"A Passion Denied"
by
Julie Lessman
MY REVIEW:Very rarely does a book come along that makes you sigh with delight, cry with the characters, make you upset at their circumstances and then reach the last page and declare, "Yes!" But then along comes Julie Lessman and her Daughters of Boston series. First we had a revelation when "A Passion Most Pure" released and was unlike anything I had read since "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott. Then there was a revolution with "A Passion Redeemed" (did anyone else think that Charity just might be unredeemable???) and now after what seemed like a long wait to me, I have been revived with "A Passion Denied"!
I love series books where the characters are strong and we get to keep seeing them through out the books so you feel like you keep returning home everytime a new book comes out. Julie has exceeded any expectations I had for this 3rd book. I was hoping that we would get to see what Faith and Collin (from book 1) were up to and how Charity and Mitch (from book 2) were getting along as we got up close and personal with Beth (Faith and Charity's sister). No, no, no - we don't get to just get a glimpse or two at what is going on in their lives - we get to see life through their eyes! This book is not just about Beth, we get to literally get inside the minds of Faith, Charity, Collin, Mitch, Mom, Dad and of course Beth and the love of her life (who doesn't want to admit it, stubborn, stubborn John Brady!).
And not one to play it safe (Passion is in the title of each book remember) Julie hits many different issues and hits them hard, but I hesitate to even mention them for fear of ruining the wonder of you reading the book for yourself. So I will just say that you must, must, must get this entire series and read them, loan them, request them at your library and then add them to your permanent, always to have and read over and over book shelf.
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Julie has graciously agreed to give away a copy of any one of her 3 books - so if you have never read any in the series then if you are the winner you can request "A Passion Most Pure", if you have read book one but haven't gotten to book #2 then you can request that one. And if you are like me and have been following the series and anxiously awaiting "A Passion Denied" then you can request that one! Any way you look at it - if you win this drawing then you are a big winner! Leave me a comment (with your email address of course!) telling me what your favorite epic book of all time is... Little Women, Gone With the Wind - surprise me and inspire me and then add Julie Lessman's series to your epic book list! Good luck!
52 comments:
I really like "Little Women". The girls really reming me of me and my three sisters.
rachelmarie42@yahoo.com
I have never read this series and I would LOVE to win A Passion Most Pure. My favorite epic is Gone With The Wind. I don't care if it is something you already mentioned, the fact is I can read this book again and again and STILL hope that Rhett and Scarlet get things right. It is my ideal. :) Thanks for the great giveaway.
kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com
I'm not sure it's considered epic but I've always loved "Anne of Green Gables" - she is just so spunky and feisty.
melacan at hotmail dot com
JANNA ... WOW, thank you for this incredible review AND for hosting a giveaway -- I'm excited!!
RAE ... The family in A Passion Most Pure may remind Janna of Little Women, but trust me, it doesn't start off so harmoniously between the two sisters. But rest assured, by series end, a lot of healing takes place in this very tight-knit and VERY passionate family.
KALEA KANE ... oh, girl, if Gone With the Wind is your favorite epic, than you and I are going to be VERY good friends! I actually started writing A Passion Most Pure (book 1 in this series) when I was 12 after reading Gone With the Wind. Didn't finish it till some 40 years later, but I am a GWTW freak from way back!
PAM ... you know, I feel kind of silly because I have never read Anne of Green Gables ... guess I should, shouldn't I?
Hugs,
Julie
I haven't read this series, so I would eventually ask for the first book.
About my favourite epic book (or rather series) I will have to mention more than one – “The Camulod Chronicles” (Jack Whyte), “A Song of Ice and Fire” (George R. R. Martin) and of course Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings”.
There are 2 classics I know by heart : “Pride and Prejudice” and “War and Peace”.
suzana dot c7 at gmail dot com
I haven't read any of the series yet so would like to start with A Passion Most Pure - I think I would have to pick Gone With the Wind too - great book!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I would love to win A Passion Denied, as I have the first two in this wonderful series.
One of my favorite epic romances is Tender Victory by Taylor Caldwell. It's the story of a small-town Pennsylvania minister who adopts several World War II orphans.
Thanks so much for the giveaway.
cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net
gone with the wind :)
SUZANA ... thanks for leaving a comment -- we will have to see what we can do about getting the first book of The Daughters of Boston series in your hand, won't we? :)
BETH ... another Gone With the Wind fan -- my favorite kind of people!! For me, it's the epitome of epic romance!
CAROLE!!! You mean you haven't won A Passion Denied yet??? Well, you gotta be close, girl, with all the comments you're leaving on my blog giveaways (posted on my website), so hang in there ... it's coming!
VALERIE ... man alive, with all the Gone With the Wind fans leaving comments on Janna's blog, I am REALLY excited to have one of you win because I would really like to see what you think, especially since GWTW was the initial inspiration for my debut book. Good luck!
Hugs,
Julie
I'd have to start at the beginning!! These sound great!
My all time favorite is Gone With the Wind!
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
Excellent book choices everyone! I would definitely say that Anne of Green Gables counts as epic! Has anyone else here read the whole series (me! me! me!) Thanks to Carole for the suggestion of "Tender Victory" by Taylor Caldwell, I just ordered it and look forward to reading it! To everyone else - good luck in this contest and if you don't win be sure to order this series!
I'm SO GLAD "Anne of Green Gables" is considered epic! I love, love, love the whole series! These were my fave books growing up ~ I read them over and over and over. I always dreamed that my husband would be just like Gilbert! *sigh* If you haven't read these books, please give them a try ~ the DVDs are awesome as well.
Julie, you know I'm still trying to win #3 "A Passion Denied"! *grin*
Thank you!
Lori
sugarandgrits[at]hotmail[dot]com
can i pick all of the above mentioned?? I love them!
I gotta say i LOVE pride and prejudice though...
rebornbutterfly (at) sbcglobal (dot) net
I loved Little Women-even read the "sequels" Looking forward to reading Julie's books
Jolene
I would LOVE to win her 2nd or 3d book... I LOVE Pride and Prejudice.. not sure if that counts...
katie8407(@)gmail(.)com
MJ ... gosh, ANOTHER GWTW fan -- I am SO thrilled to see that!! I gotta believe anyone who loves GWTW is a true romance lover and might just like my books ... :)
JANNA ... as always, sweetie, thanks SO much for the plug!! :)
LORI ... you go, girl, 'cause you're bound to win a book one of these days ... :) And, gosh, you have me convinced I need to read Anne of Green Gables for sure ...
REBORNBUTTERFLY ... good to see you again, sweetie ... good luck in the contest!
JOLENE ... trust me, my friend, I'm looking forward to you reading my books too! :) Good luck!
KATIE ... Sooo glad you have obviously read book 1, A Passion Most Pure, because I am sure you have heard me say that this is definitely a series that needs to be read in order. Thanks for entering the contest!
Hugs,
Julie
Would LOVE to win A PASSION DENIED! And, I know PRIDE AND PREJUDICE has already been mentioned, but I've read it multiple times. It is certainly a favorite.
courtneylp1323(at)aol(dot)com
Favorite epic... hehe, The Lord of the Rings! Okay, soooo not a romance, but *shrugs* what can I say? Oh wait, but Sam and Rose get married at the end. Does that count? LOL
ashley.vanburen[at]gmail[dot]com
I've just gotten a start on A Passion so Pure. Would love to win the second book in her series. Please enter me. Thank you.
I'm not sure this is epic, but I loved Savannah by Eugenia Price. Ended up buying all of her series!
OOPS! Forgot my email:
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com
Thanks.
Winning this Boston series would be such a treat....I loved "Gone With the Wind" and love epic stories that are told in a series.
Best of times selling this series to others.
Gayla Collins
gayla.c@bresan.net
forgot my contact!
rebornbutterfly (at) sbcglobal (dot) net
nope didn't forget on this post i meant to leave that comment on the all about us giveaway
... it's been a long day apparently!
COURTNEY, oh, man, I absolutely LOVE Pride and Prejudice too!! Great choice.
ASHELY, gosh, I may have to read Lord of the Rings ... that is one I missed, regrettably.
CARMEN ... That's another one that I've never read -- Savannah even SOUNDS like a great book!
GAYLA ... oh, I'm definitely with you on Gone With the Wind, my friend -- my all-time favorite!!
REBORNBUTTERFLY ... Nice to see you again, and YES, I agree, it's been a LONG day all around! :)
Hugs,
Julie
Thus far in my life, my favorite
epic book of all time is "Are You
There God? It's Me, Margaret."
Please enter me in your Julie Lessman book giveaway drawing.
Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
WINDYCINDY ... Thanks for dropping by and entering the contest. Good luck!
Hugs,
Julie
My favorite epic book of all time is Gone With The Wind. I haven't read any of the books from this series, but I would love to. Please enter me. Thanks!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
Oh, Anita, if Gone With the Wind is your favorite book, then you and I are definitely on the same page. Not sure if you know this, but I started writing the first book in this series (A Passion Most Pure) at the age of 12 right after I read GWTW!! I didn't finish it until almost 40 years later, of course, but better late than never, I guess! Good luck in the contest.
Hugs,
Julie
I guess mine would be Pride & Prejudice...although I'm not a huge "epic" book reader...my first love will always be good old Christian fiction - the funnier and more romantic, the better!! :-)
-Alli
papatya213@hotmail.com
Well it looks like I have left my email address wrong! Sorry! It's:
papatya213[at]hotmail[dot]com
Thanks!
ALLI!!!!!! You made it here, I see, so thank you VERY MUCH!! And I had to laugh that you are not a "huge epic book reader," because my books are pretty darn long, as you already know, which some would classify as "epic" proportions! But I'm with you on the Christian Fiction -- the funnier and more romantic, the better! Thanks for dropping by, and good luck in this contest.
Hugs,
Julie
I am going to choose my favorite epci Christian Fiction novel Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. That book was the first book I have read with over 400 pages. Read it in a record (for my) in two days. I have book one and two and are taking them on vacation. I would love to win book three!!
Thanks so much!
cmrobin at bellsouth net
WOW, READINGROBIN ... I'm going on vacation with you??? It's probably the only vacation I'm gonna get this year, so where are WE going??? Thank you SO much for this incredible honor!! YIKES ... I hope we have a great time ... :/
Hugs,
Julie
I am currently reading this very book for a FIRST Wild Card Book Tour - and loving it! I so would love the other two books in this series -
My favorite epic book..hmm...that's tough.. I think it would have to be The Hobbit - I love that book. Nothing like an adventure with Bilbo Baggins!
I read A Passion Most Pure and loved it, especially since it's about the Irish in Boston, which is some of my heritage. I'm anxious to continue reading the series, but my local bookstore doesn't have them at the moment.
Please enter me in the contest.
Holly
oceandreamerfla(at)aol(dot)com
TAMMY, NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tell me you are NOT reading A Passion Denied first, PLEASE!! It is the 3rd book in the series, and reading it will so ruin the great surprises in books 1 and 2!!! But, oh well, I guess I can't get everyone to read them in order, can I? Okay, I'm over it now ... :)
HOLLY, sooo glad you are anxious to continue the series, so if you don't win a book here, check out my website calendar for additional book giveaways, okay? And if you don't win, your bookstore can always order it for you. Thanks, sweetie!
Hugs,
Julie
I'm not sure how I missed this giveaway. Good thing I checked in here! :)
I'm not sure if it's epic but one of my all-time farovite books would be 'The Mark of the Lion' series by Francine Rivers. I read them as a young teenager and they had such a powerful effect on me.
I am anxiously waiting to read 'A Passion Denied'...cannot wait till I have it in my hands! Thanks for the chance to win!!
carolynnwald[at]hotmail[dot]com
I have read the first two books in this serie and am sooo excited about book 3!
As for picking a favorite book of any kind.. how on earth do you do that!? Certainly when I hear the term epic my mind immediately flies to Tara for a visit with Miss Scarlett... but then I am a Southern Belle through and through so it is a quick and easy trip for me.. LOL! A more recent work that is an epic in its own way is Francine Rivers' Redeeming Love.. what an awesome book! I love, love,love Christian Fiction!
Barb C.
ChristianHomes[at]gmail[dot]com
CAROLYNN ... Oh, YES!!! Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion trilogy is one of my all-time favorites, so you and I are right in sync, Carolynn!! And if you loved that series (and Hadassah), you are REALLY going to love book 2 in my next series, which is about Sean O'Connor and Emma Malloy (Charity's scarred friend from Dublin) because I plan to make Emma a modern-day "Hadassah."
BARB ... Yep, Francine's Redeeming Love is the pinnacle book for Inspirational Romance, in my humble opinion, and a keeper on my own shelf. The woman is just plain GOOD at writing amazing books!
Hugs,
Julie
this series sound so great! I'd love to win A Passion Denied :)
I too love Anne of Green Gables!! since I have 5 girls, I also like Little Women.
What an incredible review! I'd love to be entered. :-)
jessica_nelson7590 AT yahoo (dot) com
STAMPEDWITHGRACE ... Thanks for stopping by ... let's see if we can't win you a copy of Denied while we're at it, okay?
JESSICA ... Thank you so much for your comment and entering the contest. Let's hope it's a win!
Hugs,
Julie
I loved your book, Passion Most Pure and would love to be entered in your giveaway for another in this series. Also enjoyed your interview. Hope you have a wonderful day!
Blessings,
Sandy
Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com
Grin, SANDY, it's hard not to have a good day when somebody tells you they loved your first book -- THANK YOU so much!! And thanks for entering the contest -- here's to a win!
Hugs,
Julie
okay....im officially cyber-stalking julie now. i won her first book in this series and haven't been able to put it down! julie rocks...and i anxiously await the next romantic tension scene...keeps me turning the pages faster than usual! thanks, julie, for sharing your talent with us.
hmm...my favorite epic book series that i've finished already is liz curtis higgs' scottish lowlands series: Thorn in My Heart, Fair is the Rose, and Whence Came a Prince. awesome historial (and biblical) fiction.
i would be most pleased to enter the contest! email is:
charactertherapist (at) hotmail (dot) com
I liked "Little Women". Julie Lessman and her Daughters of Boston series sound wonderful.Please enter me in the contest. Thank you.Have a good weekend.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com
JEANNIE!!!! I can't tell you HOW happy I was to hear you won A Passion Most Pure on Sherrinda's blog!! I am THRILLED that you are enjoying it enough to induce you to follow Sherrinda's lead to "cyber-stalk" my blog giveaways -- THANK YOU!! And OMIGOSH ... Liz Curtis Higgs Scottlish series is one of my ALL-TIME FAVORITES, right up there with Francine Rivers Mark of the Lion series -- both absolutely AWESOME!!!
EMMA ... Thank you SO much for stopping by to leave a comment, and I wish you luck in the contest. And you have a good weekend, too, you hear?
Hugs,
Julie
Hmm, Jane Ere by Charlotte Bronte is possibly one of the best novels ever written! The heroin is strong, loving and dedicated. The hero is mysterious, difficult, and hopelessly in love! It's perfect! Not to mention, there are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader interested! And just when you think there's no hope, a miracle happens! Wow.
Lessman's novels remind me of this. Life takes you though ups and downs but in Jesus, a way is made out of no way!
yetynm@gmail.com
YET ... Wow, thank you for your kind comment!! I am embarrassed to say that I have never read Jane Eyre (saw the movie, does that count??), so it looks like I need to add it to my TBR list! Thank you again for stopping by and good luck in the contest.
Hugs,
Julie
My most favorite is a book about Corrie Ten Boom or Anne of Green Gables.
gahome2mom at gmail dot com
I have far too many favorites, so this is haaaaaaard! :) Some favorites are "A Lantern in Her Hand", The Anne of Green Gables series (yes, I've read them all too, Janna!), Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and The Yearling.
I've read A Passion Most Pure (and really enjoyed it!), so would love a chance at the 2nd book. :)
asyouwiiiiish@gmail.com
And the winner is...
Barb!
Congratulations!
PS - Don't forget to leave your email address on your entries - Barb is actually the 3rd name I drew, but the first 2 didn't leave emails and I just don't have the time to go looking for them... sorry!
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