A Passion Most Pure (Daughters of Boston, Book 1) in Edgy Christian Fiction Lovers

Nov 01, 2007

Michelle rated it:

bookshelves: christianfiction, forpleasure, historicalfiction

Read in December, 2007

recommends it for: anyone

Book Description:

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 is not 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 ...more Book Description:

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 is not 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.

My review:

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, as 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 author's 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. Without the love of Christ in our hearts we are truly deprived of the most intimate love their 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 regards to their marriage partner.

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! (less)

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Nov 16, 2007

Margaret rated it:

bookshelves: christianfiction, historical, own, revell

Read in July, 2008

recommended to Margaret by: CFBA, FIRST Wild Card, Julie Lessman
recommends it for: those learning to follow God's way for a pure form of passion

Passion is an amazing gift that has been granted to us mere beings from our heavenly Father. It is a story set in Southie Boston and Ireland during the time of the First Great World War, but the issues broached are timeless in the worlds of men and women. When I first saw the cover of this book, it looked like something that I would enjoy. It was when I first got my hands on a copy and read the back and examined the cover in more detail, that I was fairly certain that this story was definitely s...more Passion is an amazing gift that has been granted to us mere beings from our heavenly Father. It is a story set in Southie Boston and Ireland during the time of the First Great World War, but the issues broached are timeless in the worlds of men and women. When I first saw the cover of this book, it looked like something that I would enjoy. It was when I first got my hands on a copy and read the back and examined the cover in more detail, that I was fairly certain that this story was definitely something that I would enjoy. A Passion Most Pure is by far, one of the best books that I have ever read in my entire life. I like it better than I liked Francine Rivers' Redeeming Love (Now that's saying a lot). My favorite Christian Historical Fiction novel that actually was my gateway to my current addiction was Liz Curtis Higgs' Thorn in My Heart. I literally consumed the entire series within days of their publish-ment and cried when I had to wait months for more. I doubt than anything can replace my love for Liz' books, but this book sure does come close and I can hardly wait the next few months until the sequel A Passion Redeemed is released! This story told by fabulous debut author Julie Lessman involves many lives and all the intricate parts of each individual. Meaning, each heart and daydream, every fear and nightmare, as well as every prayer and hope is brought to life and is completely real. On a personal note for me, I can really relate to portions of the storyline (and I am sure that other readers can as well). This book is full of lessons and full of scriptures of life that are so relevant and will be a blessing to any reader. I strongly recommend it.

More detailed:

When I first saw the cover of this book, it looked like something that I would enjoy. It was when I first got my hands on a copy and read the back and examined the cover in more detail, that I was fairly certain that this story was definitely something that I would enjoy. Shortly after it came out, I heard some people talking in conflict over a partial plot, but did not understand what all they meant until I was able to read the book for myself. (I'll get to that in a second).

A Passion Most Pure is by far, one of the best books that I have ever read in my entire life. I like it better than I liked Francine Rivers' Redeeming Love (Now that's saying a lot). My favorite Christian Historical Fiction novel that actually was my gateway to my current addiction was Liz Curtis Higgs' Thorn in My Heart. I literally consumed the entire series within days of their publish-ment and cried when I had to wait months for more. I doubt than anything can replace my love for Liz' books, but this book sure does come close and I can hardly wait the next few months until the sequel A Passion Redeemed is released!

This story told by fabulous debut author Julie Lessman involves many lives and all the intricate parts of each individual. Meaning, each heart and daydream, every fear and nightmare, as well as every prayer and hope is brought to life and is completely real. On a personal note for me, I can really relate to portions of the storyline (and I am sure that other readers can as well). In my case it was not a sister, and I was not eighteen or engaged, but the heartbreak and broken trust was the same. I had a friend who had a hard home life, and learned at a very young age that negative attention was still attention. I befriended her and found out time and again how badly I was able to be betrayed and hurt. Every boy that I even thought was cute, she would make it a point to steal or "taint" them. Most of the time, they were little crushes and I got over it quickly with a shrug, but once it was "the boy", the absolute "love of my life" at my early teenage years. It was well known my feelings for him, and he was just starting to notice me, and I then "interrupted" them. Much like in the story. I can completely relate to the shock, hurt, and anger that Faith went through. In my life it took years, and there is still a slight sting, but from that one I never fully recovered our friendship, hers and mine, as well as his and mine.

This story hit me on a personal note. It takes place at the beginning of the First World War in Southie Boston and Ireland, but it could equally occur in everyday life today. The characteristics of people is still so much the same. The animosity between the sisters reminds me much of the feelings between the sisters in Liz Curtis Higgs' series (first two books), and then further to the jealousy and scorn of two very real Biblical sisters Rachel and Leah. When you open your eyes, it is incredible how the Biblical tales can teach you lessons for your own life.

A Passion Most Pure is about passion, the loving mental and physical kind. But it is also at it's heart and all the way through about the kind of passion that is pure. The kind of passion that God gives us to share with the one that he picked for us. Some people will be/ and are taken aback and the obvious amount of intimacy that is portrayed in this book. But the title tells me and should tell you as a reader the real point of it all. There are things that in this day and age especially are so tainted and twisted from the will of our Lord God, and this story is a wonderful telling of how things are and how to act within them in how they should be.

I do recommend this book. With younger girls (tweens and teens), I think that it should be read and discussed with a loving mother/mother-figure who could answer questions and share encouragement of how to be the woman that God wants you to be. Be strong and pray, and follow His way. He is out there and listening, and does want you to have the desires of your heart when you follow Him and His way. (less)

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