The Wishing Garden (Anita Stansfield)

Anita Stansfield’s clutch on the world of Mormon romantic fiction got a little stronger with the release of her newest novel, “The Wishing Garden.”

After venturing into historical fiction with her last several books, Stansfield returns to modern times as she tells the story of a dejected mother seeking to build a new life after a string of tragic events.

Following a catastrophic car accident that robbed her of the lives of her husband and one of her adopted twin daughters, Mary Cranford-Bewkes reluctantly returns home to live with her dying father. A cruel and bigoted man, Mary absorbs his abuse and intolerance while caring for him only so that she and her daughter — a beautiful Hispanic 6-year-old — will have a place to live.

When Mary hires a handsome man more than 10 years her junior to transform the estate’s neglected gardens, she accidentally disrupts the careful balance of her life. Whit, a practicing member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with Mexican heritage, is immediately drawn to Mary as well as her daughter, forcing her to face emotions she had deeply buried.

However, as her feeling for Whit begin to take shape, unsettling events draw Whit’s troubled past to the forefront, leaving Mary to wonder if the tender gardener is really what he seems. She must rely on the truth in her feelings or the mounting evidence, as well as her father’s ugly prejudice, might drive the couple apart.

“The Wishing Garden” highlights Stansfield’s love of exploring her characters' emotions and underlying motivations. The book is full of deep sentiment, and romantics will be absorbed by the heartache Mary and Whit have each battled. The characters are lovable and interesting, making them easy to follow.

While the story does seem a bit slow to develop, the angst and loathing provided by Mary’s father pull readers to her defense, truly drawing them into the book. Once the action picks up, the tale gallops through twists and intriguing turns involving not only romance but assault, gang turf wars and courtroom drama.

Stansfield’s fans will surely enjoy this unique addition to her flourishing literary collection. - Deseret News

Passage on the Titanic (Anita Stansfield)

Ella Brown grew up in one of London’s privileged homes, with all the comforts and luxuries that money can buy. But when sudden financial reversals strike her household, leaving her father dead by his own hand and her mother broken by trauma, Ella is forced from a life of safety and abundance to one of scarcity and fear. Clinging to survival on the filthy streets of the city, she’s betrayed by her only friend and burdened by an ill-fated pregnancy. By the time Ella arrives at the hospital in premature labor, she desperately needs an angel of mercy, and one soon arrives: Irene Corbett, a Mormon midwife who has come to London for advanced medical training at the great sacrifice of her family. Irene soothes Ella’s pain as she births a son, who lives only minutes, helps her back on her feet, and joins her on a voyage to America on the ship Titanic—where epic disaster rips the two friends apart. Bereaved and alone, Ella finds comfort and healing in the care of rescue crewman Jonathan Moreau and his loving family. But will the dark weight of Ella’s past destroy her delicate hopes for the future? Bestselling author Anita Stansfield delivers a story of compassion, hope, and survival set against a backdrop of the greatest tragedy of the early twentieth century

If you like Titanic history, this was a new point of view of what happened that night and the after affects that the survivors had to suffer through.

Shadows of Brierley : In the Valley of the Mountains (Anita Stansfield)

Jamie walked away . . . He wondered why he was even trying. He felt certain there was nothing he could ever say or do to compete with a man like Hugh Montgomery, and he was fooling himself to believe that he could ever be a contender for Gillian Brierley's heart.
The year is 1862, and the setting is Salt Lake City. Gillian — Ian and Wren's eldest daughter — has grown into a lovely young woman who is a source of help and strength to her family. Little does she realize that her life is about to be turned upside down.
Suddenly she must choose between two men who love her, yet whose lives and lifestyles are completely divergent. Honorable and trusted family friend Hugh Montgomery is safe and steady, while young Jamie MacBrier, recently arrived from Scotland, is impetuous, passionate, worldly, and completely unschooled in the principles of the gospel. Yet he has created feelings in Gillian that are new and exciting — and frightening. Can she be true to both her faith and her heart?
In this deeply moving conclusion to the Shadows of Brierley series, beloved LDS author Anita Stansfield delivers an unforgettable story of love and the many ways in which it can break our hearts and heal them. In the Valley of the Mountains is compelling and tender, with insights that linger long after the last page has been turned.

I Loved this series, but I feel that they needed one more book between Volume 3 and Volume 4.

Shadows of Brierley Book 3 : A Distant Shore (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 form in 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.

Shadows of Brierley : A Far Horizon (Anita Stansfield)

The journey had been long and difficult and full of mishaps— even deadly ones. But the words in Ian’s mind seemed . . . as if they encompassed all they’d endured and experienced; all their losses and sorrows. . . . You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be, Ian. It was true. He knew it was true. He was exactly where God wanted him to be, and so were those who constituted his family. . . . They were where God wanted them to be; they were on the right path, in the right place at the right time, and they would soon achieve their goal and be united with God’s people.
In volume two of her compelling new Shadows of Brierley series, renowned LDS author Anita Stansfield once again weaves a rich narrative her readers can savor. Remarkably poignant and magnificently moving, this is the story of a family whose lives are anything but ordinary . . . a family whose journey takes them from the luxuries and comforts of a privileged Scottish heritage to the raw realities of a fledgling American frontier and a people who are true to their God and their faith despite relentless persecution.
With characters that leave an indelible impression on the reader’s heart, and a series of misfortunes that threatens to break spirits and extinguish faith, A Far Horizon will prove to be a spiritually significant destination well worth the journey.

I love the way that Anita can make you feel the characters in a story. I have really enjoyed this family's story. I am hoping that there are more in this series to share the story of other members of this family.

Shadows of Brierley : The Wanderer (Anita Stansfield)

As he neared the edge of the crowd, Ian could hear a loud voice preaching some kind of sermon. He bristled from the inside out. The very thought of God encouraged his guilt and tempted him to turn back to the pub, where he could purchase the means to drown out the taunting voices of shame that had taken up comfortable residence in his tortured mind.
Nevertheless, with a few of his remaining coins, Ian purchases a copy of the book from which the “preacher” is quoting, an act that somehow gives this troubled prodigal the courage to leave the dark alleyways of London and begin the long journey home — home to his beloved Brierley and to the woman whose heart he hopes to win.
Little does he realize the impact this book will have on him and his family as they struggle with the grim consequences of unrestrained compulsions and passions, and the seemingly insurmountable challenges of mental illness. As the threads that hold the tapestry of the MacBrier family together threaten to unravel, Ian realizes that . . . The Book of Mormon had been destined to come into his hands, and he was destined to follow where it led him.
In The Wanderer, set in the lush highlands of nineteenth-century Scotland, Anita Stansfield is at her storytelling best. Filled with past regrets and new beginnings, this volume is an extraordinary journey toward faith and peace — a sweeping emotional experience from start to finish.

Dickens Inn Series : Vol 4 & 5 (Anita Stansfield)

When a group of friends reunites at the Dickensian Inn bed-and-breakfast, little does Chas realize that the promises of a blessing are about to be fulfilled. As these women share their tender feelings and innermost secrets, the words of Charles Dickens take on greater significance for them— The pleasure of a generous friendship is the steadiest joy in the world.
But even as these heartwarming events unfold, a secret from Jackson’s past threatens to sabotage the happy life he and Chas have created together.
Jackson finally turned to look fully at his wife. . . . He tried to form the words to tell her about his relationship with Serena and all that he was feeling upon realizing that she was dead. . . . He’ d believed his past was put away. He’ d believed that his skirting the truth and omitting facts had been sufficient in his relationship with his wife. . . . Now it suddenly felt like he’ d sinned against her.
Will Jackson’s doubts and guilt jeopardize the plans he and Chas have made to be sealed as a family for all eternity? Is their love strong enough to overcome the painful shadows of the past?

What could be more unlikely than a romance between a traumatized and unwed expectant mother and a charming, wealthy, and ambitious young man with philanthropic dreams of astonishing proportions? Acclaimed, bestselling LDS author Anita Stansfield does not hesitate to take on tough and sensitive issues, and has a gift for handling them with wisdom and compassion.
In this compelling conclusion to a remarkable series, the Dickensian Inn once again proves itself to be a place of warmth and welcome — a place where, under the gentle tutelage and friendship of proprietors Chas and Jackson Leeds, the light of the gospel and the miracle of forgiveness change people’s lives and bring peace and healing.
Every Graceful Fancy is a story of courage and quiet heroism, a captivating novel about people and the choices that define them. Ms. Stansfield’s gift for creating an engaging story with characters we know and love sweeps the reader along in these pages toward a genuinely satisfying, happy, and graceful ending.

A Loving Heart (Anita Stansfield)

As past medical heartaches and fears resurface, Chas and Jackson agonize over the chances of survival for their baby daughter. At a time in their lives when the blessings of the gospel are so abundant, can their faith withstand this trial that looms on their otherwise happy horizon? Do they dare hope for a miracle? At the same time, Jackson receives a call from a former FBI colleague who would like to hide a woman in the witness protection program with them in the Dickens Inn. Although Jackson and Chas agree to let her stay, when the woman arrives they realize she is hiding something. Soon lives are in danger, and the stakes are high. Has trust come at too great a price? With tragedies hurtling toward them, Chas and Jackson will need all the help they can get from friends, family, the medical profession, and most especially from God. In A Loving Heart, the newest volume in her Dickensian bedand- breakfast series, bestselling LDS author Anita Stansfield delivers a captivating story filled with breathtaking twists and turns of events that are emotionally compelling, spiritually moving, and utterly satisfying.

Dickens Inn, Vol 2: A Far, Far Better Place (Anita Stansfield)

Jackson didn't know how long it was before he finally realized that he was in the hospital, and it was Dr. Callahan on the floor with him, trying to talk some sense into him. Once the realization hit him, he struggled to bring himself back to reality while his breathing and heart rate remained shallow and fast for more minutes than he could. . . He felt more afraid than he'd dared to admit. . .
Their lives have all the ingredients for “happily-ever-after” until a traumatic and life-changing even in Jackson's life plunges his family into chaos and sorrow. His mother's unexpected death hurtles him toward a painful pilgrimage into a past that collides with the anguish of the present and threatens to destroy his family's future.

I am really enjoying this families story, I hope there are more books to follow.

Dickens Inn : The Best of Times (Anita Stansfield)

“I want to be with you, but I have to make sure I’m in a position to give you what you deserve, and I’m not sure I’m the man to do that.” Chas put a hand over her mouth to hold back her emotion, glad that he couldn’t see the tears rolling down her face. . . . “I need time Chas, because if I’m going to commit my life to you, I don’t want it to ever go bad. I would rather have you love me in memory than come to hate me because I couldn’t give you what you deserve.”
A sprawling Montana setting; a charming bed-and-breakfast inn brimming with Dickensian decor; a beautiful and deeply spiritual innkeeper with secret sorrows from her past; a “Granny” who is as delightful as she is wise; and a handsome guest whose lifestyle and past are both troubled and troubling—these are the elements of a captivating novel of romance and intrigue.
With characters that are vital and vulnerable, and a plot that is wholly unpredictable, this story is a journey of choices and amazing opportunities.
Once again, Anita Stansfield proves her versatility as a storyteller extraordinaire in this novel that is an ingenious blend of romance, mystery, and Dickensian charm. The Best of Times will prove to be a favorite in the best Stansfield tradition.

This is the 1st Volume in the Dickens Inn Series. The beginning of this book was a cute Christmas Love Story. The last part of the book was an emotional roller coaster. I think this is a beginning of another great family story.

The Silence of Snow (Anita Stansfield)

“I love you,” Elizabeth whispered near his ear.
A rush of memories overcame him in an instant: He thought of how she’d been at his side through every step that had led to this moment. He thought of her care and concern through his pain and illness. He thought of her faith and strength, her wisdom and insight. In that moment he felt as if they’d come full circle. . . . This was the moment in the life of a human being when everything was perfect, it was all worth it, and the memory of it would carry him through whatever lay ahead.
But how could Jayson have anticipated the trials awaiting him and his family? Faced with illness and setbacks that could quite possibly sabotage his resurgent career, Jayson must somehow find the faith and courage to weather these unexpected ordeals. In this spellbinding and satisfying final chapter of the Jayson Wolfe series, acclaimed LDS author Anita Stansfield tells an unforgettable story of love, loss— and one man’s unbreakable spirit.
Join Jayson and Elizabeth and all those near and dear to them as they embark on a remarkable and courageous journey that leads them to an ultimate reliance on God’s amazing grace.

This is the final book in the Jayson Wolfe Series. I really loved this series and would recommend it to everyone. It teaches you that you can make it through any trial if you have faith.

Gables of Legacy : Full Circle (Anita Stansfield)

For Emily Hamilton, losing her beloved husband Michael to death was one of the hardest things she had ever faced. But having to live without him—year after year—is proving to be even more difficult. Even though Emily’s family surrounds her with love and support, the loneliness and lack of close companionship brings about a desire to move on with her life. Compelled to pursue new social opportunities and break out of the deep rut she finds herself in, Emily meets a man who could turn everything in her carefully cultivated life upside down. Samuel Reid is a very different man from Michael Hamilton—a man who is desperately searching for answers that Emily can lovingly provide. While Samuel seems to be honest and sensitive, Emily’s family is wary of his intentions. Can Emily survive yet another crisis in her life, or will Samuel end up being one of the best things that ever happened to her—and to her children? Anita Stansfield, the #1 best-selling LDS romance author, delivers one of her finest novels to date, a tender conclusion to the stirring Gables of Legacy series, and a heartwarming story of eternal love that transcends the thin veil between life and death.

Gables of Legacy : The Miracle (Anita Stansfield)

Scott Ivie is finally learning what it means to be part of a family. In fact, he has merged so perfectly into the Hamilton family that he almost feels he was destined to be living and working with them in Australia. After all, it was Jess Hamilton who first introduced Scott to the gospel. But when Jess's younger sister Emma returns from her mission early because of a health problem, she is less than pleased to see the good-looking stranger sitting at the family dinner table.
Facing a life-threatening crisis, Emma has far more important things to worry about than a gold-digging American--even if she is attracted to him. Could there be more to Scott than Emma can possibly see right now?
Best-selling author Anita Stansfield once again delivers a compelling story of family unity, faith, and the miracles that can come through the power of the gospel.
See also The Guardian, Guiding Star, The Silver Linings, An Eternal Bond, and Full Circle. This is volume 5 in the Gables series.

Gables of Legacy : The Silver Linings & An Eternal Bond (Anita Stansfield)

After a lifetime of emotional trials and heartache, for Tamra Banks this day brings a unique and almost impossible joy. It’s the long-awaited moment of her marriage to the love of her life, Jess Hamilton.
But in this time of unparalleled happiness, Tamra and Jess will be plagued by challenges unlike any they’ve yet faced—challenges that will test the very limits of their faith, while deepening their gratitude for the divine and fragile blessing of family.
Jess and Tamra are about to learn powerful lessons of life and love in The Silver Linings, the third and intensely compelling installment of the popular Gables of Legacy series. It’s a remarkable story about personal revelation, the power of the Comforter, and a profound discovery about the meaning of eternal bridges.

Jess Hamilton believes he could never fill the shoes of his late father. Now responsible for a century-old family business and a boys’ home, Jess knows he is expected to uphold a great patriarchal legacy. As Jess struggles to find a footing in a world full of new obligations, he finds himself drawn into an ugly court battle where a child’s future—or perhaps even his life—is at stake.
For Jess’s wife Tamra, her own inadequacies surface when her abusive mother comes to be cared for in the Hamilton family home. Even though Tamra has forgiven her mother, the situation brings an ugly past much too close to the present—which only adds to Tamra’s rising feelings of discouragement as she searches for help with her own physical challenges.
Volume four in best-selling author Anita Stanfield’s Gables of Legacy series, An Eternal Bond journeys into the changing lives of the Hamilton family and explores how adversity can bless and unite families in eternal bonds of love.

Gables of Legacy : A Guiding Star (Anita Stansfield)

Armed with the love of a good man, Jess Hamilton, Tamra Banks has made the difficult decision to reconcile with her estranged mother. Over the years, Tamra has had to fight through the ugly memories of her abusive childhood, the complete absence of her father, and her mother’s angry reaction to Tamra’s conversion to the Church. When the encounter with her mother goes badly, memories and doubts threaten to suffocate Tamra with long-buried emotions. In a swirling tide of confusion and distrust, the confidence Tamra feels about her relationship with Jess quickly dwindles in the face of her growing doubts. With my background and upbringing, am I worthy of Jess’s love, after all? Volume II in Anita Stansfield’s stunning series, Gables of Legacy, explores the powerful grasp of a horrible childhood, the guiding light of the gospel, and the healing that comes when you learn to forgive others-and yourself.

Gables of Legacy : The Guardian (Anita Stansfield)

Over the past few years, Tamra Banks, a confused, new convert from a troubled family has blossomed into a faithful Church member. Friends, family history, a mission in the Philippines, and the sacrifice of all she knows bring about this change. But stability in life does not mean stability in love. And now, Tamra is faced with her greatest challenge.
Tamra moves into the home of Michael and Emily Hamilton, a couple from Australia she met during her mission. The Hamilton's son, Jess--burdened by the guilt of being involved in an accident that killed his brother and sister-in-law--believes that life is no longer worth living. And though Tamra at first finds Jess brooding and harsh, she cannot deny her attraction to him, because she sees who he once was, and who he could become. Living in his ancestral home, sharing the stories of his family's history, Tamra begins to connect with Jess, and a cautious love develops between the two. Jess's depression runs deep, however, and the day is fast approaching when he may choose isolation over marriage, and a permanent end to his pain.
Join best-selling author Anita Stansfield in her thrilling new series, Gables of Legacy. Volume One, The Guardian, is an exhilarating story of triumph over despair, of ancestral connection, and of the decisions that could mean the difference between eternal love or bitter tragedy.

This is one of the many books in the Byrnehouse-Davies & Hamilton Saga. I have read 4 of 14 in this family story. You can either read them in order or separately. I really enjoy this families story. I know Brittany has also read some of their stories also.

Winds of Hope & Shelter From the Storm (Anita Stansfield)

When it came time for Will and Elizabeth to leave, Jayson felt like a lost child, alone and terrified. Elizabeth whispered near his ear, "I will be praying for you constantly. God will get you through this, Jayson. Nobody else can. He will give you the peace and the strength you need." Jayson nodded but couldn't speak. He turned and walked away, feeling as if he were about to literally descend into the depths of hell. And nobody could spare him from the inevitable consequences of the choices he'd made to bring himself to this point. Not even God could do that. With all the pain and loss he has suffered over the last twenty years, does Jayson have the courage to trust the healing power of the Atonement? To allow his spirit to be touched by a child's testimony? To replace doubt and skepticism with love and forgiveness? In this third chapter of the Jayson Wolfe story, best-selling LDS author Anita Stansfield once again demonstrates her profound understanding of human nature. As the resilience of family relationships are put to the ultimate test, Winds of Hope gently yet powerfully carries the reader through the pages of this exceptionally heartfelt and moving love story.
Jason rushed out of the bishop’s office, then moved even faster to get out of the building before he burst into tears. . . . The moments in his life when he’d felt this way paraded before him. Derek’s death. Elizabeth telling him she didn’t love him and couldn’t marry him. Macy running away. His mother dying. . . . He reminded himself that Elizabeth had married him—twenty years later, and Macy had come home. He’d found peace over the deaths of his loved ones . . . but right now, the path to finding such peace felt impossible to traverse. But why? This wasn’t a death or a tragedy. It was a Church calling—and a belligerent woman who just couldn’t leave well enough alone. Why was he taking it so hard?
Just when everything seems to be going so well, Jayson’s life is turned upside down. As he begins to question his own worth and worthiness in God’s eyes, his doubts and fears threaten to tear apart everything he has worked so hard to build.
In yet another compelling chapter of the Jayson Wolfe story, bestselling LDS author Anita Stansfield creates a captivating story of love and loss and courage—a story that will touch and thrill the hearts of her readers. Beautifully rendered and deeply moving, this is a story about truths that often elude us. It is an intense examination of both the vulnerability and resilience of the human spirit.
This is volume 4 of the Jayson Wolfe Story

I loved this series. I would definately recommend it to those of you who love love stories. This series also shows that you can be LDS and not exactly fit the perfect mode as people invision us LDS people to be.

Emma : Woman of Faith (Anita Stansfield)

Emma stood alone at the edge of the Mississippi, pondering its lazy flow that was so familiar to her. . . . More than three decades had passed since she'd lost her precious Joseph. She had learned to live without him . . . but nothing had ever felt right without him. . . . "Joseph," she whispered into the breeze as she lovingly fingered the worn gold beads encircling her throat, a gift from Joseph, one of the few tangible remnants of his love for her.
In this triumphant tribute, well-loved LDS author Anita Stansfield conveys Emma Smith's greatness of spirit; her undying love for and loyalty to Joseph; her remarkable compassion, courage, and dignity; and her unwavering testimony of the Savior.
Joyful and poignant, insightful and moving, intense and reverent, this thoroughly researched fictional narrative paints an intimate portrait of the Lord's "elect lady" through a love story that transcends time and embraces eternity.

This book is almost exactly like the movie "Emma Smith : My Story". It does portray her love for Joseph a little more, but if you have seen the movie, then you pretty much have read this book.

A Distant Thunder (Anita Stansfield)

Jayson sighed. “I miss the naivete of youth. I miss making music in the basement and eating your father’s cooking . . . playing my music and being with the people I loved.”
Elizabeth couldn’t hide the fact that she was a little choked up when she said, “I echo that . . . And I miss the rain.”
Following long moments of quiet, Jayson said, “Rain is . . . just rain . . . and no matter where I go, it’s always raining in my heart.”
After battling personal, professional, and financial setbacks, it looks as though Jayson finally has it all—fame, fortune, and a great family. However, he learns how swiftly a rising star can become extinguished. The problem was that Jayson actually had no life left at all. He had no career, no daughter or mother who needed him. His brother was busy with a flourishing career, and Elizabeth had her family.
Just when he reaches an irreversible crisis point in his life, God’s arms reach out to protect Jayson from his own worst impulses. But the road to healing can be arduous and elusive. And even with the love and support of his precious Elizabeth, can Jayson be reclaimed?
Renowned LDS author Anita Stansfield keeps her readers riveted as the drama of A Distant Thunder relentlessly unfolds. Part two of the Jayson Wolfe story is complicated and intense, charged with real-life parallels and struggles that are finely drawn and profoundly moving.

The Sound of Rain (Anita Stansfield)

Jayson felt almost as if he'd been catapulted into some eerie time warp as he stood and looked out over the ocean. It had been Drew's idea . . . to stop first at the place they'd come with their mother fewer than two years earlier. And Jayson couldn't deny that for all the grief and heartache he was taking with him . . . his musical abilities had grown through the experiences he'd found in Oregon, and his heart had been touched in ways that had changed him forever.
Friendships and relationships formed and forged through the fiery furnace of experience have left Jayson Wolfe wiser, sadder, and anxious to embrace new hopes and dreams. In the life he is reconstructing, his music is as essential as oxygen, and failure is unimaginable. But does life ever go as planned?
In this first volume of her new series, acclaimed LDS storyteller Anita Stansfield once again reaches out to her readers' hearts, minds, and spirits as she explores both the joy and grief that accompany complicated and intricate relationships. And her readers will find part one of this trilogy compelling and intense, heartwarming and heartbreaking — a deeply rooted love story with heart-stopping consequences.

I loved this book and am looking forward to books # 2 and 3. I had to put the book down at one point, because my eyes were too blurry from tears to continue reading. It also makes you appreciate things in life.