Where the Heart Leads: Historical Romance Breathes Peace

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Dec 12, 2001

Where the Heart Leads(2001), Anita Stansfield?s newest historical romance, takes readers back to the year 1894. Here we meet Jonathon Brandt, a young doctor, aching to leave his Boston home and the stern father he has come to loathe. When his beloved mother passes away, Jonathon finally makes the break. Heading west, but with no particular destination in mind, the young man decides to visit his Aunt Ellie in Central Utah. While attempting to find Ellie?s home, Jonathon stumbles upon the house of a beautiful young Mormon woman. He can?t help but be drawn to the talented Maddie Hansen, despite the mysterious secret she harbors and her contentious father who takes an instant disliking to Jonathon. In spite of himself, Jonathon also finds himself investigating The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Not only does he respect the members he meets, but he is also intrigued by Mormon theology. With the challenges of Maddie and the Church before him, Jonathon finally feels as if the pieces of his life are falling into place. There is only one problem: He knows he has to forgive his father if he ever wants to have complete peace. Somehow, Jonathon must plow through his own pride and stubbornness to straighten out the past, while not allowing his promising future to slip through his fingers.

This novel?s many layers make it a complex and riveting read. The plot offers enough twists and turns to keep readers interested, but it is the characters that provide the real entertainment. Stansfield employs a host of colorful minor players, including Maddie?s cantankerous father, a thoughtful hick named Ernest Mortensen, and two lovable matchmaking friends. This cast provides the backdrop as Jonathon Brandt and Maddie Hansen come together to explore the complexities of each other and their own selves. The characters are drawn so well that readers can?t help but sympathize with the young couple as they fight every impossibility to be together.

Not only is Stansfield?s book about an unlikely love affair, but it is also a story about finding peace and fulfilment through the Gospel. When Jonathon first encounters the Church, he is a bitter and lonely man. He wants only to forget his unpleasant past and create a new identity for himself somewhere else. As he studies, Jonathon learns that he can find complete peace in Jesus Christ; he also realizes that he cannot be entirely forgiven for his own sins if he refuses to forgive others. Thus, he embarks on a journey that will take him back to the past to confront the parent who has hurt him. Despite the task?s disappointing outcome, Jonathon manages to find the peace that can only come from the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

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The copyright of the article Where the Heart Leads: Historical Romance Breathes Peace in Mormon (LDS) Literature is owned by Eric Jordan Jensen. Permission to republish Where the Heart Leads: Historical Romance Breathes Peace in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.