Motherhood Matters by Connie E. Sokol — Blog Tour

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Mindy's Reviews
Apr 282012
 

Motherhood Matters: Joyful Reminders of the Divinity, Reality, and Rewards of Motherhood

Author: Connie E. Sokol

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Published: March 2012

Hardcover: 128 pages

ISBN13: 9781462110186

FTC FYI: Review copy

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary: “In these hectic days where life’s demands can quickly become a heavy burden, Motherhood Matters helps you find more memorable moments and take the stress out of the to-do lists. Written with clarity, concision, and wit, this short, yet indispensable handbook is better than flowers, more guilt-free than chocolate, and gives back to the woman who sacrifices so much of herself every single day.”

My Review

This book was an absolute joy to read.  While I was reading I started taking notes, and wrote down pages numbers of my favorite quotes from many of our amazing church leaders, and from the author herself.  Many inspirational messages quotes are in this book to help you through your busy mothering days.  I was reminded to take life a day at a time, and most importantly to cherish your children.  My kids are 14, 11, and 7.  I miss the days when they were younger, but I am excited about the life we have now, and look forward to live and enjoy each day.  No matter how busy we get.  It also reminded me that my Heavenly Father loves me, and looks after me.  Even as something as simple as watching over my house because I left a curling iron on.

5 out of 5 stars. This book is a great gift for Mother’s Day for any mother no matter, what stage in her mothering she is in.

Read more about the author here. Use this link for purchase.

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Until Next Time (The Angel Chronicles Book 1) by Amy Lignor — Blog Tour

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Apr 252012
 

 Until Next Time

Author: Amy Lignor

Publisher: Tribute Publishing

Published: February 1, 2012

ISBN13: 9780983741855

eBook 1st Edition 255 pages

FTC FYI: Review Copy

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads summary: How does a girl choose between the one who steals her heart and the one who owns her soul?

Matt and Emily were created for a specific job. Raised and trained as the ultimate angel/warrior team, they are sent down to save, defend, judge and forgive, depending on the ‘life’ they’ve been assigned. What they don’t realize is that the power of human emotions, such as love, anger, passion and fear can take over even the best of souls, causing them to make mistakes and follow paths that lead to confusion and heartache.

When the reason for their training is finally revealed, the angel/warrior team find themselves thrust into a world they know nothing about. Matt takes over the life of Daniel, a young man with a great deal of baggage. Emily becomes Liz, a girl living in a remote village who relies on nothing more than her own strength to survive. A violent storm erupts one night, and framed in the window of Liz’s establishment is a frightening face. Let in by the soul of a Good Samaritan, the two visitors bring with them a past full of secrets that could literally change an angel’s path and a warrior’s plans.

From murder to redemption, this angel/warrior team must find a way to keep the faith they have in each other in a world that’s ripping them apart.

My Review

3 1/2 stars.  I was pretty stuck with 3 stars through the book, but the climax and the ending gave it that extra boost.  I did enjoy the book, I just thought the language (meaning the way the characters spoke) wasn’t fit for the time period.  Also, there is party that the main characters attend, and why they were there was a contradiction to why they returned to the house.  The story is entertaining though, and the author did do a good job of developing the characters.  Jason was a favorite.  The book jumps back from Emily to Liz, which I enjoyed.  I liked seeing both sides of the characters.  The one relationship that I had a hard time with Daniel’s and Liz’s.  It wasn’t as believable for me as it should of been.

Content

There is some language, and two of characters have sex, but there is no details, just hints in that direction.

NOOK / KINDLE / PDF / SMASHWORDS

About the author:

Amy Lignor began her career at Grey House Publishing in northwest Connecticut where she was the Editor-in-Chief of numerous educational and business directories.

Now she is a published author of several works of fiction. The Billy the Kid historical The Heart of a Legend; the thriller, Mind Made; and the adventure novel, Tallent & Lowery 13.

She is also the owner of The Write Companion, a company that offers help and support to writers through a full range of editorial services from proofreading and copyediting to ghostwriting and research. As the daughter of a research librarian, she is also an active book reviewer.

Currently, she lives with her daughter, mother and a rambunctious German Shepherd named Reuben, in the beautiful state of New Mexico.

FACEBOOK / TWITTER / BLOG / GOODREADS

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“Read ‘em All” Mini-Challenge #2 Winner!

 Posted by  "Read 'em All" 2011 Finalists Challenge, Special Features
Apr 162012
 

Well done to everyone who completed the “Read ‘em All” Mini-Challenge #2!

If you were like me and didn’t quite make it, that’s okay. We still have seven days left before voting closes so KEEP READING!

And now, the winner of the $25 Amazon gift card is….

Karlene B.

 

Congratulations!

Don’t forget that the $50 Amazon gift card Grand Prize is still up for grabs so get those Whitney finalists read, go vote for Best Novel of the Year, then submit your “Read ‘em All” 2011 Finalists Challenge completion form.

Happy reading!

 

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Fall by Jennifer Hurst

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Apr 162012
 

Fall

Author: Jennifer Hurst

Publisher: CreateSpace

Published Date: July 2011

Kindle Edition; 298 pages

Genre: Paranormal Romance (not YA)

ISBN# 978-1463632779

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: free digital copy in exchange for an honest review

Summary

Women and construction shouldn’t mix. At least, that is what the client, Mr. Blackwell, thinks when twenty-one year old Julia D. Halstead is promoted to project manager to convert a turn-of-the-century schoolhouse into a bed and breakfast. However, the schoolhouse contains a dark secret that has been hidden for nearly a hundred years. A secret that will unleash the Furies of Hell and cause the Angels in Heaven to weep as ethereal brothers, Matthew and Nathan, battle over Julia’s very soul.

Review

JD is capable, talented, and feminine construction manager. She likes hot pink animal print accents and heels. She appreciates good-looking men, even if she’s not necessarily looking for a relationship. So when demolitionist Matthew Rigo shows up in a tight black t-shirt pointing out a mistake on her blueprints, she’s both attracted to him and annoyed.

When JD starts investigating the cause of the incorrect measurements of the building she’s renovating, strange noises come from the floor above send her scrambling out to her car. From there the story progresses to a mysterious, dark romance with motorcycle-riding bad boy Matt and feelings that JD just can’t seem to resist. A few steamy kisses and chemistry-filled encounters lead to JD finding herself a pawn involved in forces of good and evil that she never would have imagined.

Set in picturesque Torrey, Utah, Fall is about angels and demons, good vs. evil, and choice and consequence. While certain parts of the story could have used just a bit more polish, I was easily pulled into the story. The characters had depth, and I’m curious to see what will happen next.

If you are a reader who likes paranormal romance with adult characters or are tired of the high school/teenage aspect, then you will most likely enjoy Fall.

Content

I don’t remember any language or graphic violence (it’s been a little while since I read it), though there are some scary incidents of strange noises, etc. Some steamy kisses, but nothing too graphic. At one point, Matt carries JD into the bedroom and while we can guess what happens, no details are given. (This incident proves integral to the story and is not gratuitous.)

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Banana Split by Josi S. Kilpack — Blog Tour

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Apr 112012
 

Banana Split: A Culinary Mystery

Author: Josi S. Kilpack

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: February 2012

Paperback: 372 pages

ISBN-13: 978-1-60908-903-0

FTC FYI: Review Copy

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary: “Sadie Hoffmiller has survived eighteen months of nonstop adventures filled with murder, deceit, and danger. She could really use some rest—and maybe even some time to heal—relaxing in the tropical paradise of Kaua’i. However, palm trees and sunshine are not as effective a medication as Sadie had hoped. And when she finds herself entangled—literally—with a dead body, she is forced to face the compounding fears and anxieties that are making her life so difficult to live.

Her determination to stay out of danger and to focus on overcoming her anxieties soon takes a backseat when she meets eleven-year-old Charlie, the son of the woman whose body she discovered near Anahola Beach. Charlies has some questions of his own about what happened to his mother, and he is convinced that only Sadie can help him. If only Sadie were as confident in her abilities as Charlie is.

With the help of her best friend and a local social worker, Sadie dives into another mystery with the hope that, at the end, she’ll be able to find the peace and closure that has eluded her.”

My Review

Sadie is having a rough time.  All that has happened to her in the last 18 months has finally taken it’s toll.  Her panic attacks are getting more frequent, and in the middle of one, after an attempt at snorkeling, Sadie finds another dead body under a pier.  Sadie visits Dr. McKay, her new psychiatrist.  He talks with her about PTSD, and how he feels she is suffering from that.  Determined to feel better, Sadie makes a list of things to do everyday.

Go outside every day.

Eat fruit every day.

Talk to Pete every day.

Do something brave every day.

When the son of the woman whose body Sadie found comes to her, it takes time, but she realizes that she needs to help this boy.  Sadie finds a list of Charlie’s that he left at her house.  That spurs her into action.

This is another strong offering from Josi.  The best thing about her books is not only do they get better and better, but they are unique in their own way and can stand alone.  Sadie is a different person in his book.  She is hurting, mentally and physically.  It’s quite a change to see her react the way she does, my heart just ached for her.  What I love most about Sadie is, even though she has forgotten this, she is a very strong lady.  Sadie finds herself getting better when she is investigating, and it helps with her anxiety.  She also remembers that helping others is a good thing, and she is not a dead body magnet.  Gayle helps her see that it’s okay to let someone else help her, too.

5 out of 5 stars.  Follow Josi on Facebook and Twitter.  Here are some purchase links as well.

AMAZON / BARNES AND NOBLE / DESERET BOOK / SEAGULL BOOK

 

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The Shaken Earth by Toni Sorenson

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Apr 092012
 

The Shaken Earth

Author: Toni Sorenson

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published Date: October 2011

Softcover; 349 pages

Genre: General Fiction

ISBN# 978-1-60861-279-6

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: free review copy in exchange for an honest review

Summary

Fragile, twelve-year-old Yolisha is afraid thinking about her first ride on a brightly painted tap-tap. The city is much farther than she has ever been from her small village of Makak, but Yolisha must go. Tomorrow she has an appointment in Port-au-Prince with the doctor who understands her special illness. But she is terrified that she might lose the grasp of her mother’s hand on the clattering, noisy bus crowded with people and livestock. In truth, Yolisha is frightened of anything, or anyone, that might separate her from the only anchor in her life: her mother.

The next day, Yolisha is slammed with the realization that her greatest danger was not in the bus ride at all. When the earth begins violently shaking, the walls of the clinic crumble, and her mother is torn from her, she fears that her innocent wishing game might have caused the devastating earthquake that has just thrown her into a terrifying world of survival. But what if the same game can uncover hidden strength in Yolisha as she searches for her missing mother? Might the elderly man who plucks her from the rubble save her life . . . while the man’s colorful and determined friend saves her soul by introducing her to the gospel?

Review

What drew me in to The Shaken Earth at first was the glimpse into daily life of the Haitian people. That interest carried me through the entire book. I was curious about what was making Yolisha sick, but that question never really gets answered. While Yolisha is a young, naive girl who initially is demanding, lacks patience and whines a lot, she settles as reality sets in and she accepts what her life will be, at least temporarily, in the aftermath of the earthquake.

The people who truly make The Shaken Earth memorable are the side characters. Though we see everything through Yolisha’s point-of-view, it is Webster, Mona, and even Gessy, that make the story. I knew very little about Haiti or it’s history, but I learned along with Yolisha during Webster’s lessons as he cooked. I witnessed the struggles of the people even before the earthquake, and how much worse it became afterward. There was depravity and crime, but there was also strength and resilience. I can honestly say this is a book I won’t soon forget.

The Shaken Earth is well-written, memorable, and eye-opening. While not horribly graphic, there are a number of disturbing details included. If you are one that likes to snack while you read, you may want to reconsider eating while reading this book if you are sensitive to that sort of thing. While there are LDS missionaries and some talk of the gospel, it is not the main theme of the book. If you enjoy reading books about other countries as well as life-changing experiences, then I would recommend The Shaken Earth.

 

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