I'll Know You By Heart by Kimberly Job

I must admit when I picked up this book, it was purely for the cover. Its gorgeous and I was dying to read the book. I didn't read the back of the book at all so when I started reading I was shocked to find out that this book is about abuse. Here is the synopsis:

The day Stephanie Roberts met Jared Wakefield, she didn't realize they'd met before. Running from an abusive marriage and trying to safeguard her children, she turns to Jared for support, but he needs more from her than she might be capable of giving. With her abusive husband looming in her past, the difficulties they must overcome to be together seem insurmountable.

Is it possible for love to conquer all? I'll Know You By Heart is a timeless romance that explores the possibility that relationships span the entire realm of eternity. A story about abuse, hardship, and betrayal, it is ultimately a story about the healing power of everlasting true love. 

I will admit this was a tough read.  The writing was excellent and you just had to keep reading. But it tore at my heart from one page to the next.  To see the abuse Stephanie put up with, made you want to go after those that abuse others and to comfort those that are victims.  Stephanie was written very well.  She showed the perfect (and yet sad) example of a battered wife. No matter what she had gone through, she felt the need to honor her abusive husband. You could see her struggle to get out of that mind control.

Enter Jared.  The perfect husband and father that any girl could want. He has an adorable little girl that needs a mommy.  The spark between them from the first may sound crazy to some people but as I'm a huge believer in finding 'The One',  I loved seeing Jared and Stephanie first meet.  I was cheering for them from the beginning.

This is a tough subject but it was done so well.  I broke down as I finished the book, so thankful that I was given my husband who treats me so well.  I only wish that others could be so lucky!

You can purchase the book here:  http://www.amazon.com

Her website is:  http://www.kimberlyjob.com/

The Ember Gods by Andrea Pearson

This is the second book in the Kilenya series.  I was excited to read this book after I finished Andrea's first book The Key of Kilenya. I was glad I was able to continue the series.  The book starts right up and goes from where the last book left off. I got pulled in instantly and enjoyed reentering the world of Eklaron.  The creatures and the world is different from what I've read before and I loved it!  Here is the synopsis:

Jacob Clark has just returned from the world of Eklaron, where he frustrated the evil plans of the Lorkon and returned the magical Key of Kilenya to its rightful owners. His quest is far from over, though—Aloren is trapped in Maivoryl City by the Ember Gods, and Jacob can't return to save her until he receives the potion that will protect his team from the corrosive influence of the Lorkon.

Balancing between this new world and his own proves tricky. Not only has he started his first year of high school, but his magical abilities are bringing him too much attention. He feels pulled by both sides, hoping he'll be able to figure out his special powers to save Aloren in time.

Jacob spent a lot of time comparing himself to his brother Matt in the first book so I'm glad we got to see more of him in the second book.  I enjoyed seeing the strengths and weaknesses of both and how well they worked together.  It was fun having Matt witness all of the different abilities Jacob had and instead of being jealous, he worked right along with him.

There are many twists and turns in this book to keep you hooked.  Jacob has so much going on his life but he is still able to keep it together.  He even shows compassion when he could easily have gotten revenge on a high school rival.

I loved the ending of the story.  You have foreshadowing along the way, but you have no idea what's going to happen until you read the end. I loved it! I can't wait to see what is in store for Jacob in the next book.

You can purchase The Ember Gods here: http://www.amazon.com

Her website is here:  http://www.kilenyaseries.com/

The Forgotten Locket By Lisa Mangum

This is the last book in The Hourglass Door trilogy.  I had to search for it the night after I finished The Golden Spiral because I needed to finish the trilogy.  Not wanted.  Needed. I wasn't disappointed. The ending was phenomenal.  Here is the synopsis:


When Abby stepped through the hourglass door, leaving her beloved Dante blind and bleeding on the other side, it was in full faith that she could find a way to repair the damage to the river of time and restore him—as well as her family. It was a desperate chance that seemed worth taking.
But Zo had other plans.
Now Abby is trapped in a full-fledged battle for her own mind and life and heart. Even worse, Zo's evil intent reaches beyond simple revenge against her and Dante. The whole world is in danger of collapsing unless Abby can summon her courage and undertake a journey that will lead her beyond the origins of the hourglass door.

Again, Lisa uses imagery to pull you into the story from the very beginning. Every step of the way, you're in the edge of your seat, hoping Abby can get her life back to normal and everything as it should be.  And just when you think things are back to normal, she throws another twist into the story.  You're left breathless by the time you reach the last page of the book because you are so invested in what happens to Abby and Dante.  It is one of those books that you wake up the next morning and can't believe you've finished the whole trilogy so fast and wish for more.

I would recommend this book from Young Adults and adults alike.  The book makes you think about life and brings to life what would happen if you could go back in time. It shows the importance of each person's life and the decisions they make. By changing one thing, you could change the course of your life and everyone else's. It also makes you treasure the time you have with your family and your loved ones.

You can find Lisa's website here:  http://www.leosdungeon.com/

You can purchase her books here: http://www.amazon.com
Or here:                                       www.deseretbook.com

Summer Blog Hop Winner

Congrats to

kswederski

For winning the stuffed dragon!  Thanks to everyone who participated!

Welcome to the September Blog Hop! Celebrate the beginning of fall with me and my blogger friends by hopping around, visiting our sites, and entering our contests! There are no limits - you can enter the contest on every blog. With over 40 blogs participating, that's over 40 prizes you could win. Just click on the links below to move on to the next blog.



On my blog, you can win …

A Melissa & Doug Plush Dragon!
It came from my bookstore Dragons & Fairy Tales.

Would you like to win this prize? You just need to do two things.



1. Become a follower of this blog.



2. Leave me a comment in the trail and tell me why you'd like to win this prize.



That's it! You are now entered. The contest ends on Saturday night, September 24th, at midnight MST, and the winner will be contacted shortly thereafter. Please either leave your e-mail address in the comment trail or make sure it's visible through your profile so I can contact you to tell you that you're the lucky winner.



Now go visit my other friends ...





September Blog Hop Participants

1. Tristi Pinkston, LDS Author 2. Joyce DiPastena 3. I Am A Reader, Not A Writer 4. Mandi Slack 5. Michael D. Young 6. Six Mixed Reviews 7. Pam Williams 8. Laurie Lewis 9. Kristy Tate 10. Marilyn Yarbrough 11. Stacy Coles 12. Kristie Ballard 13. Lynn Parsons 14. Pushing Past the Pounds 15. Sheila Staley 16. cindy Hogan

17. Jamie Thompson 18. Jaclyn Weist 19. Cathy Witbeck 20. Secret Sisters Mysteries 21. Tamera Westhoff 22. Tina Scott 23. Lynnea Mortensen 24. Danyelle Ferguson aka Queen of the Clan 25. Jeanette A. Fratto 26. Bonnie Harris 27. Melissa Lemon 28. Mary Ann Dennis 29. Stephanie Black 30. Jane Still 31. Janice 32. Laura Bastian

33. Tamara Bordon 34. Betsy Love 35. Maria Hoagland 36. Amber Robertson 37. Debbie Davis 38. 39. Christy Monson 40. Carolyn Frank 41. Rebecca Birkin 42. Melissa Cunningham 43. Emily L. Moir 44. Ronda Hinrichsen 45. Lisa Asanuma 46. Joan Sowards 47. Jordan McCollum 48. Diane Stringam Tolley

Learn more about September Blog Hop here.

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Spare Change by Aubrey Mace

I read My Fairy Grandmother several months ago and loved the story. I was anxious to read Aubrey's other books.  I wasn't disappointed!  Here is the synopsis:

Twenty-three and single, Riley thinks resolutions should be fun, not hard. Just before midnight, she vows to make the easiest resolution ever: save her pennies and at the end of the year, buy something nice for herself. Easy! ...Or is it?
Working at a cancer treatment center can change one's perspective, and before long Riley decides to donate her extra money to cancer research rather than reward herself. At first her resolution is her own secret, but all too soon the nurses figure out her plan, and then things really begin to get out of hand!
As people through the hospital, and then the town, begin to get involved, Riley finds herself at the front of the fund-raising campaign. She also finds herself face-to-face with Paul, the grouchy but cute bank teller. But can she overcome the memory of a failed relationship - and can he do the same? And who is the secret admirer who keeps leaving pennies and notes for her to find?

Personally, I am not a resolution maker.  I am horrible at keeping them so I don't make them. So, I knew how Riley felt as her mother pressured her into make a resolution. I love her resolution and it gave me an idea for next year. Not that I'll end up keeping it, but we'll see.

I absolutely loved this book. She's awkward, she's feisty, and she is someone that any girl could relate to. You see her go through the flow of making it through work, dating, dealing with bank robbers (okay, maybe not all people deal with that), and life in general.

This is a must-read book.  You want so much for her secret admirer to be Paul the whole way through.  Is  he? Well, you'll have to read to find out!!

Here is Aubrey's website: http://aubreymace.com/

You can purchase her book on www.amazon.com
                                   

The Key of Kilenya by Andrea Pearson

I got a great opportunity to read a book from one of my friends, Andrea Pearson.  I was a little leery because ebooks and I don't always agree.  I'm a 'hold the book in my hand' kind of person.  I didn't need to worry.  I was pulled into the book from the beginning and flew through it.

The summary:

When two vicious wolves chase fourteen-year-old Jacob Clark down a path from our world into another, his life is forever changed. He has no idea they have been sent by the Lorkon—evil, immortal beings who are jealous of powers he doesn’t know he possesses—powers they desire to control.

The inhabitants of the new world desperately need Jacob's help in recovering a magical key that was stolen by the Lorkon and is somehow linked to him. If he helps them, his life will be at risk. But if he chooses not to help them, both our world and theirs will be in danger. The Lorkon will stop at nothing to unleash the power of the key—and Jacob's special abilities. 

This is a story that I know my son would love. It has action, adventure, suspense, and all kinds of fun and scary mythical creatures.  Jacob is a likeable character and you get to learn about his abilities right along with him.  The imagery in the book is great and you feel as though you're there in the book.


One thing to keep in mind is that this book was Andrea's first book so there are a few places where the dialogue isn't quite as smooth as others, but the story is so much fun you still lose yourself in the story.

I would definitely recommend this book to those that love fantasy and those that are just looking for a fun book to lose themselves in. I can't wait to read her second book, The Ember Gods!

Here is where you can purchase her book:  Amazon

Andrea's website is here 

The Golden Spiral by Lisa Mangum

I was very happy that after finishing Lisa Mangum's  The Hourglass Door, I was able to start this next book the next morning. It was amazing! Here is the synopsis:

The bank is eroding. The barriers are thinning. And time is running out. The hourglass door has closed, sending Dante back in time to hunt down Zo, Tony, and V. Although giving him up was the hardest test she ever faced, Abby knows that Dante is the only one who can stop the others from destroying time itself. But almost immediately, things start to change, and Abby's worst fears are realized when Zo begins targeting her past. With each change that ripples into her present, Abby's life continues to spiral out of control. Her relationships with Jason, Natalie, and even her family are threatened to the breaking point. Zo's power is greater than Abby ever imagined, but as she struggles to free Dante, she receives help from an unexpected and unlikely ally. Will Abby s love for Dante be enough to turn the tide? 

The story starts out fast from the beginning.  The imagery Lisa paints makes you feel as though you're there; feeling the river, seeing and feeling what Abby sees and feels.  You ache for her as she has her life fall apart and changed with the river's flow. 


The book is great for young adults and adults alike. It makes you grateful for your family and friends and want to hold them a little tighter.  Having memories flowing through your mind but having no one else in your life remember those same memories would be devastating.  Abby is one special girl and I can't wait until I can read the last part of this trilogy.

Here is a link to her website: http://www.leosdungeon.com/

You can purchase her books here: www.amazon.com
and here:                                      www.deseretbook.com

The Hourglass Door by Lisa Mangum

I have looked forward to reading this book for a long time.  I finally opened up the book a few days ago.  I couldn't put it down. First the summary:

Abby Edmunds’s senior year of high school is going according to plan: good friends, cute boyfriend, and college applications in the mail. But when Dante Alexander, foreign-exchange student from Italy, steps into her life, he turns it upside down. He’s mysterious, and interesting, and unlike anyone she’s ever met before. Abby can’t deny the growing attraction she feels for him. Nor can she deny the unusual things that seem to happen when Dante is around. Soon Abby finds herself drawn into a mystery whose roots reach into sixteenth-century Florence, and she uncovers a dangerous truth that threatens not only her future but the lives of those she loves.


This book drew me in from the beginning. Lisa's imagery makes you feel as though you're right there in the book. You experience Abby's thoughts and emotions, from her frustration of being stifled by family and her boyfriend, to the feelings of wanting to be free and the chance to make spontaneous choices.  And then Dante walks into the picture. Dante's character is so intriguing that you just want to know all of his secrets.  Every time he pulls away, you have to know why.

After finishing the book at 1:51 AM last night, I went to bed wanting to pull The Golden Spiral, her second book, off of the shelf.  I didn't want the story to end. This is definitely a book I would recommend to anyone that enjoys reading.  It has all of the elements that I enjoy in a book and I can't wait to get back into the world of Abby and Dante.

 You can purchase the book here: Amazon 
or here:                                        Deseret Book

Her website is here

The Bent Sword By Stephen Gashler

When a daydreaming peasant named Steffin decides to take control of his own destiny, an adventure begins that has serious consequences. Though his adventures are reckless, Steffin's passion is contagious, and he eventually recruits men to fight against his nemesis, the Lord of Boredom. Yet, the journey is difficult, and problems constantly block the path these comrades are taking. Will the Lord of Boredom succeed in quelling what could be the greatest of all adventures? The Bent Sword is an inspiration for anyone who ever wondered why life isn't more like a storybook.

 This book was fun from the beginning. You have two story lines going throughout the book, which makes you curious as to how they come together in the end.  Steffin  is hilarious as he tries to get people to help him in his quest.  His made up quests are anything but 'noble' and the reactions of his followers made me laugh out loud.

My favorite part of the book is when Steffin has to explain his real quest. Imagine taking a story you've played out with your friends many times growing up and then having to explain it to your posse. Especially when the villain is the Lord of Boredom! 

This book is great for young adults. Its got action, adventure, a tiny bit of romance and a huge amount of comedy. 

You can purchase his books on www.amazon.com

You can find his website at : http://thebentsword.com/

Welcome!

After having owned a bookstore where I met many local authors, I was left with several books I've been dying to read.  As I've read them, I've wanted a way to let people know about the fun books and authors I've discovered. This is the way I decided was the best way to do that.  Since I've been gone for the last six months and had to leave my books behind, there are great books I read before we left that I will have to go back and read before I can review them. So instead, I'm going for the books that I have read since I've gotten home.  Just in the last few weeks I've read six books and I'm starting on my seventh.

Along with this, I've wanted a place where I can put my thoughts. There were many times when I rode on buses in Canberra and Melbourne that I came up with ideas that I wanted to write down and keep.  I didn't have anywhere to write and most of the time I had my kids with me so it could have been disastrous anyway.  I still come up with things that I just want to get out there and now I have a place to put them. I may split it up and put it into a different blog later but for now everything goes together. This can be story ideas, random thoughts or anywhere in between.