LDS Resource Review ~ "I Know My Savior Lives" by Kimiko Christensen Hammari

I Know My Savior Lives: A Year of Family Home Evening Lessons to Bring Your Children Closer to Christ by Kimiko Hammari
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: received from publisher to review
Genre: LDS Resource

Book description: Make Mondays the best night of the week! With a full year of easy family nights that correlate directly with the 2015 Primary theme, this book is the perfect solution for busy families everywhere. For each week you’ll find a complete lesson written for you, plus songs, scriptures, ideas for treats, and activity options for younger and older children.

My thoughts: This book is a great resource for families to use during Family Home Evening. This book corresponds with the Primary Theme for 2015.

I have a copy of the Sharing Time Outline and I went through and compared the monthly themes as well as the weekly. I found this book to be a great compliment to the Primary Theme.

I compared the lessons in "I Know My Savior Lives" to the sharing time presentations. The material is different. It can be used as a supplement. It would be great for families to use each week to talk about the things that children are learning during Primary Sharing Time on Sunday.

There are different levels of presentation. The lessons themselves are short and sweet, but the activities have options for younger children and older.

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Blog Tour Spotlight ~ "Hotwire' by Cindy M Hogan + tour giveaway

Tour Schedule

 Division spy Christy Hadden can't wait for her latest assignment posing as a student at a prestigious New York City academy and car thief extraordinaire. The best part of the mission is her attractive handler, Jeremy, and her new team. The worst part? The sociopath masquerading as the academy's most popular guy. But soon she realizes the car thieves are much more than they seem. Her simple spying mission becomes more dangerous than anyone imagined. If the organization discovers her true identity, they won't hesitate to kill her, and if she fails, others will suffer the same fate. Young Adults, teens and adults will love this exciting suspenseful adventure with a dash of romance. You won't want to put it down

Read an Excerpt

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"It took me a second to realize it, but Kozlov was speaking in Russian. I flipped my head to Jericho. He clenched his jaw, and a vein pulsed on his temple. He had definitely understood Kozlov’s words. Did that mean that Jericho knew Russian? Did he have a Russian heritage? Were his parents Russian? Or had he been working for Alexander for a while and had taken Russian classes in order to fit in better? That made more sense to me. Besides, it seemed obvious, now that I knew him better, that he was involved with the bratva for the status, the power of it.

The fire in his eyes told me he would find a way to make me pay. Of that, I was sure

I thought Kozlov would leave now that he had laid down the law, but he didn’t. He stood there, waiting to watch Jericho succeed or fail.

I watched, despondent, as the kids we’d come to save were led away with the same hopeless acceptance they’d shown when we’d taken them out of the container in the first place. It broke my heart.

With military-like precision, Jericho ordered the rest of the guards to take up positions along the path to some container that would be our home for two weeks. I glanced at Jeremy. What was going to happen to us? Would Halluis and Ace be able to send someone? And even if they did, how would we be able to get to our would-be rescuers?"

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Praise for Hotwire This book will take you on a crazy ride that you won't want to get off of to eat, sleep or anything else! ~Cathy Jeppson Hogan cleverly created characters with detail, who are both relatable and grounded. ~ the bookstalker It’s a thriller that reminded me of a mix between Gone in 60 Seconds and the Gallagher Girls books ~Canda Mortensen


  Author Cindy M. Hogan Cindy M. Hogan graduated with a BA in education and is inspired by the unpredictable teenagers she teaches. More than anything she loves the time she has with her own teenage daughters and wishes she could freeze them at this fun age. If she's not reading or writing, you'll find her snuggled up with the love of her life watching a great movie or planning their next party. Most of all, she loves to laugh. She is the bestselling and award winning author of the Watched trilogy, a YA suspense series with a dash of romance. She has since branched off to write a mystery, Gravediggers, that won Best YA novel of 2013, a contemporary romance, Confessions of a 16-Year-Old Virgin Lips, and two in a spy series, Adrenaline Rush and Hotwire.

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Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 12/26/14 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 author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

"Tortured Souls" by Kimber Leigh Wheaton is #FREE for a limited time.

I am thrilled to announce that Tortured Souls will be FREE on Amazon from

December 15, 2014 through December 19, 2014.

Be sure to grab your copy before it's too late!

Tortured Souls
The Orion Circle #1

Kimber Leigh Wheaton

YA Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy
June 30, 2014
Sea Dragon Press

FREE on Amazon 12/15 - 12/19/14

Sometimes Rest in Peace isn't an option

Kacie Ramsey sees ghosts—and it's ruining her life. Her mother left, her father blames her, and no matter how hard she tries, she can't keep the ghosts away. Now a new power has emerged. Nightly visions of grisly murders and a relentless predator draw her to the brink of insanity.

When the phantom appears at a party, Kacie's longtime crush, Logan, saves her. He invites her to join the Orion Circle, a group of supernatural hunters with chapters in schools all over the country. Through the Circle, Kacie learns to embrace her spiritual powers, and for the first time in her life she feels in control rather than a victim.

But the Foxblood Demon will not give up so easily. A demented serial killer in life who trapped the souls of the thirteen children he murdered, imprisoning them within the walls of his mansion. Now in death, he plots his return while drawing power from the pure souls of the children. He recognizes something in Kacie he's never seen before—a medium powerful enough to provide a vessel for his tainted soul.

Kacie can't ignore the tortured souls of the children crying out to her every night. With Logan at her side, she will fight the Foxblood Demon. But can they banish this powerful phantom, or will Kacie lose not only her body, but her eternal soul to the monster.

About the Author

Kimber Leigh Wheaton is a bestselling YA/NA author with a soft spot for sweet romance. She is married to her soul mate, has a teenage son, and shares her home with three dogs, four cats, and lots of dragons. No, she doesn’t live on a farm, she just loves animals. Kimber Leigh is addicted to romance, videogames, superheroes, villains, and chocolate—not necessarily in that order. (If she has to choose, she’ll take a chocolate covered superhero!) She currently lives in San Antonio, TX but has been somewhat a rolling stone in life, having resided in several different cities and states.

Author Links:

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Book blast ~ "The Last Enchantress" by Scott and Judith Powell

 Being nineteen for over three hundred years bites, and being single in New York with magical powers isn't much better. Eva is trying to live an everyday life in New York. When this fails, she takes a seemingly unmagical job as a translator for a wealthy American family in Spain. Eva cannot stay out of trouble for long as she runs into a friendly but hungry vampire named Louis. Eva feels drawn to this handsome, dangerous stranger who has problems of his own. Louis's life was just fine until Eva walked into his church. She smells like heaven. Or is it hell, always smelling but never partaking? Surely she is the devil coming to collect on his lost soul.

Download a FREE copy until the 17th

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  Author Biography Scott Powell was born in Burlington, Vermont, to a father who was a police officer and a mother who emigrated from South Korea. He received a degree in marketing from the University of Las Vegas, Nevada, and a master's degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Scott served a two-year Spanish-speaking mission for his church. He is a mixed martial artist who continues to train with his father, a second-degree black belt in tae kwon do and a kick boxer. Besides being married to Scott for almost seventeen years, Judith Powell is a stay-at-home mom whose whole life has been full of stories. Being raised by an Irish storytelling father and a Native American mother, stories have filled her life and her head until they finally had no choice but to flow out through her fingertips.

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Praise for the Book What fun, and new perspective on vampires. And the intro of new specie, Enchantress, gives this novel a wonderful and imaginative take. It gives us another take on Vampires and the only Enchantress left in the world. The story flows smoothly and the characters are developed well. Let me just start by saying for the record I am not a huge fan of Vampires or flying humans, but this book has led me away from that concept with a fantastic storyline that focused on a man and woman who were meant to be. The fighting scenes were very detailed and visual as you can tell the authors made this a point of emphasis in preparing this book.

Read an Excerpt

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The sun was just starting to rise, and I knew that her disturbing dream would not lead to sleeping late. I could hear her heart beating faster as she began to wake up. Wrapping myself in my cloak to protect my skin from the dawn’s light (the sun’s rays felt like hundreds of tiny needles on my flesh), I departed the room. Closing the French doors behind me, I waited on the roof for her to appear. I planned to spy on her until she exposed herself as the typical mortal that I knew she must be. A few moments later, she walked out through the same doors I had just used, dressed only in a cream translucent nightgown. Her ankles were bare and slight, and I could just see the outline of her slim legs beneath her nightdress as the sunlight began to touch her skin. She walked purposely to a small stone bench under a tree that had not yet awoken this year and most likely never would. Just as quickly as she had come, she stood and began to walk back toward her room. I was feeling playful. What did it really matter if I revealed myself? I jumped down without a sound and sat on the bench that she had just occupied. Even though she had only been here but a moment, I could still feel her warmth lingering on the surface. Somehow, she sensed I was there, and she began to run, which was not surprising. I was sure fear motivated her movement. There was no need to pursue. I could catch her easily. But then she did something that put all my old questions to rest and created new ones. She jumped up and grabbed the edge of the roof. Using it as leverage, she flipped her body up into the arch, doing more moves than a gymnast at the Olympics, and landed, facing me, on the roof.

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Blog Tour Giveaway $100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 12/31/14 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 author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.   a Rafflecopter giveaway  

Book review ~ "Stars Were Gleaming" by Greg Olsen

Stars Were Gleaming by Greg Olsen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Genre: Christmas
Source: Received from Publisher

Book Description:  Christmastime is filled with thoughts of family, friends, and faith. It is a time to reflect on the true meaning of the holiday and to celebrate the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ. Stars Were Gleaming is the perfect way to set the tone for your holiday celebrations by pairing inspirational poetry, holy scripture, and uplifting quotations with original artwork by renowned artist Greg Olsen.

The centerpiece of the book is a new painting, created especially for this book, that features the most holy of nights, the evening of Jesus's birth. Gathered around the manger are the familiar faces of Mary and Joseph, the wise men and the shepherds, and peeking through the window is the bright heavenly star gleaming in the night sky. This beautiful book will be a treasure for many seasons to come.


My thoughts: This book is beautiful. Greg Olsen is a master artist and this book depicts scenes of the Christmas Season. Each page features scenes from his artwork and have scriptures and quotes that give deeper meaning to the pictures.

This book is perfect for a coffee table. I could never tire of looking at the wonderful artwork.

Amazon * Deseret Book

Book Review ~ "Lady Emma's Campaign" by Jennifer Moore

Lady Emma's Campaign by Jennifer Moore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source: Received from Publisher to Review
Genre: Regency Romance

Book description:  She would follow him through peace and war.

London, 1811

The London Season is ushered in with a thrilling flurry of invitations, gowns, and parties. But despite her status as belle of the ball, lovely socialite Emma Drake simply cannot fathom becoming entangled with any gentleman of her acquaintance. For in truth, since childhood her heart has belonged to Captain Sidney Fletcher, a man of the sea—and her brother’s best friend. Emma knows that Sidney’s directive to free the Spanish city of Cadiz from French occupation will be dangerous, but when word arrives of his capture, she is frantic. Determined to aid her brother in Sidney’s rescue, she hides aboard his ship and sets a course to Spain. But the realities of war are a far cry from the drawing rooms of London, and Emma finds the man she loves a mere shadow of his former self. When a series of events leaves them trapped together behind enemy lines, Emma and Sidney must embark on a journey fraught with danger—from a bloody hunt for Spanish treasure to the battlefields of war-torn Spain, new threats lurk around every turn. As their flight becomes increasingly perilous, Sidney and Emma must trust each other with their lives—but can they trust the other with their heart? 


My thoughts; Emma has loved Sidney Fletcher since she was 11 years old. He is her older brother's best friend and to him she has been like a little sister instead of a beautiful young woman.

When she learns that Sidney has been captured behind enemy lines in Spain, drastic measures are called for. She stows away on her brother's ship so she can help rescue him.

Plans made out of desperation rarely go well. Emma finds herself behind enemy lines along with Sidney and a few other prisoners. This is her opportunity to show Sidney that she is no longer the school girl in braids.

This book was just what I needed. A great love story that pulled me in from the beginning. I loved the characters and laughed at the escapades the characters found themselves in.

This book is great for readers who love Regency romance but want a different setting than the ballroom.  The book starts out visiting the ton in London, but quickly turns to mud and a 50 mile trek across Spain behind enemy lines.

This is the second book by Jennifer Moore following Emma's family.  The first is Becoming Lady Lockwood.  Both books can be read as a stand alone and are fun to read.

This would make a perfect Christmas gift for Regency romance readers who enjoy a clean  story.

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Purchase links for "Becoming Lady Lockwood".

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Blog Tour ~ "Snow Angels" by Lezlie Anderson

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Snow Angels by Lezlie Anderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received from the Publisher to Review
Genre:  Christmas Short Story

Book Description:  A winter storm, a family, and an idea for a service project all add up to a delightful Christmas surprise! When Mom and Dad suggest serving their neighbors for the holiday, their kids can’t stop grumbling. But as they secretly shovel snow, their attitudes change, and soon the parents can’t get the kids to stop serving. Share the joys of serving others in this wonderful Christmas pamphlet.

My thoughts; I completely related to the beginning of this short story. A family is trying to get their children together to have a family night. One child doesn't want to be interrupted from his movie (daily occurrence at my house). The children are not cooperative and want it to be over quickly!

The parents teach about service. What starts out as a drudgery, becomes a wonderful opportunity for the kids to learn to help out other people. They even have fun doing it.

I love the holiday message in this book. Loosing yourself in helping out another is one of the wonders of the season. It brings joy to the person serving as well as the person being served.

This booklet is only 11 pages long. I'm thinking it would be fun to read to my family for a family night within the next couple of weeks.

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About the Author:  Lezlie Anderson has loved books since she learned to read at age four. She and her sisters used their wild imaginations playing in their backyard as princesses to being attacked by giant grasshoppers. The first books she remembers loving are “My Father’s Dragon” and “The Trouble with Miss Switch.”

Lezlie is married to a wonderful man, Steve, and they have three great children, 3 crazy cats, one tortoise, and a fish that has survived more hazards than should be possible. She loves chocolate, Dr. Pepper, and anything that her husband BBQ’s.

Book review ~ "The Christmas Code" by Ed J Pinegar

The Christmas Code by Ed J Pinegar
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received from Publisher to Review
Genre: Christmas

Book Description:  Mr. G has made plenty of mistakes. Now, in the twilight of his life, he’s a man with a mission: to assuage his uneasy conscience by filling the world with goodness, love, and charity through small acts of kindness. And what better time to spread his Christian message of hope than during the Christmas season? It’s just a few days before Christmas, and Mr. G has created a series of coded messages, words of encouragement he hopes those around him will decipher and live by. Little does he realize that these messages, along with his small acts of service, will set off a chain reaction of positive effects in the lives of five strangers. The resulting events come full circle for Mr. G, culminating in the poignant resolution of the most painful regret of his past. 



My thoughts: Mr G is a humble man who has set his feet on the path of personal redemption. He is trying to help others by sharing a message of hope. He wants to help them, he desires to have them not make mistakes that can  forever haunt them, like the one that he made several years ago.

He creates a code, giving others a message that they need to decipher. He hopes that it will help out friends and neighbors, making a brighter future for themselves. His message at Christmas sets off a chain reaction that forever alters the lives of people around him.

I enjoyed the story of helping others. It was amazing to see how one good deed grows and helps other people. One act of kindness can make a difference and change a life.

This is a wonderful story centering around the holiday season. Really, it would be a great story at any time of the year. I love how Christmas is a season of giving and this book is a great reminder.

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About the Author:  Ed Pinegar is a retired dentist and long-time teacher of early-morning seminary and religion classes at Brigham Young University. He currently teaches at the Joseph Smith Academy in Nauvoo and has served as a mission president in England and at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. He has been a bishop and a stake president and is a temple sealer. Ed and his wife, Patricia, have eight children, thirty-five grandchildren, and five great- grandchildren.