WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT

A PASSION MOST PURE ...

• "This tale of sibling rivalry isn't your mother's inspirational fiction!"
  -- Romantic Times Book Reviews
  
• "Guaranteed to satisfy the most romantic of hearts."
  -- Tamera Alexander, bestselling author
• "Indeed, there's a lot of passion of all sorts in this book, from honest physical attraction to deep, abiding love, to pain given and experienced. Needless to say, this isn't one of those stories that, by the time you finish it, leaves you indifferent or unchanged of heart.
  -- Kathleen Morgan, bestselling author
• "I highly recommend A Passion Most Pure. One of my top reads of 2007."
  -- So Many Books ... So Little Time Blogspot
• "This is moving to the top of my list of favorite books of all time ... What an emotional roller coaster ride! I got whiplash from the plot twists and the changing of the tides. I loved this story. It's daringly innovative and the most fabulous debut I've ever read. Without the love of Christ in our hearts, we are truly deprived of the most intimate love there is. This story delivers that message with such perfection, I want every woman who has not married yet to read this book!"
  -- Michelle Sutton, Edgy Inspirational Author Blogspot
• "If you're looking for a story filled with romance, kissing, and passion that's handled with excellence, this story is for you."
  --Debra Ullrick, debut author
• "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."
  --Kelly Mortimer, Mortimer Literary Agency
• This story is full of rich and believeable characters struggling with things that you and I struggle with in our lives. This is a well-written inspirational story of love and passion that will leave you anxious to read the next book in the series.
  --Melissa Markham, Melissa's Idea Garden

Michelle Sutton, Edgy Inspirational Author Blogspot ... http://www.michellesutton.net/pb/wp_
a222326d/wp_a222326d.html?0.11328462266088046

This is moving to the top of my list of favorite books of all time. It's packed with romantic tension, and emotional and spiritual passion. It made me crazy as I wasn't sure what I wanted them to do, and my feelings were all over the place. I did enjoy the ending, though. 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 there 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 regard 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!

So Many Books ... So Little Time Blogspot ... http://somanybooksblog.blogspot.com/2007/12/julie-lessman-q.html

I loved A Passion Most Pure. Faith is such an enjoyable character. You can't help but have your heart agonize over the tension between Faith and her sister, Charity. Honestly, I didn't care for her sister at all, but it will be interesting to see how Julie handles Charity as the main character in the next book in the series. With a book that has over 460 pages, Julie has done a great job of keeping the readers interest until the very last page. I highly recommend A Passion Most Pure. One of my top reads of 2007.

Debra Ullrick, debut author ... http://www.christianromancewriter.blogspot.com/

Now this is what I call a romance! I love this story!

Julie Lessman does a fabulous job of showing the struggles that women and men go through, and she does it with such genuineness, finesse, style, tactfulness, and 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 major plus with me) this fabulous novel is filled with Holy Ghost conviction, conflict, rivalry, and true-to-life struggles. Julie's characters are sensational and lovable. Well, with the exception of one person perhaps. *smiling* But I'm not telling you who or why. You'll have to read the book to find out. Trust me you won't be disappointed. In fact, there were so many pleasant and not so pleasant surprises, and so many twists and turns in A PASSION MOST PURE, that I couldn't stop turning the pages, and neither will you.

So, if you're looking for a story filled with romance, kissing, and passion that's handled with excellence, this story is for you. As for me.I can't wait to read Julie's next book!

 

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT A PASSION REDEEMED ...

"No sophomore slump for this new author ..." -- Romantic Times Book Reviews.

"Mark my words ... Julie Lessman is the future of this genre and I expect that we will be seeing her name everywhere in the years to come." -- Amy Riley, myfriendamysblog.com. See full review at: http://www.myfriendamysblog.com/2008/08/review-passion-redeemed-by-julie.html#comment-form

"A Passion Redeemed is the second book in Julie Lessman's The Daughters of Boston series, and it is absolutely impossible to put down! Don't miss this book - whatever it takes." -- Kim Ford, Window to my World Blog. See full review at: http://berlysue.blogspot.com/2008/08/passion-redeemd-by-julie-lessman.html

"I'm givingA Passion Redeemed a full five bookmarks out of five, with a crochet snowflake, stiff as can be, as a charm. Don't miss this incredible historical series." -- Deena Peterson, A Peek at My Bookshelf Blog,See full review at: http://deenasbooks.blogspot.com/2008/08/passion-redeemed-by-julie-lessman.html

 

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT A PASSION DENIED ...

"Lessman is doing something very rare in romantic fiction, and her books deserve to be shared;" -- Melissa Moore, The Christian Librarian magazine

"Filled with dreams, desire, shame, and secrets, A Passion Denied is a gripping and wrenching story that you'll be sorry to see end." -- Christian Review of Books,http://www.christianreviewofbooks.com/

"A beautiful story of redemption and passion. Romance that makes your toes curl and heartbreak that makes you want to cry along with the characters." --  The Daily Bee Blog, click on link for full review:http://dailybeeblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/passion-denied-review.html

"Sparks and sizzle and breathtaking drama with intense spiritual situations and impressive character growth. Every one of the titles in this series is a keeper, but I'd have to say this is my favorite of the three books." -- Michelle Sutton, Edgy Inspirational Author, click on link for full review:http://edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com/2009/05/passion-denied-blog-tour-stop-with.html

“With each turn of the page the characters, along with the reader, is going through the emotional rollercoaster that Julie has created. While this book is Lizzie's story, it is also every woman's story.” – Andi from Radiant Light blog, click on link for full review: http://www.frommipov.blogspot.com/

 

"This is the best series I have read in a long time and I can not wait for the the stories of Katie, Sean and Steven that are to come." -- Stormi Johnson

 "This is Christian Romance at it's finest. Julie Lessman does it again. She shows us how there is room in our hearts for passion and romance and a strong and abiding love of God. The family that prays together - stays together." -- Karen Bishop