Books Are Sanity!!!

Book Summary:   I didn’t have gold shoes, and I didn’t have time to go shopping, but I thought I could just spray-paint some heels I owned that I never really wore. I spray-painted them and tried them out for three hours at church where they held up perfectly. I felt pretty good about myself. “Suckers who buy gold shoes when they could just spray-paint them,” I thought, congratulating myself for my frugality and my foresight for testing them out. As moms, we improvise. We get along. We make things word. And we make a lot of things up as we go along because, let’s face it, no manual is ever going to cover all the bases a real mom needs to touch. But if laughter and perspective and a renewed energy to face the day are what you’re after—if you too are a “real mom”—this is the book for you! My Review: What I love about this book is how straight forward she addresses moms. She speaks to the reader as if they are having a conversation, not like she is trying to instruct th...

Book Summary: "If you need a burden lifted, I want you to imagine I am in a personal, private, closed-door chat with you. I want to help you if I can." With those words, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland invites every reader of his latest book to become a friend, to receive instruction and encouragement, counsel and comfort. Elder Holland addresses these powerful messages "to my friends who love the Lord," "to my friends who want to change," "to my friends who face opposition," and more. Each chapter begins with a beautifully designed quotation to help convey the message in an artistic way, making the book a lovely gift for friends to share. Throughout, Elder Holland's powerful witness of the Savior shines through, for, as he writes, "I am grateful for the greatest friend any of us could ever have, in time or eternity, the Lord Jesus Christ." My Review: This is a lovely hardbound collection of the best of Elder Jeffery R, Holl...

Published Works Honor The Earl of Dentin excels in his position as Securer of the Realm. But the king’s order to pluck an orphaned child from a loving home unsettles Dentin. When a dark-eyed woman challenges his honor regarding the mission, Dentin finds himself unable to justify his actions or get her out of his mind. Something about her lack of fear intrigues him. Lady Elsa Reeve attempts to avoid the marriage of convenience her brother and mother demand of her. She understands the need to pay off her brother's massive debt. She only wants her family to consider her wishes in the process. As Elsa becomes further entangled in a snare of her brother’s creating, only one man defends her. But can she trust Dentin, her unlikely champion, and his motives? With a murderer on the loose, Elsa’s fate in jeopardy, and a traitor plotting against the king, Dentin finds his priorities shifting in an unexpected direction. Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S7IX63K ...

Book Summary: "Sisters take care of each other, watch out for each other, comfort each other, and are there for each other through thick and thin," observes Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, Young Women general president. In this delightful and inspiring book, Sister Oscarson encourages all women to look beyond differences in age, culture, and circumstance in order to better nurture and serve one another. She explains that all women—young or old, married or single, working in an office or running a home—have unique talents and gifts to share. Focusing on the boundless blessings that Latter-day Saint women enjoy, Sister Oscarson urges women throughout the Church to live and inspire others in ways that realize their greatest potential. My Review: This tiny but mighty book is full of positive and uplifting thoughts on our sisterhood as women. Full of beautiful quotes by Sister Oscarson, this is the perfect book to have lying around so you can have a quick pick-me-up whe...

Book Summary: STELLA was born to sing. Someday Broadway. But everything changed when a tragic accident renders her deaf; she cannot hear, much less sing. Trapped in a strange new world of total silence, she must face not only the loss of her friends, her hopes, and her voice but also the loss of her identity and her life's purpose. Who is she is she's not a singer? HAYDEN is a quiet loner, an outcast, and the only person Stella can communicate with; his profound stutter makes him speak so slowly, she is able to easily read his lips. As they find new ways to communicate despite their disabilities, their friendship grows into an unexpected—but welcome—romance. But is it a romance that can last if Stella regains her hearing and resumes her former life? Alternating between Stella's and Hayden's points of view, Silence is a lyrical story of self-discovery, romance, and resilience, of two souls learning how to find their voices and break through the si...

My Review: Klassen is extraordinary in her storytelling abilities. This is my first book I have read by Klassen and she sets up the scenery and the characters beautifully. I could see in my mind Julia, Alec, Walter, Aurora, James, Patience, the Weston brothers, everyone! I honestly felt like I knew all there was to know about them and the town of Beaworthy when I was done reading! But that was not all! Klassen tells a tale like no other before her! The secrets and lies buried in this story are eye-opening and shocking to say the least! Put all of that aside and it is the message of this book that I love. Forgiveness, healing. learning to trust and love...Klassen lets the reader feel and understand what he Julia, Alec and even Amelia are going through. An unforgettable journey into the town of Beaworthy that I will not soon forget, The Dancing Master is a must-read for any regency fan! Happy Reading!!! You can pick up your own copy via  Amazon.

Book Summary: David hates practicing piano. He's frustrated by how hard it is and all the mistakes he makes. With his mom's hel p, he comes to understand how that's all part of the learning process. She also uses the moment to help David comprehend more about the Atonement: Christ has paid the price so that we can learn and improve. We aren't earning our way to heaven—we're practicing for it, and Christ is willing to help us every step of the way. Practicing for Heaven  also includes teachings tips for parents who wish to teach children of all ages about the Savior's Atonement and grace. My Review: This beautifully illustrated book is captivating and the story that unfolds is beautiful itself. Many mothers can relate to their children not wanting to practice an instrument, whether it is the piano or something else. The mother in this story takes an ordinary conversation about her son not wanting to practice and turns it into an illustration about...

Blog Tour Schedule The Wife Make r by Karey White Charlotte has spent years as the husband maker, sending every guy she dates off to enjoy marital bliss with the next girl he dates. But things have now changed, and she's determined to use her husband-maker abilities one last time--on herself. And she finally knows exactly who she wants. Angus has loved Charlotte since they were teenagers, but he's tired of waiting for her to realize how good they could be. She's broken his heart one too many times, and it's time to move on with his life. Maybe a position halfway across the country will be just what he needs to get over her. But when Charlotte won't let him go without a fight, Angus has to decide if he's willing to let her in again or if she's too late. Amazon My Review: I have been waiting with much anticipation for this final book in the husband maker series. There were so many questions I wanted answered! I was shocked at a lot of...

Book Description: One of the few titles for adults on the Easter holiday, this beautiful gift book tells the story of Jesus from Crucifixion to Resurrection in short chapters, illustrated with line art, told in the first-person narrative of seven disciples. Each section offers the author's commentary on the lessons learned from each disciple and suggests simple traditions to follow to remember how implementing the teachings of the Easter holiday can vastly enrich your life today. My Review: I love this small yet powerful book about making Christ the center of our Easter celebration! It inspired me to want to celebrate this high holiday with more meaning and purpose than I have years past. Freeman has set up suggested lessons at the end of each chapter that you can easily adapt to your own family to make this Easter focused more on our Savior. I loved the stories, the scriptures she shared, and the ideas to incorporate within your own family. When I finish...

Book Summary: The life of the Savior is portrayed in stunning fine art pieces by award-winning artist J. Kirk Richards. These striking new images were created by the artist exclusively for this book. Accompanied by a harmonized account of the Savior's ministry, Atonement, and Resurrection, these exquisite paintings reflect a deep reverence for Christ's mission and sacrifice. Each page is beautifully designed to complement the unique style of the artist. A perfect reminder of the true reason we celebrate the Easter season, this handsome volume will be treasured by the entire family for years to come. My Review: J. Kirk Richards has illustrated this book beautifully and it is set to New Testament scriptures telling the account of the end of Christ's life and his resurrection. What I really enjoyed was reading the scripture and then looking at the illustration and seeing that scene depicted. If you enjoy artwork, this book about our Savior is a must have for your hom...

Book Summary: As this standalone sequel to  The Undaunted  begins, four years have passed since the first Mormon pioneers made the harrowing journey to carve the Hole-in-the-Rock trail to the region of the San Juan River in southeastern Utah. In that time, the settlers have dug in deep to try to establish roots in this untamed and unforgiving desert, but life is still far from easy. Biting winds, devastating floods, scorching heat, barren terrain, and tensions with everyone from Indians to outlaws to competing ranchers have threatened the pioneers' ability to thrive—or even survive. But the call from Church leaders to establish peaceful, stable settlements in the volatile region still stands, so young Mitch Westland and his family must find a way to make a home amid the harshest of circumstances. They soon learn that their only chance of success lies in uniting together with the other faithful Saints—including the Zimmers and their charming daughter, Edie. Can the fami...

Book Summary: Will protecting children throughout the world cost Natasha her own family? Devastated by the loss of her brother, Natasha Senecot works to expose the dangers of Matthew Chrysler’s violent video games, succeeding in bankrupting and humiliating him. Chrysler retaliates and sends a hit man after her. Natasha is forced to fake her own death to protect her children, but after witnessing another tragedy, Natasha won’t hide any longer.  In a race against time, can Natasha expose Matthew Chrysler before his assassin murders her family and shatters her world? My Review: What a whirlwind of a story that Checketts took me on! From chapter one the action and suspense began and they literally did not stop until the very end! If you like romantic thrillers you will LOVE Blog This! If is captivating and the suspense and fear had me on the edge of my proverbial seat the entire book! I was amazed by Natasha's strength yet surprised by her willingness to forget what she wa...

He could very easily picture his life like this. With a woman who loved him and smiled at him like he wasn't a monster. Except he was. The Beast of Ravenston takes Elizabeth from  Betraying Ever After   and throws her into a place she fears more than any other... Ravenston. A small town in the middle of a thick forest, Ravenston is home to the Duke-- Nicholas Wellington-- a man who not only has been scarred by a fire but is a man to be feared. He lives up to his reputation as 'The Beast'. Nicholas wants to know who set the fire that disfigured him which means helping Mr. Dodsworth. Help Mr. Dodsworth-- get the name-- get his revenge Except what Mr. Dodsworth wants Nicholas to do is worse than anything he's done in his past:   make the girl pay. Can Nicholas do what needs to be done to get his revenge? Or will Elizabeth steal something he didn't know he still had-- his heart? * Amazon * Barnes and Noble * Smashwords *  Leave a rev...

Welcome Julie Coulter Bellon! I am so excited for you to share your cover for your new novella!!!!   I am so excited to show you the cover for my new novella,  Falling Slowly.   This one is a companion novella to  All Fall Down  and tells what happens to Claire and Rafe when they come home from Afghanistan.   To celebrate cover reveal day, I am offering you a giveaway!  Since Claire and Rafe are dating and getting to know each other in this novella, I want to know---what do you consider to be a romantic date?  Is it a candlelight dinner? A hike? A bike ride? A movie? Star-gazing? A moonlit stroll? Tell me your ideas!  Everyone who comments with their idea of a romantic date will be entered to win an ebook copy of BOTH  All Fall Down  AND  Falling Slowly . Okay, are you ready? *drum roll* Here it is! (I attached the cover for you) Here is the back copy: Rafe Kelly never thought he’d fall in...

Book Summary: The strongest steel is forged in the hottest flames. From master storyteller Gerald N. Lund comes a new blockbuster series chronicling the lives of two families who will face some of the most turbulent times in history as they are tried to their very cores. Will they be tempered and strengthened by the hammering blows, will they bend to the point of breaking, or will they completely shatter? As volume one begins, life could not be more promising for the Eckhardts. They finally have a son, Hans, the male heir they have longed for and a child of such brilliance and promise that his success seems certain. But as youthful Hans’s ambition takes him away from his family and their small Bavarian village, the winds of unrest in Europe are about to erupt into the greatest war the world has ever known. Kicking off a story that will cross generations—and continents—the Eckhardts must brace themselves to weather the storms and turmoil that lie ahead. Only through sheer det...