Mindy

Fairy Tale Christmas by Michael McLean and Scott McLean

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

Nov 192014

Fairy Tale Christmas

Author: Michael McLean and Scott McLean

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: September 30, 2014

ISBN13: 9781609079307

Hardcover: 151 pages

FTC FYI: Received a hardcover copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

Santa Claus has been kidnapped! Behind the plot are the mischievous and evil characters of fairy tale stories–an evil queen, a wicked stepmother, a sorceress, the beanstalk giant, and Rumpelstiltskin. They have a plan that will erase the term “Happily Ever After” from storybooks forever. It’s nearly Christmas Eve and time is running out. Can Santa and the fairy-tale heroes save the day and bring Christmas to all the children of the world? Will anyone have a “Happily Ever After” again?

Fairy Tale Christmas reminds us all that there is good in everyone and that the magic of Christmas can soften any heart.

My Review

This cover is so much fun! Isn’t it awesome, I love it. This book is tons of fun. It combines some favorite fairy tale villains and Christmas. What a clever idea and great combination. The story is sweet, entertaining and reads fast. The scheme that the “Clandestines” come up with to stop Christmas and redeem their stories is creative and down right evil (in a cute way). I loved the ending and the message of even the nastiest characters can change given the chance and Christmas magic. I think the epilogue is my favorite, it adds just the perfect final touch to this great story. This is a great book that you and your kids can read every year to start a new Christmas tradition. There is also music with this book too, of course, it’s Michael McLean! Find out more at Fairy Tale Christmas Musical.

Book Links

Website

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book

Deceived by Kathi Oram Peterson — Blog Tour

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

Nov 172014

Deceived

Author: Kathi Oram Peterson

Publisher: Covenant Communication

Published: November 2014

ISBN13: 9781621088530

Paperback: 245 pages

FTC FYI: Received a paperback copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

A storm rages outside the unassuming Los Angeles house, while within, something sinister lurks. A murderer stalks his victim, unaware of a witness to the horrific crime: awakened from a deep, drug-induced slumber, Tara Kelly hears voices in the next room. Struggling to focus through her sleep medication, the young woman helplessly observes her aunt’s murder. Now she’s a loose end the killer cannot ignore . . .

A family friend helps Tara as she does the only thing she can: disappear. Fleeing to the security of a remote Idaho ranch, Tara finds herself under the guard of handsome rancher Joseph White Eagle. Her unwitting protector takes his role seriously, going as far as claiming that Tara is his fiancée. But even as their relationship deepens, Joseph struggles to see past Tara’s similarities to his late wife. When a series of accidents threatens Tara’s life, it becomes clear that her attempt to out run danger has been in vain. The killer will stop at nothing to find her, and Joseph will do anything to protect her even if it means unraveling secrets that will have devastating consequences for them both.

My Review

Once I was able to really sit down and take the time to delve into this book, I really enjoyed it. I did think the romance between Tara and Joseph was a bit rushed, they did have to play the part of an engaged couple, and I only worried about that since Tara was in such a fragile state. That being said, the characters were made for each other, and perfect for each other in many ways. Tara and Joseph both had tragic events happen in their lives, until they find themselves together to protect Tara. Joseph makes up an engagement to get those on the ranch to not ask too many questions about Tara. Some do not take this engagement well, including Joseph’s daughter. Besides the struggles that Tara is having trying to remember what happened on the night of her aunt’s murder, someone is making Joseph’s life on the ranch difficult. Between shot animals, getting shot at themselves, and putting the lives of everyone at the ranch in danger, are the two situations connected? The author does a great job of building the suspense and planting seeds throughout the book. The other characters in this book are written well and through all the suspense, there is a heart-felt love and the feeling of family, and a great example of love and guidance from Heavenly Father through prayer. I also want to add, the ending was shocking and so page-turning, it was well past my bed time when I finished reading.

4 out of 5 stars. Kathi is the author of many great books. Check out the links below to find out more about her.

Author Links

Goodreads / Website / Facebook / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book / Seagull Book

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Lady Emma’s Campaign by Jennifer Moore — Blog Tour

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

Nov 122014

Lady Emma’s Campaign

Author: Jennifer Moore

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published: November 1st, 2014

ISBN13: 9781621087885

Paperback: 224 pages

FTC FYI: Received a paperback copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

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 Review

Jennifer Moore is one talented lady. I thought her writing couldn’t of gotten any better with her first book Becoming Lady Lockwood, but I was wrong. I was blown away by this book. It was so amazing. Emma was beyond anything I could have imagined her to be. She was an impressive gal when we first meet her, but what she had to endure through this book astounded me. She was a rock star. From the summary we know that Emma loves Sidney, and has for years, when he is thought dead, she does whatever it takes to try to find the truth and save him. At one point while reading, I just screamed (out loud mind you, with an empty house), someone please help them! Emma endured a lot as a child with her drunk father, but oh my goodness, she amazed me throughout this book. Sidney was incredible too. I loved the journey he took with himself as he figured out how he felt about Emma. What he had to live through as a prisoner for two months, was heartbreaking. I was impressed that the author didn’t skirt around the issues that he and Emma faced. Nor did the author shield the reader from the spoils of war. Her war details were so descriptive, it helped me get a glimpse of the horrors of war.

5 out of 5 stars. Although this book could be meant as a stand-alone, I think you will understand and relate to Sidney (as well as William and Amelia) if you have read Becoming Lady Lockwood.

Author Links

Goodreads / Website / Facebook / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book

Blog Tour Schedule:

*10th: http://www.charissastastny.com/, http://www.iamareader.com/

*11th: http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/, http://fireandicereads.com/

*12th: http://www.minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/ & http://www.ldswomensbookreview.com,

*13th: http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/ http://www.wishfulendings.com/

*14th: http://www.rockinbookreviews.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/

*15th: http://ilovetoreadandreviewbooks.blogspot.com/

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Celebrating a Christ-Centered Christmas by Emily Belle Freeman

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

Nov 122014

Celebrating a Christ-Centered Christmas: Seven Traditions to Lead Us Closer to the Savior

Author: Emily Belle Freeman

Publisher: Ensign Peak (Shadow Mountain/Deseret Book)

Published: September 30, 2014

ISBN13: 9781609078997

Paperback: 94 pages

FTC FYI: Received a paperback copy from the publisher in exchange of an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Summary

Discover how each figure of the nativity can lead your family closer to Christ this Christmas season. Learn the tradition of the tinkling bell, whip up a batch of French cocoa, create a tender mercy tree, and find ways to make your gift-giving more meaningful as Celebrating a Christ-Centered Christmas guides you through seven meaningful traditions inspired by the nativity setting. These simple experiences will give you an opportunity to escape from the frantic busyness of the Christmas season to spend time reflecting on the Savior and the miracle of His birth.

My Review

I was excited to review this book with the holiday season upon us. Even more so, to take the time to reflect on and read a lovely book centered on Christ and Christmas. I really appreciated the author’s introduction and what inspired her to write this book. I loved how each chapter started with a verse of scripture, and ended with a summary of each tradition with suggestions how to incorporate it in your life. As well as a sweet paragraph describing the tradition. The author’s heart-felt stories and ideas make this book all the more enjoyable. I can’t wait to start some of these and add to our own family Christmas traditions.

Author Info

Emily Freeman and Simon Dewey collaborated on the bestselling book The Ten Virgins. For nearly 20 years, Emily has addressed groups of women as a writer, songwrite, and motivational speaker. Her deep love of the scriptures comes from a strong desire to find their application in modern-day life. Emily and her husband, Greg, are the parents of four children and live in Lehi, Utah. Simon Dewey studied at a London art college before launching his career. In 1999 he entered the world of published fine art and soon became on of the bestselling artists of LDS religious works. He is the artist of Beloved Savior; This Is the Season, Beloved of the Year; and He Lives.

Links

Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book

The Fortune Cafe by Heather B. Moore, Julie Wright, Melanie Jacobson

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

Nov 052014

The Fortune Cafe: A Tangerine Street Romance

Authors: Heather B. Moore, Julie Wright, Melanie Jacobson

Publisher: Mirror Press

Published: March 17th, 2014

ISBN13: 9781941145104

ebook: 280 pages

FTC FYI: Received a ebook copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

Welcome to Tangerine Street

Tangerine Street is a must-see tourist stop with a colorful mix of one-of-a-kind boutiques, unique restaurants, eclectic museums, quaint bookstores, and exclusive bed-and-breakfasts. The Fortune Café, situated in the middle of this charming collection of shops and cafés on Tangerine Street, is a Chinese restaurant unlike any other because, well, to be honest, the fortunes found in the cookies all come true…

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 accidentally 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 how she met her fiancé lucky. 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?

My Review

These stories are so fun! I thoroughly enjoyed each one. I loved how they mixed with each other subtly, but in an entertaining and important way. I loved the main characters in each. Especially Emma and Stella. My heart broke for Lucy and I loved the twist of her being dumped in her story. I don’t want to reveal what happens in each, but each author does a great job of telling their stories without giving us everything at once. Each part reads quickly and I felt satisfied after each one ended. They’re sweet, clean stories that will leave you smiling.

Book Links (see above for author websites)

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Goodreads

Mountains Between Us by Jenny Proctor

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

Oct 292014

Mountains Between Us

Author: Jenny Proctor

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published: August 31st, 2014

ISBN13: 9781621086604

Paperback: 240 pages

FTC FYI: Received an ebook copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

“You’re a good man, Henry,” Eliza whispered. Their eyes met for a brief moment before, seized by sudden impulse, Eliza closed the distance between them, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed him full on the lips. When she pulled away, Henry stood there, his eyes wide with surprise. He’d kissed back. She was certain of that. He could have pushed her away, and he hadn’t. But the stupefied look on his face didn’t exactly make it easy for her to know what to do next.

After three years of social work in Nashville, Eliza Redding is eager to leave behind her life at home for a new adventure. Nestled deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina is the site of her first job as a clinical counselor: Rockbridge Academy, a rehabilitative boarding school for troubled youth. Anticipating that she’ll be the only Latter-day Saint at the academy, Eliza is pleasantly surprised to discover that English teacher Henry Jacobson is a fellow member of the church. Her excitement is quickly diminished, however, when she discovers Henry’s standoffish and cold personality–undeterred, she commences the monumental task of befriending her reserved coworker.

As they face serious familial struggles, Eliza and Henry find themselves drawn together by their growing understanding of each other. But when a life-threatening crisis arises at the academy and family conflicts escalate, will these two independent spirits realize they are meant for each other?

My Review

Jenny Proctor is a great author, and I really enjoyed this book. I instantly loved Eliza. She is a fabulous character, and it wasn’t just because she has red hair. I loved how caring and kind she was. Henry, on the other hand, was a mystery. Don’t get me wrong, he is a great guy, but one page I would feel like he made a breakthrough, then the next he would totally shut down. Henry was kind, but very reserved. I’m glad he was able to work out his issues before he made his decisions on where he wanted his life to go. He really had a lot of things to work out. I can’t say more about him without revealing the whole book, but he is worth the wait. Eliza had a past too, and I was happy to see how her character advanced as well. I really felt for these characters and their trails. Eliza also befriends a co-worker, Flip, who shows interest in the church, but are his motives for doing so the right reasons? Even if he has motives, I really liked Flip. Jenny does a great job with all of her characters.

4 out of 5 stars. This book is written well and once you start, you won’t want to stop until the end. I liked the point of view switches between Henry and Eliza. It really helped me get to know them better through each other’s eyes.

Author Links

Goodreads / Website / Facebook / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book / Seagull Book

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