I just finished reading the original Bantam edition of this book (read the Multnomah Press around July) and was a bit surprised at the differences. The MP edition seems to be quite sanitized with most of the sex and touching taken out (not that the sex in the Bantam edition is anything over done). I'm waiting to get my hands on another copy of the MP edition via library to make closer comparisons, but I did look at the search inside at Amazon and compared a bit. One thing I did pick up on and that is Angel seems quite a bit *harsher* in the MP edition, she isn't as sympathetic as in the Bantom one.

Anyone else read the older version and care to comment?

I found this on her blog. I thought it was interesting. I haven't read the Bantam edition yet. I didn't know there was another edition until recently. I do remember wanting to smack Angel for the way she treated Michael, but I had a little crush on him so I was kind of protective. I wonder if that's how she put some of the edge back into the book. I remember reading it and being surprised at how honest it was without being graphic. Also, after reading this book, my expectations of Christian fiction rose a lot. I stopped being satisfied with the run of the mill stuff I had been reading before.

I really really wanted to slap Angel more than once in the Multnomah edition, but she's much more sympathetic in the original. I actually liked her. There wasn't a big conversion/baptism scene at the end of the Bantam one, and I swear that's in the MP one.  Thankfully with kindle library lending I'll get a copy that way and it will be easier to quote without typing it all.

Is this the Bantam edition?

I remember a big conversion in the book as well. I always thought the end of the book was strange. Didn't she run up the hill and take off her clothes or something?

That's the one I just read. There was a finish as you described, but no conversion. As understated as the sex is in the Bantam version, believe it or not there was one love scene with some digital pleasuring.

The God speaking didn't start off as thick in the Bantam either, it really didn't pick up steam until midway through and it wasn't all in BOLD.

When you said digital pleasuring it took me a minute. I immeadiately thought digital camera or computer something or other.

Loooooooooooooooooooooooooool. No, more the old fashioned kind.

"His hand glided down her smooth pale thigh. Parting her legs, he explored her gently until she bit her lip and turned her face away."
 

OK, I hve the two editions side by side and I'm noticing quite a difference. I won't be posting all of them here since the research is for the Lit Asylum but I had to share this one to give you an idea. MIchael's first look at Angel.

MP edition,

"This one, beloved.

Michael felt a rush of adrenaline mingled with joy. Lord. Lord."

Bantam edition,

"She's the one I've been looking for. His reaction was so strong he could not be mistaken."