"Christmas Star Sapphire" by Hallee Bridgeman

Book Info: "MADELINE VISCOLLI finds herself on the Gulf shores of Alabama, where she takes part in a graduate program to earn her MBA. On her first day there, she meets JOE WESTCOTT, team leader for a campus ministry. Despite a mutual attraction, Joe's personal rule of no romance with any student keeps any kind of deep relationship from developing. Joe has no desire to have a relationship with anyone, ever, anyway. He left a life of luxury and his family's business behind to live alone on a sailboat and serve in ministry. Then Madeline walks into the auditorium the week school starts and Joe suspects his personal rules might not apply to this graduate student. That is, until he discovers Madeline is one of the Viscollis, and that her destiny lay in running her father's massive corporation. Having rejected wealth and all its trappings since childhood, Joe finds himself falling for the vivacious sapphire-eyed beauty. Madeline knows she loves Joe, but is not willing to throw away her destiny of taking over at the helm of Viscolli Enterprises. A Christmas Eve funeral washes all Joe's plans away. Will their love succomb to the rising tide caused by their differences in lifestyles, or will raging seas calm and allow them to sail off into the sunset?"

Author Info: 

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 teenaged 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 board 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).

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@bridgemanfamily.com


My Review:  "Christmas Star Sapphire" by Hallee Bridgeman is a Novella inspired by the Jewel Series. It can be read as a stand alone because it is well written and a very enjoyed read. I have read the entire Jewel Series and glad that I did but even if I hadn't I would still be giving this novella a five star rating. 

Maddie is a daughter of weathly parents and is in a graduate program in Alabama and meets Joe on her first day there. Joe is a pastor who gave up wealth to serve God. The attraction is instant on both sides, but Joe wants nothing to do with romance from a student or anything to do with wealth. 

Maddie points out to Joe that he is living a lie, saying he wants nothing to do with wealth, because his home is worth more than a half million dollars, He lives on a yacht.

After reading the other "Jewel"books in this series I was anxiously waiting to read this one and I wasn't disappointed. 

This story and the other stories in this series has surprises that I didn't see coming and I like the fact that they point out the fact that the love of money and not money is the root of evil.  We as Christians like to misquote that Biblical fact. 

Just as things look like they may work out for Maddie and Joe a surprise comes in the mail and everything is not ok. A Christmas Eve funeral makes Maddie and Joe look at things from a different point of view! 

Can they be happy together and does God's plans always work out the way we want or do we need to just follow Him and let His plans be the way we follow!

I think any reader will be happy the way it all turns out!

I am giving "Christmas Star Sapphire"by Hallee Bridgeman five stars. 

This book like all the others in the series has recipes and study questions at the end. 

I received this book for free from The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review. I also posted this review on Amazon, Goodreads, and on my blog.

To purchase : http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Star-Sapphire-Inspirational-Romance-ebook/dp/B014PWE2XO/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8