Book Review: A Passion Most Pure

A Passion Most Pure (The Daughters of Boston) by Julie Lessman 2008 Revell Books

This book is 2008 Top 10 material. I loved it. With vivid descriptions, heart hammering emotion and the most passion I've ever read in an inspirational book to date, Julie Lessman has written a book that mirrors real people with all the faults God bestowed on us.

I usually don't like books where either main character has another love interest because I only want to know about what happens between the hero and the heroine. But in this book, it's a major plot development b/c the hero is courting the heroine's sister.

The hero, Collin McGuire is a nice, handsome fellow but I don't like the way he treats women. He's no angel and if you're wearing a skirt, watch out, you're fair game. Not exactly hero material. He does have one redeeming feature...much to his chagrin...he can't forget Faith or her words. Too bad she won't give him the time of day.

Actually that's not true. Faith O'Connor would like to give him more than the time of day b/c she's loved him since they worked together in school. But she sees the man he is and won't settle for anyone less than the man of her dreams - a church-going believer with eyes only for her. That would not be Collin.

Collin is actually confused. He's courting one sister who would willingly ‘put out' if he asked. He's got a girl or two on the side for...release. And yet, he can't stop thinking about Faith - the only girl who doesn't want him. Do you think he wants her just b/c she's unattainable? But she's not really...for when they kiss, he realizes her true feelings...he's just not willing to give up his ‘standards' to be true only to her and her God.

This story kept me engrossed from beginning to end, from the streets of Boston to Europe's WWI trenches, to the green fields of Ireland and back to Boston again. I cried. I laughed. And I cried some more. I drew looks from my hubby who snuck peeks at the book when I put it down. In fact, I actually finished it a few days ago but couldn't do the review b/c he kept taking it to read.

A Passion Most Pure is Book 1 in The Daughters of Boston series.

Book 2 is about Faith's sister - Charity - who reminded me of Joan Collins on the old Dynasty show. Actually, Charity looks much like the heroine, Charlie in my novel, Charlie's Saint. It was kind of weird, actually. Both have curly blond hair with figures to catch a man's eye. Both have no time for God. Both are ‘bad girls'. But there the similarity ends b/c my Charlie isn't as bad as Charity. Hmmm. Is that a good or a bad thing? I'll let you know when I've read the sequel - Charity's story:

Book 2 - A Passion Redeemed - is in book stores now.

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Heat Level: Sensual (My teen has never dated but I want her to read this book)

My Rating: Excellent - 5 stars (one to re-read; Top 10 list)
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2008 Harlequin 100,000 Book Challenge:

Total books Read: 96 Harlequin Imprint: 90 Others: 6
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