Unending Devotion [Paperback]

Jody Hedlund (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2012

High-Stakes Drama Meets High-Tension Romance

In 1883 Michigan, Lily Young is on a mission to save her lost sister, or die trying. Heedless of the danger, her searches of logging camps lead her to Harrison and into the sights of Connell McCormick, a man doing his best to add to the hard-earned fortunes of his lumber baron father.

Posing during the day as a photographer's assistant, Lily can't understand why any God-fearing citizen would allow evil to persist and why men like Connell McCormick turn a blind eye to the crime rampant in the town. But Connell is boss-man of three of his father's lumber camps in the area, and like most of the other men, he's interested in clearing the pine and earning a profit. He figures as long as he's living an upright life, that's what matters.

Lily challenges everything he thought he knew, and together they work not only to save her sister but to put an end to the corruption that's dominated Harrison for so long.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

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?

"Hedlund intricately balances romance and drama, asking where the line between good and evil lies and exploring the dangers that erupt when that line becomes blurred. Hedlund's tale is exciting and unpredictable to the very end." --Publishers Weekly

"Full of period detail and engaging dialogue, Hedlund's (A Noble Groom) historical should appeal to Susan Higginbotham fans." --Library Journal

"Unending Devotion is a lovely and real representation of sisterly love and how even that can't compare to the love God has for us." --CBA Retailers and Resources

About the Author

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 at JodyHedlund.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (September 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764208349
• ISBN-13: 978-0764208348
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.1 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (182 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #160,501 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jody Hedlund is an award-winning and bestselling author of inspirational historical romances.

As a busy mama-writer, she has the wonderful privilege of teaching her crew of 5 children at home. In between grading math papers and giving spelling tests, she occasionally does a load of laundry and washes dishes. When she's not busy being a mama, you can find her in front of her laptop working on another of her page-turning stories.

She loves reading almost as much as she loves writing, especially when it also involves chocolate and coffee.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, Great Characters, Great Story!!! September 13, 2012

By Melanie

Format:Paperback

Unending Devotion is the first of Jody Hedlund's books I've read, but I don't think it'll be my last. After reading it, I now really want to read her previous novels!

I loved how some of the things in Unending Devotion actually took place in real life and that a few of the characters in this book were real people. It added a lot more meaning to the story and I just thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

I found the characters great and, while I did get annoyed a little by Lily when she rushed to do things too quickly (if you read the book, you'll know what I'm talking about), I did still really like her character. My two favorites, though, would have to be Connell and Oren (he made me chuckle with his protectiveness).

Overall, I found Unending Devotion to be an interesting read that helped me to understand how things were in the 1800's (what with sex slavery and logging camps). I recommend it if you enjoy historical romance books with some history.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Done August 19, 2012

By D. Rupp

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Author Jody Hedlund has done it again. Hedlund has captured the reader's attention and heart frame by frame.

Lily is a photographer's assistant determined to find her runaway sister. Connell is a determined son of a wealthy businessman aiming to keep the peace in a northern Michigan town so as not to ruin the family business. Polar opposites, Lily and Connell meet in the most unseemly manner. Adventure insues. Lily is an act first, think later type of person which tends to get her in trouble especially when she is determined to free enslaved prostitutes.

Hedlund is a very talented writer. She shows the story in a way the reader feels part of the story. You'll walk away from this book examining your thoughts and actions to see if you've turned a blind eye to those who need our help. Excellent story. Well done, Jody, well done.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Premise, But Not The Book For Me November 29, 2012

By rkokes

Format:Paperback

The Summary:

Unending Devotion was written by Jody Hedlund and takes place in the late 1880s in the logging camps in Michigan.

The story is about a young lady named Lily Young, who is in search of her missing sister. Her search leads her through logging camps and small towns, until she reaches the town of Harrison. There she not only makes new friends, but confronts danger, corruption, and meets a man by the name of Connell McCormick.

Lily is determined to do what she feels is right, and Connell is forced out of his comfort zone in an effort to save Lily from the constant trouble that ensues.

My Thoughts:

Although I liked that the story took place in an arena I had not previously read about, this book read WAY too much like a Harlequin romance, than a Christian adventure/romance. Lily is continually needing to be rescued and doesn't really learn from past misadventures, and while that I could live with, the constant talk about sex, brothels, people trying to keep their hands off each other, people cheating on their wives, etc. was too much for me-definitely not my taste. I did not like this book, and would not recommend it.

I do thank Bethany House for providing me with a complimentary copy to read, and I was provided with no other compensation for my review.