An Overdue Review

Mea culpa. I read a book, liked a book, but neglected to post my review. Hopefully, better late than never - fortunately, it's not a library book with an overdue fine!

I've enjoyed Julie Lessman's Daughters of Boston series. Following A Passion Most Pure and A Passion Redeemed, she concludes the trilogy with A Passion Denied, the story of Elizabeth (Lizzie) O'Connor who has loved John Brady since she was thirteen. He's been her pal and her spiritual mentor, and no other man comes close to being the man of God that he is. Now at the ripe old age of almost eighteen, her love has only deepened. Unfortunately, his love for her is only brotherly love. Why is he so stubborn about seeing what's obvious to everyone else around him?

While the past has haunted John's mind for years, when it rears its ugly head and must be faced head-on, it seems that things can't get worse. And when John's brother appears and begins pursuing Lizzie and showing an interest in religion for the first time ever, it only serves to complicate matters. John doesn't think he deserves Lizzie for himself, but he knows his brother doesn't! And Lizzie doesn't know what to think. Who can be believed and trusted? Will John ever be free from the chains of the past?

In the process of weaving Lizzie and John's story, the book also provides glimpses into the marriages - both the victories and the struggles - of Faith and Charity, Lizzie's two sisters from the first two books. It has some amusing aspects as the gals do their best to manipulate, often deviously, the men in their lives to accomplish their goals. This is an enjoyable read with several surprises and a great message of forgiveness, redemption, and renewal.

BOOK SUMMARY:
Has she fallen in love with a man who cannot love her back?

Elizabeth O'Connor has been like the little sister John Brady always wanted, sharing his love of literature and his thirst for God. But in the throes of the reckless Roaring Twenties, Lizzie has grown up. Suddenly she wants more from the man who has been her friend since she was a child. When this shy little bookworm blossoms into a beautiful young woman bent on loving John, she discovers that his past won't let him return that love. But Lizzie refuses to give up--until his shocking secrets push her away.

Can true love survive the betrayal and deceit of a painful past . . . or will it be shattered like the fairy-tale dreams of a girl in love?

Brimming with romance, longing, and redemption, A Passion Denied will quicken your pulse and gladden your heart with a riveting story of the true power of love.

AUTHOR BIO:
Julie Lessman is the author of A Passion Most Pure and A Passion Redeemed. Even as a debut novelist, Lessman garnered writing awards, including ten Romance Writers of America awards. She lives in Missouri. On her website she says she hopes her novels "strike the balance between romantic and spiritual passion for the broad base of readers searching for its message, and by interweaving the two, bring them into an intimate relationship with the true author of romance."

You can purchase the book directly from Revell or at Amazon or CBD.

And now A Passion Denied is a review denied no more!

Happy Reading!