Discovering Peace by Jennifer Ann Holt — Blog Tour

 Posted by  Book Reviews
Mar 122014
 

Discovering-Peace-WEB 2x3Discovering Peace

Author: Jennifer Ann Holt

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Published: March 11th, 2014

Paperback: 240 pages

ISBN13: 9781462114139

FTC FYI: I received a review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

Placing her baby girl for adoption isn’t the mistake Ally is running away from, but everyone else seems to think it is. As Ally tries to move forward in her life, her past keeps pulling her back, and she wonders if she will ever find true love again. Only holding onto hope can help Ally find the peace she’s seeking.

My Review

Discovering Peace is another triumph for Jennifer Ann Holt.  In reading this book, I enjoyed seeing the other side of adoption.  What happens after the mother gives her child to strangers to raise and love as their own.  I really enjoyed the alternating points of view from Ally and Livy.  While I was reading, I found that Livy amazed me.  She is a great character and what she does for someone in this story brought tears to my eyes.  I couldn’t put this book down at times.  It is usually not too often that I will stay up way too late to read, but I easily slipped into Ally and Livy’s world because they are such easy characters to love.  While reading their stories, I found that they weren’t the only ones that needed peace, others did too.  Hope, love and peace can be found through Christ and the Atonement.

5 out of 5 stars.  If you are just finding out about Jennifer and her books, I would start with the first one, Delivering Hope.  It is $.99 on Kindle!

Author Links

Goodreads / Blog / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Discovering-Peace-blog-tour

Once Upon a Baby by Shari Guess — Blog Tour/Combined Review

 Posted by  Combined Reviews, Mindy's Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Nov 072012
 

Once Upon a Baby: A Tale of Adoption

Author: Shari Guess

Publisher: Narrow Trail Publishing

Published: 2012

Paperback: 28 pages

ISBN13: 9780985859008

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

Reviewed by Mindy and Sheila

Goodreads Summary: A heartwarming tale of LDS adoption. Follow a child’s journey from the Pre-existence to his family’s home on Earth.  The divine guidance of the Savior, along with the prayers of both birth and adoptive parents are gently and lovingly portrayed in this tender story of the ultimate “happily every after”.

Mindy’s Review

I was very excited to be a part of this blog tour.  November is National Adoption Month.  I have many friends who have been blessed by adoption.  This book is a sweet telling of that very thing.  This story is the journey of a family starting their life together in heaven, and the way they end of together here on earth.  They soon realize that they need some help. Once Upon a Baby is also a beautifully illustrated story. It is a great story for all families.  My favorite quote from the book talked about how much our Heavenly Father loves us.

The mommy and daddy said more than a few prayers and asked Heavenly Father and Jesus to help them keep their promise to the baby. Because Heavenly Father and Jesus loves mommies and daddies and children too, Jesus answered their prayers. He would help the child come down from Heaven as a baby to his family’s home on earth.

Once Upon a Baby is a perfect book that will help a child understand where they came from, and that their “tummy mommy” loved them too.

Sheila’s Review

Once Upon a Baby is such a sweet book. I wish I would have had this book 14 1/2 years ago when I brought home my sweet baby girl. We were blessed with her through the gift of adoption. I also came to my family through adoption as a baby.
This darling LDS picture book tells such a wonderful story of how babies can come to families through the help of a “tummy mommy”. This book is perfect for young kids. It is simply told in words that they can understand. This story is written as if the author were talking right to the child reading the book. The pictures were drawn to look like they were colored with crayons, something little ones will like and relate to. My favorite page had these lines:
Because Heavenly Father and Jesus love you, they helped your Tummy Mommy bring you to our family.  Because they love our family, they made temples so that one day we all be together in Heaven again.
Wow it brought tears to my eyes!!
 
This is such a perfect book for a family who has been blessed with children through adoption. As one of those families, I can say, this book is very needed and will be well liked and accepted.

Find out more about the Shari on her website .

Purchase Link:

AMAZON

Bio from her Goodreads page:

SHARI GUESS is a proud, first-time children’s book author and lives in rural North Texas where she is “Mom” to her beloved 9-year-old adopted son, Garrett. Happily married to her husband Walter for going on 13 years they share their cabin-in-the-woods with a small herd of Great Danes and farm animals. Shari is currently a part-time real estate agent and property manager and prior to marriage worked for over a decade in the music business, spanning from Los Angeles to Nashville. She wore many hats as a journalist and publicist representing multiple recording artists, magazines and music publishing companies, along with being a part-time performing artist and songwriter. Her hobbies include choral, Americana and rock music, martial arts, photography, travel and anything in the mountains.


There is a giveaway going on for this book.  Fill out the Rafflecopter form below.a Rafflecopter giveaway

Delivering Hope by Jennifer Ann Holt

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Aug 292012
 

Delivering Hope

Author: Jennifer Ann Holt

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Published: February 8, 2012

Paperback: 224 pages

ISBN13: 9781599559025

Genre: General Fiction

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

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary: Olivia Spencer wants to be a mother more than anything else, but years of infertility have left her soul wounded and her marriage strained. Allison Campbell is a young, single woman who discovers that a moment of excitement has led to an unplanned pregnancy and overwhelming heartache. Deep love paves the way for sacrifice as the lives of these two women touch.

My Review

Shanda reviewed Delivering Hope for the Blog Tour back in February, but when the author asked me for a review, I couldn’t resist.  Jennifer and I have a lot in common.  Although, we have only met once, she is from the same hometown as my husband.  Good ‘ole Enterprise, Utah.  Catch up on Shanda’s review here.

There were many things that I loved about this book.  The way Olivia and Ally learned about the Atonement of our Savior, and especially how they applied it to their lives.  Prayer was a big part of this book, and each woman had to learn that what they wanted may have be different then from what our Heavenly Father and Jesus had in store for them.  There were many times that I cried when I was reading.  There is an experience told to Ally from her friend Hannah’s mother that was especially touching.  I loved it when Olivia read her great-aunt’s journal, and learned of her struggles with infertility.  I loved it when Ally’s father told her family that they were like a bunch of sticks that can’t be broken.  However, my favorite line was from Ally’s Bishop. (page 146)

Don’t give up.  I know you’re going to make it through this.  Don’t forget that Heavenly Father and Jesus are there to help you.  They are as close as a prayer.

The book was very emotional for me at times.  Even though I did not have the same experiences as Olivia and Ally, I could relate to how they felt about being a mother, and the feelings associated with having children.  I cried when the baby was born, and for what each woman went through during that time.  It is very well written, so have your Kleenex ready.  Actually, the whole book is like that.  I am very big on good, likable characters and this book does not disappoint.  I also really appreciated how Jennifer told the reader her adoption experience.

5 out of 5 stars.  This is Jennifer’s first book, and she is currently working on the sequel.  Follow her on her blog, Facebook, and Twitter.

AMAZON / BARNES AND NOBLE / DESERET BOOK / SEAGULL BOOK 

 

 

 

 

Left to Love and My Forever by Jolene B. Perry

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Contests, Mindy's Reviews
Aug 012012
 

Left to Love

Author: Jolene B. Perry

Publisher: Next Door Publishing

Published: June 8, 2012

ISBN13: 9781477548363

286 pages

FTY FYI: Review copy

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary: Leigh’s life is shaping up to be pretty perfect.

She married the father of a little boy she fell in love with. They live in a nice house, on a quiet street, and her hobby of a sewing business is keeping her busier than she ever imagined. She’s back in touch with her brother who she hasn’t seen since she was a child, and her new husband has an “in” for his dream job when he graduates in the spring.

But when her small symptoms begin to lead up to something big – she has to face the shattering realization that her cancer is back.

Leigh struggles with her new marriage, her faith, her desire to adopt the little boy who calls her mom, and the strength to keep fighting for her life.

My Review

I am a huge fan of Jolene’s and her stories.  When I asked to read and review The Next Door Boys last year, I instantly fell in love with the characters.  I was so excited to know that Jolene had written more for Leigh and Brian.

Leigh’s cancer is back, with a vengeance.  So much is different for Leigh this time around, especially her faith.  As Brian struggles to help her, and Leigh struggles with her own feelings of trying to adopt Brian’s sweet son Nathan, while his mom is in jail.  Leigh lets the cancer get the best of her, and finds herself questioning her faith. While dealing with her long absent brother Joseph, and why he left the family so many years before.

There were so many things I loved about this book.  My heart broke for Leigh, but also Brian as he wanted to help her so much, but didn’t know what to do for her.  Nathan was a ray of sunshine in the story, what a sweet kid he is.  I feel that Leigh learned a lot during her cancer treatment, most of it learned from a visit from an old friend.

4 1/2 out of 5 stars.  I cried a lot, but also smiled a lot.  Jolene is such a talented author, and I loved being a part of these amazing stories.

My Forever

Author: Jolene B. Perry

Publisher:

Expected Publish Date: August 3, 2012

ISBN:

178 pages

FTC FYI: Review copy

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary: A novel about finding your place in the world when nothing goes as planned…

Told from the POV of Dani (Danielle), a high school senior.

A companion novel to The Next Door Boys and Left to Love.

My Review

Dani is the daughter of a pastor.  She has a big family, and feels a little lost in all the chaos sometimes.  Right when we meet Dani, she finds out she’s pregnant.  She feels lost, but knows deep down that she shouldn’t be the one to raise the baby.  Not being able to turn to her family, she turns to a boy Michael who shared with her a couple years back that he was adopted.  Dani tells him she is pregnant, and he tells her about LDS Family Services.  Right away she feels that is the path for her.

I loved this book.  I think that it is my favorite from Jolene.  A lot a tragedy happens to Dani, but also a lot of good.  I loved her experiences, and how she learns to have the Holy Ghost be her guide.

4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

I have an exciting giveaway for you!  Jolene is generously donating her series in eBook, PDF form, to one lucky winner. 

The Next Door Boys, Left to Love, and My Forever.

I am also giving away the paperback copies on my review blog MinReadsandReviews.com if you would prefer that.  You can enter both places.

Please leave a comment below, and you’re entered.  Winner announced August 8th, 2012.

Read more about Jolene and her books on her blog.  Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

AMAZON / BARNES AND NOBLE

Delivering Hope by Jennifer Ann Holt – Blog Tour

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews, Special Features
Feb 062012
 

Delivering Hope

Author: Jennifer Ann Holt

Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc.

Published Date: February 8, 2012

Softcover; 224 pages

Genre: General Fiction

ISBN#: 9781599559025

Reviewed by: Shanda

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

Backcover:

Olivia Spencer wants to be a mom more than anything else in the whole world, but years of infertility have wounded her soul and placed a strain on her marriage to Michael. Now, Olivia finds herself wondering if the life she has built will even survive.

Allison Campbell is a recent high school graduate who discovers that a moment of excitement has led to an unplanned pregnancy and an overwhelming heartache. As the lives of these two women touch, we see that deep love can pave the way for sacrifice, and we all learn the true source of hope and healing.

Review

Author Jennifer Holt draws on personal experience to add emotion and perspective to both sides of the adoption process in her debut novel, Delivering Hope. The first section of the book pulls the reader into the anticipation and then ultimate heartbreak of Olivia, who wants more than anything to have a child, and her husband, Michael, who worries he is losing his happy, loving wife to the bitterness of infertility.

In the second section of the book we meet Allison, a good, intelligent LDS high school graduate with a scholarship and plans for the future. She makes a poor choice after a graduation party and learns that every wrong choice has consequences, in this case, a pregnancy. The father wants nothing to do with the baby, and Allison soon falls in love with the tiny, innocent life growing inside her. Allison is hard-working with a supportive family and she is looking forward to raising her daughter. As time goes on, though, Allison realizes she must decide if, as a single mother, she can provide everything her precious baby needs.

While Delivering Hope is more tell than show, I was pulled into the stories of these two families enough that it didn’t really matter to me. I especially felt Allison’s anguish as she tried to decide whether to place for adoption the baby girl she wanted to keep so badly. There was one particular quote that touched me during a scene with Allison and her father:

“When the heartache became almost more than she could bear, her dad squeezed her tighter, and Ally’s heart broke as she realized that her baby would not have the safety of a father’s arms to be held in when she cried.”   -page 118

There are strong themes of turning to the Savior, repentance, forgiveness and love running throughout the story that will uplift all readers, and those who have had experiences similar to the characters will particularly enjoy Delivering Hope.

Delivering Hope Contest

Jennifer will be giving away a signed copy of the book to two individuals, and a signed bookmark and Delivering Hope magnet to five individuals. There will be several ways to enter, and you can enter using one or all of the ways.

1. Become a follower of Jennifer’s blog: www.jenshopefulwriting.blogspot.com and leave a comment letting her know you stopped by!

2. “Like” the Delivering Hope facebook fan page: www.facebook.com/DeliveringHopeNovel

3. Watch the book trailer: www.bit.ly/peCixw and post a comment on the Facebook page telling what you liked about it.

The winners will be randomly chosen at the conclusion of the blog tour and posted on both Jennifer’s blog and the Facebook fan page by 10:00 am on Saturday, February 11th.

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.

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