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Beacons of Hope #.5
Out of the Storm
Isabelle has lived her entire life in an lighthouse, sheltered by her protective father. The arrival of a shipwrecked young man—rescued from the lake—turns her world upside down.
141 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2014
580 people are currently reading
2385 people want to read
About the author
Jody Hedlund
104 books4,712 followersJody Hedlund is the best-selling author of over fifty books and is the winner of numerous awards. She writes sweet historical romances with plenty of sizzle. Find out more at jodyhedlund.com.
Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.
Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 330 reviews
June 9, 2017
by Andrea Renee Cox
The negatives outweighed the positives in this book, for me.
Positives:
* I loved the shocking opening line. That pulled me into the story right away.
* There were many swoon-worthy lines, such as: "The bright beam hadn't been enough to save the ship from the whipping that had beat against her like a cat-o'-nine-tails."
* There was a sense of urgency early on that I really admired. It's pretty tough to capture that so quickly.
* One of the twists in the first half of the book was really intriguing. It surprised me more than most in recent books I've read.
Negatives:
* The faith thread fell way too flat for me. The characters were able to solve all their problems on their own, without having to turn to God and rely on Him for their strength and abilities. One tiny mention of turning to the "giver of life" wasn't enough to redeem this for me, because there was no follow-through on that one-sentence promise.
* If a bullet was in the man's thigh, I didn't understand why the woman had to shove his drawers all the way up to his rear. This came off as very immodest, especially for the time period, and particularly for a chaste woman.
* The leading man was an unlikable playboy for about 75% or so of the book. I only really liked him in the last three or four chapters. He was overly flirty, disrespectful, and blatantly disregarded the leading lady's father's rules. This is not the type of man I would recommend anyone to date, let alone marry, because he didn't respect her parent's boundaries. Therefore, I could not root for him in a fictional setting either.
* The romance was really sweet until it shifted into much-too-sensual kissing with bodies pressed up against each other. This also went against what the leading lady had stated earlier was her moral code or set of standards.
* There was a moment when the leading lady said she would "let" the leading man take advantage of her (the indication was that they were speaking of pre-marital sex). They did not go that far. However, even her saying she would allow him to go that far went directly against her earlier-stated moral code or set of standards. It was really disappointing that she, a devoted Christian who prided herself in her chastity (including not even desiring to kiss a man, so she said), would be willing to give up one of her most basic principles (protecting her virginity until her wedding night). I am glad the leading man, the playboy, showed some restraint for once, but I found it completely odd that the more principled character would suddenly drop her own standards like that. It seemed to come out of the blue, which was possibly most shocking of all, because there was no warning in her thinking having dipped lower than normal or anything like that.
I enjoyed pieces of this story, but the negatives were just too glaring for me to retain that feeling throughout the entirety of its chapters. I hope others will find it more enjoyable than I did.
I was not compensated for this honest review.
The negatives outweighed the positives in this book, for me.
Positives:
* I loved the shocking opening line. That pulled me into the story right away.
* There were many swoon-worthy lines, such as: "The bright beam hadn't been enough to save the ship from the whipping that had beat against her like a cat-o'-nine-tails."
* There was a sense of urgency early on that I really admired. It's pretty tough to capture that so quickly.
* One of the twists in the first half of the book was really intriguing. It surprised me more than most in recent books I've read.
Negatives:
* The faith thread fell way too flat for me. The characters were able to solve all their problems on their own, without having to turn to God and rely on Him for their strength and abilities. One tiny mention of turning to the "giver of life" wasn't enough to redeem this for me, because there was no follow-through on that one-sentence promise.
* If a bullet was in the man's thigh, I didn't understand why the woman had to shove his drawers all the way up to his rear. This came off as very immodest, especially for the time period, and particularly for a chaste woman.
* The leading man was an unlikable playboy for about 75% or so of the book. I only really liked him in the last three or four chapters. He was overly flirty, disrespectful, and blatantly disregarded the leading lady's father's rules. This is not the type of man I would recommend anyone to date, let alone marry, because he didn't respect her parent's boundaries. Therefore, I could not root for him in a fictional setting either.
* The romance was really sweet until it shifted into much-too-sensual kissing with bodies pressed up against each other. This also went against what the leading lady had stated earlier was her moral code or set of standards.
* There was a moment when the leading lady said she would "let" the leading man take advantage of her (the indication was that they were speaking of pre-marital sex). They did not go that far. However, even her saying she would allow him to go that far went directly against her earlier-stated moral code or set of standards. It was really disappointing that she, a devoted Christian who prided herself in her chastity (including not even desiring to kiss a man, so she said), would be willing to give up one of her most basic principles (protecting her virginity until her wedding night). I am glad the leading man, the playboy, showed some restraint for once, but I found it completely odd that the more principled character would suddenly drop her own standards like that. It seemed to come out of the blue, which was possibly most shocking of all, because there was no warning in her thinking having dipped lower than normal or anything like that.
I enjoyed pieces of this story, but the negatives were just too glaring for me to retain that feeling throughout the entirety of its chapters. I hope others will find it more enjoyable than I did.
I was not compensated for this honest review.
July 10, 2022
DNF at 14%.
Less than 3.5 chapters in and there was way to much ogling. He's unconscious and courting death, for pity's sake, and she's admiring his physique. I'm fine with characters admiring the other if it's tastefully written. This goes too far and such content is not needed in a Christian book. And I cared little for Henry once I reached his POV.
I do not recommend.
Less than 3.5 chapters in and there was way to much ogling. He's unconscious and courting death, for pity's sake, and she's admiring his physique. I'm fine with characters admiring the other if it's tastefully written. This goes too far and such content is not needed in a Christian book. And I cared little for Henry once I reached his POV.
I do not recommend.
March 26, 2017
My first introduction to Jody Hedlund, of whom I have heard very good things, and I am very impressed! I loved the writing and I will certainly seek out some of her novels in the hopefully near future. The story was really great for a novella, except that it was a bit disappointing that it ended at only 58% (the rest being an excerpt of her next book). While I wasn't in love with the hero, I was happy about his character growth and his sincere feelings for the heroine. Isabelle Thornton was a very sweet, gentle heroine and I enjoyed getting to know her and watching her slowly melt under the hero's persevering advances. It was overall very romantic, but maybe also a bit overly dramatic during certain scenes. Nevertheless it makes for a fun, entertaining and quick read and I look forward to the rest of the series!
August 8, 2018
Surprised by how much I liked this. It is short and pacy and heart-warming.
August 31, 2022
3,5 stars- English Ebook
Quote: “Father,” she said, pointing to the makeshift raft. “Look!” Though the men couldn’t hear her over the roar of the lake, one of them raised his head and looked toward the shore. At the sight of the survivors, her father let go of the lifeless body he was hauling and hurried across the rocks, his narrow face lighting with hope beneath the dark whiskers on his cheeks.-
Quote: She’d resigned herself to the fact that no man would ever want her . . . not when he learned she didn’t have a future. And she was content with the idea that she would spend the rest of her life with her father. Well, she was content most of the time anyway.-
Quote: She’d been able to do that when spending time with Henry. He made her smile, and he took her mind off the morbid. Yet if he knew her true condition, all that would change. Maybe he wouldn’t want to be around her at all. Her throat tightened. She would have to be more careful and make sure that didn’t happen. -
After the storm she and her father rescue a man. The tanded his wounds. He was shot by a business competitor of his father.
Their developes a love between the young people but their two treats against this love.
Nice, in between read.
Quote: “Father,” she said, pointing to the makeshift raft. “Look!” Though the men couldn’t hear her over the roar of the lake, one of them raised his head and looked toward the shore. At the sight of the survivors, her father let go of the lifeless body he was hauling and hurried across the rocks, his narrow face lighting with hope beneath the dark whiskers on his cheeks.-
Quote: She’d resigned herself to the fact that no man would ever want her . . . not when he learned she didn’t have a future. And she was content with the idea that she would spend the rest of her life with her father. Well, she was content most of the time anyway.-
Quote: She’d been able to do that when spending time with Henry. He made her smile, and he took her mind off the morbid. Yet if he knew her true condition, all that would change. Maybe he wouldn’t want to be around her at all. Her throat tightened. She would have to be more careful and make sure that didn’t happen. -
After the storm she and her father rescue a man. The tanded his wounds. He was shot by a business competitor of his father.
Their developes a love between the young people but their two treats against this love.
Nice, in between read.
January 16, 2016
I picked this up yesterday in a waiting room, I figured it would be short and light enough for the atmosphere and a good introduction to this author.
I'm glad I picked it up, this author's writing has a cheerful/ hopeful outlook for the characters which I liked. I love books with tortured/disabled characters, especially when the author has them grow and learn to deal with their past/future.
In this case, the heroine is a very sweet girl with a secret. Her strongly protective father runs the lighthouse here and when some men wash ashore she nurses the only survivor, a flirtatious gentleman called Henry.
Being a novella we all know where that goes and overall I liked it. Most of all I liked the characters determination to be there for each other despite the difficulties of a disability.
What I didn't like was that her father felt a bit over acted to me. I know Henry was a flirt and it's good he was watching out for his daughter around this stranger. But it seemed ridiculous that he would start a fist fight with a wounded man. But, what do I know, maybe all dads would have a a fit if they saw a flirt kissing their daughter.
Second, I really didn't care for Henry. He was a spoiled boy and his only saving grace was.. wait, what was it? Ah, yes. His love for the heroine. Even by the end I still didn't think he was husband material, but I guess he had gotten himself together enough for her.
So all in all it was okay. I'd read something else by this author, as I would like to see how her characters grow with more time/more pages.
G A brief bout of fisticuffs and some kissing, nothing else. Oh, and mention of digging a bullet out of someone.
I'm glad I picked it up, this author's writing has a cheerful/ hopeful outlook for the characters which I liked. I love books with tortured/disabled characters, especially when the author has them grow and learn to deal with their past/future.
In this case, the heroine is a very sweet girl with a secret. Her strongly protective father runs the lighthouse here and when some men wash ashore she nurses the only survivor, a flirtatious gentleman called Henry.
Being a novella we all know where that goes and overall I liked it. Most of all I liked the characters determination to be there for each other despite the difficulties of a disability.
What I didn't like was that her father felt a bit over acted to me. I know Henry was a flirt and it's good he was watching out for his daughter around this stranger. But it seemed ridiculous that he would start a fist fight with a wounded man. But, what do I know, maybe all dads would have a a fit if they saw a flirt kissing their daughter.
Second, I really didn't care for Henry. He was a spoiled boy and his only saving grace was.. wait, what was it? Ah, yes. His love for the heroine. Even by the end I still didn't think he was husband material, but I guess he had gotten himself together enough for her.
So all in all it was okay. I'd read something else by this author, as I would like to see how her characters grow with more time/more pages.
G A brief bout of fisticuffs and some kissing, nothing else. Oh, and mention of digging a bullet out of someone.
June 27, 2016
A short, quick read. It's nice to get the back story on the wooden cross that makes its way through the Beacons of Hope series, but I never really felt like it got very deep. Just when Isabelle started really thinking beyond herself, it was over. It isn't necessary for reading the series, but makes a nice preface.
One major thing that I disagreed with is that Henry encouraged her repeatedly to disobey her father to spend time with her. If he'd set out to overcome her father's prejudice and prove himself worthy before trying to win her heart I think it would have been much better. Instead he sets to work flirting with Isabelle from the moment he gains consciousness. If he'd been a bad guy Isabelle could have been toast.
*Lots of kissing: 18+
One major thing that I disagreed with is that Henry encouraged her repeatedly to disobey her father to spend time with her. If he'd set out to overcome her father's prejudice and prove himself worthy before trying to win her heart I think it would have been much better. Instead he sets to work flirting with Isabelle from the moment he gains consciousness. If he'd been a bad guy Isabelle could have been toast.
*Lots of kissing: 18+
January 8, 2015
In this novella the author introduces the role of lighthouse keepers along the Great Lakes, Lake Huron in particular. A widowed man and his daughter are alone on a distant isle on the eastern coast of Michigan's lower peninsula. Lake Huron storms are harsh and have battered many ships through the years. This story develops around a seriously injured lone survivor of a shipwreck and his attraction to the lightkeeper's daughter.
Jody Hedlund has done an outstanding job of creating the pace for a new series of books surrounding lighthouses around the state of Michigan. Her research is impeccable, and the romantic involvement in this short book is tangible. Certainly there is no room for in-depth development; however, considering the brevity of this novella the author has piqued my interest in her newest series. Jody is known for creating well developed characters and a spine tingling story of danger and romance. A very strong theme recurring through this story is hope. I highly recommend this free novella as an introduction to further books in this series.
Disclaimer: I obtained a copy of this novella free through Amazon with no expectations for a review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.
Jody Hedlund has done an outstanding job of creating the pace for a new series of books surrounding lighthouses around the state of Michigan. Her research is impeccable, and the romantic involvement in this short book is tangible. Certainly there is no room for in-depth development; however, considering the brevity of this novella the author has piqued my interest in her newest series. Jody is known for creating well developed characters and a spine tingling story of danger and romance. A very strong theme recurring through this story is hope. I highly recommend this free novella as an introduction to further books in this series.
Disclaimer: I obtained a copy of this novella free through Amazon with no expectations for a review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.
October 6, 2016
My, oh my! No matter how many times I read this story, I will not get tired of it. This is one of my favorites by Jody Hedlund even though it is a novella.
This is a short review because this is will just be on Goodreads. Later I will write a longer review but for now, this is it. ;)
The cover is very good! I like how it only shows half of the girl's face. Then with the lighthouse in the background. Cool! 4 stars!!
As for the book, you guessed it! Definitely five stars!!!
This is a short review because this is will just be on Goodreads. Later I will write a longer review but for now, this is it. ;)
The cover is very good! I like how it only shows half of the girl's face. Then with the lighthouse in the background. Cool! 4 stars!!
As for the book, you guessed it! Definitely five stars!!!
August 10, 2016
Sweet novella - it moved a bit too quickly for my taste, but that is to be expected. I much prefer her full-length novels & am really looking forward to the first book in the series!
December 29, 2014
{To girls who are Under age 14! Do not read this review! It's not a good book! Let's leave it alone!}
About this book:
“Having grown up in a lighthouse, loneliness is all Isabelle Thornton has ever known--and all, she assumes, she ever will know. But when her lightkeeper father rescues a young man from the lake, her sheltered world is turned upside down.”
Series: This is a novella and is considered #.5 in the “Beacons of Hope” series. Book #1 in this series will be reviewed in January.
Spiritual Content- Wondering if you’re in Heaven; A mention of Providence; Bible reading—which leads into three Scriptures being quoted; A mention or two of prayers; “God is the giver of life. And He’s also the taker. If He spared your life, then He must have something left for you to do.”; ‘H’s are capital in that sentence.
*Note: a “d*vilish”
Negative Content- Mentions of dead bodies & moving them (barely-above-not-detailed); Blood (semi-detailed); Removing bullets (semi-detailed); Fist fighting (semi-detailed); Knifes are aimed; Isabelle’s mother fell and broke her neck (not detailed);
Sexual Content- A very, very Detailed kiss that lasts almost a full page; Four Semi-Detailed and a Detailed kiss; Staring & Noticing; Staring at lips; Detailed Touches; Detailed & Semi-Detailed Embraces; Flattery & Flirting; Isabelle has to unclothe an unconscious Henry (semi-detailed, many blushes and she tries not to stare); Henry says “I promise I won’t try to seduce you (Isabelle).”; Henry suggests that Isabelle reads Song of Solomon (she doesn’t); Helping Henry put on pants (very-detailed); “He’d kept his hands off her—mostly”; a talk of a six month honeymoon & that the winter will give “us plenty of excuses to snuggle up together in bed.” {Eww! Did not need to know that!} Love, falling in love, & the emotions. (a whole lot of them!)
-Isabelle Thornton
-Henry Cole
P.O.V. switches between them.
Set in 1854
81 pages (approximately)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- One Star
Older High School Teens- One Star
My personal Rating- One Star
Uh…how ‘bout no? This was my first Jody Hedlund book (okay, technically, it’s a novella, but still). Can’t say I’m impressed. Not with all that kissing and touching. I’m really shocked at the amount of all that in just 80 pages. So, just stay away from this one!
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
About this book:
“Having grown up in a lighthouse, loneliness is all Isabelle Thornton has ever known--and all, she assumes, she ever will know. But when her lightkeeper father rescues a young man from the lake, her sheltered world is turned upside down.”
Series: This is a novella and is considered #.5 in the “Beacons of Hope” series. Book #1 in this series will be reviewed in January.
Spiritual Content- Wondering if you’re in Heaven; A mention of Providence; Bible reading—which leads into three Scriptures being quoted; A mention or two of prayers; “God is the giver of life. And He’s also the taker. If He spared your life, then He must have something left for you to do.”; ‘H’s are capital in that sentence.
*Note: a “d*vilish”
Negative Content- Mentions of dead bodies & moving them (barely-above-not-detailed); Blood (semi-detailed); Removing bullets (semi-detailed); Fist fighting (semi-detailed); Knifes are aimed; Isabelle’s mother fell and broke her neck (not detailed);
Sexual Content- A very, very Detailed kiss that lasts almost a full page; Four Semi-Detailed and a Detailed kiss; Staring & Noticing; Staring at lips; Detailed Touches; Detailed & Semi-Detailed Embraces; Flattery & Flirting; Isabelle has to unclothe an unconscious Henry (semi-detailed, many blushes and she tries not to stare); Henry says “I promise I won’t try to seduce you (Isabelle).”; Henry suggests that Isabelle reads Song of Solomon (she doesn’t); Helping Henry put on pants (very-detailed); “He’d kept his hands off her—mostly”; a talk of a six month honeymoon & that the winter will give “us plenty of excuses to snuggle up together in bed.” {Eww! Did not need to know that!} Love, falling in love, & the emotions. (a whole lot of them!)
-Isabelle Thornton
-Henry Cole
P.O.V. switches between them.
Set in 1854
81 pages (approximately)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- One Star
Older High School Teens- One Star
My personal Rating- One Star
Uh…how ‘bout no? This was my first Jody Hedlund book (okay, technically, it’s a novella, but still). Can’t say I’m impressed. Not with all that kissing and touching. I’m really shocked at the amount of all that in just 80 pages. So, just stay away from this one!
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
January 7, 2015
I've sometimes avoided novellas in the past, partly because I believed a wonderful story with characters we care deeply for can't be achieved in such a short book. I thought novellas would have to be more bland and simplistic than longer books, just because of the shorter word count. This story blows that theory right out of the water. It took just an hour or two to read and I loved it.
There are just three main characters; Isabelle, Henry and Isabelle's father, Captain Thornton. Her father is the lighthouse keeper of a remote isle, and Henry is the only survivor of a shipwreck washed onto their shores. Isabelle is sweet but a bit melancholic at times, partly because of her lonesome lifestyle and partly because of something in her genetic make-up clouding her horizon. Henry is the privileged son of a wealthy family used to a life of ease and comfort, yet he doesn't come across as a spoiled, obnoxious, rich kid. As for Isabelle's dad... well, Henry likens him to a protective bear standing on hind legs, just waiting to be baited, but the captain has his reasons.
The romance sizzles off the pages at times. I loved it that I was cheering both younger characters on so hard, even though I felt as if I'd really just met them. I love the open-ended nature of some of the threads, so we can imagine some of our own bright possibilities. Most of all, I love how I stumbled upon this novella. Isabelle and Henry's story was alluded to in a novel with the same setting (Love Unexpected by Jody Hedlund) which made me curious. I'll have to remember this clever way of hooking us in.
So there you have it. Short book, small cast of characters, remote setting, dynamite. Perfect proof that a great story isn't bound by supposed limitations.
There are just three main characters; Isabelle, Henry and Isabelle's father, Captain Thornton. Her father is the lighthouse keeper of a remote isle, and Henry is the only survivor of a shipwreck washed onto their shores. Isabelle is sweet but a bit melancholic at times, partly because of her lonesome lifestyle and partly because of something in her genetic make-up clouding her horizon. Henry is the privileged son of a wealthy family used to a life of ease and comfort, yet he doesn't come across as a spoiled, obnoxious, rich kid. As for Isabelle's dad... well, Henry likens him to a protective bear standing on hind legs, just waiting to be baited, but the captain has his reasons.
The romance sizzles off the pages at times. I loved it that I was cheering both younger characters on so hard, even though I felt as if I'd really just met them. I love the open-ended nature of some of the threads, so we can imagine some of our own bright possibilities. Most of all, I love how I stumbled upon this novella. Isabelle and Henry's story was alluded to in a novel with the same setting (Love Unexpected by Jody Hedlund) which made me curious. I'll have to remember this clever way of hooking us in.
So there you have it. Short book, small cast of characters, remote setting, dynamite. Perfect proof that a great story isn't bound by supposed limitations.
May 3, 2016
This novella was such a tease! I read it in less than an hour and loved it. I fell in love with the characters. Isabelle is a kind, caring, innocent young woman. Henry is an incessant flirt, with a good heart. The story is excellently executed, even in the short amount of pages. Even in such a short story, the author provides an excellent message: don't let your circumstances define your life and who you are. Let the Lord of love and mercy guide you and your life will always be full. I can't wait to read the installment, which is a full length novel, in this series.
*Thank you, Bethany House, for providing this copy as a special review opportunity.*
http://faithlovebooks.blogspot.com/20...
*Thank you, Bethany House, for providing this copy as a special review opportunity.*
http://faithlovebooks.blogspot.com/20...
July 4, 2017
I've never been a fan of Novellas...but for being one, this is a sweet story.
I am ill and have a handicap so this story touched my heart. It's not easy to find a man who wants to spend his life with a woman who has a degenerative disorder.
This was a sweet story which of course moved a bit fast, but that's the joy of a novella if you like that sorta thing.
I also liked finding the cross story that follows through the lighthouse series. All in all, it was a sweet story with a personal touch for me, thus the four stars.
I am ill and have a handicap so this story touched my heart. It's not easy to find a man who wants to spend his life with a woman who has a degenerative disorder.
This was a sweet story which of course moved a bit fast, but that's the joy of a novella if you like that sorta thing.
I also liked finding the cross story that follows through the lighthouse series. All in all, it was a sweet story with a personal touch for me, thus the four stars.
June 14, 2018
1.5 stars.
I'm sorry to say that this novella didn't work for me. The h was too innocent and naive, the conclusions that she and her father had reached about her entire life didn't make much sense, and the love the MCs felt for each other felt rushed and therefore unconvincing. I wished I liked this one more, but I didn't. Hopefully, the full length works of this series will be better.
I'm sorry to say that this novella didn't work for me. The h was too innocent and naive, the conclusions that she and her father had reached about her entire life didn't make much sense, and the love the MCs felt for each other felt rushed and therefore unconvincing. I wished I liked this one more, but I didn't. Hopefully, the full length works of this series will be better.
Read
November 8, 2016Jody is a talented writer that can spin an interesting story.
This one in particular was a rebellious love type of romance and therefore wasn't my cup of tea. But I'm looking forward to trying another of Jody's books.
This one in particular was a rebellious love type of romance and therefore wasn't my cup of tea. But I'm looking forward to trying another of Jody's books.
Read
October 2, 2014Sweet novella! I so look forward to Love Unexpected!!
January 10, 2015
I'm thinking 3 stars...for an Inspirational.
"Out of the Storm" is an Inspirational historical romance, which may explain why the heroine reminded me of Snow White (just a little bit...so innocent and loving of nature.) I didn't think it was preachy. I do wish there wasn't so much emphasis on physical beauty, which was repeated. His handsome face. Her beautiful as an angel features.
More character development would have been appreciated. Manual labor is a character-builder for the over-privileged and immature hero, but I didn't see his transformation. It just happened. I was afraid the author would make this a 'money is the root of all evil' kind of story, but there isn't a lesson of this sort here.
What I appreciated the most is when the heroine is at her lowest point she finds hope beyond the need for the hero to make her life complete. Kudos to the author on this aspect!
The heroine's father needs some reworking. He's inconsistent and, at one point, irrational. Overall, I would try this author's work again if there's a story/characters that appeal to me.
Kindle Freebie Novella Challenge/Group Read...Vicki (2 Stars) and Ian (He's backing slowly away.)
"Out of the Storm" is an Inspirational historical romance, which may explain why the heroine reminded me of Snow White (just a little bit...so innocent and loving of nature.) I didn't think it was preachy. I do wish there wasn't so much emphasis on physical beauty, which was repeated. His handsome face. Her beautiful as an angel features.
More character development would have been appreciated. Manual labor is a character-builder for the over-privileged and immature hero, but I didn't see his transformation. It just happened. I was afraid the author would make this a 'money is the root of all evil' kind of story, but there isn't a lesson of this sort here.
What I appreciated the most is when the heroine is at her lowest point she finds hope beyond the need for the hero to make her life complete. Kudos to the author on this aspect!
The heroine's father needs some reworking. He's inconsistent and, at one point, irrational. Overall, I would try this author's work again if there's a story/characters that appeal to me.
Kindle Freebie Novella Challenge/Group Read...Vicki (2 Stars) and Ian (He's backing slowly away.)
January 21, 2015
Out of the Storm was a really good novella! I enjoyed the characters and setting (a lighthouse!). There was even a little suspense in the story towards the end. Also, the excerpt for book one of the series was great and makes me eager to read that book, too!
January 10, 2015
Novella Challenge - Kindle freebie buddy read with Anna and Ian.
May 7, 2018
This was my first read from Jody Hedlund. This story moved fast, which is expected from a novella. It grabbed my attention from the start. I missed some depth/character growth which would have been evident in a full novel.
I enjoyed the characters, even though I felt Isabelle's father to be a bit too overprotective and would have liked to see Henry's change of character more in-depth. The growing romance between them was sweet.
This novella won my interest in the series and I would definitely continue this series and read other books by Jody Hedlund.
I enjoyed the characters, even though I felt Isabelle's father to be a bit too overprotective and would have liked to see Henry's change of character more in-depth. The growing romance between them was sweet.
This novella won my interest in the series and I would definitely continue this series and read other books by Jody Hedlund.
August 9, 2020
I don't know what that was but it was definitely not what I signed up for :(
So this is a short novella about Isabelle who lives an isolated life with her father until they rescue a guy from a shipwreck Henry .. and she has to care for him and their love will blossom
the plot is nice enough .. except for the fact it was REALLY RUSHED !! .. if this is a novella it could've been about childhood friends and I would be ok with it .. but this was too fast for me .. the guy PROPOSES to the girl from the very first scene !!
no .. just no ..
So this is a short novella about Isabelle who lives an isolated life with her father until they rescue a guy from a shipwreck Henry .. and she has to care for him and their love will blossom
the plot is nice enough .. except for the fact it was REALLY RUSHED !! .. if this is a novella it could've been about childhood friends and I would be ok with it .. but this was too fast for me .. the guy PROPOSES to the girl from the very first scene !!
no .. just no ..
October 17, 2014
When a ship is wrecked off the coast of Presque Isle, Michigan, pieces of the ship and bodies start to wash up in front of the lighthouse. A barely alive man, clinging to his friend also comes ashore, and changes the lives of the people who live there forever.
Isabelle lives here with her father, the lighthouse caretaker, and spends her days do laundry, meals, and among other things drawing. Now she has the added duty of helping Henry survive, and not become drawn in by him.
Henry acts like a rather spoiled individual, and has had a rather easy life, up until now. He is so different from Isabelle, and he comes from money. Is there any hope for him that he will survive to live another day, and for his soul? He is a rather reckless individual.
Isabella has a rather serious problem, and knows that she can never leave where she is, nor is she able to marry. Will these two unlikely people be able to forge a relationship?
I loved the description the author paints of this area, rather desolate, but with specular beauty. Weather is harsh, and once the ice freezes, they are stuck without seeing anyone for about half a year.
I cannot wait to read Love Unexpected due out by this author shortly; I loved reading this short story.
I received this book from the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review
Isabelle lives here with her father, the lighthouse caretaker, and spends her days do laundry, meals, and among other things drawing. Now she has the added duty of helping Henry survive, and not become drawn in by him.
Henry acts like a rather spoiled individual, and has had a rather easy life, up until now. He is so different from Isabelle, and he comes from money. Is there any hope for him that he will survive to live another day, and for his soul? He is a rather reckless individual.
Isabella has a rather serious problem, and knows that she can never leave where she is, nor is she able to marry. Will these two unlikely people be able to forge a relationship?
I loved the description the author paints of this area, rather desolate, but with specular beauty. Weather is harsh, and once the ice freezes, they are stuck without seeing anyone for about half a year.
I cannot wait to read Love Unexpected due out by this author shortly; I loved reading this short story.
I received this book from the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review
October 17, 2014
What a great start to Jody Hedlund’s upcoming Beacons of Hope series. I thoroughly enjoyed this free novella.
Since it is a novella, I prepared myself for a romance that would move along a bit quicker than in a full-length novel. That was true with this story, but even though the romance moved at a faster pace, I still connected with the characters and felt that things did not move too quickly.
I enjoyed seeing the changes in Henry and Isabelle throughout the novella. Henry began the story as a brash and spoiled man, while Isabelle began the story believing she had no hope of a future. Even Isabelle’s father had a dismal outlook to the future and was overprotective of his only daughter. The changes in these characters was heartwarming and my only complaint is that I wish the book had lasted longer! I would have enjoyed a few more chapters with this couple. I am looking forward to reading the novels in the Beacons of Hope series.
You can read this review on my blog at:
http://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.co...
Since it is a novella, I prepared myself for a romance that would move along a bit quicker than in a full-length novel. That was true with this story, but even though the romance moved at a faster pace, I still connected with the characters and felt that things did not move too quickly.
I enjoyed seeing the changes in Henry and Isabelle throughout the novella. Henry began the story as a brash and spoiled man, while Isabelle began the story believing she had no hope of a future. Even Isabelle’s father had a dismal outlook to the future and was overprotective of his only daughter. The changes in these characters was heartwarming and my only complaint is that I wish the book had lasted longer! I would have enjoyed a few more chapters with this couple. I am looking forward to reading the novels in the Beacons of Hope series.
You can read this review on my blog at:
http://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.co...
October 20, 2014
My Grandma lives in Presque Isle so I have grown up visiting this lighthouse and have climbed it several times. I really enjoyed reading this book because I could picture so much of it in my head. Being a novella, I knew that the book would speed by Ms. Hedlund still did a wonderful job of endearing the characters to us and creating a lovely story. This novella has whet my appetite for more of the Beacon's of Hope series and I am greatly looking forward to Love Unexpected.
I bought this book and was not required to write a review. All opinions stated are my own.
Leah B.
Must Love Books
http://mustlovereading.wordpress.com/
I bought this book and was not required to write a review. All opinions stated are my own.
Leah B.
Must Love Books
http://mustlovereading.wordpress.com/
January 16, 2015
Hedlund's novella contains all her trademarks - a swift-moving storyline, romantic tension, character development - but all in a concise short story. This is among the better novellas I've read. Due to their length, it's hard to develop a strong story, but Hedlund manages very well to balance action, character development, and romance.
September 15, 2016
This was a sweet quick read. I enjoyed the setting and style of the book. I really liked Isabelle she had a gentle kindness. There was nothing remarkable about this is was just a sweet, clean love story that flowed well and had a great ending and sweet kisses.
January 17, 2015
Lovely introduction to Jody's new series. A sweet novella with just the right amount of conflict, suspense, and romance.
July 5, 2015
This was good short book, I hope the rest of her books are just as good.
May 3, 2019
Sweet romance as a quick read novella.
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