Ephraim’s Rescue — Premiere Giveaway

 Posted by  Book Reviews
May 132013
 

Ephraim's-Rescue-Poster

Posted by Mindy.

I was invited to a blogger event last week where I was able to hear the T.C. Christensen (director) and Darin Southam (star) of Ephraim’s Rescue talk about this new release from Excel Entertainment.  T.C. Christensen also directed 17 Miracles.

Synopsis

From T.C. Christensen, director of the sensational pioneer film, 17 Miracles, comes the heroic true story of a simple man who was called to do the work of angels. Ephraim’s Rescue relates the story of Ephraim Hanks: a rescuer of the Martin Handcart company.

Follow Ephraim as his adventures lead him to join the LDS Church and ultimately to one of the most heroic rescues in American history. With a unique desire to help andstrengthen others, Ephraim learns that each choice we make can prepare us for what lies ahead. He discovers, through it all, that decisions determine destiny.

Director

T.C. Christensen

Producer/ Writer/ Director

T.C. Christensen is one of the brilliant minds behind the camera when it comes to these family favorites:

17 Miracles (Excel Entertainment); Emma Smith: My Story (Morning Dew); Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration (LDS Church); Testaments (LDS Church); The Work & the Glory (Manchester Pictures); Forever Strong (Go Films); Sea Monsters (National Geographic); Roving Mars (Disney); The Buttercreme Gang(Family Films); Rigoletto (Family Films); The Mouths of Babes (VTA); Finding Faith in Christ (LDS Church); Treasure in Heaven: The John Tanner Story (VTA); Only a Stonecutter (VTA).

T.C. has won over 270 national and international awards for his work in directing and photography. In 2010 he was invited to join the American Society of Cinematographers.

Starring

Darin Southam as Ephraim Hanks

Darin’s passion for acting started with a play in his 7th grade drama class and has evolved into a career, with roles that span from indie films, such as Last Man(s) On Earth, to Disney’s Halloweentown High, Discovery Channel’s I Shouldn’t Be Alive, and Fox’s 127 Hours. A former student of Playhouse West in North Hollywood (Jeff Goldblum, James Franco, Michelle Pfieffer, etc.)

Darin enjoys the method of digging deep into the characters he portrays. At heart, Darin is a family man with a wife and 3 young children; he hopes his performance as Ephraim Hanks in T.C.’s Ephraim’s Rescue will elevate his opportunity to pursue what he truly loves to do – act in film. More info about Darin can be found at darinsoutham.com. Facebook Page.

Links for Ephraim’s Rescue

Website / Facebook / Trailer / Trailer 2 / Theater Listings / Paul Cardall Music Video

I am excited to tell you that I have TWO premiere tickets to giveaway.  Contest ends Friday May 17th, at midnight.  The winner will choose which one they can attend.  Please leave a thoughtful comment below with your email.  If no email address is listed, I will pick a new winner.  

Special Screening Choices

Monday, May 20th — Gateway Salt Lake City 11:00 am

Thursday, May 23rd — Red Carpet Premiere in Centerville 7:00 pm

Saturday, May 25th — St. George, Pineview Stadium 3:00 pm

Tuesday, May 28th — Ogden, The Junction 6:30 pm

Wednesday, May 29th — Logan, University Stadium 6:30 pm

Wednesday, May 29th — Orem, Cinemark 6:30 pm

Snow Whyte and the Queen of Mayhem by Melissa Lemon

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
May 112013
 

Snow Whyte and the Queen of MayhemSnow Whyte and the Queen of Mayhem

Author: Melissa Lemon

Publisher: Sweetwater Books/Cedar Fort

Published: December 11th, 2012

ISBN13: 9781462111459

Hardcover: 288 pages

FTC FYI: Received a PDF from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, then purchased my own copy.

Reviewed by Mindy

Inside Book Jacket

Katiyana Whyte’s world is only as big as the apple orchard she was raised on.  She can never leave the home where she grew up under the careful eye of her uncle Barney.  But when life at the orchard suddenly becomes dangerous and her childhood friend Jeremy begs her to flee, Kat finds refuge in the Fluttering Forest with seven dwarves.

Meanwhile, the queen of Mayhem, an evil sorceress, learns through her magic mirror that the daughter she believed to be dead, still lives.  Enraged, she sends a servant to kill Kat, the princess of Mayhem, but Kat finds protection in a spell that causes snowstorms whenever she is in danger, giving her the nickname Snow Whyte.

In the wonderfully imagined Snow Whyte and the Queen of Mayhem, nobody is quite who they seem.  Full of romance and adventure, this is the magical tale of Snow White as you’ve never read it.

My Review

4 of out 5 stars.  I was instantly taken with this story.  I loved the narrator (I won’t say who he is for spoiler reasons, but you find out early on).  I really enjoyed seeing each character through his eyes.  The Queen was awesomely evil.  She truly was a wicked queen, and written very well.  Queen Radiance (as she made her subjects call her) stole the show.  There are so many twists in this great story, and lots of fun surprises.  Kat is a sweetheart.  I enjoyed how her little dwarf friends loved her , and how she loved them.  Jeremy was an unexpected surprise, and his story is so cool!  Again, many twists that are very enjoyable.

Author Links

Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Seagull Book / Deseret Book

 

 

Leona and Me, Helen Marie by Lu Ann Brobst Staheli-Review

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
May 102013
 

WEB-Staheli-LeonaNMeFINALfrontProduct Details

  • Title: Leona & Me, Helen Marie (A Small Town U.S.A. Novel)
  • Author:Lu Ann Brobst Staheli
  • File Size: 288 KB
  • Print Length: 102 pages
  • Publisher: Back Yard Press (January 30, 2013)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B00B8DTP9K
  • FTC FYI:  I received a review e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
  • Reviewed by Sheila

 

 

 

 

Book Description:

Seven-year-old Helen Marie Heffner has a knack for getting into trouble, followed close behind by her older sister, Leona Mae. Whether it’s walking the barn beams like a tightrope, fooling the neighbor boys into thinking they’re being chased by a fiery jack-o-lantern, or making a mess rather than transferring a pattern for Mama’s Christmas surprise, Helen comes out the winner every time.

But life is not always fun and games in 1922 for this southern Indiana family. In the wake of the Depression of the previous two years, the girls and their mama are often left alone in Hancock’s Chapel while their papa travels to find work to keep the family finances alive. Lately, Mama’s been showing signs of not feeling well, and Helen is stuck at home, missing the entire school year while she recuperates from the rheumatic fever that struck her the year before. Mama fears the worst is about to happen. Everything from the barn owl, to the chicken thief, the stranger who passed by one evening to a poor neighbor-boy who falls into the ravine, all point to signs of trouble to come. And sure enough, it does.

Leona and Me, Helen Marie, a middle grade novel from A Small Town U.S.A. series, is hometown historical fiction in the style of Richard Peck (A Long Way from Chicago, The Teacher’s Funeral, Here Lies the Librarian) and Kate DiCamillo (Because of Winn-Dixie), with a touch of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie thrown in for good measure.

 
Excerpt:
“Watch me, Leona. I’m Miss Tarantula, mysterious tight rope walker of Madagascar!” I lifted my arms for balance and started across the wooden beam in the barn loft, one foot in front of the other, imitating the lady we’d seen at the circus in New Albany. After reaching the wall, I made a little curtsey, trying to pull my overalls out like they were the net skirt the trapeze artist had worn.

“Magnificent, Helen,” Leona said, mimicking a ring master. She held onto a joist about thirty feet away from where I’d ended my trip across the barn.
“With my eyes closed this time,” I said.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she said. Leona was nine, two years older than me, and liked to pretend she was in charge.

“Watch me. Watch me,” I said, closing my eyes and turning around on the beam toward the way I thought I’d come. My bare toes gripped the rough edges of the wood.

“Helen Marie Heffner, you stop right now.” Her voice sounded just like Mama’s when I’m gonna get in trouble, but I took a step. Then another. On the third one, there wasn’t a beam under my foot. My eyes flew open and my legs peddled the air, like a character in the comic papers, trying to find a way to stop falling.

“Le—o—naaa!” I screeched.

My Review:

Leona and Me, Helen Marie (A Small Town U.S.A. Novel) was such a fun book to read. I was smiling through much of it. The stories in this book reminded me so much of the stories my own parents have shared with me through the years. It is so obvious the difference between life back then and life now. There was something special about life in the early 1900’s. Life was so much simpler in many ways and much harder in others.

Lu Ann Staheli beautifully retells the stories of her mother and her aunt as they grew up in the South in the 1920’s. There is a lot of humor as Helen, age seven, is living life with her rambunctious older sister. There were many adventures to be found playing outside. Kids today are truly missing out on the fun that most of us over the age of 40 had.

This book will be enjoyed by those that love a delightful book about siblings, family, and lots of love. There are some sad moments that had me crying, but there were many more that had me LOL! I highly recommend this book to all readers, young and old! I will be reading it again with my own children.

Tomorrow I will be reviewing another book written by Lu Ann called Tides Across the Seas (The Explorers).

About the Author:

Lu Ann Brobst Staheli got her start as a celebrity paparazzi-stalker-chick, which led to her award-winning career as a ghostwriter for celebrity memoirs. A masochist at heart, she has taught junior high school English for 33 years, moved to the school library for year 34, and once spent two weeks summer vacation backpacking through Europe with 15 of her students. She has won three Best of State Medals—two for writing and one for teaching—but refuses to wear them all at the same time because she’d hate to be known as a show-off. Her published works include A Note With Taking, an award-winning MG novel which is currently a Whitney Award nominee; When Hearts Conjoin, the story of the conjoined Herrin twins; Psychic Madman about mentalist Jim Karol; One Day at a Time: Teaching Secondary Language Arts; and Books, Books, and More Books: A Parent and Teacher’s Guide to Adolescent Literature.

One Drop at a Time by M. Russell Ballard

 Posted by  Book Reviews
May 092013
 

OneDropTime5104405_detailOne Drop at a Time: A Message for Women

M. Russell Ballard

Publisher: Deseret Book

Published: March 2013

ISBN-13: 978-1-60907-522-4

Hardcover: 42 pages

FTC FYI: Received a review copy

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

Do you sometimes wonder if your little efforts could possibly make any difference at all? Consider a simple example from nature.

Honey is “one of the foods that includes all the substances— enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and water—necessary to sustain life,” writes Elder M. Russell Ballard. And yet, “Over its short lifetime of just a few weeks to four months, a single honeybee’s contribution of honey to its hive is a mere one-twelfth of one teaspoon. Though seemingly insignificant when compared to the total, each bee’s one-twelfth of a teaspoon of honey is vital to the life of the hive.”

Your simple, daily acts of service matter, and this charmingly illustrated little book will lift your heart as it demonstrates the power of many righteous people working together to fill the world, one drop at a time, with the sweet truths of the gospel.

My Review

This sweet book is adapted from the October 2012 LDS Conference talk from Elder M. Russell Ballard titled:  Be Anxiously Engaged.  The pictures in this book are beautiful.  Each have different picture of beehives.  I love the story of the honeybee.  How so much work is dedicated and needed for a drop of honey.  This book (and talk) remind me that I can make a difference.  Even if my efforts may seem small to me, they will be noticed by others and most importantly, my Heavenly Father.  There were many quotes I enjoyed throughout the book, but this, I especially liked:

Remember, honey contains all of the substances necessary to sustain mortal life.  And the doctrine and gospel of Christ is the only way to obtain eternal life.  Only when our testimony transcends what is in our mind and burrows deep into our heart will our motivation to love and to service become like unto the Savior’s.  It is then, and only then, that we become deeply converted disciples of Christ empowered by the Spirit to reach the hearts of our fellowmen. (page 27)

Another wonderful book for Mother’s Day.  Give this book to the women in your life, they will thank you.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Purchase Links

Deseret Book / Amazon / Seagull Book

Esther the Queen A Novel by H.B. Moore-Review

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
May 092013
 
estherProduct Details
  • Title: Esther the Queen a novel
  • Author: H.B. Moore
  • Paperback: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Covenant Communications Inc.; 1st edition (April 1, 2013)
  • Genre: Religious Historical Fiction
  • ISBN-10: 1621084175
  • ISBN-13: 978-1621084174
  • FTC FYI: I received a review copy in exchange for
  • an honest review.
  • Reviewed by Sheila

Book Description

She is a beautiful young Jewess, content in her life of anonymity. He is the most powerful king in the world. When chance brings the two together, the course of history is forever altered. The glittering court of the Persian Empire serves as the backdrop for one of the most poignant tales of courage in the Bible, brought vividly to life in the pages of bestselling author H.B. Moore s sweeping saga. And it begins on a dusty road in the Jewish Quarter. An unexpected meeting between Esther and King Xerxes results in an immediate and unmistakable connection. When Esther is summoned to enter harem the first step toward becoming his wife Esther is torn between her desire to be with Xerxes and the knowledge that they will forever be divided by the secret of her Jewish heritage. Encouraged by her family to do what she must to help her people, she deftly navigates her new position in the palace, quickly becoming beloved by all including Xerxes. But when a treacherous plan threatens to engulf the kingdom in violence, Esther must choose between love and duty. Is she prepared to sacrifice all that she holds dear in order to save her people from certain annihilation?

My Review
I have been looking forward to reading Esther the Queen ever since I knew author H.B. (Heather) Moore would be writing the fictional account of Esther from the Bible. Esther has always been one of my favorite stories from the Bible. I knew that the retelling of her story would be in good hands. I was not disappointed at all. Heather is famous for writing stories of the people from the Book of Mormon like Abinadi, Ammon and the Daughters of Jared and many more.She has also received awards for these novels. Her experience as a writer shows in the magnificent story she has told about Esther.

I  loved the way that Heather brought Esther to life. I always knew how brave Queen Esther had been in order to save her people. The story leading up to that pivotal point in her life has always been a guessing game. I enjoyed Heather’s take on the type of person that Esther was. She is portrayed as being kind, unselfish, and very accepting of all people. As a reader you can’t help but love Esther. King Xerxes (Asahuerus) was also written to my liking. I feel he was a good man in the long run, despite being a Persian King with concubines and a harem. I could see how Esther fell in love with him so quickly. Bad guy Haman deserves the scorn he has received. He truly was a wicked man to call for the destruction of a group of people. Esther’s cousin Mordachai was also written very well. This humble man listened to God and followed promptings from the spirit.

Esther the Queen will enchant you from the first pages. You will be drawn into the splendor of the royal court, and the humble circumstances that the Jewish people lived in. This well researched book will open your eyes to the great sacrifice that Esther made for her Jewish people. I hope that Heather is planning on writing about more heroes from the Bible. Any book written by this author, will for sure make a very satisfying read.

Esther the Queen is available on Amazon, Kindle, and at BYU Bookstore.

 

About the Author:

Heather B. Moore is the award-winning author of several historical novels which are set in Ancient Arabia and Mesoamerica. She is not old and doesn’t remember the time period, so Google has become a great friend. Although she has spent several years living in the Middle East, she prefers to forget the smells. Heather writes her historical thrillers under the pen name H.B. Moore so that men will buy her books. She is also the author of two non-fiction books, and several women’s novels including the co-authored series The Newport Ladies Book Club, the anthology series A Timeless Romance Anthology, and the historical romantic suspense novel Heart of the Ocean. These are all written under her real name so that women will buy her books.
Heather graduated from Brigham Young University with a major in Fashion Merchandising and minor in Business Management–which has absolutely nothing to do with writing novels. But at least she can balance a mean checkbook and color-coordinate her kids’ school clothes.
Visit Heather’s website here: www.hbmoore.com
If you’re an aspiring writer, she also manages the editing company: www.precisioneditinggroup.com

Lost then Found by Heather B. Moore

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
May 082013
 

17401053Lost then Found: An Aliso Creek Novella

Author: Heather B. Moore 

Publisher: Mirror Press, LLC

Published: May 1st, 2013

ebook: 60 pages

FTC FYI: Received a free review copy.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

Welcome to the Aliso Creek Novella series

Liz, Gemma, Arie, Jess, and Drew have been best friends since creating “the Five” at Aliso Creek High School. But that was over ten years ago, and each is still trying to find that perfect someone… if perfect is even possible.

Arie, at the top of her career as VP of an established real estate company, discovers that her success has led to a less-than-successful dating life. But she may have just met the ideal man in work-a-holic film producer, Dustin Jacobs. Seeing each other once a week, or even once a month, is no big deal since they are both ambitious… until Arie realizes she wants much, much more.

My Review

As always with Heather’s book, I was immediately taken into the story in Lost then Found.  Arie is an instantly likable character.  I also enjoyed that we were able to get to know Valentina a bit in this book, as well.  Valentina is an ex-girlfriend of Drew’s that I have been curious about.  I really like the novellas in this series and I have become a huge fan of short stories.  Arie has a lot happen to her in this “short” story and she handles herself well.  Dustin is a high-powered producer who seems taken with her from the start.  Their relationship hits a few snags at the beginning, and one at the end that I didn’t see coming, but enjoyed.  Each of these novellas are unique and are fun, fast reads.  They do not need to be read in order, either.

4 out of 5 stars.  Heather is the author of many fabulous books and short stories.  Read more about her awesomeness here.  The last Aliso Creek novella, One Chance, comes out June 1st, 2013.  Heather is also apart of the Timeless series of short stories.  Summer Weddings came out May 3rd.  Five other authors also contributed:  Sarah M. Eden, Annette Lyon, Melanie Jacobson, Julie Wright, Rachael Renee Anderson.  These are books you don’t want to miss.

Author Links

Goodreads / Website / Facebook / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble

 Older Entries  Newer Entries