Hot Christian Book Review: A Love Surrendered

Hot Christian Book Review: A Love Surrendered by Julie Lessman
Wow! Julie Lessman went all out with this one! Talking about hot, hot, hot... This book is all about sexual tension. Yes, really! Let's start at the beginning though. This book is the last book in the Winds of Change series. It is mainly about Stephen O'Connor. It introduces us to Annie Kennedy but what's really cool is that we have met a member of Annie's family, Maggie Kennedy, in a previous book. If you haven't read the book that features Maggie, it is easy to pick up on the back story quickly so don't fret. In fact, for me, it has been so long since I read that book that I had to go back and refresh my memory BUT if you haven't read either, I am not going to spoil the surprise.
This book is all about normal physical urges when you're not married and what to do about it. Stephen has "messed up" before and wants to do things right in his relationship with Annie but doesn't know how to have a relationship that doesn't always turn physical. He has the past experiences of a physical and emotional relationship. He harbors a lot of guilt over his past. Annie, on the other hand, does not have this history but gets pulled into desire and longing which ultimately leads to not thinking clearly.
Julie writes a book that sooooo many people can relate too - especially young adults. It is a hot book but, in my opinion, not out of bounds because it is realistic. Way too realistic. I would like to buy a dozen or so of this book and have the high school and collegiate kids at church read this. It would be a great Bible study class and discussion! Many of our children can relate to these feelings of desire, want and longing but don't know what to do with the feelings. They don't know how to take their feelings and emotions to God. Annie and Stephen both struggle with relying on Him. They both find their way to resolution but in different ways.
I really like how a lot of the story is from Stephen's point of view. You don't get to read a male point of view often. I also like the surprise twist at the end of the book dealing with Annie and her family. It was really a great story with all of the characters we have grown to love making an experience. I especially like the side story of Luke and Katie because that is also a real life situation that married couples have to deal with.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who has experienced love, rejection, desire and forgiveness. Julie has written a book from her heart and depth of understanding. Even though the book is set in the 1930's it rings true for all us today. Thank you for approaching this subject with depth, understanding and honesty. My prayer is that this book will help many people handle a difficult subject.

Christianity: Here is a good example "Moisture glazed her eyes while her voice softened to a whisper. 'I want to give you my all, but I can't, because it doesn't belong to you. My body may crave your touch and I may want to give you mine, but that's not love, even if it seems like it at the time. True love always wants the best for the other, and although you may not agree, the best is only available through the hand of God.' She drew in a breath...'which means, if you want a relationship with me, we'll be doing things God's way, not ours. His way is the high way."

Hotness Factor: 10 Steamy 
Here's a little extra hotness factor for you - Stephen is an officer of the law breaking up speakeasy's and bootleggers. He is tall, well-built and on one occasion flips a bartender over a bar during a raid. I can just see him in his police gear and a fedora. Oh so manly!

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Hot Christian Book Review: Love's Reckoning by Laura Frantz

It has been a long, long, long time since I have read a Christian Historical Fiction that I couldn't walk away from and absolutely had to keep reading to see how it all ended. So this is a big deal in my opinion because I just finished "Love's Reckoning" by Laura Frantz and I think it is one of the best Christian fiction books I have read in quite awhile. Which is odd because I wasn't really crazy about her other books. This one has changed my opinion and I am ready for book two.

This book though...I couldn't put it down because I had to see if the lonely, depressing, futile situation got any better and then I had to keep reading in hopes that there was even going to be a happy ending. Sweet book, it is not! So you "sweet readers" may want to walk away from this one. It will keep you up at night and you will find yourself saying out loud at 2am while everyone else is asleep “how much can one girl take?!” like I did. (My cat did not know the answer but he gave me an encouraging pat and snuggled closer.) This book has secrets, abuse, lies, deceit, anger, tension, tears, and a hero to swoon over. Sila Ballantyne is a blacksmith apprentice, a Scotts highlander, (Can't you just see those big muscular arms?) and a man on a mission. He is large and in charge - which, of course, I adore in a hero. He walks into Eden's world where she is little more than a slave in her own household. Her father is abusive. Her sister conniving and dangerous. The house, landscape, life and future seem bleak for her. Her only desire is to escape it all. 

As the tragedies unfold in this book, I kept wondering if it was going to get any better. Than about 2/3 into the book things start to change rapidly. I kept thinking "Oh no...this can't happen." or "Don't be so stupid!" As things begin to unravel in the book, I was truly shocked that my happy ever after wasn't happening quickly or even guaranteed. So many books are predictable and formulaic. Well, not "Love's Reckoning!" It breaks all the rules...and that's why you can't put it down and have to finish it.

Christianity: This book blends romance and scripture in such a unique way that I even cried once. I have never seen Bible verses used so romantically and it was sigh worthy. Eden longs for a relationship with her heavenly father but it is forbidden by her earthly father. She is honest and sweet in her pursuit of a relationship with God.

Hotness Factor: It's hard to review without giving away the details of the book but while Eden is demure and falling for Silas hard. Elspeth, her sister, is in hot physical pursuit. She is going to snare Silas through her looks and what physical needs she is more than willing to meet. The beauty of watching Silas keep his morality and stand tall through all of this is inspiring and adds to all the tension going on between the characters. It is hot in such a different way and is really well done. In my opinion, Laura Frantz hit this one out of the ball park!

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Hot Christian Book Review: Short Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer

“Oh, sweeeeeet.” is what my best friend pronounced after she finishing reading Short Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer and I completely agree with her. I just happen to be with her when she finished reading my copy and I asked her what she thought about it. Most of the books I have read by Karen Witemeyer fall into this category - sweet. And funny. It has some real laugh out loud moments.

With all that being said, Witemeyer seems to stretch herself here and have the couple married but not having sexual relations (you have to read the book to find out why) and so they are both appropriately desirous of each other. There is even a scene of the heroine, Meredith, having a straight talk about sex with a maternal figure. I like this because we all need to be able to ask questions and get honest answers from Godly people we trust.

Our hero, Travis Archer, is an alpha male in the book which I really like. He is strong, protective (even if overly so) and takes care of the people around him. The first half of the book is figuring out why Travis is so protective and closed up. The second half of the book is Meredith softening the rough edges of Travis.

I like the fact that Meredith is a true romantic, watching them fall in love is adorable. She had dreamed about Travis Archer since she was a small girl. Here's a cute scene:

“Travis? What are you doing in my room?” Those eyes – not quite green, not quite brown – crinkled at the corners. “I'm not in your room, darlin'. You're in mine.”... “It's not very heroice of you to smile at my misfortune.” Really. This was her dream after all. Her hero should be more so solicitous. Of course, usually in her dreams, Travis rescued her before any injury ocurred. The man was getting lax.... “Travis you're not making any sense. I can't be awake. You only come to me when I'm dreaming. Although you are usually younger and well...cleaner... and not so in need of a shave. But don't get me wrong. I don't even mind that you didn't save me this time. The important thing is that you're here.” … The things Meredith said during their brief, and thoroughly bizarre, conversation ahd sounded persional. So personal, they'd rattled him. And stirred an odd warmth in him, too. Did she really dream about him?

Sweet and romantic, don't you think?

I also loved the relationship with the 3 brothers and them living together without any female influence in their lives. They love and take care of each other. Their teasing is endearing and hilarious.

Christianity: Travis is a Christian without any personal relationship. His brother has been holding church services for the family for years but Travis hasn't had to reach out to Christ and rely on God's strength instead of his own power. The second half of the book and the conflict finds Travis having to grow his faith significantly.

Recommendations: Definitely read it. It has some laugh out loud moments. The brothers are adorable and I'm going to guess that some of them get their own book if not all of them. It is fun to watch them all grow up and grow together.

Hotness factor:  

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I'm back...again

I'm back! I took a break from reading and reviewing Christian books for awhile. Mainly, I got really busy and hated taking books that I knew I couldn't read and get a timely review posted so I bailed on it for awhile. But I also needed to take a break from the standard Christian romance. To me, Christian writing can be so simplistic, uncomplicated, sweet and unrealistic. It starts to wear on me after awhile. I like hot Christian fiction (hence the blog name) that is a little edgy. Those books are much harder to come by in Christian publishing. I've already admitted on this blog that I don't do “sweet” very well. Don't worry though...I don't read Twilight or Hunger Games either because I think the writing is juvenile and I don't do shapeshifters, violence or anything having to do with demonic forces either so I end up skipping most of the "popular" writing of the time.

Life is complicated and heart-breaking and passionate so I think the books I read should be too. Sometimes that's Christian fiction and sometimes it's not but I only review Christian fiction for you here at Hot Christian books. I hope you find my reviews honest and different. I really try to give you a sense of why I liked the book or didn't. It seems like so many reviewers only want to say nice things about the book but I don't feel like that helps you make a decision to read it or not. We only have so many precious free minutes to spend on reading so that is my aim in every review - to help you decide to sit down and cozy up with a book for awhile or pass on it. (Sidenote: if you want to read a new Christian book that includes complicated, heart-breaking and passionate then read my review of it here.) 

Anyway, that says a lot about my view of Christian writing and where I've been the last couple months. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy Christian Historical Fiction, I just enjoy some books/authors more than others because they meet my criteria better. In the next few days, I will be posting three new reviews of books by Karen Witemeyer, Laura Frantz and Julie Lessman so check back soon for my next diatribe....kidding, seriously.

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Free Kindle Book: Paper Roses by Amanda Cabot

The future stretches out in front of Sarah Dobbs like the pure blue Texas sky. Leaving the past behind in Philadelphia, mail-order bride Sarah arrives in San Antonio ready to greet her groom, Austin Canfield, a man she has never met but whose letters have won her heart from afar. But there is one problem--he has died. And Sarah cannot go back East.

As Sarah tries to reconcile herself to a future that is drastically changed, Austin's brother, Clay, struggles with his own muddled plans. Though he dislikes working on the family ranch and longs for a different life, Clay is driven to avenge his brother's death. But something between them is growing and neither Clay nor Sarah is ready to admit it.

Book 1 of the Texas Dreams series, Paper Roses will sweep readers into the Hill Country with a tale of love and loss, closed doors and beautiful possibilities that will leave them wanting more. Publication Date: January 1, 2009

You can download it here. Let me know if you like it!

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Free Kindle Book: Child of the Mist by Kathleen Morgan

Love me some highlanders!

In the harsh Scottish highlands of 1565, superstition and treachery threaten a truce between rival clans. It's a weak truce at first, bound only by an arranged engagement between Anne MacGregor and Niall Campbell-the heirs of the feuding families.

While Niall wrestles with his suspicions about a traitor in his clan, Anne's actions do not go unnoticed. And as accusations of witchcraft abound, the strong and sometimes callous Campbell heir must fight for Anne's safety among disconcerted clan members. Meanwhile his own safety in threatened with the ever-present threat of someone who wants him dead.
Will Niall discover the traitor's identity in time? Can Anne find a way to fit into her new surroundings? Will the two learn to love each other despite the conflict? With a perfect mix of a burgeoning romance and thrilling suspense, this book is historical fiction at its best.

Publication Date: December 31, 1992

You can get download it here. Enjoy!

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Free Kindle Book: Making Waves by Lorna Seilstad

This is a book that I wanted to read based on the cover. How cute is that outfit? I'd wear it!

 

When spunky Marguerite Westing discovers that her family will summer at Lake Manawa in 1895, she couldn't be more thrilled. It is the perfect way to escape her agonizingly boring suitor, Roger Gordon. It's also where she stumbles upon two new loves: sailing, and sailing instructor Trip Andrews. But this summer of fun turns to turmoil as her father's gambling problems threaten to ruin the family forever. Will free-spirited Marguerite marry Roger to save her father's name and fortune? Or will she follow her heart--even if it means abandoning the family she loves?

Author Lorna Seilstad's fresh and entertaining voice will whisk readers away to a breezy lakeside summer holiday. Full of sharp wit and blossoming romance, Making Waves is the first book in the LAKE MANAWA SUMMERS series.

Publication Date: September 1, 2010

 

Get it here: http://www.amazon.com/Making-Waves-Manawa-Summers-ebook/dp/B00408AIQO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1341453107&sr=1-1&keywords=making+waves+by+lorna+seilstad 

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