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The idea of writing this novel first took shape as I sat in the cafeteria of the old American Embassy in Moscow, watching a group of young marine guards interact with an attractive waitress. She showed a remarkable ability to fend off the advances of those eager young men without insulting them. She was gone the next day. That night, I drafted a hand-written, primitive version of the opening pages of this novel. I worked on the novel off-and-on over the next several years, mostly during long nights in hotel rooms during research trips to Eastern Europe and the Balkans. I retired early from university teaching, just before the pandemic, to devote myself to finishing the novel. Lauren and Michael became very real to me as I wrote The Courage of Passion. At times, writing Courage was more like transcribing what was being dictated to me by Lauren, or Michael, as I sat alone in my study for long hours at night, often stretching to daybreak, rather than writing a story entirely of my own creation. Each of them did and said things that surprised me. “Finishing” the novel involved finding the moment at which the story of their involvement in a covert war seemed to be complete. Their passionate commitment to one another, however, continued, and I am continuing to write that story.
Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite
The Courage of Passion is an espionage thriller by Lee Castle. Michael Goodman was a respected professor at New England University and was drawn to Lauren Stanwood who worked at another university and had recently filed for divorce. Michael and Lauren were attracted to each other but could not act on their feelings until the divorce was final. Katerina Berezin, the daughter of a Russian spy, had accused Michael of sexual abuse. Michael defended himself and saved his career by working for a politician in the White House. Lauren was kidnapped by Katerina’s father, Vitaly Berezin, after she joined the CIA. Vitaly was seeking revenge for Michael’s role in an intervention years earlier that blocked his efforts to secure Russian domination in the Balkans.
The Courage of Passion is intriguing and exciting. Lee Castle created a world of false accusations, espionage, and romance. The descriptions were vivid, and I was drawn into this world. The story is fast-paced and jam-packed with action. With all the twists and turns, I never knew what to expect next. The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. I kept turning the page as fast as I could, afraid I would miss something. The characters were authentic and robust. Lauren and Michael were in love and would do anything to protect each other. Lauren wanted revenge after Michael was almost killed. The story is brilliantly written and exceeded my expectations. The end was a big surprise and fitting after all the drama Lauren and Michael endured.
