Review: A Passion Most Pure

Summary: 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. -- Revell Books

I first heard about A PASSION MOST PURE by Julie Lessman from My Friend Amy. Amy absolutely loved this book even calling it one of her favorite reads of the year -- you can read her review here. I just knew that I had to read it with that glowing recommendation!

I should probably start out by telling you that I am a Christian; however, I have not read many Christian fiction books outside of C.S. Lewis. It's not that I don't think that many of them sound terrific, it's just that I haven't really delved into this genre (yet.) In addition, I am not a huge romance book reader although I do enjoy the "good ones" when I find them. With those things being said, you might be wondering why I was attracted to this book. Well, Amy's review of course -- and it just sounded like a nice, clean, entertaining book.

I was fortunate enough to read this book while I was at the beach -- I have been saving it for this occasion. I don't know if this made me enjoy the book more, but I can say that it was the perfect place to be while reading Faith's story! It was so nice to be able to escape into Faith's world and experience her ups and downs -- she was such a wonderful (and lovable character.) From the first few pages, I knew I was hooked. Lucky for me - my husband took the kids and just let me read for hours on the beach. I don't think I got out of my beach chair until I finished it!

I am certain that readers who enjoy Christian fiction will absolutely love this book! A PASSION MOST PURE has something for everyone -- romance, friendship, a love triangle, sibling rivalry, humor, spirituality, tragedy, etc. There were even a few surprises and twists and turns along the way. I didn't exactly want Faith's story to end, but I just had to find out what happened to her and her family. I thought it was so nice to see a character like Faith stand by her convictions and try to surround herself with people with similar beliefs. Of course I also fell in love with Collin (as I'm sure every reader will), and I was more than a little curious about his future as well!

I so enjoyed "meeting" the characters in this story. It is very unusual for me to read a book and like one character more than the next, but it was true for this book. I loved Faith and her parents (and I have to admit that I even "liked" her sister because she was a great character and made the book very interesting!) One of my favorite characters in the book, however, was Faith's elderly neighbor, Mrs. Gerson. -- she was just so special. The author made this character as a spiritual mentor to Faith, and she did a wonderful job of quoting and explaining scripture through Mrs. Gerson. I especially enjoyed the parts where Mrs. Gerson was counseling Faith on God's intent of love between a man and a woman -- it was very beautiful (and wise.)

There were many scripture themes incorporated into A PASSION MOST PURE. There were many wonderful messages that I took from this book, but the most memorable is from Matthew 5:44 -- "But I say onto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you." This verse is especially meaningful since Faith was constantly dealing with her sister's jealously and trickery. This verse is an especially difficult one for me to follow so it was nice to read about a character who was actually able to live this each and every day of her life!

A PASSION MOST PURE is the first novel in The Daughters of Boston series. There are two more in the works: A PASSION REDEEMED (September 2008) and A PASSION DENIED (May 2009). I can't wait for these books to come out! I am very anxious to read about the rest of the O'Connor girls as well as to find out more about Faith. One thing is for sure: Ms. Lessman certainly knows how to write memorable books with memorable characters -- and keep her readers wanting more!

Make sure you come back tomorrow because Ms. Lessman will be stopping by to talk about her "True Passion."