Promises by Carolyn Frank

The back cover tells us a little about the story. Hattie is barely twelve when her pa’s business adventures move her family to the new town of Tropic, Utah. Her pa views the town an opportunity. Hattie is hopelessly shy and views it with apprehension. More than anything else, Hattie wants to be like her father-not afraid of meeting new people, talking to strangers, and standing up for herself. So it is with trepidation that she accepts he pa’s challenge and promises to make new friends.

Hattie forms more promises as she struggles to make friends, finding companionship in places she wouldn’t have expected and learning that there is a difference between complaining and standing up for one’s self.

Promises is a heart warming story of friendship with a touch of mystery and adventure set in the days before Bryce Canyon became a national park. Drawn from the memoirs of Hattie Adair Jolley and her children, it is a realistic glimpse into the past and a delightful story for readers ages eight to eighty.

I’m sure it is no secret that I love historical fiction stories. I enjoyed the beautiful scenery picture that Carolyn painted in this book. I honestly felt like I was right there as she described the scenes entering the valley during their move and the things she saw on her many adventures to Bryce Canyon and Mossy Cave.

Since I was shy when I was younger I could feel the struggles Hattie had as she learned to speak up for herself and those she loved. I felt her disappointment and excitement when her family moved to Beaver so she could attend the academy. My family moved a lot when I was a young child. I hated finding new friends.

Hattie was a brave girl and helped her friend Mae even when it meant her life was in danger. I enjoyed this book and was disappointed when the story ended. To me Hattie had an exciting life and I enjoyed the telling of her young life. Hattie really did find out that PROMISES are hard to keep if you’re timid. They are even hard to keep when you get older and aren't so afraid to speak up. Circumstances change and it's not always convenient to keep a promise.

Courting Miss Lancaster by Sarah M. Eden

The back cover of this book reads -

Harry Windover adores blonde, green-eyed Athena Lancaster, but alas, a penniless man like himself has no hope of winning a young noblewoman’s hand. To add insult to injury, Athena’s brother-in-law and guardian, the Duke of Kielder, has asked Harry to assist Athena in finding the gentleman of her dreams. But the lovesick Harry is cunning as well: as the weeks pass, he introduces Athena to suitors who are horrifically boring, alarmingly attached to their mothers, downright rude, astoundingly self-absorbed – nothing like the loyal, gentle friend she’s found in Harry. But how long can Harry’s scheme be hidden before it is discovered? And what will Athena do when she uncovers Harry’s deception? Escape into a charming regency world in this delightfully romantic comedy of manners that will entertain you to the very last word.

After reading the first books I had to read this one. I was not dissappointed. I love any story that has anything to do with history. I could tell Sarah had done her research on the way things were done in England during the early 1800’s. It was interesting to watch as Athena was introduced into society by attending the many balls so she could find herself a suitable gentleman. Harry was charming and I wondered as I read what method of deceit he would use next to keep the men away from her. I loved the humor and enjoyed the book. I was sure the two were made for each other, but neither of them could see it. All Athena could see was that Harry was a good friend and all Harry could do was claim he was a fortune hunter. I really did wonder if they would ever come together.

The Assassination of Governor Boggs, a Historical Novel by Rod Miller

This story takes place as detective Pogue, of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency steps into a hair-raising mystery and tracks down Governor Boggs’s enemies and friends to determine who really shot the past governor. He begins the story by telling us that Lilburn Boggs was never the same after getting shot in the head. News of the assassination spread quickly, but the news was premature because he lasted the night and nearly eighteen more years.

Rod Miller has written many essays, magazine articles, book reviews, and anthologized short stories, and poems. I can tell he did his research while writing this book and he didn’t leave any trail unturned. I learned more in this one book than I have heard in many years. Several years ago I read the biography of Porter Rockwell, by Richard Lloyd Dewey. From reading both books I have drawn my own conclusion and that is that Mr. Rockwell became the scapegoat of every mysterious incident that happened during his lifetime.

I love the personal part of the story with detective Progue buying small horses on his travels through the west for his young daughter’s collection. He was a likeable guy, not in a hurry, but thorough in his questioning. He also didn’t seem to be influenced by other’s opinions.

I enjoyed the descriptions of the rhythmic clack and hum of wheels on the rails and the abandoned town of Nauvoo. Because of the many images Rod painted it put me right into the story. He also has the ability to help me see the individuals in the story as he talks about the tousled hair, and a gaunt whiskered face. The trip into the Salt Lake valley seemed real as he was jostled over the mountains and plains, lurched up an incline, chocked by Red Desert dust, and the bone-jarring ride down Echo Canyon. I appreciate the fact that Miller found documents that I had never read before, such as the extermination order given by Governor Boggs.

Brigham Young states that in his his opinion Rockwell's innocence is "a certainty- if only, for no other reason, that Boggs survived. Had Port fired the shot, that would not have been the case."

I always love books that include in the back discussion questions. I know that this helps book clubs in their debates about the book. I can tell that Rod really thought through these questions. He doesn’t give us the answer but instead gives us something to think about. I particularly love the last question Do you think Porter Rockwell did it?

I am sure that anyone interested in history during this time period would love this book. I did.

A Book Review

Late Saturday evening I posted this book review but by Sunday it disappeared. I'm going to try doing this again.

All That Was Promised by Vickie Hall was an easy read for me. I loved this book from the very first page.

The story starts out with a Mormon missionary, Ben Lachlan, preaching to Richard Kenyon, a Methodist minister, who soon finds himself questioning his lifes work. His wife isn't sure she wants her husband to go down this new path.

I could tell that Vickie did lots of research. I have been to Cardiff and in reading this book it brought back many scenes I remembered from my visit. All of her characters came to life and seemed like real people to me.

This book is full of lots of action, mystery, and love stories. The persecution the early saints in Wales had to endure when they joined this new church is amazing. I'm sure it would test anyone almost more than one can imagine. Every chapter had a new challenge. I love historical fiction and this book was no exception. I had a hard time putting it aside and wanted to read even when I was supposed to be working. The only disappointing thing for me was that it ended. I wanted it to continue.

Dawn's Early Light

This book is the third volume in a series, Free Men and Dreamers, by L. C. Lewis. I can’t think of anyone better suited to write this book than someone born and raised in the historical setting of Washington D.C. and Baltimore where this entire series is set. I envy her being able to spend so much time in this part of our great country. Those of you that know me are aware of how much I love history and visiting the places where history was made.

Laurie made this part of history and the war of 1812 come to life. I fell in love with the main characters immediately, and I cheered when Jed freed the slaves living on his plantation. This story made me wish that I could have been there fighting alongside those living at the Willows when Sebastian Dupree attacked their home. I have visited Washington D.C. several times, and I have read the stories about the British burning our nation’s capital during this era. Al though, I knew the story, I still cried when Laurie made this part of history real with her descriptions of destruction.

Laurie had a way of making me truly experience the pain and passion of the American’s, the slaves, and the British as they endured that week in American history when Washington burned. Anyone that enjoys reading historical fiction will certainly enjoy this book.

Illuminations Of The Heart

Illuminations of the Heart is a historical romantic novel by Joyce DiPastena

The will of Sirol de Calendri’s late brother directs her to go to the county of Poitou, France, where she enters the guardianship of her brother’s friend, Sir Triston de Brielle, who snatches her heart away with a kiss.

Triston carries guilt for the death of his late wife, Clothilde, and is hesitant to love again, especially since Siri looks like Clothilde. However, Siri does not act like Clothilde, because Sirol has a merry laugh and twinkling eyes.

Triston finds himself trapped between the rivalry of the king’s sons and a neighbor out for vengeance. Siri will not live in another woman’s shadow and refuses to let the man she loves cast her off.

I love the fact that Joyce tried to make this book as accurate as possible when including historical events. She even included a glossary of Medieval Terms at the back of the book. There is plenty of action, and it kept me on the edge of my seat many times. I would recommend this book to any of my friends. I know you won’t be disappointed. Illumination of the Heart is on the list of books nominated for a Whitney Award. It certainly has my vote.

The Undaunted – The Miracle of the Hole-in-the-Rock Pioneers

by Gerald N. Lund



I just complete reading this book last night and decided I should post a review of what I thought about it.

This is a true story of a group of Mormon pioneers who undertook and completed what many thought was an impossible journey. This time, they were not running from persecution or trying to find a place where they would have religious freedom. Some of these people had a successful business, or a well-established farms, nice homes, and they were enjoying a good life. Why then did they leave? They believed that the call was from the Lord and it was necessary for the safety and good of the entire community. Each one of them thought it was the right thing to do.

After seeing what lie ahead with the Hole-in-the Rock, a former handcart pioneer, Jens Nielson said, “We must go through, even if we cannot.”

And, that is exactly what they did. There is plenty of adventure, romance, and sacrifices in these 800 pages. The pioneers sacrificed much to go on the San Juan Mission.

The Hole-in-the-Wall Pioneers had to face many problems. I enjoyed reading the details of each of the hardships they endured as they built a way through the Hole-in-the-Rock, blasted out perilous trails over slick rock and through desolate cliffs as they made their way through the Cottonwood Hill, Grey Mesa, The Chute, Slick Rock Hill, Clay Hill Pass, Salvation Knoll, and many others. Some of the cliffs were treacherous and difficult to get around. The slick red rocks and clay hills made it hard for the animals to get their footing, and still pull a wagon.

I agree with G. N. Lund. It is good to look to the past to gain appreciation for the present and perspective for the future. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read adventure stories along with romance.

About Me - Part 2

My second completed novel is called A Magical Journey to the Past, and tells what life was like for two modern-day children trying to find their great-grandpa during the war of 1812. It’s a short middle grade historical fiction story.

John and Mary visit their great-grandpa’s ancient dugout and find an old diary. They wish they could see where he lives, and the journal takes them there. Once there they discover they are dressed differently than the people around them, and they are in the middle of a war. In their trek to locate their ancestor, they meet new people and encounter adventures such as rescuing an injured British soldier, and surviving a storm at sea. Finally, at the fort where their great-grandpa is they surrender so they can get inside. Even after meeting him, the story doesn’t end. They continue to watch the war all around them. They all make promises to one another before he returns to the fighting and Mary and John return home.

I hope this book will soon find a home.

My next book is also a children’s historical fiction and has two parts, and is called Waves of Change. The first part is about my Mayflower ancestor, Henry Sampson, who came to a new land with an aunt and uncle searching for religious freedom. It tells of the hardships he had to overcome after being left alone when those he came with died. Henry was strong and healthy, and learned to build houses, hunt, plant gardens, and gather the harvest. Henry made friends with the feathered people. Someday he would be old enough to own land, and was glad he had stayed here in a free land. His life changed after sailing across the ocean on the Mayflower.

The second section of the story starts two-hundred years later in up-state New York with Henry’s fourth great grandson, Silas Hillman. After Silas’s parents join a new church the persecution starts with the children at school teasing him. Soon the people in the town turn against the family and they are unable to sell their crops. They move west, going by way of the Erie Canal to Buffalo. Then they visit an uncle in Napoli, New York before heading to Kirtland, Ohio. The persecution doesn’t end and they move to Missouri. Several times, the militia called Silas to help protect the mobs from attacking Joseph Smith. The family was forced to move to Illinois. Silas became a commandant in the Nauvoo Legion, but couldn't stop the murder of Joseph and Hyrum.

I have not finished the edits on this book, but know it will be hard finding a home for it. I wanted to write some more back in time books to other historical scenes, but have found that children’s historical fiction books are hard to sell. I’m thinking of changing my writing techniques – maybe I need a different genre. Or maybe I need to write for adults, or about something different than history. It’s hard to make such a decision. If anyone has any ideas they would like to share, I’d like to hear them.

About Me - Part 1

I’m the mother of two boys, and two girls, and a grandmother to 18. I currently live in Kearns, Utah with my husband, a dog and a large collection of fairies, including a fountain. Besides writing I enjoy sleeping under the bellies of dinosaurs, building parade floats, traveling and spending time with my family.

When I strike it rich I want to buy a yacht and sail around the world. I want to see first hand all the many different historical sites that I’ve read about in books so I can write more stories about magical adventures.

Martha’s Freedom Train is a historical fiction story written for those above the age of 10, and it will be my first published novel. It isn’t easy, but Martha and her parents escape slavery with the help of many kind conductors for the Underground Railroad—an escape route set up by people of all colors. After many weeks, they find an entrance to a station hidden securely in a hill. A station is where caring people help the slaves hide from those who would keep them captive. They finally have a safe place to stay. Mamma can go no farther. She has caught pneumonia because of the rainy weather and the many cold rivers and streams they crossed.

Papa learns about a wagon train of Mormons traveling west, and he takes Martha to meet them. Martha’s heart almost breaks when Papa promised to come find her when her mamma is well, but insists she must go west with these strangers.

Those in charge decide that Martha will travel with an older woman who is kind and caring and will take good care of her. It isn’t long before Martha calls her Grandma. Since Martha has walked for weeks escaping slavery, it isn’t hard for her to adapt to the situation of traveling with these people. Martha meets a girl, Laura, who is near her age and they become good friends.

Martha encounters many exciting adventures along the way. They cross rivers, see Indians and buffalo. She helps put out a fire, and after falling asleep beside the trail, they accidentally leave her behind.

Once they reach the Salt Lake valley, she still has choices to make. She wants to stay in Salt Lake with her new grandma, but Laura’s family wants her to travel south to help them build a new home. She longs to go with her new friend, but if she leaves, she wonders how her papa will find her.

I hope you will watch for my book in the spring. Also watch for the second part of About Me.