Devon's Choice Book Blast

Welcome to the book blast for Devon's Choice by Catherine Bennett!

Life holds no surprises for Devon Murphy. Her life consists of keeping tabs on her aging Irish father, working part time at a coffee shop, and building her online graphics design business. Devon’s only tricky situation is a shallow relationship with the pampered and affluent Michael Turner, who sees her as just another woman to conquer. Following his father’s death, Brandon’s only goal is to expand the family business and live life on his own terms. That is, until he walks into the coffee shop one snowy evening and meets the enchanting, red-haired barista behind the counter. But can Devon and Brandon’s attraction for each other be strong enough to help erase their deepest disappointments and renew their faith in God?

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo * Smashwords

 

Author Catherine Bennett

I grew up in Ohio where I currently live with my husband and our two rescue Labradors. Some of my favorite things include reading, shopping, pepperoni pizza, Hershey bars and hanging out with my two grown sons. I also love dogs; so going to the dog park is cheap entertainment for my husband and I! Growing up an only child, I had many imaginary friends. I believe this - and a love of books - fueled my desire to write. It was many years later that my dream of becoming a published author came true. I’m grateful to God for always keeping a story in my heart and hope you are blessed and entertained by my book.

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Blog Tour Schedule

 

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 2/15/15

Open only to those 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 enter for you. 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. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Snow Angels Blog Tour

Welcome to the blog tour for Snow Angels by Lezlie Anderson!

A winter storm, a family, and an idea for a service project all add up to a delightful Christmas surprise! When Mom and Dad suggest serving their neighbors for the holiday, their kids can’t stop grumbling. But as they secretly shovel snow, their attitudes change, and soon the parents can’t get the kids to stop serving. Share the joys of serving others in this wonderful Christmas pamphlet.

About the Author:

Lezlie Anderson has loved books since she learned to read at age four. She and her sisters used their wild imaginations playing in their backyard as princesses to being attacked by giant grasshoppers. The first books she remembers loving are “My Father’s Dragon” and “The Trouble with Miss Switch.”

Lezlie is married to a wonderful man, Steve, and they have three great children, 3 crazy cats, one tortoise, and a fish that has survived more hazards than should be possible. She loves chocolate, Dr. Pepper, and anything that her husband BBQ’s.

Review:

Struggling to get their children involved in the spirit of Christmas, some parents suggest it's time for a service project. The kids go along reluctantly, but as they work they catch the spirit and have fun. This one act of kindness soon turns into a new project for the family, acting as "snow angels" for their neighborhood. 

This was a very short and sweet story. I think we all struggle with keeping the fun of Christmas balanced with other important parts of the holiday season. For this family, this took form in serving others. By doing some helpful things for their neighbor, the family and eventually the entire neighborhood feels the spark and need to serve others. This story made me want to be better and see how I can help serve others more. It would be a great story to read aloud with the family. The length and topic are both appropriate. This booklet would also make a sweet gift for someone (maybe accompanied by some service). This Christmas I hope to be someone's angel as well.

Booklet provided for review.

Review: Meant to Be Mine by Becky Wade

Ty Porter has always been irresistible to Celia Park. All through high school---irresistible. When their paths cross again after college---still irresistible. This time, though, Ty seems to feel exactly the same way about Celia. Their whirlwind romance deposits them at a street-corner Las Vegas wedding chapel.

The next morning they wake to a marriage certificate and a dose of cold reality. Celia's ready to be Ty's wife, but Ty's not ready to be her husband. He's a professional bull rider, he lives on the road, and he's long planned to settle down with the hometown girl he's known since childhood.

Five and a half years pass. Celia's buried her dreams so that she can afford to raise her daughter. 

Ty's achieved all of his goals. Or thought he had, until he looks again into the eyes of the woman he couldn't forget and into the face of the child he never knew he had.

How much will Ty sacrifice to win back Celia's trust and prove to her that their spontaneous marriage can still become the love of a lifetime?

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/x1YKE

About the author: 

Becky makes her home in Dallas, Texas with her husband, three children, and one adoring (and adored) cavalier spaniel. Her CBA debut, My Stubborn Heart, was a finalist in both the RITA and INSPY awards.Undeniably Yours kicked off her Texas-set Porter Family series. Her newest contemporary romance, Meant to Be Mine, has just hit shelves!

Becky can be found at: website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest

Review:

Celia has had a crush on the very handsome Ty Porter since high school. When she runs across him in Vegas, things take a turn for the better with Ty. Good times with Ty turn into a quickie Vegas wedding, followed by a devastating morning after where Ty confesses he's in love with someone else. Years pass, and Ty decides to make it right with Celia. Little does he know that Celia is carrying more baggage from their union that he imagined. The attraction they felt though is still alive. It will take a lot of work if these two are even going to manage to become friends, much less more than that.

I was interested in the premise of this book. The beginning seemed rather abrupt, but that worked with the overall story. It was a little jarring to read though. Celia was very stubborn, and sometimes I just wanted to tell her to get over her pride. She was so determined to do things her way even when it was pretty apparent to me as reader that she was not going what was best for her. As in any romance novel, Celia is drawn in ways she can't understand to Ty, even when she feels she shouldn't be. He was very kind though, so I can see why.

Celia was in search of something that I'm not even sure she even realized she wanted. She also kind of wobbled back and forth between wanting Ty and not wanting him in her life. That kind of bothered me. In the end though, it was a pretty fun book. It's definitely light reading. It is full of fun and romance. If you like handsome cowboys and like to see opposites attracted to each other, you'll enjoy this book.

Book provided for review.

Walking With the Women of the New Testament Blog Tour

Welcome to the blog tour for Walking With the Women of the New Testament by Heather Farrell!

With questions about women’s roles in the Priesthood, studying the New Testament proves a useful tool. The New Testament contains accounts of over 50 women and their interactions with Christ and the early Church. With beautiful artwork, charts, historical information, and study tools, this book delves into the lives of these faithful women and shows God’s great love for them and their great role in His plan.

Heather Farrell’s love for the scriptures began young, when at the age of 11 she hid a flashlight under her pillow so she could read the Old Testament late at night. Her love for the women in scriptures began when, her oldest son was born around Christmas time and she felt a kinship with Mary, the mother of Jesus. As she began to research Mary she realized that there were hundreds of women in the scriptures, but very little had been written about them. Excited by all the women she discovered, she began sharing what she learned on her popular blog, Women in the Scriptures (womeninthescriptures.com). Primarily self-taught in the scriptures, Heather is a testament to the truth that becoming a scholar of the gospel is not beyond anyone’s reach, it just takes a inquisitive mind and the companionship of the Holy Ghost. Heather grew up in Idaho but currently lives in Boone, Iowa with her husband, four children, two sheep, a goat and a flock of chickens.

Review:

The New Testament is full of familiar stories and characters, however there is sometimes a lack of emphasis on the women. This book endeavors to change all that. Going person by person, this book takes a look at all the women in the New Testament. Whether much is known or not, the women are looked at and studied as much as possible. Other details about the lives of women is those times is given. If you want to know more about the divine power and strength of women, then look no further.

I love to read about women, particularly those in the scriptures. I feel like many times some of those stories are glossed over a bit. This book goes fairly in depth in to as many women as possible in the New Testament. There were even some women I barely remember being mentioned at all. I love getting to learn about all these strong women. Their stories are amazing. Not to mention the book itself is gorgeous. It's large and full of amazing art. I fell in love with it the minute I saw it, and I want as many people as possible to read about all these amazing women. There are so many great role models for all women in this book. Read this book and become inspired to become more like these women.

Book provided for review. 

A Holiday Miracle In Apple Blossom Blog Tour

Welcome to the blog tour for A Holiday Miracle In Apple Blossom by June McCrary Jacobs!

When her student, six-year-old Mary Noel, survives a car accident over Thanksgiving break, Amber and her new friend, Paul, are determined to cheer her up during the holidays. But Mary Noel’s most painful injury is the loss of her dog. The more withdrawn Mary Noel becomes, the more Amber and Paul need a miracle—a miracle that requires the entire community’s help.

About the author:

June McCrary Jacobs spent twenty years as a primary grade educator after graduating from California State University, Hayward, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and multiple-subject teaching credential. Along with writing fiction, June is a freelance designer of sewing, quilting and crafting projects. ‘A Holiday Miracle in Apple Blossom‘ is June’s debut novel, though not her first published work. Since 2007 June’s original sewing, quilting and stitchery projects and articles have been published in national and international magazines including Stitch, Sew News, Sewing World, Simply Handmade, Sew Hip, Sewing Savvy, Crafts ‘n Things andCreate and Decorate. Two of June’s sewing designs for children appear in the ‘Little One-Yard Wonders‘ book published by Storey Publishing, released in June, 2014. A Californian since age six, June currently resides in the San Joaquin Valley. Learn more about June’s writing endeavors and view some of her original sewing projects by visiting her website at www.junemccraryjacobs.com.

Find more about the author at her website and ‘Writing and Sewing’ blog.  She writes about books, book reviews, textile shows, museum exhibits, and sewing tips there with a new post each Wednesday. The first Wednesday of each month (and sometimes additional times throughout the month) she posts free patterns and instructions for one of my original-design sewing or crafting projects for readers’ use and enjoyment.

Also check out her Facebook page, Amazon Author page, and Goodreads page.

Review:

Amber is pretty fresh to Apple Blossom, but she absolute loves teaching. However, right before Christmas, her student Mary Noel is involved in a tragic accident. Now Amber wants to try and do everything she can to make it better. With the help of a new-found friend, Amber may be able to help her pupil, her pupil's family, and even help herself in the process.

This is a relatively short but fun read. Amber is a young teacher who would do anything for her class, and this love of her students is soon put to the test. Amber's young pupil Mary Noel is involved in a sad accident, and Amber just knows she must do something. While visiting Mary Noel, Amber meets a friend of the family, the dashing and sweet Paul. Amber and Paul are a great match in multiple ways. They grow closer as they work to serve Mary Noel and her family.

If you are looking for a sweet romance that will raise your spirits for the holidays, this is a great choice. If I had one little complaint, it would be that Amber and Paul were a little too perfect. I mean they practically had no flaws. However, if you're escaping from the business of the holidays, you may want a story with very little to bring you down. This story just lifts up. It is a fun and quick read for your holiday season.

Book provided for review.

I have a chance to offer you all an r-book copy of A Holiday Miracle In Apple Blossom. Just enter on the Rafflecopter form below. This is open internationally. I know everyone wants a chance to have a fun holiday read, so be sure to enter!

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Diary of Two Mad Black Mormons Blog Tour

Welcome to the blog tour for Diary of Two Mad Black Mormons by Zandra Vanes and Tamu Smith!

You’ve read the title, and now you’re scratching your head, wondering if this book is for real, right?

It is. Yes, the authors are bona fide Mormons. And hilarious, too! They call themselves Sistas in Zion.

Did we mention they’ve got enough faith to move mountains? Well, they haven’t moved any mountains just yet, but that’s not stopping them from keeping right on praying and believing and knowing that the gospel of Jesus Christ is worth it.

Their unique perspective on their own diary entries will have you laughing one minute and exclaiming “Amen!” the next. They talk about personal experiences and lessons they’ve learned about relationships, sisterhood, standing up for what you believe, embracing diversity, and dealing with adversity—what being a Christian is all about.

The Sistas’ humorous and poignant outlook on life will strengthen your faith and remind you of the joy to be found in living a Christ-centered life. You’ll soon realize that the authors aren't mad-mad—they’re crazy-mad, funny, and inspiring!

 ABOUT THE AUTHORS:  

Zandra Vranes and Tamu Smith are popular multimedia personalities and the authors of the online blog -SISTASinZION.com. Zandra (Sista Laurel) and Tamu (Sista Beehive) also host a weekly online radio program, Sistas in Zion Radio. Their media identities, which focus on humorous aspects of faith and Mormon culture, seek to uplift, inspire, bridge religious divides, and create healthy dialogue.

Zandra and Tamu are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter—day Saints. They enjoy the fact that their Christian values and their work coincide.

Their lives are blessed by amazing family and friends. Zandra is thankful for her boo, the love of her life. Tamu enjoys spending time with her husband of twenty years and their six wonderful kids.

Review:

As real live "Sistas" in Zion, Sista Beehive (Tamu Smith) and Sista Laurel (Zandra Vranes) have been using their experiences to teach and entertain. Through as series of short tales written jointly and longer diary entries written seperately, the Sistas use humor to back up their knowledge and faith. They live their beliefs on their sleeves, and they aren't afraid to share everything they've learned (good and bad) with everyone. 

I'm not sure love can encompass  how much I enjoyed this book. These two women are smart, funny, and very faithful. They are able to take everyday experiences and less frequent happenings in their lives and turn them into lessons that everyone can use. They don't shy away from any issues. The Sistas are even willing to call out their own errors in order to help teach valuable lessons. It takes a lot of bravery to do that I think. They also managed to bring up a lot of really good points. I found many things that I felt like I could work on, and the ideas presented were relatable to me.  

I really loved the Sistas ability to make me feel welcome and a part of their lives. This just really draws you in, and you almost feel like you're just chatting with your best friends about anything and everything. I loved their unflinching look at how their faith has been shaped by so many things in their lives including their race. Let's face it, there are a lot of different scenarios the Sistas had to deal with as opposed to your average (ie white) Mormon. I hope that as people read these experiences, they are able to learn lessons to apply in their own lives as well. I did laugh a little at the "translations" of some of the words that were used, because I was unsure why they needed to be put it. It was pretty standard slang to me, but talking to my husband and mom I guess I see what the target audience for that was. Read this book. It is so worth your time. This doesn't just go for Mormons either; this was written in a way that anyone can understand and find lessons in. This was a fantastic book!

Book provided for review.

A giveaway is being offered for this book, and five copies are being given away. Enter below, and thanks for stopping by!

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The Lost Teachings of Jesus Blog Tour

Welcome to the blog tour for The Lost Teachings of Jesus and the Sacred Place of Women by Alonzo Gaskill!

The wife and the mother are the inappreciable treasures given unto you by God. They are the fairest ornaments of existence, and of them shall be born all the inhabitants of the world.” This extra-biblical text, thought to be the words of Christ, is presented and explained by Alonzo Gaskill where he expounds the divine role of women in the gospel and family. This book will help you learn how to better appreciate and respect women and their part in God’s plan.

Alonzo L. Gaskill is a professor of Church history and doctrine. He holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, a master’s in theology, and a Ph.D in biblical studies. Brother Gaskill has taught at Brigham Young University since 2003. Prior to coming to BYU he served in a variety of assignments within the church Educational System— most recently as the director of the LDS Institute of Religion at Stanford University (1995–2003).

Connect with Alonzo Gaskill on his blog, Facebook, and Twitter.

Review:

While we are all familiar with the accepted sermons of Jesus, there are many more attributed to him in the world. One of these is the subject of this book. In the sermon, there is a discourse on women and their role in the world. While the words are not directly attributable to Jesus Christ, the ideas and lessons taught are in-line with past and current teachings. Going verse by verse, this book provides messages of love and support and councils for men, children, and women to help them all truly appreciate the important place of women in the gospel.

I found this book so interesting! To be honest, I don't ever really read much outside the accepted standard works for the LDS church, although I am aware that other possible teaching exist. Reading this really opened my eyes to all the good things that could be found. This book is full of inspiration I think. The words of the sermon are beautifully written, almost reading like poetry. The author also does a great job of breaking them down and showing how they both fit and expand upon those things we are taught in the church. 

One of the most interesting things I found in this book was a verse to counterpoint the rather infamous verse in the New Testament about wives submitting to their husbands. This sermons contains a verse talking about husbands submitting to their wives. I love the symmetry and equality in that. That we should both be listening to the other person as they provide ideas and insights. What a wonderful state relationships could be in if we listened to each other more. There was only one part that read a little weird to me where the advice to women discussed the importance of our dress and appearance. I think I get what the author was trying to say, but it almost read a little old-fashioned to me. I think just changing a couple words there would better convey the author's intent without seeming to be promoting strange 1950's expectations onto women. Other than that I found a lot to love in this book and felt really inspired and loved. It's easy to read and will provide a lot of inspiration to men and women alike.

Book provided for review.

Dear Mr. Knightley Blog Tour

Welcome to the blog tour for Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay!

Samantha Moore has always hidden behind the words of others-namely her favorite characters in literature. Now, she will learn to write her own story-by giving that story to a complete stranger.

Growing up orphaned and alone, Sam found her best friends in the works of Austen, Dickens, and the Brontë sisters. The problem is that she now relates to others more comfortably as Elizabeth Bennet and Jane Eyre than as herself.

Sometimes we lose ourselves in the things we care about most.
But life for this twenty-three-year-old is about to get stranger than fiction, when an anonymous benefactor (calling himself "Mr. Knightley") offers to put Sam through the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. There is only one catch: Sam must write frequent letters to the mysterious donor, detailing her progress.

As Sam's program and peers force her to confront her past, she finds safety in her increasingly personal letters to Mr. Knightley. And when Sam meets eligible, best-selling novelist Alex Powell, those letters unfold a story of love and literature that feels as if it's pulled from her favorite books. But when secrets come to light, Sam is --- once again --- made painfully aware of how easily trust can be broken.

Reay's debut novel follows one young woman's journey as she sheds her protective persona and embraces the person she was meant to become.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/qDEkp 

Meet the author: Katherine Reay has enjoyed a life-long affair with the works of Jane Austen and her contemporaries. After earning degrees in history and marketing from Northwestern University, she worked as a marketer for Proctor & Gamble and Sears before returning to school to earn her MTS. Her works have been published in "Focus on the Family" and the "Upper Room." Katherine currently lives with her husband and three children in Seattle. "Dear Mr. Knightley" is her first novel.

Learn more about Katherine at: http://katherinereay.com/

Review:

Sam has been trying to escape her past for a while. After being shunted from foster home to foster home, Sam ended up in a safe house where she could finally move forward. While her after college career didn't turn out quite as planned, Sam has managed to be given an amazing opportunity. A mysterious benefactor has offered her the chance to go to a prestigious journalism graduate program. Everything will be paid for, and Sam only has to write about her progress to the anonymous donor known only as "Mr. Knightley." While Sam pours her heart into her letters, in the real world she has a much more difficult time. Afraid to let people get too close, Sam relies on her favorite book characters and quotes to get her through the day. All that begins to change when she meets her favorite current writer Alex Powell. Their friendship helps them both as they work through past and current issues. As Sam begins to come out of her shell, she realizes that her past can be a hindrance or a help to her. Sam will have to learn to let people in, even if it means getting hurt in the process.

This book is written strictly as a series of letters to Mr. Knightley (plus a wrap-up chapter at the end). I was afraid this format might get a bit old, but it managed to stay interesting throughout. It actually ended up forcing the author to keep things tighter as far as the story goes to keep the letters manageable (and believable). I loved that many of the main characters were flawed. While they were good at heart, they had great weaknesses as well. Those were the things that ended up making them so interesting and real though. I feel like a lot of us are at least a little like Sam. Books provide a beautiful escape from an ugly reality sometimes. Sam managed to take this a little too far though, but this was all really a defense mechanism for her. It was Sam's way of protecting herself, and while it did it's job it also kept her from experiencing some of the more beautiful parts of life.

As you watch Sam progress from her imaginary world into a more realized actual life, you see her experience joy and pain. Her friendship with Alex Powell is particularly interesting to watch. These two people had such different lives, and yet they share some things in common. The ending had a bit of a twist, but I kind of expected it really? It was the only way the story made sense to me. That didn't matter though. I absolutely loved this book. It was so easy to love these characters even as you got annoyed with some of their actions. They felt like real people. This is a book I'll keep to read over and over. It was fun, smart, and thoroughly entertaining. I know loads of people will fill like they know Sam (or maybe are Sam a little bit). Wonderful book!

Book provided for review. 

Chasing Hope Blog Tour

Tour Schedule

Welcome to the blog tour for Chasing Hope by Kathryn Cushman!

A Personal Drama of Shattered Dreams and Second Chances

A talented runner fully committed to Olympic dreams, Sabrina Rice's future was shattered by a devastating diagnosis. One forfeited scholarship and several years later, she has new goals and dreams that have nothing to do with running--something that's become far too painful to think on. Until the day she sees Brandy Philip running across the community college campus, easily outpacing security. Sabrina immediately recognizes world-class speed, and it's all the more painful that it belongs to a teenage graffiti artist. When a chance encounter brings the two young women together, Sabrina becomes Brandy's best hope for staying out of juvenile hall. Soon, Sabrina begins to feel an uncomfortable nudge that her new life is just about to be toppled...that God may be calling her to minister to this talented but troubled girl.  

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

 Author Kathryn Cushman

Kathryn "Katie" Cushman is a graduate of Samford University with a degree in pharmacy. She is the author of five novels, including Leaving Yesterday and A Promise to Remember, which were both finalists for the Carol Award in Women's Fiction. She is also the co-author of Angel Song with Sheila Walsh. Kathryn and her family currently live in Santa Barbara, California.  

Website * Facebook

Review:

Sabrina had it all going for her. Her talent in running had led to a full-ride at the University of Tennesse, and the Olympics didn't seem too far behind. Then something began to go wrong, and Sabrina saw her whole world falling apart. Struggling to find a new direction in life, Sabrina's grandma's friend asks Sabrina to take on her troubled granddaughter Brandy who also seemed to have a talent for running. As Sabrina and Brandy struggle to find common ground, they both find something even better- a new direction in life.

I was very intrigued by the concept of this book, so I really looked forward to reading it. It did not disappoint. The story very quickly drew me in, and I didn't want to stop reading. I found Sabrina to be sympathetic without being too whiny. I really thought that the character of Sabrina could easily cross over in to a really mopey person, but the author managed to find a really good balance between making her sympathetic to the reader but still keeping her as a hopeful person. Brady was another character that could have gone into a caricature almost of a troubled teen, but the author does a great job of making you want to root for her success.

This book was a super fast read. One really interesting aspect to me was the idea of what to do when your life doesn't turn out like you thought it would. Sabrina was so sure she was called to spread the love of God to everyone through her running, but then when she could no longer run she was so unsure about what she had felt. I think all of us feel this from time to time. We are so sure that our life is going one direction, and then suddenly we find ourselves way far away from where we thought we'd be. This book brings out the point that we can find our calling in life in different ways. Just because we think it's derailed does not mean it actually is. Overall this was an inspiring and interesting story. I really enjoyed it, and it will make a great escape while still leaving you with things to think about.

Book provided for review.


Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 10/17/13

Open only to those 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 enter for you. 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. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the publisher. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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The Mark of a Giant Blog Tour

Welcome to the blog tour for The Mark of a Giant by Ted Stewart!

Throughout the course of history, civilization has been blessed by strong-minded men and women who have impacted our world in extraordinary ways. Their imprint upon humanity is beyond dispute. And many would contend that they were no less than the result of Divine Providence—a gift of God to the human race. Who are these individuals? What is it about these few that make them different? Were they merely in the right place at the right time? Or were they somehow chosen? The Mark of a Giant examines the lives and contributions of seven men and women who changed the world: Abraham of Ur, Pericles, the Apostle Paul, Sir Isaac Newton, Marie Curie, Martin Luther King Jr., and Mother Teresa.

About the Author

Ted Stewart was appointed as a United States District Court Judge in 1999 by President Bill Clinton. Prior to that, he served as chief of staff to Governor Michael O. Leavitt, as executive director of the State Department of Natural Resources, as a member and chairman of the Public Service Commission, and as chief of staff to Congressman Jim Hansen. He has been a visiting professor at two state universities, teaching courses in law and public policy. He is the New York Times bestselling author of The Miracle of Freedom: 7 Tipping Points that Saved the World.

Review:

Throughout the course of time, there have been those people who have helped to change the world for the better. This book looks at seven men and women who made amazing contributions to society, some with their intellect and wisdom and some just with their love. By looking at the lives and life-changing actions of these people, we can learn about how wonderful things came about and how sometimes small things can make huge differences.

This book was quite inspiring to me. There is so much fantastic information about these people who have done so many amazing things. Of course, I'm not sure how the author was able to keep it to only seven people. There are some people that I would love to have seen in there, but I can't argue with any of the people included for sure. Some made amazing scientific contributions and some just made contributions with the way they lived their lives. It's amazing to see how they were able to accomplish so much good. Sometimes I think they weren't even aware of how their lives would affect so many others. This is a great example to us to keep trying our best as we never know how it will help someone else.

I enjoyed all of the life stories in this book, but I found Marie Curie to be of particular interest for me. She really lived an amazing life, and her contributions to the world have allowed for amazing medical advancements. I think that this book made me really want to just try to be the best I can be. That's really all these people were doing. Trying to make life better in a way that they could. Luckily for us they were able to make amazing things happen. I think families would benefit from learning about all of these people and looking for ways they can change their own little worlds. Definitely check this book out to be inspired and ready to take on anything!

Book provided for review.

Angels Blog Tour

Welcome to the blog tour for Angels, Agents of Light, Love, and Power by Donald W. Parry!

Stories are told around the world of persons who have received help or comfort from someone they couldn't see—an angel or spirit who guided them or in some other way gave them assistance from beyond the veil.

But just who are these angels? Are they even real?

Although angels are a vital part of Latter-day Saint history and doctrine, their roles and purposes are often misunderstood. In this inspiring volume, author Donald W. Parry discusses in a clear and understandable way what we can learn from the scriptures and from modern prophets and apostles about angels and their missions.

Here you will find answers to such questions as the following:

• What are angels?
• What powers and abilities are angels given?
• How do angels communicate with mortals?
• What are the assigned missions and roles of angels?
• How do angels reveal truth and teach the doctrines of the gospel?
• How do angels minister to and comfort mortals?
• What is the role of guardian angels in the modern world?

When just the thought of someone watching out for us can give us hope in challenging times, to realize that angels minister light, love, and power to us, whether we are aware of them or not, gives us unparalleled understanding, comfort, and peace.

Find the book at Deseret Books.

Donald W. Parry, a professor of the Hebrew Bible at Brigham Young University holds the Abraham O. Smoot Professorship. For nearly twenty years he has served as a member of the prestigious international team of translators of the Dead Sea Scrolls and is the author or coauthor of more than thirty books and numerous articles on the Bible and the Dead Sea Scrolls. He has coauthored with his brother, Jay A. Parry, several books for Latter-day Saints, including Understanding Isaiah, Understanding the Signs of the Times, and most recently, Symbols and Shadows: Unlocking a Deeper Understanding of the Atonement. Brother Parry, who has served in the Church as a bishop, a temple worker, and high councilor, is a popular speaker at BYU Education Week. He and his wife, Camille Parry, are the parents of six children.

Review:

Angels have long been a source of interest to mortals. Their images have been depicted in art for thousands of years. They have been included in songs and other writings for just as long. This book takes the chance to separate the myths from the facts by using scripture and other accounts of interactions with angels to teach some very interesting truths. It's an interesting chance to learn what you do and do not know about something we have all heard so much about.

I loved the approach this book took. Each chapter was a fact about angels, and then the evidence was laid out in very clear fashion. A lot of the evidence is based on scripture with some more recent statements from LDS leaders added in. There are also other accounts, usually from early church leaders, to help give a fuller picture. Because everything is sourced so well, it's easy to figure out exactly where everything is coming from. This helps to give the reader a chance to search and ponder the things in the book. 

There were a lot of things to learn from this book, and I found it to be very entertaining while still being informative. Two things really stuck out with me while reading this. The first was it seems like many of us may have had interactions with angels unawares. How cool is that thought? It made me want to be nicer to everyone I meet as you just never know who you are talking to. The other thought was how loved we are. We are never left alone on the Earth. There are always so many people trying to help us get through this life, and this book offered some concrete proof of that. This is a book that I think many people will enjoy and feel lighter for having read it.

Book provided for review.

Afloat Blog Tour

Welcome to the blog tour for Aloat by Erin Healy!

Who will you trust when dark waters rise?

Eagle's Talon is an architectural marvel-shining residential units afloat in a protected cove of the gorgeous Rondeau River. The project is nearly complete, partially occupied, and ready to make investors rich when a sinkhole gives way. Then torrential rains and a flood leave a ragged collection of builders, investors, and residents stranded in one floating building, cut off from the rest of the world.

They're bitterly divided over what to do next.

Architect Vance Nolan insists they should sit tight and wait for rescue. Developer Tony Dean wants to strike out into the darkness. And single mom Danielle Clement, desperate to protect her young son, Simeon, struggles to hold their motley band together.

Power failure, a pall of unnatural daytime darkness, explosions in the distance, then a murder ratchet tensions to a boiling point. But Danielle's young son, Simeon, has spotted something strange underwater-beautiful, shifting lights in the dark water below.
In this watery world where everyone's secrets will eventually come to light, salvation may mean more than just getting out alive.

Another stunning exploration of the human spirit and supernatural possibilities from best-selling author Erin Healy.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/liNmq

Erin Healy is the best-selling co-author of "Burn" and "Kiss" (with Ted Dekker) and an award-winning editor for numerous best-selling authors. She has received wide acclaim for her novels "Never Let You Go", "The Baker's Wife", "House of Mercy", and "Afloat". She and her family live in Colorado. Erin can be contacted through her website ErinHealy.com or through Facebook at erinhealybooks.

Find out more about Erin at http://www.erinhealy.com.

Review:

Eagle's Talon is a very unique place. Built entirely over water, it's like an oasis away from everyone else. One building is occupied while the rest are being built when tragedy strikes. First a sinkhole appears out of nowhere, almost killing a number of people. Next a storm like no other hits, flooding the site and stranding the people who didn't get swept away. Now the people there must fight to survive, but as secrets start to be revealed the surviving seems to become much more difficult. Everyone is hiding something at a time when trust is vital. On top of that people have been seeing mysterious glowing things in the water below them. What does this mean for the survivors? Will they be able to pull through it all?

This book was very different from what I expected. There were so many elements to it. I found it a little difficult to get into initially. I didn't really understand the technical parts of the buildings, but the book really wastes no time when getting to the meat of the story. I thought I was being given a ton of back story on the characters initially, but then I discovered that they had secrets even beyond what I knew. This added a lot of depth to the story. There is also a fair amount of "action" as it were. With the sinkhole then flood, there are a lot of things going on. Also, people are not spared from the destruction. It really ends up being a tragedy all around.

Beside the human aspect to the book, there is also a bit of the supernatural. This takes the form of mysterious glowing things that some people are seeing in the water. Rather than being frightening though, they seem to be helping the people to find their way and survive. You find out rather early on though what these are, but that really didn't take away from the impact for me. This book is full of suspense and atmosphere. You really get a sense of how difficult it is for these people in the harsh circumstances they find themselves in. I almost didn't want to read it at night, but then I am not really friends with the water so it creeped me out even more. If you are looking for a suspenseful yet thoughtful book, check this one out.

Book provided for review.

Erin Healy is celebrating the release of her latest novel Afloat (Thomas Nelson) with an iPad Mini giveaway.

One winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini 
• iTunes gift card
• Afloat by Erin Healy 

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 15th. Winner will be announced on Erin's blog on June 17th. Save the date and click HERE to see if YOU won the iPad Mini!

Don't miss a moment of the fun; ENTER today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Visit Erin's blog on the 17th!

A Heartbeat Away Blog Tour

Welcome to the blog tour for A Heartbeat Away by S. Dionne Moore!!

When a band of runaway slaves brings Union-loyal Beth Bumgartner a wounded Confederate soldier named Joe, it is the catalyst that pushes her to defy her pacifist parents and become a nurse during the Battle of Antietam.

Her mother's mysterious goodbye gift is filled with quilt blocks that bring comfort to Beth during the hard days and lonely nights, but as she sews each block, she realizes there is a hidden message of faith within the pattern that encourages and sustains her. Reunited with Joe, Beth learns his secret and puts the quilt's message to its greatest test---but can betrayal be forgiven?

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/liQMG

Dionne Moore is a historical romance author who resides in South Central PA with her family, surrounded by the beautiful Cumberland Valley and lots of fun, historically rich locations. She is a weekly contributor to "The Borrowed Book", a blog for book-lovers and "Cozy Mystery Magazine", for all things cozy mystery.

Learn more about Dionne at http://www.sdionnemoore.com

AHeartbeatAway - Medium from S. Dionne Moore on Vimeo.

Review:

Beth has always wanted to be a nurse. Unfortunately, the US Civil War has provided the perfect opportunity to hone her skills. A group of runaway slaves brings a man who is in desperate need of her care, but Beth is hesitant as she is a loyal Unionist. However, Beth works on Joe at her grandmother's urging, and she finds herself growing closer to Joe as she tends him. Beth and Joe are both hiding things though, and this could break the bond that they are forming. Surrounding all this is a quilt that Beth's mom left to Beth to finish. It becomes a symbol of hope in a dreary world for more than one person.

I was very interested in this story. The historical aspects are always fascinating to me, and this book did a great job with showing the conflict between the two sides. It was never as easy as just tending to one side and ignoring the other for Beth. Families were torn apart by this conflict, and the result was just a horrible war. I felt for Beth though, knowing how hard it must have been to help people who seemed so against everything she stood for. Just recognizing them as fellow humans was difficult at best for her. The back stories of both Joe and Beth develop slowly, but it's not so slow that you lose interest. I think the pacing of this book was really great.

I especially loved the running ideas surrounding the quilt. Sewing was something the Beth didn't particularly want to do, but this quilt was a gift from her mother. Through this quilt though, Beth and Joe were able to find some insight and peace in terrible times. The quilt became more than just a quilt. It became a symbol of things as they could be. It was inspiring to think of all the ways that we can find strength throughout our days. This book was very beautiful, and it was a wonderful read.

Book provided for review.