Returning to her Midwest roots, award-winning author Jane Kirkpatrick draws a page from her grandmother's photo album to capture the interplay between shadow and light, temptation and faith that marks a woman's pursuit of her dreams. She took exquisite photographs, but her heart was the true image exposed. Fifteen-year-old Jessie Ann Gaebele loves nothing more than capturing a gorgeous Minnesota landscape when the sunlight casts its most mesmerizing shadows. So when F.J. Bauer hires her in 1907 to assist in his studio and darkroom, her dreams for a career in photography appear to find root in reality. With the infamous hazards of the explosive powder used for lighting and the toxic darkroom chemicals, photography is considered a man' s profession. Yet Jessie shows remarkable talent in both the artistry and business of running a studio. She proves less skillful, however, at managing her growing attraction to the very married Mr. Bauer. This luminous coming-of-age tale deftly exposes the intricate shadows that play across every dream worth pursuing–and the irresistible light that beckons the dreamer on.
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"As usual, Jane Kirkpatrick evokes the time, place and mores of the period she writes of. This time it is early 20th century and the coming of age of her grandmother, a budding photographer. Jane's use of her grandmother and would-be lover's photographs and accompanying description by grandmother Jessie add a unique dimension to the work. The story of forbidden love, the religious restrictions that contain that relationship and Jessie's drive to pursue her dream are set against the mid-western life of yesteryear."
— Arletta (5 out of 5 stars)
" It was a good read, but pretty light weight. The characters did not hold my interest. "
— Judy, 2/14/2014" It was interesting, but moved so slowly that I had to work at reading it, which I don't enjoy doing. It also reminded me of my own growing-up experience relative to a kind, older, unattainable man. I didn't enjoy that remembering, either. Oh well, and anyway, I would like to know what happens in the next book! Somehow I trust it will be more satisfying. "
— Mary, 1/28/2014" Ms. Kirkpatrick can write. "
— Sandylew, 12/28/2013" Jane Kirkpatrick is one of the most popular writers in the Pacific Northwest and a lovely woman. Her writing, however, is tedious, simplistic and basically not terribly good. She is a terrific speaker and obviously many like her books. Anyway, I just could not continue with this one. Life is too short. "
— Katherine, 12/23/2013" I love this new series from Jane Kirkpatrick!! I am a female photographer, so I definitely relate to the main character and the fact that it's derived from Jane's very own family is so fascinating to me! I am not a religious person per se, but I just love Jane's historical fiction. I hope she never stops writing them. :) "
— Dina, 11/12/2013" This was a very interesting book. I enjoyed reading about a young woman, a natural born photographer, trying to break into a normally males only profession. "
— Sandi, 11/7/2013" The best Jane Kirkpatrick I've read. Her tale of a young girl learning to be a professional photographer in the early 20th century is realistic and filled with enough romantic intrigue to be interesting. I will be reading the next in the series to find out what eventually happens to Jessie. "
— Lynne, 10/21/2013" I enjoyed the protagonist - a young woman who aspires to be a photographer - simply because she was so different from most characters in Christian fiction. Otherwise, the book was just okay - told well enough - but not something I would recommend to friends. "
— Lisa, 8/16/2013" Mostly liked it - good read, didn't like that it was mostly about struggle with infidelity. "
— Elizabeth, 2/24/2013" Fabulous portrait based on the author's photographer grandmother. A poignant story of pursuing a dream and a forbidden love. "
— Heidi, 9/18/2012" Good story. Not thrilled with the way it ended in the middle of the story and then suggested I read the next book to find out what happens to Jessie. I don't like books that are not complete by themselves. I would have given it a 1 star for that reason if it hadn't been as interesting as it was. "
— Mariah, 8/22/2012Jane Kirkpatrick is the award-winning author of forty books, including A Sweetness to the Soul, which won the prestigious Wrangler Award from the Western Heritage Center. Her works have won the WILLA Literary Award, the Carol Award for Historical Fiction, and the 2016 Will Rogers Gold Medallion Award. And her works have been short-listed for the Christy, Spur, and Oregon Book Awards. Learn more at www.jkbooks.com.
Ann Marie Lee is a seven-time winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award for narration. She is a Los Angeles–based actress with television credits that include ER, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and Nip/Tuck. Her stage performances for Broadway National Tours and regional theater include Peter Pan, As You Like It, Heartbreak House, and The Cherry Orchard.