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About the Book
Book: Lucinda’s Defender
Author: Blossom Turner
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release date: September 7, 2021
Life hasn’t turned out at all like Lucinda expected, but neither is the depth of love one man has for her.
The young and impetuous Lucinda Williams, through a series of bad decisions, is now in a situation she never dreamed conceivable—an unplanned baby and marriage to a man who proves to be far darker than she ever imagined. Pain is a cruel teacher but brings instant maturity.
Joseph Manning, a childhood friend who watched the love of his life leave, is heartbroken to find the bruised waif of a girl he rescues less than a year later. What atrocities did she experience to change the vivacious, bubbly soul into this shell of hopelessness? Broken. Bruised. Beaten. Does love really have the power to heal all wounds?
Lucinda marvels at how Joseph effortlessly whittles his way back into her heart and that of her child with kindness and respect. But she has a secret far too dark to allow the kind Joseph into her life. He deserves so much better than the likes of her. Is love strong enough to break down the barriers of bad choices? Can a second chance at happiness really be possible?
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
For whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Romans 10:13
This is such a wonderfully richly layered story that will draw you in immediately! You will be emotionally drawn into the story of Lucinda who makes some bad decisions in life, and bears the consequences of them. It also tackles difficult topics like domestic violence, rape, and unexpected pregnancy with grace. I really adored this heartfelt love story about God’s love, amazing grace, mercy, and forgiveness.
“Every day she embraced forgiveness, and every day her freedom in Christ grew. She refused to live her life in shame and regret, no matter what people thought of her. Life was for living, and she was going to live it to the fullest, with the man and little boy she loved with all her heart. Praise filled her soul for the blessings she’d been given, and she lifted her hands to the heavens. It was time to accept all God had given her and let that be enough”.
This story was very similar to my own, so I could relate to what she went through – and her growth. Like Lucinda, Jesus also healed the wounds of my heart and I thank him daily for my amazing life and the double blessing that He gave me. I don’t have a Joseph in my life like this story, but I have my precious Savior Jesus Christ, “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine” (Song of Solomon 6:3). I also have my daughter’s Althea and Cordelia – and their names mean “to Heal” and “Heart,” my blessings and gifts from the Lord (Psalm 127:3).
I highly recommend this book.
This review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
A side note… this book reminded me of this song, “Even at My Worst”.
About the Author
Blossom Turner is a free-lance writer published in Chicken Soup and Kernels of Hope anthologies, former newspaper columnist on health and fitness, an avid blogger, and published novelist. Her authentic understanding of the power of love in the darkest of circumstances is woven masterfully through her first novel Anna’s Secret (a contemporary romance), in book one of the Shenandoah Brides series, Katherine’s Arrangement and again in this second book, Amelia’s Heartsong. Being a hopeless romantic, Blossom, endeavors to give you, the reader, entertainment value with an inspirational twist. She and her husband, David, have two grown children and live in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. Read more at blossomturner.com.
More from Blossom
Do You Enjoy Romance That Keeps You Thinking Days Later?
Long before I even knew I could write, I loved to read. Being a hopeless romantic I gravitated to all romance stories either contemporary or historical. I soon realized that finding clean fiction but still written with the passion God created us to experience, was hard to find. (Song of Solomon is a good example of the expression of passion and love between a man and woman without being explicit.)
Given the gift of a writing career later in life one thing was for sure…I wanted to write what I like to read. Clean romance does not need to be boring. As each story pours out, I realize that writing historical fiction is my new passion. I finally know what I was born to do. My favorite theme was an arranged marriage…so birthed the first book of the Shenandoah Brides that has now morphed into a series of 5 sisters and their 5 love stories. September 6th 2021 is launch day for book three called Lucinda’s Defender.
Where-as book one was set in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, post-civil war, the second book Amelia’s Heartsongtook place in the big city of Richmond Virginia where balls, debutants, pomp and circumstance matter. This third book, Lucinda’s Defender is back in the valley once again.
Have you ever made decisions that you wish you could unwind? If that is a yes, then you will relate to young, beautiful, sassy Lucinda who at the age of sixteen is forced to live with her adult choices. By seventeen her world crashes in doling out a future no woman deserves. But God is a God of second chances, and handsome Joseph a worthy life-long friend and hero. Passion, love, and undying devotion make this read a romantic page turner sure to keep you awake into the wee hours of the morning.
Although this book can easily be read as a stand-alone, enjoying the whole series as the family saga unfolds will deepen the experience.
I sincerely hope you enjoy the read as much as I enjoyed the write. I love to hear from my readers. Contact me at http://blossomturner.com
Thank you so much for this heartfelt review and the lovely song that you posted with it. Thanks for sharing your personal story which inspires me to write on about these tough situations and the love of Jesus who heals all. Blossom
Beautiful review.
After reading this review..my interest is piqued! Thanks for sharing!
Joseph and Lucinda are interesting characters. I would like to read their story.
Thank you so much for this heartfelt review and the lovely song that you posted with it. Thanks for sharing your personal story which inspires me to write on about these tough situations and the love of Jesus who heals all. Blossom
Looks like an interesting book.
Thanks for the contest.
What inspires your book plot?
I like historical romance and this sounds like a great read.