Novelist Annette Lyon broke from her usual contemporary stories to bring us “House on the Hill,” her first historical piece, and received rave reviews from all who read it. Set in Logan during the construction of the Logan Temple, this book tells the story of the people of the community and how they rallied together to build the magnificent building that we have and enjoy today.
Our main character is Lizzy Sullivan, a young woman who is struggling with issues of self and religion. Her questions only grow larger when their home burns down, taking everything their family owns. They are taken in by a kindly family and Lizzy’s father begins to help with the construction of the temple. They feel a sense of purpose again, but the home they are living in is not their own, and the Sullivans ache for a place to call theirs again.
Lizzy loves books, and treasures them above all else. She meets Abe, a young, handsome Native American who has been adopted by a white family and raised under the strictest of circumstances. He too loves books, and they begin to meet secretly to exchange novels and share thoughts. Lizzy’s mother is strongly against their meeting, and Lizzy finds herself torn between obeying her mother’s wishes and continuing to see her friend. Her desire to meet with Abe wins out, and she continues to sneak away.
As the temple walls grow higher and higher, so do Lizzy’s resentments. She doesn’t understand why she can’t have the friends she chooses. But circumstances arise that open her eyes and change her heart, and she is able to make peace with her mother, with the fire that claimed her home, and with her own rebellious spirit.
The sequel to this novel came out yesterday and is available now in bookstores everywhere.
(This book was published by Covenant Communications in 2005)