Mindy

Ephraim’s Rescue — Movie Review/Carriage Rides

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

May 232013

Ephraim’s Rescue

Director: T.C. Christensen

Starring: Darin Southam

Reviewed by Mindy

I was lucky enough to see an early screening of this movie. I loved it. The story is beautiful and moving. I really enjoyed how the story would jump from Ephraim’s life to that of the saints in England, and when they start coming across the plains. I was a great way to get to know all of them equally. I was moved to tears many times in the movie. Especially at the end while reading the bios of the real life characters. Darin Southam did a great job of portraying Ephraim. I loved how we were able to get to know him and saw what his life was like before he was sent to rescue the handcart company. I also really liked Thomas Dobson. He did not want to be there, crossing the plains, and I enjoyed his journey, too. They all suffered many hard ships. Near the end, he learns a great lesson of faith. Be warned to have plenty of kleenex nearby when viewing this great movie.

Ephraim’s Rescue opens May 31st!

Salt Lake City Carriage Rides

On May 27th – 28th from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Ephraim’s Rescue will sponsor FREE 10-minute carriage rides. You can pick up your carriage in front of the downtown Deseret Book store!

Ephraim’s Rescue — Premiere Giveaway

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

May 132013

Posted by Mindy.

I was invited to a blogger event last week where I was able to hear the T.C. Christensen (director) and Darin Southam (star) of Ephraim’s Rescue talk about this new release from Excel Entertainment. T.C. Christensen also directed 17 Miracles.

Synopsis

From T.C. Christensen, director of the sensational pioneer film, 17 Miracles, comes the heroic true story of a simple man who was called to do the work of angels. Ephraim’s Rescue relates the story of Ephraim Hanks: a rescuer of the Martin Handcart company.

Follow Ephraim as his adventures lead him to join the LDS Church and ultimately to one of the most heroic rescues in American history. With a unique desire to help andstrengthen others, Ephraim learns that each choice we make can prepare us for what lies ahead. He discovers, through it all, that decisions determine destiny.

Director

T.C. Christensen

Producer/ Writer/ Director

T.C. Christensen is one of the brilliant minds behind the camera when it comes to these family favorites:

17 Miracles (Excel Entertainment); Emma Smith: My Story (Morning Dew); Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration (LDS Church); Testaments (LDS Church); The Work & the Glory (Manchester Pictures); Forever Strong (Go Films); Sea Monsters (National Geographic); Roving Mars (Disney); The Buttercreme Gang(Family Films); Rigoletto (Family Films); The Mouths of Babes (VTA); Finding Faith in Christ (LDS Church); Treasure in Heaven: The John Tanner Story (VTA); Only a Stonecutter (VTA).

T.C. has won over 270 national and international awards for his work in directing and photography. In 2010 he was invited to join the American Society of Cinematographers.

Starring

Darin Southam as Ephraim Hanks

Darin’s passion for acting started with a play in his 7th grade drama class and has evolved into a career, with roles that span from indie films, such as Last Man(s) On Earth, to Disney’s Halloweentown High, Discovery Channel’s I Shouldn’t Be Alive, and Fox’s 127 Hours. A former student of Playhouse West in North Hollywood (Jeff Goldblum, James Franco, Michelle Pfieffer, etc.)

Darin enjoys the method of digging deep into the characters he portrays. At heart, Darin is a family man with a wife and 3 young children; he hopes his performance as Ephraim Hanks in T.C.’s Ephraim’s Rescue will elevate his opportunity to pursue what he truly loves to do – act in film. More info about Darin can be found at darinsoutham.com. Facebook Page.

Links for Ephraim’s Rescue

Website / Facebook / Trailer / Trailer 2 / Theater Listings / Paul Cardall Music Video

I am excited to tell you that I have TWO premiere tickets to giveaway. Contest ends Friday May 17th, at midnight. The winner will choose which one they can attend. Please leave a thoughtful comment below with your email. If no email address is listed, I will pick a new winner.

Special Screening Choices

Monday, May 20th — Gateway Salt Lake City 11:00 am

Thursday, May 23rd — Red Carpet Premiere in Centerville 7:00 pm

Saturday, May 25th — St. George, Pineview Stadium 3:00 pm

Tuesday, May 28th — Ogden, The Junction 6:30 pm

Wednesday, May 29th — Logan, University Stadium 6:30 pm

Wednesday, May 29th — Orem, Cinemark 6:30 pm

Snow Whyte and the Queen of Mayhem by Melissa Lemon

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews

May 112013

Snow Whyte and the Queen of Mayhem

Author: Melissa Lemon

Publisher: Sweetwater Books/Cedar Fort

Published: December 11th, 2012

ISBN13: 9781462111459

Hardcover: 288 pages

FTC FYI: Received a PDF from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, then purchased my own copy.

Reviewed by Mindy

Inside Book Jacket

Katiyana Whyte’s world is only as big as the apple orchard she was raised on. She can never leave the home where she grew up under the careful eye of her uncle Barney. But when life at the orchard suddenly becomes dangerous and her childhood friend Jeremy begs her to flee, Kat finds refuge in the Fluttering Forest with seven dwarves.

Meanwhile, the queen of Mayhem, an evil sorceress, learns through her magic mirror that the daughter she believed to be dead, still lives. Enraged, she sends a servant to kill Kat, the princess of Mayhem, but Kat finds protection in a spell that causes snowstorms whenever she is in danger, giving her the nickname Snow Whyte.

In the wonderfully imagined Snow Whyte and the Queen of Mayhem, nobody is quite who they seem. Full of romance and adventure, this is the magical tale of Snow White as you’ve never read it.

My Review

4 of out 5 stars. I was instantly taken with this story. I loved the narrator (I won’t say who he is for spoiler reasons, but you find out early on). I really enjoyed seeing each character through his eyes. The Queen was awesomely evil. She truly was a wicked queen, and written very well. Queen Radiance (as she made her subjects call her) stole the show. There are so many twists in this great story, and lots of fun surprises. Kat is a sweetheart. I enjoyed how her little dwarf friends loved her , and how she loved them. Jeremy was an unexpected surprise, and his story is so cool! Again, many twists that are very enjoyable.

Author Links

Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Seagull Book / Deseret Book

One Drop at a Time by M. Russell Ballard

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

May 092013

One Drop at a Time: A Message for Women

M. Russell Ballard

Publisher: Deseret Book

Published: March 2013

ISBN-13: 978-1-60907-522-4

Hardcover: 42 pages

FTC FYI: Received a review copy

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

Do you sometimes wonder if your little efforts could possibly make any difference at all? Consider a simple example from nature.

Honey is “one of the foods that includes all the substances— enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and water—necessary to sustain life,” writes Elder M. Russell Ballard. And yet, “Over its short lifetime of just a few weeks to four months, a single honeybee’s contribution of honey to its hive is a mere one-twelfth of one teaspoon. Though seemingly insignificant when compared to the total, each bee’s one-twelfth of a teaspoon of honey is vital to the life of the hive.”

Your simple, daily acts of service matter, and this charmingly illustrated little book will lift your heart as it demonstrates the power of many righteous people working together to fill the world, one drop at a time, with the sweet truths of the gospel.

My Review

This sweet book is adapted from the October 2012 LDS Conference talk from Elder M. Russell Ballard titled: Be Anxiously Engaged. The pictures in this book are beautiful. Each have different picture of beehives. I love the story of the honeybee. How so much work is dedicated and needed for a drop of honey. This book (and talk) remind me that I can make a difference. Even if my efforts may seem small to me, they will be noticed by others and most importantly, my Heavenly Father. There were many quotes I enjoyed throughout the book, but this, I especially liked:

Remember, honey contains all of the substances necessary to sustain mortal life. And the doctrine and gospel of Christ is the only way to obtain eternal life. Only when our testimony transcends what is in our mind and burrows deep into our heart will our motivation to love and to service become like unto the Savior’s. It is then, and only then, that we become deeply converted disciples of Christ empowered by the Spirit to reach the hearts of our fellowmen. (page 27)

Another wonderful book for Mother’s Day. Give this book to the women in your life, they will thank you.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Purchase Links

Deseret Book / Amazon / Seagull Book

The Continuous Conversion by Brad Wilcox

Posted by Mindy Book News

May 082013

The Continuous Conversion

Author: Brad Wilcox

Publisher: Deseret Book

Published: March 1st, 2013

Hardcover: 232 pages

ISBN13: 978-1-60907-327-5

FTC FYI: Received a review copy

Posted by Mindy

Inside Book Jacket

“I can’t do this Mormon thing,” a friend told Brad Wilcox. “I’ve tried, and the expectations are too high.” And she’s not alone in her thinking. Many people, as the feel themselves falling short of perfection, are tempted to quit trying.”

But are there only two options? Think of it this way: When a person is learning to play the piano, are the only two options performing at the Carnegie Hall or quitting? Similarly, in mortality, are the only two choices being perfect or giving up?

“No,” writes Brad Wilcox. “Growth and development take time. Learning take practice. Discipleship is a journey, and true conversion is a continuous process.”

In this hope-filled book, Brad shares his keen understanding and testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ as it relates to our own conversion. Conversion occurs, he says, “when we stop trying to earn heaven and start trying to learn it….As we take each little step to show faith, repent, make and live covenants, seek the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end, we are not paying our way into heaven. We are practicing for it.”

God isn’t just proving us, He’s improving us.

Product Review

I am so blessed to receive these amazing books that I get to tell you about. The premise behind this book is beautiful. As I go through my life, I find that it is all I can do to get through the day, sometimes. My daughter said something to me just this last Sunday.

Mom, Sunday is my favorite day of the week. I love going to church, and I love being with my family because we are there together, and we get to learn about Heavenly Father and Jesus and how to be better.

How blessed are we to have a loving Heavenly Father and Savior in our lives. Reading this book will give you the reminder that perfection is not required of you, just strive to do your best. The heading for Chapter 3 says it well.

A Mighty Change is Slow. True conversion is not instantaneous. It is continuous. It includes making daily choices to reject the path that leads to becoming a natural man and to choose instead the path that leads to becoming a saint. (page 53)

If you are looking for a Mother’s Day or Father’s Day gift, this book is it.

About the Author

Brad Wilcox is an associated professor in the department of Teacher Education at Brigham Young University, where he also works with programs such as Especially for Youth and Campus Education Week. As a young man, he severed his mission in Chile, and he was later called back to that country to preside over the Chile Santiago East Mission from 2003 to 2006. He currently serves as a member of the Sunday School general board.

Brad is the author of the bestselling book The Continuous Atonement and the BYU devotional “His Grace is Sufficient.” He and his wife, Debi, are the parents of four children and grandparents of three.

Purchase Links

Deseret Book / Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Seagull Book

Lost then Found by Heather B. Moore

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews

May 082013

Lost then Found: An Aliso Creek Novella

Author: Heather B. Moore

Publisher: Mirror Press, LLC

Published: May 1st, 2013

ebook: 60 pages

FTC FYI: Received a free review copy.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

Welcome to the Aliso Creek Novella series

Liz, Gemma, Arie, Jess, and Drew have been best friends since creating “the Five” at Aliso Creek High School. But that was over ten years ago, and each is still trying to find that perfect someone… if perfect is even possible.

Arie, at the top of her career as VP of an established real estate company, discovers that her success has led to a less-than-successful dating life. But she may have just met the ideal man in work-a-holic film producer, Dustin Jacobs. Seeing each other once a week, or even once a month, is no big deal since they are both ambitious… until Arie realizes she wants much, much more.

My Review

As always with Heather’s book, I was immediately taken into the story in Lost then Found. Arie is an instantly likable character. I also enjoyed that we were able to get to know Valentina a bit in this book, as well. Valentina is an ex-girlfriend of Drew’s that I have been curious about. I really like the novellas in this series and I have become a huge fan of short stories. Arie has a lot happen to her in this “short” story and she handles herself well. Dustin is a high-powered producer who seems taken with her from the start. Their relationship hits a few snags at the beginning, and one at the end that I didn’t see coming, but enjoyed. Each of these novellas are unique and are fun, fast reads. They do not need to be read in order, either.

4 out of 5 stars. Heather is the author of many fabulous books and short stories. Read more about her awesomeness here. The last Aliso Creek novella, One Chance, comes out June 1st, 2013. Heather is also apart of the Timeless series of short stories. Summer Weddings came out May 3rd. Five other authors also contributed: Sarah M. Eden, Annette Lyon, Melanie Jacobson, Julie Wright, Rachael Renee Anderson. These are books you don’t want to miss.

Author Links

Goodreads / Website / Facebook / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble

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