Persuasion a Latter-Day Tale by Rebecca H. Jamison – Blog Tour

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Feb 082012
 

Persuasion a Latter-Dale Tale

Author: Rebecca H. Jamison

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Expected Published Date: February 14, 2012

ISBN13: 9781599559476

FTC FYI: I downloaded a copy from NetGalley, which did not affect my review.

Paperback: 240 pages

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads summary: “When Anne broke off her engagement seven years ago, she thought she’d never see Neil Wentworth again. But when Neil’s brother buys the house she grew up in, it seems fate has other plans in store, and Anne is woefully unprepared for the roller coaster of emotions that accompanies Neil’s return. Fans of Persuasion will love this fast-paced, modern retelling of Jane Austen’s most romantic novel.”

Anne is the responsible one. Even though her sister Liz is the one living with her Dad.  The story starts with the sisters getting ready for a garage sale.  They need to sale the house. Dad is deeply in debt and this is a step to help him. Anne is a successful stock broker, and is currently single.  Anne and her sisters are converts to the LDS church.  Her parents, before they divorced, wanted nothing to do with the church.  Greg, their home teacher, comes to the house.  He’s a real estate agent, and says there is an interest in the house.  Their last name is Wentworth.  This makes Anne stop in her tracks.  Seven years ago, she dated Neil.  She was so young when they were together, 19.  She felt when he proposed that it was too soon.  Anne was also afraid of his career choice.  Neil wanted to be a police officer.  She was relieved when Neil’s brother Jack was the one interested in the house.  However, Neil comes with Jack to look.  Anne is in her “garage sale” attire, and is embarrassed. She hasn’t seen him since the day she gave the ring back, and he sees her like this?!?

What I liked most about this book was the progression of the relationship of Neil and Anne.  Time passes.  Anne’s sister Mary is pregnant and is put on bed rest.  Mary lives next to her in-laws, The Musgroves.  When she asks (or tells) Anne she needs help, Anne rushes over.  Neil has been injured and is staying with Jack, at Anne’s old house.  Neil is always on Anne’s mind, even when she starts dating Will.  A rich lobbyist.  Who may be more trouble then he’s worth.  Neil also is dating a girl named Lily. She is Mary’s sister in law.  There are many times when Anne and Neil meet up and I like the “awkwardness” of Anne in these situations.

What I like most about the book are the characters.  The author does a great job of character detail.  My favorites were Anne and Neil.  Anne is a great example of a smart, funny (even though she doesn’t mean to) girl you want to be around.  One thing I wanted more from her is self confidence.  She seemed down on herself a lot, and a little bit too worried about her appearance at times.  However, given the fact that she is still in love with her ex-finance, and he’s dating a cute young girl, it’s a bit justified.  I also really loved Neil.  What a great guy.  Reliable, strong, loyal, and fun to be around.  No wonder Anne was smitten.  I also liked how each chapter begins with Anne’s old journal entries of past events in Anne’s life.

4 out of 5 stars.  My thanks to Cedar Fort for having me be part of this Blog Tour.  Enjoy!

Find out more about the author here.  You can find Rebecca on Facebook and watch the book trailer.  Find Cedar Fort on Facebook.

Guest Author Thursday: Sarah M. Eden

 Posted by  Guest Author Thursday, Special Features
Jan 122012
 

We are happy to have Sarah M. Eden as our guest author today. She is the author of several Regency-era romances, including Seeking Persephone, Courting Miss Lancaster, Kiss of a Stranger and her most recent release, Friends and Foes.

Not only is Sarah a talented author, she is a sweet, quick-witted woman and dedicated mother and wife.

Read more about Sarah and her books on her WEBSITE. Purchase Friends and Foes at DESERET BOOK and AMAZON.

Find details below for the DOUBLE BOOK LAUNCH for Sarah and last week’s guest author, Krista Lynne Jensen.

Okay, Sarah, take it away.

*  *  *  *  *

Authors are strange people. Stranger than most.

We feel deep and abiding connections to people we make up, people who only exist inside our heads. We talk to them. Often out loud. And they talk back. Conversations go on for hours. And we don’t find this odd.

Authors get together in groups to willingly and gratefully be told all the many reasons why the words we have slaved over for hours, days, weeks, years are inherently flawed and horrible. We then work for further hours, days, weeks, years to fix those flawed words and send them off to be rejected, criticized and panned by people we don’t even know. We do this repeatedly. Willingly. And we like it.

We see story ideas in everything around us. The line at the grocery store. A one-paragraph news item. Dreams. Overheard conversations. Yes, we eavesdrop. Shamelessly.

Perhaps our oddest feature of all is what I like to call the Jekyll/Hyde Syndrome. I have never yet met an author who couldn’t flip from the ultimate optimist filled with confidence and dreams of grandeur to a pathetic heap of despondent self-loathing and doubt, and do so in an instant. Over and over again.

Perhaps a visual record of this very thing would be helpful. I happen to have obtained this extremely accurate documentation for your enlightenment. Read on.

Like the grave. Oh so very sad but so very true. We’re an odd bunch, writers. But we embrace it. Next time you run into an author, feel free to give them a high five or a “good going.” Chances are, we need it.

Then again, we might very well be in the middle of a very in-depth conversation with someone only we can see. In which case, maybe distance is best. Science hasn’t yet proven it, but there’s a chance this sickness we call “Being a Writer” might just be contagious.

Happy reading. Happy writing.

Shameless plug time!

Got some free time on your hands this Saturday? Live anywhere near Salt Lake City, Utah? Fellow author Krista Lynne Jensen and I are celebrating the release of our novels Of Grace and Chocolate (Krista’s) and Friends and Foes (mine) with a launch party of epic proportions! There will be prizes and treats and fun to be had by all. Stop by!

Saturday, January 14
11-1
1110 Ft. Union Blvd, Midvale Utah

Thank you, Sarah. See you on Saturday!

Help us thank Sarah for visiting the LDSWBR blog and leave a comment!

Guest Author Thursday: Krista Lynne Jensen

 Posted by  Guest Author Thursday, Special Features
Jan 052012
 

Happy 2012!

 

I can’t wait to tell our LDSWBR readers about a new feature on the blog this year. We are so excited to announce Guest Author Thursday, where we will be honored to present a blog post written by a guest author.

Here to start us off in the new year is Krista Lynne Jensen, debut author of Of Grace and Chocolate being released January 2012.

I had the opportunity to beta read Of Grace and Chocolate for Krista, and I LOVED-LOVED-LOVED it. (It even made my Top Ten Reads of 2011 list despite not having been published yet.)

If you enjoy Krista’s post, please leave a comment below and let her know!

Watch the book trailer for Of Grace and Chocolate at the end of the post.

*   *   *   *   *

From Krista: Riding in a Mine Car

I’ve been sorting through the Christmas cards and letters. I keep up the family pictures for a while; make sure everyone has read the update letters before letting them go, keep the super-pretty cards for whatever reason in a box labeled Super-Pretty Christmas Cards.

So many friends have written things like, “So excited for all your success!” “Happy for all the good things you are experiencing!” Some of them are referring to my book and its launch in just a week or so (grinning). But holy wow, November and December have kicked my tush. The “good things” are definitely worth clinging to, because I feel like I’m riding in one of those mining cars on a rickety rail in an old abandoned mine, like in Temple of Doom, or The Apple Dumpling Gang, or Harry Potter in Gringotts, with cave walls collapsing and the tracks falling away and Indy is nowhere in sight and there’s a dragon chasing me and stalactites drop and WHERE’S MY INVISIBILITY CLOAK?

Okay, that may be exaggerating a bit (writer), but our family has been hit with all kinds of not-fun stuff the last several weeks. Things that might discourage me. Things that have worn me down. Health, job, kids, parents, friends. Things that have those close to us throwing up their hands and saying, “Are you kidding me?!”

Things that have me saying, “Oh, I am SO supposed to be writing.” Because alongside all of this weight, good stuff is happening with my writing. Good stuff that both scares me and thrills me. And I’m not discouraged. There’s a saying: “Be the kind of woman that, when your feet hit the floor each morning, the Devil says “Oh crap, she’s up!”

Maybe, with me, it’s when I open my doc. Maybe my words are where I can be strong. I can be a force. I’m supposed to do this.

Honestly, if you are compelled to write, whether it is a personal history, a short story, a novel, then write it. Figure it out. If it’s something you begin, and you’re hit with a barrage of “No-you-can’ts”, well, maybe that’s because yes-you-can. And you should. And you don’t know how many amazing things will come of it. Weather it out. Hold your chin up. Square your shoulders. Think of your favorite authors and how they didn’t give up. Surround yourself with people who shout, “Go, Krista!” or, you know, your name.

And hang on. That ride in the mine car is a doozy. *ducks*

Krista Lynne Jensen’s debut novel, Of Grace and Chocolate, will be on shelves anytime now at an LDS bookstore near you. Come join her and author Sarah M. Eden at their Double Book Launch, Saturday, January 14th at the Fort Union Deseret Book in Midvale, Utah from 11:00-1:00. There will be chocolate and wonderfulness.

 Connect with Krista: WEBSITE | BLOG | Twitter | Facebook

 

Marian’s Christmas Wish by Clara Kelly–Blog Tour

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Nov 162011
 

Marian’s Christmas Wish

Author: Carla Kelly

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Published: September 2011

Paperback: 304 pages

ISBN13: 9781599559537

Genre: Regency Romance

FTC FYI: I received my copy from NetGalley with approval from publisher

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads summary:  “Miss Marian Wynswich is a rather unconventional young lady. She plays chess, reads Greek, and is as educated as any young man. And she’s certain falling in love is a ridiculous endeavor and vows never to do such a thing. But everything changes when she receives a Christmas visit from someone unexpected— a young and handsome English lord.”

Marian’s brother Percy is coming home for Christmas.  He surprises everyone by bringing two suitors.  The pompous Sir William who is the intended one for Ariadne, Marian’s older sister.  Although she has eyes for the town vicar, who is as poor as a church mouse.  The second is Gilbert Collinwood, Lord Ingraham.  Marian (or Mare, as her family calls her) swears that romance is not for her.  This is the first Christmas since her father’s death, which has left the family deeply in debt with his precarious ways.  There is even talk of the Wynswich family having to sell their estate to pay off the debt.

The Wynswich family has a Christmas tradition making a Christmas pudding, and while stirring it, a wish is made in your heart.  One that you can not repeat. In her mind Marian’s wish is that Gilbert Collinwood will have the best Christmas.  Gil also makes a wish of his own.

Marian’s mother, Lady Wynswich is overly dramatic and judgmental.  It is these actions, one day, that send Marian to check on her newly born kittens, Lord Ingraham goes with her.  They talk and Marian finds herself in easy conversation.  He keeps telling her to stop calling him “Lord Ingraham”, so she settles on Gil. Gilbert has a scar on his face, and Marian in her animal loving ways has made a healing salve, which she applies to his face.  Right away, I think, Gil starts to think well of Marian.

Marian is such an enjoyable character.  I really liked her.  Many times she had me smiling.  She is smart, well-read, witty, and has a lot of spunk (even for the time period that it is set).  This story takes place in the Napolean era.  Eventually goes in a direction I wasn’t expecting, but really enjoyed. There are many surprises that were exciting and kept me wondering.  It’s a well written book, with a very sweet ending.  I loved the changes in some characters too.

4 out of 5 stars.  Read more about Carla Kelly and her many books here. Follow Cedar Fort on Twitter and Facebook.


The Kissing Tree by Prudence Bice–Blog Tour

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Nov 092011
 

The Kissing Tree

Author: Prudence Bice

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Expected Publish Date: December 8, 2011

ISBN13: 9781599559360

Genre: Romance Fiction

FTC FYI: I received a copy from NetGalley

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads summary: “After five long years, Georgiana McLaughlin returns to the only place she’s ever considered home—the same place she stole a kiss from Ridge Carson under the community “kissing tree.” But this time he’s a man, and reconciling their past is just the beginning.”

After stealing a kiss from Ridge under the town’s “kissing tree”, Georgie leaves town.  Her family has suffered a tragedy and her mother thinks that a month in New York will be good for everyone.   Little does Georgie know, her cruel aunt Cecelia has other plans for her and her family.  She stays away for five years, returning to Colorado only to help her dear Irish grandfather after her grandmother passes away.  Georgie’s entire stay in New York wasn’t all terrible.  She went to a finishing school that she enjoyed, and caught the eye of young man who wants to marry her.  After arriving in Colorado, she immediately sees Ridge, and while letting her Irish temper flare, he can’t get enough of her.  Georgie left behind a dear friend Samantha as well.  Has too much time passed, or will Georgie be able to make things right?

I enjoyed this book immensely.  It was so well written.  I really enjoyed the point of view changes.  I liked seeing the way different characters saw the same situation.  The author did a great job of using flashbacks to tell the story too.  Each character has a history that is vital to the plot, and I never felt the flashbacks took me away from the story.  Georgie, of course, was my favorite.  Her Irish temper had me smiling.  I loved Ridge too.  Don’t you just love that name?  The Kissing Tree is a clean, romance that will have you laughing and crying, especially when you learn the truth about Georgie’s father.

5 out of 5 stars.  Read more reviews of The Kissing Tree blog tour here.  Follow Cedar Fort on twitter and facebook. Read more about Prudence Bice here.

Book Tour Review of The Outer Edge of Heaven by Jaclyn M. Hawkes

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Oct 212011
 

Title: The Outer Edge of Heaven                     

Author: Jaclyn M. Hawkes

Publisher: Spirit Dance Books

Published: July 2011

Softcover: 269 pages

Genre: Romance

ISBN#0615517773

Reviewer: Sheila

 

Filled with colorful characters of all shapes, sizes and species, including an
orphaned baby pig, most of the Langston family put the fun in
dysfunctional, give or take a couple of black sheep. There’s one in
every family, isn’t there? Add to that glorious scenery, a horse of her
own, and one extremely attractive cousin rancher, Luke Langston, and it
makes for a summer Charlie will never forget. Which might not be a good
thing. She has the time of her life, but her heart may never recover

 

The cover of The Outer Edge of Heaven draws you into the book before you even read the first page. There is something so intriguing about the cowboy on the horse, with the beautiful sunset in the background.Having been in Montana several times before, the title of the book is fitting. On the back it says:

                                   “Montana truly is heavenly. Especially those handsome cowboys” 

I happen to agree with this statement and it is especially true of main character, Luke Langston. He is a true blue cowboy, stoic, tough, silent and polite. Luke was my favorite character in this modern-day, clean, LDS, romance. When Charlene, or Charlie as she is known throughout the whole story, first sees Luke, she is smitten. Charlie along with her best friend Fo (Forest) are in Montana working at Fo’s cousin’s ranch. Charlie is hiding away from her rich, powerful, parents who want to choose her occupation and her husband. There at the ranch she is hired to help take care of Luke’s half siblings who are in dire need of a “real” mother. Luke’s father, Richard,  is married to his third wife who is unfaithful to him.
At the ranch Charlie has many adventures with the darling children Jamie, Evie, and Elsa. Charlie gives the children stability and love. I loved how realistically Jaclyn wrote the children. They are very endearing, even when they make huge messes, like the waffle incident in the kitchen. Charlie teaches the children how to plant a garden, take care of piglets and takes them to swimming class and dance class. Though there are many fun and humorous things that happen in this story, there are also deep subjects too. There is an attempted assault, that is stopped quickly, an alcoholic wife, a fourteen year old experimenting with marijuana (this situation is handled very well and teaches the teenager a good lesson) and break-ins.   

Fo and Charlie’s friendship is such a wonderful part of this story. They are so loyal and supportive of one another. Every women needs a male friend as great as Fo. The romantic tension between Charlie and Luke is a big part of the storyline and is there for most of the story. I was so anxious to have the tension end sooner, rather than later, but that would have taken away from the excitement in the story. Let’s just say you will like the ending of the story. 

This book is a fast read and one that you really don’t want to put down. You will fall in love with the characters and not want the story to end. I enjoy Jaclyn’s writing and read and reviewed her first book, Journey of Honor and I  hope to read even more books from her. 
You can purchase The Outer Edge of Heaven here at Amazon.com

About the Author
Jaclyn M. Hawkes grew up in Utah with 6 sisters, 4 brothers and any
number of pets. (It was never boring!) She got a bachelor’s degree, had a
career and traveled extensively before settling down to her life’s work
of being the mother of four magnificent and sometimes challenging
children. She loves shellfish, the out of doors, the youth and hearing
her children laugh. She and her fine husband, their family, and their
sometimes very large pets, now live in a mountain valley in northern
Utah, where it smells like heaven and kids still move sprinkler pipe.

***I received my review copy of The Outer Edge of Heaven from the Author and participating in Tristi Pinkston’s Book Tour. In no way did this influence the review that was given.


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