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Tears of Heaven A Love Story by Jewel Adams/J. Adams (Goodreads Author)
Mary Walling's review Jan 28, 11 · edit
status: Read on January 28, 2011
Heaven Gunderson, a young Swedish woman by heritage, who was abandoned by her father before she was born and by her mother who never really wanted her thirteen years later. She was fortunate to find her way into the home of the Copeland family who raised and loved her as if she were one of their own. Then she met Ross Townsend every girl's dream, every girl's but hers. He soon became her nightmare...jealous, physically and mentally abusive, a walking time bomb. How could she get out of this relationship? How could she keep the one thing she still had left that was hers to keep? Leave was the only answer. Leave she did. To her Swedish grandparents where she meets Sergei Petrenko, an older retired Russian hockey player who teaches her what true love and tenderness really are. But can he protect her from the obsessed and pocessive Ross Townsend?
The description of the home Sergei lives in reminds me of the home I used to live in when I was in France. The french windows I grew to love and have in my own home today. The beautiful gardens and gazebos I played in as a child. The description of the small village, the bakery that Heather's grandparents owned reminded me of the one I used to go to for my mother brought back the wonderful smells of warm bread being baked. I was even able to envision the open air markets we used to go to every Saturday as a family and if we were good getting a french ice cream on the way home.
I loved this book and I loved the way Jewel has allowed Heather to remain faithful to herself and what she believes in. I recommend this book to everyone.
JOSETTEby
Danielle Thorne
George Price-older brother lost at sea
Josette Price-tall, straight, dark, short dark hair, brown eyed,true to herself, open minded, tolerant and affectionate
Amy Price-younger sister-blonde, self-centered, spoiled, easily flattered, vital
Captain Phillip Carter-Was the child his? A tall handsome man with green eyes who was a good friend of George Price's. Is he in love with Amy or Josette?
Edward Price-inherits Beddingfield Park through entailment. He is a socialite, womanizer, libertine. Are his intentions honorable?
Caroline Berclair-red haired beauty and friend to Amy and Josette
Lady Berclair-Caroline's mother, seeming busybody, but is she really?
Beddingfield Park-The love of Josette's life
Danielle Thorne's descriptions of the homes, the color of flowers, the sun, the fields, etc are spot on.
At times I felt I was in the room with her characters. I felt as if I could see the gowns and all their beauty, smell the fresh air as Josette walked the grounds of Beddingfield Park. I could feel the love Josette had for her home, but also felt her grow as she learned that "what mattered most was the pursuit of happiness. Of finding someone to love. To share life with." And as she comes to understand that home is not a piece of land or an object but wherever you put your heart.
Mod
Mary wrote: "JOSETTEby
Danielle Thorne
Mary,
Thank you for the review!
Danielle
You are both very welcome. I have enjoyed reading both books. Now to finish "Alma the Younger".
I haven't updated here for awhile. I'm a big historical fiction fan, so I am so excited to have discovered an author named Rosemary Sutcliff. Her books are all set in England in various time periods--so far the ones I've read have been set in the 18th Century, the Middle Ages, and Roman Britain. They are very, very clean and beautifully and intelligently written. She is fast becoming a new favorite author of mine! The titles I have read so far are Flame-Colored Taffeta, Knight's Fee, and I'm just finishing up The Eagle of the Ninth. They're actually bringing out a movie on February 11, 2011 based on The Eagle of the Ninth, simply called "The Eagle". I can't wait to see it! If anyone is looking for clean historical novels (not romance, more straight fiction), check out Rosemary Sutcliff.
Thanks for the headsup. I love historical novels.
"Of Blessings and Dreams, The Legacy"by Jewel Adams
"...my confident smile begins to fade as the haunting feelings that have become my companion most of the time slowly begin to resurface. I hate not being able to keep my thoughts in the present, and I wish with all my heart that I could rid myself of the negative feelings completely. If I could only forget the past and move on, if I could only believe that it doesn’t matter, that none of it matters. I hang my head and squeeze my eyes shut. Please help me, Father, I silently pray. Help me to get over my past. Otherwise, how can I ever look to the future?"
Cisely is a beautiful young black woman with full lips, long dark auburn hair, and a "voice like silk to the ears". She is also lonely and full of doubts about her self-worth. Someone who has secrets to hide and and a father who repeatedly told her she was worthless and good for only one thing. Then Jessica and Ingo come into her life. Will they help make the changes in Cisely's life that she needs to find her self-worth? Will they give her the love that she needs to make the choices to finally change her life?
I love the desciption of Jessica's house. It is just like the house I have always wanted to live in. The old fashioned house with the wrap around porch and the large rooms. The kind of house my great-grandmothers used to live in. I am drawn to the love Ingo has for Cisely, the patience, the kindness and caring. There is real character in Cisely's family members. I have met people like them before and Jewel is spot on with their judgemental and self-righteous attitudes. I highly recommend this book to everyone. It is a wonderful aid in learning about the atonement and about forgiving ourselves. Take a journey with Cisely and learn the Lord has a great and wonderful life prepared for you. And though you will still go through sorrow and great trials, you will one day come to experience joy unlike any you have ever known.
I must be missing something ... what is the name of the book with Cisely, Jessica and Ingo?
I apologize. The book is by Jewel Adams and is called 'Of Blessings and Dreams, The Legacy".
"Against the Odds"by Jewel Adams
"My own decision to marry hadn't been motivated by real love, a fact that I will always regret. And now I was facing the consequences of that choice. I suddenly wondered if I would ever know real love. Did I even know what real love was? Would I know it when it came? If it came?"
Raine Allen is a beautiful woman recently divorced from Jerome Edmunds. She married for all the wrong reasons. The choices she made were her own. A modeling career, money, prestigue, a handsome successful husband who was a womanizer. She realizes now that these things are not whats important to her. What's important to her is a family-something she could call her own, someone who will love her for who she is. She knows she will not find it in the big city and moves to New Mexico to stay with friends Caroline and David McKade. Here she meets Hayden McKade, younger brother of David. A bear of a man. A man with the perfect frame, a large sculpted body.
Handsome in every sense of the word. Is he the one? Will he fulfill the desires of Raine's heart? "Against the Odds"
This book is by far my favorite By Jewel Adams. This book has brought back memories of my own childhood. Jewel's description of the dry heat versus the humidity reminded me of when I lived in Texas and now live in Florida. She tells of how Hayden's mother died of cancer. My own mother died of cancer when I was 28 and my younger siblings were left without a mother. Raine grew up without a father and so has my grandson. She reminded me of tying quilts with my mother and grandmothers and canning tomatoes and peaches in the canning shed, of my grandmother teaching me how to crochet and of the trials and tribulations that my daughter and her husband are going through with their Mexican/American marriage. This book has made me laugh and has brought me to tears. She has made the love scenes steamy staying within the bounds of good taste. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a read that will not only warm but touch your heart.
Defenseive Tacticsby
Steve Westover
Paul Stephens and Emily Mathews, FBI agents and Jimmy Younger, a young man who has lost his way. Each has their own special issue to deal with. Their own choices to make. Will they make the choices that will determine their happiness or will they have consequences to pay? "In this life we have to make many choices. The choices we make, however, determine to a large extent our happiness or our unhappiness, because we have to live with the consequences of our choices."
James E. Faust
In this suspense filled novel, you will meet a cast of characters that you will either love or dislike. They will make you laugh, bring a tear to your eye or make you angry. I was reminded more than once about choice making, praying always(you will be surprised at where this wonderful suggestion comes from). The trials and tribulations that face these wonderful young people and the suspenseful mystery here will keep you on the seat of your chair. Once I was able to sit down and give the book my complete attention, I could not put it down. I finished it in 2 nights and would recommend it to everyone who enjoys a good suspense filled book.
Mod
Thanks Rebecca. I'm glad that you liked it.
THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES-THE SEEING STONEby
Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black
Jared and Mallory Grace find themselves in a world of goblins and various other mystical creatures as they search for their missing brother Simon. Will they find him before the goblins use him in their feasting ritual? Can they combat the creatures they come up against?
This is one of the best children's science fiction fantasies books I have read. I especially love the illustrations. They are so well done. There are times when you wonder where the parents are and then voila, they turn up. It is a delightful read and I know that my grandsons will both enjoy it. I recommend it to everyone. I can't wait to read the next one in this series, "Lucinda's Secret".
Mod
My grandsons have never read Spiderwick and I am anxious for them to start the series. I found this book fun and just right wihtout being too long. My oldest grandson has been reading Fablehaven.
Mod
I think anything that will get them to read is great. My mother got me started reading, really reading when I was 12 with Reader's Digest Condensed Books where I found Victoria Holt. She wrote historial romance mysteries. They were clean and I devoured them. I have read every one of her books that I have been able to get my hands on. I then went to Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, Trixie Belden, etc. You name it I read it. I love the Cheaper by the Dozen and Bells on their Toes, along with A Tale of Two Cities and Paint Box Summer. I couldn't get enough. I wish every child could have a love for reading instilled in them.
Mod
I read a lot of Victoria Holt as a teenager. She had 5 or 6 different pen names, and so I started reading some of her other series as well.My 11 year old just finished the Fablehaven series. She absolutely loved it. My 2 older kids have read it and say it was "okay" so I definitely think the younger kids enjoy it more.
Victoria Holt also wrote under Jean Plaidy which I read and Phillipa Carr which I did not read. Phillipa Carr wrote what I called "smutt". Not what a teenager should read. Now I have discovered LDS Fiction and love, love, love it. There is so much to choose from and have even discovered a love for the writings of the prophets and other leaders of the church. Reading is truly a discovering experience not matter how old you are.
PLACE IN THIS WORLDby
Jewel Adams
“The day we can look within ourselves and see our mortality,
yet feel the worth of our souls,
the day we can look on others and see the goodness in them
despite their weaknesses,
the day we can say no to evil,
despite the evildoings of those around us,
when we can cry with those who suffer,
mourn with those who bear loss,
and comfort those who cast your comfort aside,
when we can see the good in each new day
and recognize the gifts that come with that day,
when we can love with a pure heart,
expecting nothing in return,
and magnify our valiance to the fullest,
the day we set aside the cares of the world
and embrace every good thing with a singleness
of mind, heart, body, and soul,
ever faithful, ever vigilant, doing all within
our power to remain unchanged in all respects,
on that day, we become more than mere men–
we become gods
and we live forever.”
Elina, strong and beautiful and pure, living in a desolate world of evil and wickedness. Held captive, beaten and abused by the most evil of them all...Thenoch. She escapes from Thenoch into a cold, uncaring and unfeeling world, but not before she has lost all trust and hope in her fellowman. Just as she begins to feel all is lost, she is rescued by Nilan, an Inchant. Will he be able to restore her trust in her fellowman? Will he be able to give her hope again and help her fulfill her destiny?
As I read this sequel to "The Journey", I was reminded of so many hymns and songs that I love. As I read about Nilan and why he stayed behind after the war 10 years earlier, it reminded me of the hymn "Called to Serve Him". I was also reminded of "You're Not Alone" by Michael McLean when Elina felt she was all alone in the world and no one cared for or was there for her. There were so many others..."Have I Done Any Good in the World Today", "Love One Another", "Kindness Begins with Me", "Master the Tempest is Raging", "Thy Will O Lord", "We Are Marching on to Glory" just to name a few.
I recommend this book to everyone, especially if you have all ready read "The Journey". It is a heart warming story that teaches a young woman about forgiveness, trust, compassion, courage, kindness and love for everyone no matter who or what they are and I think most importantly to have faith and courage in herself.
FOR LOVE OF ANGELby
Jewel Adams
In your eyes I see all the wonders of the world, all the lifelong love a fathers' sewn for his not so little girl.
For the Father of us all has granted a special gift to me, He has blessed with the knowledge of forever.
My father you will always be. It's the love that's in your eyes I see.
Angel is the orphaned daughter of Shane and Emma who died tragically in an airplane crash when Angel was just one year old. She was raised by her Aunt Elaine. As she became older she met the missionaries and joined the church. At the same time falling in love with Elder "Mitch". Now she was going to Utah to go to college and to be with Mitch and hoped that he felt the same way about her. However, there is more waiting for her there than she expects. When she finally learns what it is, will she be able to forgive and love unconditionally?
Ian Crawford-a strange, sad and lonely man who owned the boarding house Angel would be staying at while she was going to college and a close friend of Mitch's. He held a deep dark secret. One that kept him from joining the church he knew was true. What could be so terrible, so shameful that he felt unworthy of the blessings of the our Heavenly Father?
Mitch-the young and handsome missionary who not only converted Angel, but loved her with all his heart. Does Angel feel the same way about him? He only hopes and prays that she does.
This is by far one of the best books I've read by Jewel Adams so far. I was unable to put it down. I wanted to know from one chapter to the next what was going to happen. Ian's secret, the pain he carries, his own self-doubt, his love for Angel, and Angel's instant bonding to Ian keeps you moving from chapter to chapter needing to know what will happen next.
This is a short read and I recommend this book to anyone who likes romance mixed with a little mystery, forgiveness of self and others and unconditional love.
In our ward book club we've just read Waiting For Normal by Leslie Connor. It's well written, if you can stand another book about a plucky neglected child. I put thumbnail sketches of books I've read lately on my blog, The Write Stuff (pamwrite.blogspot.com) including The Rogue Shop, Secret Sisters, Dearly Departed, No Going Back, Unsung Lullaby, Rift, To Have or to Hold, and Counting the Cost. I also like The Butterfly House by Marsha Preston. A thoroughly fun read if you like Jane Austen is Jude Morgan's takeoff, An Accomplished Woman. There's a chuckle or laugh on every page. My favorite quote: Stupidity is not a necessary part of youth, though it does tend to thrive there, like fungus in a cellar.
Pam, that's the first time I've seen your blog. You do a good job.
I just recently read the John Wayne Cleaver books by Dan Wells, an LDS author whose first novel (I Am Not a Serial Killer) tied for the 2009 Whitney Award for best first novel. (Beating out my own novel, alas...) The main character isn't Mormon, and it's kind of a teen horror novel. But it's really well written, with excellent characterization, and the sequels (Mr. Monster and I Don't Want to Kill You, just released last month) are even better. The main character is sympathetic, and there's a lot in the books that resonates with LDS ideas, particularly about the need for grace and the importance of going against our own impulses in order to do what's right. For a more complete discussion of the books, see my review at http://www.motleyvision.org/2011/dest....
Helo I am Anna del C. Dye the author of The Silent Warrior Trilogy and I am reading The Princess Sisters. Great YA, LDS book. :)
I just finished reading LOYALTY'S WEB by Joyce DiPastena and now I'm reading WINNING MR. WRONG -- both from LDS authors. Love.
When I read a book I'd recommend, I put a brief review on my blog The Write Stuff at pamwrite.blogspot.com. Since I'm trying to break into the LDS publishing market, I've done a survey of the genre over the last few years. We're very good and getting better. Go into the archive on my blog and find a three-part essay on that topic, "A View From the Fringe." I'd love to get feedback from other LDS writers.
I'm reading The Evolution of Thomas Hall, so far I love it. His writing style is amazing.
LDS Fiction
Books mentioned in this topic
Knight's Fee (other topics)The Eagle of the Ninth (other topics)
Flame-Colored Taffeta (other topics)
Breaking Dawn (other topics)
Breaking Dawn (other topics)
Hollie--Ky is an Abberation through no fault of his own; h..."
Alright, I have finished the book, unfortunately I still don't get how it is what Ky's father did that made Ky into an Aberration. Was his father in a rebellion? Was the rest of the village rebels? Was that why the village was destroyed?
What I understand is that the Society was the one who orchestrated to destroyed the village and then labeled Ky and Aberration when he did what he wasn't supposed to do, survive. So I think that was an oversight with the Society. So they had to do something to *fix it*. Killing is way to extreme for a little boy when he possibly don't know what caused the destroyed village.
Also the strange thing is that he learned how to write. How could that happen when no one else knew how?
I could see how the Society is falling a part at the seams, and have been from the beginning. So I think that the Society is doing everything they to stay in control. So now who is control of the Society, and how is Condie going to pull all of this together? It somewhat reminds me of "A Winkle in Time". In order for this to work someone needs to tell the officials what to do and say to keep everyone in line. That person must come into light we must meet that person/ mastermind behind this.