In this delightful prequel to the Daughters of Boston and Winds of Change series, Julie Lessman has poured soul-stirring truths into a character-growing romance story, as she does with all of her books.

When devout Marceline Murphy volunteers at the local soup kitchen, she has no idea she's offering her heart as fair game for a powerful duo of neighborhood rogues who also work there, serving penance for getting caught drinking in the confession booth.

Sam O'Rourke belongs to the wonderful, Christian family of Marcy's childhood friend, Julie, and was her first crush. Patrick O'Connor, handsomer than any man she's met, is a natural protector whose heart seems to be softening to the local homeless people and the things of God in general. But after a close friend is ruined by a handsome man, Marcy swears off all association with the two charming Irishmen.

Still, both men are determined to win her. But who can triumph when their "innocent competition" threatens their friendship and the woman they pursue has vowed to fall for no one but a God-honoring, Christ-like man?

ALITW kept me guessing even into the last few pages. Artfully written, the novella is an addictive thing that will leave you craving to read, or RE-read, both the Daughters of Boston and Winds of Change series. Bravo, Julie Lessman! You've done it again! ( )

I absolutely loved this book, too! I fell in love with the O'Connors and then the McClares when I read Julie's previous three series. I was so excited to find this book and see how it all started with Marcy and Patrick. I hope there will be a book about Julie and her brother, Sam. I can hardly wait until the Hope for the Holidays Historical Collection that will be released on Monday. Keep on writing Julie! Your readers are just a book away! :) ( )

Julie Lessman is known for the angst, passion, and surprising twists and turns - that keep readers guessing and anticipating until the last pages. "A Light in the Window", is a perfect example!! She wrings a gamut of emotions from her readers - from joy to sadness, and anger to laughter, with some tears thrown in, for good measure. She has the ability to connect with her readers, on a personal level. It is an inspiring novel that was hard to put down, left me with a wonderfully warm feeling - but at the same time, saddened that it had ended!! The central themes of trusting God to direct your path, and not compromising your faith - are interwoven throughout the characters conflicts in such a heart-warming way.

"A Light in the Window" is set in 1895 Boston, and centers on the romance triangle between Marceline Murphy, Sam O'Rourke, and Patrick O'Connor - and Marcy's quest for a husband whose "heart is aligned with God's". ALL characters are so realistic, I felt I was an added character, standing in the shadows - watching my friend's lives unfold, and sharing their feelings, mistakes, consequences, redemption, and forgiveness. The change (and selfless love) in one character's life, by another, and through the grace of God - left me breathless, and in tears!! "A Light in the Window" truly spoke to my heart and left me wondering if my life might have unfolded differently - had this novel been available when I was a young woman. The novel has the power, through the grace of God, to change one's life!!

I have fallen in love with the characters of "A Light in the Window" - reading one of Julie Lessman's novels is akin to eating potato chips, one is never enough, they grab the reader's heart!! Fortunately, she has written eight other wonderful novels - her Daughters of Boston series ("A Passion Most Pure", "A Passion Redeemed", and "A Passion Denied"), and Winds of Change series ("A Hope Undaunted", "A Heart Revealed", and "A Love Surrendered") are story continuations of the family featured in "A Light in the Window". The Heart of San Francisco series begins with "Love at Any Cost", continues with "Dare to Love Again", and concludes with "Surprised By Love", releasing October 2014. I joyfully anticipate the reading of all novels Julie has written, and WILL write!! It is very apparent that: God directs her writing, the words come from her heart, and He truly is central in her life!! She has been blessed with a wonderful gift of writing that has encouraged and blessed me!!

Thank you, Julie, for giving us such wonderfully emotional novels that not only entertain, but inspire - with their messages of forgiveness, Christian family values, and characters with real dilemmas, faults, and virtues!! ( )

Author of "The Daughters of Boston" series, Julie Lessman provides followers with the prequel in this Christmas lovestory. Not having read any of Julie's books prior to this introduction, I certainly consider it able to stand alone as a one off. On the other hand, there's enough information given to invest reading time into the followup stories...

A headstrong protagonist leads the reader into the story. With her no holds barred attitude and manner, she is quick to judge others and promote her point of view. Happily, this is confronted early enough in the story to enable this reader to open my heart enough to follow her maturation and change of heart.






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A Light in the Window by Julie Lessman is a wonderful book and the romantic story gave me some good laughs and even brought tears to my eyes a time or two. Marcy Murphy is a beautiful young woman who has moved back to Boston after spending the last five years in New York and has caught the eye of the two most notorious rogues in South Boston. Sam O’Rourke is the brother of her best friend, Julie, and she has loved him since she was eight years old. Sam is from a large, loving family and Marcy longs to be a part of it. Patrick O’Conner is Sam’s best friend and he fell in love with Marcy the first time he saw her but she has a big trust issue with Patrick and in addition, he is from a family that has no faith in God.

Marcy is chosen to be in charge of the Christmas play that is a fundraiser for the parish soup kitchen. The play, A Light in the Window, is based on the Irish custom of putting a candle in the window on Christmas Eve to welcome the Holy Family. Sam and Patrick are caught in the confessional drinking the communion wine and because of this Father Fitz punishes them by having them help build the sets for the play. Sam and Patrick do not tell anyone that they are helping because they have to but let everyone think they are being good guys and donating their time. Patrick not only helped with the sets but spent a great deal of time working in the soup kitchen and the experience brought changes to his life. Marcy had a close relationship with God but at times she could be so unforgiving but after a few hours or maybe a day, she would listen to God and then forgive the person. She was prone to forgive Sam of all his misdeeds but she was very slow to forgive Patrick. Both men loved her and she was faced with the decision of which was the right man for her. She finally turned the problem over to God and He led her to made the right decision.

The author did an admirable job of developing the plot, characters, dialogue, and scenes in the book. She made things so real that I felt that I was right there in the middle of what was happening. I was impressed that the book focused on Christian values and shared the message that we should follow God’s plan for our lives and not try to do things our way. The act of forgiveness by God, our forgiveness of others, and forgiveness of ourselves was a recurring theme in the book and in my opinion added greatly to the story. The story is told from a Catholic point of view but even though I am not Catholic, I thoroughly enjoyed Father Fitz with his wisdom, humor, good advice to Marcy, his love of people, and his deep love of God. The story has a beautiful ending and finally Marcy is happy and loved. Which man did she choose? Well, you will just have to read the book to find out.

I highly recommend this book to everyone who enjoys reading a great love story with Christian values and that also deals with forgiveness from God and forgiveness of self and others.

A big thank you to the author, Julie Lessman, for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. ( )