Once Upon A Time: An Adoption Story by Ashley Hansen Bigler, illustrations by Amy Hintze

Once Upon A Time: An Adoption Story by Ashley Hansen Bigler, illustrations
by Amy Hintze

This little book geared for young girls is a treasure. Young girls wanting to learn about adoption and how this wonderul program works for parents unable to conceive, is so simple and concise. As my oldest daughter placed her daughter with LDS Social Services when she was 16, I could relate to this story very much. My daughter was able to meet her daughter last June before she headed off to BYU-Provo. She has since been together with her in Provo just this month, along with her two children and fiance.

The mother in this story eloquently tells her young daughter the story of how she came to their home and family. She explains how very much she had been loved by her biological mother and how she knew that placing her for adoption was the right thing to do. She was able to see scrapbooks of the couple so she could choose the right parents for her baby daughter.

This is a book I would recommend for all families as a tool to discuss why adoption is such a great thing for young girls to consider, rather than abortion.

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

Published by: Cedar Fort
Published Date: April 2010
ISBN: 978-1-59955-310-8
32pp

I received this book from the author Ashley Hansen Bigler.

Secret Sisters by Tristi Pinkston

Secret Sisters by Tristi Pinkston

This new foray into humorous mystery for Tristi is a big hit. The mixture of humor with mystery is a good mix, as it lets us see the human side of a Relief Society group of sisters.

Ida Mae Babbitt is the RS President of the Omni 2nd Ward and it is her job to see that everything is ok with all her sisters in the ward. When she notices the ward stats are low, it's her responsibility to see why this is happening and when she learns that one family is having financial dificulties, it's her responsibility to make sure the family gets the needed assistance. When Ida Mae and her counselors form a spy group, they decide to call themselves "Secret Sisters." When her less active nephew Ren, who has lived with Ida Mae since his parents died, is trying to work on a patent for a "bug" for eavesdropping, they decide to plant one in The Dunn's home to watch their comings and goings, as it's not a "bug" that hears conversation.

The local law enforcement tells Ia Mae to leave the investigation alone, as the sheriff seems to think the sisters are just a bunch of busybodies,but when a body turns up dead, The Secret Sisters with Ren's help, is able to sniff out the evidence they need to find out who the culprits are and save the day.

I look forward to the next Secret Sisters mystery, which is entitled "Ida Mae Rides Again." If you like a fun mystery with a bunch of RS sisters "sleuthing" around, you'll love Ida Mae.

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

I received my review copy for the Virtual Book Tour from Senior Editor of Valor Publishing Group, and author Tristi Pinkston.

Publisher: Valor Publishing Group, LLC
Publishing Date: March 2010
ISBN: 978-1-935546-09-2
276pp

The Message by Lance Richardson

The Message by Lance Richardson

My good friend and former VT highlyrecommended this amazing book to me a few months ago and found that my regional library had a copy, so checcked it out. Since I wanted my own copy and two of Lance's other b ooks, I called Lance's widow Jozete to request review copies and she sent them to me. I read the library copy and loaned my copy to my caregiver and close friend from another ward here.

Since I have read several near death experience books over the past serveral years, I found this book so inspiring, and so comforting, since I am a recent widow. For those who have strayed or lost their faith, this is the book to bring your life around, as it gives us strength and hope to what lies ahead after we leave this frail existence.

While in Finland years earlier, Lance contracted Crohn's Disease, which left him severely ill, having to go through over 30 surgeries and several others for other problems, having 100 stays in the hospital. On Christmas Day 1998, Lance had bought a used snowmobile and motorcycle for his two oldest sons and because the motorcycle wouldn't start, got his neighbor to fix it, so he decided to try it out, when it slid on some ice out of the driveway going only 5-10 mph. He was always told not to overdo, but this time, he ended up in more serious condition than ever before.

While in the hospital, after surgery, Lance, while in a coma for three months, experienced three different journeys to the spirit world, being able to reunite with his deceased cousin who was his spirtual guide through many glorious truths regarding the afterlife. He was able to find through his journies a better understanding of the importance of families and America's future. He was taught through some spirits that served in long ago wars the most important principle of their society of peace, which if followed by the people of Our great nation, would rescue us from self-destruction.

Lance was totally amazed at how we in the spirit world can communicate through our thoughts with each other and the same with animals. The scriptures tell us we will be able to lie down with the lamb and the lion peacefully and be able to communicate our feelings with one another with hugs.

Since I recently became a widow, this book gave me so much more than hope, it has given me a more deeper understanding of what I will experience when reuniting with my eternal companion and my otherfamily relatives and ancestors. I can hardly wait, though I now know that Bob is here for me when I need his guidance. The veil is so ever thin, brothers and sisters. This is a must read for anyone who doubts about an after-life, or those who just need that affirmation that we are that close to the Lord and Savior coming to earth again in all His glory.

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

I checked this book out from my Mid-Columbia Library,
also received a Review Copy from Jozete Richardson,
Lance's widow, who has recently remarried.

Published by: American Family Institute
Date Published: December 2000
ISBN: 1-889025-04-6
155pp

I'll Know You By Heart by Kimberly Job

I'll Know You By Heart by Kimberly Job

In this stunning debut novel by Kimberly, we find Stephanie Roberts, a woman running from an abusive marriage. She's suffered through seventeen years of terrible abuse from her husband Mark, afraid to leave him for fear he would hurt her three children. The night she decides to leave, her two young daughters have confusing loyalties, as they love their dad. Maddie is 11 and Sarah is 7, then there's big brother Tyson, sixteen, who absolutely hates his father, who finally tells his mom he took photos of her in bed asleep to show evidence of his dad's abuse.

When Stephanie is stalked by her husband, she's too afraid to call the police to report the abuse. She knows she needs to work to support her family, so is surprised when she gets hired to be a receptionist at a pediatrician's office with her lack of experience since her college years. When she meets Jared Wakefield, the man who brings his almost 5 year old daughter in to see the doctor for an accident that had occured at school. causing Katie to break her arm. Both Stephanie and Jared feel an instant bond, like they knew each other from before. Even though Jared had lost his wife from an auto accident not long ago, the accident was caused by his wife's drinking, so he was thinking of finding someone that would love he and Katie, unlike the lack of love his deceased wife had shown.

When Mark finds out about Jared and he starts causing trouble after Stephanie lets down her guard, then something drastic happens to change for everyone. It takes Jared and Tyson to set things in motion to allow Stephanie to finally heal her wounds, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Since both my grandmothers were abused by a husband and a father, I know how abuse can destroy families. Kimberly has done an excellent job (no pun intended) in her weaving a masterful, yet poignant story about how abuse can destroy a person's life. This cycle can be reversed if we but look to Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to help us.

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

I received my ARC from Valor Publishing Group.

Publisher: Valor Publishing Group, LLC
Date Published: March 2010
ISBN: 978-1-935546-13-9
265pp