Books for Christian Girls: "A Daring Sacrifice" by Jody Hedlund

About this book:

“The only thing harder than fighting for what’s right…is fighting their feelings for each other.

For three years, the Cloaked Bandit has terrorized Wessex, robbing the nobility by knifepoint and a well-placed arrow. But little dos anyone know, this bandit is in fact Juliana Wessex, the rightful ruler of the land and a girl her tyrannical uncle—the current Lord Wessex—believes was killed along with her father.

Juliana has become skilled at hiding from Lord Wessex in the forest, using her stolen goods to provide food and shelter to the peasants her uncle has taxed into poverty. But when she robs Collin Goodrich, her red hair betrays her true identity. Lord Collin remembers Juliana from their childhood—and challenges her to stay on his estate for a week in hopes she will leave her thieving ways and become a proper lady once more. Juliana is intrigued by Collin and his charms, but only time will tell if he can overcome her distaste of the nobility—as well as win her heart.”

Series: Book #2 in the “An Uncertain Choice” series. Review of Book #1 Here!

Spiritual Content- A few Prayers & Thank God (twice); An ‘H’ is capital when referring to God; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers, praying & a chapel; A few mentions of Mary & Saints; A few mentions of blessings/being blessed; A few mentions of sins; A mention of Heaven; A mention of a convent.

Negative Content- Minor cussing including: two ‘idiot’s and two form of ‘stupid’s; Sarcasm & Eye rolling; A few mentions of curses (said, not written); Lots of Torture, being tied to a stake, pain, being hit/thrashed/slapped, injuries, blood/bleeding & passing out (semi-detailed to detailed); Fighting, arrows, shooting, knifes & injuring others (semi-detailed to very detailed); Thieves, stealing, ambushes & threats (up to semi-detailed); Many, many mentions of torture methods, blood/bleeding, major injuries, being burned at the stake, hangings, being quartered, slitting throats, eyes gouged out, cutting off someone’s hands/fingers, it almost happening and threats of doing so (semi-detailed to very detailed); Mentions of deaths, pain, injuries & blood/bleeding (semi-detailed to detailed); Mentions of knifes, arrows, fighting, beatings, ambushes & stealing; Mentions of hunting, dead animals & stealing (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of drinking, ale & wine; Mentions of nightmares; Mentions of gossip & rumors; A few mentions of an injured horse bleeding & dying (barely-above-not-detailed); A few mentions of fights; A few mentions of lies.

Sexual Content- a thumb-to-lips touch, two (semi-detailed) palm/finger kisses, a (semi-detailed) cheek kiss, an ear kiss, three hair/head/forehead kisses, two barely-above-not-detailed kisses, four semi-detailed kisses, and four detailed kisses; Remembering kisses (up to detailed); Lots of Touches, Embraces, Nearness, Shivers, Warmth & Heat (very semi-detailed to detailed); Lot of Noticing & Staring (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of kisses, kissing & self-control (semi-detailed); A few mentions of scandals, reputations & chaperones; A few mentions of flirting & swooning; A few mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of the thought of a lusty man taking advantage of a woman; Love, desire, falling in love & the emotions;

*Note: Mentions of a man’s bare chest & his muscles (semi-detailed); A few mentions of how a dress hugs Juliana’s curves.

-Juliana Wessex, age 17

-Collin Goodrich, age 20
1^st person P.O.V. switches between them

Set in 1390 {Medieval}
221 pages

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Pre Teens-

New Teens-

Early High School Teens-

Older High School Teens-

My personal Rating-

I wasn’t a fan of this author’s adult books because of the sexual content. I wasn’t a fan of the first book of this series due to the fluff plot-line and harsh torture methods. I thought I would try her once more, before I said no more.

The torture, gore & overall gruesomeness was out of hand. Never mind all the kisses, touches & desires, the torture scenes alone would have been enough for a one-star rating.

But this book had all those kisses, touches & desires.

You know what really got me though? We’ve got the instant love, okay, no shock, whatever, I can deal. But, Collin. Collin says he loves Juliana. If you love her, Collin, why didn’t marriage come to your mind? You’re totally enjoying kissing & touching her, but you don’t even think about marrying her until her protector tells you “If you want her, then you’ll make her your wife first.” I swear, it’s like a light bulb went off in Collin’s head.

So, Collin. Not my favorite.

Juliana. I wanted to like her at first. I had a hard time though. At one point, she’s over here holding a knife to Collin’s throat and then check him out at the same time! (In semi-detailed muscle and tight pants noticing, might I add.)

Both of them were just too good at what they did. They did everything pretty well and it always impressed the other. (Then, in Collin’s case, he basically bragged about how much better he was at shooting, tracking, etc. than someone else.) They both just came across as flat to me. They would show off how good they were at something, but then there would be a “coincidental” flaw in their personalities that felt like it was added as an afterthought.

The torture and details of all the methods was just awful. Honestly, it wasn’t needed. You can write about something without getting fully into the details. Why does the author find it so fascinating to include such details?

So, I’m disappointed. But I’m not shocked.

See y’all on Friday with a new review!