cancer – LDS Women's Book Review

Second to No One by Natalie Palmer — Blog Tour

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

Nov 202013

Second to No One

Author: Natalie Palmer

Publisher: Tate Publishing

Published: November 19th, 2013

ISBN: 9781627468

Paperback: 253 pages

Genre: YA

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

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

Available now through www.nataliepalmerbooks.blogspot.com and tatepublishing.com. Will be released to online bookstores November 19, 2013!

“Things change. People change. Jess and I weren’t above it.”

Gemma’s first year of high school isn’t starting out the way she hoped. Jess is back from California and before she can memorize her class schedule their summer romance comes to a screeching halt. To add to her misery the gorgeous new girl in school also has eyes for Jess and despite Gemma’s unfailing attempts to win him back she keeps finding herself alone.

But when a late night car crash lands her a three month grounding and twenty hours of community service she discovers that there’s more to life than just romance and boyfriends.

Unpredictable and heart wrenching, Second to No One is the perfect continuation to the magical beginning of the Gemma and Jess romance.

My Review

Second to No One is a very enjoyable, clean book with lots of heart and lessons for the characters. I really liked Gemma this time around. Jess was a favorite too. The author did a great job of writing with a teenage voice and some of the things Gemma thought in her mind made me laugh out loud. All the characters were well written. Drew gave me a smile lots of times. I really enjoyed the journey Gemma takes in this book. I loved the lessons that she learns too. She gets to know her sister better, steps out of her comfort zone, and most importantly gets to know herself. Gemma has to complete some community service after a late night accident and I loved the scenes at the nursing home and what came from them.

4 out of 5 stars. When Gemma and Jess finally figure things out, they are thrown with more twists and the ending was very surprising. I was not expecting it, and am eagerly waiting for the next book. Second to No One is the sequel to Second Kiss. The author does a great job at catching the reader up, but I would definitely read Second Kiss first.

Author Links

Tour Stops / Blog / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Purchase Links

Tate Publishing / Blog / Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Author Bio

I am a writer. But more importantly, I’m a mom, which is the best thing I could have ever hoped for in my life. I have three kids who amaze me every day with their little quips of humor and intelligence. I can’t really applaud myself for how great they are, though, since I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing when it comes to mothering children. But the fact that they’re turning out so awesome and I’m the one that hangs out with them all day makes me feel pretty good about myself.

I was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah where I was spoiled to have the huge Wasatch Mountains in my backyard. I graduated from the University of Utah with a major in English Literature but that’s boring. The exciting part was when I met and fell in love with the boy of my dreams. He wasn’t my first or second kiss but he was by far my favorite and it didn’t take us long to figure out that life could never be as good apart as it was together. So we got married and have been living happily ever after ever since.

When I’m not attending to my homemaking and writing duties I love to exercise because it’s the only time that I have an excuse to listen to my music uninterrupted and as loud as I want. I love all different genres of music but I run extra fast when I hear Dashboard Confessionals, Cold Play or Owl City on my iPod. Besides music I love anything that has to do with water including but not limited to drinking it, skiing on it (in liquid or powder form), basking in the sun while boating on it and (these days) lazily dreaming while my kids play in it for hours on end.

So there you have it. I’m a wife, mother, writer and iPod blasting mermaid. While my husband works his brains out I take care of our kids and conjure up storylines and characters and romantic turns of events. And someday, if we’re lucky, we’ll be as happy as we are now.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (see Content Warning)

Posted by Shanda Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews

Aug 202012

The Fault in Our Stars

Author: John Green

Publisher: Dutton Books

Published Date: January 2012

Hardcover; 336 pages

Genre: YA Contemporary Romance

ISBN# 9780525478812

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: borrowed from my local library

Summary

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 13, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs… for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

Review

Though YA is not my usual genre choice, I was very curious about The Fault in Our Stars after reading the summary above. It was a fascinating read for me and provided a glimpse into a world I know absolutely nothing about. The story of Gus, Isaac, Hazel, her parents, and a bitter, alcoholic author named Peter Von Houten pulled me in and kept me reading.

I knew about the emotional aspect ahead of time so I kept the tissues nearby. I used them more than once. The first time was during one of Hazel’s flashbacks with her parents when she was really sick at first and they were getting ready to say goodbye. As a mother, I couldn’t help it.

I wondered why I kept reading when I knew this couldn’t end well (meaning happily ever after, right?) and yet I kept turning pages. Is it worth the read? In the end, it just depends on how the reader feels about what is lost vs. what is gained. Is love worth the agony? Would the reader rather have “painless” ignorance or experience once-in-a-lifetime love that can only end in heartache?

While this is a YA novel, if my 14 year old were to express a desire to read it I would ask her to wait a year or two and then we would discuss the content issues below and decide from there. Some of the LDSWBR adult readers may hesitate if they prefer to keep their reads very clean. The story was strong enough to carry me past the content issues because I really wanted to see how things would end.

I haven’t read any other novels by John Green so I don’t know how this book compares. I will not make any recommendations about who might enjoy this book because it is such an individual choice with stories like these. I don’t know if it is a book I will read again or not at this point, but I do know that it will stick with me for a long time.

Content Warning

Language: Some swearing, there may have been one F-bomb near the end (I’ve read a few books since this one so I can’t say for sure)

Sexual: One instance of premarital sex, no description; one vague, brief mention afterward of a condom problem

Other: The tone of the book is more mature than might be expected considering the age of the main characters; some blunt references to body parts and functions but nothing explicitly coarse.

Left to Love and My Forever by Jolene B. Perry

Posted by Mindy 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

The Next Door Boys by Jolene B. Perry

Posted by Mindy Mindy's Reviews

Oct 052011

The Next Door Boys

Author: Jolene B. Perry

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Published: October 2011

ISBN13: 9781599559100

Softcover: 272 pages

FTC FYI: I received a PDF from the publisher which did not affect my review

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads summary: With her body still recovering from last year’s cancer treatments, Leigh Tressman is determined to be independent. Despite the interference from her overprotective brother, the ever-expanding line of young men ready to fall in love with her–not to mention the physical frustrations and spiritual dilemmas Leigh discovers what it actually means to stand on her own and learns that love can be found in unexpected but comfortable places.

We meet Leigh and Jaron Tressman on their way to BYU for the start of school. Leigh is very anxious to get there, mostly to start living her life away from her mother’s worried eyes. Leigh’s cancer is in remission, and everyone is still worried for her. At home Leigh is known as: “Jaron’s little sister” or “the girl who sews” and “the girl who sings” so she is excited to start fresh. The only way she could go to school this semester was with the stipulation that her brother Jaron would be next door to keep an eye on her. Brian lives with Jaron even though he is a few years older. We also meet Stuart and his wife Julie. Stuart served with Brian in Iraq, and they are all very close. Luckily Leigh’s roomates Megan and Kim are easy to get along with too. Soon they all become fast friends. Although, Leigh is leery of Brian with his tattoos and late hours, she starts to develop a friendship with him. A friendship that she starts to need.

I instantly loved Brian. As soon as he ran up to Leigh and Jaron’s car to welcome them, he did so into my heart. As Leigh’s story is told, I loved it when Brain would stop by. Truly a great character with heart, brains, and good looks. I loved the relationship between Leigh and Jaron. They have many traditions: always stopping in Cedar City for pizza, walking arm in arm, and going to the temple together. Their family has had some struggles, but they’ve always had each other.

The Next Door Boys is very enjoyable! Leigh is a great character, but she has many things to work out for herself. She has an incredible support system with her family, roommates and especially Jaron. I was happy when she finally realized it.

4 out of 5 stars. Thank you Jolene for asking me to review your great book, and to Laura at Cedar Fort for the PDF.

For purchase information and to learn more about the author, click here.