Review: Love at Any Cost, Part 1 with GIVEAWAY!!

After reading Love at Any Cost, the first book in Julie Lessman's "The Heart of San Francisco" series, I would have to say that Julie has created another hit with this romantic series based on the McClare family in 1902 San Francisco. I was quickly caught up in the characters and setting, and hated to see Love at Any Cost come to an end.

Series description

From the glitter and glamour of San Francisco’s Nob Hill and Napa wine country, to the seedy dance halls and gambling dens of the Barbary Coast, “The Heart of San Francisco” series is a study in contrasts between the haves and have-nots, and barriers between rich and poor that only faith can transcend.

The story of the McClares, a wealthy political family in 1902 San Francisco, not only highlights the struggles of faith and heart of three cousins, but of the matriarch of the family as well, Caitlyn McClare. A widow of strong faith and beauty, Caitlyn butts heads and hearts with her handsome brother-in-law Logan McClare, the fiancé who betrayed her before she married his brother. In a breathtaking city where the Irish were predominant in the early 1900s and wielding power in both politics and wealth, the story of the McClares is a glimpse into beauty and degradation, poverty and promise during a riveting time in our nation’s history.

Trailer for Love at Any Cost:

And now, here's just a small glimpse at what you will experience, from Julie herself . . .

As a card-carrying CDQ (caffeinated drama queen), I thrive on drama and angst in my books, but I wanted this new series to be lighter and more fun, which I hope I have accomplished with the spunky heroine Cassie McClare and the "pretty boy" hero Jamie MacKenna. But …I still needed my fix for drama and angst in this book, so I zeroed in on the secondary love story between the widowed matriarch Caitlyn McClare and her rogue brother-in-law Logan McClare. You see, Cait was engaged to Logan 26 years earlier before he cheated on her, causing her to marry his brother instead. Now that she is widowed, Logan wants her back, and OH MY … the romantic tension that ensues between these two over the course of the three books is something to see and, I hope, enjoy! Here's a clip from a scene between Logan and Cait that hopefully will give you a glimpse into their relationship where sparks often fly.

Clip . . .

“Cait?” She turned at the door. He plunged his hands in his pockets, no longer a man of the world, but a little boy whose heart was on the line. “I love you, and deep down inside, I think you know that, know I would never cheat on you again.” He stared, his eyes naked with the truth for the very first time. “That said, I need to know why? What else are you afraid of?”

She must have sensed his honesty because the hard plain of her face ebbed into a look of such sorrow, it plucked at his heart. Her voice was gentle and low once again, the Caitlyn he was privileged to love. “I love you as family, Logan, but I can never be ‘in love’ with you again.”

The words stabbed. “Why?” he whispered, his voice no more than a croak.

Her bodice quivered with a burdensome sigh. “Because I don’t trust you.”

“Why? I swear to you Cait—I will be faithful.”

“No, Logan, you can’t. A man of your habit and ilk can’t be faithful without God.”

“Let me prove it. I can do this.”

“Maybe. But I can’t. I refuse to fall in love with a man who doesn’t share my faith.”

He took a step forward, his eyes intense. “I believe in God, Cait.”

“No, Logan, you believe in yourself first, God after. There’s a difference.”

His jaw sagged in disbelief. “You’re attracted to me and love me, yet you turn me away because my faith isn’t up to snuff?” Fury boiled in his veins, trumping his passion. He chilled her with a look so cold, he saw her shiver. “Even if it means your precious Vigilance Committee?”

The blood leeched from her face. “You wouldn’t,” she whispered, her words laced with shock. “Y-you agreed, and it’s the decent thing to do.”

He moved in, fists clenched and a nerve twitching in his cheek. “No, Cait, the decent thing to do is to forgive the past and admit you’re in love with me.”

Her legs faltered before steel appeared to fuse in her spine. “That’s your price, then?”

He stared, his jaw as rigid as his pride. She loved him, she wanted him, but she wouldn’t have him because of God? Outrage like he’d never known singed his very soul. “It is.”

She winced as if she’d been struck, pain contorting her face while she listed against the wrought-iron chaise. Firelight flickered across her beautiful features, illuminating myriad feelings that tore at his heart. Shock, fear, fury, resolve . . . and sorrow. The same sorrow he saw in himself, a man of missed opportunities. The flames spit and popped behind him, as if portending a fiery future that would ravage both him and the woman he loved.

He watched as the anger slowly siphoned from her body, softening her features, welling her eyes, and he was reminded once again what a rare woman she was. Prone to gentleness rather than anger, giving rather than taking, others rather than self. Despite the fact he would rob her of something so dear, her eyes bore no retribution or blame, only a sadness that seemed to personify Caitlyn McClare where he was concerned.

“Then it’s too high,” she whispered, the trace of a tear glazing her cheek as she placed his ring on the chaise. She turned away, her voice a broken whisper that prophesied their doom. “Even for my precious Vigilance Committee.”

Link to my full review:  http://tinyurl.com/nqpwta9

To learn more about Julie and her books, visit her website at julielessman.com.

Love at Any Cost was provided by Revell through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

GIVEAWAY:

To be entered in a random drawing of a signed copy of any of Julie's books, including Love at Any Cost or a printed copy of her e-book A Light in the Window, leave a comment telling Julie your favorite of all her books or if you've never read any before.

NOTE: One additional point awarded per each of the following actions, easily accomplished by scrolling up to the right side of the video above where you will be able to: 1.) Follow this blog, 2.) subscribe to this blog, 3.) share on Facebook or 4.) share on Twitter. Then simply tell me what you did in your comment, and you will get additional chances in the random drawing. GOOD LUCK!!