Review of Sapphire Ice & FREE ebook by Hallee Bridgeman & A PRINT GIVEAWAY!!
To Robin Bartlett, men were nothing more than violent users. After a hair-raising childhood, Robin and her two younger half sisters battled simply to survive. Determined to give her sisters a very different life from that of their mother; to never have to rely on a man for anything, she worked two jobs and put them both through college, while accepting help from no one. Her heart had turned to ice and she had no use for men or God.
Antonio “Tony” Viscolli had grown up on the streets, homeless. At seventeen, he entered a downtown church with the intent of casing it, but found himself on his knees at the alter. After being fostered by the youth minister, Tony followed God’s leading and eventually became a very successful and powerful businessman. In a fallen world, he was a gem.
When Tony bought the restaurant where Robin bartended, she immediately resented his intrusion into her well ordered, but exhausting, life. She suspected his offering her special attention and constant kindness was merely his way of expecting something from her in return, something she wasn’t willing to give.
Tony knew God had led him to Robin. Would she ever allow herself to trust him? Could she ever allow herself to trust God? Or would the winter of their tragic youth rise from the shadows of the past and freeze any chance at happiness?
my point of view:
I am bringing you this review today of an older book, but I am going to admit that I have read this book – and the entire series – at least half a dozen times. Why? Well, I will tell you….first let me say Hallee Bridgeman is probably only the second Christian Fiction author I have ever read (the first being Robin Jones Gunn and the Glenbrooke series). I fell in love with Hallee and her writing, and have read every single (fiction) book she has ever published. In fact, it was due to Hallee that I “met” many other Christian fiction au
thors through boxed sets that Hallee was in. Because of this I have essentially stopped reading anything but Christian fiction!
That all being said, this is seriously one of my all time favorite books / series. I love these characters to the point I dream about them – no kidding. I bought the combination paperback of the first four books in the series directly from the author so she would sign it for me. How fan girl is that of me??
Okay enough about how obsessed I am with the books, let me tell you about Robin and Tony….and their amazing journey. When you read the opening prologue of this book, do not be surprised to catch your breath and practically have your heart racing….maybe even tear up a little. The story of Robin and her sisters is one that I now carry in my heart. Robin is so tired….tired of working two jobs to make ends meet and put her youngest sister through school, tired of having no life but but working and caring for her sisters, tired of constantly feeling like she has her back to the wall. Tired of living in a cramped, crappy apartment because it is all she can afford. Tired of hoping her run down car will last just a little bit longer until she can afford a ‘newer’ used vehicle.
Robin is plan worn out! Enter Tony Viscolli….gazillionaire extraordinaire. Handsome, Italian, wealthy as sin itself, and yet no one knows how he was raised on the streets of Boston and barely made it to 18 years old without going to jail. Now he’s all polished up, lives in the best penthouse suite and owns so many businesses it’s hard to keep count. Tony is blessed to have found God and made his mission in life to give back to the church community he loves, and help others every way he can. But there is something missing in his life, for all his money, friends and loved ones….he is still alone in the world. Then he walks into a bar (right?) and meets the sapphire ice eyes of Robin Bartlett and neither of their lives will ever be the same. These two main characters are in my heart and soul forever, I love them so much! Hallee’s writing is so spot on when it comes to having been a victim of abuse, and doing whatever it takes to protect the ones you love.
This book is FREE on Amazon to everyone and I cannot recommend it enough, I pray you will all be as blessed as I was to go on their journey! Oh yeah, and BONUS – there’s recipes at the end of the books! I love recipes! Hallee also has great book club discussion questions at the end of every book in the series!
With more than half a million book sales, Hallee Bridgeman is a best-selling Christian author who writes action-packed romantic suspense focusing on realistic characters who face real world problems. Her work has been described as everything from refreshing to heart-stopping exciting and edgy.
An Army brat turned Floridian, Hallee finally settled in central Kentucky with her family so that she could enjoy the beautiful changing of the seasons. She enjoys the roller-coaster ride thrills that life with a National Guard husband, a college student daughter, and two elementary aged sons delivers.
A prolific writer, when she’s not penning novels, you will find her in the kitchen, which she considers the ‘heart of the home’. Her passion for cooking spurred her to launch a whole food, real food “Parody” cookbook series. In addition to nutritious, Biblically grounded recipes, readers will find that each cookbook also confronts some controversial aspect of secular pop culture.
Hallee is a member of the Published Author Network (PAN) of the Romance Writers of America (RWA) where she serves as a long time member in the Faith, Hope, & Love chapter. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the American Christian Writers (ACW) as well as being a member of Novelists, Inc. (NINC). An accomplished speaker, Hallee has taught and inspired writers around the globe, from Sydney, Australia, to Dallas, Texas, to Portland, Oregon, to Washington, D.C., and all places in between.
Hallee loves coffee, campy action movies, and regular date nights with her husband. Above all else, she loves God with all of her heart, soul, mind, and strength; has been redeemed by the blood of Christ; and relies on the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide her. She prays her work here on earth is a blessing to you and would love to hear from you. You can reach Hallee at hallee@halleebridgeman.com
STAND ALONE TITLES:
On the Ropes
THE DIXON BROTHER SERIES:
1. Courting Calla
THE JEWEL SERIES:
1. Sapphire Ice
2. Greater Than Rubies
3. Emerald Fire
4. Topaz Heat
SECOND GENERATION JEWEL SERIES:
5. Christmas Diamond
6. Christmas Star Sapphire
7. Jade’s Match
SONG OF SUSPENSE SERIES:
1. A Melody for James
2. An Aria for Nick
3. A Carol for Kent
4. A Harmony for Steve
VIRTUES AND VALOR SERIES:
1. Temperance’s Trial
2. Homeland’s Hope
3. Charity’s Code
4. A Parcel for Prudence
5. Grace’s Ground War
6. Mission of Mercy
7. Flight of Faith
8. Valor’s Vigil
PARODY COOKBOOK SERIES
Fifty Shades of Gravy, A Christian Gets Saucy
The Walking Bread, This Bread Will Rise
Iron Skillet Man, The Stark Truth About Pepper and Pots
Hallee Crockpotter and the Chamber of Sacred Ingredients
Hallee is being so generous as to offer one of our readers a free PRINT copy of Sapphire Ice! All you need to do to enter is comment on this post and tell us if you ever like to re-read a favorite book! Winner will be notified via email!
I have several books I reread.
That is wonderful, Kim, I am sure the author’s are pleased to hear that!
Thank you Paula. This is a wonderful article.
I do like to read favorite books more than once. I usually wait awhile with several books read between. That way it’s a little more fresh and I can catch things that maybe didn’t make sense the first time around. Then it all adds up.
Thank you Hallee, for giving your readers good Christian books to read.
Blessings
Kathy
So appreciate you stopping by, Kathy! I agree, I always try to wait for a while before re-reading because you see new things! Plus a lot has todo with where you are at in your life when you read it! This series is one I always like to come back to!
I love this series, the sisters, then the children and so on. I usually read ebooks in Kindle Unlimited but this series I purchased so that I can go back and re-read it when ever I want to. It’s one of my favorites. Had to read all in order once I read Sapphire Ice. Thank you for giving us great Christian fiction that we can read without having to worry about any questionable content.
I agree 100%, Sharon! I love how the children are now being made into their own stories too! I own everything Hallee has written other than the cook books – which I will be working on getting this year!
Thank you for the wonderful review and the giveaway! Hallee Bridgeman is an awesome writer. And I used to reread books, but I rarely do so anymore.
Thank you, Alexa! I imagine as an author it would be hard to find the time to re-read books! YOU are also an amazing writer and I have been guilty of re-reading more than a few of your books as well!!
When I am truly in love with a book I will re-read it. I have even read one book 3 times! Sometimes when you read the book for the first time you don’t catch everything the author is trying to get across and when you read it the second time you catch things you missed the first time!
Thank you, Christie, I am so relieved to know I am not the only one who does this, lol!! ❤️
You choose the best titles for your books!
Doesn’t she? I like being able to say the Jewel Series it the Song series….lol
Hi, Hallee! Yes, I have reread a few books in the past, one being “The Robe,” by Lloyd C. Douglas, and a few of other Christian Fiction titles since. I really enjoy reading CF exclusively, particularly Romantic Suspense. Since I haven’t read any of your books yet, would especially like any of your RS print books in all of the wonderful series:) Thanks so much for the opportunity to enter a giveaway to win a print copy, as that is what I prefer! Again, would love to win a print copy of “Sapphire Ice,” or a print copy of “A Song for James”!! God bless and Happy New Year!
Thank you, as always, Lual, for being such a big supporter! I am sure you will love Hallee’s books, good luck in the draw, but remember Sapphire Ice is also free as an ebook on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2SB3zNp
So is A Melody for James:
https://amzn.to/2LQvS7Z
I don’t read books again very often, and when I do it’s usually because I’ve forgotten that I read it. If it’s a really good one, I’ll go ahead and read it again.
Sometimes that happens to me, I will start reading a book and think, hey now, I know this story….lol!
I always re-read favourite books! They would be dog-eared by now if they weren’t electronic! 😉 I got this book some time ago but haven’t read it yet. Your review has inspired me to read it now! Thanks so much for inspiring me! ❤️
Oh, you must read it, you will love it and be sure hooked!!
I don’t usually re-read books. I have so much to read yet. But I do when it’s an absolute favorite and I want to savor it more deeply!
This series sounds fantastic! I would LOVE to read from this author!!! Thanks for your article!
Thank you, Paty! Hallee has several books at not charge on Amazon and KU too I believe! Once you start reading her, you can’t stop, lol!!