My Review: A Portrait for Toni by Annette Lyon

*I received this ebook in exchange for an honest review*

Toni has no idea what she’d do without her best friend, Carter. Who else would she be able to vent to about her parents, her job at the dance studio, or her latest relationship woes? When Toni’s father lands in the hospital, Carter, as always, is there for her.
That is, until he starts questioning Toni, saying he thinks she has an eating disorder. Then she starts dating Clint, the hot new guy at the studio, and somehow that puts a deeper wedge between her and Carter. When she’s hospitalized after an on-stage collapse, and Carter stupidly starts in with advice about food and weight, she sends him away—then instantly regrets it.
One night after a performance, Toni tries to mend the hurt between them. She goes to visit Carter at work, in his art classroom at the high school. She doesn’t see him there, and instead, she stumbles onto proof that he has feelings for her that go way beyond those of a friend. Toni is left with the very real prospect of losing Carter forever, unless somehow she can return his feelings—but that’s impossible.
Isn’t it?

My review: This book was a little hard for me to take in some ways. I’d get so wrapped up in the story but, at times, would have to put it down and then later found myself dreading to pick it up again. Why? Not because of the writing, certainly. Annette Lyon knows words, and uses them at their best. I think it was more the subject matter. It’s difficult to watch someone, even a character in a book, continue self-destructive behavior without an end in sight. It was so hard not to scream at my Kindle, “Toni! Stop it!!”

And then there’s her relationship with Carter. Sigh. Of course he’s wonderful, and she’s clueless about his real feelings for her, but this one struck a little too close to home for me. (You will undoubtedly not have that problem) Way back when I was the clueless girl with the male best friend convinced he was head over heels for me. (All that has since resolved itself and we’re both happily married—to other people.) But I think my personal experiences clouded my judgment, because I had no clue how this story was going to end. Was Toni going to wake up? Was Carter going to move on? I’m not going to spoil it for you, but I have to say Annette pulled it all together perfectly in the end.

A Portrait for Toni is climbing the bestseller lists, so don't wait. Click on over and grab your COPY now!

Annette Lyon is a Whitney Award winner, a two-time recipient of Utah's Best of State medal for fiction and the author of nine novels, a cookbook, and a grammar guide as well as over a hundred magazine articles. She's a senior editor at Precision Editing Group and a cum laude graduate from BYU with a degree in English. When she's not writing, editing, knitting, or eating chocolate, she can be found mothering and avoiding the spots on the kitchen floor. Find her online at blog.annettelyon.com and on Twitter: @AnnetteLyon

My review: Tide Ever Rising by Mandi Tucker Slack

From the cover: Kadie Reynolds loves to explore old ghost towns. So when she and her sister, Maysha, visit Eureka, Utah, it's just another ordinary trip---until they find an ancient journal and strange dreams start to haunt Kadie. Little does anyone know, the journal contains secrets that will plunge them into a world filled with mystery, past regrets, and dark unknowns.

My take on it: Kadie is sweet, determined, and slightly clumsy, which is what leads to her discovery of the journal and the secrets that spin throughout this fun novel. I thought I'd gotten a handle on what would happen next in the book when I got hit with a twist. Then I got comfortable in that and got hit with another twist. Gotta say, I admire a book that can keep me on my toes. :)

I really enjoyed the ghostly element of the story because it didn't overpower the narrative. And I enjoy history, so learning of Adelaide and Charlotte Clarke's past and present thrilled me.

I try really hard when I review a book to not give away any spoilers so that you can discover all the fun and adventure for yourself. This book had that, and much more. It kept me turning pages until the end as I hoped that each of the issues--large and small--were tied up well.

Oh, and you're *really* going to like Logan. And Zaza.

You can find the book on Amazon, and catch up with the author on her blog, Facebook, or her website.

Happy reading!

My Review: Blue Sky by Melissa Lemon

About the book: Sunny is bereaving the sudden death of her parents. Lewis is a homeless runaway seeking shelter in Sunny's basement from an early winter storm. When they unexpectedly meet, Sunny wants nothing more than to kill him. After a bizarre hostage situation and a poker game, Sunny realizes that Lewis isn't out to hurt her. Their initial distaste turns to friendship and love, but Sunny isn't keen on starting a relationship with a man she knows so little about. Lewis is loyal, and his patience paramount. Sunny is hesitant but her love runs deep and true. They are separated unwillingly, and must struggle and face overwhelming odds to find each other again.

My take: First of all, this is going to sound silly but my dog's name is Sunny and when I started reading Blue Sky it really distracted me that the main character had the same name. But then I got drawn into the story and it didn't really matter anymore.

Sunny is a girl in pain. And her pain is real, heartfelt, and the reader can feel it in every breath. How does the world keep spinning when the people who love you most in the world are suddenly gone? And Meg, Sunny's friend, she's amazing. I love Meg. I want to be Meg. I want to be able to be that friend (though I know I fall far short in reality).

Lewis is real. It's so hard to see him try and try and try to win Sunny only to have her shut him down. I know why she does it, but it's still hard. And when he finally shares his past with her, you just ache for him.

I had a little bit of trouble with some aspects of the book--things I can't share with you or they would be spoilers. I guess that's because it's not how I would have done it, but I can see how it's reasonable and possible that things could work out that way. Cryptic enough for you? But really, Blue Sky engrossed me from the first few pages and I had to read on to find out if these two star-crossed people would end up together.

About the author: Melissa has had many imaginary friends (and enemies) since she was a child. Her vivid imagination had her writing stories and jotting down book ideas for years until she finally sat down and finished a novel. She is married to an awesome man and the proud mother of three children. Music is also an important part of her life and she shares time with her music students teaching them piano, cello or guitar. Melissa is a graduate of the University of Utah and currently resides in the Salt Lake area.
You can find more about Melissa through these links:

http://www.authormelissalemon.com/
http://www.facebook.com/authormelissalemon
https://twitter.com/Melissa_Lemon

or check out Blue Sky on Goodreads here: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17304893-blue-sky

Melissa has promised the Amazon link as soon as the book is live (it's not due out till next week). Happy reading!

My Review: Adversarius: Shadow of the Rose, Book 1 by M.L. Chesley

I feel this review, more than any other, should come with a disclaimer. Yes, ML Chesley is my sis in law. But, for those of you who have family--that doesn't necessarily mean I like her or her work. Because I do like her, it doesn't follow that I love her writing. I do have some bias, but I'll explain that as we go.

First of all, Mel is a genius at creating characters I'm comfortable liking. I haven't really read a lot of her work before Adversarius, so I was a little anxious picking it up. What if I hated it? How do you tell your sis that her baby's ugly? You know? Fortunately, we didn't have to go there. :)

The world of Adversarius is an intricate one. I don't generally read high fantasy (I generally lean toward a lighter fare), so at times it was harder for me to follow along than it would be for someone who cut their eye teeth on Tolkien. But I still kept up. Harder doesn't exactly mean hard or impossible. And, yes, because I know you're wondering, I DID identify with the assassin more than any other character.

All of that said, and I'd give this book four or 5 stars because of what I loved, I'm going to talk about what I didn't like so much. Here's where my bias comes in because I'm more willing to forgive because she's my sis and because this is her first book. I'm also more willing to blame her editors and proofers than the writer herself. Some of the wording was flawed. Words were used out of place or the wrong words were used (affect vs. effect comes to mind). These are things that a good editor will catch. Mel's languages were wonderful. I loved that aspect of her writing. Her prose flows well and is engaging. Her character dialogue is smart, sassy, and snappy. I liked that a lot. And the flaws were minor enough that, after the first few chapters, I could let it go and enjoy the book.

Really I don't know what you're still doing here. GO BUY Adversarius: Shadow of the Rose, book 1. You won't regret it.

My Review: CARIBBEAN CROSSROADS by Connie Sokol

New college grad Megan McCormick just got dumped. Hard.

Swearing off men and relationships, Megan is coaxed into performing on a cruise ship where she meets the star performer, Bryant Johnson. Handsome and charismatic, he looks like trouble, but she can't deny the intense attraction between them.

Urged to find a wife and run the family lumber business, Bryant is torn between his family's expectations for his life and his own. However, when he meets spunky, but love-skittish Megan McCormick, settling down doesn't look so bad.

Just when Megan begins to trust again, and Bryant makes some big decisions regarding his future, her former fiance returns with a malicious surprise, taking Megan and Bryant to their own CARIBBEAN CROSSROADS.

In short, a delightful summer romance. I had so much fun reading about Meg and Bry's adventures aboard ship and beyond that I had a hard time putting the book down when it was all over. I understood Meg's hesitancy to jump into another relationship, but Bryant was such an awesome guy I had to cheer for him--and sometimes yell at her for being so obstinate. And, boy, when Meg's ex makes his appearance for Thanksgiving *I* wanted to slug him. What a slimeball. 

If you're looking for a fun summery read I'd check out Caribbean Crossroads. Here's Amazon's links for the PAPERBACK or KINDLE versions.

Now, a little about the author:  Connie Sokol is a mother of seven—a national and local presenter, and a regular speaker at Education Week. She is a monthly TV contributor on KSL’s “Studio 5” and regular blogger for LDSLiving online. She is a former TV and radio host for Bonneville Communications, and columnist for Deseret News and Utah Valley Magazine. Mrs. Sokol is also the author of Motherhood Matters, Faithful, Fit & Fabulous, and Life is Too Short for One Hair Color, as well as talk CDs and podcasts. Mrs. Sokol marinates in time spent with her family and eating decadent treats. Visit her website at www.8basics.com

You can also check out Connie's Facebook page for details on her current projects.

Disclaimer: I did receive an electronic copy of this book for review purposes, but that in no way swayed my review. 

My review: Bound by C.K. Bryant

About the book:  When a photo shoot ends in tragedy, Kira discovers her best friend, Lydia, has been keeping a secret. Knowing the truth, and accepting it, will change Kira's life forever and thrust her into a world of ancient curses, magical objects, and savage enemies. What happens next will challenge everything Kira knows about her world, herself and the shape-shifting warrior she's falling in love with. No longer the timid mouse her mother accused her of being, but a woman who finds the mental and physical strength to endure and survive. BOUND is a heroic tale of true friendship, infinite sacrifice and untamed love.

I bought this book at a writer retreat from the author (because I hang with the cool kids, ya ;)) at the same time I purchased another book. One I read in a day or two. The other I waited on. And waited. And waited. Somehow I knew, just by looking at it, reading the back, holding it in my hands, it would be the kind of book that would change me forever. That it would be awesome covered in amazing-sauce. I ended up loving both books, but in different ways. The second book? The one I waited to read because it intimidated the crap out of me? That was BOUND.

C.K. Bryant is my friend. I've gotten to know her online persona pretty well, and I just love her. She's all worlds of amazing. But, you probably know how it is when you buy a book from a friend. You want to love it, for them. And I'm not going to deny that, on some level, my affection for Chris has colored my love of her writing. BOUND was the first thing she'd written that I ever read.

And I loved it. The story hooked me, I cared about the characters, I NEEDED to know what happened next, and the set up for the second book left me crying for more.

Now, with the sequel, BROKEN, just around the corner, I felt it was time to share my feelings about BOUND with you. I encourage you to pick up a copy for yourself before BROKEN is released. Click HERE for the paperback version, or HERE if you want the ebook version FREE. You won't regret it.

My review: Motherhood Matters by Connie Sokol

About the book: In these hectic days where life's demands can quickly become a heavy burden, Mom Rules: A Mother's Manual helps you find more memorable moments and take the stress out of the to-do lists. Written with clarity, concision, and wit, this indispensable handbook is better than flowers, more guilt-free than chocolate, and gives back to the woman who sacrifices so much of herself every single day.

This is a truly beautiful inspirational gift book launched into the world just in time for Mothers' Day. I loved (and related to just a tiny bit) the author's words in the introduction. She'd agreed to take on this project right about the time her oldest child went to college, her youngest started kindergarten, and she found out she was pregnant with her 7th. Coming from such a place, this book is nothing short of awesome.

Every mother has hard days. Every one of us feels we aren't doing enough, or that what we do doesn't count. This book is for those days. Think about all the mothers you know, and how much you want them to realize their worth, and then consider this book as an idea for Mothers' Day. You can purchase the book HERE or, if you're in UT, probably at your local bookstore. There are things I definitely miss about UT. :)

Read more about author Connie Sokol and her amazing journey of motherhood on her WEBSITE.

And enjoy Motherhood Matters.

My review: Hope's Journey by Stephanie Worlton

Description: Sydney is a straight-A student heading to college on a scholarship, and Alex is a quiet jock preparing to serve an LDS mission. But their dreams are shattered on the eve of their high school graduation when they find out that Sydney is pregnant. Separated, they must both trust in God as they search for the worth they once found in each other.

My review: This book sucked me right in. And to learn the author put so much of her personal experiences into the story made it that much better. When I was a young woman, two of the girls in our ward ended up on the "sad end of a pregnancy test." Neither were my friends--one had been, but we weren't close any longer--and I have to admit I felt comfortably "righter" than they were. But I also felt sorrow for them, for the difficult path their lives had taken. I've never felt truly comfortable in a place of judgement. I'm too aware that I could just as easily be in their shoes. There was a boy, in fact, that I thought I could cross the line with, despite the costs. And I'm endlessly thankful he had more sense than I.

Hope's Journey is a story about two people finding their way. It's about a struggle to feel worthy, to feel good enough, and the lengths we may be tempted to go to for that feeling. Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone falters. What matters is what they do next.

Worlton has crafted a wonderful story in a masterful way. It's not preachy. It's not obvious. It's subtle and caring. If you haven't read Hope's Journey, I invite you to purchase your copy today.

And head over to Stephanie's BLOG and become a follower. Find out about the giveaways she has in conjunction with the blog tour for Hope's Journey. You won't be disappointed.

My Review: We Lived in Heaven by Sarah Hinze

First of all, this is such a sweet cover. And it's perfect for this inspiring book.

From the back cover: This book is a remarkable collection of accounts of families who have had the opportunity to meet the souls of their sons and daughters before they were born. Read about the vivid memories of life in heaven by young children, and dramatic stories of prayers answered by guardian angels who watch over us.

This book combines stories of people from different faiths who share similar experiences. I loved it. Some of these stories are so touching and poignant, they will leave tears in your eyes. I received the book in the mail to review, and sat down immediately to read through it. It's that compelling.

You can purchase the book HERE or go to the author's WEBSITE and learn what motivated her to compile such wonderful stories to share with the world.

My Review: The Assassination of Governor Boggs by Rod Miller

About the book: Twenty-five years ago, governor Lilburn Boggs was shot in his home, but the gunman was never found. Now Detective Calvin Pogue has been hired by the Boggs family to open the cold case. From one end of the country to the other Detective Pogue follows clues that lead him relentlessly to the legendary Mormon gunman Porter Rockwell–who still isn’t making things easy for anyone!

My thoughts: I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and found myself caught up in it from beginning to end. I do enjoy historical fiction, and I'm finding LDS historical fiction equally enthralling. It's cool to read fictional stories based in times and places we study in Sunday School.

I liked the character of Detective Pogue, and found myself hoping he could resolve the issues that kept him from his child. I really appreciated that he was a character of some depth, with his own background, and not just a vehicle to tell the assassination story. I will warn you, though, there's a twist in the end that some readers will find frustrating because it is unresolved by the end of the book. I won't say that Pogue behaves out of character at the last, because I'm not convinced he does, but it was enough for me to grumble a bit on the last page. :)

Would I recommend this book? Absolutely. I'm no historian, so I can't say for sure where the lines of fiction and fact blur, but it is nonetheless an entertaining and enlightening read. Rod Miller does an excellent job weaving a convincing story with compelling characters. Go for it.

You can purchase the book HERE.


Disclaimer: I did receive a free copy of this book for review, but that did in NO way sway my opinion of the story.

My review: Become by Ali Cross

Last weekend I attended a writers' retreat. If you've never done one, it's awesome. I doubt non writers would get as much out of it, but there's something about having over a dozen people in a house, and hearing only the clickety clack of their keyboards for hours at a time.

I also got my hands on some fantastic books. I've teased you before with news of the DARK CARMA tour, and now you're going to hear about the A. Ali Cross' book, Become.

How can you not LOVE that cover?

From the back cover: Sixteen-year old Desolation Black wants nothing more than to stay in Hell where it’s cold and lonely and totally predictable. Instead, she’s sent back to Earth where she must face the evil she despises and the good she always feared.

When Desi is forced to embrace her inner demon, she assumes her choice has been made—that she has no hope of being anything other than what her father, Lucifer, has created her to be. What she doesn’t count on, is finding a reason to change—something she’s never had before—a friend.

My take: Ali is a genius. Seriously. I was at a WRITERS' retreat, people, not a READERS' retreat. But I wanted to see what she wrote when she signed it. Then I thought, oh, I'll just read the prologue. Then my eyes flicked--flicked--to the first chapter and caught a few words.

I was 183 pages in before I forced myself to stop.

I love Desi--her struggles, her weaknesses, her strengths. It can't be easy to make Satan's daughter a likable character, but Ali does it with such finesse you kind of don't realize it's happening until you find yourself rooting for her. I love the Norse mythology tie-ins, but I love mythologies. This story is all about the murky gray, but none of the characters leave you guessing whose side they're on.

Ali's writing style fit me. Become Does not have the rough feel of an author's first book. I actually found myself imagining editors kicking themselves for letting this one slip through their fingers (as I read). It's that good, that compelling.

I honestly can't wait to see what she does next. And, if enough people know about Become, it could easily become a best seller.

**Disclaimer, if you want one. I bought this book with my hard-saved money, so you can bet I'd let you know if I'd been disappointed!**

My review: The Armor of Light by Karen E. Hoover

I reviewed the book HERE on Mormon Mommy Writers Friday. Today I'm going to explore the book in more depth, so I'll dispense with the description. You can already tell by the cover it's going to be cool. Click HERE for the complete cover blurb.

I love this series. I'm going to tell you up front I would pit Karen's Wolfchild Saga against any bestselling fantasy series out there. If she keeps writing like this, she's going to be absolutely huge (fame-wise). And, having TRISTI PINKSTON for an editor can't hurt. ;)

In The Sapphire Flute, you met three primary characters--Ember, Kayla and C'Tan. Ember and Kayla are our protagonists; C'Tan the antagonist. In The Armor of Light, we get to learn more about these characters as their adventures continue and the dangers heighten.

What I'm loving is how each character grows. The girls are really coming into their own, while C'Tan is becoming an even more complex villain than we first saw. You know me; I have a documented weakness for complex villains. Click HERE if you don't believe me.

The magic woven throughout the story is believable, without being convenient. In fact, some things happen that the characters find downright inconvenient at the time. Ember makes a few new friends, and Kayla really comes into her own. I love the power and strength Kayla manifests by the end of the book.

The short is that these are characters you will love, and continue to love. Karen does a great job of finishing the story while leaving us longing to read more. I can't wait to see what's going to happen in book 3.

My review: A Countess Below Stairs

A Countess Below Stairs by Eva Ibbotson

From the cover: After the Russian Revolution turns her world topsy-turvy, Anna, a young Russian countess, has no choice but to flee to England. Penniless, Anna hides her aristocratic background and takes a job as servant in the household of the esteemed Westerholme family, armed only with an outdated housekeeping manual and sheer determination. Desperate to keep her past a secret, Anna is nearly overwhelmed by her new duties, not to mention her instant attraction to Rupert, the handsome earl of Westerholme. To make matters worse, Rupert appears to be falling for her as well. As their attraction grows stronger, Anna finds it more and more difficult to keep her most dearly held secrets from unraveling. And then there's the small matter of Rupert's beautiful and nasty fiancée. . .

My opinion: I've been trained as a novelist not to "head hop" or, if you're unfamiliar with the term, not to show too many different character POV's in one book, or even one scene. That aside, this book is one of the best I've read in a while. The author had a way of making the protagonists characters you absolutely invested in, while making the antagonists utterly despised for their ideals and actions. Seriously, give it a shot. I read it in an evening because I couldn't put it down. Check out this LINK to find the paperback and the Kindle version.

A Story on Layering

Last week, Rebecca had to have port surgery. If you've been keeping up with her BLOG, you'll know that she's been having trouble with the chemo and they had to do something other than the IV method. This is one BRAVE lady, people. She hates all the medical stuff, hates needles, hates hospitals, etc--and has really come through it all amazingly well. Also, Monday (July 4) her youngest had his 4th birthday. He made sure we understood that all the fireworks and parties were for him. :) What a cutie!

Now I have just the teensiest request for me. Here's where the layers come in.

The Wild Queen, my e-book, is the story of a great, epic romance--but it is not a romance novel. Unfortunately, in categorizing the story for sale, someone *cough* me *cough* listed romance as one of the search words. This has led to at least one misunderstanding. A kind reader picked it up on amazon.com expecting a romance, and was sorely disappointed.

Please understand I appreciate feedback, even the not-so-nice kind, because it gives me a chance to analyze my writing, learn and grow. I also understand a review is simply someone's opinion, and I don't intend to try to please everyone. This reader took the story at face value and didn't like what they saw. Because of that, they jumped to a couple of erroneous conclusions, and really socked it to my non-romance romance novel. I've purposely layered this story, making it more complex than it would otherwise appear. I'm also confident I didn't over-complicate the plot because I've had several readers tell me what they think was really going on--and they are right.

So what's my problem? Simply this: the ONLY review the book has on amazon.com is a 1 star review, which I feel does the book--and my efforts to raise money for my friend's medical expenses--a disservice. My request? If you've read the book, please go to the product page on AMAZON and leave your review. I don't want anyone to diss this person's review or sink to name calling, because that's not what this is about. All I ask is that there be other opinions on there, too.

Thanks!

My review: NIA by Mella Reese

Nia, a 16 yr old princess with a penchant for healing, is stunned to learn that the "gift" her father's conquered enemy has offered is in fact a man. His name is Garreth, the fourth and therefore worthless son of a conquered king.

Nia is furious. He is not a gift--he is a man. And what does she need with a giant, muscular shadow anyway? But as kingdom intrigues unravel and Nia learns more about the world around her, she will become grateful to have Garreth by her side.

Nia is a good story. I found myself entertained, and did not close the book wishing I’d never opened it to begin with. The characters stayed with me for a time afterward; I wondered about them and whether Nia’s next venture would meet with success.

There were, however, two things that nagged at me. One, I found the language to be distracting at times. The more formal language would occasionally pull me out of the narrative. The other issue was, in the entire book, I can't recall what Nia looked like. I have, in my own stories, occasional forgotten to describe a minor character for my readers--but to not recall the main character's description bothered me. I even went back and re-read the first 30 pages and still didn't find one. Still possible I missed it, but it lessens the odds. :)

Overall, I liked Nia. The characters are entertaining; the plot plausible and definitely full of interesting twists. You can order your copy HERE. I would also strongly recommend you check out author Mella Reese's WEBSITE and BLOG.
Mella Reese is a native Nevadan and proud survivor of Cushing's Disease. She attended Brigham Young University in Utah and Hawaii before completing her decree in Special Education at The University of Nevada Las Vegas. Ms Reese lives in Southern Nevada with her husband, son and daughter.

My Review: Star Scout Rising by Gary Darby

About the book: From the last frontier, Space. A must-have, out of this world adventure! Star Scout Rising, First Trail by Gary Darby is a thoughtful, awe-inspiring, and spine-tingling Sci-Fi mystery that follows a young man named Del Baldura during his quest for knowledge, truth, and discovery in the distant future of human and alien kind. This story has it all superb background, surprises, mystery, love, futuristic technological possibilities, bizarre life forms, and a hero trying to make sense of his duty and loyalty, his current leadership responsibilities, and his search for truth about part of his and his family's history.

I do enjoy sci-fi, probably more than I should. Generally, I don't read much sci-fi because they are very involved reads. Gary Darby's debut novel, Star Scout Rising, is no exception. The main character, Del, has his share of secrets--not the least of which is his name, linked for 17 years with reports of disgrace and death. He's a bit of a noble character, trying to rise above the ghosts from the past and find answers for the future. But sinister people are at work, vying for vengeance and power. Del's is definitely an uphill battle.

But that's what we like, isn't it? It's boring to read a book about the drudgery of every day. I can live that, thank you--I don't have to read it. It's entertaining to escape into a book like Star Scout Rising and see another person's possible view of the future.

Darby has a talent for description, and his characters came to my mind clearly. I could easily picture them as they interacted with one another. I like the intrigue of the first book. Obviously, the first of a trilogy can't answer every question if poses.

You can pick up a copy of the book HERE. Or HERE, if you're partial to your Kindle. :)

And check out the author's blog HERE.

My Review: The Rogue Shop by Michael Knudsen

I think I have a crush on Chris Kerry. Okay, so he’s the fictional main character of Michael Knudsen’s novel, The Rogue Shop—but, my goodness, I think he’s adorable.

Tall, dark, and Texan, with an unassuming air and curious enough about life to befriend a lonely old lady who practically lives in the basement of the tuxedo shop where he works. Even getting along with Travis, who is so consumed by what he views as his physical shortcomings he has trouble seeing he can make real friends. Oh, yes, Chris is definitely a keeper.

Mike has done a great job in The Rogue Shop introducing us to characters who are warm, rich and vibrant—and mildly irritating—sort of like relatives we don’t visit often enough. He tells the story of Chris, who comes from Texas to Utah to get his college education—and nothing else—but ends up getting an entirely different education in addition to his academic studies.

Oh, dear, I’m starting to sound a bit like Travis.

I’m not going to lie. I really, enjoyed this book. It’s clever, humorous, and entertaining. And even a little heartwarming. It’s great fun to read a book and have my kids ask me “what’s so funny?” every time I laugh out loud.

Remember, this is the last leg of our blog hopping contest, for which the prize on my blog is a $15 Amazon gift card. Check out Maggie Fechner's BLOG, Mike's BLOG and Dan Harrington's BLOG for their posts. And, for a review of the rules for my contest, click HERE.

My Review: Growing Up Gracie by Maggie Fechner

I think it's safe to say I love the cover for this book. It's kind of a throw-back of simpler times, where life feels less complicated.

And I can say the same about the book. Maggie tells the story of Gracie, starting as a young child and going all the way through her marriage. Gracie is a regular girl--not too shy, not too outgoing, not too pretty, not too plain--but really that's mostly how she describes herself. The one in the family who gets the least attention.

Gracie and her two best friends, Liza and Chelsea, aren't immune to troubles. But they face them all in different ways. Liza is wholesome and humble--the ideal best friend. Chelsea is the explorer of the group--she has to experience the fire before she'll believe the pain. They provide a balance for Gracie as she faces the uncertainty of her life through the death of a sibling, her first crush, finding her testimony, dating, and more.

I enjoyed the story. Growing Up Gracie is the kind of story you can relate to--Gracie is the kind of character we care about. She's strong without knowing it. She's brave without realizing it. And she grows into herself a little at a time, just like we all do. The book starts out with a little teaser of the boy Gracie eventually loves, and each time she met a new one I asked myself, "Is it him?" That was pretty fun, really. :)

I'm not going to give away all of the secrets of Growing Up Gracie. But, if you want to find out for yourself, you can find a copy HERE.

And you're definitely going to want to check out Maggie's BLOG. We're introducing ourselves as new authors. Also, check out Dan Harrington's BLOG and Michael Knudsen's BLOG. I'll review their books over the next couple of weeks.

My prize? A $15 Amazon gift card.
How do you enter to win? Leave a comment on this post--or when I talk about Dan's book next Monday, or Michael's book the Monday after that--telling me you've visited Maggie's, Dan's, and Michael's blogs--and tell me one memorable thing from each blog.
If you follow their blogs, you'll get an extra entry in my drawing. Bonus!
I'll even give you an extra entry if you repost my review, or post the link to my review on Facebook or Twitter. But you have to tell me what you've done.

I will tally up all of the entries on Feb 4th--that's when my contest ends--and announce the winner Monday, Feb 7th. You'll need to check back here on that day to see if you're my winner.

Good luck, and happy blogging!

MY GIFT TO YOU by Lori Nawyn

From the back of the book:

Trish Ingram works hard to maintain the perfect suburban household—or, at least, the appearance of one. By managing her outer world with lavish attention and rigid control, she’s able to ignore and conceal the darkness of her inner world, which is plagued by traumatic childhood memories of loss. Her terminally ill sister-in-law, Jamie, sees through the façade and reaches out in love to Trish, inspiring her to seek a more meaningful life and a more authentic self. But the childhood scars run deep, and despite Trish’s best efforts, she’s unable to be the wife and mother her family needs.

Devastated by the departure of her husband and daughter, Trish faces the challenge and opportunity of a lifetime. She desires to move forward in faith, but this desire alone cannot mend her family's shattered trust. The hollow realm of denial and fear has been her safe haven. To confront pain and transcend the shadows of her past will require a level of courage she’s not sure she possesses. This gripping story of familial love and conflict tenderly reminds us that forgiveness—of self, and others—is both a difficult choice and a precious gift.

Why I wrote the book:

“My Gift to You” is about forgiving ourselves, despite what we perceive as our shortcomings.
When we judge ourselves as less than acceptable for any reason, small mistakes can cripple us with discouragement. It becomes easy to lose sight of our potential, as well as precious opportunities for growth.

I was an only child with ample time to ponder the intricacies of human behavior. At a young age, I became fascinated by the fact that while several people in my life were happy, upbeat, and in possession of inner peace in most if not all circumstances, some seemed inherently unhappy no matter what happened—good or bad. Money and possessions didn’t seem to have a bearing, and I wondered what did.

Though I’d been baptized when I was eight, my family didn’t attend church. If I wanted to go, I had to attend on my own. It took me a while to grasp gospel concepts, and I found that most of the time I was among those who were unhappy. About twenty years ago I decided to stop asking Why me? and instead start asking What if?

One by one, I replaced negative emotions with those of a positive nature. Instead of wondering why I couldn't make everyone around me happy—and becoming despondent because nothing I did seemed to change them or their opinions—I started asking things like, "What if happiness really is a choice? What if it can be my choice, no matter what anyone else thinks or feels?"

Instead of commiserating over why my extended family couldn't accept me for who I was and what I believed in, I asked myself, "What if I could choose my own thoughts and emotions based on what I know in my heart is right and true?" In short, "What if I accept myself for who I am?"

And, "What if I forgive—knowing that forgiveness doesn't mean acceptance?"
When I began writing “My Gift to You,” I decided I wanted my main character, Trish, to discover something important about herself: I wanted her to discover her own inner strengths and worth—much like I had when I began to unravel my own life.

Some of the things I hope the book will lead the reader to consider:

What does charity mean? Why is it important we extend it to ourselves?

What can happen when we base our worth on what the world values? On what should we base our worth?

Why are women so hard on themselves? What defines true success?

What can result when we judge ourselves to be less than others? Why is important we have a clear sense of self and purpose?

Are cruelty and shallowness signs of strength, or weakness? Why can cruelty be the result of fear?

Bio:

Lori Nawyn's award-winning writing has appeared in regional and national publications including Outside Bozeman, Segullah, Deseret News, CraziBeautiful Women, and Latter-Day Woman. She is also a columnist for her local paper and a former member of Utah Press Women. One of her short stories was published in the anthology Stolen Christmas. Her first novel, My Gift to You, was released in October 2010.

Lori is currently writing her next novel, Day, about a mother’s relationship with her son. She works as a freelance artist and is the illustrator of the award-winning children's picture book What Are You Thinking? which was released in July 2010 by ThoughtsAlive Publishing. She and her fireman husband live in northern Utah where they enjoy spending time with their four children and two granddaughters, plus an assortment of dogs, rabbits, and chickens.

My review: PERILOUS by Tamara Heiner

Review Disclaimer: Sometimes a book I review has been sent to me for free by a publisher or an author. This in no way effects my review, which is my own opinion about whether the book was a good read for me, fit my tastes, and if I would recommend it to others. Other than possibly a free book, I am not compensated in any way for posting a review.


I use “wow” too much, but how do you describe a book that just leaves you reeling?

Tamara Heiner’s book, Perilous, is a thrill ride of danger and adventure. I sat down to skim it one evening after the kids were in bed, and ended up reading into the wee hours.

Intense.

Unbeliveable.

Action packed. And it all started with a bad coincidence. I'm afraid by explaining too much I'll be giving something away.

You’re going to love it. And, like me, be waiting anxiously for the next installment.

For fun, here is the information on the contests Tamara has running for this blog tour (in her own words):

Book giveaway: The winner of this contest will be randomly chosen. Every
person who comments on any post during the blog tour will be entered into
a random drawing for a book. Which I can autograph, if they want. The
contest begins on Nov. 16 and ends on Dec. 15.

Kindle giveaway: This contest is point-based and begins Oct. 15 and ends
Dec. 15. Whoever has the most points wins the Kindle. There will only be
one Kindle given away. Here are the points:
1 point: blog comment (can comment on all the blogs, multiple times, on
the tour)
1 point: follow my blog (http://tamarahartheiner.blogspot.com)
1 point: retweet
2 points: blog about the blog tour
5 points: purchase the book (ebook or paperback, must email me the
confirmation email) if they actually buy the book in the store they can
mail me a copy of the receipt.
Have them add up all their points as well as their proof (links, etc) and
email it to me at the end of the blog tour (tamara at tamarahartheiner dot
com)
People can earn an infinite number of points! I'm excited for this!

To get you going, check out the trailer HERE

And, you'll have to read Perilous to understand, but I'm really scared for Kristin.