Book Review: For Time and Eternity by Allison Pittman

About the book:

When Camilla Deardon hears their songs coming on a breeze, they sound just like the songs in her own church. This is all she knows of the Mormons camping near her family's farm. Mama and Papa warned her to stay away, but she doesn't understand their fear, especially after meeting a young Mormon man named Nathan Fox. So handsome. So charming. His eyes hold the very image of this Zion he talks about, and his step seems a promise to take her there.

Though Camilla knows she should obey her parents, she can't refuse her heart. But Nathan's promises can never prepare her for what she will face in Utah. She's been willing to share her husband's faith, but can she share her marriage with another woman?

My thoughts:

Allison Pittman can flat write a book...period.  If it had not been for a suggestion from a friend of mine several years ago, I doubt I would've ever discovered Allison's books.  Since then, though, I've become a fan through and through.  Her historical novels always seem to have some a little different from all the rest--sometimes, it's unique characters, but almost always, it's a story that pulls at my emotions from start to finish.


For Time and Eternity was a novel I wanted to read from the first moment I read the description.  I've been on a little bit of a kick with this particular book "style" lately, and I knew Allison's take on this point in history would not disappoint.  It also helped that she had first-hand knowledge of the Mormon church and their practices.  Now, I'm not Mormon, I don't know any Mormons, but I do have a basic knowledge of their beliefs.  What really saddens me is how many people were drawn into this religion in it's early years, maybe before they were fully aware of what they were getting into.  Honestly, what sane woman wants to share her husband?  Um, not me.  Thankfully, as a church they have eliminated all practices of polygamy, but it's still a part of their history.  Now, only the FLDS (Fundamentalist Latter-Day Saints) participate in polygamy.


I felt all of Camilla's emotions through this entire book.  Camilla had more on her young shoulders than most people have when they're twice her age, and she had so many decisions that she had to make...some that were split-second.  One came when she had to choose between her parents and this new boy, Nathan Fox.  She barely knew him, and she didn't understand why her parents didn't want her around him.  After time, their reasons became very clear.  And thankfully, Camilla's mother insisted that she read her Bible daily, and journal a verse every day.  This early nurturing in Scripture would be the difference maker in Camilla's adult, married life.

If you decide to read For Time and Eternity, let me warn you that this is not your typical novel--not just because it has both Mormon and Christian elements, but because it will literally have your emotions on overdrive from page one through to the very end.  It was an excellent story that was heartbreaking, but beautifully told.  My only complaint was that it didn't last long enough!

5 Stars

Southern?  No
Sass?  No

**Many thanks to Glass Roads PR for providing a copy for review.

**Click here to purchase a copy of For Time and Eternity.