Book Review: A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman

by | Mar 7, 2012 | book review | 8 comments

Available @

Fishpond AU 
& Amazon | Kindle

A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman

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. But when Collin tries to win her sister Charity’s hand, Faith isn’t sure she can handle the jealousy she feels. To further complicate matters, Faith finds herself the object of Collin’s affections, even as he is courting her sister. The Great War is raging overseas, and a smaller war is brewing in the O’Connor household. Full of passion, romance, rivalry, and betrayal, A Passion Most Pure will captivate readers from the first page. Book 1 of the Daughters of Boston series.

Julie Lessman is a drama queen.

Er … let me rephrase that.  Julie is the queen of drama.  Seriously.  Truly!

A Passion Most Pure was Julie’s debut novel, the first in a 3 book series – Daughters of Boston.  I had already read the two books of her follow on series, Winds of Change, both of which I loved.  So I asked Jess to get me the three Daughters of Boston books for Christmas because I was very eager to read the earlier stories of the O’Connor family.

Most of this year I’ve been doing research reading, so I hadn’t allowed myself to sit back and indulge in my Christmas present.  But after many YA novels and parenting books, I was desperate for a break.  Within two pages of A Passion Most Pure, I sighed and thought, “This is just what I needed!”

A Passion Most Pure centres on the oldest O’Connor girl, Faith.  Her number one passion is for God.  But that doesn’t mean her passion stops there, and she struggles with the candle she’s held for Collin McGuire since she was a little girl, and the rivalry and jealousy with her younger, prettier sister, Charity.
Now, I already knew who Faith ultimately ended up with since I’ve read the later books.  But let me tell you, this did not subtract from my enjoyment of this book.  Not at all!
The constant wondering of “HOW????” it would all come out kept me perched on the edge of my seat (or bed) the entire book.  The drama, passion and turmoil kept me rivetted with every turn of a page.  So many times my jaw was hitting the floor with Charity’s antics.  At other times I was weak in the knees from the charm and passion from the men involved in pursuit of the sisters.  Even the love between Faith’s parents made my heart skip a beat.  Mind you, if I were Faith and Charity’s parents, I would have a serious headache with all the to-ing and fro-ing of their love lives!
Julie has intertwined God’s love into the story so thoroughly and naturally.  I came away from this book challenged to hold on to God’s decrees and promises, even though at times it may seem like it’s all backfiring.  I wish I had read this when I was younger.  Perhaps it would have inspired me to hold out for a man with a passion for God.

I am dying to know how Charity’s love life transpires, and if I weren’t currently undertaking Speedbo, I would have dived straight into the next book, A Passion Redeemed.  As it is, I can see Charity over on my bookshelf, daring me to pick it up.  But no, she will have to wait.  I think 😉

The bottom line is, if you’re looking for something gutsy with drama, passion, excitement and romance – and all in the light of God’s love – you can’t go past A Passion Most Pure.

8 Comments

  1. Julie Lessman
    Julie Lessman on March 7, 2012 at 1:35 am

    HELEN!!! WOW, what a review, girlfriend — I am sooo BLESSED!! And thrilled that you enjoyed the debut of the O'Connors.

    And, LOL, yes, I AM a drama queen — actually refer to myself as a CDQ (caffeinated drama queen), so I have to go SOMEWHERE with all that drama and angst, right? Can't leave it in my marriage … although Marcy and Patrick's marriage is based on my husband's and mine, so there's a lot of truth in them thar pages, let me tell you! 😉

    Anyway, I am very grateful, not only for Jess buying you my books for Christmas (thank you, Jess!), but for you reading them during Speedbo, no less, then taking the time to write such a great review — THANK YOU!!

    Hugs and more hugs,
    Julie

    Reply
  2. Carrie Fancett Pagels
    Carrie Fancett Pagels on March 7, 2012 at 2:19 am

    Thanks for letting me know about the review, Helen! Australian readers should really enjoy Julie, too! Blessings! I am going to tweet this review.

    Reply
  3. Unknown
    Unknown on March 13, 2012 at 6:11 pm

    Great review, Helen. I haven't read any of Julie's books yet, but I do have a copy of "A Hope Undaunted" sitting at the top of my TBR pile. You've got me thinking that maybe I should save it and read The Daughters of Boston series first. 🙂

    Reply
  4. Unknown
    Unknown on March 13, 2012 at 6:17 pm

    Oh, and I'm excited about your 11,174 words!!!! You're over halfway to your goal! Yay, Helen! Good onya! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Helen Wakefield
    Helen Wakefield on March 13, 2012 at 9:23 pm

    Yes, I would save AHU and read Daughters of Boston first 🙂 AHU is actually my least favourite so far, but that's mainly due to the hero being not my type of guy! If you start with AHU you'll get a whack of an induction to Julie's books because the characters in that one are the most fiesty 😛 Better ease in with APMP!

    Reply
  6. Helen Wakefield
    Helen Wakefield on March 13, 2012 at 9:25 pm

    Thanks Gwen! I'm so excited too! I didn't realise progress would be so addictive 🙂 It's so nice to be ahead of target, because it means when I have tough evenings like last night I let myself off the hook and go to bed early.

    Reply
  7. Unknown
    Unknown on May 13, 2012 at 4:06 pm

    Loved reading this review! I am currently reading this book and it is just as great ~ and dramatic ~ as you say!

    Reply
  8. Helen Wakefield
    Helen Wakefield on May 16, 2012 at 5:24 am

    Hi Rachelle! Thanks for the visit! And so glad you're enjoying the book … and yes, there's certainly not shortage of drama 😀

    Reply

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