Chasing Fireflies

CHASING FIREFLIES

by Taylor Dean

My sisters think I'm crazy.

But, I've never forgotten the mysterious woman from my childhood who told me Paul is the name of my one true love. She told me to search far and wide for him.

I haven't stopped looking ever since.

When I stumble across an article about a successful American entrepreneur named Paul who lives and works in China, I'm intrigued. When the opportunity to teach English in China presents itself on the same day, I know it's not a coincidence.

It's destiny.

My sisters say I'm chasing a dream.

Just like the fireflies we tried to catch on the warm summer evenings of our youth, the dream seems beyond my grasp. Will my quest for the elusive Paul always be just short of fulfillment?

My sisters tell me it's a fool's errand.

Until I remind them of the day we saw the Red Bird.
The memory silences them. The Red Bird Incident remains inarguable--and proves my search for Paul is not a silly fantasy.

I will find Paul . . . I will.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WOW!  I LOVED THIS BOOK!

I especially loved the fact that a lot of the story is based on true experiences that happened to the author's daughter while she was living in China teaching English for a semester.

And there is a "stairwell" scene that I so want everyone to read!

New friends, travel experiences, tender feelings, and an ending with a wonderful twist, makes this a book that really is AMAZING!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From Ash and Stone

FROM ASH AND STONE

by Julie Daines

Lady Margaret Grey of Hartfell wants for nothing. The daughter of a knight, she has a loving family, wealth, and even a secret romance with the blacksmith's son. But all that is torn from her one fateful night when her home is attacked and her family killed. She is left with nothing but bitterness, an unwavering mistrust of men, and a strange and mysterious curse that allows her to feel the thoughts of anyone who touches her.

Now, after six years away, Margaret is returning home for one reason: revenge. She hopes that by avenging her family's deaths, she will somehow be freed from her curse. But it won't be easy. the identities of the raiders are still unknown, she has little left to her name, and traveling alone in the Northumbrian hills during the border wars is dangerous. Matters are further complicated by handsome Angus Robson, a Scotsman whose charm threatens to distract her from her plans. But the raiders are closer than she knows, and Margaret soon realizes that what she believed to be a curse may be the key to finding those she seeks. One touch will reveal the truth.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WOW! A very intriguing story!
This is a MUST-READ for sure!

I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Remember, Remember, Remember

REMEMBER, REMEMBER, REMEMBER

by Clint Pulver

In a world that seems to move too fast with the constant demands of life, social-media consumption, and worldly temptations at every step, it can become so easy to forget the spiritual promptings, revelations, and faith-promoting moments we have had in our lives—moments when the Spirit has whispered peace to our heart, a prayer was answered, or a miracle was witnessed.

In this hilarious and inspiring talk, Clint Pulver teaches about the simple but powerful strength youth and adults alike can receive in moments of fear and uncertainty by simply taking the time to be still and, as the scriptures remind us, to remember, remember, remember what we know and how we know it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I LOVE listening to speakers like this!

A lot of humor, but also a lot of teaching-

This is a fantastic talk! I highly recommend it!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Trial, Blessing, or Both?

TRIAL, BLESSING, OR BOTH?

by Hank Smith

Hank Smith says that, as he travels around the country, he often runs into people who have gone through some really hard things. "But," he says, "They almost always tell me something like this: 'You know, it has really turned out to be a blessing.'"

In this inspiring new talk, Brother Smith helps us understand the role of trials in our lives. He quotes Elder Neal A. Maxwell, who said that trials come in three forms: trials we bring upon ourselves, trials that are part of our mortal existence, and trials through which God is shaping and directing our lives. "Often we can't see the Lord's hand in our lives until long after the trials have passed," says Brother Smith.

Using stories and examples from the scriptures, Church leaders, and others, Brother Smith illustrates how trials can lead to triumphs. He shares the story of Orville and Wilbur Wright, who used setbacks in their lives to focus their energies into building the first successful airplane. He quotes Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, who said, "Often the most difficult times of our lives are essential building blocks that form the foundation of our character and pave the way to future opportunity, understanding, and happiness."

And for those trials that never seem to end, Brother Smith reminds us that his favorite phrase from the book of Mormon says "And it came to pass," not "And it came to last!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is a MUST-LISTEN-TO for EVERYONE!

Because we will all face trials as some point!

This will help you through your trials as well as help 

you guide someone else through theirs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

The Truth about Miss Ashbourne

THE TRUTH ABOUT 

MISS ASHBOURNE

by Joanna Barker

Governess Juliana Ashbourne has dreams reaching far beyond the confines of her current position, hoping to someday establish her own school for girls. When she inherits a fortune from her late grandfather, she is shocked to learn that “someday” may soon be within reach. However, there is one condition: she must spend a month at the estate of Havenfield—with the very family who disowned her mother. Intent on securing the money she needs to start her school, Juliana accepts the invitation, vowing to guard her heart against those who shunned her all her life.

But Havenfield is far from what she expects. She discovers a grandmother seeking forgiveness, a cold and disapproving aunt, and a painfully shy cousin. And then there is Mr. William Rowley. Though the heir to the estate is a merciless tease, Juliana finds in him a friend and confidant—and perhaps something more. As she struggles to make sense of her new place in the world, her stubborn independence clashes with a yearning to belong and the even more confusing desires of her heart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I completely adored this book!

The story line is so well told it will keep you engaged and begging for more. I listened to the audiobook and was thrilled when the reader actually sang the song that Miss Ashbourne performed-- 
that was a wonderful addition! I highly recommend this book!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

John 14:15

JOHN 14:15

by John Bytheway

In a world where speed limits, parking restrictions, and seat belts are often seen as inconveniences that limit our freedom, it's easy to get lost in the mindset that commandments only exist because God "said so."

In this engaging presentation, John Bytheway reminds us why our Heavenly Father gives commandments—because He loves us—and the best rest reason for obeying those commandments.

With his signature style of scriptural stories, quotations from Church leaders, and a good dose of humor, Brother Bytheway explores three reasons why we obey—because we ought to (it's the law), because we want to (because of consequences), and because we'd love to (because someone cares).

He encourages listeners to remember the love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for them and to choose to obey for the best reason—because we love Them too.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This talk is AMAZING!

I really like the "three reasons why we obey"

Something to really ponder--

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

The Body, Mind, Spirit Connection

THE BODY, MIND, SPIRIT CONNECTION

by Matt Townsend

Matt Townsend says we maneuver through the "paradox of life" in one of three ways—through our body, our mind, or our spirit. We get to choose.

He invites us to imagine a bull's-eye, with our spirit in the center, our mind in the next ring out, and our body in the outermost ring. Our target in life is to act with our spiritual being, but often, we are driven by our physical bodies—urges, tendencies, habits, or weaknesses of the flesh.

He says, "I believe that we have a body, and the body has a purpose, and it's different from the purpose of the spirit. The spirit is here to bring us peace and promptings and principles. The spirit is here to bring us power from our God. Our body is here to bring us pleasure, pain, a party once in a while, and procreation."

Between the body and the spirit is the mind, our "operating system." Brother Townsend says that Satan uses such things as envy, shame, guilt, impatience, and other "natural man" tendencies to move us away from our spiritual beings and hinder our eternal progress.

This talk is an inspiring and entertaining look at the interactions between the body, mind, and spirit that will help give us the right perspective to endure and enjoy life's journey.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This talk is PHENOMENAL!

Everyone needs to hear it-- 

it will change your life 
and the way you look at things!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

The Gem Thief

THE GEM THIEF

by Sian Ann Bessey

Gracie Miller is a small-town girl who has landed her dream job in New York City. As jewelry designer for one of the most prestigious jewelers in the world, she completed a particularly stunning piece, a custom setting for a large pink diamond.

But when her billionaire client Mrs. Katsaros comes to repair a minor issue with the setting, Gracie is horrified to realize it is not the ring she created. Someone has forged her design, and the priceless diamond is gone.

Mrs. Katsaros has no desire to bring media attention to the jewelry heist, so she recruits her nephew, Quinn, and his FBI agent friend, Steve, to do some sleuthing off the record. When they discover that the missing ring is just one of many forgeries in the widow's collection, they look to Gracie for help. They need her to act the part of Quinn's fiancée.

From the lights of New York to the shimmering islands of the Mediterranean, Gracie is swept into a thrilling hunt. But amid the search for the elusive thief, she and Quinn find themselves increasingly distracted by their growing feelings for each other.

What neither realizes is how close the danger lies and how serious the vendetta is—because, apparently, it is worth killing for.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What a FANTASTIC read!

Loved it from the very first page to the very end.

Perfect setting, characters, and story line.

I highly recommend this one!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Led by Divine Design

LED BY DIVINE DESIGN

by Ronald A. Rasband

Every Sunday during sacrament meeting we hear the promise that we may "always have His Spirit to be with [us]" (Moroni 4:3). But what does it mean to always have the Lord's Spirit with us? And how can we recognize the presence and guidance of the Holy Ghost in our lives?

In this beautiful book, Elder Ronald A. Rasband shares timely counsel and personal stories about recognizing the hand of the Lord in our everyday pursuits. Through his own experience, Elder Rasband helps us learn first how to seek the Spirit and then how to recognize and respond to divine guidance in our families, with friends and colleagues, in our Church service, and during times of trial.

Each of heartfelt stories, brief messages, and inspiring quotes is an important reminder that the Lord is in the small details of our lives. Elder Rasband demonstrates repeatedly that we are led according to His divine design. Our Father in Heaven is interested in our success and eternal happiness, and He has provided the Holy Ghost to help us choose wisely so we can return to Him one day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What a beautiful book! A powerful message accompanied by wonderful pictures of nature, the Rasband family, and more. This book truly will help you in "seeking for and recognizing the Spirit" as promised.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Bookshelf PLUS

It's a great time sign up for PLUS

with 30% off for 3-months

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

No commitment - Cancel any time

Offer expires 12/31/18

Just click the picture--

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I LOVE BOOKSHELF PLUS

and use it A LOT!

Short Investigations

SHORT INVESTIGATIONS

by Clair M. Poulson

In the sleepy town of Heber, a strange 911 call is made to report an unthinkable crime: someone has murdered a woman . . . and her body has been found in Rhett Ketchum's barn. Rhett, a well-known rodeo cowboy, is placed firmly at the top of the suspect list—the only problem is, he's innocent. As officers search tirelessly for the evidence needed to lock him up, Rhett takes matters into his own hands.

Max and Patches Fisher are the father-daughter duo behind the unconventional PI firm Short Investigations, and they agree to undertake the task of proving Rhett's innocence. Soon the list of suspects begins to grow, and Rhett feels a glimmer of hope—and an undeniable attraction to Patches. But when the officers on the case become targets themselves, it seems they may be the ones in need of protection. As events take a deadly turn, it's up to Max and Patches to uncover the truth before time runs out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is what I am reading right now-- and I am LOVING IT!
I recommend ANY and ALL of Clair M. Poulson's books!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

UnFrozen: Superior Systems to Move from Paralysis to Progress

UnFrozen: Superior Systems to Move from Paralysis to Progress

by Nathan Ogden

As an active young husband and father, Nathan Ogden suffered a devastating neck break, leaving him paralyzed. His incredible determination and positive attitude were fiercely tested as a second accident iced his miraculous progress.

Nathan openly shares his struggles and life-changing experiences that have taken him from mentally paralyzed to powerfully unfrozen.

His dynamic and personally-proven solutions to overcome fear, depression, selfishness, and pain help to identify and conquer the excuses and lies we tell ourselves.

Our true potential is discovered by melting away our limitations and living UNFROZEN.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WOW! This book is AMAZING!

Not only does it tell the story of how Nathan. had his neck broken —TWICE—

But it also gives you thought-provoking questions to help you become "unfrozen" from any trials in your own personal life.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS ONE!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Thank you for following me-

You are the reason I do these reviews.

I so appreciate your support!

Christmas Delight

CHRISTMAS DELIGHT

by three amazing authors

Prepare for a holiday treat as three acclaimed authors unite in Christmas Delight, a 3-in-1 collection of Christmas classics 
sure to brighten the season.

• A Return to Christmas by Chris Heimerdinger—Until he was three years old, Artemus Holiday and his twin brother, Andrew, shared all the adventures of life. But when young Artemus lost his brother in a terrible tragedy on Christmas day, the magic of the Christmas season seemed forever shrouded by a cloud of sadness and despair. But miracles have been known to happen during this time of year. This heartwarming Christmas story follows the Lives of two eleven-year-old heroes—the wary and cynical Artemus and an outcast named Chess, a homeless con artist with a heart of gold. Through a simple twist of fate, these boys will find themselves swept into the adventure of a lifetime—one that takes them beyond their wildest imaginings. A Return to Christmas wraps holiday sadness, joy, and wonder into one very special package. Once you open it, you will never see Christmas the same way again.

• Christmas in Haggerty by Betsy Brannon Green—'TIS THE SEASON, and in Haggerty, Georgia, that means Christmas programs, caroling, front door decorating contests, and plenty of festive food to share with your sometimes eccentric neighbors. Not everyone, however, has caught the Christmas spirit. Kate Iverson doesn’t want to accept that there will be no more babies in her future, even though her doctor is certain that her childbearing years are behind her.Despite her discouragement, a recurring dream has Kate convinced that there is yet work for her to do. Through faith, prayer, and the assistance of inspired friends, Kate soon becomes part of a modern Christmas miracle—and learns a powerful lesson about the true meaning of Christmas.

• A Homemade Christmas by Alma J. Yates—It has been a disastrous year for the Cluff family, and eleven-year-old Nadine would just as soon not let anyone know how poor they really are this holiday season–especially her new friend Jennilynn. So in a dramatic effort to save face, Nadine comes up with the “giving thing.” Unfortunately, well-off Jennilynn really likes the idea of homemade gifts, and now poor Nadine’s spur-of-the-moment idea is out of her control. She’s actually going to have to make presents. But does she have to make one for her grumpy old neighbor Mrs. Thurman? Join a delightful cast of imperfect characters on a heartwarming quest for the true spirit of Christmas giving.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

These stories will melt your heart and 

help you understand the true meaning of Christmas.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Empty Manger

THE EMPTY MANGER

by Anita Stansfield

It is just two days until Christmas. The lights are twinkling on the tree, music plays merrily in the background, and holiday goodies have been delivered throughout the neighborhood.

But for Loralee, these jolly preparations ring hollow. Her longing to share Christmas with children of her own remains an unfulfilled dream, so when the Baby Jesus disappears from the manger scene outside her home, it feels like a painful reflection of her similarly empty arms. 

With hopelessness threatening to overcome her, it is only when she looks beyond her own heartache that she rediscovers the true spirit—and peace—of Christmas.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This booklet is so perfect for the season-- a fabulous story!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Seeing Christ in Christmas

SEEING CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS

by Dieter F. Uchtdorf

The Christmas season is a time of year filled with sparkling lights, beautiful decorations, and busy crowds of shoppers. In this Christmas message, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf reminds us that "all of these spectacular displays and decorations that compete for our attention can be beautiful and uplifting, but if that's all we see, then we're missing something that's in plain sight . . . that which is essential and most sacred."

In this message, Elder Uchtdorf teaches us to see the Christ in Christmas amid the hustle and bustle of the season. Like those who recognized Christ as the Savior at His birth, we can open our eyes to see the Messiah and Savior of the world during this Christmas season and throughout the year.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A fantastic message!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The NeverLand Inn

THE NEVERLAND INN

A Culinary Romance with Recipes

by K. C. Grant 

Daniel Cavanaugh has it all—a lucrative career as a lawyer, a gorgeous fiancee, and his future mapped out for him. So why is he feeling increasingly dissatisfied with his life? When the assignment to handle his lat grandmother's estate takes him to the California coast, Daniel welcomes the escape. Staying at the nearby bed-and-breakfast isn't really his style, but he soon realizes the inn may hold the key to the answers he's been seeking.

Spindrift Cove has few opportunities for a young unmarried woman like Sarah Michaels. Even so, she enjoys her solitude as owner and chef at the Neverland Inn. She thrives on catering to the needs of her guests and treating them to her fantastic cooking. But when Daniel walks through her door, he immediately tests her patience. Though he is handsome and well-bred, she finds him insufferable. 

Soon, however, the tranquility of the inn works its magic, and Daniel and Sarah forge a sweet and unexpected connection—until the life he left behind in the city demands his return and it seems that a happily ever after may not be on the menu after all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I absolutely adored this book!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Angels in Every Storm

ANGELS IN EVERY STORM 

by Rachelle Pace Castor

For young Valery's family, the highlight of the Christmas season is lifting the lid of Great-Grandmother Agnes's story trunk and sitting at her feet as she weaves tales of the past.

This year, it is Valery's turn to life the lid, and she eagerly anticipates choosing the Christmas story. The tale that follows will draw the family deep into Agnes's past to a small French village in war-torn France, where a family is divided and two resilient young children learn the true meaning of Christmas.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The message in this story needs to be shared all year long-- 

It is so amazingly wonderful!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Christmas Courting

A CHRISTMAS COURTING

by four amazing authors

This holiday season fall in love, with heartwarming tales of Christmases past in 

A Christmas Courting, an enchanting collection of Regency romances.

Love and Joy Come to You by Jennifer Moore
Lord Covington has planned a quiet holiday with his grieving mother but finds his plans rudely disrupted when lovely Cassie Weatherby and her young siblings are invited for Christmas. Despite his reservations, however, he begins to recognize in Cassie a kindred spirit.

A Christmas Courting by Chalon Linton
When obligations keep her in London, Keturah Hensley sadly anticipates missing the festivity of Christmas at her family's country home and the company of her best friend, Christopher Shepherd. When she learns that Christoper will be joining her family in London for Christmas, she is delighted—but her elation is short-lived. Christopher is coming to Town to court the woman of his dreams, and Keturah fears she may have lost the chance to win his love.

Mistletoe Memories by Jen Geigle Johnson
From childhood, Patrick, Duke of Montrose, knew he'd found his perfect match in Lady Alice Tarrington. When he's sent on a grand tour of the world, Patrick is confident he'll marry his sweetheart upon his return. But when he receives word that Alice is to marry another, will be be too late to claim her heart?

Second-Chance Christmas by Heidi Kimball
Francie and Gerard have been friends since childhood, but their friendship ended when she declined his heartfelt proposal of marriage. However, when her interactions with Gerard's holiday house guests provoke in Francie unexpected jealousy, she realizes she must fight for Gerard's affections or risk losing him forever.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This book is so fun!

Four great stories to bring the holidays a little romance.

I highly recommend this one!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~