Gamila's Review

Happy New Year and Farewell

2015-01-02T14:26:00.002-08:00

So, as you have noticed I have not posted here in a while. That will probably continue this next year. I’ve decided to take a break from book blogging. I may return. I may not. But this has been an extremely difficult year. Caring for an infant with Cystic Fibrosis is both time consuming and labor intensive. My husband has gone back to school for a master’s degree and I have other priorities that take precedence.

I’m going to miss this space, but it is time for this blog to go into retirement.

Have a happy and safe new year!

Diamond Rings are Deadly Things by Rachelle J. Christensen

2014-10-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

Diamond Rings Are Deadly Things

"Adrielle Pyper knows how to plan a wedding, and she is especially good at pleasing bridezillas. But when her biggest client and best friend is murdered just three days before the wedding, Adri’s world falls apart. She moves to the resort town of Sun Valley, Idaho, and starts from scratch. Thanks to Adri’s impeccable taste and unique style, she lands two celebrity clients, and her business seems headed for success--that is, until someone vandalizes the specialty wedding dresses she imported from overseas. The race is on to uncover a secret hidden within the yards of satin and lace before Adri becomes the next victim. With a delightful blend of mystery, toe-curling kisses, humor, and spine-tingling thrills, Diamond Rings are Deadly Things is a romantic suspense novel that will keep you turning pages long into the night." (back cover summary)

I loved the concept of this book and was really excited to review it. A wedding planner murder mystery sounded super cool to me. I am kind of sad to say that I didn’t enjoy the book as much as I thought I would. The most annoying thing to me was that each chapter started with an idea for a wedding craft. It was weird that a murder mystery became a pseudo craft book, but then the text had to be at the beginning of the chapter where they slowed down the story and gave spoilers. I felt like the craft ideas should have been left to the back of the book or at least at the end of the chapter. So I was not a fan. It felt like the book was trying too hard instead of letting the story speak for itself.

Second, the story was decent. I thought the author did an excellent job with the setting and some of the descriptions of Adrielle's family farm were really beautiful. Characters were not too bad, though I had a hard time empathizing with Adrielle at first. I am not sure why. Smuggling diamonds in wedding dresses did seem a little bit cliché, and so did the character’s initial reactions. Still the book was enjoyable enough that I wanted to finish reading it instead of putting it down. So, while this wasn’t the best read it still kept me entertained.

Adrielle keeps up a website with her mother called mashedpotatoesandcrafts.com. The author has set up her own real web version where you can see all of the craft projects that show up in the novel. Go have a visit.

Visit Rachelle's Website

One Fairy Tale Five Ways: Goldilocks and the Three Bears

2014-10-24T12:23:00.000-07:00

Traditional

Bilingual

Alphabetical

Wordless

Fractured

Torn Canvas by Donna K. Weaver

2014-06-16T12:36:00.000-07:00

Modern-day pirates took more than Jori Virtanen’s friends; they stole his face. Not only does the twenty-four-year-old former model have to confront months of reconstructive surgery, he discovers his previous life was as superficial as his looks. Jori struggles to make a new life for himself as an artist while evading the press. They expect a hero, but he knows the truth. His beauty masks a beast. Olivia Howard’s given up a normal life for her job, and the sacrifices are finally paying off. The twenty-six-year-old talk-show host’s ratings are heading to the top of the charts. Her dream is to make a difference in people’s lives, but the studio wants mind fluff—like interviewing hot model Jori Virtanen. When Olivia learns the guy helped rescue passengers on a cruise excursion from kidnappers, she knows this is the story she needs to make her case. The only problem is the hero was injured, and now he’s disappeared. The more Olivia learns about the man behind the scar, the more intrigued she becomes. But Jori is no girl’s happily ever after. Once she finds him, Olivia has to free his heart and heal the beast. (book jacket summary)

I really enjoyed the A Change of Plans the first book in these series, and so jumped at the chance to read Torn Canvas. This book covers a lot of the same events as the book Change of Plans, but tells the story from the perspective of Jori Virtanen the mysterious and interesting model that Lyn befriends on the cruise. Jori has a major perspective shift after returning home from the traumatic pirate attack. He has to confront many inner demons and finally has the courage to pursue a career in art. I really liked reading more about one of Weaver's more interesting characters Jori Vertanen and how the author portrayed his journey to find healing from his past experiences.

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Family Size by Maria Hoagland

2014-06-13T18:34:00.006-07:00

Family Size by Maria Hoagland

"Jessica loves being the mom of an ever-expanding family, but when an ultrasound throws her a curve, can she adapt with grace?

Dragged away from home, Maya feels deserted by her workaholic husband in a land of confusing accents and church cliques. What will it take to acclimate and save her marriage—or does she even want to?

Sloane is an algebra teacher and runner who would give up both to be a mom, but no matter what she does, pregnancy remains elusive. Can she adjust her thinking and find purpose in her life?

As their lives intertwine, can friendship and faith help these women hurdle expectations of an ideal family size?" (summary from author's website)

Family size tells the story of three women going through trials. Sloane is the math teacher that just can’t get pregnant, Jessie the worn out mother, who has a pregnancy with dangerous complications, and Maya, who deals with chronic pain while her husband is often away on speaking engagements for his new book. I thought the author did a really good job of dealing with a lot of sensitive issues very realistically and honestly. From prescription drug dependence to infertility and adoption she leads her characters through their trials with sincerity and realism that makes the reader relate to and understand their choices.

That being said I think the author relied too much on offensive comments to fuel the tension for her scenes. The trope began to feel old hat about halfway through the novel to the point that it started to feel unrealistic. Another thing is that I thought the author could have improved many scenes by giving the reader critical details to set things up. For example we are never told that Jessica’s husband is an OBGYN and we have to just infer that from the context. He is also part of the bishopric, I think, but that never really factors into Jessica’s point of view as a reason for why she is so overwhelmed all the time. That is kind of a significant impact on Jessica’s family and I thought that should have been treated as thoughtfully as the rest of the challenges in the novel.

Despite these weaknesses I still felt like the book was a worthwhile read and would be willing to read more books written by the author.

Find out more about Maria Hoagland at her website.

Fresh Courage Take by Dean Hughes

2014-06-06T04:51:00.000-07:00

Fresh Courage Take by Dean HughesThe United States turned a blind eye when the Mormons were driven from Missouri to Illinois and finally out of the country altogether. How can the government—and Brigham Young—now be asking the Mormons to come up with 500 able-bodied soldiers to assist in the war with Mexico? And how can Will Lewis be asked to join the Mormon Battalion when it means leaving Liz and their two little boys on their own in the wilderness? How many sacrifices will be required in order for the Saints to create Zion? And in modern-day Nauvoo, Jeff and Abby Lewis are facing challenges of their own. Juggling family priorities, professional responsibilities, and Church callings becomes and almost impossible feat. It is clear that building Zion in the latter days will require sacrifices, just as it did in the time of Jeff's ancestors. In this concluding volume of the Come to Zion trilogy, beloved novelist Dean Hughes provides a unique perspective on the struggles and sacrifices—and ultimate joy—of faithful Saints in any generation. (book jacket summary)

The story of Will and Liz continues in the third volume as they are chase out of Nauvoo and Will is called to serve in the Mormon Battalion. While we read about his long marches with no water, Liz is trying to survive in Winter Quarters without him. Finally, compelled to build her own house she manages to get her children inside for the winter. Jeff and Abby are facing their own challenges when Jeff decides to start his own handyman business, working from dawn till dusk to provide for his family. In this volume we follow the characters as they are pressed through their lowest times. I still really loved the honesty of the characters emotions in this book. The ending of the book was sort of abrupt, but we couldn’t stay with the characters forever, I suppose. All the characters do make interesting journeys even if the ending leaves a lot of the rest of their saga untold. Hughes writes a story that is inspiring and relevant to our times. I would highly recommend this series to everyone.

Discover America by Julie Olsen

2014-05-16T19:36:00.000-07:00

Discover America by Julie Olsen

This patriotic book if full of beautiful illustrations that accompany the text to the hymn "America the Beautiful." The illustrations tell the story of the journey of a little red balloon. A little boy lets the balloon go in California and the balloon makes its way across the country to the Statue of Liberty in New York. The book can be enjoyable for many ages, as the bright red balloon and captivating images will interest the toddler set, while the older set will enjoy guessing in what state various scenes occur. My three-year-old has already made me read this one over and over again.

A wonderful website has been created to accompany the book. There are book quizzes, lesson plans, coloring pages for each state, videos, and an interactive map activity. I can imagine using the book to introduce a lot of different aspects of American culture, history, and geography.
Thanks to Shadow Mountain for sending a book for me to review. To read more about the book visit www.discoveramericabook.com.

Prejudice meets Pride by Rachel Anderson

2014-05-15T19:35:00.002-07:00

Prejudice Meets Pride by Rachael Anderson

After years of pinching pennies and struggling to get through art school, Emma Makie’s hard work finally pays off with the offer of a dream job. But when tragedy strikes, she has no choice but to make a cross-country move to Colorado Springs to take temporary custody of her two nieces. She has no money, no job prospects, and no idea how to be a mother to two little girls, but she isn’t about to let that stop her. Nor is she about to accept the help of Kevin Grantham, her handsome new neighbor, who seems to think she’s incapable of doing anything on her own.

Fun, compelling, and romantic, Prejudice Meets Pride is the story of a guy who thinks he has it all figured out and a girl who isn't afraid to show him that he doesn't. It’s about learning what it means to trust, figuring out how to give and to take, and realizing that not everyone gets to pick the person they fall in love with. Sometimes, love picks them.

So, I was sort of thrown for a loop with this one. I thought it was a pride and prejudice retelling, but after having read it I don’t think it really was supposed to be. Sure the characters did do the whole pride vs prejudice character conflict thing, but it didn’t really have any Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen vibes. The author is just doing her own thing and not channeling Elizabeth and Darcy. So, I was a bit confused there for a bit, but the read ended up being enjoyable. Has all the beats of a sweet romance, and had a fulfilling ending.

Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 5/31/14 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, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Diary of Two Mad Black Mormons by Zandra Vranes and Tamu Smith

2014-05-09T04:30:00.000-07:00

Diary of Two Mad Black Mormons by Zandra Vranes and Tamu Smith

You’ve read the title, and now you’re scratching your head, wondering if this book is for real, right?
It is. Yes, the authors are bona fide Mormons. And hilarious, too! They call themselves Sistas in Zion. Did we mention they’ve got enough faith to move mountains? Well, they haven’t moved any mountains just yet, but that’s not stopping them from keeping right on praying and believing and knowing that the gospel of Jesus Christ is worth it. Their unique perspective on their own diary entries will have you laughing one minute and exclaiming “Amen!” the next. They talk about personal experiences and lessons they’ve learned about relationships, sisterhood, standing up for what you believe, embracing diversity, and dealing with adversity—what being a Christian is all about. The Sistas’ humorous and poignant outlook on life will strengthen your faith and remind you of the joy to be found in living a Christ-centered life. You’ll soon realize that the authors aren’t mad-mad—they’re crazy-mad, funny, and inspiring! (cover summary)

Two Mad Black Sisters explores general gospel topics with a upbeat, urban, voice that is fun and engaging to read. I felt like the diary aspect of the book come across a little awkwardly and made the organization of the topics really random, but the read was still fun anyway. I most enjoyed the engaging and funny personal stories that the authors shared about their life growing up, which they used to illustrate gospel topics. The book was lighthearted, humorous, and a real quick read. I liked reading about the testimony and experiences of these two sisters and enjoyed their stories.

Deseret Book is hosting giveaway as part of this blog tour. Check it out below!

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The Dark Unwinding by Sharon Cameron

2014-05-02T18:23:00.002-07:00

The Dark Unwinding by Sharon Cameron

So, I read a review of this book at bloggin bout books and thought it would be the perfect match for my tastes. I chose wisely because I really enjoyed this steampunk novel. Katherine Tulman is sent by her aunt to commit her crazy uncle to insane asylum. When she arrives at the family property she discovers that the estate is much more that it appears on the surface, employing an entire village of people, who build her uncle's brilliantly designed machines. Her aunt is right, though, there is something wrong with her uncle, but underneath his odd ways lives a mind that is brilliant with numbers and engineering. How can Katherine put such a mind into an asylum and how can she destroy the livelihoods of people on the estate? Yet, to disobey her aunt is to ensure a tortuous future for herself. Unable to make a decision Katherine spends the summer on the estate getting to know her uncle, and enjoying every last moment of precious freedom that she has left. Yet, it appears that she may have more in common with her uncle than she thinks. Does she also belong in an asylum? As her mind grows more disordered and forgetful Katherine fears what it means for her future.

This was an awesome book from a point-of-view/characterization stand point. I think the author did such a marvelous job showing the character through how she thought about things. It was really interesting to read a Victorian--themed novel whose main heroine had an affinity for numbers and logical thinking. It really made her feel different and unique. Her Uncle also had some form of autism probably, which also made him an interesting character. In the end you are rooting for Katherine to protect this vulnerable and brilliant man from those that would cast aside his brilliance because it was abnormal. I highly recommend this one.

Visit Author's Website

The Fortune Cookie by Josi Kilpak

2014-04-09T05:00:00.000-07:00

Fortune Cookie Sadie Hoffmiller has always liked things to be just so. A place for everything and everything in its place. Order over chaos. And of all things Sadie should be able to control, her own wedding is at the top of the list. With the big day just three weeks away, Sadie is busily adding the final touches to her wedding plans but the arrival of a mysterious letter from San Francisco changes everything. The only person Sadie knows in San Francisco is her older sister, Wendy, whom she hasn’t seen since their mother’s funeral nearly fifteen years ago. Sadie has faced off against murderers and criminals in recent years, yet the possibility of reconnecting with her sister is both overwhelming and frightening. Sadie soon discovers, however, that the letter is just the beginning when Wendy’s world turns out to be a place of unanswered questions, twisted truths, and more than one person with a motive for murder. The more Sadie digs into her sister’s past, the more she places her own future at risk.

The latest Sadie mystery takes place in San Francisco after Sadie gets a letter from her estranged nephew that informs her about her sister’s suspicious death. I am always a little worried each time I start a Sadie mystery that they will feel like the same old thing, but I am always pleasantly surprised at how Kilpack makes her mysteries feel so fresh. I am always intrigued at how she weaves her character’s lives together in in convoluted ways. Sadie’s long lost sister Wendy dies and Sadie has piece together her life to find out who might have killed her. As Sadie digs into her sister’s life she discovers the picture of a woman who loved to bother and torment people the way she did Sadie while they were children. While finding evidence that her sister was mentally unbalanced brings Sadie some peace it makes it difficult to find her killer. She also has the opportunity to find out more about her nephew who, despite a terrible childhood, now runs a successful restaurant and heads a family dedicated to helping him run it. She comes to respect and admire this man, but when some of the clues point to his family’s involvement things get a bit tense. I really enjoyed this one and hated to put it down each time I had to stop reading.

Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 4/30/14 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, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Fortune Cafe by Julie Wright, Melanie Jacobson and Heather Moore

2014-04-04T11:53:00.000-07:00

The Fortune Café

a novel in three parts

MIS-FORTUNE: Emma, a waitress at The Fortune Café will do anything to avoid opening a fortune cookie. Each fortune is rumored to somehow magically come true. Being a girl grounded in reality, she doesn’t have time for that kind of nonsense. But when trying to prevent a food fight at the café, Emma accidently cracks open a fortune cookie: “Look around, love is trying to catch you.” If there is one thing that Harrison, her former best friend in high school is good at, it’s catching her unaware.

LOVE, NOT LUCK: Lucy has always been lucky . . . until her parents meet her fiancé’s parents at a disastrous lunch at The Fortune Café, and she breaks her lucky jade necklace. Even worse, her fortune cookie reveals that “True love is for the brave, not the lucky.” How is she supposed to read that? She’s always considered it lucky how she met her fiancé. But after breaking her necklace, Lucy’s luck takes a dive. And when her fiancé dumps her, the only person she can turn to is Carter, the unluckiest guy she knows.

TAKEOUT: Stella is content in her new life of taking over her mom’s jewelry shop. No more boyfriend to worry about, and as long as she stays busy, she doesn’t have to dwell on her non-existent love life. When Evan comes into the shop with his young daughter, Stella is charmed. But she is reluctant to complicate her straightforward life, so when she reads her fortune after ordering takeout from The Fortune Café, she completely ignores it. After all, how can a fortune as vague as “Do the thing you fear and love is certain,” apply to her?

Novellas at their best! Seriously, this has been my favorite novella collection that I have read. The romances were all well-written with likable characters and interesting plot twists. They all follow the same set-up. The main characters order a meal at the fortune café and once they read their fortune cookie it comes true. I really liked how the stories intersected a little bit and we got to see the characters in each others stories. It is fun and gave a sense of the little California community they all live in. All three of these authors are at the top of their writing game in this collection. Worth the read.

Blog Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 4/30/14 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 authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Imperfect Love by Rebecca Talley

2014-03-21T03:02:00.003-07:00

Imperfect Love

Lauren Wilson is well on her way to her happily-ever-after. She has a career she loves, a husband she adores and a baby on the way, but a devastating diagnosis changes everything. The life she's built suddenly crumbles around her when her husband insists she choose—the baby or him.

Returning to her small hometown to rebuild her shattered life, Lauren crosses paths with Ethan Campbell, the man who stole her teenage heart. The old attraction is still there, but Lauren won't admit it to anyone—least of all herself. Her only priority is providing a life for her child, and she can't afford to get it wrong. Ethan is confusing everything, including stirring up feelings she’s not prepared to face. Will she spend her life raising her baby alone or is the family she's always wanted finally within her reach?

When Lauren learns that she will have a baby with down syndrome her entire world changes. She has to decide whether or not to keep the baby and her decision brings her already strained marriage to the breaking point. She moves in back with her mom and finds herself attracted to one of her brother’s old friends, Ethan. She is afraid that if he learns about her pregnancy, let alone the downs diagnosis that he’ll run for the hills. So she keeps her problems secret until she can’t hide any longer. Ethan seems like he is willing to commit to her baby and all but her ex-husband returns after the baby is born and wants to be part of their life again.

I thought this was a pretty decent read. I found Lauren to be a compelling character and her story interesting. Sometimes I felt like the secondary characters seemed a little flat and stereotypical, and I wished that more time was spent on the second half of the book as it seem more rushed than the first half. The author really created a great rapport between Lauren and Ethan, but I’d have liked to see a bit more of Ethan’s character. Overall, this was a solid and enjoyable read even if I would have preferred to see a bit more complexity in some of the a characters.

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Contact Rebecca Talley:

Twitter * Facebook * Website * Blog

Blog Tour Giveaway Details $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 4/10/14 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 authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Longing For Home by Sarah M. Eden

2014-03-07T05:30:00.000-08:00

Longing for Home: Hope Springs by Sarah M. Eden

"Katie Macauley gave up her lifelong dream of returning to Ireland in order to make a home for herself in Hope Springs, Wyoming, but her future has never been so uncertain.

Katie’s heart still remains sharply divided between playful Tavish and steady Joseph, though she feels ill-prepared to make a decision. Furthermore, the town is more divided than ever with both the Irish and the Reds stealing property, burning buildings, and endangering lives. In the midst of the growing unrest, temperatures drop quickly, too quickly, and Irish nightmares of famine and cold resurface as the little Wyoming town struggles to beat the harsh winter.

Katie makes one sacrifice after another to keep the peace and help see her loved ones through the difficult days ahead, but will her efforts be enough? Can the town make amends before their hatred consumes them all? And will Katie find the love she has been searching for as well as a home to call her own?" (summary from publisher's website)

The sequel to Longing for Home, continues the story of Katie McKauley, an Irish immigrant who accepts a housekeeping job in a divided Wyoming town. I felt like Hope Springs was a really satisfying read. After Longing for Home was over I really was annoyed about how the whole love triangle was set up. By the end of the Hope Springs I felt like the author put a unique spin on the whole trope. I felt like Eden took advantage of the triangle to take an honest and comparative look at two different romantic relationships. This allowed reader to discover along with Katie what a relationship based on true love looks and feels like. I really enjoyed both the main characters and all the side characters too. I wish Eden would do a book with some of the more prominent minor characters because they all have interesting stories too.

Chaos of the Stars by Kiersten White

2014-01-11T04:34:00.001-08:00

All good stories have a few false starts... Myth: The children of immortal gods are immortal, too. Reality: Isadora isn’t going to be around forever—and her parents barely seem to notice she’s alive right now. Myth: Once a god, always a god—that kind of power never fades away. Reality: These days, Isadora’s relatives are clinging to the little bit of power they have left. And some of them would do anything to take it all.… Myth: Every teenage girl dreams of falling in love. Reality: From what Isadora’s seen, “love” is a painful mess. All she dreams of is a normal life away from her crazy family—minus any romantic drama. Myth: If you go far enough, you can leave the past behind. Reality: Isadora moves halfway around the world to San Diego for a fresh start, but quickly finds that there’s no such thing as a clean break from family—and that leaving her old life may mean sacrificing more than she ever guessed. The Chaos of Stars blends sweet romance, high-stakes suspense, and the magic of Egyptian mythology to create a complex, funny, and deeply moving story about true love and what it means to be a family. (Summary From author's website)

I really enjoyed reading Chaos of the Stars. I know that the whole demi-god myth is kind of becoming an overdone trope in the market right now, but Chaos of the Stars has several things that makes it stand out. The first is that it is great as a stand-alone novel that has an interesting world that you would like to visit again, but don’t have to once all the loose ends of the novel are tied up. It is kind of relaxing to read a YA fantasy that doesn’t require a three book commitment. Also, while there is romance, there is no love triangle. Lovely! In addition, there is no super reveal about secret powers in which the female protagonist turns into a super warrior so that she can save the world.

The plot instead lingers on Isadora's relationship with her family. Being the daughter of two Egyptian gods can be really confusing at times, and Isadora questions whether her parents really love her. She can’t wait to get away from her mom, Isis and spend some time on her own. When Isis senses danger coming she sends Isadora away to live with her brother in California. Isadora enjoys volunteering at the local museum and hanging out with the new friends she has made, but when strange break-ins start happening at the museum and at her brother’s house, Isadora can’t help but wonder if there is some plot afoot. When Isadora discovers who is behind the break-ins and what they want she has to race to save the family that she has come to realize that she loves and cares for.

So, yeah Chaos of the Stars is a fun, light-hearted introduction to the insanity that is Egyptian mythology, and makes itself stand out by throwing aside some popular paranormal romance conventions and focusing the story on family drama, rather than epic battles. I wanted a bit more tension in the first couple chapters, but other than that I really enjoyed the novel.

Year in Review 2013

2014-01-01T12:15:00.000-08:00

Well, in regards to the book blog my goals for 2012 were to put up six LDSPBP posts, and I kind of really failed in doing that. I think I got up two and then reviewed two picture books from LDS publishing houses. I did have enough information to put all six spotlights up. I just didn’t have the mental focus for it. Alas, what can I say? Perhaps, I can do better next year.

I also made a goal to read less romance novels but I don’t feel like I really did all that well. I read a ton of regency romance novels and other romance themed books. I sometimes felt frustrated by the fact that romance was in everything. I could not escape it without making a special effort, and I wasn’t really all that interested in making a special effort, especially since I enjoy reading romance. Attempting to read less romance lead me to read more non-fiction, but I only read four titles— two religious based, one on astronomy, and a memoir about an expert horseman/cowboy.

Something wonderful about the blog this year has been the opportunity to participate in so many blog tours and promotions. I also was able to review for Covenant and Shadow Mountain, which made it possible to review more LDS novels despite living in PA where it is harder than even Houston to find LDS fiction reading opportunities. There is no way I can afford an LDS Fiction reading habit unless I receive review copies or access to LDS novels at a public library. So, when I say I am grateful for these opportunities I mean it very sincerely. Thank you for all the blog tour coordinators, authors, and publicists who were so generous to me this year.

So my goal was to get up an indie-published novel this year, but alas that did not happen. I am actually okay with that. I’ve gone through three drafts of a story that I really enjoyed working on this year. I haven’t stuck with a book for so long ever. I think I am finally learning how to structure an actual novel length plot. So, I am pleased with the evidence that I have grown as a writer. I worked on a few novellas and rewrote a short story. Doesn’t feel like a whole lot of progress to me, but I keep trying to tell myself that writing is not a race.

In family news, we moved to a new apartment this year in March and really like the floor plan better, and we’ve put a lot of effort into organizing and keeping it clean as we had a wee one coming. I grew a little boy for the most part of this year. He was born Dec 11 after only two and a half hours of labor. He was transported to CHOP and underwent surgery in his first 24 hours of life because he had a perforated bowel. The test results have been confirmed and he has Cystic Fibrosis. He is still in the NICU healing, but he’s doing amazingly well. He has made steady progress in his recovery and we are so pleased with his progress. This has been hard, no doubt, and we’ve only been able to handle things hour by hour on some days. Yet, we are also grateful because he was diagnosed so quickly, that we had access to top notch medical facilities, and that we live at a time of such advanced medical knowledge. Lacking any of these things our little Marcus may not have survived. We are very blessed.

Books Read in 2013

2014-01-01T06:40:00.000-08:00

Books read in 2013

Heart of the Ocean by Heather B. Moore (Review Copy)

Crossed by Ally Condie (library)

Reached by Ally Condie (library)

Drops of Gold by Sarah M. Eden (purchased)

The Ugly Step-Sister Strikes Back by Sariah S. Wilson (free on amazon)

Lavinia by Ursula K LeGuin (library)

Baked Alaska by Josi Kilpack (review copy)

Destined by Aprilynn Pike (library)

Courting Miss Landcaster by Sarah M. Eden (purchased)

Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale (library)

Way of Kings by Sanderson (purchased)

Seeking Persephone by Sarah M. Eden (purchased)

Emeralds and espionage by Lynn Gardner (purchased, re-read)

The List by Melanie Jacobson (purchased)

Doctor Illuminatus (used book sale)

Glamour and Glass by Mary Kowal Robinette (library)

The Sky has a Thousand Stars (used book sale)

21 Principals Richard G. Scott (review copy)

One Drop at a Time M Russell Ballard (review copy)

Belonging to Heaven Gale Sears (review copy)

All That was Promised Vickie Hall (review copy)

Journey of Promise by Vickie Hall (review copy)

The Emerald Ring by Dorine White (review copy)

A way back to you Emily Clawson (review copy)

A Change of Plans by Donna K. Weaver (review copy)

Love in the Darkness by E.M. Tippetts (review copy)

Through Cloud and Sunshine Dean Hughes (review copy)

Proceed with Caution by Betsy Brannon Green (review copy)

Glimmer of Hope by Sarah M. Eden (review copy)

Longing For Home by Sarah M. Eden (review copy)

Working it Out by Rachel Renee Anderson (review copy)

Finding Sheba by H.B. Moore (review copy)

Not Even Once Club (review copy)

After Hello by Lisa Mangum (review copy)

Transparent by Natalie Whipple (library)

The False Prince by Jennifer A Nielsen (library)

The Runaway King by Jennifer A. Nielsen (library)

The Witnesses by Stephanie Black (review copy)

The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachel Renee Anderson (free on amazon)

Earthbound by Aprilynne Pike (library)

Putting Down the Pieces by Cheryl Leigh (won in contest)

Goddess by Josephine Angelini (purchased)

Blackmoore by Julianna Donaldson (review copy)

Chaos of the Stars by Kiersten White (library)

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson (library)

The House on Rose Creek by Jenny Proctor (review copy)

The Faraway Horses by Buck Brannaman (library)

Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff (library)

Timeless Romance Anthology: European Collection (review copy)

Eagle by Kindal Debenham

Broken Halo by Kindal Debenham

House of Hades by Rick Riordan (gift)

Favorite Picture Books:

The Three Ninja Pigs by Corey Rosen Schwartz

Shark v.s Train by Chris Barton

Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds

Chalk by Bill Thompson

Tuesday by David Wiesner

Favorites:

Lavinia by Ursula K LeGuin

Blackmoore by Julianna Donaldson

Transparent by Natalie Whipple

Through Cloud and Sunshine by Dean Hughes

Blog Hiatus

2013-12-16T18:43:00.000-08:00

So, the baby boy came! We are super happy but he came with complications. His bowels had a perforation and he was rushed to surgery in his first 24 hours of life. It has been almost a week now and our baby boy is doing good considering everything. He is mostly healed up from the surgery, but GI tracts are super complicated things and he'll be healing up for the next 8 weeks in the NICU.

All of this has brought a lot of upheaval and so I am officially declaring a blog hiatus. See you all next year! Enjoy your holidays.

Studio C Review

2013-12-08T05:00:00.000-08:00

Tour Schedule

Website * Facebook

Seasons 1 and 2 of the hilarious BYUtv sketch comedy series, Studio C, featuring Whitney, Mallory, Jason, Matt, and the rest of the cast pulling out all the stops with two full seasons of enough rip-roaring hilarity to make you spit milk out of your nose. Travel back to the moment it all began and watch some of the very first Studio C sketches, plus two never-before-seen features! Includes popular episodes featuring

Presidential Shoulder Angel
Facebook Friends Song
Flirting Academy
Captain Literally
The Center for People That YouTube Made Infamous
Candy Land Character Conference
Bollyside
Dana’s Dead
And many more!

Special Features

Exclusive Feature: “Just Jeremy Date”
Exclusive Sketch: “Substitute Miss Frizzle”
Season 2 Outtakes

Studio C is a hit sketch comedy series that the whole family can enjoy. Like the popular TV show Saturday Night Live, the cast performs original sketches that parody American culture and the hilariously awkward moments of everyday life; but with a refreshingly wholesome yet hilarious spin. With their huge fan-base and increasing popularity, Studio C aims to produce clean, family-oriented comedy for a national audience.

My Review:

So, I first heard of Studio C while reading an interview with Mallory Everton the Mormon Artist blog. Then a few days later my husband started watching their skits on youtube and laughing. So, when a chance came up to participate in reviewing the DVD I was interested. My husband watched about a dozen skits together. He had only seen two previously from his youtube investigations so that is an idea about the amount of new content on the disk.

There were several really funny skits and a couple of just okay ones. Since we are not Downtown Abby fans I think my husband and I didn’t really get the comedy skit about that one as a result. We did however laugh uproariously at the Lady Shadow skit. Which centers around the concept of a dangerous female spy trying to steal a disk, only to sneak out from behind a box nine months pregnant. She then tries to take down four armed guys that really want nothing to do with fighting her. It was hilarious. We also like the flirting university skit and the driving instructor skit. So we really enjoyed the majority of the skits we watched and enjoyed laughing together.

Purchase Amazon * Deseret Book

Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 12/31/13 a Rafflecopter giveaway

House on Rose Creek by Jenny Proctor

2013-11-29T14:48:00.000-08:00

The House on Rose Creek by Jenny Proctor

"Kate Sinclair wasn't planning on inheriting her family's 100-year-old farmhouse. She wasn't even planning on going back to Rose Creek. But when her aunt unexpectedly passes away, leaving her the house, she finds herself forced to confront her past, including the family she hasn't spoken to in years.

When she finds a journal belonging to a distant ancestor in the attic of the old house, she begins a journey that reconnects her with her faith, her family, and herself.

But trouble looms. Kate's new love interest, Andrew, has a past full of secrets. And the state department of transportation wants to bulldoze the old farmhouse for a highway project.

Will Kate be able to see through Andrew's past? Most importantly, will she find a way to save her house and hold onto the fragile threads that tie her to her family?" (Summary from author's website)

So, I really enjoyed the House on Rose Creek. One of the main plot lines does center around a non-member who eventually joins the church, which just happens to be the religion of the main love interest. I know this plot trope gets a lot of negative reactions because it has been done a lot and sometimes not all that well. However, I felt that Proctor did an excellent job with the story. Kate has real and compelling reasons to investigate the church. After finding the long forgotten journal of her ancestor in the attic of the house that her aunt left to her after her death Kate finds herself thinking not only about God, but about her family connections. Just as she begins to settle in and decides to rebuild her ties with her family, she discovers that her house is in danger of being torn down by the city so they can build a new freeway. To make matters worse her aunt’s death caused Kate to miss the paperwork that would have allowed her to appeal the decision. So, she has to discover a way to save the house that has been in her family so long and that has become her new home. In addition, to the conversion and house plotline there is also a sweet romance with Andrew. The romance plotline felt a tad predictable to me and I didn’t enjoy it as much as the other plot threads, but over all this was a really enjoyable read with interesting characters and dilemmas that kept me reading until the last page.

Visit Proctor's Website

Christmas From Heaven

2013-11-22T05:00:00.001-08:00

Christmas from Heaven

Thanks to Shadow Mountain for giving me the opportunity to review this unique picture book that tells the story of the candy bomber. At the end of WWII Gail Halverson participated in the effort to drop supplies into West Berlin. Gail started out small in giving small treats to the children he saw and ended up at dropping thousands of parachutes of candy on the bombed out city. Over 21 tons of candy was collected from company and private donations so that the sweets could be dropped on the city during the Christmas season.

I really enjoyed the historical aspect of this little Christmas story. As a former teacher I could imagine myself using it in a classroom setting on those last few days before the holiday break when the kids need a prod to focus on doing work. The story sets up the political and social conditions that affected Europe after WWII and shows the kindness of the human spirit. The book has instructions on how to make your own candy parachutes that could be a fun hands-on project for younger children. I’m planning to use this little book in my picture book advent calendar this year, as our family counts down to Christmas. The book also includes a DVD of Tom Brokaw reading the text of the picture book with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in the background. It has a scene where they drop parachutes onto the audience during the finale that is just marvelous to watch.

Find out more about the book at Deseretbook.

Biblical Names of Christ Christmas Set Review

2013-11-22T05:00:00.000-08:00

Product Description from Deseret Book:
Create a Christ-focused holiday tradition as you review the sacred names of the Savior. Display these antique pewter-finish ornaments on the tree, as gift tags, or adorning a wreath on the front door. A list of scripture references is included, perfect for a "Twelve Days of Christmas" countdown. 12-piece set.

I like how these stars are light but sturdy. They have rounded corners so I don’t have to worry about my kids getting hurt on them. They have different names of the Savior printed on the front so they would be a good way to organize devotionals, 12 days of Christmas count downs, or even a little FHE event. One of the things that disappointed me was that I assumed the corresponding scriptural references for the names were on the back of the particular star, but the scriptural references are only on the box. From the point of view of keeping these ornaments as a keepsake for years I found this slightly annoying. If you lose the box or it gets damaged you may find yourself doing some prep work in years ahead. Still they are a wonderful gift and a really nice way to bring the Savior into family Christmas traditions.

Ornament sets can be purchased from Deseret Book.

The Witnesses by Stephanie Black

2013-11-08T10:57:00.000-08:00

The Witnesses by Stephanie Black

“Welcome to New America, where patriots are traitors and religion is a crime. After government agent Daniel Lansbury fakes the executions of three believers on national television, he and the fugitives Alisa Kent, Ian Roshek, and Ian's sister, Jill face the perilous task of outwitting President Amanda Ryce and her power-hungry Council long enough to escape to freedom. While a government reformer is on their side, rigorous new security measures thwart any chance of aid. And Daniel's estranged father, Marcus, an underground terrorist leader, is hatching plans to sabotage the breakable trust between Daniel and Ian and put himself in power at the head of the nation. As faith and loyalties come under fire, the fugitives struggle to stop Marcus and his zealous terrorists and bring to light the wrongs committed against the citizens of this fragile, fledgling nation.” (summary from Deseret Book)

I was super happy when I discovered that The Witnesses was a direct sequel to Black’s previous novel The Believer. I reread the first book so I could remember the plot for the second book. The novel leaves off right where the first left off, which surprised me a bit. I was looking forward to seeing more of the world and how things had changed in her future, but it turns out that her characters were never able to escape New America and the corrupt government. The strain of staying in hiding is threatening to tear apart the fragile bands of loyalty the group only just forged. It doesn’t help that Marcus Landsbury is still out there making plots to take over the presidency, and is still trying to manipulate his son. With the way things are going it is only a matter of time before Ian, Alisa, Jill, and Daniel are caught. What they didn’t expect was that their capture may be the key to getting the reforms that they wanted all along. I really liked experiencing another adventure with these characters and seeing how they were able to change their country for the better even if it happened in a way they would never have expected. I love how layered and complex Black’s characters are, especially her villains. She did a superb job of showing their motivations and revealing their fascinating decisions. I really enjoyed getting back into this intense dystopian world.

Visit Stephanie Black's Website

The Runaway King by Jenifer A. Nielsen

2013-10-25T06:43:00.000-07:00

The Runaway King by Jennifer A. Nielsen
“A kingdom teetering on the brink of destruction. A king gone missing. Who will survive? Find out in the highly anticipated sequel to Jennifer A. Nielsen’s blockbuster THE FALSE PRINCE! Just weeks after Jaron has taken the throne, an assassination attempt forces him into a deadly situation. Rumors of a coming war are winding their way between the castle walls, and Jaron feels the pressure quietly mounting within Carthya. Soon, it becomes clear that deserting the kingdom may be his only hope of saving it. But the further Jaron is forced to run from his identity, the more he wonders if it is possible to go too far. Will he ever be able to return home again? Or will he have to sacrifice his own life in order to save his kingdom?

The stunning second installment of The Ascendance Trilogy takes readers on a roller-coaster ride of treason and murder, thrills and peril, as they journey with the Runaway King!” (summary from author’s website)

After Jeron takes the throne he discovers that his life is still in danger from pirates, rival countries, and even his own regents. Jeron has no chance of winning against any of them the traditional way. So, he does what he does best. He risks everything in a crazy plan to take over the Avenian pirates. Jeron reverts to his previous persona Sage and infiltrates the dangerous pirate compound by claiming he knows the location of an extremely valuable treasure. If Jeron manages to stay alive his crazy plan could just give his country a fighting chance. Just like the first book in the series the author expertly puts her character in high-stakes situations where you can’t help by root for their survival. An intense and riveting read.

For more information visit Jennifer Nielsen's website.

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

2013-10-21T06:34:00.000-07:00

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
"THE FALSE PRINCE is the thrilling first book in a brand-new trilogy filled with danger and deceit and hidden identities that will have readers rushing breathlessly to the end. In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king’s long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner’s motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword’s point — he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. But Sage’s rivals have their own agendas as well. As Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner’s sumptuous palace, layer upon layer of treachery and deceit unfold, until finally, a truth is revealed that, in the end, may very well prove more dangerous than all of the lies taken together. An extraordinary adventure filled with danger and action, lies and deadly truths that will have readers clinging to the edge of their seats." (summary author's website)

This was a really interesting read. I love the sardonic and self-deprecating voice of Sage. I had a suspicion that he wasn’t who he first appeared to be, but I really wondered just how he came to be an orphan on the streets. The author does an awesome job of convincing the reader of his real backstory. I really enjoyed reading about this strong-willed, bitter, and unconventional hero.

Seriously, this is a book you have to read. The conflict drags you into the story immediately and you can’t help but want to know more about Sage and his unusual quirks. It was really refreshing to read something without romance (huzzah!) and to read something I could share and discuss with my husband. As soon as I finished I put the second book on hold at the library. We are fans.

Jennifer A. Nielsen's website