A Passion Most Pure (Daughters of Boston, Book 1) [Bargain Price] [Paperback]

Julie Lessman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2008

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.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

EXCERPT FROM CATALOG Sisters are so overrated, she decided. Not all of them, of course, only the beautiful ones who never let you forget it. Faith O'Connor stood on tiptoe behind the side porch, squinting through her mother's prized lilac bush. The sound of summer locusts vibrated in her ears as she gasped, inches from where her sister, Charity, stood in the arms of-- "Collin, someone might hear us," Charity whispered. "Not if we don't talk." Collin's index finger stroked the cleft of her sister's chin. Faith's body went numb. The locusts crescendoed to a frenzy in her brain. She wanted to sink into the fresh-mown lawn, but her feet rooted to the ground as firmly as the bush that hid her from view. Three years had done nothing to diminish his effect on her. He was grinning, studying her sister through heavy lids, obviously relaxed as he leaned against the wall of their wraparound porch. His serge morning coat was draped casually over the railing. The rolled sleeves of his starched, white shirt displayed muscled arms snug around Charity's waist. Faith knew all too well his clear, gray eyes held a maddening twinkle, and she heard the low rumble of his laughter when he pulled her sister close.

From the Back Cover

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 shift, it threatens to tear her proper Boston family apart. Book 1 of the Daughters of Boston series, A Passion Most Pure will carry your heart from the sophisticated streets of Boston to the green hills of Ireland as men go off to war and women long for their return. Full of passion, romance, rivalry, and betrayal, it will captivate you from the first page. "A Passion Most Pure is a frolicking read brimming with humor, desire, and addled affections, and guarantees to satisfy the most romantic of hearts."--Tamera Alexander, bestselling author of Rekindled, Revealed, and Remembered "A thought-provoking yet very enjoyable read, one I hated to put down and returned to over and over with great eagerness and anticipation. I can't wait for the next one in this series."--Kathleen Morgan, author of A Fire Within and As High as the Heavens Julie Lessman is a debut novelist whose writing has already garnered awards, including ten Romance Writers of America awards. A Passion Most Pure is her first novel.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Revell (January 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800732111
• ASIN: B002T451DQ
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (162 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #178,611 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Julie Lessman is an award-winning author whose tagline of "Passion With a Purpose" underscores her intense passion for both God and romance. Winner of the 2009 ACFW Debut Author of the Year and Holt Medallion Awards of Merit for Best First Book and Long Inspirational, Julie is also the recipient of 13 Romance Writers of America awards and was voted by readers as "Borders Best of 2009 So Far: Your Favorite Fiction." She resides in Missouri with her husband, daughter, son and daughter-in-law and is the author of "The Daughters of Boston" series, which includes A Passion Most Pure, A Passion Redeemed, and A Passion Denied. Her "Winds of Change" series has recently released with A Hope Undaunted, which ranked #5 on Booklist's Top 10 Inspirational Fiction for 2010. You can contact Julie through her website at www.julielessman.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Richly written, January 24, 2008

By 

Camy Tang "Romance novels with a kick of wasabi" (San Jose, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Passion Most Pure (Daughters of Boston, Book 1) (Paperback)

This was a wonderfully rich historical romance that kept me guessing until the last few pages about who will win Faith's heart. I love those kinds of books! I couldn't stop reading because I had to find out how everything turns out.

The characters are very strong Christians with strong faith. They have a mighty impact on the people around them like Collin, with his anger at God, and Mitch, with his stagnant relationship with the Almighty he grew up with.

This is a more sensual book than typical CBA historical romances, and I loved that aspect of it. It made the characters' struggles so much more realistic and relatable.

The characters are so well drawn that I felt strongly for each of them. In fact, I hated Charity so much, I kept reading and hoping she'd die or get maimed or something in the next chapter!

If a reader is looking for sweet, perfect characters who never sin, who never give in to physical temptation, then this isn't the book for you. Faith, who is strong in her relationship with God, nevertheless sins by responding to her sister's suitor's physical overtures. I could relate to this, because who hasn't been drawn to the bad boy even though we KNOW we shouldn't? Faith is very real as a character--in her Christlike behavior and in her sinfulness.

The novel's theme of futile chasing after the wind--pursuing things that have no eternal value--is very deftly woven into the story, and resonated with me quite a bit.

I think this would be a fabulous novel for any teenage girl to read. The sensuality is not graphic, and the struggles of the main characters are things any single woman could relate to. There's a great deal of realism and yet encouragement in the characters' actions and choices.

I highly recommend this novel. Fans of Deeanne Gist will probably enjoy this one.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Newest "Passion"? Reading Julie Lessman books!, January 1, 2008

By 

Kelly L. Mortimer "Mortimer Literary Agency" (Southern California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Passion Most Pure (Daughters of Boston, Book 1) (Paperback)

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?

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Historical to come around in a LONG time!, March 22, 2008

By 

Peggy Blann Phifer "Peg" (Las Vegas, NV USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Passion Most Pure (Daughters of Boston, Book 1) (Paperback)

Brava! to Julie Lessman. In A Passion Most Pure, she has given us Real characters, Real situations, Real emotions, Real faith . . . and Real passion. Not just physical passion, passion for God, and from God. That's the truth behind the title, you know: God's passion for us, as ours [should be] for Him, is most pure.

I found A Passion Most Pure to be an excellent, fast-paced read. One which grabbed me from the beginning and hung on to The End. As a reader, I experienced both love and dislike for EVERY character, their flaws as well as their good points. Admittedly I had to dig deep to find any good points in Charity. But they're there, believe me. Still, I found myself wanting desperately to see her hurt, maimed or otherwise damaged. I even struggled at times with Faith, wanting to reach through the pages and give her a good shaking. Though greatly tempted, with very human reactions, she stayed true to herself and never wavered from her faith. And Collin? Ah, he had his own demons to fight. I honestly believe he didn't know WHAT he wanted. I grew frustrated with him, thinking "C'mon, Collin. Fish, or cut bait!"

My frustration was not with the author -- it was with the characters she so realistically created and portrayed. Aren't these things all so very human? Yes, Collin is a 'bad boy.' Ever known any? Yes, Charity is selfish and self-centered. Know anybody like that? And, sure, Faith is tempted. You've never been tempted? And yeah, Patrick shows favoritism toward Faith over Charity. I daresay most parents secretly favor one child over another, though most will deny it. If you've never experienced these feelings, then you have never experienced life.

Reading is subjective, and that's good. But, despite reading the explanations in the [very few] critical reviews, I still don't get it - to what are you objecting? The sensuality? Physical passion exists, my friends, even among the devout, and certainly in the Bible, the most passionate book in print. So does lust. Again, read the Bible. (Remember David and Bathsheba, hmmm? Talk about lust.)

Someone mentioned the Proverbs - do you mean the "Proverbs 31 woman"? Does that describe you? It certainly isn't me. Or, if you mean Proverbs in general, take some time and learn about Solomon's life. Neither Solomon nor his father, David, were exactly pure. Yet God loved them - and forgave them - unconditionally.

Mention was made about the chaos and turmoil. Well, yes, the whole world was in turmoil. Europe was already deep in WWI and the US was on the threshold.

As to the warning to readers against placing any faith in early reviews posted on or about the time of a new book's release because 'they are often written by friends of the author and should be considered in that light' . . . you couldn't be more wrong. And the fact that such a statement was made detracts from the value of said review. Here's the truth: Months before a book's scheduled release, publisher's send out what are called Advanced Review Copies. These are unedited 'drafts' of the book and are sent IN ADVANCE to reviewers and 'influencers' [folks that will do advance reviews, for instance] for reaction and critique, and incidental editing. [Yes, some errors are found even after the author's and publisher's best editing efforts. I've found several.] So the book is in credible hands long before most folks even see the finished and final edition.

Julie Lessman is to be commended for daring to write a book that speaks with an honest portrayal of human desire and emotion, including the natural reactions to someone of the opposite sex. That flutter deep inside when he's near, the knees turning to goo at his touch. Oh, yeah. That's honest writing.

And kudos to Revell [Baker Publishing Group] for publishing what I consider a break-through historical novel.

And I can't wait for A Passion Redeemed, the story of Charity. I am so curious to see how Julie 'cleans her up.'