A Love Surrendered by Julie Lessman
When you were dating and in love, how did you keep your Christian values when you were attracted to your significant other? What did you do to put the brakes on a sexual relationship with your boyfriend or girlfriend?
One of many reasons why I loved this book so much was because it dealt with a tough issue that young people face while dating: strong physical attraction.
Steven O’Connor is a prohibition agent, breaking up speakeasies along with his best friend, Joe. He takes his job seriously and doesn’t have a lot of time or desire to date. After all, the last time he had a serious relationship, ended in disaster. Steven still thinks about his tumultuous relationship with Maggie – he still regrets the way his relationship ended with Maggie, after all, he was in love with her, but, they simply went too far while dating.
Now that he’s a prohibition agent, he hangs out with his friend Joe and other friends, burying his pain. When he encounters young Annie Kennedy, he finds himself drawn to her for some odd reason. She’s beautiful, but, she’s not very street smart. Joe feels that Annie is too young for him, and he just needs to leave her alone, and not pursue a relationship with her. After all, the last time he had a relationship, it ended in disaster. Steven feels that it’s not healthy for him to pursue a relationship with Annie.
Annie is also smitten with Steven. However, she discovers that Steven is her sister, Maggie’s old boyfriend. Realizing her sister was in love with Steven is like a splash of cold water in Annie’s face. How can she have a relationship with Steven when her sister used to be in love with him?
Annie finds it hard to fit in in the Boston area. She’s new in town, recently orphaned and living with her aunt, and it appears that her sister, Maggie, has left behind a negative reputation. For the time being, Annie keeps her sisterly relationship to Maggie a secret from her new friends and from Steven. Annie finds it a bit hard to hang out with her new friends – friends who enjoy partying, drinking, and wearing revealing clothing.
I loved how Annie’s and Steven’s feelings, physical feelings, escalated, showing how hard it was for them to NOT have a sexual relationship. Not acting on their strong physical attraction causes MAJOR conflict within their relationship. Plus, Annie is still trying to get things right with God, and Steven doesn’t appear to share her deep faith. How can they be serious about one another when their deep faith in God is not a shared trait?
It was a really neat treat to revisit other characters from the Daughters of Boston and Winds of Change series, too. These characters sparkle, and you feel like you know them – they’re like real people and that you can know and love.
So, how did you keep your Christian values when you were attracted to your significant other? What did you do to put the brakes on a sexual relationship with your boyfriend or girlfriend?
Also, have you read any of the Daughters of Boston or Winds of change books? If so, which ones have you read?
Leave a comment!
Many thanks to Baker/Revell for providing me with a free review copy! I really loved this novel!!
CECILIA!!! Thank you SO much for the great review, my friend — I am thrilled you enjoyed the book and would LOVE for you to post this review on Amazon if you are so inclined.
Oh, and GREAT question!! I was a wild child of the 70s, so without God in my life it was simply impossible, but once I committed to Him, He seemed to forge me with a strength I’d never had before. Of course, I ALWAYS prayed before dates, which really helps. When I met my husband, I pretty much laid the ground rules down, just like Faith O’Connor does with Mitch Dennehy in A Passion Most Pure and shockingly enough, he agreed!! His restraint in the matter REALLY helped us a lot, too, which is one of the ways I could tell he really cared for me.
But the real key?? PRAYER!!!
Hugs,
Julie
Hey, Julie. Yep, I already posted my review on Amazon. Yes, prayer would help A LOT before going out on a date. I wonder if a lot of Christian kids do that before they go out, alone, with their significant other. When I first started dating, I hadn’t taken a stand for Christ, so, praying was the last thing on my mind before I went out on a date! Glad you stopped by to leave a comment!
How did you keep your Christian values when you were attracted to your significant other? You never never never take the chance on being alone with them for along period of time because it can open doors for things to happen { get out of hand } that you will probably will regret later .Once it is done you cannot turn back time . Thanks ,Dana ” Girl “
Thanks Dana! I think that’s why some people actually have chaperones while on dates! I don’t hear of this too often in modern times, however, I have heard it mentioned in Christian circles a few times over the years. It’d be kinda weird to have a third person while out on a date, making sure there’s no hanky panky!!
Cecelia, what you wrote is exactly what I loved about this book–and more! Julie’s ministry to you people struggling with these issues is apparent in this entire series. Many blessings!
Thanks for commenting, Carrie! Yes, I wholeheartedly agree with you! The entire series deals with this issue.
For me my favourite novels are the ones that deal with the toughest issues – facing something head-on is the best way of dealing with it I think.
Yes, tough issues make a great story – especially when dealing with Christian fiction!