Shanda

Jan 152013
 
***UPDATE: Giveaway has been extended until February 12, 2013.***

In conjunction with our podcast interview with author Jeff (J. Scott) Savage, we are giving away three books: two copies of Case File 13: Zombie Kid and one copy of Dark Memories. See below for details!

*****

You hold in your hands a very dangerous record.

I have collected every side of the story and every piece of evidence on case number 13. Now, in this file, you will find all you need to follow the dark adventures of Nick, Carter, and Angelo, three boys who possess an unhealthy obsession with monsters, in a town so grisly, so horrific—

Whoa, whoa, whoa. You’re telling it all wrong, dude. You make it sound like it’s a scary story.

Ahem. Well, Nick, it is a scary story. In this volume alone, there are voodoo queens, graveyards—even the dreaded Zombie King himself.

Yeah, but there’s also the part where Angie gets mashed potatoes all in her face, and the part where I use my cool zombie powers to—

All right, point taken. Now, if you don’t mind . . .

You hold in your hands a very dangerous, very funny record, detailing the hilarious adventures of three boys who have an awesome obsession with monsters. This is the first volume. Read on if you dare. . . .

*****

There are things in the darkness—things much worse than the tracks and abandoned pieces of equipment that trip the children up and gash at their feet and legs—things that brush silently past them, touching their faces before disappearing again.

1977—In the sleepy Town of Twin falls, Colorado, what starts as a carefree school picnic ends in tragedy when six children disappear into an abandoned gold mine. Six enter the dark void—and days later, only five emerge. After an arduous search, the hunt for the last child is called off and the mine entrance is blasted. Little Frankie is left behind, alone in the darkness.

He is coming.

2011—Police Chief Cal Hunt’s investigation into the recent string of bizarre murders in Twin Falls takes a chilling turn when he learns that each of the victims was a survivor of the Seven Stars mine incident. Cal realizes that they share a dark secret—the truth about what happened to Frankie.

To drag them deeper.

With time running out for the remaining survivors, Cal must face a killer that defies all logical explanation. Because no matter how Cal analyzes the facts, there is only one conclusion: A supernatural force is reaching out from the depths to reclaim those who escaped more than thirty years before. And it will not rest until it takes them all . . .

Into the darkness.

*****

Contest Details:

By commenting and entering the giveaway on this post, you agree to the contest rules below:

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY; entrants must be 18 years or older; open to residents of continental US only; giveaway begins January 15, 2013 and all entries must be received by 12:00 Midnight February 12, 2013 Mountain Time; to enter- complete the required entry by leaving a thoughtful comment on the giveaway post and any bonus entries as outlined on the giveaway post; LDS Women’s Book Review reserves the right to determine what is considered a thoughtful comment; giveaway prizes include two (2) copies of Case File 13: Zombie Kid and one (1) copy of Dark Memories, both by Jeffery S. (J. Scott) Savage; the number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning; LDS Women’s Book Review is not liable for technical problems which may affect entry into the giveaway; winner identity will be verified by email address; winner will be selected the week of February 13, 2013 by use of a sequence generator on random.org; winner will have until February 22, 2013 to claim their prize; if prize winner forfeits or does not claim prize, prize will be re-awarded to next winner in sequence; all prizes will be awarded; this contest/giveaway is not associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other entity unless otherwise specified; by entering the giveaway you give LDS Women’s Book Review the right to publicize your name on the LDS Women’s Book Review blog; winner agrees to release LDS Women’s Book Review from any liability as a result of winning; email comments & questions to LDS Women’s Book Review – ldswbr (at) gmail (dot) com; giveaway subject to Utah regulations; VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

How to Enter:

  • REQUIRED ENTRY: Leave a comment on this post telling us your favorite book by Jeffrey S. (J. Scott) Savage. If you haven’t read any of his books yet, tell us which of his books you would read first. (Here are Goodreads book lists for J. Scott Savage and Jeffrey S. Savage.)
  • BONUS ENTRIES: Listen to Part 1 and Part 2 of our interview with Jeff (J. Scott) Savage and answer the questions on the form below. Each correct answer is worth two additional entries. You MUST complete the required entry for the bonus entries to be included.

Jan 152013
 

Part 2 of our interview author Jeff (J. Scott) Savage. In this segment, Jeff reads a selection from his newly released novel, Dark Memories. We discuss the continuation of the Farworld series and how the Case File 13 series came to be published.  We had a great time podcasting with Jeff and his wife, Jennifer. We are giving away two copies of Case File 13: Zombie Kid (released December 2012) as well as a copy of Dark Memories (released January 2013). Visit the blog (www.ldswbr.com) for details on how to enter the giveaway. Music attribution: Seeing The Future (Dexter Britain) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

[podcast]http://www.ldswomensbookreview.com/shows/2013-01-15/ldswbr_season7episode2part2_1-15-2013.mp3[/podcast]

Jan 152013
 

In this episode we interview author Jeff (J. Scott) Savage. We discuss his recently released and upcoming books as well as a number of other reading and publishing-related topics. As always there is plenty of laughter. We had a great time podcasting with Jeff and his wife, Jennifer. We are giving away two copies of Case File 13: Zombie Kid (released December 2012) as well as a copy of Dark Memories (released January 2013). Visit the blog (www.ldswbr.com) for details on how to enter the giveaway. Music attribution: Seeing The Future (Dexter Britain) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

[podcast]http://www.ldswomensbookreview.com/shows/2013-01-15/ldswbr_season7episode2part1_1-15-2013.mp3[/podcast]

Jan 142013
 

 

Author Eric Shuster will be providing a series of blog posts summarizing various sections of his upcoming book Where are the Christians? due to be released this spring from Cedar Fort, Inc. We will feature one post each week from now until May 2013. For more information visit www.findyourchristianity.com.

* * *

Book Overview

 

Ponder if you will the state of our world; and in particular the condition of America. Although one can easily argue the United States is still the greatest nation in the world and a country so many desire to come to—risk their lives to enter into—there is no denying America’s social, moral and spiritual fabric continues to deteriorate at an accelerated pace. For many this is an alarming and discouraging trend.

Now consider the fact that 76% of Americans claim to be Christian, making the United States one of the highest per-capita Christian nations in the world. A nation full of Christians in a deteriorating society? If this indeed be the case then WHERE ARE THE CHRISTIANS? To solve this conundrum author Eric Shuster gives us a book that bears this question as its title with the promise of answers and a unique journey for readers.

Where are the Christians? uses the classic format of who, what, where and how to explore Christianity and the dynamics that unite and divide the religion into the unrealized potential it suffers from today (thus the subtitle of the book—the Unrealized Potential of a Divided Religion). The book enlightens readers as to who the Christians are from a historical perspective; what a Christian is from a spiritual perspective; where the Christians are from a behavioral perspective; and how Christianity can be strengthened and more united from a societal perspective. Where are the Christians? examines hundreds of Biblical and scholarly sources, analyzing data from a multitude of studies leading to unique perspectives and solutions to the challenges facing Christianity in the modern era.

Where are the Christians? contains 17 chapters arranged into four sections:

  • SECTION 1: WHO ARE THE CHRISTIANS?—a history: 4 chapters providing a concise history of Christianity spread across four distinct periods: Evangelization and Formation, Legitimacy and Codification, Corruption and Division, and Reform and Denominational Proliferation.
  • SECTION 2: WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN?—a definition: 4 chapters examining the definition of a Christian from the perspectives of the world, the Bible, landmark religious studies, and what Shuster refers to as “Modern Day Pharisees.”
  • SECTION 3: WHERE ARE THE CHRISTIANS?—a categorization: 5 chapters profiling the five types of modern Christians including a unique and enlightening exercise to help readers understand what type of Christian they are among the five.
  • SECTION 4: HOW IS CHRISTIANITY TO UNITE?—a vision: 4 chapters describing the ways Christians in America can unite into a force for good by focusing on individuals, families, churches and communities.

For the next 17 weeks author Eric Shuster will take us on a tour through each of the chapters of Where are the Christians? providing a glimpse of what the book is all about the questions it will answer, the insights it will provide, and the vision it lays out in bringing together a deeply divided religion into realizing its true potential for America. This is one tour you won’t want to miss!

Go to www.findyourchristianity.com to watch the book trailer, find out what type of Christian you are, and to order the book.

 

Jan 142013
 

10 Questions to Answer While Preparing for a Mission

Author: Benjamin Hyrum White

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Published Date: January 2013

Softcover; 106 pages

Genre: Religious Nonfiction

ISBN# 978-1-4621-1149-7

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: received a free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review

Summary

Are you ready to be part of the greatest generation of missionaries? This book will give you the additional mental preparation and spiritual motivation necessary to answer this call. The 10 questions found in this book will help you look deep within yourselves to determine if you have sufficiently raised the bar in preparing for full-time missionary service.

Review

With the lower age requirements for missionaries recently announced, missionary applications have significantly increased. The release of 10 Questions to Answer While Preparing for a Mission couldn’t be more timely. I found this book to be a quick read and valuable resource to those who are considering serving in the mission field.

I didn’t serve a mission, but as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints I still found the questions pertinent to my life. As a mother, am I not serving as a missionary to my children? What about as a wife, sister, daughter, friend, and neighbor?

While 10 Questions to Answer While Preparing for a Mission is directed at young men and women who are desiring to serve missions, there are a few questions that all members should consider:

  • Do I Have a Testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
  • Do I Have “An Eye Single to the Glory of God?”
  • Do I Understand How to Feel and Recognize the Spirit?

I liked the way the subjects, quotes and scriptures were organized and presented. I also appreciated that the author addressed not just preparing for the mission but what to expect after the mission. This book discusses specific topics but also provides a “big picture” view of the missionary experience. It would make a nice addition to any potential missionary’s library.

Visit Benjamin Hyrum White:  GOODREADS | FACEBOOK

Find 10 Questions to Answer While Preparing for a Mission

AMAZON | DESERET BOOK | GOODREADS

 

 

Jan 082013
 

 

In this episode, Shanda, Sheila and Mindy discuss their favorite reads from 2012. The books they list range from fiction to non-fiction, locally published to national bestsellers, and short stories to series. Be prepared to take notes and add several new books to your to-read list. Visit LDSWBR on the blog, Facebook or Twitter and share your favorite reads of 2012. Music attribution: Seeing The Future (Dexter Britain) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

 

[podcast]http://www.ldswomensbookreview.com/shows/2013-01-08/ldswbr_season7episode1_1-8-2013.mp3[/podcast]