending Devotion Hedlund explores what life may have been like for a young woman searching for her young sister in the logging towns of 19th century Michigan and how her search leads her to discover the horrors of white slavery and prostitution that runs rampant because of corrupt James Carr and the government who's in his pocket. Along the way Lily also discovers that true love is within reach even in the darkest places.
At first I didn't think I would like Lily since she was so impetuous and unthinking at times. It was a wonder to me how she survived at all in the rough logging camps as long as she did even with the help of her guardian Oren. As the story went on she definitely became more likable and it was great to see her stand up for her passion to see young girls freed from sexual slavery as well as preserving the forest lands surrounding the logging towns.
Connell McCormick, the numbers guy and manager of three logging camps was instantly a favorite of mine. The moment Lily ended up on his lap at the very beginning I knew this would be a very interesting romance. I loved that he had such a pure heart but he wasn't immune to Lily's charms. It was refreshing to see that back and forth tug-of-war inside his head where she was concerned. Did I mention he's great with a knife? He's definitely a romance hero in every sense - brave, true, and yummy! ;-)
This book definitely had a more serious undertones than The Doctor's Lady and The Preacher's Bride but it is written with the same heart-tugging style that Hedlund does so well. Anytime a book deals with human trafficking it's rough to handle, especially since it's still a relevant (terrifyingly so) issue in our country today. Ms. Hedlund definitely dealt with the issues in a manner that was tasteful but didn't gloss over the bad realities. Both Frankie's and Daisy's stories broke my heart. Thankfully the conclusion wasn't sappy where everyone lived Happily Ever After and got a pony but fitting to the tone of the rest of the story without being disappointing for those who love romance.
Unending Devotion is a terrific book that is worth reading and keeping. Jody Hedlund is a writer of the highest caliber. Thank goodness we don't have to wait very long for her next book, A Noble Groom.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
At first I didn't think I would like Lily since she was so impetuous and unthinking at times. It was a wonder to me how she survived at all in the rough logging camps as long as she did even with the help of her guardian Oren. As the story went on she definitely became more likable and it was great to see her stand up for her passion to see young girls freed from sexual slavery as well as preserving the forest lands surrounding the logging towns.
Connell McCormick, the numbers guy and manager of three logging camps was instantly a favorite of mine. The moment Lily ended up on his lap at the very beginning I knew this would be a very interesting romance. I loved that he had such a pure heart but he wasn't immune to Lily's charms. It was refreshing to see that back and forth tug-of-war inside his head where she was concerned. Did I mention he's great with a knife? He's definitely a romance hero in every sense - brave, true, and yummy! ;-)
This book definitely had a more serious undertones than The Doctor's Lady and The Preacher's Bride but it is written with the same heart-tugging style that Hedlund does so well. Anytime a book deals with human trafficking it's rough to handle, especially since it's still a relevant (terrifyingly so) issue in our country today. Ms. Hedlund definitely dealt with the issues in a manner that was tasteful but didn't gloss over the bad realities. Both Frankie's and Daisy's stories broke my heart. Thankfully the conclusion wasn't sappy where everyone lived Happily Ever After and got a pony but fitting to the tone of the rest of the story without being disappointing for those who love romance.
Unending Devotion is a terrific book that is worth reading and keeping. Jody Hedlund is a writer of the highest caliber. Thank goodness we don't have to wait very long for her next book, A Noble Groom.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
I was most impressed by this book because the author tackled such a dark subject and managed to weave a gripping, yet tender love story into it. At the beginning, I wasn't sure how Connell and Lily were ever going to be together considering their differences in how they saw their places in the world. I was delighted to watch the two of them grow together. I found myself rooting for them both to overcome the evil that was so prevalent around them.
Jody Hedlund again writes historical romance with flair and context. I loved it.
