Christmas Star Sapphire: The Jewel Series book 6

Written by Hallee Bridgeman

Narrated by Gene Rowley Voiceover

He cast away his birthright. She'll inherit an enterprise. Can he captain her heart? 

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?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Olivia Kimbrell Press, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 25, 2018
• ISBN: 9781681901503

Hallee Bridgeman

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.

Reviews for Christmas Star Sapphire

[Jade Campion · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Just absolutely love this series and this author. Keeps it real but keeps a good wholesome story

[lcjohnson1988_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Title: Christmas Star Sapphire (A Special Christmas Novella)Author: Hallee BridgemanPages: 126Year: 2015Publisher: Olivia Kimbrell PressMy rating is 5 stars.Here is a very unique tale that isn’t what most readers expect for a Christmas story, which is one reason it is so good. Hallee Bridgeman handles some very real family issues.Maddie comes from a very loving family background and though the family is wealthy they focus on glorifying God with what He has entrusted to them. Joe grew up in a fractured and messy family which still impacts his life as he ministers on college campuses. Maddie’s family isn’t all roses as they have their own skeletons in the closet and heart breaks to handle. Maddie is very down to earth and her walk with God is very intimate. Joe is close with God as well but when God throws a wrench in Joe’s plans for his life, Joe wrestles with the Lord.There is more to the short story written for readers to enjoy and even perhaps help them be thankful for the blessings they have or surrender their heartaches to God. I so appreciated this book as it isn’t a fairy tale type of story but one that deals with heart, spiritual and life experiences that are real. Throughout the book I was touched by the way some characters depended on God, falling on their faces to hear from Him what he wanted to speak to their hearts. The holiday season may be over, but this is one book to be read and shared anytime of the year!Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[jbarr5 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Christmas Star Sapphire by Hallee Bridgeman Although this is not the first in the series I don't want to spend the time reading the earlier ones.This one starts out with a table of contents, dedication page, listing of jewel series books than the story.Madeline arrives at her townhouse and find her parents who are there to unpack her.She attends meetings for CRU and meets a pastor: Joe. She learns of his background and is able to share some time with him to understand him better.She also learns of his past, his family's wealth and how he has given it all up to others. Her family is also very wealthy but she doesn't flaunt it and acts normally.Love time Joe spends with Pastor Larry and the knowledge that he has about relationships and even finds passages in the Bible to share with him.Love that Joe and Maddy are able to go over his father's estate after his passing. There are many things to learn, as family secrets are revealed.The time they spend with themselves may be the answer....Found a bonus recipe during the story for their Thanksgiving meal.Italian words are translated at the ind along with discussion questions.Meal plan is also included along with the recipes.Excerpt for On The Ropes is also included at the end, note from the author, other works by the author. and about the author. Sign up for her nesletter link at the end.Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

[lamb521 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Title: Christmas Star Sapphire (A Special Christmas Novella)Author: Hallee BridgemanPages: 126Year: 2015Publisher: Olivia Kimbrell PressMy rating is 5 stars.Here is a very unique tale that isn’t what most readers expect for a Christmas story, which is one reason it is so good. Hallee Bridgeman handles some very real family issues.Maddie comes from a very loving family background and though the family is wealthy they focus on glorifying God with what He has entrusted to them. Joe grew up in a fractured and messy family which still impacts his life as he ministers on college campuses. Maddie’s family isn’t all roses as they have their own skeletons in the closet and heart breaks to handle. Maddie is very down to earth and her walk with God is very intimate. Joe is close with God as well but when God throws a wrench in Joe’s plans for his life, Joe wrestles with the Lord.There is more to the short story written for readers to enjoy and even perhaps help them be thankful for the blessings they have or surrender their heartaches to God. I so appreciated this book as it isn’t a fairy tale type of story but one that deals with heart, spiritual and life experiences that are real. Throughout the book I was touched by the way some characters depended on God, falling on their faces to hear from Him what he wanted to speak to their hearts. The holiday season may be over, but this is one book to be read and shared anytime of the year!Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[becky_l-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Wealth...Blessing or Burden?God's will. What is God's will for one's life? Is possessing money wrong, as Joe seems to think, or can it be that just the love of money is wrong? Madeline Viscolli is a beautiful master's student at the college where Joe is on the Cru leadership team. Madeline quickly falls for Joe, but Joe not only doesn't want to get involved with a student, but not one who desires to run her father's vast business empire. Joe has to learn that he doesn't have to reject his wealth to reject the way he was raised.This was light reading and a fun story. I had some personal difficulty with it, maybe because I felt like the woman was the pursuer in the relationship. I personally believe the man needs to be the pursuer, but not everyone will nor needs to agree with me. Read the novella and decide for yourself if the situation works.Hallee Bridgeman does a superb job of exploring and developing relationships; she also writes thoughtful conversations for dating couples to hold. Her characters are very three dimensional as they interact with each other. They would be interesting young people to know.I gratefully received this book from bookfun.org in exchange for an honest review.

[harley0326 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a nice quick read packed with a wonderful story about wealth, unforgiveness and letting go of your past. Some of us think that being wealthy is the most important thing in finding happiness. We believe with money, we will be happier, have lots of friends and live an easy care free life. The book is written with depth as it explores the different ways the characters handle being wealthy. In this book, the author tells a story about Joe who is a very dedicated man of faith. He ministers to college students and is content with his life. He starts to fall for a young woman named Madeline. As they start to grow closer, Joe decides he can't be in a relationship with her. He has found out that her family is extremely wealthy and it bothers him. He is afraid to let someone in, to trust someone , to love them. Will Joe let go and trust God? Can Joe follow God for direction in his life , or turn away and stay alone forever ? What reaction will Madeline have when Joe tells her about his painful past? Will a tragedy during the holidays bring Joe close to his father again? Can he forgive his father for the painful childhood he endured? Don't miss this great intriguing story of redemption, letting go of the past and learning to trust God . I really enjoyed the way the author focused on the struggles that being wealthy can cause. We don't realize how "the love of money " can destroy relationships until it is to late. The author has done an amazing job of showing readers how unforgiveness can lead to mistrust, loneliness and bitterness. I loved the realism between Joe and his estranged father. The past is sometimes painful, but it can be a lesson to learn to trust God and know He never gives us more than we can handle. "In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:6I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.