title: Bruised but Not Broken: The Story of a Rejected Girl and God's Incredible Grace
author: Maria Opet
description: Maria Opet is a wife and mother of two children, one of whom has Down syndrome. She spends her days caring for her family and ministering to women by sharing her own story of hope in God. She and her family reside in Kansas. She loves gardening, taking short-term mission trips, and is a powerful prayer warrior.
zlib_text: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/00001.jpg)
  
  ![](images/00004.jpg)
  
  “IS THIS UNBEARABLE?”
  
  She closed her eyes, shaken by his touch. A virile male who wanted to marry
  her was holding her hand. Deep-seated fears were triggered, yet the warmth and
  strength of his grip were comforting. Most disturbing of all was the
  undeniable attraction. She opened her eyes. “Disconcerting, but not
  unbearable.”
  
  “And this?” He raised her hand and brushed the back with his lips.
  
  She shivered as long-forgotten sensations jangled through her, as appealing as
  they were frightening. “Not…unbearable. Though the limit of what I can accept
  now.”
  
  He gave a slow, deep smile. “Again I ask. Will you marry me, Lady Julia?”
  
  Books by Mary Jo Putney
  
  Loving a Lost Lord
  
  Never Less Than a Lady
  
  One Perfect Rose
  
  Published by Kensington Publishing Corporation
  
  Never Less Than a Lady
  
  M ARY J O P UTNEY
  
  ZEBRA BOOKS
  
  Kensington Publishing Corp.
  
  http://www.kensingtonbooks.com
  
  In memory of Rose Curtain,
  
  who brightened any r