4 out of 4 stars
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Love can be complicated when a woman sets her sights on a man who is considered off limits. In her romance novel, More Heavens Than One, Jennie Linnane writes about forbidden affection and how settling for a less than desirable alternative can only be masked over for so long until true emotions come spilling out.
Jancy Steinmetz and her parents, Liz and Frank, along with her younger brothers Luke and Jimmy, leave city living behind to make a home with extended family on a farm set in the vast plains of Austrailia. They take up residence with Grandma Rose, Papa Joseph, and Uncle Rudy. Wildlife abounds, and new ways of surviving are encountered as it seems the weather is in charge with its treacherous downpours that quickly turn to floods or the scorching hot sun with its heat creating fires that blaze and destroy the hard work of men and women in seconds.
For Jancy, who is eleven at the time of the onset of the story, transitions are occurring in her life. She is on the verge of young womanhood where she notices slight physical changes beginning along with self-conscious feelings about the freckles inherited from her mother, Liz. Her eyes are starting to open to how life is created and how it can be snatched away so quickly without warning. She questions the traditions of her family and the strict lessons of the Catholic church. Her spirited attitude clashes with Grandma Rose's sensibilities on more than one occasion.
While this may all sound serious, there are multiple scenes of humor as Liz tries to control her children with Grandma looking on. Many times, both women end up laughing after all the turmoil has passed. There are poignant moments such as when Papa comforts Jancy with warmness when her life seems to be out of sorts. Her parents have an abundance of patience as she doesn't always conduct herself in the way that they would expect from their daughter. Even when there are arguments, they seem to dissipate quickly as the foundation of this family is constructed upon a strong allegiance.
The author writes all of this with eloquence and grace. I found myself in awe of her word choices, and just as this book touches on the subject of farming, she plants ideas and lets them sit with the reader for a while, but you know that eventually, they will manifest. This keeps the story moving forward with its short chapters and compelling characters. The audience is invited in to watch Jancy mature into a woman while she learns life lessons from her Papa Joseph and her dad Frank. Uncle Rudy is somewhat of a mystery to her as he is younger than her father but still lives off and on at the farm to help. Women throw themselves at him, but he never commits to any of them. She is blessed to be growing up surrounded by a loving family that genuinely care for the well being of each other. However, there is a subtle undercurrent that many will find unnerving and won't be able to disengage from for the entire length of the story.
I read the author's book Ironbark Hill and found myself captivated once again by her ability to weave a story that is difficult to put aside. The themes and conversations between characters linger long after the reader has turned in for the night, and often I found myself wondering how this tale would reach its conclusion. For readers who are inclined toward romance novels, you will enjoy this book as it brings to the forefront the heartbreak side of passion. I am not a romance novel fan. But, when I saw who the author was, I decided to expand my horizons because of the other book I had previously enjoyed. I liked how she skillfully left all intimate scenes up to the reader's imagination without becoming graphic and let the strength of the plot lead the way. So, even for those who would shy away from a genre of this nature, I would say to give it a try because it may not be what you think it is.
This book seemed to be carefully edited, and the errors I found were minor. For its impeccable writing and ability to touch a reader's emotions, I am rating this a 4 out of 4 stars.
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More Heavens Than One
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