I absolutely loved this book, though I don’t know if I can put into words all the reasons why and do this story justice because it’s more than just a book…It’s an exciting escape into sexual fantasy, a touching love story, and a happily ever after to rival the best of them.
First of all, the prologue alone caught my attention and had me thinking Hmmm… there’s going to be trouble in paradise… Then chapter one starts off with one of the most passionate sexual encounters I’ve ever read, between two people who had never before met, in a place where the odds are very good that they’ll get caught. Talk about hot! These few pages alone made this book worth buying.
Now let’s talk about the main characters themselves, whom I adore. Mark and Passion are total opposites, but we know what they say about opposites attracting, right? Mark is one of those heroes that I am instantly drawn to; the kind who has built a fortress around his heart, not believing that true love can exist between a man and a woman, and especially not for him. Other than his father and his brother Matt, Mark has never cared for anyone and doesn’t believe that anyone, except for them, has ever cared about him. He is bored with society and cynical – trusting very few people. It’s as if he is in the world, but not truly part of it. He functions, going about his daily life and enjoying his work as a respected architect, but the feeling I get is that he’s a man who stands back and watches while everyone else lives and he merely exists.
Passion is the eldest daughter of a “man of the cloth” and was named for Passion Sunday, the day on which she was born. She is a widow who is just about to come out of a long, 2 year mourning. Her marriage was not a good one, and their sex life was dismal – well, hers was. Her husband seemed to enjoy himself rather frequently, and with everyone but Passion. She’s in no hurry to remarry which is part of the reason she stayed in mourning so much longer – according to her aunt – than was necessary.
Fortunately for them, and us, a most unfortunate turn of events bring Mark and Passion together in an exhibit hall at the Crystal Palace where they find themselves inexplicably drawn to one another. Their curiosity, desire and longing for something…different… sweeps them up in a torrent of passion where they share their bodies in an uninhibited, almost primitive, need for sexual fulfillment. Their encounter leaves them both sated and yet hungry for more, but having parted without even exchanging names, they may never again see one another. After returning to their homes that day, they are unable to forget their encounter and are left wondering what might happen next – if that passion could possibly be recaptured. They both, each on their own, decide to return to the Crystal Palace the next day in hopes of meeting again and finding out if they can repeat what they had shared, or if it was just a onetime marvel. They were not disappointed at this second meeting – or at the many that followed. The storyline itself is excellent! I love the suspense, the betrayals, the grief, the scheming and most importantly, the deep family ties that see these amazing people through all the heartache they must go through. And when all is said and done, they are so much stronger for having endured it.
In addition to Mark and Passion, we have Matthew, Mark’s brother as well as Patience and Primrose who are Passion’s sisters and will be featured in their own books. And we can’t forget poor cousin Charlotte who is her mother’s pawn through all this and well deserving of her own story. All of these characters are warm, loving people who I adore. Another person I came to care about is John Crossman, a young man who had begun to have feelings for Passion, but quickly realized, even before she did, that her heart was bound elsewhere. I hope to see him play a prominent role in future books and would be thrilled if he found his own happily ever after in one of them.
I really can’t stress enough that this book should not be looked at as just another erotic novel where page after page is devoted to words describing sexual acts. Though the sexual tension in this book is through the roof amazing and the writing of those scenes is breathtakingly erotic and primitive – it’s so much more than that. This is a heartwarming story about 2 lonely people who, as the walls they have built around their hearts finally begin to crumble, find in one another that one other person in the world who can fill their soul’s emptiness and make them whole again.
It’s not often that I find a book where I adore both the hero and heroine equally, but Passion is one of those rare instances where it all comes together perfectly for me. And while, as I’ve said, the sensuality of this book is amazing, it’s Mark and Passion’s relationship that has given them a place on my list of all time favorite couples and made this a 5 star read. I will come back to this book again and again just to have the chance to spend time with them.
wow, sounds good. It’s erotica? Quite the developed storyline for erotica…I think I’ll try to find it
It’s not officially erotica and there’s no menage or BDSM, but I have seen other reviews call it erotica because the sexuality is so intense, and there’s so much of it.
The storyline is very, very well developed which is something seldom found in erotica.
Patience, the sequel, releases on April 6, though B&N shipped my copy early and I’ll be starting it tonight!!
Lucky you! 😉
Hi Moi
This sounds great! may have to pick this one up too!
Very nice review.
DL
DL, you and I have so many to pick up…I’ve seen your bookcases! lol
This is the link to the excerpt on Lisa Valdez’s website. This will give you a really, really, reallllllly good idea of the heat index of this story. It’s the prologue and chapter 1.
http://www.lisavaldez.com/Passion.html
I read this book a few years ago and also was rocked, just like you. The first half of the story was a bit more erotical but the second half…OMG the emotions soared. Mark and passion are indeed characters to adore 🙂 I have PATIENCE on its way, how could I not when Matthew reallt shines as a supportive characters in PASSIOn 😉
Have a great Easter weekend!
OMG, I just read the first chapter! It really starts with a BANG. Literally.
Must get this book!
Leontine, I started Patience last night and it’s already amazing. There’s so much emotion and of course, Matthew is hardened and bitter. I’m only on page 45 and it’s already promising to be as good as Passion.
I just stopped by on the blog hop, and have to say, I enjoyed my visit! This book sounds rather interesting, DemonLover. Thanks for the review. I’ll have to see if I can find it. 🙂
JAD
Vixen Reviews
http://flipromance.blogspot.com/
Cafe Pearl
http://julismapsroom.blogspot.com/
OH wow… adding another one to the list! Thanks for an awesome review!
@UniquelyMoi – I ordered my copy at BookDepo and it is on its way to me, though I haven’t read an historical in ages this one is going to be read the moment it arrives. I love the fact you already say it is so emotional and matthew, be still my heart 😀
good, I’m glad the blog hop worked! 🙂 demon lover did a fantastic job on this blog, didn’t she?
Leontine, yes… it is emotional! Matthew is dealing with more than just his mother’s “betrayals” which makes it even more interesting. And Patience has had her own share of grief to endure and now overcome…. so far it’s promising to be another well rounded story with beautifully developed characters.
As you recall, the theme for Passion was “Take me, open for me…” and this one DEFINITELY has a theme as well. ***fanning myself***
I hope you enjoy it as much as I am.
Cecile, you’re welcome! I’m reading the sequel right now and it’s promising to be just as good.
Moi, SEE! I told you how much the followers LOVE your reviews. Keep them coming. We love the steamy romances too.
Thanks for your great contributions
DL
Thanks, DL! And thank you again, everyone, for your comments 🙂