Home Maid Simple

Tag: book tour

  • StarPassage Book 3: Honor and Mercy by Clark Burbidge

    StarPassage Book 3: Honor and Mercy by Clark Burbidge

    Welcome to Home Maid Simple’s stop for the StarPassage Book 3: Honor and Mercy Book Tour! I received a copy of the book in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own.

    About StarPassage Book 3: Honor and Mercy

    Teenage Mike longs to help a struggling new patient who may hold dangerous secrets. An evil Tracker has escaped to the present, bringing with him plans to end the world. New and more deadly passages await. Is there a traitor in their midst already? How can they fight what they cannot see? Is it safe to use the relic at all? Or … does the relic have its own secret plan?

    Join the growing band of travelers as they resist the powerful Trackers at every turn while trying to solve the relic’s riddles and guard against the ever-growing risk of betrayal. It’s a wild ride where hope and survival hang by a slender thread, woven by an ancient relic that becomes more mysterious with every page turned.

    About Clark Burbidge

    Clark was born and raised in the high mountain valleys of the Rockies. He currently lives near Salt Lake City, Utah with his sweetheart where they enjoy their blended family of ten children and five grandchildren. StarPassage is his sixth book. The previous four have all won the Mom’s Choice International Gold Medal for excellence in literature and family values. 

    PURCHASE STARPASSAGE BOOK 3: HONOR AND MERCY

    Home Maid Simple’s Review

    I didn’t really know what to expect when I picked up StarPassage for the first time. The storyline intrigued me, and I’ve always loved a good historical fiction. Adding in the concept of time travel is not unique, but a rare find as many authors avoid the fine details that come with it. Of course in a piece of fiction, the author gets to make his own rules. 

    Book 1 in the StarPassage series actually had me tearing up. As the main family endures some trials that are all too common in our society. I felt the author has a good grasp of family values, what really matters in this life, and wants to share those through his writing with the world. These same values show consistently through each book, and the reader can anticipate walking away with both historical knowledge and a good moral lesson. 

    I did, however, struggle with the style of writing. Mr. Burbidge has a great story idea, but spends much of the writing in over-explaining some of the historical aspects and what things may have looked like. I can appreciate that he was influenced by Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and its lengthy descriptions, unfortunately, it just isn’t working in StarPassage, and rather left me a bit bored from the actual story. 

    I look forward to seeing more good, wholesome books from Clark Burbidge. 

  • Book Tour: A Friendly Town That’s Almost Always by the Ocean

    Book Tour: A Friendly Town That’s Almost Always by the Ocean

    Have you ever wanted to visit a town that was different from anywhere else? Welcome to TopSea: A Friendly Town That’s Almost Always by the Ocean. A new book by authors Kir Fox and M. Shelley Coats. I received a copy of the book in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

    Secrets of TopSea: A Friendly Town That's Almost Always By the Ocean

    About A Friendly Town That’s Almost Always by the Ocean

    Welcome to Topsea, the strangest place you’ll ever visit. In this town, the coves are bottomless and the pier has no end in sight. THere’s a high tide and a low tide … and a vanishing tide. Dogs are a myth, but mermaids are totally real. ANd whatever you do, don’t make eye contact with the rubber ducks!

    New kid Davy definitely thinks Topsea is strange. His mom keeps saying they’ll get used to life in their new town – it’s just the way things are on the coast! But after his first day at Topsea School, Davy finds himself wondering: Why is his locker all the way at the bottom of the school swimming pool? Why can’t anyone remember his name? (It’s DAVY!) And why does everyone act like all of this is normal?!

    About The Authors: Kir Fox and M. Shelley Coats

    Authors Kir Fox and M. Shelley Coats Kir Fox (Kirsten Hubbard) and M. Shelley Coats (Michelle Schusterman) are great friends, longtime critique partners, and ardent consumers of the strange and unusual. 

    Kirsten is the author of the middle-grade novels Watch the Sky and Race the Night (Disney-Hyperion), and the young adult novels Like Mandarin and Wanderlove (Delacorte Press/Random House Children’s Books). She lives in Los Angeles. 

    Michelle is the author of the middle-grade series I  Heart Band and the Kat Sinclair Files (Grosset/Penguin), and the middle-grade novels Olive and the Backstage Ghost and the forthcoming Spell & Spindle (Random House Children’s Books). She is also the coauthor of the YA novel The Pros of Cons (Scholastic). She lives in New York City.

    My Thoughts on A Friendly Town That’s Almost Always by the Ocean

     

    Do you remember reading Sideways Stories of Wayside School as a kid? Well, get ready for more odd tales, weird mannerisms, and a town that thinks it’s all perfectly normal. I actually read Sideways Stories to my kids last year, and they thought it was a hoot. Now I can share a new book with them, following the same concept of short stories all taking place in the same abnormal – or is it? – town.

    A Friendly Town That’s Almost Always by the Ocean is reminiscent of those days of childhood oddity. I was drawn originally by the title of this middle-grade novel. How can a town be almost always by an ocean? This book has not disappointed. I love that this book does have an underlying plot following new kid Davy as he tried to adjust to his new town. 

    Along with the short stories – news articles, PTA (picky troglodyte association) flyers, student surveys, and excerpts from other books are scattered between the chapters. This set up is enjoyable and a fun break to the stories, that only enhances the experience of the reader. 

     

  • Book Tour: Charlie and Frog by Karen Kane

    Book Tour: Charlie and Frog by Karen Kane

    Welcome back to another book tour! Today I’m telling you about Charlie & Frog by Karen Kane. I received a copy of the book in exchange for my thoughts. 

    Charlie and Frog by Karen Kane book tour About Charlie and Frog

    All Charlie Tickler wants is for his parents to listen. 

    Charlie’s parents have left him (again). This time they are off to South Africa to help giant golden moles. And Charlie? He’s been dumped with his TV-obsessed grandparents. Lonely and curious, Charlie heads into the village of Castle-on-the-Hudson, where a frightened old woman gives him a desperate message – in sign language. When the woman suddenly disappears, Charlie is determined to find answers. 

    All Francine (AKA Frog) Castle wants is to be the world’s greatest detective. 

    Frog, who is deaf, would rather be solving crimes than working at the Flying Hands Cafe. When Charlie Tickler walks into the cafe looking for help, Frog jumps at the chance to tackle a real-life (maybe) murder mystery. 

    Together, Charlie and Frog set out to decipher a series of clues and uncover the truth behind the missing woman’s message. Charlie needs to learn American Sign Language (fast) to keep up with quick-witted Frog. And Frog needs to gather her detective know-how (now) to solve the case before it’s too late. 

    Charlie and Frog by debut author Karen Kane About Karen Kane

    Charlie and Frog is Karen’s first novel! Her path led her from a small village near Rochester, New York, to the bustle of Washington DC. The people she met along the way inspired her writing with their warmth and humor, especially those in the deaf community. 

    Karen graduated fro the National Technical Institute for the Deaf and received her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. When she’s not writing, Karen spends her days as a sign language interpreter at Gallaudet University or lost in the stacks of her local library. 

    Learn more at her website.

    Karen Kane releases her debut novel Charlie and Frog My Thoughts on Charlie and Frog

    My Mom was born deaf in one ear. We never had to learn sign language because she has one perfectly good ear. I always wondered though what my life would have been like growing up if she was completely deaf. Learning American Sign Language never took a priority, but rather earned a spot on my bucket list of things I’d like to do. 

    Enter Charlie and Frog. What an interesting novel. The inside cover has the full alphabet in ASL. Before even diving into the book I went through and retaught myself the letters. There’s always those few that I can’t remember – g and r. To my utter delight, each chapter is named with sign language. 

    Once I got past the uniqueness of incorporating sign language so fully into Charlie and Frog I settled into the story. As an adult, I’m really struggling with the lack of attention any of the adults in the story have for the kids. As a middle-grade novel, however, I can see kids loving this view of the adults. The story is intriguing, and as a mystery really holds the readers’ attention. 

    I can’t wait to get this into my kids’ hands, and then work together on learning more ASL!

    Purchase Charlie and Frog at your local bookstore or through the Amazon link below.

     

  • Asleep on the Hay: A Dust Bowl Christmas Blog Tour + $25 Gift Card Giveaway

    Asleep on the Hay: A Dust Bowl Christmas Blog Tour + $25 Gift Card Giveaway

    Asleep on the Hay (1)

    Blog Tour Schedule

     

    Asleep on the Hay

     

    Asleep on the Hay: A Dust Bowl Christmas by Ben Sowards

    It’s Christmas Eve when a knock comes at the door of Paul’s family farmhouse. A small family is stranded due to a broken-down truck and seeks shelter for the evening. Paul’s grandfather not only welcomes them in, but offers them dinner and a bed for the night. Even though it is a season of giving, Paul’s heart is not filled with charity. It’s the height of the Dust Bowl and food is scarce. Why should he share what little he has with strangers? Worse, in order to help the sick baby, Paul will have to sell his beloved calf to buy a part to fix the truck.

    Angry, he retreats to the barn, where he sleeps and dreams of faraway Bethlehem. In his dream, he visits Mary and Joseph, and their newborn son, Jesus. The family offers Paul food and shelter and warmth—extending to him the love and charity he lacks and teaching him of the true meaning of Christmas.

     

    Asleep on the Hay on Amazon

    My Review:

    Every year for Christmas we get a new book. It’s one of those traditions we’ve been able to hold on to throughout all our moves. This year I was excited to receive Asleep On the Hay as our new Christmas book. Books that incorporate a little bit of history while still holding the kids attention will always be a winner in my eyes. Before even starting the story, I explained to the kids what the Dust Bowl was. We then got into the story. With tender hearts my children gasped, cried, and cuddled in closer as they followed Paul through the tough choice of giving up his best friend in order to help someone else. My favorite part of the book was the last page. I won’t spoil it for you, but I just loved how it ended. 

    Asleep on the Hay 2

     

     

    add to goodreads

     

    ben sowards Author & Illustrator Ben Sowards

    Ben Sowards is the illustrator of many well-loved picture books, including A Christmas Dress for Ellen, Seven Miracles that Saved America, and Christmas Oranges.

    Ben Sowards teaches others to paint both traditionally and digitally at Southern Utah University, where has directed the illustration program since 2001.

    Website

    $25 Blog Tour giveaway

    $25 Blog Tour Giveaway Giveaway

    Enter to win an Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

    Ends 12/30/15

    Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the publisher. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

  • The Kiss that Launched 1000 GIFS

    The Kiss that Launched 1000 GIFS

    Kiss that Launches 1000 gifts by sheralyn pratt  
    The Kiss That Launched 1,000 Gifs by Sheralyn Pratt:
    Each weekday from 2:00-4:00 p.m., Grace and Ashton cohost Battle of the Sexes, a radio program arguing the he-said/she-said issues of the day. Their fiery debates often have listeners wondering if there’s more to their relationship than just talk, even though Grace has been dating Phillip, Mr. Tall, Dark, and Perfect, since long before she ever met Ashton Miller.
    Yet when news comes that Battle of the Sexes is on the bubble for cancellation, Grace and Ashton need to step up their efforts to engage their audience to keep the show alive. When a charity organization approaches them and proposes that the two of them kiss for a fund raiser, Grace and Ash agree to kiss for a good cause. A kiss is just a kiss, right?
    Purchase your copy



    My Review:
    What a fantastic read, and perfect for a summer indulgence. With school a lot of my reading is informational, so it was very nice to pick up something just for fun. Now with that said, it was also almost like looking at my own life. Being so involved in social media, I got a kick out of watching it be used for a sort of battle grounds between coworkers. There were a lot of great parts, and I don’t want to spoil it for you, but the ending was most definitely my favorite part!



    Author Sheralyn Pratt:
    Sheralyn’s first job was as a karate instructor, which taught her that practice does not make perfect; practice makes habit–good or bad. Martial arts also taught Sheralyn that a master is simply a person who can effortlessly do all the actions a beginner finds difficult or maybe even impossible.

    Sheralyn has worked in many fields throughout her life, but her 12 years as a karate instructor have shaped how she does everything, including writing and mentoring. She likes to keep things light and fun, but she’s also aware that life is journey and that if you’re going to buy a book, your life should better for it.

    So, fiction or nonfiction, know that each of Sheralyn’s books are designed to take you to a new place. Maybe that book is designed to help you escape for a few hours, or maybe it’s a book designed to teach you a new skill. Either way, Sheralyn hopes it’s unforgettable…in a good way. 😉

    25_Amazon_Paypal  
     
    $25 Blog Tour Giveaway 
     Enter to win an Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

    Ends 8/5/15 

     Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

  • Good Music Brighter Children Blog Tour

    Good Music Brighter Children Blog Tour

      

    Good Music Brighter Children 
    Good Music Brighter Children is written for parents, educators or anyone who wants to build a bigger, better brain using music. Scientific studies indicate that children introduced to classical music at a young age read earlier and perform better on achievement tests. Adults can also revive tired brain cells using music. This book gives you a step-by-step program that any parent or individual can follow. You’ll discover how introducing your children to good music can accelerate language development, improve math and science skills, enhance physical coordination, strengthen memory and reading retention, and benefit children with learning disabilities. Discover how to choose an instrument and music teacher for your child; how to get your kids to practice and how character traits such as confidence, responsibility, creativity and teamwork are taught when learning a musical instrument. Learn how to introduce your child to the music community and how to appreciate all kinds of music. Last, if you want to advocate for music in your schools, this book gives the ammunition and data to do so. Also includes a 35-page Resource Section on the best music, books, and DVDs for kids.

    Sharlene   Author Sharlene Habermeyer:

    Sharlene Habermeyer, MA has spent over twenty-five years researching the effects of music in the brain development of children. She is passionate about how people of all ages learn and how music is a catalyst for learning. She holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Art from Utah State University and a Masters degree in Education from Pepperdine University, Malibu, California.

     

    In 1999, she started the Palos Verdes Regional Orchestra (now the Palos Verdes Regional Symphony Orchestra). It currently boasts over one-hundred members.

     

    Sharlene’s initial inspiration for Good Music Brighter Children came from the extensive work she did with her severely learning disabled son, and finding that music was his strongest catalyst for learning she began passionately researching the effects music had on the developing and mature brain.

    A college instructor, a popular speaker, and a consultant, she is the mother of five boys and lives with her husband in Torrance, California. She has spoken at parent conferences around the United States including the Parents as Teachers Conference (PAT) and the Crucial Years Conference in Missouri. In August 2014, she will be speaking at BYU Education Week.

    Connect with Sharlene
     

    Praise for the Book

    Largest Independent Book Reviewer in the U.S.: Kirkus Indie, Kirkus Media, LLC 
     “With a scientist’s eye and an artist’s voice, Habermeyer examines everything from the benefits of music for the developing brain to music’s ability to improve cultural awareness. This is an encyclopedic, invaluable resource for anyone who believes in music education. A magnum opus, fact-filled and inspiring on the benefits of music.”

    -Kirkus Indie, Kirkus Media, LLC

      

    National Music Organization: Music and the Brain 
     “A great resource for both parents and teachers. Anyone interested in music or the overall well-being of children will not be able to put this book down.”

    -Lisha Papert Lercari, Director, Music and the Brain    

    University Professor: Dr. James Catterall 
     “Sharlene Habermeyer outlines why music is important to learning, and provides parents with excellent suggestions for launching and sustaining a musical influence in the lives of their children.”

    -James S. Catterall, professor of education and co-director of Imagination Project at UCLA 

    Mother/Lawyer/Ballet Teacher: Shauna Bird Dunn
    “Carefully researched and highly readable, Good Music, Brighter Children is written for musicians and non musicians alike. It is filled with wisdom, insight and helpful tips to bring music into the home for all ages and stages of childhood.”

    –Shauna Bird Dunn, JD, MPA

    Utah Young Mother of the Year, 2010

     

     

      

     
    Blog Tour Giveaway 

     $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

    Ends 10/15/14

    Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

  • Backyard Tourist: Old Number 6 Book Depot

    Backyard Tourist: Old Number 6 Book Depot

    Last week I had the amazing opportunity to visit my brothers family in New Hampshire. I spent my childhood, the times where you really make some good memories, in a little town called Weare. 13 years ago, my family moved to Utah while I was in high school. For the first time, I was able to go back and visit.

    I was told by my sister Megan that I had to visit this bookstore in Henniker. I’m always up for bookstores, but wasn’t really expecting anything extraordinary. Let’s just say…I could have spent the whole day there.

    Let me introduce you to Old Number 6 Book Depot in Henniker, New Hampshire. If you live anywhere in New England, or plan on visiting I would recommend you drop by.

    Can you see where this is going?  You might be thinking, oh that’s nice, lots of dusty shelves, concrete floor, not the nicest bookstore ever. BUT, if you’re anything like my family, the surroundings don’t matter. These are used books, at varying prices and editions. For example, where else are you going to find these…

    I should have looked at these closer, but I do believe these are all first editions! I pulled out the Pickwick Papers I to gently look through, and perhaps see if it was affordable…not so much in my budget at $300. However, for the edition and condition, this book is worth every penny of that cost. 
    If you are visiting in the winter in the back of the store I found a comfy looking area to curl up with whatever book you happen to choose
    While I was taking this photo, the collection of Zane Grey novels jumped out at me. Some of the best western romance (clean) novels I’ve ever read. I’ve got my own small collection, but nothing like this. Too bad I could not remember which ones I own, or I would have purchased a few more to come home with me. 
    To be honest, I needed more time to really get into this store. My first visit was much more of a discovery of the store and layout than actual books I’d want to read. Oh it was fun though. If you happen to have children and still want to visit, no worries, there’s a childrens section of books, and some toy bins to help keep them entertained. 
    Quite literally the books are stacked floor to ceiling. You will find no wasted space at the Old Number 6. I’m pretty sure my eyes were going cross eyed the whole time, so very few actual book titles stuck out to me, that’s ok though. Just knowing a place like this exists is wonderful. 
    By the way….there’s an upstairs to this place too. I can tell you that was a complete surprise, and cause for burst of excitement when stumbling across the staircase hidden behind a couple of bookshelves. You’ll find more world histories and politics on the second floor. 
    On the staircase itself you’ll find some college textbooks and college/university histories. Off to the left of the stairs as you go up is where you’ll find the Charles Dickens collection. If you want more old books like those you’ll find plenty scattered throughout the store depending on the subject. The following shelves however were my favorite to just gaze at though. I mean really. Old books are such a delightful find. 
    If you can read that note, you’ll realize just how old some of these books are; 1700’s old!! My heart be still. I don’t care that they are condensed reports of the supreme court which I would probably find boring for today’s records, but these. Let me open you and immerse myself in another time. 
    Shortly after finding these books, I decided it was probably time to purchase the Issac Asimov book I found, and continue on our sightseeing day. Only problem I wasn’t entirely sure which book aisle I needed to turn down to get out. Thank goodness for the simple Exit signs down at eye level. 
    I hope you enjoyed this tour of Old Number 6 Book Depot in Henniker, New Hampshire. If you ever get to visit, or have been there before, I’d love to hear about it!  
    What old bookstores are near you?
  • Pride Meets Prejudice by Rachael Anderson Book Tour

    Pride Meets Prejudice by Rachael Anderson Book Tour

     

     
    Prejudice Meets Pride by Rachael Anderson Book Cover

    Prejudice Meets Pride by Rachael Anderson

    After years of pinching pennies and struggling to get through art school, Emma Makie’s hard work finally pays off with the offer of a dream job. But when tragedy strikes, she has no choice but to make a cross-country move to Colorado Springs to take temporary custody of her two nieces. She has no money, no job prospects, and no idea how to be a mother to two little girls, but she isn’t about to let that stop her. Nor is she about to accept the help of Kevin Grantham, her handsome new neighbor, who seems to think she’s incapable of doing anything on her own.
    Fun, compelling, and romantic, Prejudice Meets Pride is the story of a guy who thinks he has it all figured out and a girl who isn’t afraid to show him that he doesn’t. It’s about learning what it means to trust, figuring out how to give and to take, and realizing that not everyone gets to pick the person they fall in love with. Sometimes, love picks them.

    Personal Review:
    I loved this book. There is something really special about a book that can draw you in, make you fall in love with the characters, get mad at them when they screw up, and cry with them when they realize it. Prejudice Meets Pride does all that and more. I absolutely loved Emma’s can do optimistic attitude, but I loved Kevin even more as he stepped in to help even when he had no idea why he was doing it. The ending though – when Kevin’s mom shows up – that was just so perfect in sharing how imperfect we all are, and that changing is ok! I can’t wait for the other books in the Meet Your Match series!

    Rachael  

     
    Author Rachael Anderson

    A USA Today bestselling author, Rachael Anderson is the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can’t sing, doesn’t dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.

     





    Coming Soon….
    Blog Tour Giveaway

    $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

    Ends 5/31/14

    Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

     
    a Rafflecopter giveaway

  • The Christmas Train Blog Tour

    The Christmas Train Blog Tour

     

    Christmas train


    The Christmas Train

    In this children’s picture book, President Thomas S. Monson recounts a Christmas memory from his childhood. As a boy, he yearned for an electric train. To his delight, on Christmas morning he got exactly that a train that operated through the miracle of electricity. Then he noticed a second train that his mother had purchased for the boy down the street whose family was struggling. Although it was only a wind-up train, it had an beautiful oil tanker car, which little Tommy wanted for his own. Soon after, Tommy s mother invited him to accompany her to the neighbor s home to deliver the gift. Young Mark was thrilled with his new train and, of course, didn t notice the missing train car. However, a remorseful Tommy did. What happened next will bring the spirit of Christmas into every heart and home. Illustrated by renowned artist Dan Burr, The Christmas Train is sure to be a classic Christmas story and a beautiful addition to every Christmas library.

    Includes a QR code for a FREE download of President Monson’s narration of the story!

    Winner of the 2012 Gold Medal Mom’s Choice Award!

     

    Download the new interactive Christmas Train app for your iPad!
    The pages come alive with animations, sound effects, and narration by the author, Thomas S. Monson. Kids will love listening to a true Christmas story, read by a familiar voice, while navigating trains, turning Christmas lights on and off, and experiencing the importance of giving during the Christmas season.


    Click Here to Learn More

    About the Author

    President Thomas S. Monson was set apart as the sixteenth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in February 2008. He had previously served for twenty-two years in the First Presidency of the Church, after having been a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles since October1963. Five years after his call to the Twelve, he was given a special assignment for the work of the Church in Europe, requiring many visits with members behind the Iron Curtain. He was instrumental in the construction of the Freiberg Germany Temple and in advancing the Lord’s work in other eastern European countries that were part of the communist bloc. He also served as chairman of the Scriptures Publication Committee and supervised the process that resulted in the new editions of the scriptures. His ministry has been characterized by his compassion for the needs of individuals and his gift for one-on-one service. President Monson and his wife, Frances, are the parents of three children, grandparents of eight, and great-grandparents of eight.

     

    About the Illustrator

    Dan Burr earned his bachelor of fine arts degree from Utah State University and a master’s degree in illustration from Syracuse University. He and his wife, Patti, are raising their two children in the Teton Valley of southeast Idaho, a setting that provides great artistic inspiration and fantastic fly fishing. Dan is a well-known illustrator, having been in the business for many years, most recently working as a children’s picture book illustrator. A few of the books Dan has illustrated are The Miracle of the Wooden Shoes; God Bless Your Way; A Christmas Journey; and I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.

     
     
    Tour Giveaway

    $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

    Ends 12/31/13

    Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

  • Just Ella by Annette K Larsen #BookTour

    Just Ella by Annette K Larsen #BookTour

    Just Ella Just Ella by Annette K. Larsen

    Book Summary:

    A Proper Romance

    Ariella was only looking for a distraction, something to break up the monotony of palace life. What she found was a young man willing to overlook her title and show her a new and vibrant way of life. But when her growing feelings for Gavin spiral out of control and clash with the expectations of her station, she will discover that the consequences of her curiosity are far more severe than she’d imagined.

    I watched in helpless horror as two guards hauled Gavin to his feet and dragged him from the room. My voice was frozen, unable to protest as another guard took hold of my arm, leading me upstairs. From the confines of my room, I stared into the darkness beyond my window, hoping to catch one more glimpse of Gavin. He was gone, and I wondered if he would have been better off if he had never met me.

    I write clean romance. Why? Because that’s what I love to read, but over the years I’ve discovered it’s quite a challenge to find good clean romance. I believe it’s a genre that many people are looking for and too few authors are writing. My first novel, Just Ella, took me many years to write because I wanted it to be more than just a cutesy love story. I wanted it to have depth, to feel genuine. Hopefully I succeeded, but you’ll have to be the judge.

    Praise for Just Ella

    “I fell in love with this book. Treat yourself to something wonderful. You can’t go wrong with Just Ella!” ~Inspired Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

    “By far one of the best romance novels I’ve ever read. Pulls you in with great, likable characters and keeps you going with a sweet and exciting love story–plus a good plot to give it even more substance. Full of those tender moments you want to go back and read again, plus exciting moments, clever humor, and some suspense as well.” ~Jana Miller

    “Annette Larsen writes a love story that takes time, is complicated, and yet still sweeps you up in the romance (without the cheese, thank you). It’s compelling and emotional and sweet and you will love every page.” ~Kimi

     

    Book Blast/Blog Tour Special
    Grab your copy of Just Ella for just $3.99!

     Excerpt

    “Now, wait just a minute. You can’t just plunge into a pool of water.”
    “Why not?” I should have said something cleverer, but I felt a bit scatterbrained, all thoughts having fled when Gavin’s arm went around me.
    He made a noise of exasperation. “Why not, she asks. Because, Princess, what’s going to happen when you show up for your lessons completely drenched? Or, what happens when we both show up on the palace grounds completely drenched? I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to have to explain that to anybody.”
    Unfortunately, he had a point. “Don’t call me Princess.” He had been so relaxed today, so willing to be himself and let me be myself. I hated that he felt the need to remind me of my rank. I was tempted to be angry and walk away but I also wanted to see how long he would keep his arms around me. Simply out of curiosity, of course.  

    annette  

    Author Annette K. Larsen

    I was born in Utah, but grew up in Flagstaff Arizona and St. Louis Missouri, the fifth of seven children. I attended college at Southern Virginia University and Brigham Young University where I studied English and Theater. I now live in Idaho with my husband and four children.

    I have Charlotte Bronte to thank for the courage to write novels. After being bombarded with assigned reading about women who justified abandoning either their families or their principles in the name of love, I had the great fortune of reading Jane Eyre. And that was it: finally a heroine who understood that being moral and making the right choice was hard, and sometimes it hurt, but it was still worth it. After rereading it several years later, I realized that if I wanted more books to exist with the kinds of heroines I admired, then I might as well write a few myself. My books are about women who face hard choices, who face pain and rejection and often have to sacrifice what they want for what is right. The consequences are often difficult or unpleasant, but it the end, doing what’s right will always be worth it.

    I believe there is no substitute for good writing or good chocolate. Fortunately, one often leads to the other.

     

     

     

     

     
    BookBlast Giveaway

    $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

    Ends 10/31/13

     

    Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

     

    a Rafflecopter giveaway