A Heart Revealed by Julie Lessman

Despite the fact that Emma Malloy's husband is an abusive drunk who lives in another country, she is determined to remain faithful to her marriage vows and live a life pleasing to God. In the years since she left Dublin, the pain of her past has faded and she has experienced the fulfillment of becoming who God wants her to be. When her best friend's brother, Sean O'Connor, begins working under Emma's management, camraderie and attraction threaten her resolve to remain unattached to any man. Will God use these feelings to open her heart to something more? Or is any relationship with Sean O'Connor doomed to fail?

Julie Lessman could not have chosen a more appropriate title for this story than A Heart Revealed. Lessman's writing was excellent and I loved how she weaved the stories of so many different characters together to create a beautiful story. Inside the authentic characters and engaging plot, a stirring theme reminiscient of Isaiah 61 is embedded. As the story progresses we see mending of the brokenhearted, freedom for those bound by the past, comfort for those who mourn, the exchange of beauty for ashes, joy in place of mourning, and the garment of praise substituted for the spirit of heaviness.

As the second book in the Winds of Change series, A Heart Revealed had plenty of background information and I didn't feel that I was missing anything vital. The few unexplained tidbits were actually an effective teaser that made me want to read the other books. Personally, I loved the story, but I want to give fair warning: there are some spicy (but not erotic) romance scenes and the characters subscribe to Catholicism. A Heart Revealed was not only entertaining, but also uplifting. I recommend it to all fans of Christian romance.

Click here to read an excerpt from A Heart Revealed by Julie Lessman.

Available September 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."