Mindy

Mindy’s Favorite Reads of 2013

Jan 012014

My reading goals for the year changed when I became the Whitney President. I figured, whatever I could get to, that was my goal. I hoped to read 75, and I was around 90 for the year. Give or take. :)

That being said, it was a great year for reading. I enjoyed everything I read immensely.

Here are some of my favorites. In no particular order:

The Runaway King by Jennifer A. Nielsen

The Reluctant Blogger by Ryan Rapier

Just Ella by Annette Larsen

Esther the Queen by H.B. Moore

I, Spy by Jordan McCollum

Longing for Home by Sarah M. Eden

Winter Queen by Amber Argyle

The Believer and The Witnesses by Stephanie Black

Sky Jumpers by Peggy Eddleman

Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson

I also enjoyed:

Guardians by Heather Frost

Hearth Fires by Dorothy Keddington

Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Feudlings series by Wendy Knight

A Change of Plans by Donna K. Weaver

The Elite and The Selection by Kiera Cass

A Way Back to You by Emily Gray Clawson

Rocky Road by Josi S. Kilpack

Second to No One by Natalie Palmer

Chasing June by Shannen Crane Camp

Happy New Year!

Feudlings Series by Wendy Knight

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

Dec 312013

Feudlings: Fate on Fire (book one)

Author: Wendy Knight

Publisher: Astraea Press

Published: March 18th, 2013

ASIN: B00BWH9UHY

ebook: 283 pages

Genre: YA speculative

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

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

Nothing makes a new school suck worse than discovering the guy you’re in love with is your prophesied nemesis.

Ari is the most powerful flame-throwing sorceress ever, and her people’s last hope in an ancient war. But she’s also a seventeen-year-old girl, and in her free, not-hunting-nemesis times, she jumps from school to school, trying to figure out regular people her own age and pretending she’ll get the chance to graduate.

Shane lives a double life. He goes to school and masters the art of popularity, hiding the fact that he has a fate with a slim chance of his survival. He’s destined to end a 300 year-old war by killing or being killed. He knows he’s hunted by a powerful enemy who’s not afraid to die. Only problem? He has no idea who that enemy is.

When Ari shows up at Shane’s school, angry and sullen and determined to keep him at arm’s reach, neither of them realize they are supposed to be killing each other, not fall-ing in love. Until Ari does realize it, and she almost dies – by Shane’s hand.

Feudlings in Flames: Fate on Fire (book two)

Author: Wendy Knight

Publisher: Astraea Press

Published: September 3rd, 2013

ASIN: B00EY5DALS

ebook: 267 pages

Genre: YA speculative

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

Ari thought being in love with her prophesied nemesis sucked. But being responsible for her best friend’s kidnapping? It sucks worse.

Ari and Shane thought they’d beaten Fate and ended the three-hundred year war plagu-ing their people. They thought love had won. But they were so, so wrong.

Instead of graduating high school like the normals, they’re in a battle to save Charity – Shane’s cousin, Ari’s best friend, and the seer who might hold the key to ending the war for good. To do that, they’re forced to accept help from a boy they aren’t even sure they can trust. He’s powerful and knows spells even Ari’s never heard of, but he’s also secre-tive and has a past he’s determined to keep hidden. Add to that the fact that he has his sights set on Ari, and Shane would rather do without his help.

Ari has bigger problems than mysterious boys and their strange powers. The powerful Edren Family is hunting her brother, and she can’t very well save him or Charity while they’re constantly being attacked by her own people. To stop the raids, she has to take the fight to them. But if she starts hunting the family that raised her, what kind of mon-ster will she be?

Fate still waits for the death of one by the hand of the other.

My Review

WOW! This series is so much fun. The first thing that drew me in to these books was the cover of Feudlings. I also thought Feudlings in Flame’s cover was fantastic, too. The premise of Feudlings is what I loved the most. Only they can end the feud and only they can destroy each other. Very cool. I can tell that the author, Wendy Knight, must be a doll in person, because it reflects in her writing. Her characters are well-written, very fun and very likable. Ari and Shane are AWESOME. Wendy wrote them well. As well as all the character’s magic and the very cool world they are in. The feud back story is told well, and in the second book it all comes to a head. Charity and Hunter are great and I also enjoyed the characters without magic too. Ari’s friends Nev and Livi are adorable. These books start off quick and don’t let go until the last page. I would love to give you a summary, but I can’t. There are some very cool twists and turns, especially in the second book, that I don’t want to give away. I hesitated even putting the Goodreads summary of the second book. Make sure you read Feudlings first, but Flames picks up right where the first ends.

Very enjoyable read for you and your teenager. Wendy also wrote a prequel Feudlings in Sight which is about Charity, Shane’s cousin. Wendy also released Warrior Beautiful this year too! She is a rock star.

Author Links

Goodreads / Blog / Facebook

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble

I am giving away an ecopy of Feudlings and Feudlings in Flames on Min Reads.

The Witnesses by Stephanie Black — Combined Review

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews, Combined Reviews

Dec 122013

The Witnesses

Author: Stephanie Black

Publisher: Covenant

Published: October 1st, 2013

Paperback: 288 pages

ISBN13: 9781621085232

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

Reviewed by: Mindy and Shanda

Goodreads Summary

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.

Mindy’s Review

WOW! WOW! WOW! The Witnesses by Stephanie Black, grabs you fast at the beginning and doesn’t let you go until you’ve read the last sentence. Every turn of the page brings more suspense and questions as to who you can trust. The Witnesses picks up immediately after The Believer ends. Having just finished The Believer a few days ago, I was very eager to see what happened to Ian, Jill, Daniel and Alisa. (I feel bad for those who had to wait so long in between books:) It isn’t all good news and happy endings for the four. Alisa is really struggling with reversions and is having hallucinations. Daniel is having troubles of his own, while he and Ian are at each other’s throats. There are suspicions everywhere and many problems that come up. Where to place the three believers is first priority, but there really isn’t anywhere safe to put them. Even for a short time. I loved the POV changes to different characters, even to some characters I didn’t like. It really added to the severity and drama of the situations, that our heros were in a lot more trouble than they realize. It was also a great way to move the story along without having the main characters figure everything out.

5 out of 5 stars. Stephanie does a brilliant job of ending paragraphs and/or chapters in a way that made me keep reading until the end. She is so good at what she does.

Shanda’s Review

I’ve been anxious to read The Witnesses, sequel to The Believer, for many years. It did not disappoint. The Believer was Stephanie’s first published novel, and I loved it so much it earned 5 stars and made it onto my taking-with-me-on-a-deserted-island bookshelf. Well, I’ll be adding The Witnesses to that shelf as well.

I was turning page after page, at times wondering how in the world Ian and Jill and Daniel would make it through, who would betray whom, who would live and who would die. I was in suspense to the very end, unsure of how things would turn out as the situation became more and more dire for our heroes. There was an unexpected and fascinating twist that I loved.

I am in awe (though not surprised) at how well-crafted and layered the story is throughout both books, and the way the twist worked into events near the end. While the book had a very satisfying conclusion, I still find myself wondering how things worked out in the long run. I need to sit down with Stephanie and either get her to tell me or convince her to write a follow up because I really want to know. I’m not quite ready to say goodbye to Ian.

I highly recommend both The Believer and The Witnesses. They made me think, kept me reading, and stayed with me for days. Well done, Stephanie. Now get going on that follow up for me. (Please?)

Author Links

Goodreads / Blog / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Deseret Book / Barnes and Noble / Seagull Book

Ruby’s Secret by Heather B. Moore

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

Dec 112013

Ruby’s Secret (The Newport Ladies Book Club)

Author: Heather B. Moore

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published: October 1st, 2013

Paperback: 240 pages

ISBN13: 9781621084600

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

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

Welcome to the Newport Ladies Book Club series:

At age sixty-two, life is finally beginning for newly widowed Ruby Crenshaw. Her son is grown and gone, and after long years spent as a loyal wife to her charming but unfaithful husband, she’s ready to live the life she’s always dreamed of. Her resolve is firm: she’ll never make the mistake of giving her heart to another man.

The first step in Ruby’s quest for a carefree lifestyle was to create the Newport Ladies Book Club, an unlikely gathering of women who have been her haven. Now she’s ready to take her newfound independence a step further—along with her friends from the local senior center, Ruby is jetting off to a much-needed Greece adventure. What she isn’t prepared for is Gabriel—the group’s tour guide—a native Greek and a true gentleman. His unquestionable charm is hard to resist. But resist she must—because no matter their growing attraction, Ruby is not about to fall for charming again!

My Review

I was so excited to have the chance to read a Newport Ladies book from Ruby’s point of view. She has long been a favorite of mine in this series by these amazing authors. Ruby has such a kind heart and manor about her that makes her the caretaker of the group. I have been anxiously awaiting her story. Heather told Ruby’s story with care and creativity. I loved the adventure that Ruby takes in this book. I was also happy to see that Ruby was doing something for herself. I loved how she found fun at the senior center. Even though she is reluctant to go to Greece because of it’s hard memories, Ruby finds a friend in Gabriel. Although he had some things to get over too, I loved what comes of their relationship. Ruby not only learns to trust someone else, she learns to let go of a hurtful past. It helps that I was a huge fan of Gabriel’s from the beginning, and of course having a whole book dedicated to Ruby was a plus for me.

5 out of 5 stars. Heather is the author of many amazing books. Her releases this year include: Heart of the Ocean, Esther the Queen, Finding Sheba, Aliso Creek Novellas, and Timeless Romance Anthologies.

Author Links

Goodreads / Blog / Facebook / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book

Chasing June by Shannen Crane Camp — Blog Tour/Giveaway

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

Dec 052013

Chasing June

Author: Shannen Crane Camp

Publisher: Sugar Coated Press

Publish Date: December 14th, 2013

ISBN13: 9781484191262

Genre: YA contemporary

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

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

June Laurie has it all—a budding career on the hit crime drama Forensic Faculty, a supportive and perfect boyfriend in her best friend Joseph Cleveland, and hopes of transferring her acting skills to the stage at college. But in a series of plot twists as dramatic as any Hollywood storyline, June’s dreams dim with a heavy dose of grown-up reality. Once she starts school at BYU, June’s days become filled with classes and the new challenge of dealing with jealous theatre majors who seem determined to give her the cold shoulder. Her happy plans for a future with “the one” take a turn, too, when Joseph dumps her to focus on preparing for his two-year LDS mission. Casting directors and the siren call of stardom beckon her back to California, while an old co-star appears on the scene to confuse things even more. Caught up in the drama of life—the type that has more intrigue, subplots, and unexpected romance than a murder mystery game—June starts to wonder if maybe her life’s script might end with a grand finale she never saw coming.

My Review

June is an absolute doll. She is an easy character to love and cheer for. June is quirky and fun. Joseph is a doll too, but things are different between them this time around. June and Joseph do love each other, but Joseph is going to leave on his mission soon and doesn’t want to hold June back. This confuses June because she sees him flirting and hanging out with other girls at school. Not only does it confuse her, she’s not happy about it. She tries making friends with her vain roommates, but there isn’t really a friendship connection there. Her friends from Forensic Faculty pay her a visit and Ryan especially is happy to see her. Which makes things even more complicated between June and Joseph.

4 out of 5 stars. Another great book from Shannen. I can always count on her books to be funny, clean, and well-written. Shannen’s writing is fun and solid, and I can see the darling gal she is in the stories she writes. I really liked the relationship between Ryan and June. It really conflicts me, because I love Joseph, but Ryan is likable and a great guy, too. But, he’s not LDS and June has told him he wants to marry in the temple. Joseph does go on his mission, and June’s career takes off as does Ryan’s. The ending definitely sets up another book, which I can’t wait to read!

Shannen is the author of many fabulous books. Her book Finding June, was a Whitney Award finalist in 2012.

Shannen is having a Facebook launch party for Chasing June.

Author Links

Goodreads / Blog / Twitter / Facebook

Purchase Links (will be available when book is officially for sale, will update)

Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Chasing June

by Shannen Crane Camp

Giveaway ends December 08, 2013.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Christmas from Heaven – Blog Tour and Names of Christ Ornament Set

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

Dec 042013

Christmas from Heaven: The True Story of the Berlin Candy Bomber

As read by Tom Brokaw

Illustrated by Robert T. Barrett

Published: October 15th, 2013

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

ISBN13: 978-1-60907-700-6

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

Reviewed by Mindy

Inside Book Jacket Summary

From little things come big things.

Christmas from Heaven is the story of the humble beginnings of what became a beacon of hope to a war-torn land, the story of Gail Halvorsen, a young pilot in the US Army Air Corps who was assigned as a cargo pilot to the Berlin Airlift, in which US forces flew much needed supplies into a Soviet blockaded Berlin.

As he performed his duties, Lt. Halvorsen began to notice the German children gathered by the fences of the Tempelhof Air Base. Knowing that they had very little, he one day offered them some chewing gum. From that small act, an idea sprang: He would “bomb” Berlin with candy. Fashioning small parachutes, he and his crew sent them floating down as the approached the Berlin airport, wiggling the wings of their C-54 as a signal to the children that their anticipated cargo would soon arrive.

Lt. Halvorsen became known by hundreds, if not thousands, of children in Berlin as “Uncle Wiggly Wings” or “The Candy Bomber”. Word soon spread, and donations of candy and other supplies poured in from sympathetic American. Lt. Halvorsen’s small idea became a great symbol of hope, not only to German children in a bombed-out city, but to all those who yearned for freedom.

My Review

I was able to attend the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas performance last year, Home for the Holidays (which I will review this week) I was extremely touched by story of “The Candy Bomber”. And to top it off, Lt. Halvorsen made an appearance as well. That was very touching. I know I wasn’t the only one with tears in my eyes. This book beautifully expresses Lt. Halvorsen’s story. I loved how there were actual pictures along with the illustrations in the book. It added a wonderful real factor to this beautiful true story. My favorite thing was the note on the very last page, written by a young girl, thanking the Flyer Uncle for the sky food. Very sweet. What an amazing story and an amazing man. This book will be a welcome addition to our family Christmas book library.

Purchase Links

Deseret Book / Amazon / Seagull Book / Barnes and Noble

The Biblical Names of Christ Ornament Set

These beautiful ornaments depict the biblical names of Christ. My family and I decorated our tree over the weekend and put these lovely ornaments on. On the back of the case they came in, there are scriptures that reference each of the names on the ornaments. My family and I had a Family Home Evening and read each of these scriptures. These ornaments are beautiful and a great addition to our decorations.

Purchase Links

Deseret Book

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