Author Interview & Book Giveaway: Impractical Grace by John S. Bushman

Welcome to author John Bushman!

Bio:

John is thrilled to be the father of five, the son of two, the brother of seven, and the husband of one. He grew up in Tempe, Arizona and served a mission in the Philippines. Later he got his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Master’s in Instructional Technology from ASU. Arizona is also where he met the love of his life Tina, fell in love, and they married.

His family then moved to St. George where he worked as a full time Seminary instructor for ten years. Since then they have moved to Washington State where he teaches Institute and coordinates the early morning Seminary program. He loves teaching and studying the scriptures with the youth of the Church.

One of his other passions is writing. January 2011 will bring the publication of Impractical Grace which has been in creation for the last 10 years. It is a fantastic book that teaches the most important things in life through the vehicle of a great story.

A few years ago, he and some friends, also wrote some wonderful books with Deseret Book and published: “Scripture Study for Latter-Day Saint Families: The Book of Mormon” and now "The Doctrine and Covenants" and "The New Testament".

John's Website: http://www.johnbushman.com/

Interview:

If you could travel in a Time Machine would you go back to the past or into the future?
The future only 4 years. Curious!

What is one book everyone should read?
Outside of scripture it would be “In His Steps” by Charles M. Sheldon and Les Miserables by Victor Hugo.

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?
Bacon

What's your favorite music genre?
Eclectic guitar

Night owl, or early bird?
Early Bird

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.
Because God’s grace changes everything.

If you could jump in to a book, and live in that world.. which would it be?
Fablehaven

What is your favorite quote?
“A ship in the harbor is safe. But that is not what ships are for.”

What is your guilty pleasure?
Pie

How would you describe the target audience for you book? How would you classify your book (which genre)?
The target audience is those who want to learn how the Lord’s grace helps us overcome incredible challenges. Is there a genre of “Learning while being entertained”? If not that, then Inspirational.

Impractical Grace by John S. Bushman:

A COUPLE'S FAILING MARRIAGE, a family’s heartbreaking accident, and a woman’s excruciating childhood—these are just a few of the challenges confronting these individuals. But with struggle, patience and faith, they each discover that there’s no limit to God’s power to heal, strengthen, and transform.


PART TREATISE, PART NOVEL, Impractical Grace pulls you in as you learn with the characters how the grace of God and the grace we show one another really can change everything. Take part in these doctrinal insights to the Savior’s grace and love in this compelling novel full of true-to-life stories of hardship and hope.


What does Jesus offer us? What is the extent of the Lord’s power to heal, save, renew, and transform? In this novel, three broken lives find the transforming power of the Savior. Through this gripping novel, doctrinal insights of the Savior’s grace and love are shared. See the transforming work of God’s grace and love that moves through, and changes everyone in this compelling book.




Giveaway Details:
1 copy of Impractical Grace
Open to US only
Ends 2/27/11

Optional Extra Entry:
+2 Follow John's Blog

To Enter Please Fill Out This Form:

Book Review: Impractical Grace by John S. Bushman

A COUPLE'S FAILING MARRIAGE, a family’s heartbreaking accident, and a woman’s excruciating childhood—these are just a few of the challenges confronting these individuals. But with struggle, patience and faith, they each discover that there’s no limit to God’s power to heal, strengthen, and transform.


PART TREATISE, PART NOVEL, Impractical Grace pulls you in as you learn with the characters how the grace of God and the grace we show one another really can change everything. Take part in these doctrinal insights to the Savior’s grace and love in this compelling novel full of true-to-life stories of hardship and hope.


What does Jesus offer us? What is the extent of the Lord’s power to heal, save, renew, and transform? In this novel, three broken lives find the transforming power of the Savior. Through this gripping novel, doctrinal insights of the Savior’s grace and love are shared. See the transforming work of God’s grace and love that moves through, and changes everyone in this compelling book.

Impractical Grace teaches doctrine and principles in a story format. The book chronicles a new bishop attempting to help 3 members of his ward understand the Lord's atonement and his "impractical grace".

I would recommend this book to any and everyone who would like to better understand grace, a term that is often used but hard to describe. John S. Bushman uses scriptures, as well as quotes from apostles and prophets to teach how the Lord's grace can help and heal us.

I'm sure everyone can relate to at least one of the trials the characters in this book are experiencing: a troubled marriage, a tragic accident, abuse, the inability to forgive someone who has wronged us. The doctrine taught in this book has the ability to change those open enough to give these principles a try.



Content: Clean

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Source: From Author For Review

Guest Post: Favorite Read Alouds

Guest Post on Dog-Eared and Bookmarked.

Cynthia from Dog-Eared & Bookmarked had me guest post on our favorite read aloud pictures books.

Stop by her blog to see my list.

Author Interview & Book Giveaway: Indigo Blues by Danielle Joseph

Welcome to Danielle Joseph!

Bio:

I'm the author of Shrinking Violet and Indigo Blues. My next novel, Pure Red will be available Fall 2011 from Flux Books. I was born in Cape Town, South Africa and grew up in Boston, Massachusetts. Shortly after graduating from Emerson College, I traded in my sled and snow boots for a pool noodle and flip flops and moved to Miami, Florida.


When I'm not reading or writing, you can find me listening to music, being silly or hanging out at Starbucks.

If you want to find out more about me, check out my web site: http://www.daniellejoseph.com/.

Interview:
If you had a time machine would you go back to the past or into the future?
I would go to the past and get to know my ancestors in South Africa in the 1930's.

If you were a superhero what would be your superpower?
The super power I would like to have is invisibility. I would love to be a fly on the wall in many places.

Favorite flavor of ice cream?
My favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip.

If you could meet someone who has died who would it be?
I would love to meet Bob Marley.

Night owl or early bird?
Definite night owl!

One food you would never eat?
I would never ever want to eat or smell sardines.

Pet Peeves?
One of my pet peeves is people smacking their gum. I can't stand the sound.

Skittles or M&Ms?
M & Ms all the way!

What inspired you to become a writer?
My first grade teacher, Mrs. Peterson inspired me to become a writer.

Favorite Candy Bar?
My favorite candy is Reese's peanut butter cups.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was little I wanted to be an author and a movie star when I grew up.

In your wildest dreams which author would you love to co-author a book with?
In my wildest dreams I would love to co-author a book with Judy Blume!

Indigo Blues by Danielle Joseph:
Indigo:

I never asked to be famous—or infamous. Such is my fate for briefly dating (and dumping) Adam Spade. Yes, the Adam from the indie rock band Blank Stare who wrote "Indigo Blues"—the song that gave the band overnight success, propelled them to New York City, and stole my precious anonymity. Now I'm pawed by fans, stalked by reporters, and pegged as a vicious heartbreaker. And Adam is still calling me. Doesn't he have better things to do?

Adam:

With a hit single and a promising career, I should be on top of the world. People on the street are beginning to recognize me, which is cool. And scary. The band is counting on me to write another hit, but I can't stop thinking about Indigo. Why won't she answer the phone?
The target audience for Indigo Blues is anyone who loves music, romance and wants to know what it might be like if an ex wrote a hit song about you. It would probably be rated PG-13 for language and drinking.



Giveaway Details:
1 copy of Indigo Blues
Open to US only
Ends 2/27

Optional Extra Entries
+1 Follow Danielle on Twitter
+1 Like Indigo Blues on Facebook
+1 Follow Danielle on YA Outside the Lines

To Enter Please Fill Out This Form:

Blog Tour: Book Review: The First-Timer's Cookbook by Shawn Bucher

The First-Timer's Cookbook is the one cookbook that teaches all the basics. With simple techniques and easy step-by-step instructions for cooking almost anything, now you can learn how to cook, not just what to cook. Easy to follow step-by-step instructions. Lots of descriptive photos. Easy to understand and fun to use.

This book claims it teaches the "basics" and it isn't kidding. There are no actual recipes in this book it is truly meant for a beginner who does not know their way around a kitchen.

The first 5 chapters define the basics of cooking explaining how to set a table, basic cookware to purchase, how to properly use a knife and cooking procedures. The remaining 8 chapters include how to cook meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, fruits, how to bread food, cook pasta, potatoes and rice, how to prepare sauces and season foods. Truly a book on how to do the basics. As I have cooked quite a bit I found this book too basic and wasn't able to glean much from it. I thought it could have been improved by having a couple more chapters that included some basic recipes.

If you have never cooked before this book would be a great place to start. It has descriptive photos and easy step by step instructions.

About The Author:
Chef Shawn Bucher holds business degrees and a culinary certificate and has worked in the food service industry for over 12 years. Having been involved in most aspects of the industry “from grocery stores to restaurants, hotels, schools to corporate training and development,” he brings a unique and overall perspective to cooking and the food service industry.



http://www.firsttimerscookbook.com/

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Source: For Review as part of MediaGuests.net blog tour

Giveaway Winner: The Target by Bill Bowen

Congratulations to the Winner of

The Target by Bill Bowen



The winner was selected using Random.org

Julie Pearson

Winner has been notified and will receive her book from the author. Thanks to all who entered.

Giveaway Winners: 33 Habit of a Really Good Man

Congratulations to the Winners of

33 Habits of a Really Good Man by Yvonne Swinson



The winners were selected using Random.org

myra c.

Becky in Georgia

Winners have been notified and will receive their book from the author. Thanks to all who entered.

Nearly New Books For You 1/31 to 2/11

I love to receive books in the mail.
Unlike most avid readers I don't have a huge personal library.
I believe books should be read and then shared instead of sitting on a shelf collecting dust.
This unique belief could mean free books for you.

I'm changing the way I do Nearly New Books For You.  From here on out I will be posting giveaways more often but only offering one book each time.  My original intent had been to offer several books and then to just pick one winner each time.  But I've been picking winners for every book I offer.  So I'm going to switch and just offer one book each time but instead of doing giveaways every couple weeks I'll try to do them twice a week. 

Today's Nearly New Book For You is Winning Mr. Wrong by Marie Higgins.  I loved this fun, clean romance.


Giveaway is open only to those over the age of 13 with a US mailing address. Must be a blog follower to enter. Giveaway closes 2/11/11. Winner will be chosen from all eligible entries by the Random Number Generator. To enter you must fill out the Form.

Optional extra entry:
+2 Have a confirmed email subscription to this blog

In My Mailbox

FOR REVIEW:


Fallen Grace by Mary Hooper


Jenna & Jonah's Fauxmance by Emily Franklin & Brenda Halpin


Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors


Red Riding Hood by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright


Demonglass (A Hex Hall Novel) by Rachel Hawkins


The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney


Elijah's Coin: A Lesson for Life by Steve O'Brien


A Trail of Ink by Mel Starr


No Cure for the Broken Hearted by Kenneth Rosenberg


The Trouble with Half a Moon by Danette Vigilante


Flavors by Emily Sue Harvey


Moo Pie in the Moonlight by Beth Olmo


Priscilla the Great by Sybil Nelson


The Tapeworm Emails and The Gloria Airmails: The Flip Side of Temptation by Mary McReynolds

WON IN GIVEAWAYS:


Sleepless by Cyn Balog


I So Don't Do Makeup by Barrie Summy


Dakota Child by Linda Ford


A McKaslin Homecoming by Jillian Hart

Audible Audio Downloads:

The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 5) by Rick Riordan


Spells by Aprilynne Pike


First Truth (Truth, Book 1) by Dawn Cook

ARC TOUR:

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

In My Mailbox was started by The Story Siren.

The idea behind IMM was not only to put new books on your radar but to also encourage blogger interaction. IMM explores the weekly contents of my mailbox & books bought.

Anyone can participate in IMM and you are not limited to only sharing books that arrive via your mailbox. You can also share books that you've bought or books that you've gotten at the library.