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 authors 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!

About the Author:  

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!