BLOG TOUR: Star of Deliverance by Mandy Madson Voisin

STAR OF DELIVERANCE

by Mandy Madson Voisin

Cedar Fort Publishing, 2014

ISBN: 9781462114542

YA/Adult Fiction

Source: eARC from publisher (Thanks!)

All opinions expressed are solely my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Born a slave and outcast, the young healer Emi discovers an ancient disease spreading among her people. Desperate, she races to the Capital for a cure and unwittingly finds herself in a competition to win over the Crown Prince’s heart. Staying in the game provides time to search for a cure, but it may cost Emi her life—or her heart.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mandy Voisin is a wife, marketer, and author. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a BA in English. Her parents told her she’d never make a living with an English degree, so she’s dedicated the rest of her life to proving them wrong. She loves poetry and babies and her sisters. Mandy currently resides in Phoenix, Ariz., with her husband Kevin who is a sleep deprived medical student with a heart of gold and the world’s best smile. Together they chip away at their dreams.

REVIEW

When I heard this book was a retelling of the Esther story from the Bible, I was immediately interested.  The Esther story has long been one of my favorites.  The story did not disappoint. Emi is a great character who sets out to find a cure for one person and ends up working for her entire people who someone in the castle is determined to destroy.  Ending up in the castle as one of the possible matches for the Crown Prince was not part of the plan, but it might give her the opportunity she needs to help her people. Emi sacrifices a lot to help her people which is admirable and very risky, including leaving her mentor, who is getting on in years, alone to help the sick.  The Crown Prince turns out to be very likable as well, especially as Emi helps open his eyes.  An interesting story that is well-presented and quite enjoyable.

BLOG TOUR: Focused by Noelle Pikus Pace

FOCUSED

Keeping Your Life on Track, One Choice at a Time

by World Champion and Olympic Medalist Noelle Pikus Pace

Deseret Book, 2014

ISBN: 978-1-60907-946-8

Inspirational Nonfiction

Source: publisher for review

All opinions expressed are solely my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Where are your choices leading you? Regardless of our circumstances, each moment presents us with decision to make. It doesn't matter what question, trial, or success we experience—each traces back to a choice. At any given moment, we can choose to doubt, fear, worry; to be prideful, angry, depressed, or miserable—or we can choose to move forward. We can choose to be a light. We can choose to be happy. The choice is always ours, and each choice can be a step forward on the path of life we want for ourselves.

The life lessons learned by Olympic athlete Noelle Pikus Pace can equip each of us to turn daily choices and challenges into opportunities for growth. In her warm and relatable style, Noelle shares touching personal stories and teaches how these experiences can help us keep a healthy perspective on the things that matter most. She helps us to see that though all of our goals and trials are different, we each can choose to become the best versions of ourselves one day at a time.

Covering topics from letting go of expectations and pressures to finding a healthy life balance, from standing up for ourselves to standing for righteousness, world champion Noelle Pikus Pace infuses readers with the enthusiasm and confidence to get a little closer to their goals each and every day.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

NOELLE PIKUS PACE became the first American woman to win the Overall World Cup Title in skeleton in 2005. After playing a variety of sports through high school and college, her exceptional strength in skeleton made her favored to win the gold medal in the 2006 Winter Olympics. An unfortunate accident prevented her from competing, but the following year she came back to win the World Championships by the largest margin in the history of the sport. Noelle competed in the 2010 Winter Olympics and was the top U.S. finisher, placing fourth.

She retired after the Olympics to spend more time with her family. Following a miscarriage in April of 2012, Noelle and her husband, Janson, decided that she would try one last time to earn an Olympic medal, on the condition that the family would all travel together. Competing in 32 national and international competitions over two years, Noelle finished on the podium 29 times and concluded her career by triumphantly winning the silver medal at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, and jumping into the stand to share the moment with her family and the world.

Noelle earned a bachelor’s degree in 2005 and a master of business administration degree in 2007. Noelle and Janson have two children, Lacee and Traycen.

REVIEW

A wonderful book full of inspiring stories of persistence in the face of loneliness, discouragement, and tragic accidents.  Noelle Pikus Pace thrilled a lot of people including herself when she won a silver medal in skeleton at the Olympics in Sochi, but it was a long difficult road to get there.  In this book she describes some of the key experiences she had a long the way that helped her land on that podium.  I found the book to be warm and heart-felt and easy to appreciate.  The stories helped me to consider carefully some of the choices I'm making in my own life that I might want to change to help me become the person I want to be rather than settling for who I already am. A truly wonderful book that I can recommend whole-heartedly to anyone who wants to read not only some really interesting stories about some of the experience's Pace has had as an athlete, but some of her struggles and successes as a person.

CLEAN ROMANCE REVIEW: Drops of Gold by Sarah M. Eden

DROPS OF GOLD

Jonquil Brothers #2

by Sarah M. Eden

Covenant Communications, 2013

ISBN: 978-1-60861-569-8

Clean Regency Romance

Source: Purchased

All opinions expressed are solely my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK

When her father dies and leaves her completely destitute, Marion can think of only one thing to do--make a new life for herself. Commencing a life of duplicity, Marion transforms herself into Mary Wood--governess. In possession of a forged letter of recommendation and cloaked in the anonymity of her new identity, she enters a life of self-imposed servitude as teacher and caretaker of young Miss Caroline Jonquil of Farland Meadows. Her idyllic daydream vision of life at the Meadows is dashed when she finds a child desperately in need of hope and a cold and sorrowful home haunted by the past. With her characteristic sunny disposition, Marion casts her spell upon the household and slowly brings to life the long-forgotten joy of those within.

Layton Jonquil is a man tormented by the lies surrounding the death of his late wife, but he cannot deny his growing attraction for the beautiful governess whose goodness and optimism have touched his dormant heart. Their connection grows ever stronger, and despite the impropriety of harboring feelings for a servant, Layton's heart whispers that this is the woman he's destined to love. But when Layton's fears about the past become too much to bear and the falsehoods in which they are entangled threaten to shatter his and Marion's blossoming attachment, will true love conquer all?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

SARAH M. EDEN read her first Jane Austen novel in elementary school and has been an Austen addict ever since. Fascinated by the English Regency era, Eden became a regular in that section of the reference department at her local library, where she painstakingly researched this extraordinary chapter in history. Eden is an award-winning author of short stories and was a Whitney Award finalist for her novels Seeking Persephone and Courting Miss Lancaster. Visit her at www.sarahmeden.com.

REVIEW

Sarah Eden is one of my all time favorite authors.  Not only does she write clean romance, but she writes it very well.  Her characters are flawed human beings with plenty of challenges making them easy to relate to, but they also have the values and character traits to keep going even when life is really hard.  I think one of the things that I especially enjoyed about this one, (besides reading about the Jonquil brothers again) was the way the characters dealt with some painful secrets.  Secrets can be so destructive and they definitely play a major role in the story; secrets between family members, secrets between employer and employee.  These secrets cause major problems in the relationships between the different characters.  And yet despite the painful secrets, it's also sweet to see the difference that one person can make in the lives of others, in this case, Marion arrives at Layton Jonquil's home and quickly realizes that it's not a happy place.  But with her own natural optimism and tender stories she finds a way beyond her own painful memories to help Layton and his daughter find healing and peace.  A beautiful love story, but not just romantic love, also parental love, brotherly love, and the way that love helps bring healing.

MOVIE REVIEW: Believe--Soccer Movie

BELIEVE
by Excel Entertainment

ABOUT THE MOVIE

The family drama “Believe”, is set in 1984 and inspired by true events. The film is a funny and touching tale about Sir Matt Busby, legendary Manchester United football manager, who helps a wayward boy fulfill his dream. An act of petty crime by 11 year old Georgie becomes a collision of fate as Sir Matt tracks him down, only to discover that the boy is an extraordinarily gifted footballer and captain of a team of unruly talents. Having lived with football all his life and survived the tragic 1958 Munich plane disaster, in which eight of his young players were killed, Sir Matt is still committed to continue his work of ‘training lads for life’ and so begins a thrilling adventure as Sir Matt Busby, comes out of retirement to transform a young group of boys into a dream team.

MOVIE TRAILER



ABOUT THE PRODUCER

EXCEL ENTERTAINMENT is the preeminent independent film distribution company in Utah, and though largely known for its Mormon-themed films (God’s Army, The Work & the Glory series, 17 Miracles, Pride & Prejudice, etc.), Excel has also had success releasing films with non-Mormon themes and stories (Forever Strong, Saints & Soldiers, etc.).

Although the technology and means by which audiences consume films is changing rapidly, the demand for highly creative storytelling that motivates us to live up to the light that each of us has been given is as high as ever. We feel a deep obligation to not only bring stories of hope to the world, but to promote films with high standards of craftsmanship reflective of a belief in a divine and benevolent creator.

REVIEW

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LDS NONFICTION: Visions from Beyond the Veil by Lee Nelson

VISIONS FROM BEYOND THE VEIL

A Compilation of the Beyond the Veil series

by Lee Nelson

Cedar Fort, 2014

ISBN13: 9781462115020

LDS Nonfiction

Source: eARC from publisher for review.

All opinions expressed are solely my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK

For those who believe, it’s no secret that this life is not the end. Learn for yourself what awaits us all in these inspiring true accounts from Latter-day Saints who have been shown a glimpse through the thin veil between this life and death. Sure to uplift any reader, this beloved book, compiled from the previous Beyond the Veil series, is a must-read—a true testament to the eternal nature of God’s plan.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lee Nelson was a public relations and advertising copywriter before his first book was published in 1979. Lee is best known for his Storm Testament series historical novels (nine volumes), and his Beyond the Veil series (four volumes). Lee is well known for his authentic research, which includes killing a buffalo from the back of a galloping horse with a bow and arrow, crossing the murky waters of the Green River many times on horseback, and riding with Mongolian nomads while gathering research for an upcoming book.

REVIEW

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LDS CHILDREN'S: Girls Who Choose God by McArthur Krishna and Bethany Brady Spalding

GIRLS WHO CHOOSE GOD

Stories of Courageous Women From the Bible

by McArthur Krishna and Bethany Brady Spalding

illustrated by Kathleen Peterson

Deseret Book, 2014

ISBN: 978-1-60907-882-9

Source: Publisher for review

All opinions expressed are solely my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK

From Eve to Esther, from the Samaritan woman at the well to the widow with her two mites, many women in the Bible have made courageous choices. All through the ages, women have chosen to help, to solve problems, to stand up for others, to strengthen families, and to follow God no matter what.

Girls Who Choose God invites young readers (and those who love them) to make important choices of their own, following the examples of great women in the scriptures. With breathtaking illustrations, beautifully told stories, and insightful discussion questions, this delightful book is perfect for sharing, reading aloud, and drawing children into the scriptures.

*In buying this book, you support educational and employment opportunities for LDS young women around the world. All of the authors' proceeds will be donated to Interweave Solutions. For more information about the organization's good work, visit interweavesolutions.org.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

MCARTHUR KRISHNA inherited her grit from her Utah pioneer great-grandmothers. With a master’s degree in communications from BYU, she co-owned Free Range, an award-winning marketing business focused on telling social justice stories. In 2011, she moved to the Magic Land of India and started writing books. More of her stories can be found at mcarthurkrishna.com

BETHANY BRADY SPALDING likes to stir things up in the kitchen and in the community. She has founded programs to promote health and nutrition in the USA, South Africa, and India. Bethany currently leads a regional coalition in Richmond, Virginia, to create a healthier food environment for at-risk children. She loves to cook and climb mountains with her husband, Andy, and their three adventurous girls.

KATHLEEN PETERSON has illustrated twenty books, mostly for young people, on topics ranging from world religions to Hawaiian legends. Her art can be found in galleries throughout the West and at www.kathleenpetersonart.com. She and her husband, Steve, live on a farm in Spring City, Utah.

REVIEW

Girls Who Choose God is a wonderful book about the power of making the choice to follow God in the face of difficult and even life-threatening circumstances.  Each four page spread shares a brief telling of the experience of the girl(s) including an explanation of the choices she/they faced, the following pages explain what the girl(s) choose and the results.  I especially liked the inclusion of a question at the end of each section that encourages the reader to apply the same principles in his/her own life.

The illustrations are beautiful and add a really nice touch to the story.  They help create a sweet, peaceful atmosphere in the book.  The following stories are included: Eve, Miriam, Mahlah and her sisters, Deborah, Esther, Mary (the mother of Jesus), the Samaritan Woman at the well, Mary and Martha, the widow with the two mites, the woman with the blood disease, and Mary Magdalene.  It's so nice to see some of the women from the Bible highlighted.  So often the focus is on the great men of the Bible and there's nothing wrong with that, but it's nice to see the woman being honored for their important choices as well.  

A wonderful source both for enjoyment and for teaching during Family Home Evening and other times. Highly recommended.

LDS BOOK REVIEW: Surviving Hitler by O. Hakan Palm

SURVIVING HITLER

The Unlikely True Story of an SS Soldier and a Jewish Woman

by O. Hakan Palm

Deseret Book, 2014

ISBN: 978-1-60907-847-8

LDS Nonfiction

Source: Publisher for review

All opinions expressed are solely my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Gustav Palm kept his secret for more than forty years. He’d been a young man when Hitler invaded his native Norway. After being forced to guard a Nazi prison camp, however, Gustav took his only option for escape: he volunteered for the Waffen-SS to fight at the front.

Agnes Erdös grew up in privilege and prosperity as a child in Hungary. She and her parents were practicing Roman Catholics, but they were ethnic Jews, and after the Nazis invaded her country, Agnes and her parents were sent to the death camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Miraculously, both Agnes and Gustav survived. And after the war, they found each other.

Told in their own words, Surviving Hitler is the story of two indomitable spirits who built on their life-altering experiences to overcome the past, help each other heal, and embrace a common faith in God that led them to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Like his brother and three sisters, O. HAKAN PALM, eldest son of Gustav and Agnes Erdös Palm, has been shaped by his parents’ wartime experiences. A successful management consultant in Stockholm, Sweden, Håkan has served faithfully in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a bishop, as a member of two stake presidencies, and seven times as a counselor in the Sweden Stockholm Mission. He and his wife, Barbro, are the parents of seven children.

REVIEW

I knew I wanted to read this book as soon as I heard about it.  I mean an SS Soldier and a Jewish woman!? Even more unusual is the fact that the SS Soldier was a Norwegian who volunteered to fight with the Germans and the Jewish woman lost both parents in the Holocaust.  The book did not disappoint. I especially liked the back and forth nature of the story, it allowed me to see what each of them was experiencing at the same time.

It's easy for those of us who didn't live through World War II to automatically condemn those who fought with the Germans and even condemn all the Germans for supporting Hitler and the Nazis.  But like many things in this world, it's no where near that simple.  Books like this are important because they remind us to be careful in judging others.  Gustav, as a young Norwegian farm boy, was fed lots of propaganda, and with no one really advising him what the best choice to make, joined the Norwegian version of the Nazi party. Over time he slowly realized that what he'd been told was mostly lies but by then he was on the front lines and there was nothing else to do but to fight.

Agnes, grew up in well-to-do circumstances in Hungary and didn't really face the challenges that many other Jews experienced until the Nazis took over Hungary.  She and her parents were taken to a concentration camp, where her parents were immediately killed.  Do to some rather miraculous events, Agnes survives, not the least of which is the blessing her father gives her on the journey.  The awful things she experiences would be enough to make anyone bitter and yet, she expresses again and again the feelings of peace and comfort she experienced on numerous occasions.

The story continues through Agnes and Gustav's meeting, marrying, and joining the church.  The comments at the end by their son add further perspective.  A moving, remarkable story of faith and love despite facing incredibly difficult experiences.

BLOG TOUR w/ Giveaway: The Husband Maker by Karey White

The Husband Maker Blog Tour Schedule

THE HUSBAND MAKER
by Karey White 

Charlotte’s a girl with nicknames. She may not love being called Charles or Chuck, but the hardest nickname to take is the one she was given in college, the one that’s followed her now for too many years. They call her “the husband maker” and sadly, it fits. Every guy she’s dated since high school has become his next girlfriend’s husband. Not hers. Not three girlfriends down the road. The next. Is she doing something wrong or is she just cursed? When Kyle Aldsworth enters the picture and sweeps her off her feet, Charlotte begins to hope that maybe she's not destined to be single forever. A senator’s son with political aspirations of his own, Kyle's wealthy, handsome, and in need of a wife. Will Charlotte be disappointed yet again, or will she finally be able to make a husband for herself?

Get your copy of The Husband Maker for just $3.99!

Amazon * Kobo * iTunes * Barnes & Noble

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Karey White grew up in Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and Missouri. She attended Ricks College and Brigham Young University. Her first novel, Gifted, was a Whitney Award Finalist. She loves to travel, read, bake treats, and spend time with family and friends. She and her husband are the parents of four great children. She teaches summer creative writing courses to young people and is currently working on her next book.  

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

 

REVIEW

An atypical romance novel that I found easy to relate to.  Charlotte is known as 'the husband maker' because the men who date her end up married to the next woman they date.  Obviously she finds this hurtful and depressing, but she isn't ready to give up dating.  As the first of three novels the story isn't complete, which I'm glad about because I'm anxious to find out what happens to Charlotte. In this book, after seeing yet another former boyfriend get married she meets Kyle. Will things work out this time or is the pattern set to continue?  I enjoy clean romances like this one, especially when they have a different sort of plot as this one does.

Coming Fall 2014 - Charlotte's Story continues in The Match Maker

TOUR GIVEAWAY

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 8/15/14

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 and sponsored by the publisher. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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DIAMOND RINGS ARE DEADLY THINGS by Rachelle J. Christensen

DIAMOND RINGS ARE DEADLY THINGS

A Wedding Planner Mystery

by Rachelle J. Christensen

Shadow Mountain, 2014

ISBN: 978-1-60907-861-4

Source: publisher for review (Thanks!)

All opinions expressed are solely my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Adrielle Pyper knows how to plan a wedding, and she's especially good at pleasing bridezillas. But when her biggest client and best friend is married just three days before the wedding, Adri's world falls apart. She moves to the resort town of Sun Valley, Idaho, and starts from scratch. Thanks to Adri's impeccable tast and unique style, she lands two celebrity clients, and her business seems headed for success—that is, until someone vandalizes the specialty wedding dresses she imported from overseas. The race is on to uncover a secret hidden within the yards of satin and lace before Adri becomes the next victim.

With a delightful blend of mystery, toe-curling kisses, humor, and spine-tingling thrills, Diamond Rings are Deadly Things is a romantic suspense novel that will keep you turning pages long into the night.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

RACHELLE CHRISTENSEN was born and raised in a small farming town in Idaho not far from the setting of her mystery Diamond Rings are Deadly Things. She graduated cum laude from Utah State University with a degree in psychology. She enjoys singing and songwriting, playing the piano, running, motivational speaking, and of course reading. Rachelle has an amazing husband and five cute kids. To learn more about her, visit www.rachellechristensen.com.

REVIEW

I have a great fondness for cozy murder mysteries as long as they are clean and not too graphic.  So this book was just my cup of tea.  I enjoyed the characters, the plot, and the setting.  The inclusion of the crafts and crafting website were a nice touch.  There were a lot of really fun ideas included. I especially enjoyed Adri as a character, her feistiness and determination to succeed in her business despite some pretty big challenges made her easy to care about.  The book was full of other great characters too, like Adri's assistant, Lorea, Luke, the divorce attorney, Tony, the police officer, and Adri's family.  The two different mysteries and the confusing romantic situations Adri finds herself in make for a sympathetic and interesting read. I'm definitely eager to read more in this series.

SUMMER BOOK TREK READING CHALLENGE

I wasn't sure I was going to participate in this, but I've decided why not? So here goes.  I'm sure I won't get all these books read, but I'm going to give it a shot. If you would like to participate check out the rules here.

Here are the books that I'm looking at finishing in the next couple of weeks.