Janet Kay Jensen - Don’t You Marry the Mormon Boys

The prospect of one wife is more than enou

gh for Mormon (LDS) bachelor Andy McBride, until he falls for fellow medical student Louisa Martin—a product of polygamy, a way of life Andy cannot embrace and Louisa cannot escape.
     Can a man and a woman from two antagonistic cultures (mainstream Mormon vs. fundamentalist polygamist) overcome the daunting barriers that would deny them a life together? What sacrifices will each have to make in order to be together? What impact will their choices have on family, friends, and even whole communities?
     Andy yearns to share every facet of his life with Louisa, including his medical practice, and dreams of having a family with her. The consequences of this union would be major, however, as the two come from cultures that are mutually antagonistic. Each will have to sacrifice in order for them to have a life together. Are these sacrifices too great? The reader will finish the last page with a greater knowledge of the two cultures and belief systems, compassion and tolerance for different beliefs, and hope that in the end, love and acceptance can change hearts.
      Set in the striking red mountains of southern Utah, cosmopolitan Salt Lake City, the rural Smoky Mountain region of Kentucky and the beautiful, forest and lake-studded country of Finland, Don’t You Marry the Mormon Boys deals with engaging characters from two opposing lifestyles with honesty and humor.

With evocative language, Janet Kay Jensen brings to a life a story that echoes, but does not imitate, today's headlines - - and answers many questions asked by the public today concerning polygamous communities and their former ties to the LDS church.

I think Don’t You Marry the Mormon Boys will be enjoyed by women from all religions. She (Janet Jensen) is very respectful of the Mormon beliefs and I think that this would be a great gift for someone of that faith. It would also be a great selection for a reader’s group because in addition to enjoying the well written story, the storyline will also stimulate some interesting discussions.

A thoroughly captivating story with unusual characters. Janet Kay Jensen shows us that truth and love can triumph over anything life might throw our way.

In this compelling story, the clash of religious cultures creates conflict between two characters the reader cares about. The writing is clear and often gorgeous. I was fascinated by American subcultures the author seems to know so well, and I think many readers will be. A great love story—and more. I search for this kind of book and would snap it up.

Don’t You Marry the Mormon Boys is a delightful story of relationships and religion that touches any reader who has struggled with meshing different upbringings and values. Jensen’s book grabbed me from page one and held me to the end.

I fell in love with Don’t You Marry the Mormon Boys from the first chapter. When Andy finds himself in a totally new environment, he tries to make the best of it, but his heart has been captured by Louisa, whom he thinks can never be his wife. With insight and humor, Janet Jensen manages to engage us totally into the lives of a delightful set of characters. I laughed as well as cried as I shared the adventure. There are so many colorful characters in this story, and each one is totally endearing.

Janet Jensen has written a lively tale of love, loyalty and family that pulls at your heart. From the first chapter, I was cheering for Andy and Louisa to work things out. The journey along the way was totally delightful.

—Joan Gustafson, Woodbury, Minnesota, President, Success and Leadership Dynamics, and author,
Success Strategies for College and Beyond, A Woman Can Do That, and Some Leaders are Born Women

I have read the book Don't You Marry the Mormon Boys and enjoyed it very much. It kept my attention and I wanted to continue to see what was going to happen. I think Janet did a wonderful job with her writing and made it very interesting for anyone who might read it. It made me want to continue reading.

Janet Jensen makes it easy to know and care about her characters. They brought me both smiles and tears and kept me turning the pages into the wee hours.