Terrific Conclusion to the O'Connor Family Saga: A Love Surrendered (Winds of Change, Book 3) by Julie Lessman

A Love Surrendered
(Winds of Change, Book 3)
by Julie Lessman
Copyright 2012
Revell Books
ISBN: 9780800734176

About the Book:
Orphaned in Iowa, Annie Kennedy moves to Boston to stay with her spinster aunt. She longs for romance to fill the void left by her parents' death. But when she falls hard for Steven O'Connor, the man who broke an engagement to her sister, Annie is worried. Will he break her heart too when he discovers who she really is?

My Thoughts:
It doesn't seem like that long ago when I picked up a book with a pretty redhead and a handsome, brooding gentleman on the cover and "met" a favorite new author in Julie Lessman. Can it be that it has almost been five years since the book that started it all, A Passion Most Pure was first published?! Through 6 books and two different series's we've followed the O'Connor family through war, illness,and the Great Depression -- sadly it's all come to an end with A Love Surrendered, the last book in the Winds of Change series. Fortunately for all of us readers it ends on a very high note.

A Love Surrendered follows young Annie Kennedy and Steven O'Connor, Marcy and Patrick's last single son. Steven is a handsome government agent whose job is to raid and shut down Boston's speakeasies and on occasion rescue fair damsels from thugs in dark alleyways. Annie, almost 18, longs to be seen as a grownup and starts hanging around her elder sister's old friends hoping to escape from a stuffy, prudish aunt. Little does she know the risks she's taking will involve not only her personal safety but potentially her heart. Will Steven overcome his past with the help of a young woman with an innocent smile or will he be doomed forever?

Sigh...just typing this review makes me think of all that has happened in this epic (trust me, it's epic) series. Every single book has been a roller-coaster and this one was no different. One minute Annie's wanting to do almost anything to want to fit in with her friends and the next minute she's deep in thought about family or doing the "right" thing. It definitely fits with the character of a teenager! Can you say frustrating?! However maddening her character may be Steven is ten times more so. Don't get me wrong, he's terrific as is his brother (they have great genes) but it bugged me to no end that he kept blaming himself the whole story for taking Annie's sister Maggie's innocence. I understood some of his guilt but it takes two to tango and she was a willing partner who was quite the seductress herself. Other than that one beef I thought the storyline was excellent. I loved that he wanted to change his womanizing ways but that it wasn't easy for him - very realistically portrayed.

If you're at all familiar with this author's work then you know passion is a key part of the story and that is definitely present in this book but it is all tastefully done. Since this a continuing family saga all of the O'Connors and their spouses each have their own little life adventures in this book. If you're like me you are always wondering what happens after the wedding in the lives of heroes and heroines so seeing each couple again is a bonus. Just a word of warning, make sure you read each of the Daughters of Boston books and Winds of Change books in order or you will have a tough time keeping everything straight in your head, there are a lot of characters in this story.

A Love Surrendered is a fitting end to the series and another excellent story from the pen of Julie Lessman. If you're looking for hours of drama, drama, drama pick this book up. If you're a fan of a love story with a message what are you waiting for, check this book out!

To learn more about Julie and her books visit her WEBSITE or FACEBOOK page.

~ My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars ~

“Available October 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from the publisher. 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.*

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Starting November 9, 2012, a self-pubbed ebook prequel to this series and the DoB series entitled A Light in the Window by Julie Lessman will be available. Pre-order HERE. Isn't the cover gorgeous?