Read Across America...A Worthy Cause!

As a 2nd grade teacher, I really like this project. We have some fun activities planned for this Friday, March 2nd, Dr. Seuss's birthday.  It is so important for adults, to encourage our children to read EVERY day! Some children don't have access to books. This program funds grants and other resources to motivate kids to read. I feel like it is a worthwhile cause. Read more about, Read Across America, down below.

 

About Read Across America:

NEA's Read Across America, the National Education Association's award-winning literacy program, focuses the nation's attention on how important it is to motivate children and teens to read in addition to helping them master basic skills.

NEA launched the Read Across America program in 1997. Its signature event, NEA's Read Across America Day, takes place each year on or near March 2, the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss, who epitomizes a love of learning.

NEA's Read Across America calls on every community to celebrate reading not only on Dr. Seuss's birthday, but all year long. Read Across America provides NEA members, parents, caregivers and students the resources they need to promote literacy, including grants, downloadable materials, activities, booklists, and a monthly e-newsletter.

Help NEA’s Read Across America build a nation of readers:
NEA’s Read Across America is dedicated to helping children and teens read--but we can’t do it alone!
Your donations—small and large—help us create programs and materials that keep kids excited about reading.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for your generosity!
1. Kids who read--and are read to--do better in school and in life.
2. The National Education Association asks every community to celebrate reading not only on March 2, Dr. Seuss's birthday but all year long.
3. The award-winning literacy program provides resources, activities, grants, and partnerships to encourage kids and teens to read, read, read.

Donations Go To

The NEA Foundation for the Improvement of Education

Blog Tour Review of, Blue, a novel by Lou Aronica

Product Details:

•  Title: Blue
  
•  Author: Lou Aronica
  
• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Fiction Std (January 16, 2011)
• Genre: A Realistic Story with Fantasy intertwined
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1936558009
• ISBN-13: 978-1936558001

Book Description:

Chris Astor is a man in his early forties who is going through the toughest stretch of his life. Becky is Chris's fourteen-year-old daughter, a girl who overcame enormous challenges to become a vibrant, vital young woman - and now faces her greatest obstacle yet. Miea is the young queen of a fantasy land that Becky and Chris created when Becky was little, a fantasy land that has developed a life of its own and now finds itself in terrible, maybe fatal trouble. Together, Chris, Becky, and Miea need to uncover a secret. The secret to why their worlds have joined at this moment. The secret to their purpose. The secret to the future. It is a secret that, when discovered, will redefine imagination for all of them. Blue is a novel of trial and hope, invention and rediscovery. It might very well take you someplace you never knew existed.

 

 

 

  My Review:

 Once I heard about Blue, I knew that I needed to read it. Little did I realize what a well-rounded and emotional journey I would be going on. I thought I would be reading a fantasy novel, but soon found this book was more than that. Blue is a story of love, courage, relationships, faith, imagination and hope. 

This novel centers on Becky, and her divorced parents, Chris and Polly. Being divorced myself, I know how hard it is on the children. Becky feels torn between her parents. I could relate to the feelings of the parents also. Becky has good relationships with both her parents, but an especially special one with her father. Becky had childhood cancer, and her father helped her through this trial by making up a story about a fantasy kingdom, Tamarisk. Becky and Chris for many years made up stories about all of the details of this kingdom. Years later, now a teen, Becky starts having symptoms that could be her cancer coming back. She soon finds herself able to visit this fantasy kingdom, that once was only a made-up story.

What soon becomes evident is how Becky's life and Tamarisk fates are entwined. When good things happen to Becky, good things happen in Tamarisk, When bad things happen, like Becky's cancer, and her parent's divorce, bad things start happening in the fantasy land. My favorite parts of the book centered around when Becky travels to Tamarisk. It is described in such a beautiful way. I enjoyed the relationship between Becky and Miea. Even though there is some sadness to the ending, there is also a sense of joy and peace. I know that it is a contradiction, but I am not one to give the ending away. You need to read this yourself to understand about the contradiction mentioned. Give this book a try and you will be in for a big treat, and a darn good read.

 

 

 This book is a good for adults and older teens. Some of the subject matter may be too heavy for tweens, (Talk about the cancer etc.) but some may be able to handle it. I can assure you that there will be some tears at the end of the book, that is if you have a heart. You can't help yourself. I enjoyed reading Lou's writing and hope to read more in the future from this New York Times bestseller.

 

Lou Aronica is the author of several novels and works of nonfiction, including the New York Times bestseller, The Element (written with Ken Robinson) and the national bestseller, The Culture Code (written with Clotaire Rapaille). He lives in Southern Connecticut with his wife and four children.

To find out more about Lou or to learn more about Blue visit The Fiction Studio

Read an excerpt of Blue here!

You can purchase Blue from these sites:

Buy from:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Chapters/Indigo

Apple

Sony

Kobo

Independent bookstores

**I was given a review copy of Blue. In no way did this influence the honest review that was given.**
 

Blog Tour Review of, Target in Ties, By Tristi Pinkston

Product Details:

• Title: Targets In Ties
• Author: Tristi Pinkston
  
• Paperback: 258 pages
• Publisher: Walnut Springs Press. (January 30, 2012)
• Genre: Mystery
• ISBN-10: 1599928078
• ISBN-13: 978-1599928074

Book Description:

Series: Secret Sisters Mystery

After two long years, Ren's mission is finally over, and it's time for Ida Mae, Arlette, and Tansy to travel to Mexico to pick him up. They have their itinerary all planned out visiting the ruins in the Yucatan, shopping, playing in the sand and surf and then they'll head to Ren's mission home and be reunited with that dear boy. But a wanted antiquities thief crosses their path, and soon the ladies find themselves tangled up in a web of lies, intrigue, and costly jewelry. Held hostage by men desperate for riches, they do what only they can do keep their heads about them, plan their escape, and discuss the proper making of tortillas. Will they survive their most harrowing adventure yet?

My Review:

Is it possible for The Secret Sisters Mysteries to get even better than the last one? I am here to say, “Yes!” Targets in Ties, by Tristi Pinkston, had more laugh out loud moments than the last book. Of course life is never “normal”, when your name is Ida Mae, and trouble follows you wherever you go. 

Ida Mae, Tansy and Arlette are touring through Mexico with a jewel thief on their tails. They are in Mexico for some R&R and to pick up Ida Mae's nephew, Ren, who has been on a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints. Of course, they end up in trouble sooner, rather than later. Targets in Ties once again makes you snicker and chuckle your way page after page. For example...

"He could very well be telling the truth, but that doesn't necessarily mean we have to help him," Arlette said, "We could let him work this out on his own."

"When have we ever let someone work things out on their own?" Tansy demanded to know.

Arlette nodded. "You're right. We aren't very good at staying out of other people's business. But maybe we should start now!"

That passage had me laughing so hard, while sitting in a quiet DR's office; quiet, all except for me, who was cracking up disturbing others peace. I couldn't help myself!! I also couldn't hold back during a conversation between Ida Mae and Tansy...

"Ida Mae shuddered. "We've never been this close to danger before." She tried to process it. "We've been locked in closets and sheds, and injected with stuff, but...this is different. That person meant to kill someone today."

Tansy shook her head. "They should take people like that and put them in leprechaun colonies."

Ida Mae blinked. "What?"

"You know how they take all of the leprechauns and make them live far away from the villages, where they can't be seen? Well, they should hunt down whoever shot at us and do the same thing to them."

"I think you mean leper colonies." Ida Mae said.

"It's all the same thing, isn't it?"

"Not exactly, but I do understand your sentiment."

That whole conversation was side splitting to me! In my mind I could see all of the leprechauns rounded up and sent away. Tristi's writing always brings out some emotion, especially that it makes me happy. I feel lucky to have her books to read.

 Targets in Ties is cleverly written, full of mystery,with a great plot, and of course, the three elderly ladies who know how to kick fanny, in their own bumbling, but delightful way! This is why Target in Ties receives  5 stars from me.

You Can Win This!

Leave a comment on this blog post, and go visit Tristi's blog at http://www.tristipinkston.blogspot.com and become a follower.  You will then be entered to win this fun scrapbooking pack, including paper, tags, two decals, and metal tag frames. You have until midnight Mountain time on March 3rd to enter to win.

More About the Author:

Tristi Pinkston is the author of seven published novels - "Nothing to Regret," "Strength to Endure," "Season of Sacrifice," "Agent in Old Lace," "Secret Sisters," "Dearly Departed,"  and "Hang' Em High". She also works as a freelance editor and online writing instructor. When she's not writing, editing, or homeschooling her children, she enjoys reading, watching good movies, and taking really long naps. 

 

Purchase your copy of Targets in Ties, or start with Secret Sisters, then Dearly Departed, and Hang ‘Em High. Learn more about Tristi Pinkston and her work as an author, editor, and blogger. Learn more about the publisher, Walnut Springs Press.

**I want to thank Walnut Springs Press for the review copy of Target in Ties. In no way did this influence the honest review that was given.** 

Blog Tour Review of, Crater Lake: Battle For Wizard Island by Steve Westover

Product Details:

• Title: Crater Lake: Battle for Wizard Island
  
•  Author: Steve Westover
• Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
  
• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc. (March 13, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1599559609
• ISBN-13: 978-1599559605

Book Description:

"Wailing and thrashing for escape, Allie’s dad disappeared first, the dirt covering the crown of his head. Ethan and Jordan’s parents followed, gasping for breath before the dirt covered their faces and muffled their screams. Mercifully, they descended faster than Allie’s mom. She had been the appetizer, and the other three adults were the main course."

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.

My Review:   

 Crater Lake In Oregon

All of the adults at the park have disappeared in front of loved ones eyes. Those only under the age of 16 are still around. Ethan, Jordan, Allie, Jacob and Brady, team up to try and figure out what has happened to all of the adults.  A Native American boy, Che-Tan, shows up to help the teens in their search. They soon find that Che-tan is a magical being, who one minute is a boy, and the next he turns into several birds. The teen characters all play very important roles that go along with their strengths. The great part is how they all learn and grow so much as the story progresses. I also liked how there were both male and female protagonists to cheer for. This is why both boys and girls will really like the book. 

There is no romance in this story, but maybe a little flirting that takes place. Crater Lake is a great book that teens, and tweens will love to read. It is full of adventure, fantasy, and mystery. It also had the allotted balance of plenty of bad guys and some "good" guys (I use this term loosely because the one who you think is a good guy, really turns out to be a bad guy) to balance things out. The ancient people are in a battle that has been going on for 7000 years. Chief Llao and Chief Skell, and their many minions, battle, so Chief Llao and his people can escape their underground prison that they have been contained in for all of those years. The final battle is very exciting! I enjoyed reading about it and don't want to say what happens, because that is not how I review a book. ;) You have to read to find out if the teens succeed in saving their parents from the underground prison. 

Even though I said this book was mainly written for tweens and teens, I still felt like this was a good read and it kept me wanting to read more to find out the outcome. I do know that Steve is writing book 2, so I am looking forward to reading what else will happen with this group of kids. My  own kids are the most excited that I am done with this book, because they now will fight it out to see who gets to read it first!

Follow this link to read other reviews of Crater Lake that are part of the blog tour.

http://www.cedarfortbooks.com/blog-tour-crater-lake/

***I want to thank Cedar Fort Books for the review copy of Crater Lake. In no way did this influence the honest review that was given.***

If you want to know more about the author or the publisher, here are all of the links that you will need to find them.

Author Website: http://stevewestover.com/Home.html

Author Blog http://westoversleftovers.blogspot.com/

Author GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4095511.Steve_Westover

Book Poster page: http://craterlakebook.com  

Publisher Blog http://www.cedarfortbooks.com/

Publisher Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cedarfortbooks

Publisher Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/cedarfortbooks

Publisher GoodReads http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4202252-cedar-fort

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Review of, Before I Say Goodbye, by Rachel Ann Nunes

Product Details:

• Title: Before I Say Goodbye
• Author: Rachel Ann Nunes
• Genre: LDS Women's Fiction
  
• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Deseret Book (September 7, 2011)
• ISBN-10: 1606414259
• ISBN-13: 978-1606414255
• FTC:FYI: Borrowed book from the public library.

Book Description:

After a twenty-year absence, Rikki Crockett has come home to Utah, to the same house where she grew up. When she left, she was young, hurt, and angry abandoned by her parents and her best friend. She' d vowed never to return, but when the worst happens, home is the only place she might still find a future for her two children, a rebellious teenage girl, and a sweet little boy with a learning disability. To do that, she must turn to her former best friend, Dante Rushton, and hope that he can be her hero one final time. Before I Say Good-Bye is a tender story about choices, about family, and about a woman who makes peace with her past and discovers the last and greatest hope of all.

My Review:

This book was simply an amazing and very moving read. It is so emotionally packed, you will be in tears the last few chapters of the book. I love Rachel's writing, especially how she brings her characters to life. I always get so involved in the story and the characters, I forget that they are not real. The story is told from four different character's viewpoints, Rikki, Dante (her old boyfriend), Dante's wife, Becca, and Rikki's daughter Kyle. They all have such unique voices. This aspect shows the strength in Rachel Nunes writing. She truly knows how to write memorable character's that draw out the emotions in the reader.


 This is a powerful story of what true love is all about. I am not talking about romantic love, but that love you show to others when you serve and care for them. This is a book that has LDS characters, but you do not need to be a Mormon to read this book. If you are a Christian that believes in second chances, then you will enjoy reading Before I Say Good-Bye. Without giving anything away anything, and ruining the story for the rest of you, just know, this is a book about a woman who is ill, a rebellious teen girl with a dream, a busy Bishop who hasn't had the time to see all of his blessings, and his wife who has always given and never followed any of her dreams. All together they end up healing one another, while finding their true selves. 


I enjoyed this five star book so much, I will be purchasing it. The messages found in this book will make you hug your loved ones more often, and not take for granted the many blessings surrounding you daily. Beautiful job Rachel Nunes, beautiful job.


To purchase Before I Say Goodbye, go to Amazon.com, or Deseret Book.  

About the Author:

Rachel Ann Nunes learned to read when she was four, beginning a lifetime fascination with the written word. She avidly devoured books then and still reads everything she can lay hands on, from children's stories to science articles. She began writing in the seventh grade and is now the author of twenty-nine published books, including the popular Ariana series and the picture book Daughter of a King. Her most recent novels are Tell Me No Lies and Before I say Goodbye.

Rachel and her husband, TJ, are the parents of three boys and four girls. Rachel loves camping with her family, traveling and meeting new people, and, of course, writing. As a stay-at-home mother of seven, it isn't easy to find time to write, but she will trade washing dishes or weeding the garden for an hour at the computer any day! Her only rule about writing is to never eat chocolate at the computer. "Since I love chocolate and writing," she jokes, "my family might never see me again." Rachel writes Monday through Friday in a home office, often with a child on her lap. She takes frequent breaks from writing to build Lego towers, practice reading, or go swimming with the kids.
For more information or to join her e-mailing list, visit http://www.RachelAnnNunes.com.

Winner of the Follower Love Giveaway Hop...

The Winner of the Follower Love Giveaway Hop is....Blacky! She will be contacted with the good news.

Thanks to all of my followers, new and old, for entering. It is great to have you on board. Come back often to read my reviews and see what contests or interviews are happening.

Blog Tour Review of Venom by K.C. Grant

Product Details:

• Title: Venom
  
•  Author: K.C. Grant
• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Covenant Communications Inc.; 
• Published:1st edition (January 3, 2012)
• Genre: Romantic Suspense
• ISBN-10: 1608611426
• ISBN-13: 978-1608611423
• FTC:FYI I was given a review copy of Venom. In no way did this influence the honest review given.

Book Description:

Samantha Evans is determined to make a name for herself in the cutthroat world of advertising. Newly hired by a prestigious ad agency, she volunteers to work on location in Mexico City as a personal assistant to the beautiful and driven creative director Katrina Edwards. At first the association seems promising. But Ms. Edwards seems preoccupied in a way that makes Samantha increasingly uneasy. In fact, many in the group seem like they are not being completely open about the project, including David Ayala, the mysterious and moody photographer for whose attention the two women find themselves competing. After several strange accidents and numerous appearances by an unknown man, Samantha discovers the truth: not everyone on the team is in Mexico to create a stellar advertising pitch. When her sleuthing leads to her abduction, she is brought to the pyramids of Teotihuacán and comes face-to-face with the venomous evil of the South American crime boss known as The Serpent. Now Samantha must not only fight for her life, but she must also discover if she can trust the man she's come to love.

My Review:

Samantha's main goal is to forge ahead in her career. She volunteers herself to join a group on an advertising job to Mexico. With her being fluent in Spanish, because of her serving a Spanish speaking mission, she was the perfect candidate. Little does she know what danger she is putting herself in, both physically and emotionally. Working for her boss, the beautiful and fashionable Katrina Edwards, she never feels quite up to her level. Then Samantha is attracted to freelance photographer, David Ayala, who is also the object of Ms. Edwards interest. What was supposed to be a simple business trip turns into something strange and scary. Odd things start happening that don't add up and everyone around her looks guilty. Samantha notices that a strange man starts following her. Then, accidents start happening to her, which don't seem so "accidental". 

To make things worst, back in the USA, Samantha's father is diagnosed with cancer. Not only is she worried about the alarming events taking place in Mexico, but she wonders if she should leave, to head home, and support her parents through this trial. As Samantha starts discovering things about her boss, and other members of her team, she doesn't know who to trust. The unfriendly co-workers,Lin and Mike, who are keeping secrets, and the over friendly co-worker, Seth, coming on to Samantha, lead her to start delving into what is really going on. Meanwhile, Samantha is falling in love with the allusive David, and she's not entirely sure she can even trust him.

K.C. weaves a mystery that is very difficult for the reader to unravel. With so many people suspect, you also have a hard time figuring out who the bad guys really are. It takes awhile to get into the intrigue, but you learn so much about the history of Mexico and its people. With the author's colorful writing, this country and it's beauties, and the gray areas, are brought to life. The majesty of the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, are detailed so dramatically, you feel as if you are there. The sadness of so much poverty is also shown. I loved the added history that was found in this book. Most people reading this book will be surprised by the ending. Who you first thought was involved with "The Serpent",the South American crime boss, will change with the unexpected happenings. 

Venom's exciting ending will not leave you disappointed. Just taking the ride, and seeing who falls in the end,(Literally!!), makes this a welcome read.

 To purchase Venom, go here to Amazon.com or Deseret Book.

  

About K.C. Grant:

K.C. Grant was born in rural Idaho, but has made Utah her home for most of her life. After serving an LDS Spanish-speaking mission to Anaheim, California, USA, she returned and continued her studies at Weber State University, participating in a study abroad program that allowed her to study at the Centro Mexicano Internacional in Michoacan, Mexico. She has been a freelance writer for eight years. Much of her work appears in family-oriented magazines such as LDSLiving, Latter-Day Woman, Back Home, Parents & Kids, and Natural Life and  also The Deseret News/Mormon Times. She served as president of the Bountiful chapter of the League of Utah Writers for three years and is  also a member of the Association for Mormon Letters and LDStorymakers. Though raising her children is still her most important task, she combines it with the demanding job of working out the numerous plots she has for future novels. She and her husband of seventeen years love to travel and scout out new settings for books. While ancient Mexico was the setting for her first published novel, Abish: Daughter of God, which was released by Covenant in 2010 and its sequel, Abish: Mother of Faith, released March 2011--modern Mexico was perfect for her suspense novel titled, Venom, recently released in 2012. Other publications include short stories published in Covenant's seasonal compilations, How Will Christmas Find Us? and A Christmas to Remember, by various LDS authors.

To learn more about K.C. Grant or would like to contact her, here are some helpful links:

Website: http://www.kcgrant.com/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/kcgrantauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/authorkcgrant
Blog: http://www.kcgrantwriterscorner.blogspot.com/ 

Follower Love Giveaway Hop!!

So excited for this hop!It is opened to US and International followers. This is where I thank you, my followers, for your support. Thanks to I Am A Reader Not A Writer and Author Rachael Anderson 
for hosting this hop.



Here is what you can win....


A $10 Amazon.com gift certificate

OR books valued at $10 or less from the Book Depository:










Make sure to visit all of the other blogs down below the Rafflecopter form.

Review of Insight:Beholders Book One by Terron James

Insight by Terron James

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Genre: YA Fantasy

Publisher: Nypa Distributing(2011)

ISBN:978-0-578-08858-7

Book Description:

Rumors are surging through Appernysia that a Beholder has been born, the first wielder of True Sight in over a millennium.

Seventeen-year-old Lon Marcs discovers he has been blessed—or cursed—with this gift. He cannot control the power of True Sight and feels it killing him with each passing day. He realizes that the only people who might possess the knowledge to save his life are the sworn enemies of his king. To obtain their help, Lon would have to journey into exile, leaving behind his village, family, and beloved Kaylen.

Although this is the hardest decision Lon has ever made, it is only the first of many that will test his strength and challenge his interpretation of right and wrong.

My Review:

Insight is the first book in the Beholders fantasy series. Terron creates a world set in a medieval time. The World of Appernysia is vividly introduced as the reader gets to know main character, Lon. Though there is a slow start, the adventure soon takes over and you have to keep reading. There are many exciting moments, as Lon discovers that he is the long awaited Beholder that people have been waiting a millennium to be born. Lon fights against what is right and wrong.The lines will become blurred as to the decisions he makes. It was thrilling to see Lon's journey as he became a Rayder. The Rayders reminded me a lot of the French group of Musketeers, because of their loyalty to each other and their cause.

Lon's twin sister, Mellai, is also vital to the heart of the story. I enjoyed seeing the twins, grow and mature along the way as they are faced with hardships of life. The romance between Lon and Kaylen is told realistically, but heartbreaking at the same time.

Insight has something for all readers, adventure, romance, fantasy elements,and an exciting twist at the end of the book. You are left wanting to read the second book immediately, even though it is not ready to read yet; soon I hope!

Go to http://terronjames.blogspot.com/ to read more about The Beholder series.

View all my reviews

Blog Tour Review of Persuasion: A Latter-Day Tale by Rebecca H. Jamison

 

 

Product Details:

• Title: Persuasion: A Latter-day Tale
• Author: Rebecca H. Jamison
  
• Paperback: 240 pages
•  Publisher: Bonneville Books (Cedar Fort, Inc.)
• Published Date: (February 7, 2012)
• Genre: LDS Romantic Fiction
• ISBN-10: 1599559471
• ISBN-13: 978-1599559476

Book Description:

"I saw him. We spoke. Now I have nothing to worry about. We can treat each other as old friends. . . .

But all the logic in my brain can't change my feelings. Eight years might as well be eight days. I still love him."

When Anne broke off her engagement eight years ago, she thought she'd never see Neil Wentworth again. But when Neil's brother buys the house she grew up in, it seems fate has other plans in store, and Anne is woefully unprepared for the roller coaster of emotions that accompanies Neil's return. Fans of Persuasion will love this fast-paced, modern retelling of Jane Austen's most romantic novel.

My Review:

Persuasion is a story of two people, once in love, that find their way back to each other, It is a novel based on LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) characters.They are members of the LDS church and live by the morals most church members follow. This book is a refreshing romance where there is no sex or bad language. Some times all you want is a story of good people, facing the odds, and falling in love and living happily ever after. Persuasion is not exactly that...but close to!

Anne is 27 years old, still single, not dating anyone, and wondering why her life is boring and why she is still alone. After eight years, her once fiance, Neil,now a police captain, comes back into her life.  Neither one knows how the other person feels about what happened in the past. Neil gets involved with Anne's younger friend, while Anne becomes involved with a handsome and wealthy socialite. This story has a lot of humorous moments as well as many misunderstandings that take place between Anne and Neil. Rebecca has a fun writing style, bringing out the funny situations Anne finds herself in. The novel is told in first person, by main character Anne. One moment you are laughing at what Anne does or says. The next you are feeling bad for her as she is so self-sacrificing, letting others needs come before her own. It is refreshing, to see Anne grow and change, as she finally starts learning how to stand up for herself. There is also an element of suspense as a stalker haunts Anne's life. Neil becomes somewhat of a hero as he comes to Anne's rescue. 

I have to say I did not want to put this book down. I loved the characters, the humor, and  even the ending. The minor characters are also very colorful and bring a lot of fun to the story. Anne's family will make you laugh as well as grit your teeth. Neil's "girlfriend" Lily and her sister Hannah bring a smile to your face, and shake your head at their actions. Overall, you will enjoy this clean romance, with lessons of love and forgiveness woven into it's pages.

 Now watch the book trailer to make you even more excited to read this great book.

About the Author:

Rebecca Jamison hopes that her ex-boyfriends don't get any ideas from this book. She wants them to know that she is happily married to her husband, another writer. Her only regret is that her husband doesn't like to dance as much as she does. Rebecca grew up in Vienna, Virginia. She attended Brigham Young University, earning a BA and MA in English. In between college and grad school, she served a mission to Portugal and the Cape Verde islands. Rebecca and her husband have six children, so there is never any emergency ice cream to be found in her house. She enjoys running, making jewelry, reading, and watching chick flicks.

You can learn more about Rebecca at:

http://www.rebeccahjamison.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/RebeccaHJamison  (If you like her facebook page you have a chance of winning a copy of her book!!)

To purchase Persuasion use this link: http://www.amazon.com/Persuasion-Latter-day-Rebecca-H-Jamison/dp/1599559471/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326255452&sr=8-1

Publisher Blog http://www.cedarfortbooks.com/

Publisher Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cedarfortbooks

Visit the other stops on the blog tour here.

****Main character, Anne, makes some killer cinnamon rolls in the book. Here is the recipe that was posted at Rebecca's website.

Here's Anne's recipe for Cinnamon Rolls:

Anne's Super Quick Cinnamon Rolls

Mix and let rest for fifteen minutes:

3 1/2    C         warm water

3/4       C         white sugar

            4          T          yeast

 While you are waiting, complete the following:

Preheat oven to 425°.  Grease all pans (Anne uses cookie sheets or 9" x 13" pans, but you can use any pans you have.)  Melt one cube of margarine or butter.  Soak raisins in water for about five minutes.  Make cinnamon sugar mixture (2 T to 1 C sugar).

To yeast mixture, add:

        1 T salt

        3 eggs

        1 C oil

Gradually add:

     10 C flour

Mix well.  Roll dough into an oblong shape on a floured surface.  Spread with melted margarine or butter.  Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and top with raisins, if desired.  Shape into rolls by rolling from the long side and cutting in one-inch wide pieces.  Place in greased pans with sides of rolls just touching.  Let rise about 15 minutes.  Bake at 425° for 10 - 15 minutes.  Rolls should be lightly brown on top and the bottoms should be just starting to brown.

Frosting:

In a small pan, place:

1/2  square       margarine or butter

1/3  C              milk

Heat until hot but not burning.

Remove from heat and add:

1/2  t                vanilla

1    lb.  powdered sugar

The Two Winners of the Young Adult Giveaway Hop Are...

Thanks to everyone who entered the Young Adult Giveaway Hop. Using a random drawing site, I now have the names of the two lucky winners who will receive an e-copy of Darkspell by Elizabeth Mueller. The winners are...

-Ramblings of a Part Time Druid AND
-Sara Kovach 

Congratulations to the winners and I will be giving your names and e-mail addys to Elizabeth. She then will be sending you the information about how to get your books. 

I will see you again in February for the Followers Love Giveaway Hop! I can't wait!