Hurray for Prizes!

Today is my day to host my friend Tristi's month long giveaway. So.... hop over to her blog and find out how to enter to win mucho prizes compliments of me! Translation: win my Primary books (yes, all 9of them).

Later in the month you'll have a chance to win my novels. Remember, you can read the first to chapters of the two novels here.

http://alisonpalmer.blogspot.com/2010/11/price-of-gold-first-chapter.html
http://alisonpalmer.blogspot.com/2010/11/prodigal-son-first-chapter.html

Good luck!

Awakening Avery by Laurie Lewis

What a privilege it was to read Awakening Avery by Laurie Lewis. It's the story of a newly widowed woman who needs to learn to find herself again. In the process, she might just learn a thing or two about herself, as well as all the people who become part of her life during that time of re-awakening.

Avery has been fading for years. The death of her husband wasn't exactly unexpected; she'd watched him deteriorate over several years. Still, she has a hard time wrapping her mind around his loss. Her trials have cost more of herself then she realizes until it's pointed out to her. She begins the brave journey of healing- in her own way and her own time.

Laurie Lewis has taken great care with the description in this book. The place settings and the feelings associated with them are vivid and compelling. The characters are complete and like-able as well. George and Teddie are definitely my kind of people. :) In fact, George was partly inspired by Laurie's own father. I'm going to have to try adding kool-aid to my pancakes when my children least expect it.

Awakening Averydoes tend toward a more literary slant than most popular fiction. But literary does not mean boring or haughty, it only means that you are drawn in for love of the characters and the feelings it awakens in you, rather than an overwhelming urge to see what happens next. It's a beautifully written story full of rich language.

Awakening Averywould be a good choice for a few lazy summer days. It carries some beautiful messages of love, forgiveness and family that are great for pondering over a few hot, slow days. I highly recommend spending some time with Avery. Well done, Laurie!

My sidebar has details about the contest Laurie is running during this blog tour- love the necklace! Be sure to follow along and get your entries in. :)

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a Key Lime pie to make. Trust me. It’s all Avery’s fault.

I'll Know You By Heart by Kimberly Job

Okay, let me first start off by saying:
Excellent,
Excellent
Book!!

Whew, I’m so glad to have that off of my chest. It’s been bugging me for days. ;)

I’ll Know You By Heart by Kimberly Job is a heart-breaking and heart-healing story of shattered dreams and the miracles that can come from them.

From the back cover:
Is it possible for love to conquer all? I’ll Know You By Heart is a timeless romance that explores the possibility that relationships span the entire realm of eternity—a story about abuse, hardship, and betrayal—ultimately a story about the healing power of everlasting true love.

Sigh.

Let me tell you, it takes a lot for a romance title to earn a sigh of satisfaction from me. I have a very low cheesy-mush tolerance level. ;) The romantic elements of I’ll Know You By Heart are simple, mature and respectful. They strike just the right tone and didn’t have me rolling my eyes. Well, okay, maybe once. . .

Oh, and I also have to mention—I loved the cover. It caught my attention right away. This is one you want to make sure the cover is showing on the store bookshelves. That image alone will entice many a romance reader to pick it up and find out what the pages hold.

Kimberly Job had me from the first page and never let go of my heart until I’d reached the end. But, be forewarned. This may be a difficult story for some to read: it does deal with some very serious and hurtful abuse issues. On the flip-side it could also be a healing experience and a glimpse of hope for those who have found themselves in similar situations.

Did I experience any whinny moments while reading? Eh, not much. I did notice some inconsistencies between the way the abuse was described and the abuse that was shown. But on the whole the descriptions and situations were accurate and true to life. If nothing else, read it for the understanding it can give you. Take note of the way Stephanie acts, what her environment is like, the way she looks. You may know a Stephanie without even realizing it. It’s a situation every woman should be aware of because there is no excuse, none whatsoever, which justifies a Daughter of God being hurt in such a manor.

If you’re a fan of Rachel Ann Nunes and Anita Stansfield, you’re about to become a fan of Kimberly Job. She has a powerful, passionate voice and I expect to see great things from her in the future.

Secret Sisters by Tristi Pinkston

I was so pleased to be offered a chance to review Tristi Pinkston’s newest title Secret Sisters. She’s such an awesome, uplifting lady that you can’t help but celebrate all the wonderful things she manages to accomplish. Personally, her life wears me out just thinking about it.

Tristi’s first few novels were historically based. They were wonderful and carefully researched, but I have to say that with Agent in Old Lace and the new Secret Sisters series her true colors really show. They’re just plain fun and uplifting.

If you’re a fan of Ms. Marple, or cozy mysteries in general, you’ll enjoy Secret Sisters- the tale of a Relief Society President gone rogue in order to figure out how to help members of her ward.
How did I like it? Well, first off I have to say that Ida Mae is my idol. I could never be like her, but she’s just about the most awesome lady I “know”. She is the ultimate Relief Society President with a heart of gold and someone I’d be honored to know. The world definitely needs more Ida Maes.

All the characters felt real and likable to me. No one was cardboard cutout perfect, but they had distinct personalities, voices, strength and flaws. Spending time with them was a comfortable experience.

One thing that really appealed to me about Secret Sisters was the size. The cover is cute, but I really fell in love with the size and feel of the book in my hand. Weird, huh? It just seemed to show so clearly what you could expect from your reading experience: a solid story, a sweet mystery that was easy to read, a non-taxing afternoon escape. It was about the size of a normal paperback, but with a hard cover, perfect for tossing in a purse on your way out the door to the eternal waiting room at the doctor’s office. Heck, you could probably get the whole thing read before that mythical doctor even graces you with an appearance. (Okay, that was just rude of me. I obviously need to spend more time learning how to curb those unrighteous judgments.) I know, I know, I pick up on the strangest things, but there you have it.

Any whinny bits? Mmmm. The leap from Ida Mae’s curious worry to felony seemed a bit abrupt to me. But then again, I’d probably bend over backwards to jump in with anything Ren suggested. I liked him. ;)

Also, I’m not really sure you could call it a complaint, but I did notice that I was becoming so caught up in the subplots, worrying about all the different dramas in Ida Mae’s ward, that I wasn’t particularly intent on solving the mystery. At times that felt like the subplot.
Oh yeah- and where is Ida Mae’s recipe for sour cream chocolate chip cookies? What’s with these author who think they can just taunt you with good food, then not tell you how to get your hands on it? Or, maybe normal people just don’t fixate on food as much as I do. I’m still mad at another book for getting me craving Ding-Dongs. . .

At any rate, Secret Sisters proved to be a very enjoyable book. Hurray for Tristi and the little things in life that make it so enjoyable!

I believe Tristi is still running her sock drive in conjunction with this release as well. Sooo, read the book, then throw in a pair of socks for Arlette’s favorite cause. (You don’t have to knit them if you don’t want to. ;)

The Sapphie Flute by Karen E. Hoover

Fantasy is one of my favorite areas to read, YA fantasy, even better. So I was happy to receive an ARC of The Sapphire Flute by Karen E. Hoover. It proved to be a fun and satisfying read.

A little about the book:

The world of Rasann is dying. The mages in the land have been working together to weave their magic into a net to hold the world in one piece, but those cords are breaking down. They need a white mage, the rarest of them all, to step in and take over where they are falling down, but there hasn’t been a white mage for over three thousand years. Their only hope lies in finding the magic keystones, long hidden, which will bind the world together.

Kayla has been given charge of one of those keystones, the Sapphire Flute, and been told not to play it. Another will come, destined to play the flute and bring the magic within it to life. She has never met this player, and has no idea where to find such a person.

In the meantime, Ember has discovered a secret – her father had the ability to shift himself into the shape of a wolf, and she has that gift as well. When she takes upon herself her new appearance, quite by accident the first time, she discovers a family she never knew she had.
Lurking behind it all is C’Tan, the sorceress. She wants the keystones for herself, and she will stop at nothing to get them.

In The Sapphire Flute we are introduce to two young ladies who hold a world of power without really knowing it. The themes encompass freedom of choice, consequence of choice and becoming the master of your own destiny. There are some sweet and valuable lessons to be had- in a very non-preachy form.

I’ve been trying to figure out a way to wax poetically about Ms. Hooper’s first novel, but sadly my brain cells are failing me. So, here it is in a nut shell:

Hurray for a pair of strong heroines!
I love the fact that they aren't wishy-washy.
I love that they tend to save more than be saved.
I love that they stand up for themselves and their choices.
I loved the musical elements, as well. (I’m just that kind of person ;)
I loved that even when you thought you knew who the villains were, there was always something more about them, or their motivations, that wasn't quite so obvious. It adds just the right amount of suspicion and suspense.


I’ve read far too many books lately, some good reads, some not so much, that show the female characters as interesting and strong until the boy comes along, then suddenly she can’t be anything other than a swooning female moth dancing around the boy’s flame. Yes, there are a few elements of romance in The Sapphire Flute, but once again, it is reasonable and within the girl’s control. She has a definite say in the relationship. For me, Ember and Kayla are The Sapphire Flute’s strongest assets, as well they should be. It was a refreshing change and one I wish more authors would take note of.

Do I have any whines and complaints about The Sapphire Flute? A little bit. Maybe I was just too distracted when I opened it looking for an escape, but I had a slight hiccup in the first few pages trying to acclimate myself to the character names and the rules of magic in the world. There was an appropriate amount of suspense and lead- in with the introduction. It was just the names and understanding how the magical elements worked that gave me a moment’s pause. It took me a few pages to get in the groove. That was probably just me.

Second, is something the author has no control over. It's a case of "don't judge a book by its cover." While beautiful in its own right, the cover did not seem to match the book. Yes, it had all the right elements, but the images felt, well, a little juvenile for a YA book. It felt more like something I'd find on a middle grade. Depending on the type of consumer/teen reader you’re talking about, some may actually be put off by the cover instead of attracted to it. Again, just my own opinion and experiences. My 9 and 11 year old children saw the cover and asked what the book was about. I showed it to my teenage daughter asking if she would like to read it- she glanced at the cover and shrugged, not even curious if the subject matter was something she'd be interested in. I hope my own family’s weirdness doesn’t affect a larger audience and detract from the great things The Sapphire Flute has to offer, because Ms. Hoover has a talent for making female characters that really can be inspiring heroines and positive teen role models.

The Sapphire Flute is Karen E. Hoover’s first publication, and is the first of a series of seven. A new book in the series will be published each spring. Congratulations, Karen, you’re off to a great start!

Room for Two by Abel Keogh

I have to be honest with you. Room for Two is a book I was almost unable to review. It’s not that the writing was bad, or that the storyline stunk; no, Room for Two is very well written and the story is exceptionally compelling. It is definitely one that needs to be shared. But, this true story can also be very emotionally taxing. Abel Keogh makes no apologies (nor should he have to) for very vividly and very accurately describing the events surrounding his wife’s death by her own hand.

I knew exactly what this book was about before I agreed to review it during Abel’s virtual book tour. I knew it would be hard, but I also knew that many, many people needed to read it. I thought that I would be able to handle it. I almost could not.

You see, the first chapter is very well written and because of this it had an unexpected affect on me. I’m afraid that in my former life as a nurse I became very familiar with the type of scene that played out for Abel. It was not an easy thing, but it could be done. Unfortunately, I found that as Mr. Keogh’s compelling writing continued I was not only walking his nightmare with him, but I was also carrying with me the names, faces, and cases of those I had treated many years ago. These were not memories and feelings that I had thought of in a long time, nor were they ones I was eager to re-live. By the end of the first chapter I was emotionally spent. I closed the book and had a good long cry— for Abel Keogh, for his wife, for myself, and all those other faces I had carried with me as I read.

The story had moved me, and I was compelled to find out what the rest of the pages held; but, it was still a full day before I was ready to pick up the book and move beyond chapter one. Then, I soon had to mourn a little more for another set of circumstances I knew all to well and another set of patients I had the honor and pain of caring for. The first third of the book was hard, very hard. Even so, I do not think this story could, or should, have been dealt with any other way. It is honest, sincere, and powerful. If you are one of the many who have personally dealt with this type of nightmare, and when you are ready, you will appreciate Abel’s candidness and understanding for the things you face. He makes it very clear that you are not, and will never be, all alone in those dark hours. Even when no one else can understand, the Savior weeps with you.

Rest assured this story has a satisfying ending, but the path taken is not always easy. If you have the courage to learn from Abel Keogh’s life you will be a much better person for it. You will definitely walk away with greater compassion and empathy.

That being said, Room for Two is not a book that I can globally recommend for every reader. Rather, it is one that I would prayerfully consider for anyone who has had to deal with this type of loss within or outside of an LDS belief system. It is also very appropriate for those who have the special responsibility of reaching out to these people. Prepare yourself mentally, emotionally, and spiritually for the experience and you’ll walk away with some powerful insights. Come to its pages with a lot of baggage and it may take a while longer to catch the messages of this story.

Room for Two is about choices, and understanding that even a seemingly small decision can impact many lives greatly. Most importantly it shows kindness and understanding for those who have faced serious consequences from badly made choices. Ultimately, this is a story of pain, suffering, repentance, renewal, peace, and forgiveness. It’s about finding yourself at the most horrid spot in your life you can ever imagine and finding a way to climb out of that quagmire. Room for Two offers hope. It carries the message that even when someone thinks they are beyond reach and have used their last chance with the Savior, they are still in His hand. Though He will not change or take away the consequences that must be faced, God still guides His children to the best blessings He can offer them. Still, in the end the choice is ours, once again, whether we will accept or turn away from His love.

Well done, Abel Keogh, for having the personal strength to endure, and to share, a very timely and compelling message.

Room for Two by Abel Keogh

Trade Paperback: 224 pages

Publisher: Cedar Fort (August 2007)

ISBN-10: 1599550628

ISBN-13: 978-1599550626

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #162,056 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Follow Abel Keogh’s Virtual Book Tour at http://www.abelkeogh.com/blog/

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