Edenbrooke

There has been a lot of hype with this book, and with good reason! This book is fabulous! I love this kind of book anyway but it definitely was a book that captivated me and made me wish I was the main character. It's set in the Regency or Victorian Era in England so you know right there it's going to be a good book. I love that Era. It's a romance novel that also has some humor in it. This is one of those books where you just want to shake the main character and say "you're in love with him! Why can't you see that!!!" Marianne and Philip are the main characters. Don't you just love that name? I think it has a sophisticated ring to it. Marianne's grandmother promises to make her the heir if she can prove herself to be a lady. The problem is that Marianne is the sort of girl who loves the outdoors, wants to learn fencing and enjoys a good twirl every now and then. Philip is meant to be Marianne's guardian while she is on a little vacation and struggles with falling in love with her but can't because that's inappropriate. Marianne doesn't know he has taken on the role of her guardian and knows that her twin sister is actually hoping to ensnare Philip-but not for the right reasons. It has intrigue, love, humor and a little bit of action in it-all the ingredients to make the perfect book. Read it! I know you won't be disappointed!!

The Silence of God

This is an LDS, Historical Fiction book that is about the very first Mormon saints in Russia. The characters and main story are true but mingled with fiction. It's during the time in Russia of Lenin and socialism and communism and the overthrow of the Tsars.
It's very interesting but it did not hold my attention. Plus, socialism and communism make me mad. I also didn't like that the people of Russia tried to get God out of their country...which obviously didn't work. Reading books like this remind how very grateful I am to live in a free country where I am free to worship as I may and believe in God. Even though there are those people who are trying to squeeze God out of this country I think they will see-as the Russians and everyone else who tries to do that-that He will not be mocked and that it is simply impossible to get rid of your Creator!
Anyway, the story is fascinating, but just kind of a slow moving book. I didn't really fall in love with any of the characters and while I enjoyed reading the actual facts that happened, it wasn't captivating enough to hold my attention. Perhaps I am just not in the right mood for this book. Sorry!