"Unending Devotion" by Jody Hedlund

Michigan, 1883

In Her Darkest Hours, Is He the Man She Needs?

Lily Young longs to find her lost sister or will die trying. Heedless of any danger, she searches logging camps and towns, posing as a photographer’s assistant. And then she arrives in Harrison, Michigan–and the sights of Connell McCormick.

Connell is determined to increase the fortune of his lumber-baron father and figures as long as he’s living an upright life, that’s what matters. But when Lily arrives in town she upends his world, forcing him to confront the truth that dangerous men have gained too much power while good men turn a blind eye.

Vexing but persuasive, Lily soon secures Connell’s help, drawing them ever closer to each other. Will standing for what’s right cost them both everything?

Lily is a stand-up main character.  Feisty and faithful, courageous and true, her good heart makes her a leader in the logging community of Harrison.  Her spice makes her story enjoyable, despite the heartache within it.

All told, I really enjoyed  Unending Devotion.  Like The Doctor's Lady, much of this story is drawn from history, and Hedlund truly excels at fictionalizing the history books.  She captures the personal struggle of crusading for what's right when the cost is high, and that makes this book dramatic and endearing on many levels.  Throwing in the potential romance between Connell and Lily only serves to make it sweeter.

I don't see how any person could come away from this book not wanting to grab a picket sign or a food basket and go make a difference in the world, but if for some reason s/he didn't get that message in the story, Hedlund declares it in the author's note at the end - in beautiful, nearly poetic prose, no less.  Unending Devotion clearly calls for us to right the wrongs that are in front of us and within our ability - but most importantly, to be open to follow God's leading, in whatever direction He takes us.  

Few messages are more important.

To purchase this book now - and this is definitely a must-have - click here.

I received a free copy of Unending Devotion in exchange for an honest review.

Meet Jody: 

Jody Hedlund is the bestselling author of "The Doctor's Lady" and "The Preacher's Bride". She won the 2011 Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, the 2011 Award of Excellence from the Colorado Romance Writers and was a finalist for Best Debut Novel in the 2011 ACFW Carol Awards. Currently she makes her home in central Michigan, with her husband and five busy children. She loves hearing from readers on Facebook and on her blog.

Visit her website: http://jodyhedlund.com/