Showing posts with label author: anita stansfield. Show all posts
Showing posts with label author: anita stansfield. Show all posts
June 30, 2017
The Garden 2: The Garden Path
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Again, I really wanted to like this series, and it is enjoyable, but it didn't draw me into the story like I'd hoped. PTSD makes an appearance again, which seemed overkill after all the focus on it in The Dickens Inn, which I just finished before this set. Good things happen overall, but it's at a very slow pace and very conveniently timed for what the family needs to do in the long run. Happy for them at the end of the book, but not something that would likely interest me in re-reading down the road.
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The Garden 1: The Wishing Garden
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
This was a very slow moving story, heavy on secrets, gang references, bigotry, emotional abuse and trials (both literal and figurative). Enjoyable overall, but not very high ranking on that scale. There are a lot of loose ends left, though hopefully the trouble with the law is over. I guess the next book will tell if the story was worth continuing.
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June 26, 2017
The Dickens Inn 4: Tranquil Light
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
A fast read that was mostly enjoyable. Not as heavy on rehashing previous events as the last book was. There was a lot of emotional baggage, resurgence of depression, and a lot of potentially bad situations. Of course, like all of Stansfield's books, the book ends on a high note. There is one book left for the series, so we'll see what drama remains for this family and their friends.
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The Dickens Inn 5: Every Graceful Fancy
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
There are several parallels in this book to By Love & Grace, one of the books I read early on after discovering this author and a long time favorite of mine. While Jackson has the track record with emotional difficulties here, this time Chas is quietly struggling in the background while the focus of the story is on Kate and Mick. Kate's family are real pieces of work as is "Polo Boy." Makes everything else that much more poignant. Chas' parallels and emotional struggle seem to fall into the background and are forgotten most of the time, only to come back up at the very end just to find her own answers. Sort of sad to see her become an afterthought when the entire series is in her home and never would have started without her and the guidance she's given Jackson.
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The Dickens Inn 2: A Far, Far Better Place
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This book focused a lot on Jackson and his PTSD. There is still plenty going on with both their immediate and extended family. While Jackson's most positive changes happened in the first book, his behavior and habits took a major backslide in this book before his big revelation. With that now firmly in place, it will be interesting to see what new challenges they face in the following books.
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The Dickens Inn 3: A Loving Heart
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
There is a lot going on in this book. As a result it can sometimes feel like some things happen too quickly, while others are either glossed over without enough attention/information or drag on/end up being repeated. Events in the previous books, especially the first one, are brought up repeatedly. There are also some minor contradictions here and there, like when Tarasov "checked out" but was actually just exploring the town and returned later that day, never having actually checked out or removed any of his belongings that a traveler would not leave behind. Once again, there are many positive things happening for their family, though not without challenges. At the end of the day, it's an enjoyable feel good type of story. Just didn't have me completely enthralled or invested in the events.
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June 17, 2017
The Dickens Inn 1: The Best of Times
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I ended up staying up way too late finishing this book a little past midnight. Chas and Jackson have a very intense and fast relationship. It is refreshing to see a character taking their time learning about the gospel, and the ecclesiastical leaders being completely supportive of this, even once marriage is officially on the table. I can't help but think back to the mixed commentary my husband and I received when he was investigating and we were engaged. Chas has a very firm grip on what is okay and not okay when it comes to her charity and service, which is truly a view I wish more shared. Overall, this is a very active and engaging story that is easy to read. Makes me look forward to reading the rest of the series more.
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March 10, 2012
Jayson Wolfe 5: The Silence of Snow
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
While religious views are still very much a focal point of this story, the final installment does wrap up all the loose ends very nicely, including Drew's final re-connection with his family, Layla getting better and moving on, Macy finally getting pregnant again, the tour being a big family success, and perhaps biggest of all - the change in Sister Freedman and her unofficial adoption into the Wolfe family complete with mini family concerts and stories. That was one thorn that would have eaten at Jayson again and again the way the story was going before. Also happy to see Trevin officially take on Jayson's name and proudly step into the spotlight with the rest of his family. The parent/child relationship is beyond ideal in this family.
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March 7, 2012
Jayson Wolfe 4: Shelter from the Storm
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
While I still enjoy the characters and especially get a kick out of the music interwoven in the story as I also play piano and sing, the repetitve obstacles and church callings seemed to get shoved down the readers throat more and more, which made it more obnoxious in the long run. Also felt that there were perhaps too many details that bogged down the story sometimes rather than keeping it moving along. It also felt like the series could have ended well with the last book after Jayson and Elizabeth finally getting married, so this came across as an odd-on after the fact. It did nicely dove tail things with Elizabeth's mother however. Makes me wonder if the last book will put Debbie back in her place as that will make it so all the core characters are either happily married ore dead.
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March 6, 2012
Jayson Wolfe 3: Winds of Hope
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
It's about time things finally worked out for Jayson and Elizabeth. Almost a little too heavy emphasis on the whole search/ponder/pray theme and all the repetitive gratefulness running rampant. Other than that, a heart warming story that finally pulls through all the bad times and highlights a lot of really great things for everyone in the story. Especially interesting how Elizabeth ends up on stage with Jayson once again and they manage to get in touch with his own pioneer roots. Amazing what a little genealogy work can bring.
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Jayson Wolfe 2: A Distant Thunder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I got started back on this series, only to end up putting it aside again for other books that I was also interested in at the time. Made me wonder why when I got into it last night and could not put it down. Don't know if that made the insomnia better or worse thanks to baby activity last night. At least it gave me something enjoyable during the time. Jayson and Elizabeth seem to have no shortage of heartache in this installment. The two have always seemed to be meant for each other though, so really hoping the next few books put things back to rights for them both.
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March 29, 2011
Jayson Wolfe 1: The Sound of Rain
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Jayson Wolfe and his family move to Oregon to get away from his abusive, drunk father. Jayson and his brother, Drew, would do just about anything for their mother. Aside from that, the two off them are very talented musicians, especially Jayson who constantly has music in his head and has already composed several songs himself. Meeting fellow musician enthusiast, Derek, seems like a dream come true as they start up their first band. It only gets better as Jayson finds himself in love with Derek's sister, Elizabeth, who returns his feelings. Not all good things are meant to last though. Things start falling apart when Derek is killed in a car accident, Jayson is hurt in another car wreck, and Elizabeth decides college means they must part ways. While promising to really keep in touch and their parents now being involved with each other, the story ends heartrendingly as Elizabeth prepares to go to college in Boston and Jayson makes the long journey to LA with his brother in hopes of making it big. A lot of learning and ups and downs in this book, but definitely not the stories ending. Will have to wait for when I can pick up the next two books to find out what Jayson's future holds.
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November 27, 2010
Byrnehouse-Davies & Hamilton 7: By Love & Grace
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is one of my favorite books ever. I often come back to it when I want something familiar and good to read or need a pick-a-me-up. Wonderful, very touching and realistic story.
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