It is once again my honor and privilege to bring an in-depth review of Julie Lessman’s newest book, A Dare and A Prayer. Before we dive in, I want to let you know that Julie will be donating a portion of her book sales for A Dare and A Prayer, to Project Eden. They are an anti-human trafficking organization that you can learn more about here. While writing this novel, God led her to shed light on this topic which is tough for all of us. However, God gave her the words to weave it into her story in a beautiful way that will profoundly impact your lives (more on this later in the review).

To help further Julie’s efforts, LiteraryScape will be donating $1 for every copy of A Dare and A Prayer sold in the month of October to Destiny Rescue. They are an anti-human trafficking organization; my husband and I support. You can learn more about them here. So, we are asking you to help support the fight against human trafficking by purchasing your copy of a great story you won’t be able to put down. It’s a win-win for everyone! Thank you for your support!

Now, let’s dig into this sizzling, inspirational novel. And yes, I say sizzling and inspirational because I’ve come to expect nothing less from Julie. I must start off by pointing out the obvious about our hero, Henry Dennehy. He is the son of Mitch and Charity Dennehy and the grandson of Patrick O’Connor. Those who know the O’Connor family are probably already fanning themselves. The amount of good looks and charm packed in his DNA is criminal! He’s a man even the Godliest woman struggles with being tempted by; and he knows it. Just one of the many reasons why his fighter pilot buddies call him Hanky-Pank.

“So, you engaged now or what?” Duck said as he shoved his half-eaten tray away with a groan, his bet that Henry couldn’t turn the head of his favorite nurse obviously leaving him as cold as his uneaten eggs.

“Naw.” Henry waggled his brows as he wolfed down a piece of biscuit. “But she did promise to name her firstborn after me.”

“Dollars to doggies she’d rather have her firstborn with ya,” Lieutenant Wade “Cowboy” Weston said with a wayward grin as he returned from a second helping in the mess line. His Texas drawl was thick as he tossed a piece of honeyed biscuit into his mouth. He winked. “Or me.”

Like all men in the O’Connor family, they fall hard for a woman of God who makes them get right with the Lord before they give them their heart. Amy Leigh MacArthur is that woman for Henry. I love the way the guys describe Amy as she enters the mess hall. (A side note this scene is based off an experience Julie’s daughter had in college. You can hear more about it in Episode 79.)

Duck’s jaw dropped as he stared at Henry outright. “Are you out of your pea-pickin’ mind?” He leaned in, fingers gripped to the table as he enunciated every word. “That’s-Amy-Leigh-MacArthur!”

Henry blasted out a sigh of frustration that a mere girl could hamstring so many men. “She’s a girl, Duck, just like any other.”

Cowboy blew out a long, slow whistle. “Sorry old buddy, but this is where you and I part ways. I agree with Duck. Hear tell she plans to become a nun or a missionary or something like that after the war, which means that that thar woman is as untouchable as Lady Liberty, and I’ve heard stories to prove it.”

. . . Cowboy observed Hank with a half-lidded look while he rolled a toothpick in his mouth. “I’m inclined to agree with the boys. You’re good Hank—but nobody’s that good.” He glanced over his shoulder, gaze darting to the table of nurses and back. “Here tell that filly’s shot down more flyboys than the Japs.”

You are going to enjoy Henry and Amy’s love story, which is a long hard-fought battle on Henry’s end with crushing blows to Amy. However, Julie keeps the romance sizzling as per her usual! Check out Henry and Amy’s first kiss.

His tone soothed and she pressed in, wondering why it suddenly didn’t matter that she was in Henry Dennehy’s arms. Her pulse skipped a beat when he kissed her hair—once, and then again—before those deadly fingers roamed to draw her closer.

Her breathing grew shallow as his mouth ventured on, slowly kissing her forehead, her eyes, her ear before luring a soft moan from her lips when he suckled the soft flesh of her lobe. “Henry no,” she said, her voice little more than hoarse consent when he caressed the curve of her cheek, the shape of her jaw.

“Oh, Amy…” he whispered, finally fondling her lips with such tenderness, they parted in ready assent, his mouth mating with hers in gentle exploration that robbed her of any desire to say no. Pulse throbbing, she returned his kiss with such passion, his raspy groan tangled with her own, unleashing a firestorm of heat that sealed her surrender.

Henry and Amy are not the only ones enjoying romance and passion. Julie brings back the entire O’Connor family. And of course, spotlights the romance that still burns between Charity and Mitch, and Marcy and Patrick. Not to mention the newfound romance in the marriages of Alex and Gabe, and Hope and Bren.

There are several new supporting characters to fall in love with as well. Here’s a quick run down!

Master Sergeant Michael O’Leary aka Pop:

Henry picked up pace, suddenly anxious to talk to “Pop”—Master Sergeant Michael O’Leary—his crew chief. He’d taken an instant liking to Sarge during training at John Rogers Field, Hawaii Territory, before they’d arrived on Saipan. Sarge reminded him so much of his own “Pop”—Patrick O’Connor, his grandfather—that he’d taken to calling Sarge “Pop,” too, upon occasion, especially when he’d spout spiritual stuff.

Lieutenant Evelyn Wong:

Evelyn shook her arm, rattling the pen from her grip. “It’s got to stop, Amy—this bitterness, this anger—you’re only hurting yourself . . . and me.”

Fingers quivering Amy shielded her eyes with her hand. “I’m sorry, Ev, but for the first time in my life, I don’t know how.”

Evelyn gently kneaded her arm. “You do know how—you have to forgive him.”

Lieutenant Shane Kelly aka Preacher:

“You could bow out of the dare, Henry,” Preacher said quietly, “and leave Amy alone.”

Annoyance prickled at the back of Henry’s neck, the idea of throwing in the towel on a bet not settling well. And the thought of leaving Amy alone even worse. He slammed his hands in his pockets, gaze looking away. “I can’t do that, Preach.”

“Because the pride and money mean more to you?” Preacher’s tone was not kind.

Koyu:

“Hen-ree!” Koyu hopped up from the table and barreled straight into Henry’s legs, prompting one of the very few smiles he’d enjoyed this last month as he swung the little guy high up in the air. “You here today?” the boy asked in his rudimentary English, and Henry set him down with a chuckle, squatting in front of him.

Sister Genevieve:

“I’ve got a plan,” Henry said in a near growl, tossing his ball cap on the desk before dropping back into the chair with a tight fold of arms. “How ‘bout I beat the guy to a pulp?”

Sister’s mouth twitched. “As much as I like that idea, Lieutenant, I’d rather not see one of my best volunteers in the brig, leaving me in the lurch when it comes to those little boys.”

Li, Sora, and Kei:

“Hen-ree!” The moment he appeared in the doorway, Li shot into his, legs, going airborne when he swung her up and around, his husky chuckles merging with her bubbly giggles. “Love Hen-ree,” she shouted, clutching his neck as if she would never let go.

Henry’s gaze locked with Amy’s over Li’s little shoulder, and her stomach instantly turned over at the sheen of love in his eyes before he grinned at Sora and Kei, strolling over to lightly tousle their hair with Li still in his arms.

As you may have guessed, Li, Sora, and Kei are the victims of human trafficking. If you’re like me, it may make you a little nervous to read this novel. Cruelty at this level is hard to swallow. And if I’m honest, I read to escape these harsh realities. So, for those of you on the fence, I want to reassure you that Julie weaves this difficult topic into the story so well, you’ll walk away inspired. I love the way Henry’s out bursts, of righteous anger, over this atrocity inspires others to help and protect these innocent young women.

“I want all of you to take a good look at these children,” he emphasized, tone harsh, “at the bruises, the beatings, and the shame they bear at the hand of this monster whom everyone here knows is not their uncle.”

“What if this were your daughter?” Henry shouted, his voice hoarse with both pain and conviction. “Your sister, or your mother? Would you stand by and let a vile pervert rape them, beat them, break their bones, or even kill them?”

I cannot give enough praise for Julie Lessman’s newest book, A Dare and A Prayer. This is by far her best novel yet. She delivers big on the romance, character arc, and justice.

LiteraryScape gives A Dare and A Prayer 5 out of 3 Lassos! Yeah, it’s that good!

We give this outstanding novel the following element ratings:

Adventure = Mocha

Mystery = Espresso

Romance = Latte

(Rating Scale: Espresso = Very Little, Mocha = A Medium Amount, Latte = A Lot)

In honor of A Dare and a Prayer’s book birthday, Julie has two contests going on where you can win the following:

GRAND PRIZE (2 chances to win!):

—$50 Amazon gift card or $25 Amazon gift card

—Choice of three of Julie’s e-books or one of her signed paperbacks

—A character named after you or a loved one in her next book and a signed paperback copy

—Your choice of one paperback from Julie’s list of top-selling CBA authors, including Tamera Alexander, Colleen Coble, Rachel Hauck, Denise Hunter, Robin Lee Hatcher, Nancy Naigle, Cara Putman, Deborah Raney, Katherine Reay, Becky Wade, and Beth Vogt.

RUNNERS-UP PRIZES (8 chances to win!):

—Choice of three of her e-books 

—OR choice of one of her signed paperbacks (based on her private stash) 

—OR choice of one paperback from a list of the above-mentioned top CBA authors (based on her private stash)

So, check all the details out at her Journal Jots Blog HERE and GOOD LUCK!

The list of the other blogs along with their links are listed below. Happy reading and best of luck!

Blog Tour Dates and Links:

October 1 — Radiant Light Blog (tease)

October 1 — LiteraryScape Book Club

October 2 — Grace Johnson Spotlight

October 3 — Britt Reads Fiction

October 4 — Where Faith and Books Meet

October 5 — A Baker’s Perspective

October 6 — My Favorite Pastime

October 7 — Reading is My SuperPower

October 8 — Writing Between the Lines

October 9 — Locks, Hooks, and Books

October 10 — Splashes of Joy

October 10 — Saraina Whitney Blog

October 11 — Radiant Light Blog (review) 

October 12 — Miss Pippi Reads Blog

October 13 — Christian Bookaholic

October 14 — Grace Johnson Review

October 15 — Scraps of Life Blog

 

Don’t forget to get your copy today and help us support organizations that work to bring an end to human trafficking. You can also donate directly to Project Eden or Destiny Rescue. Please consider sharing this blog post with others to help join the fight against human trafficking.

Until next time happy and blessed reading!