OLIVIA, by Julie Wright

The book is the first of The Newport Ladies Book Club series, which consists of four books, written by four different authors, following the stories of four women who are drawn together by their love of reading. Each book is written from the point of view of a different woman in the book club. These four authors promise that if we read all 4 books, we will learn the whole story of each of the women. They also say that the books don’t have to be read in any particular order. That is a good plus.

This is what the cover says. Olivia finds herself frustrated with her marriage after she worked herself to exhaustion to make the perfect anniversary dinner for her husband and he forgets to show up. When he neglects to even apologize to her she realizes how frayed and weak her home and family life have become. She realizes that in order to please those around her she has forgotten how to be true to herself, and as she makes small changes to make more time for herself, she begins to fight for what will bring the family closer together instead of what will make things the most comfortable for everyone. Her small changes include her deciding to rekindle her old love of reading and join a book club.

While Olivia realizes she loves and wants to take care of all the children in her family including her step-children something is preventing her husband from doing the same. The harder she tries to reconcile her husband with his children the farther he pushes her away, until finally he decides to leave her. She is only able to hold together with the help and kindness of those she has met in the book club. At first it is awkward to reach out to these women she only just met, but they quickly become a support structure for one another as each one of them is put through a refiner's fire.

Just reading the cover made me want to read the entire book. I had no idea I would be drawn into the character to the point that I didn't want to put the book down. I first wanted to read this book because of a book club that I belong to. Don't get me wrong I like my book club, but the one in this book is ideal. Every women needs such an outlet.

As I got to know Olivia more she at first reminded me of some women I know. Many women almost kill themselves trying to please their husband and children, and never quit reach their expectation. I was excited to see Olivia realize that she needed to do something for herself. Olivia became true to herself, and fought for what would bring her family closer together. Things became difficult at times for herself, but she persisted. Julia made a believable character, one that I grew to love and admire.

I'm anxious to see what the other women in the series are like. It is a series that I will tell my book club and friends about.

You can see more by connecting to the Newport blog:
http://thenewportladiesbookclub.blogspot.com

This link explains how the series works. http://thenewportladiesbookclub.blogspot.com/2011/09/how-does-series-work-anyway.html

Have fun reading the book. You'll be glad you did.

Retirement Quest - Make Better Decisions

This book is written by John Hauserman, CFP. The back cover reads -

Get the unbiased advice you need. Avoid costly mistakes. Where are you getting your financial advice? How do you know your interest are being safeguarded? How do you know that your advisors are comptetent? How can you know they’re putting your interests first? John Hauserman has spent years building a better way for you to pursue your investment goals. This book shows you how to get unbiased advice and avoid costly financial mistakes. If you want to build a secure financial future, this is the book that will help show you how.

I loved the end of chapter 12 that said, “What we can do for our country is to prepare ourselves financially, thus providing a social cushion for the challenges ahead. Prepare ourselves so that we might help our children out of the economic mess which our leaders seem recklessly intent on handing them. Prepare ourselves so that we might provide an example by which we can hold our elected officers accountable.”

The end of chapter 13 says, “How is it possible that this great nation of take-charge, self-reliant, responsibility seekers could possibly have become comfortable consistently spending more than they earned?”

John Hauserman further said, “By the late 1960’s an entire generation had spent its formative years in a hall of plenty, shaping ideas and decisions for decades to come. They dreamed of better lifestyles, high-minded values of fairness, love, and cooperation. What they did not spend as much time dreaming about, were the costs associated with such endeavors.”

In chapter 15 he states, that the pupose of this work is to help the reader accept, and embrace, individual efforts, the ramifications of which may be far greater than most imagine. Like it or not, we are a generation caught in transition. For decades, our leaders have promised benefits while simultaneously kicking the can of responsibility down the road. He says, “The good news is that we as a culture are on the verge of the greatest accumulation of wealth.”

The last chapter is called, Looking Ahead. He has many good ideas. At first I wasn’t convinced that I needed to read this book, but I’m glad I did. Because I’m well past retirement there isn’t a lot that I can do, but there are things in this book that my children should know about.

The only thing I can say about the book is that I wish it had a title and picture that would have made me want to buy this book. I'm glad I read it, although I'm not sure if I were in a book store that I would have picked it up. Don't be mislead by the title. This is a great book and one I'm sure you will be glad you put on your list to read.

Book Review of Smoke Screen

This book by Traci Hunter Abramson was amazing. Below is a description 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 book kept me on the edge of my seat and it was difficult to put it aside at bedtime or when I had other things to do. I just wanted to keep reading. It is well written and has plenty of mystery as well as romance. I would give this a high rating and encourage my friends to read it. You will be glad you did.

I won

Remember the contest blog I wrote earlier this month. In is I said, I really don't want anyone else to enter because I would like to claim the prize as my own, but since this is one of the ways to get an entry I'll do as I'm asked.

I'm certainly glad that most of you didn't listen because I was the winner of that book. Michele e-mailed me and said she was putting it in the mail on Wednesday (that's today) and I should have it by Friday. I can hardly wait. After I read it I'll be posting a blog here to tell you all about it.

Now I guess I better get out to that blog Mormon Mommy Writers and see if I can win something else before this contest is over.

Joyful Noise

Last night I attended a premiere showing to a movie that will be in the theaters on Friday, January 13, Joyful Noise. I loved this movie so much I could probably see it over and over. I’ve never written a movie review before. The reviews I write are usually about books.

Following are the details that I found on line about this movie. It takes place in a small town in Georgia. The people there have fallen on hard times. They are counting on the Divinity Church Choir to lift their spirits by winning the National Joyful Noise Competition.

The choir has always known how to sing in harmony, but the discord between its two leading ladies threatens to tear them apart. Their newly appointed director, Vi Rose Hill (Queen Latifah), stubbornly wants to stick with their tried-and-true traditional style, while the fiery G.G. Sparrow (Dolly Parton) thinks tried-and-true translates to tired-and-old and her rebellious grandson, Randy (Jeremy Jordan) really shakes things up. He has a good ear for music, but he also has an eye for Vi Rose’s beautiful and talented daughter, Olivia (Keke Palmer). Sparks between the two teenagers cause even more friction between G.G. and Vi Rose.

The musically driven story also brings together the sounds of gospel, pop, country, rock and R & B with memorable songs, performed by the cast. If you love listening to music, you will love this movie. If not, I suggest you stay home.

I loved the movie and was glad that I had attended a prior showing. I can't think of anyone who wouldn't like this movie - unless you don't like music, you don't like Dolly Parton, Queen Latifah, Keke Palmer, or Jeremy Jordan. Or maybe if you don't like watching a movie because you would rather stay home and watch television. There is plenty of action, lots of humor, and it is a fun movie.

HELP - Call For Stories

My friend JoLyn Brown has asked me to post something about this for her on my blog. She is doing a book called, A Circle of Sisters. It is a collection of true stories about Relief Society women.



Every day, ordinary women who belong to the Relief Society Organization put their hands in the Lord's and go to work. These women rely on personal revelation to get them to the right place at the right time, and every day, miracles are happening. I know that you have seen these miracles in your own lives. I know they have changed you for the better.

Her goal is to create a collection of these stories. So often, we never hear about or see the good things that are happening all around us because of Relief Society sisters. Following are the guidelines.

1. Tell your story in first person. This will make it more personal. How did your experience change you for the better? Be sincere.

2. Keep your story between 500-1200 words.

3. Format using Times New Roman and 12 point font.

4. Please include a short biography, (50-80 words.)

5. Send your story and biography as a word document attachment to circleofsisters.submit@yahoo.com. Use the title of your story and your name in the subject line.

Please keep in mind that she will not be able to offer any payment for your stories, but this may be a chance for you to get publishing credits which is always great.

CONTEST

Mormon Mommy Writers is holding a big party all the month of January to celebrate their three years in the blogging business.

Check them out every day to see what they're giving away. It will be loads of fun! They've got signed books from authors like Tristi Pinkston, Josi Kilpack, Stephanie Black, Lisa Mangum and more. It's prizes and prizes galore!

http://mormonmommywriters.blogspot.com/

TODAY THE BIG PRIZE IS - a book by Michele Ashman Bell "The Perfect Fit".



I really don't want anyone else to enter because I would like to claim the prize as my own, but since this is one of the ways to get an entry I'll do as I'm asked.