Easterfield

by Anna Jones Buttimore

Lancashire, England, 1850: When Mr. Wilson, a Mormon missionary, arrives in the rural parish of Easterfield, Catherine Waters finds herself intrigued by by both the message he brings and his relationship to her reclusive and aristocratic neighbor. Through Mr. Wilson, Catherine is drawn into the strange world of Easterfield Hall, where both her cousin and sister find forbidden love, and Catherine uncovers secrets that change her entire outlook on their peaceful life. After Mr. Wilson is called back to Utah, the dashing Dr. Davenport is on hand to offer love, security, and help in piecing together Catherine's fragmenting life. As she experiences gut-wrenching fear, hopeless love, and the loss of all she once thought important, she learns that the things that really matter are eternal.

Genres: Lds, Historical Fiction, Historical, Christian Fiction, Lds Fiction

300 pages, softcover

First published November 1, 2008

About the author

Anna Jones Buttimore was born and brought up in the South of England, but educated in Wales where she lived for the next 20 years. She is now living back in the village where she grew up with her daughters Gwenllian, Angharad and Ceridwen, and husband Roderic. Anna serves as Seminary teacher in her ward.

Anna works part time from home for a legal charity, and has always loved writing in her spare time. She is the author of five novels, Haven and A World Away under the name Anna Jones, Easterfield, Honeymoon Heist and No Escape. Anna enjoys rock music, her computer, cross-stitch, swimming, and science fiction. She is determined to get into scrapbooking and family history one day when she can find the time.

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks for letting me borrow this Allison. Jane Austin meets the Work and the Glory on Austins turf.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easterfield is a historical romance set in Lancashire, England in 1850 and tells of the challenges that come into the life of a well-to-do family when they encounter one of the first LDS missionaries. Anna has an Honors Degree in English literature, and the story was inspired by her love of Jane Austen’s novels, as well as the work of the Bronte sisters and WM Thackeray, and her realization that these classic works were set around the time the Gospel of Jesus Christ was restored. What, she wondered, would happen if an LDS element were introduced? Easterfield is the answer.

The novel is carefully written in the elegant and expressive language of the period, and involved a great deal of painstaking, but fascinating, research. Nineteenth-century life, especially for higher-class families, was often slow-paced and uneventful, but Anna worked hard to build intrigue, dilemmas, and painful choices to keep the story moving and keep the reader engaged. British English spelling and idiom has been retained for authenticity, and Meridian reviewer Jennie Hansen called it “a tight, well-written story with charming, versatile characters [which will:] become a classic favorite of women of all ages.”

SYNOPSIS: When Mr. Wilson, a Mormon missionary, arrives in the rural English town of Easterfield, Lancashire, in 1850, Catherine Waters finds herself intrigued by both the message he brings and his relationship to her reclusive and aristocratic neighbour. Through Mr. Wilson, Catherine is drawn into the strange world of Easterfield Hall, where both her cousin and sister find forbidden love, and Catherine uncovers secrets that change her entire outlook on their peaceful life. After Mr. Wilson is called back to Utah, the dashing Dr. Davenport is on hand to offer love, security, and help in piecing together Catherine’s fragmenting life. As she experiences gut-wrenching fear, hopeless love, and the loss of all she once thought important, she learns that the things that really matter are eternal.

If you like Jane Austen, you'll love Anna Jones Buttimore!

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slower read but good nevertheless. Catherine Waters lives in Lancashire, England in the 1850's when the Mormon missionaries were called to serve in the area. Mr. William Wilson was one of those missionaries called and then served a mission leaving his wife and children in Zion. Catherine struggles with accepting the desire to be baptized because of the repercussions from denouncing her families traditional Church, the acceptance of her family, and then the lose of her cushioned living circumstances deters her until her Uncle Marcum takes away her families social status and wealth through his gambling debts. She finds that her only true desire is to be babtized and then she secures her position as a goveness and doesn't care if she does migrate to Zion because her home is now gone to her. When Mr. Wilson comes back from his mission and his wife has passed away he asks her to marry him and she accepts leaving England forever. She takes Lillian with her for a new adventure in America.

[Sarah Beggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author, Anna Buttimore brings to life Lancashire, England, 1850, and a strong message of what is important, regardless of individual circumstances. Easterfied is a well written novel about the secrets in Catherine Waters life, missionary teachings of the truth of the gospel from the man who could claim her heart—although he is true to another), and dedication to following the inner promptings of what we believe to be true. Although Catherine Water’s finds herself in the midst of various moments against what it is she believes in, she stands for what she knows is truth and in the process, saves several lives through her actions.

[LINDA · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy historical romance, you will love this book! British author Anna Jones Buttimore is the new Jane Austen. (British spelling and usage have even been preserved in this book.) Buttimore takes the reader back to the 1850s--the early days of the LDS Church--for an inspiring conversion story interwoven with romance and social class distinction.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I've always been a fan of Jane Austen - it was interesting to read an LDS novel set in England in the mid-1800's. It made me marvel at the courage it took my English ancestors to embrace the gospel and change their lives.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Jane Austen story with an LDS twist. A real fun read.

[Delene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written like a Jane Austen novel. You have a Mr. Darcey and Elizabeth and so forth. A good stroy with clean language. It was written by a young convert to the Church.

[Jacque · Rating 4 out of 5]

grateful we live in a time where we dont have to marry to keep our family out of poverty

[Joan Sowards · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this well-crafted story of a young women who meets the Mormon missionaries in the late 1800's

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute story about an upperclass girl in 1850's england meeting a mormon missionary. It wasn't Jane Austen exactly, but the characters were fun and so was the story.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catherine is not only smitten by LDS missionary Mr. Wilson, but his religion too. Facing unforeseen tragedy, she realizes how important the Mormon church is and she must be baptized.

[Ann Dobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I reread your book Haven. I wish I knew where I can find the sequel to it. I really enjoyed the book. I'd really like to read all of your books. How do I get them? Thank you.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really would give this 2 1/2 stars - I struggled to decide which to give it. The book was okay. Just okay. I didn't dislike it, but I certainly didn't love it either. I felt a little awkward about some of the relationships in the book, both in the forced ideas of them as well as in the writing of them. I don't think you'll feel like you wasted your time reading this book, but don't expect anything glorious or grand.

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes place in 1850 in England and is the story of a girl's conversion to Mormonism. However, it does have a Jane Austen-ish style to it that makes it very entertaining. I would have enjoyed seeing some of the characters developed a little more fully, but it was a fun story. A very quick, clean read.

[Melissa T · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really need a category for cheesy christian fiction. Lisa--you were right. It was not spectacular, but a fun read.

I do think the author could have worked a little harder on her language; she was trying too hard to sound like Jane Austen when the events she was describing were taking place 60 years later. Just the sort of little thing that would annoy me! :)

[Dorry Lou · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not love this book even tho' it was easy reading. It is 1850 in Lancashire England and I like English novels but this one was a little different. Mormonism was just being introduced there and not many accept it.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely book! The interior workings of an individual are so complex and yet AJB captures Catherine's so beautifully. We see her not just in a snapshot of her inner being, but in the transitions as her schema of belief is profoundly altered. Wow! This was simply charming. More, please!

[Kristie]

This book is mormon fiction set in England in 1850 and has a "Jane Austin" feel to it. I am excited to give it a try

[Jerilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun quick read. It had the feel of Jane Austin books with a LDS theme.

[Shanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminded me of Jane Austen's style and I enjoyed it. Something different in LDS fiction & it was a nice change!

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting concept, what would happen if Mormon missionaries showed up in the world of Jane Austen. It was a little predictable but still a fun read.

[Kristyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

LDS fans of Jane Austen should like this book. Not a big page turner, but a nice sweet story.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute and fun book.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this LDS author's version of a Jane Austen type story. I really liked Catherine and Mr. Wilson. I very much enjoyed this one.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book. Very clean!