Life hasn’t turned out at all like Lucinda expected, but neither is the depth of love one man has for her.
The young and impetuous Lucinda Williams, through a series of bad decisions, is now in a situation she never dreamed conceivable—an unplanned baby and marriage to a man who proves to be far darker than she ever imagined. Pain is a cruel teacher but brings instant maturity.
Joseph Manning, a childhood friend who watched the love of his life leave, is heartbroken to find the bruised waif of a girl he rescues less than a year later. What atrocities did she experience to change the vivacious, bubbly soul into this shell of hopelessness? Broken. Bruised. Beaten. Does love really have the power to heal all wounds?
Lucinda marvels at how Joseph effortlessly whittles his way back into her heart and that of her child with kindness and respect. But she has a secret far too dark to allow the kind Joseph into her life. He deserves so much better than the likes of her. Is love strong enough to break down the barriers of bad choices? Can a second chance at happiness really be possible?
My thoughts: This book was a hard one to read, at times, since it deals with some hard topics, like rape and abuse. I appreciated how the author handled the sensitive topics and the message of God's love that shown through the story and especially through Joseph. It hurt to see what Lucinda goes through when she chooses Nat. This book has several triggers. It's still a beautiful story of forgiveness, love, and redemption.
I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review.
Click here to get your copy! This post contains affiliate links.
About the Author
Blossom Turner is a free-lance writer published in Chicken Soup and Kernels of Hope anthologies, former newspaper columnist on health and fitness, an avid blogger, and published novelist. Her authentic understanding of the power of love in the darkest of circumstances is woven masterfully through her first novel Anna’s Secret (a contemporary romance), in book one of the Shenandoah Brides series, Katherine’s Arrangement and again in this second book, Amelia’s Heartsong. Being a hopeless romantic, Blossom, endeavors to give you, the reader, entertainment value with an inspirational twist. She and her husband, David, have two grown children and live in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. Read more at blossomturner.com.
More from Blossom
Do You Enjoy Romance That Keeps You Thinking Days Later?
Long before I even knew I could write, I loved to read. Being a hopeless romantic I gravitated to all romance stories either contemporary or historical. I soon realized that finding clean fiction but still written with the passion God created us to experience, was hard to find. (Song of Solomon is a good example of the expression of passion and love between a man and woman without being explicit.)
Given the gift of a writing career later in life one thing was for sure…I wanted to write what I like to read. Clean romance does not need to be boring. As each story pours out, I realize that writing historical fiction is my new passion. I finally know what I was born to do. My favorite theme was an arranged marriage…so birthed the first book of the Shenandoah Brides that has now morphed into a series of 5 sisters and their 5 love stories. September 6th 2021 is launch day for book three called Lucinda’s Defender.
Where-as book one was set in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, post-civil war, the second book Amelia’s Heartsong took place in the big city of Richmond Virginia where balls, debutants, pomp and circumstance matter. This third book, Lucinda’s Defender is back in the valley once again.
Have you ever made decisions that you wish you could unwind? If that is a yes, then you will relate to young, beautiful, sassy Lucinda who at the age of sixteen is forced to live with her adult choices. By seventeen her world crashes in doling out a future no woman deserves. But God is a God of second chances, and handsome Joseph a worthy life-long friend and hero. Passion, love, and undying devotion make this read a romantic page turner sure to keep you awake into the wee hours of the morning.
Although this book can easily be read as a stand-alone, enjoying the whole series as the family saga unfolds will deepen the experience.
I sincerely hope you enjoy the read as much as I enjoyed the write. I love to hear from my readers. Contact me at http://blossomturner.com
Blog Stops
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 7
Texas Book-aholic, September 8
Cats in the Cradle Blog, September 8
lakesidelivingsite, September 9
Inklings and notions, September 10
Bizwings Blog, September 10
For Him and My Family, September 11
deb’s Book Review, September 12
Locks, Hooks and Books, September 13
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, September 14
Simple Harvest Reads, September 14 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Connie’s History Classroom, September 15
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, September 16
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, September 17
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 18
Reviewingbooksplusmore, September 18
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 19
Splashes of Joy, September 20
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Blossom is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/116c6/lucinda-s-defender-celebration-tour-giveaway
Thank you for your honest review. I tend to push the envelope within the perimeters of romance going for subjects that are relevant both historically and yet still today. I desire to write a message of God's hope into every story as well as give the entertainment value of a true love story. Hugs, Blossom
ReplyDeleteLooks like an interesting kind of book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the contest.
This sounds like a story with a lot of things to mull over after reading it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing! I'm adding this to my tbr!
ReplyDeleteI like historical romance and this sounds like a really good read!
ReplyDelete