Borrowed Light by Carla Kelly ~ review

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc. (February 8, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1599554666
• ISBN-13: 978-1599554662

About the book from Goodreads:

Julia Darling never expected to cook for some cowboys in Wyoming, but when she breaks off her engagement in Salt Lake City, it's the perfect opportunity for her to escape. Determined to stick the job out, Julia faces her biggest challenge yet—letting go of borrowed light to find her own testimony. Set in the early 1900s, this is one romantic adventure you'll never forget!

My take on this book:

It's the summer of 1909 and Julia Darling has come home to Salt Lake City from Boston after graduating  from Frannie Farmer's cooking school. Her younger sister Iris is getting married, and that has Julia thinking about her marriage to her long time beau Ezra. Everyone says that Ezra is perfect for her, but she isn't so sure. When a newspaper ad in the classifieds stating that a rancher is looking for a chef to cook on his ranch in Cheyenne Wyoming she decides to answer the ad. She breaks off her engagement and heads to Wyoming to take the job as chef at the Double Tipi ranch. Can Julia make it as a chef on a remote ranch?

I love historical fiction and if its set in the west that's just an added bonus for me. The author easily pulled me into Julia's story, with vivid descriptions that often had me laughing. Julia was full of spunk and determination. Taking a job in Wyoming a place so different from what she was used to really was brave. The way the author described Julia's meeting of Mr. Otto her new boss was so easy to envision, and the descriptions of things at the Double Tipi ranch made me feel like I was in the midst of a grand adventure. While the romantic feelings between Julia and Mr. Otto was something I knew would happen the getting there was great. Each were dealing with questions of their faith. It was interesting to read about Julia's Mormon faith, and to see the characters faith grow as the story progressed. There were also several secondary characters that really added to the book and one of my favorites had to be James. 

Even though this book is about the Mormon faith, overall its spiritual message of growth and understanding makes it a great inspirational read. A great read for anyone who enjoys historical romance with an inspirational message. 

rating 4/5