BOOK REVIEW AND GIVE AWAY

AN ANGEL ON MAIN STREET by KATHI ORAM PETRSON

                                From the back of the book:

Micah Connors promised his mother he would be good in their new town. But with Christmas only three days away, being escorted home by the sheriff does not bode well. Can the towering officer be trusted not to tell what happened? Perhaps the ramshackle stable that has appeared on Main Street will sidetrack him from spilling the day's events-or maybe his interest in Micah's widowed mother will do the trick. The last thing Dawn Connors needs is to hear her son is in trouble. She has enough to worry about with her husband gone and her daughter, Annie, ill. Even though Micah has told his sister the rustic structure in the middle of town is simply part of the town's holiday decorations, Annie is sure that unseen angels are building the crude stable-which means baby Jesus is coming, and he can make her better. Terrified that his little sister might die, Micah vows to find the baby Jesus for Annie, even if it is only a plastic doll. But as Micah gets nearer to his goal he finds angels are closer than he ever would have believed.
This is a wonderful Christmas story about love, service and faith in God. It is a quick read, I read it in one afternoon.
Micah wants to be good, he wants to take care of his mother and little sister who is sick. He wants to stay out of trouble as he promised his Mother he would, but trouble seems to follow him.
When he tells his sister about the Nativity that is slowly being put in the middle of town, she becomes convinced that the baby Jesus wil be able to make her well. It becomes Micah's goal to bring the Baby Jesus to Annie.
During his quest Micah learns that angels come in all shapes and sizes.
If you can only add one new Christmas Book to your collection this year I would recommend this be the one you add.
I will send a copy to one person, next week. Leave a comment here about an Angel in your life, by Dec 18. I will draw a name on the 19th and get your book out. Please include an email address so I can contact you if you win.
An Angel on Main Street is available through http://www.deseretbook.com/, http://www.seagullbook.com/ or http://www.amazon.com/.
CLICK HERE to learn more about Kathi Oram Peterson

The 13th Reality, Vol 2: The Hunt for Dark Infinity by James Dashner

It’s been a quiet summer for Tick, Paul, and Sofia, but the latest message from Master George changes everything.

The Realities are in danger — and from something more terrible than Mistress Jane and the mutated Chi’karda of the Thirteenth Reality. People from all Realities are unexplainably going insane. Worse, some Realities are fragmenting, disintegrating into nothingness. Master George has learned that Mr. Chu from the Fourth Reality is working on a mysterious new weapon called Dark Infinity. But no one has any idea how to stop the weapon — or even if it can be stopped.
To make matters worse, Tick and his friends have been kidnapped, forced to wink from Reality to Reality, solving impossible riddles in order to survive the deadly traps surrounding them.
Mistress Jane and Tick find themselves in a race to reach the weapon first — but who will destroy it and who will become its master?
This is another fun book in James Dashner's 13th reality series. Again I borrowed Dad's audio book and listened while I drove to and from work.
 In this adventure Tick and his friends are sent from Realiy to Reality after their Nano Locators are hijacked. They learn more about Tick's amazing control (or lack of control) over the Chi’karda.
I didn't want the story to end and I will look forward to the next adventure.
Again, I would recommend this to adults as well as mid level readers.
It is available at Deseretbook.com, AMazon.com and interlibrary loan.
To check out James Dashner's blog CLICK HERE.

The 13th Reality, Vol. 1: Journal of Curious Letters by James Dashner

What if every time you made a choice that had a significant consequence, a new, alternate reality was created — the life that would've been had you made the other choice? What if those new realities were in danger? What if it fell to you to save all the realities?

Atticus Higginbottom, a.k.a. Tick, is an average thirteen-year-old boy until the day a strange letter arrives in his mailbox. Postmarked from Alaska and cryptically signed with the initials "M.G.," the letter informs Tick that dangerous — perhaps even deadly — events have been set in motion that could result in the destruction of reality itself. M.G. promises to send Tick twelve riddles that will reveal on a certain day, at a certain time, at a certain place, something extraordinary will happen. Will Tick have the courage to follow the twelve clues M.G. sends to him? Will he be able to solve the riddles in time? Will Tick discover the life he was meant to live?
The first volume of an outstanding new children's fantasy series, The Journal of Curious Letters is filled with adventure, humor, riddles, and, oh, yes — danger. . . As M.G. warns Tick, Very frightening things are coming your way. Will you join Tick and his friends on an amazing journey through the Realities? What will your choice be?

I avoided this book for a long time, no real reason, I just wasn't all that interested. A few weeks ago I borrowed Dad's audio book to listen to in the car while driving home from work.
I found the Journal of Curious Letters to be interesting in a bizarre sort of way.
TIck was confronted with a lot of odd people from an 8 foot tall woman named Mothball to a very short round man named Rutger and machines and other super natural things as part of the test to determine if he is worthy of the challenge the mysterious MG has for him. He also has to solve 12 riddles, some easy, some mind boggling, to me at least. Tick has help from 2 other recruits that he meets online and support from his father in his journey to the "Special Day". Along the way he learns about Chi’karda, QP, barrier wands and many other odd things.
Even though this book is written with younger readers in mind, I would recommend it to anyone who likes fantasy.
James Dashner also wrote The Jimmy Fincher Saga, a four book series written for mid level readers, that I would recommend for even adult readers.
This book is available through Deseret Book and Amazon.com, and as always inter library loan.

SHUDDER BY JENNIE HANSEN

Darcy and Clare grew up as best friends, sharing trials and triumphs from preschool through college graduation. Now they’re sharing an apartment in Boise, Idaho, where Clare just landed a great job and Darcy is pursuing a teaching certificate. There’s only one problem: Blaine, Clare’s boyfriend. His chauvinistic, know-it-all ways set Darcy’s teeth on edge. Darcy vows not to let Blaine ruin her lifelong friendship with Clare, but when Blaine insists on moving in, Darcy suddenly finds herself alone.

The estranged friends forge ahead on seemingly separate paths. Engaged to Blaine, Clare becomes trapped in ugly family politics and vicious treatment from her fiancé. Darcy finds a temporary home with Karlene, an accident victim seeking live-in help, but a twisted plot soon threatens their safety. Clare’s wedding briefly reunites her with Darcy, yet the friends have never been farther apart. And when Clare finds herself in mortal peril and finally calls on Darcy to help, it might be too late.
This book is one of the best suspense novels I've read in a long time. Not only is there the suspence a who is trying to kill Karlene and why, there is the abuse that Clare is suffering at the hands of Blaine. And will Darcy be able to save either Karlene or Clare before its too late.
I had a hard time putting this book down, until I was finished. Jennie Hansen showed once again how talented and versatile she is.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone, especially if you are into suspence.
You can find this book at Deseret Book, Seagull Book, Amazon.com, and inter library loan.
For more information on Jennie Hansen's books CLICK HERE
To visit Jennie Hansen's blog CLICK HERE

FREE BOOKS FROM DESERET BOOK

My friend forwarded the following email to me and I thought you might be interested. Feel free to share it with as many people as you'd like.

---sbm

"As part of his doctoral studies, John Hilton III is "studying what
happens when books are made available for free." He worked with
Deseret Book and they have made 8 of their books available for free."
They can all be downloaded at http://www.deseretbook.com/free. Several of
the books are ones you might be interested in. The books are:


1. Please Pass the Scripture (by me).
2. What I Wish I Would Have Known When I Was Single (by John Bytheway).
3. Women at the Well (by Richard and Jeni Holzapfel).
4. Digging Deeper (by Robert Eaton).
5. 10 Secrets Wise Parents Know (by Brent Top and Bruce Chadwick).
6. Growing Up: Gospel Answers About Maturation and Sex (by Brad Wilcox).
7. Saving Kristen (by Jack Weyland). (fiction)
8. The Hidden Path (by C.B. Andersen). (fiction)


If nothing else, I recommend that you go download them all and save
them for future reference as they will only be available online for
free for a short time.
"Could you forward this information on to others who might be
interested? I want to help share these great, free resources with as many people as possible. Some of the books help you get more out of
the scriptures. Others are good for parenting. Some are just plain
fun. Go check out http://www.deseretbook.com/free. I hope you like the
books!" --John Hilton III"

THE HIDDEN BRANCH by GG VANDAGRIFF

Paul Mardian is a shining example of the American dream. The grandson of an Armenian immigrant who fled to the United States during the genocide of 1915, Paul is a self- made industrial tycoon and one of the most eligible bachelors in the country. But the dream is shattered when Paul turns up dead and his valuable collection of ancient Armenian artificats goes missing. Hired to find the murdered man’s heirs, professional genealogist Alexandra Campbell and her sidekick, Briggie, are brought to the swanky beaches of Southern California and a community of Armenian relatives who all seem to be hiding a secret. When another family member is suddenly murdered, Alex discovers there is more at stake than an unclaimed fortune or missing antiques, but piecing together Paul’s complicated family tree may be more dangerous than she ever anticipated. Author G. G. Vandagriff combines mystery, suspense, and romance in this page- turning thriller!

This is the 5th (And final) Alex & Briggie genealogy mystery.
As they always do, Alex & Briggie get into all sorts of trouble, which only makes the story better.
The story starts with Alex, Briggie, Charles,Richard & Marigny flying off to Huntington Beach, CA to find Paul Mardian's heirs. That seams innocent enough until Benji, the favorite grandson is kidnapped, and Alex is shot.
The list of suspects is long, and I never suspected the real culprit.
Alex & Briggie's adventures are always great fun, I will miss their adventures.
The previous Alex & Briggie Mysteries are Cankered Roots, Of Deadly Descent, Tangled Roots & Poisoned Pedigree. You can read them in any order.
If you like genealogy and mystery this is the book for you.
You can get it at the usual places, Deseret book, Seagull book, Amazon, and inter library loan.

BRIANNA, MY BROTHER AND THE BLOG By JACK WEYLAND

“The thing I dread the most is the weekends,” Brianna said. “Each of my roommates is seeing someone, so they’ll all go on dates, and I’ll be left all alone in the apartment with only my 8 x 10 of Robbie. Actually, it’s his high school graduation picture. I keep getting older but he stays the same.”

She paused as though she wasn’t sure she should say what she was thinking. “You want to know something weird? Last week I realized I was starting to think of him as my nephew.”
That seemed like an odd thing to say, but it also made me very happy. “If you get lonely on the weekends, give me a call. I’ll never be doing anything.”
She hesitated and then asked, “Are you serious?”
“Totally.”
Brianna needs a friend, someone to keep her from being lonely while she’s waiting for her missionary, Robbie, to come home. And who better for the job than Robbie’s brother, Austin? He can keep the other men at bay while giving Brianna guy-type help, like hauling her harp around on weekends to play at wedding receptions.
Austin needs a friend, too. And Brianna is the perfect choice since there's no romantic involvement-of course not, how could there be, she's waiting for his brother, after all. As a friendship develops between Austin and Brianna, Austin is free to learn what it means to be "true and faithful friends" with a girl. He begins posting his findings in blog entries that quickly gather a following of interested readers. But what will happen to his friendship with Brianna when she finds out who the real author of the blog is? Because the truth is, Austin isn't looking for just a friend anymore, but something more. Will he have the courage to tell Brianna the truth-before Robbie comes home?
Even though this book was fairly predictable, I enjoyed it. Jack Weyland did an awesome job as usual.
It was a quick read. I loved the insight Austin was able to offer about relationships on his blog, and I kept hoping he'd follow his own advise in the way he treated Brianna.
The rationalization Brianna & Austin used in feeling OK about their relationship, while she was waiting for his brother.
All in all it was a good read and I would recommend it to anyone.
It is available in all the usual places, Deseret Book, Seagull Book, Amazon.com and inter library loan.