This was an interesting story but a dime a dozen type. Nothing surprising. Happily ever after :) It includes a woman trying to find her sister who has run off to a brothel. Prostitutes are mentioned but all is "clean"-- 16 and up ( )

This story takes place in Michigan in 1883, when the logging camps and towns were in full swing. Lily Young is trying to find her lost sister and as the book says. . "or die trying". She is searching the logging "brothels" while she works as a photographer's assistant. She is a feisty young lady, who charges ahead and tries to help as many young girls escape the life of prostitution as she can, while hunting for her sister. When she arrives in Harrison, Michigan she will have contact with Connell McCormick, who runs one of the lumber camps in town. Although there is attraction there, they both have very different viewpoints on how things are being run by the lumber barons. Lily and Connell will eventually work together, which will draw them even closer, but since each ot them think they are right, what will it cost them?

This was a very interesting story and showed the reality of what these logging communities were really like. The author's note in the back of the book was interesting, as she drew from real people and events that truly happened and weaved them into this very adventurous and dangerous story. As it states near the end of the book, "God had brought her to a place where she had more love than she'd ever dreamed possible. Maybe it wasn't the family she'd planned. But God was giving her a chance at a family of her own the way He'd planned". ( )

Based on real events, Unending Devotion is thought-provoking novel that I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys faith based historical fiction. To read my review in its entirety, please click HERE. ( )

I love how just when the reader thinks everything is wrapping up another crisis pops up. ( )

Lilly believes her sister is being held in a brothel in an area filled with a lot of undesirable people. She helps to get women out of bad situations where they have been mistreated and taken advantage of by men. Connell McCormick, who runs his family lumber business in Harrison, comes into play when Lilly comes into town. Once she discovers what is happening in Harrison, she tries to open Connell’s eyes to the truth while trying to figure out what happened to her sister.

What I liked:

I really liked Lilly’s personality. She is a feisty, strong, and determined young woman. She will tackle a challenge head on if she believes in what she is doing. I think that is cool.


Final Thoughts:

The story got off to a slow start, but once I was a few chapters in, I was the story picked up and I was able to get more into it. This is the second book by Ms. Hedlund that I have read, both of which were really good historical fiction stories. The writing was smooth and everything flowed well. She describes everything in vivid detail and makes the reader connect with the character. Unending Devotion is an engaging Inspirational Historical Fiction story that deals with courage, loss, and love. It is perfect for fans of Christian/Inspirational Historical Fiction.

** I received this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for nothing, but my honest review. Thank you!** ( )