mental illness – LDS Women's Book Review

Extreme Measures by Michelle Ashman Bell — Blog Tour/Combined Review

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

May 062015

Extreme Measures

Author: Michelle Ashman Bell

Publisher: Covenant Communications

ISBN: 978-1-68047-165-6

Paperback: 181 pages

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

Reviewed by Mindy and Sheila

Summary

Following the trauma of her estranged husband’s untimely death, Emma Lowell is happy with the life she has rebuilt for herself. She’s engaged to a wonderful man and anticipates a fresh start, free from her troubled past. Only one persistent obstacle remains: Margaret Lowell, her former mother-in-law. Margaret continues to be a demanding presence in Emma’s life, and her requests have become increasingly disconcerting. When Margaret asks Emma to accompany her on a sentimental journey to the family s mountain cabin, the young woman reluctantly agrees. After all, her fiancé is out of town. No one will miss her. Emma could never have suspected the horror that awaits in the snow-bound cabin, for beneath Margaret Lowell’s elderly façade lies a sinister and terrifying nature and a plot born of insanity. Alarmed by the dark plan that unfolds, Emma struggles to escape the isolated cabin in a chilling game of cat and mouse. As the danger escalates, and with little hope of rescue, Emma must engage in a battle of wills if she is to avoid becoming the final piece in Margaret s twisted puzzle.

Mindy’s Review

I sat down Sunday morning before church expecting to read a few chapters before I got out of bed and ready for my day. Good thing it was Fast Sunday and I have 1:00 church, because I read the entire book in one sitting! Extreme Measures is extremely fast-paced and one crazy ride (and I mean that literally). The whole time I was anxiously turning pages to see what else Margaret would do to poor Emma. What I really loved was Emma’s determination to survive and fight. She was helpless at first, but as she got stronger, she was really able to keep her wits together when all was hope was crumbling around her. I really enjoyed the switch in views when the author would show us Emma’s friends Cassie and Jess desperately seeking information on what happened to Emma. They were able to untangle the web of lies and deceit that Margaret did to get her scheme going. I suspected something early on as to what Margaret’s intentions were with Emma, and what really was going on was even more disturbing than what I thought of. (I’m glad what happened wasn’t what I thought.) Although, there was so much nail-biting suspense, there were some holes that I thought didn’t quite get resolved, or were too convenient. I did think the ending was a perfect way to bring resolution for Emma and her fiance Landon.

4 out of 5 stars.

Sheila’s Review

This new quick read by Michele Ashman Bell will keep your anxiety high, and find you yelling a lot at the main character Emma. I wanted her to think through things better before she did them. Always listen to your first thoughts, because they’re usually right! As Emma is too easily manipulated by her crazy ex mother-in-law, Margaret, you can hardly believe what is unfolding on the pages. Each little thing that happens you want to scream out warnings to Emma. The suspense is elevated chapter by chapter as Margaret does terrifying things to her.

Thank heavens that Emma’s two close friends, Cassie and Jess investigate why their friend is missing and get Emma’s fiancé, who is traveling overseas involved. They had a hard time getting the police to help them at first. Overall, the story ends well, but you will go through many heart pounding, page turning, chilling moments before you read the happy ending.

Author Links

Goodreads / Website / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Deseret Book

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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.