~ Julie Lessman and Maggie Brendan ~

(I meant to post this photo when I started my "new" blog, but it slipped my mind until now.)

I had the privilege of meeting both Julie Lessman AND Maggie Brendan at a Book Signing in Buford, GA (which is about an hour and a half north of me!) back in June of this year. They were at the LifeWay bookstore there. It was AWESOME!!! They are the first "famous" people I've ever had the honor of meeting. They are both such sweethearts! I wish we all lived closer to one another because I would love to be able to visit with them occasionally. I took my copies of all of their books for them to autograph for me ~ sweet! LOL My sister, Whitney, went with me. She loves to read as much, if not more, than I do. We had a great time! Okay, okay...I know you're ready for the photo, so I'll hush now. :) Here it is...

Maggie Brendan, me, and Julie Lessman (from left to right)
Aren't they both too cute??? :)

I was hoping to have already posted my review of Maggie's debut novel, No Place for a Lady, but I haven't been able to get it back from whoever has borrowed it...one of my sisters, or my Mom. I'm going to try to get it this weekend, so I can post my review real soon. Be sure to check back...if you haven't read it yet, you should really think about getting it! Book 2, The Jewel of His Heart, will be released on October 1st, so you need to hurry up and read No Place for a Lady!

To read my review of Julie's debut novel, A Passion Most Pure, just click on the title.

You can purchase any of their books at Amazon.com or Christianbook.com.

To find out more about Julie Lessman and Maggie Brendan, please visit them at:

Julie:
www.julielessman.com

Maggie:
http://southernbellewriter.blogspot.com

Book Review: A Passion Most Pure (Daughters of Boston, Book 1) by Julie Lessman

(This review was first posted on my original blog on 9.1.2009 ~ click here to see the original comments.)

A Passion Most Pure (Daughters of Boston, Book 1)

by Julie Lessman
Revell - a division of Baker Publishing Group
Copyright 2008
477 pages
ISBN: 9780800732110




I had never heard of "edgy" Christian Fiction romance until the release of Julie Lessman's debut novel, A Passion Most Pure. I wasn't sure what that meant until I finally had an opportunity to read it. There has been quite a bit of controversy over her books. Personally, I don't understand why. In my opinion, it's refreshing to see an author who is brave enough to write a book (especially in the Christian Fiction realm) that covers some of the "delicate" issues. What's wrong with reading about the romantic relationship between a married couple, as long as it's tastefully written? I don't have a problem with it at all, in fact, I would like to see more authors join her. It's exciting to read something a little different from the "normal" Christian Fiction romance!

Faith and Charity may be sisters, but they've never really been friends. Charity has always been jealous of Faith's close relationship with their father, Patrick. Faith has always felt that Charity is "better" than her, i.e.: more beautiful, more sophisticated, more experienced at attracting attention from the opposite sex. As you will discover, Faith is actually correct in that last observation.

Collin McGuire has been Faith's secret crush ever since he rescued her from a bully back in the fifth-grade. Unfortunately, Charity now has her eye on him as well. This leads to much gut-wrenching turmoil and heartbreak not only for the sisters, but for the rest of the O'Connor family.

Julie has a gift for making her characters so life-like that you feel as though you share their feelings every step of the way. Be sure you have some tissues nearby.

A Passion Most Pure gets 5/5 stars in my book ~ I absolutely loved it!

For more about Julie, and the rest of her Daughter's of Boston series, visit her here.

The other books in her debut series are:

A Passion Redeemed (Book 2) - Charity's story
A Passion Denied (Book 3) - Lizzie's story

To order your very own copies of these 3 books ~ go to Amazon.com or ChristianBook.com