May 082013
 

TheContinuousConversion_detailThe Continuous Conversion

Author: Brad Wilcox

Publisher: Deseret Book

Published: March 1st, 2013

Hardcover: 232 pages

ISBN13: 978-1-60907-327-5

FTC FYI: Received a review copy

Posted by Mindy

Inside Book Jacket

“I can’t do this Mormon thing,” a friend told Brad Wilcox.  ”I’ve tried, and the expectations are too high.”  And she’s not alone in her thinking.  Many people, as the feel themselves falling short of perfection, are tempted to quit trying.”

But are there only two options?  Think of it this way:  When a person is learning to play the piano, are the only two options performing at the Carnegie Hall or quitting?  Similarly, in mortality, are the only two choices being perfect or giving up?

“No,” writes Brad Wilcox.  ”Growth and development take time.  Learning take practice.  Discipleship is a journey, and true conversion is a continuous process.”

In this hope-filled book, Brad shares his keen understanding and testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ as it relates to our own conversion.  Conversion occurs, he says, “when we stop trying to earn heaven and start trying to learn it….As we take each little step to show faith, repent, make and live covenants, seek the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end, we are not paying our way into heaven.  We are practicing for it.”

God isn’t just proving us, He’s improving us.

Product Review

I am so blessed to receive these amazing books that I get to tell you about.  The premise behind this book is beautiful.  As I go through my life, I find that it is all I can do to get through the day, sometimes.  My daughter said something to me just this last Sunday.

Mom, Sunday is my favorite day of the week.  I love going to church, and I love being with my family because we are there together, and we get to learn about Heavenly Father and Jesus and how to be better.

How blessed are we to have a loving Heavenly Father and Savior in our lives.  Reading this book will give you the reminder that perfection is not required of you, just strive to do your best.  The heading for Chapter 3 says it well.

A Mighty Change is Slow.  True conversion is not instantaneous.  It is continuous.  It includes making daily choices to reject the path that leads to becoming a natural man and to choose instead the path that leads to becoming a saint.  (page 53)

If you are looking for a Mother’s Day or Father’s Day gift, this book is it.

About the Author

Brad Wilcox is an associated professor in the department of Teacher Education at Brigham Young University, where he also works with programs such as Especially for Youth and Campus Education Week.  As a young man, he severed his mission in Chile, and he was later called back to that country to preside over the Chile Santiago East Mission from 2003 to 2006.  He currently serves as a member of the Sunday School general board.

Brad is the author of the bestselling book The Continuous Atonement and the BYU devotional “His Grace is Sufficient.”  He and his wife, Debi, are the parents of four children and grandparents of three.

Purchase Links

Deseret Book / Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Seagull Book 

 

 

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May 072013
 

LDSLivingCover2_detailLDS Living: Best of Mothers ebook

Product Description from Deseret Book.com

Posted by Mindy

Motherhood. We cherish and celebrate it, and sometime we complain about it. Sometimes we yell at our kids, and sometimes they teach us the most profound lessons we could learn in life. The kids scribble on the walls, and they kiss us on the cheek when we’re feeling down. LDS Living wants to help you celebrate the ennobling and empowering journey of motherhood this year with a collection of our favorite articles on motherhood. Some will make you laugh, some will warm your heart, and some will make you think about the issues we as women and mothers face. We hope you enjoy the journey. Articles include: -”How to Love Life, See Good Days, and Not Doubt Your Ability as a Mother” -”What Not to Say To Stay-at-Home or Working Moms” -”A Mommy Time-Out” -”Celebrating Parents: Gifts That Give Back to Mom and Dad” -”Mothers Without Children” -”The Grass Isn’t Always Greener” -”Say It With Flowers” -”Happy Stepmother’s Day!” -”Mommy Knows Best”

LDS Living contacted me to help spread the word about this fabulous ebook.  It is a compilation of LDS Living’s best articles on motherhood.  There is a great variety from humorous, inspirational,  and some that address issues surrounding motherhood.  The best news, this ebook is free!  All you need to do is download the Deseret Book app.  Here are the links for Android and Apple devices, and also Web Browser.  Also, when you download the Deseret Book app, you receive 8 free ebooks! So, what are you waiting for?  This is a great idea for Mother’s Day, too.  Use this link download the book.

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Feb 252013
 

Photo: Travis Riggs

Are you a fan (or parent or teacher of fans) of the 39 Clues series?

Scholastic has announced that on March 5, 2013, author David Baldacci will lead a webcast at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, taking teachers and kids on a virtual field trip where they will learn about the mysteries surrounding some of the artifacts from American history.

Below is a quote from Scholastic’s press release announcing the Decoding History Virtual Field Trip:

During the webcast, with David Baldacci as their guide, children and educators around the world will be taken on a behind-the-scenes tour of some of the most fascinating artifacts in the Smithsonian’s national collections, including the Lewis and Clark compass (an object that is featured in Baldacci’s 39 Clues book), Abraham Lincoln’s pocket watch, and the Star-Spangled Banner. Viewers will also “meet” renowned museum curators and explore some of the most mysterious moments and intriguing questions in American history: Who left a secret message in Abraham Lincoln’s pocket watch? Which is the real Lewis and Clark compass? Why is there a “V” on the original Star-Spangled Banner? The contents of the webcast will help teachers address the “Speaking & Listening” Common Core Standards for English/Language Arts.

The webcast will start at 1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT and is free to watch. For more details visit the 39 Clues Decoding History Virtual Field Trip website: http://decodinghistory.scholastic.com/

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Dec 222012
 

Hello everyone, this is Mindy. I have some sad news to tell you about. Shanda’s mother passed away suddenly early this morning. We are postponing the Countdown for a little while. Please fell free to keep commenting on the posts, and we will let you know when we resume the Countdown.

We appreciate you all, our dear readers, and wish you a Merry Christmas.

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Nov 072012
 


Author Heather B. Moore

Heather B. Moore is the award-winning author of ten novels, two inspirational non-fiction books, and two anthologies, including The Newport Ladies Book Club Series, A Timeless Romance Anthology, and Christ’s Gifts to Women (co-authored by Angela Eschler).

Her historical fiction is published under the pen name H.B. Moore. She is the two-time recipient of Best of State in Literary Fiction, two-time Whitney Award Winner, and two-time Golden Quill Winner for Best Novel. Her most recent historical novel under H.B. Moore is Daughters of Jared (2012 LUW Gold Award of Excellence & 2012 LUW Best Book Trailer).



Links:

Author Website:

www.hbmoore.com

Author Blog:

http://mywriterslair.blogspot.com

Timeless Romance Anthologies Blog:

http://timelessromanceanthologies.blogspot.com/

Heather B. Moore Amazon Page:

http://www.amazon.com/Heather-B.-Moore/e/B007HLYZ6A/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_2

H.B. Moore Amazon Page:

http://www.amazon.com/H.-B.-Moore/e/B001K8942Q/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1351275833&sr=1-2-ent

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/heather.b.moore.3

Facebook “Fans of H.B. Moore” page:

http://www.facebook.com/groups/37783537691/?fref=ts

Twitter:

@heatherbmoore

Book Summary:

Heart of the Ocean

by Heather B. Moore

A dark secret . . . a grieving ghost  . . . a handsome stranger  . . .

What more could Eliza Robinson want?

Except for maybe her life.

In Heather B. Moore’s enthralling 1840’s historical romance, Heart of the Ocean, Eliza Robinson has turned down the very pretentious Mr. Thomas Beesley’s marriage proposal. As a business partner of Eliza’s father, Thomas quickly discredits the family and brings disgrace to the Robinson name.

While her father scrambles to restore his good name in New York City, Eliza flees to the remote Puritan town of Maybrook to stay with her Aunt Maeve. Although relieved to be away from all- things-male and unforgiving gossip columns, odd things start to happen to Eliza, and she is plagued by a ghostly voice. Her aunt’s explanation? That Eliza is being haunted by a woman who died of a broken heart twenty years ago.

After Aunt Maeve is tragically killed, Eliza’s life is put in danger as she tries to uncover the mystery of her aunt’s death. She encounters Jonathan Porter in Maybrook, whose presence in the town seems suspicious, yet she finds herself drawn to him. When she discovers that Jonathan’s dark secrets may be the link between the dead woman who haunts her and her aunt’s murderer, Eliza realizes that Jonathan is the one man she should never trust.

Cover Reveal:



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Nov 022012
 

 

Utah Author C. Michelle Jefferies is releasing her first novel
October 24, 2012. EMERGENCE, a work of adult futuristic suspense, will
be available in both electronic and paper formats through Walnut Springs
Press.
There will be an official book launch open to the public on
November 8, 2012 at the Museum of the San Rafael from six to nine that
evening. There will be specially priced books, food, children’s crafts,
and the author will give a reading and answer questions at 6:30.

Book Description: 

Hit man Antony Danic has never killed an innocent man. At least, the
corporation he works for has never given him a reason to think
otherwise—until now. Reeling from a series of demanding assignments, the
assassin is desperate for some downtime. As he sits on a beach in
Tahiti watching his wife play in the ocean, a messenger from his
employer delivers a death threat. In a matter of seconds, the hunter
has become the hunted. While Antony scrambles to find a way out of his
“till death do us part” contract, he’s faced with the decision of a
lifetime: kill another innocent man, or do what’s right—even if it puts
his family in jeopardy.

 Here is my interview with Author C. Michelle Jefferies…

1.How long did it take you to write Emergence?

The rough draft took about four months to write. The revisions and editing took just over a year.

2.What was the inspiration for this novel?

I’d written a completely different draft and cleaned it up and submitted
it. I kept getting the same type of questions from readers and agents.
When I got a personalized rejection from Jodi Meadows who worked for Lit
Soup at the time, I started rethinking the plot. I went to another
friend and we played “what if”. The plot for this book is literally five
years back in time from the original draft so we changed a lot of
things. The theme was what would it take for a man to change his life
completely around. The second book steals a lot of themes and scenes
from the original draft and story.

3.What other writing projects are you working on now?

I have the sequel to Emergence with my last beta reader. The third book
rough is written. I am also working on a sci/fi steampunk YA and
another Emergence style story only with western undertones.

4.What words of wisdom would you give to aspiring writers who may be wondering
if it worth all of the hard work to get a book published?

It’s definitely worth it. I’m so excited to be to this point. My words of
advice? Learn to love editing and revision as much as drafting. Revision
and editing can seem horrible and drudgery filled. It’s not, it only
makes that awesome story better.

5.Favorite snack to eat while writing?

Ice water. Seriously! I usually like Crackers and chocolate but I’m trying
to lose weight so I’m eating ice water and things like yogurt and string
cheese.

About the Author:

C. Michelle Jefferies practically grew up in a
library, and she spent her early years reading books with her mother.
When Michelle was ten, she realized she wanted to write stories instead
of just reading them. In high school, she met another writer, who
inspired her to write a full-length book instead of just short stories.
Michelle finished that 189-page handwritten novel the summer of her
junior year. She married her best friend and put her writing on the back
burner while she focused on raising her seven children and volunteering
as a breastfeeding counselor in her community. When her children were
old enough for her to spend a few hours on the computer without them
burning the house down, Michelle returned to writing and hasn’t stopped
since. She can often be found writing or editing with a child in her
arms or under her feet. With a passion for secret agents and all things
Asian, she writes technical suspense and futuristic thrillers about bad
boys turned good, all while beating herself up in karate class as she
works toward her black belt in tang soo do. 

Contact Information 

Email: michelle@cmichellejefferies.com

Website: www.cmichellejefferies.com

Blog: cmichellejefferies.blogspot.com

Facebook: C Michelle Jefferies – Author

Twitter: cmjefferies

A Full review of the novel will be coming soon! I’m so excited to read this novel! What do you think?

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