WARNING: Due to a subject matter that deals with marital problems, please be advised that this sweet inspirational novella contains a higher level of romantic passion.Her dream is writing.His is the perfect wife and mother.Until God fulfills them both with a dream like no other.Twelve years ago, Faith O’Connor happily gave up her dream as a copywriter to become a wife and mother, clinging to her … wife and mother, clinging to her husband’s promise she could return someday. But when the opportunity arises to write for the Boston Herald again two days a week, her dream hits a snag … along with her marriage.
To Collin McGuire, family is everything because he never really had one of his own. Raised by a father who died early and a mother who didn’t care, Collin is determined to give his children the very best with a full-time mother. But when he denies Faith her dream, he soon discovers he’s denied his own as well … until Christmas day brings a healing through a gift like no other.
more
Get ready for some holiday cheer! This new book of Ms. Lessman will have wives wanting to snuggle up to their hubby’s next to a warm fireplace. Since Julie Lessman first penned A Passion Most Pure her tagline has been passion with a purpose and she’s lived up to that with every book she writes.
She puts her character’s in compromising situations in order to highlight real issues that plague marriages today. Taking those situations she weaves nuggets of Bible precepts into what her character’s are dealing with showing God and His love.
This book has a warning of a higher level of romantic passion, I didn’t find it to be inappropriate. Ms. Lessman truly has a gift of writing passion filled love scenes cleanly and keeping it within the bounds of marriage.
As a reader once I finish reading one of Ms. Lessman’s books, whether a novella or full length novel, I feel as though I have had a long conversation with her. Her books come straight from her heart and you feel that with every turn of the page.
“The seeds of divorce. It’s a term I read about once, where thinking negative thoughts about your spouse — focusing on them — can plant the seeds of divorce in a marriage, possibly taking the marriage down from there.” Faith
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in association with Singing Librarian blog tours. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Have you ever read books that you fall in love with just from the blurb? And then, when you open the book and read it, it didn’t let you down? Yea, I get that with every single Julie Lessman book I read. No matter if it’s a full length, or a novella, I get all the feels and am never disappointed. Lessman truly delivered us a gift like no other with this read!
I fell in love with Faith and Conner in Lessman’s Daughters Of Boston series, so when I learned this novella was part of their story, I couldn’t wait to dive in! I missed the sweet passion, and the way they held strong to their faith and love. I will tell you this right now, if you didn’t love them before, you will absolutely love them now!
Watching as Faith had to weigh her heart and her dreams was beautiful. Lessman made me feel as though I was Faith while reading this, her emotions and passions becoming my own. Seeing Collin conflicting those emotions was stunning. His troubles with what he wanted for his family weren’t accrued lightly. They were legitimate and powerful, but Christmas time is a time for healing and love to shine through and reading their story, really gives me hope for my own life!
This is beyond 5 star worthy novella. The messages that are woven within aren’t overbearing but are just right to renew the reads hope. The passion that Lessman incorporates is the perfect spark-inducing amount, and makes the reader feel good that they’ve taken a chance on this read. If you’ve never read a Julie Lessman novel, then run, don’t walk, to grab this one up. You will not be sorry! Then, when you’ve finished this one, grab up all the others!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Publisher/Author and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.* Julie Lessman
I loved seeing into the heart of Collin and Faith’s marriage, with both their passion and love for each other, as well as their conflicts that needed to be worked out. This novella showed their human reactions to hurts, fears, and insecurities yet it also revealed hearts that, while perhaps stubborn at first, eventually yeilded to taking things to God in prayer and petition.
I thoroughly enjoyed this peek back into the lives of some of my favorite characters to read about!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Julie Lessman’s books are powerful, deeply moving, thought-provoking, inspirational and beautifully romantic. And this Christmas novella just proves her mastery with words and emotions. This book is Christmas novella #5 in the O’Connor family series with six full-length novels in addition to the novellas. I actually haven’t read any of the books in the series but now feel the overwhelming urge to read all of them after finishing this novella. This can be read and fully enjoyed as a stand-alone. If you love Christmas novellas, especially historical ones, you will absolutely love this book.
This story focuses on Faith, the oldest O’Connor daughter, and Collin who have been married for 17 years. Their marriage is passionate, all-consuming, and fulfilling but they tumble into problems of married life that attack their heart, mind, spirit, and faith. The characters and plot address the sanctity and beauty of marriage and ways to keep marriage as a reflection of God’s love. Reading about married love and commitment was quite refreshing and I was gently reminded of the pitfalls that we can avoid in a married relationship.
I received a copy of the book from author/publisher via Singing Librarian Books Tour and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
What a delight to revisit the lively O’Connors, who throughout the years have become like family to me! Julie Lessman (whom I’ve affectionately dubbed “la crème de la crème of sizzling romance”) has penned another heartwarming, angsty story with two of my fave characters—the lovely Faith O’Connor McGuire and the super hunk of all heroes, the tall, dark, and dangerous Collin McGuire. Be sure to keep a fan handy, ladies!
Even though this is a Christmas novella there are plenty of fireworks between Faith and Collin, as stubbornness and strife threaten to tear apart their once quintessential marriage. Collin has always been a female magnet (a role he’s always secretly enjoyed), but will he give in to temptation as feelings of rejection from Faith come into play?
With sensitivity and godly wisdom, Lessman explores how a lack of communication and failure to compromise in a marriage can result in misunderstandings and assumptions—leaving destruction in their wake. On Christmas Eve in the O’Connor’s pine-scented parlor, aglow with twinkly lights, candles, and love, do Faith and Connor discover “a gift like no other”?
WARNING: Due to a subject matter that deals with marital problems, please be advised that this sweet inspirational novella contains a higher level of romantic passion.
*I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review.*
A Gift Like No Other was simply beautiful 🙂 it’s the perfect “epilogue” novella to the O’Connor family series, and it has Ms. Lessman’s usual brand of Christian Faith and Sweet passion (this means that the main characters are married, and no, the author will never write gratuitous/graphic scenes, but it does show the passion and love that leads up to it. If in doubt if the book is for you, just go and read the first chapter in the “Look Inside” feature).
Having only read A Passion Most Pure, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of this novella. I loved getting to see Collin and Faith both as a married couple and parents, but also loved the great community they have with their whole family. Of course, the book wouldn’t be complete without some problems and temptations, but I think the author handled them well, while also giving the readers the perfect ending (not exactly the one I had in mind, but still perfect). Finally, I loved the takeaway/reminder to pray at all times and about everything, because that’s how much our Father loves and cares for us.
Completely recommended!! 🙂
A Gift Like No Other by Julie Lessman is a Christian historical novel that focuses on a marriage. It is set in 1930’s America where the roles of husband and wife were different to today.
Gradually women were breaking free from the role of stay-at-home mum but there were still men who held the belief that a married woman, and especially one with children should stay at home. “It’s the thirties… where married women have no business in the workplace.” The domineering spirit of a husband means resentment builds within a marriage.
The novel explores a marriage where cracks are appearing. A marriage should be a three way partnership… husband, wife and God. Prayer is the glue that cements a marriage. Marriage as God intended means we should love our spouses as Christ loved the church.
It is important to surround ourselves with godly friends and family, who love us enough to correct us if we fall into temptation. There are characters who have derailed lives. Their guilt weighs heavy. “Guilt is like a cancer that eats away at our soul.” We need to release ourselves from the prison of guilt by confessing our sins to God who forgives us and enables us to walk in the light of His forgiveness.
A Gift Like No Other intimately explores the relationship between a husband and wife in a Christian marriage. If you like sweet Christian novels, I would urge caution as this book may not be for you. I found there was too much information about what goes on behind closed doors (nothing graphic) for me to feel comfortable, even though it was sensitively handled.
The novel shows the importance of having God in the middle of our marriages and of treating each other well.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
Another sweet Romance from one of my very favorite Romance writers. As avid readers of Ms. Lessman’s books, we all know the passion she has in all of her books, and this one is very passionate. Collin and Faith were experiencing marriage problems, it is the 1930’s and Collin strongly believes in women staying at home raising their children instead of working, but Faith is just as determined that she work. And Collin is not a happy husband.
These two well developed, head strong characters had me both laughing and crying as Collin and Faith have the fight of all fights in their 17 years of marriage. And following their mistakes, discussions for help, and their kids asking what is wrong, Ms. Lessman does a fantastic job of weaving the problems together with scripture on what the Bible says about their issues. This story shows that even the couples everyone may think has a perfect marriage, have problems and sometimes major ones. And it takes a lot of prayer, support and trusting God to fix the issues. And though this is a wonderful book for married couples, I do not recommend it for those who are not married, whether it be couples or single. See Julie’s note at the beginning of this review.
A big thank you to Julie Lessman for a copy of this book, and for inviting me to join this tour. I love this sweet author as well as her books. If you have never read a book by Ms. Lessman, I highly recommend any of her books, and you can start with this one!
A copy of this book was given to me by the author or publisher. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions here in this review are totally mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
This sweetly steamy and inspirational romance novella will put readers in the mood to snuggle up with their spouses by the Christmas tree! Fans of A Passion Most Pure (book 1 of The Daughters of Boston series) will especially enjoy this “where are they now?” glimpse of Faith and Collin and the entire O’Connor clan. The author’s inclusion of relatable challenges and reminders to seek God’s will and apply His precepts in all areas of our lives touched my heart!
If you like stories with plenty of kisses and tasteful marital passion, A Gift Like No Other delivers! In my humble opinion, we need more stories like this one that honor, challenge, and encourage the relationship between married couples.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Loved it! Snuggle up with a cup of orange-cinnamon tea and a sugary snickerdoodle, ready to be blessed by this sweet, spicy story!
Devoted fans of Julie Lessman’s writing know her books are filled with passionate emotions. Her well-developed characters settle into a special place in the reader’s heart. This is so true with this story as Collin and Faith’s seventeen-year marriage faces a few challenges, which all marriages do over time. I loved the way this husband and wife confronted their problems with advice from their family and with the realization of God’s gifts. Very touching and very real. The heartfelt emotions of the Christmas Eve epilogue provide the perfect ending for this story…like a present for the reader, wrapped in festive paper and topped with a sparkly bow….the blessings of a gift like no other.
Favorite quote: “Guilt is like a cancer that eats away at our soul, robbing us of joy, hope, and all too often, the very forgiveness that will set us free.”
A note of warning from the author: Due to a subject matter that deals with marital problems, please be advised that this sweet inspirational novella contains a higher level of romantic passion.
*I received a complimentary ebook with no requirement to write a review. I’m pleased to offer my honest opinion about this story.
I give A Gift Like No Other 5 stars. This novella is a standalone, but if you have the read the series, you will know more of the background of the all characters. This is about a Christian marriage during a rough patch. So here is a WARNING: Due to a subject matter that deals with marital problems, please be advised that this sweet inspirational novella contains a higher level of romantic passion.
I definitely loved the characters Faith and Collin, they were one of my favorite couples from the series! Coin can be so swoon worthy and Faith is just so sweet you can’t help but love her. They are both just so sweet and so in love. As usual with Julie Lessman’s books I love how she always has passion, not only between the hero and heroine but also passion for Christ. And trust me there was definitely passion and romance in this book! Since they were having a rough patch there were a few parts that made me sad, which will happen when you are so invested and connected to the characters. However, they have a HEA and I loved the book!! I also love how she always manages to have a practical life lesson in there. There are great reminders for any marriage because marriage can be hardwork. It also reminded me of the importance and the power of prayer!! This is a book I would gladly eat over and over again! I definitely enjoyed A Gift Like No Other and would highly recommend it!
Julie Lessman is a wonderful writer of passion and history. I have read all of her novels and was excited when I heard she created Faith and Conner’s Christmas story. Faith and Conner were the first couple by Lessman I was introduced to. A Gift Like No Other begins with hot emotions between a husband and wife in the bedroom. Don’t worry. This is not Shades of Gray. Just the longing and glances before it. Definitely a novel I wouldn’t allow my younger teenage niece to read, but it is a honest glance at real incident that affects probably every marriage. Even though Faith talks about these issues with her mother and sisters, I wouldn’t have the nerve to talk to my sister and mother about these things. At the end, it was nice to see Conner gift a nice gesture to Faith. A Gift Like No Other is a realistic glance at remembering to pray when any situation occurs in all marriages. Overall, it was nice to return to the O’Conners and catch up on them.
A Gift Like No Other by Julie Lessman is an inspiring and romantic O’Conner Christmas story. Lessman really punches the reader in the gut with the truth and reality of what real life marriage relationships can be like. It can be hard and painful, but it can also be wonderful and glorious. This story shows the struggle and misunderstanding of a married couple with several children and how they forgive and overcome and strengthen their relationship. This is a story that readers will thoroughly enjoy.
Series: O’Conner Christmas Novella
Genre: Christian romance, inspirational
Publisher: Indie
Publication date: October 20, 2019
Number of pages: 129
Content warning: Due to a subject matter that deals with marital problems, please be advised that this sweet inspirational novella contains a higher level of romantic passion.
An ecopy of this book was purchased for review. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.