Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Richly written, January 24, 2008
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.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
My Newest "Passion"? Reading Julie Lessman books!, January 1, 2008
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?
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best Historical to come around in a LONG time!, March 22, 2008
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.'
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