Love's Unending Legacy (by Janette Oke)

(Amazon UK link)

I first started reading Janette Oke's light Christian novels in the early 1990s when we lived in the USA for a couple of years, and where they were widely and easily available from libraries. Then, in the last ten years or so, I've started acquiring a few of my own. I was particularly pleased when a friend, leaving Cyprus, passed on to me a few I didn't have in a series I could remember having enjoyed.

'Love's Unending Legacy' is the fifth book in the 'Love Comes Softly' series, which is about a Christian family in the pioneer days in the USA. In this book, Marty and Clark return from their long visit out to the west west to see Missie and family, which was the subject of the fourth book in the series, 'Love's Abiding Joy'. They are getting over a terrible accident that left Clark with only one leg. Marty takes a long time to recover from the journey, prompting her family to worry about her...

Meanwhile, their son Clare and his wife Kate anticipate the birth of their first baby, and their youngest son Luke prepares to leave for medical college. Marty can't imagine how she will survive as her nest gradually empties: a sentiment I could certainly appreciate. Only her daughter Ellie is left at home, and when Ellie falls in love she can't imagine how she could ever break her mother's heart by leaving too.

It's very light Christian fiction. There's a bit too much 'preaching' for my tastes; I don't know if the lengthy graces and deep conversations that - by the by - explain the gospel message would have been realistic for the time. I find that kind of episode in a novel makes me cringe somewhat, and I'm someone who believes in it. I hope it doesn't affect unbelievers too negatively - my tendency is to skim such passages. Nevertheless, the characters somehow get under my skin.

Janette Oke has a gift for bringing people alive, and even though there are also rather too many descriptive passages for my liking, and mentions of people from other books who are not relevant to this one, I could relate to Marty and her family easily. I even found myself with tears in my eyes at least two or three times as I read this book.

Easy reading that's somehow difficult to put down. Recommended to anyone who enjoys this kind of book, whether a teenager or a nostalgic adult. It's not great literature, but it's clean and makes pleasant light reading.

Review copyright Sue's Book Reviews, 8th June 2009

Love's Enduring Promise (by Janette Oke)

(Amazon UK link)

After reading a fast-paced book about high finance, power struggles and adultery, I thought I'd relax with something completely different. So I picked up a book by Janette Oke. I first came across this Canadian Christian writer about fifteen years ago on the recommendation of a friend. 

Janette Oke writes light historical romantic novels, with a low-key Christian emphasis. They're really intended to be for younger teenagers, or so it seems - the plots are straightforward, and the language relatively simple. But then I frequently enjoy books for teens!

'Love's enduring promise' is the second in the 'Love Comes Softly' series of eight novels, and is one I was given some months ago by a friend who was moving away. The first in the series ('Love Comes Softly') is probably the first book I ever read by Janette Oke; even fifteen years later I can roughly remember the plot. Marty and Clark are both pioneers, and both lose their spouses. Clark has a baby daughter, Missie, and needs a wife; Marty is destitute, and so agrees to look after Missie. They get married for the sake of convenience, and gradually fall in love.

I don't remember if I read any others in the series; certainly I had no memory of this one. It covers about fifteen years in Marty and Clark's life; from the time when Missie is nearly five until she is grown up. Marty and Clark have other children, and adopt two older girls. They take part in community activities, interact with their neighbours, and help to build a new schoolhouse where their children will be educated.

It doesn't sound very exciting, but somehow it's quite moving. There's such a long time-frame to a short novel (only just over 200 pages) that it's impossible to get to know any of the characters in any depth, but it all seems believable. The story is told mainly from Marty's viewpoint, although in the third person so we never really get inside her skin. But we do learn about her hopes and fears, her worries, and the way she deals with her grumbles and learns to be more contented.

The Christian input is pretty low-key; God is part of the family life, but there's no preaching or heavy gospel input. This is Christian fiction as it should be, in my view - following the lives of ordinary people who love God and want to live for him.

It's also a good piece of social history, for anyone not familiar with the times of the early pioneers in the USA, and I was surprised how hard it was to put down once I had started.

All in all, I'd recommend it for anyone wanting a light read requiring almost no thought. Published in 1980, but - perhaps surprisingly - still in print in both the UK and USA.

Review copyright Sue's Book Reviews, 2nd October 2008

The Tin-Can Tree (by Anne Tyler)

(Amazon UK link)

I find Anne Tyler's novels intriguingly different from most others. She uses rather bizarre characters, on the whole, and very little plot. Her situations are caricatured, and also very American. Yet her writing is extremely good, her observational skills excellent, and I keep finding myself coming back for more.

Having said that, 'The Tin Can Tree' was not one of my favourites. It opens as a funeral ends: it's the funeral of six-year-old Janie Rose. Her mother is grief-struck, and the novel really revolves around Simon, Janie's ten-year-old brother, who begins to feel unloved and unimportant.

Simon and his parents live in a close community of three joined houses. One is owned by two elderly spinsters; one by two young men: the likeable James and his hypochondriac brother Ansel.

 Simon's family have his grown-up cousin Joan living with them for a while, and she spends a lot of time with him. She tries to hold the family together as they grieve, and also wonders where her long-standing relationship with James is going - if anywhere.

It's nice writing, as always with this author, and some issues do get resolved by the end of the book, though not all. It's probably a good pen-portrait of working people in that part of the USA in the 1960s, so useful from the social history point of view. But it didn't really move me much. I felt that there was a bit too much minute detail for my tastes, and it was rather slow-moving.

Still, pleasant enough as a light read for odd moments.

Beyond the Shadows (by Robin Lee Hatcher)

(Amazon UK link)

'Beyond the Shadows' is a novel set in America in the 1950s, by Robin Lee Hatcher. The book opens rather dramatically at Deborah's young husband's funeral, where she first meets Gideon. He's an old friend of her late husband, and offers to do some odd jobs around the house.

As events move forward slowly, we pick up on the reason why Deborah's husband died, and also get to know both her and Gideon as they slowly get to know each other. Not surprisingly, romance starts to blossom, and indeed, Gideon does seem to be a charming young man. It's not until later that his past begins to emerge in a way that causes serious problems.

Sensitively written, probably eye-opening to some, I found this a very moving novel. My only slight regret is that I read the blurb on the back before starting, as it gave away rather more of the plot than I would have wished. Still, it didn't really matter, and by the time I was half-way through the book I could hardly bear to put it down.

Definitely recommended.

A Home in the Valley (by Dianna Crawford)

(Amazon UK link)

'A Home in the Valley' is a historical Christian novel by Dianna Crawford, another author I had not come across before until I found one of her books inexpensively on the MV Doulos.

The main character is Sabina, a young woman whose stepfather gambles her away to one of his drinking cronies after a big revival meeting. So, urged by her mother, Sabina runs away.

She is taken in by a family with four children who are returning from the meeting, although their widowed father is at first rather reluctant. But she proves herself an excellent housekeeper and befriends some of the local women.

That's just the beginning... I found myself drawn into the story quite quickly, and particularly appreciated the great characterisation of the younger three children. I suppose there's a bit of a 'Sound of Music' theme, but that's not necessarily a problem.

There is an exciting (though not unexpected) climax and satisfying ending. Apparently there are more in the series, but this book was complete in itself.

Recommended.

If morning ever comes (by Anne Tyler)

(Amazon UK link)

Apparently 'If morning ever comes' was the first book Anne Tyler had published. It's not particular long, but already reveals the kind of clever observation and characterisation that her books are full of.

This novel is about a typical Tyler family, with a young man (Ben Joe) who is a student at university - yet he worries about the rest of his family. He decides, on a whim, to return home for a bit after learning that his married sister has left her husband.

I don't know quite how the author manages to make the most unlikely and quirky people seem real, but she succeeds every time. Are there really families like this? If so, I haven't come across them, but I'd like to!

The skill of this author is in the clever characterisation, because there really isn't much plot. We learn about Ben Joe's various sisters through his eyes, and the general family problems and hidden skeletons gradually get revealed through everyday life.

The ending is a bit abrupt. It is basically satisfactory, but does not really answer any questions. Still, I enjoyed it while I was reading it.

Savannah Purchase (by Jane Aiken Hodge)

(Amazon UK link)

'Savannah Purchase' is probably the first book I ever read by Jane Aiken Hodge. I enjoyed it as a teenager, I enjoyed it it ten years later... and I've just read it for the third time, twenty years on again. It was excellent, and I could hardly bear to put it down once I'd started. I had forgotten quite how good it is.

The story is set in the historical period when Napoleon was imprisoned on St Helena's, and is mostly set in the USA. The plot is unlikely, and potentially clichéd since it features two almost identical cousins (the daughters of identical twins) who switch places. A favourite device with many authors. Yet it works so well that I can't fault the novel.

For one thing, the cousins are very unlike in character. Josephine, the elder by three years, is impetuous, easily angered, rather selfish at times, and utterly devoted to the Napoleonic cause. She wants to use her fortune to buy a ship, and attempt to free the great emperor. But if she vanishes, her husband Hyde (in a marriage of convenience) would find her. So she persuades her much nicer - and poverty-stricken - cousin Juliet to take her place, just for a short period.

Juliet is very reluctant, but a good actress, and soon fits in her new role, aided only by Anne, the one servant who is in the secret. Her tastes are quite different from her cousin's despite such similar looks, but she adapts and all would be well, except that - of course! - she starts to fall in love with Hyde.

I had entirely forgotten almost all the details of the book, although about half-way through I had a vague memory of the event that would trigger the final conclusion. Knowing this rather added to my enjoyment rather than the reverse, as I was able to spot the clues sprinkled by the author which prepared the way for the revelation to come. Even if I had remembered everything in the book, I think I would have enjoyed it, so I hope I'll get around to re-reading it for the fourth time before another twenty years has gone by.

It's light historical fiction - a little more depth than Georgette Heyer's, perhaps, though without the irony and humour. Great characters, exciting sub-plots, and a satisfying ending.

Highly recommended, if you can find it. 'Savannah Purchase' is no longer in print, but is often available second-hand.

A Slipping-Down Life (by Anne Tyler)

(Amazon UK link)

I was a little disappointed with 'A Slipping-Down Life'. I usually find Anne Tyler's novels to be a little bizarre and caricatured, but enjoyable and thought-provoking nonetheless. She has an amazing eye for detail, and a great gift in portraying incidents with a touch of irony, and without excessive description.

Those traits were still true in this book, but I found the characters so unappealing that it was hard to relate to any of them. The main protagonist is a 17-year-old girl called Evie, who is a bit overweight, bland, and generally nondescript.

The novel is set in the 1960s in the USA. Evie lives with her father and spends her time listening to the radio. She becomes interested in a local rock singer, and takes her even more overweight friend Violet to listen to him at a club. She then does something completely out of character which changes her life.

The singer ('Drum' Casey) is rather a dead loss as a person, and the relationship, such as it is, which he develops with Evie is basically dull. Evie does grow up somewhat during the book, but Drum is so shallow and self-centred that it was hard for me to find anything good about him.

I finished the book - it was well-written, as always with this author, but the conclusion seemed to happen much too fast and left too many questions open.

Not really recommended.

Light from Heaven (by Jan Karon)

(Amazon UK link)

'Light from Heaven' is the ninth and last of Jan Karon's 'Mitford' series about the American Episcopal priest Father Tim and his delightful wife Cynthia. In this novel, Tim and Cynthia spend a year at their friends' farm, Meadowgate, while their friends are away. It's not far from Mitford, so Tim (and we, the readers!) manage to keep up with news of old friends.

But Tim also gets asked to take on a new job: to re-start a regular service at a small church in the mountains. There he meets the wonderful Agnes - an elderly and robust lady who gave many years of her life to the mission field. Having been acquainted with two such ladies myself, I found her believable and a great asset to the novel.

A few reader reviews on Amazon objected to the new characters who were introduced in this story. I thought it was a great idea to start some new threads; otherwise the book would have been too much like the previous ones. Yes, there were some ongoing plot-lines which were nicely tied up in this book, but if that had been all, it would have felt rather slow and tedious. As it was, Tim's new parish and parishioners provided a nice contrast to his older friends in Mitford.

Of course there's a Christian theme running through the book, mostly low-key although there are a few pages of Scripture explanations and mention of the 'Sinners' prayer'. Although a Christian myself, I often find such things rather cringeworthy in novels, and indeed I did find myself skimming a bit when these cropped up.

But they're mostly well-written and fit well with the story and characters so they don't feel too out-of-place. It would be quite possible to skip those passages although an understanding of what they are about probably adds to the enjoyment of the novel in general.

I enjoyed reading this in its rightful place in the series, directly after reading all the others. But I think it probably could have been read as a novel on its own, since there were the fresh characters. All in all, I thought it an excellent ending to the series.

Definitely recommended.

Shepherds Abiding (by Jan Karon)

(Amazon UK link)

This is the eighth book in Jan Karon's 'Mitford' series. It's shorter than the majority: less than 300 pages, and print well spaced out, so I read it in less than two days.

It's a bit of a novelty book rather than an important one in the Mitford story; Christmas is approaching, and the retired Episcopal priest Father Tim spots a rather scruffy set of plaster nativity figures in the antique shop. Hoping to surprise his wife, he enlists the help of a couple of friends and sets to work to repair and paint the figures for Christmas.

We meet old friends from Mitford: Uncle Billy, trying to figure out what on earth to give his crotchety wife for Christmas; Percy and Velma, about to give up The Grill and retire, Lew Boyd who has married someone from another state in secret... and many more.

The author cleverly weaves in and out of their lives, also including some of Father Tim's positive reminiscences from his childhood, as he finally comes to terms with some of the problems he carried around, due to his father's apparent harshness and high expectations.

Quite a pleasant book, if a bit 'sappy', but not really one to read on its own. Nor is it a vital part of the Mitford series for someone reading the longer books.

In This Mountain (by Jan Karon)

(Amazon UK link)

'In This Mountain' is the seventh novel in Jan Karon's 'Mitford' series about the Episcopal priest, Father Tim. Set in a small village in a mountain in the south of the USA, it's a delightful series with cleverly drawn characters, light humour, and some moving moments too.

This book takes place more than a year after the previous one, 'A New Song'.  Tim is now well-established as a retired priest, and his wife Cynthia continues to write successful children's books although she keeps intending to stop. They have been trying to find a productive use of their time, and have agreed to join a small mission organisation in the outback.

They are both trying to be enthusiastic about what they have agreed to do. They believe it's probably right for them, but messages from the organiser are not encouraging.

Then a disaster happens, because Father Tim is not paying attention to his health. The rest of the book covers his reactions to this, including some quite bad depression which he tries to fight. It's perhaps more serious than some of the earlier books; certainly the Christian message is put more clearly than ever, along with some useful reminders of eternal truths.

I thought 'In This Mountain' to be very enjoyable as part of the series. But it wouldn't make much sense as a stand-alone novel. I wondered if I might have got bored of the series by now, re-reading them one after another. But I am finding them all the more interesting as the characters stay fresh in my mind. Knowing the main outlines of the plot doesn't detract from them, it simply means I'm not in quite such a hurry to rush through them as I was the first time around.

Definitely recommended if you have read others in the Mitford series.

A New Song (by Jan Karon)

(Amazon UK link)

'A New Song' is the sixth in the Mitford series by Jan Karon. In this book, Father Tim Kavanagh has finally retired from being a full-time priest, and takes an interim assignment on the island of Whitecap.

Tim and Cynthia, along with their dog Barnabas and cat Violet, spend a great deal of time preparing to move. They have a rather traumatic journey and arrival, and then gradually settle in to this new parish.

As ever, there are petty squabbles within the congregation as well as some more serious problems. In addition, during the year Tim and Cynthia have to deal with extreme weather conditions which they have not previously experienced.

Inevitably there are lots of new characters as well as familiar ones from Mitford. But they are introduced gradually and are mostly memorable and interesting. Cynthia's heart is captured by three-year-old Jonathan, whose mother is in hospital. Tim employs an excellent new organist, and slowly gets to know his grumpy neighbour Morris, who has an unusual affliction.

It was good to have a foray outside Mitford while reading this series straight through. Having said that, the first time I read 'A New Song' I can remember not liking it as much as the previous novels in the series. This time, I found it an enjoyable sequel.

Not really recommended to anyone who hasn't read the previous books in the series, starting with 'At Home in Mitford'. But anyone who has enjoyed the rest of the series should certainly read this one.

Out to Canaan (by Jan Karon)

(Amazon UK link)

'Out of Canaan' follows another year in the life of Father Tim and Cynthia Kavanagh. This is the fifth of Jan Karon's Mitford series (chronologically) but even reading them one after another, I didn't find myself bored. The characters are charming, the setting delightful, and there's just enough humour and sadness to make each book both moving and enjoyable.

This year, Cynthia and Timothy start to plan their retirement, and it's announced to the congregation. There's a mayoral election in Mitford, too. A rather dubious person stands against the long-term mayor, using a lot of money for his campaign.

In addition, Timothy feels he should attempt to find his foster-son Dooley's brothers and sister. He also becomes deeply concerned about the sale of the Fernbank residence.

This book would probably be confusing for anyone who has not read at least some of the previous books... most of the people recur in each one, and some of the subplots run throughout. But as part of the series, it's another well-written novel with a low-key Christian theme running throughout and plenty of interaction.

It's the third time I've read the book in six years, and I enjoy it each time. The four preceding novels in the series are: At Home in Mitford, A Light in the Window, A Common Life, and Those High Green Hills.

Definitely recommended.

These High Green Hills (by Jan Karon)

(Amazon UK link)

'These High Green Hills' was the third of Jan Karon's Mitford books to be written, but the fourth chronologically. It begins shortly after Father Timothy and Cynthia have been married, and focuses on their first year of marriage.

As with the other books there's plenty of interaction with friends and parishioners. But there is also an increased development of Father Tim's character and more glimpses of his past.

In addition, there are forays into the 'Creek' community of forgotten, impoverished families. And there is a surprise for Dooley, the boy Tim has been looking after. There is a little light humour as the parish office struggles to learn to use a new computer. And there is sadness and poignancy as much-loved characters grow older.

I like all the books in the series, but this is one of my favourites. It focuses on forgiveness, acceptance of the past, and hope. Father Tim faces some of his fears and insecurities in a surprising way when temporarily lost in a cave, and finds himself able to look forward to the future.

This could probably be read as a stand-alone, but it's much easier having read the earlier books. There is quite a cast of characters, and knowing a little of their history makes it less overwhelming. Reading it directly after the previous books makes it more enjoyable even than having read them a year or so apart, as I did the first time.

Highly recommended.

The first three Mitford books are: 'At Home in Mitford', 'A Light in the Window', and 'A Common Life'.

A Common Life (by Jan Karon)

(Amazon UK link)

My father introduced me to the Mitford series by Jan Karon some years ago.  I found the first book, 'At Home in Mitford' totally delightful, and have collected each subsequent book in the series soon after publication. The author writes gentle, character-based stories based in small-town America, featuring the sixty-something Father Tim and his neighbour Cynthia.

This, rather confusingly, was the sixth Mitford book to be written, but is the third chronologically. It's quite a short book - less than 200 pages - and it covers the time from Father Tim's proposal to Cynthia through to their honeymoon. It answers a lot of questions left unanswered in the second book, 'A Light in the Window' and is well worth reading by any fan of this series. But ideally it should be read as the third book, not the sixth.

When I first read 'A Common Life', three years ago, I felt a bit disorientated as I had already read books covering later periods of Tim and Cynthia's lives as a married couple. It was a nice book, beautifully written, and I really enjoyed it. But at the same time, I felt as if I had somehow passed that stage.

However, re-reading them all now, I picked it up after finishing the second, and was immediately engrossed. It follows on from the last chapter of 'A Light in the Window', filling in gaps, and giving a wonderful picture of the growing and blossoming love of this delightful couple.

Some of this book is written from Cynthia's perspective although the majority still follows Father Tim in his day-to-day life, mixing with parishioners and other friends, and going through the inevitable pre-marital nerves. There's some light humour, and some that is very moving. All in all, a very enjoyable book.

Not really recommended for anyone who hasn't read the first two Mitford books, but - in my view - essential reading for anyone who has read them!

A Light in the Window (by Jan Karon)

(Amazon UK link)

'A Light in the Window' is the second book in Jan Karon's delightful 'Mitford' series set in a small village in the South of the USA. Father Tim and his neighbour Cynthia enjoy each other's company and are attracted to each other.

But Cynthia has to spend several months in New York, and Father Tim is followed by a pushy widow, and plays host to an Irish cousin who eats anything she finds... meanwhile he continues to deal with his diabetes, counsels friends and parishioners, and tries to find what his heart holds.

No thrilling plot-line, no huge mysteries, but a beautifully written novel with realistic characters who I came to care about considerably by the end of the book. God is a big part of their lives, but is not brought into the book in an over-obvious or annoying way.

My only problem was in the edition of the book we own, which unfortunately is missing pages 47 to 94 due to a printing error. Some important parts of the plot are evidently revealed in this section, so - as with the first time I read it, some years ago - I'm determined to get a proper edition before the next time I read it!

Recommended for anyone who has read the first in the series, 'At Home in Mitford'- even if you haven't, this would probably stand alone.

At Home in Mitford (by Jan Karon)

(Amazon UK link)

What a lovely book this is! I was given 'At Home in Mitford' for Christmas six years ago, and have gradually acquired and read most of the others in Jan Karon's 'Mitford' series over the years. For Christmas 2005 I was given the final Mitford book and decided to re-read the others first.

The main character is the delightful and unassuming Father Tim, rector of a small village church in the USA. Much of the book features his day-to-day life running the parish, mixing with parishioners, praying for the sick, helping people sort out their problems.

As the book begins he's feeling a bit run-down and elderly (he celebrates his 60th birthday) but there is plenty to keep him active: a lively dog who follows him around, a young boy whose mother is an alcoholic, an attractive (if slightly scatty) next-door neighbour, and the unexpected find of some jewels, presumed stolen.

The main enjoyment of this novel is in the characterisation, particularly that of Father Tim. We see everything from his viewpoint, and the author skilfully enables us to sympathise and empathise with him in all the problems he deals with.

God is very real in a down-to-earth way in this book, with two or three people being led to Christ in a gentle way. There's no direct evangelism or Bible-thumping, but an ongoing love of God runs through the storylines. The subplots are all cleverly interwoven, and although the number of characters is fairly high, I found that I quickly felt I knew at least the main ones.

All in all, 'At Home in Mitford' is a lovely book. It's probably my favourite in the entire series, but that could be because it's the first one I ever read. There are sections that made me smile on re-reading it this week, and a couple of places that brought tears to my eyes.

Highly recommended.

The Amateur Marriage (by Anne Tyler)

(Amazon UK link)

Unusually for Anne Tyler, there are quite a number of characters in the novel I have just finished reading, 'The Amateur Marriage'. However, it mainly revolves around Michael Anton, who is a rather awkward grocer's son. He falls suddenly in love with the flighty Pauline, and then enlists in the army for World War II.

The novel follows their rather tempestuous lives, their children, and even grandchildren, over a space of more than fifty years. As always with this author, there are some clever observations that made me stop and think alongside the storyline.

There were also some caricatures that were real enough to make all the main characters immediately recognisable. I suppose, too, that there's an element of social history since it's set in a particular time period.

I found the story a bit slow to get going.  Part of the reasons was that so many minor characters were being introduced, as well as some almost indistinguishable extras. Still, I thought it was well worth reading, and by the end I found it difficult to put down.

Recommended. 

Ladder of Years (by Anne Tyler)

(Amazon UK link)

The more I read by Anne Tyler, the more I appreciate her. She usually writes about ordinary people in strange situations. There is often just one main character whose life she observes. She expresses these observations with such fine detail that they seem sometimes more real than those around them.

The novel 'Ladder of Years' features Delia, a forty-year-old mother of three. She seems to be reasonably content in her conventional life, married to a doctor who is somewhat older than she is. Out of the blue - although we know this will happen, due to the prologue of the book - Delia walks away from the family on a beach holiday, and doesn't return. She gets a lift to another town, and begins a new life there.

The book gives us her situation shortly before she does her vanishing act, and then takes us through the next year where she becomes independent for the first time in her life. Of course, the plot is outrageous. I can't imagine any family allowing this to happen (for of course they trace her), or any mother being able to distance herself so thoroughly from her offspring, the youngest of whom is only 15. Yet at the time, reading the book, it seems totally believable.

Nothing very exciting happens - it rarely does in Tyler's work - yet it was a thoroughly enjoyable book. It's one which I kept reading almost compulsively. I had no idea how it would end. Although I would have liked a few more details tidied up in the conclusion - Tyler often leaves things hanging somewhat - I found the ending reasonably satisfying.

Definitely one to re-read in a few years. Recommended. 

Drums of Autumn (by Diana Gabaldon)

(Amazon UK link)

This book is the fourth in the 'Through the Stones'/Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon which starts with 'Cross Stitch'. What an incredible series this is, with the most amazing amount of research.

The overall plot sounds like something out of science fiction: Clare Randall accidentally walks through a split stone in Scotland in the 1940s and finds herself in the midst of the Jacobite rebellion of the 1740s. For her own safety she has to marry a Scotsman called Jamie. Their marriage of convenience turns into a passionate romance in the midst of the violence and brutality of the times.

Subsequent books reveal how Clare returns to her own time, gives birth, and then - discovering that Jamie did not, after all, die at the battle of Culloden - returns to find him. Yet this brief overview barely touches at the novels, each of which is around 1000 pages long and full of subplots, with realistic portrayals of the life and times of the 18th century. There is such excellent characterisation that I found myself compelled to keep reading.

In 'Drums of Autumn' Clare and Jamie are America in the 1760s with Jamie's nephew Ian, where they begin to build themselves a home. The novel switches between their day-to-day life and that of Clare's grown-up daughter Brianna, who lives in the late 1960s. Brianna is in love with a historian called Roger who has discovered a tragic news cutting about Jamie and Clare's demise.

When Brianna discovers this, she decides to go through the stones herself and attempt to change history. Roger follows her. Much of the book is taken up with their adventures as they try - both separately and together - to find Jamie and Clare.

There are Red Indians (not a politically incorrect term in the 18th century), valuable gems, serious illnesses, and hundreds of other fine details which are so well interwoven into the book that I felt I knew more about this time in history than any other. It doesn't have the gruesomeness of one or two of the previous books, but that's a benefit in my view.

Highly recommended to anyone who has read the previous three books. But I would not recommend it as a stand-alone novel. The plot is confusing enough, and would be almost impossible to understand for someone who hadn't read the others.

As I finished a couple of days ago, I put in an order online for the next in the series, 'The Fiery Cross'.