Book Review: "A Passion Most Pure" by Julie Lessman
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Julie Lessman is a debut author who has already garnered writing acclaim, including ten Romance Writers of America awards. She is a commercial writer for Maritz Travel, a published poet and a Golden Heart Finalist. Julie has a heart to write “Mainstream Inspirational,” reaching the 21st-century woman with compelling love stories laced with God’s precepts. She resides in Missouri with her husband and their golden retriever, and has two grown children and a daughter-in-law. A Passion Most Pure is her first novel.ABOUT THE BOOK
She's found the love of her life. Unfortunately, he loves her sister ...
As World War I rages across the Atlantic in 1916, a smaller war is brewing in Boston. Faith O’Connor finds herself drawn to an Irish rogue who is anything but right for her. Collin McGuire is brash, cocky, and from the wrong side of the tracks, not to mention forbidden by her father. And then there’s the small matter that he is secretly courting her younger sister. But when Collin’s affections suddenly shift her way, it threatens to tear Faith's proper Boston family apart.
Refusing to settle for anything less than a romantic relationship that pleases God, Faith O'Connor steels her heart against her desire for the roguish Collin McGuire. Collin is trying to win her sister Charity's hand, and Faith isn't sure she can handle the jealousy she feels. Full of passion, romance, rivalry, and betrayal, A Passion Most Pure is Book 1 of the Daughters of Boston series.
*Gasp* Christian fiction with sexual tension!
Christian romance used to be happy endings and chaste couples. Many times in traditional Christian fiction, the characters seem fake because they keep their feelings hidden. What I loved best about this book is the fact that emotions are allowed and shown in great detail. This is one of the most edgiest and steamiest Christian fiction books I have ever read. And I thought it was wonderful! It's about time we realize that Christians have emotions are capable of showing love and desire. Fans of Deeanne Gist will love this book because it falls into that same genre. The characters were very real and multidimensional. This love triangle really manages to keep the reader on their toes with all the drama and conflict that surrounds them. I really felt for Faith throughout the whole story. Her emotions are realistic and I love how she tackles the challenging job of working for a newspaper. Colin was a great character because kept my attention throughout the book making me dislike him on one page and then rooting for him on the next.
But I'm sorry but I really hated Charity. She bugged me from the beginning of the story and just kept irritating me throughout. Her attitude and actions were so "Mean Girl" like. I am looking forward to reading the next book where she gets redeemed, but I do hope that she gets what's coming to her first! This book is a wonderful read and at 477 pages, it's a great way to spend a rainy day curled up in a chair. This is one of the best debut novels that I have ever read. I am highly looking forward to more books from Julie Lessman.
A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman is published by Revell (2008)
Hey, Deborah, I want to thank you for the awesome review!!! And, yes, obviously I agree with you that it's about time Christians come out of the closet with their God-given passion and show the world just how wonderful it can be when the true Author of Romance (God, not me!) is smack-dab in the middle.
ReplyDeleteLOL, and YES, Charity does get what's coming to her in Book 2 and then some. Trust me, you will love her by the end of the book because let's face it, God is AMAZING with the transformation process!! After all, he took me from a hard, cold agnostic to a bold, crazy romance writer whose every breath is for HIM!!!
Thank you, again, for your kind words.
Hugs,
Julie