Monday, March 16, 2015

Blog Tour Spotlight ~ "Raising an Army of Helaman's Warriors" by Mark Olgetree and Kevin Hinckley




Turn your home into an MTC! With missionaries being called at younger ages and so many distractions and temptations to pull teens astray, parents need a plan to keep their kids on the missionary track. This practical, testimony-building approach to mission prep is perfect for parents and leaders. Start now so they can serve honorably and spread the word to all the world!


My thoughts:  As a mother of teen age children, I know that I want any help I can get to teaching them and loving them into good choices.  With one son in the mission field and three potential missionaries at home, I feel that this book would be of benefit.  This sounds like a great tool.






About the Authors:  Kevin Hinckley is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Private Practice. He received his M.Ed from Brigham Young University, with an emphasis in Organizational Behavior. He has developed numerous therapeutic programs, including inpatient and day treatment programs for addiction and trauma recovery. He has worked closely with the LDS Addiction Recovery Program and is the author of The Naaman Project, a day treatment program for Pornography Addiction. A former bishop and institute teacher, Kevin has written 5 books. He is a regular presenter at Campus Education Weeks at BYU-Idaho and BYU.
Mark Ogletree has a MS in education and a PhD in family and human development. He taught in the Church Educational System for 21 years, serving as seminary instructor and principal, institute instructor, and the director of the Institute of Religion in Dallas, Texas. He has also presented marriage and family workshops in the private sector, as well as for Education Week at BYU. Presently, Mark is an Associate Professor in the Department of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University where he teaches courses on preparing for marriage and living prophets. Additionally, Mark has worked in private practice for over 20 years as a Marriage and Family Therapist. Mark has also published several articles in the Ensign, in academic journals, and most recently teamed up with other professors at Brigham Young University and contributed to By Divine Design–a book to strengthen marriage and family relationships.
Posted by Bookworm Lisa at 4:00 AM 0 comments

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Book Review ~ "Celebrating a Christ-Centered Easter: Seven Traditions that Lead Us Closer to the Savior" by Emily Freeman

Celebrating A Christ-Centered Easter: Seven Traditions to Lead Us Closer to the Savior by Emily Freeman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source: Received from the Publisher to Review
Genre: Religion

 Book Description:  From the author of Celebrating a Christ-Centered Christmas and The Peter Potential comes Celebrating a Christ-Centered Easter, a new book that focuses on seven different personal experiences with the Lord that took place just before and just after His suffering, sacrifice, and Resurrection. Each of the stories is a personal witness of Jesus' individualized ministry. In addition, the author invites us to participate in seven traditions that will help us have a greater understanding and deeper appreciation for the miracles that surround the celebration we call Easter.


My thoughts: It seems like I forget to put the emphasis of Easter on Christ. I don't spend as much time preparing for it as I do Christmas. Eater has just as much significance to the Christians as Christmas. For me this book was a great reminder to place Christ first and foremost in my holiday preparation.

The book takes seven chapters to remind us of events central to Christ's sacrifice and resurrection. Each chapter is based on stories from the Bible. I love how Emily is able to relate experiences to the scriptures. For me it helps show how they are applicable in our modern day life.

Each chapter is short and concise. The information is relevant and inspirational. I love that I can use the chapters as short lessons to share with my family. The ideas for traditions can be done over weeks, days, or just a few can be implemented.

This is a great addition to my library. I am grateful for the opportunity to read this book and look forward sharing it with my friends and  family.

Purchase Links:


About the Author:  Emily Belle Freeman is a coach's wife, a mother of four, an author, and a sought-after inspirational speaker. She coauthors a popular blog putting religious teaching into practice: www.multiplygoodness.com.
Posted by Bookworm Lisa at 4:30 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Cover Reveal ~ "Scion" by Kelly Oram



Russ Devereaux used to have it all—loving father, beautiful best friend, a carefree life in a town he loved, and strong magic. He was the king of his happy universe. Five months ago, that life was taken from him. Do not pass Go. Do not collect two hundred dollars. 

He’s spent months fighting back and building himself a new life, in a new city, with new friends he now considers family. But suddenly, his new life might be in jeopardy of getting shot straight to hell just like the last one. Literally, this time. 

He’s discovered power inside of him—an ancient, dark power that he shouldn’t have, can’t explain, can’t control, and definitely needs to keep secret. He needs answers, but before he can get them, he finds himself arrested and on his way to face the supernatural council. The same council that stole everything from him the first time. 

As Russ struggles to keep his new power under wraps, his old life and he new one are about to collide and it’s bound to be explosive. He may not have all the answers he needs, but one thing is certain: he’ll be damned if anyone is taking his new life from him. That is, if he’s not just plain damned.
Read an Excerpt:

********************

As we took the elevator up to the fifty-sixth floor my nerves reached an all-time high because of what I knew would be waiting for me when I reached the top. Or rather, who would be waiting. I glance at Duncan, trying not to let my panic show. “Are you taking us directly to the council?”
“Yes.” Duncan eyed me suspiciously. “Is that a problem? It sounded like you guys wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible.”
“We do,” Ethan assured him. 
I did, but that didn’t mean I was looking forward to it. I swallowed back the chunks that were starting to rise in my stomach and asked something I had to know. “Will she be there?”
I avoided Ethan’s gaze and held my breath as I waited for Duncan’s answer.
“She’s a member of the council now Russ, as is the Seer. They will both be there.”
Of course they’d both be there. Because the universe hates me. “Does she know I’m here?”
Duncan took a minute to answer me. “I thought it best not to warn her. She would have just agonized over it unnecessarily.”
“Agonize over it?” That pissed me off. “She has no right to—”
“You don’t understand. She’s been a wreck, Russ. I never even told her I saw you.” 
“She’s had no idea where I was this whole time?” For a second I felt bad. But then I remembered the way she clung to him when she said goodbye to me and I got angry again.
Duncan sighed. “You asked me to keep her out of your life. If she knew where you were, she would have come looking for you. This is going to be very difficult for her. More so than for you I think. You seem to have moved on better than she has.”
“I’ve moved on better?” I couldn’t listen to any more, and since I couldn’t really punch anything I kicked the side of the elevator. “She moved on before I left.”
“Would you like to see her before you’re brought in front of the whole council? I can take you to a holding cell and tell her you’re here. The council would understand the delay.” 
“No.” That sounded like hell on Earth. “I don’t want to talk to her. I was sort of banking on never seeing her again. Lets just get it over with.”
“It might make things go a little smoother if you got it out of the way before you’re questioned.”
I laughed hard. “You think the council cares about questioning us? They’re going to do whatever they want no matter what Ethan and I say. To tell you the truth, Duncan, I don’t really believe they’re going to let us go. That’s why I came. If they’re going to try to kill Ethan, then they’re going to have get through us both.”
Duncan laughed as the elevator doors chimed open. “Nobody is going to kill anybody. You’re always so dramatic, Russ.” 
As Duncan ushered us down the hall, I stopped hearing what he was saying. The consulate was fairly busy. There were people everywhere, but it wasn’t their stares that made my heart pound as I looked at them. I kept waiting for one of them to be a familiar face.
Duncan gave me a sympathetic smile and shook his head. “The council isn’t what you think. They aren’t cruel monsters. Dani was an unfortunate case, so your perception of them is skewed. I promise you they can be reasonable, caring people. They want order and justice, and they will be fair. They’ll listen to your story. I honestly don’t think you’re in any danger.”
“We’ll see,” I grumbled.
I stumbled to as stop as we came to a set of large double doors. “Where’s Grace when you need her?” I gasped. Ethan glanced at me and I nodded at the doors. “Dani’s in there. I can already feel her energy.”
“You want to hold my hand?” Ethan asked, holding out his cuffed wrists to me and batting his eyelashes. “I may not dissolve bonds, but I’m every bit as pretty as Grace.”
I appreciated his attempt to give me crap. I needed the distraction. I was supremely messed up right now and he knew it. Joking might be the only way to get me through this. “Bite me.”
We laughed, but the smiles left our faces the second the doors opened. Game time.
********************





Enter the Reveal Giveaway!  Kelly is giving away 10 signed posters of the Scion cover, and one grand prize of all three books in the series so far (signed).Giveaway is international. To enter, help Kelly with her cover reveal by sharing the cover, passing along photo teasers, or making your social media profiles and avatars Russtastic. The more you share the better your chances of winning!
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Posted by Bookworm Lisa at 3:45 AM 1 comments

Book Spotlight ~ "The Legacy Human" by Susan Kaye Quinn



Seventeen-year-old Elijah Brighton wants to become an ascender—a post-Singularity human/machine hybrid—after all, they’re smarter, more enlightened, more compassionate, and above all, achingly beautiful. But Eli is a legacy human, preserved and cherished for his unaltered genetic code, just like the rainforest he paints. When a fugue state possesses him and creates great art, Eli miraculously lands a sponsor for the creative Olympics. If he could just master the fugue, he could take the gold and win the right to ascend, bringing everything he’s yearned for within reach… including his beautiful ascender patron. But once Eli arrives at the Games, he finds the ascenders are playing games of their own. Everything he knows about the ascenders and the legacies they keep starts to unravel… until he’s running for his life and wondering who he truly is.

 The Legacy Human is the first in a new young adult science fiction series that explores the intersection of mind, body, and soul… and how technology will challenge us to remember what it means to be human.





Purchase Links:
Posted by Bookworm Lisa at 3:40 AM 0 comments

Book Blast ~ "The Montana Gallaghers" by MK McKlintock

mk audio book
 

Find MK’s Books at:



  GALLAGHER’S PRIDE Book One of the Montana Gallaghers Audiobook read by Philip Ormond Brenna Cameron was a on a quest of discovery. Ethan Gallagher was on a quest for revenge. Together they would discover a second chance. From the Scottish Highlands to the Montana frontier, experience the first book in a series about a family in search of peace, hope, and love on a wild land.  

 



  GALLAGHER’S HOPE Book Two of the Montana Gallaghers Audiobook read by Philip Ormond Isabelle Rousseau sought a new beginning. Gabriel Gallagher sought what he didn't know was missing. Together they would discover hope in unlikely places. Return to the beloved town of Briarwood with this frontier romance about second chances and finding love in the face of overwhelming odds.


   GALLAGHER’S CHOICE Book Three of the Montana Gallaghers Audiobook read by Kathryn Fields Ramsey Hunter finally had a family to call his own. Eliza Gallagher now knew what it meant to risk it all. Together they had a chance to find peace at last. Danger, adventure, and heartwarming romance will sweep you away in Gallagher's Choice, the unforgettable third book in MK McClintock's Montana Gallagher series.


  MK Mc

  Praise for the Montana Gallagher series:

   "The Montana Gallagher Collection is adventurous and romantic with scenes that transport you into the wild west." - InD'Tale Magazine

  "This series is spell-binding. Once you start it you cannot put it down." -Jacqueline Clark, Amazon Reviewer (on the Montana Gallaghers)

 I could not put this book down. It is a riveting book, from beginning to the end. The book is filled with adventure and big surprises. -Kelly from Kelly's Thoughts on Things (on Gallagher’s Pride) 

  Ms.McClintock chisels out characters that root themselves deep in your heart, where they’ll stay forever more. It’s rich in historic detail and keeps you captivated til the last page. -Molly at Reviews by Molly (on Gallagher’s Pride)

  "MK has written a book that grabs the reader’s attention and refuses to let go." -Suzie at The Bunny's Review (on Gallagher’s Hope)

 "A good story can have a little bit of romance, a little bit of adventure, and a little bit of mystery all rolled up into one. Ms. McClintock’s Gallagher’s Hope delivers all that and more." -Rebecca at A Book Lover's Library (on Gallagher’s Hope)

 "I couldn't have asked for a better ending to the Gallagher's story. The Gallagher family has warmed my heart, and they have become like a second family. Ms. McClintock kept the action stampeding at an all time high in the conclusion of the Gallagher's story." -Rose Harness, Amazon Reviewer (on Gallagher’s Choice)


mk     Author MK McClintock MK McClintock spins tales of romance, mystery, and adventure inspired by the heather-covered hills of Scotland and the majestic mountains of home. With her heart deeply rooted in the past and her mind always on adventure, she lives and writes in Montana. -2014 RONE Award-Nominee for "Alaina Claiborne" -Crowned Heart for Excellence from InD'Tale Magazine for "Blackwood Crossing" and "The Montana Gallagher Collection Want more? Visit www.mkmcclintock.com for interviews, free bookmarks, a Montana photo gallery, recipes from MK’s kitchen, and more reader extras. Genres: historical romantic westerns, historical romantic mysteries, western short stories


50_Amazon_Paypal      $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 3/31/15 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 author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway
Posted by Bookworm Lisa at 3:30 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

"Silence" by Deborah Lytton ~ Book Review

Silence by Deborah Lytton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received from the Publisher to Review
Genre: YA Romance

Book Description:  STELLA was born to sing. Someday Broadway. But everything changed when a tragic accident renders her deaf; she cannot hear, much less sing. Trapped in a strange new world of total silence, she must face not only the loss of her friends, her hopes, and her voice but also the loss of her identity and her life's purpose. Who is she is she's not a singer?
HAYDEN is a quiet loner, an outcast, and the only person Stella can communicate with; his profound stutter makes him speak so slowly, she is able to easily read his lips. As they find new ways to communicate despite their disabilities, their friendship grows into an unexpected—but welcome—romance. But is it a romance that can last if Stella regains her hearing and resumes her former life?
Alternating between Stella's and Hayden's points of view, Silence is a lyrical story of self-discovery, romance, and resilience, of two souls learning how to find their voices and break through the silence.
My thoughts: The synopsis of this book appealed to me because Stella is a musician, who looses her ability to hear music. As a teen my life revolved around my orchestra and choir concerts and I am drawn to books where the characters are involved in music.

Stella has an amazing talent as a singer. She is able to move others with her voice. While at practice for her high school musical, a new boy is introduced as the pianist. Hayden is also a talented musician, but he stutters and some people have a hard time with that. The two are drawn to each other before Stella has an accident and looses her hearing.

The way that Hayden is able show Stella more to the world than sound is beautiful. He understands her, and is able to point out dolphins in the ocean, the beauty of paint and a paintbrush, and many more things. He shows her a world that is more than the one that she had been living in. The most important thing that he shares with her is emotional support.

This book does a wonderful job at making you think. The importance of true friendship, the beauty of the world, and surviving physical trauma are all subjects of the book.

I think that this is a book that be on my mind for a while after the last page has been closed.


Deseret Book * Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository

About the Author:  Deborah Lytton is an established writer who began her work life as an actress at the age of six. She graduated from UCLA and Pepperdine University with a degree in law before becoming a writer. She lives in California with her two daughters and is an active blogger and member of SCBWI.
Visit her wepage!
Posted by Bookworm Lisa at 4:30 AM 3 comments

Monday, March 9, 2015

Blog Tour ~ "Heart of Gold" by Jeanette Miller + tour giveaway


Heart of Gold by Jeanette Miller
My rating:4.5 of 5 stars
Source: Received from the Publisher to Review
Genre: LDS Contemporary Romance

Book Description: Ashlyn Carter feels as brittle as the lifeless roses that border her new house. A year after the tragic death of her husband, the young widow discovers a horrifying secret. Heartbroken and humiliated, she resolved that no one could ever know. Now, back in her hometown with her three-year-old daughter, she's ready for a fresh start. But Ashlyn is unprepared to find that an embarrassing memory, buried deep in her past, is about to resurface. . .

Ryan Anderson was the last person Ashlyn expected to see. After the unexpected kiss they d shared years earlier, she assumed she'd never see him again. Though she tries to avoid him at all costs, Ashlyn finds herself running into her former flame far more often than she'd like. Between her uncomfortable history with Ryan and the series of well-meaning suitors pursuing her, Ashlyn finds herself disenchanted with dating altogether. Yet as she and Ryan slowly become reacquainted, she feels her resolve to avoid a relationship slipping. But when moving forward with Ryan means revealing the secrets he's worked so hard to keep, will Ashlyn have the courage to leave behind her late husband's legacy of deceit and learn to love again? 


 My thoughts: The first thing I noticed about the book was the cover. I love it! I immediately fell in love with the skirt and boots. It's a girl thing, I know. I admit that if the cover is appealing, it helps me take a second look at the synopsis.

Ashlyn returns to her California hometown broken. Her husband was killed in a car accident a year ago leaving her with a cute daughter and emotional baggage. Her desire is to create a life with family nearby and without a man.

Little does she know that Ryan has also returned home. There was a brief attraction several years ago, when she was 20 and he was 16, that left her embarrassed and running.

This book was a very fun book to read. I loved the characters. Ashlyn is in an emotionally bad place and it takes awhile for her to warm up to neighbors, family, and men. I loved the persistence of Ryan. He is a genuine nice guy who has great qualities to offer. His interactions with Ashlyn's daughter were some of my favorite scenes of the book.

Ashlyn's emotional healing takes a while. It wasn't overnight, which was realistic to me. The author took her through the process.

My absolute favorite theme of the book was on gold. Finding gold. Looking for the golden attributes of others and keeping them close to you. This theme keeps presenting itself to me in various forms and I was thrilled to have the point reemphasized in a fictional story.

This story contains religious elements from the LDS faith.





Purchase Links: 


About the Author:  Jeanette Miller was born in northern California but spent most of her childhood in Guatemala, Puerto Rico, and Costa Rica, where her father worked. She cherishes her experiences of living in Latin America. In her teenage years, she dreamed of becoming a teacher and a published author. Jeanette attended Brigham Young University, where she earned a degree in Elementary Education. After graduating, she taught third grade for four years in the Spanish Immersion program. There, she enjoyed writing and directing plays for her students.

As a young mother, Jeanette started writing in moments snatched between changing diapers and making peanut butter sandwiches—or whenever her nose wasn’t in a book. She loves all things Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre. When Jeanette isn’t reading a novel in this genre, she’s watching their movie equivalents. She also loves scapbooking, designing jewelry, and eating chocolate. She would love to travel all over the world someday. Jeanette and her husband, Michael, have six children. They live in Pleasant Grove, Utah.


Tour Giveaway:


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Visit the Tour Stops!




Personal Note:  I recently found this article in the February 2015 New Era Magazine that dealt with true friends and fools gold.  I shared it with my family and found that I needed the message as much if not more than they did.  It has helped me evaluate my relationships and the inadequacies I feel about not measuring up to some friend expectaions.  Here is the link, in case you would like to see why I have fallen in love with the theme of gold nuggets vs. fools gold.
Posted by Bookworm Lisa at 4:00 AM 1 comments

Saturday, March 7, 2015

Book Review ~ "A Timeless Romance Anthology: All Recency Collection"

A Timeless Romance Anthology: All Regency Collection by Anna Elliott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre: Regency Romance Anthology

Book Description:  Six brand new regency romance novellas by best-selling authors Anna Elliott, Sarah M. Eden, Carla Kelly, Josi S. Kilpack, Annette Lyon, and Heather B. Moore.

In THE WEDDING GIFT: A PRIDE AND PREJUDICE STORY, an enchanting novella by Anna Elliott, the story opens two weeks before Elizabeth Bennet’s wedding to Mr. Darcy. He has given her the perfect wedding gift, and now she must come up with one for him. But what do you give a man who has everything? Elizabeth soon discovers that the gift of love is more important than any one thing. 

DREAM OF A GLORIOUS SEASON, a sweet novella by Sarah M. Eden, we meet Elizabeth Gillerford who envies her sister only one thing—that she’s been intended for Julian Broadwood since they were children. The trouble is that Elizabeth is hopelessly in love with Julian too. When Julian discovers that Elizabeth has been denied a Season because her older sister is yet unwed, he undertakes his own stealthy measures to introduce her to society, only to find himself falling in love with her himself. 

In THE MENDER, a captivating story by Carla Kelly, Thankful Winnings takes a sea voyage with her cousin on the Ann Alexander, in a last adventure before she settles down to marry one of her beaus. Unexpectedly they come upon the aftermath of a fierce ship battle, and Thankful is commissioned to help in the place of an injured surgeon on one of the Royal Navy ships. Adam Farnsworth, surgeon, has been at sea for years. Tired of war, but devoted to his post, it takes a resourceful lady such as Thankful to give him the hope of love and help heal his own wounds, the ones that show and the ones that don’t. 

In BEGIN AGAIN, a charming novella by Josi S. Kilpack, Regina Weathers gives up on marrying for love the day that Ross Martin walks out of her life. Now, fifteen years later, Ross shows up at a ball and thinks he can woo Regina. But she is set on her lonely path and stitched-up heart, no matter the excuse Ross gives for his years of silence and neglect. When Ross insists he wrote many letters during his military years, Regina discovers a secret long-since buried by her father, and the revelation might be enough to thaw the coldness of her heart. 

In Annette Lyon’s endearing story, THE AFFAIR AT WILDEMOORE, Mrs. Ellen Stanhope escorts her three daughters to a ball. As her oldest flirts with a beau, Ellen is reminded of her courtship and early years of marriage with Anthony, before tragedy struck with the death of their infant son. The marriage has faded and dulled. Not until she sees Anthony dancing with a woman he courted years before does Ellen realize how much she misses him, still loves him, and yearns for him to yet feel the same way for her. 

In the delightful novella, THE DUKE’S BROTHER, by Heather B. Moore, Mr. Gregory Clark is having an awful day, and it only gets worse when he’s ran over by … a woman. Mabel Russell reluctantly visits her sister in London for the Season, even though she’d rather stay in the country cataloging insects and aphids. When she runs into Gregory Clark, quite literally, she’s afraid to show any interest, especially since he’s a member of the dreaded ton. But getting to know Gregory becomes an unexpected delight.

 My thoughts: This anthology is made up of six novellas. Each takes place during the regency period. I found myself enjoying every story. There were a couple I would have given five stars to, but most of them four. I averaged it to a four star rating.

As I read each story, I tried not to pay as much attention to who the author was, but focus on the story.  As I finished my favorite, I had to peak at who wrote it.  Of course, it was one of my favorite authors, Sarah Eden.  That made me smile and laugh a little.  While I had a favorite, each story is well written and worth reading. (I almost feel guilty mentioning that I had a favorite.)

If you love regency and clean romance, this book would be a great book for you to read. The book has stories featuring  Quakers to members of the ton.


Get it for Kindle or Nook for $4.99

Posted by Bookworm Lisa at 5:00 AM 0 comments
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