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A Heart Revealed (Winds of Change #2)

by Julie Lessman (Goodreads Author)

4.3 of 5 stars 4.30 · rating details · 560 ratings · 117 reviews

Ten years ago, Emma Malloy fled Dublin for Boston as a battered woman, escaping the husband who scarred her beautiful face. The physical and emotional wounds have faded with time, and her life is finally full of purpose and free from the pain of her past. But when she falls for her friend Charity's handsome and charming brother, Sean O'Connor, fear and shame threaten to de...more

Paperback, 503 pages

Published September 1st 2011 by Fleming H. Revell Company

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Feb 28, 2013 Dawn rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-favorites

Julie Lessman.

Not that I know how she does it, but every time Julie Lessman writes a book, the last book I read of hers gets bumped to "my-second-all-time-favorite-book." I read in a blog interview a while back about how she'd initially made up the character of Emma Malloy just to fill a role... until the moment she wrote Emma meeting Sean O'Connor over dinner at the O'Connor household. And I tell you--I don't know if it's just because I've been training my brain for so long to think like a writ...more

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Oct 16, 2011 Michelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: revell-blog-tour

Wow! Julie Lessman has hit another home run with this second installment to The Winds of Change series! We first meet the O'Connor family in Julie's Daughters of Boston series, which you'll want to read first, before reading The Winds of Change series. All of Julie's books are meant to be read in order, as each story builds from the others - a gripping family saga that will keep you wanting more and more! Each book filled with passion, drama, and a heart for God that makes it next to impossible...more

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Sep 22, 2011 Ashley rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: to-review

Ask anyone, and they will tell you that I'm one of Julie Lessman's most devoted readers ( and that's not an exaggeration) and loved every one of her books. So why didn't I give A Heart Revealed 5 stars? Probably because I just didn’t get to see Sean And Emma as I'd hoped,and instead we got a look at the other couples a bit more than usual.
The story picks up where A Hope Undaunted left off. Katie and Luke have finally been married, and the next one up on the marital chopping block is sweet-tempe...more Ask anyone, and they will tell you that I'm one of Julie Lessman's most devoted readers ( and that's not an exaggeration) and loved every one of her books. So why didn't I give A Heart Revealed 5 stars? Probably because I just didn’t get to see Sean And Emma as I'd hoped,and instead we got a look at the other couples a bit more than usual.
The story picks up where A Hope Undaunted left off. Katie and Luke have finally been married, and the next one up on the marital chopping block is sweet-tempered Sean, who is purely focused on work and content to lead the life of a bachelor. But God has other plans, they in involve an equally sweet and shyly beautiful, Emma Malloy. However, the story wouldn’t be Julie’s if it didn't have the sub-stories of our favorite Irish family, the O'Connors. Julie writes her characters with a beating heart, and at times, I swear I can hear them breathing, which is why you end up falling in love with the whole O’Connor clan. One reason I couldn’t give AR a full 5 stars was due to how slow the story seemed to start off. I mean Sean and Emma (the two main characters) didn't even kiss until much later in the book (which is practically a sin in romance books). In fact it almost felt as if Sean and Emma's story, as a whole, didn't really get going till chapter 12 or so. And I was excited to see more of them together, even from before I picked up the book.

When it comes to matters of faith, Mrs. Lessman is never at a lose. She tackles the gritty problems we don’t always see in Christian books, and shows through her characters, that by putting our problems in God's loving and capable hands, we can find forgiveness, redemption, and our heat’s deepest desires revealed to us in blessings. I can never read her books without crying, because she writes with a convicting passion, a true gift from God. And really, shouldn't that be what’s makes a wonderful novel? Of course the romance and drama doesn't hurt either.

Once again, Julie Lessman has written a romance novel that has more drama, passion and love for God in it, to keep you turning the page till the end. As always, I can't wait for her next novel.

Available September 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
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Nov 17, 2012 Tamara rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: julie-lessman

A HEART REVEALED, book two in the Winds of Change series, was like a carnival full of emotional roller coasters. While the heights were breathtaking, some of the twists were more jarring than entertaining.

Emma Malloy had spent ten years trying to put the violent and tragic events of her past behind her. With friends like the O’Connor’s, she has thrived in Boston, pushing the events that happened in Dublin to the recesses of her mind. What she didn’t plan for was her deepening feelings for Sean O...more A HEART REVEALED, book two in the Winds of Change series, was like a carnival full of emotional roller coasters. While the heights were breathtaking, some of the twists were more jarring than entertaining.

Emma Malloy had spent ten years trying to put the violent and tragic events of her past behind her. With friends like the O’Connor’s, she has thrived in Boston, pushing the events that happened in Dublin to the recesses of her mind. What she didn’t plan for was her deepening feelings for Sean O’Connor. But, feeling she is not available to anyone because of the person who waits for her in Dublin, she chooses to put her emotions aside and learns to appreciate Sean as just a friend.

Sean O’Connor treats Emma as a sister and a dear family friend. He’s protective of her because of the violence that has scarred her both physically and emotionally. When his feelings for Emma grow and he expresses those feelings, he is dumbfounded that Emma would feel such a responsibility to honor the vow she made to her husband, the husband that abused her. He decides he will respect Emma’s wishes for now, but isn’t sure how long his self-control will hold up.

I really enjoyed A HEART REVEALED but there were a few story lines that I felt were a bit out of character. Without giving much away, I really didn’t like the ‘Rose’ character. I feel Sean–being the standup guy that he was– would not of allowed himself to be so controlled by Rose. I also didn’t like the revelation regarding Emma’s marriage. For a woman wanting to start a new life for herself, so much so that she put an ocean between her and her former life, I think she would have handled things differently regarding her vows. She seemed so willing to cling to God and his promises, but ignored forgiveness for herself. Other than that, a good read, with great characters. I like the fact that Lessman allows the married couples in this series to have passion and desire for each other, and doesn’t ignore the fact that even Christians can have passionate thoughts and faltering self-discipline. Nothing was over the top, but it wasn’t ignored either.

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Dec 03, 2011 Kav rated it 5 of 5 stars

Clear your calendar before you begin this book. Put the dog in a kennel, send the kids to their grandparents and make sure you have a lot of frozen dinners on hand. You don't want anything distracting you from reading! College student? No worries, attending every class is over-rated. Besides it's weeks before final exams. So put those textbooks down and keep them closed until you finish A Heart Revealed. Have to work for a living? It's flu season, call in sick. You'll definitely be feeling fever...more Clear your calendar before you begin this book. Put the dog in a kennel, send the kids to their grandparents and make sure you have a lot of frozen dinners on hand. You don't want anything distracting you from reading! College student? No worries, attending every class is over-rated. Besides it's weeks before final exams. So put those textbooks down and keep them closed until you finish A Heart Revealed. Have to work for a living? It's flu season, call in sick. You'll definitely be feeling feverish once you start reading anyway and your blood pressure will be rising and falling at an alarming rate. Good enough reasons to call in sick, don't you think?

As it turns out I actually do have the flu and I did stay home from church yesterday and work today so I had a non-stop reading fest...well, in between falling into feverish swoons and dozing stupors :-) Thank you, Julie Lessman for providing the best medicine for what ails me! A Heart Revealed has the best bedside manners around!

If you haven't guessed by now -- I LOVED this book!!! Lessman delivered just what I expected...and so much more. Her writer's voice gets more polished and fluent with every book. She has mastered the balance of description, dialogue and action -- each builds on the others to create vivid images that immersed this reader into another era.

I was thrilled with all the catching up I got to do with one of my favourite literary families because this book isn't just about Emma and Sean -- all the O'Connors make multiple appearances as Lessman expertly twines their stories with our hero and heroine's. In fact, I'd say that A Heart Revealed is as much Charity and Katie's stories as it is Emma's.

Lessman created continuity between these three distinct threads by anchoring them with a common bond -- women who are grappling with issues from their past that still affect their present and threaten their future. When it comes right down to it, Emma, Charity and Katie are still bound by childhood perceptions that plague their feelings of value and self-worth. And no, it isn't evident in their every day life, but when stressors build and change is imminent, all three are propelled (in varying degrees) by misconceptions from their youth. It's an unconscious knee-jerk reaction in all of them and very realistically written by Lessman. Even as I groaned and moaned and chided these women's actions I understood where they were coming from. Talk about an anxiety-riddled read!

But though A Heart Revealed takes more than one twisty turn down the road of despair, the wonderful inspirational insights light the way towards hope. This is an area Lessman really excels in. Heartfelt conversations about faith between characters that are as natural as they are hard-hitting. And they in no way come off preachy. This book made me think and squirm and was, frankly, a God-send at this time in my life. God bless authors who listen to the Spirit when they write!
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Nov 13, 2011 Brenda Casto rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book from start to finish, from the characters plot, and the historical aspect of the Depression there really wasn't anything I could find to dislike with this one.
"A Heart Revealed" continues with the story of the O'Connor family, and in this book we get the story of Sean O'Connor and Emma Malloy. Even though Emma has lived in Boston for ten years she still carries the scars of the painful past that she left behind in Dublin.She finds herself drawn to Sean a wonderful man...more

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Nov 04, 2011 Megan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Julie Lessman does not disappoint in the second installment of The Winds of Change series, which is actually her fifth book featuring the O'Conner family. I LOVE this book, this series, this author! A Heart Revealed begins and ends with a wedding. At the first wedding Sean O'Conner is not himself and frightens everyone, especially Mrs. Emma Malloy, a close family friend. After escaping an abusive husband, his temper brings back memories that she'd rather keep hidden. Sean is holding on to painfu...more

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Oct 28, 2011 Alli rated it 5 of 5 stars

I'll start by saying if you've never read any of Julie Lessman's other books - YOU NEED TO!!! She is HANDS DOWN my favorite author, and she once again has written a book chock full of love, humor, passion, and story, story, story!!

This is the 5th book sharing the lives of the very Irish O'Connor family (The Daughters of Boston series is the 1st three, and the Winds of Change series continues where the Daughters of Boston left off), and I just absolutely LOVE how Julie incorporates SO MUCH the l...more

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Oct 17, 2011 Catherine Richmond rated it 5 of 5 stars

A Heart Revealed continues the story of the O'Connor family of Boston.

Charity's friend from Dublin, Emma Malloy is running a department store during the Depression. She lives alone, separated from her abusive husband. Most of the time she's at peace with herself and her life. Then Charity's brother Sean comes to work for her and they fall in love - an impossible situation. My heart ached for this couple.

Not since Susan Elizabeth Phillips' Chicago Stars books have I enjoyed a series so much. Ev...more

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Oct 16, 2011 Jolene rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of Christian Romance!

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...more 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.

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."(less)

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Oct 06, 2011 Jill H. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Emma Malloy’s life has been anything but easy during her time together with the man she calls her husband, Rory Malloy. She has a scarred and broken soul that developed from their relationship that nobody can repair but God. Emma is convinced that her hardships occurred because of sin that occurred at the beginning of their relationship. During the time that Rory is away she comes into a closer relationship with Sean O’Conner, her friend’s brother. She is encouraged by many to leave Rory but she...more

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Oct 06, 2011 Robin Prater rated it 5 of 5 stars

Oh, the romance that I found as I opened this lovely book. Be still my heart. This book holds such beautiful characters all weaving them into a place of renewed peace. Emma Malloy is one of those unforgettable characters. She is that woman with a past that holds regret. She wants love, but with her past it will be difficult for her to ever trust again. She is such a sweet spirit and a woman of virtue. Although her character went through such heartache in 1919, it is a pain we can relate to today...more Oh, the romance that I found as I opened this lovely book. Be still my heart. This book holds such beautiful characters all weaving them into a place of renewed peace. Emma Malloy is one of those unforgettable characters. She is that woman with a past that holds regret. She wants love, but with her past it will be difficult for her to ever trust again. She is such a sweet spirit and a woman of virtue. Although her character went through such heartache in 1919, it is a pain we can relate to today. She is holding much fear from the past, but we get to watch healing wash over her. I say fear, because it is that deep emotion of losing control and having another bring such deep pain that the scars last forever.

Sean O'Connor is that young man that all girls are attracted to. He has everything going for him, except one thing. He is battling a rage that he didn't even know was there. His character shows us that we must face our demons head on. Sean has one love and that is, Emma. We watch these two characters battle many things as they are always uplifting others. I found this very poignant. We try to hide our own pain at times by reaching out to others. But we too must find healing through revealing our true heart and that is exactly what they do.

So many wonderful characters come together once again here in book two. They are a combination of married couples and single folks all searching for the same thing. Love and acceptance. Isn't that what we are all after? We see true romance here as the love of God washes over these characters as they are refined by the fire they must walk through. I love this story because we get to glimpse the imperfectness of the characters. We witness their journey forward as they try to let go of yesterday. It's not always easy, but in faith we trust the Lord to lead us into that place where we feel complete in Him.

Once opening this book to the first page I couldn't put it down. Julie pulls the reader into the story through these deep characters that inspire us to take a look inside our own heart and lay down our past as we accept the present with grace and joy.

This book was a gift from Revell for it's review.

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Oct 01, 2011 Janna rated it 5 of 5 stars

Here we have Julie Lessman doing what she does best, drawing us into a world that we wish we could be a part of (even though it is during the Great Depression). My favorite thing about Julie's books are that even though she picks one main character (or couple), it is really more of an ensemble book with all of the couples from the previous books taking big roles in this one as well. My biggest complaint about most series is that in book #1 we get to know characters and feel like they are part of...more Here we have Julie Lessman doing what she does best, drawing us into a world that we wish we could be a part of (even though it is during the Great Depression). My favorite thing about Julie's books are that even though she picks one main character (or couple), it is really more of an ensemble book with all of the couples from the previous books taking big roles in this one as well. My biggest complaint about most series is that in book #1 we get to know characters and feel like they are part of our family even and then book #2 comes along and if we are lucky those original characters may get a cameo or a mention and then by book #3 we may not hear hide nor hair of them. It's like they've disappeared. Not so with Julie. Books 1, 2 and 3 of The Daughters of Boston series introduce us to Faith, Charity and Lizzie and they all get married off. Book 1 of The Winds of Change series starts off with Katie and then book 2 brings us to A Heart Revealed and dives into the life of Charity's best friend, Emma. The grand news is that in the first chapter I was re-introduced to all members of the family and it felt like I had never left (even though it had been a year since I read the last book). What a homecoming! This book is the perfect next addition in the saga of the O'Connor clan and it highlights the oldest of the O'Connors, Sean, the man committed to bachlorhood. Though the course of the book we find out why he has a hidden temper raging and why marriage scares the tar out of him. At the same time, Emma's secrets are revealed and we learn just what she ran from in Ireland. She has a ring on her finger that she is committed to even though she won't go back to her lying, cheating, abusive lout of a husband. Or will she?

The overwhelming theme of this book is forgiveness and grace. That none of us is deserving of the forgiveness God grants us or the grace he extends and that is what makes it true grace, we can't earn it. It is beautifully played out in this book and I loved coming back to some of my favorite literary characters of all time. The only sad thing for me is that I know there is only one book left in this set of six and it will be a bittersweet moment when I have to say good-bye to the O'Connors of Boston.

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Sep 26, 2011 Ibjoy1953 rated it 5 of 5 stars

My Thoughts

A Heart Revealed….by Julie Lessman

Emma Malloy moves from Ireland to America and now away from her bad marriage and the husband that abused her. The O’Connor family was among the first people she met in America and now Emma and the O’Connor girls are just like sisters. Well, and actually Emma was like a sister to the O’Connor brothers, and brothers-in-law as well, that is until she discovers she has a crush on Sean, and that makes him now so much like a brother.

Julie deals with so many...more My Thoughts

A Heart Revealed….by Julie Lessman

Emma Malloy moves from Ireland to America and now away from her bad marriage and the husband that abused her. The O’Connor family was among the first people she met in America and now Emma and the O’Connor girls are just like sisters. Well, and actually Emma was like a sister to the O’Connor brothers, and brothers-in-law as well, that is until she discovers she has a crush on Sean, and that makes him now so much like a brother.

Julie deals with so many different situations in this book, the struggles with several married couples, a marriage gone bad because of abuse, a relationship gone bad and a baby lost because of a father’s interference, singles that think they are destined to stay single, abusive relationships and even more issues throughout the book. One thing I appreciate that the author brings out so strongly with these issues is that, even Christians have difficulties and struggles but God is always there to help us. This doesn’t take us off the hook, we as Christians still need to repent and ask forgiveness when we sin, and Julie so strongly brings this out as well.

There are a lot of characters in this book, and not reading the first one in the series, it took me a little while to get into the book because of learning the people. I love the O’Connor family, even though they do have their moments, they are a close family with a strong love for each other and a godly background. The characters are fun, loveable and genuine and so beautifully woven together in a romance that will take you on a journey of love and forgiveness as we read Emma and Sean’s story, and boy what a story it ends up being!! Love, Love this book!

When Julie told me she loved passion in her books, I was expecting passion between couples, but I also found passion when she speaks about Jesus, passion when she’s talking about family, and passion when she is just talking about anything. You can feel her passion about writing when reading her books. And I love that about her, that she can write with such feelings that they rub off on you while you are reading her books. Of course this is just my first Julie Lessman book, but its defiantly not the last. I can’t wait to read more.

I also enjoyed the 1931 setting of this story because that was the year my mom was born and my dad was 4 years old. It was fun thinking about them living in the era of this story. If you enjoy reading a wonderful romance filled with good clean action and fun, well and a few marriage fights added in, well this book is for you!

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

I received this book from the publisher Revell to read and review. 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 55(less)

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Sep 25, 2011 Cafelilybookreviews rated it 4 of 5 stars

Second book in the Winds of Change series by Julie Lessman, A Heart Revealed continues the story of the O’Connor family and starts out with Katie and Luke’s wedding. If you want the back-story on Katie and Luke, check out my review of A Hope Undaunted here. I do think that these books need to be read in order for the full effect. On the author’s website, she includes this note:

Although "The Winds of Change" is a stand-alone series that can be read first, for the optimum reading experience it is...more Second book in the Winds of Change series by Julie Lessman, A Heart Revealed continues the story of the O’Connor family and starts out with Katie and Luke’s wedding. If you want the back-story on Katie and Luke, check out my review of A Hope Undaunted here. I do think that these books need to be read in order for the full effect. On the author’s website, she includes this note:

Although "The Winds of Change" is a stand-alone series that can be read first, for the optimum reading experience it is recommended you begin with "The Daughters of Boston" series in this continuing family saga of The O'Connors.

For those faithful readers who have been following along with the O’Connor family, A Heart Revealed tells the love story of Emma Malloy and Sean O’Connor – long time friends who begin to fall for each other. However, this relationship has many challenges; the main one being that Emma is married!

If you are an impatient reader, be forewarned that this book is 503 pages and it takes awhile to get to the “meat” of Emma and Sean’s relationship. There are a LOT of obstacles in their way and I found myself a bit frustrated for them. Also, this book is chock full of characters. So many that at times my head was spinning trying to keep up with all of the situations and crisis.

Between the newlyweds Katie & Luke, storeowners Charity & Mitch and the parents of this growing family Patrick & Marcy, readers have their hands full keeping up with each couple’s story. This Irish Catholic family even has a fun loving, basketball playing priest who I found to be very down to earth.

Julie Lessman was voted #1 Romance Fiction Author by Family Fiction Magazine 2011 Readers' Choice Awards and has wooed tons of her fans with her ability to write clean, yet very passionate love stories. Her books are intense, the romance is heart pounding and yet through it all, she weaves faith and the importance of a relationship with Christ. I do appreciate that she keeps her stories clean, and the most sizzling love scenes take place between characters who are married to each other, as it should be!(less)

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Sep 24, 2011 Molly rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: everyone!!!

Recommended to Molly by: Revell

Shelves: favorites, book-review

Okay. Let me take just one moment to reflect on this book. *Reflecting* Okay. That's better. WOW. I don't even know where to begin. There is so much to say about this novel. Let me start off by saying if you've never read a Julie Lessman novel, stop what you are doing right now, and grab a copy. You won't be sorry. The first novel I read by her was last September, entitled A Hope Undaunted, book 1 in this Winds Of Change series. I couldn't believe how much I fell in love with her work! I was the...more Okay. Let me take just one moment to reflect on this book. *Reflecting* Okay. That's better. WOW. I don't even know where to begin. There is so much to say about this novel. Let me start off by saying if you've never read a Julie Lessman novel, stop what you are doing right now, and grab a copy. You won't be sorry. The first novel I read by her was last September, entitled A Hope Undaunted, book 1 in this Winds Of Change series. I couldn't believe how much I fell in love with her work! I was then lucky enough to win all three novels in her first series, The Daughters of Boston. Though they are still sitting on my shelf to be read, they are definitely calling my name and I can't wait to go back and read them.

Now, on to the rest. In the first book in this series, I fell in love with Luke McGee. In this novel, I think I love Sean O'Connor even more. I really enjoy Snickers bars, so see, Julie? You could send SEAN my way, and I'd be forever blissfully happy. I LOVED his character. He was great in his role in A Hope Undaunted , but reading his story with the focus on him, was absolutely amazing. His past wasn't perfect, and there were times when he went wild with anger, but he overcame that. There was one thing from his past that he holds inside though. No one, not even his nosy sisters, know. That is until, he finds himself drawn to his best friend Emma in a way that he couldn't imagine. He opens up to her....with everything.

Emma Malloy. Bless her soul. She was a wonderful character, flawed and sweet, and wanting everyone close to her to be happy. Including Sean. When she finds her self falling in love with him, when she's still married to the man who beat her 11 years ago, she's determined to push him off on Rose Kelly...the woman who loves him. Trouble is, something happened to Sean and he won't try with Rose.

Oh, I so want to go on and on....but I'm SO close to giving away the plot! I DO NOT want to do that! I want you to devour the book like I did and take the time to reflect on the wonderfulness of this novel. It's stunning. It's breath taking. It's a roller coaster of emotions, from happiness, to sadness, to anger, to pride, to passion. It has a WHOPPER of a twist and an ending that will leave you smiling and tears running down your face. Not to mention I LOVED Casey Herringshaw and Michelle Tuller's characters ;-) *grins*!

I highly suggest that you grab a copy of this novel NOW. It's 5 Books worthy, two thumbs up, hats off, a home run, a winner, a best seller......what ever you want to call it's that. Julie Lessman really has a way to make ME feel a part of the heart of the story. She speaks to me through the words of her characters, and really brings me closer to God each time. She is by far my absolute FAVORITE Christian novelist and I will NEVER part with her books. They are forever on myself for me to read and reread, and reflect on each time. I am looking forward to book three in this series, Steven O'Connor's story. Sweet angels in Heaven, though, Julie, do you have to make us wait a whole YEAR!?!? *Sigh* Oh well. All the more for me to savor that one upon it's release.(less)

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Sep 23, 2011 Melanie rated it 4 of 5 stars

A Heart Revealed
Julie Lessman

10 years ago Emma Malloy leaves Ireland to escape her abusive, drunk excuse for a husband, taking her married status with her to America. From the time she was a young child her sense of value and worth has been denied. Emma feels her marriage is her just reward and though 10 years later and on another continent she continues to bind herself to a punishment of forever being alone.

The O’Connor family, Emma’s best friend Charity’s family, ‘adopts’ Emma as their own. S...more

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Sep 22, 2011 Nora St Laurent rated it 4 of 5 stars

I am grateful to have received a review copy of a novel that is written by an author who's passionate about her relationship with Jesus and others she loves. Not only does Julie have a zest and love for life but Julie’s passion for her Savior radiates throughout this book and not in a preachy way, but an honest and enlightening way. Julie’s newest novel shows that what we have in our hearts is revealed through our actions, thoughts and words. Just like Julie’s characters this often takes us by s...more I am grateful to have received a review copy of a novel that is written by an author who's passionate about her relationship with Jesus and others she loves. Not only does Julie have a zest and love for life but Julie’s passion for her Savior radiates throughout this book and not in a preachy way, but an honest and enlightening way. Julie’s newest novel shows that what we have in our hearts is revealed through our actions, thoughts and words. Just like Julie’s characters this often takes us by surprise, thinking we’ve dealt with that matter or didn’t realize a matter bothered us so much. I enjoyed this complex and tender story.

I loved A Hope Undaunted, the first book in the Winds of Change series, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on A Heart Revealed and see where Julie would take me next. This story started out in the time of the great depression of 1931 – where people struggled to survive. They had a hard time balancing, work and family just like we deal with today. This author also talks about true love, making a time for passion, talking face to face (not texting) and how we have to work at keeping a love relationship alive.

I also like how Julie shows that just because these characters accepted Christ in their hearts and go to church; it’s not all happily ever-after. Life can be painful at times and God wants to heal our hurts if we let him. I also enjoyed how Julie Lessman naturally weaves the theme of how we can be free in Christ through forgiveness! Julie shows us how unforgiveness can keep us a prisoner to the pain of the past and never let us walk in what we can be in current time. It’s the freedom we have in Christ through forgiving others, and ourselves. You never know what heavy burden someone was carrying around before Jesus set them free.

Julie answers the question, what does it look like to accept Jesus into our hearts, say we love Him but don’t make him Lord of our lives? And what does someone do when they discover their heart is still bleeding from deep hurts they hide from their conscious mind. Julie shows this very thing and so much more in A Heart Revealed. Each of us has a story to tell, we don’t get out of this life alive and untouched by the tragedies of the world. I love how Julie shows her passion for God through the characters' passion for each other and how all relationships take work.

I liked how Julie honestly looked at marriage on so many levels. Julie looked at the parents Marcy and Patrick's marriage along with Faith and Collin, Charity and Mitch, and Katie and Luke. It’s hard to do creative a loving marriage in changing times and almost impossible to do it without God working in you and through your life. This author gives a peek into these marriages that have very different personalities. I loved how she showed that without God marriage isn’t possible. With each husband and wife seeking God’s will for their lives and asking help in loving their spouse the way he would is the only way they make it. Julie did show the fun side of marriage too. All wasn't serious. I enjoyed the tender moments that left most of the romance to the readers’ imagination and I loved reading about them laughing and having fun; especially when the whole family gets together for game night.

Julie talked about being single in this book and enjoying it. I liked how she handled matter. She showed Sean and Emma as being totally fulfilled in being single. They fully walked in all it meant to be for them. They were both single and living for Jesus. I also liked how she revealed that Sean and Emma could be best of friends. They were confidants; they prayed for one another and held each other accountable. I also liked that even though Emma made strong suggestions to Sean that he sought God on his own terms. He didn’t take someone else’s word for what he was supposed to do.

A Priest said to Sean, “Emma sees herself as – a scarred woman, inside and out. Keep in mind that when a woman’s self-image has been destroyed, both by the man she loved and the very sins that have imprisoned her most of her life, she can’t see what you see. It will only be though the mirror of God’s love and that of your own that Emma will finally have a glimpse of the beautiful women God created her to be.” Powerful stuff.

Julie is creative and fun and had a newsletter contest and two people won the prize. The prize was to have their names in Julie's new book. Casey Herringshaw and Michelle Tuller won. It was fun to read Casey’s name in this book because I work with her on the ACFW book club loop.

I loved reading about all the members of the O’Connor family; they all have so much fun interacting with each other. I highly recommend this book and Julie’s other as well for an honest, passionate look at love and life and everything in-between. Her books are definitely worth your time. Let Julie and her books sweep you into the O’Connor family and into the arms of Jesus. You’ll enjoy her passionate characters in this book and her others.

The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org
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Sep 21, 2011 April rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: inspirational-historical-romance

A HEART REVEALED by Julie Lessman is an interesting inspirational historical romance. It is Bk #2 in the “Winds of Change”,but can be read as a stand alone. See “A Hope Undaunted”.This story is about Emma Malloy,who fled Dublin for Boston,running from an abusive husband,and secrets and Sean O’Connor, Emma’s friend’s brother,who is charming,and handsome.It has romance,love,secrets,fear,an impossible love,a dark truth that could destroy a new love,struggles from the past,healing,forgiveness,faith,...more

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Sep 19, 2011 Linda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Here is a post from Facebook that so fits this story. Source unknown:

“We need to teach our daughters how to distinguish between a man who flatters her and a man who compliments her …. a man who spends money on her and a man who invests in her …. a man who views her as property and a man who views her properly ….. a man who lusts after her and a man who loves her ….. a man who believes he is God’s gift to women and a man who remembers a woman was God’s gift to man.”

Julie Lessman’s book, A Heart R...more

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Sep 17, 2011 Kathleen (Kat) Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-fiction, christian-inspirational-fiction, historical-fiction, christian-historical-fiction, romance-fiction

As hard as it seems at times, wounds to the heart can be the hardest to heal, especially when it involves the love of a man you married. Until that love grows a life of its own and becomes jealous and possessive and then the emotions that rise up can sometimes be more than one can contain.

Emma Malloy had the epitome of what some would call the perfect marriage, she fell in love too fast and failed to see the warning signs. Before she knew it, she would be a victim of that love, a love that could...more As hard as it seems at times, wounds to the heart can be the hardest to heal, especially when it involves the love of a man you married. Until that love grows a life of its own and becomes jealous and possessive and then the emotions that rise up can sometimes be more than one can contain.

Emma Malloy had the epitome of what some would call the perfect marriage, she fell in love too fast and failed to see the warning signs. Before she knew it, she would be a victim of that love, a love that couldn't trust, a love the wanted to possess more than anything and it would be 8 long years of abuse at the hands of her husband Rory, before Emma would leave Ireland when Rory found someone new.

Sean O'Connor has been Emma's friend since childhood and has seen him at his worst or so she thought until the day of Katie O'Connor's wedding, his youngest sister and the last of the girls in the O'Connor family to marry. Now if only Sean could find that same and lasting love as everyone else, but he has vowed to remain single and stay away from all women no matter how he feels about them. Somehow Emma is the only one that Sean will let in, the only one he will share his deepest secrets with and the only one he can talk to and really be himself. If only she wasn't married, she might be the only one he would ever consider settling down with.

So the story takes us into the lives of Sean O'Connor and Emma Malloy who are united by their love for the O'Connor family, most of which are Emma's dearest friends and whom if the O'Connors would ever consider adopting, Emma would volunteer herself willingly. The only thorn in this story would be Rose Kelly, the one woman who can't take No for an answer and the only one that Emma feels might be the perfect fit for Sean.

In A Heart Revealed by Julie Lessman, we finally see the hurt that both Emma and Sean are carrying around within themselves that is preventing either of them from moving forward. They almost seem willing to punish themselves rather than accept God's forgiveness from their past and start over again. We get to see through this remarkable friendship just how each of them is there for the other but still unable to work through their own issues enough to finally be free of their grief and heartache.

I received this book compliments of Revell publishers for my honest review. This is the second in the series of Winds of Change, but can easily be read as a stand alone. The best part is that A Hope Undaunted, the first book in the series is available for FREE download on your favorite retailers until September 30th! Yet the love you feel for every single character that Julie Lessman introduces you to, find that they have a permanent home in your own heart. This is wonderfully written so that it engages you from the first page and literally can't put it down until you see how it might all work out before you reach the end. I easily give this book a 5 out of 5 stars and can't wait to read another in this series. (less)

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Sep 08, 2011 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

Title: A HEART REVEALED
Author: Julie Lessman
Publisher: Revell
September 2011
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3416-9
Genre: Inspirational/historical

Ten years ago, Emma Malloy fled Dublin and her abusive husband, Rory, for Boston, running for her life. There she found acceptance in a surrogate family, becoming not only close friends with the girls in the family, but a virtual sister. Her emotional and physical wounds have finally faded, and she feels she has found a purpose.

Everything changes when her friends’ han...more

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Sep 21, 2011 Andi Newberry ~Tubbs rated it 5 of 5 stars

Julie has done it again, kept me up late into the night reading her amazing book! This book had me cheering for Sean and Emma and wanting to strangle Luke, Mitch, and a few others! I don't want to say too much to give it all away. I am very sad that this is the end of the O'Conner family saga. I will end this review with this . . . this was posted on my daughter's youth leader's facebook wall and I thought it was so appropriate for this book.

We need to teach our daughters to distinguish between...more

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Sep 20, 2011 Cindy rated it 3 of 5 stars

CBR Reviews:

Emma Malloy's story is revealed in this book. We heard just tiny bits of it in the first book about this family. (A Hope Undaunted) We join this book at the wedding of Kate and Luke, and Emma is here, and this is her story. This book was a good book, but it was so distracting. There were too many side stories in this book, and my main concern was there was entirely too much intimacy in the book. I realize that this was between spouses, and it was handled fairly discreetly, but I don'...more

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Apr 23, 2012 Julie Graves rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads, christian, kindle-reads

Emma Malloy escaped her abusive husband 11 years ago. She now has made a new life for herself. She is the head of her best friends department store, works long hours and has a generous loving heart.

Sean O'Connor is a confirmed bachelor. When he loses his job in the middle of a depression Charity, Sean's sister, offers him a job as co-manager at the store she owns.

Even though Emma has known Sean for years she has recently seen a side of him that causes her to be nervous working near him. Sean has...more

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Oct 17, 2011 A. R. rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: couldn-t-finish

This was one of those books that I really wanted to like. I liked the time era. I liked the characters. I liked the story lines. But I could not get past the writing. I'm not a big critic of style. I know people who won't read books if they are not literary. I'm not one of those. If the book has agreeable characters and good plot line I will suffer through a lot to find out how a story ends. But I just couldn't do it with this book. After 185 pages I finally said enough and put it down.

My object...more

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Jan 26, 2013 Danica Page (One Page at a Time) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: by-an-author-i-ve-read-before, authors-i-love, historical-fiction, series, christian-fiction, adult-fiction

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

Relevant Information: I received the third book in this series for review and loved it so much that I went back and read the rest in the series. The first three books come from the Daughters of Boston series and then they are followed up with the Winds of Change series.

Overview of Novel: Emma Malloy fled Dublin for Boston ten years ago with her best friend Charity. She left behind an abusive husband, Rory. He left her face permanently scarred, but she's much more scar...more

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Sep 23, 2011 Carly rated it 4 of 5 stars

I am still fairly new to Julie Lessman’s books. Having missed her entire Daughter’s of Boston series, I didn’t start reading her books until the first book in the Winds of Change series, A Hope Undaunted. A Heart Revealed is the second book in the series and after enjoying A Hope Undaunted, I was really looking forward to this book. I have slightly mixed feelings about this one.

On one hand, this book was a little slow to me. I don’t mean slow as in boring, don’t misunderstand. It’s just that it...more

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Oct 17, 2011 Angelc rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book was very different from what I had anticipated. It's part of a series, and I'm not really sure that it can be read as a standalone novel. There were a lot of characters to keep straight right from the very beginning. It was a struggle to keep up with all of the different couples and become invested in all of them at the same time. I had thought the book would focus on Emma and Sean, but there was just as much time and pages devoted to the other two couples as well. I'm sure this contri...more

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Nov 25, 2011 Helen Wakefield rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian, historical-fiction, romance-fiction

I can’t read a Julie Lessman’s book quietly. There’s always exclamations of outrage, gasps of shock and cries of indignation. And this time, I shed some quiet tears as well – of sadness and happiness.

The tempo of “A Heart Revealed” is more like what I'm used to, and so I settled into it immediately. I didn’t feel like I’d been winded as I did with “A Hope Undaunted”, where it took me a couple of chapters to catch my breath!:)

I have been quite desperate to discover the mysteries behind both Emma...more

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About Julie Lessman

Julie Lessman is an award-winning author whose tagline of “Passion With a Purpose” underscores her intense passion for both God and romance. American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Author of the Year and winner of 14 RWA awards, Julie Lessman was voted #1 Romance Author of the year in Family Fiction magazine’s 2012 and 2011 Readers Choice Awards, #1 Historical Fiction Author, #3 Author, #4 N...more

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Books by Julie Lessman

A Passion Most Pure (Daughters of Boston, #1)

A Passion Redeemed (Daughters of Boston, #2)

A Passion Denied (Daughters of Boston, #3)

A Love Surrendered (Winds of Change, #3)

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Quotes from A Heart Revealed

“No one escapes being hurt in this life, because unfortunately, we live in a fallen world. But please believe me when I say there's a great gift in pain.” — 7 people liked it

“I was young once, you know. Truth be told, I still am. Now, if I can convince my mirror.” — 7 people liked it

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A Heart Revealed (Winds of Change #2)

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