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Hope
Isaac Shaw is dead. For sixteen years, his family has struggled on in shame, believing he died a criminal—responsible, in 1837, for several deaths when he set fire to the village mill. When Isaac’s youngest son Manny runs away, straight into the path of a traveling Mormon elder, the meeting threatens the family’s future. Charged with care of a letter that challenges the village’s history, Manny must find a way to reveal the identity of a young woman called Hope. The quest is destined to change everything. This plot-driven mystery is a tale of humankind’s eternal search for peace.
Genre: LDS religious fiction, a plot-driven mystery inspired by events that took place in North West England in the early to mid Victorian era.
Genre: LDS religious fiction, a plot-driven mystery inspired by events that took place in North West England in the early to mid Victorian era.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
1 person is currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
S.J. Wilkins
2 books8 followersS. J. Wilkins lives close to the village from which the first British LDS immigrants left for America, and close to the beautiful but rugged west Pennine moors which inspired Hope’s setting. He taught at the Preston England Missionary Training Centre between 1999 and 2002, able to look out on the same moorland the early missionaries must have seen after they first arrived in England. He appeared as Heber C. Kimball in the 2009 documentary Faith in Their Footsteps and has researched extensively at the University of Lancaster, graduating with MA degrees in History and Creative Writing. In 2013, following almost six years in LDS retailing, he began training as a teacher.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 1, 2014
WOW! This book is GOOD!
Lies and deceits!
Doubts and fears!
Hopes and dreams!
Written both from a deceased fathers view AND the view of his son who is trying to bring to light what really happened in the fire and the identity of the woman he is in love with...Hope.
Issac was wrongly accused of setting the fire that took his life and the life of two women.
Manny has lived with the secret of his father's death by being told it would do no good to look to the past.
Many has found some peace now that he and Hope have joined with the Mormons and have plans to be married at sea and possibly journey to America.
But now Hope has just found out that she was adopted and that Mormon men marry multiple wives...will that happen to her if she marries Manny?
Manny is trying to find out who Hope's real parents are and when he returns he finds that Hope's guardian has been terribly injured.
Manny's brother tells the police that Manny did it.
While Manny is on the run he finds out that his father was going to join the very church Manny and Hope have joined and that it was that very thing that was to blame for the fire.
Hope and Manny seem to find themselves in many precarious situations...filled with fear and doubt.
Is it too late to find understanding of the truth?
Or can they 'turn their hearts to their fathers' and help each other?
A REALLY GREAT READ!
Lies and deceits!
Doubts and fears!
Hopes and dreams!
Written both from a deceased fathers view AND the view of his son who is trying to bring to light what really happened in the fire and the identity of the woman he is in love with...Hope.
Issac was wrongly accused of setting the fire that took his life and the life of two women.
Manny has lived with the secret of his father's death by being told it would do no good to look to the past.
Many has found some peace now that he and Hope have joined with the Mormons and have plans to be married at sea and possibly journey to America.
But now Hope has just found out that she was adopted and that Mormon men marry multiple wives...will that happen to her if she marries Manny?
Manny is trying to find out who Hope's real parents are and when he returns he finds that Hope's guardian has been terribly injured.
Manny's brother tells the police that Manny did it.
While Manny is on the run he finds out that his father was going to join the very church Manny and Hope have joined and that it was that very thing that was to blame for the fire.
Hope and Manny seem to find themselves in many precarious situations...filled with fear and doubt.
Is it too late to find understanding of the truth?
Or can they 'turn their hearts to their fathers' and help each other?
A REALLY GREAT READ!
July 11, 2016
Hope by S. J. Wilkins is a interesting tale from his imagination yet surrounded by real places and some real events. I thoroughly enjoyed the tale and the telling. It portrays LDS converts in the early Victorian period. It uses the real event of Heber C. Kimball’s preaching in the early missionary work done there.
Young Hope Alderman’s has just found out that she was adopted and that her parent’s identity must remain a secret from her when her soon to be husband, Manny, takes her to listen to a Mormon preacher. Manny and her feel that they should join the Mormons after they feel the spirit manifest in them the desire to do so and they get baptized that day.
These events open many trying incidents, including Manny’s family’s opposition to his joining the Mormons. Also, persecution from the owner of the Mill where Manny’s dad had died 16 years before and his increased hate for Manny. There is a well-kept secret in this village and it has something to do with Hope and Manny’s fathers and the fire at the mill.
This is a very good read and an entertaining tale. In fact it is a great book to add to any LDS library. It contains mystery, some miracles, romance and lots of faith mingled in a very effective way. It also contains extensive information about the places where this tale, though a fiction from the author’s imagination, was takes place. If you like the Work and the Glory you probably will enjoy Hope by S. J. Wilkins.
Young Hope Alderman’s has just found out that she was adopted and that her parent’s identity must remain a secret from her when her soon to be husband, Manny, takes her to listen to a Mormon preacher. Manny and her feel that they should join the Mormons after they feel the spirit manifest in them the desire to do so and they get baptized that day.
These events open many trying incidents, including Manny’s family’s opposition to his joining the Mormons. Also, persecution from the owner of the Mill where Manny’s dad had died 16 years before and his increased hate for Manny. There is a well-kept secret in this village and it has something to do with Hope and Manny’s fathers and the fire at the mill.
This is a very good read and an entertaining tale. In fact it is a great book to add to any LDS library. It contains mystery, some miracles, romance and lots of faith mingled in a very effective way. It also contains extensive information about the places where this tale, though a fiction from the author’s imagination, was takes place. If you like the Work and the Glory you probably will enjoy Hope by S. J. Wilkins.
May 25, 2014
Written for a Latter-day Saint ("Mormon") audience, this is an entertaining and action-packed novel with the interesting twist of occasionally adding the thoughts and yearnings of a deceased family member on the other side of the veil, as Latter-day Saints might put it, waiting for the chance to be cleared of terrible accusations and hoping to have someone care enough to do his temple work. For Latter-day Saints, it will give some new perspectives and speculative possibilities to consider during the course of this enjoyable read. The events that unfold in a small community in England provide a lot of drama in a seemingly quiet part of the world.
The action and surprises are hearty enough that those that don't know much about Mormon views might still really enjoy the book, especially if they are intrigued by life in England in the Victorian era. Even without the Mormon themes, the general plot could an exciting and intense movie. Look forward to that!
Nicely written, original and creative. Some developments seemed a bit of a stretch or improbable, but life is full of improbabilities.
Also shows how easy it is for us humans to misjudge others, including some people who are obviously displaying bad behavior. Many good lessons and perspectives to consider. The intertwined thoughts from Isaac in the spirit world might throw some readers for a loop, but give it a chance. Definitely interesting and a significant contribution for this genre.
The action and surprises are hearty enough that those that don't know much about Mormon views might still really enjoy the book, especially if they are intrigued by life in England in the Victorian era. Even without the Mormon themes, the general plot could an exciting and intense movie. Look forward to that!
Nicely written, original and creative. Some developments seemed a bit of a stretch or improbable, but life is full of improbabilities.
Also shows how easy it is for us humans to misjudge others, including some people who are obviously displaying bad behavior. Many good lessons and perspectives to consider. The intertwined thoughts from Isaac in the spirit world might throw some readers for a loop, but give it a chance. Definitely interesting and a significant contribution for this genre.
March 14, 2014
Hope, by S.J. Wilkins, is a pioneer story with a difference. It is filled with mystery and romance, but the journey is one of conversion, testimony, and faith rather than travel.
The setting of a mill town in 1853 England is so well described that I was mentally there enjoying the scenery. I know the area well, and the author gets it right. The fictional characters are nicely developed and bring events to life in a believable way. I particularly enjoyed the snippets from the world of spirits that highlight the beginning, and bring about a satisfying ending. Genealogist readers will no doubt appreciate that aspect. It certainly appealed to my imagination.
I hope S.J. Wilkins continues to write books of faith set in the British Isles, as large groups of people converted to the LDS Church and many families stayed in that country instead of leaving for America.
The setting of a mill town in 1853 England is so well described that I was mentally there enjoying the scenery. I know the area well, and the author gets it right. The fictional characters are nicely developed and bring events to life in a believable way. I particularly enjoyed the snippets from the world of spirits that highlight the beginning, and bring about a satisfying ending. Genealogist readers will no doubt appreciate that aspect. It certainly appealed to my imagination.
I hope S.J. Wilkins continues to write books of faith set in the British Isles, as large groups of people converted to the LDS Church and many families stayed in that country instead of leaving for America.
June 8, 2014
Well written story, with some good twists bag turns
June 24, 2014
I will start out by saying that is an LDS historical fiction book, as you can tell from the blurb above.
For me this book was really slow going. I had a hard time keeping my head in the story. My attention was never fully engaged and I never became fully invested in the characters. Having said that, I don't think the writing is poor, I just think it wasn't my style which made it hard for me, personally, to engage.
I do really like the cover though and the title of the book which really does reflect the overall message of the book as well as the name of the main character.
I liked how so much of the book revolved around a mysterious letter that passed hands many times and contained the truth everyone was so desperately either searching for or hiding. The concept is a good one and I liked the actual plot, I just had a hard time getting through it. There was just something missing for me- that heart pounding, hum through your veins connection, I guess. It's hard to explain, but this book just didn't hit the mark for me.
It is obvious to me that the author really did his homework on this part of history. That is something I can really appreciate. My roots trace back to England (distant and not so distant- my grandparents were so very British) and much of my family history involves conversion to the LDS church there.
You can check out the author and read the prologue and opening chapter at the author's blog http://musingona.blogspot.co.uk/ and decide for yourself about this book. Opening chapters can give you a very good idea of what a book will be like so I encourage you to see for yourself and not take my word for it. If you love LDS fiction, you may really enjoy this book.
For me this book was really slow going. I had a hard time keeping my head in the story. My attention was never fully engaged and I never became fully invested in the characters. Having said that, I don't think the writing is poor, I just think it wasn't my style which made it hard for me, personally, to engage.
I do really like the cover though and the title of the book which really does reflect the overall message of the book as well as the name of the main character.
I liked how so much of the book revolved around a mysterious letter that passed hands many times and contained the truth everyone was so desperately either searching for or hiding. The concept is a good one and I liked the actual plot, I just had a hard time getting through it. There was just something missing for me- that heart pounding, hum through your veins connection, I guess. It's hard to explain, but this book just didn't hit the mark for me.
It is obvious to me that the author really did his homework on this part of history. That is something I can really appreciate. My roots trace back to England (distant and not so distant- my grandparents were so very British) and much of my family history involves conversion to the LDS church there.
You can check out the author and read the prologue and opening chapter at the author's blog http://musingona.blogspot.co.uk/ and decide for yourself about this book. Opening chapters can give you a very good idea of what a book will be like so I encourage you to see for yourself and not take my word for it. If you love LDS fiction, you may really enjoy this book.
May 30, 2014
I need to add a note to this rating! As the author, you'd expect a positive take. I've been resisting giving it a rating--because 5* seems a bit OTT and setting myself up for a fall, yet anything less seems like shooting myself in the foot!
So I gave in an opted for 5*. 'Hope' you'll understand--and take this with a pinch of salt, though not too much. As far as my novels go, this is the best one I have ever written. The fact that it is the only one I've ever written is beside the point. Thanks for stopping by.
Seth
So I gave in an opted for 5*. 'Hope' you'll understand--and take this with a pinch of salt, though not too much. As far as my novels go, this is the best one I have ever written. The fact that it is the only one I've ever written is beside the point. Thanks for stopping by.
Seth
September 24, 2016
I really had a hard time finishing this book. I kept asking myself "why am I set on finishing it?" The writing style was cumbersome. Toward the end, the story-line started to pick up and I started to enjoy it for a time. Then the events became too improbable and convenient. The writing style was more jerky. As I read climactic action, I felt like I was watching an action show.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews