A Hope Undaunted (Winds of Change Book #1): A Novel

Julie Lessman

Sep 2010 · Winds of Change Book 1 · Baker Books

About this ebook

The 1920s are drawing to a close, and feisty Katie O'Connor is the epitome of the new woman--smart and sassy with goals for her future that include the perfect husband and a challenging career in law. Her boyfriend Jack fits all of her criteria for a husband--good-looking, well-connected, wealthy, and head-over-heels in love with her. But when she is forced to spend the summer of 1929 with Cluny McGee, the bane of her childhood existence, Katie comes face to face with a choice. Will she follow her well-laid plans to marry Jack? Or will she fall for the man she swore to despise forever?

A Hope Undaunted is the engrossing first book in the WINDS OF CHANGE series from popular author Julie Lessman. Readers will thrill at the highly charged romance in this passionate story.

Ratings and reviews

Opening a book written by Julie Lessman is like opening a treasure box full of good memories. Lessman's characters will steal your heart and her stories will grow your faith. Recently, I read "A Heart Revealed" and couldn't put the book down. "A Heart Revealed" is about a young woman disfigured by her past. It is a story overflowing with forgiveness, love, and hope. Emma Malloy and Sean O'Conner deliver a stunning performance, on paper that is—a performance not easily forgotten. If you enjoy stories that reveal the "stuff" of life—of heartache and hope, of trouble and salvation—you will love "A Heart Revealed." You will keep coming back for more with Lessman's well-developed subplots and deeply meaningful sub-characters, each unique and challenging, yet Lessman weaves the stories and entangles the characters with such care. You'll be cheering for Emma and Sean all the way…until you must quietly stand beside them as they face their failures and discover hope for their future. This is the second book in Lessman's series entitled, Winds of Change. Read Lessman's first book in the series called, "A Hope Undaunted," but have "A Heart Revealed" close by. The third book in this series will release in September of 2012. Lessman's artistry shines through in this tale of freedom and forgiveness. "A Heart Revealed" gets a Five Star rating for it's strong characters, high stakes, and thick plot. Read a Lessman novel and you'll find the treasure of a lifetime.

"The boy she loved to hate becomes the man she hates to love..." Whew! If that one line doesn't get you, I don't know what will! In her fourth book, Julie continues the story of the O'Connor clan with the story of feisty Katie.The youngest of the O'Connor family, readers of the Daughter's of Boston series will remember as a spunky, sassy little girl too big for her britches. And no one can forget Cluny McGee, the bane of her 10-year-old exsistence! You can only imagine the sparks that fly when these two get within three feet of eachother! Once again, a beautifully written novel with love, devotion, and of course passion that you won't want to end!

What keeps a reader immersed in a story? More than just great characters that dance to life, but a passion that drives the story forward. A passion for God and the family that is held together in His love. A HOPE UNDAUNTED is just that kind of story. I admit I didn’t like the heroine Katie, much at the start, she had such a long way to go before becoming likeable. I dangled by a thread while reading, bouncing back and forth like a ping pong ball as three men battled for Katie’s affection. At one point in the novel I didn’t know which way it was all going to go and was breathless. There were moments of angst and laughter as I traversed with the characters. The O’Connors have become my family. I know and love them better, the more time I spend with them. I rejoiced and nearly cried, my heart wrenching for Katie at the crux of her relationships. But in the end my heart sang with the affection I feel for these characters. But when I closed the last page and put the book my shelf, I was saddened. To leave them behind, these characters I have grown to cherish and adore is heart wrenching. Which I must say is the best part of a truly wonderful novel. Don’t let this one pass you by! A treasure! This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers for my copy to review.

About the author

Julie Lessman is the author of A Passion Most Pure, A Passion Redeemed, and A Passion Denied. Lessman has garnered several writing awards, including ten Romance Writers of America awards. She lives in Missouri.