Coming September 2012

 

 

 

Paige – The Newport Ladies Book Club by Annette Lyon.

This is the third book in a series of four stand-alone books, by four different authors. They are all from the same time period and the same book club meetings. But only with reading all 4 books, will you learn the whole story of each of the women.

 It took me until this time to realize that although I had read about Paige I didn’t have a clue what was really going on in her life. Then I thought back to the other two books – Olivia and Daisy. Reading those books brought a deeper understand about each of them. While reading these books I have met the women from the book club, the way I meet those women at my book club meetings. Reading about the same incident from one women’s point of view is way different than from someone else’s point of view. We can be at the same meeting and what happens in our eyes is different than what the other person sees.

When I read Olivia I discovered that on the outside she was a perfect wife and mother, but somehow along the way she had forgot to develop her own identity. At first glance Olivia thought that Daisy’s clothes were creased in the right places, Athena had a look of togetherness about her, and Paige was young and sweet looking.

 Then when I read Daisy she thought that Livvy (Olivia) was close to her own age, but she seemed flustered. Paige was very young and seemed a little overwhelmed, and Daisy envied her athletic body, but Daisy had a distinct impression that Athena didn’t like being put on the spot. Reading these three books I have found that there is more to Daisy and Paige than Olivia first saw.  

 When Paige attended the first book club meeting she felt very insecure. Athena seemed to be a confident woman, Daisy was also confident and wore tailored clothing, and Livvy had a masklike smile and Paige felt that Livvy was holding in her emotions and might crack if she did anything more than maintain a polite demeanor.

 Paige with Nathan her three year old son, and Shawn who was six, fled to Newport, California to escape the people in Utah after her divorce from an unfaithful husband. Things are not easy for her. She finds a job which helps financially, but it’s the friends from the book club who help her realize how strong she is and who giver her support to carry on as she faces the challenges of being a single mom.

 This is a great book and I’m sure everyone will enjoy reading about Paige as she wonders if she can ever trust a man or love again. She learns that healing from the past requires more than a change of address.

Daisy – The Newport Ladies Book Club by Josi S. Kilpack

This is one of four stand-alone books, by four different authors. You will be able to participate in a virtual book club that features recommendations and discussion guides.


The back cover says - Motherhood is not for the faint of heart. And no one knows that better than Daisy. Raising two kids as a divorced, single mom, Daisy has faced each and every one of the obstacles in her life with courage and determination.

Now with her oldest daughter ready to have a baby of her own, her youngest daughter ready to graduate from high school, and her new husband, Paul ready to embrace the life of an empty-nester, Daisy feels like she might finally be able to check motherhood off her list of things to do.

Except life often has a mind of its own. When, at the age of forty-six, Daisy suddenly finds herself facing a very different future than the one she had planned, and an uncomfortable evaluation of the past she thought she understood, she realizes that there is still some growing up she needs to do.

Looking for a distraction to escape the growing tension at home, Daisy joins the Newport Ladies Book Club, where she meets Paige, Athena, and Olivia – unlikely friends who offer encouragement and support when Daisy’s perfectly crafted life is turned upside-down.

Now for my review - This is a book that everyone should read just for fun even if you didn’t read Olivia. Of course, if you didn’t you will want to get it and read because it's a good book. No, you don’t have to read it to know what is going on in this book, but you probably will want to keep up with what is going on in all the women’s lives. They will become your best friends and you will want to know what each of them is doing.

Daisy is entertaining, and has many twists and turns. Just as you think you know what is going to happen to Daisy something new transpires. Her life is a roller coaster and surprises are around every corner. Believe me when I say that when you are positive you have the plot figured out, things will change. The ending was not what I expected. Daisy is an amazing character and a friend indeed. You really won’t want to miss this second book in the Newport Ladies Book Club series. I cried, I laughed. I even got angry with Daisy, as well as her children and mother. They were all real to me and many times they each deserved a good scolding.

The next book in the series, Paige will be out this coming August. I can hardly wait to read it because I know that Annette Lyon will have an endearing character for us to read about. I already like Paige because of her encounters with Olivia and Daisy. What a great group of ladies they have turned out to be. If I didn’t already belong to a book club I would organize one right away.

Christ’s Gifts to Women by Heather Moore and Angela Eschler

There is no better gift that a mother could receive this mother’s day than the book, “Christ’s Gifts to Women.” There are not enough words to describe how great this book is.

At times, we as faithful Latter-day Saint women struggle to understand exactly who Christ is in our lives. We fail to comprehend the gifts He offers us as we strive to overcome the challenges we face. He has overcome the world–He has given women great gifts that empower us and help us realize we are not alone.

Heather Moore and Angela Eschler have done exactly what the book cover says. They have written a book that weaves trials faced in our day with trials faced in Biblical days–and expounded on the timeless power Christ has given women to overcome them.

 As they spoke about the gift of mercy I realized that many of us fail to forgive and forget earlier mistakes in our lives and continue to wallow in the past. That goes against everything Christ taught. We all must realize that through Him, every struggle can be for our experience and our good. After reading this book I hope that I will allow myself to feel encircled in the arms of His love, and that I will feel safe.

 These two women reminded me that sometimes God calms the storm, and sometimes He lets the storm rage and calms His child helping me to understand His power. Without the gift of experience how would we learn? In permitting trials He allows a greater understanding of His purposes.

 Heather and Angela reminded us in this book that the Savior has power enough to heal us all in each and every aspect of our lives, if we but reach out to Him. The gift of wholeness can belong to each of us, but the Lord has His own timetable, and we must trust that the infinite healing will come and our trial will be lifted.

The past few years I spent my time nurturing my mother, and then my husband for many months. This book helped me to realize that as I did those nurturing acts of service to them the Savior lovingly nurtured me.

 I agee with these two women, that sometimes we find ourselves too caught up in our ever-busy lives to see Him and embrace the gifts He offers. When we are stressed, worried, overwhelmed, or even filled with self-recrimination, this is the time to include Him in our lives and take comfort in His love for us. I totally agree with them that we would do well to slow down a little . . .  and truly see the things that matter most.

 Heather and Angela helped me to realize that as we strive to draw closer to Christ, He will draw closer to us, magnify our efforts, and fill us with joy and peace. They helped me recognize the incredible rewards Christ has given each of God’s precious daughters, no matter the hardships we face.

Defenders of the Covenant by Angie Lofthouse

I did an interview with the author, Angie Lofthouse and here are the questions and answers.

C = How old were you when you started writing?

A = I started writing with the intent to become a published author when I was 22 years old. Before that, I loved reading and thought I'd like to try my hand at writing, but I lacked the confidence. Fortunately, a supportive hubby helped push me in the right direction.

 C = When did this book start to form in your mind? Did it come quickly or did you have struggles?

 A = The idea came to me way back in 1997-98 when I was expecting my third child. I was excited about it, but as with everything I've written, it took a lot of work to get from shiny idea to finished product. I did tons of research for it, too. I really enjoyed that process.

 C = What was the inspiration for this book?

 A = The idea first started when I sat in the temple and asked myself how far I would go to keep those covenants. What might I have to sacrifice? My mind came up with a most extreme case of a woman having to actually give up her baby to the church because of an alien invasion. How would the church respond to an alien invasion? I wrote a short story about it that wasn't very good, but then I found I wanted to write about those children and how they might save the earth when they got older. Defenders of the Covenant was born. Recently, I turned the bad short story into a novella prequel to the novel called "Consecrated." I personally feel it's some of the best writing I've done. I hope I get to share it with the world soon.

 C = What other books do you have published?

 A = This is my first novel, but I have published a dozen short stories in print and online magazines. You can read most of them for free on my website: www.angielofthouse.com I also have a Christmas story in the anthology, Stolen Christmas and another Christmas story will be published in a collection due out this fall.

 C = What other books are you in the process of writing?

 A = At the moment, I am revising a sequel to Defenders of the Covenant called The Ransomed Returning. Though Defenders stands alone, I liked the idea of continuing the adventures of the characters as they work to build Zion. I am also nearly finished with the first draft of a third book in the series, Shattered Skies.

C = Any suggestions for someone who is trying to write a book?

A = Instead of "write what you know," I recommend "write what you love!" You can always find out the stuff you don't know. I believe you should follow your passion and have fun! Keep writing all the time and never, ever give up!

 C = When is your next book going to be available?

 A = Not sure on that. I hope to finish revising it and get it submitted within the month. It should be available a few months after that!

 C = Why do you like writing?

 A = I love creating characters and sending them on adventures, putting them through trials and giving them happy endings. I love being able to share my work with others and having them respond to it. I love to let my imagination run wild, and I love that I can be sitting around daydreaming and legitimately be able to claim that I am working.

 Now for a little about the book and the review:

Hannah and her friends have been warned about the danger lurking outside of their secret refuge from the alien invaders who devastated Earth years before. The teenagers’ leaders have raised them in the Latter-day Saint faith, teaching them to trust God, but when McKenzie and her rebellious boyfriend Jeremy decide to run away, Hannah and Derek follow, determined to bring their friends home.

 Once outside, the four teens soon realize they cannot return to the refuge without endangering everyone there. Captured, enslaved, and separated, Hannah, Derek, and McKenzie each learn the unique role they must play in liberating the earth. The friends must battle with android soldiers and attack vessels, and face their own inner struggles to overcome the invaders., After all, not even an alien invasion can stop the work of God.

 One of my favorite chapters was six. I could actually see the scene as the author described Derek sifting through the rubble, looking for anything of value. His main focus was getting back home to safety, but his heart nearly stopped beating when he discovered among all the wreckage a building that he recognized. I cheered as he made his escape.

 I was impressed that among all the fighting scenes the author still had Brother Ancient remind Hannah that, “You have a gift to reach out to our hearts with music. You must use this gift.”

 There was plenty of action and also some romance scenes, and most LDS people would really enjoy this book. It gave me a lot to think and wonder about.

Mother Had A Secret by Tiffany Fletcher

Last Saturday I attended our Stakes Relief Society Conference. The closing speaker at that conference was Tiffany Fletcher author of a true story, Mother Had A Secret.

This is a story of her learning to love her mother and her multiple personalities. The true story of this complicated mother-daughter relationship unfolds in a weave of memory and emotion as Tiffany recounts the challenges of growing up in the care of a woman held hostage by her own shattered mind; a woman who inadvertently hurt the children she only wanted to love and protect; a woman whose premature death brought deep waves of loss but also much-needed healing. Poetic, poignant, and heart-wrenchingly honest, this riveting narrative offers hope to victims of mental illness and their families and provides insight to readers unacquainted with the struggle. It invites compassion and inspires positive action in our most reassured relationships.

The book teaches about compassion and gives many examples of positive action. I can honestly not even imagine living in the horror these children daily endured. Without the teachings of the church I can only imagine where each of the children would be now. Tiffany told us that as a teenager, she knew that her mother, Vickie had been brutally and sexually abused as a child. She also knew that the abuse caused her mother’s severe mental and emotional instability, which brought painful complications for the entire family. Still the things she had to endure as a teenager should not have to happen to anyone. My heart totally aches for her. Tiffany didn’t know that there was a name for what plagued her family every day until her mother was in a car wreck which landed Vickie in the hospital. While there they found a name for the multiple personalities that each child saw in their mother. They were told that she had dissociative identity disorder. Most teenagers have a hard time getting along with their mother who usually has only one personality, but Vicky had fifteen, include one that was her own.

I am so glad that I read this book. This beautiful young mother of five has gone through more in her short life than I can ever imagine, and through all the trials she came out with a deep love for her mother and her many personalities.

Promises by Carolyn Frank

The back cover tells us a little about the story. Hattie is barely twelve when her pa’s business adventures move her family to the new town of Tropic, Utah. Her pa views the town an opportunity. Hattie is hopelessly shy and views it with apprehension. More than anything else, Hattie wants to be like her father-not afraid of meeting new people, talking to strangers, and standing up for herself. So it is with trepidation that she accepts he pa’s challenge and promises to make new friends.

Hattie forms more promises as she struggles to make friends, finding companionship in places she wouldn’t have expected and learning that there is a difference between complaining and standing up for one’s self.

Promises is a heart warming story of friendship with a touch of mystery and adventure set in the days before Bryce Canyon became a national park. Drawn from the memoirs of Hattie Adair Jolley and her children, it is a realistic glimpse into the past and a delightful story for readers ages eight to eighty.

I’m sure it is no secret that I love historical fiction stories. I enjoyed the beautiful scenery picture that Carolyn painted in this book. I honestly felt like I was right there as she described the scenes entering the valley during their move and the things she saw on her many adventures to Bryce Canyon and Mossy Cave.

Since I was shy when I was younger I could feel the struggles Hattie had as she learned to speak up for herself and those she loved. I felt her disappointment and excitement when her family moved to Beaver so she could attend the academy. My family moved a lot when I was a young child. I hated finding new friends.

Hattie was a brave girl and helped her friend Mae even when it meant her life was in danger. I enjoyed this book and was disappointed when the story ended. To me Hattie had an exciting life and I enjoyed the telling of her young life. Hattie really did find out that PROMISES are hard to keep if you’re timid. They are even hard to keep when you get older and aren't so afraid to speak up. Circumstances change and it's not always convenient to keep a promise.