A Candlelight Courting by Joyce DiPastena

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Nov 192012
 

A Candlelight Courting: A Short Christmas Romance

Author: Joyce DiPastena

Publisher: self-published

Published Date: October 2012

Kindle/Ebook; 46 pages

ISBN# 9781301290888

Genre: Historical Romance

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: free digital copy in exchange for an honest review

Summary

When Burthred comes courting on Christmas Eve, Meg rejects his advances. She has her heart set on becoming a nun and insists that he call her Christina, the spiritual name she has chosen for herself. She tries to make him swear on her box of holy relics that he will not pursue her, but he carefully words his oath to allow him to stay in her candlelit chamber and try to change her mind.

What Meg does not confess is that her reliquary box holds a secret.

Burthred needs a wife, and no one will satisfy him except Meg. He swore on his father’s deathbed that he would marry her. But Burthred has a secret, too. When they come together before the Yule fire, their shared revelations will either join their hearts together or tear them apart.

Review

I am convinced that Joyce DiPastena can write no wrong. I have loved everything I’ve read from her, and A Candlelight Courting is no exception.

In the past I confess that I haven’t been a big fan of short stories, preferring instead to read longer, more detailed novels. A Candlelight Courting proved to me that short stories can be well-written, include characters with depth, and keep readers turning pages.

I loved both Meg/Christina and Burthred. I found myself rooting for them right away. I was torn when I realized that the possibility of things working out for them looked pretty bleak. How could there be a “happily ever after” if what each wanted most would leave the other ultimately miserable and unfulfilled?

I devoured A Candlelight Courting, anxious to see how things would turn out. I felt for Burthred and yet respected Meg/Christina’s determination to follow her desire to become a nun. I did not expect the turn of events near the end.

I happily recommend A Candlelight Courting to anyone who enjoys a good, clean romance. I look forward to reading it every year at Christmastime, and maybe a few times in between.

Visit Joyce DiPastena:

WEBSITE | BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | PINTEREST

Find A Candlelight Courting:

KINDLE | SMASHWORDS | GOODREADS

 

 

 

Jeremy’s Christmas Journey by Scott A. Johnson – Blog Tour

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Nov 122012
 

Jeremy’s Christmas Journey

Author: Scott A. Johnson

Publisher: Sweetwater Books/CFI

Published Date: October 2012

Hardcover; 120 pages

ISBN# 978-1-4621-1122-0

Genre: Religious Fiction

FTC FYI: free digital review copy in exchange for an honest review

Summary

For Jeremy, Christmas is just another reminder that he’ll never be able to enjoy the things that come so easily to other children. Then one night he has a dream that will change everything. Accompanied by stirring music, this story of finding faith and discovering the power of the Master Healer is sure to be cherished at Christmastime and all year long.

Review

The story opens with Jeremy, a young boy crippled due to a car accident when he was a toddler, watching the neighborhood children play in the snow on Christmas Eve. He’s feeling sorry for himself and his situation, causing him to doubt his belief in the Savior.

After dinner with his family, Jeremy goes off to be alone and think. He soon finds himself in an experience that will change him forever. In an ancient courtroom, various witnesses of Christ’s ministry on the earth are called to testify to His purpose and divinity.

While Jeremy listens to the testimonies of each person his heart is touched by the Spirit and he experiences his own Christmas miracle.

As I read it was easy to picture Jeremy’s Christmas Journey as a musical production. It will surely become a yearly Christmas tradition for many families.

Most kids from early readers to teens will be able to relate to Jeremy. I was never certain about Jeremy’s age because although he watches the other children with envy and receives a football video game as a gift, later in the story his thoughts contain words and phrases that an adult or mature teenager would be more likely to use. The story is told mostly from Jeremy’s point-of-view, though it occasionally slips into a more omniscient or narrator point-of-view.

Those who appreciate music may enjoy the many songs used to help share the testimonies of each “witness” who knew Christ. The sheet music for these songs is included in the back of the book as well. If you have musical talent and the ambition, a family production of this could even make a good Christmas Family Home Evening.

Click HERE to listen to samples of the music and watch the book trailer for Jeremy’s Christmas Journey.

Find Scott online:

WEBSITE | GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

Find Jeremy’s Christmas Journey:

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | GOODREADS

Miracle of the Christmas Star by Susan Dean Elzey — Blog Tour

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Dec 072011
 

Miracle of the Christmas Star

Author: Susan Dean Elzey

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Published: September 2011

ISBN13: 9781599558622

FTC FYI: Received a free PDF from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Paperback 176 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction/Christmas Stories

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads summary: “Hannah died the night she was born. The new star’s light brought her back to life, but left her stricken with palsy. Sariah, Hannah’s mother, believes Hannah can be healed, if only she can find the Savior. Miracle of the Christmas Star is a tender story of love, faith and endurance that will touch your heart and remind you why miracles happen.”

Sariah lived her life with great faith. She and her husband Joshua lived in Bethlehem. It was during Hannah’s delivery, and many times later, that her faith was tested.  However, Sariah new that her faith could make it through anything.

Sariah’s aunt, Mariam, helped deliver the sweet baby on the same night that the Savior of the world was born.  The cord was wrapped around her neck so tight, they wondered if she would make it. Finally, as the star light touched down on her, Hannah breathed. Life was hard for their little family.  Mariam was extremely hostile towards them. Wondering what sins Sariah and Joshua committed to curse the family with such a burden.  One restless night, Hannah had a fever and wasn’t comfortable. Sariah was prompted to take her to the hills in the cooler air. During that time, soldiers came and killed all but a few babies in the village. Sariah and Joshua wondered why Hannah’s life was spared. They spent the night on the hill to make sure it was safe. Sariah wondered to Joshua:

“Why is she like this, Joshua?” Sariah asked. “Did we offend God?”

“Hush,” Joshua said, stroking his wife’s hair. “You could offend no one in your sweetness.  She is our baby, and God gave her to us for a purpose.  We must have faith.”

This is a beautiful story of ever-lasting love, patience, and love. There were a couple times where I had tears in my eyes. I love a sweet story that tears at your heart strings. The ending was wonderful and worth the wait.

4 out of 5 stars. All the characters were great examples of faith. I loved the supporting characters too. Joshua, of course, and Joanna.  What Sariah had to go through in her life would of been hard for anyone to endure, especially in the time when the story is set.  But she did it gracefully.  Miracle of the Christmas Star is wonderful story to read to be reminded of the blessings in your own life.

FACEBOOK / CEDAR FORT / AMAZON / BARNES & NOBLE

Thanks to Cedar Fort for allowing me to be a part of this blog tour.


Santa Maybe by Aubrey Mace

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Hillary's Reviews
Mar 242010
 

Hello friends!

Hillary here-

For this week, I’ll be chatting about “Santa Maybe”, Aubrey Mace’s newest release. Again, because of lame library due dates, I had to return it, so, humor me a bit here.

Well, this book was nothing at all what I was expecting. Aubrey tells a story of a single, I think over 30 year old woman, who has had her heart broken many times and basically resigns herself to spinsterhood. Abbie is a baker and owns a cute little bakery in the city which she lives. Her family is very supportive if not a bit nosy, but not in the annoying, I-can’t-stand-your-mom-in-law kind of way, just in the I-care-a-lot-about-you-so-I’m-checking-up-on-you way.

So, it’s Christmas time, and Abbie’s sister, Grace, convinces Abbie, (albeit Abbie does not tell her until after the fact) to write to Santa and ask for a husband. Sure enough, Christmas morning, she has a man in her living room in his jammies, ready to chat it up with her.

Overall, I thought the book was light-hearted, unexpected, and an overall fun read. Abbie is a very likeable main character who you can’t help rooting for, and Ben is an adorable, quick-witted man who I would totally have a crush on if he was real. Lucky for me, he already shares alot of Ben’s qualities. So as far as characters go, they are well done and real. Very engaging.

Now for the story itself- I like it. The only complaint I have is just how quick Abbie was to accept Ben’s answer of where he came from. She had a problem with the lie, but no issue with the “real” reason of where he came from. I too have really big problems with lies, and normally my reaction would be similar to Abbie’s, but HELLO- THE NORTH POLE, threw a little bit of a kink in there for me. I did have to remind myself, that this is a book and therefore, anything the author throws in there is fine, because after all, it’s her book. It just came out of nowhere. I guess I needed evidence of a little more magic in there to make the little surprise Ben gives her a little more believeable.

So for me, I would totally read it again. The characters were adorable, and the storyline very good. For a romance, not a “maybe” but a great choice. (C’mon, you know that was funny- well, almost…)

ta-ta for now my online friends! Until next week!
Hillary
ftc-fyi- library

Contest Winners! Woot! Woot!

 Posted by  Countdown to Christmas, Special Features
Dec 262009
 


I’m so excited! Are you excited? I’m excited!


After writing down names on 130+ squares of the exact same size and folding them in the exact same way, I tossed them all in a big formula can.

I shook the can with the lid on between the drawing of each name and with some help from my hubby and three of my kiddos, the names have been drawn and recorded. Ready? Okay! Here we go:

Book prize winners are as follows:

  • Loyalty’s Web by Joyce DiPastena: Chantele
  • Hidden Branch by G.G. Vandagriff: hopeandme
  • Altared Plans by Rebecca Talley: Laurie (LC) Lewis
  • A Modest Proposal by Michele Ashman Bell: Elizabeth Morgan
  • Her Good Name by Josi Kilpack: Rebecca Irvine
  • MISSING by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen: Krista
  • Famous Family Nights by Anne Bradshaw: Elizabeth Morgan
  • Love Letters of Joseph and Emma by Angela Eschler: Chantele
  • Family Home Evening Adventures by Rebecca Irvine: Krista
  • Counting the Cost by Liz Adair: Debbie/Cranberry Fries
  • Shudder by Jennie Hansen: MarthaE
  • Mormon Mishaps and Mischief by D.N. Giles & C.L. Beck: Taffy
  • Dawn’s Early Light by Laurie (LC) Lewis: MarthaE
  • The Fairy Thorn by Dorothy Keddington: Krinn
  • Torn Apart by Diony George: Taffy
  • Pursued: A Maggie McKenzie Mystery by Lynn Gardner: Julie
  • Girl in a Whirl by Victoria Gunther: Joan Sowards



And the winner of the $25 eGift Card to Deseret Book is—— Rebecca Irvine!

Congratulations to all the winners! And a HUGE thank you to all of you who commented and participated in our contest. We hope you all had a warm and happy Christmas yesterday, and we wish you the best in the coming New Year.


ATTENTION WINNERS: Don’t forget to email your acceptance to ldswbr at gmail dot com before Midnight MST on 12/31/09. If I don’t hear from you by then, a new name will be drawn to receive the prize.

Don’t forget to nominate your favorite 2009 books by LDS authors for Whitney Awards by December 31! Can’t remember what you read? Visit the LDS Publisher blog for a list of books published by LDS authors in 2009.




Christmas Merries & Contest Info

 Posted by  Countdown to Christmas, Special Features
Dec 252009
 


Hi there!

There’s no denying that this December was the fastest December I have ever experienced! Being fairly new to the blogging world, I had no idea the scope of what I was undertaking with the Countdown to Christmas. Now that it’s done, I can honestly say it’s been one of the most exhausting and time demanding things I’ve ever done in regards to LDS Women’s Book Review (and considering that it takes a big chunk of time to edit our podcasts, that’s saying a lot!). But I can also say that it’s been one of the funnest and most rewarding experiences for me as well.

I can’t say as that I “fit in” with many people or groups in this world, but with all of these great authors and the book lovers who follow us, I feel wonderfully at home. It’s like being with family as we share this common love for good, inspiring reads.

I hope, then, that you’ll forgive me for not announcing the drawing winners today, and graciously allow me to post them in the morning. It has been two days full of family, food (oh, the food!) and too much fun, and while the drawing is ready to go (no names drawn yet), I just can’t bring myself to donate my last Christmas Day hours to drawing names and posting it all up tonight. I’d rather cuddle my kids and gather up the last remnants of wrapping paper and drink hot chocolate by the fire with my hubby.

Thank you all so much for your participation. It’s been an amazing experience. I can’t wait to post tomorrow morning and see who all the lucky winners are going to be!

If we do this again next year, I’ll schedule the drawing for AFTER Christmas :).

Thank you for understanding, and Merry Merry MERRY Christmas!!

Shanda :)


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