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:-)

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!

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!

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

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!

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.

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.