Wednesday, February 27, 2013

BLOG TOUR: The Secrets of As A Man Thinketh by Adam Mortimer & James Allen


ABOUT THE BOOK

Discusses how our thoughts and attitudes influence our successes and failures.

Achieve the ultimate in health, wealth, and happiness. This modern update on a timeless classic will teach you how to direct your mind to get exactly what you want in life. By applying the life-changing principles in this book, you’ll discover how your everyday thoughts can open up a new and exciting world and ensure you a life of true abundance!

ABOUT THE AUTHORS


Adam Mortimer
 
Adam is an executive personal development coach at Prosper, Inc. He bases his coaching philosophy on a statement by James Allen, “They themselves are makers of themselves.” He has coached many people all over the world. He loves to travel and considers himself fortunate to be able to do what he loves and at the same time help people achieve their dreams.

Adam is the CEO of Blufish LLC, a successful technology-based business. He has dedicated his life to understanding the power of the human mind. He is an author, speaker, and entrepreneur.

Adam and his wife, Moana, live in Utah and are the parents of twin boys.

 James Allen
 
James Allen was an Englishman who retired from the business world to pursue a lifestyle of writing and contemplation. Although best known for As a Man Thinketh, he authored other books that deal with the power of thought, including The Path of Prosperity, Eight Pillars of Prosperity, and James Allen’s Book of Meditation for Every Day of the Year. Allen’s books illustrate power of thought to increase personal capabilities. His works continue to influence people around the world, including the New Thought movement.

REVIEW

This book is chalk full of quotable lines, here are a few of them:

"A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts."

"You may or may not see yourself as the creator of your circumstances, but is there harm in imagining that you are?"

"Everything outside of you mirrors what is inside of you."

"When you find yourself at a low point, remember to life your circumstances.  You must first lift your thoughts; then by universal law, your circumstances must change."
 
These are just a few of the empowering thoughts expressed in this book. Truly as humans, we are what we think we are, for good or bad.  It's not about what life brings to us, but what we bring to life.  We may not be able to control everything that happens to us, but we can control how we react to what happens.  If we think about changing, it becomes possible, very difficult maybe, but possible. This book provides a profound and straightforward look at the innate power of human beings to change circumstances by changing our thoughts. But change requires effort and it requires focusing on root causes and not just effects.  Effects won't change until causes do. I appreciated Mortimer's comments that offer clarifying insights into what Allen wrote.  There is much here to be considered and pondered and acted upon. I highly recommend this as an inspirational and hopeful read.




Tuesday, February 26, 2013

BLOG TOUR: The Word of Wisdom: Discovering the LDS Code of Health by Scott Johnson

Digital ARC provided by author for blog tour in return for an honest review.
All opinions expressed here are solely my own. 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Improve your health today! The Word of Wisdom will teach you principles to help you eat better, feel better, and change your life. Dr. Scott A. Johnson draws from the Doctrine and Covenants to help you make correct dietary choices in a world where convenience food reigns supreme and where chronic illnesses and degenerative diseases are rampant.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Author Scott A. Johnson spent most of his childhood in Utah, where he gained a love for creative writing. Recognizing his potential at a young age, his teachers and family encouraged him to explore his developing writing talents.

Scott continued to craft imaginative and original stories through his teenage years, including original short stories that are beloved by his family.

Scott graduated from college with a doctorate in naturoapthy. He published his first book, "Nutrition: A Word of Wisdom," in 2009, and has published more than 225 health and fitness articles in various online publications.

Scott, his wife and four children reside in beautiful Utah County where they enjoy the mountains and outdoors. Scott is regularly asked by his children to share an original story, and he gladly obliges.



REVIEW

The thing I like the most about this book is the emphasis on the natural world and using what God has provided to keep ourselves as healthy as possible. I also appreciated that the author didn't discount the value that modern medicine does provide, but I agreed with his assessment of the U.S. health care system as being too focused on reactive care and not enough on preventive care. The book does focus on a revelation given to Joseph Smith about taking care of our bodies.  So the focus is on LDS (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) or Mormon beliefs about taking care of our bodies, so there are a lot of references to God and the Bible/Book of Mormon.  But a lot of the information is about wisdom that God imparts about being healthy.

The author discusses the following topics: dangers of alcohol and tobacco, as well as coffee and regular tea (these are fascinating discussions, I learned an awful lot I didn't know previously), the value of fruits and vegetables, the value of appropriate use of certain herbs, eating animal products sparingly, etc.  I liked the fact that his emphasis is on balance, taking in what are bodies need but not going to extremes.  I also appreciated his pointing out the possible dangers posed by diets that do encourage such extremes, and that many such diets are intended to sell certain products which may or may not be healthy.   Keep in mind that he does talk a lot about the chemical and biological characteristics that make various foods/drinks healthy/unhealthy, these discussions can be a bit confusing for those with no background in chemistry or biology, but I think that he makes it as clear as it can be. 

I can highly recommend this book for those interested in a more natural, God-inspired way to take care of one's body. That does NOT by any means encourage readers to forgo medical care when needed.  But I love the statement by Ezra Taft Bensen (a past LDS President) that says, "It is better to prepare and prevent than it is to repair and repent." He was referring to the sexual purity, but I think it also applies equally well here.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

BOOK BLAST GIVEAWAY: Baked Alaska by Josi S. Kilpack

Baked Alaska by Josi S. Kilpack

An Alaskan cruise is the setting for amateur detective Sadie Hoffmillers latest adventure. Sadie plans to spend time relaxing with her two grown children, Breanna and Shawn, and her boyfriend, Pete, while enjoying the luxury and cuisine of an elegant cruise ship and helping to plan her daughters upcoming wedding. But even as the crew prepares to leave port, Sadie has suspicions about the voyage ahead and the relationship between her normally easygoing son and a mysterious female passenger he obviously knows but refuses to discuss. When the woman is discovered unconscious during the second night at sea, Sadies apprehension escalates. Over the last few years, Sadie has developed an extreme dislike for secrets and it would seem her son is keeping one from her. *Includes eight new mouthwatering recipes, tested and approved by the official bakers of Sadies Virtual Test Kitchen.

Praise for Baked Alaska
Josi Kilpack has done it again. You would think that all these events that occur in Sadie's life wouldn't be natural, but Josi Kilpack has a way of making you believe that it just "happens" and it is normal. I have grown to love Sadie's character, even if she is a busybody, you can't help but cheer for her as she attempts to solve a mystery or crime. One of my favorite series. :)
~Goodreads Reviewer Lacey McNeill




Author Josi S. Kilpack

Josi S. Kilpack grew up hating to read until she was thirteen and her mother handed her a copy of The Witch of Blackbird Pond. From that day forward, she read everything she could get her hands on and credits her writing “education” to the many novels she has “studied” since then. She began her first novel in 1998 and hasn’t stopped since. Her seventh novel, Sheep’s Clothing, won the 2007 Whitney Award for Mystery/Suspense, and Lemon Tart, her ninth novel, was a 2009 Whitney Award Finalist. Josi was the Best in State winner in literature for 2012 and currently has two books (Banana Split and Tres Leches Cupcakes) as finalists in the 2012 Whitney awards.

Josi currently lives in Willard, Utah, with her family.


Tour Schedule



Book Blast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 3/17/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Wednesday, February 20, 2013

BLOG TOUR and GIVEAWAY: Red Madrassa by Terah Edun

Tour Schedule


Red Madrassa by Terah Edun

A magical accident threw them together. But when Fate holds all the cards, it can be impossible to tell the difference between pure chance and Destiny...

The Madrassa, a magical school for mage practitioners, is the stuff of legend. With selective entrance exams and quotas for only the most advanced of mage children, it's almost impossible to attend.

When Allorna, a guardian trainee for the royal family, ends up on the doorstep of the citadel on the eve of the final day of a recruitment ceremony, she decides it must be fate.

She was sure she knew the path her life would take before she enrolled. But sometimes life has a way of throwing in magical curveballs and strange friends, just to see if you’ll trip up.

Oh, and one of those friends is a mage accused of murder, another is a slightly psychotic dragon, the third a healer facing an existential crisis, and the last is a female storm-caller with more hidden secrets than a thief lord.

Do they all belong at the new school they call home?


Author Terah Edun

Terah Edun is a young adult  fantasy writer born and raised in the Atlanta metropolitan area, who transplanted to the Northeast region for college, and now lives in South Sudan. She writes the stories that she always loved to read as a young girl.

She prefers tales of adventure, magic, fellowship and courtship – in other words high fantasy. But she’s not adverse to the occasional contemporary fantasy coming her way. Sometimes you’ll see cloaks, daggers, independent and strong girls, independent and strong guys, sweet and soft spoken girls, sweet and soft spoken guys, markets, cute guys, sparkly magic and irritatingly know-it-all boys. The book she’s currently working on is SWORN TO RAISE,  the first in the Courtlight series.

Outside of writing, she’s a international development professional with a penchant for Starbucks.



REVIEW

Red Madrassa presents the reader with a fairly straightforward fantasy.  The reader is introduced to several main characters, of whom Allorna seems to be the predominant.  When Allorna and her friend, Sidomo rescue Maride from prison they set off a chain of events as unexpected as it is impulsive.  Along the way they meet up with Sitara and Vedaris.  I enjoyed meeting the different characters and their various races and backgrounds.  Vedaris especially added a snarky feel to the story.  I would have appreciated more detail about the world and the characters, I like lots of details in my fantasies, especially when they take place in a different world.  The plot centers around Allorna's efforts to help Maride clear his name of the crime of which he has been accused, but when the teenagers end up at Red Madrassa, a school where children learn to harness and use their various powers.  The book has plenty of magic with some interesting plot developments. I look forward to reading the coming sequel.



Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card & Red Madrassa Ebook
5 Ebooks of Red Madrassa

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Monday, February 18, 2013

BLOG TOUR: The Summer Called Angel by Sola Olu

THE SUMMER CALLED ANGEL
A story of hope on the journey through prematurity
written by Sola Olu
Createspace, 2012
Memoir
Print copy provided by author for blog tour in return for honest review.
All opinions expressed are solely my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Sola Olu was expecting: expecting to receive a graduate degree from DePaul University and expecting her first child. Instead she went for a routine doctor's visit and found herself delivering her daughter Angel at a perilously premature time. Sola and her husband Chris were thrust into an unimaginable odyssey spanning seven months, several surgeries, and a painful separation with their newborn. The Summer Called Angel provides intimate, hands-on details of the medical complexity as well as the emotional toll taken on parents who must witness their tiny baby struggle for life. The Summer Called Angel also touches on Sola's second premature birth. This memoir serves as a powerful tribute to maternal love in the face of unexpected challenges. It is certain to offer strength to readers experiencing prematurity and offer a celebration of devotion that will resonate with parents everywhere.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sola Olu was born and raised in Nigeria. As a child, she loved making up stories and as soon as she could write she started putting them down on paper. She holds degrees in English and Information Systems, Sola works in the retail industry and volunteers as a counselor to mothers of premature babies. Her writings include essays, poetry and children's stories. She loves to cook, travel and attend the theater. She lives in Illinois with her husband and two children.

AUTHOR'S WEBSITES

Sola Olu’s website

The Summer Called Angel Facebook Page

REVIEW

What a heart-wrenching story! Giving birth to her daughter three months early was not on Sola's agenda. Neither was the roller coaster ride as she and her husband along with the doctors and nurses struggled to help Angel survive.  The ups and downs would be enough to thoroughly exhaust and wrench the heart of any parent.  I found the book both touching and inspiring as Sola honestly portrays her struggles with the challenges of prematurity. The author includes notes from the doctors and nurses as well as her own thoughts and feelings.  There is quite a bit of physical description of Angel's condition and the surgeries and care that her physical condition required.  This helped me get a better overall picture of the challenges that come with prematurity.  Sola's account truly touched my heart and helped me feel more empathy for all those who struggle with the same or similar concerns. For those who have experienced similar things this is a story of hope. For those who simply want to better understand, this is an honest and open account of the importance of family and the support those going through such things really need. I can easily recommend this book as a thoughtful and emotionally powerful read. Note: the editing does leave something to be desired, I mean periods outside quotation marks? Hopefully these problems will be fixed in future editions.

  

Friday, February 15, 2013

BLOG TOUR w/ GUEST POST & GIVEAWAY: Lancaster House and The Middle Aisle by Taylor Dean

On tour with Prism Book Tours...

Lancaster House
Lancaster House
by Taylor Dean
Paperback, 304 pages
Published June 7th 2012 by Createspace

Premise: 

Zoe Grayson needs a change. So, she moves to another state, purchases an old, dilapidated 1920s Victorian Mansion, and sets out to restore it to its former glory. As she begins the restoration, she finds herself falling in love with the old house . . . not to mention its illustrious builder, Mr. Lancaster. Zoe becomes obsessed with the house as she discovers its secrets; hidden rooms, secret passageways . . . and a mysterious man who seems to think the house is his. Who is he? More importantly, how does he live in her home unseen and unheard?

The unexpected answers leave her reeling—and questioning everything she’s ever known. To her dismay, Zoe’s actions land her in the local psychiatric hospital, scheming for ways to return to Lancaster House . . . and the love of her life.



The Middle Aisle (Lancaster House)The Middle Aisle
by Taylor Dean
Paperback, 356 pages
Published November 26th 2012 by Create Space


Premise:

Zoe Grayson is back in Lancaster House, ordered to bed rest for the duration of her unexpected pregnancy. Doctor Wade Channing, her overzealous psychiatrist, is living in Lancaster House, taking care of her, waiting on her, and tending to her every need. It seems to be the perfect arrangement.

There’s just one catch.

She has to tell him her story—everything that has happened in her life since the moment she escaped from Serenity Hills. It’s been quite an adventure to include renovating another home and a walk down the middle aisle.

But, that’s all over now. Nothing is real. It never was.

How did she end up in this miserable situation?


REVIEW of Lancaster House

For me one of the most important parts of a book is the setting.  While character development is vitally important and an interesting plot is essential, if I can't visualize the setting I have a hard time reading the book. That wasn't a problem here, Dean does a fabulous job creating a very vivid setting.  In fact, she did such a great job that I wanted to actually leap into the book and visit the place, old and damaged or not.  I loved the idea of secret hiding places and staircases that go nowhere and I'm a big fan of carved wooden features. I also really enjoyed Zoe as a character, a woman who is dealing with the grief of losing her father and the unfaithfulness of her former fiance, throws herself into renovating Lancaster House.  I admired the fact that she didn't let her struggles from doing something she wanted to do.  Of the strange things that start happening throw her for a loop, but she tries to deal with it the best way she knows how. I found the other characters interesting as well, especially Andre.  The plot is definitely an intriguing one, which I enjoyed immensely, I found it very unique and compelling. I can whole-heartedly recommend this as a clean, intriguing romance with lots of mysterious elements.


I love the interior decor in the ballroom of the Winchester mansion

*If you missed the Idol Performance in the ballroom, hop up to Oh, The Books You'll Read . . . be careful of the cobwebs . . .



GUEST POST
My personal experience with an old, creepy house
My own personal experience with exploring a huge, old, creepy mansion definitely came into play while writing Lancaster House. It’s an experience no child should miss, but I now realize how lucky I was to have the opportunity to do so. It’s a rare thing.
My parents became friends with the owner of a mansion in San Jose, California. At one time, the Hayes Mansion practically overlooked a fantastic amusement park called Frontier Village.  Check it out here. Sadly, Frontier Village was torn down and replaced with condos. The Hayes Mansion still stood proudly in its place, a constant reminder of days gone by, old and dilapidated . . . yet absolutely amazing.
Check out a few pictures of the restored Hayes Mansion here.
My father, a local fire chief, was fascinated with the mansion. The original mansion burned to the ground. When it was re-built, it was “designed to incorporate the latest fire safety features of the day.”  Naturally, this alone would attract a fireman! It was through this connection that my father became friends with the owner. My father expressed an interest in touring the house and the owner said yes! At one time there was even talk of our family becoming the caretakers of the house! My parents seriously considered the idea. My siblings and I even had our rooms picked out! Can you imagine? I never would’ve slept a wink! Are you kidding me? It was creepy as heck in there. However, exploring all the nooks and crannies of the Hayes Mansion was an amazing experience. In the end, my parents decided to not become caretakers. It was only ever talk anyway. But my mother soon realized that while we were all at work and school all day every day, she’d be home alone in the huge monstrosity. No thank you! I don’t blame her one bit! But, it was kinda fun to imagine what it would’ve been like.
Of course, now the old mansion has been restored and is a hotel and conference center. We visited once and ate at the restaurant. It is absolutely beautiful and the food was delicious. We sat rather formerly in a place we had romped through as children, smiling at each other at the irony.
It’s still creepy as heck in there!
Even my big, burly brother-in-law kept looking over his shoulder, for no good reason, except that he felt a little freaked out. Finally, he asked, “Can we leave now?”
It was my memories of exploring the Hayes Mansion that helped me to write Lancaster House.  Zoe’s feelings as she wandered the rooms of Lancaster House were very similar to my own as I investigated an old, dilapidated mansion.
That being said, could I have moved in by myself into an old mansion like Zoe does in Lancaster House? No way! I’m a wimp. I scared myself while writing this book. Ha!


*To hear a creepy story about the Hayes Mansion  . . . just feel this banister as you ascend to Phantasmic Reads on Monday's post . . .


(Pictures can be sourced through http://pinterest.com/burgandyice/secret-passageways/)

Taylor DeanAbout the Author:

Taylor Dean lives in Texas and is the mother of four grown children. Upon finding herself with an empty nest, she began to write the stories that were always wandering around in her head, quickly finding that she had a passion for writing, specifically romance. Whether it's paranormal, contemporary, or suspense-you'll find all sub-genres of romance in her line-up.



Lancaster House & The Middle Aisle, available in print or eCopy from Smashwords or Amazon:



Tour-Wide Giveaway:

5 WINNERS will receive....


Open only to those who can legally enter. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced on Rafflecopter and Grand Finale posts as well as emailed and the winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Burgandy Ice @ Colorimetry and Prism Book Tours and sponsored by Taylor Dean. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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The Tour:


2/11 – Unputdownable Books – Guest Post
2/12 – I Am A Reader, Not a Writer – Guest Post 
2/13 - Fundinmental Guest Post 
-          Letters to the Cosmos – Review
2/14 – Oh, The Books You’ll Read – Review
-          Proud Book Nerd – Guest Post
2/15 – LDS & Lovin’ It – Review

2/17 - Phantasmic Reads - Review
-          Lavender & Camomile Press Guest Post
2/18 – The Reading Diaries – Guest Post
2/19 -  Living a Goddess Life – Review
-          Beck Valley Books – Guest Post
2/20 – Living the Goddess Life –  Recipe
-          Colorimetry 
2/21 – Passion and Life – Guest Post
-          Books Mystify – Goodreads Review
2/22 – Christy’s Cozy Corner – Review

2/24 – Christy’s Cozy Corner – Review
 -          A Buckeye Girl Reads – Guest Post
2/25 – Living a Goddess Life – Review
-          Icultgen – Guest Post
2/26 – Who’s Thanny?  (Byzinha) – Review
-          Letters to the Cosmos – Review
2/27 – Living a Goddess Life – Recipe
   -          Tressa – Goodreads Reviewer
2/28 – A Buckeye Girl Reads – Review
3/1 – Grand Finale TBA...

Saturday, February 9, 2013

BLOG TOUR and GIVEAWAY: Do Over by Shannon Guymon

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Who wouldn't be tired of dating after falling for the wrong woman over and over again? Trey has decided to take a much-needed break from the fairer sex, until Iris tumbles into his life. Their romance will either be a disaster waiting to happen or the best fairy tale since Sleeping Beauty.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 In the fourth grade, Shannon Guymon wandered into the school library and figuratively never came out again. She decided one day to take her love affair with the written word once step further and wrote her first novel, Never Letting Go of Hope.

Shannon grew up all across the United States but has finally found her home in Utah, where she lives with her six children. She enjoys the mountains, gardening, being with her family, and, of course, writing.


REVIEW

Sigh. I've got another author to add to my favorites list. I loved this book and while it is the first book by Shannon that I've read, I can assure you it won't be the last. I fell in love with Iris and Trey immediately. I liked Iris's determination to be her own woman despite the heartbreak she endured. And Trey just made me laugh and wish I had a Trey in my life. I also enjoyed the secondary characters, Maggie, Jacie, Allison, and Sophie made great additions to the story, despite Sophie's jerklike behavior. I liked that they were real people, who had flaws and made mistakes. 

I think what I enjoyed the most though were the interactions between Iris and Trey. Some of them made me laugh out loud, others made me giggle and shake my head. Delightful all around and yet it didn't feel shallow, it just felt like two people who had finally found someone they honestly and truly clicked with.  The relationship issues between them and with their other friends and family felt realistic and complicated just like real relationships.   And I loved the creativity they showed in how they expressed their love for each other. I sigh just thinking about it.


GIVEAWAY

In fact I loved this book so much that I'm delighted to be able to offer a copy as a giveaway. Thanks to Cedar Fort for offering a copy for me to giveaway. Just fill out the form below to enter the giveaway, be sure to include all the requested information so I can contact you if you win. You must be at least 13 to enter.

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Tuesday, February 5, 2013

BLOG TOUR: Tide Ever Rising by Mandi Tucker Slack

e-ARC provided by publisher in return for an honest review.
All opinions expressed here are solely my own. 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Kadence Reynold’s favorite pastime is exploring old ghost towns. When she and her sister, Maysha stumble across an old journal and cheap pendant hidden in the depths of a crumbling foundation near Eureka, Utah, their world is suddenly turned upside down. Immediately, strange dreams and premonitions begin to haunt “Kadie” as she learns more about the keeper of the journal, Charlotte Clark. Kadie sets out on a journey to learn more about Charlotte and her family, and she and Maysha travel to Bremerton, Washington, where they discover Charlotte's still living twin sister, Adelaide and her family.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mandi Tucker Slack grew up in Orangeville, UT, where her father worked as a coal miner for eighteen years. In 1987 the coal mines shut down for a time and her father joined the U.S. Army. They were stationed in Hanau, Germany, and she had the opportunity to explore Europe. Mandi’s family returned to Utah in 1992, and they settled in Orangeville once again, where she attended and completed High School. She then attended the College of Eastern Utah, where she studied Geology. Eventually Mandi changed her major and moved on to Utah State University while she completed a degree in Special Education. She then married her best friend, Charles Slack. They have three children, with one on the way, 6 chickens, and a lizard (sometimes several lizards).Their family loves to spend time together. They enjoy 4-wheeling, camping, and especially rock hounding. Her house is littered with rocks and fossils. As a child Mandi spent many weekends with her parents and sister exploring abandoned mining towns and searching for relics among the brick ruins. Her adventures with her family are often the inspiration for her stories. Mandi is also the author of romantic/ suspense title, The Alias, available at a bookstore near you. Contact her via email at: mandislack@gmail.com

WEBSITE

PURCHASE LINK

Amazon



REVIEW

Ghosts, secrets, and tragedies from the past all come into play when Kadence finds an old journal hiding in the floor of a house in a ghost town.  Inexplicably, she finds herself unable to get the journal and it's owner, Charlotte, out of her mind.  She convinces her sister, Maysha, to go with her on a trip to find the Charlotte's sister and finds herself searching for answers with Charlotte's family.  I really enjoyed this book.  While there were a surprising number of grammatical errors, I did enjoy the characters, setting, and plot. I wanted to hop on a plane and go visit Washington.

I found Kadence an appealing and sympathetic character as she struggled with her feelings about the journal as well as her rather jerklike fiance and his controlling mother.  Maysha, her sister,  provides just the right amount of humor, to balance out the suspense.  Zaza, Logan's daughter (Logan is the grand-nephew of Charlotte), is also a fun character. I love great child characters in my adult reads. I just wanted to hug her. Overall, an enjoyable and fascinating read. Maybe it's the history buff in me, but the idea of finding an old journal connected to a mystery is one I love and the book did not disappoint. If you enjoy clean, romantic suspense, I recommend this one.