BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, AN AMERICAN LIFE by WALTER ISAACSON

About the book:
Benjamin Franklin, writer, journalist and biographer Walter Isaacson, was that rare Founding Father who would sooner wink at a passer-by than sit still for a formal portrait. What's more, Isaacson relates in this fluent and entertaining biography, the revolutionary leader represents a political tradition that has been all but forgotten today, one that prizes pragmatism over moralism, religious tolerance over fundamentalist rigidity, and social mobility over class privilege. That broadly democratic sensibility allowed Franklin his contradictions, as Isaacson shows. Though a man of lofty principles, Franklin wasn't shy of using sex to sell the newspapers he edited and published; though far from frivolous, he liked his toys and his mortal pleasures; and though he sometimes gave off a simpleton image, he was a shrewd and even crafty politician. Isaacson doesn't shy from enumerating Franklin’s occasional peccadilloes and shortcomings, in keeping with the iconoclastic nature of our time--none of which, however, stops him from considering Benjamin Franklin "the most accomplished American of his age," and one of the most admirable of any era. And here’s one bit of proof: as a young man, Ben Franklin regularly went without food in order to buy books. His example, as always, is a good one--and this is just the book to buy with the proceeds from the grocery budget. --Gregory McNamee -
I have heard about Benjamin Franklin all my life, the standard stories, like him flying a kite with a key on the end to capture electricity and being an ambassador to France in his older years.
This book went into detail about Benjamin Franklin's life. He loved to read, he was a creative businessman, definitely competitive. He would do anything to get ahead.
One thing that bothered me about his life was that, even though he provided well for his family, built them a big house and gave them everything they needed to live well, he was seldom home. He would sometimes go years between stops at home. And he would frequently find very young lady friends where ever he was.
Despite that, Benjamin Franklin was an amazing businessman, statesman, and early Patriot.
I would recommend that everyone read this and learn more about Benjamin Franklin.
It is available on Amazon.com, or check your local library.

SMOKESCREEN BY TRACI HUNTER ABRAMSON

From the back of the book:

Taylor Palmetta has spent the past year in Europe building her art career and hiding from Navy SEAL Quinn Lambert, the man who broke her heart. But Taylor can’t seem to hide from trouble. When Taylor seeks safety with her family in Virginia Beach, a series of threats puts her on high alert— and puts Quinn into protective mode.

Despite the private loss that continues to haunt him, Quinn can’t deny his renewed attraction to Taylor. But just as the romance heats up, a plot against the very foundation of the American way of life surfaces, and Taylor’s paintings may hold the key. The Saint Squad is back in action as the team frantically tries to protect their nation’s security—and Taylor and Quinn search for courage to unlock the troubled past.
This is the latest installment in the Saint Squad series and Traci Hunter Abramson, has another winner in Smokescreen.
This is Quinn's story. He is the last single member of the Squad. Quinn has a secret that has kept him from forming a lasting relationship. I was glad that his secret wasn't revealed too early in the book.
As always Traci has included a lot of twists in the story, so the true bad guys aren't obvious until the very end. I had a hard time putting it down until I was finished.
You can learn more about Traci and her books by visiting her website HERE  or her blog HERE.
Smokescreen can be purchased at www.deseretbook.com, www.seagullbook.com, http://www.amazon.com/ both in paper and Kindle, or as always you can try inter library loan.

LUCKY CHANGE by SUSAN LAW CORPANY

About the book:

After a fluke lottery win, Karen Donaldson - the ward charity case - is determined to use her millions to pay back all the kindness she's received. But the future holds a few more surprises for Karen, her neighbors, and someone she thought was gone forever. Sweet, funny, and full of heart, this off-beat comedy is perfect for anyone who's ever dreamed of making it big.

I have often fantasized about what I would do if I won the lottery. I have to admit, I don't think I would be as generous and creative with my winnings as Karen Donaldson was.

I had a good time reading this book and thinking about the possibilities with each new kindness Karen did.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Susan Law Corpany's latest book. My only grumble was the Kindle formatting was way off, and a lot of word, like proper names, that should have been capitalized weren't. While that was a distraction, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story.

I would recommend this to everyone, especially if you have ever fantasized about winning the lottery.

Lucky Change is available from http://www.amazon.com/ in paperback and on kindle.

THE WISHING HOUR by J. ADAMS

About the Book:

Celine Anderson lives an average solitary life, sticking to routine, never taking chances, and never experiencing true love. All of this changes when a handsome immortal enters her life. She has never laid eyes on the man before, but she somehow knows him and instantly trusts him completely. Placing her life in his hands, Celine is taken on an unexpected journey and learns of an ancient prophecy she is to take part in. And her immortal guardian is intent on protecting her against those who would see her fail. He has been chosen for this calling and it is his sacred duty to keep her safe–to see the prophecy fulfilled at all cost. If they fail, it will change the world as they know it.
The Wishing Hour is the 1st book I've read by Jewel Adams, and I will be reading more.
 It was a wonderful romantic suspense. I loved the characters. Celine was so trusting, that Sebastian, a total stranger will take care of her and protect her. Sebastian, the handsome immortal, whose destiny is to protect Celine, the "Woman of Prophecy" from the evil forces of Lord Derth and his urchins.
While protecting Celine, Sebastian learns they are bonded, and there is a strong attraction between them. Sebastian's identity remains a mystery during much of their escape.
The Wishing Hour promotes the idea that "The One" is always guiding and watching over us.
I recommend The Wishing Hour, to everyone. I think teens and adults alike will enjoy it.
To learn more about Jewel Adams and her books CLICK HERE.
The Wishing Hour is available at www.Amazon.com, in book and Kindle form, and http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/29070 , or you can check Inter library loan.

UNBROKEN CONNECTION by ANGELA MORRISON

from the back of the book:
Against all odds, the couple that swept you away in Taken By Storm is back. Michael is in Thailand diving his dream. Leesie is at BYU living hers,
And they just can't leave each other alone.
Their romance rekindles, deeper than before. They grow desperate to see one another again. To hold one another again. Michael decides there is only one direction their relationship can go and asks Leesie the ultimate question. Her answer challenges everything Michael is and wants to be.
Can she change for him?
Can he change for her?
Enough?
I was exited to read more about Leesie and Michael. At the end of Taken by Storm, they decide to break up and go their separate ways, but that was not to happen. 
They started out chatting when he was in port, near an Internet hot spot, then Michael send her a new lap top and a cell phone so they could talk. 
There are a lot of twists and turns, and compromise. Michael wants Leesie to learn to dive, Leesie wants Michael to talk to the missionaries. Leesie does her best to conquer her fear of water and learn to dive, Michael agrees to talk to the missionaries, which doesn't go well.
I loved that Angela Morrison managed to avoid the convenient happily ever after ending, which would have been so easy.
To learn more about Angela Morrison and her books CLICK HERE.
I would recommend this to teens and adults that have read Taken by Storm, or who are looking for "sweet romance" books. 

You can find Unbroken Connection at www.amazon.com, www.bn.com and inter library loan.

TAKEN BY STORM by Angela Morrison

From the back of the book:
Leesie thinks she has her whole life planned out, get into the school of her dreams, write her poems, meet the perfect guy, and settle down. Then she meets Michael- a boy whose parents were killed in a diving accident during a terrible storm.
Michael is drowning in tragedy. And all Leesie wants is to save him. With each day, her heart hurts more. Could it be, perfect Leesie is falling from grace?
Or is she just falling in love?
This story is a amazing mix of love, grief, forgiveness and clean passion.
When I first started reading this I wasn't sure I was going to like it. The format was different than what I a used to and in all honesty I dislike poetry, and a large portion of the story is told in Leesie's poems. After I started reading and got into the story and attached to the characters I found that none of that mattered.
I found myself hoping Michael and Leesie could make their relationship work, without Leesie having to compromise too many of her rules.
Leesie is a Mormon girl, the only one in her High School class, I identified with her, having been the only active Mormon girl in my class too. She had a lot of rules of conduct she stuck to rigidly and was dubbed the ice princess, until she met Michael.
Michael was a diver, kind of cocky, had always had his way with girls. He came to town a broken boy, after loosing his parents tragically.
Leesie put a lot of herself into helping Michael deal with the tragedy life dealt to him. She was willing to compromise on a lot of her rules for Michael.
 Michael seemed incapable of understanding and accepting Leesie's rules and standard, and every time she called for recess as he called it, he would end up doing something stupid, that could have cost him her love and support. 
Leesie showed an amazing capacity to love and forgive. 
To read more about Taken by Storm and to l earn more about the author Angela Morrison CLICK HERE
I would recommend this for teens and adults who want to read "Sweet Romance".
You can find it at www.amazon.com , www.bn.com,  the BYU bookstore and the Flying Pig Bookstore,or check out inter library loan.

BACKLASH by TRACI HUNTER ABRAMSON

From the back of the book:
In the five years she's been married to Navy SEAL Kel Bennett, Marilyn has lived with fear as a near-constant companion. But the morning she sees two men in naval uniforms approaching her doorway with solemn faces, her fear turns to terror. This is what she signed up for when she exchanged wedding vows with that stunning man in military dress whites: a husband who leaves home whenever the phone rings and who might not ever come back. Turns out Marilyn is lucky this time: Kel is still alive, although gravely injured from the Saint Squad op that thwarted a terrorist attack in the southwestern US. While his wife is relieved to have him stationary in a hospital bed, Kel's necessary lack of openness about his work puts a strain on their already troubled marriage. As the distance between the couple widens, Marilyn turns to the book she's secretly writing to express her unspeakable emotions.

Meanwhile, the backlash from the foiled terrorist mission brings Halim Karel to the States in search of Seth, the undercover agent who'd infiltrated his organization and spearheaded the abduction of his boss's niece. As danger mounts and the SEAL team springs into action, Marilyn is shocked by her first glance into the grisly realities of her husband's profession: violence, deception, even killing. And when she becomes a central ploy in Halim's revenge plan, she struggles to find needed trust and confidence in this military man she loves-not just to save their marriage but to save their lives.

This is the 4th book in the Saint Squad series and it was just as good as the previous 3. I waited to read it until I knew I had some free time, because I knew that once I picked it up I would have a hard time putting it down.

This book centers on Squad leader Kel and his wife Marilyn and their adjustment to being together after he is injured in the line of duty.

Kel & Marilyn never spent much time communicating about their lives when they were apart, and that made things tense when he found out a terrorist was tracking them.

Marilyn never told Kel she had aspirations to write and was,in fact, writing a book. 

Kel's story shows how important communication is in marriage, although it made for much more suspense with neither of them knowing what the other was doing.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes suspense. It is part of a series, but the series can be read in any order.

To learn more about Traci and her books CLICK HERE.
You can find  Backlash at www.deseretbook.com, www.seagullbook.com, www.amazon.com or through inter library loan.

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 Traci & I at the Glendale Deseret Book, Oct 21, 2010