A Writer's Review of “Unending Devotion" by Jody Hedlund

{My Review}

Again, Jody Hedlund has crafted one of the best books I've read all year–probably since I finished reading her second book, The Doctor’s Lady (last November).

There are books that I can tell are books... and then there are books that simply draw me in so far that I’m right there inside the characters. And I don’t want to leave. 

There are books that take me long days and even weeks to finish because I know I am reading a book... and that I have to keep reading to see what happens in the end. And then there are books that I devour in a matter of two days that so envelop me into another world that I can hardly think of anything but opening the pages and finding out more. 

Unending Devotion was THIS second kind of book. And those two days of devouring Jody Hedlund’s words were not enough. I dreaded getting to the end, though it was all I could focus upon.
 
I know from attending a small writer’s conference last November, in which Jody Hedlund was the keynote speaker that this book wasn’t exactly based on the life of one particular strong and courageous young woman’s true story as her two previous novels had been. However in the Author’s Notes at the back of the book she does explain that many of the situations and a number of the characters were part of the real history of the lumber era in Michigan. 

Pure enjoyment. Superbly written characters and chapters. There is nothing more I can say to exemplify how pleased I was all the way through and all the way to the very last word of this book. I was already hooked on Jody Hedlund’s writing and story-forming skills after reading her first two books –but now? In the matter of just a few books she’s come to a place in my heart really only one other author has made it to, and that is Julie Lessman. And anyone who really knows me knows that I am completely and utterly in love with Julie Lessman’s books, characters and writing skills. Now I guess I’ll be applauding Jody Hedlund just as much.

But wow. Jody deserves it.

I was given a paperback copy of this book by Bethany House in order to read and give my honest review for this LitFuse Publicity Blog Tour. I give Unending Devotion 5 stars.

{More about Unending Devotion}

Michigan, 1883

In Her Darkest Hours, Is He the Man She Needs?

Lily Young longs to find her lost sister or will die trying. Heedless of any danger, she searches logging camps and towns, posing as a photographer’s assistant. And then she arrives in Harrison, Michigan–and the sights of Connell McCormick.

Connell is determined to increase the fortune of his lumber-baron father and figures as long as he’s living an upright life, that’s what matters. But when Lily arrives in town she upends his world, forcing him to confront the truth that dangerous men have gained too much power while good men turn a blind eye.

Vexing but persuasive, Lily soon secures Connell’s help, drawing them ever closer to each other. Will standing for what’s right cost them both everything

{More About Jody Hedlund}

Jody Hedlund is the bestselling author of The Doctor’s Lady and The Preacher’s Bride. She won the 2011 Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, the 2011 Award of Excellence from the Colorado Romance Writers and was a finalist for Best Debut Novel in the 2011 ACFW Carol Awards. Currently she makes her home in central Michigan, with her husband and five busy children. She loves hearing from readers on Facebook and on her blog.

Find out more about Jody at jodyhedlund.com.

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Jody Hedlund's Next Book Comes Out April 2013!

A Noble Groom

Recently widowed Annalisa Werner has the feeling her husband was murdered but can’t prove it. Alone with her young daughter in 1881 Michigan, she has six months left to finish raising the money needed to pay back the land contract her husband purchased, and the land is difficult to toil by herself. She needs a husband. With unmarried men scarce, her father sends a letter to his brother in the Old Country, asking him to find Annalisa a groom. 

For nobleman Carl von Reichart, the blade of the guillotine is his fate. He’s been accused and convicted of a serious crime he didn’t commit, and his only escape is to flee to a small German community in Michigan where he’ll be safe. He secures a job on Annalisa’s farm but bumbles through learning about farming and manual labor.

Annalisa senses that Carl is harboring a secret about his past, yet she finds herself drawn to him anyway. He’s gentle, kind, and romantic–unlike any of the men she’s ever known. He begins to restore her faith in the ability to love–but her true groom is still on his way. And time is running out on them all.