A Hope Undaunted

Inspirational romance author Lessman (Daughters of Boston series) opens a new historical fiction series, Winds of Change. In this first book, Lessman's female protagonist, Katie O'Connor, is a smart, sassy young woman full of dreams for a successful career in law. Barriers to Katie's goals are the time period in which she was born (the 1920s) and societal mores that locate women securely in the home. Katie's headstrong nature often does her more harm than good, and her heart pulls her away from a wealthy suitor to childhood acquaintance Luke McGee. With lots of family dynamics and competing story lines, Katie's journey to true fulfillment in both love and faith loses impact. Lessman's writing skill is noteworthy, but the tale would have been more successful if it was more succinct. (Sept.)