Review: Saints at Devil's Gate: Landscapes Along the Mormon Trail by Laura Allred Hurtado, Bryon C. Andreasen, John Burton, Josh Clare, Bryan Mark Taylor

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

*UPDATE* Now available at Amazon!
 This book was published to accompany an exhibition of the same name at the Church History Museum in Salt Lake City. Therefore, distribution of the book has been limited. Copies are available at the museum gift store, at store.lds.org, and at some independent bookstores in Utah.

Synopsis

A beautiful art book from the Church Historian's Press, publisher of The Joseph Smith Papers.

From 1846 to 1869, some 70,000 Mormon pioneers traveled the Mormon Trail, the 1,300-mile route from Illinois and Iowa to Salt Lake City. In 2011, three award-winning Mormon painters decided to visit sites all along the historic route and capture the landscapes in oil. This full-color art book, featuring 52 landscape paintings, presents the fruit of their five-year project. Each painting is paired with journal entries or reminiscences from pioneers who made the journey. Essays by the authors and an artist interview illuminate both the art and the history of the trail.

The book gives written and visual context to the pioneers’ experience of the trail, bears witness to the land as it exists today, and links the experience of pioneers to the challenges of today.

My Review

I loved this art book, not just because of the gorgeous paintings, but also the history and real accounts from trail journals and reminiscences of pioneers. Their words truly enhanced the viewing experience and I'm sure the exhibit in the Church History Museum is amazing! The paintings allowed me to try and see the landscapes from the pioneers' perspective, and the wide range of experiences shared showed the trials and joys of men, women, and children of all ages. I was surprised to recognize one of the modern scenes- the road leading to the Winter Quarters Temple. I've driven on that road a few times while in Nebraska for family events. The pioneer cemetery next to the temple site is unforgettable, especially when visited during an icy winter since it brings to life the harsh conditions they endured. I liked that the book showcased the work of three artists, providing both variety and continuity. There are sidebars of information on the majority of pages that provide historical context for the painting subject and pioneer accounts that provided enlightenment. The size of the book is large but not overly so, it fit inside my church tote. The pages are high quality paper and will withstand multiple viewings over time. It is a well-produced book of beautiful art and I encourage you to visit the exhibit and/or purchase a copy for yourself!

(I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher; all opinions in this review are my own)

Extras

View the online exhibit of artwork, maps, and quotes from pioneers

Learn more about the artwork and exhibit from the artists and curators

Accounts from journals of pioneers who traveled through Devil's Gate

Review: How to Get Over Your Ex in Ninety Days by Jennifer Peel

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

How to Get Over Your Ex in Ninety Days

• Break off all contact for ninety days.
• Stay away from social media.
• Remember all the things you liked to do when you were single and revisit those activities.
• Think carefully about starting any new romantic attachments.
• Wine, lots of wine. No, don’t. It could end badly.
• Be mindful of anxiety and feelings of hopelessness.
• Remind yourself it takes ninety days for your mind to switch gears and picture your life in a new direction.

Presley Benson thinks she found the perfect plan to get over her ex-boyfriend, Jackson Montgomery. All she needs is ninety days. There’s a problem, though. Jackson Montgomery is the newly appointed vice principal of Riverton High School where she teaches drama.

And oh yeah, he wants her back.

So what’s a girl to do? Stick with the plan of course.

My Review

Talk about being pulled in different directions! Presley is head-over-heels in love with Jackson, but he blindsides her when she is unceremoniously dumped. It's brutal, and she takes it hard. The first person perspective lends itself well to all the angst that ensues. Fortunately, the witty humor keeps it from being depressing, and the plan gives Presley a goal to stick to as she struggles with the aftermath of a once-in-a-lifetime relationship. Her close girlfriend lends support as well as her teaching mentor at the school and Jackson's grandmother. Jackson initially comes off as a real jerk, but of course we learn throughout the book how great their romance was with some flashbacks and reminiscing. Like a guy, Jackson wants to have his cake and eat it too when he tries to stay friends with Presley... which makes getting over him even harder! Throw in a couple of handsome guys to get Jackson jealous and she has her hands full. Jackson grew on me when it became apparent that he realized he made a massive mistake and starts sincerely trying to fix things. I loved that Presley sure gave him a run for his money! There's more than meets the eye with Jackson and the issues he's dealing with though, and I appreciated that Presley's compassion prevented her from becoming truly bitter and unforgiving in the end. Lots of great romantic tension and an ending to make all the drama worth it ;)

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

"8 is Great" Baptism-themed Giveaway from Jessica B. Ellingson!

FOLLOW Author Jessica B. Ellingson and LIKE & COMMENT on this Facebook post to be entered to win! And because we like to share, if you tag someone in your comment who you know would like this, THEY WIN TOO! Both of you will be sent the following prizes:

• I Want to be Baptized by Annalisa Hall (Get on Amazon)
• The Sacrament is for Me by Jessica B. Ellingson (Get here or on Amazon)
• Color Your Way to Baptism Pamphlet by Kinsey Becket (Get on Amazon)
• CTR Shield and Number 8 Cookie Cutters by Pioneer Plus (Get on Amazon)

The giveaway starts on January 20, 2017 and ends at midnight (MDT) on January 31, 2017. The winner will be announced February 1, 2017.

Review: The Reformer by Jaima Fixsen

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Mary Buchanan has bigger worries than the radical journalist moving in next door who’s spoiling her father’s digestion: unrequited love for a footman, a fractious aunt, patiently awaiting her destiny…

Already she’s nearly eighteen. No sign of destiny yet, but Mary’s certain he’ll be handsome.

Then she meets the reformer, this Mr. Samuel Brown. Destiny is closer at hand than Mary has supposed—if she can just get Mr. Brown to realize it.

My Review

Another favorite from the Power of the Matchmaker series, and a new-to-me author discovered! I really enjoyed the writing style, the way the author protrayed the mundane and repressed life of Mary without it being boring, and her transformation into somewhat of a rebel. Mary's one passion she is allowed to have is drawing, and the descriptions of the caricatures she draws of those around her reveal a wry and cynical part of her personality, which make some of her later choices understandable. She develops a romantic obsession with Samuel, a man she hardly knows but finds herself attracted to, which brings with it an association with Samuel's good friend and protector, Niall. He isn't pleasant to her in an effort to scare her off his friend, but it backfires by helping her find her spine and he becomes an outlet for her before-hidden sassiness. I loved their interactions!!! Poor Niall finds himself shifting from defender of Samuel to self-appointed protector of Mary, and the twists in the plot were angst-inducing. I enjoyed the historical setting and learning more about the reform movement in England, which also provided some action when the riots start. The matchmaker's role in the story as Mary's neighbor Mrs. Chin is an integral one which I liked since it didn't make her seem random. Her love for gardening, long talks with Niall, and appreciation of Mary's drawing skills are endearing and I felt like she was more well-rounded in this story than in some of the others. I'm looking forward to reading the other books written by this author!

(I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher; all opinions in this review are my own)