Undaunted Hope

This book was a bit disappointing. Really well-written. Crisp, flowing, descriptive—and almost no padded or draggy areas. The villain, a cruel and corrupt man who forced women to sleep with him or their husbands would be killed was based on a real person and was surprisingly realistic. The book had a lot of exciting action, including a disturbing area where the hero and his brother were stranded on ice for a long time and some of the brother’s toes had to be amputated. But the heroine, Tessa, was kind of bizarre.

She moved to a mining town to start over her life after her absurd behavior towards her sister’s boyfriend gave her a dirty reputation. (She drugged the guy and lay in his bed so he would be forced to marry her. Ever show more afterwards people called her, poor little thing, a “loose” girl. Sorry, but that IS LOOSE! At least, I wouldn’t call it restrained.) I can appreciate the theme of an imperfect, ordinary girl wanting to be given a second chance. But Tessa was never particularly decent--in fact she spent the whole book almost slipping into intimacy. Her slutty pupil Josie openly despised and even blackmailed her when Tessa tried to correct her behavior, because Tessa really was an idiot.

Her lack of self-control was toddler-like. She rarely had any other thoughts in her head except “wow, that man’s body,” “wow, is that other man looking at MY body,” “wow, I could be removed from my job if I’m in a relationship, but I love kissing,” “wow, are those men gossiping about me,” “WOW, THAT MAN’S CHEST.” She also couldn’t disguise these thoughts from the men. I found her obvious drooling over Alex’s body, in his presence, slightly weird. The girl has a problem, I think. Not to mention the contrived rivalry between Alex and his brother Michael for her hand. When the brothers returned from the ice she threw herself YELLING on Alex, hungering for his lips, while Michael lay about 2 feet away almost dying with his toes falling off, and Tessa never once showed ANY CONCERN or looked at him. I could not believe he’d think twice about her again after she was so uncaring.

So—it stuck out from the crowd. Somewhat in the way a giant purple thumb does.

I was given this book by Bethany in exchange for my unbiased review. show less

Undaunted Hope by Jody Hedlund is the third book in the Beacons of Hope series. It is 1871 and Tessa Taylor is heading to Eagle Harbor, Michigan to teach school. Tessa is hoping for a new start on her life. She wanted to get away from home where everyone knew what she had done. Unfortunately, the town thought she was male. They wanted a male teacher for their students and Tessa had signed her letters T. Taylor (couldn’t they tell from the handwriting). Since the ship that Tessa came in on is one of the last ships before winter sets in, Percival Updegraff (Chief Clerk for Cole Mine Company Store and Office) decides that Tessa can stay the winter. Tessa wants to prove what a good teacher she is and how she can help the children as well show more as the adults in the community.

Michael and Alex Bjorklund are brothers that run the lighthouse. Michael is a widower with two children. Alex joined him to help him with the lighthouse and the children. Ingrid (six) and Gunnar (eight) decide that Tessa would be the perfect wife and mother for their father. However, Alex is quite taken with Tessa. Tessa, though, wants nothing to do with lighthouses (nor keepers). She feels they have taken enough from her. But can Tessa fight God’s will and his plan for her life?

Undaunted Hope is just delightful. It is my favorite book in the Beacons of Hope series. Undaunted Hope is well-written and very engaging. My interest was captured right away and was held throughout the whole book (it will also provide some good laughs). Undaunted Hope can be read alone, but I would highly recommend reading the previous books in this series (it does help). I give Undaunted Hope 5 out of 5 stars. I look forward to reading more books by Jody Hedlund in the future.

I received a complimentary copy of Undaunted Hope from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. show less

Friday, January 29, 2016
Undaunted Hope by Jody Hedlund, © 2016
Beacons of Hope Series, Book Three

uhn-dawn-tid; adj.
not put off, discouraged, or beaten

Eagle Harbor, Michigan, 1871
Upper Peninsula on Lake Superior
Tessa Taylor has arrived aboard the Temperance following a four-day journey on the steamer to begin life anew as the school teacher for the miners' children. Only when she arrives, she is told the T. Taylor they hired was expected to be male. With the onset of winter and the last crossing, it is determined she can stay until a replacement school master can take her place.

Tessa is rescued by a nearby fisherman, that will set her course. Humor and easy quips begin their meeting. I chuckled lightly when I discovered what his show more occupation was.

Eagle Harbor Light Station
You see, Miss Tessa has wanted to get as far away from lighthouses as she can get. Too much sorrow and robbing of the raging waters taking from her in the past. The slightest things in our past become a forefront need in the future. Her skills become assets for the community.

The series, although connecting, can be read as stand-alones. I would like the characters to get together again to see where the Lord has taken them. Proverbs 16:9.

What I like most about Jody Hedlund's stories is that they build family values and as you meet them, they become friends you would like to run into time and again. Strong character development wanting the best for each other. One scoundrel does not, however, and you would like him to get shipped off. It is a good focal of what selfishness looks like, while demeaning. This character could have had a turnaround, had he taken a clue from the others in how they treated each other despite his cruelty. I especially liked the storekeeper who was true to himself in loving others as they would want to be treated.

***Thank you to author Jody Hedlund for the invitation to be an influencer for book three in the Beacons of Hope Series, Undaunted Hope. I received a review copy from the publisher. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***

Beginning of Jody Hedlund's Beacons of Hope Series: Out of the Storm ~ Novella; Love Unexpected ~ Book One; Hearts Made Whole ~ Book Two

Beacons of Hope Series, Book Four
Forever Safe ~ Releasing June 2016 show less

Tessa Taylor ventures on a new start for her life when she travels to Michigan to be the new school teacher. Michigan is the frontier in 1871 and life is difficult for the small mining community. It takes commitment and fortitude to live in the harsh conditions and Tessa proves to herself that she can weather adversity and thrive.

The book is a romance. Tessa has two suitors. Tessa knows that having a relationship will be the end of her teaching career and is determined that she will not give into them, no matter how handsome they may be.

I enjoyed Jody Hedlunds writing. I learned new things about living in a mining town and how hard it was for the people it was to live through the winter when there wasn't a way to ship in new supplies. show more She brought to life the harsh realities of frostbite, deep snow (without snow plows), sickness, and child labor. The villain in this book is abusing his power and controls by fear. Hedlund also bought to light the power of love, friendship, integrity, and forgiveness.

This book is part of a series but can be read and appreciated as a stand-alone book. The book contains some violence and kissing. show less

Jody Hedlund has become my new favorite author with both the Orphan Train and Lighthouse series. I could hardly put this book down. If you're hot from the weather, her descriptions of an Upper Michigan winter, will give you chills.