All That Makes Life Bright: The Life and Love of Harriet Beecher Stowe by Josi Kilpack

All That Makes Life Bright: The Life and Love of Harriet Beecher Stowe by Josi S. Kilpack
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: Received from Publisher to Review

Book Description:  When Harriet Beecher marries Calvin Stowe on January 6, 1836, she is sure her future will be filled romance, eventually a family, and continued opportunities to develop as a writer. Her husband Calvin is completely supportive and said she must be a literary woman. Harriet's sister, Catharine, worries she will lose her identity in marriage, but she is determined to preserve her independent spirit. Deeply religious, she strongly believes God has called her to fulfill the roles of wife and writer and will help her accomplish everything she was born to do.

Two months after her wedding Harriet discovers she is pregnant just as Calvin prepares to leave for a European business trip. Alone, Harriet is overwhelmed-being a wife has been harder than she thought and being an expectant mother feels like living another woman's life. Knowing that part of Calvin still cherishes the memory of his first wife, Harriet begins to question her place in her husband's heart and yearns for his return; his letters are no substitute for having him home. When Calvin returns, however, nothing seems to have turned out as planned.

Struggling to balance the demands of motherhood with her passion for writing and her desire to be a part of the social change in Ohio, Harriet works to build a life with her beloved Calvin despite differing temperaments and expectations.

Can their love endure, especially after "I do"? Can she recapture the first blush of new love and find the true beauty in her marriage? 


My thoughts: This is an amazing book. I had a little trouble getting into it, but once I did, I couldn't put it down.

Harriet Beecher Stowe was a woman of talent. She had a free spirit and intellect. She also fell in love in the 1800's, a time where women were not as valued for being independent thinkers.

This book takes a close look at the make up of marriage relationships. Expectations can make or break a marriage. I loved watching the struggles of Harriet and Calvin as they learn how to compromise. I can't imaging being a wife and a mother in the 1800's without our modern conveniences and have time to do everything perfectly. Harriet didn't know how to do it, and amazing brilliant woman wasn't perfect at everything. That gives me hope for myself. :)

This is not your typical romance book. The book begins on the couple's wedding day. It is about finding romance when life becomes mired in the everyday tasks. There is kissing and implied relations between husband and wife.

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Deseret Book

About the  Author: (Taken from Goodreads)  I wrote my first book while on bed rest with my third child in 1998 and haven't stopped. My most recent books have been Historical Romance through the Proper I wrote my first book while on bed rest with my third child in 1998 and haven't stopped. My most recent books have been Historical Romance through the Proper Romance line with Shadow Mountain Publishing.

I currently live in Willard, Utah with my husband, and children.

Visit her WEBPAGE.