Shanda

Announcing the first “Read ’em All” Weekly Winner!

 Posted by  "Read 'em All" Finalists Challenge, Special Features
Feb 142014
 

read-em-all_prize1LDSWBR is excited to host the first “Read ’em All” Challenge weekly drawing. Yay!

In honor of today being Valentine’s Day, I have chosen to give the winner a lovely little sign to add to their home decor and a bag full of chocolate, specifically Dove dark chocolates and strawberry 3 Musketeers to munch on while finishing their Whitney reading. Yum!

Isn’t that a cute sign? Perfect for our giveaway. Hobby Lobby only had one left, or I would have picked up another for myself. (I should probably clarify here that the little black stand holding the sign is not included. That handy little thing is mine, but you can find them at Michaels I believe.)

read-em-all_prize1a

All you really do need is LOVE.

And books.

And chocolate, of course.

So, who gets all of this love and chocolate?

The winner of our first drawing is….

PEGGY EDDLEMAN!!!

Congratulations, Peggy! I will be contacting you via email soon.

Tune in next week for another “Read ’em All” Finalists Challenge weekly drawing. Don’t forget to visit the “Read ’em All” Rafflecopter page every time you finish reading a category so you can get another entry into the weekly drawings!

As You Are by Sarah M. Eden

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Feb 102014
 

AsYouAreAs You Are (The Jonquil Brothers #3)

Author: Sarah M. Eden

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published: January 2014

Paperback/Kindle/ebook: 193 pages

Genre: Regency Romance

ISBN# 9781621085751

Reviewed by: Shanda

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

Summary (Deseret Book)

A horse breeder by trade, Corbin Jonquil is more at home in the stables than in the ballroom of his sprawling estate. Corbin is the quietest of the Jonquil brothers and has always faded into the background, contentedly unnoticed. When a mysterious young widow, Mrs. Clara Bentford, moves into the neighborhood, however, Corbin quickly comes to realize that being noticed has its advantages. But how to catch the eye of the lady? According to his brothers, Corbin need only make a few simple changes to transform himself into the object of any woman’s desire—dubious advice, indeed. Following a series of misadventures, Corbin and Clara slowly lower the facades behind which they’ve been hiding, leaving Corbin shocked by the horrors that haunt the woman he’s coming to care for so ardently. When the menace of Clara’s past threatens to tear them apart and tensions mount, will the couple have the courage to fight for the promise of forever?

Review

In As You Are, we read about Corbin Jonquil, one of the quietest of the Jonquil brothers. He is brilliant, especially with horses, but he struggles to express himself to others. When he is won over by the beautiful smile of the mysterious woman who has moved into a nearby cottage, he longs to get to know her. Considering how difficult it is to speak to his own family, carrying on a conversation with Clara seems an impossible endeavor.

Corbin is so endearing. I couldn’t help but love him, even though I cringed (and laughed) at some of his attempts to get Clara to notice him. He was trying so hard, not realizing that it was enough just to be himself. Clara is a very likable character. Because of her past, I related well to her. I love that there is a bit of suspense in As You Are, as well as several cameos of characters from Sarah’s other books.

I look forward to each new book in the Jonquil Brothers series. (Good thing there are lots of brothers!) As grateful as I am for the digital review copy of As You Are provided by Covenant, I will be buying a copy of the physical book as well. First, I need Sarah to sign it for me, then it will be placed on the bookshelf reserved for my treasured Sarah M. Eden collection.

Visit Sarah:

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Find As You Are:

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Announcing the 2013 “Read ’em All” Finalists Challenge

 Posted by  "Read 'em All" Finalists Challenge, Special Features
Feb 062014
 

2013finalistschallengeorigFinalists for the 2013 Whitney Awards have been announced!

This means it’s time for the 3rd annual “Read ’em All” Challenge! This year’s “Read ’em All” Finalists Challenge is co-hosted by LDS Women’s Book Review and New LDS Fiction.

Our goal in issuing the “Read ’em All” 2013 Finalists Challenge is to encourage as many Whitney Academy members as possible to read all 25 Whitney Award Finalists in the main categories and/or all 15 Whitney Award Finalists in the Youth categories, then vote for Best Novel of the Year and Best Novel in Youth Fiction.

For this year’s “Read ’em All” Challenge we are offering TWO Grand prizes, as well as some fun weekly prizes. The Grand prizes will be a $75 Amazon gift card for the winner of the drawing from names of those who complete the reading in the main categories and vote for Best Novel of the Year, and a $50 Amazon gift card for those who complete the reading in the youth categories and vote for Best Novel in Youth Fiction.

As we go along, LDSWBR and New LDS Fiction will be offering weekly reading prizes. For every category you read, visit THIS page on LDSWBR or THIS page on New LDS Fiction and click on the appropriate category in the Rafflecopter form. Each category you complete gains you another entry into the weekly drawings.

**How to enter the “Read ’em All” 2013 Finalists Challenge**

First, you need to be a member of the Whitney Academy. Not a member? Click HERE to find out how to join.

Second, go HERE to register as a participant in the “Read ’em All” 2013 Finalists Challenge.

Third, go to our “Read ’em All” 2013 Finalists Challenge Rafflecopter page to get your entries into the drawings. Each category you finish gets you additional entries into the weekly drawings.

Whitney Reading Tips

After several years of Whitney reading, LDSWBR has learned a few tricks to help us finish as many books in as many categories as possible and we want to share them with you.

  • Make a reading plan and set reading goals NOW. Time goes by fast, and it’s much more enjoyable to read without the pressure of a voting deadline that’s quickly approaching.
  • If you work during the week, or are busy with home and family on weekdays, try to read one book during the week and two more on the weekend. Every minute of reading counts, so take that book with you everywhere!
  • Start with the category(ies) you enjoy the most. You are more likely to finish those books quickly and put yourself ahead of schedule. If you don’t end up being able to finish all 15, 25, or 40 finalists, at least you’ll be able to vote in the categories that mean the most to you.
  • Look at every book in each category on Goodreads or the library website to see if it is part of a series. You may want to read (or at least skim) the previous book(s) first, if you can. If not, at least you’ll know it’s part of a series and won’t be surprised that there is missing information when you read it later.
  • NO TV! Okay, maybe “Castle.” He is an author, so that’s almost like reading, right?
  • Reading during spare moments here and there helps, but be sure to schedule large chunks of reading time as often as you can. You can get through a book faster if you can get in the “groove” and stay in it.
  • Some people swear by audiobooks, and if you spend most of your time moving from task to task with no time to sit, or have a long commute, audiobooks may be the way to go. However, most people can read a book in less time than it takes to listen to it, so take that into consideration as well.
  • This last tip comes from the Whitney Committee: “Not every book is available in PDF, but a good amount of them are.  In the meantime, please consider requesting your local library order copies for their collections and letting you read them before they go into general circulation. You can also share copies with other Academy members.”
How do you handle reading with a deadline? Comment below and tell us how you survive Whitney Reading Season.

 

Stung by Bethany Wiggins

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Feb 032014
 

StungStung (Stung #1)

Author: Bethany Wiggins

Publisher: Walker Books/Bloomsbury

Published: April 2013

Hardcover/Paperback/Kindle/ebook: 304 pages

Genre: YA Dystopian

ISBN# 978-0-8027-3418-1

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: checked out from my local library

Summary (Goodreads)

There is no cure for being stung.

Fiona doesn’t remember going to sleep. But when she opens her eyes, she discovers her entire world has been altered—her house is abandoned and broken, and the entire neighborhood is barren and dead. Even stranger is the tattoo on her right hand—a black oval with five marks on either side—that she doesn’t remember getting but somehow knows she must cover at any cost. She’s right.

Those bearing the tattoo have turned into mindless, violent beasts that roam the streets and sewers, preying upon the unbranded while a select few live protected inside a fortress-like wall, their lives devoted to rebuilding society and killing all who bear the mark.

Now Fiona has awakened branded, alone—and on the wrong side of the wall.

Review

Stung opens with Fiona, aka “Fo,” waking up in her bedroom, but things are not the same. Everything looks old. Faded. Abandoned. She soon realizes she is not alone in the house and finds herself running for her life. She is hungry, thirsty, and lost in a world that should be familiar but is far from what she remembers.

Fiona must rely on strangers to help her understand what is happening until she is captured by the militia and finds herself a prisoner. The others are afraid of her, the level ten “beast.” They are expecting her to turn on them at any moment. Even the camp’s “Guardian,” her former neighbor Dreyden Bowen, is nervous and jumpy despite the electronic shackles on her arms and legs.

As time passes and Fiona proves to Dreyden that she isn’t an insane monster, memories begin to surface regarding events leading to the current state of the world. With everyone after the valuable honey they can get from turning Fiona in to the fighting pits or the lab, she and Dreyden decide to make a run to the haven of Wyoming. Unfortunately, things don’t go to plan.

I really enjoyed Shifting, Bethany’s first novel, so I was excited to read Stung. My curiosity was piqued from the beginning, wondering how Fiona got outside the wall and into her old bedroom. There is some good suspense right at first and it pulled me in. The descriptions of the tunnels and Arris/Arrin are effective. The unpleasantness of Fiona’s situation is easy to imagine, which means you probably shouldn’t eat while reading parts of Stung.

I liked Dreyden, though he wasn’t kind at first when he expected Fiona to rip him apart. It was confusing when his brother was talked about or present though, because they were both addressed as their last name “Bowen,” even in Fiona’s head. I think it would have been easier to have her consistently think of them as Dreyden and Duncan in her thoughts.

The story kept my interest. I wanted to know more about events leading up to the current situation, and the occasional memory/flashback provided that. It wasn’t until near the end that a few things gave me pause. They could be considered spoilers, though. If you want to read them, highlight that area between the dashed lines below.

—-

After the fighting in the pit was interrupted by Dreyden, things started feeling rushed, almost in a “let’s-hurry-and-wrap-this-up-in-a-bow” way. It’s possible that all the work and struggle leading up to that point made it seem like the finish was a little too easy. Maybe it’s just me. Probably it’s just me. For that as well as the your-kisses-are-keeping-him-alive thing that felt out-of-the-blue. It does kind of go with the Sleeping Beauty twist, but I didn’t really like how that suddenly came about. It almost felt….cheesy. And I really hate saying that, because the rest of the book wasn’t anything close to cheesy.

—-

I will be reading book two, Cured, scheduled for release on March 13, 2014. I’m looking forward to another look at the post bee-extinction world. Watch for my review of Cured in the coming weeks. Recommended for adults and teens ages 15+ who enjoy YA Dystopian.

Content:

Language: There may have been one mild swear word, but I don’t think there were any more than that

Sexual: Kissing, no graphic descriptions; no sex; one character refers to a woman’s breasts as “knockers”

Violence: Fighting; gun use; threats with and use of a knife; a few characters are cut and shot; fighting match in a pit; descriptions of injuries; character deaths

Drug use: None that I can remember, besides treating wounds

Visit Bethany:

WEBSITE | BLOG | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

Find Stung:

AMAZON | KINDLE | BARNES & NOBLE | NOOK | GOODREADS

Happiness is a Habit by Michele Phillips – Blog Tour

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Jan 272014
 

HappinessIsAHabitHappiness is a Habit

Author: Michele Phillips

Publisher: Plain Sight Publishing/CFI

Published: December 2013

Paperback: 216 pages

Genre: Motivational Nonfiction

ISBN# 978-1-4621-1257-9

Reviewed by: Shanda

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

Summary (Amazon)

Renovate the rhythm of your life to create a healthier, happier you! Forget superficial fixes like fad diets or shopping sprees and instead learn how implementing simple daily habits like journaling, juicing, and unplugging electronics can improve your quality of life. The confidence, vitality, and joy that you deserve are just a habit away!

Review

In Happiness is a Habit, author Michele Phillips strives to inspire readers to adopt new habits into their lives. She says “If all you did was add a new habit every 90 days, in five years you would have accumulated 20 new, positive, life-inspiring habits…”

In the introductory chapters, Michele briefly shares her history and the events that led her to where she is now. Chapter Four introduces the first of 44 habits that have helped elevate Michele’s happiness over the last several years. The chapters are only a few pages long, and each one ends with a few suggestions to help develop that particular habit. The range of habits discussed cover both physical and emotional aspects of daily life. There are several quotes and anecdotes to help motivate and inspire the reader.

Michele is a really happy person and it comes through in her writing. It’s easy to see how much she wants to inspire happiness in others on whatever level she can. One passage I really liked was in the chapter detailing “Habit 37: Nourish Your Passion.”

“When you are passionate and enthusiastic you are being lifted to a higher space. You are exhibiting the spirit of God within yourself. When you feel this excitement and passion grow within you, I believe that this is God’s way of telling you that you are on the right path.”  –page 155

In the conclusion, Michele explains four steps to help implement new habits into your life. Though this is not a thick book, it contains a lot of information. The short chapters are perfect for reading one each day/week/month or whenever you are ready to move on to the next new habit. If you are looking for inspiration and motivation to help you add joy to your life, Happiness is a Habit might be just the book for you.

Visit Michele:

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOOGLE+ | GOODREADS

Find Happiness is a Habit:

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | DESERET BOOK | GOODREADS

 

A Match Made in Texas Novella Collection

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Jan 212014
 

AMatchMadeInTexasA Match Made in Texas: A Novella Collection

Authors: Karen Witemeyer, Regina Jennings, Carol Cox, Mary Connealy

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Published: January 2014

Paperback/Kindle/ebook: 384 pages

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

ISBN# 978-0-7642-1176-8

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: Received a free digital review galley from NetGalley. Thank you to Bethany House for the opportunity to read and review A Match Made in Texas.

Summary (Goodreads)

In Dry Gulch, Texas, 1893, a young woman with a tender heart that longs to help those in need takes it upon herself to meddle in the affairs of three acquaintances who are in dire straits. Wanting to stay anonymous, she relies on unusual methods to hire men and women of good character who she thinks can solve the problems facing her “targets.” How was she to know that her meddling would turn into a cupid’s arrow? And what will she do when her friends turn the tables on her with a matchmaking scheme of their own? Four novellas in one volume.

Review

A Cowboy Unmatched by Karen Witemeyer

This story is one reason I am happy for the opportunity to review A Match Made in Texas. Having read the first two books in the Archer Brothers series (Short-Straw Bride and Stealing the Preacher), I was excited to read Neill’s story. He is the youngest of the Archer brothers, and it was fun to see him all grown up and making his way in the world. Clara’s story is a tragic one, but it is easy to respect her for the strength and courage she shows in the face of difficult circumstances.

Because I like the Archer brothers, I do wish this story was a full-length novel so I could spend more time with them, however A Cowboy Unmatched is a complete and satisfying romance. I look forward to future releases from Karen Witemeyer.

An Unforseen Match by Regina Jennings

Grace O’Malley was a schoolteacher until her fading sight kept her from doing her job. The school board has purchased a small, rundown homestead for her and she’s fed through the generosity of the residents of Dry Gulch. Her pride has definitely taken a hit, but she has little choice and almost no other option available to her. The homestead desperately needs work–repairs that she can’t see well enough to do–so when Clayton Weber answers a newspaper ad that she didn’t place, she accepts his help.

Clayton is grateful that Grace can’t see the mark left years ago by troublemakers who falsely accused him of being a horse thief. He only accepts the work in Dry Gulch to help pay for the horse he needs to run in the approaching land race. Clayton is reserved around others and does his best to keep his scar hidden from curious stares. He’s a bit gruff, but Grace accepts him in a way he hasn’t experienced since before he was attacked. He never expected to find a woman like Grace on the way to claim his dream–land of his own.

I really liked Grace. It’s heartbreaking to read of Grace’s sight slowly being taken from her, but she manages to keep her spirits up. It took a while for me to “get” Clayton, though, and I never quite loved his character. At times, their dialogue was confusing to me. For example, I expected Grace to be upset at something Clayton had said, but she laughed, and I read back over it wondering if I had missed a joke. I think perhaps there were some missing cues for the reader so they could better grasp the emotion of the exchange.

Their first kiss was great. No details, but the experience certainly grabs the reader. Grace’s reaction afterward was so honest, I couldn’t help but smile. The scene in the barn when Grace goes looking for Clayton was emotional and touching, as was the scene in the house after Grace woke up, certain her sight was completely gone.  Overall, a nice romance that fans of Christian historical romances will enjoy.

No Match For Love by Carol Cox

After Lucy Benson’s father passes away, her life changes forever. Not only is she alone in the world, she has nothing left. Her father’s poor investments, discovered only after his death, mean that everything must be sold. Living on the charity of her friend’s parents, Lucy jumps at the chance to earn her own way as companion to an aging widow.

Only after arriving in North Fork, Texas, does Lucy learn that Martha Simms is not a frail old lady waiting out her remaining days, but a spirited and capable woman. Her nephew, however, is concerned for her mental state. Andrew Simms’ windmill business is bustling, and he can’t spend as much time on the ranch as he would like. When his aunt begins talking about strange things happening on the ranch, he wonders if she is becoming senile. He hires a companion for his aunt, never expecting someone like Lucy. After a rough start, Lucy and his aunt quickly become friends. But Andrew finds himself wanting to be more than Lucy’s friend…

I liked all three of the main characters: Lucy, Andrew, and Martha. Lucy’s father intended to marry her off to someone with money and station, so he insisted on having servants perform the domestic chores. She has little to no experience with cooking or cleaning, but is an eager and quick learner. Martha is spunky and direct, but is patient with Lucy and they soon enjoy each other’s company. The more time she spends with Martha, the more Lucy is convinced that she is of sound mind. But how can she convince Andrew that the strange events coinciding with each full moon are really happening?

There is a decent amount of suspense in the story due to the strange events on the ranch. There are also some sweet romantic moments between Lucy and Andrew that carry no pressure to jump into anything physical. The reader also gains insight into who is most likely playing matchmaker for the couples in each novella. There is a fast, intense climax that felt a teeny bit rushed, but in the end, it’s a nice clean romance with a dose of suspense for good measure.

Meeting Her Match by Mary Connealy

Hannah Taylor is both schoolmarm and mother to her younger siblings. She has resigned herself to becoming a spinster, despite being all of 22 years old. The only other single, church-going man in Dry Gulch is shy, awkward Marcus Whitfield. He is constantly avoiding her and has only spoken a handful of sentences to her over the last six years. He takes his coffee break about the same time as she leaves the school each day, and they walk the two-minute distance to the diner together, Hannah making all of the small talk. She doesn’t understand the depth of Mark’s feelings for her and he can’t find the words to tell her.

So he kisses her.

I can’t remember the last time I read a kiss with almost no detail that sizzled like that one. Very clean, but…wow. After this kiss, circumstances are such that, despite nothing unseemly happening, both fathers insist they wed. Though everyone knows Hannah’s reputation and they trust her, they also know how long Mark has loved her and turn that Sabbath afternoon into an impromptu wedding celebration. One of the best parts of this story is when Hannah and Mark talk in his parlor after the wedding celebration. I love the meeting of hearts that occurs there, the sincere communication between husband and wife.

I don’t think I’ve read anything by Mary Connealy before, but I am excited to seek out her novels. I have a feeling I’m going to like them very much.

Find A Match Made in Texas:

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