Review A Light in the Window by Julie Lessman and contest

              New England at Christmastime invites a special romance all its own, and this story set in turn of the century Boston captures the imagination and the heart. Characters that fill a literal stage with warmth and endearment, Marceline Murphy and Julie O’Rourke are best friends reunited after several years apart. Right away Julie fills Marcy in on gossip about her brother Sam—Marcy’s schoolgirl crush, and Sam’s handsome and charming best friend Patrick O’Connor. The two are rogues, Southie’s delightful Lotharios. And Marcy vows to stay clear of trouble, until the street-smart and saintly wise Father Fitzgibbons throws them all together as volunteers for the Christmas play.

                Spending time with both of the devilishly charming young men causes Marcy to second-guess her resolve to avoid romance. Both Sam and Patrick vie for her attention and Marcy wants to believe more than anything that Julie’s brother has turned over a new leaf. She dreams of marrying into her best friend’s big, welcoming family and needs little encouragement to fall head over heels for Sam’s flattery. But she can’t quite put Patrick’s devastating good looks and good-hearted gestures from her mind. Two men claim to love her, but only one can possess her heart.

                Set amidst a wonderfully realistic parish of Irish families with charitable outreaches and plot twists, secrets, betrayal, and redemption, this story kept drawing me in with each turn of the page. I couldn’t wait to see what would happen not only to the main characters, but also to a cast as rich and warm as Julie Lessman’s writing is imaginative and lively. From little waifs with precocious tongues to grandmothers who bake oven-fresh treats, Ms. Lessman crafts each of her many unique and memorable characters until they become family. But at the center is a hero as unselfish and deserving as ever a Christmas story depicted since that very first hero born in a manger for the sins of the world.

                I have seldom read a book that exudes all the love, family tradition, and heart-stirring affection that embodies Christmas itself as A Light in the Window beams. This wonderful Christmas romance will warm your holiday season and will stand as a classic for many years to come.


For rules on Julie Lessman's contest, please go to the following link:
http://www.julielessman.com/contest/
Up for grabs are a Kindle Fire, an amazon gift card, and an e-copy of this charming Christmas romance.