Mindy

Sep 162014
 

bible_bandsBible Bands: Create Your Own Faith-Based Rubber Band Jewelry

Author: Katreina Eden

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Published: September 2014

ISBN13: 978-1-4621-1505-1

Paperback: 60 pages

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

Reviewed by Mindy

Summary

Create fun, fashionable rubber band jewelry while strengthening and sharing your faith.  Each design is associated with a Bible verse or story.  Such as:

  • A blue and white pattern to symbolize Christ’s baptism
  • Circles of color to link families through genealogy
  • A heart design to remind you of God’s love
  • Letters that spell CTR to remind you to choose the right
  • A multi-colored weave to match Joseph’s coat of many colors

Fun to make and wear, these bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and rings are a perfect project for your whole family to enjoy together.  Wear them yourself or give them as gifts.

My Review

My kids and I had a blast looking through this book and trying these designs.  They especially loved the CTR band and the flowers.  This is a family-fun activity that will keep you busy together for hours.  Need a fun family home evening activity, then look no further.  These are great looms that you can do with your kids (or in my case, they did for me).  Enjoy!

Book Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Cedar Fort / Deseret Book

Katreina-Eden-blog-tour-Bible-Bands

Sep 032014
 

Girls_Who_Choose_GodGirls Who Choose God: Stories of Courageous Women from the Bible

Authors: McArthur Krishna and Bethany Brady Spalding

Illustrated: Kathleen Peterson

Publisher: Deseret Book

Published: August 24th, 2014

ISBN13: 978-1-60907-882-9

Hardcover: 48 pages

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

Reviewed by Mindy

Book Summary 

From Eve to Esther, from the Samaritan woman at the well to the widow with her two mites, many women in the Bible have made courageous choices. All through the ages, women have chosen to help, to solve problems, to stand up for others, to strengthen families, and to follow God no matter what.

Girls Who Choose God invites young readers (and those who love them) to make important choices of their own, following the examples of great women in the scriptures. With breathtaking illustrations, beautifully told stories, and insightful discussion questions, this delightful book is perfect for sharing, reading aloud, and drawing children into the scriptures.

*In buying this book, you support educational and employment opportunities for LDS young women around the world. All of the authors’ proceeds will be donated to Interweave Solutions. For more information about the organization’s good work, visit interweavesolutions.org.

My Review

This book is absolutely beautiful.  The stories are wonderful reminders of the powerful influence of righteous women.  I loved the illustrations.  They perfectly depicted these precious scenes.  I also appreciated the scripture reference at the bottom of each story.  There is also a question after the stories, it helped me relate these scripture stories to our today and how we can use these examples now to help the girls of our day make righteous choices.  Very well done and enjoyable.  A great addition to any library.

Author and Book Links 

Goodreads / WebsiteDeseret Book / Amazon / Barnes and Noble

About the Authors

McArthur Krishna inherited her grit from her Utah pioneer great-grandmothers. With a master’s degree in communications from BYU, she co-owned Free Range, an award-winning marketing  business focused on telling social justice stories. In 2011, she moved to the Magic Land of India and started writing books. More of her stories can be found at mcarthurkrishna.com.

 

Bethany Brady Spalding likes to stir things up in the kitchen and in the community. She has founded programs to promote health and nutrition in the USA, South Africa, and India. Bethany currently leads a regional coalition in Richmond, Virginia, to create a healthier food environment for at-risk children. She loves to cook and climb mountains with her husband, Andy, and their three adventurous girls.

Aug 212014
 

Front CoverOne Dirty Bowl: Fast Desserts, Faster Cleanup

Author: Christina Dymock

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Published: June 2014

ISBN13: 9781462114016

Paperback: 136 pages

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

Reviewed by Mindy

Summary

Quick desserts and even quicker clean up mean more time with your family and friends, and less time in the kitchen. With One Dirty Bowl, whip up show-stopping desserts like Hazelnut Puffs, Peanut Butter Truffle Bars, and White Chocolate and Strawberry Cupcakes, all while dirtying just one bowl. Grab your bowl and get ready to bake!
My Review
This book is so much fun.  The pictures are beautiful and help you visualize what these yummy desserts will taste like.  I love the ease and help this cook provides for making fun desserts for your family, that everyone can help with.  The instructions are thorough and easy to understand.  The recipe pages are vibrant and cute.  I liked how the ingredients are listed on the left of each recipe, so it is easy to gather what you need.  All the brownies and bars, breads, cookies, sweets, and cakes will leave your mouth watering.  I can’t wait to make more of these yummy desserts!
Book and Author Links
Aug 202014
 

Bonds of Loyalty COVER-largerBonds of Loyalty

Authors: Jennifer K. Clark and Stephonie K. Williams

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published: August 2014

ISBN13: 9781621084198

Paperback: 240 pages

FTC FYI: Received a PDF copy in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

“It shall be the son, the firstborn in the new monarchy, who shall quiet the fears and unite the nation again.”

The infamous prophecy declaring that the firstborn would be a boy is the last thing Sarah wants to deal with. As if being newly engaged isn’t difficult enough, she’s still coming to terms with the fact that the first eighteen years of her life were a farce. The prophecy—the reason she had been secreted away from her family and her royal heritage to begin with—wasn’t supposed to disrupt her life any more than it previously had. But when unexpected events force her to leave her fiancé, Prince Alexander, Sarah must return to her home country of Kyrnidan to face her destiny.

Reunited with her royal family, Sarah is thrust into the political turmoil that surrounds her ancestral home. To make things worse, her arrival has upturned the long-held prophecy.
As the voices of distension mount against her, Sarah turns to her bodyguard, Luther, for protection. But Luther’s protection comes with a price. Propelled into a plot that threatens her life and the welfare of the entire kingdom, Sarah must determine where her love and loyalty truly lie. Torn between two men, she will now have to face her fears and undertake a journey of self-discovery that will change the fate of a nation….

My Review

When I was asked to do the blog tour, I was only hesitant, because I hadn’t read the first book, Mark of Royalty.  I am so glad I joined the tour, because I really, really enjoyed this book!  Sarah is a fabulous character who really comes to know herself and what she wants along the way.  She is nervous about going to visit her family in Krynidan, but receives urgent information from home that she is needed immediately.  Alex is unable to go with her, and that makes her not want to go even more.  She is so unsure of herself at first.  Many in the kingdom (and others) aren’t welcoming and she starts to trust those she shouldn’t.  I was so happy to see her growth as a princess and leader.  Sarah has to deal with many stumbling blocks along the way.  She is traveling with Apollo, the man who took her away from her family and her uncle Tobias appears as well.  He was also a threat to her when she was born.  There is also the issue of a prophecy that has the kingdom up in arms.

4 1/2 stars.  I loved the events that take place in this story and the characters are well-written.  My heart broke for Sarah many times, but I was very pleased with how she handles the tough situation she is faced with.  I did figure out something early on, but I eagerly finished reading to see how it would play out.  I will be reading the first book, Mark of Royalty as soon as I can.  FYI, if you haven’t read Mark of Royalty, no worries, the authors do a great job of back story and catching the reader up.

Author and Purchase Links

Goodreads / Blog / Amazon / Deseret Book / Barnes and Noble

BondsLoyaltyBanner

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Aug 132014
 

 

Son of War

Son of War, Daughter of Chaos

Author: Janette Rallison

Publisher: self

Published: July 2014

ASIN: B00LHFO9V8

ebook: 326 pages

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

Reviewed by Mindy

Summary

Aislynn is accustomed to watching for the enemy. Her parents instructed her from the time she was young to look for the signs: people with greater than normal strength, eyes that can glow green, and have the ability to jump long distances. Over the years, Aislynn has come to view her parents’ fears as quirks—things that get in the way of having a normal high school life.

When Aislynn’s mother dies under suspicious conditions, her father doubles his restrictions. But all his precautions can’t stop the boy with glowing green eyes from finding Aislynn. She realizes too late she’s been drafted into an ancient Egyptian war, whether she’s prepared or not.

 

 

My Review

This book is seriously awesome.  Janette is so talented.  Whether she is writing about dragons, fairy godmothers, Egyptian wars, or anything else, I will read it.  She is a brilliant author.

Aislynn is a great character.  Her family is super paranoid, but with good reasons (which do not get revealed until later in the book).  Her father and brother, it turns out, have been keeping secrets from Aislynn.  Even the biggest secret of all, what really happened to Aislynn’s mother.  It is until she meets the strong and mysterious Dane, that these secrets come to light.  All the characters in this book are awesome and well-written.  The story is full of history, and in a word, chaos.  When secrets are slowly made known, Aislynn has to make some hard choices that will determine the rest of her life, or could end it.

5 out of 5 stars.  I seriously loved the choices that Aislynn makes and the ending was so good!  Please, Janette, write a sequel!

Excerpt 

An Egyptian tomb is only a good place to die if you happen to be the pharaoh for whom it was built. And maybe not even then. I didn’t intend to room with any of the deceased, which meant the sooner I got out of this place the better.
My flashlight swept over the figures on the mural in front of me. A feeling of danger and expectation clung to everything here, as thick as the dust. On the mural, a warrior with bright green eyes stared back at me. Horusian glowing eyes. I could almost see the smugness in his expression, an expression that said he was coming for me. Or at least his kind were.
Behind me, something creaked. Footsteps.

 

AMAZON

Son of War Daughter of Chaos Blog TourBlog Tour Schedule

Janette RallisonAuthor Janette Rallison

Janette Rallison is old. Don’t ask how old, because it isn’t polite. Let’s just say she’s older than she’d like to be and leave it at that.

Janette lives in Chandler, Arizona with her husband, five children and enough cats to classify her as “an eccentric cat lady.” She did not do this on purpose. (The cats, that is; she had the children on purpose.) Every single one of the felines showed up on its own and refuses to leave. Not even the family’s fearless little Westie dog can drive them off.

Since Janette has five children and deadlines to write books, she doesn’t have much time left over for hobbies. But since this is the internet and you can’t actually check up to see if anything on this site is true, let’s just say she enjoys dancing, scuba diving, horse back riding and long talks with Orlando Bloom. (Well, I never said he answers back.)

Website * Facebook * Twitter

 

book blast button

 

 

 

 

Blast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 8/17/14

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 publisher. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jul 232014
 

Sleeping Beauty & the Beast by Lemon_COVER ONLYSleeping Beauty and the Beast

Author: Melissa Lemon

Publisher: self

Published: June 20, 2014

ISBN13: 978-1499788808

Paperback/Kindle: 300 pages

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

Reviewed by Mindy and Sheila

Summary

Trapped in a cursed sleep, the only experiences Princess Eglantine has are the ones in her dreams. There she meets Prince Henry of Fallund, a neighboring kingdom on the brink of war. Meanwhile, Prince Henry’s brother Duncan discovers a vicious beast imprisoned for murder. Captivated by her, he works to free her from both the prison bars she’s locked behind and the ones surrounding her heart and mind. Sleeping Beauty and the Beast reinvents and seamlessly intertwines the classic fairy tales Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast.
Mindy’s Review

I have been a fan of Melissa’s for a long time.  Her books are fabulous.  Her most recent retelling was Snow Whyte and the Queen of Mayhemwhich I loved.  I loved this unique retelling combination of Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast.  Melissa did a fantastic job with this story.  The characters are intriguing and the story is very enjoyable.  I loved how beauty was only seen by Prince Henry and I really loved how the beast was tamed.  Henry was the only one that could see Eglantine, and that made for some funny and then some uncomfortable scenes for Henry, but the best part was, he didn’t care.  Many thought he was losing his mind, including his twin brother Duncan.  Duncan ended up being one of my favorite characters.  His willingness to see the beast in a different way, was very enduring.  

The story switched from Eglantine’s point of view while she “slept”, to the beast’s, which was mostly Duncan visiting her and trying to figure out how to help her.  The fact that the beast was a woman, was a very cool twist.  I especially enjoyed the ending and how it all wrapped up.  

4 out of 5 stars.  If you like fairytales and retellings, you will love this story.  The ending is so satisfying, it will leave you with smiling.  

Sheila’s Review
Sleeping Beauty and the Beast…two fairy tales woven into one. I absolutely love a well written twisted fairy tale and Melissa Lemon has always done a great job of doing this in the past. I loved Cinder and Ella and also Snow Whyte and the Queen of Mayhem. Sleeping Beauty and the Beast shows again why Melissa has this fairy tale “telling” down to a science. She takes old stories and makes them into a different story. Once familiar characters are now brand new. 
 
I loved how Sleeping Beauty was written. We hear her tell her own story, even though she’s asleep and she can move about in her dreams. This is how she meets Prince Henry. At first he is the only one that can see Princess Eglantine as she floats around in her ethereal form. They become close as they learn to talk, listen and support each other through their trials. 
 
The Beast part of this fairy tale is unique in that “The Beast” is a woman, not a man. Prince Henry’s brother, Duncan, becomes intrigued and obsessed with the wild woman accused of murder. Being different from his brother and how he views the royal life, Duncan goes out of his way to free this agonized woman both physically and mentally. This part of the story truly touched me as Duncan never gave up on this woman that others were so ready to put to death. 
 

Sleeping Beauty and the Beast will challenge the old telling of these tales. You will find yourself quickly enveloped in the lives of all four characters. The ending will leave you happy and fulfilled. This clean read is suitable for any tween, teen and adult reader who loves a fairy tale with a perfect ending.

Author/Book Links
Online BioBio: Melissa Lemon is the author of two other fairy tale retellings: Cinder and Ella and Snow Whyte and the Queen of Mayhem. She is also the author of a sweet romance called Blue Sky. Writing is just one of her passions. She also loves music, reading, baking and exercising. She is wife to a patient man, mother to three spunky girls, and warden to a tolerant cat named Matilda.