So, I'm a little bashful about this one. I think there's a stigma about LDS authors such as Stansfield; either you think the genre is pertinent religious-based literature, or you think it's a load of cheese. I'm not a fan but I do not condemn her writing. I had my own reasons for reading this one, which I'm choosing to keep to myself (neener, neener). I actually read this about 4 years ago, and it's the first of a series. I won't be finishing the series, but I do want to read another Stansfield book to see if her style goes across the board or if she changes her voice depending on the theme of the book.
To sum up "Heaven," Eleanore is a young English woman who is a servant in the house of Lord James Barrington. She has the opportunity to be promoted to governess of his children after the death of his wife. With time he proposes a marriage of convenience as he makes plans to travel to America. Eleanore accepts, for she has her own reasons for wanting to go to America. She had discovered a strange new book of scripture and has keen desires to align herself with the religion that follows it. Eleanore must overcome the trial of her marriage of convenience. Her husband is a good man and treats her well, but she discovers that even though she married for practicality and an irresistible opportunity, she has fallen in love with him. His heart was injured by his first wife, and he believes he can never love again. Eleanore battles with being happier and more blessed than she ever anticipated, but despite all she has, she wants the love her husband denies her.
If you're not LDS (Latter-day Saint), this kind of story will probably seem ridiculous and predictable. Even I sometimes thought the predicaments polished up far too neatly. But I adored the principles that drove the story line. And I'm a girl--a predictable love story is always welcome.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI've read a few Stansfield books and I'm the same way. I call them 'twinkie' reads- they make you feel good for a minute, but there's not a lot of long-term benefits- will you even remember you ate it?
Delete