Love’s True Measure Tour & Giveaway
About the Book
Book: Love’s True Measure
Author: Lori DeJong
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: June 10, 2025
Shannon Trent has dedicated her life to ministering to teens, even as she hides secrets that haunt her past. Born into privilege, she’s built a simpler life away from the expectations of her influential family. She’s content on her own, believing that to open her heart would mean unearthing her deepest shame. But when her charming neighbor stirs feelings she’s never allowed herself to entertain, his lack of faith provides the perfect excuse to keep her distance.
Hunter Kavanaugh has spent years chasing his dream career. But when his mother’s sudden death leaves him the sole guardian of his teenage sister, his carefully curated world begins to crumble. Struggling with grief, anger at God, and the demands of his job, Hunter is surprised when Shannon’s unwavering faith begins to resonate with him—and her ability to connect with his sister draws him closer.
As Hunter and Shannon navigate their growing bond, unexpected challenges force them to confront their fears and priorities. Both must either choose to trust God’s plan is far greater than their own, or risk losing the love of a lifetime.
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Lori DeJong (pronounced DeeYung) is an award-winning contemporary Christian romance author who enjoys penning stories full of grace and the redemptive power of God’s love that inspire others to hope regardless of circumstance, find joy in the moment, and grow in their faith.
Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Lori arrived in Texas in 2005 and dug those roots right in. She currently resides in beautiful Georgetown, north of Austin, with her husband of thirty-plus years. Other than their two fur-babies, their nest is empty, as their daughter graduated from college and settled in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area with her husband, and the sweetest grand-dog ever.
Lori loves to write about love and romance and all that fun stuff, with a firm foundation of faith. Clean but sassy, sparkly, and even goose-bumpy romance, with God in the middle and characters seeking and learning and changing, couldn’t be more heartwarming or spine-tingly.
Lori’s debut novel, “Love’s True Calling”, Book One of her True Calling Series, was the 2020 winner of the Scrivenings Press Novel Starts Contest, winner of the 2022 ACFW Genesis Award for Romance, 2023 Scrivenings Press Contemporary Book of the Year, and a doubl-finalist in the 2024 Selah Awards. “Love’s True Home” was released in 2024 and is a 2025 Selah Awards finalist.
More from Lori
As soon as Shannon Trent showed up in chapter one of my debut novel, Love’s True Calling, I knew she had a story. That there was something underneath all that joy and spunk that haunted her. That she felt she had to hide.
Although born to a life of privilege, she doesn’t want her name to be the measure of her worth. Determined to live a simpler life, she dials in to her faith, only wanting to be and do whatever God says she should be and do.
Hunter Kavanaugh, on the other hand, has overcome the instability of his teenage years to forge his own path. He’s made something of himself by his own grit and determination, and he measures his worth in terms of his success and the things it provides him.
When these two literally run into each other outside their building, his grumpy disposition, and obvious high-powered job, leave Shannon unimpressed. No matter how handsome he might be, she has no intention of getting to know this neighbor any better.
But God …
When these two meet up again, a friendship blossoms. Her heart threatens to take her somewhere she’s never been before, but his unbelief gives her the perfect reason to keep her emotional distance.
When God gave me this story concept, I was a little intimidated. Would I be able to convey the heart of a good man who didn’t have faith? Would I be able to flesh out a woman who had an abundance of faith yet still harbored shame from her past?
But as I started writing this story, I fell in love with these two and their journey to discover the true measure of their worth … and the true measure of love.
MY REVIEW
There was so much to take away from this story that I had to make notes so I wouldn’t forget to mention them. The author captures such a beautiful story of forgiveness that readers will be able to relate to. One of the main questions featured in this faith filled book is the question, “Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?” One thing we need to understand is God didn’t do anything wrong. In fact He can’t because it is against His nature. We each are given choices. We can forgive or be bitter.
Shannon is a sweet young woman who has a heart to minister to teens. Her hard work is about to pay off as she gets her master’s degree. I like how hard she works without depending on her wealthy family. Her family does have a few skeletons in their closet that will soon be exposed.
Hunter is driven in his desire to become partner at the law firm he works at. I thought his first encounter with Shannon was quite comical. That was not by accident that they met as we follow the story. Hunter has his hands full when his sister comes to live with him. After the tragic loss of their mother he steps up to be his sister’s guardian. He soon learns that there is no manual of how to raise a teenager.
Brylie is grieving the loss of her mother and now finds her entire life uprooted. She adores her brother but it is hard to be the new kid at school . The author illustrates how grieve can take over if we don’t seek to heal from it. I like how Shannon becomes close to Brylie as she helps Hunter adjust to this new life with his sister.
I loved the way Shannon shares her faith when Brylie breaks down one day. That scene will forever be ingrained in my mind. The grace and compassion Shannon showed Brylie was so powerful and just what she needed. A change is evident on Brylie after their conversation. How sweet it is to see a teenager grasp the Word of God and embrace it. Will Hunter see how God has changed Brylie and find a way to heal from his bitterness?
I like how the author explains forgiveness with this, “Forgiveness doesn’t mean you’re giving that person a free pass. You’re not saying what they did was right. You’re telling them that their debt to you is paid. As your debt has been paid by Christ.” Facing a situation that is hard to let go of, Hunter begins to seek wisdom to let go of bitterness but he finds it hard to do. Sometimes we are in the way when God is trying to do something in our lives. We need to learn to move and let God be in control. That means whatever anger, jealousy , forgiveness or pride needs to be moved from our lives.
There is a lot to unpack in this story but one of my favorites is the encounter Shannon had with a woman in a park. To discover that you are loved, accepted and find hope changes Shannon at the brink of her brokenness. God brings people into our lives just when we need them. Don’t miss this beautiful part in the story that illustrates the unconditional love and healing that God has for each of us.
“ It’s never a sign of weakness to reach out for help.”
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Blog Stops
Stories By Gina, August 2 (Author Interview)
Simple Harvest Reads, August 3 (Author Interview)
Holly’s Book Corner, August 4
Artistic Nobody, August 5 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 6
Guild Master, August 7 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 8
Fiction Book Lover, August 9 (Author Interview)
Pause for Tales, August 10
Vicky Sluiter, August 11 (Author Interview)
Where Crisis & Christ Collide, August 11
Texas Book-aholic, August 12
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 12
For the Love of Literature, August 13 (Author Interview)
Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 14 (Author Interview)
Blossoms and Blessings, August 15 (Author Interview)
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Lori is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
Find an Ancient Faith that will Transform Your Life.
Greg Gordon is the founder of SermonIndex.net, which was established in 2002. Millions of audio sermons have been distributed through this world-wide ministry. He is also the author of “The Following of Christ” and other books. Greg has traveled to many countries and across North America to thousands of churches and ministries bringing a message of radical Christian discipleship. He has also been involved in organizing over 12 international historic revival conference events where thousands of lives were impacted
To celebrate his tour, Greg and St. Thomas Church are giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of An Ancient Worship Movement and An Ancient Move of God: Book of Acts!!
Fifteen-year-old Candy Chancellor must choose between holding onto yesterday’s pain or the hope of tomorrow. When her father is tragically killed weeks before her baby brother is expected, Candy is tossed from being a happy home schooled girl to the new girl at Christian school- with a seat in front of her new best enemy. Now that her grieving mother is unable to provide any true support, Candy relies on the help of two of her new friends from school, an old friend of the family, and tries to find God in the midst of it all.
This K-9 team is trained to eliminate threats. This threat could eliminate them.
Jerusha Agen imagines danger around every corner but knows God is there, too. So naturally, she writes romantic suspense infused with the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ. Jerusha loves to hang out with her big furry dogs and little furry cats, often while reading or watching movies.
To celebrate her tour, Jerusha is giving away the grand prize of a signed paperback copy of Lethal Danger, $25 Barnes and Noble gift card, Lethal Danger tote bag, magnet, notebook, and keychain!!
Kassandra‘s privileged and pampered life explodes when she meets a woman with next to nothing. When a glimpse into the lives of those less fortunate turns into a mission to help them, her father offers a choice: act like the daughter of a politarch and marry the man he has chosen––or leave home forever.
Carole Towriss is a Californian living on the East Coast. When she isn’t writing, researching, or editing her latest book, you can find her (and her cat) watching British television, googling obscure facts, or talking to one of her four kids.