Book Reviews – Page 32 – LDS Women's Book Review

The Orchard by Krista Lynne Jensen

Posted by Shanda Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews

Feb 242014

TheOrchard The Orchard

Author: Krista Lynne Jensen

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published: April 2013

Paperback/Kindle/ebook: 245 pages

Genre: LDS Contemporary Romance

ISBN# 978-1608611454

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: purchased my own copy with my own money at LDStorymakers 2013

Summary (Goodreads)

On the idyllic shores of Flathead Lake, Montana, Alisen Embry finds purpose and comfort tending her late mother’s cherry orchard adjacent to the family’s beloved lake house. Though pained by the loss of her mother and her father’s estrangement, it is Derick Whitney—the man she fell in love with four years earlier—who truly influences Alisen’s view of her future . . .

Derick and Alisen wanted nothing more than to spend eternity together; however, intolerance and secrets forced Alisen to make a shattering choice between her family and the man she loved.

But destiny always has a way of setting things right . . .

Now the Embry family has found themselves hopelessly in debt, and they realize renting the lake house is the only hope of saving the cherished orchard and family home. When Alisen discovers the new tenants have a connection to her past, her life takes an unexpected turn. Will fate find a way to reconnect what was broken so many years before?

Review

I might as well start out by saying that Persuasion is my favorite Jane Austen novel. It’s not perfect (especially not the movies — that’s for another post), but…that letter. I mean, wow. It sets my heart aflutter, though not as much as The Orchard did. My, oh my.

Honestly, I had forgotten that The Orchard was based on the basic story of Persuasion but recognized it soon after I started reading. That made me doubly excited. Not only was I finally getting to read the long-awaited book that had been staring at me from my bookshelf, but it was based on PERSUASION!

The Orchard starts off with the budding romance of Alisen and Derrick, something we don’t get to witness with Anne and Captain Wentworth. There are some lovely romantic moments between them and everything is moving along exceptionally well. That is until certain events, as well as her widowed father and a family friend, complicate matters and Alisen is forced into a heartbreaking decision.

When her family’s financial situation becomes desperate a few years later, Alisen and Derrick come face to face once more. The tension and chemistry is running high between Derrick and Alisen, easing only a little as circumstances continue to throw them together. They discover they have both changed–grown–since that summer years earlier. The question is whether these changes will bring them close once again or drive them further apart.

Even if Persuasion isn’t your cup of herbal tea, you’ll want to read The Orchard. Great romance, thoughtful writing and a touch of humor have earned The Orchard a place on my Favorite Romances bookshelf. Next up — Falling for You, which is signed and waiting as motivation for me to finish another category of Whitney reading.

Visit Krista:

WEBSITE | BLOG | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

Find The Orchard:

Skinny-licious:Lite and Scrumptious Recipes for a Slimmer You by Shauna Evans, RN-Blog Tour Review

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

Feb 212014

Product Details

Title: Skinny-Licious: Lite and Scrumptious Recipes for a Slimmer You
Author: Shauna Evans
Hardcover: 168 pages
Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc.; 1 edition (January 14, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1462113249
FTC FYI: Received a review hard copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Description:
Eat yourself skinny! Registered nurse and award winning cook Shauna Evans proves that you don’t need to give up your favorite foods in order to slim down. You can enjoy tasty recipes like Lime and Cilantro Shrimp Skewers, Stuffed Red Peppers, and Cherry Chocolate Cake, all while losing weight and feeling great. Healthy cooking has never been easier!

My Review:
I’m always excited to read and try out a new recipe/diet book. I am always trying to lose some pounds and I’m looking for the way that will work for me. This book had an interesting premise. The idea is to eat by an 8-hour diet or eating schedule. You fast for sixteen hours and only eat during the 8-hour window for at least three days out of the week. The idea behind this is that naturally you cut out excessive calories and enable your body sufficient time to do a daily and crucial overhaul. This helps with fat loss and turning your body into a fat burning machine, where regular dieting causes muscle loss. The book also states that fasting promotes the increase of the human growth hormone which keeps us from aging, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and wrinkles.

Well, I’ve never tried this method before. You skip breakfast and I’m a big breakfast person. I wasn’t able to fully try the diet yet, but I did try many of the yummy recipes. I am game to give the diet a go because the author lost a lot of weight following an 8-hour diet and she is a registered nurse. I wanted to share with you some of the recipes my family really liked.

-Chicken Lettuce Wraps (Shauna said she tried to make them as close to possible as P.F. Chang’s lettuce wraps that I love!!)

-Herb-Crusted Salmon

-Harvest Garden Chili

-Mango Spinach Salad

-Berry Peach Cobbler

The best part about these recipes are that they taste very yummy! You would never even think that they were “diet” recipes. Just for this fact alone that they are great healthy recipes, this cookbook is worth the money.I’m excited to read Shauna Evans’s other cookbook.

You can purchase Skinny-licious HERE!

Meet The Author:

Shauna Evans lives in Northern Utah beneath the Wasatch Mountains. In 1994,she graduated from Brigham Young Universtiy with a bachelor of science, nursing degree from Brigham Young University. She married BYU quarterback, Joe Evans in 1992. They have five children. Shauna continues her nursing education with courses on nutrition, diet, and exercise and is a certified personal trainer.

Shauna has won over 10 recipe contests including two national awards. She is the author of four books, “What Goes With What-Baby Rooms Made Easy,” “Sweet and Savory: Award Winning Recipes Made easy,” “Skinny-licious: Scrumptious and Lite Recipes for a Slimmer You,” and “30-Minute Meals for Families” (release date: June 2014).
Author Evans shares creative family ideas and delicious recipes on her blog: www.sweetandsavoryseven.com.

Into the Dark: The Shadow Prince by Bree Despain

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

Feb 192014

Into the Dark: The Shadow Prince

Author: Bree Despain

Publisher: Egmont USA

Published: Expected March 11, 2014

ISBN13: 9781606842478

Hardcover: 512 pages

Genre: YA

FTC FYI: Received a digital copy from Netgalley

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

Haden Lord, the disgraced prince of the Underrealm, has been sent to the mortal world to entice a girl into returning with him to the land of the dead. Posing as a student at Olympus Hills High—a haven for children of the rich and famous—Haden must single out the one girl rumored to be able to restore immortality to his race.

Daphne Raines has dreams much bigger than her tiny southern Utah town, so when her rock star dad suddenly reappears, offering her full tuition to Olympus Hills High’s prestigious music program, she sees an opportunity to catch the break she needs to make it as a singer. But upon moving into her estranged father’s mansion in California, and attending her glamorous new school, Daphne soon realizes she isn’t the only student in Olympus who doesn’t quite belong.

Haden and Daphne—destined for each other—know nothing of the true stakes their fated courtship entails. As war between the gods brews, the teenagers’ lives collide. But Daphne won’t be wooed easily and when it seems their prophesied link could happen, Haden realizes something he never intended—he’s fallen in love. Now to save themselves, Haden and Daphne must rewrite their destinies. But as their destinies change, so do the fates of both their worlds.

My Review

Another great book from Bree Despain. The Shadow Prince starts off strong and doesn’t let go. In the first chapter we are introduced to Haden and his mysterious life in the Underworld. He is chosen by the Oracle to bring back the Cypher. The one who can restore what was taken from the Underlords. But, she has to go back with him by choice, not forced. Haden is the rejected son of Ren, the ruler of the Underworld. His father hates him, so does his twin brother Rowan. Daphne Raines lives with her protective mom in a small town in Utah. She dreams of hitting it big in the singing world. Her long-lost father returns to take her to Olympus Hills High, a school that can help her reach her goals of singing career. Her father, Joe Vince, is a famous musician who has never been there for Daphne.

I can’t tell much else about the story without giving it away, but know you are in for a treat. I love the mythical legend behind this story, and the author does a great job of creating mysterious characters who have their own agendas. I loved Daphne instantly, but Haden took awhile to grow on me. Bree wrote this bad guy well. How are we supposed to think that Daphne would go with Haden willingly. Bree takes time to develop their relationship, while revealing back story carefully throughout the story that helps the reader get to know Haden better. While Haden has his powers, Daphne has gifts of her own. There are many exciting events that take place with great twists and surprises that will keep you wanting more when you finish reading.

4 out of 5 stars. I know this book isn’t out yet, but I am eagerly awaiting the book two.

Author Links

Website / Twitter / Goodreads

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Rules of Engagement by Amber Gilchrist — Blog Tour Spotlight

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

Feb 182014

blogtour_banner

For Annemarie Whitted, her youngest sister’s engagement starts as a happy event, and ends as a slap in the face when she comes to the harsh realization that she’s a failure at relationships, a person in stasis. Annemarie is motivated and organized, a woman on a mission, and she’s getting married now.

Her Rules of Engagement ensure she’ll make the right choice, and her committee will find her potential eternal companions. She assigns the job to her closest sister, Lisa, and Lisa’s husband, Tanner. Of course, Tanner comes with baggage— his brother, Ben, Annemarie’s lifelong nemesis.

The war between the two of them gives a brand new meaning to Annemarie’s Rules of Engagement, and his presence isn’t helping her at all. Especially when he disapproves of her methods and questions every step she makes. Especially when their forced proximity makes each of them really see each other for the first time. Especially when she discovers that her heart has secret corners she never knew, and that the Rules might have been her biggest mistake of all.

Purchase for $4.49 at:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Add to Goodreads

About the Author:

Amber Gilchrist lives in New Mexico with her husband and three children. She writes YA for upper teens, as well as LDS Romantic Comedies. She calls her lifetime of jumping from one job to another ‘experience’ for her books and not an inability to settle down. Amber loves mysteries and a good, happy romance. She also loves to laugh. Sometimes she likes all of them together.
A fan of quirky movies and indie books, Amber likes to be with her family, is socially inept, and fears strangers and small yippy dogs. She alternates between writing and being a mom and wife. She tries to do both at the same time but her kids don’t appreciate being served lunch and told, “This is the hot dog of your discontent.” So mostly she writes when everyone else is in bed.
Amber loves to hear from readers and can be reached at ambergilchristbooks@gmail.com
If you would like to be added to her newsletter please email your address to be notified about future releases and events.

Amazon Author Page | Website | Facebook

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Living in the Eleventh Hour by Robert L. Millet – Blog Tour

Posted by Shanda Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews

Feb 172014

Living in the Eleventh Hour

Author: Robert L. Millet

Publisher: Deseret Book

Published: January 2014

Hardcover/Deseret Bookshelf: 146 pages

Genre: Religious Nonfiction

ISBN# 978-1-60907-409-8

Reviewed by: Shanda

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

Summary (Goodreads)

Just as the scriptures teach us that the Second Coming of the Lord will be “at midnight” (Matthew 25:6), so the signs of the times teach us that “midnight” is close at hand. In Living in the Eleventh Hour, author Robert L. Millet points our minds and hearts toward the future-to the glorious day that lies ahead. This encouraging work not only assists us a Latter-day Saints to recognize and better understand the signs of the times but also reminds us of our individual responsibilities as we prepare ourselves and the world for the much-anticipated return of Jesus Christ. Filled with uplifting quotations from Church leaders, insightful scriptural texts, and engaging personal experiences, this timely book inspires us to live today as if He were coming tomorrow. Brother Millet’s faith-building message is clear: Steadfastly doing the small things that allow us to live each day with faith, rather than fear, builds our trust that the Savior’s return to earth to rule and reign will be a glorious and welcome event.

Review

Living in the Eleventh Hour is a fairly quick read. There are several quotes and scriptures cited that I found inspiring in living a more Christ-centered life, which is relevant no matter the dispensation or how near the time of the Second Coming. The author also speaks on establishing Zion wherever we are currently living, beginning inside our own homes. Also, working to share the gospel and save the souls of our spiritual brothers and sisters should be of great importance to us, and accomplishing this work to the best of our ability is the only way we can affect the events of the last days.

We might well ask ourselves, “Our Lord and Savior is coming. What do I need to do today to prepare myself for tomorrow? What efforts can I make now to ensure that when he does come he will see my face with pleasure?” -page 52

While the message of Living in the Eleventh Hour is inspiring and a good reminder to prepare now and keep our focus on Christ, it touches only lightly on events and details leading up to and surrounding the Second Coming. Those who do a fair amount of gospel-related reading will probably not find much new or eye-opening here. It is an uplifting read, but anyone looking for a more piercing or detailed message related to the Second Coming might find themselves disappointed. Not every book discussing the Second Coming needs to pierce the soul or be detail-specific, however, and readers who appreciate an encouraging read they can finish in a Sunday will enjoy Living in the Eleventh Hour.

Find Living in the Eleventh Hour:

AMAZON | DESERET BOOK | SEAGULL BOOK | GOODREADS

In Tune by Gerald N. Lund — Blog Tour

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

Feb 122014

In Tune

Author: Gerald N. Lund

Publisher: Deseret Book

Published: Dec. 2013

ISBN13: 978-1-60907-858-4

Hardcover: 182 pages

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

Reviewed by Mindy

Book Jacket

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are all teachers. Not only do we have a glorious mandate to “teach all nations” the gospel (Matthew 28:19), we also have numerous charges to “teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom” (D & C 88:77). In formal and informal settings, we are constantly teaching and learning.

Not only has the Lord commanded us to teach, but He has taught us what we are to teach and how we are to are to do it: diligently and by the power of the Spirit. But how do we know if we’re “doing it right”? What signs can we watch for that the Spirit is actually present in a teaching setting?

In this insightful companion volume to Hearing the Voice of the Lord, bestselling author Gerald N. Lund brings his decades of experience working in the Church Educational System to the topic of teaching and learning by the Spirit. He discusses common misconceptions, important questions we should ask about our teaching, and the role of the Holy Ghost in the process.

“The Lord has given the responsibly to save His children to teachers,” writes Elder Lund. “The charge is clear. It is specific. It is inspiring. And, gratefully, the Lord blesses us greatly when we strive to carry out His will.”

My Review

This book is great resource for anyone who wants to learn how to be guided by the spirit when teaching. All throughout the book there are fabulous quotes, heartfelt stories, and step by step instructions in each chapter to help you be guided by the spirit of teaching through the Holy Ghost. Not wanting to quote the whole book, I wanted to share a couple of my favorite.

If we have the Spirit of the Lord to guide us, we can teach any person, no matter how well educated, any place in the world. The Lord knows more than any of us, and if we are his servants, acting under his Spirit, he can deliver his message of salvation to each and every soul. Dallin H. Oaks page 166

Parents and teachers need to do much more with the children and young people than say, essentially, “Sit down and pay attention while we tell you what you need to know.” Parents and leaders should become guides who help young people learn how to find answers for themselves. Youth need to act as agents and properly exercise their agency in order to obtain and retain strong testimonies and to become converted — instead of primarily depending spiritually on someone else. We cannot borrow from another what is necessary “to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places” (Mosiah 18:9). With multitudes of secular influences trying to counteract the truth about and from God, no one can thrive by attempting to borrow light from the spiritual lamps of others.” David A. Bednar pages 166 – 167.

This book is a great tool for any parent, leader, or teacher seeking how to properly teach and learn from the Spirit. We have had many Family Home Evenings about this lately and I greatly appreciate any assistance in teaching my children to learn from the Spirit.

About the Author

Elder Gerald N. Lund received his BA and MS degrees in sociology from Brigham Young University. He served for thirty-five years in the Church Educational System, and he served as a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy from 2002 to 2008. He is a prolific author (The Work and the Glory series, The Kingdom and the Crown trilogy, Fire of the Covenant, The Undaunted) and has received many honors for both his fiction and nonfiction works. He and his wife, Lynn, are the parents of seven children.

Purchase Links

Deseret Book / Amazon / Seagull Book

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