A Passion Denied

LESSMAN, JULIE

A PASSION DENIED

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.

JULIE HAS CREATED SUCH SOLID CHARACTERS IN THE O'CONNORS THAT IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE READING ABOUT THE REAL LIFE ESCAPADES OF MEMBERS OF YOUR OWN FAMILY. THIS KIND OF READER-CHARACTER CONNECTION MAKES FOR AN EMOTIONAL, ROLLER COASTER READ. I WAS EXHAUSTED WHEN I FINISHED 'A PASSION DENIED', BUT I COULDN'T PUT THE BOOK DOWN UNTIL I'D FINISHED IT.

THE COMPLICATED PLOT IS INTRICATELY WOVEN AND JULIE MANAGED TO BLINDSIDE ME TWICE! TALK ABOUT ANGST! SHE TACKLES DIFFICULT SUBJECTS WITH SUCH COMPASSION AND CHRIST-LIKE LOVE THAT THIS BOOK COULD BE A STUDY ON PRIDE AND FORGIVENESS IN SPITE OF THE FACT IT IS A WORK OF FICTION. IN FACT IT WOULD BE A GREAT MARRIAGE MANUAL AS WELL! LOL.

I REALLY LOVED THE GLIMPSES INTO THE MARRIED LIVES OF CHARITY AND MITCH AS WELL AS COLLIN AND FAITH. JULIE WRITES 'PURE' PASSION -- THE HONEST PORTRAYAL OF LOVE BETWEEN COUPLES DETERMINED TO KEEP CHRIST AT THE CENTRE OF THEIR LIVES. BUT SHE KEEPS IT REAL BY ALSO PORTRAYING THEIR STRUGGLES AND WEAKNESSES.

LOVED THE TEASING -- LAUGHED OUT LOUD OVER CHARITY AND FAITH COACHING LIZZIE ON HOW TO USE HER WOMANLY WILES TO GET HER MAN. AND KATY AND CLUNY!!! I THINK KATY'S GOING TO BE MORE TROUBLE THEN ALL HER OLDER SISTERS COMBINED! I'M ALMOST AFRAID TO READ HER STORY...BUT, OF COURSE I WILL -- I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL SEPTEMBER!!!!!