Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Daughters of Jared

Thought for Today

"Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead."
Louisa May Alcott

I love all of Heather B. Moore's Book of Mormon novels, but Daughters of Jared is one of my favorites!

About the Book

Naiva, daughter of the dethroned King Jared II, lives in the shadow of her privileged elder sister, Asherah. But when Asherah develops a secret plot to return their father to the throne, Naiva's resentment turns to fear. Thwarting the scheme becomes more complicated when Naiva discovers that Akish, the first man who has shown interest in her, is an integral part of the plan. Asherah traps Akish in a ploy to make him marry her, breaking Naiva's heart and leaving her feeling more alone than ever. Somehow Naiva must find the strength to stand against the encroaching evil in the kingdom and a sister who will stop at nothing to become queen. When Akish's wickedness escalates and threatens to destroy the bonds of sisterhood, Naiva must decide between protecting her sister and honoring her new belief in the true God,a forbidden belief that could cost her life.

Monday, July 2, 2012

Suggested Summer Reads

Thought for Today

You can close the windows and darken your room, and you can open the windows and let light in. It is a matter of choice. Your mind is your room. Do you darken it or do you fill it with light? Remez Sasson

Suggested Reads

I love, love, love these books! Maybe you will, too:-)

Book: Once: Once Upon a Time Collection
Author: Cameron Dokey

About the book
In this value-priced bind-up of three beloved retellings, readers will journey to faraway fairy tale lands. Before Midnight revisits Cinderella’s story in France, Golden puts a new spin on Rapunzel’s romance, and Wild Orchid reimagines the Chinese tale of Mulan. With so much real-life drama in today’s busy world, Once allows readers to escape into whimsical realms where every story has a happily ever after.

Book: Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25
Author: Richard Paul Evans

About the book
To everyone at Meridian High School, fourteen-year-old Michael Vey is nothing special, just the kid who has Tourette’s syndrome. But in truth, Michael is extremely special—he has electric powers. Michael thinks he is unique until he discovers that a cheerleader named Taylor has the same mysterious powers. With the help of Michael’s friend, Ostin, the three of them set out to discover how Michael and Taylor ended up with their abilities, and their investigation soon brings them to the attention of a powerful group who wants to control the electric teens—and through them, the world.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Richard Paul Evans introduces a character whose risk-filled exploration marks the beginning of a riveting new series. With only his powers, his wits, and his friends to protect him, Michael will need all his strength to survive….

Book:The Shepherd's Voice
Author: Robin Lee Hatcher

About the book
A Man with a Past...
For ten years, Gabe Talmadge languished in prison, convicted of a horrible crime. Now, he is free once again but unable to find work in the midst of the Great Depression. In desperation, Gabe returns to Ransom, Idaho, hoping that his uncaring father will give him food and shelter, if not love. But the prodigal son is not welcomed home. Hudson Talmadge, who virtually owns the town of Ransom, despises his youngest son as much as ever-and Gabe is as powerless to win his father's approval as when he was a child.

A Man with a Future...
Hungry and hopeless, Gabe is rescued by the owner of a sheep ranch south of Ransom. Incredibly, Akira Macauley gives him a place to live and work to do. More than that, she gives him hope that he can receive forgiveness for his past-and perhaps even love.

A Man with a Choice...
But just as Gabe comes to believe that happiness may be within his grasp, tragedy strikes Ransom once more. As his life begins to unravel, Gabe must either sink again into an abyss of hopelessness or cling to a hope, faith, and love stronger than any he has ever known.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Crater Lake - Battle for Wizard Island

Thought for Today

“The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to your child, a good example; to a father, deference; to your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you; to yourself, respect; to all men, charity.” – Benjamin Franklin

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Blood for Ink ( A Full-Length Regency Romance)

I don't read a lot of regency romance, but I've read a few, and Blood for Ink is now one of my favorites. And everything inside me just has to cry out, North and Livvy for President!!! It would take them both to do the job because they are completely hilarious and perfect together:-)

About the book
She won’t admit it, but she needs a hero.
He’s no hero, but he knows a guy...

As the mysterious writer who exposes the male aristocracy’s secrets, it is not the first time
The Scarlet Plumiere has been hunted. But this time it’s different. This time, she interferes with one of the Four Kings, and the brotherhood will not rest until they marry her off and place her securely under a man’s thumb. Of course they have to catch her first.

The Earl of Northwick is indebted to his heroic friends for saving his life, so the least he can do is go after this female Robin Hood in their stead. Since the woman’s clever pen and sharp wit have sparked his interest more than anything else in recent years, he’s more than happy to sacrifice himself—for the sake of the Four Kings, of course.

While she’s protecting the ladies of London, and he’s protecting the men, the two are stranded on opposite sides in this war of the sexes. But when one of her wicked victims, intent on revenge, returns for the unmasking of The Scarlet Plumiere, Livvy and North might realize they should have been protecting their hearts.

This book was the first Regency I have ever read that made me giggle so much. And North and his cohorts totally cracked me up. If you are a lover of Regency romance, you will love this story.
Blood for Ink is the first book in the Scarlet Plumiere Series and is available on Amazon.com. And if you are like me, you will be anxiously waiting for the next one. Until then, check out L.L. Muir's other books:-)

Lord Fool to the Rescue—A Regency novella
Going Back for Romeo—A Highlander time travel romance
Somewhere Over the Freaking Rainbow—a young adult paranormal romance

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

More Thoughts For Women

I love finding little thoughts that confirm how valued women are and how priceless our worth is. Here are a few I came across. I hope they brighten your day!

"Be very careful if you make a woman
cry, because God counts her tears. The woman
came out of a man's rib. Not from his feet to be
walked on. Not from his head to be superior, but
from the side to be equal. Under the arm to be
protected, and next to the heart to be loved."
From the Hebrew Talmud

"If a woman can only succeed by emulating men, I think it is a great loss and not a success. The aim is not only for a woman to succeed, but to keep her womanhood and let her womanhood influence society." - Suzanne Brogger

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

“The best protection any woman can have… is courage.” - Elizabeth Cady Stanton

“Women are the real architects of society.” - Harriet Beecher Stowe

“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

Our spirits long for us to remember the truth about who we are, because the way we see ourselves, our sense of identity, affects everything we do. It affects the way we behave, the way we respond to uncertainty, the way we see others, the way we feel about ourselves, and the way we make choices. It affects the very way we live our lives. So, today, I invite you to ponder in a new way not just who you are but who you have always been. - Sheri Dew

Suggested Reading

Book: Forget Me Not

Author: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

About the book

Inspired by the five petals of the tiny forget-me-not flower, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf reminds us of five things we will be wise to never forget: To be patient with ourselves To distinguish between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice To be happy now To focus on the "why" of the gospel To know that the Lord loves each of us infinitely. A wonderful gift for any woman in your life!

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Our Infinite Ability to Change

Thought for Today

"Man has two creators, his God and himself. The first creator furnishes him the raw materials of his life - the laws and conformity with which he can make that life what he will. The second creator - himself, has powers he rarely realizes. And it is what a man makes of himself that counts."

William George Jordan

Every now and then, my thoughts get pretty deep. During those times, I try to come up with poetic ways of sharing those thoughts. Below is an inspired piece from one of my books, and it kind of goes with the thought above. I hope it touches you the way it did me when the words came to me.

“The day we can look within ourselves and see our mortality,

yet feel the worth of our souls,

the day we can look on others and see the goodness in them

despite their weaknesses,

the day we can say no to evil,

despite the evil-doings of those around us,

when we can cry with those who suffer,

mourn with those who bear loss,

and comfort those who cast your comfort aside,

when we can see the good in each new day

and recognize the gifts that come with that day,

when we can love with a pure heart,

expecting nothing in return,

and magnify our valiance to the fullest,

the day we set aside the cares of the world

and embrace every good thing with a singleness

of mind, heart, body, and soul,

ever faithful, ever vigilant, doing all within

our power to remain unchanged in all respects,

on that day, we become more than mere men–

we become gods

and we live forever."

Saturday, May 12, 2012

The Most Important Catch

Thought for Today

“Instead of thinking about what you're missing, try thinking about what you have that everyone else is missing.”

Book: The Most Important Catch

Author: Jacklyn M. Hawkes

About the Book

Run or die!
She knew too much, and she’d seen too much.
And the police refused to help.
Knowing that she was to be the next scheduled death, Kelly Campbell hid under head to toe black leather and a tinted motorcycle helmet and ran for her life.
When the weather turned cold, she turned south.
She ended up in North Carolina, home to one of the most famed and eligible NFL football stars in the whole league; only she didn’t know that. She thought he was a businessman. Not being a huge fan, all she knew was that he was incredibly attractive, kind, generous, and that she was safe with him.
Or was she?
His brand of fame proved to be all but deadly, but his fame wasn’t nearly as lethal as his attraction. He kept her safe and protected. All except for her heart.

If you are LDS, you will love this LDS romantic suspense. Being from North Carolina myself, I thought it was cool to read a story that was set there. It was a clean romance that I enjoyed reading.

Order your copy of The Most Important Catch from Amazon.com