A Passion Most Pure Daughters of Boston Book 1 Editorial Reviews
Source: Product Description
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.
A Passion Most Pure Daughters of Boston Book 1 Customer Reviews:
Average Rating: 4.5 (114 reviews)
Rating: 5 (My Newest "Passion"? Reading Julie Lessman books!) Was helpful to 18 from 18 votes
Julie Lessman's A PASSION MOST PURE wreaks havoc on your emotions--in a wonderful way. Enter the lives of a warm and loving Irish family living in Boston, as their adopted nation teeters on the brink of forging into WWI.
In A PASSION MOST PURE, Ms. Lessman yanks you in, never letting you go. Her characters are living, breathing human beings, suffering all the problems and passions a person at that tumultuous time encounters: polio, loss of faith in God, unrequited love, the draft, escaping the ravages of war.
Battle with Faith O'Connor as she denies the love of her life, a man engaged to her beautiful and often selfish sister Charity, to remain true to her Heavenly Father.
Journey with Collin McGuire as he embraces a roughish lifestyle in a bitter attempt to escape his broken family's curse.
I turned page after page, desperate to know the outcome, yet dreading the end as I thirsted for more. To miss reading A PASSION MOST PURE would be like erasing from memory the best day you've ever had.
I could go on, but won't deny you the unbelievable satisfaction you'll get from plunging into this epic saga of love, loss, and comfort only the Almighty God provides. Everyone should read Ms. Lessman's book. It's one of the finest I've come across in years. If you don't buy a copy you're cheating yourself, and you'll regret missing the best read since Francine River's REDEEMING LOVE.
As a literary agent, I read a lot of manuscripts. A PASSION MOST PURE receives my highest rating, and no, unfortunately, Ms. Lessman isn't my client! Hurry, Ms. Lessman. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in your Daughters of Boston series, A PASSION REDEEMED. Can I review it ... please?
Rating: 4 (entertaining historical romance) Was helpful to 1 from 1 votes
In 1916 Boston, godless Collin McGuire and deeply religious Charity O'Connor apparently are a love match to the chagrin of her sister Faith, who also is attracted to the wild Irishman. Faith knows she has no prayer of competing with her much prettier sibling so she hides her jealousy, envy, and desire behind the rationalization that their father specifically forbids this rogue from courting either of his daughters and besides the rowdy Collin does not believe in the Lord.
Collin initially finds Charity as the more attractive sister although he acknowledges Faith is pretty; he secretly dates Charity knowing her father would prevent them if he openly tried to see her. However as the Great War enflames Europe and America struggles to remain neutral, he begins to notice the inner beauty of Faith and soon gets distracted by Charity's older sister as he knows he must make up his mind because either way their father will say no.
The first "Daughters of Boston" tale is an entertaining historical romance that brings to life Boston during WWI just prior to America's entry into the Great War to end all wars. The story line is loaded with real events from 1916 such as Wilson breaking off diplomatic relationships with Germany that bring the era in Massachusetts alive, but also somewhat slows down the pace as if Julie Lessman could not decide between a pure historical or a romantic historical. Still the prime four characters are fully developed and their feelings seem genuine so that fans of early twentieth century romances with plenty of interwoven historical information will feel transported to New England as the United States slowly prepares to go over there.
Harriet Klausner
Rating: 5 (I loved the tension. Great debut!) Was helpful to 2 from 2 votes
This story is packed with romantic tension, and emotional and spiritual passion. It made me crazy. I wasn't sure what I wanted them to do and my feelings were all over the place. I did enjoy the ending, though, as it was very satisfying and I cried through the last three chapters or so. Don't read ahead if you get this book. It'll spoil the joy and wonder of the story for you. I was tempted to do that several times (which I never do) because I so desperately wanted to know who Faith ended up with, but I was good and I'm glad I didn't peek.
What an emotional roller coaster ride! I got whiplash from the plot twists and the changing of the tides. My heart soared and plummeted along with Faith. I could not stop reading this book and hauled it with me everywhere. It's long (like 480 pages) but I wouldn't cut a thing. Everything is relevant and important to the story. I'll admit that I was extremely curious about this book after reading an article that said it was overly sensual. I disagree. Just because you are in her head and her thoughts are honest doesn't make it sensual.
A lot of authors can write about kissing but most aren't daring enough to write the honest thoughts in a heroine's head. That's what this author did that was so fabulous. If she took out the internal thoughts she would remove the alleged sensuality, but then the passion is squeezed from the story and it would be a dry scene with description, but no life. I loved this story. It's daringly innovative and the most fabulous debut I've ever read. Plus, the historical portion of the novel was well done, too. I felt like I was there!
One last thought...I see this as a clearly Christian novel in that the emphasis is that having passion for God is what makes a marriage a beautiful, solid, and holy union and anything less than that is robbing you of the joy you could experience if you loved within the boundaries God set. It's a very strong message but done naturally and through the story. It feels real. I knew men like Collin who were insanely jealous of a woman's relationship with God and how they said they felt like they were competing with Him. Without the love of Christ in our hearts we are truly deprived of the most intimate love their is. This story delivers that message with such perfection I want every woman who has not married yet to read this book! It would save a lot of heartache if women trusted God in regards to their marriage partner. He wants marriage to be an example of his love for us and that cannot exist in a marriage without Him at the center.
Before you judge this book you need to read it for yourself. Initially I struggled with the number of POVs but once I got into the story I see how important that was for the author to include so many. Bravo!
Rating: 5 (Wonderful debut novel) Was helpful to 0 from 0 votes
This well-told historical romance moves with the fun of a Nora Roberts novel and the faith of Robin Hatcher. Told in lyrical prose, Lessman has captured the essence of early twentieth century Boston Irish Catholics with delightful descriptions, a wealth of Scarlett O'Hara-type romance and a hero to remember which truly matters to romance readers. The heroine's passion encompasses God and the hero in believable fashion, leaving the reader satisfied and compassionate. As one of five Irish Catholic daughters, I thoroughly enjoyed the varied perspectives and the fun of sisterly competition, a trait that I don't think is limited to the Irish or Catholics.
Kudos to this author on a job well done, and to her publisher, Revel, for having the chutzpah to put this on the shelves.
Rating: 5 (BRAVO! BRAVO! ENCORE! ENCORE! EXCELLENT!) Was helpful to 2 from 3 votes
Now this is what I call a romance story! It's one of the best Christian romance novels ever written. In fact, I can't say enough fabulous things about A PASSION MOST PURE!
Julie Lessman does an awesome job of showing the honest, passionate struggles that women and men go through, and she does it with such finesse, such style, such tactfulness, and such grace. A PASSION MOST PURE is filled with romance, passion, and restraint. However, I didn't just love this story because it's loaded with romance, (although that was a ginormous plus with me) this fabulous novel is filled with Holy Ghost conviction, conflict, rivalry, and real life struggles. The characters in this book are lovable, and yet some of them are not so lovable. In fact, there's one character in particular that you want to slap into next week. But I'm not telling you who. You'll have to read the book to find out. You won't be disappointed. In fact, there are so many twists and turns and pleasant and unsuspected surprises in A PASSION MOST PURE, that I couldn't stop turning the pages.
So if you're looking for a story filled with romance, kissing, and passion that's handled with excellence, this story is for you.
Julie writes with integrity how we as Christians struggle with passion and yet are able to maintain purity. She doesn't patty-cake it or water it down. She tells it like it really is. I think there ought to be more novels written like this one.
Way to go, Julie! I can't wait to read your next book!
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