Anna's Prayer by Karl Beckstrand, illustrations by Shari Griffiths

Anna's Prayer by Karl Beckstrand, illustrated by Shari Griffiths

When I received this book a couple of weeks ago to review, I had planned on reading it to my live-in 9 year old granddaughter Violet, but I didn't get the job done until yesterday when I also read Nubs to her. She loved both, as did I.

Anna Anderson and her older sister Ida, along with their mother, live in a small Swedish village. They are poor, but happy. When they join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they are persecuted and their mother is fired from her job. Soon, she sends both Ida and Anna to America for a beter life and Ida gets a job in Idaho and lives with a member family and Anna travels alone to Salt Lake to stay with an aunt. When Anna arrives all alone late at night at the train station, she finds her aunt not there waiting for her. Anna says a prayer that her aunt comes for her and her prayer gets answered in a way that is remarkable. On coming to a strange country where she doesn't speak English makes things a whole lot harder for Anna. This is a true story and the illustrations are exquisitely done by Shari. I highly recommend this book for everyone who enjoys stories about their ancestors.

Forever Friends Rating 5 Stars by Teri
Until Next Time, See You Around The Book Nook.

I received this book from Karl.

Leatherwood Press
Published: October 2008
ISBN: 978-1-59992-113-6
30pp

Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle by Major Brian Dennis, Kirby Larson & Mary Nethery

Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle by Major Brian Dennis, Kirby Larson & Mary Nethery

I saw Brian and Nubs on a late night talk show last Nov and was moved to tears about this story, so was able to get in contact with Kirby to get my own review copy, which came today. I read it to my 9 year old granddaughter Violet, who had heard about the book. She loved it, as did I, sobbing as I read this most miraculous and courageous true story.

Major Brian Dennis, a Marine stationed in Iraq, comes across Nubs, an Iraqui dog of war, never had a home, as he was the leader of a wild pack of dogs. When Dennis and Nubs met, they immediately formed a very close bond, made stronger by the care he was given. Nubs had barely survived in the barren land, had even been abused. Nubs bonded with Dennis's "human pack" until they had to move 70 miles away, Nubs not knowing the Marines couldn't keep pets. The miraculous part of this story is how Nubs managed to travel those 70 miles to find Dennis!!!!

What happens next is another miracle, to allow Nubs and Dennis to be together. This journey brings a lot of people together and touches the hearts of many. I highly recommend this book to everyone, even children of all ages. Kirby and Mary have a way into our hearts and souls by the retelling of this miraculous adventure.

Forever Friends Rating: A Very Huge 5 Stars by Teri
Until Next Time, See You Around The Book Nook.

I received this wonderful book autographed by Kirby from Kirby.

Little Brown Books For Young Readers: Hachette Book Group
Published: November 2009
ISBN: 978-0-316-05318-1
40pp

Eyes Like Mine by Julie Wright

Eyes Like Mine by Julie Wright

Constance Miles Brown is on her way to Zion and is searching for her husband William, who has gone missing from their wagon train. The last time she had seen him, he had kissed her and their baby Eliza to go look for the horses. The wagon train decides to go on without her and she is blinded by anger against God for sending her to Zion, when all of a sudden she finds herself hurtling through time. When she comes to a stop, she runs smack into her 5th great granddaughter, Liz King, while Liz is busy at the stables with her horse Sassy.

Liz has been angry with life, has shunned her friends, wanting to exclusively be around her best friend Sassy. Liz is totally shocked at Constance's arrival, esp in her pioneer clothing and strange behavior and strange accent. Constance doesn't understand why she's been flung into the future, but soon begins to understand her purpose in helping Liz and her mother Claire. Liz is angry at her dad for leaving and marrying another woman who she has issues with. Claire begins withdrawing from her family, spending more and more time in her bedroom sleeping.

It isn't until a harrowing accident occurs that Constance and Liz come to understand how much they love each other and just how much human friendships are. When both Liz and Constance find proof of Constance's future, things get topsy-turvy. Even Liz's childhood friend Garret seems to be attracted to Constance!!! When Constance makes plans to return to the past, Liz freaks out, since she doesn't want to feel abondoned like she has with her dad leaving.

When Liz gets to visit Constance's birth home while on her mission, she knows she has come home. This is a great book for YA and adults to ponder our heritage and what we can learn from our ancestors.

Forever Friends Rating 5 Stars by Teri
Until Next Time, See You Around The Book Nook.

I checked this book out from my Mid-Columbia Regional Library.


* Publisher: Covenant Communications, Incorporated
Pub. Date: July 2009
* ISBN-13: 978-1598116250
262pp

Mormon Mishaps and Mischief: Hilarious Stories for Saints by D.N. Giles & C.L. Beck

Mormon Mishaps and Mischief: Hilarious Stories for Saints by D.N. Giles & C.L. Beck

This little book of hilarious stories from Latter-day Saints is really a great read for those wanting a good time and for laughing out loud. Humor is the best way to keep us from getting depressed and is the best medicine for what ails us. These hilarious and true stories happen when we least expect us and can brighten a cloudy day.

From the little Sunbeams who can bring a smile in a Fast & Testimony meeting, to the elderly member who
was seen with a "reindeer tail" coming out of the restroom, to the bishopric member who responded to the lady who said "I don't do this very often because I'm such a big boob" to say, "That's okay, we like big boobs." Latter-day Saints are always making blunders and bloopers in Church and it just can brighten a tense moment. The one time a groom was late to his Temple sealing because he thought it would be quicker to enter from another side of the Temple and tried unsuccessfully to open these big doors with big golden doorknobs that were tightly locked, only to be told they wouldn't be opened until the Second Coming of the Savior. This little gem has something for everyone and is the perfect gift for all Latter-day Saint families.

Forever Friends Rating 5 Stars by Teri
Until Next Time, See You Around The Book Nook.

I received My copy from the authors, Cindy and Nicole.

Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc.
Springville, Utah
Date Published: Dec 2009
ISBN: 978-1-59955-297-2
96pp

Depth of Deceit by Betty Briggs

Depth of Deceit by Betty Briggs

In this riveting thriller with a backdrop with horses in the storyline, comes young and aspiring Defense Attorney Stephanie Saunders who is given the dregs of society as clients. Her first client happens to be Josh Durrant, who seems to be following her whereever she goes. She also is a little wary of her boyfriend Todd Saxton, who's always calling her "Prom Queen" like her peers do.

While trying to establish her credibility as a Defense Attorney, she is worried and confused at someone's stealing her innocence. Stephanie goes to a doctor and finds she is mysteriously pregnant and not knowing how that came to be, as she is not one to sleep around. When she finds out how she did get pregnant, she's wanting to give her baby away.

Amidst all this, Stephanie finds time for caring and riding her favorite gelding Kingston and nursing Riskie Business and her foal back to health with the help of Josh and the local veternarian.

When she finds someone is in the baby selling racket, knowing that someone is trying to sell her unborn baby, she fights for all she's worth to protect her baby. The twists and turns in the page-turner leave you wanting more. I highly recommend this heart-stopping novel to everyone and there is a sequel in the works.

Forever Friends Rating 5 Stars by Teri
Until Next Time, See You Around the Book Nook.

I received my copy from Betty.

Sunrise Selections Publisher
Provo, Utah
Date Published: Nov 2009
ISBN: 978-0965630757
341pp

Missing by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

Missing by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

For a first time novel, Ronda did herself proud. I really enjoyed this suspense story, not really knowing until the end, why Beckka was kidnapped from her home in Rexburg, Idaho. Stacie Cox, a young college girl on tour in Vancouver, British Columbia, with her BYU Choir, is singing a solo at Craigdarroch Castle, when she spots Beckka with a strange woman. When they disappear, Stacie gets help from Matt Brennan, a friend she is beginning to have feelings for, but has forbidden to get close to because of tragedy in her past that has come back to haunt her. There are a couple of other friends who also help in the search and the authorities seem to be of no help, as they seem suscpicious of Stacie's meddling.

When Stacie does get more involved, she gets in over her head, as there's more at stake than just a young child's life. When Stacie's life is endangered, there doesn't seem to be any way but to plung forward, even to endangering Beckka as well. She has to pull on her lifeguard skills if she's to save Beckka and everyone else.

Forever Friends Rating 4 Stars by Teri
Until Next Time, See You Around The Book Nook.

Walnut Springs Publisher
Date Published: October 2009
ISBN: 978-1-935217-30-5
265pp

Received my review copy from Ronda.