Wednesday, May 27, 2009

On My Nightstand - A Passion Denied by Julie Lessman

Shy bookworm, Beth O'Connor, has grown up. Her hair is bobbed, and she now goes by the name, Lizzie. Unfortunately, John Brady, still thinks of her like a kid sister. Lizzie turns to her older sisters, Faith and Charity, for advice and the fun begins.

Julie Lessman builds upon previous books. As in life, we see how the choices Lizzie and her family make affect their futures. While the book is sassy like the others, strong values are promoted. The characters experience all the trials, tribulations, and joys of life.

For the last month and a half, I've had my nose buried in Julie's series. I read, "A Passion Most Pure," while dealing with a migraine. A Passion Redeemed kept my attention, and Charity finally won a place in my heart. "A Passion Denied," robbed me of sleep because I couldn't bear to put it down before finding out what happened to Lizzie and Brady. Ah Julie, thanks for many hours of reading pleasure.

I'm watching for the next title in The Daughters of Boston series. I hope all of you will enter Monday's drawing (May 25th) for these books. The deadline is fast approaching, so don't miss out. Scroll down and get your comment in before it's too late.

31 comments:

Jody Hedlund said...

I just love that Julie Lessman is so personal with everyone. She is so sweet! I would buy her books for no other reason than because I like her so much! But I'm hearing so many good things about them now, that I can't wait to read them.

Chicki Brown said...

Julie,

Chicki here! I'm taking your advice and posting everywhere you show up! I really looking forward to reading your work, because I believe it will help me when I rework the two inspirational manuscripts I've written.

Jessica Nelson said...

Great review! I'm so eager to get my greedy eyes on this book. LOL!

Sherrinda Ketchersid said...

I am almost through with Julie's first one and have had such a hard time putting it down, as I knew I would! I won the whole set this week and can't wait to finish this series...I keep hearing how great they are.

p.s. Jump over to my blog today...you are mentioned!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Sherrinda -

Congratulations! I know you'll enjoy all of Julie's books.

I'll pop over to your blog a bit later.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jess -

With all the contests going on, perhaps you'll be a winner!

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Chicki -

Thanks for visiting my blog. I hope you'll stop in often.

BTW, I'm running a drawing right now for Julie's books. Please check out the previous post for details.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jody -

I agree. Julie's been wonderful and so encouraging.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Renee (BlacknGoldGirlsBookSpot) said...

Wasn't this book terrific?! For that matter wasn't the series one of the best!!!! They kept me up all night too Susan so I know how you feel! Love your blog too!

Julie Lessman said...

JODY ... Gosh, thanks SO much for your sweet comment, but I actually really, really love connecting with readers, because we're ALL readers in Christ, right?? But I am excited that you want to read my books, so THANK YOU!! And don't buy them if you don't have to -- just check out my website calendar for blog giveaways in May and June so you can try to win a signed copy. Sherrinda actually has won FIVE of my books in the last two weeks because she, as she put it, "cyber-stalked" my giveaways. I don't mind, trust me!

CHICKI ... good girl!! Post away, and good luck to you in the contest ... this one, or one of the others. Your chances are good, trust me! And THANK YOU for your interest ... hopefully, I can make it pay off for you!

Jessica, you sure should be the next winner, with all the comments you are posting! Thanks for your diligence and support -- hope it pays off!

SHERRINDA!!! Gosh, you are ALL over the place, girl!! Glad you are enjoying book 1!

SUSAN, you sure run a busy blog here, girl -- thanks SO much for letting me be a part of it!

Hugs,
Julie

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Renee -

I totally agree. Thanks for your kind words about my blog. I hope you'll stop in often. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Julie -

I'm happy everyone is so excited about your books. So, what do you have in store for us next? Katie Rose?

Blessings,
Susan :)

Sherrinda Ketchersid said...

I must say, Julie, that it is a tad bit embarrassing to have won 5 (FIVE) of your books! I did turn the last one down so she could do a redraw. And I will do a giveaway on by blog for the first book, since I will have 2 of them! I'll share the love...share the passion! lol

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Sherrinda -

The Lord blessed you above and beyond what you could think or dream. You've got Julie's books and one to share. Awesome!

Blessings,
Susan :)

Julie Lessman said...

SHERRINDA ... "Share the love, share the passion" ... oh-oh, sounds like another tagline in the making ... :)

You're such a sweetie for turning the last one down from Kara -- thank you! It's kind of sad now ... no more cyber-stalking my giveaways from one of my favorite commenters!!

Yes, SUSAN, I am actually putting the finishing touches on Katie Rose's story right now (working title: Refuge From the Storm), which my agent think may be my best book yet!! I sure hope so, because a writer wants to think they are improving with every book. It's been a fun story to write because Katie is such a pistol with THREE love interests! That should throw some readers off just a tad ...

Thanks again, Susan, for hosting me on your blog ... it's a great place to be!

Hugs,
Julie

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Julie -

Woohoo! For the little girl who was never going to marry, Katie is coming of age. Hmm, do I see Cluny in this picture?

Blessings,
Susan :)

Sherrinda Ketchersid said...

Aaarrggghhh...yall have to say "Spoiler Alert" when you are talking about these books!!! So Katie doesn't want to get married and then has THREE love interests???? Sigh...what fun, what turmoil, sounds like a blast. Looking forward to it all!

Renee (BlacknGoldGirlsBookSpot) said...

Yes...please say Cluny will be in the next book...he's such a sweetheart!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Sherrinda -

Katie Rose is sooo unpredictable I don't think any of us will know for sure what direction she'll take (or rather Julie). It's hard not to talk about these folks like real people.

Hi Renee -

I can't wait for the next book to come out. You can expect a review here. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Julie Lessman said...

SUSAN, oh yes, Mr. Cluny McGee is all grown up and quite the bane of Katie's existence in more ways than one! And, yes, Katie wants to get married, but I'm afraid she has ulterior motives (sounds like her, doesn't it?).

SHERRINDA ... oh, in Katie's story, there will be "lots of turmoil, lots of fun," trust me on that! Katie is a pistol who has met her match in Cluny McGee -- the street ruffian who Brady saved from the street gangs of New York and sent to law school. Katie Rose hasn't seen him since she was 12, and has NO idea what's in store ...

RENEE, Cluny IS a sweetheart, isn't he? I fell in love with him when I wrote that first scene with him and Brady in A Passion Denied. Would you believe I only inserted him in that scene to soften Brady up as a character -- I had NO intention of bringing Cluny back in as a main character. Just goes to show you what a seat-of-the-pants writer I am!! :)

SUSAN, it IS hard not to think of these characters as real people. I'm sure glad to hear you say that, because to me they are almost flesh and blood ... :)

Hugs,
Julie

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Julie -

You've given us some tantalizing details on Katie Rose's story. I can't wait until your next book comes out.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Renee (BlacknGoldGirlsBookSpot) said...

Oh my! Cluny goes to law school...he certainly has a way with words so sounds like a perfect job for him LOL!!!I want to read it NOW...*sigh* patience Renee, patience :-P

Unknown said...

I'm so behind in my reading. Just a few days ago, I was at Walmart and saw one of Julie's books on the shelf. I need to get some reading done so that I can enjoy A Passion Denied. Thanks, Susan for the great review.

Julie Lessman said...

RENEE ... grin, believe me, I would LIKE for you to read it now, truly. I am putting the finishing touches on it for my editor, and I am SO excited about this book. Just promise me that you will NOT forget about me by the time a year rolls around and it comes out, okay??

Hugs,
Julie

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Julie -

We have to wait a year??? Sigh. I guess we have to give Katie Rose time to grow up. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Renee (BlacknGoldGirlsBookSpot) said...

Julie...not a chance of me forgetting about your books OR you anytime soon!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Sharon -

Thanks for stopping by. I know you'll zip through A Passion Denied in no time at all. It's hard to put down. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Julie Lessman said...

SUSAN, yeah, trust me -- I'm not any happier about the year wait then my readers, truly. But such is life!

SHARON!!! You saw one of my books at Walmart????? I've only heard of ONE Walmart sighting, because they don't carry me very often, unfortunately, but I'm glad I show up occasionally, anyway! And, YES, get your reading done so you can enjoy Denied!

RENEE ... I'm gonna hold you to that, my friend. If you are a newsletter recipient (and I know you are!), I will make sure you guys don't forget me, especially closer in to the new series. :)

Hugs,
Julie

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Julie -

Woohoo! Has this been an awesome contest or what?

We're coming down to the wire. Tomorrow morning, we announce the winners!

Blessings,
Susan :)

lilac grandma said...

Please enter me! Love and prayers Melody msproule1225@gmail.com

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Melody -

Sorry - the contest is from Monday. You're already enter. :)

This post was a review of Julie's latest book.

Blessings,
Susan