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!

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.

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!

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?

All of her life, Faith O’Connor has been in love with Collin McGuire. Ever since he rescued her from a bully when she was nine, her heart has been his. But now, ten years later, nothing is as it should be. Collin is coming around, yes—to see her younger sister, Charity. Worse, he isn’t the boy she used to know. His charm is still in place, but ever since his father died, he’s been bitter and unfocused, concerned only with feeding his lusts. Even when he begins to notice her, she knows it isn’t right. Aside from his involvement with her sister, he is far from sharing her faith. But can she ever get him out of her heart?

Set against the backdrop of World War I, A Passion Most Pure takes readers deep into that era’s Irish Boston and deeper still into the beings of its characters. Nothing is simple is this story—and the complication is what makes it, in my opinion, sure to be one of the best books of the year.

Debut author Julie Lessman tackles issues of lust and love head on. The characters have passions that run deep and strong, both for God and each other. When getting the thoughts of the non-Christians in the story, these thoughts obviously focus more on the lust, but as we struggle through with Faith, we again and again are treated to a in-depth, eloquent argument for God’s desire for our desires. There is no question that this book is solid in its presentation of theology; every single point within it is based upon Scripture. But at the same time, it deals with difficult issues that some readers wouldn’t like, from drinking to womanizing.

One of the most beautiful things about A Passion Most Pure isn’t the romance of the young characters, but the continued passions of the parents, Marcy and Patrick. Lessman uses them to paint a picture of marriage based on God, love, and continued devotion that will warm your heart and make you look with renewed longing at your spouse.

I devoured this book and loved every single page. As someone who reads mainstream fiction as well as Christian, A Passion Most Pure met the need I often feel for realism and honesty, but never once compromised on faith and values. This is a thick, juicy read, and one I would pick up again in a heartbeat if I had time for rereading! I’m going to be counting the days until the next book in the Daughters of Boston Series comes out and cheering on Julie Lessman through every step of what is sure to be a long and brilliant career. This may be the first novel published by a Christian house to deal so frankly with these issues, and I have one thing to say about that: it’s about time!

Have I just finished a book you will love! A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman. I have been hearing murmurings about this book since the beginning of December and could not wait to read this one. I love long fiction books and well this one was a sure fire read when I heard it was causing a stir with some sensuousness and edginess in the Christian fiction market. (I like a good scandal gals :o)

So I have been sick the last few days and thought here is a great time to pick up A Passion Most Pure. I was immediately taken in by the main character, Faith. She is gutsy and fun and as I was reading realized that her thoughts were as my thoughts would have been. Mrs. Lessman does a fantastic job of keeping you clued in to what the characters are thinking and feeling. You start to feel as the characters do, they hurt, you hurt, they love, you love. Charity is Faith’s younger sister and I must admit….I was not a big fan of her. But as the story goes on I began to realize she was hurting too…so I cannot wait to read her story in Julie’s second book. Collin, the rogue main male character, be still my heart! Mrs. Lessman brings him to life and pretty soon I was falling in love with this man who did not know what he wants. I could go on but I don’t want to ruin the book…let’s just say, kisses, engagements, broken engagements, war, jealousy, bouts of passion and love lead to one of my new favorite books!

Mrs. Lessman also gives a great look at a strong Christian marriage, and what struggles look like in that marriage. I fell in love with Faith’s parents, Patrick and Marcy, and soon found myself wishing for more scenes with the two of them also. In fact the family gave me a few good laughs, the youngest daughter, Katie, gave me several moments of chuckles. Mrs. Gerson the neighbor was endearing to my heart and her story, well lets just say I did shed a few tears.

Mrs. Lessman spends a great deal of the book on character development, which to be honest, is a highlight for me, especially since there are going to be two more books in this series. I felt as if I was looking in on a family and seeing how they lived, loved, and worshipped. So many times books just focus on the main characters but I felt like I was introduced to each family member and learned things about each of them.

As for the sensuousness…I found that this book was a real book in that Mrs. Lessman did not shy away from how we gals feel sometimes when we are in crush mode, or in love. She dealt with passion in an honest and true light and I hope other authors will follow her example. This book is one of the most real life books I have read, no blushing over romantic feelings and passions, but a real honest look at those feeling we deal with and the different ways we can react.

At 477 pages this is not a light read. But if you want to read a really great, character and romance driven book then this is a great pick as your first read for 2008!

A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman is published by Revell. It should be available at retailers later on this month.