The 2012 Book Bloggers Cookbook Compiled by Christy Dorrity – Blog Tour

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
May 152012
 

The 2012 Book Bloggers Cookbook

Compiled by Christy Dorrity

Forward by David Farland

Published: May 1st, 2012

ASIN: B007ZS0UBY

eBook: Kindle Version

FTC FYI: Review Copy

Reviewed by Mindy

Summary:

The 2012 Book Blogger’s Cookbook is a community project from some of the blogosphere’s best book bloggers in a simple, easy to read format.  The cookbook combines a love of reading and dining to help you find books you’ll devour and recipes you can’t put down.
You’ll love The Book Blogger’s Cookbook because…The Book Blogger’s Cookbook has 50 different book reviewers from every corner of the blogosphere.  It bridges the gap between author and reader—putting you in touch with book reviewers who can separate the 5 star books from the mediocre.The Book Blogger’s Cookbook showcases great reads and provides an interactive experience with links to author and book reviewer websites. The cookbook is created for those who like to experience what they read long after they’ve closed the book.The Book Blogger’s Cookbook tells why each recipe complements its companion book.  Recipes and books combine to make the reading experience satisfying and entertaining.

Book launch and Contest
During the first week of the book launch, The 2012 Book Blogger’s Cookbook will be available for a reduced price of .99 cents.  Please spread the word. 
Every person who comments on one of the blogs during the tour will be entered to win a grand prize: a copy of every book featured in The 2012 Book Blogger’s Cookbook (22 in all, over $200 value). 
My Review
What a great way to find new recipes and read about books at the same time.  This book is a ton of fun with the recipes and info about some awesome books.
5 out 5 stars!  Thanks to Christy for asking me to be a part of this fun cookbook blog tour and giving a thought to some of my favorite books.
About the author:
Christy Dorrity loves to read about cooking and cook about reading. She was taught early to have a discriminating taste for both books and food. Christy grew up on a trout ranch in Star Valley, Wyoming. She taught elementary school and lives in the mountains with her husband Devon and their five young children. When Christy’s not reading or writing, she’s probably trying out a new recipe in the kitchen.

Blog Tour Review of Espionage:A World War II Novel by A.L. Sowards

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Apr 282012
 

Product Details:

  • Title: Espionage:A World War II Novel
  •  Author: A.L. Sowards
  • Paperback: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Covenant Communications Inc; 1st edition (February 29, 2012)
  • Genre: Historical Fiction
  • ISBN-10: 1608611485
  • ISBN-13: 978-1608611485
  • FTC: FYI I was given a review copy of this book.

Book Description:

France, 1944: Nobody expects Peter Eddy to survive his
first commando mission, to retrieve a code book stolen by the Nazis, so
his success is rewarded with an even more daunting assignment. Partnered
with fellow soldier Jacques Olivier, Eddy must identify which of the
three Allied contacts in Calais is a double agent and use the traitor to
help implement a strategic Allied diversion that might win the war.
Eddy and Olivier secretly cross the English Channel to confront their
suspects one at a time, but what appears to be a clean assignment soon
turns disastrous, and a shocking betrayal leaves Eddy in the grip of the
Gestapo. With the courageous aid of Olivier and his sister, Genevieve,
Eddy evades his captors in a highspeed chase through the streets of
Calais. But as the Allied invasion approaches, treachery in the least
likely places leads to fresh graves in the bloodied European soil, and
only the power of loyalty and love can transform tragic endings into new
beginnings.
 
 
My Review:
You start by noticing what an awesome and haunting cover Espionage has. It shows you what is to come. World War II is at the center of this book. This is not a light, easy read at all. This is a book with a great storyline, but it is about war. If you can’t stomach some scenes of bloodshed and torture, you might not like this. If you are a history buff and like to read a well written story, that centers around an American soldier turned spy, you will love this story.

Main character, Peter Eddy, is young, LDS, and angry. His older brother was killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He enlists,to somehow exact some revenge for his brother’s death. Little does he know that this isn’t exactly a good reason to go to war. He is almost killed in his first mission, a set-up, where he is basically betrayed. This happens at the beginning and throws me for a loop. From there, he recovers from his injuries and then is off onto another mission where he teams up with a French Resistance Leader named Jacques. Along the way there is deception taking place, a little romance and some healing for our main character. This is the author’s first book and she does an outstanding job of telling a good story, while educating the reader about the horrors and sacrifices of war. My gratitude for our brave soldiers is always renewed after reading a book like this. 

There is a sequel that has been written by A.L. Sowards and submitted to her editor. I will for sure want to read more about these same characters.

Purchase Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/A.-L.-Sowards/e/B007FGYQJS/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/espionage-amanda-sowards/1108540406?ean=9781608611485&itm=1&usri=espionage&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-TnL5HPStwNw-_-10:1

Deseret Book: http://deseretbook.com/auth/22014/A_L_Sowards

Seagull Book: http://www.seagullbook.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=SEARCH&q=espionage&search.x=0&search.y=0#/?filter.author=A.l.%20Sowards&page=1


Author Bio:

  • Sowards is a
    graduate of Moses Lake High School and Brigham Young University. She swam
    competitively for sixteen years, including while she was in college. She found
    it more entertaining to think of plot ideas while following the black line up
    and down the bottom of the pool than having a song in her head that restarted
    with every flip-turn. Sowards currently lives along the Wasatch front with her
    amazing husband and her adorable twin toddlers. She loves hearing from readers
    and can be found on ALSowards.com, Facebook, or Goodreads.
Social Networking Links:

 

To read other reviews in the blog tour go here

Motherhood Matters by Connie E. Sokol — Blog Tour

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Mindy's Reviews
Apr 282012
 

Motherhood Matters: Joyful Reminders of the Divinity, Reality, and Rewards of Motherhood

Author: Connie E. Sokol

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Published: March 2012

Hardcover: 128 pages

ISBN13: 9781462110186

FTC FYI: Review copy

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary: “In these hectic days where life’s demands can quickly become a heavy burden, Motherhood Matters helps you find more memorable moments and take the stress out of the to-do lists. Written with clarity, concision, and wit, this short, yet indispensable handbook is better than flowers, more guilt-free than chocolate, and gives back to the woman who sacrifices so much of herself every single day.”

My Review

This book was an absolute joy to read.  While I was reading I started taking notes, and wrote down pages numbers of my favorite quotes from many of our amazing church leaders, and from the author herself.  Many inspirational messages quotes are in this book to help you through your busy mothering days.  I was reminded to take life a day at a time, and most importantly to cherish your children.  My kids are 14, 11, and 7.  I miss the days when they were younger, but I am excited about the life we have now, and look forward to live and enjoy each day.  No matter how busy we get.  It also reminded me that my Heavenly Father loves me, and looks after me.  Even as something as simple as watching over my house because I left a curling iron on.

5 out of 5 stars. This book is a great gift for Mother’s Day for any mother no matter, what stage in her mothering she is in.

Read more about the author here. Use this link for purchase.

Until Next Time (The Angel Chronicles Book 1) by Amy Lignor — Blog Tour

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Apr 252012
 

 Until Next Time

Author: Amy Lignor

Publisher: Tribute Publishing

Published: February 1, 2012

ISBN13: 9780983741855

eBook 1st Edition 255 pages

FTC FYI: Review Copy

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads summary: How does a girl choose between the one who steals her heart and the one who owns her soul?

Matt and Emily were created for a specific job. Raised and trained as the ultimate angel/warrior team, they are sent down to save, defend, judge and forgive, depending on the ‘life’ they’ve been assigned. What they don’t realize is that the power of human emotions, such as love, anger, passion and fear can take over even the best of souls, causing them to make mistakes and follow paths that lead to confusion and heartache.

When the reason for their training is finally revealed, the angel/warrior team find themselves thrust into a world they know nothing about. Matt takes over the life of Daniel, a young man with a great deal of baggage. Emily becomes Liz, a girl living in a remote village who relies on nothing more than her own strength to survive. A violent storm erupts one night, and framed in the window of Liz’s establishment is a frightening face. Let in by the soul of a Good Samaritan, the two visitors bring with them a past full of secrets that could literally change an angel’s path and a warrior’s plans.

From murder to redemption, this angel/warrior team must find a way to keep the faith they have in each other in a world that’s ripping them apart.

My Review

3 1/2 stars.  I was pretty stuck with 3 stars through the book, but the climax and the ending gave it that extra boost.  I did enjoy the book, I just thought the language (meaning the way the characters spoke) wasn’t fit for the time period.  Also, there is party that the main characters attend, and why they were there was a contradiction to why they returned to the house.  The story is entertaining though, and the author did do a good job of developing the characters.  Jason was a favorite.  The book jumps back from Emily to Liz, which I enjoyed.  I liked seeing both sides of the characters.  The one relationship that I had a hard time with Daniel’s and Liz’s.  It wasn’t as believable for me as it should of been.

Content

There is some language, and two of characters have sex, but there is no details, just hints in that direction.

NOOK / KINDLE / PDF / SMASHWORDS

About the author:

Amy Lignor began her career at Grey House Publishing in northwest Connecticut where she was the Editor-in-Chief of numerous educational and business directories.

Now she is a published author of several works of fiction. The Billy the Kid historical The Heart of a Legend; the thriller, Mind Made; and the adventure novel, Tallent & Lowery 13.

She is also the owner of The Write Companion, a company that offers help and support to writers through a full range of editorial services from proofreading and copyediting to ghostwriting and research. As the daughter of a research librarian, she is also an active book reviewer.

Currently, she lives with her daughter, mother and a rambunctious German Shepherd named Reuben, in the beautiful state of New Mexico.

FACEBOOK / TWITTER / BLOG / GOODREADS

Banana Split by Josi S. Kilpack — Blog Tour

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Apr 112012
 

Banana Split: A Culinary Mystery

Author: Josi S. Kilpack

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: February 2012

Paperback: 372 pages

ISBN-13: 978-1-60908-903-0

FTC FYI: Review Copy

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary: “Sadie Hoffmiller has survived eighteen months of nonstop adventures filled with murder, deceit, and danger. She could really use some rest—and maybe even some time to heal—relaxing in the tropical paradise of Kaua’i. However, palm trees and sunshine are not as effective a medication as Sadie had hoped. And when she finds herself entangled—literally—with a dead body, she is forced to face the compounding fears and anxieties that are making her life so difficult to live.

Her determination to stay out of danger and to focus on overcoming her anxieties soon takes a backseat when she meets eleven-year-old Charlie, the son of the woman whose body she discovered near Anahola Beach. Charlies has some questions of his own about what happened to his mother, and he is convinced that only Sadie can help him. If only Sadie were as confident in her abilities as Charlie is.

With the help of her best friend and a local social worker, Sadie dives into another mystery with the hope that, at the end, she’ll be able to find the peace and closure that has eluded her.”

My Review

Sadie is having a rough time.  All that has happened to her in the last 18 months has finally taken it’s toll.  Her panic attacks are getting more frequent, and in the middle of one, after an attempt at snorkeling, Sadie finds another dead body under a pier.  Sadie visits Dr. McKay, her new psychiatrist.  He talks with her about PTSD, and how he feels she is suffering from that.  Determined to feel better, Sadie makes a list of things to do everyday.

Go outside every day.

Eat fruit every day.

Talk to Pete every day.

Do something brave every day.

When the son of the woman whose body Sadie found comes to her, it takes time, but she realizes that she needs to help this boy.  Sadie finds a list of Charlie’s that he left at her house.  That spurs her into action.

This is another strong offering from Josi.  The best thing about her books is not only do they get better and better, but they are unique in their own way and can stand alone.  Sadie is a different person in his book.  She is hurting, mentally and physically.  It’s quite a change to see her react the way she does, my heart just ached for her.  What I love most about Sadie is, even though she has forgotten this, she is a very strong lady.  Sadie finds herself getting better when she is investigating, and it helps with her anxiety.  She also remembers that helping others is a good thing, and she is not a dead body magnet.  Gayle helps her see that it’s okay to let someone else help her, too.

5 out of 5 stars.  Follow Josi on Facebook and Twitter.  Here are some purchase links as well.

AMAZON / BARNES AND NOBLE / DESERET BOOK / SEAGULL BOOK

 

Blog Tour review of Caller ID by Rachelle J. Christensen

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Apr 062012
 

Product Details:

  • Title:Caller ID
  • Author: Rachelle J. Christensen
  • Paperback: 272 pages
  • Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc. (March 13, 2012)
  • Genre: mystery/suspense
  • ISBN-10: 1599559900
  • ISBN-13: 978-1599559902
  • Reviewed by: Sheila
  • FTC FYI: Review copy from the publisher

 

 

 

 

Book Description:

Publication Date: March 13, 2012
When twenty-three-year-old Courtney Beckham is abducted near her home, the search turns up more than just a kidnapping crime. FBI agent Jason Edwards investigates the ten-million-dollar ransom and stumbles upon something he wasn’t meant to find. When Courtney catches a glimpse of the caller ID in her kidnapper’s home, what she sees turns her world upside down.
My Review:
Caller ID has a great storyline with a strong female protagonist. Also, one of my favorite characters from Rachelle’s book, Wrong Number, is back in this book, FBI agent Jason Edwards. This book will keep you reading and gripping the cover. There are also some wicked twists and turns that will leave you shaking your head. Rachelle is a talented writer and has a great handle on the craft of writing a good mystery/suspense novel. There is also a little bit of romance included that is always nice!
I interviewed Author Rachelle Christensen. I hope that you will enjoy reading it.
1.What do you love about writing suspense?
I like to look at things from a different angle, to find that twist that will make the story interesting. While brainstorming for Caller ID, I gathered some ideas from a few different news stories I saw. I kept thinking about the story and wondered, What if?
I also like learning new things and that requires research. This doesn’t just happen in suspense, pretty much all novels require research. I did quite a bit, from interviewing police officers, FBI agents, and undercover drug task force members to studying into how to produce certain drugs.
2.How are Wrong Number, your 1st book and Caller ID related?
Caller ID is a spin-off from my first book, taking FBI Agent Jason Edwards and continuing his story. They can be read as a stand-alone because only one character is the same, but I will say that he was a favorite from Wrong Number that people wanted to know more about.
3.How long did it take you to write Caller ID?
About two months, but I got the idea for the story almost a year before and let it percolate. After the first draft, I went on to torture myself with revisions for the next eight months.
4.What are you working on next?
I just finished writing/editing book one of a new “Wedding Planner Mystery” series. I had so much fun writing this novel and getting to know the characters. The title is Diamond Rings are Deadly Things and it’s set in Sun Valley, Idaho near where I grew up. I’m excited for people to meet my new character.
5.What is your favorite Easter candy?
I love those Reese’s pieces bags that look like a carrot, and I wouldn’t turn down lovely pastel peanut M&M’s either.
Thanks for the fun interview, Sheila!
6.Where are the best places on the internet to learn about you?
My website, www.rachellechristensen.com and my blog www.rachellewrites.blogspot.com
Author Rachelle’s FB Page http://www.facebook.com/rachellechristensenauthor
Book Trailerhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8ZjvmatwGo&feature=email

www.rachellechristensen.com

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