Discovering Peace by Jennifer Ann Holt – Countdown to Summer 2014

 Posted by  Countdown to Summer
Jun 192014
 

CD2S-2014_300

2 days until summer!

 

jenniferannholtJennifer Holt was raised as a farm girl in Enterprise, Utah. An avid reader since age four, she always enjoys a good book. Jennifer graduated Cum Laude from Brigham Young University, and went against the odds by receiving her diploma before she got married! She currently lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, Shane, and their daughter and two sons. She enjoys wakeboarding and cheering on her children in all of their activities. You can connect with Jennifer on her web site: www.authorjenniferannholt.com .

Visit Jennifer: WEBSITE/BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

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LDSWBR: What book or movie reminds you of summer?

JENNIFER: The first one that comes to mind is the unabridged Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. I know that’s a weird summer book, but I read it the summer after I graduated from high school. Everything we did that summer, I had that book with me. I read it on the beach, I read it driving in the car to family reunions, I read it when I was supposed to be weeding the garden…you get the idea. I’m usually a fast reader, but it took me the majority of the summer to make it through all 1463 pages. That book changed the way I thought about lots of things and I realized that everything is not always black or white, that choices truly have consequences, and that our experiences do shape the way we view the world and everything in it. I think about that at the beginning of every summer.

LDSWBR: Do you hike during the summer? If so, where is your favorite place to hike?

JENNIFER: Yes! Since moving to Boise, we’ve had to search out new places to hike. One of our favorites is to hike Table Rock. It’s a bit steep, but when you get to the top, you can see the entire city of Boise. It’s beautiful! We’ve also done some hiking in McCall this year, and that’s been great.

LDSWBR: What is the best book you’ve read so far this year?

JENNIFER: My favorite book that I’ve read so far this year is Popular by Maya Van Wagenen. It’s a memoir of how Maya, an eighth grade self-proclaimed geek, used a 1950s popularity guide to explore what ‘popular’ really means. It was so touching, and Maya’s experiences are applicable to women of every age. When I finished it, I had my daughter (who will be starting junior high this fall) read it as well. She loved it, too!

LDSWBR: Thank you, Jennifer!

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SEAGULL BOOK | BARNES & NOBLE | AMAZON | GOODREADS

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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.

Have you read the unabridged version of Les Miserables? What is the longest book you’ve read?

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**To enter the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2014, leave a thoughtful comment below.**

This is raffle-style drawing where all entries throughout the contest period are entered into the same “hat” for all prizes. Because this is a raffle-style drawing, commenting on each Countdown to Summer 2014 post will give you more chances to win. Please click through to the website as only comments submitted directly on this post will be accepted.

Prizes include a $50 Amazon gift card and the author-donated books listed below. US only. 18 years and older please. See all contest rules and restrictions below.

Following LDSWBR is not required but you may want to consider doing so during the contest so you don’t miss any posts or chances to enter the drawing. You can follow us through email, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Instagram, and Pinterest (links in our sidebar.)

If one of our reviews has ever helped you find a book you enjoyed, please consider helping us spread the word about the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2014. A link posted to your friends and family either in email or on your favorite social network would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

By leaving a comment and entering the Countdown to Summer 2014, you agree to the contest rules below:

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY; entrants must be 18 years or older; open to residents of continental US only; giveaway begins June 5, 2014 and all entries must be received by 12:00 Midnight June 30, 2014 Mountain Time; to enter, complete the required entry on each post and any additional entries of your choice if listed; LDS Women’s Book Review reserves the right to determine what is considered a thoughtful comment as per each post’s required entry; giveaway prizes include a $50 Amazon gift card and a variety of book prizes donated by featured authors; the number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning; LDS Women’s Book Review is not liable for technical problems which may affect entry into the giveaway; winner identity will be verified by email address; winner will be selected July 3, 2014 by use of a sequence generator on random.org; winner will have until July 10, 2014 to claim their prize; if any prize winner forfeits or does not claim prize, prize will be re-awarded to next winner in sequence; all prizes will be awarded; limit of two prizes per entrant; this contest/giveaway is not associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other entity unless otherwise specified; by entering the giveaway you give LDS Women’s Book Review the right to publicize your name on the LDS Women’s Book Review blog; winner agrees to release LDS Women’s Book Review from any liability as a result of winning; email comments and questions to LDS Women’s Book Review – ldswbr (at) gmail (dot) com; giveaway subject to Utah regulations; VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

**Book Prizes (as of 6/19/14 – more to be added to this list!)**

  • Unraveled by Julie Daines (signed paperback)
  • Any book by A.L. Sowards (choice of paperback or Kindle version)
  • An autographed copy of any one Sarah M. Eden book of the winner’s choice
  • Chances Are by Traci Hunter Abramson (signed/personalized paperback)
  • Choice of The Inventor’s Secret (hardback or paperback) or The Avatar Battle (hardback or audio CD) by Chad Morris (signed copy)
  • Missing Lily by Annette K. Larsen (ebook in .mobi or epub)
  • Glimmering Light by Margot Hovley (personalized paperback or Kindle)
  • Before the Clock Strikes Thirty by Aubrey Mace (personalized paperback)
  • Tulips and Treason by Tristi Pinkston (personalized paperback)
  • Luminescence by Braden Bell
  • Falling For You by Krista Lynne Jensen (signed paperback)
  • Ilana’s Wish by Annette Lyon (paperback copy, personalized if desired)
  • Winner’s choice of one of Josi S. Kilpack’s books
  • Not Your Average Happy Ending by Chantele Sedgwick (winner’s choice of paperback or ebook)
  • Discovering Peace by Jennifer Ann Holt (signed copy)

 

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 

 

 

 

 

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.