Jesus Christ in the Book of Mormon by Susan Easton Black REVIEW

 

"When President Nelson invited the sisters of the church to read the Book of Mormon at the general woman's session October 2018 general conference, he instructed: "As you read, I would encourage you to mark each verse that speaks of or refers to the Savior." 

Susan Easton Black has always impressed me with her writing and research. I LOVED this book and how she taught me about the Savior of the Book of Mormon. I've read it at least three times now. 

5 Stars

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins REVIEW

 

"Coriolanus released the fistful of cabbage into the pot of boiling water and swore that one day it would never pass his lips again." 

I did not love this book. It hurt my heart and soul. 

I went into The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes with high expectations, having enjoyed The Hunger Games trilogy, but unfortunately, this prequel fell short for me. The novel follows a young Coriolanus Snow as he navigates the early days of the Hunger Games as a mentor. 

The pacing felt slow and uneven. The first half dragged. Snow’s character arc didn’t deliver the depth I hoped for. His transition from a flawed youth to a villain felt gradual but lacked the emotional punch to really hook me.

Overall, I gave the book 3 stars because, while the writing was solid and the concept promising, it didn’t live up to the excitement or emotional weight of its predecessors. 

Sacagawea: The Bird Woman by Tara Mayoros REVIEW

 

"From the Atlantic coast, over the many waterways, across the Great Plains, towering over the ridges of the Rocky Mountains, and all the way to the Pacific Ocean, one creature is found consistently in ancient symbols and stories." 

I guess you'll have to read this book to find out which creature! 

I wish we had more info on Sacagawea. She's an amazing and interesting American star! I loved Tara's storytelling and Todd Powelson's art. I learned a lot in a short amount of time. 

The Emperor's Soul by Brandon Sanderson REVIEW

 The Emperor's Soul by Brandon Sanderson

A heretic thief is the empire’s only hope in this fascinating tale that inhabits the same world as the popular novel, Elantris.

Shai is a Forger, a foreigner who can flawlessly copy and re-create any item by rewriting its history with skillful magic. Condemned to death after trying to steal the emperor’s scepter, she is given one opportunity to save herself. Though her skill as a Forger is considered an abomination by her captors, Shai will attempt to create a new soul for the emperor, who is almost dead.

Probing deeply into his life, she discovers Emperor Ashravan’s truest nature—and the opportunity to exploit it. Her only possible ally is one who is truly loyal to the emperor, but councilor Gaotona must overcome his prejudices to understand that Shai’s forgery is as much artistry as it is deception.

Brimming with magic and political intrigue, this deftly woven fantasy delves into the essence of a living spirit.

Brandon definitely doesn't need my mediocre review on any of his books, much less a super short one. LOL. I love his writing and his style, his characters and their insights. Brandon is a master weaver of fate, soul and making me want to be a better person through his compelling stories. 

Book Review: The Emperor's Soul by Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson's The Emperor's Soul is a masterful novella that exemplifies his exceptional storytelling prowess. Winner of the Hugo Award for Best Novella, this story is a testament to Sanderson's ability to create a deeply engaging and thought-provoking narrative within a limited page count.

Set in the same universe as his acclaimed novel Elantris, The Emperor's Soul follows the story of Shai, a gifted forger who can magically alter objects' history and essence to transform them into something else. The plot begins with Shai imprisoned after a failed heist. However, instead of facing execution, she is given an impossible task: to forge a new soul for the Emperor, who has been left in a catatonic state after an assassination attempt.

Shai's journey is not just a physical one but also an exploration of identity and redemption. As she works on the Emperor's soul, she reflects on her own life, choices, and the nature of her art. Sanderson deftly weaves themes of identity and self-worth into the narrative, making readers ponder what truly defines a person. Shai's ability to turn her weaknesses into strengths is a central theme, showcasing Sanderson's skill in character development and thematic depth.

One of the novella's most impressive aspects is its innovative magic system. Sanderson's approach to magic is both creative and meticulous, grounding the fantastical elements in a set of well-defined rules. The art of forgery, as presented in the story, is a fascinating blend of magic and craftsmanship. It involves an intricate understanding of an object's history and essence, allowing Shai to alter it convincingly. This concept not only drives the plot but also adds layers of meaning to the story, as Shai's forgeries are symbolic of the changes she undergoes.

Sanderson's writing style is another highlight. His prose is clear and precise, yet rich with detail. He manages to convey complex ideas and emotions succinctly, making the novella both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant. The pacing is perfect, maintaining a steady tension that keeps readers engaged from beginning to end.

(Written with the help of AI)

THE DISAPPEARANCES by Emily Bain Murphy

 What if the ordinary things in life suddenly…disappeared?

Aila Quinn’s mother, Juliet, has always been a mystery: vibrant yet guarded, she keeps her secrets beyond Aila’s reach. When Juliet dies, Aila and her younger brother Miles are sent to live in Sterling, a rural town far from home--and the place where Juliet grew up.

Sterling is a place with mysteries of its own. A place where the experiences that weave life together--scents of flowers and food, reflections from mirrors and lakes, even the ability to dream--vanish every seven years.

No one knows what caused these “Disappearances,” or what will slip away next. But Sterling always suspected that Juliet Quinn was somehow responsible--and Aila must bear the brunt of their blame while she follows the chain of literary clues her mother left behind.

As the next Disappearance nears, Aila begins to unravel the dual mystery of why the Disappearances happen and who her mother truly was. One thing is clear: Sterling isn’t going to hold on to anyone's secrets for long before it starts giving them up.


Opening line:
"I want something of hers."

Aila Quinn's mother died.
Her father was going to war.
Aila and her brother Miles had nowhere to go.
A stranger, a friend of their mother, takes them in. They knew they would not like Sterling but little did they know that the town was surrounded by mystery and the citizen's didn't have a future...at least that is what they believed.
Sterling is the city of The Disappearances. Reflections are missing in windows and mirrors; scents have disappeared; coloring with crayons only produces grey. Every seven years something new goes missing and every seven years the townspeople hope and pray that the curse will end.
Aila and Miles are thrust into the middle of the curse. The only clue Aila has is in the underlined passages in a volume of Shakespeare's works.
This was a fun and intriguing read! I wanted to know if Aila and her friends could figure out how to break the curse. It was fun to read Shakespeare too!
I loved the writing and here are a few quotes:

"I want to ask George, How can you be so unafraid of the truth? Even truth that is inconvenient or damning or not what you want it to be?"

"The Clifftons, whether they are trying to or not, are making inroads straight across each fault line of my heart."

"And I think that for the rest of my life I will never forget this night--when under an empty ink sky, a boy who shone brighter than the stars stopped long enough to smile at me."

Simple Skincare, Beautiful Skin by Ahmed Abdullah MD

Millions of individuals describe themselves as being confused about the steps necessary to improve the appearance of their skin. After all, the average consumer is regularly confronted with advertisements and recommendations for a dizzying array of skincare products, not to mention conflicting messages about the skincare practices that are most helpful. It’s no wonder most individuals are unsure of what their skin needs; uncertainty that often leads to the implementation of regimens that do more harm than good.

In Simple Skincare, Beautiful Skin: A Back-to-Basics Approach, Dr. Ahmed Abdullah presents readers with the scientific facts related to skincare. By highlighting the most relevant pieces of information in an approachable manner, he intends to create an empowered consumer – one capable of making smart choices about the products they use and the skincare practices they employ. After all, as Dr. Abdullah reminds readers throughout the book, beautiful skin can only be expected from healthy skin.

A board-certified plastic surgeon actively practicing in the United State and Dubai, and an internationally recognized aloe researcher, Dr. Abdullah has been promoting a back-to-basics approach to skincare for nearly 15 years though his practice, his skincare brand, and his skincare clinics. Simple Skincare, Beautiful Skin: A Back-to-Basics Approach represents a collection of some of his most effective advice.


First line:
"For centuries, humans have been searching for the exact formulation of ingredients that will erase the signs of aging from their faces."

Dr. Abdullah explains the ingredients in skincare products, what they do, which ones are good and which to stay away from. The doctor also addresses the myths behind certain products.
He claims the only regime we need, men and women, is a simple four step one:
Cleanse
Exfoliate
Moisturize
Protect

I like the simpleness. Then he takes us on a tour of the ingredients and how they work.
This book was easy enough to read and understand. I'll read my skincare labels with a newer understanding of what is good.
Dr. Abdullah also spends quite a bit of time explaining and talking about aloe vera.

3 1/2 STARS
Thanks to Netgalley for the ebook.

Midnight in Austenland by Shannon Hale

When Charlotte Kinder treats herself to a two-week vacation at Austenland, she happily leaves behind her ex-husband and his delightful new wife, her ever-grateful children, and all the rest of her real life in America. She dons a bonnet and stays at a country manor house that provides an immersive Austen experience, complete with gentleman actors who cater to the guests' Austen fantasies.

Everyone at Pembrook Park is playing a role, but increasingly, Charlotte isn't sure where roles end and reality begins. And as the parlor games turn a little bit menacing, she finds she needs more than a good corset to keep herself safe. Is the brooding Mr. Mallery as sinister as he seems? What is Miss Gardenside's mysterious ailment? Was that an actual dead body in the secret attic room? And-perhaps of the most lasting importance-could the stirrings in Charlotte's heart be a sign of real-life love?

The follow-up to reader favorite Austenland provides the same perfectly plotted pleasures, with a feisty new heroine, plenty of fresh and frightening twists, and the possibility of a romance that might just go beyond the proper bounds of Austen's world. How could it not turn out right in the end?

First Line:
" No one who knew Charlotte Constance Kinder since her youth would suppose her born to be a heroine."

Mrs. Hale has done it again!
Romance, intrigue and corsets.
Charlotte Kinder needs to get away from her reality for a few days. Donning an Austen-ish gown, relenquishing her cell phone (and the connection with her children) and immersion herself in Austenland, Charlotte finds she braver and stronger than the woman she left behind.
What did she expect to find is a murder mystery. The dead body in the attic disappears. The car in the pond is explained away. And the food is bland. What's a girl to do? Solve the mystery of course! And possibly fall in love as well.

Liked:
Shannon's humor & writing
Chapter headings

Disliked:
Too much heaving bossoms
Having to wait until almost the end for the love interest

4 STARS

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare (Mortal Instruments Book 2)

Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go — especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil — and also her father.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings — and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.

  
Yes, I read City of Ashes again. Yes, I give it 4 STARS this time (language and homosexual portrayals). Now that I'm writing more and understand better pacing, storytelling, foreshadowing, character arcs, I like this story better. 


Likes:
Jace (he always surprises me)
Families taking care of each other
Mothers and fathers present!


Dislikes:
swearing
homosexual portrayal
couldn't put it down

Rating: PG 16
V: Yes
L: some
S: No

4 STARS

Banana Split A Culinary Mystery by Josi S. Kilpack

Sadie Hoffmiller has survived eighteen months of nonstop adventures filled with murder, deceit, and danger. She could really use some rest—and maybe even some time to heal—relaxing in the tropical paradise of Kaua'i. However, palm trees and sunshine are not as effective a medication as Sadie had hoped. And when she finds herself entangled—literally—with a dead body, she is forced to face the compounding fears and anxieties that are making her life so difficult to live.

Her determination to stay out of danger and to focus on overcoming her anxieties soon takes a backseat when she meets eleven-year-old Charlie, the son of the woman whose body she discovered near Anahola Beach. Charlies has some questions of his own about what happened to his mother, and he is convinced that only Sadie can help him. If only Sadie were as confident in her abilities as Charlie is.

With the help of her best friend and a local social worker, Sadie dives into another mystery with the hope that, at the end, she'll be able to find the peace and closure that has eluded her.

First line:
"You snorkel before?"

Another great Sadie Hoffmiller mystery! 
Sadie goes to Hawaii to get away from her life and relax. The last year and a half really have taken toll on our heroine and it's showing.
Unfortunately for Sadie, she lands in the middle of another murder mystery and she's not up to the task. But when a young boy is involved, she decides she needs to solve this one last mystery.
This story is different than the previous ones and I had a hard time getting into it at first. Then I realized what Josi has done. She's showing us the natural results of being in the middle of traumatic scenes: post-traumatic stress disorder. Sadie can't go on without being affected which makes us care for her even more than before. 
This book is not a quick read. It takes us into the mind and life of someone suffering from PTSD. It's interesting watching Sadie lose confidence in herself and her skills but still unable to keep away from being an amateur detective.
Another great book from Josi Kilpack! Go, Josi!


Rating: PG
L: No
S: No
V: Dead body, 


Liked:
Setting
Island slang 
Recipes


Disliked:
Not figuring out 'whodunit'


4 STARS

Want to buy Josi's book? Here's the Amazon link for Banana Split.

Find out more about Josi and drool over all her yummy looking books!

Death Cure by James Dashner

Thomas knows that Wicked can't be trusted, but they say the time for lies is over, that they've collected all they can from the Trials and now must rely on the Gladers, with full memories restored, to help them with their ultimate mission. It's up to the Gladers to complete the blueprint for the cure to the Flare with a final voluntary test.

What Wicked doesn't know is that something's happened that no Trial or Variable could have foreseen. Thomas has remembered far more than they think. And he knows that he can't believe a word of what Wicked says.

The time for lies is over. But the truth is more dangerous than Thomas could ever imagine.
Will anyone survive the Death Cure?

First Line:
"It was the smell that began to drive Thomas slightly mad."

Ah! Finally! The series is finished and I have to admit, I enjoyed this book the best out of all three. That has never happened to me before.
I had a hard time putting this book down. I wanted to know when WICKED would reveal the tricks and lies. They had a pretty good lie toward the end that kind threw me.
Thomas and his shank friends have been through trial after to trial so WICKED can find a cure for the Flare. But this time, Thomas is ready to be on his own and he escapes from WICKED. But is this a trick too? Another trial? Will they ever escape the clutches of the group who thinks they are on the verge of a cure? Just slim it and read the book.
James stayed true to the characters through this last book. They have to make hard decisions, escape from tons of scary and hard situations and still be strong. At one intense scene I realized I was gripping my book so hard the page was crinkling.
Very satisfying ending to an intense and unique series. Well done, James.
So I thought I was done then come to find out there is a prequel! What?? *Sigh* And it sounds really good too.

Liked:
The cover
It's over
Not near as much death
The ending!
The sweet romance

Disliked:
Some convenient ways to get out of trouble
Waiting to be tricked by WICKED
No one noticing main bad guy had the Flare
Going to..wait, I can't tell you. It's a spoiler.

Rating: PG 14
V: Yes
L: Made up swear words
S: No

5 STARS

The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal

Princess and heir to the throne of Thorvaldor, Nalia's led a privileged life at court.  But everything changes when it's revealed, just after her sixteenth birthday, that she is a false princess, a stand-in for the real Nalia, who has been hidden away for her protection.  Cast out with little more than the clothes on her back, the girl now called Sinda must leave behind the city of Vivaskari, her best friend, Keirnan, and the only life she's ever known.

Sinda is sent to live with her only surviving relative, an aunt who is a dyer in a distant village. She is a cold, scornful woman with little patience for her newfound niece, and Sinda proves inept at even the simplest tasks.  But when Sinda discovers that magic runs through her veins - long-suppressed, dangerous magic that she must learn to control - she realizes that she can never learn to be a simple village girl.

Returning to Vivaskari for answers, Sinda finds her purpose as a wizard scribe, rediscovers the boy who saw her all along, and uncovers a secret that could change the course of Thorvaldor's history, forever.

A dazzling first novel, The False Princess is an engrossing fantasy full of mystery, action, and romance.


Enjoyed this book and recommend it to moms and their daughters!
How would you feel if you found out you're really not a princess and the king and queen aren't your parents? That's what happened Nalia/Sinda. Poor girl's world is sent spinning when she's sent from teh castle to live with a peasant aunt. But if she hadn't been sent away she would never have learned about her gifts. The gifts that can save the kingdom.

Likes:
Action
Romance
Characters
Twists

Dislikes:
I couldn't figure out the twists!
Loose ends


Rated: PG
V: No
L: No
S: No

4 STARS


Loved this line:
"He watches you, Sinda. Like you're his best treasure, only he can't think of a way to slip you into his pocket."

Indelible by Lani Woodland

Sixteen-year-old Yara Silva has always known that ghosts walk alongside the living. Her grandma, like the other females in her family, is a Waker, someone who can see and communicate with ghosts. Yara grew up watching her grandmother taunted and scorned for this unusual ability and doesn't want that to be her future. She has been dreading the day when she too would see ghosts, and is relieved that the usually dominant Waker gene seems to have skipped her, letting her live a normal teenage life. However, all that changes for Yara on her first day at her elite boarding school when she discovers the gene was only lying dormant. She witnesses a dark mist attack Brent, a handsome fellow student, and rushes to his rescue. Her act of heroism draws the mist s attention, and the dark spirit begins stalking her. Yara finds herself entrenched in a sixty-year-old curse that haunts the school, threatening not only her life, but the lives of her closest friends as well. Yara soon realizes that the past she was trying to put behind her isn't going to go quietly.

First line:
"Being stuck in California rush-hour traffic wasn't nearly so bad when I had something to keep me busy."


Second book of Yara and the Pendrell school. 
Yara now understands her 'gift' and still doesn't really want it. Seeing and talking to ghosts isn't her idea of normal.
But her talents will help the school and students and keep them safe. If she can keep her self out of danger or getting killed.
Or possessed.
Yara doesn't realize how strong her powers are until she comes up against a very angry ghost. 

Ms. Woodland doesn't an excellent job in characterizations, plot, twists, storyline and pacing. I wanted to keep reading to find out what would happen to Yara and Brent. And who was the bad guy? And how were Yara and her friends getting out of this one??
The mystery, paranormal, romance and intrigue kept me reading.
Oh! And my name is in this book! I'm the flour sack baby. 


What I liked: 
Vovo
Yara 
Yara & Brent relationship
Flour sack (of course)


What I didn't like:
um, nothing really. 
A few editing errors


Rating: PG 13
L: Don't remember any
S: Kissing
V: fights, angry ghosts, bad guys


25% test (p.99):
"...more juicy Waker secrets. That faulty belief had led Cherie to spy on Vovo more than once.
"So, what makes you think my friends need the necklaces."
Vovo threw an amused grin at Cherie, who hadn't been as stealthy as she thought.
"I've had a dream of darkness settling at Pendrell again. Although it didn't so much settle as raise from the ground." She cocked her head to the side thinking. "I'm not sure what it means yet, but I decided your friends should have them, just in case."
"You had a dream too?" I sat up tall and held her gaze. "About a fire?"
"Yes. I dreamed of the fire, but I also had a vision of the darkness." She shivered and paled slightly before pointing to the jewelry again. "I want you to hand them out to everyone who's close to you. I made some boy pieces too."
I pulled the box close and inspected the contents again.
"This is cute," I said, holding up what looked like a surfer necklace with a single large bead in the center and smaller ones worked into the knotted cord. I could see Brent wearing it. "I'm glad these will protect my friends but what about me? Isn't there something I can do to keep this ghost away from me? I don't want anything to do with her, and I certainly don't want to be waiting around for her to reappear."
Vovo rubbed her hand across her forehead, her shoulders slumping. "There is nothing you can do but wait. Fique tranquila."
"Stay calm?" 
She kissed the top of my head. "We'll keep you safe and figure this out."
"So should we prepare to banish her?" I asked, dropping the necklace back into the box. Banishing a..."

Persuasion by Rebecca H. Jamison Blog Tour!

Happy day! I get to be part of PERSUASION blog tour!
I have a dear friend who is all things Austen and I asked her to be a guest reviewer today.
Take it away Mrs. LeBuck!

Rebecca H. Jamison's Persuasion: A Latter Day Tale was an easy, breezy read on a otherwise cold weekend.  Her story echoes Jane Austen's Persuasion well enough that I could easily anticipate the general story line, but the updated new twist kept it fresh as I read.  I especially enjoyed the "new" ways of getting the characters where they need to be.  For example, the accident at the beach was a pleasant surprise, as was the back story given to the character of William.
Jamison's version of Anne Elliot has her own modern issues to deal with, including her work, her car, her friends and roommate.  But the relationship issues Jane Austen gave her original heroine ring true in the modern version--her father's financial issues, her sisters' selfishness, and her own self-doubt.  Played out within an LDS morality, the romantic entanglements work very well too, even in the modern settings.  I could sense her longing for a husband and family life without seeing her as a sappy, unrealistic, washed-up spinster.  And Anne's attitude never felt defeated.
Overall, I appreciated the clean but still romantic  twist on a story I adore from Jane Austen.  Perhaps this new telling will hook younger readers into seeing the brilliance of the character driven novel without the need to spice it up and out of my personal rating's window.