Barrington Family Saga

Barrington Family Saga, Volume 1: In Search of Heaven
A strange and disturbing conversation overheard while secretly perusing the pages of the family Bible in the Barrington's study . . .
A mysterious yet intriguing book of scripture left unattended on the street . . .
An elusive new religion that beckons from halfway across the world . . .
The daunting task of becoming the governess to the Barrington children . . .
A proposal of marriage without a declaration of love . . .
Thus begins an epic that takes a young woman from a position of servitude to unrelenting challenges that will test the very limits of her courage and faith.
With vividly painted settings that range from the wealth and grandeur of the Barringtons' English estate to the vast uncharted vistas of America, you will be caught up in a saga rich with the promise of eternal implications.
In her inimitable style, best-selling LDS author Anita Stansfield has created a powerful and tender tale of love and loss and redemption, a deep-rooted love story that reverences the tender significance of human relationships. It is a journey of the spirit and of the heart — an adventure guaranteed to take your breath away.

Barrington Family Saga, Volume 2: A Quiet Promise

"James turned Eleanore to face him, and she crumbled in his arms, sobbing against his chest while the empty ache of losing her baby swirled into the heartbreak of having fear and secrecy shatter the perfect happiness she'd found in embracing the gospel."
Is it possible that the peace the Barrington family has found in their new Iowa surroundings will be destroyed by persecution born of ignorance and fueled by blind bigotry? Will personal sorrow and loss stretch their faith to the breaking point? And how can James find the courage to give his heart to God — to trust Him in his hour of greatest need?
"You're a good man, James. I know it and God knows it. But I wonder what kind of fear is wrapped around your heart, with pride there to protect it? And don't tell me I don't know what I'm talking about. I, of all people, know your heart. What are you afraid of, James? That if you wholly give your heart to God, He will hurt it?"
Join the Barringtons as they continue their odyssey of faith — a journey of love and spiritual testing with unimaginable eternal consequences.Tender, compelling, and stirring, this superb love story transcends the mundane and reaches richly into the realms of the inner spirit. LDS best-selling author Anita Stansfield once again demonstrates her unparalleled gift for storytelling in this absorbing and powerful historic epic.

Barrington Family Saga, Volume 3: At Heaven's Door

As Eleanore and James Barrington fear for the well-being and even the lives of dear friends, they struggle with the frustrating yet undeniable truth that for reasons known only to the Lord, He does not yet want them to join the Saints on their westward trek. However, they will soon face their own frightening challenges in Iowa that will not only test their faith, but will threaten to tear the very fabric of their lives apart.
In this breathtaking new volume of the Barrington Family Saga, renowned LDS author Anita Stansfield once again takes her readers on a grippingly emotional and spiritual journey. At Heaven's Door is a compelling and richly satisfying read -- a feast for the heart and soul.

Barrington Family Saga, Volume 4: Promise of Zion

Nothing has prepared Casey Harrison for the emotional and spiritual storms that lie ahead as he anticipates a future with Iris Barrington, whose wounded heart and spirit threaten to rob them both of their eternal destiny. This is a story of love, miracles, and redemption. Savor the superb storytelling skills of author Anita Stansfield in this triumphant finale of the Barrington family saga. Journey with the Barringtons as they continue to claim the promises God has made to them — not the least of which is the Promise of Zion.

I have read this series many times...I definately recommend it.

With Every Breath by Lynn Kurland

Sunshine Phillips's heart lies in Scotland, a land of rain, legend, and dangerously handsome Highland lords. She longs to call the magical place home, but after a day which includes such delights as blackening the eye of her lecherous boss and changing a flat tire in a chilly spring deluge, she'll settle for an evening spent curled up in front of a fire with a cup of tea. But what Sunny wants is not what she gets...

When Robert Cameron pounds on Sunny's door, he isn't paying a social call. With one brother struck dead in battle and another fighting for his life, the medieval laird has braved a trip onto enemy soil to fetch the MacLeod witch, a crone renowned for her healing powers. But the woman who opens her door to him is enchanting and young...and not from his century.

This was a good romance. It had action, history, and passion (without a lot of smuck). I enjoyed the story and the little twists it had in it.

Calamity Jayne Series by Kathleen Bacus

Calamity Jayne

Tressa Jayne Turner has had it up to here with the never ending string of dumb-blonde jokes and her longtime nickname that's harder to get rid of than lint from a belly button. Crowned "Calamity Jayne" by Iowa Department of Natural Resources officer Rick Townsend, Tressa's out to gain a little hometown respect - or die trying. Unfortunately for Tressa, that may be the case. She's just been handed the perfect opportunity to get "Ranger Rick," the doubting Don Juan of the DNR, and a skeptical citizenry to finally take her seriously. How? By solving a murder no one else believes happened...No one, that is, except the killer.

I was constantly cracking up reading this one. I cant believe how many interesting situations this girl gets herself into. I highly recommend anyone who wants a good laugh to pick this one up.

Calamity Jayne Rides Again

Two months ago, 23- year-old Tressa Jayne Turner knew just where she stood with "Ranger Rick" Townsend. Sure, her older brother's friend is what you'd call hott with two t's, but he's also responsible for her nickname, "Calamity Jayne," and their sparring since high school makes the Hatfields and the McCoys look like kissing cousins. And ever since they solved that murder last summer -- ever since Rick saved her cookies, he's acted as if he has a god-given right to sample them.

Of course, Tressa has bigger frenches to fry. The Iowa State Fair is about to start; and as well as being her favorite time of year -- donuts, funnel cakes, cotton candy, turkey legs!-- it's also her Uncle Frank's busiest. His ice cream stand is in a prime location, and he's poised to scoop the competition. So when a soft-serve saboteur appears at the same time her cousin goes missing, it's another fine sticky mess - worse than a King Kone with a hole.

Tressa is definitely back in her full glory. Loved this one too!

(Still to come)

Ghouls Just Want To Have Fun

Calamity Jayne Goes To College
Calamity Jayne Heads West

Holly Would Dream by Karen Quinn

Holly Ross often wishes she lived in a simpler time, when the clothes were glamorous, the men debonair, and the endings happy. That said, her career as a fashion historian isn't so bad. With both a wedding and a big promotion coming up, her own happily ever after seems assured.
So how, in the space of one day, does it all go wrong? How does she end up homeless, jobless, penniless, and fiancé-less? Why is she cruising the Mediterranean in hot pursuit of real estate tycoon Denis King? And why, for heaven's sake, is she chasing down a suitcase full of stolen Audrey Hepburn gowns?
With the sparkling Mediterranean and the eternal city of Rome as the backdrops, Holly's adventures begin to resemble one of the 1950s Hollywood gems she so adores. Finally she must choose between her long-held fairy tale fantasy and a new, real-life dream with an ending she couldn't possibly imagine.

This one wasnt too bad of a read. I absolutely loved the gay friend Nigel!

I learned a little about what a pain old clothes can be to repair. I dont think they're worth all the hastle.

We didnt need the major sex scene toward the end of the novel.

Me and Mr. Darcy by Alexandra Potter

After a string of disastrous dates, Emily Albright decides she’s had it with modern-day love and would much rather curl up with Pride and Prejudice and spend her time with Mr. Darcy, the dashing, honorable, and passionate hero of Jane Austen’s classic. So when her best friend suggests a wild week of margaritas and men in Mexico with the girls, Emily abruptly flees to England on a guided tour of Jane Austen country instead. Far from inspiring romance, the company aboard the bus consists of a gaggle of little old ladies and one single man, Spike Hargreaves, a foul-tempered journalist writing an article on why the fictional Mr. Darcy has earned the title of Man Most Women Would Love to Date.The last thing Emily expects to find on her excursion is a broodingly handsome man striding across a field, his damp shirt clinging to his chest. But that’s exactly what happens when she comes face-to-face with none other than Mr. Darcy himself. Suddenly, every woman’s fantasy becomes one woman’s reality. . . .

I'll admit that I got sucked into the book but I was really disappointed in it. I know I'm a bit old fashion saying this but the swearing was unnecessary and I didn't really care for the way she portrayed Mr. Darcy. Other than that it was okay, I don't think that I would ever read it again.”

Fiance At Her Fingertips

Debra is tired of everyone trying to fix her up. She is perfectly happy with her singlehood. One day, while walking around mall she finds a gag gift that claims "The single girl's all-in-one solution to all those friendly fix-me-ups." She decides what could it hurt? Next thing she knows....the make believe boyfriend is all too real!

This book was refreshing and a good laugh.

Circle of Magic Series (Tamora Pierce)

Sandry's Book
Here begins the tale of Daja, Briar, Tris, and Sandry, four children brought to Winding Circle Temple for training in crafts and magic. They are outcasts in their homeland. But in this magical place, they are valued and respected for their special powers.

Tris's Book

When Winding Circle comes under attack by Pirate Queen Pahua and her army, the four magicians-in-training unite in their powers to defeat the enemy.

Daja's Book

Outcast Trader Daja, along with her fellow mages-in-training, journeys from Winding Circle to the Gold Ridge Mountains, where drought threatens widespread famine. There, Daja creates an astonishing object: a living metal vine. A caravan of Traders covets the vine, and Daja's dealings with her former people reawaken a longing for familiar ways. Daja must choose -- should she return to the Traders, or remain with the Winding Circle folk who have become her family?

Briar's Book

Briar, whose magic lies in the realm of plants, finds that a dear friend is suffering from a mysterious illness. Briar and his fellow mages-in-training must bind their magic together to save the person Briar loves best.

I enjoyed this young adult series written by Tamora Pierce. It was a simple read but I liked the relationships between the characters and how they learned to overcome trials with the help of each other.