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Jayson Wolfe #1
The Sound of Rain
Friendships and relationships formed and forged through the fiery furnace of experience have left Jayson Wolfe wiser, sadder, and anxious to embrace new hopes and dreams. In the life he is reconstruction, his music is as essential as oxygen and failure is unimaginable. But does life ever go as planned? In this first volume of her new series, acclaimed LDS storyteller Anita Stansfield once again reaches out to her readers' hearts, minds, and spirits as she explores both the joy and grief that accompany complicated and intricate relationships. And her readers will find part one of this trilogy compelling and intense, heartwarming and heartbreaking -- a deeply rooted love story with heart-stopping consequences.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
26 people are currently reading
518 people want to read
About the author
Anita Stansfield
133 books470 followersAnita 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."
"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."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 247 reviews
January 13, 2009
My first impression of Anita Stansfield was not good. It was very soap-opera-ey. Characters were shallow and totally unbelievable. I listened to this novel on CD, and had to laugh out loud several times when the male voice tried to imitate a female voice crying. One redeeming quality- it was a clean romance novel. I'll probably read books two and three only because I can laugh about them with my Mom.
December 12, 2008
Loved the book!!! It was a true life romance with plenty of speed bumps. I highly recommend it! It explains love and temptation so well!
January 16, 2009
I'm a sucker for Stansfield's novels. I like her writing and enjoy refreshing myself with one of her books every now and again. This one did a great job of depicting youth and their very real feelings. At first, I thought the characters were being depicted as way off from what high schoolers are really like, but then I reflected on my hs years and decided that Stansfield is right on. I thought I was so mature and my feelings were very mature and real to me then. NOW, I look back and know I was just in high school, but THEN, my world was very much a reality to me just like Stansfield presents the characters' world as a reality to them. Maybe that doesn't make sense, but read the book and you'll know what I mean.
I also thought she did very well at addressing the issue of morality and the slippery slope a person is on when being too passionate in their physical affection when unmarried. She is very good at showing how youth can handle a goof-up in a mature way. Another thing I liked: she did well at showing her readers that people who aren't LDS can still be religious and faithful.
I cried and cried in some spots. I think I must have a connection with Stansfield or something, because becoming THAT teary THAT often isn't the norm for me in my reading.
What a good read for me!
I also thought she did very well at addressing the issue of morality and the slippery slope a person is on when being too passionate in their physical affection when unmarried. She is very good at showing how youth can handle a goof-up in a mature way. Another thing I liked: she did well at showing her readers that people who aren't LDS can still be religious and faithful.
I cried and cried in some spots. I think I must have a connection with Stansfield or something, because becoming THAT teary THAT often isn't the norm for me in my reading.
What a good read for me!
June 23, 2009
The typical LDS romance book. Written totally according to formula and is completely predictable. Beware: heavy-handed tugging of the heart strings. I personally hate manipulative stories, and this one is exactly that. There are 4 books in the series, but I'm not going to be reading them. My sister-in-law told me what happens, and I was pretty much on the mark about the plot. The writing isn't even that believable or well-crafted. Unless you want to cry, don't read it!
July 3, 2012
“The Sound of Rain” Anita Stansfield "SPOILER ALERT"
Jayson and Drew Wolfe, two brothers raised in Montana by their loving mother, Leslie Wolfe, and their alcoholic father, Jay Wolfe. Jayson and Drew don’t have a good relationship with their father, who is a mormon and abusive husband. Leslie Wolfe had to endure many years of abuse from her husband. The brothers are now older and in high school. Their father has been in jail for domestics and the family has not seen him for awhile.
Jayson and Drew love their kind mother and wanted to surprise her with a great birthday gift. They are a struggling family just trying to make ends meet. Jayson comes up with the great idea to do their own rendition of one of their mother’s favorite songs for her birthday. They decided to re-do “Funeral for a Friend” by Elton John. Jayson plays the piano, the guitar and Drew plays the drums. These brothers are gifted with musical talents especially Jayson. His passion for music was evident when he was young and his mother loved the way her sons loved to play music in their home when possible. Jayson and Drew practiced everyday to perfect their mother’s birthday gift. Her birthday came and they were so excited to finally play it for her. Jayson called his mom at work and told her something had happened and she had to rush home. She came home and the boys shouted “Happy Birthday Mom”. The neighbors and some friends came over to celebrate her day. Then the boys told their mom that they had a gift for her to have a seat. She sat and watched her sons prepare their instruments. As they played, tears came rushing down her face with gratitude and being blessed with sons who didn’t give her any trouble as a single parent. She loved her boys and they were her life!
After the party, Leslie was cleaning up and the boys went to sleep. Jayson woke up to hear raucous in the kitchen. He quickly got up and saw his father in the kitchen beating his mother. Without thinking , he ran in the kitchen, pushed his father off his mother and cranked a good one right in his fathers jaw. His father was surprised to see how grown Jayson was now, since the last time he saw them was when they were in elementary. His father hit Jayson back in the jaw and they started to fight. Drew came running in and called the police while his mother tried to stop the fight. Jayson was now a Junior in high school and was grown enough to protect his mother. The police came in and took their father to jail for domestic abuse. Jayson was very close with his mother and told her everything in his life. Leslie cried and cried for her sons. She could handle her husband beating and hurting her, but not one of her boys. Enough is enough she said!
A few days later, she decided it was time for her and her boys to move away. She had a friend who guaranteed her a waitress job and a little apartment she could rent. Leslie and her boys packed up their things, rented a Uhaul and off to Oregon they journeyed. Jayson was very sad to leave behind his piano, a gift from his grandmother on his moms side. They were able to take Drew’s drum set and Jayson’s guitar.
Settling into Oregon and starting a new school in the middle of the year was not an easy task for the boys, but their mom told them everything would be alright with the Lords help, just have a prayer in your heart and He will guide the way for all of them. Jayson is tall, long hair in a ponytail with an earring looking like an obvious rebel and Drew is the older brother tall and slender. Jayson barely got by with decent grades but Drew was fascinated with Science Fiction and did a little better in school. Leslie encouraged her sons to do good in school and was content with her sons in school and out of trouble.
Jayson loved music and saw that the high school was performing “West Side Story”. He bought a ticket and went to the school play. He instantly fell in love with the main actress MARIA. He loved her voice, she was beautiful and even after the play, he couldn’t get her out of his mind. He went to see the play 3 more times and everyday at school he would look for her. To no avail, he never found her. He felt something for this girl that he never felt before in his life. He just knew they were supposed to be together, but how could that happen when he was new to the school and she probably didn’t know he existed!
In English class, he took his seat and the young lady behind him had to do her oral report in front of the class. As she was speaking, he recognized her voice and he knew that she was the girl from the play. He was looking for a girl with dark hair, but he realized that she was wearing a wig in the play and that she was a blonde. He felt so nervous and shocked and the whole time she was sitting behind him in class. He felt something in his stomach turn and knew that he was destined to be with this girl. He said hi and bye to her but that was it.
Jayson later found a job to help out with bills at home. He worked with another young man named Derek. They soon became friends and realized that they both loved music. Derek invited Jayson to his house to see his guitar and maybe mess around with music. Jayson was thrilled he found a new friend and one that held the same interests as he did. When they got to Derek’s house Jayson was amazed to see such a beautiful home and inside his house his eyes widened when he saw a grand piano in the living room. Jayson was thrilled and wanted to touch the keys and marvel over the sound of it if he had the chance to play it. They went downstairs in the basement and Jayson gasped for air as he saw the soundproof room with a guitar and bass. He was so excited that he found a friend and a place to play music. They hit it off quickly and soon became best friends!. They played in the basement everyday and Derek’s father Will was so happy to see his son Derek playing music and obviously as happy as he’s ever seen him before! His father was thrilled that his son was playing music, found a nice new friend and Will invited Jayson over for dinner every night. Derek’s mother Meredith was an attorney, who was never home and always at work. Derek’s sister was never home until the evenings due to a busy school schedule and activities.
So here’s my take on the whole book. I loved this story because there were so many new heartfelt relationships that were made, some losses in the families that definitely affected everyone and love beyond compare between characters.
Jayson Wolfe and his new best friend Derek were inseparable. They went to the same school, they worked together, they played music together and loved the same girl. By this, I mean that Derek’s sister is Elizabeth Greer whom he loves and she is also the girl that Jayson has been secretly crushing on since he arrived to Oregon. Jayson had no idea that his best friends’ sister was the girl of his dreams. There was something about Jayson Wolfe that Elizabeth couldn’t’ get out of her head. She told herself numerous times that he was not her type, but she couldn’t get him out of her thoughts. They were introduced at her house when Jayson was playing the piano. She was ecstatic to find out that he played music because she played the violin, flute and a little bit on the piano. Jayson and Derek had a great time together everyday and Jayson would secretly wish that Elizabeth would come home early just so he could see her before going home.
Jayson and Elizabeth finally end up together, and Derek is okay with that. They started a band called “A Pack of Wolves”. The band included Derek- bass, Drew- Drums, Jasyon- guitar and keyboard, Elizabeth- back up vocals and violin. They instantly hit it off and were happy with their little gigs they did in town. Things were just too good to be true for Jayson. He’d never been so happy in his life.
Well like they say, all good things come to an end. Elizabeth and Will(her dad) heard a knock at the door and 2 police officers stood there asking for Derek Greers family, The unthinkable happened, Derek was in a terrible car accident and passed away on site! They were devastated and in tears when they heard the police say Derek was dead! They did not know how they were gonna tell Jayson who loved Derek as his own brother.
Jayson did not take the news well and they were all getting ready to graduate at this time.He couldn’t breathe and refused to look at any instrument after Derek’s death. Will and Elizabeth helped Jayson to continue to play music in memory of Derek They told Jayson, Derek would have wanted you to continue to use your musical gift and play.
At Derek’s funeral, ironically, Jayson was asked to play “Funeral for a Friend” which he did beautifully as tears came down his face. He was teased by his brother and Derek of having a high water problem, meaning tears came easy to Jayson. He was so distraught and didn’t know how he would ever be able to play again without Derek at his side. It was a sad time indeed for Jayson!
Graduation day came and Jayson nor Elizabeth were very happy that day.As a tribute to Derek Greer the student body president asked Jayson to play “Funeral for a Friend” at the graduation to remember Derek. Jayson didn’t want to do it, but thinking of his friend Derek he couldn’t say NO. The school also announced Derek Greers name in the ceremony, what a difficult time for the Greer family and Jayson his best friend. Jayson played and couldn’t hold back tears again as he played the song and asked that everyone give a moment of silence after the song. Memorable indeed!
Will (Dereks father) was happy to see his daughter graduate and was ever so thankful that Jayson became a part of their family through his friendship with Derek. He thanked Jayson for bringing music and happiness back into his sons life. He never saw his son Derek so happy in his life until he became friends with Derek and shared music together.
Jayson and Elizabeth spent their summer together. Jayson planned to move to LA to pursue his career in Music and Elizabeth always planned to go to Boston for school. Their goals in life were different and Jayson did not want to part with Elizabeth, he loved her with all his heart! Elizabeth was torn and afraid that she couldn’t see herself in LA with him and that she only wanted a good education, a happy and steady life with a husband and kids to comfort her. She wanted to do everything her mother couldn’t give her. She longed for her mothers’ acceptance and attention, to love her for who she was. But, Elizabeth knew her mother was always busy and never came to any of her school productions at all. Elizabeth wanted a simple and stable home which she did not get as a teen. As time progressed, the day came where Jayson was waiting to see if Elizabeth felt the same for Jayson meaning that they would marry and be together whether it was to LA or to Boston. They could do anything if they were together and be happy is what Jayson told her. Elizabeth felt in her heart that things would not work out between the two of them and it was best for them to break up and go their separate ways. When she told Jayson, he was heart broken, he couldn’t breathe! He told her she was mistaken that their love for each other was right and he knew it with everything in him that they are suppose to be together, grow old together and have kids. She kept insisting that their goals in life were too different and he needed to go and do his music career while she did her education. He couldn’t believe it and fell to his knees asking her to think about it again, but she told him she thought about it every night. He finally asked her if she still loved him and she said the words that tore him apart, “I don’t love you enough”, I don’t love you the way you love me!
Oh I was so PISSED OFF, I didn’t know whether to throw the book down or hate Elizabeth for the remainder of the book. I hate things that happen like that ugh! My heart went out to Jayson and to think he poured his heart out to Elizabeth and swore his love to her what the heck! I say dump her and move on to bigger and better things! Of course I’m speaking out of anger, some girls just really get me on FIRE!
This here blog has over exceeded and I’m officially calling it quits on this blog. I basically told the whole story except for a few details, but that’s where you choose whether you want to read the book or NOT. A definite good read! Do they end up together? Does Jayson Wolfe really go to LA or does he change his mind to win Elizabeth’s heart? Does Elizabeth get her education and happy, stable family? Find out and read the series.
Jayson and Drew Wolfe, two brothers raised in Montana by their loving mother, Leslie Wolfe, and their alcoholic father, Jay Wolfe. Jayson and Drew don’t have a good relationship with their father, who is a mormon and abusive husband. Leslie Wolfe had to endure many years of abuse from her husband. The brothers are now older and in high school. Their father has been in jail for domestics and the family has not seen him for awhile.
Jayson and Drew love their kind mother and wanted to surprise her with a great birthday gift. They are a struggling family just trying to make ends meet. Jayson comes up with the great idea to do their own rendition of one of their mother’s favorite songs for her birthday. They decided to re-do “Funeral for a Friend” by Elton John. Jayson plays the piano, the guitar and Drew plays the drums. These brothers are gifted with musical talents especially Jayson. His passion for music was evident when he was young and his mother loved the way her sons loved to play music in their home when possible. Jayson and Drew practiced everyday to perfect their mother’s birthday gift. Her birthday came and they were so excited to finally play it for her. Jayson called his mom at work and told her something had happened and she had to rush home. She came home and the boys shouted “Happy Birthday Mom”. The neighbors and some friends came over to celebrate her day. Then the boys told their mom that they had a gift for her to have a seat. She sat and watched her sons prepare their instruments. As they played, tears came rushing down her face with gratitude and being blessed with sons who didn’t give her any trouble as a single parent. She loved her boys and they were her life!
After the party, Leslie was cleaning up and the boys went to sleep. Jayson woke up to hear raucous in the kitchen. He quickly got up and saw his father in the kitchen beating his mother. Without thinking , he ran in the kitchen, pushed his father off his mother and cranked a good one right in his fathers jaw. His father was surprised to see how grown Jayson was now, since the last time he saw them was when they were in elementary. His father hit Jayson back in the jaw and they started to fight. Drew came running in and called the police while his mother tried to stop the fight. Jayson was now a Junior in high school and was grown enough to protect his mother. The police came in and took their father to jail for domestic abuse. Jayson was very close with his mother and told her everything in his life. Leslie cried and cried for her sons. She could handle her husband beating and hurting her, but not one of her boys. Enough is enough she said!
A few days later, she decided it was time for her and her boys to move away. She had a friend who guaranteed her a waitress job and a little apartment she could rent. Leslie and her boys packed up their things, rented a Uhaul and off to Oregon they journeyed. Jayson was very sad to leave behind his piano, a gift from his grandmother on his moms side. They were able to take Drew’s drum set and Jayson’s guitar.
Settling into Oregon and starting a new school in the middle of the year was not an easy task for the boys, but their mom told them everything would be alright with the Lords help, just have a prayer in your heart and He will guide the way for all of them. Jayson is tall, long hair in a ponytail with an earring looking like an obvious rebel and Drew is the older brother tall and slender. Jayson barely got by with decent grades but Drew was fascinated with Science Fiction and did a little better in school. Leslie encouraged her sons to do good in school and was content with her sons in school and out of trouble.
Jayson loved music and saw that the high school was performing “West Side Story”. He bought a ticket and went to the school play. He instantly fell in love with the main actress MARIA. He loved her voice, she was beautiful and even after the play, he couldn’t get her out of his mind. He went to see the play 3 more times and everyday at school he would look for her. To no avail, he never found her. He felt something for this girl that he never felt before in his life. He just knew they were supposed to be together, but how could that happen when he was new to the school and she probably didn’t know he existed!
In English class, he took his seat and the young lady behind him had to do her oral report in front of the class. As she was speaking, he recognized her voice and he knew that she was the girl from the play. He was looking for a girl with dark hair, but he realized that she was wearing a wig in the play and that she was a blonde. He felt so nervous and shocked and the whole time she was sitting behind him in class. He felt something in his stomach turn and knew that he was destined to be with this girl. He said hi and bye to her but that was it.
Jayson later found a job to help out with bills at home. He worked with another young man named Derek. They soon became friends and realized that they both loved music. Derek invited Jayson to his house to see his guitar and maybe mess around with music. Jayson was thrilled he found a new friend and one that held the same interests as he did. When they got to Derek’s house Jayson was amazed to see such a beautiful home and inside his house his eyes widened when he saw a grand piano in the living room. Jayson was thrilled and wanted to touch the keys and marvel over the sound of it if he had the chance to play it. They went downstairs in the basement and Jayson gasped for air as he saw the soundproof room with a guitar and bass. He was so excited that he found a friend and a place to play music. They hit it off quickly and soon became best friends!. They played in the basement everyday and Derek’s father Will was so happy to see his son Derek playing music and obviously as happy as he’s ever seen him before! His father was thrilled that his son was playing music, found a nice new friend and Will invited Jayson over for dinner every night. Derek’s mother Meredith was an attorney, who was never home and always at work. Derek’s sister was never home until the evenings due to a busy school schedule and activities.
So here’s my take on the whole book. I loved this story because there were so many new heartfelt relationships that were made, some losses in the families that definitely affected everyone and love beyond compare between characters.
Jayson Wolfe and his new best friend Derek were inseparable. They went to the same school, they worked together, they played music together and loved the same girl. By this, I mean that Derek’s sister is Elizabeth Greer whom he loves and she is also the girl that Jayson has been secretly crushing on since he arrived to Oregon. Jayson had no idea that his best friends’ sister was the girl of his dreams. There was something about Jayson Wolfe that Elizabeth couldn’t’ get out of her head. She told herself numerous times that he was not her type, but she couldn’t get him out of her thoughts. They were introduced at her house when Jayson was playing the piano. She was ecstatic to find out that he played music because she played the violin, flute and a little bit on the piano. Jayson and Derek had a great time together everyday and Jayson would secretly wish that Elizabeth would come home early just so he could see her before going home.
Jayson and Elizabeth finally end up together, and Derek is okay with that. They started a band called “A Pack of Wolves”. The band included Derek- bass, Drew- Drums, Jasyon- guitar and keyboard, Elizabeth- back up vocals and violin. They instantly hit it off and were happy with their little gigs they did in town. Things were just too good to be true for Jayson. He’d never been so happy in his life.
Well like they say, all good things come to an end. Elizabeth and Will(her dad) heard a knock at the door and 2 police officers stood there asking for Derek Greers family, The unthinkable happened, Derek was in a terrible car accident and passed away on site! They were devastated and in tears when they heard the police say Derek was dead! They did not know how they were gonna tell Jayson who loved Derek as his own brother.
Jayson did not take the news well and they were all getting ready to graduate at this time.He couldn’t breathe and refused to look at any instrument after Derek’s death. Will and Elizabeth helped Jayson to continue to play music in memory of Derek They told Jayson, Derek would have wanted you to continue to use your musical gift and play.
At Derek’s funeral, ironically, Jayson was asked to play “Funeral for a Friend” which he did beautifully as tears came down his face. He was teased by his brother and Derek of having a high water problem, meaning tears came easy to Jayson. He was so distraught and didn’t know how he would ever be able to play again without Derek at his side. It was a sad time indeed for Jayson!
Graduation day came and Jayson nor Elizabeth were very happy that day.As a tribute to Derek Greer the student body president asked Jayson to play “Funeral for a Friend” at the graduation to remember Derek. Jayson didn’t want to do it, but thinking of his friend Derek he couldn’t say NO. The school also announced Derek Greers name in the ceremony, what a difficult time for the Greer family and Jayson his best friend. Jayson played and couldn’t hold back tears again as he played the song and asked that everyone give a moment of silence after the song. Memorable indeed!
Will (Dereks father) was happy to see his daughter graduate and was ever so thankful that Jayson became a part of their family through his friendship with Derek. He thanked Jayson for bringing music and happiness back into his sons life. He never saw his son Derek so happy in his life until he became friends with Derek and shared music together.
Jayson and Elizabeth spent their summer together. Jayson planned to move to LA to pursue his career in Music and Elizabeth always planned to go to Boston for school. Their goals in life were different and Jayson did not want to part with Elizabeth, he loved her with all his heart! Elizabeth was torn and afraid that she couldn’t see herself in LA with him and that she only wanted a good education, a happy and steady life with a husband and kids to comfort her. She wanted to do everything her mother couldn’t give her. She longed for her mothers’ acceptance and attention, to love her for who she was. But, Elizabeth knew her mother was always busy and never came to any of her school productions at all. Elizabeth wanted a simple and stable home which she did not get as a teen. As time progressed, the day came where Jayson was waiting to see if Elizabeth felt the same for Jayson meaning that they would marry and be together whether it was to LA or to Boston. They could do anything if they were together and be happy is what Jayson told her. Elizabeth felt in her heart that things would not work out between the two of them and it was best for them to break up and go their separate ways. When she told Jayson, he was heart broken, he couldn’t breathe! He told her she was mistaken that their love for each other was right and he knew it with everything in him that they are suppose to be together, grow old together and have kids. She kept insisting that their goals in life were too different and he needed to go and do his music career while she did her education. He couldn’t believe it and fell to his knees asking her to think about it again, but she told him she thought about it every night. He finally asked her if she still loved him and she said the words that tore him apart, “I don’t love you enough”, I don’t love you the way you love me!
Oh I was so PISSED OFF, I didn’t know whether to throw the book down or hate Elizabeth for the remainder of the book. I hate things that happen like that ugh! My heart went out to Jayson and to think he poured his heart out to Elizabeth and swore his love to her what the heck! I say dump her and move on to bigger and better things! Of course I’m speaking out of anger, some girls just really get me on FIRE!
This here blog has over exceeded and I’m officially calling it quits on this blog. I basically told the whole story except for a few details, but that’s where you choose whether you want to read the book or NOT. A definite good read! Do they end up together? Does Jayson Wolfe really go to LA or does he change his mind to win Elizabeth’s heart? Does Elizabeth get her education and happy, stable family? Find out and read the series.
March 29, 2011
Jayson Wolfe and his family move to Oregon to get away from his abusive, drunk father. Jayson and his brother, Drew, would do just about anything for their mother. Aside from that, the two off them are very talented musicians, especially Jayson who constantly has music in his head and has already composed several songs himself. Meeting fellow musician enthusiast, Derek, seems like a dream come true as they start up their first band. It only gets better as Jayson finds himself in love with Derek's sister, Elizabeth, who returns his feelings. Not all good things are meant to last though. Things start falling apart when Derek is killed in a car accident, Jayson is hurt in another car wreck, and Elizabeth decides college means they must part ways. While promising to really keep in touch and their parents now being involved with each other, the story ends heartrendingly as Elizabeth prepares to go to college in Boston and Jayson makes the long journey to LA with his brother in hopes of making it big. A lot of learning and ups and downs in this book, but definitely not the stories ending. Will have to wait for when I can pick up the next two books to find out what Jayson's future holds.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2012
My wife and I listened to this book on tape while traveling to Arizona for the holidays. It is the first of what was originally a three part stroy of Jason Wolfe that ended up being five books. We have listened to four of the five book and are now in number five. If you get started with this series definitely read them in order: The Sound of RAIN; THUNDER; WINDS; STORM and finally The Silence of SNOW. This is an excellent group of books around the life of Rock Star Jason Snow and his childhood sweetheart Elizabeth. Both are not LDS but circumstances lead Elizabeth to the LDS Church and later Jason. Great life lessons and challenges in this series. It is my fist experience with Anita Stansfield books and I really enjoyed and am enjoying the stories and the progression of their lifes. I would highly recommend this series to any reader, particularly if you are LDS. GOOD STUFF HERE!!!!!!! (Note: Since we are in book five the above review is intended to include all of the four books we have listened to. Once you get started, you DO NOT WANT TO STOP READING FOR LISTENING UNTIL YOU HAVE COMPLETED ALL FIVE. TRUST ME WITH THIS).
May 10, 2013
The Sound of Rain is a story about a boy who loves to play the guitar and has big dreams to become a famous musician one day. He and his brother who plays the drums, had practiced all the time when they were younger. These two boys lived with their mom while they were in school, and after they graduated they helped their mom take care of bills and such since their biological father was nowhere to be found since he was an abusive husband/father. The story follows this little family on their journey in life on how they met new people and learned to love and be loved by others.
I don't believe they have made this book into a movie, but if they do I will definitely go see it.
I absolutely loved this book. I would recommend this book to anyone. It was very well written and caught my attention at the very beginning. The author had written the characters so well that you feel as if you know them and you get to feel their emotions. Another reason that I love this story is that it was clean. I didn't have to worry about profound language and inappropriate scenes between the characters. It was an easy read as well.
I don't believe they have made this book into a movie, but if they do I will definitely go see it.
I absolutely loved this book. I would recommend this book to anyone. It was very well written and caught my attention at the very beginning. The author had written the characters so well that you feel as if you know them and you get to feel their emotions. Another reason that I love this story is that it was clean. I didn't have to worry about profound language and inappropriate scenes between the characters. It was an easy read as well.
March 1, 2009
Oh my. I decided to wait to review book one in this series until I had made it through the trilogy. I hoped that book three would make book one and two worth the effort. It did, but I found book one to be very frustrating. Book two made me angry. Book three brought me great joy. The only thing all three books had in common was their ability to make me cry.
So, if you have trouble reading through tear swollen eyes, these books are not for you.
The series should not be called the Jayson Wolfe trilogy, it should be called the trilogy of tragedies.
This is the first time I've read anything by Anita Stansfield, and while I didn't think the writing was incredible, what amazed me, was how her writing was able to provoke such emotion in me. So, apparently, that must make her a great writer.
If you like a pretty bow at the end of a book, this first book in the series is not a stand-alone happy ending book.
You will need to find a weekend where you will have time to read the entire series to find your happy ending.
So, if you have trouble reading through tear swollen eyes, these books are not for you.
The series should not be called the Jayson Wolfe trilogy, it should be called the trilogy of tragedies.
This is the first time I've read anything by Anita Stansfield, and while I didn't think the writing was incredible, what amazed me, was how her writing was able to provoke such emotion in me. So, apparently, that must make her a great writer.
If you like a pretty bow at the end of a book, this first book in the series is not a stand-alone happy ending book.
You will need to find a weekend where you will have time to read the entire series to find your happy ending.
June 19, 2010
First of all it is an Anita Stansfield. Just so you know the male character cries...a lot. There is swooning and lots of love to go around. Sometimes I wonder what world these people actually live on, and then I remember this is a work of fiction. That being said, it was a good clean little love story that is about a wannabe musician(clearly the author hasn't work with them before, because this kid has ambition where MOST of them don't). There is a lot of tragedy in this kids life and really? You have to kill off somebody to make the characters go through a hardship? If this kid is going into the music industry there is going to be a lot of that. So why not give the kid a break and let him be happy with his band for a bit. Saddly, that was not in the cards for this sappy crying kid. Will I read the rest of the 5 books?? Yes. Am I a gluten for punishment??Y es. Do I secretly ready everything Anita Stansfield does because I have a soft spot for clean books that do a lot of swooning?? Yes.
January 9, 2009
My mom is a huge Anita Stansfield fan and she is constantly telling me that I need to read her books. Since I don't read too many romances these days, I've ignored her advice. However, I bought her this book for her birthday and after she had read it she sent it up to me to read. So, since I had been the one to give it to her I decided to give it a shot.
I have to say that Anita has a very easy way of writing. It wasn't hard to get invested in the story and I found that I liked the characters in the book quite a lot. I'm pretty sure that I will read the next two books in the series. (I gave the second one to my mom for Christmas so I'm sure that it is only a matter of time before it makes it to my house.)
As a warning to future readers, there were a few parts in the book that had me in tears.
I have to say that Anita has a very easy way of writing. It wasn't hard to get invested in the story and I found that I liked the characters in the book quite a lot. I'm pretty sure that I will read the next two books in the series. (I gave the second one to my mom for Christmas so I'm sure that it is only a matter of time before it makes it to my house.)
As a warning to future readers, there were a few parts in the book that had me in tears.
June 24, 2010
May 2009: She's done it again! Stansfield completely stole my heart with the first book of her newest series. Being a musician, I had an additional connection to Jayson Wolfe as well as the beat that tied all these characters together. I go into books with a bit of a cynical attitude now that I've read many different books and some kind of become the same. I smiled, I cried, and ultimately I am anxious to read the next book in her series. If it's anything like the first book, it will capture my attention until I reach the back cover.
June 2010: I reread this as a refresher to read the series. I still think it's amazing, but I think I've become a tougher critic. There isn't anything specifically I can criticize, it's just a decent book, but not the best ever. I'm interested to see how the rest of the series plays out.
June 2010: I reread this as a refresher to read the series. I still think it's amazing, but I think I've become a tougher critic. There isn't anything specifically I can criticize, it's just a decent book, but not the best ever. I'm interested to see how the rest of the series plays out.
September 30, 2008
okay, I amend what i say below because i just found out that this is one of a three part series of books. it still may have some closure. anita stansfield is a great author, however in this book it was not the happily ever after book that i thought it was going to be. Jayson has an alcoholic, abusive father that he first overcomes. Then it is fitting in because he dresses differently and doesn't do well in school because of the "music in his head." He thinks his break comes when he moves to oregan to escape his father. He finds "love at first sight" and a best friend in one family and heartbreak comes again and again. Real life has it's ups and downs that's why there is fiction to escape to , not so in this book.
January 3, 2009
I had high hopes for this book because it is based along the Oregon Coast which is my favorite place to be. I also love to listen to the sound of rain thus the title pulled me in. I was a little leery though because I have not been a fan of Anita Stansfield for a while. In typical Stansfield fashion a lot of terrible things happen in the book, almost too much to take in for entertainment purposes. The was a pager turner though, but I was sorely disappointed in the ending. For me a page turner is a book that keeps me very interested and I keep turning those pages in anticipation of the ending. Well this ending really did not do it for me. It obviously is going to be the first book in a series. I suggest waiting till the whole series is done and then reading the books.
December 13, 2009
I read almost all of this in one sitting. But there were some problems.
1) It was really hard to get back into after I stopped, even if there were barely anything left.
2) As soon as Derek died and Drew eased out of the story it was annoying, since there wasn't as much storyline as "Our destiny is that we have to be together, my soul aches for you."
3) It gave away quite a bit of the trilogy in the prologue.\
However, it was captivating enough to have me read for 3-4 hours. Also, the plot was interesting. I just wasn't sure of it being two stars or four stars since it was a mix of both. I may read the sequel, but I don't want to spend a lot of time on a series that ends up feeling like a waste of time.
1) It was really hard to get back into after I stopped, even if there were barely anything left.
2) As soon as Derek died and Drew eased out of the story it was annoying, since there wasn't as much storyline as "Our destiny is that we have to be together, my soul aches for you."
3) It gave away quite a bit of the trilogy in the prologue.\
However, it was captivating enough to have me read for 3-4 hours. Also, the plot was interesting. I just wasn't sure of it being two stars or four stars since it was a mix of both. I may read the sequel, but I don't want to spend a lot of time on a series that ends up feeling like a waste of time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2008
Most of Anita Stansfield's books leave me feeling hopeful and uplifted. However, this one leaves you hanging! It isn't a book like those in her other series - they can each stand alone. This one does not stand alone! She did warn readers that this was really the first part of a three-part book. I wish I had waited until they were all out before I read it.
I like the story, and I like the characters. I really like the relationship between the teenagers and their parents. Most of the story was written from the point of view of a teenage boy, which is a little hard to relate to, but I liked it in general (except for the lack of hope at the end!)
I like the story, and I like the characters. I really like the relationship between the teenagers and their parents. Most of the story was written from the point of view of a teenage boy, which is a little hard to relate to, but I liked it in general (except for the lack of hope at the end!)
June 18, 2012
This is the first book in the Jayson Wolfe series. I like the way that Stansfield has built her series; she possesses a good sense of where she wants her characters to be and who they will meet throughout the stories. I like her style of foreplanning. This book introduces us really to the foundation of Jayson's emotional healing journey. While this series is still heavily sugar-coated, it also portrays a very real reality. Life does not always go as planned, even if we think it should. I think that Stansfield as unearthed a great message with this book of the power of family, music, and prayer.
August 30, 2010
I am almost embarassed to be reading (or rather listening to on CD) Anita Stansfield again. I haven't read one of her books in 10 years but i am trying to listen to books on CD while I work and this is what the library had in the 10 seconds I had to grab one.
I really liked it despite the sappiness and completely fictional characters. No man cries as much as the men in Stansfields books (nor talks about his feelings....puh-lease!) and I have never known high school students so mature. If it had been more realistic I would've given it 4 stars because I really did like the story line. On to book #2 if the library has it on CD any time soon.
I really liked it despite the sappiness and completely fictional characters. No man cries as much as the men in Stansfields books (nor talks about his feelings....puh-lease!) and I have never known high school students so mature. If it had been more realistic I would've given it 4 stars because I really did like the story line. On to book #2 if the library has it on CD any time soon.
January 16, 2013
I think most people know I don't read Anita Stansfield's books very often ... it just seems that so many terrible things happen to her characters and no one I know talks like her characters - spouting scriptures, word for word, including book, chapter and verse! I enjoy her books a lot more when her characters aren't LDS and that is how this book is. I had to mark when someone died because it wasn't until page 175! She does have a way of involving the reader in the characters lives and making you want to keep reading to find out what happens. I did enjoy this book, probably give it 3.5 stars. Maybe I should have just stopped with this book?
February 11, 2012
I didn't know how I felt about it at the beginning then slowly but surely I started to really feel the characters. The main characters are Jayson and Elizabeth. I just barely finished the book and I am feeling really strange at the moment because I feel so connected with their feelings and experiences. The two of them fall completely in love, they are living a fairy tale and never want it to end. He thinks that they are meant to be, she knows she loves him but there is something in her that wonders if they are supposed to be together. It was good but it's a book in a series of like 5 other books. I read the next two but that was it.
August 16, 2008
I gave this book four stars because it took me almost half the book to really feel involved with the characters. I usually can devour an Anita Stansfield, but this one was tough to get into. However, by the end of the book I was fully invested and I'm now really anxious to read the next part of the story. In fact, by the end I was close to tears (which rarely happens when I read) and wondering how this was all going to work out for the main characters. I'm expecting great things from the next two volumes.
February 9, 2009
I loved this book! It is a three way series and I'm on the third! I read 115 pages today! It came out Yesterday or on Friday! the second book is called A distant Thunder! Read it! . The third is called a Wind of Hope! It is a romance series possibly a novel and is written by an LDS Author. It's about a boy who has music talents and creates a band and his life and it's Amazing! I can't give away any secrets but his life is hard and oh my Goodness! It's Amazing!!!!!!!! You'll love it ...just read it! I actually listened to it on a tape but I'm reading the third!
June 5, 2009
I purchased all three books of this series (on tape) to listen to on our car trip to Utah in July. We listend to "The Sound of Rain" the first week in May on a brief road trip, and enjoying every moment of it. In fact we parked the car in the driveway when we got home and continued listening to the end. We were touched by the caring people in Jaysons life, his mother, his brother and now Elizabeth's family. We cried when he left for california without Elizabeth. Yet, he stayed true to the music within him and she to her desire/goals of motherhood.
Very touching book!
Very touching book!
October 6, 2009
Wow, this is so good! A relatively quick read for me, but this is a series. Its a good thing I've watched soap operas, because it will leave you hanging. Its about the story of jayson wolfe and his family that moves to oregon to escape an abusive father. Jayson is musically gifted and he and his brother play together. When they arrive in Oregon they befriend the Greer family.Jayson develops feelings for the sister, Elizabeth. The story in this book revolves around high school and their romantic relationship and the friends forming a band... I can't wait to read book two!! :)
February 2, 2010
I have never picked up an Anita Stansfield book, though I know she is a popular LDS author. This was handed down to me from my mom. I read it and thought she did a great job with her characters, but this book was way too sappy and her details were very vague. She tells the emotion, but doesn't show it and she repeats herself a lot. Because of this, I struggled between rating it a "2" or a "3". The plot line was intriguing and I liked the interactions between the characters. This was a fast read. I would like to know how this compares to her other novels, especially her historical fiction.
July 27, 2010
My mother-in-law gave me this book to read because she thought I would like it. I did, much to my surprise. I don't like most LDS-lit, but this novel was different in the sense that the only LDS reference was that the alcholic abusive ex-husband was Mormon. :) I liked the characters. The close relationship Jason has with his mom is similar to the relationship that I have with my mom. It is hard for others to understand, but I can talk to my mom about everything. I hope the rest of the series is as promising as this first one.
August 31, 2010
I got this from a good friend, and I thought it sounded pretty good. I found the story to be entertaining, but there are things that always drive me crazy in LDS fiction. The attitude of non LDS chacters is so unrealistic. This book was the same in that respect. It was obviously written by an author who knows little of life outside the LDS church(either that, or she just wrote it for readers who want a rosey picture painted in their heads). It was easy to read and I will probably finish the trilogy. I just can't stop in the middle of a story!
August 29, 2010
I've heard so many conflicting reviews that I was hesitant to start this series. It was good, and very emotional, which you have to expect from Anita Stansfield. One frustrating thing for me was that I wanted to hear the music they were talking about, sung by the characters. Since they are fictional that's not possible, so I listened to some of the old Elton John songs that are in this book, and I have to say I am now a huge fan of older Elton John music. If you do read this book, listen to the music also and you will get more from it.
May 27, 2011
This is probably one of my least favorite Stansfield books. I thought it started out interesting and then was incredibly slow and took forever to go somewhere. It wasn't until about three quarters through the book that it got interesting. I also feel like her characters are always too black and white. A character has to be extremely bad or good and struggling. I don't think it was necessary to make Elizabeth's mom so over the top. I probably would have given it a 2, but the last part of the book got better.
March 31, 2015
I didn't realize this was a romance novel until about two-thirds of the way through the book, so two-thirds of the way through the book I became worried. However, three-thirds through the book I realized that I didn't actually regret reading that book. Although the book wasn't the best in the entire world, I weighted the number of stars because of the genre. The author kept the situation relatively real-to-life, with real-life struggles and only a little greater-than-life accomplishments. The plot advanced nicely, and the plot twists kept me reading late into the night.
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