Helpful Score: 7
The story is set in the harsh farmlands of Minnesota in the early 20th century. Mary became the wife of Jonathan Gray and took up her life in the Minnesota wheat fields. They lived a quiet, placid, hard-working life working on the farm that Jonathan inherited from his parents. Jonathan's brother Aaron shares farming duties and lives in the house with them, since the house was his inheritance. They seem to have a satisfying life, but after 7 years of marriage, Jonathan and Mary still haven't had a child. Their childlessness starts to cause a strain on the marriage, and Jonathan finally realizes that the mumps he had as a child probably made him sterile. However, he is aware that his brother Aaron was not similarly affected by the disease. He suddenly announces to Mary and Aaron that he would like them to procreate to give him a child. Mary and Aaron are stunned by this news, and a previously happy household becomes strained and filled with unspoken fears and concerns. The relationships between all 3 of them becomes strained.Jonathan leaves for a weekend to purchase a prize bull to start a new herd, and the uneasy relationship between Mary and Aaron ignites into passion. The outcome is predictable, as Mary becomes pregnant immediately, and when she announces it to her husband, no one discusses the fact that the child is Aaron's. Mary is wracked with guilt, and her relationship with Aaron seems beyond repair.Without spoiling the ending, Mary finally learns the true meaning of love and is able to put back together the pieces of her life.
The author does a wonderful job of describing the rhythms of farm life, and the never-ending chores of being a farm wife. Although the role of women in the early 20th century was essentially subservient, Mary is truly a tower of strength and the one who makes the farm work with her never-ending toil. Reading this book will make you thankful for automatic laundry machines, microwaves, supermarkets, convenience foods and all the time-saving features of our lives that we take for granted.
The author does a wonderful job of describing the rhythms of farm life, and the never-ending chores of being a farm wife. Although the role of women in the early 20th century was essentially subservient, Mary is truly a tower of strength and the one who makes the farm work with her never-ending toil. Reading this book will make you thankful for automatic laundry machines, microwaves, supermarkets, convenience foods and all the time-saving features of our lives that we take for granted.
Helpful Score: 3
I used to read this author in high school, but this was one I had never gotten around to. For some reason, I just remember her stories being better than this and think my reading habits have seriously changed because this seem to be more my grandma's speed. (especially since I know Spencer is one of her favorites)
The writing style is slow and definitely not what I'd prefer to read even though the author has done her research on the type of lives that people lived during the era in which this book was set. The story seems to just plod along with day to day activities with characters that are not well-developed enough to let me empathize with them and their problems. It's really lacking when it comes to the emotional quality. I love a when an author's words are heart-breaking enough to get me to cry because then I know that I've been able to feel what the characters are feeling. This story was a bit stale and I had a hard time relating to their problems with them.
And, I know this is a spoiler, but killing off Jonathan was just too convenient. The foreshadowing made it obvious who the culprit would be, and I know I annoyed my hubby when I interrupted him in his video game to let him know what I thought would happen and then later on interrupting him while reading to say I was right. :P I was really disappointed that the author used such and easy way out of a tough situation.
Overall, it was just too bland and too predictable for my tastes. I may have like this author as a teen, but I've definitely grown out of her. This book has let me decide to not read any more of her books in the future.
The writing style is slow and definitely not what I'd prefer to read even though the author has done her research on the type of lives that people lived during the era in which this book was set. The story seems to just plod along with day to day activities with characters that are not well-developed enough to let me empathize with them and their problems. It's really lacking when it comes to the emotional quality. I love a when an author's words are heart-breaking enough to get me to cry because then I know that I've been able to feel what the characters are feeling. This story was a bit stale and I had a hard time relating to their problems with them.
And, I know this is a spoiler, but killing off Jonathan was just too convenient. The foreshadowing made it obvious who the culprit would be, and I know I annoyed my hubby when I interrupted him in his video game to let him know what I thought would happen and then later on interrupting him while reading to say I was right. :P I was really disappointed that the author used such and easy way out of a tough situation.
Overall, it was just too bland and too predictable for my tastes. I may have like this author as a teen, but I've definitely grown out of her. This book has let me decide to not read any more of her books in the future.
Helpful Score: 1
About this title: Jonathan and Mary Gray have been childless for seven years. The "fulfillment" of a forbidden attraction may bring the Grays the child they so desperately desire.
This book is by far one of LaVryle Spencer's BEST!
One of LaVyrle Spencer's best books! Much, much better than the TV movie made, in which the ending was changed. Forget the stupid TV movie, and read this book. You won't be disappointed.
(The cover of the book I have is the original, not the one shown above that came up automatically when I entered the ISBN #.)
(The cover of the book I have is the original, not the one shown above that came up automatically when I entered the ISBN #.)
Wonderful story, although a bit unorthodox
Can't go wrong with Spencer.
I think this is Lavyrle Spencer's best book yet! She's never disappointed!!!
I loved this story. It really touched me. I thought the author did an excellent job of taking us to another place and time and making us understand how these people felt. It is definitely a story that I will want to revisit.
This is probably the most controversial of Spencer's love triangle books. For me it is my second favorite after TWICE LOVED. The circumstances of the triangle affair are treated with sensitivity and the three are all good people but confused at the circumstances in which they find themselves through no evil intent on anyone's part. This is a very emotionally wrenching romance that was turned into a movie with Cheryl Ladd in the lead role.
Entertaining and romantic
Jonathan Gray and his wife, Mary, lived on the family farm they shared with his brother, Aaron. Mary and Jonathan have been married for seven years, but have not had a child. Jonathan believes childhood mumps caused his sterility. So, he suggests that his brother father his child. Mary and Aaron are both shocked by the idea and the relationships in the house becomes strained. When Jonathan leaves home for a weekend to purchase a Black Angus bull, the relationship between Mary and Aaron heats up.
Well, this story had a unique premise since the husband gave his blessing to his brother and wife just so he could have a child. You don't see that everyday. Even though Mary had guilt about the infidelity, I had a hard time identifying with her choices. I understood Aaron's point-of-view much more. It was a good story, but I wish the ending of the book hadn't been so predictable. My rating: 4 Stars.
Well, this story had a unique premise since the husband gave his blessing to his brother and wife just so he could have a child. You don't see that everyday. Even though Mary had guilt about the infidelity, I had a hard time identifying with her choices. I understood Aaron's point-of-view much more. It was a good story, but I wish the ending of the book hadn't been so predictable. My rating: 4 Stars.
This book is an excellent read. I finished it in one day. Couldn't put it down!!!
It is a compliment to LaVyrle Spencer's talent that she was able to create a believable loving relationship between Jonathan and Mary and another between Aaron and Mary.
After seven years of marriage, Jonathan decides that Mary and his brother Aaron should have an affair to bring about a child for Mary (who desperately wants one). Jonathan had a bad case of mumps as a youngster. When Jonathan makes the suggestion, Aaron and Mary are horrified. However, when Jonathan goes on a bull-buying trip, things start to happen.
The story of the back-breaking work involved in a farm sometimes distracted from the ongoing story of the three main characters. 3.5 stars
After seven years of marriage, Jonathan decides that Mary and his brother Aaron should have an affair to bring about a child for Mary (who desperately wants one). Jonathan had a bad case of mumps as a youngster. When Jonathan makes the suggestion, Aaron and Mary are horrified. However, when Jonathan goes on a bull-buying trip, things start to happen.
The story of the back-breaking work involved in a farm sometimes distracted from the ongoing story of the three main characters. 3.5 stars
I really liked this book first one from this author
WHAT BEGAN AS AN ACT OF COMPASSION BECAME AN ACT OF DESIRE AND A NEW UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IT IS TO LOVE.
LOVE THIS AUTHOR
Two brothers work a rich and bountiful land and one extraordinary woman shares their lives. To Jonathan Gray, Mary is a devoted and giving mate. To Aaron, she is a beloved friend. But seven childless years of marriage have forced Jonathan to ask the unthinkable of his brother and his wife binding the two people he cares for most with an act of desire born of compassion...awakening Mary to the pain of infidelity, and to all the bittersweet joy and heartache that passionate love can bring.
To Jonathan, Mary was a loving mate and partner, helping him to reap the rich harvest of a beautiful land. But after seven years of childless marriage, Jonathan asked of his brother what he could ask of no other man. And what began as an act of compassion became an act of desire---awakening a devoted wife to the bittersweet pain of infidelity...and a new understanding of what it is to love.
LaVyrle Spencer is one of my all time favorite authors. To Jonathan Gray, Mary is a loving wife and partner who helps him reap the rich harvest of a bountiful land. Yet their marriage has a bittersweet quality for they've never been able to have children........
TWO BROTHERS WORK A RICH AND BOUNTIFUL LAND AND ONE EXTRORDINARY WOMAN SHARES THEIR LIVES. TO JONATHAN GRAY, MARY IS A DEVOTED AND GIVING MATE. TO AARON, SHE IS A BELOVED FRIEND. BUT SEVEN CHILDLESS YEARS OF MARRIAGE HAVE FORCED JONATHAN TO ASK THE UNTHINKABLE OF HIS BROTHER AND HIS WIFE BINDING THE TWO PEOPLE HE CARES FOR MOST WITH AN ACT OF DESIRE BORN OF COMPASSION AWAKENING MARY TO THE PAIN OF INFIDELITY, AND TO ALL THE BITTERSWEET JOY AND HEARTACHE THAT PASSIONATE LOVE CAN BRING.
