LDS Women's Book Review – Page 30 – Good reads that don't ask you to sacrifice your standards.

Memories of Me by Laura Hedgecock — Spotlight

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

May 282014

Memories of Me: A Complete Guide to Telling and Sharing the Stories of Your Life

Author: Laura Hedgecock

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Published: May 2014

ISBN13: 9781462114535

Paperback: 240 pages

Goodreads Summary

We all have stories to share with our children and grandchildren. Whether it’s a proud moment, memories of grandparents, or a lesson you’ve learned, Memories of Me: A Complete Guide to Telling and Sharing the Stories of Your Life helps you put the episodes of your past onto paper share them with loved ones.

Inside you’ll find:

– Simple, down-to-earth instructions to get you started

– Worksheets with in-depth brainstorming exercises

– Plenty of examples to spark your creativity

– Writing advice to make your memories shine

Preserve your stories and share them with the important people in your life using the tips and advice found in this comprehensive guide.

Purchase Links

Amazon / Deseret Book

Author Links

Goodreads / Blog / Twitter

Before the Clock Strikes Thirty by Aubrey Mace

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

May 232014

Before the Clock Strikes Thirty

Author: Aubrey Mace

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published: April 2014

ISBN: 978-1-62108-250-7

Paperback: 193 pages

FTC FYI: Received a paperback copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

With wedding festivities swirling around her, the bride’s fortune-telling aunt transfixes young Shannon Fielding. The gypsy woman foresees love in the girl’s future: before her thirtieth year, Shannon will meet the man of her dreams. The promise of romance is absolutely thrilling it’s almost enough to compensate for the groom’s annoying younger brother . . .
Shannon has remembered, and loathed, Nathan since their childhood meeting at the wedding reception that set her on a never-ending quest to find her Mr. Right. When Nathan steps back into Shannon’s life, she is forced to reconcile her memory of the obnoxious boy he once was with the endearing man he’s become. Nathan quickly becomes the best friend a girl could ask for but when their friendship threatens to develop into something more, can Shannon give up the idea of the mysterious soul mate she’s sought for so long?

My Review

From the first page, I knew this was going to be a fun read. Aubrey’s humor brightly shined through in writing these fun characters and enjoyable story. I laughed a lot, smiled a lot and at times, I wanted to smack Shannon. As fun of a character as she was, she was stubborn and clueless. But that turned out to be my favorite thing about her. Her inner voice and the back-and-forth way about her made for a great read. We first meet Shannon in a closet with her best friend, Nathan, while they are hiding from an interesting situation at a wedding. The rest of the story is told in flashback, starting when Shannon was younger, and when she first meets Nathan, AKA: Jerkface. (I’m going to let you figure out why/how he is called that.) I loved how this story was told. Very clever and entertaining. Shannon, of course, stole the show for me. Darling character who is trying to figure out her life, while trying to figure out who she loves.

4 out of 5 stars. I know I sound like a broken record, but this is a very fun read that will leave you happy at the end. The characters are strong and Aubrey’s writing is solid.

Author Links

Blog / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Deseret Book / Barnes and Noble / Seagull Book

Killing Ruby Rose by Jessie Humphries — Blog Tour/Giveaway

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

May 212014

Killing Ruby Rose

Author: Jessie Humphries

Publisher: Skyscape

Published: May 1, 2014

ISBN13: 978147720063

Paperback: 300 pages

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

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

In sunny Southern California, seventeen-year-old Ruby Rose is known for her killer looks and her killer SAT scores. But ever since her dad, an LAPD SWAT sergeant, died, she’s also got a few killer secrets.

To cope, Ruby has been trying to stay focused on school (the top spot in her class is on the line) and spending time with friends (her Jimmy Choos and Manolo Blahniks are nothing if not loyal). But after six months of therapy and pathetic parenting by her mom, the District Attorney, Ruby decides to pick up where her dad left off and starts going after the bad guys herself.

When Ruby ends up killing a murderer to save his intended victim, she discovers that she’s gone from being the huntress to the hunted. There’s a sick mastermind at play, and he has Ruby in his sights. Ruby must discover who’s using her to implement twisted justice before she ends up swapping Valentino red for prison orange.

With a gun named Smith, a talent for martial arts, and a boyfriend with eyes to die for, Ruby is ready to face the worst. And if a girl’s forced to kill, won’t the guilt sit more easily in a pair of Prada peep-toe pumps?

My Review

Wow, what a ride! This is a very fast-paced, engaging book that doesn’t stop until the last page. I was sure I knew what was going to happen next, but then I would turn the page, and I was pleasantly surprised with what I thought might happen, didn’t happen, and I would just have to keep on guessing what was going to happen next. Ruby is a complicated, but enjoyable character with a great inner voice. Liam was a fun addition that Ruby needed in her life. With a dead dad and an absent mom, Ruby needed to try to let others in her life (other than her obsession with finding bad guys). Huge twist at the end, but when I looked back at a few pages when I was finished, the twist made sense, but was still very shocking, and awesome!

4 out of 5 stars. I am definitely looking forward to the sequel!

Content

There is some language, nothing I was offended by, no F word. Some kissing scenes, no sex. Some violence and references to crimes.

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Killing-Ruby-Rose-ebook/dp/B00HZ6EEN6/

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/killing-ruby-rose-jessie-humphries/1118811500?ean=9781477820063

About Jessie Humphries: Jessie Humphries was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV. She received a BA from San Diego State University, where she cultivated her love of the beach, then lived in France, where she cultivated her weakness for shoes, and finally earned a law degree from UNLV, where she cultivated her interest in justice. After practicing law for several years she began writing, and, appropriately, her debut novel Killing Ruby Rose is a thriller about vigilante justice set in sunny southern California with a shoe-obsessed protagonist. Jessie currently writes and practices law in Las Vegas, where she lives with her husband and children.

Social media links:

Website: www.jessiehumphries.com

Blog: http://jessie-humphries.blogspot.com

Twitter: @JessieHwrites

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/MsJhump

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JessieHumphriesAuthor

Tumblr: http://www.tumblr.com/blog/jessiehumphries

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7058718.Jessie_Humphries

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Second Chances 101 (A Ripple Effect Romance Novella) by Donna Weaver-Blog Tour Review

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

May 162014

Tour Schedule

Product Details

Title: Second Chances 101
Author: Donna K. Weaver
Series: Ripple Effect Romance
Paperback: 132 pages
Publisher: HEA Publishing (March 7, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1941363040
FTC, FYI: I received a review e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Description:
Thirty seven year old Francie Davis, a recent widow and empty nester, gets to attend college at last. She’s sure her luck has changed when she also lands a job on campus that will pay her tuition, as administrative assistant to a history professor. When her handsome new boss yells at her on the first day of work, Francie worries she will never be good enough. For Professor Alex Diederik, life is going downhill fast. Not only is his bitter ex-wife trying to poison their only daughter against him, but now his one place of solace—his work environment—is being complicated by his attractive new administrative assistant. She drives home his feelings of failure as a husband and father, and Alex wonders if hiring her was the right thing to do. Francie will have to put aside her hurt and insecurities or risk her dreams, while Alex must look outside himself if he’s to mend the breach with his daughter. And, perhaps, find someone who can help heal his pain

EXCERPT

The door burst open and a pretty girl with long strawberry blond hair stomped out. Her headlong rush drove her right at Francie, who squeezed against the wall, almost out of the way. Their shoulders hit, and they both stumbled. As Francie steadied herself, she could see tears in the girl’s heavily made up eyes. Staggering for a couple of paces, she managed to stay on her feet and then ran down the hallway.

“Come back here,” a man yelled from inside. He dashed out the door and halfway down the hall before it was obvious the student had made her escape.

Yelling at a student and chasing her down the hallway? That can’t be my new boss.Francie couldn’t help staring at the compact but solidly built—almost buff—man who stood with his back to her. The angry energy came off him in waves, and she had to fight a primal instinct to run and hide. Giving a quick glance over her shoulder, Francie began to edge away. Maybe she could pretend she hadn’t seen. Suddenly the man swore and spun around, seeming to see Francie for the first time.

“What are you doing there?” he growled. “Eavesdropping?”

My Review:

I was so happy to see a story in this series dealing with a couple that was a little older. I embraced the main character, Francie instantly. She is a recent widow who’s only child has left home for college. I loved her sweet disposition and bravery to go back to college herself after many years. I also liked the male main character Alex. He is a divorced man who is STILL dealing with an ex-wife who makes his life miserable. He also has a college age daughter who is dealing with problems. This storyline is so good and the characters were terrific. I only wish that this story had been a full length novel. There was so much storyline to work with that I felt so sad when it ended. I wish Donna could go back and write the long story version of this wonderful couple. Donna truly knows how to write memorable characters that you grow attached to quickly. I just didn’t want this story to end. I can’t wait to read the next novel by this author. I recommend this book and series to those who love romance and great characters.

Meet Author Donna K. Weaver
Donna K. Weaver has always loved reading and creating stories, thus she’s been ever entertained. An avid cruiser, she’s sailed the Pacific five times. Wife-mother-grandmother-Army veteran-karate black belt-Harry Potter nerd.

You can learn more about Donna here…

Website * Goodreads * Twitter * Facebook * Pinterest

Tulips and Treason by Tristi Pinkston

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

May 152014

Tulips and Treason (Omni Orchids Mystery)

Author: Tristi Pinkston

Publisher: Walnut Springs

Published: April 9, 2014

ISBN13: 978159929002

ebook: 246 pages

FTC FYI: Received a PDF copy in exchange for an honest review

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

The town of Omni has a thorny problem. Two rival crime syndicates have chosen the quiet mountains of Utah as their hideout. Now they want to join forces and become stronger than ever. When the FBI needs to send two undercover agents to infiltrate the mob, they call on Jack and Molly field operatives of experience and skill to pose as floral-shop-owning Mormons so they’ll blend in to the conservative background. Jack bears a resemblance to Joe Baker, notorious mob hit man, and stands the best chance of going undetected. The biggest challenge? Teaching Molly how to arrange a dozen roses. Compared to that, bringing down the Mafia will be a tiptoe through the tulips.

My Review

Tulips and Treason is another extremely enjoyable read from Tristi. I really loved her Secret Sisters series and was thrilled when my favorite characters appeared in the Omni Orchids Mysteries Series too.

Molly North and Jack Coleman are FBI agents. They are also partners who secretly got married, having kept it a secret from everyone but their boss. Now their marriage is in a rough patch. But they are still partners and have been given a special assignment. A lead has come on an investigation of a mob case the FBI is following. Molly and Jack are being assigned to a small town in Omni, Utah to run a flower shop as a married Mormon couple. Normally this assignment would be exciting for the couple, but Molly has her doubts. How are they going to pose as a married couple when they are on the brink of a divorce.

Jack and Molly head to Omni and are in need of “Mormon” lessons. That is where Ida Mae, Tansy, and Arlette come in. Molly and Jack have to run a flower shop to keep up the mob front and to find their contact. Molly is lost and is really nervous about it. As they are moving things around the shop, a wall gets busted and they hire a fix-it man to come. When he gets murdered, the mystery begins.

I loved this book. Tristi’s books are full of fun, humor, heart, and good ole-fashion mystery. I loved having my favorite ladies from the Secret Sisters series make an appearance in this book. I have missed them. Having said that, the new characters held my attention and Tristi’s writing, as always, was solid. I would email her back and forth while I was reading to update her on who I thought was the murderer… Let’s just say, I better not quite my day job. :)

Author Links

Goodreads / Website / Trifecta Books / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book

Discover America: From Sea to Shining Sea by Julie Olson

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

May 142014

Discover America: From Sea to Shining Sea

Lyrics by Katharine Lee Bates

Illustrated by Julie Olson

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: May 6th, 2014

ISBN13: 9781609078553

Reviewed by Mindy

FTC FYI: Received a hardcover copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Summary

More than a book. It’s an online experience!

Follow the patriotic journey of a little red balloon as it makes its way from the West Coast to the East Coast of the United States.

Through delightful illustrations and the words of “America the Beautiful,” one of America’s most beloved anthems, children will discover the beauty and diversity of their country. At DiscoverAmericaBook.com they can launch their own balloon while learning fun facts about all fifty states.

My Review

This darling book has the lyrics of an old beloved song, mixed with beautiful illustrations. Your journey begins with a red balloon that travels all around the country, visiting 12 different locations throughout the US. Starting at a pier on Pacific Beach, California, and ending at The Statue of Liberty in New York City. The illustrations are lovely and perfectly depict the places the little red ballon passes.

Enjoy this book together as a family, as you learn about our country. At the end, there is a “Discover America” challenge that you can start with your own balloon.

Illustrator Links

Website / YouTube

Purchase Links

Deseret Book / Amazon / Barnes and Noble

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