IT'S TRUE An Evangelical Pastor's Journey to Truth in the Mormon Church By TOM SCOTT

About the book:
From an early age, Tom Scott's thirst for truth led him to serve the Lord and seek the Spirit, ultimately going from participating in church choirs to serving as an evangelical pastor for 27 years.
Then, he and his wife, Maggie, had a rather strange encounter - an interaction with members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - the Mormons. Completely taken aback at first meeting the people he believed - and had preached - were part of a cult, Tom set out to investigate what this Mormon religion was all about.
It's True tells of Tom's initial reaction, what he learned about the Mormons and what he discovered - that the LDS people are, indeed, Christians and the precepts they teach are true.

IT'S TRUE An Evangelical Pastor's Journey to Truth in the Mormon Church  By TOM SCOTT is a short book,but it is packed with spiritual power.
Tom Scott was an Evangelical Pastor for 27 years, doing everything he could to bring people to Jesus Christ. It is evident as he tells his story that the Spirit was working in his life from an early age. Tom was taught from childhood that the Mormon Church was a cult.
It's True is the story of Tom and Maggie Scott's journey to learn the truth about the Mormon Church and the people that call themselves Mormons.
It is a sweet but powerful testimony of Tom and Maggie's discovery that Mormons are Christians, and their conversion to the Mormon church.
I would recommend this book to everyone, but especially those who aren't Mormon and have doubts about what we believe. Read it prayerfully and with an open mind.
IT'S TRUE An Evangelical Pastor's Journey to Truth in the Mormon Church by Tom Scott is available on www.amazon.com or www.inglestonepublishing.com.
To learn more about Tom Scott CLICK HERE .

picture taken 7/21/12 at Latter Day Cottage in Mesa, AZ

THE KINDLING by BRADEN BELL

About the book:
All thirteen-year-old Connor Dell wants to do is pass pre-algebra, play lacrosse, and possibly kiss Melanie Stephens. He didn’t mean to set anyone’s gym shorts on fire or make school lunches explode. But now that the strange powers inside him have been ignited, Connor’s normal teenage life is about to go up in flames!
 This fast-paced novel is non-stop fun for kids and parents alike. With characters you can’t help but root for, a plot that keeps you guessing, and plenty of humor, it’s a guaranteed thrill ride from cover to cover!
The Kindling by Braden Bell is exciting and intense. It is written for mid grade readers, but as an adult it kept me fully engaged and wanting to keep reading.
The story features twins Connor and Lexa  and their best friend Melanie, all normal 13 year olds until they all Kindle (develop magic powers) at the same time attracting the attention of both the forces of light and darkness.
The kids know something strange is happening, its not everyday you wish the school bullies shorts catch fire and then they really do, or you see a man all in black, that no one else can see, watching you, but they don't know what. In addition it appears to them that the teachers want to kill them.
There is so much action, adventure, suspense and intensity. I almost jumped out of my skin, when someone walked up behind me while I was reading.
I think young readers will love the magic and the action. Who doesn't dream of being able to get back at the school bully, a good food fight or a vicious attack Unicorn.
As an adult I liked all of that too. I also like how family values take priority and the Magi honor the wishes of the parents when they say to back off.  I like that the teachers are portrayed as caring human beings, too often the adults in mid grade books come off as uncaring or stupid.
I am anxiously waiting for Volume 2.
I would recommend The Kindling by Braden Bell for kids age 10 and up and adults.
The Kindling is available on www.amazon.com paper and ebook, www.barnesandnoble.com, www.deseretbook.com and www.seagullbook.com, or check with your local library for inter library loan.
To learn more about Braden Bell
CLICK HERE for his blog  or HERE for his website.

I recieved a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

LET THE WALLS FALL DOWN by SYBIL BELANGER CONLEY

" If I could change just one thing it would have been to have more time. More time.., exactly what would I have done with it? I don’t know. Possibly look beyond the one-dimensional roll I had cast her in, the role of villain, of creature…." Let the walls fall down chronicles Sybil's personal journey through an abusive childhood at the hands of a mentally ill mother. After years of anger, resentment,and estrangement she and her mother reunite. What happens next is lesson in healing and forgiveness, that all began with one horrific phone call.….

"I read "Let the Walls Fall Down" by Sybil Belanger Conley and was deeply touched by her approach to life. She is present to the life experience that has nurtured her soul.It is obvious that she went through a very difficult time in her childhood,yet she was able to shift the energy around her in a positive way. This took courage and strength as she became aware of her power to choose consciously how she would shape her world. Her book is clear that she was able to move out of her egocentric and fear-based behavior and into the kind of living that is the heart of what Jesus means when he says, " I came that you might have life, and have it to the full" It is indeed a life giving read, a model to many of us. " (Sister Clarrisse)
Let The Walls Fall Down by Sybil Belanger Conley reminded me that a lot of times we walk through life totally unaware of what is happening in the lives of the people around us.
Sybil's story brought me to tears. It is a story of abuse and survival, at the hands of a mentally ill, abusive mother. More than that it is the story of learning to forgive, with help and strength from a loving Heavenly Father.
I recommend everyone read this book.
Let the Walls Fall Down by Sybil Belanger Conley is available on www.amazon.com for Kindle and www.barnesandnoble.com for paperback.

NEW by J ADAMS

Cosset is a lost soul with nothing left to live for.

Chance Hunter is a man on a mission. Desperately in love, he is willing to do anything, be anything, and give everything that he is to show Cosset that life is still worth living. He is bound and determined to heal her battle-weary heart and claim it as his own.
Open the pages of New and watch love happen.
New by Jewel Adams is a fast read, it is only 46 pages long, but is a powerful story of love, trust and forgiveness.
Cosset is a lost soul, her life has been one devastating event after another, including loosing everyone and everything she holds dear. She finally decides to end it all, but Chance has other ideas.
For Chance it was love at first sight and he patiently waits until he can approach her and claim her as his own.
I would recommend this book to everyone.
It is available at www.amazon.com in paper of kindle form.
CLICK HERE  to visit Jewel's blog.

CRATER LAKE BATTLE FOR WIZARD ISLAND by STEVE WESTOVER

While visiting his crazy Uncle Bart at Crater Lake National Park, thirteen-year-old Ethan's world collapses when all the adults at Crater Lake disappear, including his parents. Now Ethan must rally his new friends and decipher the legends of Crater Lake to find the key to rescuing his parents from their earthen prison before he s captured too and their captivity becomes permanent.

Ethan is reluctantly planning to spend some time at Crater Lake with his Crazy Uncle Bart, the park ranger. When the family arrives Uncle Bart tells them the legend of Crater Lake, which Ethan ignores. Ethan's family stay and take the kids on a hike, where they are joined by Allie's family.  While the kids are exploring their parents are sucked into the ground. Jacob and Brady are Boy Scouts, whose whole troop disappears.

All of the people over 16 have disappeared from Crater Lake, leaving 5 kids, Ethan, Jordan, Allie, Jacob and Brady alone, with Che-tan a young Indian Boy who claims to have the key to rescuing their parents. He claims to want to help them (or does he?). Che-tan, they learn, can split into 4 birds.

Che-tan tells them how to find the key to release their families from the underworld prison. During their adventure the kids meet all kinds of challenges, they get separated, they fight zombies, they loose a friend.

Crater Lake Battle for Wizard Island by Steve Westover is written for young readers, but it grabbed my interest early on and when it ended it left me wanting more.

I would recommend this books for anyone from 9 years old and up to adult.

You can find Crater Lake at www.amazon.com in paper and Kindle, www.deseretbook.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, in paper and Nook. As always you can also check with your local library for inter library loan.

DESERT INTRIGUE The Adventures of John and Julia Evans by Linda Weaver Clarke

Mystery…Adventure...Romance...Humor...Intrigue! When Julia’s brother announces that his dude ranch is haunted, she believes that someone is trying to sabotage his place and force him to sell. The mysterious happenings have to do with Superstition Mountain, the lost Dutchman’s goldmine, and the great Thunder God. Is it possible that the legend of the Thunder God is actually true? After a terrible thunderstorm, everyone begins to wonder. John and Julia quickly head to Mesa, Arizona and discover a few mysterious events. Will they find out who is behind these disasters before Uncle Kelly’s dude ranch is ruined?

I have lived in Arizona for a few years, but don't know a lot about the lore of the area.

Desert Intrigue The Adventures of John and Julia Evans by Linda Weaver Clarke mixed adventure, intrigue and the lore of the Superstition Mountains along with humor and some romance  into one fun book.

I found myself caring about the characters and the ranch. I didn't want to have to put the story aside to work or sleep. I was trying to solve the mystery of the Thunder God and all of the unusual happenings and every time I thought I had it there was a new twist.

This is the 1st of Linda Weaver Clarke's books I've read, and I look forward to reading more.

I would recommend this book to anyone that likes clean family friendly mystery.

You can purchase Desert Intrigue, The Adventures of John and Julia Evans by Linda Weaver Clarke  on www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, and www.smashword.com.

To learn more about Linda Weaver Clarke

CLICK HERE.

I recieved a free download of this book in exchange for my review. It didn't influence my opinion in any way.

THE WHAM CURSE by VIRGIL ALEXANDER

A Tale of Two Crimes In the 21st Century: In the rugged ranch country of eastern Arizona, Graham County Deputy Branden Allred and San Carlos Tribal Police Officer Allen Victor are investigating the death of a young Apache. At first it appears to be a freak accident, a conclusion the Sheriff likes, but the officers begin to suspect murder. Motive is the major missing element, and nothing makes sense until a one-hundred-year old unsolved crime comes to light. In the 19th Century: Near the end of the 1800's in the same vicinity as the present-day murder, US Army Major Joseph W. Wham, Paymaster, and his twelve-soldier escort were ambushed and the payroll in gold and silver coins was taken. Though several men went to trial for the payroll robbery, they were found not guilty. The loot was never recovered and never surfaced. Though the treasure was sought for decades it eventually faded from public memory. In working the present-day case, the policemen must deal with politics, cultural differences, and limited resources. Two local ranchers, an environmental activist, and an unknown horseman become the primary murder suspects. In a backdrop of historic places, diverse geology, wide vistas, breathtaking scenery, Native American culture, and rural society, the mystery carries the flavor of both the old and new West.

The Wham Curse is Virgil Alexander's 1st published novel. I had a hard time putting it down once I started reading.

It is a fast moving police drama that takes place near the San Carlos Indian Reservation in Arizona. Virgil Alexander is very knowledgeable about that part of AZ and included information about the rivers and canyons, and Apache Culture, that was interesting, and helped me picture how some of the historical events happened.

The Wham Curse takes place in modern day Arizona. A young,  Apache boy, just called Boy, who has the mental age of about 7 dies under mysterious circumstances. Tribal Police officer Allen and local deputy Allred, soon discover evidence pointing to murder.

Throughout the book there are snippets of the story of the Wham payroll robbery, that took place in the same area.

I loved this book, it is a fast moving police drama, with a little romance. Deputy Allred works hard to improve relations between the Sheriff and pretty much everyone he deals with.  Boy's Grandmother is a glowing example of forgiveness and listening to the spirit.

I would recommend The Wham Curse by Virgil Alexander to everyone, especially if you like reading authors like J.A. Jance.

You can find The Wham Curse at www.amazon.com in paperback and on Kindle.