I've never read a Nancy E. Turner I didn't thoroughly enjoy.... she's such a great storyteller!

I was first introduced to author Nancy E. Turner one summer while vacationing in southern Colorado after my mom found one of her books at the South Fork library. I have been a fan ever since. Over the years since her first book, These is My Words, was published, Ms. Turner produced two successive books in her Sarah Prine series which are an homage to her great grandmother.

A beautiful told coming of age story. I personally loved the Wheaton College connection. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book. 3.5 stars rounded up

While I enjoyed Nancy E. Turner's "These is my Words", this book didn't quite work for me. At times it felt overly dramatic and contrived. That being said, I will definitely check out more works by this author.

This was an easy read, though there were some difficult and dangerous moments. Though more a coming of age story, the historical fiction aspects were appealing. The hardships endured in the Arizona territory in early 1900 was eye opening. This one will have you invested in Mary Pearl’s life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Dunne Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Fascinating time period in our country's history. In just a very few short years 1920's the world would turn upside down for many people! I'm from a pioneer family from out west, my grandmother and her siblings would have grown up during these changing times. It's so true that so many women were raised with the attitude that they only need husbands to be successful and education wasn't all that important. On the other hand, it was women who home schooled those children (girls, too) to read, write, and do basic math! And, of course, a determined young woman, with an indulgent parent could go to college, as Mary does in this book. And the light of education DOES change everything for her in the end! I loved this story, it was entertaining and a quick read over this fall.

A terrific read! Good portrayal of a historic period of time at the end of the 19th century. The character development is so strong you can see each one clearly in your mind. I read this in one day on vacation.

It's the Arizona territory in the summer of 1907. She has been admitted to Wheaton college. Her sister Esther and her love to read her brother Joshua got into medical school. I wasn't interested.

For me, a favorite author of historical fiction is Nancy E. Turner (These is My Words, Sarah's Quilt) and I certainly enjoyed her newest which is titled LIGHT CHANGES EVERYTHING. Here, she again shares stories of the Prine family, this time primarily about Mary Pearl (Sarah's niece) who plans to leave the Arizona Territory to attend Wheaton College in Illinois. It is 1907 and when Mary Pearl and her horse arrive at college, there is some consternation, but perhaps not as much as the conflict and concern caused by Mary Pearl leaving behind a rich beau ("People were more tangled up about getting hitched and swooning over some lover or other than they were about the lack of rain or the cost of a new saddle"). Although occurring over a century ago, this story certainly has parallels to the choices faced by young women today. Thinking "was this all growing up was, feeling more and more lost and unconnected," Mary Pearl struggles with making friends, finding herself, dealing with tragedy and staying loyal to family. Recommended for fans of frontier novels and historical fiction.

Author Nancy E. Turner is back with her latest, Light Changes Everything. I so enjoyed her Sarah Prine series: These Is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901; Sarah's Quilt, and The Star Garden. The protagonist in the new book is Sarah’s niece, Mary Pearl.

Mary Pearl and her sister Esther live not far from Aunt Sarah Prine’s ranch in the Arizona Territory. In the summer of 1907, the nieces are reading banned Jane Austen novels from Aunt Sarah’s library, and they are dreaming of marrying a rich suitor to make their lives complete.

Fast forward to reality: Esther is dead and buried, and Mary Pearl has been proposed to by rich lawyer Aubrey Hanna. Mary Pearl has enough of Sarah Prine in her to want to go her own way, that way being to attend Wheaton College in Chicago, where she will study art and photography. She considers herself engaged to Aubrey, but he is going to have to wait for her to finish school.

At Wheaton, Mary Pearl learns how to draw and take photographs, but she also learns how to act and dress like a lady. She makes a life-long friend in Prairie Longmore, a rich young woman who shares Mary Pearl’s passion for horses.

In a turn of events, Mary Pearl finds herself jilted by Aubrey so he can marry her sister Rachel. Things go downhill from that point with Mary Pearl facing one hurdle after another including a personal life-changing event and a close call when attempting to rescue her two younger brothers from kidnappers.

In the face of adversity, Mary Pearl accepts taking her licks and moving on…but will she have to? Will she find her own Mr. Right or is she destined to face the world on her own?

Nancy E. Turner is a Texan living in Arizona, that state about which she has often written. She has a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Arizona with a triple major in creative writing, music, and studio art. It is good to see her back with a book that includes Sarah Prine as one of the characters as she unveils a new main character in Mary Pearl Prine.

My review will be posted on Goodreads starting May 22, 2020.

I would like to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an objective review.

I was a huge fan of These is My Words so I think that’s why I felt a bit disappointed with this book. There was a lot of good but it often felt disjointed. It felt either rushed or too slow. Sometimes Mary Pearl was a badass but most of the time she frustrated me. I do enjoy books set out West in that 1800-1920 timeframe but I don’t recommend this one unless this genre is also your favorite.

Wouldn't Jane Austen be amazed at the effect her books have had on others. This book is all about Jane Austen hitting the Arizona Territory in 1907. It was interesting how this book enhanced and gave Light and changed so many. I enjoyed reading about the life in 1907.

Thank you for NetGalley and St Martin's Press for allowing me to read and review this book.

Set during the early 1900's, this book follows Mary Pearl and her family in the Arizona Territory. When Mary Pearl meets Aubrey, she is instantly attracted to him. Before leaving for Wheaton College, they become engaged. At school, Mary Pearl struggles to find acceptance among the debutantes and ladies.

I'm not sure how to review this book. I found Mary Pearl a very interesting and likeable character. However, one minute she is in school studying photography, the next she is back home riding to Mexico to rescue her kidnapped brothers. The plot shifts were a bit jolting. I was more interested in her time at school than her time at home, so the plot didn't really work for me. Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

I somehow didn't download this book in time! I'm so sorry about that! I will buy it and write a review of it in the future.

Title: Light Changes Everything
Author: Nancy E. Turner
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 4 out of 5

In the summer of 1907, Mary Pearl enjoys her life in the Arizona Territory, but she longs for something more. Her parents agreed to her studying art at Wheaton College—but when handsome and rich Aubrey Hanna starts courting her, Mary Pearl wonders if college is what she really wants. Soon enough, she’s learning about life in an eastern town, studying, and writing letters to Aubrey—who soon shows his true colors.

Mary Pearl is learning about more than art. She’s also learning how to act and look like a lady. She’s happy with her new skills, but a trip back to Arizona Territory will change her life—and her family—forever.

I haven’t read any of the author’s other books, but I enjoyed the setting and Mary Pearl’s story immensely. The setting is vibrantly alive, and Mary Pearl and her family are all colorful characters. What happened to Mary Pearl was no surprise, but how she dealt with it was handled with deft hands that showed her strength, and I found this to be an enjoyable historical fiction read.

Nancy E. Turner was born in Texas but now lives in Arizona. Light Changes Everything is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)

Beautifully written historical story. Really enjoy it. Thanks for netgalley and the publisher for the arc. Looking forward to reading more by this author

Grips you from the start!! I have to admit I am a huge fan of Nancy E. Turner and the stories she writes. This coming of age story does not disappoint! Her writing style takes us right to the Arizona territory. I can feel the sand in my mouth and the heat on my arms as she describes the unforgiving Arizona sun.

Mary Pearl and her family were believable - for the most part - and I loved the parts of the story that took place in Illinois (to and from). Certainly gives us a glimpse of the world at that time - as Mary Pearl straddles the desire to be someone else that what her father/mother see her as - and as the world sees her. In some ways still not so different from many stories of day!

This was a wonderful novel! Hard to put down until the end.
Set in Arizona Territory in the 1900s before it became a state.
17 year old Mary Pearl, youngest daughter of 8 children. Mary has been accepted to Wheaton College in Illinois on a scholarship without having stepped in a school. She and all of her siblings were self-taught in their Aunt Sarah's personal library. Reading Jane Austen novels at night. Her mother, who was a Quaker before marrying, wants her to stay home and marry.

Will Mary Pearl head to college or stay at home?
This won't be the last book I read of Nancy Turner. Fantastic read with twists and romance.

Thank you to publisher and NetGalley for the eARC

I got an ARC from Netgalley of Light Changes Everything which released earlier this month. Frankly all I want to do is stare at the cover, it’s just so gorgeous!

The story takes place in the Arizona Territory before it becomes a state and focuses on a young girl who dreams for something more of her life than just a marriage. She goes off to school for art back in Illinois just as war is breaking out back at home. She quickly realizes she’s a bit of a fish out of water in both places.

The main character reminds me a little of Tara Westover from Educated. She longs for more in life but also just wants to be loved and accepted by her family. She's ahead of her time as far as her progressive attitude but fights herself as in her heart she truly wants to do the right thing for her family and fit in with society around her.

I truly enjoy historical fiction that provides me a new perspective on time periods I wasn't truly aware of. In this case, the time falls after the time period of Little House on the Prairie which was my only knowledge of this time point in the west. Mary Pearl's story gives me a deeper perspective on how strong women in the West had to be to survive and thrive. The perspective on the strength of family is real and emotional. It is a sweeping family story about how quickly one's fortunes can change in life.

Turner transports readers to the Arizona Territory in the early 1900's. We follow 17 year old Mary Pearl, youngest daughter of 8 children in this family saga. Mary has been accepted to Wheaton College on scholarship without ever having set a foot in school; she and all of her siblings were self-taught in their Aunt Sarah's extensive personal library. Mary's parents want her to stay home and marry, but to their dismay Mary heads off to college to pursue her love of drawing.

I love the way that the author brings her scenes and characters to life. I actually felt as if I were there. That's the mark of a good author. Light Changes Everything gets a 3.5 star rating from me, and I look forward to reading Turner's next book.

My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Dunne Books for allowing me to read a copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a quick and easy read for me. I enjoyed the characters a lot! I think the story was very well thought out . I really love historical fiction. This was very well paced! It seemed to be well researched as well and true to the time period it portrayed.

Thank you kindly to the author, the publisher, and netgalley for this review title.