What Makes Us Sisters by Bonnie L. Oscarson

 Posted by  Book Reviews
May 092015
 

24999947What Makes Us Sisters

Author: Bonnie L. Oscarson

Publisher: Deseret Book

Published: April 6th, 2015

ISBN13: 978-1-62972-041-8

Hardcover: 48 pages

Reviewed by Mindy

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

Summary

Sisters take care of each other, watch out for each other, comfort each other, and are there for each other through thick and thin, observes Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, Young Women general president.

In this delightful and inspiring book, Sister Oscarson encourages all women to look beyond differences in age, culture, and circumstance in order to better nurture and serve one another. She explains that all women young or old, married or single, working in an office or running a home have unique talents and gifts to share. Focusing on the boundless blessings that Latter-day Saint women enjoy, Sister Oscarson urges women throughout the Church to live and inspire others in ways that realize their greatest potential.

My Review

Need a last minute Mother’s Day gift?  This book is full of beautiful insights and thoughtful passages of love.  Reminding us all that our differences are what makes us special in God’s eyes.  Who are we to criticize or judge others?  I love listening to Sister Oscarson’s talks.  She has a presence about her that is very inspiring and I can tell that she is a remarkable woman.  I truly enjoyed this book.

We need to care for each other, comfort each other, and [be] there for each other.

As we look beyond our differences in age, culture, and circumstance to nurture and serve one another, we will be filled with the pure love of Christ…

About the Author

BONNIE L. OSCARSON was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. She attended Brigham Young University as a young adult and returned thirty-five years later to complete a bachelor’s degree. She married Paul Oscarson in 1969 and served with his as he presided over a mission and later a temple, both in Sweden. Sister Oscarson was sustained as the general president of the Young Women in April 2013. She and her husband are the parents of seven and grandparents of twenty-seven.

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book

Love, Lucas by Chantele Sedgwick

 Posted by  Book Reviews
May 072015
 

23130126Love, Lucas

Author: Chantele Sedgwick

Publisher: Sky Pony Press

Published: May 5th, 2015

ISBN13: 9781632204172

Hardcover: 288 pages

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

Reviewed by Mindy

Summary

When Oakley Nelson loses her older brother, Lucas, to cancer, she thinks she’ll never recover. Between her parents’ arguing and the battle she’s fighting with depression, she feels nothing inside but a hollow emptiness. When Mom suggests they spend a few months in California with Aunt Jo, Oakley isn’t sure a change of scenery will alter anything, but she’s willing to give it a try.

In California, Oakley discovers a sort of safety and freedom in Aunt Jo’s beach house. Once they’re settled, Mom hands her a notebook full of letters addressed to her—from Lucas. As Oakley reads one each day, she realizes how much he loved her, and each letter challenges her to be better and to continue to enjoy her life. He wants her to move on.

If only it were that easy.

But then a surfer named Carson comes into her life, and Oakley is blindsided. He makes her feel again. As she lets him in, she is surprised by how much she cares for him, and that’s when things get complicated. How can she fall in love and be happy when Lucas never got the chance to do those very same things?

With her brother’s dying words as guidance, Oakley knows she must learn to listen and trust again. But will she have to leave the past behind to find happiness in the future?

My Review

Love, Lucas is sweet story about Oakley, trying to move on with her life after a tragedy and life changing events.  After the death of her brother, Lucas, Oakley and her mom move to California for the spring to try to distance themselves from the pain of losing him.  Oakley’s mom gives her a notebook of letters written by Lucas that he wrote before he died, in hopes of helping her move on.  I absolutely loved this book.  I’ve told Chantele that I think she and I are kindred spirits, and I felt this way even more so reading this book.  The story flows nicely, and I enjoyed Oakley’s journey of growth.  Carson was a ray of sunshine.  He lit up the pages.  Once Oakley got over her fears of self doubt and she let him in, it was fun to see their relationship progress.  When a tragedy strikes him, it was interesting to see how she would handle it.  My favorite thing about the book were the letters from Lucas.  They were sweet, funny, and a perfect way for Oakley to heal.  Be brave and try new things, what a perfect motto for us all.

4 out of 5 stars.  A clean book with great characters and enjoyable story.  I will read anything from this author.

Author Links

Goodreads / Website / Twitter / Facebook

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Guardians by Heather Frost — Blog Tour

 Posted by  Book Reviews
Jul 242013
 

9781462110353_p0_v2_s260x420Guardians

Author: Heather Frost

Published: July 9th, 2013

Publisher: Sweetwater Books

ISBN: 978-1-4621-1035-3

Hardcover: 384 pages

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

Backcover

Kate Bennett has escaped captivity, but she has not escaped the hunt.  The Demon Lord has one million dollars on Kate’s head, and every bounty hunter around is just waiting for the chance to break through her Guardian force.  Kate’s only shot at staying alive and protecting her loved ones is to lead the Seers on a mission to the past and kill the Demon Lord before he comes to power.

But Patrick, Kate’s immortal Guardian and the love of her life, knows what happens when she travels back in time:  he has seen her die in his arms.  With Patrick keeping a protective watch over her, Kate knows she can never accomplish this mission, but she cannot wait around to be captured by Demons again, either.

The final installment of the Seer trilogy bring Kate Bennett’s tale to a surprising and exciting conclusion filled with love and heartache, danger and triumph, loss and redemption.

My Review

Wow!  What can I say.  This book was the perfect ending to a series that just got better and better with each book.  So many thrilling and exciting things happen is this book.  One thing in particular that I thought was done brilliantly by the author.  (But I can’t tell you what it was)  What I loved most about his series was it was clean with exceptionally writing.  I grew to love Kate and Patrick.  And there will always be a special place in my heart for Tony, too.  I can’t summarize anything that happens because it will give too much away, but be warned.  Once you stop reading, clear your schedule.  You won’t be able to stop until the last page is turned.  Another aspect I thought the author handled well was the beginning.  *Possible Spoiler*  At the end of Demons you are left hanging as to what happens to Kate, but I liked how Heather gradually brought that in, making you hungry for more.

5 out of 5 stars.  I loved how the everything wrapped up at the end.  There were smiles and tears.  Guardians is Book 3 of this series, so start with Seers and then Demons.  

Author Links

Goodreads / Facebook / Website

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Guardians-blog-tour