And it Came To Pass

by Laura Stone

Overview

Adam Young is a devout Mormon whose life is all planned out, by both his strict father and his church. He follows the path theyve established for him, goes off to his mission in Barcelona, Spain, and realizes that his life may not follow the trajectory already chosen for him. His mission companion, Brandon Christensen, is a handsome, enthusiastic practitioner on the surface. But as their mission progresses, they both realize they have major questions about their faith… and substantial feelings for one another.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781945053351
Publisher:	Chicago Review Press, Incorporated
Publication date:	05/18/2017
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	222
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Laura Stone, a descendant of pioneer polygamists from the early days of the Mormon Church and a former Gospel Doctrine teacher, now keeps busy as a media blogger, ghostwriter and novelist when shes not raising her youngest child. While the majority of her family still lives in Utah, she resides in Texas because its where the good tamales are. Her first novel, The Bones of You, was published by interlude Press in 2014 and was named a finalist for a Foreword Reviews indieFab Book of the Year Award.

Editorial Reviews

03/20/2017
Stone (Bitter Springs) tackles forbidden love between Mormon missionaries in this moving and hopeful romance. Adam Young, a former college football player turned missionary who’s just arrived in Barcelona, thinks his companion, Brandon Christensen, is perfect. Brandon is the only Mormon elder to have successfully baptized anyone in the very Catholic city, and he exudes genuine concern and a friendly nature. But timid and reserved Adam starts to realize his feelings for his fellow missionary are not entirely spiritual in nature. When his desire boils over and Brandon catches him masturbating, he discovers that the attraction is mutual. Adam’s confusion about his spirituality and sexuality ring very true, and the descriptions of his harsh upbringing by cold, demanding parents (unlike Brandon’s delightful, supportive ones) help explain his turmoil. As the two young men grow increasingly attached and intimate, they’re set on a collision course with Mormon leaders. Stone has an unfortunate tendency toward didactic passages and occasional lapses of accuracy around Mormon life that distract from her lovely prose and well-defined characters. Despite these hiccups, her vital and tender story will deeply engage both Mormon and non-Mormon readers. (May)

Publishers Weekly

PRAISE FOR LAURA STONE

BITTER SPRINGS (2015)

“Highly recommended… Bitter Springs is a wonderful depiction of a lost period of gay life and history in the rural West of the 1800s.”—American Library Association, GLBT Roundtable

“Stone deftly mixes yearning and hot passion with sweet tenderness and a love of nature in this engrossing and deep coming-of-age love story.”—ALA Booklist

“Readers will savor this sweet, loving historical.”—Publishers Weekly

“Compelling and deeply satisfying…the representation of ethnic, racial, cultural and sexual diversity in an Old West setting is both refreshing and historically accurate.”—RT Book Reviews Magazine

THE BONES OF YOU (2014)

“By the time the book ended I was in love with the characters to the point I couldn’t let them go.”—USA Today

“Stone’s sensitive debut… plays the relationship with restraint, letting it unfold slowly and organically.”—Publishers Weekly

“Their beautiful love story will bring plenty of laughter, and even a few tears, as these men grab hold of their rare second chance. It was appreciated that neither man was willing to give up his dreams because that wouldn’t have felt true to the love they have shared since boarding school.”—RT Book Reviews Magazine

From the Publisher

2017-04-04
While exploring their forbidden sexual desires, two young men—Mormon missionaries—fall in love.Adam Young, or Elder Young as he's known within the Mormon Church, has always tried to light the fire of the Gospel within himself, but despite his best efforts, there's always been something that's made him feel out of place. Although it's not initially clear why Elder Young is anxious about his mission, we soon learn that he's closeted—and worried he'll find his live-in companion attractive. While he hasn't acted on his feelings in the past, his dedication to the Mormon Church, and to chastity, is challenged when he meets his handsome mission companion: Elder Brandon Christensen, who certainly opens him up to a different kind of burning passion. Their forbidden romance is perfectly set to the hot, wild backdrop of Barcelona—a location that complements their desire for each other. Given the nature of their religion, even fairly innocuous things (such as when Elder Young's thoughts drift to a shirtless Elder Christensen doing push-ups) seem absolutely sinful; during prayer, as they kneel bedside next to each other, the reader hopes their hands will brush and set off a passionate embrace. While there is much to praise here, some aspects of the novel (particularly the language) can be overwrought. In one scene, Christensen notes that his "loins are filled," then presents his desire verbally to God. Still, it's refreshing to see devotees of God who are struggling with their sexuality. A fine romance with a touch of political intent.

Kirkus Reviews