Shadows of Brierley: A Distant Shore vol 3

Shadows of Brierley #3

by Anita Stansfield

”The year is 1842, and it is late spring in Nauvoo. Ian and Wren Brierley have settled into their new home and are enjoying the blessings of the gospel and the companionship of the Saints. Their joy seems full to overflowing as they eagerly anticipate the birth of a new baby. The future couldn’t look brighter, until Joseph Smith pays a visit to their home with a message destined to change their lives and challenge their faith. Bestselling LDS author Anita Stansfield is at the top of her for min this honest, forceful, and moving story about love, family, faith, and sacrifice. It is an unforgettable journey of change and personal revelation that spans thousands of miles, touches countless hearts, and probes the intimate depths of the human spirit. A Distant Shore is a tender and compelling look at a time when Saints must put to the test their belief that sacrifice will bring forth the blessings of heaven .

Genres: Lds Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Lds, Church

240 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2011

About the author

Anita Stansfield, the LDS market's #1 best-selling romance novelist, is an imaginative and prolific writer whose romantic stories have captivated her readers.

"With sales approaching a half million, Anita Stansfield has clearly found a niche in this market," said Nicole Martin, Publicist for Covenant Communications. "Her popularity stems from her ability to empathize with and write about the issues that LDS women deal with on a daily basis."

"I always write for women like me. It's through my interaction with other women that I've found there are some personal and emotional struggles that are typical," said Anita Stansfield. "I hope my writing makes women feel better about themselves and shows them these real problems can be solved through gospel principles."

Reviews

[Apzmarshl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just looked at my ratings of the previous books in this series and I gave them all a 3. I am a little perplexed at myself. I think this one finally had a wee spark of life but since I can't give it more than a 3, that's what it gets.

I've been reading this author since her very firt books. I loved those books! But now it's kind of like Stansfield and I have been together for too long. All of the little 'things' that she used to do which made her writing identifiable now makes me want to plug my ears. She uses the SAME descriptive words EVERY time. Break out a thesaurus! It's kind of like with my dearest hubby. I wouldn't trade him. I love him. But listening to him eat popcorn after all of these years, well it isn't cute anymore.

Thankfully the main couple spent a majority of the book apart so that I didn't have to live with them being unable to function if the other one wasn't withing sight. This made Wren's life a little more realistic. I also liked the bit of church history that Stansfield hit upon. What really interested me was the strange problems she had with her little girl.

Again I will say that I appreciate that her characters can be so gospel oriented but unless I am totally out of touch, and I'm not saying it's not possible, I don't know anyone like them. Not anyone. I would get a lot more enjoyment out of her books if there was some realism to what the characters struggle with. She hit upon some good things in her earlier books, but for YEARS now has been pumping out the same book, with the same words in a different order.

[Abbie Butcher · Rating 1 out of 5]

Again, too preachy. Now every character in this story can see visions, feel crazy impressions, and even see angels. Too weird, it's like this author thinks that once you've become LDS, you are automatically super holy and become some kind of seer for everyone around you. One more book in this series, hopefully it wraps up like any other normal story. I'm really done with all of the suicides, multiple-personality disorder complications, senseless decisions, and drama.

[Terrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book of the series, Ian is called to leave his family to serve a mission to his homeland. It made me appreciate again the sacrifices made by the early members of the Church and how difficult this was for both the husband and the wife--not to mention the children.

**SPOILER**

Joseph Smith is martyred in this book, and the author choses to have Wren not really know what is going on with Joseph. I just always assumed that all the members knew everything about the lawsuits and persecution, but it seems realistic that with the size of Nauvoo having expanded to thousands and the hardships of everyday life, that maybe only those in the Prophet's inner circle really knew what was going on. I liked this fresh approach.

[Lydia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This has not been my favorite Stansfield series, and this book continued in that pattern. I almost felt like this book was even worse. The first book was okay. The second book was depressing, like pretty much the whole book was one depressing trial after another happening to the main characters. In this book the men characters are called to serve a mission, leaving their families behind. And I felt like at least half of the book was one spouse or another thinking about how much they missed each other. Of course they miss each other! I don't need to be reminded of that fact every other paragraph! I feel like there could have been a lot more plot packed into the book and it would have been a better book if there was so much focus on them missing each other.

[Evelyn Sheehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was filled with tender moments and great sacrifices as we traveled with Ian and Ward on their mission to England while Wren and Patricia face being left alone with the children in Nauvoo for an unknown length of time. There are many beautiful examples of faith, and following the spirit from all of them. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and reflected on how hard it would have been to have lived at that time, and deal with the trials that they faced. It was beautifully written!

[Cheryl Mclaws · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't like this book at all. The whole series was a little slow for me and seemed like it could have been combined by taking out a lot of the little day to day details that didn't really seem pertinent to the story line. I know there is one more to the series, but after this one, I'm not sure if I can read it...

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow! I am so happy that men are not asked to leave their wives and children anymore to go on a mission. What a sacrifice! I cried in the end when the couples were finally reunited with their loved ones after two long years.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Scottish immigrant who has relocated his family to Nauvoo returns to his homeland for missionary work with a blind friend. These Brierly books help me imagine what it might have been like to travel as an early church member.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was more drama filled than the last two, but a good story.

[Judy Bullard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am sure there will be at least a Vol IV. This was a good continuation of the story of the MacBrier family.

[Jodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know if I am just bored with Stansfield, or if it really is the same story told over and over.

[Cheri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not a fan of Anita Stansfield's books but this was a good insight to what missionary life might have been like in the days of Joseph Smith.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. I hope that there will be more in this series. I really like Anita Stansfield's books. It will be interesting to see what happens to the characters in this series.

[Jaime Holt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good next segment of this story. I enjoy LDS historic fiction, and this didn't disappoint.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed reading her books. I thought it was a good quick read and left me with much happier feelings then other books I have recently read.

[Karijean31 · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was okay but not as good as some of the other books she has written.

[Jana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't really get into the story this time.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I probably liked this book the best of the 4 in the series. It's obviously formulaic and I glossed over the preachy sections, but I enjoyed the book.

[K Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful read, and a view of what some did to share their beliefs. Not too much drama, and believable characters.

[Lynnae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotional ride, but nice read. See review on 1st series (The Wanderer).

[Swhe641200 · Rating 3 out of 5]

1.2014. Good series

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The saga continues. . . nice to reconnect with the MacBriers in Scotland again, even briefly.

[Angieluila Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not wait to start it. Can not wait to get to the next one.