In this episode Tiff and I are discussing Julie Lessman’s book A Passion Most Pure. We get to follow Patrick and Marcy into parenthood as they help their children navigate adult life and love.

            Sibling rivalry is rife in this novel as our leading lady Faith is in a constant battle with her younger sister Charity. Readers will grow a great disdain for Charity as she connives and manipulates to hurt Faith and get her way. Charity purposely pursues the man Faith has been in love with since childhood. However, she doesn’t stop there. When Faith becomes engaged to another man, Charity sets her sights on him too.

Charity honed in on the tremor in Faith’s voice. “Worried?”

“No, why should I be?”

“No reason. It’s just I know you’re very anxious to please God, so if he tries to kiss you, you’ll want to make sure it’s on the forehead like a good girl.”

Faith took a step forward, her fingers curled in a fist. “Why do you do this? Why do you pick on me like you do? You have everything you want. Why attack me?”

Charity smiled easily as she selected her clothes for her date with Collin. “I don’t know, for sport, maybe? You’re just so easy to pick on, I guess.”

(Julie Lessman, A Passion Most Pure, page 181)

            Patrick and Marcy hit some rough patches as they navigate the turmoil of two of their daughters being in love with the same man. A man that neither of them want for a son-in-law, at first. Patrick understands Collin because he was Collin before Marcy got a hold of him. Right down to frequenting Brannigan’s. The same bar Patrick and Sam hung out as young men. However, Patrick is a man of God now and fights for his daughters the best way he can.

“Well, make no mistake about it, Collin. I will fight you every step of the way on this. And I’m very sure you and Charity will do the same. However, my boy, I’m afraid you’re forgetting one very important thing.” Patrick slapped Collin on the shoulder, then buttoned his coat and headed toward the door.

Curiosity apparently got the best of Collin McGuire as he grabbed Patrick by the arm. “And what might that be, Mr. O’Connor?”

The faint smile on Patrick’s lips felt almost peaceful. “Never—and I repeat never—underestimate the power of a father on his knees.” And with that he left, leaving Collin, despite the warmth of the pub, very much out in the cold.

(Julie Lessman, A Passion Most Pure, page 81)

            Per her usual Julie packs, the passion into her novel. However, she lets Patrick and Marcy’s passion shine just as much as Faith and Collin’s. You’ll enjoying seeing their married love star alongside young love. Here’s just a sneak peek of the passion you’ll get when reading this novel.

“Oh, Faith, I love you. I can’t help it, I do.” His words tumbled out in a rush of husky rasps, between hungry kisses roaming the softness of her neck and her face. His hands pressed hard against her back, drawing her to him.

She wrenched herself from his grasp and stumbled from the swing, limbs quivering as she stood. “Collin, we can’t!” she gasped, but the intensity in his face told her he wasn’t listening. He rose and caressed her shoulders with his hands, eyes burning into her until she thought she would faint. He bent to kiss her again. A riptide of heat swelled, causing her to moan as he pulled her back to the swing.

(Julie Lessman, A Passion Most Pure, page 201)

            You will laugh, cry, rage, and sigh as you read A Passion Most Pure. Julie Lessman takes her readers on an amazing journey of faith, love, and sacrifice as the O’Connors navigate life and WWI.

LiteraryScape gives A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman 5 out of 3 lassos because we are sure it will have you hooked and hog-tied from beginning to end!

The adventure, mystery, and romance level for A Passion Most Pure are as follows:

Adventure = Mocha

Mystery = Espresso

Romance = Double Latte

Rating Scale: espresso=very little, mocha = medium amount, latte = a lot