In this episode Tiffanie and I discuss Julie Lessman’s prequel to her Daughters of Boston series, A Light in the Window. This is the love story of Marceline Murphy and Patrick O’Connor, the matriarch and patriarch of the O’Connor family.

            Julie captures her readers with an introduction to our hero, Patrick O’Connor, that is both humorous and romantic. Patrick is quite a rogue and bad boy. He and his best friend Sam are drinking the sacred wine in the confessional, because they can’t afford drinks at their favorite bar, Brannigan’s. Hilarity ensues when Father Fritz catches them. However, before they are caught Patrick shares his feelings for Marcy after seeing her from a distance.

“If I am sick, I’ve died and gone to heaven, then, ‘cause I saw my first angel today.”

“Did you, now?” Sam leaned back, a gleam in his eye as he hooked an arm behind his head. “Who and where?”

Patrick exhaled slowly, pulse picking up. “No idea who she is, but I saw her walking into the convent with Sister Francine today when I was playing basketball with Father Fritz and the guys…” He shot Sam a silly grin, but he didn’t care. “And all I can say is—I’m in love.”

(Julie Lessman, A Light in the Window page 13)

            Doesn’t that snippet make you sigh as you start to fall in love with Patrick?

            Of course, he can’t just get Marcy, the girl of his dreams. As the Southie neighborhood rogue, he’ll have to go through a God transformation to win her heart. This isn’t his first option as he makes a bet with Sam to see who gets to date Marcy. Not a good bet to make with your best friend as you can imagine.

            The battle between these two men for Marcy’s heart is rife with drama and heartache. Patrick is not the only one who must ask God to show him his weaknesses and help him make the right decision. Marcy Murphy is in love with an idea that could cost her, her happily ever-after.

Mima bent close, her words warm and husky in Marcy’s ear. “Not to worry, darlin’—the decision may be yours, but the strength and wisdom will be all His. Because never forget…” Mima tipped her face up, shoring Marcy with a deep faith carefully honed by time. “God honors those who honor Him, and He always answers their prayers.”

Her heart quickened at Mima’s word while thoughts of her struggles with Sam pummeled her mind. Those who honor Him…She closed her eyes, and peace descended while her lips moved in silent prayer. Oh, Lord please—let that be me! (Julie Lessman, A Light in the Window page 266)

            We can guarantee you will not only be hooked by A Light in the Window, but hog-tied! LiteraryScape gives Julie’s novel 5 lassos out of 3 as it exceeds our expectations!

The adventure, mystery, and romance level for A Light in the Window are as follows:

Adventure = espresso

Mystery = espresso

Romance = Double Latte

Rating Scale: espresso=very little, mocha = medium amount, latte = a lot

Be sure to get your copy of A Light in the Window Today, by clicking on our affiliate link below! Next week we’ll dig into A Passion Most Pure as follow Patrick and Marcy into parenthood and WWI. Until next time happy and blessed reading!