Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Monday, November 12, 2012
Faith, Hope And Gravity by Merrill Osmond & Shirley Bahlmann
When I first read about Merrill's debut novel on Amazon just days after reading about his memoirs on Amazon, and reading a couple reviews, I knew I had to review this amazing debut. Since Shirley is adear friend of whom I shared two spiritual stories in her Friends From Beyond The Veil, I knew she would have an ARC for me. It took me awhile to get past the first two chapters, mainly due to watching tons of Hallmark Movies and other movies on my computer, so since I'm set for several blog tours in the next fewweeks, I wanted to get this book read and reviewed, so here goes.
When the story begins, we find Liam Kane, a young 12 year old boy from Hawaii, that lives with his Hawaiian mother and Caucasian father, who is a commercial pilot who flies all over the world with his mother never having left her native Hawaii. When Liam's mom asks him to run to the store, he gets attacked by two boys, Dirk and Tomoya, causing injuries that would land him in the hospital and keep him home and being homeschooled for a time. Liam has the gift of being able to know what will happen to him, and is also able to swim with the dolphins. His parents decide to send Liam to England to his Uncle's to work for 3 months. Atg first, Liam doesn't want to go and leave his mother, but she feels learning to work would be good for him.
While Liam was being attacked, he finds a little dog being abused by Dirk, so decides to take him home.
During Liam's adventures, he seems to have Cory, a specal friend just appear when he needs him. With Tomoya following him to England, he finds out he was sent to watch over him. Liam seems to not be willing to forgive Tomoya for his injuries, yet Tomoya sticks by him through everything, from their adventures in England, Stonehenge, Italy, France, South Africa, Australia, then Mexico. When he predicts that the plane he was going to be on will crash, he is pursued all over the world, even being kidnapped and landing in prison. He finally forgives both Tomoya and Dirk, learning a thing or two about how we each need to treat people and learn how our talents, when used in the right way for good and to do God's work, that we'll find true peace and happiness, that God gave us special talents to help others.
I loved this book and didn't put it down untl I finished it. I can see a sequel you two. This book will stay with you for a long time afterwards. And, when a book brings tears after the last page, you know it's a keeper. Thanks Merrill and Shirley for a wonderful journey.
Publisher: CreateSpace
Date Published: 2012
ISBN: 978-1477681787
288pp
I received my ARC from Shirley Bahlmann.
When I first read about Merrill's debut novel on Amazon just days after reading about his memoirs on Amazon, and reading a couple reviews, I knew I had to review this amazing debut. Since Shirley is adear friend of whom I shared two spiritual stories in her Friends From Beyond The Veil, I knew she would have an ARC for me. It took me awhile to get past the first two chapters, mainly due to watching tons of Hallmark Movies and other movies on my computer, so since I'm set for several blog tours in the next fewweeks, I wanted to get this book read and reviewed, so here goes.
When the story begins, we find Liam Kane, a young 12 year old boy from Hawaii, that lives with his Hawaiian mother and Caucasian father, who is a commercial pilot who flies all over the world with his mother never having left her native Hawaii. When Liam's mom asks him to run to the store, he gets attacked by two boys, Dirk and Tomoya, causing injuries that would land him in the hospital and keep him home and being homeschooled for a time. Liam has the gift of being able to know what will happen to him, and is also able to swim with the dolphins. His parents decide to send Liam to England to his Uncle's to work for 3 months. Atg first, Liam doesn't want to go and leave his mother, but she feels learning to work would be good for him.
While Liam was being attacked, he finds a little dog being abused by Dirk, so decides to take him home.
During Liam's adventures, he seems to have Cory, a specal friend just appear when he needs him. With Tomoya following him to England, he finds out he was sent to watch over him. Liam seems to not be willing to forgive Tomoya for his injuries, yet Tomoya sticks by him through everything, from their adventures in England, Stonehenge, Italy, France, South Africa, Australia, then Mexico. When he predicts that the plane he was going to be on will crash, he is pursued all over the world, even being kidnapped and landing in prison. He finally forgives both Tomoya and Dirk, learning a thing or two about how we each need to treat people and learn how our talents, when used in the right way for good and to do God's work, that we'll find true peace and happiness, that God gave us special talents to help others.
I loved this book and didn't put it down untl I finished it. I can see a sequel you two. This book will stay with you for a long time afterwards. And, when a book brings tears after the last page, you know it's a keeper. Thanks Merrill and Shirley for a wonderful journey.
Publisher: CreateSpace
Date Published: 2012
ISBN: 978-1477681787
288pp
I received my ARC from Shirley Bahlmann.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Christmas In Bliss by Michele Ashman Bell: A Christmas Booklet
This new Christmas booklet from my dear friend Michele was very warmhearted and just the type of Christmas story I love.
Vicki is on her to her parents home in Salt Lake to spend Christmas. Since flying would be too expensive, she drives from her home in Tillamook, Oregon, where she works for the Tillamook Cheese Factory. She is bringing homemade gifts and a few from the Cheese Factory to share. When she gets stuck in a blizzard near Bliss, Idaho, she decides to stop at a Truck Stop to wait until the snow plows do their job.
Vicki finds a few families and others stranded inside the Truck Stop and when a few children complain that they are hungry, both she and Brian, the truck driver that almost sent her off the highway, go out to his truck to get a few toys from the shipment he was hauling for his injured brother and felt it would be ok to share afew with these few children and Nicki to share her food.
This turns out to be the best Christmas they all would remember for a long time, especially as they learned just what it means to give of oneself during the Christmas season.
I give this booklet 5 stars.
I received this booklet from Michele in today's mail.
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Date Published: Nov 2012
ISBN: 978-1- 62108-021-3
24pp
This new Christmas booklet from my dear friend Michele was very warmhearted and just the type of Christmas story I love.
Vicki is on her to her parents home in Salt Lake to spend Christmas. Since flying would be too expensive, she drives from her home in Tillamook, Oregon, where she works for the Tillamook Cheese Factory. She is bringing homemade gifts and a few from the Cheese Factory to share. When she gets stuck in a blizzard near Bliss, Idaho, she decides to stop at a Truck Stop to wait until the snow plows do their job.
Vicki finds a few families and others stranded inside the Truck Stop and when a few children complain that they are hungry, both she and Brian, the truck driver that almost sent her off the highway, go out to his truck to get a few toys from the shipment he was hauling for his injured brother and felt it would be ok to share afew with these few children and Nicki to share her food.
This turns out to be the best Christmas they all would remember for a long time, especially as they learned just what it means to give of oneself during the Christmas season.
I give this booklet 5 stars.
I received this booklet from Michele in today's mail.
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Date Published: Nov 2012
ISBN: 978-1- 62108-021-3
24pp
Once Upon A Baby: A Tale of Adoption by Shari Guess and Illustrated by Kate FeatherstoneWhen I was approached about participating in this blog tour, I eagerly accepted, as my oldest daughter had placed her baby daughter with LDS Social Services to be adopted. Our entire family was affected by the circumstances in which our daughter became pregnant at age 15 1/2 back in '89. We all were connected with Lauren and her family in June '09 just before Lauren headed off to BYU-Provo. Our daughter kept in contact with Lauren and her parents through letters sent from LDS Social Services. My deceased hubby received inspiration of when Lauren was sealed to her adoptive parents.
This simply written and illustrated little book was sent to me the day I was asked to participate in this blog tour. I proceeded to read this quick read within 5 minutes. It explains so simply and beautifully how a woman sometimes through no fault of her own or her husband's not able to have a baby, so they decide to go through the adoption process. I really liked how Shari incorporates the "Tummy Mommy" into the explanation, so a younger child can truly understand this amazing journey.
The last and most important step that this little gem of a book shares with its readers is how so very special and spiritual it is to go to the Temple and be sealed for Time and All Eternity, making that wonderful journey complete.
I totally recommend this book for anyone considering adoption or even those not.
I give this a 5 star rating.
I received this as a PDF copy from Kathy, who is in charge of this tour.
Published by: Narrow Trail Publishing
Date Published: July 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-0985859008
28pp
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