Isle of Hope

Tour Schedule

November 1--Singing Librarian Books
November 2--Just Commonly
November 3--Between the Pages | Anna Weaver Hurtt, Author
November 4--Faith, Fiction, and Fun
November 5--Buzzing About Books
November 6--Reading is My Super Power | Smiling Book Reviews
​November 7--Wishful Endings

Unfailing Love

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 O'Bryen, 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. 

 

Many are the woes of the wicked, 

but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. 

~Psalm 32:10 

Book Snippet:

 "Come on, Jack, I dare you."

She'd shot up out of the river like a tow-headed sea nymph, water sluicing down gentle curves of her T-shirt that tempted way more than they should.  Her chuckle had been husky and low as she paddled in place off his dock, the sultry sound floating toward him like the mist on the water-hazing his mind, clouding his will.  "This is our last night before you leave for that stuffy seminary," she'd said with a toss of her head, "so let's make a memory to keep us warm while you're gone." With a scrunch of her nose, she'd wiggled in the water and shot him a pixie grin that came off devil may care. 

Devil may care. Jack grunted.  That certainly nailed it to the wall.  The edge of his mouth jagged up,  With a freakin' nail gun. He cocked a hip and sighed, tunneling fingers through his hair as a the memory lapped against his mind like the warm, salty waters of the Skidaway River.  Against his will, he shook his head, fighting the seed of a smile.  Lacey Anne Carmichael had to be the biggest little brat on the Isle of Hope and absolutely everything Jack had ever wanted.  Intelligent, warm, and brimming with life and fun and adventure, the perfect complement to his serious and sensible self.  Half tomboy, half vamp, she was an adorable little girl in a woman's body whose heart has always beat in time with his own. A best friend as deep as the rolling river who sparkled and shined on the surface with a sens of humor that made him laugh.

Until the summer that everything changed.  The summer of her senior year after her cousin Nicki moved from California to Isle of Hope, tainting the girl to whom he was promised. He'd arrived home from college, and suddenly Lacey was different-wilder, crazier, as if hungry for a lifestyle forbidden by a father with whom she'd never seen eye-to-eye.  From the honor-roll choirgirl to temptress in the blink of a semester.  Sure, Jack knew she's always had a streak of the rebel-she'd been his next-door neighbor and sisters' best friend forever, after all.  But he just assumed graduation and turning eighteen would soften the edges.  Help her settle down and become what he always hoped she would be-a pastor's wife. 

His.

My Opinion:

Julie Lessman brings us a story of unfailing love which includes a lot of forgiveness.  This is a beautiful story about second chances. The author can weave words to evoke both laughter and tears.  Even after the last page is closed I find myself thinking of these characters.  

She brings us strong, well developed characters that are complex and have very real issues.  She broaches tough issues (drugs, teen sex, infidelity, and mental abuse) and resolves those issues realistically.  There's good flow and pace that keeps the reader's attention.  

This is a story about life, the good, the bad and the ugly.

 We are introduced to two families, the Carmichaels and the O'Bryens who live on Isle of Hope in Georgia.  Neighbors and best friends until an unfortunate breech of trust occurs 8 years ago.  As close as both families were there are still some secrets that are never told. 

I really liked Lacey.  She has returned home to help her cousin with her wedding preparations and to face a past she would rather forget.  With facing her past she also must apologize to those she has hurt.  Jack is one of those characters that you just can't help but fall in love with.  Of all the other characters in this story I think Tess was the one who stole my heart.  She is Jack's mom and the actual glue that holds everyone together. 

As with each book I read, I look for a message. 

This story reminds me that no one is perfect, but with God's help we can get through any trials that await us.  We must have faith that he will see us through.  As we are reminded in Phillippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and you  minds in Christ Jesus.

I would recommend this book to anyone. 

*I received this book from the author via the Singing Librarian for a honest opinion without bias or outside influence.  All opinions or thoughts are my own. 

Giveaway:
If you would like a chance to win an e-copy of Julie's book Isle of Hope follow this link:
Rafflecopter 

Julie Lessman, award-winning author of The Daughters of Boston, Winds of Change, and Heart of San Francisco series, was named American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Author of the Year and voted #1 Romance Author of the year in Family Fiction magazine’s 2012 and 2011 Readers Choice Awards. Julie has garnered 17 RWA and other awards and made Booklist’s 2010 Top 10 Inspirational Fiction. Her latest novel, Surprised by Love, appeared on Family Fiction magazine’s list of Top Ten Novels of 2014. Her indie book A Light in the Window is an International Digital Awards winner, a 2013 Readers' Crown Award winner, and a 2013 Book Buyers Best Award winner.

Find Julie Online:

http://www.julielessman.com/ 

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/JulieLessmanAuthor 

Twitter:

http://twitter.com/julielessman 

Pinterest:

http://www.pinterest.com/seekerville/julie-lessman/ 

Google+:

http://plus.google.com/115587982515174307549/about 

Tour Schedule:

November 1--Singing Librarian Books
November 2--Just Commonly
November 3--Between the Pages | Anna Weaver Hurtt, Author
November 4--Faith, Fiction, and Fun
November 5--Buzzing About Books
November 6--Reading is My Super Power | Smiling Book Reviews
​November 7--Wishful Endings

If you are interested in taking part in a blog tour with the Singing Librarian you can sign up here:

http://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/