Unending Devotion: A Logging Camp Historical Romance in the Northwoods

The Summary:

Unending Devotion was written by Jody Hedlund and takes place in the late 1880s in the logging camps in Michigan.

The story is about a young lady named Lily Young, who is in search of her missing sister. Her search leads her through logging camps and small towns, until she reaches the town of Harrison. There she not only makes new friends, but confronts danger, corruption, and meets a man by the name of Connell McCormick.

Lily is determined to do what she feels is right, and Connell is forced out of his comfort zone in an effort to save Lily from the constant trouble that ensues.

My Thoughts:

Although I liked that the story took place in an arena I had not previously read about, this book read WAY too much like a Harlequin romance, than a Christian adventure/romance. Lily is continually needing to be rescued and doesn't really learn from past misadventures, and while that I could live with, the constant talk about sex, brothels, people trying to keep their hands off each other, people cheating on their wives, etc. was too much for me-definitely not my taste. I did not like this book, and would not recommend it.

I do thank Bethany House for providing me with a complimentary copy to read, and I was provided with no other compensation for my review.

Unending Devotion is the first of Jody Hedlund's books I've read, but I don't think it'll be my last. After reading it, I now really want to read her previous novels!

I loved how some of the things in Unending Devotion actually took place in real life and that a few of the characters in this book were real people. It added a lot more meaning to the story and I just thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

I found the characters great and, while I did get annoyed a little by Lily when she rushed to do things too quickly (if you read the book, you'll know what I'm talking about), I did still really like her character. My two favorites, though, would have to be Connell and Oren (he made me chuckle with his protectiveness).

Overall, I found Unending Devotion to be an interesting read that helped me to understand how things were in the 1800's (what with sex slavery and logging camps). I recommend it if you enjoy historical romance books with some history.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

Although well-written and researched, this book just didn't capture and hold my attention like I thought it would. I liked the premise, but it just took too long evolving and I lost interest quickly, which is never a good sign. I read a lot of books and if my attention is not caught and snagged early on, it usually won't be later on.

(Copy received from publisher.)

I would actually give this book 3 1/2 stars. I had a hard time staying interested in this book, but I did enjoy the setting and the basis for the story. I really liked the Connell character and enjoyed watching him go from standing back and not getting involved in the depravity that was happening around him to taking a stand for what was right and making things better by the end of the book. He seemed to find himself by the end and was firm in his beliefs and how things should be handled. I liked that he didn't let Lily boss him around or cave in to her demands even though he loved her.

As far as the Lily character, I liked her passion for what she was doing. However, I had a very hard time with her decisions as to HOW to right the wrongs she saw. Throughout the book, she continually thought nothing whatsoever about her own personal safety and charged head first into many dangerous situations without a real plan. She really needed to take time to learn some personal defensive moves, how to handle a weapon, or ways to defend herself if she was so insistent in charging into harmful situations on her own. I also disliked her belief that she was right, her way was the only way, and she only wanted to be with Connell if he did exactly what she wanted him to do. I found her a little too controlling and I was glad when Connell didn't give in to her. However, we did see a character change in the end as she learned that other people can do good things too even if it's not the way she thought it should be done.

If you like a story where the hero has to save the heroine over and over when she makes poor choices (even though her intentions are good), you will probably enjoy this book.

You can see a trailer for this book here: [...]

I received a copy of this book free from Bethany House. The content of this review is entirely my own.

It's always nice to read a book that has romance, drama and at the same time is based on historical fact or a real person in history. Author Jody Hedlund has a real talent for writing a story that does all these things and more! In her latest book Unending Devotion Hedlund explores what life may have been like for a young woman searching for her young sister in the logging towns of 19th century Michigan and how her search leads her to discover the horrors of white slavery and prostitution that runs rampant because of corrupt James Carr and the government who's in his pocket. Along the way Lily also discovers that true love is within reach even in the darkest places.

At first I didn't think I would like Lily since she was so impetuous and unthinking at times. It was a wonder to me how she survived at all in the rough logging camps as long as she did even with the help of her guardian Oren. As the story went on she definitely became more likable and it was great to see her stand up for her passion to see young girls freed from sexual slavery as well as preserving the forest lands surrounding the logging towns.

Connell McCormick, the numbers guy and manager of three logging camps was instantly a favorite of mine. The moment Lily ended up on his lap at the very beginning I knew this would be a very interesting romance. I loved that he had such a pure heart but he wasn't immune to Lily's charms. It was refreshing to see that back and forth tug-of-war inside his head where she was concerned. Did I mention he's great with a knife? He's definitely a romance hero in every sense - brave, true, and yummy! ;-)

This book definitely had a more serious undertones than The Doctor's Lady and The Preacher's Bride but it is written with the same heart-tugging style that Hedlund does so well. Anytime a book deals with human trafficking it's rough to handle, especially since it's still a relevant (terrifyingly so) issue in our country today. Ms. Hedlund definitely dealt with the issues in a manner that was tasteful but didn't gloss over the bad realities. Both Frankie's and Daisy's stories broke my heart. Thankfully the conclusion wasn't sappy where everyone lived Happily Ever After and got a pony but fitting to the tone of the rest of the story without being disappointing for those who love romance.

Unending Devotion is a terrific book that is worth reading and keeping. Jody Hedlund is a writer of the highest caliber. Thank goodness we don't have to wait very long for her next book, A Noble Groom.

~ My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars ~

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*

Lily Young wants one thing: to find her sister. It's a cold winter in 1883, and Lily is traveling with a photographer who is taking pictures at Michigan lumber camps. Lily's sister Daisy ran away a few months ago and Lily knows she has likely fallen into prostitution. Determined to save Daisy and every other young woman she can from this horrible lifestyle, Lily is on a one-woman reformation crusade.

Lily and Oren roll into Harrison and find the usual assortment of rough characters and a few good people. Based on actual historical events, Harrison is largely under the control of a villainous man known for killing and kidnapping. Very few dare to oppose him. That doesn't stop Lily from deciding she'll be the one who begin a change for good in this town.

Lumber boss Connell McCormick wants to honorably do his job and let other people make their own decisions. When he finds himself getting to know Lily and often needing to rescue her from her own heedless ambition, he questions how much one should stand against evil or just let things fall where they may.

I have to admit that this book did not engage me for a long time. Main characters who are so headstrong that even the soundest counsel is beneath them are possibly my least favorite. Strong is one thing, but strong also means knowing when to listen and act wisely instead of rashly. Eventually in chapter 27 Lily realizes that she may have her priorities mixed up. "Maybe it was time to stop trying so hard to be in control. ...Maybe it was time to start asking God what His plans were instead of always taking matters into her own hands." From that point on the story was a lot better.

Like with many Jody Hedlund books, I would not recommend this book for younger readers. I generally enjoy Jody's stories but sometimes they push the boundaries of what I am comfortable with. There is quite a bit of mature subject matter in this one, and coupled with a mostly unlikeable main character makes this one a miss for me.

I have had the privilege to read all three of Jody Hedlund's books so far and to be honest I'm not sure which is my favorite. Each one is just as good as the last. No duds found here. :)

Unending Devotion takes place in Michigan in the year of 1883. It's a man's world and lumber is his trade.

Lily Young has spent years searching all of the brothels in all the mining and lumber towns for her younger sister. In the process she has rescued several young girls and continues to put her life in danger with each mission. Lily is headstrong, independent and has a very strong sense of morals that no one can bend or break.

She tangles with Connell McCormick, a lumber mill operator and owner, in Harrison, MI. Lily is incensed that this man who calls himself a Christian turns a blind eye to the degradation of women that is going on in his town. She is determined to make the one man who could change things for the better, see things the right way.

The two pair off and pretty soon it's not just a battle of the wills, but a battle for their very lives.

I really liked this book. It was well-written and the characters were very well developed. The book doesn't stand out as a story that has never been done before, but its still worth reading if you like historical romance with substance.

Unending Devotion is a perfect title for this book.

I eagerly opened up the book and dove into the pages. This is the first book I've read from Jody Hedlund and I really enjoyed her writing style. In Unending Devotion, she shows us what a lumbering business looked like and she tackled the troubling topic of prostitution in 1883. This is a side of the late 1800s I haven't seen before, and I liked how Miss Hedlund handled it.

Our headstrong, save-the-world, heroine is named Lily. Orphaned at a young age, all she's wanted is to keep her and her sister together, to have a family. When circumstances force Lily to leave her sister with a family, she could never have known the consequences. Lily is hired on to help take care of sick woman. When the woman passes from her ailments, Lily receives a letter from Daisy, her younger sister, saying she's run away. Lily begins the search of a lifetime trying to find her.

Our number-crunching and noble hero is Connell. He runs three lumber camps in Harrison and is a member of a very wealthy family. He ignores the blatant drinking and prostitution because it keeps his men from leaving. When Lily arrives in Harrison he never realized he'd fall in love with a woman so headstrong.

From the very start this book tugged at my curiosity and wouldn't let go. There were some moments I was disgusted at Lily's foolishness and other moments I was grinning ear to ear at the romance between her and Connell. I loved how real and flawed Miss Hedlund's characters were. I also loved how you never really knew what was going to happen next, it's something I really appreciate in books. :)

I had not received this book from Bethany House at the time of this review.

Unending Devotion is a story that was inspired by true events and I LOVED that - it's like history coming alive! It helped the story to stick in my head and I also learned a lot about the Michigan lumber industry in the 1880s.

The subject matter in the book was surprising to me - I wasn't expecting something so...well...shocking. I didn't realize how prevalent sex slavery was in Michigan at that time. I always think of prostitution as being more in the wild wild west at that time in history, but to learn that it was something that was common in the east too was surprising to say the least.

Lily is a woman with a huge heart for caring for women who want to escape from prostitution. At a time when very few people cared about those women and most would usually turn a blind eye to their plight, I thought her determination to help them was very brave, in light of the fact that helping them could be very dangerous. However, Lily could be very impatient at times, which sometimes got her into a lot of trouble, and this trait of hers got on my nerves! I was certain after the first time she rushed headfirst into something and got into trouble, she wouldn't do such a foolish thing again - but low and behold, she did.

Connell is an extraordinary man! He is a man that loves the Lord, is very fit (he is a lumberjack after all ;D), and can throw a knife with such precision that I got chills. The only problem I had with him was in the beginning of the book, when he seemed to be too afraid to stand up for what was right.

James Carr is a powerful man in the town of Harrison. He is also the owner of the largest house of ill repute in the town and, as you can imagine, he is cruel, horrible, wicked, abominable, detestable, odious, depraved, rotten, corrupt, and I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture.

Lily travels with a man by the name of Oren and he was such a delightful character. He was SO protective of Lily, which endeared him to me. He also said some pretty funny things!

Vera was another character in the book that made me laugh a lot. She's the owner of the boardinghouse where Lily stayed in Harrison, and the way she would discipline the men when they got too rowdy was hilarious! She was also a very caring person and became like a second mother to Lily.

Unending Devotion is the first book I have read by Jody Hedlund, but if her other books are anything like this one, I will have to read them very soon! If you love Christian historical fiction, I highly recommend that you read Unending Devotion.

***I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.***

Quite the dilemma befell me while reading this book.

The villain was so dastardly, that I was nervous to continue reading on. A first to be sure!

Plus, the villain's wife was just as evil as he was. Double the trouble. How could I possibly continue on reading, my mind racing with all of the terrible things I knew were going to happen to our hero and heroine? My poor aching nerves just could not take it I tell you!

Finally, after contacting Jody herself, and confirming with her that a happily ever after was coming, I girded myself up to carry on. The book is definitely her best yet. This one had a little bit more romance added to this historical novel and I love that she included her home state of Michigan as the setting.

It is not included in the book blurb, but much of this story revolves around Lily's search for her sister in brothels, as Daisy has turned to prostitution. There are also many allusions to abuse and rapes included in the story. Human trafficking was alive and well hundreds of years ago and is unfortunately, still alive and prospering in the world today. I usually let my 12 year old daughter also read many of the novels I enjoy, but this one will have to wait a few years before I allow it. The subject matter is definitely for a more mature reader.

A book that challenges the reader to not only see the injustice around them, but also when called upon, to act. We all can only do our part, just as Lily and Connell followed their convictions and did theirs.

Bethany House and Jody Hedlund sent me the above book for review purposes. They will allow me to keep the book. I have no other connection to and have received no other compensation from Bethany House.