Helpful Score: 5
This was a very sweet Christian read with a Mormon twist! Kelly has become a beloved author through her mainstream romances so this, her switch to inspirational, will either be a delight or disappointment depending on ones point of view.
Her easy, engaging style, lovable, believable characters and down to earth warmth are wonderfully present in this Western romance. The character of Julia Darling is a graduate of Fannie Farmer's school of cooking in Boston and prides herself in being able to cook culinary masterpieces, so when she accepts a job cooking for a large ranch full of men in Wyoming, one can imagine the plethora of predicaments she gets herself into while trying to heighten the cowhand's palettes. Her relationship to Mr. Otto, her employer is absolutely dear. In fact this whole book reads like a warm fuzzy on a cold night.
If there are drawbacks it would be in two areas. First, Kelly's attempt at incorporating everyday "Mormonism" into the storyline seems somewhat clumsy in the beginning, almost as if Ms. Kelly is trying a little too hard. It does level out as the book progresses and develops into a more subtle yet integral part of the development. Second, with a "sweet" romance, (NO sexual graphics whatsoever) the emotions of the relationship become paramount to the believability of the romance. When we finally work up to that first kiss, we really want to know how it felt! What was it like? Unfortunately here, there was litle more than a mention, then on to cooking dinner.
Still, for a wonderfully clean, delightfully engaging, sweet romance, "Borrowed Light" goes to the top of the list!
Her easy, engaging style, lovable, believable characters and down to earth warmth are wonderfully present in this Western romance. The character of Julia Darling is a graduate of Fannie Farmer's school of cooking in Boston and prides herself in being able to cook culinary masterpieces, so when she accepts a job cooking for a large ranch full of men in Wyoming, one can imagine the plethora of predicaments she gets herself into while trying to heighten the cowhand's palettes. Her relationship to Mr. Otto, her employer is absolutely dear. In fact this whole book reads like a warm fuzzy on a cold night.
If there are drawbacks it would be in two areas. First, Kelly's attempt at incorporating everyday "Mormonism" into the storyline seems somewhat clumsy in the beginning, almost as if Ms. Kelly is trying a little too hard. It does level out as the book progresses and develops into a more subtle yet integral part of the development. Second, with a "sweet" romance, (NO sexual graphics whatsoever) the emotions of the relationship become paramount to the believability of the romance. When we finally work up to that first kiss, we really want to know how it felt! What was it like? Unfortunately here, there was litle more than a mention, then on to cooking dinner.
Still, for a wonderfully clean, delightfully engaging, sweet romance, "Borrowed Light" goes to the top of the list!
Helpful Score: 5
I love Carla Kelly books, and immediately ordered this one when it appeared on Amazon. I overlooked the unfamiliar publisher. I enjoyed the story. Kelly's characters in all her romances are human. In some ways strong, and in others ways growing. This book is no different, however the struggles are personal and the growth occurs in the souls of the hero and heroine. This book has a strong religious bent. It is aimed at an LDS reading public, and includes references to Mormon readings and traditions. Get past that and the story is one of growth in true Carla Kelly tradition.
Helpful Score: 4
Carla Kelly fans shouldn't be put off by the negative reviews of this story. It's a wonderful story and it just happens that the heroine, Julia Darling, is a Mormon. Kelly writes all the characters so wonderfully. In my opinion, the Bible scripture and the Book of Mormon scripture are just a minor sub-theme in this whole story; not overbearing or intimidating to me at all. And I'm not Mormon. I'm sure that I won't stop reading her stories because she now has an LDS publisher. Personally, though, I preferred her London Regency settings as opposed to Historical Western locales.
Helpful Score: 4
I have only read a couple of Carla Kelly's books before Borrowed Light. I like her writing. I like her characters. I like the situations she puts the characters in. I really love the dialog between the Hero and Heroine. I loved the city vs. homesteading challenges the Heroine faced.
I don't have the same reaction to the LDS slant of this book. I don't find it any more heavy on the religious content than the other Christian romances I have read. I am a little surprised that other readers feel that it is any more pushy than the Amish or other sects Bible quoting that we read. I have been enjoying all the Christian or religious romances I read.
I think that the main theme that gives the book its title was quite beautiful: don't base your beliefs or faith in your God on anyone else's. You must find your own 'light'. All of us need to find faith for ourselves. Our husband or wife or brother or sister or mother or father cannot be the source of that faith. It must come from a sure place within each of us.
I do understand that some folks will not want to read anymore of the LDS books that Kelly writes, but I am a Catholic girl that welcomes them. She is a great writer.
I don't have the same reaction to the LDS slant of this book. I don't find it any more heavy on the religious content than the other Christian romances I have read. I am a little surprised that other readers feel that it is any more pushy than the Amish or other sects Bible quoting that we read. I have been enjoying all the Christian or religious romances I read.
I think that the main theme that gives the book its title was quite beautiful: don't base your beliefs or faith in your God on anyone else's. You must find your own 'light'. All of us need to find faith for ourselves. Our husband or wife or brother or sister or mother or father cannot be the source of that faith. It must come from a sure place within each of us.
I do understand that some folks will not want to read anymore of the LDS books that Kelly writes, but I am a Catholic girl that welcomes them. She is a great writer.
Helpful Score: 2
It will not be easy to write this review because I have always loved author Carla Kelly. At first, I thought I would enjoy this one as much as I did The Admiral's Penniless Bride--which I read two or three months ago and gave high marks.
The first third of the book was very interesting with a strong, promising story line. Had the story remained in that style, I would have probably given this book at least 4 stars, maybe even 5. Unfortunately, it did not.
I'm a Christian and admire an author for incorporating that into a story when it is important to the premise. (For example, The Outsider by Penelope Williamson is on my Keeper Shelf and the conflict between H/h mainly involves her religious beliefs.)
However, sometime after the mid-point, this story and dialogue become very LDS to the point that it was offensive to me. Too much Mormon doctrine and quoting from their scriptures--even characters declaring they finally understand how the LDS religion is the "right" way and all the others just don't get it.
Sadly, I will probably never read another "new" Carla Kelly book if this is her new style and subject. Thankfully, she has many older books we can read and enjoy.
RATING: The beginning and premise of this book were not strong enough to overcome the Mormon sledgehammer that is the second half. I gave this book 1 STAR.
The first third of the book was very interesting with a strong, promising story line. Had the story remained in that style, I would have probably given this book at least 4 stars, maybe even 5. Unfortunately, it did not.
I'm a Christian and admire an author for incorporating that into a story when it is important to the premise. (For example, The Outsider by Penelope Williamson is on my Keeper Shelf and the conflict between H/h mainly involves her religious beliefs.)
However, sometime after the mid-point, this story and dialogue become very LDS to the point that it was offensive to me. Too much Mormon doctrine and quoting from their scriptures--even characters declaring they finally understand how the LDS religion is the "right" way and all the others just don't get it.
Sadly, I will probably never read another "new" Carla Kelly book if this is her new style and subject. Thankfully, she has many older books we can read and enjoy.
RATING: The beginning and premise of this book were not strong enough to overcome the Mormon sledgehammer that is the second half. I gave this book 1 STAR.
Sherri H. (mamadoodle) -
For anyone who may be unaware, Carla Kelly has left mainstream romance and is now writing romance for the LDS (Mormon) market. This is her first book. While I enjoyed the story, minus the LDS scripture which I do not subscribe to, I felt like the book was lacking because it didn't have that Carla Kelly spark to it. I don't believe I will be reading anything new by her if this is her new outlet.
Julia Darling is a graduate of the Boston based Fannie Farmer's Cooking School who is engaged to a "great" catch. At least that is how everyone other than Julia feels. She ends her engagement and decides on a whim to respond to an ad by a desperate longtime rancher in Wyoming who is looking for a mature graduate of the Fannie Farmer's Cooking School to cook at his ranch. When she arrives in Wyoming her thoughts about what a longtime rancher would be and Paul Otto's idea of what a mature cook would be are very different than what they see in front of them. They begin an ongoing verbal sparring match which I found to be very funny. I do not know if the author intended that to be the reader response but it was mine. He calls her by her surname only, Darling and she calls him Mr Otto.
When they arrive at the "ranch", Julia is horrified by the conditions of the house. The only redeeming thing in her opinion is the Queen Atlantic cook stove - the best of the best. The Queen has been sadly abused and Julia resolves to remedy that with love and lots of elbow grease as she needs it to make the meals she was hired to prepare. As she meets the various ranch hands she realizes that they are all misfits of some kind who have been taken in by Mr Otto. Over time they tell her the story of how they were rescued by Mr Otto and how he often refers to the fact that they were/are all beggers at some time in life. Julia is really taken by James the young boy Paul has taken in and who is afraid of the wind and being left alone and often has nightmares.
The ranch hands all leave on a cattle drive the day after Julia finally gets the Queen Atlantic cleaned so that she can start to use it to prepare meal. She eagerly anticipates their return and although she was told to have fried steak and hash browns she decides that is not good enough. She prepares a "proper" meal that when set in front of the ranch hands sends them all running to the bunkhouse to eat canned peaches rather than her food. Parts of her meal menu items would have sent me running away from the table also. Eventually she learns that plain simple meals not fancy cooking school meals are what the men want and readily eat.
Mr Otto starts to ask her questions about her religious faith and Julia starts to realize that while she says she believes the various aspects of her religion she is basing her belief on the opinions of others. The borrowed light of the title references her using not her own religious convictions but those of others to say she believes. Paul encourages her to explore her own beliefs and to find her own light. At least 1/4 of the book is related to her searching for her own light and while some reviewers did not like that, I did not mind. We all at some time explore our own religious beliefs.
Some long time secrets and mysteries are explored and resolved but not in the way I was expecting, There are several twists and turns along the way which added to my enjoyment of the book.
When they arrive at the "ranch", Julia is horrified by the conditions of the house. The only redeeming thing in her opinion is the Queen Atlantic cook stove - the best of the best. The Queen has been sadly abused and Julia resolves to remedy that with love and lots of elbow grease as she needs it to make the meals she was hired to prepare. As she meets the various ranch hands she realizes that they are all misfits of some kind who have been taken in by Mr Otto. Over time they tell her the story of how they were rescued by Mr Otto and how he often refers to the fact that they were/are all beggers at some time in life. Julia is really taken by James the young boy Paul has taken in and who is afraid of the wind and being left alone and often has nightmares.
The ranch hands all leave on a cattle drive the day after Julia finally gets the Queen Atlantic cleaned so that she can start to use it to prepare meal. She eagerly anticipates their return and although she was told to have fried steak and hash browns she decides that is not good enough. She prepares a "proper" meal that when set in front of the ranch hands sends them all running to the bunkhouse to eat canned peaches rather than her food. Parts of her meal menu items would have sent me running away from the table also. Eventually she learns that plain simple meals not fancy cooking school meals are what the men want and readily eat.
Mr Otto starts to ask her questions about her religious faith and Julia starts to realize that while she says she believes the various aspects of her religion she is basing her belief on the opinions of others. The borrowed light of the title references her using not her own religious convictions but those of others to say she believes. Paul encourages her to explore her own beliefs and to find her own light. At least 1/4 of the book is related to her searching for her own light and while some reviewers did not like that, I did not mind. We all at some time explore our own religious beliefs.
Some long time secrets and mysteries are explored and resolved but not in the way I was expecting, There are several twists and turns along the way which added to my enjoyment of the book.
Unless you are a Mormon or are interested in that religion, this book is not for you.
Now that I've read almost all of Carla Kelly's books, I decided to re-read this book, that I originallyâ âconsidered proselytizing.
Julia Darling is engaged to the perfect man and isn't too happy about it. Ezra Quayle makes all the decisions and talks with her as if she were a child. Julia has just spent a year at the Fannie Farmer Cooking School and feels she knows a thing or two.
Younger sister Iris is getting married and Julia is preparing the food. When she sees how happy Iris and her new husband are, Julia comes to understand that something is seriously wrong with her engagement. She knows she must break the engagement but doesn't know how to broach the subject to her parents and Ezra.
While packing the last of Iris belongings for her move to her new husband's home, Julia comes across a newspaper ad for a cook; the headline reads, Desperate Rancher. The Wyoming ranch owner is looking for a cook. Julia decides to apply before she gets cold feet.
When Paul Otto sends back a ticket and an advance on her first month's wages, Julia decides to take the plunge. Things are very different out West; within minutes, men are introducing themselves to her and she receives a marriage proposal the first day. When she arrives at the Otto ranch, things are not Fannie Farmer fresh.
Taken as a whole, this is a moving story about a life-long Mormon meeting a man who is searching for more meaning in his life. Julia does not preach; she shows Paul a way through her example. Paul's interest in Mormonism is subtle and takes a long time to gel.
The title has an interesting slant; it is referring to a person's faith must be their own, not a borrowed light from another. I enjoy Carla Kelly's books because the plots and characters actions are so inventive.
Borrowed Light
1. Borrowed Light (2011)
2. Enduring Light (2012)
Julia Darling is engaged to the perfect man and isn't too happy about it. Ezra Quayle makes all the decisions and talks with her as if she were a child. Julia has just spent a year at the Fannie Farmer Cooking School and feels she knows a thing or two.
Younger sister Iris is getting married and Julia is preparing the food. When she sees how happy Iris and her new husband are, Julia comes to understand that something is seriously wrong with her engagement. She knows she must break the engagement but doesn't know how to broach the subject to her parents and Ezra.
While packing the last of Iris belongings for her move to her new husband's home, Julia comes across a newspaper ad for a cook; the headline reads, Desperate Rancher. The Wyoming ranch owner is looking for a cook. Julia decides to apply before she gets cold feet.
When Paul Otto sends back a ticket and an advance on her first month's wages, Julia decides to take the plunge. Things are very different out West; within minutes, men are introducing themselves to her and she receives a marriage proposal the first day. When she arrives at the Otto ranch, things are not Fannie Farmer fresh.
Taken as a whole, this is a moving story about a life-long Mormon meeting a man who is searching for more meaning in his life. Julia does not preach; she shows Paul a way through her example. Paul's interest in Mormonism is subtle and takes a long time to gel.
The title has an interesting slant; it is referring to a person's faith must be their own, not a borrowed light from another. I enjoy Carla Kelly's books because the plots and characters actions are so inventive.
Borrowed Light
1. Borrowed Light (2011)
2. Enduring Light (2012)
