I want to start off by saying that I have grown up going to Presque Isle, Michigan. My Grandparents have lived there since I was 3 and so I have literally grown up climbing the Presque Isle lighthouses summer after summer. Presque Isle is my second home and I absolutely loved reading this book and being able to visualize so much of it.
Love Unexpected is the first book in Jody Hedlunds new Michigan lighthouse series - Beacons of Hope. I had a lot of expectations for this book since I am from Michigan and this is the lighthouse I am most familiar with - not to mention Jody Hedlund is one of my favorite authors anyway. I must say that Jody Hedlund met my expectations and more for a great story and I am so looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series.
Love Unexpected is the story of Emma Chambers. She has never really had a place to call her home so when her steamboat sinks and she is stranded in Presque Isle, the preacher suggests she marry the recently widowed Patrick Garraty. Patrick Garraty is the lightkeeper and he needs help taking care of his young son. Emma is so excited to have her own home and family and believes nothing can make her happier. But when she hears rumors in regards to her mysterious husband, she begins to wonder who the man she married really is.
As always, Jody Hedlund made these characters come to life. I loved the innocence of Emma, the romantic tension between Emma and Patrick, and the mystery that surrounded Patricks past. And whats not to love about sweet, little Josiah?
If you havent read Jody Hedlunds novella, Out of the Storm, I would suggest you do so! While it will not make or break this story, it does have a special tie-in to this story that will make you appreciate it more.
Thank you Jody Hedlund for continuing to write wonderful stories that transport us to different times and places. I so enjoy each novel that you have written and look forward to reading many more!
I received a free copy of this book from the author and publisher, Bethany House, in exchange for my honest review. I received no compensation for this review, nor was I required to write a positive review. All opinions stated are my own.
Leah B.
Must Love Books
mustlovereading.wordpress.com
Love Unexpected is the first book in Jody Hedlunds new Michigan lighthouse series - Beacons of Hope. I had a lot of expectations for this book since I am from Michigan and this is the lighthouse I am most familiar with - not to mention Jody Hedlund is one of my favorite authors anyway. I must say that Jody Hedlund met my expectations and more for a great story and I am so looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series.
Love Unexpected is the story of Emma Chambers. She has never really had a place to call her home so when her steamboat sinks and she is stranded in Presque Isle, the preacher suggests she marry the recently widowed Patrick Garraty. Patrick Garraty is the lightkeeper and he needs help taking care of his young son. Emma is so excited to have her own home and family and believes nothing can make her happier. But when she hears rumors in regards to her mysterious husband, she begins to wonder who the man she married really is.
As always, Jody Hedlund made these characters come to life. I loved the innocence of Emma, the romantic tension between Emma and Patrick, and the mystery that surrounded Patricks past. And whats not to love about sweet, little Josiah?
If you havent read Jody Hedlunds novella, Out of the Storm, I would suggest you do so! While it will not make or break this story, it does have a special tie-in to this story that will make you appreciate it more.
Thank you Jody Hedlund for continuing to write wonderful stories that transport us to different times and places. I so enjoy each novel that you have written and look forward to reading many more!
I received a free copy of this book from the author and publisher, Bethany House, in exchange for my honest review. I received no compensation for this review, nor was I required to write a positive review. All opinions stated are my own.
Leah B.
Must Love Books
mustlovereading.wordpress.com
So good! I couldn't put it down. Emma's new arranged marriage to the Lighthouse Keeper seems to be exactly what she has dreamed of, but her new husband has some secrets! Highly recommended!
About this book:
All she's ever wanted was a home. But stranded at Presque Isle port after their steamboat sank, Emma Chambers and her brother, Ryan, couldn't be farther away from security. While Ryan at least can find work, Emma can't even find a place to stay. An unlikely solution arises when the lighthouse keeper, who recently lost his wife and is struggling to raise his young son, arrives in town. A traveling preacher believes they might be the answer to each others' problems, and after a hasty marriage, Emma is headed back to the lighthouse with this handsome but quiet stranger.
But nothing in her wandering life has prepared her for suddenly being asked to raise a child and keep a house. Struggling at every turn, Emma also suspects Patrick may be keeping something hidden from her. In town she hears whispers about strange circumstances surrounding his previous wife's death, and it seems as though Emma's answered prayer for a home and family may actually be something much more dangerous.
Series: Book #1 in the Beacons of Hope series. {Theres a Novella which is consider #.5 in the series which you can read our review Here! Book #2 will be coming out in Summer 2015.}
Spiritual Content- Emma hasnt prayed in a long time & doesnt think she remembers how to; She has to learn about God being in control and not her; Patrick prays; A few Scriptures are quoted; Talks about God & His plans; Hs are capital; Mentions of church going & devotionals.
*Note: a pit of h*ll.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a hush, an idiot and a form of stupid; Curses are said but not written; Pirate attacks (barely-above-not-detailed); After her Mam died, Emmas father drank and couldnt keep a job; Fist Fighting (highest being semi-detailed); Blood (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions & Rememberings of box fighting (semi-detailed); *Spoiler* Patricks past included looting, liquor, gambling & see Sexual content Spoiler. *End of Spoiler*; Guns are pointed & shot.
Sexual Content- a hussy and a wh*re; A Detailed Kiss & 2 Semi-Detailed kisses; Wishing & Wanting to Kiss; Talks of Kissing & Kisses; Thinking of kissing & kisses; Longing for more; Embraces (ranging from barely-above-not-detailed all the way to detailed); A Mention of being together & have children; 3 Mentions of wanting to be attractive to your spouse (Which Emma goes to Bertie for advice, very bad idea); 6 Mentions of sharing intimacies; 8 Mentions of expecting something when youre married; 8 Mentions of laying/sleeping with someone; Rumors go around that Patrick has another women & sees her (*Spoiler* Emma sees him with her, the woman wearing a low cut dress. Turns out shes a prostitute, his sister and Josiahs mother. *End of Spoiler*) In Patricks past, *Spoiler* when he was drunk, he took advantage of a women and he found he the next morning beaten in his bed (at the end of the novel its revealed that his fellow pirate friend used & beaten her)*End of Spoiler*; Carrying to bed; Love, an practical (read: arranged) marriage, falling in love, the emotions & Longing, lots of longing.
-Emma Chambers
-Patrick Garraty
P.O.V. switches between them.
Set in 1859
340 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- One Star
Older High School Teens- One Star
My personal Rating- One Star
Whoa! Lots of Sexual Content! {Cue the Ewww!s!} This was my first full-length Jody Hedlund book, and sadly, it might just my last. This book reminded me at many times of Short Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer (which I havent reviewed on here due to the Sexual Content). This book had an insane about of Sexual hints & mentions. Add Patricks past & annoying Bertie the Gossip/Traitor (saw that one coming) and you get a Banned Book.
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Bethany House) for this review.
All she's ever wanted was a home. But stranded at Presque Isle port after their steamboat sank, Emma Chambers and her brother, Ryan, couldn't be farther away from security. While Ryan at least can find work, Emma can't even find a place to stay. An unlikely solution arises when the lighthouse keeper, who recently lost his wife and is struggling to raise his young son, arrives in town. A traveling preacher believes they might be the answer to each others' problems, and after a hasty marriage, Emma is headed back to the lighthouse with this handsome but quiet stranger.
But nothing in her wandering life has prepared her for suddenly being asked to raise a child and keep a house. Struggling at every turn, Emma also suspects Patrick may be keeping something hidden from her. In town she hears whispers about strange circumstances surrounding his previous wife's death, and it seems as though Emma's answered prayer for a home and family may actually be something much more dangerous.
Series: Book #1 in the Beacons of Hope series. {Theres a Novella which is consider #.5 in the series which you can read our review Here! Book #2 will be coming out in Summer 2015.}
Spiritual Content- Emma hasnt prayed in a long time & doesnt think she remembers how to; She has to learn about God being in control and not her; Patrick prays; A few Scriptures are quoted; Talks about God & His plans; Hs are capital; Mentions of church going & devotionals.
*Note: a pit of h*ll.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a hush, an idiot and a form of stupid; Curses are said but not written; Pirate attacks (barely-above-not-detailed); After her Mam died, Emmas father drank and couldnt keep a job; Fist Fighting (highest being semi-detailed); Blood (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions & Rememberings of box fighting (semi-detailed); *Spoiler* Patricks past included looting, liquor, gambling & see Sexual content Spoiler. *End of Spoiler*; Guns are pointed & shot.
Sexual Content- a hussy and a wh*re; A Detailed Kiss & 2 Semi-Detailed kisses; Wishing & Wanting to Kiss; Talks of Kissing & Kisses; Thinking of kissing & kisses; Longing for more; Embraces (ranging from barely-above-not-detailed all the way to detailed); A Mention of being together & have children; 3 Mentions of wanting to be attractive to your spouse (Which Emma goes to Bertie for advice, very bad idea); 6 Mentions of sharing intimacies; 8 Mentions of expecting something when youre married; 8 Mentions of laying/sleeping with someone; Rumors go around that Patrick has another women & sees her (*Spoiler* Emma sees him with her, the woman wearing a low cut dress. Turns out shes a prostitute, his sister and Josiahs mother. *End of Spoiler*) In Patricks past, *Spoiler* when he was drunk, he took advantage of a women and he found he the next morning beaten in his bed (at the end of the novel its revealed that his fellow pirate friend used & beaten her)*End of Spoiler*; Carrying to bed; Love, an practical (read: arranged) marriage, falling in love, the emotions & Longing, lots of longing.
-Emma Chambers
-Patrick Garraty
P.O.V. switches between them.
Set in 1859
340 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- One Star
Older High School Teens- One Star
My personal Rating- One Star
Whoa! Lots of Sexual Content! {Cue the Ewww!s!} This was my first full-length Jody Hedlund book, and sadly, it might just my last. This book reminded me at many times of Short Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer (which I havent reviewed on here due to the Sexual Content). This book had an insane about of Sexual hints & mentions. Add Patricks past & annoying Bertie the Gossip/Traitor (saw that one coming) and you get a Banned Book.
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Bethany House) for this review.
