Julie Lessman

Julie Lessman is a master at romance! Her books are always filled with tension, intrigue and love stories that leave the reader wanting to read more. A reader can not help but be drawn into the story and feel as if they are almost there watching the action unfold, experiencing first hand each deep running emotion. This story is no different.

A wealthy lady with a tender heart feels that she must bridge the gap between the rich and the poor - a perilous and dangerous road to walk upon. Allison McClare steps from her upper society into the dark and stained streets of the Barbary Coast to discover that the world of poverty is unlike anything she could have ever dreamed. Every darkened corner and dirty street, every drafty window and falling down house had the possibility of danger. The presence of the enemy lurked in every shadowy corner. She soon found that she was no match for the things she would encounter as she tried to reach out and help those who were less fortunate than she was. Yet she needed this very thing to keep her mind busy while her heart healed from being broken by the one she had thought was her true love.

A brusque, hardened detective with walls as thick and high as Jericho is hired to guard her and to teach self-defense. His heart is walled up against love, his mind set on fending off any woman from the upper class. He does nothing to hide his disdain for the wealthy from Allsion and she in like does nothing to bridle her tongue when it comes to a sparring match. Both find that they have met their match, but neither is ready to fall in love again - or are they?

Action, suspense, danger and love. Healing in unexpected ways at unexpected time through unexpected people. This book is a page turner for sure!

Thanks to Revell for this review copy.… (more)

Katie O'Connor, part of the large O'Connor family, has her plans upended when her father - and the stock market crash - force her into working as an intern instead of going to school. There she is none too pleased to be working with Cluny McGee, whom she has disliked since childhood. Her dreams of marrying her wealthy boyfriend Jack, getting a college education, and becoming a force for change seem to be on hold but she hopes to reclaim them. But her physical attraction for Cluny, and her desire to help others, may by leading her in in a different direction.
I liked most of the basic storyline of this book, but parts of it I disliked such as the emphasis on (and continued writing about) the physical attraction between the characters. A certain type of Christian fiction romance reader would enjoy this one and more like it, but not me.… (more)

Acclaimed author Julie Lessman's considerable skills as a storyteller shine in the romantic contemporary cozy mystery, "The Secret of Emerald Cottage". Set in the beautiful fictional community of Lake Loon, GA, this entertaining whodunnit features engaging characters, lively dialogue, and a compelling story line. Molly Stewart, a young former Navy nurse, had also worked as an evidence technician to assist law enforcement investigators by helping to identify, secure, collect, and process evidence. When she is betrayed by her fiance, an offer to care for an elderly lady who had been injured in two separate falls seemed like the perfect escape from her personal troubles. Miss Lilly may be having trouble with mobility, but her mind was as sharp as ever. She and Molly became fast friends, and her snug little lakeside cottage was a perfect reading retreat for Molly and her beloved cozy romantic mysteries. Things become more serious when Miss Lilly--known to walk in her sleep--almost drowns and is hospitalized in a coma. Molly reaches out to Miss Lilly's great-nephew, her only living relative, and a somewhat roguish young man whom she loves like a son. Brec McGill, an Irish soccer star, spent summers with his aunt at Lake Loon, but as an adult who had found international fame, he had rarely returned to the cottage to visit his aunt. With troubles of his own and disillusionment with the celebrity life, Brec is guilt-ridden when he learns of Miss Lilly's health issues. The first meeting between Molly and Brec is a surprise to them both, and sparks fly. Agreeing to call a truce for Miss Lilly' sake, they share a mutual joy that she has awakened from her coma. However, their relief is mixed with concern when she insists that her accidents were no accidents and that someone was trying to kill her. As Brec and Molly work together to protect Miss Lilly and solve the secrets surrounding them, a growing friendship becomes something much deeper--could it be love? Miss Lilly and Molly have always known an abiding faith, and Brec wants to share in that faith. Can he overcome his troubled past and find his own spiritual peace? As more revelations come to light, shockwaves are felt throughout the community. Who can be trusted? Who will survive? "The Secret of Emerald Cottage" is author Julie Lessman's first cozy mystery, and lovers of the genre will greatly enjoy her debut work.

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