Book Reviews – Page 52 – LDS Women's Book Review

Everything You Need to Know About Girls Camp by Stephanie Connelley Worlton – Blog Tour and Giveaway

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

Mar 122013

Everything You Need to Know About Girls Camp: The Essential Planning Guide for Leaders

Author: Stephanie Connelley Worlton

Publisher: CFI/Cedar Fort

Published Date: February 2013

Softcover; 176 pages

Genre: Religious Nonfiction

ISBN# 978-1-4621-1169-5

Reviewed by: Shanda

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

Summary

Everything You Need to Know about Girls Camp teaches not just the why and what of Girls Camp but, more important, the how and when. With helpful tips on everything from holding your first meeting to planning a menu to dealing with unhappy campers (and everything in between), this essential guide provides a road map to help take the stress out of planning and ultimately make your camp a success.

Review

I haven’t been to Girls Camp since I was a teenager, but after reading Everything You Need to Know About Girls Camp, I now appreciate what I didn’t back then: how much work goes into a fun Girls Camp experience. This book keeps all that work from becoming overwhelming to the new, or not so new, camp director.

Not only does the author offer organization and planning tips on both the ward and stake levels, she also encourages delegating tasks and including the Youth Camp Leaders (older Young Women) as much as possible to help the young women feel ownership of their Girls Camp experience.

Everything You Need to Know About Girls Camp discusses where to find activity ideas, options for dealing with discipline situations, and the importance of having Priesthood leaders in camp. The author also gives packing suggestions for both camping equipment and food. Recipes, popular camp songs, and blank note pages are included at the end of the book.

From long-range planning and day-to-day camp schedules to menu ideas and song lyrics, this book is an invaluable resource that camp directors are going to want to keep handy.

Find Everything You Need to Know About Girls Camp:

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | DESERET BOOK | SEAGULL BOOK | GOODREADS

Stephanie Connelley Worlton lives in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains where she enjoys frequent opportunities to observe nature and appreciate God’s magnificent creations. She is a seasoned Camp Director, an avid Scouter, and a devoted youth leader. Aside from the busy schedule she keeps as a wife and mother of four, Stephanie enjoys organizing, interior design, gardening, carpentry, painting, and being involved with the youth of our rising generation. To learn more about Stephanie or her book, visit her “Kreating Krazy” blog: www.stephanieworlton.blogspot.com

**GIVEAWAY DETAILS**

Stephanie is hosting a giveaway on her blog. Read her Setting Up Camp – BLOG TOUR post for details.

Visit Stephanie Worlton:

WEBSITE | BLOG | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

Review for, Within the Dark Hills, by Sian Ann Bessey

Posted by Sheila Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews

Mar 092013

Product Details

Title: Within The Dark Hills
Author: Sian Ann Bessey
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Covenant Communications Inc.; 1st edition (April 26, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 160861106X
ISBN-13: 978-1608611065
FTC:FYI: I was given a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Description

Publication Date: April 26, 2012

Desperate to escape the unwanted advances of a cruel master, chambermaid Annie Morgan runs miles through stormy weather to find sanctuary at the home of Reverend and Mrs. Davies. Without family and tainted by scandal, she’s in dire need of a new identity and an occupation to match. Equally bleak is the future of Evan Powell, a miner who harbors dreams of escaping the black mines that are slowly killing him and finding refuge under the promised blue skies of America. But recently, the wife who Evan adored died, leaving the devoted father struggling to care for his young daughter, Jane. To benefit both Annie and Evan, the kindly reverend arranges a marriage of convenience, one that is quietly contracted in a hasty ceremony. An event that sparks pointed gossip among those in the small Welsh town and outright rejection from Evan’s family. Annie must tread carefully lest she let slip anything about her past, particularly when she learns that her former master has been afoot, inquiring about a missing maid. More importantly, she feels she must avoid any emotional entanglements with Evan, who remains devoted to his beloved deceased wife. But as Evan works with Annie to care for Jane, Evan knows their relationship is growing into something more and must face the torments of a divided heart. And in the midst of Mormon missionaries preaching a strange new religion, disaster strikes the town and Annie’s troubled history can no longer be hidden.

My Review:

I had a hard time getting into the book at first.The first almost 50 pages were dedicated to an accident in the mines. The author goes into a lot of detail about the mines, which had some interesting details. I was just thrown for a loop when the cover showed this beautiful, prim and proper lady, and the story I was reading didn’t go along with my expectations for the novel. Once I got over that, and got into the story more, I enjoyed the characters. Annie and Evan are both good people who had been dealt with many harsh cruelties in life. Even though the romance between them was predictable, it was sweet and worth reading about.

There is also action and a lot of drama in this novel. Life for nineteenth century underground coal miners was harsh for the workers and their families. The author did a great job of portraying what happened to these miners, and what daily work was like for them underground.

There is LDS religion brought into the story, as the missionaries come into the small mining village. This causes quite a stir within the village. But this didn’t turn into a huge conversion story, but does affect the main characters.

This story will truly be enjoyed by women and older teen girls who love historical fiction, some action, drama, along with a nice romance.

Within the Dark Hills has been nominated for a 2012 Whitney Award in the Historical Fiction category. It can be purchased HERE.

About the Author:

Sian Ann Bessey was born in Cambridge, England, and grew up on the island of Anglesey off the north coast of Wales. She left Wales to attend Brigham Young University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications.

Traveling has given Sian a deep appreciation for a world full of diverse cultures. Through her writing, she introduces her readers to some of the places she has come to love, especially her Welsh homeland.

Sian is the author of several LDS novels and children’s books. She has also written articles for the New Era, Ensign, and Liahona magazines.

The End Begins: Sudden Darkness by Margot Hovley

Posted by Shanda Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews

Mar 072013

The End Begins: Sudden Darkness

Author: Margot Hovley

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published Date: September 2012

Softcover; 162 pages

Genre: YA DYstopian

ISBN# 978-1-60861-144-7

Reviewed by: Shanda

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

Goodreads Summary

“Brothers and sisters, may I have your attention,” President Green said into the megaphone. I held my breath. What would he say next? At that moment, I wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d said the moon was scheduled to turn to blood next Tuesday night. “As you know, alarming events are unfolding. People are scared and confused. Life as we have known it will never be the same, it seems.”

The news has been filled with stories of tragedy and turmoil. But world events like the recent bombings in London seem far removed from eighteen-year-old Amelie Hatch’s quiet life in Zillah, Washington. She’s content with the predictable pattern of her life—school, friends, work. But when Amelie’s father leaves on a mysterious Church assignment, concerns escalate as the family is left with few answers.

Then, in the span of moments, Amelie’s world erupts in chaos. Terrorists have attacked the US power grid. There is no electricity. Vehicles have ceased working. The nuclear facility at nearby Hanford is compromised, and radiation may be flooding the area. Without the guidance of their father, Amelie’s family faces a monumental task at the request of the leaders of the Church: members of their stake have been asked to walk to zUtah, where they will find safety in Zion.

Fleeing her home and the life she knows, Amelie sets off on the arduous journey toward the refuge of Utah. There is danger around every corner as the group faces gunfire, kidnapping, and new terrorist threats. And as she finds herself drawn to two very different men, Amelie recognizes a more personal peril—she’s in danger of losing her heart.

Review

Amelie (pronounced ah-may-lee) is an 18-year-old senior in a small high school in Zillah, Washington. She lives on a farm, loves music, plays piano, and works hard despite her leg that was crippled in a devastating injury as a little girl. Her father leaves town on a business trip, and other than a visit from local celebrity Ryan Cook, Amelie’s life in Zillah is nothing out of the ordinary.

Until the night the power goes out.

When Amelie and her family are instructed to pack up necessities and prepare to leave Zillah for Salt Lake City, UT, her life changes in a way she never expected. The tanks in the Hanford nuclear facility are leaking, the government is in chaos, and an EMP has wiped out electricity and communications. To make matters worse, she and her family must make the trip without their father.

I was quickly pulled into the story. After the power goes out and the situation is revealed, I started wondering about what my family and I would do in similar circumstances. I was suddenly aware of how much I need to work on our emergency preparedness.

I liked Amelie, though sometimes she was too hard on herself. She’s a strong female character, not flighty or flirty. I admired her determination to walk the distance, despite the pain and discomfort from her leg. She’s an easy character to sympathize with, and I experienced every emotion she did. Other than a few phrases Amelie used that felt more like something her grandma would say (ie, “dratted boy”) I enjoyed her voice and read the book in a single sitting.

This was a story that made me think, but was also suspenseful enough to keep me turning pages. Several things happen that I won’t spoil here. I’m hoping this is a series because I’m curious to know what happens in this post-attack America. I wonder if other groups of Saints from around the West were called back to Salt Lake City. How was it for them? Did they encounter the same issues Amelie’s group did?

Readers looking for a clean YA Dystopian novel with suspense and bit of romance will enjoy Sudden Darkness. Don’t be surprised if you feel the urge to update your 72-hour kit after reading it.

**Interesting tidbit: The day after I finished this book I read on a news site that officials had discovered multiple tanks leaking nuclear waste in Hanford, WA. I had never heard of Handford before reading Sudden Darkness and then eerily there was news about the leaks the next day. Creepy!

Visit Margot Hovley: BLOG | TWITTER | GOODREADS

Find Sudden Darkness: AMAZON | DESERET BOOK | SEAGULL BOOK

The Power of Starting Something Stupid by Richie Norton – Blog Tour

Posted by Shanda Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews

Mar 052013

The Power of Starting Something Stupid: How to Crush Fear, Make Dreams Happen & Live Without Regret

Author: Richie Norton with Natalie Norton

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published Date: March 5, 2013

Hardcover; 320 pages

Genre: Motivational Nonfiction

ISBN# 978-1-60907-009-0

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: received a free softcover ARC in exchange for an honest review

Goodreads Summary

“Perfect book for these uncertain times.”
—Steve Forbes, Chariman and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media

“Richie Norton has written a book about courage. The courage to do work that matters and to do it with your heart and your soul. Go make something happen.”
—Seth Godin, author of The Icarus Deception

What if the smartest people in the world understand something that the rest of us don’t? (They do.) What if they know that in order to achieve success, they will sometimes have to do things that others may initially perceive as stupid? The fact of the matter is that the smartest people in the world don’t run from stupid, they lean into it (in a smart way).

In The Power of Starting Something Stupid, Richie Norton redefines stupid as we know it, demonstrating that life-changing ideas are often tragically mislabeled “stupid.” What if the key to success, creativity, and fulfillment in your life lies in the potential of those “stupid” ideas? This deeply inspiring book will teach you

How to crush fear, make dreams happen, and live without regret.

How to overcome obstacles such as lack of time, lack of education, or lack of money.

The 5 actions of the New Smart to achieve authentic success.

No more excuses. Learn how to start something stupid—the smartest thing you can do.

Drawing on years of research, including hundreds of face-to-face interviews and some of the world’s greatest success stories past and present, Richie shows you how stupid is the New Smart—the common denominator for success, creativity, and innovation in business and life.

Review

How’s that for a catchy title? It certainly grabbed my attention. I wasn’t sure what to expect but was intrigued enough to agree to participate in the blog tour.

I am so glad I did.

The Power of Starting Something Stupid opens with an intensely personal, life-changing moment for the authors. Heartbreaking events led to a pivotal question and the making of Gavin’s Law: Live to start. Start to live.

The author writes in a clear, conversational style that had me sailing through the book in just a few hours. The content flowed seamlessly from one chapter to the next. There are several excellent quotes throughout the book relating to the material, as well as a number of success stories from people who started something that others initially thought were stupid ideas.

I found Gavin’s Law, the Bezos Test, and the START principle to be highly motivating. The section on procrastinating was something I really needed to read. I was validated by what the author wrote about authenticity. My eyes were opened when he discussed the difference between accepting and receiving.

The author also addresses the subject of fear, specifically that the higher our aspirations, the more fear we will experience. He shares how to overcome that fear, and assures the reader if they can work through that fear they can accomplish whatever they are passionate about.

If you have an idea, a project, or a dream that has always seemed out of reach, I recommend picking up a copy of The Power of Starting Something Stupid. It may not be as unattainable as you think.

Visit Richie Norton: WEBSITE | BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | LINKEDIN

Find The Power of Starting Something Stupid: AMAZON | DESERET BOOK | BARNES & NOBLE | GOODREADS

Baked Alaska by Josi S. Kilpack – Blog Tour and Giveaway

Posted by Shanda Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews

Mar 042013

Baked Alaska (Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery #9)

Author: Josi S. Kilpack

Publisher: Shadow Mountain/Deseret Book

Published Date: February 18, 2013

Softcover; 358 pages

Genre: Culinary Mystery

ISBN# 978-1-60907-328-2

Reviewed by: Shanda

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

Summary

An Alaskan cruise is the setting for amateur detective Sadie Hoffmillers latest adventure. Sadie plans to spend time relaxing with her two grown children, Breanna and Shawn, and her boyfriend, Pete, while enjoying the luxury and cuisine of an elegant cruise ship and helping to plan her daughters upcoming wedding. But even as the crew prepares to leave port, Sadie has suspicions about the voyage ahead and the relationship between her normally easygoing son and a mysterious female passenger he obviously knows but refuses to discuss. When the woman is discovered unconscious during the second night at sea, Sadies apprehension escalates. Over the last few years, Sadie has developed an extreme dislike for secrets and it would seem her son is keeping one from her. *Includes eight new mouthwatering recipes, tested and approved by the official bakers of Sadie’s Virtual Test Kitchen. *Josi’s culinary mysteries have become favorites with members of Goodreads and other book networking sites. *Readers guide available online.

Review

Sadie hopes that a week-long cruise to Alaska will give her grown children, Shawn and Breanna, a chance to get to know her boyfriend, Pete Cunningham, a bit better. Things don’t work out so well right from the start. Shawn is hiding something from her and Sadie’s feelings are hurt that everyone seems to know what it is but her. Suspicious activity on the cruise ship leads to someone being hurt and the authorities take Shawn in for questioning. Determined to help clear Shawn’s name, Sadie embarks on a search for answers in a mystery that ultimately claims more than one victim.

When I pick up one of Josi’s culinary mysteries, I know I will be pulled in to the story until the last page. Baked Alaska was no exception. Just when I thought I had something figured out, a new twist sent me down another path. Though cruises aren’t my preferred vacation, reading about Sadie and company’s cruise to Alaska was an entertaining escape and just as much fun as the rest of Sadie’s adventures.

The Sadie Hoffmiller series has become more than just the mystery for me. Reading each book is like visiting good friends. I have loved watching the characters’ relationships change and develop from book to book. I really like Pete and the way he has accepted Sadie and her quirks. Breanna and Shawn have grown as well. I was surprised at the end and might have blinked away a tear or two. I closed the book (well, the PDF) with a huge grin on my face.

Fans of Sadie Hoffmiller are going to enjoy Baked Alaska. I can’t wait to see what happens in Rocky Road. This is one of my favorite book series and I can’t recommend it enough.

Visit Josi: WEBSITE | BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

Find Baked Alaska:

Blog Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 3/20/13

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, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tide Ever Rising by Mandi Tucker Slack — Blog Tour

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

Feb 272013

Tide Ever Rising

Author: Mandi Tucker Slack

Publisher: Bonneville

Published: February 12, 2013

ISBN13: 9781462111077

Paperback: 208 pages

FTC FYI: I received a PDF copy in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

Kadence Reynold’s favorite pastime is exploring old ghost towns. When she and her sister, Maysha stumble across an old journal and cheap pendant hidden in the depths of a crumbling foundation near Eureka, Utah, their world is suddenly turned upside down. Immediately, strange dreams and premonitions begin to haunt “Kadie” as she learns more about the keeper of the journal, Charlotte Clark. Kadie sets out on a journey to learn more about Charlotte and her family, and she and Maysha travel to Bremerton, Washington, where they discover Charlotte’s still living twin sister, Adelaide and her family.

My Review

4 out of 5 stars. I was excited to a part of this Blog Tour. When I read the summary, I knew I would enjoy the book. I was right. I was also drawn to the cover, isn’t is pretty? Kadie is a great character, and her sister Maysha added some really funny comic relief. I really liked where the story took me as a reader. I love the Washington area, having visited there a few years ago. After arriving Kadie meets Adelaide and her family, and that is where the story really picks up. Something terrible happens to Kadie and Adelaide’s grandson Logan. I also enjoyed the point of view switches between Logan and Kadie. The story is mostly told through Kadie’s point of view, but when it is necessary, I am excited to see what’s going on in another character’s head. The author does a great job of that. The ending of this book is so exciting, I was on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen.

Author Links

Website / Facebook / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Seagull Book / Deseret Book / Cedar Fort

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