{My Review}

 Again, Jody Hedlund has crafted one of the best books I’ve read all year–probably ever since I finished reading her second book, The Doctor’s Lady (last November). 

 There are books that I can tell are books... and then there are books that simply draw me in so far that I’m right there inside the characters. And I don’t want to leave. There are books that take me long days and even weeks to finish because I know I am reading a book... and that I keep having to read the book to see what happens in the end. And then there are books that I devour in a matter days that so envelop me into another world that I can hardly think of anything but opening the pages and finding out more. 

 Unending Devotion was THIS kind of book. And those two days of devouring Jody Hedlund’s words were not enough. I dreaded getting to the end, though it was all I could focus upon. 

 I know from attending a small writer’s conference last November, in which Jody Hedlund was the keynote speaker, that this book wasn’t exactly based on the life of one particular strong and courageous young woman’s true story as her two previous novels had been. However in the Author’s Notes at the back of the book she does explain that many of the situations and a number of the characters were part of the real history of the lumber era in Michigan.

Pure enjoyment. Superbly written characters and chapters. There is nothing more I can say to exemplify how pleased I was all the way through and all the way to the very last word of this book. I was already hooked on Jody Hedlund’s writing and story-forming skills after reading her first two books–but now? In the matter of just a few books she’s come to a place in my heart really only one other author has made it to, and that is Julie Lessman. And anyone who really knows me knows that I am completely and utterly in love with Julie Lessman’s books, characters and writing skills. Now I guess I’ll be applauding Jody Hedlund just as much. 

 But wow. Jody deserves it.

 I was given a paperback copy of this book by Bethany House in order to read and give my honest review for a LitFuse Publicity Blog Tour. I give her third book, Unending Devotion, 5 stars.