A Love Surrendered (Winds of Change, #3) in Transformational Fiction

Feb 24, 2012 Dawn rated it it was amazing

Shelves: my-favorites

I hardly know what to write... where to start... except to say I am so in love with the words in this book. No, scratch that—I think I’m in love with all of the words in all of Julie Lessman’s books.

I spent a long time reading A Love Surrendered—longer than usual because, first of all, my preparing for the ACFW conference got in the way, then attending the conference took up about a week, and then I felt the need to go through my own 88,000 word manuscript (in three days) one last time before se I hardly know what to write... where to start... except to say I am so in love with the words in this book. No, scratch that—I think I’m in love with all of the words in all of Julie Lessman’s books.

I spent a long time reading A Love Surrendered—longer than usual because, first of all, my preparing for the ACFW conference got in the way, then attending the conference took up about a week, and then I felt the need to go through my own 88,000 word manuscript (in three days) one last time before sending it off... but mostly, because I just plain didn’t want it to end!

Ah, yes—all the while I was thinking about Steven O’Connor and Annie Kennedy—trapped in the midst of their intense, angst-filled relationship. When will he see how double-minded he is? Why won’t he admit he’s in love with her? When would she tell her sister? And HOW ON EARTH ARE THESE TWO EVER TRULY GOING TO BE TOGETHER?

Yes, well. You get the gist.

And then there’s the whole entire rest of the 400+ page book filled with sub-plots involving the parents and the other five siblings (and their spouses) of the O’Connor clan... and oh, how they’re all still so intriguing!

At the end of Chapter 14... I’m pretty sure I was in love the most right there. It still gives me chills just thinking about it. I took a picture of the words on my kindle so I can see them anytime I want. These potent, soul-stirring words have nothing to do with the romance between the two star-crossed lovers, but between the God of the universe and one stubborn, hard-headed man—and that man’s heart being won over by the best Lover of all.

Oh... and he was.

Thankfully there is still one more book—a prequel, actually—about the O’Connor clan that comes out next month in eBook form. A Light in the Window is the (ever-complicated, I’m sure) love story between the O’Connor parents, Patrick and Marcy... and I JUST downloaded it to my kindle in preps for a blog tour next month (Yippee!). You can just bet you know what book I’ll be reading next. It’s true, I wish I could have Julie’s words pumped into my veins.

I received a complimentary and unedited (it hasn’t quite been through the complete editing process yet) eBook version of A Love Surrendered by Revell Books (through NetGalley.com) in order to give a review containing my complete and utterly honest opinion.

I give Julie Lessman’s A Love Surrendered 5 GLOWING Stars. ...more

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Sep 19, 2012 Andi Tubbs rated it it was amazing

I just can't believe that the O'Connor's series has come to a close. I remember my introduction to the O'Connor family, and Julie with a Passion Most Pure. I don't think I have ever held my breath or laughed so hard in my life. Julie creates characters you love and they become ones you just can't forget even after you've closed the last page.

A Love Surrendered is Steven's story, he is a Prohibition officer determined to stay on the straight and narrow after his relationship with Maggie ended an ...more

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Jan 14, 2013 Catherine Richmond added it

A fabulous finale for a fantastic series! (How's that for alliteration?)

Annie Kennedy is angry at God for her parents' deaths, so she abandons her faith and dives into the fast life. Unfortunately the first man who steals her heart turns out to be Steven O'Connor, her sister's ex-beau. Annie and Steven's story has a lot of wisdom for dating couples about physical attraction and God's place in relationships.

Every book of this series made me love O'Connor family more! What fun to see how their re ...more

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Jul 22, 2014 Wilani Wahl rated it it was amazing

Julie Lessman has hit another one out of the Park. I so loved this book. I love the O'connor family. The underlying story of putting your trust in God was great. This book was so well written. ...more

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Apr 05, 2017 Caryl rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017-challenge

OH.MY.GOODNESS! Steven and Annie's story is one of passion and faith. This final installment of the O'Connor family is not to be missed. ...more

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Feb 08, 2014 Martha rated it really liked it

You know, it is the mark of a good writer that can keep you up all night, to the point that you wake up in the morning and say, "That was worth it." when it is not the first time you have read the book.
Yes, that is how much I enjoy these books. I loved how Julie addressed the issues of consent in this book, while dating and what happens when someone uses words to manipulate.

There is also, as with the others, the tidbits and family stories from the O'Connor family that I love. I miss that famil ...more

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