The Guardian

Gables of Legacy #1

by Anita Stansfield

Armed with the love of a good man, Jess Hamilton, Tamra Banks has made the difficult decision to reconcile with her estranged mother. Over the years, Tamra has had to fight through the ugly memories of her abusive childhood, the complete absence of her father, and her mother's angry reaction to Tamra's conversion to the Church. When the encounter with her mother goes badly. Memories and doubts threaten to suffocate Tamra with long-buried emotions. In a swirling tide of confusion and distrust, the confidence Tamra feels about her relationship with Jess quickly dwindles in the face of her growing doubts. With my background and upbringing, am I worth of Jess's love, after all? Volume II in Anita Stansfields's stunning series, Gables of Legacy, explores the powerful grasp of a horrible childhood, the guiding light of the gospel, and the healing that comes when you learn to forgive others, and yourself. See also The Guardian, Silver Linings, Eternal Bond, Miracle, and Full Circle.

Genres: Lds Fiction, Romance, Lds, Clean Romance, Christian Fiction, Religion, Fiction

324 pages

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Anita Stansfield, the LDS market's #1 best-selling romance novelist, is an imaginative and prolific writer whose romantic stories have captivated her readers.

"With sales approaching a half million, Anita Stansfield has clearly found a niche in this market," said Nicole Martin, Publicist for Covenant Communications. "Her popularity stems from her ability to empathize with and write about the issues that LDS women deal with on a daily basis."

"I always write for women like me. It's through my interaction with other women that I've found there are some personal and emotional struggles that are typical," said Anita Stansfield. "I hope my writing makes women feel better about themselves and shows them these real problems can be solved through gospel principles."

Reviews

[Kelley Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just reread this great book and the rest of the Gables of Legacy series. This series is a continuation of her first 3 novels, and brings readers back to the Hamilton family.

It just reminded me of why I love Anita Stansfield's books so much! She writes in a way that makes the characters come alive. She also isn't afraid to tackle the hard issues. I'll admit that several times throught this series I found myself crying right along with the characters in the books. I feel like some of them are old friends. Some LDS authors seem to just write books where everything is perfect, you grow up, you fall in love with the first guy you date, you get married, have healthy kids and live happily ever after. Stansfield actually writes realistic books. She understands and portrays the fact that life isn't perfect, problems come up. Spouses can die, or cheat, or become abusive. Kids aren't always healthy and perfect. Life doesn't always have a happily ever after. I think that's one of the reasons that I just love her books so much!

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a typical Anita Stansfield book. Characters live through great tragedy and crises and come out strong. A few things I thought were odd. Like Michael and Emily leaving on a mission while they have a son going through an emotional crisis. Or the fact that no one notified his parents after his suicide attempt. Or his parents and girlfriend bombarding him by calling him selfish and loading on the guilt right after the suicide attempt. Suicide can be selfish but you have to consider the frame of mind of the person. Very often they are not in their right minds. And even if you do think they are being selfish, it is probably not the right time to tell them while they are still in hospital. Felt like they were kicking him when he was down.
The story also dragged in places. It felt like it hit a climax less than halfway through and then dragged through until it reached another climax at the end. It probably could have been half the length and still told the same story. Which is a pet peeve of mine.
On the plus side, it is story of forgiving and healing and hope. These characters have seen some real lows and have overcome them to have a great life. I definitely liked that message. Overall, I think 3 stars is perfect for this book!

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Herein is a novel-length sermon mash-up of Jane Eyre (with Emily and Jess standing in for Jane and Mr. Rochester) and Pride and Prejudice (with Emily always having the right responses) and with Little Men thrown in as a teaser (The Gables standing in for Plumfield) for potential sequels, as this is volume one of "The Gables of Legacy".

There are many instances of the main character believing she has been led to this place at this time by a deceased ancestor, journals wherein the leads derive direction and solace from said ancestors, spiritual confirmations of choices being right or wrong, and so forth. There is emotional and mental healing when a proper understanding of Christ's love and atonement are understood and accepted.

Whether or not the reader agrees with these elements is irrelevant, as they are hastily stirred together into a rushed plot. Bronte uses Jane Eyre as a sermon of sorts, but it feels less contrived and more emotionally satisfying. In the end, this novel is a gothic-infused romance and as such is satisfying on that level.

[Beth Given · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is LDS romance again, so I knew from the get-go what I was getting into: a predictable little story. I made the mistake of reading the back cover before reading the book, so that took out most of the surprise.

Nevertheless, it was one of the better LDS romance novels I’d ever read. The characters had depth, personality, and experiences that shaped them (I know that many of those experiences were simply plots from previous books, but I enjoyed how Stansfield alluded to them naturally instead of sticking them in for no reason). She didn’t use her dialogue as a crutch to avoid having a plot. This was a good book — perhaps not entirely believable (I can’t get over that these Hamilton characters have such an inordinate amount of money), but that was okay, too — books are meant to be a bit of an escape sometimes.

[The Sweet Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you can't tell from the list above, this series is HUGE. Epic really. Each book is neatly tied up though. The books just gather momentum to create the whole family saga. You'll meet the whole family from the late 1800's to current times! Which I love!!!

I read this book almost a decade ago, and I still LOVE it. I was craving it and it gave me everything I'd hoped for. This family saga is amazing. Seriously. So full of drama, romance, Australian men, horses, and heartbreak. What's not to love?!

If you haven't read this family saga, which I'm pretty sure you haven't, you should! It is going to cost me a fortune to get this whole series on my Kindle. My paperbacks are back in the states. I'll have to see if my family will mail them out to me. I'm dying to read them all!! I forgot how much I loved them!

[Dennilynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

My sister loves, loves Anita Stansfield. I always try to read books that people say are good, so she brought over this enormous stack of Anita Stansfield and Rachel Ann Nunes books. They are LDS fiction, romance, some are even historical. They deal with relationships and real life situations. I enjoy reading them if I do not have anything else to read. I have a difficult time with the repetative nature and with characters always having extreme problems (that they can never seem to get over). The plots and the characters never seem to get too complex. This particular series uses a character from previous books. There is hardships and relationships developed between good people.
This book is a clean read for those who enjoy romance without the sleaze.

[Lorena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this series at Salvation Army and read it over a week. It certainly kept me reading.

I am not really familiar with Anita Stansfield's writing. I came into it expecting a somewhat cheesy predictable love story, and it was certainly that.

I did really enjoy the topics she tackled along the way and applying principles of the gospel and Atonement to their lives. I liked the way the characters were described,but found them solving all their own and everyone else's problems fairly quickly and easily. Sort of relatable, sort of not.

I would have enjoyed more surprises along the way, but liked the series overall. Now I find out the series didn't start here and I have to go find the preceding books.

[Shirley Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing read. I could hardly put the book down, and I'm already into the next volume. It is a story of a young woman, Tamra Banks who serves an LDS mission in the Philippines and while there she meets a missionary couple from Austrailia. She ends up going to Australia to stay with an Aunt, as her mother had disowned her when she went on a mission. She meets within a couple of days, the son of the missionary couple she met in the Philippines, Jess Hamilton. There is an immediate attraction, but as the story evolves there are many obstacles to overcome. Needless to say there are a lot of ups and downs in their relationship.

[Cristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, at times I felt it dragged a little and it could have been a little faster getting to the ending but it was very well written and enjoyable. I am going to read the rest of the series for sure! I enjoy reading a good romantic book that I know is still clean and I feel that Anita Stansfield does a good job at writing a good clean romantic book that you just can't put down. My mom has been trying to get me to read these books for years and I am glad that I am now finally getting around to reading them...they are great.

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is by far the best series I have read. I am rereading it now because I find that I gain so much and my testimony is boosted while reading about this Australian family and their amazing ancestry and history. The struggles they go through are personal and significant and I have grown to love these fictional characters and find myself growing with them through their struggles. I would recommend this book to anyone who has a love of the church and wants an amazing series to delve into.

[Karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would probably give this a low 4 stars, or maybe even 3.5. Maybe I have read too many Anita Stansfield books lately. I really liked it, but her books are pretty predictable, and they do all feel like the same stories. Probably my main complaints about this was that 1. The declarations of love came WAY too fast, even for me, and 2. The change that came over Jess in the end almost seemed too quick and easy. Overall, I did really enjoy this, and I am excited to read the rest of the series, but I think after that I will take a break from these for a while.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am soooo not the cheesy love story girl. I don't like chick flicks and love stories that much.. but I really enjoyed this series and prequels. Been meaning to read them again.. these are a guilty pleasure that I don't like to admit, but they are warm and fuzzy, simple and easy.... just a good happy book

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

CHEEESY!!! This series is really cheesy, but if you are good at filtering it out so you dont get sick, then you'd like it. Its a love story that has all the great parts but Is very G rated, which is refreshing if you read love stories that are in the main stream popular books.

[Karen Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in Gables of Legacy and I wasn't too sure about it at first but as soon as I kept reading I was HOOKED....this story is so intense and makes you just want to read more to know what will happen to Jess and Tamara....sooooooo GOOD!

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this series but it was just a little to long and slightly repitious for me. It needed to have more substance. I found the books repeating a lot. However, it was a good story line in the Anita Stansfield quintessential way. Over all a pretty good series!

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy the Australian 'station' setting and the Hamilton family, so this series is one I like. I always appreciate how Anita Stansfield confronts serious issues. I also thought the end of this one was sweet.

[Maggie]

The Guardian is the first volume of a series of novels by Anita Stansfield. It is an exhilarating story of triumph over despair, of ancestral connection, and of the decisions that could mean the difference between eternal love or bitter tragedy.

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable book and I liked the characters. I am going to read this series, but it will take a backseat to my current really want to read books. It doesn't keep me as intrested as some of Anita's other books.

[DeeAnn Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books ----

I have ever read, even though I have read it before. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in LDS fiction. Thanks Anita Stansfield for another great read.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is about being the victim driver of a fatal car accident that kills a brother, sister-in-law and a best friend.

[Apzmarshl · Rating 4 out of 5]

March 2008

[Connie Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great LDS series with clean romance. However there are some really heart-rending parts. I cried during several of them.

[Joanna Humpherys · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an OK series. I liked the people in the story line, but it was a little too much for me.

[Joni Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book, really a great series! I love books about members of the church and their personal struggles, even if this is fiction it still is great to relate to other peoples trails!

[Naoni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this book. It was the type of book that left me considering the type of person I am and how can I improve myself!

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. I could feel their pain and couriosity.

[Madison]

Great book everyone should read all of them in the series

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Own: Book

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good series! Loved all six of these!!

[Courtney White · Rating 5 out of 5]

you can't read this series with out reading her first love series it won't make any sense but I love it too