Descendant by Nichole Giles — Blog Tour

 Posted by  Book Reviews
May 212013
 

DESCENDANT final coverDescendant

Author: Nichole Giles

Published: May 1st, 2013

Publisher: Rhemalda

Paperback: 278 pages

ISBN13: 9781936850679

FTC FYI: Received a PDF in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

Seventeen-year-old Abigail Johnson is Gifted.

Blessed—or cursed—with Sight and Healing, Abby lives an unsettled life, moving from place to place and staying one step ahead of the darkness that hunts her. When she arrives in Jackson, Wyoming, she is desperate to maintain the illusion of normalcy, but she is plagued with visions of past lives mixed with frightening glimpses of her future. Then she meets Kye, a mysterious boy who seems so achingly familiar that Abby is drawn to him like he’s a missing piece of her own soul.

Before Abby can discover the reason for her feelings toward Kye, the darkness catches up to her and she is forced to flee again. But this time she’s not just running. She is fighting back with Kye at her side, and it’s not just Abby’s life at stake.

Praise for Descendant

“A hot new spin on paranormal, Descendant is refreshingly imaginative and powerful. I can’t decide which was best — piecing together Abby’s sinister past or keeping up with her heartbreaking future. If you like your YA laced with melt-my-heart romance and a good helping of heart-pounding suspense, you’ll love this book!” — Michelle Davidson Argyle, author of The Breakaway

 

“Nichole Giles has crafted a story that breathes from the pages. Her characters are authentic, the action intense, with powerful emotions that will keep Descendant on your mind long after the book ends. Open your eyes to another facet of our world in Descendant and you’ll be sucked into an adventure with Abby and Kye, that will explore the power of gifts, courage, and love. With top-notch writing, Giles has crafted a story that breathes from the pages.” –Rachelle J. Christensen, award-winning author of Wrong Number and Caller ID

 

“Nichole Giles brings a fresh new voice and flawless writing technique to the world of Young Adult fiction. I was swept away to another place and never wanted to come back.” –Tristi Pinkston, author of Turning Pages and the Secret Sisters mystery series

 

“This debut novel delivers in all the right ways, with heart-pounding action and a delicious romance that sweeps centuries. I loved it!” –Elana Johnson, author of Possession and Surrender

 

My Review

I really enjoyed reading Descendant.  I thought Nichole did a great job of developing her characters and story line.  I liked going on Abby’s journey with her.  I was taken into the story quickly, and loved the mystery in the beginning of who Abby is and what she can do.  The flashes that Abby has are a great mix in the story, too.  There was a couple times, however, that I thought the story took an necessary turn, mostly while Abby and Kye were in New York.  I also thought a couple times some events with Abby’s mom were too convenient and an important character wasn’t introduced until almost the end.  There are some great twists with some other key characters.  A couple I wasn’t surprised with, but I was pleased with the results.

4 out of 5 stars.  Descendant is fast-paced clean YA book, that you and your teen will enjoy.

There is a tour wide giveaway for Descendant. Details are here.

Author Info

Nichole Giles was born in Nevada, and moved with her parents to a number of cities in and around the West. Writing is her passion, but she also loves to spend time with her husband and four children, travel to tropical and exotic destinations, drive in the rain with the convertible top down, and play music at full volume so she can sing along.

Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Blog

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Book Depository / Indie Bound

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Why I Don’t Lose Weight by Dr. Wilfred Aguila -Blog Tour Review-

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Podcasts, Sheila's Reviews
May 172013
 

Lose weight51AKXC0FQwL._SY300_Product Details

  • Paperback: 133 pages
  • Publisher: Bookmarks Publishing; 1ST edition (2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0983596638

Book Description

Publication Date: 2012
A unique perspective to the battle of the bulge. Dr. Aguila gets to the heart of the struggle with weight loss, then gives practical solutions for overcoming that struggle and losing weight for good. Wonderfully clear and simple steps to permanent better health from a physician who has lived it.
My Review:
 I have struggled with my weight all of my life. I have read countless book on losing weight. This is the first book that has truly touched something in me. It didn’t focus on the “hows” to lose weight, but on understanding obesity and discovering the reasons we fail.
I also really liked how this book focused on making a lifestyle change. Dr. Aguila says right at the beginning, “Weight loss must coincide with a firm commitment to a healthier lifestyle for you and your family.” 
Another fabulous reminder for me that Dr. Aguila teaches in his book is this, “You can’t be all things to all people.You have to take care of yourself first in order to be there for others. ‘Sacrificing” yourself for your family is admirable, but what is going to happen to them when they don’t have you?” I wrote down…”WOW! Great Reminder!!” on the side of the page when I read this.
Here are the chapter titles of the book. I wanted to include this in my review so you could truly see how different and wonderful this book is!
  1. Knowing Why You Fail
  2. The Cycle of Obesity
  3. Rotations of the Cycle
  4. Controlling Anxiety
  5. Understanding Guilt
  6. Failing to Break the Cycle
  7. The Perfectionist Pattern
  8. Psychological Phases of Obesity
  9. Don’t Choose a Diet, Choose a Transition
  10. Here’s To Your Health
  11. Your Goal Is The Secret to Success
  12. Unhealthy Habits and Vices
  13. The Real You
  14. Conquer the Cycle
  15. Pulling Out The Root Cause

I’m so excited to use this book in helping me get and stay healthy, physically and mentally. Thank you so much Dr. Aguila!! I highly endorse this book for those wanting to get to the “real” reason why being healthy and conquering the obesity cycle has been evading them.

Other Reviews

“Why I Don’t Lose Weight! is a refreshing and original look at the root causes that keep you trapped in an emotional eating cycle. I recommend this book to anyone who is struggling with his or her weight.” - John Gray, PhD, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus

“Dr. Aguila’s book Why I Don’t Lose Weight offers a heart-felt, compassionate approach to understanding weight loss. This is not a diet book or a book of quick fixes. Instead it shows you practical ways to change from the inside out.” – Marci Shimoff, #1 NY Times bestselling author of Love for No Reason and Happy for No Reason

“Dr. A does a fantastic job of explaining how the Cycle of Obesity keeps you trapped and, more importantly, he helps you get out of it!” -Dr. Mike Dow, Author of Diet Rehab And Co-Host of TLC’s Freaky Eaters, CoHost of VH1′s Couple’s Therapy

“Why I Don’t Lose Weight is spot on! In it, Dr. A uncovers the real reasons why obesity seems so hard to cure. This book treats the cause, not the symptoms, empowering readers to lose weight, and more important, to keep it off for good!” - Max Bolka, Co-Author: Success is a State of Mind; Co-Star: The Keeper of the Keys.

 Buy the book HERE:

M.D. Wilfred Aguil…

Best Price $5.17
or Buy New

Buy from Amazon.com

 More About the Author

Wilfred Aguila

Biography

Wilfred Aguila, M.D. is a native of Florida and has served communities in Florida since he graduated from the University Of Miami School Of Medicine in 1991.

In Tampa, Dr. Aguila completed his surgical residency at the University of South Florida in 1996 and was Chief Resident in Surgery from 1995 to 1996. Dr. Aguila has been in surgical practice for sixteen years and specializes in Bariatric surgery. He founded Surgical Bariatric Centers, LLC which has grown from one office in Tampa to several offices across Central Florida.

Struggling for almost a decade with his own weight problem, Dr. Aguila gained a personal understanding about the process of losing weight. He remembers his battle with binge eating and the lessons he learned that allowed him to finally break the cycle of overeating. He shares with his patients these lessons so that they may break their own Cycles.

Dr. Aguila is an author,nationally syndicated radio show host, and highly sought after national obesity expert. He has appeared on numerous morning TV shows and a regular expert segment on Telemundo. Dr. Aguila is the host of the popular Dr. A Radio show. He is also a regular contributor to the Huffington Post as well as other publications.

Through his motivational speaking engagements, Dr. A touches the lives of those suffering with serious weight problems and empowers them with the knowledge that they need to win their struggle.

Dr. Aguila is currently listed in Guide to America’s Top Surgeons and Top Doctors. Dr. A is a member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery; he is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

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Ephraim’s Rescue — Premiere Giveaway

 Posted by  Book Reviews
May 132013
 

Ephraim's-Rescue-Poster

Posted by Mindy.

I was invited to a blogger event last week where I was able to hear the T.C. Christensen (director) and Darin Southam (star) of Ephraim’s Rescue talk about this new release from Excel Entertainment.  T.C. Christensen also directed 17 Miracles.

Synopsis

From T.C. Christensen, director of the sensational pioneer film, 17 Miracles, comes the heroic true story of a simple man who was called to do the work of angels. Ephraim’s Rescue relates the story of Ephraim Hanks: a rescuer of the Martin Handcart company.

Follow Ephraim as his adventures lead him to join the LDS Church and ultimately to one of the most heroic rescues in American history. With a unique desire to help andstrengthen others, Ephraim learns that each choice we make can prepare us for what lies ahead. He discovers, through it all, that decisions determine destiny.

Director

T.C. Christensen

Producer/ Writer/ Director

T.C. Christensen is one of the brilliant minds behind the camera when it comes to these family favorites:

17 Miracles (Excel Entertainment); Emma Smith: My Story (Morning Dew); Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration (LDS Church); Testaments (LDS Church); The Work & the Glory (Manchester Pictures); Forever Strong (Go Films); Sea Monsters (National Geographic); Roving Mars (Disney); The Buttercreme Gang(Family Films); Rigoletto (Family Films); The Mouths of Babes (VTA); Finding Faith in Christ (LDS Church); Treasure in Heaven: The John Tanner Story (VTA); Only a Stonecutter (VTA).

T.C. has won over 270 national and international awards for his work in directing and photography. In 2010 he was invited to join the American Society of Cinematographers.

Starring

Darin Southam as Ephraim Hanks

Darin’s passion for acting started with a play in his 7th grade drama class and has evolved into a career, with roles that span from indie films, such as Last Man(s) On Earth, to Disney’s Halloweentown High, Discovery Channel’s I Shouldn’t Be Alive, and Fox’s 127 Hours. A former student of Playhouse West in North Hollywood (Jeff Goldblum, James Franco, Michelle Pfieffer, etc.)

Darin enjoys the method of digging deep into the characters he portrays. At heart, Darin is a family man with a wife and 3 young children; he hopes his performance as Ephraim Hanks in T.C.’s Ephraim’s Rescue will elevate his opportunity to pursue what he truly loves to do – act in film. More info about Darin can be found at darinsoutham.com. Facebook Page.

Links for Ephraim’s Rescue

Website / Facebook / Trailer / Trailer 2 / Theater Listings / Paul Cardall Music Video

I am excited to tell you that I have TWO premiere tickets to giveaway.  Contest ends Friday May 17th, at midnight.  The winner will choose which one they can attend.  Please leave a thoughtful comment below with your email.  If no email address is listed, I will pick a new winner.  

Special Screening Choices

Monday, May 20th — Gateway Salt Lake City 11:00 am

Thursday, May 23rd — Red Carpet Premiere in Centerville 7:00 pm

Saturday, May 25th — St. George, Pineview Stadium 3:00 pm

Tuesday, May 28th — Ogden, The Junction 6:30 pm

Wednesday, May 29th — Logan, University Stadium 6:30 pm

Wednesday, May 29th — Orem, Cinemark 6:30 pm

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Where are the Christians? by Eric Shuster – Chapter 17

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Special Features
May 122013
 

 

Author Eric Shuster will be providing a series of blog posts summarizing various sections of his upcoming book Where are the Christians? due to be released this spring from Cedar Fort, Inc. We will feature one post each week from now until May 2013. For more information visit www.findyourchristianity.com.

* * *

SECTION 4: HOW IS CHRISTIANITY TO UNITE? – A Vision

Chapter 17: Strengthening the Community

 

The fourth and final rung in the Model of Christian Unity following the individual, family and church is the community. The ideal scenario is for a community to be made up of strong individuals, families and churches—a blessing to all those who reside in such a community.

There is a societal lineage that maps to the Model of Christian Unity: individuals make up families; families make up neighborhoods; neighborhoods make up cities; cities make up counties; counties make up districts; districts make up states; states make up a nation; nations make up the world. There is a phrase “think global, act local,” a phrase which has great applicability to the concept of the church community.

The Biblical case for strengthening the community is really a culmination of the Biblical cases given for strengthening individuals, families and churches. Strengthening the community is not something most Christians think about—it is simply not a spiritual priority—this despite the fact that the Savior taught “if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand” (Mark 3:25).

Conventional wisdom suggests the great dividers of the Christian community come from the atheists and other anti-Christian organizations. However, that is not the case. The primary dividers of the Christian community can be found within the walls of Christianity itself—self-appointed judges and protectors of the faith as they interpret it. In short dividers are Modern-day Pharisees (from Chapter 8).

The unifiers of the community come in the form of individuals and institutions that have the vision of strengthening the body of Christ, looking past that which divides different denominations of Christianity and instead focusing on the commonality that can be leveraged. Shuster researches and reports on a number of highly successful global and local ecumenical efforts including intra-faith ministries and inter-faith ministries. Some of these institutions such as Northwest Assistance Ministries in Houston and the Neighborhood Interfaith Movement of Philadelphia are helping thousands of people each year by bringing together dozens of different Christian denominations to work together as one.

Unifying Christianity is not just a utopian pipe dream that exists in the same universe as wish granting fairies, calorie free ice cream and world peace. The Model of Christian Unity is already in progress and is strengthening communities and unifying Christianity towards reaching its potential. There are hundreds of community building efforts among diverse Christian congregations operating and changing lives around the United States. Therefore the question of whether or not it is possible to strengthen and unify the body of Christ in helping Christianity reach its potential has been answered—the answer is YES. What then will you do to help unify Christianity?

Our 18 week journey has briefly summarized who the Christians are from a historical perspective; what a Christian is from a spiritual perspective; where the Christians are from a behavioral perspective; and how Christianity can be strengthened and more united from a societal perspective. Thank you for joining us.

Go to www.findyourchristianity.com to watch the book trailer, find out what type of Christian you are, and to order the book.

 

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Snow Whyte and the Queen of Mayhem by Melissa Lemon

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
May 112013
 

Snow Whyte and the Queen of MayhemSnow Whyte and the Queen of Mayhem

Author: Melissa Lemon

Publisher: Sweetwater Books/Cedar Fort

Published: December 11th, 2012

ISBN13: 9781462111459

Hardcover: 288 pages

FTC FYI: Received a PDF from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, then purchased my own copy.

Reviewed by Mindy

Inside Book Jacket

Katiyana Whyte’s world is only as big as the apple orchard she was raised on.  She can never leave the home where she grew up under the careful eye of her uncle Barney.  But when life at the orchard suddenly becomes dangerous and her childhood friend Jeremy begs her to flee, Kat finds refuge in the Fluttering Forest with seven dwarves.

Meanwhile, the queen of Mayhem, an evil sorceress, learns through her magic mirror that the daughter she believed to be dead, still lives.  Enraged, she sends a servant to kill Kat, the princess of Mayhem, but Kat finds protection in a spell that causes snowstorms whenever she is in danger, giving her the nickname Snow Whyte.

In the wonderfully imagined Snow Whyte and the Queen of Mayhem, nobody is quite who they seem.  Full of romance and adventure, this is the magical tale of Snow White as you’ve never read it.

My Review

4 of out 5 stars.  I was instantly taken with this story.  I loved the narrator (I won’t say who he is for spoiler reasons, but you find out early on).  I really enjoyed seeing each character through his eyes.  The Queen was awesomely evil.  She truly was a wicked queen, and written very well.  Queen Radiance (as she made her subjects call her) stole the show.  There are so many twists in this great story, and lots of fun surprises.  Kat is a sweetheart.  I enjoyed how her little dwarf friends loved her , and how she loved them.  Jeremy was an unexpected surprise, and his story is so cool!  Again, many twists that are very enjoyable.

Author Links

Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Seagull Book / Deseret Book

 

 

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Leona and Me, Helen Marie by Lu Ann Brobst Staheli-Review

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
May 102013
 

WEB-Staheli-LeonaNMeFINALfrontProduct Details

  • Title: Leona & Me, Helen Marie (A Small Town U.S.A. Novel)
  • Author:Lu Ann Brobst Staheli
  • File Size: 288 KB
  • Print Length: 102 pages
  • Publisher: Back Yard Press (January 30, 2013)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B00B8DTP9K
  • FTC FYI:  I received a review e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
  • Reviewed by Sheila

 

 

 

 

Book Description:

Seven-year-old Helen Marie Heffner has a knack for getting into trouble, followed close behind by her older sister, Leona Mae. Whether it’s walking the barn beams like a tightrope, fooling the neighbor boys into thinking they’re being chased by a fiery jack-o-lantern, or making a mess rather than transferring a pattern for Mama’s Christmas surprise, Helen comes out the winner every time.

But life is not always fun and games in 1922 for this southern Indiana family. In the wake of the Depression of the previous two years, the girls and their mama are often left alone in Hancock’s Chapel while their papa travels to find work to keep the family finances alive. Lately, Mama’s been showing signs of not feeling well, and Helen is stuck at home, missing the entire school year while she recuperates from the rheumatic fever that struck her the year before. Mama fears the worst is about to happen. Everything from the barn owl, to the chicken thief, the stranger who passed by one evening to a poor neighbor-boy who falls into the ravine, all point to signs of trouble to come. And sure enough, it does.

Leona and Me, Helen Marie, a middle grade novel from A Small Town U.S.A. series, is hometown historical fiction in the style of Richard Peck (A Long Way from Chicago, The Teacher’s Funeral, Here Lies the Librarian) and Kate DiCamillo (Because of Winn-Dixie), with a touch of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie thrown in for good measure.

 
Excerpt:
“Watch me, Leona. I’m Miss Tarantula, mysterious tight rope walker of Madagascar!” I lifted my arms for balance and started across the wooden beam in the barn loft, one foot in front of the other, imitating the lady we’d seen at the circus in New Albany. After reaching the wall, I made a little curtsey, trying to pull my overalls out like they were the net skirt the trapeze artist had worn.

“Magnificent, Helen,” Leona said, mimicking a ring master. She held onto a joist about thirty feet away from where I’d ended my trip across the barn.
“With my eyes closed this time,” I said.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she said. Leona was nine, two years older than me, and liked to pretend she was in charge.

“Watch me. Watch me,” I said, closing my eyes and turning around on the beam toward the way I thought I’d come. My bare toes gripped the rough edges of the wood.

“Helen Marie Heffner, you stop right now.” Her voice sounded just like Mama’s when I’m gonna get in trouble, but I took a step. Then another. On the third one, there wasn’t a beam under my foot. My eyes flew open and my legs peddled the air, like a character in the comic papers, trying to find a way to stop falling.

“Le—o—naaa!” I screeched.

My Review:

Leona and Me, Helen Marie (A Small Town U.S.A. Novel) was such a fun book to read. I was smiling through much of it. The stories in this book reminded me so much of the stories my own parents have shared with me through the years. It is so obvious the difference between life back then and life now. There was something special about life in the early 1900′s. Life was so much simpler in many ways and much harder in others.

Lu Ann Staheli beautifully retells the stories of her mother and her aunt as they grew up in the South in the 1920′s. There is a lot of humor as Helen, age seven, is living life with her rambunctious older sister. There were many adventures to be found playing outside. Kids today are truly missing out on the fun that most of us over the age of 40 had.

This book will be enjoyed by those that love a delightful book about siblings, family, and lots of love. There are some sad moments that had me crying, but there were many more that had me LOL! I highly recommend this book to all readers, young and old! I will be reading it again with my own children.

Tomorrow I will be reviewing another book written by Lu Ann called Tides Across the Seas (The Explorers).

About the Author:

Lu Ann Brobst Staheli got her start as a celebrity paparazzi-stalker-chick, which led to her award-winning career as a ghostwriter for celebrity memoirs. A masochist at heart, she has taught junior high school English for 33 years, moved to the school library for year 34, and once spent two weeks summer vacation backpacking through Europe with 15 of her students. She has won three Best of State Medals—two for writing and one for teaching—but refuses to wear them all at the same time because she’d hate to be known as a show-off. Her published works include A Note With Taking, an award-winning MG novel which is currently a Whitney Award nominee; When Hearts Conjoin, the story of the conjoined Herrin twins; Psychic Madman about mentalist Jim Karol; One Day at a Time: Teaching Secondary Language Arts; and Books, Books, and More Books: A Parent and Teacher’s Guide to Adolescent Literature.

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