Book Review: Sisterhood of Strength by Diony George

Title: Sisterhood of Strength: True Stories of Miraculous Service
Author: Diony George
Publisher: Cedar Fort
Release Date: August 14, 2012
Website: http://diony-george.blogspot.com/

Book Summary:

Experience for yourself the pure love that inspires ordinary women to serve and accept service in a truly extraordinary manner. This inspiring collection of true stories from the lives of women just like you is told with heartwarming sincerity. Perfect for sharing, this remarkable book is sure to uplift, encourage, and cheer any woman, whether it’s her turn to serve or be served.

Sisterhood of Strength is a compilation of touching stories of sisters who serve each other.  You can pick it up and read just one story at a time or read through the whole thing in one sitting as I did.  Of the nearly three dozen stories in this book about half are by published LDS authors.

The stories are varied, some are accounts of acts by visiting teachers, other of service to neighbors, friends or family members.  A great reminder that sometimes it takes just a small act to make a huge impact in the lives of others.

Rating: 4 Stars - Great Book

Content: Clean & Uplifting

Source: From Publisher for Review

Book Review: The Story of Jesus by Eliza R. Snow

Title: The Story of Jesus
Author: Eliza R. Snow
Preface by: Kathleen Barlow
Publisher: Cedar Fort
Released: October 8, 2011
Website: http://storyofjesusbook.com/



Book Summary:

From Christ's birth and ministry to His Crucifixion and appearance to the Nephites, Eliza F. Snow, second Relief Society president of the LDS Church lovingly illuminates the Savior's life and teachings in her book The Story of Jesus.

Easy to read and beautifully designed, this special reprinting is made with both children and adults in mind to help all ages better understand and appreciate the basic truths that testify that Christ is our Savior and the Son of God.

This wonderful story is told by Eliza R. Snow as if she were talking directly to young children. The story connects Christ's life as told in the Bible with His visit to the Nephites after His Resurrection, as told in the Book of Mormon.

Connecting the lessons of Christ as a complete story adds power to the Savior's ministry, as well as displaying the knowledge and understanding that Eliza R. Snow had of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The text from this book was originally printed in 1867 by Eliza R. Snow. Originally title The History of Jesus this book was released a chapter at a time in the publication Juvenile Instructor.

There are 18 chapters in the book each of which is only about 5 pages long. Beautiful photographs accompany the text of each chapter. The text reminds me of a story a grandmother or mother would tell their child as a bedtime story.

Imagine trying to tell the story of Jesus' life in a story 100 pages. This book just nicks the surface of the stories told in the Bible and Book of Mormon but provides a good overview of His life.

The Story of Jesus could be used as a Sunday evening bedtime story for those wishing to teach their children more about the life of Jesus Christ.  It brought to my mind the song Tell Me the Stories of Jesus.

Content: Obviously Clean

Rating: 4 Stars - Great Book

Source: From Publisher for Review

Book Review: Jacob T. Marley by R. William Bennett

Title: Jacob T. Marley
Author: R. William Bennett
Series: None
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Released: October 12, 2011
Author's Website: http://www.rwilliambennett.com/


Book Summary:

Marley was dead to begin with . . . These chillingly familiar words begin the classic Christmas tale of remorse and redemption in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Now R. William Bennett rewinds the story and focuses the spotlight on Scrooge's miserly business partner, Jacob T. Marley, who was allowed to return as a ghost to warn Scrooge away from his ill-fated path. Why was Marley allowed to return? And why hadn t he been given the same chance as Ebenezer Scrooge? Or had he? Written with a voice reminiscent of Dickens, Jacob T. Marley is to A Christmas Carol as the world-famous Wicked is to The Wizard of Oz as this masterfully crafted story teaches of choices, consequences, and of the power of accountability. It is sure to become a Christmas favorite.

Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol is a story I have always loved. I've seen multiple movie versions of A Christmas Carol all multiple times and remember seeing the play at Glendale Centre Theater many times while growing up. Due to my love of this story I was interested to read this retelling from Jacob Marley's perspective.

This was a quick easy read that I knocked out in about two hours. I found it interesting to delve deeper into what might have made Ebenezer Scrooge the man he was. Jacob Marley plays a small part in A Christmas Carol but in this version we see how he influenced Scrooge for the worse and is now paying the price for his deeds. Marley is able to interact with the three spirits who visit Scrooge giving us more detail of the event.

Recommended to lovers of A Christmas Carol and Charles Dickens. This was meant to be my holiday read but worked just as well as a New Years read. The story could easily be enjoyed year round as it contains a wonderful message about helping others and second chances.

Rating: 4.5 Stars - Highly Recommend

Content: Clean

Source: From Publisher for Review

Also by R. William Bennett: The Christmas Gift

Blog Tour: Book Review - Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes by Larry Peterson

Slippery Willie Synopsis:
Willie Wiggles hates his slippery feet. He just slips, slides and spins all over the place. But what he hates even more are the special shoes that have been made for him that will help him to walk just like all the other kids. Willie thinks that they are the "stupidest, ugliest shoes in the whole world."

Discover how sometimes we worry about things about ourselves when actually there is nothing to worry about in the first place.

Review:
2 important lessons are taught in the short picture book.  It's not nice to make fun of others who are different and sometimes we worry too much what others will think.

I admit about half way through I wasn't sure about this book.  I was feeling pretty bad for poor Willie and wondering where the author was going with the story.  It wrapped up in a way that made a great story to teach children about differences and how we treat others.  This book would be useful in a classroom setting especially one with children who have disabilities.






Book web site:
http://www.slipperywillie.com/

Larry Peterson Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/larrytpbx

Tribute Books website:
http://www.tribute-books.com/

Tribute Books Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Archbald-PA/Tribute-Books/171628704176

Tribute Books Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/TributeBooks

Buy links:
http://tribute-books.com/shop.html#children8

Excerpt:
http://www.freado.com/read/9129/slippery-willies-stupid-ugly-shoes

Looking for readers to share their thoughts about accepting differences at:
http://slipperywillie.blogspot.com/2011/01/share-your-thoughts-about-accepting.html

Book Review: 33 Habits of a Really Good Man by Yvonne Swinson

Bill Wells wasn't a famous man, but he felt an invaluable legacy for those who knew him. He kept a little black notebook full of quotes, proverbs, poems, and stories that inspired him. He lived his life by these words of wisdom and taught his children to do the same. Compiled by his daughter Yvonne Swinson, 33 Habits of a Really Good Man shares Bill's legacy with you. Each mini-memoir includes one of Bill's favorite bits of wisdom and how making it a habit can lead to a "really good" life.

I agreed to review 33 Habits of a Really Good Man by Yvonne Swinson thinking I could then pass it on to my husband or father.  Little did I know this book about a "really good man" would be filled with such wonderful wisdom for "really good women" too.

This book really is a gem that would make a great gift book for just about anyone.  Yvonne was blessed to have an amazing father who left behind a legacy in his little black notebook.  Kudos to Yvonne for sharing such wonderful quotes, stories and life lessons.

This book was great inspiration for me.  Since today is New Years Day and I'm working on my goals and resolutions for the year this book helped me to focus on what is really important and on the kind of person I want to become.  Great motivation to become a better person.

Rating: 5 Stars

Content: Clean & uplifting

Source: From Author For Review

Christmas Book Review: The Christmas Journey by Donna VanLiere

The eighty-mile journey of a common carpenter and a simple peasant girl is one of the most powerful stories in history. As books go out of print and stories fade from memory, the journey of Joseph and Mary and her delivery inside a common barn continues to bless and inspire hope in people around the world. Accompanied by moving and beautifully rendered illustrations throughout, Donna VanLiere’s retelling shows that the story of the Nativity is alive in our modern world.

The Christmas Journey by Donna VanLiere is a narrative Donna wrote years back to read at a Christmas banquet. The book begins with the Christmas story as found in Luke 2.  It then chronicles the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and the birth of the Savior.

"Somewhere along the way the cave has been sanitized, the birth made painless and the people involved stripped of all fear or emotion."

This short book describes a little of what it must have really been like for Mary and Joseph to travel to Bethlehem with Mary ready to give birth.  Having had 5 children it made me appreciate the reality of what they must have gone through.  Traveling eighty miles on the back of a donkey just days before having a baby, no thank you.  What a miserable journey that must have been. 

Reading this book made me appreciative for what Mary and Joseph went through and made me grateful for the conveniences of modern day life. 

This is a really fast read, probably less than 30 minutes total to read.  It's filled with beautiful illustrations that accompany the story.  A great reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.

Content: Clean

Rating: 4 Stars

Source: Received copy for review

Blog Tour: Book Review & Giveaway - The Christmas Chronicles by Tim Slover

In this new holiday classic, Tim Slover crafts a marvelous, magical novel about how Santa Claus became the man he is today. After reading The Christmas Chronicles, you’ll believe all over again in the magic of the season.

Snow is falling, and the clock ticks toward midnight on Christmas Eve while countless children, too excited to sleep, anticipate the arrival of Santa Claus. But in Tim Slover’s deeply charming and utterly thrilling new novel, that’s the end rather than the beginning of the story. In this richly imagined tale of Santa’s origins, the man in full finally emerges. The Christmas Chronicles is at once an action-packed adventure, an inspiring story of commitment and faith, and a moving love story.

It all starts in 1343, when the child Klaus is orphaned and adopted by a craftsmen’s guild. The boy will grow to become a master woodworker with an infectious laugh and an unparalleled gift for making toys. His talent and generosity uniquely equip him to bestow hundreds of gifts on children at Christmas—and to court the delightful Anna, who enters his life on a sleigh driven by the reindeer Dasher and becomes his beloved wife.

Still, all is not snowfall and presents. Klaus will be shadowed by the envious Rolf Eckhof, who will stop at nothing to subvert him. But in the end, Santa’s magic is at last unleashed, flying reindeer come to his aid, and an epic battle between good and evil is waged in the frosty Christmas skies.

By turns enchanting, hair-raising, and inspirational, The Christmas Chronicles is a beguiling tale destined to become a holiday favorite for the ages.

About Author Tim Slover:

Tim Slover is a writer and professor of theater at the University of Utah. His plays have been produced off-Broadway and in theaters throughout the United States and in London, where he spends part of each year. His wife, usefully, is a marriage and family therapist, and their two sons were the original audience for The Christmas Chronicles. For the purposes of yuletide decorating, each Christmas, Slover continues to cut a few pine boughs at an undisclosed location.

You can learn more about Tim and The Christmas Chronicles by visiting the Publisher’s website.

Book Review:

If you are looking for a book that tells you the "truth" about Santa Claus this is it.  How does Santa really deliver all the gifts on Christmas Eve?  How did Santa & Mrs. Claus meet?  Can reindeer really fly?  Does Rudolph's nose really glow?  All these and many more questions are answered in this sure to be holiday classic.  Author Tim Slover has woven a wonderful Christmas tale that once and for all separates the fact from the fiction regarding Santa Claus.  Learn how Santa Claus became the legend he is now.  What started as a simple woodworker who made toys for a village of children grew into something legendary and magical.  A story that will delight adults as well as children.

Content: Clean Read

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Source: Pump Up Your Book

For all Tour Stops Please Visit Pump Up You Book.

Classical 89 has turned this book into an 8 part radio dramatization.  Visit Classical 89 from now until January 2nd for program air times and on demand listening.  I just listened to the first episode and it was very well done!



Book Giveaway:
One copy of The Christmas Chronicles by Tim Slover
Shipping to US or Canada only
Last day to enter is December 24th.
To enter please follow this blog then fill out this form:
This giveaway is now closed.

Blog Tour: Red in the Flower Bed by Andrea Nepa

Red in the Flower Bed by Andrea Napa
An Illustrated Children's Story about Interracial Adoption
Published: December 12th 2008 by Tribute Books
Authors Website
Link to Red in the Flower Bed on Tribute Books
Source: Tribute Books Blog Tour

Book Summary:The journey of adoption is beautifully depicted with the comforting imagery of a poppy flower who is welcomed into a garden family. It is a charming story of "seeds" being planted in the perfect place - exactly where they belong. Children and adults will enjoy this simple yet meaningful story and homespun illustrations. The book's loving approach helps children to understand adoption. Andrea Nepa has captured the essence of adoption and family, and has illustrated it beautifully with images and poetry that even a small child can comprehend and enjoy.



Andrea Nepa Bio: Andrea Nepa is the mother of an adopted Vietnamese daughter named Leah. In 2001, Adoptions from the Heart assisted with the international adoption. Andrea dedicated her book to her daughter: "For my dear Leah, whose journey in her young life has already taken her to far away and unexpected places." In 2006, Leah was diagnosed with cancer. She is currently in remission. Andrea lives with Leah and her husband, David, in Haddonfield, New Jersey. She is a registered dietitian for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Book Review: This is an adorable book and would be the perfect gift for someone who is involved in an adoption. A new seed can't grow where it it is at so the wind carries it to fertile ground where it is able to thrive. Beautiful illustrations and simple text make this a book for all ages.

Book Review: Christmas with the Prophets by Laura F. Willes

How did Joseph Smith celebrate Christmas? What did John Taylor say about the pioneers first Christmas in the Salt Lake Valley? What was the heartening message that Heber J. Grant included on his 1945 Christmas cards? Christmas with the Prophets provides glimpses into the individual Christmas celebrations of each President of the Church, with recurring themes of missionary efforts, Church work, family, and service. Some of the vignettes are personal, others soul-stirring, poignant, and tender. Often their experiences and messages reflect the world conditions at that time and serve as little snapshots of history. Illustrated throughout with historical photographs and illustrations, each story of a Christmas past reminds us of the wondrous birth of the baby of Bethlehem, the Lord Jesus Christ. Discover how each Church President has celebrated Christmas, from Joseph Smith to Thomas S. Monson Beautifully designed and illustrated A Christmas keepsake for every Latter-day Saint family.

This is a wonderful book for the Christmas season.  Each of the 16 prophets of the LDS church are highlighted with glimpses into how they spent Christmas.  Details are sketchy for some of the earlier prophets and full of detail for the more recent ones. 

I loved hearing the excitement over receiving fruit, nuts and a stick of candy - a vast difference from the Christmas my children are used to. Stories of serving others, Christmas traditions and messages about Christ fill the pages of this book.  Some of these stories were familiar to me and others I had never heard.

The quality of this book, Christmas with the Prophets, is incredible.  Thick, glossy, full color pages with a glittery cover make this a beautiful book to add to any LDS home.

Content: Clean

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Source: From Publisher for Review