Book picks similar to
The Understudy by Jack Weyland
lds-fiction
lds
fiction
religious
Pillar of Light
Gerald N. Lund - 1994
I can see it on your face."For a moment, time seemed suspended as Nathan probed the inward recesses of his soul. There was still the incredulousness, still the sense of hearing something that couldn't possibly be true. And yet he knew it was. He knew without the least shadow of doubt that everything Joseph was telling him was true. And so, finally, with a wonder of his own, he said, "Yes, Joseph, I believe you."Pillar of Light — the first volume in the series The Work and the Glory — begins the epic story of the Benjamin Steed family. In the 1820s they move from Vermont to Palmyra Township in upstate New York in search of better farmland. There they meet a young man named Joseph Smith and are thrown into the maelstrom of conflict and controversy that swirls around him. Did he really see the Father and the Son in a pillar of light? Has he truly been visited by angelic messengers? What is all this talk about gold plates and new scripture? In short, is he a prophet and seer or a monumental fraud? The answers each one gives to these questions — intensely personal, potentially divisive — will dramatically affect the lives of the Steeds forever after.Author Gerald N. Lund here masterfully weaves together historical reality and high-powered fiction. In his hands this combination seems to make the reader an eyewitness to the early scenes of the Restoration, thus deepening one's understanding and appreciation of those momentous events. The well-drawn plot and fictional characters present a moving, gripping story. Here are Benjamin and Mary Ann Steed, devoted to each other as man and wife, yet at odds over religion; Joshua, their volatile son, who rebels and heads for trouble; the sensitive Nathan, their second son, in whom Joseph Smith's message strikes a responsive chord; the beautiful Lydia McBride, who captures the hearts of both Joshua and Nathan.This book skillfully explores the inmost motivations of Joseph Smith and his early followers and the responses of typical contemporary families to the claims he made. These people come to life in this powerful historical novel, a story that captures both the heartache and the happiness that came in the wake of Joseph's experience with the pillar of light.
A Promise of Forever
Anita Stansfield - 1996
Then, overnight, their lives are forever altered by two words: breast cancer. Suddenly, their passion for life-and for each other-is deeply affected by the reality of Ilene's fragile hold on mortality. In A Promise of Forever, Anita Stansfield has woven a masterful plot that will satisfy from beginning to end. Here you'll find romance, undying love, tragedy, surprise, renewal, and a keen insight into the challenges and blessings of life. Anita, the incurable romantic, will make a believer of you, too!
Royal Target
Traci Hunter Abramson - 2008
And she certainly doesn't expect to fall in love with him. Janessa resists her feelings, fearing conflicts in her personal and professional life, yet when the Prince admits his feigned affection has become genuine she can no longer pretend. Matters of security, society, and spirituality make their unlikely romance even more complex, and escalating political intrigue gives Janessa an excuse to ignore the questions in her heart. But when a terrorist plot against the royal family endangers them both, Janessa and Garrett must face the challenges of loyalty to family, to country, to Godand to love.
The Secret Journal of Brett Colton
Kay Lynn Mangum - 2005
Her family talks as if he were perfect! All Kathy knows for sure is that Brett is dead. He died of leukemia when he was sixteen and she was only two. But when Kathy turns sixteen, she discovers her brother s hidden journal - a journal written especially for her - and learns about the brother she never knew. At the same time, Kathy is mortified by an assignment to tutor the popular high school quarterback Jason West, a football jock who, even worse, is a Mormon. Author Kay Lynn Mangum brilliantly weaves the dual stories of a dying brother and a coming-of-age sister who learn the importance of loving our family and our friends and nurturing our faith.
Written in the Stars
Michele Ashman Bell - 2001
She'd written him faithfully while he was on his mission. They'd been married now and had six beautiful children. But their twenty-three year marriage had changed somehow--and Michaela was scared.Scared because Ben is so wrapped up in his demanding career and his calling as Bishop, he appears oblivious to any problems in his own home. If their marriage is going to survive, Michaela knows she has to do something before it's too late.If we can only spend some time together, she thinks, we may be able rediscover what brought us together in the first place. Convinced that time away from his career, calling and the children is the only way for them to repair their relationship, Michaela secretly arranges a vacation to the Bahamas. But their romantic adventure turns deadly, and a fight to save their marriage becomes a fight to save their lives.Written in the Stars is packed with drama and emotion and is a "must read".
Passage to Zarahemla
Chris Heimerdinger - 2003
Embark on an adventure of breathtaking suspense and experience a love story that transcends time and space against a backdrop of mind-bending imagination!"
Kate's Turn
Cheri J. Crane - 1994
Sixteen-year-old Kate, chafing under the old-fashioned restrictions of the Mormon Church, travels back in time and learns from her great-great-great-great-grandmother what it really means to be a Latter-day Saint.
The Heart Has Its Reasons
Kerry Blair - 1999
Then Andi meets Greg Howland four days before Sterling returns from his mission and finds that her “checklist for eternal happiness” is suddenly more of a puzzle than an iron-clad plan. Greg, meanwhile, has found success that he never imagined possible, but what started as a dream has fast become a nightmare. Still mourning the death of his brother, Greg is also paying a painful price for his brother’s mistakes. When he meets Andi he feels a whisper of hope for a better life—but is there room in her life for someone like him?
A Heartbeat Away
Rachel Ann Nunes - 2003
. . but a Heartbeat Away left me feeling very content and uplifted. . . I also liked the idea that Kristin was . . . working behind the scenes, so to speak, to help her family cope, to help find the perpetrator, and to help the spirits of the previous victims advance in the Spirit Kingdom as well. All in all, this was an excellent book, and I'm glad I read it." –Melanie Goldmund of Kiel, Germany Book Description "You think it's never going to happen to you. I know because that's how I was—untouchable. Bad things only happen to someone else. Or if something bad actually did happen, it was always something the doctor could fix with fiberglass or a pill. That's the way it was with my family—at least until the year I turned thirteen."When their young daughter, Kristin, is kidnapped, Gary and Angie Marshall struggle to make sense of the unthinkable. Who could do such a thing? And why Kristin? As more time passes in their desperate search for their daughter, their hopes slowly dwindle. They are left with "if onlys" and a glaring uncertainty that damages their marriage and their relationships with their other children, especially their oldest daughter, Meghan.Meanwhile, Kristin is having new experiences of her own. Her first job in her new "life" is to heal the hearts of her family. But doing so turns out to be more of a challenge than she ever expected. How can she get them to let her go so they can find happiness? Or can there ever be a healing after such a devastating trial?Looming above them all is the question—who is responsible for Kristin's disappearance? Is it their beloved uncle? Their neighbor Dale Loveridge, who once dated Angie Marshall? Or could it be Jay, the young man with a colorful past? Or perhaps someone else entirely?Time is running out. As she blames herself for Kristin's disappearance, Meghan turns down a road that can only lead to more unhappiness. Kristin must find a way to help her sister find healing—and perhaps love. A novel of love and the Afterlife from an LDS Christian perspective. More Reviews "This is one AMAZING book! . . . I still marvel over it! Whenever I'm in church and we're talking about heaven, I think about this book! The story is so wonderful that you will get lost in this book and will NEVER want to put it down!" –Brandi of ID"The most beautiful story that had me in tears at the end!" –Alyson Jensen of Tucson, AZ"I finished A Heartbeat Away in record time because I could not put it down. I LOVED IT!" –Angie of Springville, Utah"What a great book to read for all, a real wake up call for safety. I have never read a book by this author, but I loved this book. I couldn't stop reading it, so I ended up reading it in two days. It was wonderful! It was great to be able to see this story unfold from a spiritual perspective and realm . . . I am recommending this book to all my relatives and friends." –Hilda Granado of Carlsbad, California
Rumors of War
Dean Hughes - 1997
In Children of the Promise, his first historical fiction series for adults, Dean shows through the eyes of the Thomas family how LDS families were tested to the limit. "Most people agree it was a fascinating time in world and American history. In fact, there is a charm and nostalgia about that dramatic period," says the author. Dean weaves in those aspects among the conflict in the series. The first volume, Rumors of War opens in 1938 with Elder Alex Thomas and his companion serving in Germany. It soon becomes obvious that he will never complete his mission. War is coming, and that will affect not only Elder Thomas but also his family back home in Salt Lake City.
Table for Two
Sheryl C.S. Johnson - 2012
But when Jana determines that the move can help her get away from Brad—the overly adoring man in her life who she really doesn’t have any feelings for—she decides to go.When Jana arrives for her new adventure, both Alex and his young daughter, Elise, are easily enamored with her—as is Jeff, the ward member who becomes Jana’s first date in her new town. However, Jana is not so sure about her feelings for any of them. And as she works side by side with Alex to transform a shabby house into a charming boutique, it becomes clear to her that Alex wants more than a friendship. Though Jana resists, she knows she has to work out her confusion before she loses everything that is becoming so dear to her. Will she be able to come to terms with the fact that Alex’s deceased wife, Vanessa, will always be a big part of his life, as well as Alex’s and her differing religious convictions and so many other complications that might not fit at a table for two?
Christmas in Haggerty
Betsy Brannon Green - 2006
Not everyone, however, has caught the Christmas spirit. Kate Iverson doesn't want to accept that there will be more babies in her future, even though her doctor is certain that her childbearing years are behind her.Despite her discouragement, a recurring dream has Kate convinced that there is yet work for her to do. Through faith, prayer, and the assistance of inspired friends, Kate soon becomes part of a modern Christmas miracle- and learns a powerful lesson about the true meaning of Christmas.(This comes after Backtrack, #8 in the Haggerty Mystery Series.)
Unsung Lullaby
Josi S. Kilpack - 2006
They would not have a child-not ever.For years, Matt and Maddie have held onto their hope of becoming parents. Now, suddenly faced with the reality that they will not have a child together, Matt is shocked to discover that the consequences of a past mistake may change their lives forever. Having completed the steps of repentance years earlier, Matt has chosen not to tell Maddie about his prior misuse of intimacy. But how can he tell her now- especially when she seems locked inside her own sorrow? In this story of loss, forgiveness, and perseverance, a romantic beginning transitions into a true love story made stronger through the trials the characters face and overcome together.
Right Click
Susan Aylworth - 2009
Talk about shock! Six months later, Sarah is moving forward as a successful teacher with her own home and a fabulous roommate. Her exasperating yet adoring family members are setting her up with every eligible man within reacheven virtually. Sarah thinks she has everything under controluntil a few wrong clicks prove otherwise. Searching her soul, Sarah confronts deep humiliation and anger over Kyle's betrayal. As fierce pride claws her from within, she seeks healing through the Savior's tender mercy. When Sarah meets Craig, who was also badly wounded by love, she finds another chance at happinessbut can both of them leave their painful pasts behind and fully embrace the freeing power of forgiveness? 6" X 9", 192 pages ISBN 978-1-59811-731-8