Review
Ms. Klingler skillfully weaves a tale of student life on a church-run university campus, where curfews are the norm, and church-sponsored activities prevail. She is adept at recapturing the feelings of being new on campus, the excitement of being on your own for the first time and feeling overwhelmed by the newness of campus life.
Ms. Klingler capably develops all the characters in the book and has a talent for recreating all the people we recognize from our high school and college years. She accurately and affectionately depicts life in an apartment-like dormitory, where lasting friendships form over boys and chocolate, where there's always a shoulder to cry on or a friend with whom laughter is shared.
This was a good first effort from Ms. Klingler and a nice perspective of college life from the LDS point of view.
This book is different from other books, which have been reviewed for Writers Unlimited in that it was written by a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons) and is written with the LDS reader in mind. As such, there are references in the book beyond the knowledge of the non-LDS reader. For instance:
As he is leaving for Massachusetts, Lauren gives Ben a "quad." This is shorthand for what the Latter-day Saints call a quadruple combination: The Bible, The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine & Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. These books are considered standard works in the church and are part of the Latter-day Saint life.
Ms. Klingler also states that Ben and Lauren belonging to a "ward." A ward is the same as a parish or congregation; a stake is made up of several wards. A bishop and two counselors preside over a ward; a stake president and two counselors preside over a stake.
In order for Ben to go to the temple, he must obtain a "recommend" from his bishop. A temple is different from a meetinghouse. It is a building specifically set aside for the proxy work for the dead that all Latter-day Saints are commanded to do. Strict adherence to church rules must be followed in order to receive a recommend. A recommend is only granted after one has proven to their bishop and stake president that they live in accordance with church standards. On the other hand, a meetinghouse (or church building) is where day-to-day activities and meetings are held. Sunday services ("Sacrament") are held in meetinghouses and games such as basketball and volleyball are played.
*Note: this review was written by a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. --Writer's Unlimited
Love Beyond Tomorrow is an impressive debut from a writer with a gift for capturing the reader's heart in the first chapter and holding it long after the last page has been turned. --Kerry Blair
In Love Beyond Tomorrow, Erin Klingler masterfully draws her readers into the lives of these likable characters. You can't help but laugh at their innocent foibles, feel empathy for their struggles, and cheer at their triumphs. As a writer and avid reader of LDS fiction, I was pulled right into this story, and enjoyed it through to the satisfying ending. For those of us who love to read about love, Love Beyond Tomorrow will capture your heart! --Tamara Norton
From the Publisher
Erin Klingler's first foray into LDS Romance is charged with the strength of youth and new love. Her portrayal of college life and the trials of both education and relationships delights younger readers and often reminds older readers of their own wonderful college days. But no better praise can be given than by one's peers. Kerry Blair, best-selling author of "The Heart Has Its Reasons" says, "'Love Beyond Tomorrow' is an impressive debut from a writer with a gift for capturing the reader's heart in the first chapter and holding it long after the last page has been turned."
