Daughter of Mine: A Novel by Laura Fabiani

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Apr 212010
 

Title: Daughter of Mine: A Novel

Author: Laura Fabiani

Publisher:iUniverse, Inc.

ISBN# 978-0-595-47857-6

paperback 190 pages

I have seen a great trend in romance books lately. More authors are writing what they are calling, “Clean Romances”. This basically means that you can read a Romance without having to read graphic sex scenes, that usually are not needed. I recently read a feel-good romance, with a great mystery that needed to be solved by the heroine. Here is what it says on the back cover:


“Tiziana Manoretti is an only child in her late twenties blessed with loving parents, a promising career, and a best friend who fiercely protects her. When her mother falls seriously ill and the relationship between her parents becomes suddenly strained, a carefully hidden family secret is revealed and Tiziana’s seemingly idealistic world is turned upside down.

After discovering she was born in a Naples orphanage and subsequently given up for adoption, Tiziana sets out for the small town of Gaeta in an attempt to find her birth parents. Meanwhile, her best friend Christopher is sending her mixed messages, causing her to wonder if there is more to their relationship than just companionship. As she becomes intertwined with a handful of interesting characters who help her uncover her past, Tiziana needs to decide whether her feelings for Christopher are deeper than she realizes. She discovers herself and others all while her family’s resilience and love for one another is tested when confronted with a shocking truth.

The answers lie in a box found in a closet in Italy, and Tiziana must determine if she wants to embrace the heartache and the pain from her past in order to learn forgiveness and find peace in the future”


The Romantic setting in this story grabbed me from the start. Most of the story takes place in Naples, Italy. The place I want to travel to the most is Italy; specifically, Rome, Venice and Naples. The other thing that drew me into this story was the fact that Tiziana, the main character, was adopted and she is Italian. Guess what? I was adopted and I am Italian. I could relate to the character very easily. Even though there was some predictability in the storyline, I didn’t care, because I liked the characters so much. I also enjoyed watching Tiziana figure out things that the reader already had guessed. Laura has one of those writing styles that the words seem to flow easily across the pages. This is a wonderful quick read, and you feel very happy when you are done reading it.

I also loved the descriptions of Naples in the story as she brought to life the beauty of the Neapolitan mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. It made me want to go there even more. Most importantly about this novel are the themes of family relationships, forgiveness, friendship, and enduring love.

I recommend this book to any person that loves a good, clean romance. This would be a great book to read while lazing around on a Saturday in your p.j.’s or a hot, Summer day while sipping lemonade.

My Rating: 4 stars

Read it Again? Yes

Recommend it? Yes, to all of you that want to read a clean romance/mystery

Read more of Laura’s books? Yes, I look forward to reading more from Laura.


You can purchase this book at these places:



I want to thank Laura for the review copy of, “Daughter of Mine”. I did not receive any compensation for giving this review.


Today I want to introduce to you Laura Fabiani.

Education and Current Activities

Laura Fabiani has a degree in Special Care Counselling and a diploma in Writing for Children and Teenagers. She also translates documents from the French language to English for the medical community since 2000. She is founder of NouveauWriter.com, an online resource for new and aspiring writers. She blogs about books at Library of Clean Reads, where she reviews books and offers promotional services to authors. Fabiani currently teaches creative writing workshops in English and French.
Interests and Inspiration

Laura Fabiani has been writing as far back as she can remember, making use of poetry and short compositions throughout her youth to express her ideas and feelings. One of her early goals in life was to write a novel. She began several of them, but never brought them to completion… until one day her sister asked, “Laura, when are you going to finish that book you once talked about writing?”

That’s when Fabiani finally sat down and began to write where she had left off more than eight years ago, when the idea for Daughter of Mine was sparked listening to her mother-in-law’s stories of her youth in her native Naples.

Italy has always held a special place for Laura Fabiani because her parents are Italian immigrants. Her father is from the beautiful mountainous region of Pescara in Abruzzo and her mother from the romantic city of Rome. In addition, Fabiani’s maternal grandmother came from a noble family in Gaeta, Naples. Fabiani has traveled several times to Italy and stayed in her ancestral home in Rome with her relatives.

When not writing or immersed in study, she divides her time between taking care of her family and sharing in a volunteer worldwide Bible education program. Of all the literature Fabiani has read, the Holy Scriptures have shaped her life the most. She has deep respect for this book that has influenced some of the world’s greatest art, literature, music and has had a significant impact on law. “It teaches us how to live the best life now and in the future,” she believes.

She is currently working on her second novel. She lives with her husband and two children in Montreal, Quebec.

Fablehaven 5: Keys to the Demon Prison by Brandon Mull

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Apr 162010
 


Title: Fablehaven Book Five: Keys to The Demon Prison

Author: Brandon Mull
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Published Date: March 2010

ISBN#: 13 978-1-60641-238-1

Hardcover: 593 pages

“Since ancient times, the great demon prison Zzyzx has protected the world from the most dangerous servants of darkness, including Gorgrog, the Demon King. After centuries of plotting, the Sphinx is on the verge of recovering the five artifacts necessary to open the legendary prison.

Facing the potential of a world-ending calamity, all friends of light must unite in a final effort to thwart the Sphinx’s designs and find a safe home for the five artifacts. To this end, Kendra, Seth, and the Knights of the Dawn will venture far beyond the walls of Fablehaven to strange and exotic magical preserves across the globe, where the end of every quest becomes the beginning of another. In this explosive series finale, allegiances will be confirmed and secrets revealed as the forces of light and darkness collide in a desperate struggle to control the keys to the demon prison.”


Brandon Mull has done it again. He has written an action packed fantasy novel, with many mysteries that are finally revealed. I have to admit, I was looking forward to this book being released and hating the fact that it was finally being released. I have loved reading the Fablehaven series. I was hooked from the first book. As each book came out the stories became better and more interesting.

One aspect of the Fablehaven books is, once you start reading them it is hard to put them down. It is not any different with the fifth book, Keys to The Demon Prison. One thing that you will notice soon after you start to read, is that Seth and Kendra truly take center stage in this last book. They have grown up and are taking on the roles of hero and heroine.

Many new characters were added to the story this go around. They were essential to the storyline, but I missed some of my old, favorite characters. Tanu, is one of my favorites and he wasn’t in this final book very much. Grandpa and Grandma Sorenson were only here and there a few times. Of course we learn many new things about the Sphinx and the motivations behind his actions. Brandon Mull also includes so many twists and turns in this book, it is hard to read without feeling some anxiety! He also really knows how to bring everything together at the end that you have been wondering about. I truly was surprised a few times at things that were revealed.

Do you notice how vague I am being? I am doing it on purpose because I do not want to ruin the book for you.Let’s just say, this is a must read for anyone that has read any of the other Fablehaven books. You will not be disappointed at the ending, except for the fact the series is ending. I would have been happy with four or five more books in the series. Unfortunately, I do not think Brandon Mull would agree. He has many great ideas for a new series and other books. I look forward to seeing what else Brandon will create and I will happily dive in to whatever he writes next.

My Rating: 4 1/2 stars (Because I did not want the series to end.) 5 for the content.

-Read it again? Yes, many times in the future.

-Recommend it? Yes, to everyone who likes a great fantasy with lots of action and well developed characters.

-Read more of Brandon’s book? You can count on it!

Purchase Fablehaven Book 5: Keys of the Demon Prison here.

You can visit the Fablehaven’s website here.

To learn more about Brandon visit his website here.


One Bright Shining Hope by Gordon B. Hinckley

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Apr 092010
 


I love watching General Conference and hearing from our prophet. I love President Monson and his loving manner. I can’t help but still miss President Gordon B. Hinckley. He had been a part of our lives so long, it was hard to let him go. So, I decided to read a quote every night from his book, “One Bright Shining Hope: Messages for Women from Gordon B. Hinckley”. This book came out in 2006. I received this book soon after I had miscarried a baby at 11 weeks. Little did I know, that I would need this book even more now in my life.



Product Description

“When you save a girl, you save generations. I see this as the one bright shinning hope in a world that is marching toward moral self-destruction,” said President Gordon B. Hinckley. Heavenly Father treasures His daughters, and through His prophet has encouraged them to be a force for good in the world. President Hinckley’s words of encouragement and counsel to women are paired with beautiful visual images in this lovely gift book. A perfect companion volume to Sister Hinckley’s Small and Simple Things, the book is a thoughtful reminder to women everywhere of how much God loves and needs them.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from the book:

“You did not come into this world to fail. You came into this world to succeed. You have accomplished much so far. It is only the beginning. As you move forward on the trail of life, keep the banner of faith in self ever before you…And you will be amazed at what might happen when in faith you take a step forward.”


“Cultivate an attitude of happiness. Cultivate a spirit of optimism. Walk with faith, rejoicing in the beauties of nature, in the goodness of those you love, in the testimony which you carry in your heart concerning things divine.”

This quote is my favorite:

“We know not what lies ahead of us. We know not what the coming days will bring. We live in a world of uncertainty For some, there will be great accomplishment. For others, disappointment. For some, much rejoicing and gladness, good health and gracious living. For others, perhaps sickness and a measure of sorrow, We do not know. But one thing we do know. Like the polar star in the heavens, regardless of what the future holds, there stands the redeemer of the world, the Son of God, certain and sure as the anchor of our immortal lives. He is the rock of our salvation, our strength, our comfort, the very focus of our faith.”

If you have never read this book you should. If you already have this book, get it out and read it again. Whenever we hear the words of any prophet we know their words are true and come from our Father in Heaven. These messages encourage us, lift us up and remind us of our divine nature.

You can order this book here. This would be a perfect gift for someone on Mother’s Day or just a gift for yourself.

Easter Books for You and Your Family

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Mar 262010
 

With Easter rapidly approaching, I wanted to show you some books I recently found and that I am thinking about purchasing. As we try to share with our family about why we celebrate Easter, these books will help facilitate your endeavors. I hope that you will enjoy looking through them.

“Behold the Lamb of God”: An Easter Celebration (Hard Cover Book) Edited by Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, Frank F. Judd Jr., and Thomas A. Wayment

Followers of Jesus Christ since the beginning have referred to their Savior as the Lamb of God. While down by the river Jordan, John the Baptist was baptizing those who desired to follow the Savior.

When the Savior approached the Baptist, John declared, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). After John baptized Jesus, he bore record “that he had baptized the Lamb of God” (1 Nephi 10:10). The next day, when John and two of his disciples saw Jesus, the Baptist again proclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36). Featuring beautiful artwork, this volume celebrates the life and sacrifice of the Lamb of God.

My First Story of the First Easter (Board Book) retold by Deanna Draper Buck, illustrated by Jerry Harston

Here is a wonderful way to introduce your little ones to the real meaning of Easter.

Written in language that can be understood by young readers or read aloud to preschoolers, My First Story of the First Easter tells the stories of the Last Supper, the Garden of Gethsemane, and Christ’s appearance to the Nephites, explaining the Atonement and Resurrection in simple, understandable terms.

Parents, grandparents, and teachers will welcome this newest addition to their child’s gospel library.

Easter Walk: A Treasure Hunt for the Real Meaning of Easter (Hard Cover Book) Written by Deborah Race Rowley, illustrated by Dan Burr

Follow Tyler and Amy as they take a much-anticipated Easter walk with their grandpa. Using clues from the scriptures, they find six objects that symbolize specific moments in the Easter story.

For example, they find something sharp to remind them of the Savior’s crown of thorns and something made of wood to remind them of the cross. As they walk, they learn important lessons about Easter and its particular message for their family, and yours.

This touching story beautifully illustrates the importance of the Savior’s Atonement and Resurrection as it helps us remember the true meaning of Easter. It teaches the eternal truth that families can be together forever.

The Gift of the Atonement: Favorite Writings on the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ by Various Authors

In this unique collection, some of the most important and inspirational writings from Church leaders and other beloved writer’s about Christ’s great atoning sacrifice have been assembled. Each chapter increases our understanding of this extraordinary and marvelous event, offering insights on the plan of salvation, grace and repentance, and resonates with gospel truth.

Presented as a beautiful gift book to share with family and friends, the pages of this small treasure are filled with hope and reassurance. The Gift of the Atonement will urge readers to embrace the Savior’s invitation to follow Him and claim the wondrous blessings of exaltation.
“In the gift of his Son hath God prepared a more excellent way.” -Ether 12:11

The Gift of the Atonement includes favorite writings from:
Melvin J. Ballard, Ezra Taft Benson, Tad R. Callister, J. Reuben Clark Jr., Sheri Dew, Marie Hafen, Patricia T. Holland, Howard W. Hunter, Ardeth G. Kapp, Spencer W. Kimball, Janet Lee, Gerald N. Lund, Truman G. Madsen, W. Jeffrey Marsh, Bruce R. McConkie, Joseph Fielding McConkie, David O. McKay, Robert L. Millet, Hugh Nibley, Chieko N. Okazaki, Stephen E. Robinson, Marion G. Romney, James E. Talmage, John Taylor, Brent L. Top, Wendy L. Watson, Orson F. Whitney, . . . and others.

In the Garden (Hard Cover Book) by Caralyn Buhner, Illustrated by Brandon Dorman

What happened in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross are difficult things for anyone to grasp, especially children.

Did Jesus fell a lot of pain? Was he all alone? Why did he have to go through that experience? How did he die? When was he resurrected? And why is all of this important to me?

 True to the sciptural accounts, this tender and inspiring book follows Jesus in his journey from the Passover to the Garden of Gethsemane and from Golgotha to the Resurrection. Beautifully written and illustrated, it will help children better comprehend the most significant events in the history of the world – the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ and his becoming the Savior of the World.

Though this is a very short list of Easter books that are available, these are the ones that caught my eye. If you are interested in any of them or other books about Easter, you can find them at these websites or at the actual bookstores. The most important thing is to make The Savior the center of our Easter celebration. These books are one way to help us in doing so.


–Deseret Book


–BYU Bookstore


–Seagull Book

Once Upon a Time: An Adoption Story by Ashley Hansen Bigler and Amy Hintze

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Mar 122010
 

I received a very beautiful childrens’ book to review. Not only does it have a great story, but the illustrations are realistic and so well done. Even better, this story made me cry while I read it to my kids.

Here is the premise of the book:

“A mother tells her young adopted daughter how, through the love of her birth mother and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, she came to be a part of her forever family. Filled with beautiful illustrations by Amy Hintze, it is a sweet tale of a child’s journey to her forever family. Written by Ashley Bigler.”

My life has always been surrounded by the miracle of adoption. My two older siblings, as well as myself, were all adopted as babies. I still remember the day that we all went to the Idaho Falls temple to be sealed together as an Eternal family. When my husband and I had trouble conceiving a child, of course the first thing that went through my mind was adoption. That was just the best and right thing to do. We were blessed by the gift of adoption when our daughter was sent to us. It was the happiest day of my life! I was finally a mom and it was because of the selfless gift of a precious birth mom.

Even though my daughter is now 12, I still wanted to sit and read it with her. As I read the book, I felt like the words were coming straight from my heart. All of the feelings that had been in my heart, as we went through each step of the adoption process, were being expressed in print. The excitement we felt when we found that we had been chosen and had to call everyone to tell them.Some of the pages that truly made me cry were about meeting the birth mother. “I was even able to feel you move in her tummy. I couldn’t believe how much I loved you without even seeing you.” I can still remember that moment when I met my daughter’s birth mother. I couldn’t believe, that my soon-to- be little girl, was moving and kicking.

Another part of the book that made the tears flow was about meeting the baby for the first time, “That was the best day of all. You were the most beautiful baby. When I held you for the first time, it felt like I had known you forever. I never wanted to let you go, but I knew I had to share you with your Daddy.”

Ashley and Amy have done such an amazing job with this book. You can feel the inspiration from above as you read this book. It makes you feel, how truly blessed everyone is who is touched by the miracle of adoption.
I highly recommend this book for all families who have been blessed to adopt their precious children. I also recommend this book, to give as a gift, for someone who may be struggling whether or not to adopt. You can see and feel, the pure joy and happiness, that comes from the miracle of adoption while reading this book.

The release date for Once Upon a Time: An Adoption Story is set for
April 2010

At that time, the book will be available from the publisher at www.cedarfort.com If you would like a copy of the book before that, you can get it here on sale for 9.99. This is the website for Ashley Bigler where you can learn more about the book and the author.

If you are on facebook you can go join the group, Once Upon a Time: An Adoption Story.

Thank you Ashley and Amy for sharing your talents. Also, thank you for all of the lives that you will bless when people read this book. I know as an adopted child, it made me feel very special.


Counting Blessings: Wit and Wisdom for Women By Kerry Blair

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Feb 262010
 



I have been forgetting an important lesson in my life, I need to remember to count my blessings. With all of the struggles we experience in life, we often times get boggled down with feeling sorry for ourselves. It is wonderful when we can read something that is a gentle reminder to slow down and celebrate our life. I love how at the beginning of the book, words from the Hymn “Count Your Many Blessings” is quoted:


“So amid the conflict whether great or small, Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.” -Johnson Oatman Jr, “Count Your Many Blessings,” Songs for Young People, 1897


Kerry Blair has written a short book,comprised of inspiring stories and essays. It is small enough to slip into your purse, computer bag, etc. and pull it out to read a chapter. Even with all of the many huge novels I have been reading lately, this book is like a close friend to comfort me after a hard day. It is split into three parts with smaller chapters found in each part.
-Part One: Counting Blessings
-Part Two:Counting the Best of Now and Here
-Part Three: Counting on the Promises

One chapter that touched me so much is called, “A Bequest of Wings”. This is how it starts…

“Bad things do happen to good people. Sometimes the worst things happen to the best people. Right now, a handful of the best people I know are facing the most difficult things I can imagine-cancer, the serious illness of a parent, abandonment and divorce, and the death of a child. I wish I knew what to say to them. “

Kerry then wrote of when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She couldn’t understand why God was letting this happen to her. She goes on to explain some wonderful, healing things that she read. The thing that I loved reading the most was this, a quote by Margery Wilson in 1917, as the world contemplated the War to End All Wars:

“Though life seems to challenge us harshly at times, to make us eat bitter bread with the sweet, nevertheless, if we will stop wailing and look we will see a sustaining arm across our shoulders, the arm of infinite love-and if we listen we can hear a voice whispering, ‘Deep within you is the strength to bear anything, the nobility to be willing to do so, and the intelligence to create magnificently and beautifully, come what may.”

I know sweet Kerry has been through many challenging things in her life, but she is still smiling. I know that her trials probably wear her soul down, but she is still so loving and kind to those around her. You can just feel this love when you are in her presence. I can assure you that reading this book, “Counting Blessings” will lift your spirits high and give you the strength to carry on day after day. I have felt this lift the past few weeks as I have pondered the words in this book.

This is Kerry Blair’s first full-length work of non-fiction (published in 2008) and has eight published novels with Covenant. She lives in Arizona and I know that she would love to hear from you.
Here is her website http://www.kerryblair.com/books.php and her blog is here

You can e-mail Kerry at kerrylynblair@aol.com

Thank you Kerry, for sharing your wonderful humor and joy with the world through your writing.



This is Kerry at last years Whitney Awards Gala, after winning the lifetime achievement award.
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