Miracle of the Christmas Star by Susan Dean Elzey — Blog Tour

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Dec 072011
 

Miracle of the Christmas Star

Author: Susan Dean Elzey

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Published: September 2011

ISBN13: 9781599558622

FTC FYI: Received a free PDF from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Paperback 176 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction/Christmas Stories

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads summary: “Hannah died the night she was born. The new star’s light brought her back to life, but left her stricken with palsy. Sariah, Hannah’s mother, believes Hannah can be healed, if only she can find the Savior. Miracle of the Christmas Star is a tender story of love, faith and endurance that will touch your heart and remind you why miracles happen.”

Sariah lived her life with great faith. She and her husband Joshua lived in Bethlehem. It was during Hannah’s delivery, and many times later, that her faith was tested.  However, Sariah new that her faith could make it through anything.

Sariah’s aunt, Mariam, helped deliver the sweet baby on the same night that the Savior of the world was born.  The cord was wrapped around her neck so tight, they wondered if she would make it. Finally, as the star light touched down on her, Hannah breathed. Life was hard for their little family.  Mariam was extremely hostile towards them. Wondering what sins Sariah and Joshua committed to curse the family with such a burden.  One restless night, Hannah had a fever and wasn’t comfortable. Sariah was prompted to take her to the hills in the cooler air. During that time, soldiers came and killed all but a few babies in the village. Sariah and Joshua wondered why Hannah’s life was spared. They spent the night on the hill to make sure it was safe. Sariah wondered to Joshua:

“Why is she like this, Joshua?” Sariah asked. “Did we offend God?”

“Hush,” Joshua said, stroking his wife’s hair. “You could offend no one in your sweetness.  She is our baby, and God gave her to us for a purpose.  We must have faith.”

This is a beautiful story of ever-lasting love, patience, and love. There were a couple times where I had tears in my eyes. I love a sweet story that tears at your heart strings. The ending was wonderful and worth the wait.

4 out of 5 stars. All the characters were great examples of faith. I loved the supporting characters too. Joshua, of course, and Joanna.  What Sariah had to go through in her life would of been hard for anyone to endure, especially in the time when the story is set.  But she did it gracefully.  Miracle of the Christmas Star is wonderful story to read to be reminded of the blessings in your own life.

FACEBOOK / CEDAR FORT / AMAZON / BARNES & NOBLE

Thanks to Cedar Fort for allowing me to be a part of this blog tour.


The Assassination of Governor Boggs by Rod Miller–Blog Tour

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Nov 232011
 

The Assassination of Governor Boggs

Author: Rod Miller

Publisher: Bonneville Books (Cedar Fort)

Published: 2011

Softcover: 211 pages

ISBN: 978-1-59955-863-9

Genre: Historical Fiction

FTC FYI: I received a free copy from publisher in exchange for an honest review

Reviewed by Mindy

Backcover: “After an attempted assassination, Governor Lilburn Boggs couldn’t prove who’d taken a shot at him, leaving the identity of his assailant a mystery.  Twenty-five years later and after the passing of Gov. Boggs, Detective Calvin Pogue has been hired by the Boggs family to open this cold case and find out the truth about the assassin.  From Missouri to California and into the heart of the Utah Territory, Detective Pogue relentlessly seeks clues that lead him to the legendary Mormon gunman Porter Rockwell–who still isn’t making things easy for anyone!”

This book was very intriguing.  Although, it is fiction based on historical facts, it had me thinking.  Calvin Pogue is an interesting character.  He’s suffered a war injury, and is separated from his daughter.  His thoughts are of her, especially when he sees toy horses in shop windows.  Calvin takes the case, even though he knows it may be useless. He asks William Boggs (Lilburn’s son):

“Why now?” Pogue asked.

It’s as I wrote in my letter to Mr Pinkerton.  That night has haunted our family ever since.  We’ve suffered the consequences of that gunshot these twenty-five years, and the man who shot my father hasn’t.  He ought to be the one who’s suffered for what he done.”

If you like a good mystery with historical facts and characters mixed in, this book is for you.  I also liked reading Porter Rockwell’s version of events through letters.  Also, there is a surprise at the end that had me stunned.

Happy Thanksgiving!


Marian’s Christmas Wish by Clara Kelly–Blog Tour

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Nov 162011
 

Marian’s Christmas Wish

Author: Carla Kelly

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Published: September 2011

Paperback: 304 pages

ISBN13: 9781599559537

Genre: Regency Romance

FTC FYI: I received my copy from NetGalley with approval from publisher

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads summary:  “Miss Marian Wynswich is a rather unconventional young lady. She plays chess, reads Greek, and is as educated as any young man. And she’s certain falling in love is a ridiculous endeavor and vows never to do such a thing. But everything changes when she receives a Christmas visit from someone unexpected— a young and handsome English lord.”

Marian’s brother Percy is coming home for Christmas.  He surprises everyone by bringing two suitors.  The pompous Sir William who is the intended one for Ariadne, Marian’s older sister.  Although she has eyes for the town vicar, who is as poor as a church mouse.  The second is Gilbert Collinwood, Lord Ingraham.  Marian (or Mare, as her family calls her) swears that romance is not for her.  This is the first Christmas since her father’s death, which has left the family deeply in debt with his precarious ways.  There is even talk of the Wynswich family having to sell their estate to pay off the debt.

The Wynswich family has a Christmas tradition making a Christmas pudding, and while stirring it, a wish is made in your heart.  One that you can not repeat. In her mind Marian’s wish is that Gilbert Collinwood will have the best Christmas.  Gil also makes a wish of his own.

Marian’s mother, Lady Wynswich is overly dramatic and judgmental.  It is these actions, one day, that send Marian to check on her newly born kittens, Lord Ingraham goes with her.  They talk and Marian finds herself in easy conversation.  He keeps telling her to stop calling him “Lord Ingraham”, so she settles on Gil. Gilbert has a scar on his face, and Marian in her animal loving ways has made a healing salve, which she applies to his face.  Right away, I think, Gil starts to think well of Marian.

Marian is such an enjoyable character.  I really liked her.  Many times she had me smiling.  She is smart, well-read, witty, and has a lot of spunk (even for the time period that it is set).  This story takes place in the Napolean era.  Eventually goes in a direction I wasn’t expecting, but really enjoyed. There are many surprises that were exciting and kept me wondering.  It’s a well written book, with a very sweet ending.  I loved the changes in some characters too.

4 out of 5 stars.  Read more about Carla Kelly and her many books here. Follow Cedar Fort on Twitter and Facebook.


Geek Girl by Cindy C. Bennett–Blog Tour

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Nov 122011
 

Geek Girl

Author: Cindy C. Bennett

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Expected Publish Date: December 2011

ISBN13: 9781453663318

FTC FYI: I got my copy from NetGalley

Reviewed by Mindy

“”Think I could turn that boy bad?”

My two best friends–my only two friends, really–Ella and Beth follow my gaze and laugh.  We’re sitting on the outskirts of the cafeteria, outcasts physcially and socially.  We’re proud of this.  We strive for this.

“Trevor Hoffman?” Beth scoffs.  “No way, Jen.”

“I bet I can,” I say, chewing a painted black nail as I gaze at my intended target.

“No way,” they both agree.

I look at Trevor Hoffman and my grin widens.  He is such a nerdy, goody two-shoes.  Kinda cute actually, but with his shirt always buttoned to the top, a straight-A student who all of the teachers adore.  He’s the junior class something or other, not the president but one of the other officers.  He’s a little different than the other geeks in that he’s sort of . . . cool geek, I guess.  No glasses, asthmatic wheezing, or too-short pants for him.  But he’s firmly entrenched with the geek squad, a nerd to the core himself.

“I bet I could,” I say shrugging.  “Might be fun.”” (page 1)

Jen takes on the challenge of turning Trevor bad, if she is successful, Ella and Beth will pay for her lip to be pierced.  Currently Jen is in a foster home that doesn’t allow piercings.  She’s not worried because she expects to be gone from there soon.  The girls go to the school stomp that night and Jen immediately finds Trevor and asks him to dance.  In his geeky ways, he thanks her for the dance and she turns away. Dork.

At school, Jen continues to flirt, always watching and smiling at him.  After a couple weeks of this,  Jen asks Trevor to a party.  He has plans already, but asks Jen if she wants to come over and watch movies with him and some friends.  She agrees.  After, they continue doing things together.  Trevor takes her with him to the senior center where he volunteers, their families meet up at the bowling alley, and even go camping together.

Jen is a great character.  She’s very snarky and snide at times, but after hanging out with Trevor a lot, they start to like each other and she start to slowly change.  I enjoyed the way the author showed their growing relationship, and the subtle changes that Jen takes in her appearance and attitude towards her foster family soften her up.  Jen had a rough start in life, and needs to come to terms with scary things.  My favorite was Trevor, he may have been a geek in her eyes, but I thought he was just a great kid.  I thought the book was well written and I really felt sorry for what awful stuff Jen had to endure growing up.  I loved the many science fiction references.  Lots of my favs were mentioned: Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, X Files…

4 out of 5 stars.  Cindy Bennett wrote Heart on a Chain that was released last year.  Read more about the author here. Friend her on Facebook, and Like Geek Girl’s Facebook page.  Follow on Twitter.

Thanks to Cedar Fort for allowing me to part of this Blog Tour.


The Kissing Tree by Prudence Bice–Blog Tour

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Nov 092011
 

The Kissing Tree

Author: Prudence Bice

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Expected Publish Date: December 8, 2011

ISBN13: 9781599559360

Genre: Romance Fiction

FTC FYI: I received a copy from NetGalley

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads summary: “After five long years, Georgiana McLaughlin returns to the only place she’s ever considered home—the same place she stole a kiss from Ridge Carson under the community “kissing tree.” But this time he’s a man, and reconciling their past is just the beginning.”

After stealing a kiss from Ridge under the town’s “kissing tree”, Georgie leaves town.  Her family has suffered a tragedy and her mother thinks that a month in New York will be good for everyone.   Little does Georgie know, her cruel aunt Cecelia has other plans for her and her family.  She stays away for five years, returning to Colorado only to help her dear Irish grandfather after her grandmother passes away.  Georgie’s entire stay in New York wasn’t all terrible.  She went to a finishing school that she enjoyed, and caught the eye of young man who wants to marry her.  After arriving in Colorado, she immediately sees Ridge, and while letting her Irish temper flare, he can’t get enough of her.  Georgie left behind a dear friend Samantha as well.  Has too much time passed, or will Georgie be able to make things right?

I enjoyed this book immensely.  It was so well written.  I really enjoyed the point of view changes.  I liked seeing the way different characters saw the same situation.  The author did a great job of using flashbacks to tell the story too.  Each character has a history that is vital to the plot, and I never felt the flashbacks took me away from the story.  Georgie, of course, was my favorite.  Her Irish temper had me smiling.  I loved Ridge too.  Don’t you just love that name?  The Kissing Tree is a clean, romance that will have you laughing and crying, especially when you learn the truth about Georgie’s father.

5 out of 5 stars.  Read more reviews of The Kissing Tree blog tour here.  Follow Cedar Fort on twitter and facebook. Read more about Prudence Bice here.

My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Nov 022011
 

My Fair Godmother

Author: Janette Rallison

Publisher: Walker Publishing Company

Published: 2009

Softcover: 310 pages

ISBN: 978-0-8027-2073-3

FTC FYI: I purchased my own copy

Reviewed by Mindy

Ever wanted your own Fairy Godmother to come and fix your life?  If Chrissy is yours, you better know exactly what you want!

Backcover: “After a dramatic breakup with her picture-perfect boyfriend, Savannah needs a true prince–and fast, because prom is only weeks away.  But looking for love can be a Grimm experience!  If only Chrissy were more than just “fair” in the wish-granting department.  After two botched attempts that land Savannah in the past, first as Cinderella and then as Snow White, Chrissy must send Savannah to save Tristan, a surprisingly cute boy from school whom Chrissy accidentally sent to the Middle Ages.  Hopefully the third time’s a charm…as in Prince Charming.”

Savannah is down.  Her plain sister Jane has won the heart of her boyfriend Hunter.  She tries to move on, but it’s hard when your boyfriend’s new girlfriend is your sister. “Fair” godmother Chrysanthemum Everstar is trying to raise her semester grade with an extra credit project.  At first, she doesn’t know what sister she is supposed to help.  After Jane and Hunter get together, Chrissy’s officially assigned to Savannah.  (I especially loved page 20, when the Memior Elves have to go to detox because they’ve been in Savannah’s teen-age head too long.)  Chrissy comes to Savannah and tell her she gets three wishes per their contract.  Wish one (page 47):

I just wish that somehow my life could be like a fairy tale.  You know, with a handsome prince waiting for me at the ball, and that somehow when I meet him, everything will work out happily ever after.

Chrissy checked her wristwatch again, hardly paying attention to me. “Okay, great.  One Cinderella coming up.”

I LOVED this book.  It is so well written.  I loved the humor, characters, cleverness, and especially the story line.  I thought it was so clever having the first part be Chrissy’s report, so fun!  Everything comes together so smooth and it’s full of very fun twists.  I’ve said this before, I love reading books I can pass to my girls without hesitation, this book tops the list.

My Fair Godmother was a finalist for a Whitney Award in 2009.  It’s sequel, My Unfair Godmother was released this year.

5 out of 5 stars.  Janette has written many books.  My Double Life was also a finalist for a Whitney last year.  Read more about her here.

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