Shanda

I Believe in Jesus Too by Mark S. Nielsen

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Jul 092012
 

I Believe in Jesus Too

Author: Mark S. Nielsen

Illustrator: Craig Stapley

Publisher: Deseret Book

Published Date: February 2012

Hardcover; 32 pages

Genre: Children’s Religious Non-Fiction

ISBN# 978-1-60908-741-8

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: free review copy in exchange for an honest review

Goodreads Summary

All around the world, Latter-day Saint children go to church, sing songs, pray, read scriptures, participate in family home evening, and get baptized. We may meet in different types of buildings or speak different languages, but we have a lot in common. Why? Because no matter where we live, we all love and believe in Jesus, and He loves each one of us just the same. Are you like Pablo, Dimitri, Bayani, Junpei, and Shamara? Do you believe in Jesus too?

My Review

I Believe in Jesus Too is beautifully illustrated and simply stated peek at how familiar aspects of the LDS religion are experienced by children all over the world. Primary-aged children as young as 3 years old will enjoy the glimpses into the lives of other LSD children around the world.

I’m happy to place I Believe in Jesus Too on my children’s bookshelf. At three and five years old, I know my two youngest will flip through it again and again, looking at pictures and asking me to read it to them. It’s perfect for a Sunday morning or afternoon, or as a bedtime story. It’s quick to read so when your child asks for one more story, I Believe in Jesus Too is a great option. :)

If you are looking for a good picture book for young children that will expand their world view of life and their religion, then I Believe in Jesus Too is one I am happy to recommend.

 

Countdown to Summer 2012 Winners

 Posted by  Countdown to Summer, Special Features
Jul 062012
 

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Countdown to Summer 2012. We hope both the authors and our blog readers enjoyed the countdown. Every year the selection of great books by talented authors grows, and the Countdowns are a fun way to celebrate great reads.

I had planned to draw names and post winners yesterday but ended up being away from home and my computer most of the day. Are you ready to see who won? Of course you are, and if you haven’t already scrolled down to see if your name is on the list I am seriously impressed. :)

Here are the winners of the book prizes generously donated by their authors:

(as per random.org)

Reality Check by Karen Tuft – RACHEL

Cold Justice by Kathi Oram Peterson – ALYSON MARTIN

Journey to the Fringe by Kelli Nielsen – LOLAWID

Dangerous Favor by Joyce DiPastena – CINDY

Twitterpated by Melanie Jacobson – CINDY

Of Grace & Chocolate by Krista Lynne Jensen – LOLAWID

Espionage by AL Sowards – CATHY JEPPSEN

And finally-

This year’s winner of the $25 Amazon gift card is…….

****CHRIS F.*****

Congratulations to all of you! Please send an email to ldswbr (at) gmail (dot) com with your address so the authors can get your prizes out to you.

Thanks again for all of the wonderful comments left on each of the Countdown to Summer 2012 posts. You all had such nice things to say and I know the authors appreciate the great feedback and encouragement.

We hope you all had a great 4th of July.

Enjoy the rest of your summer and keep reading!

 

Daughters of Jared by H.B. Moore

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Jul 022012
 

Daughters of Jared

Author: H.B. Moore

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published Date: May 2012

Softcover; 201 pages

Genre: Book of Mormon Historical Fiction

ISBN# 978-1-60861-395-3

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: review copy in exchange for an honest review

Summary

Naiva, daughter of the dethroned King Jared II, lives in the shadow of her privileged elder sister, Asherah. But when Asherah develops a secret plot to return their father to the throne, Naiva’s resentment turns to fear. Thwarting the scheme becomes more complicated when Naiva discovers that Akish, the first man who has shown interest in her, is an integral part of the plan. Asherah traps Akish in a ploy to make him marry her, breaking Naiva’s heart and leaving her feeling more alone than ever. Somehow Naiva must find the strength to stand against the encroaching evil in the kingdom and a sister who will stop at nothing to become queen. When Akish’s wickedness escalates and threatens to destroy the bonds of sisterhood, Naiva must decide between protecting her sister and honoring her new belief in the true God, a forbidden belief that could cost her life.

My Review

After reading one of Heather’s books, I return to that section of the Book of Mormon and read those scriptures with a new perspective of what life might have been like for those people. I’ve always considered the daughter of Jared to be evil and that was pretty much it, yet Heather opened my mind to the possibility that she may have come to regret her actions.

Did she fear for her life after her husband murdered her father upon the throne? Perhaps she mourned as her husband became paranoid about losing the throne, going so far as to imprison and starve her own son to death. Did she feel alone and wonder if she could join the rest of her family that lived by the seashore with her grandfather, the ousted king Omer?

Daughters of Jared was just as good, if not better, than the other Book of Mormon historical fiction Heather has written. The story is naturally a bit darker (considering there is murderous plotting, imprisonments and secret combinations) and yet there is hope and light woven throughout. The reader experiences everything through Naiva, another daughter of Jared. She has to make difficult choices and sacrifices yet still manages to find happiness in being with her family. The end of the story is a bitterweet one for Naiva.

It never ceases to amaze me the story Heather can weave from the information given in just a few passages. Daughters of Jared takes place during Ether 8 and part of Ether 9. I certainly hope Heather doesn’t stop writing about this part of the Book of Mormon. What do you say, Heather? Is there more story to tell?

Purchase Daughters of Jared: AMAZON | DESERET BOOK | SEAGULL BOOK

Twitterpated by Melanie Jacobson – Countdown to Summer 2012

 Posted by  Countdown to Summer, Special Features
Jun 302012
 

Melanie Bennett Jacobson is an avid reader, amateur cook, and champion shopper. She consumes astonishing amounts of chocolate, chick flicks, and romance novels. After meeting her husband online, she is now living happily married in Southern California with her growing family and a series of doomed houseplants. Melanie is a former English teacher and a popular speaker who loves to laugh and make others laugh. In her down time (ha!), she writes romantic comedies for Covenant and maintains her humorous slice-of-life blog. Her third novel, Twitterpated, hits shelves in March.

Follow Melanie: WEBSITE | BLOG | TWITTER

LDSWBR: Do you find it easier or more difficult to write during the summertime? Why?

MELANIE: SO MUCH HARDER. It’s mainly because my littlest one just gave up naps and that was my sacred writing time, but it’s also because we don’t have a set daily routine where I’ve blocked out writing time. I don’t want to drag my kids back early from the beach just so I can write. It also doesn’t help that I’m in between projects right now, but I’m about to start outlining a new novel next week, so maybe I’ll hit my groove soon!

LDSWBR: Would you rather be in the pool or next to the pool?

MELANIE: Next to the pool, hands down. I’m always tucked up under my big, shady umbrella avoiding the splashes while I watch my kids play. I’ll go out if my toddler insists but I’d much rather not. Now, if I could just drift on an air mattress without small child water disturbances, that would be a different story.

LDSWBR: Ice cream or slushie? What flavor?

MELANIE: Ice cream. Butter pecan. Or maybe cookies and cream. Although mint chip is great in the summer. Then again, I kind of love straight up vanilla. Um, I guess ALL THE FLAVORS. But not chocolate. I don’t like chocolate ice cream or cake or milk. But I love chocolate everything else.

LDSWBR: Thanks, Melanie. Enjoy your summer!

Twitterpated by Melanie Jacobson

AMAZON | DESERET BOOK | SEAGULL BOOK

Jessie Taylor is furious when her roommate secretly posts her picture on the dating website LDS Lookup — furious, that is, until she spends all night instant messaging Ben Bratton, a man whose wit and warmth just might make Jessie forget the train wreck of her last romantic relationship. Their first date is a smashing success (literally), but Ben’s overall awesomeness can’t save Jessie from having to deal with Craig, her competitive coworker whose baiting behavior sets new standards for obnoxiousness. Determined to beat Craig at his own game, Jessie spends long office hours finishing projects and putting out fires, but while her performance wows her boss, it only makes Ben skittish— after a failed engagement to an up-and-coming lawyer, he’s not about to pair up with someone who’s married to her job. Will Jessie figure out how to be true to herself and take her big chance at love before it’s gone with a click of the mouse?

*  *  *

To enter the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2012, leave a thoughtful comment below.

Be sure to comment on each Countdown to Summer 2012 post for more chances to win. Please click through to the website as only comments submitted directly on this post will be accepted.

Prizes include a $25 Amazon gift card and the author-donated books listed below. This is raffle-style drawing where all entries throughout the contest period are entered into the same “hat” for all prizes. US only. 18 years and older please. See all contest rules and restrictions HERE.

If you don’t already follow LDSWBR through email, Facebook or Twitter (those cute little book buttons on the sidebar) you may want to consider doing so during the contest so you don’t miss any posts or chances to enter the drawing. Following LDSWBR is not required but it is nice to know that our book reviews are useful to other readers. :)

If one of our LDSWBR reviews has ever helped you find a book you enjoyed, perhaps you would consider helping us spread the word about the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2012. A link posted to your friends and family either in email or on your favorite social network would be so greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Book prizes donated by the authors include:

Reality Check by Karen Tuft

Cold Justice by Kathi Oram Peterson

Journey to the Fringe by Kelli Nielsen

Dangerous Favor by Joyce DiPastena (choice of print, Kindle or Nook)

Twitterpated by Melanie Jacobson

Of Grace and Chocolate by Krista Lynne Jensen

Espionage by A.L. Sowards

Becoming Bayley by Susan Auten – Countdown to Summer 2012

 Posted by  Countdown to Summer, Special Features
Jun 292012
 

I’ve always loved telling stories. My favorite is the one where I sent the wrong letter to the right missionary. We were married the next summer. I attended LDS Business College where I earned an Associate’s in Computer Technology and Brigham Young University where I should have majored in English. I live in a small town nestled in the heart of the Appalachians. When I’m not busy writing, I can be found baking cookies, going to the movies, helping with the homework or catching fireflies with my handsome husband and four adorable children.

Follow Susan: BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

LDSWBR: Do you find it easier or more difficult to write during the summertime? Why?

SUSAN: I don’t know that it’s harder for me to write in the summertime. I pound it out during the school year so that when my kids are out, I can take a break. I write when I can, but I don’t let the guilt creep in if we went to the pool or the movies or caught fireflies instead. My family will always come first and there’s plenty of time for writing during the school year.

LSDWBR: Would you rather be in the pool or next to the pool?

SUSAN: This is a tricky question for me. I’m pretty picky about the pool. I love to swim. Laps. In a calm lap pool. I don’t like to be cold and unless I’m doing some serious moving, the pool makes me chilly. If the water is warm enough though, or my husband throws me in, I splash around with the family.

LDSWBR: Ice cream or slushie? What flavor?

SUSAN: Ice cream! (Though my current WIP has a lot of slushies in it.) I’m not a fruit lover, even though I’ve tried. I’m sure I get the love of ice cream from my dad. He ate at least one, every day

LDSWBR: Thank you so much, Susan!

Becoming Bayley by Susan Auten

AMAZON | DESERET BOOK

Bayley Albrecht’s dream is to play soccer on BYU’s South Field. When she is invited to soccer camp the summer before her senior year in high school, she just knows she’s one step closer to her dream. Things get even better when she meets Matt Macauley, the star of the men’s soccer team. When they decide to write each other while Matt is on his mission, Bayley figures her life can’t get any better. But it certainly can get worse . . .

After she receives a minor concussion from playing soccer, Bayley discovers she had a disease called alopecia which causes her to lose her hair. As Bayley struggles to deal with the reality of her baldness she finds herself having to make some tough decisions. Can she still play soccer? Does she even want to? More importantly, should she tell Matt? And will he still want her when she does? Becoming Bayley is the story of one girl’s journey through self-discovery, of the definition of true love, and of the realization that as a daughter of God, she is of infinite worth.

*  *  *

To enter the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2012, leave a thoughtful comment below.

Be sure to comment on each Countdown to Summer 2012 post for more chances to win. Please click through to the website as only comments submitted directly on this post will be accepted.

Prizes include a $25 Amazon gift card and the author-donated books listed below. This is raffle-style drawing where all entries throughout the contest period are entered into the same “hat” for all prizes. US only. 18 years and older please. See all contest rules and restrictions HERE.

If you don’t already follow LDSWBR through email, Facebook or Twitter (those cute little book buttons on the sidebar) you may want to consider doing so during the contest so you don’t miss any posts or chances to enter the drawing. Following LDSWBR is not required but it is nice to know that our book reviews are useful to other readers. :)

If one of our LDSWBR reviews has ever helped you find a book you enjoyed, perhaps you would consider helping us spread the word about the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2012. A link posted to your friends and family either in email or on your favorite social network would be so greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Book prizes donated by the authors include:

Reality Check by Karen Tuft

Cold Justice by Kathi Oram Peterson

Journey to the Fringe by Kelli Nielsen

Dangerous Favor by Joyce DiPastena (choice of print, Kindle or Nook)

Twitterpated by Melanie Jacobson

Of Grace and Chocolate by Krista Lynne Jensen

Espionage by A.L. Sowards

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson – Countdown to Summer 2012

 Posted by  Countdown to Summer, Special Features
Jun 282012
 

Julianne Donaldson grew up as the daughter of a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot. She learned how to ski in the Italian Alps, visited East Berlin before the wall came down, and spent three years living next to a 500-year-old castle. After earning a degree in English, she turned her attention to writing about distant times and places. She lives in Utah with her husband and four children.

Follow Julianne: BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

LDSWBR: Do you find it easier or more difficult to write during the summertime? Why?

JULIANNE: It is always hard to find time to write. Summer is crazier for me because my house turns into the gathering place for half the kids in the neighborhood, and there is never a quiet moment from dawn til dusk. I definitely look forward to the structure of the school year and the earlier bed times that come with it.

LDSWBR: Would you rather be in the pool or next to the pool?

JULIANNE: If it’s hot, get me in the pool. If there’s a nice breeze, stick me in the shade with a good book and I’m happy as can be.

LDSWBR: Ice cream or slushie? What flavor?

JULIANNE: Mmmm…they both sound good right now. I vote berry slushie on a hot afternoon; chocolate nutty ice cream at night.

LDSWBR: Thanks, Julianne!

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

AMAZON | DESERET BOOK | SEAGULL BOOK

Marianne Daventry will do anything to escape the boredom of Bath and the amorous attentions of an unwanted suitor. So when an invitation arrives from her twin sister, Cecily, to join her at a sprawling country estate, she jumps at the chance. Thinking she’ll be able to relax and enjoy her beloved English countryside while her sister snags the handsome heir of Edenbrooke, Marianne finds that even the best laid plans can go awry. From a terrifying run-in with a highwayman to a seemingly harmless flirtation, Marianne finds herself embroiled in an unexpected adventure filled with enough romance and intrigue to keep her mind racing. Will Marianne be able to rein in her traitorous heart, or will a mysterious stranger sweep her off her feet? Fate had something other than a relaxing summer in mind when it sent Marianne to Edenbrooke.

*  *  *

To enter the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2012, leave a thoughtful comment below.

Be sure to comment on each Countdown to Summer 2012 post for more chances to win. Please click through to the website as only comments submitted directly on this post will be accepted.

Prizes include a $25 Amazon gift card and the author-donated books listed below. This is raffle-style drawing where all entries throughout the contest period are entered into the same “hat” for all prizes. US only. 18 years and older please. See all contest rules and restrictions HERE.

If you don’t already follow LDSWBR through email, Facebook or Twitter (those cute little book buttons on the sidebar) you may want to consider doing so during the contest so you don’t miss any posts or chances to enter the drawing. Following LDSWBR is not required but it is nice to know that our book reviews are useful to other readers. :)

If one of our LDSWBR reviews has ever helped you find a book you enjoyed, perhaps you would consider helping us spread the word about the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2012. A link posted to your friends and family either in email or on your favorite social network would be so greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Book prizes donated by the authors include:

Reality Check by Karen Tuft

Cold Justice by Kathi Oram Peterson

Journey to the Fringe by Kelli Nielsen

Dangerous Favor by Joyce DiPastena (choice of print, Kindle or Nook)

Twitterpated by Melanie Jacobson

Of Grace and Chocolate by Krista Lynne Jensen

Espionage by A.L. Sowards

 

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