I am positively delighted to be part of Julie Lessman’s blog tour celebrating the release of her new historical WW2 romance, A Hope and a Prayer! Keep reading for an excerpt from the KissingQueen herself – and stay tuned for my review coming up next week!
A HOPE AND A PRAYER by Julie Lessman
SERIES: Cousins O’Connor #2
GENRE: Inspirational Historical/WW2 Romance
RELEASE DATE: October 1, 2022
PAGES: 500
She’s in love with her best friend.
He’s in love with her cousin.
But when the war reveals a gift so rare,
will they be saved by a hope and a prayer?As Head Nurse at 2d Hospital in Nancy, France, Lieutenant Hope Dennehy is known for her healing touch, especially when it comes to mending the wounds and spirit of her best friend, Lieutenant Bren O’Neill. When Hope’s cousin breaks Bren’s heart, Hope is always there, helping to heal him with a friendship so anointed and deep, it threatens to break her heart too.
Flying high as a daredevil aeromedical evac pilot in the European Theatre, “Lieutenant Love” O’Neill crashes and burns when the woman he loves falls for another. Depending on the support and prayers of Nurse Hope Dennehy to save him, Bren re-evaluates his free-wheeling lifestyle when he witnesses the heinous atrocities of the Buchenwald concentration camp. Suddenly nothing in life is as important as taking care of those he loves … or is it? Battling demons from his past, Bren learns that only one thing can truly save him from himself.
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SETUP FOR SCENE: It’s VE-Day 1945 when news of Germany’s surrender is announced, unleashing celebration all over Europe, especially in Nancy, France, where our heroine, Lieutenant Hope Dennehy, is a nurse at the 2d military hospital. Her best friend, Lieutenant Bren O’Neill, storms the hospital ward with other aeromedical pilots, announcing the news with great fanfare along with bottles of champagne and beer.
***
Boom! The doors of Ward B flew open with a loud crash, causing several nurses to jump with a squeal while Hope stood with mouth agape, nearly dropping the bedpan in her hands.
Whoops and whistles ricocheted off the walls as Lieutenant Brendan O’Neill led a small band of noisy soldiers into the dimly lit ward where the night shift of nurses were just putting patients to bed. “It’s time to celebrate, ladies and gents,” he shouted with a grin, waving two bottles of champagne while his fellow pilots Michael Graves and Devin O’Malley and others carried armfuls of Schlitz beer in the requisite olive-drab cans. “The Jerries have surrendered!”
More hoots and hollers sounded as the soldiers handed out beers while Bren strode to where Hope stood in joyous shock, barely aware she still held urine in a pan. Handing off the two bottles of champagne to Nurse Helga, Bren promptly plucked the bedpan from Hope’s hands with a scrunch of his nose and laid it down on an empty bed.
And then before she could even blink, he picked her up in his arms and whirled her around and around, his husky laughter warming her as much as his intimate hold.
Hand clutched to her nurse’s cap, she could do nothing but giggle as he spun her again and again, the tight press of his body making her as dizzy as his spin.
“It’s over, Hope,” he whispered as he set her down, arms looped to her waist, and she detected the faint smell of beer.
She leaned away, assessing the intensity in his eyes. “Are you drunk?”
“Naw,” he said with a shake of his head, giving her another squeeze. “Just a little happy. But come on, St. Hope, even if I was drunk, this’d be the night for it, wouldn’t it? Because just think—once we nail the Japs to the wall, it’s over for good.”
Japan. Some of her elation slowly siphoned out, dissipating like a balloon with a pin-sized leak, reminding Hope that “her other self,” her twin brother Henry, was still in the thick of it in the Pacific theater.
Cutting loose with a loud cheer, Bren spun her around one final time. His husky laughter was warm against her skin, muffling her gasp when his mouth feathered the lobe of her ear.
Her heart began to pound. Accident? Or alcohol? Sweet mother of mercy—how much drinking had he done? When he set her back down, his handsome face was flushed, either with alcohol, euphoria, or both. Obviously dizzy with delight, he wobbled on his feet as much as she, a close second to the wobble of her heart as he hugged her once again.
His laughter rang loud in the ward along with the excited chatter and singing of patients and nurses alike, following the lead of the soldiers who’d obviously stayed at the PX far too long. But celebration was definitely in the air as Big Mike wielded a busy can opener up and down the aisle and Bren let out a loud whoop while he shook Hope’s patient’s hand, pumping it wildly.
He let out another deafening cheer as he shook another patient’s hand before turning back to Hope. The barest slur of his words were lost in the joy and jubilation of the moment. “Just think, Hope—today, May 7th, mere hours ago, General Eisenhower accepted the unconditional surrender of all German forces. And tomorrow, it’s official—nearly six years of this godawful war is finally done! Holy Joe, Dennehy, I’m so dog-gone happy, I could kiss every nurse in this blasted ward!”—she caught her breath when his glazed eyes locked onto hers, his intent far clearer than his focus—“starting right now, St. Hope, with you!”
And dipping her back in his arms, he did just that, the taste of beer and Bren stunning her body as his mouth took hers with a vengeance, the tease of his tongue paralyzing her pulse. Right before it took off in a frantic sprint, unleashing a blast of heat that tingled all the way to the tips of her toes.
She’d known Bren was a good kisser because Gabe had told her so, his skill obviously fine-tuned through vast experience with women. And she’d certainly experienced it for herself from that brief kiss in the car the night he passed out, when he thought she was Brigid. But she wasn’t prepared for this, the shock of her best friend kissing her with such potency, she literally gasped, parting her lips enough for him to explore all the more.
“Hey, do I get one of those?” Cindy called, and Bren drew Hope back up with a wicked grin, completely oblivious that he had just altered her world.
“Oh, you bet, Nurse Hyatt. You and every female in this ward or my name isn’t Brendan Michael O’Neill.” And wheeling around, he proceeded to dip Cindy back with the same abandon as he had with Hope, eliciting a moan from Cindy’s lips while he gave it his all.
“Holy Mackerel, O’Neill,” Cindy said in a near gasp when he finally brought her back up, fanning her face with a blush that surely matched the heat in Hope’s own. “T.J. who?”
Bren laughed and chucked her on the chin. “Likewise, Nurse Hyatt, but I could never two-time one of my best friends, so you’re safe.” Delivering a salute as off-kilter as he, he nodded toward the other nurses before taking off down the aisle, tossing a wink over his shoulder. “But they’re not.”
No, they’re not. And the wild race of Hope’s pulse confirmed it as she stood staring in a near trance, her body still buzzing from his touch. Her eyelids trembled closed as she pressed a hand low to her abdomen, unsettled by the heat pooling within, a strange sensation she’d never felt before.
Her heart skipped a beat. Except two other times. The night he’d nuzzled her neck at Monet’s and the kiss in the car when she’d driven him home—results of inebriation to excess both nights.
“Hope?”
Cindy’s voice jerked her back from her thoughts, the realization of what just happened flashing her skin hot and then cold. “What?” she whispered, her voice little more than a rasp, breathing so shallow, she thought she might faint.
“Are you … all right?”
Hope swallowed hard. “I … yes, of course. Why wouldn’t I be?” she said in a rush, fingers shaking as she adjusted her skirt.
Cindy ducked her head to study her with a wary scrunch of brows. “Uh, because you’re pale, out of breath, and clutching your stomach? Are you nauseous?”
Yes, sick to my stomach over what this might be …
A lover of all things Irish, Julie Lessman writes close-knit Irish family sagas that evolve into 3-D love stories: the hero, the heroine, and the God that brings them together.
Author of The Daughters of Boston, Winds of Change, Heart of San Francisco, Isle of Hope, Silver Lining Ranch, and The Cousins O’Connor series, Julie was American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Author of the Year and has garnered over 21 Romance Writers of America and other awards. Voted #1 Romance Author in Family Fiction magazine’s 2012 and 2011 Reader’s Choice Awards, Julie’s novels also made Family Fiction magazine’s Best of 2015, Best of 2014, and “Essential Christian Romance Authors” 2017-2020, as well as Booklist’s 2010 Top 10 Inspirational Fiction and Borders Best Fiction.
Julie has also written a self-help workbook for writers entitled Romance-ology 101: Writing Romantic Tension for the Sweet and Inspirational Markets. Contact Julie through her website at www.julielessman.com.
Other Recently Featured Books by Julie Lessman
Leave a comment on today’s post, and you will be entered to win your choice of an indie e-book from Julie, PLUS as part of Julie’s 2-week blog-tour giveaway, you’ll automatically be entered to win a GRAND PRIZE of an Amazon gift card, a signed paperback copy of A Hope and a Prayer or a signed paperback copy of any of Julie’s other indie books or a book by a top CBA author, PLUS a character named after you or a loved one in Julie’s next book!
For more details on how to increase your chances for the grand prize, check out Julie’s JOURNAL JOT BLOG for details on the blog-tour giveaway and tons of other giveaways going on right now.
MORE GIVEAWAYS + 99¢ SALE ON BOOK 1, A WING & A PRAYER!
Hey … since A Wing and a Prayer is ON SALE FOR ONLY 99 CENTS—why not head on over to MYSTI’S BOOK NOOK to sign up for the online book club for this 4.7⭐️WW2 novel that Sarah Sundin called “a fun and wild ride”? Whether you’ve already read A Wing and a Prayer, or just starting it today (it is 99¢, after all), or not reading it at all—there will be lots of fun with provocative questions (based on excerpts given) and TONS of giveaways! Julie will be posting every two days—seven posts and seven chances to win an e-book!
GRAND-PRIZE GIVEAWAY! Then Julie wilI toss all the commenter names in a hat for an Amazon gift card, a signed paperback copy of A Hope and a Prayer or a signed paperback copy of any of her indie books or a book by a top CBA author, PLUS a character named after you or a loved one in her next book!
So, check out the TRAILER for A Wing and a Prayer, then buy the e-book for only 99¢ E-BOOK (FREE on Kindle Unlimited) or the paperback HERE, then to Mysti’s Book Nook NOW to join this FREE and very cool Facebook Online Book Club, where some of your favorite authors are doing giveaways all year long!
JOIN MYSTI’S BOOK NOOK FREE HERE!
What about you? What makes you want to read A Hope and a Prayer by Julie Lessman?
Thank you so much for sharing. I enjoy reading stories about WWII. God bless you.
Hey, Debra, I invite you to check out the video on A Wing and a Prayer, in which I was privileged to include sweet Carrie’s amazing review that A Wing and a Prayer is, “A well-researched and captivating glimpse into WW2 from the Kissing Queen herself. A must-read for fans of Sundin, Breslin, and Gohlke.” I hope you check it out at the link Carrie included above as well as on Mysti’s Book Nook online book club starting today. Whether you’ve read AWAAP or not, you can still join in on the discussion on topics such as temptation, anger at God, do opposites attract, etc., so check out the link above for that as well.
Hope to see you there!
HUGS and HAPPY READING!
Julie
I’m reading the second book now! I love this series!
Oh, gosh, Kayla, I guess I missed your comment, so I apologize. Thank you SO much for reading the series, and be sure to let me know if you post a review on Amazon so I can personally thank you, okay?
Hugs!
Julie
This sounds like a book I’d completely enjoy. Thank you for letting me knew about it.
Hey, Leeza, I sure hope so, my friend!
And I hope you take advantage of the 99¢ deal as well as checking out Mysti’s Book Nook online book club starting today, where we’re discussing AWAAP for the next two weeks. Whether you’ve read AWAAP or not, you can still join in on the discussion on topics such as temptation, anger at God, do opposites attract, etc., so check out the link above for that as well to win some amazing prizes!
Hope to see you there!
HUGS and HAPPY READING!
Julie
It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
Hey, Diana, I think so, but then I guess I’m a wee bit prejudiced, my friend! 😉
I invite you to check out the video on A Wing and a Prayer in the link Carrie gave above, in which I was privileged to include sweet Carrie’s amazing review that A Wing and a Prayer is, “A well-researched and captivating glimpse into WW2 from the Kissing Queen herself. A must-read for fans of Sundin, Breslin, and Gohlke.”
Then, I invite you to check out Mysti’s Book Nook online book club at the link given as well because starting today, I’ll be giving away LOTS of prizes (Amazon gift card, ebooks, paperbacks, character named for you or a loved one in my next book). So, whether you’ve read AWAAP or not, you can still join in on the discussion on topics such as temptation, anger at God, do opposites attract, etc., so do check out the link above for that as well.
Hope to see you there!
HUGS and HAPPY READING!
Julie
I love historical fiction set in WWII – adding this to my TBR!
Hey, Liz, thank you SO much for putting AWAAP on your TBR, and at 99¢, that’s easy to do, right? Also, not only do I hope you check out the trailer for this novel at the link Carrie gave above, but also Mysti’s Book Nook online book club starting today, where we’re discussing AWAAP for the next two weeks. So, whether you’ve read AWAAP or not, you can still join in on the discussion (no spoilers) via the link given above on topics such as temptation, anger at God, do opposites attract, etc., so check out the link above for that as well to win some amazing prizes!
Hope to see you there!
HUGS and HAPPY READING!
Julie
Am so excited to read a hope and a prayer. I really enjoy your books Julie and I’ve been waiting for your next release for months. Thank you for doing what you do. God bless
Aw, Bernice, you just made my day, my friend, so THANK YOU!! I hope you like AHAAP, but I’ll be honest — it was the hardest book I’ve ever written because of the subject matter, which is serious. But if you liked A Wing and a Prayer, you should like AHAAP, so praying you will.
Speaking of AWAAP, I hope you come by Mysti’s Book Nook to discuss it and win lots of prizes for the next two weeks, so hope to see you there!
Hugs and more hugs,
Julie
I have been waiting FOREVER for this one! Julie can’t write fast enough for me. One of my favorite authors!!!
LOL … me, too, Kathryn! Took me FOREVER to get this puppy done, but that’s because God had me lay my writing down for 5 months, but hopefully it’s worth the wait. Thank you soooo much for your kind comment, Kate — you’re one of my favorite reader friends too!
Hugs and hope to see you at Mysti’s Book Nook to discuss A Wing and a Prayer — LOTS of giveaways, girl, so good luck!
Hugs and more hugs,
Julie
I would love to read this book, it sounds so good.
Hey, Judi, well, naturally I think it sounds good, but then I guess I’m a wee bit prejudiced, my friend! 😉
I invite you to check out the video on A Wing and a Prayer in the link Carrie gave above, in which I was privileged to include sweet Carrie’s amazing review that A Wing and a Prayer is, “A well-researched and captivating glimpse into WW2 from the Kissing Queen herself. A must-read for fans of Sundin, Breslin, and Gohlke.”
Then, why not check out Mysti’s Book Nook online book club at the link given as well because starting today, I’ll be giving away LOTS of prizes (Amazon gift card, ebooks, paperbacks, character named for you or a loved one in my next book). So, whether you’ve read AWAAP or not, you can still join in on the discussion on topics such as temptation, anger at God, do opposites attract, etc., so do check out the link above for that as well.
Hope to see you there!
HUGS and HAPPY READING!
Julie
Thank you for featuring Julie’s book. It sounds so good. I have enjoyed reading her other books.
Hey, Faith, thank you SO much for reading my other books, my friend. I hope you like AHAAP, but I’ll be honest — it was the hardest book I’ve ever written because of the subject matter, which is serious. But if you read and liked A Wing and a Prayer, you should like AHAAP, so praying you will.
Speaking of AWAAP, I hope you come by Mysti’s Book Nook to discuss it and win lots of prizes for the next two weeks, so hope to see you there! The giveaways are based on excerpts, not having had to read the book, so do come by.
Hugs and more hugs,
Julie
So appreciative to be introduced to a new-to-me author. All of her books look great, especially her newest release.
DENISE!! You are my favorite kind of reader — new blood! 😉
And I hope you take advantage of the 99¢ deal on book 1, A Wing and a Prayer, as well as checking out Mysti’s Book Nook online book club starting today, where we’re discussing book 1, A Wing and a Prayer for the next two weeks. Whether you’ve read AWAAP or not, you can still join in on the discussion on topics such as temptation, anger at God, do opposites attract, etc., so check out the link above for that as well to win some amazing prizes!
Hope to see you there!
HUGS and HAPPY READING!
Julie
I think I’ve read all of Julie Lessman’s books so far so I’m not going to stop now. It’s always fun to read about the O’Connor family, now in the third generation.
Hey, Pam, it’s SO good to see you here, my friend, and thank you for your support! Since you are a devoted reader of mine, I would love to know who some of your favorite authors are because I bet I would love them too!
Meanwhile, good luck in the contest, my friend, and happy reading!
Hugs and more hugs,
Julie
Love the covers so much.
Hey, Jodi, thank you so much, my friend!
Thanks for coming by and good luck in the contest!
Hugs,
Julie
Thank you for sharing this & for the awesome giveaways.
Hey, Terri, you’re more than welcome, and I hope you check all the giveaways out on my Journal Jot blog for TONS of other giveaways! Here’s the link and hope to see you soon.
JULIE’S JOURNAL JOTS BLOG
Hugs,
Julie
Historical Christian fiction is my preferred genre, and this one sounds superb! I’m definitely going to read it!
Suzanne, thank you SO much, my friend — I am honored you want to read my book. Like I told Terri above, I have a ton of giveaways going on where you can win the book, so I hope you check it out on my Journal Jot blog because maybe you can win one and not have to buy it, right?
Hugs and Good Luck!
Julie
I so enjoy your historical fiction! Such a great way to learn more about the war times!
It definitely is a great way to learn about our past, Julie! And although I am primarily a historical author, I was never overly fond of the research, but I have to say, this book put me through the paces because I had to research on almost every page and sometimes every paragraph–language, dress, mores, 1940s timeline, then Gabe is a Women’s Airline Service Pilot, so I had to research WASP and aeronautical terminology, then the hero is an air force medevac pilot, so medical terminology, too, along with military jargon, then add to that the WW2 timeline and making battles and plots work together. WHEW! But I have to admit, I am proud of the research, so I hope you like it too.
Hugs and Happy Reading!
Julie
This book sounds like a sweet romance war story and I love reading these type of books. Thanks for the chance of winning a copy!
Hey, Steph, yes, it is a “sweet romance story,” but I will warn you that it has a higher level of both romantic and spiritual passion than your typical Christian romance, so if that’s not your thing, you may want to pass.
My tagline is “Passion with a Purpose” because God has called me to write both romantic passion as He intended (and as is evident in Song of Solomon) and spiritual passion, which is where my true love of writing lies. What can I say — I’m a passionate gal, and it shows.
Hugs and Happy Reading!
Julie
Historicals set during Word War 2 are my favorite era. They are captivating, meaningful and profound.
Agreed, Anne, although I’m not sure I would have agreed before I wrote my first WW2 book, A Wing and a Prayer, which as I mentioned above in my comment to Julie Pripps, because I don’t care for the research part of writing. But that book did open my eyes, not only to WW2 (which I now know more about than I ever dreamed possible), but to the critical importance of lacing hystericals with as much authenticity and period flavor as you can to provide the reader with a true armchair reading experience. WHICH is what I hope both book 1, AWAAP, and book 2, A Hope and a Prayer, are able to do.
Hugs and happy reading!
Julie
nice excerpt
Thanks, BN!
Good luck in the contest, my friend.
Hugs,
Julie
Julie is an exceptional author! I love her novels!
And Caryl Kane is an exceptional reader friend whom I love to pieces!! THANK YOU for all your shares and sweet comments, Caryl — you are a true blessing, my friend! 😘
Hugs and more hugs!
Julie
I would love to read this book! I’ve read many of your other books and I love them all! Thanks for sharing and for the giveaway!
Hey, Kimberly … trust me, girl, I would love for you to read this book, too, so GOOD LUCK in this contest!
And if you don’t win here, there are a TON of other giveaways going on at my blog right now at the following link, so come on by!
JULIE’S JOURNAL JOTS BLOG
Hugs!
Julie
I like Julie’s books, but this excerpt makes me dislike the hero, Lieutenant Bren O’Neill. I assume some changes are in store for him.
I love the way Julie writes! I’ve read all her books and am anxiously awaiting this new one!!
Aw, Sherry, thank you SO much, my sweet friend — SO appreciate your sweet comment and YOU! Good luck in the contest!
HUGS,
Julie
Hey, Roxanne … trust me, when I’m done with Lieutenant Bren O’Neill, he won’t know what hit him, I promise! 😉
Hugs!
Julie
Julie, I am so glad to hear that he will be transformed. Frankly, I felt like hitting him for what I saw as disrespect for the nurses. 🤣
Just FYI, that scene does reflect the demons that Bren struggles with in the book because he is drunk at the time, which is why this was such a difficult book for me to write — the subject matter was not easy to deal with. 🙁
Hugs,
Julie
Hey, Roxanne … trust me, when I’m done with Lieutenant Bren O’Neill, he won’t know what hit him, I promise! 😉
Hugs!
Julie
I love all your books! Just re-read A Wing and a Prayer in anticipation of your new book! Can’t wait to start it!
Aw, Sharon, God bless you, my sweet friend — I SO appreciate that AND you!! Would you believe that I usually reread all the O’Connor books before I write the next one too? Gotta refresh this old brain, you know. 😉
Hugs and more hugs,
Julie
I look forward go reading your book. I know that it will be great. Thank you for sharing! ❤
Thanks, Cindi, for coming by, and here’s to a win in the contest. AND in case you don’t win here, there are a TON of other opportunities on my blog, so here’s the link, and GOOD LUCK!
JULIE’S JOURNAL JOTS BLOG
HUGS,
Julie
I am so excited to read this new book by Julie Lessman! She is such an amazing Christian fiction author & still adds some spice as well. I recommend her book series to all my friends!!
Aw, Em, aren’t you the sweetest thing!! Thank you SO much, my friend, and if there are any of my novellas you have not yet read, please let me know via my website, because I would love to send you one as a thank you, okay? Here’s the contact link:
CONTACT JULIE
HUGS AND MORE HUGS!
Julie
What a great preview! I was hooked right away. I love Julie’s books with her flawed and sassy heroines, loveable and dreamy heroes, and the humor, spice and faith all interwoven so beautifully.
Thanks, Laurel, not only for your kind comment, but for coming by to check the post out. You are automatically entered into my blog-tour contest to win the e-book for A Hope and a Prayer and also in the draw for the grand prize of an Amazon g.c., a signed paperback of one of my books or paperback of top CBA author, and a character named after you in my next book, so good luck! And if you want even more chances to win, check out all the giveaways on my Journal Jots blog, okay? Here’s the link:
JULIE’S JOURNAL JOTS BLOG
HUGS!
Julie
Hey Julie, So glad you’re branching out to other platforms. I’m already there!! Keep those JJ’ S coming!!
Hey, Bren, will do, sweetie. SO appreciate you!
Hugs and more hugs!
Julie
I so love the O’Connor series ,that I just couldn’t wait to read this latest installment! Plus even the small bits that Julie had written about Hope O’Connor in A Wing and A Prayer (and when she was little in other books of the series ) had me anxious to see her spotlighted in her own story. Not to mention I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to read more about the handsome pilot Bren! Thank you so much Julie for continuing the O’Connor series! It’s had a hold of my heart and imagination for a long time now. 🙂
LYNNE!! Always love seeing your sweet name pop up, my friend! You were one of the first ones to encourage me about A Hope and a Prayer because I flat-out didn’t think it was any good, but you loved it, so you have no idea just how much that meant to me, my friend.
You are a true blessing, and I thank God He allowed our paths to cross!
Hugs,
Julie
I own several of the original “Boston” books and so enjoy them….am re-reading one right now. This continuation of the family sounds intriguing!
Hey, Catherine, thank you SO much for your sweet comment and here’s to a win!
Hugs,
Julie