May 18, 2015

Best Middle Grade Fiction 2014

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Every year multiple people vote for their favorite books-
The Whitney Awards are just such a voting for LDS authors
391 titles were nominated in 2014
5 people need to nominate a book for it to go on to the next phase
------------------------------------------------

BEST MIDDLE GRADE WENT TO

ALMOST SUPER by Marion Jensen
Perfect for fans of Pixar's The Incredibles, Almost Super is a fresh, funny middle grade adventure about two brothers in a family of superheroes who must find a way to be heroic despite receiving powers that are total duds. Filled with humor, heart, and just the right kind of heroics, Almost Super is a winning story that will satisfy would-be heroes and regular kids alike.

Everyone over the age of twelve in the Bailey family gets a superpower. No one knows why, and no one questions it. All the Baileys know is that it's their duty to protect the world from the evil, supervillainous Johnson family. *shake fists*

But when Rafter Bailey and his brother Benny get their superpowers, they're, well . . . super-lame. Rafter can strike matches on polyester, and Benny can turn his innie belly button into an outie. Along with Rafter's algebra class nemesis, Juanita Johnson, Rafter and Benny realize that what they thought they knew about superheroes and supervillains may be all wrong. And it's up to the three of them to put asides their differences and make things right. They may not have great powers, but together, they're almost super.



--- The other finalists were ---

Forbidden Flats by Peggy Eddleman
Escape one danger. Jump into another. . . .

Twelve-year-old Hope has always felt a little different from everyone else who lives in White Rock. She tries hard, but she doesn’t always think before she acts. She takes big risks. Sometimes her risks pay off, but sometimes they fail. Sometimes she fails.

Hope knows that the most dangerous thing about living in White Rock is that it’s so close to the deadly Bomb’s Breath—the invisible, fifteen-foot-thick band of compressed air that’s hovered over the earth since the Green Bombs of World War III. The citizens of White Rock live in fear of the Bomb’s Breath. Only Hope has figured out a way to go through it—and lived to tell the tale.

But when a massive tremor rips across the earth, the Bomb’s Breath begins to lower over White Rock. It’s up to Hope and her friends Brock and Aaren to make the dangerous journey far from home, across the bandit-ridden Forbidden Flats to the wilds of the Rocky Mountains, and obtain the one thing that may be able to stop it—before the Bomb’s Breath sinks too far and destroys them all. This time, Hope can’t fail.

The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place by Julie Berry
There's a murderer on the loose--but that doesn't stop the girls of St. Etheldreda's from attempting to hide the death of their headmistress in this rollicking farce.

The students of St. Etheldreda's School for Girls face a bothersome dilemma. Their irascible headmistress, Mrs. Plackett, and her surly brother, Mr. Godding, have been most inconveniently poisoned at Sunday dinner. Now the school will almost certainly be closed and the girls sent home--unless these seven very proper young ladies can hide the murders and convince their neighbors that nothing is wrong.


Julie Berry's The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place is a smart, hilarious Victorian romp, full of outrageous plot twists, mistaken identities, and mysterious happenings.

The Shadow Throne by Jennifer A. Nielsen
One war. Too many deadly battles. Can a king save his kingdom, when his own survival seems unlikely?

War has come to Carthya. It knocks at every door and window in the land. And when Jaron learns that King Vargan of Avenia has kidnapped Imogen in a plot to bring Carthya to its knees, Jaron knows it is up to him to embark on a daring rescue mission. But everything that can go wrong does.

His friends are flung far and wide across Carthya and its neighboring lands. In a last-ditch effort to stave off what looks to be a devastating loss for the kingdom, Jaron undertakes what may be his last journey to save everything and everyone he loves. But even with his lightning-quick wit, Jaron cannot forestall the terrible danger that descends on him and his country. Along the way, will he lose what matters most? And in the end, who will sit on Carthya's throne?

The Time of the Fireflies by Kimberley Griffiths Little
Critically acclaimed author Kimberley Griffiths Little spins a thrilling story of one girl's race to unravel the curse that has haunted her family for generations.

When Larissa Renaud starts receiving eerie phone calls on a disconnected old phone in her family's antique shop, she knows she's in for a strange summer. A series of clues leads her to the muddy river banks, where clouds of fireflies dance among the cypress knees and cattails each evening at twilight. The fireflies are beautiful and mysterious, and they take her on a magical journey through time, where Larissa learns secrets about her family's tragic past -- deadly, curse-ridden secrets that could harm the future of her family as she knows it. It soon becomes clear that it is up to Larissa to prevent history from repeating itself and a fatal tragedy from striking the people she loves.
With her signature lyricism, Kimberley Griffiths Little weaves a thrilling tale filled with family secrets, haunting mystery, and dangerous adventure.

May 15, 2015

Fires of Invention

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Coming Fall 2015
Mysteries of Cove, book 1: 
Fires of Invention

Book Description:
STEAMPUNK! Plus Dragons!
Trenton Colman is a creative thirteen-year-old boy with a knack for all things mechanical. But his talents are viewed with suspicion in Cove, a steam-powered city built inside a mountain. In Cove, creativity is a crime and "invention" is a curse word. Kallista Babbage is a repair technician and daughter of the notorious Leo Babbage, whose father died in an explosion-an event the leaders of Cove point to as an example of the danger of creativity.

Working together, Trenton and Kallista learn that Leo Babbage was developing a secret project before he perished. Following clues he left behind, they begin to assemble a strange machine that is unlikely anything they've ever seen before. They soon discover that what they are building may threaten every truth their city is founded on-and quite possibly their very lives.

Author Note:
Like many of my books, the inspiration for my new series Fires of Invention came from the collision of two ideas. The first time the story occurred to me was while I was watching the musical Wicked with my wife. The moment I walked into the theater and saw the huge mechanical dragon above the stage, I thought, Wow! I have to write a story about that! A few weeks later, I was talking with my nephew, who is probably the most creative kid I know, but whose inventiveness often gets him into trouble, and I thought, What if a kid who had the talents of my nephew lived in a world where creativity was against the law? What if the kids were building . . . a steam-powered dragon? Bam! I had my story.

Powered by great feedback from my agent, Michael Bourret, my good friend and author James Dashner, my publisher, Chris Schoebinger, and the song “Warriors” by Imagine Dragons, I wrote the entire first draft of the first volume in the series, Mysteries of Cove in four weeks. This book is unlike anything I have ever written. There are elements of City of Ember, Dragon Riders, and Hugo in it all mashed up together in a world I fell in love with from the moment I started writing.

I think what’s most exciting to me about this book is that it’s about giving yourself the freedom to imagine. To take chances. Too often we limit ourselves by only trying things we’re confident we can succeed at when what we need to do is give ourselves permission to fail. Often it is when we attempt things with no idea of how we can possibly pull them off that we achieve our greatest successes.

Author Bio:
J. Scott Savage is the author of the Farworld middle grade fantasy series and the Case File 13 middle grade monster series. He has been writing and publishing books for over ten years. He has visited over 400 elementary schools, dozens of writers conferences, and taught many writing classes. He has four children and lives with his wife Jennifer and their Border Collie, Pepper, in a windy valley of the Rocky Mountains.


PREORDER AVAILABLE

May 14, 2015

The Cokeville Miracle

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Screening tickets were provided

THE COKEVILLE MIRACLE

My Review
When I first saw the movie trailer I knew that this was a film I wanted to see. I love true stories and was really drawn to this one.

I live in Logan, UT and as we are not that far from Cokeville, WY, I have started hearing some mixed feelings about this film.

I was lucky enough to talk to a few of the survivors tonight and they all told me--"yes, it is hard to re-live this day through this film, yet we know our story needs to be shared--for a miracle did happen that day."

The movie was incredible! So touching! And very well portrayed.

The emotions are strong as you see it played out before you and as you hear of all the facts.

And then the strength of the children and their belief in prayer and as they tell of the angels who were with them that day....wow...

(me with survivors Lori Nate Conger and Brad Shane Nate)
Doris Young is quoted in the movie telling the children that they "will tell their children and their grandchildren of this day."

What a strange thing to say to a room full of children with the threat of a bomb to go off or to be shot.

Yet that prophecy has come true.

I now add my voice in sharing their story.

They were and are very brave and I honor them with this blog post.

Synopsis
From T.C. Christensen comes The Cokeville Miracle, the remarkable true story of a town facing a terrible tragedy, and the Sheriff’s investigator who struggles with his faith as he gathers evidence that defies easy explanation.

Cokeville Wyoming, a town of just over 500 people that sits near the Utah-Idaho border, is not known for much beyond it’s strong family values, but in 1986 Cokeville made national headlines when a madman and his wife entered the elementary school with guns and bomb. They gathered over 100 children and teachers into a small room, and made a demand: $200 million dollars for the lives of the children—but then the bomb went off…

The Cokeville Miracle is not just the story of a hostage crisis, or a terror attack on American soil. It is not just the story of a bomb that could have destroyed an entire generation, and ripped a town apart. The Cokeville Miracle is about what happened instead. How did a bomb that should have leveled the room take only two lives that day, the madman and his wife? Each child, each adult who made it out of that room has a story to tell. Follow the Sheriff’s investigator Ron Hartley as he pieces together the evidence, including stories of prayer and divine intervention from multiple witnesses. Gather the evidence and decide for yourself.

Do you see coincidence, 
or do you see miracles?

Starring: Jasen Wade
Genre: True Miracles
Directed By: T.C. Christensen
Release Date: June 5, 2015
http://www.cokevillemovie.com/home.html



A DAY OF DIGITAL SILENCE

Out of respect for the many people who had to live through that terrible day, a day of digital silence has been suggested on the anniversary of the bombing.

If you'd like to join on May 16, please turn off your digital devices and spend at least three hours connecting with the people you love, whether that is your children, your parents, your grandparents, your friends, or your ancestors through genealogy work.


If you are willing to share your experiences about this day of silence please use  #seemiracles.

The song Suo Gan (From "The Cokeville Miracle") by Jenny Oaks Baker
is available for download now -

The Husband Maker Collection

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YOU HAVE SEEN MY REVIEWS
NOW GET THIS AMAZING SERIES
IN A FABULOUS BOX SET


The Husband Maker

Charlotte’s a girl with nicknames. She may not love being called Charles or Chuck, but the hardest nickname to take is the one she was given in college, the one that’s followed her now for too many years. They call her “the husband maker” and sadly, it fits. Every guy she's dated since high school has gone on to marry the next girl they date. Not two or three girls down the road. The very next one.

Is she doing something wrong or is she just cursed?
When Kyle Aldsworth enters the picture and sweeps her off her feet, Charlotte begins to hope that maybe she's not destined to be single forever. A senator’s son with political aspirations of his own, Kyle's wealthy, handsome, and in need of a wife. Will Charlotte be disappointed yet again, or will she finally be able to make a husband for herself? This book started out as a FUN CHICK-LIT and I LOVED IT! Then a twist was presented--a deeper thought---and I LOVED IT EVEN MORE!

The Match Maker

It’s been six months since Charlotte and Kyle broke up, and the Husband Maker strikes again. Kyle is officially engaged, while Charlotte is still nursing a broken heart.

In an effort to get Charlotte out of her rut, she and her best friend decide it’s time for some good old-fashioned matchmaking. While Aleena arranges for Charlotte to meet up with a handsome Scottish tourist, Charlotte gets her two best friends together. But when sparks start to fly between Aleena and Angus, Charlotte is left feeling more alone that ever--at least until the charming Scotsman becomes more than just a safe, rebound guy and teaches her that maybe, just maybe, she can dare to open her heart again. A SWEET BOOK! SO WORTH YOUR TIME!

The Wife Maker

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.What if it is all for nothing and Charlotte is left with... nothing? LOVED. LOVED. LOVED. THIS. BOOK! SO WONDERFULLY WRITTEN! A TRUE MUST-READ!

This series is FABULOUS!
DO NOT MISS OUT ON THIS!

Summer in Snow Valley

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COMING JUNE 1st
~ SUMMER IN SNOW VALLEY ~



Did you read Christmas in Snow Valley? You can click HERE to read my review...






Well, these authors have teamed up again with six wonderful summer novellas that are sure to make your summer sweet and sassy!


PREORDER NOW FOR ONLY $0.99 
and watch for my review on Jun 2nd

Willa the Wolf Gets New Shoes

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A review copy was provided

WILLA THE WOLF GETS NEW SHOES
by Leela Hope

Does your child have trouble with a mean girl at school? Are they afraid to be themselves?

Willa the wolf is so happy about her new shoes until Cynthia Swan tells everyone that the shoes are ugly. 

Willa is very upset and is not sure how to handle the situation. 

Join Willa as she learns how to deal with mean kids and even helps Cynthia in the end. 

The story is brought to life by beautiful illustrations and told in flowing verse. 

A terrific story for the entire family to read together. Perfect for kids 0-5.

My Review
This book really is WONDERFUL!
The story is simple, yet so profound!
Not only does it address the issue of bullying, but it also shows how to be a friend--even to that bully.
There is a lesson here to be learned by ALL of us; young and old alike.

What girl doesn't like shiny new shoes?

About the Author
leela hope is a writer with over 22 years of experience in writing endearing children's fiction. Her lively characters have entranced and captivated her audience, and she has taken great joy in writing the three series of books, each beautifully illustrated with love and care. Her stories concentrate on the adventures of floppy eared bunnies and wide-eyed children learning lessons in life, before returning home wiser and eager for sleep. leela hope writes her stories to entertain the very young, but also to educate. Her vision is always of a parent sitting on a child's bed, reciting the stories each night, while the young one drifts off to sleep, lulled into a dream world full of fun and adventure.

Born in San Diego, California, and still residing in the area, leela studied English Literature at Berkeley, earning a degree in 1989. Her writing covers a span of several genres, but she always returns to her first love, children's fiction. She enjoys scuba diving and visiting wildlife parks, seeking new inspiration for cuddly characters for her stories. leela hope lives in an urban area of San Diego and is presently at work on a new book.

FREE eBOOK (offer ends 5/16)

Bee, My Friend - Count With Me

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A review copy was provided

Bee, My Friend - Count With Me
by Audrey Muller

"An illustrated story in rhyme for preschoolers."

Big pictures and bold colors will hold a child's attention. Makes learning numbers easy and exciting!

A fun book to be read together.

"Down at the river on a long brown log, quietly sat Big Green Frog with his very best friend Bee upon his knee. 

There under the bright yellow sun they counted together and had such fun!"

Audrey's books are always AMAZING!
She keeps it simple, yet entertaining.
I highly recommend ANY of her books!

About the Author
Audrey enjoys writing and illustrating fun, positive stories for children.

She believes that reading promotes development in literacy, stimulates a spark for imagination, provides opportunities for discussion in a fun way as well as helping create a bond between child and parent, resulting in special moments and joyful memories.

Stories that make you smile. www.ReadSmileAwhile.com


May 13, 2015

Hope After Suicide

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A review copy was provided

HOPE AFTER SUICIDE
by Wendy Parmley

We all have a story—hidden secrets buried in dark and rocky earth. Our task is to unearth—to release the pain and discover the good, discover the healing, discover the love. Uncovering the darkness makes space for the light.

After her mother took her own life, Wendy Parmley learned firsthand the heartache, despair, and loneliness that accompanies suicide loss. Reinvent your definition of saved, perfect, and forgiveness as you read this true narrative of a woman opening her heart years after her mother’s suicide and learn how to overcome any loss in your own life.

My Review
Words cannot adequately describe the beauty and sacredness of this book and the events that unfold.

Wendy was only 12-years-old when her mother took her own life. Wendy's only defense from the "heartache, despair, and loneliness" was to build a wall around the hole left in her heart when her mother shot a hole in her own heart.

But that wall never allowed healing to take place...

Openly and with tender details Wendy shares her life, the life of her father, and of her siblings...

Her years of pretending she was okay and her therapy assignments...

Her protection of her badly wounded heart...

And how she found the love and forgiveness she has always been seeking.

Your heart will be touched as you read of this very brave woman and her willingness to share her story so that others might understand better their own struggles of loss and despair.

A book DEFINITELY worth reading!
VERY INSPIRATIONAL!

Open your heart
Forgive yourself and others
Seek help when you need it
Draw closer to the divine

About the Author
Wendy Parmley suffered a disabling bike accident in September 2011. Unable to return to her 20 year nursing career because of the continued effects of her injuries, Wendy began the slow and painful penning of her angel mother’s story and Wendy’s healing journey following her mom’s suicide death. Wendy’s mom took her own life when just 31 years old, leaving behind her husband of thirteen years and their five young children.

Wendy has long advocated for suicide prevention and has participated on various professional and community based groups dedicated to that end. She also recognizes the need to unashamedly support those who must continue to live in the painful aftermath of a loved one’s suicide and passionately lends her voice to that cause.

Prior to her bike accident, Wendy worked in nursing leadership for 14 years, earning her MBA degree from Brigham Young University in 2007. Despite her continued limitations, Wendy is grateful to spend more time with the love of her life, her husband Mark. She is ever grateful for his support and the support of their three married sons and their wives, their amazing daughter, and their beautiful two grandchildren who fill their life with sunshine. Mark and Wendy live in Orem, Utah.

May 12, 2015

Trouble in Paradise w/ $25 Amazon + Book Giveaway

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A review copy was provided

Trouble in Paradise
by Karen Tuft

I LOVED this book from the very first page!

Andy Kendrick cannot wait to get out of his small Arizona town of Eagle Bluff.

So when the opportunity comes to go to school and work for his brother-in-law in Hawaii he jumps at the change.

He is so ready to be away from everything and everyone from his past.

A few years ago Kimberly Briggs finally got up the courage to ask out her life-long crush, Andy, only to be humiliated.

Add in the fact that her parents have become overly protective due to her brother's death--

She knew it would take an ocean between them to live her own life.

But life has a funny twist and Andy and Kimberly both end up choosing the same place to run away to and end up working with each other.

They each decide to "make the best of the situation."

You will be inspired as you watch Kimberly gain confidence as she tries new things and especially with her art...wait until you see what she does... and how... SO INTRIGUING!

And it is adorable to watch Andy push Kimberly to be a little more brave each time they were together and how he always tries to slip in a little sight-seeing while they are on the job.

"But even as they revel in the adventures of island life, drawn together by a growing attraction, an unforeseen peril threatens Kimberly's life."

"She was his trouble - He was her paradise."

A FANTASTIC book!
I LOVED IT!
This author is fairly new for me, but I will definitely read more from her!

BLOG TOUR GIVEAWAY

(Covenant Communications will notify winner by email)

About the Author
Karen Tuft was born with a healthy dose of curiosity about pretty much everything, so as a child she taught herself to read and play the piano. She studied composition at BYU and graduated from the University of Utah in music theory, where she was a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Pi Kappa Lambda honor societies.

In addition to being an author, Karen is a wife, mother, pianist, composer, and arranger. She has spent countless hours backstage and in orchestra pits for theater productions along the Wasatch Front. Among her varied interests, she likes to figure out what makes people tick, wander through museums, and travel whether it's by car, plane, or paperback.


Blog Tour Participants
May 11th: 

May 12th:

May 13th: 

May 14th: 

May 15th: 


May 11, 2015

Eleanor and the Iron King

2 comments
COVER REVEAL
Eleanor and the Iron King

Eleanor de Lacy has been bartered: her hand in marriage in exchange for a truce with her father's sworn enemy. Now the headstrong beauty must leave her ancestral home and the man she secretly loves to become the wife of the infamous Welsh King Brach Goch. Tales of this cruel leader paint a chilling picture of a ruthless warrior—all Eleanor knows for certain is that he is the villain responsible for the vicious attacks on her people and the death of her beloved brother. Though she must marry against her will, she vows Brach Goch will never possess her heart.

Her arrival at the inhospitable castle Bryn Du confirms her worst fears—a ghost walks the halls of the castle, and Eleanor receives an ominous warning from the uneasy spirit: Brach is not to be trusted. Though resigned to a life of misery, Eleanor soon realizes all is not as it seems, for Brach is not the monster she dreaded but is a handsome and charming man whose gentle ways soon undermine his bride's resolve to lock her heart. Clinging desperately to her pride, Eleanor finds herself trapped in a web of murder and deceit. And as the lines between good and evil become blurred, Eleanor must decide for herself who is to be trusted—and loved.


Her Lost Love w/ eBook Giveaway

2 comments
A review copy was provided

HER LOST LOVE
by Linda Weaver Clarke

I LOVE this cozy mystery series!
Amelia and Rick are so fun to watch together and their cases take them to some fun places and into some precarious situations!

Julie Anderson has an engagement proposal in front of her, but she cannot fully commit to it until she knows what happened to her high school sweetheart, Joey.

Joey went on an archaeology dig while Julie finished college. He wrote to Julie every day telling her of his undying love.

Then the letters stopped....

As Amelia and Rick follow the clues they find out that even Joey's family moved without notice and the old professor with the most answers now has periods of dementia.

And to top it off someone is following Amelia.

What has Joey gotten himself into and why does someone want to stop Amelia from finding him?

Some great twists await you in this one with a very surprising ending that will leave you so wanting more!

Lost persons, bucket lists, a little romance, and a great mystery!

A VERY FUN BOOK!
CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT MYSTERY!
LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. THIS AUTHOR! All her books are family friendly :)

In celebration of this book release Linda is offering an eBOOK GIVEAWAY-
CLICK HERE to get in on it (ends 5/11)

About the Author
Linda Weaver Clarke travels throughout the United States, teaching and encouraging people to write their family history and autobiography. She is the mother of six daughters and has several grandchildren. Clarke is the author of an award-winning sweet romance, Melinda and the Wild West, for the "Reviewers Choice Award." She has several historical sweet romances, a mystery/adventure series, and a children's book. She has also written two non-fiction e-books: Reflections of the Heart and Writing Your Family Legacy.

Miss Burton Unmasks a Prince

2 comments

MISS BURTON UNMASKS A PRINCE
by Jennifer Moore

I have posted a preview of this book.
And I have posted a spotlight of this book.

NOW I just have to share my REVIEW of this book because this book is FANTASTIC! SO INCREDIBLY GOOD! FUN. FUN. FUN. Even AMAZING!

Meg Burton has traveled from the United States to England to enjoy a "season on the ton."

She is being doted over and outfitted and given her choice of eligible bachelors.

Yet she is bored!

She wants to have an adventure like the ones from the books she reads...

A ghost in the castle, a prisoner in the dungeon, ravenous wolves in the forest, or even a highwayman laying in wait...

But no! The castle is not haunted and there is no danger awaiting..

"Everything is an abysmal disappointment!"

That is until she meets Carlo!

Wait until you find out who Carlo really is and the very amazing things he does to bring Meg a sense of excitement and a thrill of fear to her heart...

You will quickly come to LOVE this story and how adventurous Meg is!
Could not put it down! Kept me reading way too late into the night :)

About the Author
Jennifer Moore is a passionate reader and writer of all things romance due to the need to balance the rest of her world that includes a perpetually traveling husband and four active sons, who create heaps of laundry that is anything but romantic. Jennifer has a B.A. in Linguistics from the University of Utah and is a Guitar Hero champion. She lives in northern Utah with her family, but most of the time wishes she was aboard a British frigate during the age of sail.


May 10, 2015

The Power of Mothers

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#‎Mothers‬ fill many important roles in the hearts and lives of their children.
Enjoy this original Power of Mothers film in honor of your wonderful day. 
Happy Mother's Day today and every day!


This short-film is SO WORTH WATCHING!
Remarkably done it will spark a memory of something your mom did for you...
And possibly something you have done for a child.

Please SHARE this film :)
#‎MothersDay‬

May 8, 2015

Unselfish: Love Thy Neighbor As Thy Selfie w/ Book Giveaway

0 comments
A review copy was provided

UNSELFISH:
Love Thy Neighbor As Thy Selfie
compiled by Paul D. Parkinson

Everyone is trying to get noticed. 
Selfies are taking over the internet.

Selfish behavior seems to be at an all time high. But there are people who do UNSELFISH things everyday.

Acts of kindness that no one notices. Extraordinary sacrifices that don't go viral.

This book celebrates just a few of the unsung stories of regular people and celebrities alike going against the grain and helping their fellow man.

Unselfish will reignite your faith in humanity and may just inspire you to "love thy neighbor as thy selfie."


99 inspiring stories of people putting others before themselves-
Fantastic photos throughout make this the ideal showcase book.

My Review
One day, not too long ago, I had the opportunity to just sit and watch people. I had many, many things to do and many, many books to review...but I decided to take this moment to be in the present...to share with those around me. It was there that I firmly decided that the final judgement will not be so much about what we did, but how we treated other people.

This book shows just that! 

Amazing examples of love and service!

Beautiful stories of helping another without having to take a "selfie" in doing so.

Each story is only a few paragraphs making it easy to pick up, read a little, put down, pick up, read a little more...although once you start reading it won't be easy to put down :)

And the messages will stay with you for a very long time!

Your heart will be touched!

"The key is to act--do something,  just like the people in this book. 
It requires only action. Let us all live to make life less difficult for each other" - Paul D. Parkinson


The author is graciously offering a
BOOK GIVEAWAY for one of my followers :)
(US address only Please)


About the Author
As President of Gradual Elevate Media, Paul wrote the story for and oversaw the production of the feature film, "Nowhere Safe" – a movie that addresses the issue of cyberbullying. Paul's work is in media that positively affects society and culture. He and his wife Rebecca have 6 children.



Sample Stories from the Book

"Street Medicine": 23 years ago, Dr. Jim Withers of Pittsburgh Mercy Health System stepped out of the comforts of the hospital to care for the homeless and needy. Since then, over 10,000 people have been treated on the streets. Read Jim's full story on page 146 of "Unselfish".

One of the stories in "Unselfish" is about Liz Howell, who in spite of losing her husband on 9-11, rose from the pain and sorrow and dedicated her life to service. Liz is shown below, caring for a child during the Haiti earthquake. As we see what is happening in Nepal now, we are grateful for people like Liz and so many others who serve so unselfishly during natural disasters.

Four years ago, a tornado destroyed Cottons Service Center in Ringgold, GA. A competitor's service center down the street, Teter and Company, was unaffected. Then something unheard of happened: Teter and Company took their competitor in, and allowed him to set-up shop right on-site with them. Read the entire story in "UNSELFISH".

Part of the proceeds from Unselfish will be donated to the Cambodian Children’s Fund, a charity started 10 years ago by former Hollywood executive Scott Neeson, who left the Hollywood lifestyle to save children and families in Cambodia. His organization now cares for more than 17,000 people annually...Scott’s story is included in the book.


May 7, 2015

King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court w/ $25 Amazon or PayPal Giveaway

1 comments
KASIWC_ebook_1600x2400
King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court 
by Kim Iverson Headlee 

Morgan le Fay, 6th-century Queen of Gore and the only major character not killed off by Mark Twain in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, vows revenge upon the Yankee Hank Morgan.

She casts a spell to take her to 1879 Connecticut so she may waylay Sir Boss before he can travel back in time to destroy her world.

But the spell misses by 300 miles and 200 years, landing her in the Washington, D.C., of 2079, replete with flying limousines, hovering office buildings, virtual-reality television, and sundry other technological marvels.   

Whatever is a time-displaced queen of magic and minions to do?

Why, rebuild her kingdom, of course—two kingdoms, in fact: as Campaign Boss for the reelection of American President Malory Beckham Hinton, and as owner of the London Knights world-champion baseball franchise.

Written as though by the old master himself, King Arthur’s Sister in Washington’s Court by Mark Twain as channeled by Kim Iverson Headlee offers laughs, love, and a candid look at American society, popular culture, politics, baseball...and the human heart.


About the Author 
Kim Iverson Headlee 1500x2237Kim Headlee lives on a farm in southwestern Virginia with her family, cats, goats, Great Pyrenees goat guards, and assorted wildlife. People and creatures come and go, but the cave and the 250-year-old house ruins—the latter having been occupied as recently as the mid-twentieth century—seem to be sticking around for a while yet. Kim is a Seattle native and a direct descendent of twentieth-century Russian nobility. Her grandmother was a childhood friend of the doomed Grand Duchess Anastasia, and the romantic yet tragic story of how Lydia escaped Communist Russia with the aid of her American husband will most certainly one day fuel one of Kim's novels. Another novel in the queue will involve her husband's ancestor, the seventh-century proto-Viking king of the Swedish colony in Russia. For the time being, however, Kim has plenty of work to do in creating her projected 8-book Arthurian series, The Dragon's Dove Chronicles, and other novels under her imprint Pendragon Cove Press.

Praise for the Book 
“Packed with politics, pop culture, sports, business, time travel, magic, deceit, humor and love, this story will keep you enthralled right up to the end. Whether you have ever read an Arthurian romance before or not, give this one a try. I am sure you will love it as much as I did.” ~ Dottie of Romance Junkies

“KASIWC is irresistible, passionate, and intriguing. Definitely check out this amazing new Arthurian Romance!” ~ Jill of Arthurian Romances

“It’s like Ms. Headlee has the touch of Twain in her.” ~ Darlene of Mousiey Books  

Blog Tour Giveaway 
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash 
Ends 5/25/15 

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by readinglight.com. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

May 6, 2015

Extreme Measures w/ $25 Amazon + Book Giveaway

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EXTREME MEASURES
by Michele Ashman Bell

Following the trauma of her estranged husband’s untimely death, Emma Lowell is happy with the life she has rebuilt for herself.

She’s engaged to a wonderful man and anticipates a fresh start, free from her troubled past. Only one persistent obstacle remains: Margaret Lowell, her former mother-in-law. 

Margaret continues to be a demanding presence in Emma’s life, and her requests have become increasingly disconcerting. 

When Margaret asks Emma to accompany her on a sentimental journey to the family’s mountain cabin, the young woman reluctantly agrees. After all, her fiancé is out of town. No one will miss her. 

Emma could never have suspected the horror that awaits in the snow-bound cabin, for beneath Margaret Lowell’s elderly façade lies a sinister and terrifying nature—and a plot born of insanity. 

Alarmed by the dark plan that unfolds, Emma struggles to escape the isolated cabin in a chilling game of cat and mouse. 

As the danger escalates, and with little hope of rescue, Emma must engage in a battle of wills if she is to avoid becoming the final piece in Margaret’s twisted puzzle . . .


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About the Author
I grew up in St. George, Utah, where a lot of my family still lives, but now reside with my husband and family in the Salt Lake City area. My favorite thing to do is support my kids in their many interests. Between basketball, ballet and piano lessons we squeeze a lot into a week, but I wouldn't have it any other way.




Hop over to these blogs to read some reviews:
*May4th:

*May 5th: 

*May 6th: 

*May 7th: 

May 5, 2015

How to Tie a Tie

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HOW TO TIE A TIE:
A Gentleman's Guide to Getting Dressed
by Potter Style

"A WELL-TIED TIE IS THE FIRST SERIOUS STEP IN LIFE."
 - Oscar Wilde

"A gentleman should dress to his strengths but accommodate his individuality. 
Well-chosen clothes present him to the world at large before he even has a chance to offer a handshake or open his mouth. A man conscious of his style walks with cool, refined confidence."

It is SO TRUE! How handsome is a man when he is all dressed up in a suit and tie!

This book is really amazing...

Inside you'll find:
* Step-by-step instructions to knot neckties for casual, office, and evening wear.

* Tailoring basics for sartorial excellence.

* Guidelines for matching cuff links to shirts, folding pocket squares, and other essential finishing touches.

I really, really like some of the knots in this book!

PERFECT for graduation or Father's Day...

Or any time you want to help your guy get out of his knot rut and experiment with some others twists of a tie.

May 4, 2015

In the Midst of Thee - Volume II

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A review copy was provided

IN THE MIDST OF THEE 
VOLUME II
by Glenn Rawson

"In the Midst of Thee; volume II is a collection of inspirational stories, which are intended to be understood and used in church, in home, and in life. They are true, and each contains a true principle, which, if applied, will make us happier and stronger." - Glenn Rawson

Glenn Rawson is a master storyteller and a very charismatic person!

His stories are from ordinary people doing ordinary things, but Glenn sees the extraordinary in most things and pulls from these experiences a true life lesson.

He watches for the good in people such as the garbage truck driver who stopped to help Glenn's son clean up when the garbage can, that was too heavy for the son, spilled garbage everywhere.

Or Rex, the tire guy, who not only helped Glenn with his tires, but also brought such a spirit with him that Glenn left feeling happier just for being with Rex.

I love the story about Glenn's son who found himself pinned under a barbell set after putting too much weight on it. After laughing at him Glenn helped lift the weight. Then Glenn applied this to our lives and the Savior. HE does not laugh at us when we pile on too much in life and find ourselves "spiritually and emotionally pinned, out of breath, with the world on (our) chest." Instead HE comes to our aid and "sets us free."

Glenn also turns to the scriptures and sees the strength in learning from those who have gone on before us such as Martha and Mary or Elijah and the Widow or David and Goliath, etc.

Glenn shares with us the love of his parents and how they acted with each other...always with love. For those "whose arms are empty and whose hearts yearn and ache, Glenn reminds us that we have a Heavenly Father who loves us and the closer we come to Him the "more you will love and be loved."

Through amazingly tender stories Glenn reminds us to be "Grateful for Gratitude," and that "Words Matter," and so much more.

This book will fill your heart with love and instill within you a desire to be better.

SO. SO. SO. WONDERFUL!


About the Author
Glenn Rawson grew up on a ranch. His love of the outdoors carries to this day. It isn’t unusual to find him outside in his free time, running, bird watching, hiking, or just taking a deep breath. Professionally, he has been a teacher for nearly 30 years, and that brought him to telling stories. He borrowed this philosophy for telling stories from Abraham Lincoln who said, “They say I tell a great many stories. I reckon I do, but I have learned from long experience that plain people…are more easily influenced through the medium of a broad and humorous illustration than in any other way.”

He loves people and especially his family. Glenn and his wife Debbie have seven children and two grandchildren. They live in Idaho. He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
 

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