Book Reviews – Page 29 – LDS Women's Book Review

A Year with Six Sisters’ Stuff: 52 Menu Plans, Recipes, and Ideas to Bring Families Together and a 10 book Giveaway!

Posted by Sheila Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews

Apr 052014

Product Details

Title: A Year with Six Sisters’ Stuff: 52 Menu Plans, Recipes, and Ideas to Bring Families Together
Authors: Sis Sisters’ Stuff
Series: Six Sisters’ Stuff (Book 2)
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Shadow Mountain (March 25, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1609078160
FTC, FYI: I received a review hard copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Description

Publication Date: March 25, 2014

“What’s for dinner?” Three words every mom dreads.
Don’t panic! The Six Sisters are here to help you answer that question. The Sisters have gathered together more than 150 of their most popular recipes for entrees, side dishes, and desserts and have combined them into 52 stress-free menus of perfectly prepared three-course meals.
Filled with delicious tried-and-true family favorites and oh-so-easy-to-make dishes, A Year with Six Sisters’ Stuff features all-new recipes using basic ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Each menu is designed to make your dinner plans as easy as possible—and with such wide variety and a photograph accompanying every recipe in the book, you can easily mix and match menus to create a year’s worth of dinner ideas.
In addition, the Sisters share some of their favorite family dinner traditions and crafts, as well as 52 dinner conversation starters, a list of pantry staples, and, food storage plan for beginners.
So what’s for dinner? Whatever you’d like.

My Review:
Can I tell you how much I love this cookbook? OK, I’m telling you now…I LOVE this cookbook!! There are so many things to love about this book and there are so many reasons to buy a copy for yourself.

–There are 52 menu plans included in this book. The beauty of this is that you can mix and match them and then have even more than 52 menu plans by the time you are done.
-The layout of this cookbook is user friendly. My sister-in-law Lynne and I were looking through the book and we both said the layout is easy to see what ingredients are needed. Some times you have to search, but not here, it is in bold crisp print.
–Recipes That Are Uncomplicated: The recipes included in the cookbook are easy to make. With women so busy these days we don’t have time to throw together complicated dinners. We need fast and easy dinners to put together for our busy families.
–Inclusion of Crafts, Traditions and More:
These things were a happy bonus along with all of the fabulous recipes. Here are some of the exciting things you will find in the cookbook.

52 Family Dinner Conversation Starters
52 Weeks of Food Storage
The Six Sisters’ Pantry Staples=They list all of the ingredients that you will need to make the recipes found in this book.
DIY Menu Board: They show you an easy way to make a menu board to use in your home. Very cute!!
The “Crazy Dinner” Tradition” = This is such a fun idea. Every family member gets $5.00 to spend in the grocery story. each member can buy whatever they want for dinner. Then everyone heads home, fixes what they purchased, and then set a candlelit table and eats the meal together. I can’t wait to try this with my family.
Thankful Tablecloth
Family Pumpkin Walk
Dinner on the Doorstep
DIY AT-Home Family Restaurant

-My Favorite Recipes:
I needed to include in this review some of my favorite recipes that I tried or want to try. Here are just some of them without including every recipe found in this book. ;)

Creamy Chicken Lasagna
Cheesy Artichoke Bread
Brown Sugar and Bacon Green Beans
Overnight Caramel French Toast
Tomato Tortellini Soup
Fresh Lime Salsa
No-Bake Peanut Butter Corn Flake Bars
Almond Joy Cookies
Caesar Salad Supreme
Hershey’s Cream Cheese Brownies

Well if I haven’t convinced you yet that you need this cookbook, besides inviting you over for dinner some time, then you must not enjoy eating good food. As I said at the beginning of my review, I LOVE this book and I will be using it often!

Here is where you can purchase this book:
Amazon and Deseret Book.

You have a chance to win one of ten cookbooks being given away!! Believe me, you will want to win one of these!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Please go visit the Six Sisters HERE!

Meet the Six Sisters:

In February 2011, we started our blog SixSistersStuff.com. After years of living close to one another, we were being pulled in many different directions- one sister moved to the West coast, another sister followed her husband to medical school, one moved away to college, and another sister had just lost a baby. We needed each other now more than ever and we used our blog as a way to stay in touch. We are all busy, whether it’s with our kids, jobs, school, husbands, community involvement, or something else eating up our time, so all the recipes and projects you will find on this blog are quick and easy! Our recipes are family favorites that use ingredients that can commonly be found in your pantry and our crafts and home decor projects can be made with little or no money. We don’t claim to be amazing chefs- we just know the importance of feeding your family a home-cooked meal and sitting down to eat it together. Our mom and dad taught us so many great values and we are thankful that they instilled the importance of family time in our lives. Even the busiest of people can make the food and project ideas we share, which will give you even more time to spend with your family and loved ones.

He is Risen – Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

Apr 032014

He is Risen

Mormon Tabernacle Choir: Orchestra at Temple Square

Mack Wilberg & Ryan Murphy Conductors

SKU: 5119167

FTC FYI: Received a CD in exchange for an honest review.

From their website

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square present on this CD a selection of musical works centered on the miraculous events recounted and commemorated in the Easter story. In a variety of styles, and from different eras, these musical expressions of faith share the same fervent message—that our Savior lives, and has redeemed us with His love.

Reviewed by Mindy

My Review

This CD is exactly what this worn-out gal needed to get me feeling the lovely spirit of this Easter season. I am so grateful for my Savior and his atoning sacrifice for me. This CD from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir will get you in the right frame of mind to have Christ in your heart for conference this weekend, Easter and anytime through the year. How blessed are we to live in the same area as this magnificent choir. These songs are uplifting and bring tears to my eyes as I reflect on my Savior’s love for me. They are songs you will be familiar with, but added flare from a bell choir and how the arrangements are done, will lift you up and do you good, like it did for me.

From Deseret Book website

The 360 members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir represent men and women from many different backgrounds and professions and range in age from 25 to 60. They reflect a medley of unique loves and experiences and are brought together by their love for singing and their faith. Their incomparable voices are the common chord that unites to form the choral group known all over the world as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir originated in the mid-19th century in Salt Lake City. As the Latter-day Saints moved west, Church President Brigham Young included musicians among members of the advance parties. Consequently, a small choir first sang for a conference of the Church in the Salt Lake Valley on August 22, 1847, just 29 days after the first group arrived. The origins of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir may be found in the desire and commitment of early converts to include appropriate music in both sacred and secular events.

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has apperaed at 13 world’s fairs and expositions, performed at the inaugurations of five U.S. presidents and sung for numerous worldwide telecasts and special events. Five of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s recordings have achieved “gold record” and two have achieved “platinum record” status. The most popular was the Grammy Award winning 1959 release of The Battle Hymn of the Republic with the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Purchase Links

Website / Deseret Book / Amazon

A Year With Six Sisters’ Stuff — Blog Tour/Giveaway

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

Apr 012014

A Year With Six Sisters’ Stuff: 52 Menu Plans, Recipes, and Ideas to Bring Families Together

Six Sisters

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: March 25th, 2014

ISBN13: 978-1-60907-816-4

Paperback: 242 pages

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

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

“What’s for dinner?” Three words every mom dreads.

Don’t panic! The Six Sisters are here to help you answer that question. The Sisters have gathered together more than 150 of their most popular recipes for entrees, side dishes, and desserts and have combined them into 52 stress-free menus of perfectly prepared three-course meals.

Filled with delicious tried-and-true family favorites and oh-so-easy-to-make dishes, A Year with Six Sisters’ Stuff features all-new recipes using basic ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Each menu is designed to make your dinner plans as easy as possible—and with such wide variety and a photograph accompanying every recipe in the book, you can easily mix and match menus to create a year’s worth of dinner ideas.

In addition, the Sisters share some of their favorite family dinner traditions and crafts, as well as 52 dinner conversation starters, a list of pantry staples, and, food storage plan for beginners.

So what’s for dinner? Whatever you’d like.

My Review

Not only is this book full of delicious meals that can help any busy family, it is beautifully done. The colors and lay-out of the book is lovely. For some of the recipes, there are personal stories/experiences from the sister that donated it. The pictures are lovely and help you want to make them now! So many yummy menu selections to choose from. Also within the book are some fun DIY ideas that can be a fun family home evening project, there are food storage ideas, fun ways to plan meals, the “crazy dinner” tradition. Plus many more great ideas. What I love most about this book, is lots of the recipes have ingredients that many of us have in our pantry already! Or, if you are like me, and am not the most motivated cook, anything yummy can be made with a quick trip to the store. The best suggestion (one I need to work on) is the plan ahead.

About the Authors

The Six Sisters—Camille, Kristen, Elyse, Stephanie, Lauren, and Kendra—grew up in Utah, but a few of them have lived in other parts of the country since moving out of the house. Between them there are five nieces and three nephews, and all of the sisters love playing “aunt.” The sisters started the blog in February 2011 to keep in touch while they were apart, but it has since gained popularity, garnering more than 9 million viewers per month and more than 307,000 followers on Pinterest.

Purchase Links

Deseret Book / Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Seagull Book

Deseret Book is giving away 10 copies of this awesome book! Use the Rafflecopter below to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Light We Share by Harriet R. Uchtdorf

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

Apr 012014

The Light We Share

Harriet R. Uchtdorf

Publisher: Deseret Book

Published: March 2014

ISBN13: 978-1-60907-869-0

Hardcover: 48 pages

Nonfiction

FTC FYY: I received a hardcover book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Book Jacket

“Oh how glorious from the throne above

Shines the gospel light of truth and love!” Hymns, no. 264

What difference does it make to have the light of the gospel in your life? To a twelve-year-old girl in post-World War II Germany, it made all the difference.

In this charming book, Sister Harriet R. Uchtdorf reflects on the power of heavenly light in her own life and recalls the joy it brought to her family during a dark and difficult time. “It was like a miracle,” she explains as she describes how hope came back in their lives.

Discover how the light we share can make a life-changing difference to those whose lives we touch – as family members, leaders, missionaries, teachers, friends, and brothers and sisters in the gospel.

My Review

I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet book. Sister Uchtdorf’s experience with finding light in her life was heart-felt and lovely. The pictures were beautiful and they really added to her words. I love reading about or hearing personal experiences from the leaders of our church, and to have some from their wives, is even more special. She tells about a sad, hard time in her life when her father passes away and her mother can’t seem to go on. They went to their church in Germany, but there was something missing. Eight months after he passed away, two American missionaries come to their door. They were taught, among other things, that families can be together forever. It was the missing light in their lives that they needed. Sister Uchtdorf, her mother and sister were baptized. Soon after, their light spread to other family members needing that in their own lives as well. I was particularly struck by this quote that tell us what we can do to help others:

You will be an example to our children and youth — an example in decency and quality in everything that affects our lives. You will teach our youth to pray and to study. You will teach them to be confident and have faith in Jesus Christ. You will teach them leadership and humilty, and you will help them to claim the gift of decernment through their own righteousness. You will teach them that the truth will not always be popular but that it will always be right. And after all of this, you can promised them:

That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light growth bigger and brighter until the perfect day.” (D&C 50:24) page 41

This beautiful story can be shared with all who know of the light of the gospel and to those who are seeking their own light.

Author the Author

Harriet R. Uchtdorf received a degree in business administration in Frankfurt, Germany, and worked in the private printing sector and with the public transportation department prior to her marriage to Dieter F. Uchtdorf, who now serves as the Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. she has served in many callings in the Church, including as a stake Young Women president and institute teacher. She and her husband have two children, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Purchase Links

Deseret Book / Amazon / Seagull Book

Imperfect Love by Rebecca Talley-Blog Tour Review and Giveaway

Posted by Sheila Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews

Mar 282014

Tour Schedule

Product Details

Title: Imperfect Love
Author Rebecca Talley
File Size: 2213 KB
Print Length: 283 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: DuBon Publishing (February 28, 2014)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00IQ7T98I
FTC, FYI: I received a review ecopy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Description:
Lauren Wilson is well on her way to her happily-ever-after. She has a career she loves, a husband she adores and a baby on the way, but a devastating diagnosis changes everything. The life she’s built suddenly crumbles around her when her husband insists she choose—the baby or him. Returning to her small hometown to rebuild her shattered life, Lauren crosses paths with Ethan Campbell, the man who stole her teenage heart. The old attraction is still there, but Lauren won’t admit it to anyone—least of all herself. Her only priority is providing a life for her child, and she can’t afford to get it wrong. Ethan is confusing everything, including stirring up feelings she’s not prepared to face. Will she spend her life raising her baby alone or is the family she’s always wanted finally within her reach?

Excerpt:

The students left the classroom, and Lauren rushed out to her car. She was anxious to go home and get on the road. She hadn’t been to Durango in months, and she couldn’t wait to have a break from school and to tell her mom that she was finally going to give her a grandchild.

Her stomach reminded her that she hadn’t eaten, so Lauren grabbed items out of her lunch sack and munched on them while she drove back to her condo.

Lauren finished packing her toiletries and set the suitcase by the front door. She called Paul to see where he was, but it went straight to his voicemail, so she texted him.

A few minutes later, he texted her back. I’m sorry. I can’t make it to Durango this weekend.

What? Why not?

Emergency conference with the Gilmores tomorrow.

Her heart beat rapidly. She wanted to slap the Gilmores. Saturday?

Yeah.

Paul knew how important this trip was to her. How could he cancel on her at the last minute? What about our trip?

I made a reservation for you.

To fly?

Yes.

When?

7:20 tonight on United.

Too expensive.

I’ve already paid for it.

Tears built in the corners of her eyes. I don’t want to go without you.

I can’t.

I wanted you to be with me.

Meeting is about to start. Flight 4920. Return on Monday.

She turned her phone over in her hand a few times. She desperately wanted to share the news with her family, but just as desperately wanted Paul to be there. It was their news. Together. If that meant they had to wait then so be it. We can go another time.

She waited for a response, but after ten minutes realized he wasn’t going to text her anymore. The disappointment stung. She wanted to share her news in person with her family, and she wanted Paul to be there with her. Why did it have to be so difficult?

If she didn’t go to Durango, her mom would be so upset. She didn’t want to be responsible for ruining her mom’s weekend like Paul had ruined hers, but she didn’t want to go alone either. It wasn’t fair that Paul was making her choose.

Lauren paced in the kitchen, her shoes clacking against the ceramic tile. What should she do?

My Review:

Rebecca is an author who knows how to write a heartfelt story and Imperfect Love follows suit. This story is full of raw and honest emotions that jump from one end of the spectrum to the other. Main character Lauren has so many hopes and dreams. When the thing she hoped for the most turns out differently than she imagined, my heart ached for her. I could easily relate to that feeling of being faced with what seems like a hopeless situation. Lauren’s character grows as she has to become independent and make some heart-wrenching decisions. Your own heart can’t help but be moved as she learns to love her precious son.

There are parts in this story that are not all sunshine and roses. This women’s fiction deals with some hard issues that many women have faced before in life. Rebecca handles everything well with fairness and great thought. Everything is well written in the hands of this seasoned author. Imperfect Love will make readers think about their lives,making hard decisions and realize that blessings sometimes come in packages that we least expect.

Goodreads * Amazon

Meet Author Rebecca Lynn Talley Rebecca Lynn Talley grew up in the gorgeous seaside city of Santa Barbara, CA. She met, and married, her husband, Del, while attending Brigham Young University. She graduated from BYU with a degree in Communications. She currently lives in rural Colorado on a small ranch with a dog, too many cats to count, and a herd of goats. She and Del are the proud parents of ten wildly-creative, multi-talented children. Rebecca is the author of a children’s picture book, Grasshopper Pie (WindRiver 2003), a children’s chapter book, Gabby’s Secret (DuBon Publishing 2011), four novels, Heaven Scent (CFI 2008), Altared Plans (CFI 2009), The Upside of Down (CFI 2011), and Aura (DuBon Publishing 2012). She has also authored numerous children’s stories and articles for both print and online magazines. When she isn’t writing, Rebecca loves to date her husband, play with her kids, swim in the ocean, and dance to disco music while she cleans the house. She has folded at least one million loads of laundry, baked hundreds of batches of chocolate chip cookies, and eaten 5,478 gallons of ice cream.

Twitter * Facebook * Website * Blog

Blog Tour Giveaway Details
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 4/10/14 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Unraveled by Julie Daines

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

Mar 262014

Unraveled: A Tale of True Love

Author: Julie Daines

Publisher: Covenant

Published: February 20th, 2014

ISBN13: 978-1-62108-627-7

Paperback: 200 pages

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

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

“It’s thoroughly researched, expertly crafted, and it will sweep you off your feet with its beauty.” -UCW

When sickness swept through Bronwen’s family, it took the life of her father, brother, and sister, and left her permanently crippled. On the stormy eve of her sixteenth birthday, a faerie-witch gifts her a pair of enchanted shoes. Bronwen slips them on and is healed–but only when the shoes are on her feet. Her grace and beauty catches the eye of the king’s son–Urien, a handsome young man who prides himself on having everything perfect.

When Rhys, an old acquaintance and Captain of the Guard, recognizes Bronwen, he threatens to tell Urien her secret. Desperate to keep her deformity hidden and not to lose the love of handsome Urien, Bronwen quickly finds herself tangled in a web of lies and deceit. After all, she can’t wear the shoes forever.

My Review

Bronwen is a girl who has seen rough times. After sickness crippled her legs and killed most of her family, all her mother and her had were each other. We meet Bronwen and her mother on a stormy night where her mother tells her the faerie folks will be out causing mischief. No sooner does she say that, when the Grey Maiden, the Gwyllion, appears at their door. They give her shelter from the storm, all while the Gwyllion keeps staring at her crippled legs. This irritates Bronwen, but she prepares a room for her to sleep. While she is getting it ready, the Gwyllion comes to her tell her she knows what it is she wants. Bronwen is surprised by this, but knows that she must watch her while Bronwen is on the swifts.

Before she could leave the room, the Gwyllion spoke again. Nothing more than a whisper, yet her words filled the room. “Who would want a crippled wife?”

Bronwen’s head snapped up. She had never said those words out loud. Not to anyone. Not even her mother. She already knew the answer. It was why she wept sometimes at night. Why she hated the boys in the village who looked at her, then looked away. If she were whole, they would be vying for her favor even though they were all below her station.

She answered the Gwyllion’s question. “No one.”

“And yet you dream,” the faerie witch said. “The stars do not shine on dreamers. They shine on those who see the truth.” (page 6 – 7)

The next morning Bronwen sees that the Grey Maiden is gone, but she has left Bronwen a gift, old shoes. Her curiosity gets the best of her, and she tries them on. The pain she experiences nearly knocks her out, but the pain is from her legs healing. She can stand and walk. Bronwen and her mother travels to town to present her to the king since she is of age. She meets the king’s son, Urien, but recognizes Rhys from back home. She quickly decides to lie about her family name, in hopes that Rhys won’t recognize her. And what happens next, starts a chain of events that tangle of web of lies that have a hard time being unraveled. Bronwen gets herself in a mix of trouble, and tries to find her way out, but the only one who can save her is herself.

4 1/2 out of 5 stars. A fabulous read full of faerie legend and folklore. It is also a story of a girl who doubts herself and others because of her limitations. I loved the lessons that Bronwen learns. Even though it takes something pretty drastic for the truth to finally come out, I love how it all unravels. Julie did an amazing job with this book. There is heart, humor, adventure and characters that surprised me. Very enjoyable read.

Author Links

Website / Twitter / Goodreads

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Seagull Book / Deseret Book

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