Thursday, December 20, 2012

Living in the Light Blog Tour

Welcome to the blog tour for Living in the Light by Lacey A. West!



From darkness to light.
Living in a world of turmoil and unrest is trying, but when the disquiet is in your own mind, it is infinitely more difficult to deal with.
With their years of counseling experience and a firm gospel foundation, Lacey A. West and Gary L. Anderson will inspire you to rise above the gloom of this world and discover a happier, more peaceful way of life.
Learn exactly how to conquer feelings of discouragement, anxiety, low self-esteem, and the other negative emotions plaguing our modern world. The gospel’s message of hope is clear: no matter how much darkness is attacking your mind, you can fight back.
This powerful combination of behavior-changing techniques and gospel-centered truths will transform your life. After reading Living in the Light, you will know your own strength and be better armed to fight this war against depression.


Lacey West, a wife, mother, and registered nurse, was born and raised in Delta, Utah.  She graduated with honors from Southern Utah University with a bachelor degree in Nursing.  Motivated by a desire to conquer her own depression, she spent years researching mental health.  She enjoys writing, spending time with family, playing the violin, creating healthy recipes, photography, sewing, and fishing.  She resides with her husband and two children in Wichita, Kansas.
For more information, check out the book's website and Facebook page
Buy the book at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.


Review:

Depression and anxiety can consume the lives of those who suffer from these afflictions. You often see no way out and begin to give up hope of ever escaping the pattern of constant negativity. However, this book shows that there is a way out. It requires a complete change in how you think about things. Written by someone who has dealt with depression and with the help of a mental health professions, this book is written with the LDS person in mind. It gives practical and spiritual tips to help change your negative thoughts and help to relieve depression and anxiety.

I found this book to be fascinating. I suffer from anxiety. At times it has seemed severe, but for the most part it does not interfere with my life. As such, I have never felt the need to medicate. This book emphasizes that medication can be an important part of dealing with depression and anxiety, but that you must also work on changing negative thought patterns to truly see a change. In reading this book, I have gained some very useful knowledge. Although I haven't had a chance to put it into practice yet, I can see how it might help.

While there is a lot of practical knowledge about dealing with depression and anxiety, there is also a great deal of thought given to the spiritual side of it. Depression and anxiety can seem very dark, while the Gospel is full of light. Just like we must replace negative thought patterns with positive ones, we can replace the darkness in our life with the light of Christ. I think this multifaceted approach is what makes this book unique. I also enjoyed that the author makes it a point to say that these actions won't deal away with sadness and anxiety forever. It merely gives us the tools to better cope with these things do come up. This is a very realistic approach. This book is not meant to replace a therapist if needed, but I think it can offer some very helpful ideas to those of us who find ourselves locked in patterns of negative thinking. Reading it has given me a great sense of hope that maybe I don't have to feel this anxiousness forever. I look forward to applying these concepts in my life.

Book provided for review.

Be sure to check out all the stops on the tour. Thanks for reading!

Monday, December 17, 2012

Review: Every Perfect Gift by Dorothy Love



Ethan and Sophie long to share a future together. But the secrets they’re not sharing could tear them apart.
Sophie Caldwell has returned to Hickory Ridge, Tennessee, after years away. Despite the heartaches of her childhood, Sophie is determined to make a home, and a name, for herself in the growing town. A gifted writer, she plans to resurrect the local newspaper that so enchanted her as a girl.
Ethan Heyward’s idyllic childhood was shattered by a tragedy he has spent years trying to forget. An accomplished businessman and architect, he has built a majestic resort in the mountains above Hickory Ridge, drawing wealthy tourists from all over the country.
When Sophie interviews Ethan for the paper, he is impressed with her intelligence and astounded by her beauty. She’s equally intrigued but fears he will reject her if he learns about her shadowed past. Just as she summons the courage to tell him, Ethan’s own past unexpectedly and violently catches up with him, threatening not only his life but their budding romance.


Find out more about Dorothy at http://dorothylovebooks.com/.

Review:

After being taken in by some very kind people, Sophie has spent a long time in Texas. However, she feels the pull to return to her home in the small town of Hickory Ridge. Sophie wants to start up the local paper again. The biggest news is the new resort opening up in the mountain above Hickory Ridge. Sophie decides to interview the supervisor in charge on things at the resort, and he turns out to be a very handsome young man named Ethan. Ethan and Sophie immediately feel drawn to each other, but they are both hiding secrets about their pasts. Ethan and Sophie will have a chance to make it if their pasts don't overrun them.

This was a very enjoyable book. I loved Sophie. She was a hardworking woman in an age where she was not entirely accepted. She knew what she wanted to do and was determined to do it. I loved her zeal for reporting. You want her to succeed because she is so determined. Ethan was equally determined to do his job, but I felt like you didn't get to know him quite as well. I think some of this is due to the fact that his secret stays hidden until much closer to the end than Sophie's. Ethan and Sophie had a host of other characters to help them through their tale, and they had equally interesting lives. I especially liked the storyline involving building an infirmary.

There were some very important topics discussed in this book. One of the most important was the idea of equality. This was touched upon in a couple ways. One was racial equality. As Sophie deal with her past, she must deal with the poor way she has been treated because of her suspected bloodline. Ethan has to deal with something similar but in a very different way. Another thing touched on was the ability we have to take care of our fellow men. There were many poor who were not able to get adequate medical care, and the building of an infirmary was meant to help with that. So many people pitched in to make this happen out of love of others. Overall this was a very enjoyable book that combined history and romance into a fun package.

Galley provided for review.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

End of the World Giveaway Hop


Welcome to the End of the World Giveaway Hop!

I know that if the world were ending, I'd definitely want a good book or 10 to help me get past the post-apocalyptic hump. Here's my chance to help you all out. 

I'm offering up my usual of:

a $10 Amazon.com gift code or $10 in books from Book Depository!


Please check to ensure that Book Depository delivers to your country.

How do you enter?

Choose one or any or all of the following:
1. Follow on GFC or Linkyfollowers
2.  Follow on Twitter
3. Like on Facebook
4. Friend on Goodreads 

That's all!





a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to check out all the other stops on the tour. The list is below. Thanks and good luck!


Sally Smith O'Rourke Book Blast


Welcome to the book blast for Sally Smith O'Rourke! Learn some more about her books below.


Yours Affectionately, Jane Austen

Was Mr. Darcy real? Is time travel really possible? For pragmatic Manhattan artist Eliza Knight the answer to both questions is absolutely, Yes! And Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley Farms, Virginia is the reason why!

His tale of love and romance in Regency England leaves Eliza in no doubt that Fitz Darcy is the embodiment of Jane Austen’s legendary hero. And she’s falling in love with him. But can the man who loved the inimitable Jane Austen ever love average, ordinary Eliza Knight?

Eliza’s doubts grow, perhaps out of proportion, when things start to happen in the quiet hamlet of Chawton, England; events that could change everything. Will the beloved author become the wedge that divides Fitz and Eliza or the tie that binds them?





Christmas at Sea Pines Cottage

With its rough gray shingles and weathered slate roof, Sea Pines cottage seems, at first glance, past its prime. But inside this remote fisherman's house, a driftwood fire crackles in the fireplace, brightly colored rugs cover the floor, and cozy cushions dot the worn, welcoming furniture. A young man named Robert has retreated after the war, planning to spend his days writing, tending to the local lighthouse, and nursing his injuries. For company, he adopts a young Golden Retriever puppy named Meteor.

Robert and Meteor spend months in quiet companionship, until the day Robert rescues a young woman from a storm at sea. Strong-willed and intelligent, Laura sees past Robert's injuries to the proud, passionate man beneath, and--with some matchmaking help from Meteor--they begin a new life together at the cottage. But even Meteor's tireless devotion can't protect his cherished family from all of life's unexpected challenges--hurdles that will teach each of them lessons of courage, faith, friendship, and the enduring love that can sustain us through life's coldest seasons. 





Purchase




Author Sally Smith O'Rourke

Sally Smith O’Rourke is a surgical scrub nurse at the City of Hope national cancer research hospital in Duarte, California and resides in the near-by Victorian village of Monrovia.

With her late husband, author Michael O’Rourke (aka F.M. O’Rourke) Smith O’Rourke owned and operated a medical advertising company where she used her diverse talents to produce and co-write teaching films and videos. Working not only with major medical and surgical manufacturing companies but also network television. These endeavors ultimately led to a collaboration on two feature films (direct to video) and three published novels.

The wife and husband writing team of Sally Smith and Michael O’Rourke, being long-time fans of Jane Austen, wrote The Man Who Loved Jane Austen released by Kensington Books in 2006. Kensington followed that very successful effort with The Maidenstone Lighthouse in 2007 and Christmas at Sea Pines Cottage in 2009, both also collaborative projects by Smith and O’Rourke. Published after her partner and spouse’s untimely death in 2001, the publisher chose not to use the names Michael O’Rourke and Sally Smith (as the manuscripts were presented), releasing all three books under Sally Smith O’Rourke.

Yours Affectionately, Jane Austen is Sally Smith O’Rourke’s first solo novel.


Website * Blog * Facebook * Twitter 





$50 Book Blast Giveaway
Ends 12/23/12

Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Christmas Homecoming Blog Tour

Welcome to the blog tour for A Christmas Homecoming by MaryAnn Diorio!


Seven Christmases have passed since Sonia Pettit last heard from her daughter Jody. Since Jody's departure, Sonia's world has been turned upside down. Her husband has died of a broken heart, and her son, bitter over his sister's destructive actions, has become rebellious.
Her greatest desire is to have her family together at Christmas, but after what Jody has put them all through, can Sonia truly forgive her daughter?
Jody Pettit O'Dair ran away to experience a life of adventure and excitement, but since her departure, her world has been turned upside down. She's been abandoned by the man she met and married, lost her job, and is unable to care for her two children. With nowhere else to turn, this prodigal daughter begins the long journey home and prays she will be welcomed after walking away so long ago.
Will Jody find forgiveness in the arms of her family as easily as she received it from God? 
Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/fKkNc   


Dr. MaryAnn Diorio loves God, people, children, and dogs, in that order. She also is passionate about story and its power to transform the human heart. Dr. MaryAnn, as she is affectionately called, writes compelling fiction that deals with the deepest issues of life. She is Adjunct Online Professor of Fiction Writing for Regent University and coaches writers on their journey to publication. MaryAnn and her husband Dominic are the blessed parents of two wonderful daughters and a fantastic son-in-law.
Find out more about MaryAnn at http://maryanndiorio.com/

Review:

It's Christmastime again, which means sad memories for Sonia Pettit. It's been seven years since her daughter Jody suddenly left home with no explanation. The following years saw the death of Sonia's husband, broken-hearted since Jody left. It's also caused her son to become bitter and jaded. Every year though Sonia hopes against hope that Jody will return, and Sonia is forced turn to God to try and find the peace and forgiveness she needs. Meanwhile Jody is dealing with the consequences of her rash decision to leave. Jody's beginning to wonder if maybe she should try returning home. Can Sonia and Jody manage to make this Christmas different from the last one?

This was a short story, which made it an easy read during this busy holiday season. It had a great story and message. There was a lot of sadness, but also a lot of hope. Sonia wanted nothing more than to see those living members of her family back home with her. Her son's bitterness was sad to read about, but I felt I understood where he was coming from. Jody was an interesting character as well. Her need for freedom led her to a far-off land, and her life had not been better for it. It seemed like she made poor decision after poor decision, and this greatly affected her. 

This book is great to read during the Christmas season. It makes you want to connect with family, especially those that may be far away or estranged. I really felt the Christmas spirit coming through, and in the end I was filled with hope. This book was enjoyable, but it also had meaning and purpose. It will make you feel the spirit of the season as you read it. 

Book provided for review.



Grab a copy of MaryAnn Diorio's "A Christmas Homecoming" for JUST .99 and enter to win a Paperwhite Kindle! Details below!



One "merry" winner will receive:
  • A Paperwhite Kindle
  • A Christmas Homecoming by MaryAnn Diorio
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 22nd. Winner will be announced on 12/23/12 at MaryAnn's Blog.

Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.


Be sure to check out all the stops on the tour. Thanks for stopping by!

Friday, December 7, 2012

Pandora the Curious Book Blast


Welcome to the book blast for Goddess Girls #9 - Pandora the Curious!

Is Pandora about to open up a box of trouble?

One of the few mortals at Mount Olympus Academy, Pandora is famous for her mega quizzical nature—not that she thinks there’s anything wrong with being curious, of course!

Her curiosity kicks into high gear when a godboy named Epimetheus brings a mysterious box to school. Epimetheus is the nephew of an MOA teacher in whose class Pandora once opened another box that sent a few weather disasters to earth. Still, Pandora can’t help but take a peek inside this new box when it unexpectedly lands in her lap. What could be the harm in that, right? Little does she know that opening the box will open up far more trouble than she ever expected!

Authors Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams put a modern spin on classic myths with the Goddess Girls series. Follow the ins and outs of divine social life at Mount Olympus Academy, where the most privileged godboys and goddessgirls in the Greek pantheon hone their mythical skills.


Purchase


The Goddess Girls Series

The Goddess Girls series, by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams puts a modern spin on classic Greek myths. Follow the ins and outs of divine social life where the most privileged godboys and goddessgirls in the Greek pantheon hone their mythical skills.
  • Athena the Brain Finding out she’s a goddess and being sent to Mount Olympus brings Athena new friends, a weird dad, and the meanest girl in mythology—Medusa! 
  • Persephone the Phony Hiding her feelings works fine for Persephone until she meets a guy she can be herself with—Hades, the bad-boy of the Underworld. 
  • Aphrodite the Beauty Sure Aphrodite is beautiful, but it’s not always easy being the goddessgirl of love. 
  • Artemis the Brave She may be the goddess of the hunt, but that doesn’t mean Artemis always feels brave. 
  • Athena the Wise Zeus says Heracles has to do twelve tasks or he'll get kicked out of MOA! Although she's not sure it's wise, Athena agrees to help out. 
  • Aphrodite the Diva Isis claims she's the goddess of love? Ha! But to keep the title all to herself, Aphrodite has to find the perfect match for Pygmalion, the most annoying boy ever. 
  • Artemis the Loyal It’s time for the annual Olympic Games, and Artemis and her friends are not happy. It’s boys only. Not fair! 
  • Medusa the Mean Medusa wants to be more like her two sisters and the other kids at Mount Olympus Academy -- immortal. Is that too much to ask? 
  • The Girl Games (Goddess Girls Super Special) Listen in on what all four goddess girls are thinking as Mount Olympus Academy hosts visitors from many lands--including an adorable kitten!The first-ever standalone superspecial in the Goddess Girls series! 
  • Pandora the Curious
  • Pheme the Gossip (Apr. 3, 2013) 
  • Persephone the Daring (Aug. 7, 2013) 
The Goddess Girls




Author Suzanne Williams

Suzanne Williams is the award-winning author of nearly 40 books for children, from picture books and easy readers to chapter books and middle grade fiction series. A former elementary school librarian, she lives near Seattle. Her picture book Library Lil (illustrated by Steven Kellogg) won the New Mexico children's choice award in 2000 and was on several other state award lists. She is co-author (with Joan Holub) of the popular Goddess Girls series(for ages 8 - 12) and Heroes in Training (ages 6 - 11). Other series include Fairy Blossoms and Princess Power.








Author Joan Holub

I graduated from college in Texas with a fine arts degree, and then freelanced as an art director at a graphic design firm for eight years. I dreamed of working in children's books, so I moved to New York City and became associate art director in Scholastic trade books, where I designed books for children and worked with editors and illustrators. It was a great job.

I illustrated my first published children's book in 1992 and soon began illustrating full time. I began completing manuscripts and mailing them out to publishers in the early 1990s. In 1996, I sold my first two manuscripts -- Boo Who? A Spooky Lift-the-Flap Book (Scholastic) and Pen Pals (Grosset & Dunlap). Yippee!

Now I write full time and have written and/or illustrated over 130 children's books. Creating books that entertain, inform, and interest children (and me) is a fabulous job that I truly love.







Book Blast Giveaway
$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 12/16/12
*You need not enter your twitter name for each entry. Simply enter it when you follow Joan and leave the others blank.

Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Finding the Baby Jesus Blog Tour

Tour Schedule


Welcome to the blog tour for Finding the Baby Jesus by Kimball Fisher!


After being forced to wear lederhosen for the annual holiday card picture, twelve-year-old Chris thinks that the least his parents can do is get him the Tony Hawk skateboard he wants for Christmas. But when he recovers the hand-carved Baby Jesus that everyone thought had been destroyed in a fire the year his Grandma died, Chris realizes that some gifts are even more important than skateboards.

When the author had to discontinue a cherished tradition of reading Christmas stories out loud with his family and holiday guests each week in December, he wrote Finding the Baby Jesus. He had been unable to locate enough meaningful stories that could be read in a single sitting with wiggly children.


Purchase


Author Kimball Fisher


Kimball Fisher writes novels for young readers. He is also a best-selling business author, professional speaker, and management consultant. Some of his past jobs include: sailboat builder, ghost writer (not as scary as it sounds), illustrator, and factory manager (more scary than it sounds). For fun he builds furniture, stained-glass windows, and writing pens.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities (with minors in English, Asian Studies, and Japanese), and a Master of Organizational Behavior degree from Brigham Young University. He and his amazing wife Reenie live in Portland, Oregon, where they have seen pheasants, coyotes, and a bobcat in their own backyard.

Links
Website * Facebook

Review:

Chris is not having the best Christmas. He's pretty sure he's not getting the one thing he really wants, and he's having to celebrate the holiday without his beloved Grandma. Things start looking up when Chris's Grandpa proves to have a great night planned. Chris gets exactly what he wants, but he soon learns there may be another boy his age who needs it much more. Chris will sacrifice much, but he will gain even more as the memory of his Grandma helps to increase the Christmas spirit.

This story is a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas! The brevity is fantastic because it allows for the story to keep young people's attention. It's short enough to be enjoyed in one sitting, which is the perfect thing for the busy holiday season. It's also written in a beautiful way that children of all ages will be able to relate to. I loved this story, and I think it will be a wonderful way to bring in the true meaning and spirit of Christmas. This story will make a great new Christmas tradition, so definitely check it out.

Book provided for review.


Book Blast


Tour Giveaway:
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 12/26/12

Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Tour Schedule
http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/2012/10/finding-baby-jesus-blog-tour.html


Monday, December 3, 2012

Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop




Welcome to the Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop!

This really is the most wonderful time of the year. Giveaway hops are my chance to give you all a gift for stopping by, so I am excited for this hop!

To allow you a chance for a last minute holiday pick-me-up, I am offering up my usual:

a $10 Amazon.com gift code or $10 in books from Book Depository!


Please check to ensure that Book Depository delivers to your country.

How do you enter?

Choose one or any or all of the following:
1. Follow on GFC or Linkyfollowers
2.  Follow on Twitter
3. Like on Facebook
4. Friend on Goodreads 

That's all! As a side note, because this is such a busy time of the year, don't be surprised if I don't contact the winner for a couple days or so...I'll do my best to be quick about it!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Be sure to check out all the stops on the hop!