Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Things to Ponder For the New Year

It is always exciting to me to begin a new year. It's a time to put the mistakes of the past year behind me and renew my vow to be a better person in the coming year, to live my life better than I did last year. How grateful I am for that opportunity. My motto has always been, and always will be, "Make the world a better place because you are here and leave everyone and everything you come in contact with better because of it." Of course, like most, I always fall short, but what's important is that we keep trying, keep reaching higher when it comes to the important things in our life. And always remember to be grateful for all we have been given, both the seen and unseen blessings. Feeling a deep sense of gratitude in all things will automatically make us better than we were. It's all about living the best life we can, remembering where our blessings come from, and never taking anything or anyone for granted.
If we can all keep these things in mind and act on them, oh what a happier people we will be!
Happy New Year!

Tooting the Nook Horn!

My amazing husband got me a Nook for Christmas, so I am officially a Nooker now! I'm am totally loving it. It's like having a portable library in my purse, and it's pretty easy to use, which is awesome since my overloaded brain can only take so much:-)
To find out more about the Nook, log onto barnesandnoble.com

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Christmas Wishes

First, I'm excited to let you know that The Wishing Hour is now available in paperback, as well as ebook format. Order your copy from my website, Amazon.com, Smashwords.com, Offthebookshelf.com and Barnesandnoble.com!

I like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. Hope your holidays are filled with love, laughter, and oodles of great things!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Jewel's Christmas List of Must Reads Continued

Christmas Thoughts

"Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide open heart that thinks of others first. The birth of the baby Jesus stands as the most significant event in all history, because it has meant the pouring into a sick world the healing medicine of love which has transformed all manner of hearts for almost two thousand years... Underneath all the bulging bundles is this beating Christmas heart."
-- George Matthew Adams (The Christmas Heart)

Until one feels the spirit of Christmas, there is no Christmas. All else is outward display-so much tinsel and decorations. For it isn't the holly, it isn't the snow. It isn't the tree not the firelight's glow. It's the warmth that comes to the hearts of men when the Christmas spirit returns again."
-- Anonymous

Suggested Reading


Book:The Gift
Author: Richard Paul Evans

The Book
Nathan Hurst hated Christmas. For the rest of the world it was a day of joy and celebration; for Nathan it was simply a reminder of the event that destroyed his childhood until a snowstorm, a cancelled flight, and an unexpected meeting with a young mother and her very special son would show him that Christmas is indeed the season of miracles.

Book:The Chronicles of Narnia
Author: C.S. Lewis

The Book
C.S. Lewis' classic series is now available in an attractive streamline paperback volume that includes the complete text of all seven books. A Pauline Baynes illustration pulled from the original 1950s editions graces each chapter, and the unabridged text is presented in C.S. Lewis' original spelling and punctuation. Now adults can enjoy the entire series as much as the next generation.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Taking Time For Christmas

Sometimes you just have to wonder what kind of madness takes hold of people at this, the most wonderful and supposedly Christlike time of year. People drive crazier, lose their patience easier, show less care for their fellow man, care more about trampling people over to get that last gift that their child just has to have. What has gone wrong? It madness!
Then when you think all is lost, someone turns to you in the mile-long line you've been patiently standing in for eternity, smiles and starts up a cheerful conversation. Or the person in front of you in the mile-long line makes it to the register, smiles at the stressed out cashier and says, "Wow, I'll bet you're pretty beat," showing empathy for the worker who can now smile back in return because he or she has now been shown kindness instead of impatience. It is so easy to let ourselves become overwhelmed by the business of the season, trying to do everything that needs to be done and take care of everything we need to take care of, but in doing this we sometimes lose sight of what is truly important. We lapse in our knowledge of what this season is truly all about.
We need to make sure Christ is truly in our Christmas, that He is the focal point of our celebration of the season, His birth, His life, and His sacrifice. Christ is who we worship, and He is the reason we are here, and because of His gift to us, we know this life is not the end, it is only the beginning.
If we remember these things, our Christmas will indeed be a blessed one, There is no way it cannot be. And as Linus says to his friend after relating the story of the nativity, "That is what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."

More of My Must Read Favorites


Book: Grace
Author: Richard Paul Evans

She was my first kiss. My first love. She was a little match girl who could see the future in the flame of a candle. She was a runaway who taught me more about life than anyone has before or since. And when she was gone my innocence left with her.

As I begin to write, a part of me feels as if I am awakening something best left dead and buried, or at least buried. We can bury the past, but it never really dies. The experience of that winter has grown on my soul like ivy climbing the outside of a home, growing until it begins to tear and tug at the brick and mortar.

I pray I can still get the story right. My memory, like my eyesight, has waned with age. Still, there are things that become clearer to me as I grow older. This much I know: too many things were kept secret in those days. Things that never should have been hidden. And things that should have.

Book: The Twilight Series
Author: Stephanie Meyer

This stunning set, complete with five editions of Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn, and The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella, makes the perfect gift for fans of the bestselling vampire love story.

Deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful, The Twilight Saga capture the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Sun Tunnels and Secrets

Want an LDS mystery that is also a fun read? Carole Thayne Warburton's new novel Sun Tunnels and Secrets is the book for you. The Book
On a trip to the Sun Tunnels in the Utah desert, Norma and her sisters find a body on the side of the road. But this awful discovery turns out to be the least of their problems. Norma's husband just passed on, and she learns he kept a secret from her for sixty years. LaRue is keeping a secret from Norma. The sisters' young friend Tony is keeping a secret about his famous father, and Tony's mother is keeping a secret of her own. Tony is secretly in love with his friend Kelli, who recently escaped from a polygamist cult. And who is the mysterious young car thief with whom Norma feels a special connection? Everything converges in Grouse Creek at the Fourth of July celebration. Will secrets prove everyone's undoing?

There is no way you can not love the characters in this story. Norma, LaRue and Mabel are three crazy sisters who remind me of some of the older southern ladies I knew in North Carolina. They are kooky, but you can't help but feel for them when hurtful things once hidden come to light. And Tony and Kelli's romance is unconventional, but they are equally lovable, despite their cluelessness at times and you long for their happiness.
Sun Tunnels and Secrets is a lighthearted mystery you're guaranteed to love. It is available to order on Amazon.com
To learn more about Carole and her books, as well as the contest she and her publisher have going in connection with this book, visit her blog at carolethayne.blogspot.com

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Jewel's Christmas List of Must Reads

Well, it's that time again! For the next few weeks I will be featuring some of my favorite novels. These books would make excellent Christmas gifts and if I didn't already own them, I would give them to myself:-)
So, here we go!

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

Solving the Maze was supposed to be the end. No more puzzles. No more variables. And no more running. Thomas was sure that escape meant he and the Gladers would get their lives back. But no one really knew what sort of life they were going back to.
In the Maze, life was easy. They had food, and shelter, and safety . . . until Teresa triggered the end. In the world outside the Maze, however, the end was triggered long ago.

Burned by sun flares and baked by a new, brutal climate, the earth is a wasteland. Government has disintegrated—and with it, order—and now Cranks, people covered in festering wounds and driven to murderous insanity by the infectious disease known as the Flare, roam the crumbling cities hunting for their next victim . . . and meal.
The Gladers are far from finished with running. Instead of freedom, they find themselves faced with another trial. They must cross the Scorch, the most burned-out section of the world, and arrive at a safe haven in two weeks. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them.
Thomas can only wonder—does he hold the secret of freedom somewhere in his mind? Or will he forever be at the mercy of WICKED?

Promise Me by Richard Paul Evans

Beth Cardall has a secret. For eighteen years, she has had no choice but to keep it to herself, but on Christmas Eve 2008, all that is about to change.

For Beth, 1989 was a year marked by tragedy. Her life was falling apart: her six-year-old daughter, Charlotte, was suffering from an unidentifiable illness; her marriage transformed from a seemingly happy and loving relationship to one full of betrayal and pain; her job at the dry cleaners was increasingly at risk; and she had lost any ability to trust, to hope, or to believe in herself. Then, on Christmas Day, as she rushed through a blizzard to the nearest 7-Eleven, Beth encountered Matthew, a strikingly handsome, mysterious stranger, who would single-handedly change the course of her life.

Who is this man, and how does he seem to know so much about her? He pursues her relentlessly, and only after she’s fallen deeply in love with him does she learn his incredible secret, changing the world as she knows it, as well as her own destiny.

The Hunger Games Series - The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Twenty-four are forced to enter. Only the winner survives.

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Each year, the districts are forced by the Capitol to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the Hunger Games, a brutal and terrifying fight to the death – televised for all of Panem to see.

Survival is second nature for sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who struggles to feed her mother and younger sister by secretly hunting and gathering beyond the fences of District 12. When Katniss steps in to take the place of her sister in the Hunger Games, she knows it may be her death sentence. If she is to survive, she must weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Stop by next week and check out more of my favorite reads.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Great News!!!

My new romantic Sci-Fi ebook The Wishing Hour will soon be available in paperback! I will keep you posted on the release date.
Read what others have to say about the book:-)

I had the privilege of getting a advanced reader copy of this amazing book. The Wishing Hour is an fun action packed fantasy romance that will leave you satisfied. I was drawn into the story quickly and could not put it down. The plot was fully developed.
J. Adams has a eye for detail and I felt like I was right with Celine and Sebastian on this dangerous romantic adventure. I really loved, loved the bonding ceremony. It was so powerful. The Wishing Hour is a clean read! I highly recommend this book to those who love fantasy, adventure and romance. This book is a keeper and I will be reading it again.
Tifferz Book Review www.tifferzbookreview.blogspot.com

The Wishing Hour is an enjoyable story packed with romance, fantasy and adventure, great for readers who like love stories filled with adventure, danger and lots of twists and turns!

~Loralee Evans, Author of The Birthright and The King's Heir.

"I stayed up late last night reading your book--loved it! Celine and Sebastian were such wonderful characters, and I loved their relationship--made me want a Sebastian of my own! :) I adore escaping into fantasy worlds, and Challis was a beautiful escape. You really made it seem real and made me wonder if Challis really does exist, with it's kind and powerful people and anything you could want just a will away. I wish it could exist!"

A Fan

Hop on over to jadamsnovels.com and order your copy of The Wishing Hour today. Since Christmas is just around the corner, this would be a great gift!

I had the opportunity to do a book signing with author Anne Bradshaw at Confetti Books in Spanish Fork, UT and we had a blast.

If you never been to the store, you gotta go there sometime. It's a boutique/book store with some amazing and unique one-of-a-kind items. I had fun just looking at everything. If you are ever in the area, stop by and purchase a copy of my books, The Journey and Mercedes' Mountain.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Giving Thanks In Everything

As Thanksgiving approaches, I can't help but think of all the blessings I have received in my life. I've had so many great and amazing experiences in my life and some not so good ones as well. I've been blessed with joyous moments, as well as trials that were very painful. How grateful I am for both, because I have felt God's love for me through all of them. The trials mold me and the joys are the rewards I receive for overcoming and making it through them.
I am grateful for a husband and children that love me unconditionally, and for each and every learning opportunity that comes to me.

So what are you grateful for? Leave a comment telling me what you are grateful for along with your email address and receive a free copy of my new ebook The Wishing Hour!

Monday, November 8, 2010

TheTiger, Unleashed

Last week I had the opportunity to read The Tiger, Unleashed, an awesome new romance ebook by Rachel Rager.
The Book
- The year is 1878 and Adella Barnes has lived a normal life in her little sun-scorched California town. The daughter of the mayor, she struggles with the image people expect of her and how to deal with her betrothal to a man of her father’s choosing. When she meets a dark stranger, Blake Stanley, Adella’s need for adventure is fueled by his mysterious existence. Even when his past criminal record is revealed, she longs for the safety she feels when he is near. Discovering that he was accused of killing her brother, her faith in his innocence wavers. Still, her heart speaks to her of a love that can only be born in the heavens and she decides that she will always love him, regardless of his past. To save her love, Adella must prove Blake’s innocence before the real criminal discovers the truth about Blake and kills them both.

The Tiger, Unleashed
is a story of heartache, betrayal, and love; a love that can endure the feuds of family and the laws of the state. Through faith and trust, this novel illustrates the trials the heart must endure when faced with incredible odds.


Romance has always been my favorite genre to read and this is now one of my new favorite books. I absolutely love the characters and Blake Stanley is the perfect leading man. He is the loving, handsome hero with a mysterious bad boy side and is perfect for the adventurous Adella. This book has it all, romance, mystery, and emotion-driven characters that completely pull you into the story. I couldn't put it down and finished it in a day!
Order your copy of The Tiger, Unleashed by logging onto Rachel's website at http://www.rachelrager.com

Thursday, October 28, 2010

The Wishing Hour Is Almost Here!

Hi guys! My new romantic Sci-Fi fantasy ebook The Wishing Hour will be released next week. I'm so excited about this book. It was a fun story to write and I can't wait for my fans to read it, and hopefully I will gain new fans as well:-)

About the Book

Celine Halston lives an average solitary life, sticking to routine, never taking chances, and never experiencing true love. All of this changes when a handsome immortal enters her life. She has never laid eyes on the man before, but she somehow knows him and instantly trusts him completely.

Placing her life in his hands, Celine is taken on an unexpected journey and learns of an ancient prophecy she is to take part in. And her immortal guardian is intent on protecting her against those who would see her fail. He has been chosen for this calling and it is his sacred duty to keep her safe–to see the prophecy fulfilled at all cost. If they fail, it will change the world as they know it.

If you would like to read an excerpt, log onto jadamsnovels.com and while you are there, check out my other books.


For the next two weeks, the first 25 people that leave a comment along with your email address, I will send you a copy of The Wishing Hour ebook free!

And for those of you who are looking forward to getting an ereader for Christmas, The Wishing Hour is the perfect gift to give to yourself:-)

Monday, October 4, 2010

The Season is Achangin'

Fall is in the air! Can you feel it? This morning I had to run to the post office. As soon as I opened the house door I could smell the coming rain, and for the first time in a long time, it made me smile. I've always been a summer person and probably always will be, and I used to feel a little down when summer ended and fall began. Not so this time. The rain smelled awesome and the drops that fell on me as I got out of the car to go into the post office were very refreshing. For the first time I find myself actually looking forward to the coming wet and cold seasons. I'm looking forward to the change and the new experiences that will come with it. I guess this reaffirms that though I might be growing older in body, I'm growing younger in the mind. This is a good thing, right?

Suggested Reading

Book: The Dragon War Relic
Author: Berin L. Stephens

I love reading a good sci-fi fantasy, especially young adult ones, and The Dragon War Relic was a very fun book to read.

The Book
A mysterious explosion, a gold ring, and the fate of the Earth and the universe . . . For Jared Mills, summer has never been more exciting! When Jared receives an odd-looking ring from a complete stranger, he never imagines it will lead to aliens, spaceships, lasers, and dragons! With the ring comes great responsibility, and Jared discovers that he is Earth's representative to the entire galaxy. Suddenly, he finds himself in a fast-paced adventure where he must discover the cause of a mysterious explosion and the truth about his predecessor's death. Along the way, Jared joins up with a strange collection of allies: his childhood friend, an Ogre, an Angel, and three short Star Trek loving Elves. What they uncover changes everything even the course of Earth s destiny! Science fiction slams into fantasy, creating a humorous and action-filled story. The Dragon War Relic will keep you laughing to the very last page.

This story was original, awesome, and totally hilarious. Youth and adults alike will love it!
Get your copy of Dragon War Relic on Amazon.com and check out the great reviews while you're there:-)

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

The Wishing Hour

I have gotten behind on my blogging, but I do have something to show for it. My creative juices have been flowing and I am happy to share with you a preview of what they've produced. The title of my new baby is The Wishing Hour. It is my forthcoming romantic fantasy ebook!

About the Book

Celine Halston lives an average solitary life, sticking to routine, never taking chances, and she has never experienced true love. All of this changes when a handsome immortal enters her life. She has never laid eyes on the man before, but she somehow knows him and instantly trusts him completely.

Placing her life in his hands, Celine is taken on an unexpected journey and learns of an ancient prophecy she is to take part in. And her immortal guardian is intent on protecting her against those who would see her fail. He has been chosen for this calling and it is his sacred duty to keep her safe–to see the prophecy fulfilled at all cost. If they fail, it will change the world as they know it.

Excerpt

Venice, Italy

Standing on the steps of St. Mark's Basilica in the pouring rain, he heaves a tired sigh and watches the battered creature from the Dark Dunes force its heavy body up and stand once again. The rain dilutes the sulfuric odor of the canal, lending a freshness to the air. He inhales deeply, taking the cleansing scent into his lungs as he carefully watches the creature.

The square is void of life, and if not for the storm, the only sound would be the gentle-flowing water of the canal. The fight has been brutal. It started at two am. It is now three. His sinewy muscles ache and his silky white shirt is streaked with blood, but his cuts have healed and his strength is quickly regenerating. He pushes the long strands of inky black hair from his face. A leather thong holds the rest in place. His brilliant blue cat-like eyes hold excellent night vision and clearly see the Urchin crouching, readying itself to spring once again. Its hands are like a hawk's talons and black leather stretches over the large round body. Its head is bald and pointed top teeth protrude over the bottom lip of the twisted and deformed mouth. Scars in different shapes and sizes cover the Urchin's face and neck. The acidic green mucus dripping from its mouth is foul enough to turn the strongest of stomachs.

He takes all of this in for a moment, then clears his mind. Closing his eyes, he calls upon the power living deep within him–a power he summons only when absolutely necessary. A rush of adrenaline fills his veins and heats his body to the core. His eyes snap open wide and he lunges, meeting the Urchin in the air. He lands a fist in its chest and a great current of power surges from his hand as it makes contact with the Urchin's heart. It cries out and the ear-piercing screech echoes throughout the square. No longer able to stand, it falls to the ground, writhing on the pavement.

He approaches the creature and stares down into its half-closed, blood-red eyes.

This isn't over,” it croaks in a garbled voice.

It is,” he says with surety and strength. Standing still as stone, he watches the Urchin close its eyes and release a final rattly breath. It turns to dust and disintegrates before his eyes. It is the second time this week he has witnessed such a sight. And he is sure it will not be the last.

Heaving a deep sigh, he turns his gaze to the body lying a few yards behind him. He quickly scoops the unconscious woman up in his arms and cradles her against him. Once again he has succeeded in protecting her, only this time it had been a closer call than before. His eyes take in the soaked features of the woman he has come to know as his true mate. Every time he touches her, the mark of the Ki Talimai, the soul's bond, glows and tingles in his palm. Now, as he stands holding her in his arms, the eternal mark burns.

He lowers his dark head and presses his forehead against hers, inhaling her rain-enhanced scent. He smells a mixture of jasmine, vanilla, and cinnamon pine on her skin. He knows her scent well because it matches his own. It calls to him as strongly as her senses. He knows her emotions intimately–her joys, her fears, her sorrows, her grief, her loneliness. He knows her. Yet she doesn't truly know the real him, nor does she know the full measure of his powers.

But she will. She will finally know everything this night.

* * *

He moves toward the large double doors of the church. They swing open without him making contact. He never needs to touch an object to move it. He simply thinks it into action and his command is obeyed. When it comes to people or living creatures, however, his powers only work on the weak-minded. For the strong, he must get physical. Even still, he never forces his will on anyone. He would never abuse his powers that way. That had been the first lesson he was taught when his training began seven hundred years ago at the young age of twenty.

He steps inside and Father Battiano silently directs him to the corridor to the right. He has been here before–he has used the same quarters he now enters. He lets his eyes scan the room. There is a small bed against the wall, covered with a thick quilt. A pan of water is heating on a hotplate in the corner and a creaky furnace warms the small area. A wooden door in the corner opens to a small bathroom.

He walks over and places the woman on the bed, then gestures to the priest to turn and face the wall.

When the holy man complies, he in turn closes his eyes and whispers three words. He opens his eyes and the woman is dry and now wearing a soft white gown. He lifts her from the bed to pull the quilt and top sheet back, and tucks her underneath. His eyes take in her smooth brown skin, long fluttering lashes, and the mass of black spiraled curls splaying over the white pillow, spilling down to her waist. He watches the slow rise and fall of her chest and listens to her soft rhythmic breathing. His gaze moves back to her face, and for the ten thousandth time he admires her beauty. From the moment she was born, he has been watching over her from afar until recently. He witnessed her childhood, watched her blossom and grow, and turn into the great beauty that she is.

He lifts her hand to his lips and presses his palm against hers. Her Ki Talimai mark calls to his, causing heat to spread up his arm through his entire body. Never before has it affected him so strongly. And he knows why.

Her call to him is stronger because the bond between them is near to completion. When that happens, nothing in this world or another can ever come between them. They will fully lay claim on one another's souls, as well as hearts.

This is not the end.

It is only the beginning.

The Wishing Hour will be available at jadamsnovels.com, Smashwords.com, and Offthebookshelf.com. I will keep you posted on the release date.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Be Yourself

The older I get, the more set in my ways I become, but I know there is always room for improvement and I continue to try to better myself. But bettering ones self doesn't mean changing who you are. I love me. I will never stop trying to increase the good things about myself, and you shouldn't either.
I found some neat little quotes on being yourself.

"If I am not for myself, who will be?"

Pirke Avoth

"The tragedy is that so many people look for self-confidence and self-respect everywhere except within themselves, and so they fail in their search."

Dr Nathaniel Branden

"Let the world know you as you are, not as you think you should be, because sooner or later, if you are posing, you will forget the pose, and then where are you?"

Fanny Brice

"It took me a long time not to judge myself through someone else's eyes."

Sally Field

"Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself."

Harvey Fienstein

"The way you treat yourself sets the standard for others."

Dr Sonya Friedman

Suggested Reading

This week I had the privilege of reading The Thorn Book One: The Chronicles of Gan by Daron D. Fraley. It was a joy to read. I love reading stories set around the birth of Christ and Daron has done this beautifully by setting the anticipation of his birth on another world, which is very cool!

The Book

Three tribes are at war on the planet Gan, unaware that the sign of Christ's birth on an unknown world - Earth - is about to appear in the heavens.
During a bloody skirmish with Gideonite troops, Jonathan of Daniel spares Pekah, a young enemy soldier, gaining his trust forever. These two distant brothers from estranged tribes covenant with each other to end the war being waged by a self-proclaimed emperor, and soon discover the intentions of a far more dangerous foe named Rezon - a sinister general bent on ruling those he can bring into subjection and destroying all others.
In the end, Pekah's selfless bravery is the means by which all the tribes are united. But there are dissenters, and Rezon escapes a well-deserved fate. When the promised heavenly signs appear, will there be peace at last, or will the malefactors once again threaten the safety of them all?

Daron was kind enough to answer a few questions for me about his book.

Me: How did you come up with the story?

Daron: I have always had a love for science, and love to see the incredible pictures on the NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day website ( http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html ). That has been a favorite of mine for years, and I have enjoyed being able to stare out into space through the medium of those pictures, and wonder about the awesome expanse of God's creations. In addition to this wonderful website, the idea to do a story about another world came from three things . . . first, the Parable of the Kingdoms in the 88th section of the Doctrine and Covenants verses 51-61, second, the 33rd verse of Moses chapter one where the Lord says, "And worlds without number have I created . . . and by the Son I created them . . .", third, the testimony of Elder Neal A. Maxwell in the movie Special Witnesses of Christ where he says: "How many planets are there in the universe with people on them? We don’t know, but we are not alone in the universe! God is not the God of only one planet! I testify that Jesus is truly the Lord of the universe, “that by [Christ], and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God" D&C 76:24"
— Neal A. Maxwell

Me: Elder Maxwell was one of my favorite apostles because of his knowledge of astronomy and the universe. How many books will be in the series?

Daron: There will be three books in the series, the next one titled "Heaven's Garden."

Me: Can you tell us a little about the next book?
Daron: The next book will continue with the stories of Pekah and Abigail, Jonathan and Rachel, Eli, Rezon, and a few new characters. I hate to tell much more than that, otherwise I may give some things away about the first book which I don't want to do for those who have not read it yet. :) But rest assured, the quest to put down the traitors who want to destroy the government is not yet over.

You can purchase The Thorn at Deseret Book, Amazon.com, and other book stores. The Thron is also available in ebook format on Smaswords.com. Daron also has a giveaway going on Goodreads for the month of September.
http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/5462-the-thorn

Here is are links to the entries on Smashwords, the second of which is a free ebook that contains "Angel's Song", a companion short story to The Thorn:




Monday, August 23, 2010

The Value of Integrity

This morning I have been thinking a lot about integrity. Some people have much of it, some have none. I pray everyday that I can be a part of the former group, for to possess integrity is to possess a godly trait, which is what we all want. At least, I hope we all do:-)
I found some neat little thoughts on integrity and thought I would share them with you.

"To have integrity is also to have character which is also the easiest way to run into conflict with those without either."
Byron Pulsifer

"Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity."
Mark Twain
"Integrity can be difficult to maintain in a world that demands you change with the wind."
Byron Pulsifer
"Integrity is what we do, what we say, and what we say we do."
Don Galer
"Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none."
William Shakespeare
"To have integrity means that you don't agree with everyone you meet, nor do you succumb to pressure to be something that is in direct conflict with your core ethics."
Byron Pulsifer


Suggested Reading

Book: The Fourth Nephite
Author: Jeffrey S. Savage

The Book
Kaleo Steele is starting to cut seminary and hang out with some new “friends”; in fact, he’s not even sure what he believes anymore. When his seminary teacher finds him at the wrong place at the wrong time, Kaleo is in jeopardy of missing his high school team’s regional football game—a game where college scouts will be coming to see him play. But his seminary teacher realizes that much more than a game is at stake, and sends him on a soul-searching quest.
Guided by Ladan, a mysterious old blind man, Kaleo pushes through a battered wooden door only to find himself in Palmyra, New York, in the fall of 1827. Soon he is caught up in a battle between treasure seekers—led by Allaster Blackburn, a necromancer hired to steal the gold plates—and the young prophet Joseph Smith, who is sworn to keep them safe. In his quest to find a key that will send him back to his own time, Kaleo will have to decide what to believe. Before it’s too late.

This is the great young adult story that even adults will love. I love reading all of Jeff Savage's books, and I told him I don't think he can write a bad book. I love the morals the story teaches, the importance it places on integrity, having a testimony of the gospel, and choosing what's right. The youth need these kinds of books more now than ever and I'm grateful to Jeff for sharing his own testimony through the story. He's a very talented writer and an amazing guy:-)
Jeff was kind enough to answer a couple of questions for me about writing this new young adult series.

Me: I really enjoyed The Fourth Nephite. It had a great message. How did you come up with the story?
Jeff:
A little over a year ago, I met with Chris Schoebinger of Shadow Mountain and Deseret Book. Over lunch, he described to me a new YA series they’d really like to add. He wanted a young adult novel with fantasy and action, but that was clearly LDS from the story, to the title, to the cover. I honestly wasn’t sure I could do that. As I went back home and considered it I felt that so many authors had done a great job exploring the Book of Mormon for youth, but Church history had only been touched lightly.
Then I read about a man who was hired to steal the plate from Joseph Smith. Brigham Young described him as a “
a fortune-teller, a necromancer, an astrologer, a soothsayer, and possessed as much talent as any man that walked on the American soil, and was one of the wickedest men I ever saw.” I thought, there’s my villain. The rest of it was really doing the research and coming up with a protagonist that kids could relate to. It ended up being a lot of research, but also a lot of fun.

Me: So what's next?

Jeff: Well, I’ve already signed a contract for a second book in the series. In this book, the past has changed, and a girl Kaleo, my protagonist, met in the first book has ended up on a bad path. Kaleo and his friend Jeff Green have to go back again to fix the problem. They end up going on a mission with Parley P. Pratt, Oliver Cowdery, and others. The actual mission covered over 1500 miles on foot, met two Indian tribes, converted over 100 saints in Ohio in just over a week, had Pratt thrown in jail, and nearly killed him from measles. That, in and of itself, is pretty cool. But there’s also more action, romance, and hopefully some insights into why missions are important. I want books that are exciting and fun to read by themselves, but also teach something.

I'm grateful to Jeff for the opportunity to read
The Fourth Nephite and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Doing Your Best

No matter what we do in life or what goals we strive to achieve or what career path we choose, as long as we are doing our best, we are achieving success.
Here are some thoughts I found on doing your best.

"Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Successful people aren't born that way. They become successful by establishing the habit of doing things unsuccessful people don't like to do."
Anonymous

"Try and fail, but don't fail to try."
Stephen Kaggwa

"What you want to do, and what you can do, is limited only by what you can dream."
Mike Melville

Suggested Reading

Book: Trapped
Author: Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

The Book
A forged letter, a golden vial, an ancient curse...
Her expression remained somber, but excitement crept into her voice. You are the Firstborn She...You must go to them. You want me to act as bait? Not bait, Emi. A spy. Our Trojan horse.
When Emi Warrin wakes one night to find a thief in her mother's house, she has no idea the intruder has planted a trap - a mysterious letter that will change her life forever. Lured to the Austrian Alps with Daniel, the man she loves, Emi is thrown into a perilous, mafia-like world of feuding families and a devastating curse that spans generations. As the Firstborn She - the only firstborn female in hundreds of years - only Emi can free her family from the curse that will soon afflict her as well. But for Emi to break the curse, she must delve into evil designs.
As Emi struggles to understand her destiny as the Firstborn She, she learns that everything isn't as it seems and that all choices have consequences. Can Emi break the curse before it's too late?

Romance and mystery is a good combination and this book has both. (Not to mention the author is a sweet lady:-))It was a very enjoyable read. I look forward to reading more of Ronda's work.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Taking Time to Read

I love to read. It is one of my very favorite things to do, and I love all kinds of books. If I was stuck on an island alone, as long as I had shelter, water, food, an unlimited stash of orange Tic Tacs, and books, I wouldn't need anything else.
When you read a good book, your imagination can run wild and you can go to some amazing places. There are so many genres out there, which means you are bound to find something that piques your interest. So many people say they have no time to read, but there is always time. You make time because it's so important. And, when you read you are ever-learning. The knowledge doesn't stop.
So I challenge you to go to your local library or bookstore and pick out some good books. Take some time to relax and expand your mind. You will be glad you did:-)

Suggested Reading

Book: Biblical Roots of Mormonism
Author: Eric Shuster, Charles Sale

The Book
Last year, Eric Shuster wrote Catholic Roots, Mormon Harvest about his conversion from Catholicism to Mormonism. Now, he and coauthor Charles Sale bring us The Biblical Roots of Mormonism, a discovery of Mormon doctrines as they are revealed in the Bible. Each chapter delves into a specific belief, such as the Godhead, premortal life, and revelation. Quoting hundreds of Old and New Testament passages, the authors show how the Bible alone can sustain Mormon theology and practice. This incredibly well-researched guide provides fresh insights about the Bible as each page reveals a new connection to the Mormon beliefs. Perfect for believers, investigators, and skeptics alike, this book will inspire and astonish as it lays out the biblical foundation of Mormonism.

I love this book and would highly recommend it to anyone investigating the Mormon church. It's also perfect for members of the church who have questions, themselves.

Also, log onto my website and read about my newest ebooks! jadamsnovels.com

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Seek Joy And You Will Find It

Life is not perfect and it never will be. Good and bad times come and go. Happy moments are sprinkled with times of trial. but no matter what, you can always look for and find the joy, even if it's just little things. I've been feeling under the weather a lot lately and I've had times that I have felt like I'm done with this life, that I can't go on feeling so awful. Then little things happen to bring me moments of joy and I know I can and will go on. Even simple things like watching my kids acting crazy with their friends, hearing the good news of others, or even just being granted enough energy to trim my rose bushes and prune my flowers bring me happy moments.

So these these days, I hold onto those moments and give thanks to God for them. Those moments help me to remember that my life does still matter, and even during the trials, I still have purpose. That knowledge, most of all, helps to lift my spirits and brings me joy.

Here are some neat little thoughts I found on looking for the joy in everything.

"The more we express our gratitude to God for our blessings,
the more he will bring to our mind other blessings. The more
we are aware of to be grateful for, the happier we become."
- Ezra Taft Benson
The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.

- E E. Cummings
Happiness is a grateful spirit, an optimistic attitude, and a
heart full of love.

The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise. It is not
that we seize them, but they seize us.
- Ashley Montagu

Happy people roll with the punches. They know from experience that
everything changes. Today's good fortune may vanish tomorrow,
today's crises may turn out to be tomorrow's good fortune.


Suggested Reading

Book: Trapped
Author: Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

The Book
A forged letter, a golden vial, an ancient curse...
Her expression remained somber, but excitement crept into her voice. You are the Firstborn She...You must go to them. You want me to act as bait? Not bait, Emi. A spy. Our Trojan horse.

When Emi Warrin wakes one night to find a thief in her mother's house, she has no idea the intruder has planted a trap - a mysterious letter that will change her life forever. Lured to the Austrian Alps with Daniel, the man she loves, Emi is thrown into a perilous, mafia-like world of feuding families and a devastating curse that spans generations. As the Firstborn She - the only firstborn female in hundreds of years - only Emi can free her family from the curse that will soon afflict her as well. But for Emi to break the curse, she must delve into evil designs.
As Emi struggles to understand her destiny as the Firstborn She, she learns that everything isn't as it seems and that all choices have consequences. Can Emi break the curse before it's too late?

Romance and mystery is a good combination and this book has both. (Not to mention the author is a sweet lady:-))It was a very enjoyable read. I look forward to reading more of Ronda's work.

Also, order your copies of my newest ebooks Tears of Heaven, Forbidden Portals: The Quicksilver Project, and Of Blessings and Dreams: The Legacy by logging onto jadamsnovels.com

Monday, June 28, 2010

Got Talent?

This morning I've been thinking about talents and gifts and I came across this neat thought on talents and turning them into strengths.

"We all have natural and innate abilities to do some things better than others. Our genetics determine, to a certain degree, our predispositions and inclinations. We are endowed with gifts from birth that make us uniquely competent in ways that others are not. "Talent is only the starting point," as Berlin accurately points out, and it's up to us to develop our natural abilities into strengths, if we are to truly maximize our potential.

People who learn how to develop their talents into strengths are the ones that tend to stand out. They are the star athletes, innovative scientists, popular artists and successful entrepreneurs. These exemplary performers understand the value of shaping, polishing and perfecting natural abilities."

When we discover our talents, we should magnify them and not let them go to waste or we may lose them, and that would be a shame.

Suggested Reading

This past week, I had the opportunity to read The Road Show, a new LDS novel by Braden Bell. It's a quick read, which I love, and it's a heart-tugger.

The Book
Scott Jenson hates everything he knows about road shows: cheap costumes, silly songs, and bad acting. Being asked to create a road show is his worst nightmare come true. Can flawed but talented artist create a piece of art that testifies of Jesus Christ? And is there any way that something so trivial can have a healing effect on the lives of five troubled souls? A pornography addict, a depressed young mother, a sick older woman, a lonely outcast, and a spiritually numb elder s quorum president are about to find out. Braden Bell gives a five-star performance with Road Show: Beauty for Ashes. With true-to-life characters, humorous situations, and tender realizations, this book is guaranteed to make you smile and applaud for more.

I loved all the characters in this story and came away from the book feeling uplifted with a renewed knowledge of how God is truly mindful of each and every one of us. It's a great story.

Braden was kind enough to answer some questions about himself and his book. Here are his answers.

Me: Braden, tell us a little about yourself.

Braden:
I was born in UT and grew up in Farmington. I have a BA and MA in theatre from BYU and then went to NYC for 3 years to go a PhD at NYU. I now live outside of Nashville, TN with my wife and we have 5 children. I love to garden and read and go on walks with Ginger, our German Shepherd. I teach music and theatre at a small private school.

Me: What got you into writing?

Braden: I have always wanted to be a writer. Since I learned to read and write, I have always been working on some project.
Me: How did you come up with the story for The Road Show?

Braden: About 7 or 8 years ago, I was called to direct our ward's road show. While waiting for our turn to perform, the idea flashed into my mind. It was more of a series of questions, really. "What if the director had a secret?" "What if the leading lady was depressed?" and so on. Within a few weeks, I had a very clear idea of the opening and closing scenes.
Me: Are you currently working on any other projects?

Braden: Yes, I write compulsively! I have several things in various stages right now. The WIP that is probably the closest to being finished is a middle grade novel for a more national audience. I call it a suburban fantasy because it takes place in a small, private school.

I definitely look forward to reading more of Braden's work in the future:-)

Monday, June 21, 2010

New Ebook Release

Today I am excited to announce the release of two new ebooks. Forbidden Portals: The Quicksilver Project is a children's reader written under the name J.A. Lightender, and Of Blessings and Dreams: The Legacy is an LDS contemporary romance.

Forbidden Portals: Thr Quicksilver Project
Renny is your average teenager. He's tall, lanky, and an easy target for the neighborhood bully. But things quickly change when his parents buy him a not-so-average dog. Entering “Ernie's Pet Shack” was an experience Renny would not soon forget, nor could he guess the adventure that awaited him once he took his dog, Lou home. The two were about to embark on a quest that would change the world as Renny knew it.

Of Blessings and Dreams: The Legacy
North Carolina native, Cisely Matthews, has seen and suffered much in her twenty-two years of life and has the scars to prove it. When amazing blessings begin to come to her, she wonders if she will ever feel worthy enough to deserve them.

Ingo Kelly is thrown for an emotional loop when he leaves Australia to go for his semiannual visit with his aunt in Utah and meets Cisely for the first time. But getting her to accept his love is a challenge he is more than willing to take on.

Adagio St. John is Ingo's best friend, and Adagio thinks of him as the brother he never had. When he travels to Utah, from his home in Italy to attend Ingo and Cisely's wedding, he is truly overjoyed that his friend has found happiness with such an amazing woman and hopes he can find the same happiness one day and end the loneliness he struggled with on a daily basis.

But the strong bond that quickly forms between the three will see them through both sorrows and joys none of them had ever expected.


Get your copy of these two new ebook by logging onto jadamsnovels.com
Order both books and receive a copy of the ebook Tears of Heaven free!

Monday, June 7, 2010

Embracing Life's Changes

As I enter this middle phase of my life, I've been seized upon by changes I never expected, both physically and emotionally. I was never warned about these changes and they took we way off guard. Since I'm still ever-learning, I've done a lot of reading and studying and I now know how to better handle my situation. So, instead of concentrating on the negative, I'm focusing my attention on the positive things about getting older. Here are a few neat little thoughts I found and wanted to share:-)

We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing. - Anonymous

Age is a matter of feeling, not of years. To me, old age is fifteen years older than I am.

In youth we learn, in age we understand. Middle age is when you've met so many people that every new person you meet reminds you of someone else. (I love that one!)

Suggested Reading

Book: The Golden Spiral: Book Two In the Hourglass Door Trilogy
Author: Lisa Mangum
The Book
His eyes. His touch. His kiss. Dante was unlike anyone Abby had ever met. Now he s gone, and Abby will do anything to get him back . . . The hourglass door has closed behind Dante, sending him back in time to hunt down Zo, Tony, and V. Abby knows that Dante, as a Master of Time, is the only one who can stop them from destroying time itself. She also knows that he will need her help. But almost immediately, things start to change, and Abby s worst fears are realized when Zo begins targeting her past specifically. As Abby s world fractures around her, she must face a terrible truth: either Dante didn t make it through the door, or he is lost forever. So with Dante s blueprints in hand, she begins construction on a new door, a new time machine that will either save Dante or doom him. With each new 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 and beyond. 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. The bank is eroding. The barriers are thinning. And time is running out.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

There Is No Such Thing As Can't

Have you ever wanted to try something only to talk yourself out of trying by saying you can't accomplish it? Have you ever thought about writing a book, taking art or sewing lessons, taking some classes at a community college, entering a race, or anything you've never tried? Have you ever confided in someone about something you dream of doing only to hear them say you can't do it?

I watch my kids face life's challenges and think of what brave souls they are, because despite trials and opposition, they face life head-on and go after their dreams. They let their light shine, and each time they do, they better themselves. The words "you can't do it" roll right off them. Oh, to have that kind of innocence! If adults possessed that, we would realize more dreams than we ever thought possible-the kind of dreams that would make this world a much better place.

So my advice is if you want try something you've never tried or want to accomplish something you never thought to seek after, if it is something that will better yourself and affect your surroundings in a positive way, go for it.
Because when we don't try or say we can't, then we've already defeated ourselves.

Suggested Reading

Book: The Fairy Thorne

Author: Dorothy Keddington

The Book
The long awaited novel, The Fairy Thorn, has just arrived. Dorothy Keddington, author of Jayhawk, Return to Red Castle and more, has another timeless romance.

Small town librarian Lucy Norris longs for romance and adventure, yet her life is a calendar of sameness--until the morning she spies a tall ship sailing through Deception Pass. The sighting becomes a catalyst for change and Lucy soon finds herself a key player in a dangerous masquerade and the quest for a legendary lost painting.

I love all of Dorothy Keddington's books and have been going through withdrawals waiting for a new one from her. This one was just as exciting to read as the rest of her books:-)

Monday, May 3, 2010

You Really Like Tears of Heaven!

A friend gave me a piece of advice one day that I took as heaven sent.
I was concerned about which way to take my writing and her advice was, "Never let anyone or anything change the voice of your writing because when you do, it's no longer your writing. I'm so glad I listened, because words and ideas are flowing like they never have before, and some great things are happening.

My newest novella ebook Tears of Heaven has received some great reviews and comments, which makes me extremely happy. The story was one that came to me a few years back when I was vacationing in Sweden and it is set there. I was a little nervous when I decided to release it as an ebook because I didn't know how it would be received, but after the initial reaction of "Oh, it's just an ebook," the book as taken off. I'm pleased people like it and hopefully it will win over more fans in the future.

About the Book.
Escaping from an abusive relationship, Heaven Gundersen flees to the safety of her grandparent's home and begins a new life in Sweden, praying the past is behind her. When she accepts the housekeeping job arranged by her grandparents, she has no idea how much it will change his life. Her boss, Sergei Petrenko, is a retired hockey player, and definitely not what she had expected.
No matter how hard she tries to guard her heart, Sergei's kindness makes it impossible to do and she once again opens up to love. But leaving the past behind isn't as easy as she hoped it would be, and the peace she has found in her new life is about to be shattered by the nightmare she thought she'd escaped.
Tears of Heaven
is the new emotionally charged LDS novella that will touch your heart and make you cheer the endurance of the human spirit.

Log onto jadamsnovels.com and order your copy today!

Monday, April 26, 2010

Slowing It Down

This past couple of months have been the craziest I've experienced in a long, long time, and at times, I've felt like I might pass out from exhaustion. From traveling back and forth-back and forth from northern Utah to southern Utah for a grand-baby's birth to making trips to the chiropractor because of throwing my back out on my daughter's futon, to being very sick for a few weeks, I haven't been able to write as much as I usually do. But have no fear-I'm still doing all right. As a matter of fact, I'm doing so all right, I will be releasing three ebooks this spring/summer, and I've even started a new book.
Because I'm not recuperating as fast as I had hoped, I have decided to slow things down and give myself a break from writing every few days for a while. As much as my mind is rebelling against it right now, I will not type another word on my book tonight. I'm taking some time to smell the roses. Well . . . not smell the roses, but at least spend an hour with Jack Bauer as he saves the world yet again on 24:-)
So, my thought for the week is take time to slow down and allow life to catch up with you instead of the other way around. I promise ya, it will be worth it.

Be sure to order your copy of my newest LDS contemporary romance ebook Tears of Heaven by clicking on the link to the right!

Monday, April 19, 2010

Imprints

I am very blessed to be able to associate with some great writers and I am continuously in awe over their talent and ability to write book after book and always churn out a hit. Rachel Ann Nunes is one of these writers. And her new book Imprints is one of these hits. The story is fresh and original and another one of my favorites from Rachel.

The Book
Sometimes what you can't see means everything.
A young woman is missing. In desperation, her parents turn to Autumn Rain for help. Autumn reads imprints - emotions mysteriously left behind on certain treasured objects. But will this ability enrich her life or destroy it?

Autumn isn't sure - her life has become far from normal - but for people whose loved ones are missing, her talent might mean the difference between life and death. Even the infuriating Detective Martin has asked for Autumn's help, though at times she feels more like a suspect than a consultant. Too often Autumn find herself retreating to her antiques shop and the company of her best friend, Jake Ryan, to avoid notice.

But soon more than one woman is missing, and Autumn teams up with private eye Ethan McConnell to investigate their disappearance. Ethan's attraction to her is a pleasant change from Jake's frustrating offers of friendship, but once Autumn takes that first step, she sets in motion a series of events that risk not only her own life but the lives of those she cares most about.

This book has it all-mystery, suspense, and of course, romance. It's sure to please any reader.
Imprints is available at your local bookstore, as well as Amazon.com
Be sure to visit Rachel's blog and read about the great contest she has going right now! rachelannnunes.blogspot.com

Monday, April 12, 2010

The Canticle Kingdom

I love a good fantasy that is different from the rest of the pact-one that centers around a world too original for me to imagine. The Canticle Kingdom by Michael Young is such a book.

The Book
When a young blacksmith's apprentice named Johann discovers that his homeland is contained entirely within a small music box, it's up to him to protect the only home he's ever known. With the help of an impossibly ancient knight, his best friend, Brigitta, and his trusty homemade sword, Johann races to find the only people who can who can stop the dark power that threatens to destroy the Canticle Kingdom? An unsuspecting family and an old woodcarver from the outside world? Enter a world full of magic, danger, loyalty and bravery in this exciting debut from Michael Young, and discover that even the most ordinary objects-and people-might be hiding something truly wonderful inside.

This was really an enjoyable read and one that I look forward to my children reading. It even made me teary, which doesn't happen to me with fantasy novels:-)
Get your copy of The Canticle Kingdom by logging on to Amazon.com, Cedarfort.com, or at your local bookstore.

Attention!
This will be the last week The Journey and Place In This World will be available for free downloads. After Sunday, April 18th, they will only be available to order on my website.
So hurry and download your copy of these ebooks today!

Monday, April 5, 2010

A New Commandment

One of my favorite scriptures is John 13:34-35.
"A new commandment I give you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

In a world filled with a great deal of ugliness, there is still so much beauty, and one of the great beauties of this world is our human capacity to love. No matter what happens to us or in our lives, there is a big part of us that will forever love, and that is a gift I pray we will never lose. Because the day we lose it will be the day we literally lose our humanity.

Suggested Reading

Book: I'll Know You By Heart Author: Kimberly Job

The Book
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.

This was another book I couldn't put down, and it really touched me emotionally. So many people deal with subject in their lives and sadly, it only gets worse instead of better. I applaud Kimberly on a job well done (pun intended:-)) in writing this book. She touched on every emotional aspect of abuse in the home and put into words what many victims can't.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Womanhood Rocks!

I've done posts in the past on the importance of being a woman, but this past week it has freshly dawned on me how truly marvelous we are. Whether you are a stay-at-home mother, a working mother, a mother-to-be, a woman with no children, or a single woman, we are all daughters of God, and we have a purpose in this life. We can, and do, accomplish great things. And let's face it, where would men be without us?:-)
I found some really neat quotes on womanhood and would like to share them with you.

A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.
Diane Mariechild

Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission.
Eleanor Roosevelt

A woman is like a teabag. It's only when she's in hot water that you realize how strong she is.
Nancy Reagan

I am convinced that the influence of an army of godly women will be incalculable--in our homes, our churches, and our culture. Will you be one of those women?
Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Beautiful woman,
let your brilliance shine through,
your eyes speak of true inner beauty.
Fion Lin

Suggested Reading


Book: Women of the Book of Mormon: Insights and Inspirations
Author: Heather B. Moore

The Book
Explore the lives, circumstances, and choices of women in the Book of Mormon in this uplifting and inspirational volume that illustrates the parallels between the lives of the women of the Book of Mormon and LDS women today. With new insights on practically every page, author Heather B. Moore explores the written and unwritten stories of the prominent women in the Book of Mormon — taking familiar material and providing vivid details about family dynamics, domestic practices, and other aspects of daily life. By applying historical and cultural contexts to the situations of women like Sariah, Abish, Eve, Mary, and the faithful mothers of the striplings warriors, you will peek beneath the surface of the scriptural accounts to better understand both the righteous women of the Book of Mormon — and the women who didn’t use their agency wisely.

I read this whole book in one sitting. Like all of Heather's books, she takes the stories of these women and gives them depth, makes them real, and helps us to understand them, both the righteous and unrighteous. This book also helps to reiterate the importance of choice and the consequences that come with those choices.
A very inspiring read and the perfect gift for the important women in your life.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

The Cleansing of America

I really love books that warn us about what is going on in the world and give us guidance on how we can prepare. I've also been a great fan of the late W. Cleon Skousen's writings and talks. His new book The Cleansing of America will definitely be an eye opener for those who don't truly understand the negative changes that have come over our country.

The Book
Dr. W. Cleon Skousen spent the majority of his life researching the gospel, the U.S. Constitution, the founding of America and writing numerous books and articles on the topic. He is also one of the most well-known, respected defenders of America and the gospel the world has ever known. At the time of his passing in 2006, his work was not yet finished. His book The Cleansing of America, written in 1994 and given into the care and keeping of his sons, is now being brought forth for the first time ever.

Included in these pages are the events and stages the Lord has predicted, through his servants, the winding-up scenes of this world. It helps the reader understand: the nature of prophecy, the known chronology of prophetic events, and the importance of staying close to the Lord and his prophets during the difficult and challenging years prior to the Second Coming. We are fast approaching those prophetic events. Some are upon us even now.

If we are prepared and obedient, we need not fear these events, but rather embrace them for the blessings they portend.

To order your copy of The Cleansing of America, log onto http://www.amazon.com/Cleansing-America-W-Cleon-Skousen/dp/193554621X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268428647&sr=1-1

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

A Little Humor - A Lot of Truth

I found a neat little quote by George Carlin, one of my favorite people.

"I was thinking about how people seem to read the Bible a whole lot more as the get older; then it dawned on me-they're cramming for their final exam."

I chuckled as I read this because in a way, it is so true. Sometimes we forget how short this life really is, and how important it is to constantly stay close to God. Life is an unending education and we should be taking full advantage of each and every opportunity to increase our knowledge of what it's all about.

Suggested Reading

Book: The Thorn: Book One- The Chronicles of Gan
Author: Daron D. Fraley

The Book
Three tribes are at war on the planet Gan, unaware that the sign of Christ's birth on an unknown world - Earth - is about to appear in the heavens.

During a bloody skirmish with Gideonite troops, Jonathan of Daniel spares Pekah, a young enemy soldier, gaining his trust forever. These two distant brothers from estranged tribes covenant with each other to end the war being waged by a self-proclaimed emperor, and soon discover the intentions of a far more dangerous foe named Rezon - a sinister general bent on ruling those he can bring into subjection and destroying all others.

In the end, Pekah's selfless bravery is the means by which all the tribes are united. But there are dissenters, and Rezon escapes a well-deserved fate. When the promised heavenly signs appear, will there be peace at last, or will the malefactors once again threaten the safety of them all?

Thorn will be available to purchase on March 16th. To learm more about Daron and his book, log on to daronfraley.com