My Review of
Paige by Annette Lyon

From the Back Cover:
After a bitter divorce from her unfaithful husband, Paige moves from Utah to California with her two little boys and vows to make a fresh start. She finds a job at a dental practice that helps her get back on her feet, but it's the friends she makes at her new book club who help her realize how strong she is and who give her support to carry on as she faces the challenges of being a single mom. She also meets Derryl, a wonderful, kind, attentive man who treats her right, something her ex never did. Yet Paige struggles to figure out who she is as a woman rather than a wife, how to help her boys adjust to a broken home, and whether she can ever trust a man or love again. As Paige leans on the book club ladies and Derryl's ever-present care, one thing becomes clear: healing from the past requires more than a change of address.

Paige draws the reader into the story from the first sentence, and held my attention throughout the whole book. I had a hard time putting it down to take care of my own duties. I found myself crying alone with Paige as she experienced her painful moments of sending her boys off to visit their father, and cheered for her as she found new friends in the book club. I enjoyed the journey of learning more about Paige, watching her growth as she learned to deal with her "new life", and getting to know the other characters through Paige's views. This is a book that will be read several times as I feel the need to visit a friend.

I am looking forward to the next installment in the series

Author: Annette Lyon

Publisher: Covenant

Published: August 2012

ISBN-13: 978-1-60861-946-7

Genre: general fiction

Paperback: 238 pages

FTC FYI: Review copy, which did not affect my review

Tres Leches Cupcakes by Josie Kilpack upcoming release

In conjunction with the release of Tres Leches Cupcakes the author, Josi S. Kilpack, and the publisher, Shadow Mountain, are sponsoring a contest for free books. To enter, leave a comment in the comment section of this blog before September 16th, 2012. Winners will be announced and notified September 17th 2012.

For additional ways to enter, go to www.josiskilpack.com

Daisy, the second book in the Newport Ladies Book Club series, is by Josie Kilpack. I quite enjoyed reading about the same time frame through the eyes of a different character. Seeing Daisy, reluctantly, at first become a part of the book Club, and watching her grow and share her problems with the other ladies, was an enjoyable read. The trials which she goes through, while different from my trials have helped me to find a perspective and appreciate the growth my own trials have brought into my life. I had a hard time putting down the book to get other things done, sort of like when you visit a friend and you don't want to leave your friend's side.
I'm looking forward to the next book in this wonderful series of four books written by 4 talented authors.

A Royal Elf of Abalon Book Tour

Anna del C. Dye has once again written a book which draws the reader into another believable world. An overprotective mother who is queen, a princess who desires to experience life and be with her love, elves who are needed to "save the day", and a kingdom and destiny for an unprepared princess are all elements in this stand alone novel in Anna's elf series.

Even with other things needing my attention, the story line, characters, and conflict kept me reading and letting other duties fall by the wayside.

This book is worthy of J. R. R. Tolkein, who is the inspiration for Anna's Elf series. A wonderful book which is one you can feel good about reading with your family no matter how old or young. Enjoy!

Other Books by Anna del C. Dye include:

The Elf and the Princess: The Silent Warrior Trilogy – Book One 

Trouble in the Elf City: The Silent Warrior Trilogy – Book Two 

Elfs in a Conquered Realm: The Silent Warrior Trilogy – Book Three 

Curse of the Elfs 

Emerine’s Nightmare 

Anna del C. Dye was born in Valparaiso, Chile amongst some of the world’s most famous beaches. Anna resides in Taylorsville, Utah. She and her husband Rod are the parents of three princes and a princess. Anna is an accomplished, multi-award winning author. She received the Editor’s Choice Award from the International Library of Poetry. She was awarded a Bronze medal for Elfs in a Conquered Realm. The first page of her A Kingdom by the Sea received a second place. Her short story entitled Amerine—Fairy Princess won an award in the Oquirrh Writers contest and was published by Kalkion Magazine. Her article, A New American Mother, was published by Desert Saints Magazine. Other articles about family and relationships have been published frequently in the MOMS CLUB® of Salt Lake Valley-West. She is the author of The Silent Warrior Trilogy, Curse of the Elfs, and now A Royal Elf of Abalon. Anna has also published an electronic book for fifth and sixth-graders name Emerine’s Nightmare.


http://aroyalelfofabalon.blogspot.com/

A Piece of Time

Lilly is a teenage girl with dreams, trials, and hard aches who finds out what the purpose of life is all about. Victoria Fielding draws the reader into a world and experiences that all will one day go through, but very few ever return to tell about it. This is a book that I not only read but was drawn into and did not want to put down. Even if you are not going through the teenage part of life, you will be able to relate to Lilly and her trials and experiences in a way which will open up a world of possibilities, will answer questions about life after death, and will increase a sense of hope as you struggle through your own trials. A Piece of Time is one book which I will read over again, and recommend to all ages.

• Paperback: 367 pages
• Publisher: Brigham Distributing (September 2, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0983705208
• ISBN-13: 978-0983705208

Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Christ's Gifts to Women

• Hardcover: 33 pages
• Publisher: Covenant Communications Inc; 1st edition (March 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1608618617
• ISBN-13: 978-1608618613
• Received this book from the author in exchange for an unbiased review.

"The Savior has power enough to heal us all in each and every aspect of our lives, if we but reach out to Him."

Heather B. Moore and Angela Eschler have written a book which touches all aspects of womanhood in such a way as to bring healing to any and all women around the world. They have taken stories from the scriptures to illustrate the gifts which the Savior has given to women, and relate these gifts in ways which I had never thought about before, especially as pertaining to me and my trials in life. Each chapter reflects a different gift; The Gift of Mercy, The Gift of Experience, The Gift of Wholeness, The Gift of Nurturing, and The Gift of Seeing. I was able to clearly see how each gift relates to me as a Daughter of God, and felt a peace which I have felt when I'm reading the Scriptures or sitting in the Temple. The pictures are from well-known artists, and they enhance each chapter and gift. This is a well written and illustrated book, which can and will enhance the lives of women no matter what trials they may be going through at each stage of their lives.

Titanic trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id4BbSqnSrA&feature=youtu.be

Go to the above link

Olivia by Julie Wright

Olivia by Wright

I received Olivia by Julie Wright, the first in the Newport Ladies Book Club, in the mail a week ago and read it in a couple of days. It would have been a couple of hours, however life kept inturrupting my reading time. Of course upon receiving this book, I had to read the synopsis on the back.
"The Robbins household looks perfect from the outside: no dust, no stains, no wrinkles. Yet a glimpse into its heart reveals no laughter, no closeness, no joy. Olivia thinks that if she keeps everything tidy and serves delicious meals on time, family life is bound to get better. But when her husband, Nick, misses their anniversary, she realizes no amount of domestic success will compensate for failure in their marriage, or for her own failure to develop her identity, always busy as a mother, wife, and neighbor, she has forgotten how to be a unique and vibrant individual. Determined to make a change, Olivia joins a local book club, where she nurtures new friendships and explores new ideas. But her growing confidence falters when Nick declares his independence, and while her new friends lovingly encircle her with support, only Olivia can reach into the depths of her fledgling self to find the faith, hope, and love her troubled family needs."
Julie has written a book, which draws the reader into Olivia's family, struggles, and life. I was captured by Olivia and her struggles from the very first page until the end, which left me wanting more and looking forward to reading the other ladies stories as their books will be released over thhis year. Even though some of my struggles in life are different from those struggles Olivia faced, I could relate to her thoughts and feelings. I feel that Olivia and her story are as real to me as if I was sitting down and visiting with my friend. I would highly recommend this book to my close friends and family. I'm looking forward to discovering the rest of the story as I read the other books in this series, written by 3 other talented authors.