Sheila's Books Read

Sheila's bookshelf: read

The Best Intentions
Scotland's Melody
The Secret Society of Salzburg
Secret of the Sonnets
20-40-60-Minute Dinners: Meals to Match the Time You Have
Through the Wilderness: My Journey of Redemption and Healing in the American Wild
Secret Santa Claus Club: A Tool to Help Parents Unwrap the Secret of Santa
Mr. Pudgins
Revenge Never Rests
The Best Mistake
Meriden Park
More Inspirational Stories for Young Women
The Great Tree: A Christmas Fable
To Capture His Heart
The Call of the Sea
Esperance
Livvy and the Enchanted Woodland
Come, Gentle Night
The Bad Boy Theory
Guide To Smart Wedding Planning: What You want to know and everything you haven't thought of yet.


Sheila's favorite books »

2024 Goodreads Reading Challenge

2024 Reading Challenge

2024 Reading Challenge
Sheila has read 4 books toward her goal of 100 books.
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Thursday, May 31, 2012

My Favorite Reads Giveaway Hop! (Open to INT)

Welcome to the "My Favorite Reads" Giveaway Hop! I am so excited about this hop! I will be offering you a chance to win one of my favorite reads. 

This hop is being hosted by  
and will run from 
 June 1st - 6th.
Thanks so much ladies!!


You will get to choose from any of the books that you see here. 





  a Rafflecopter giveaway
Make sure that you go and visit the other participating blogs in the giveaway! Thanks for visiting my blog today! Say "HI" down below and let me know if you are new here or have been around for awhile. Also tell me what book you would like and why.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

My Review of, The Wedding Letters, by Jason F. Wright Also included, a Video Interview with the Author!



Product Details:

  • Title: The Wedding Letters
  • Author: Jason F. Wright
  • Hardcover: 320 pages
  • Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing (September 27, 2011)
  • Genre: General Fiction
  • ISBN-10: 1609080572
  • ISBN-13: 978-1609080570


Book Description:

September 27, 2011 Wednesday Letters

Their remarkable journey began in 2007 with the New York Times bestseller, The Wednesday Letters.

Now comes the next stage of one family's journey to survive their past and forge their own future. With no more secrets...

When Noah Cooper "bumps" into Rachel, he thinks it's love at first sight. Rachel isn't so sure. In time, Noah's charm pays off and he introduces his bride-to-be to a special Cooper family tradition -- the wedding letters. Family and friends of the happy couple are invited to send letters of advice on love, life, and happiness.

However, when a dark secret from Rachel's past surfaces, will Noah, and his parents, Malcolm and Rain, be able to help save the wedding from disaster? And what about the scrapbook of wedding letters that have already been gathered? Could a single letter really provide the answer that will bring Rachel back?

Set against the backdrop of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley,
The Wedding Letters will remind you that sometimes, no matter the secrets of years past, two hearts can still be one. And by the final page, you might just want to create your own book of wedding letters for someone you love.


Here is the book trailer for The Wedding Letters.


My Review:  
The Wedding Letters is a continuation of the story of the Cooper family that started in The Wednesday Letters. The Wedding Letters can stand on it's own, but it will be a more fulfilling read if you have read The Wednesday Letters first. 

The story centers around the main characters, Noah Cooper and his future bride, Rachel. All of the characters are so wonderfully rich, and colorful. They remind you of your neighbors and family members, so you connect quickly with them. Previous readers of this series remember soon what they loved about the Cooper family, and also what they disliked about some of them. By all means, this is not a story about a perfect family, but I believe they don't exist. That would be boring to read about a family with no flaws. Jason writes his characters with enough flaws, that you root for them as they grow, learn, and sometimes change for the better. 

I enjoyed reading about the concept of "The Wedding Letters". The fun part for me being a single, divorced women, is that I hopefully will get married again. I would love to follow this tradition the next time I get married. You don't have to be in your twenties to have a gift of Wedding Letters done for you. Down below I have a video showing what exactly The Wedding Letters Tradition is.  

The Wedding Letters overall is a short, sweet read that most readers will enjoy.The main themes of love, forgiveness,and moving forward, will make up for some of the predictability in the storyline. This will not take away from the feeling of contentment and resolution felt at the end of the story. I truly love reading stories by Jason Wright.



The Wedding Letters was a 2011 Whitney Award Nominee in the General Fiction category.
You can purchase The Wedding Letters here at Deseret Book, 

***I was given a review copy of The Wedding Letters by the publisher. In no way did this influence the honest review that was given.***




About the Author:


Jason Wright is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author. He is also a political commentator and the co-founder of http://www.politicalderby.com, a popular website for political junkies.

Articles by Jason have appeared in over 50 newspapers and magazines across the United States including The Washington Times, The Chicago Tribune, and Forbes. He is the author of The James Miracle (2004); Christmas Jars (2005); The Wednesday Letters (2007); Recovering Charles (2008), Christmas Jars Reunion (2009); Penny's Christmas Jar Miracle (2009); The Cross Gardener (2010); The Seventeen Second Miracle (2010); and The Wedding Letters (2011).

Jason is also a popular speaker who speaks on the origin of the Christmas Jar movement, the value of service, the lost art of letter writing and many other topics. You can find out more information about Jason and his books here at his website.

I thought that you might enjoy listening to this interview with Jason Wright about The Wedding Letters.


For added fun today, I included a video that shows you the tradition of The Wedding Letter.
 





Friday, May 25, 2012

My Review of, Women of Strength, by Tristi Pinkston

 

  Product Details:

  • Title: Women of Strength
  • Author: Tristi Pinkston
  • Paperback: 142 pages
  • Publisher: Walnut Springs Press. (March 8, 2012)
  • Genre: Non-Fiction LDS
  • ISBN-10: 1599928469
  • ISBN-13: 978-1599928463
  • FTC:FYI: Review copy 




Book Description:

The need for courageous, faithful women has never been greater than it is today. As we draw nearer to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, we are faced with temptations on every side. But we can prevail as we gain true strength from living the gospel.

In Women of Strength, Tristi Pinkston shares inspiring stories, as well as insightful quotes from Church leaders, to demonstrate the power and influence of righteous women. This book invites women everywhere to deepen their relationship with the Savior, rely on the guidance of the Holy Ghost, and learn what it really means to be strong.


My Review:
 Day to day life struggles can really pull us down. Keeping up with the kids, our jobs, church callings, yard work, laundry, cleaning, etc. make us tired. Being able to review Tristi Pinkston's new book, Women of Strength, was the breath of fresh air I needed right now. I needed to be reminded of who I am, and how important I really am in this world and in my children's lives.


The 140 pages of Women of Strength are powerfully packed with messages that will make you think, make you thankful, and encouraged. Some of my favorite chapter titles(Out of the 14 chapters) were:
-Divine Identity
-Womanhood
-Strength in Parenting
-Strength in Keeping the Commandments
-Strengths in Talents
-Becoming Strong 


There is one passage I wanted to quote to you from the chapter entitled, "Strength in Our Divine Identity". It brought tears to my eyes and filled me with a sense of peace and understanding.

"Sometimes we look around at all of the creations of His hands, and wonder if we really do matter...Surely we must get lost in the crowd and our feature become a blur. That's what we think, but in reality, we are as precious to our Father as if He only had one child...He not only knows our names, but He knows our thoughts and fears, our strengths and weaknesses, our talents and capabilities,and He knows what we can become, often when we don't have any idea.

 If I could grant wishes, if I were some kind of good fairy and could sprinkle sparkly dust and give you anything, I would most want to give you the knowledge that you are a daughter of God. When you really understand that, you will find miracles in your life. Your inner peace will be unbounded. Your confidence will burst out of you. Your real beauty will shine forth. A woman who knows who she is? Incredible. Amazing."...pages 37-38 Women of Strength

Tristi's writing is so personal in this book, as if she is my best friend helping me feel better about myself. If I had read nothing else in the book, just reading these pages increased my confidence and love for myself. I am grateful for writers like Tristi, who so beautifully express what is hiding there in my heart. Women of Strength will become a guide for many women like me, who need a boost, and reminders of their potential. 




 About the Author:
 
Tristi Pinkston is the author of eleven published books - "Nothing to Regret," "Strength to Endure," "Season of Sacrifice," "Agent in Old Lace," "Secret Sisters," "Dearly Departed," "Bless Your Heart," "Hang 'Em High," "Targets in Ties," "Women of Strength," and "Million Dollar Diva." 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. 

You can reach Tristi at her blog here 


You can purchase Women of Strength here at:






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












Thursday, May 24, 2012

Review of, In God Is Our Trust, by L.C. Lewis. Bonus: An Indepth Interview With The Author

Product Details:

  • Title: In God Is Our Trust: (Book 5) Free Men And Dreamers Series
  • Author: L.C. Lewis
  • Paperback: 452 pages
  • Publisher: Brigham Distributing/Walnut Springs Press (October 26, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1599928027
  • ISBN-13: 978-1599928029







Book Description:

And this be our motto In God is our trust. America exits the War of 1812 battered but determined under the leadership of the last men tutored by the Founding Fathers. As she is welcomed onto the world stage, new leaders prepare to thrust an aggressive platform on the nation, threatening America's unity and her brief period of prosperity and peace. The country's trials have prepared a choice generation, but as adversity afflicts the Pearson home, Hannah enters a crisis of faith, questioning man's interpretation of God's word. The struggles plaguing the Pearsons affect Frannie and the six families with whom the Pearsons have become entangled during the war. As a new religious reformation dawns in America, the Pearsons and Snowdens become involved with a young man from Hannah's past Joseph Smith whose accounts of visions and dealings with angels strain tender relationships and test the Constitution's guarantees of religious liberty.


 My Review:
As with all of the books in this series, I enjoyed the story and the characters so much! I have grown to love the characters and feel like I know them so well. This is why I love reading a series, because of the great connection you feel for the story's characters. Once again, Laurie draws you in from the first chapter. I felt like I had never even left this time period. We were there by Hannah's side as she is loving and supporting her brave and devoted husband Jed. Then we are in England as Daniel tries to reunite with his estranged father, Earl Spencer. Frannie, spunky as ever, is forging ahead with her life, despite still missing her one true love Arthur. *sigh* I could go on and on. 

I love historical fiction novels. Laurie has done unbelievable research on this time period of the War of 1812. I learned so much, and grew to appreciate this great nation even more. With Laurie writing such dynamic and lovable characters, you never feel like what you are reading is "dry" history. The storyline is so richly woven into the true history, that all you have left is this incredible story. I would advise you though, read the books in order or you will be terribly lost. Some series can be read in any order, but not this one. 

If you are looking for a great series to read, based on true USA historical events, lots of action and believable characters, give the Free Men and Dreamers a try. You will not only learn a lot about American History, but you will be thoroughly entertained.



***Interview with Author L.C. Lewis:  I had the privilege of interviewing Laurie (L.C.) Lewis about her experience of writing the Free Men and Dreamers series. This is probably one of my favorite interviews. I loved her answers!


1.Sheila:How do you feel now that the "Free Men and Dreamers series is finished?
Laurie: It's a mixed bag of emotions. I'm a little sad to not have Jed, Hannah, Frannie, and Bitty in my head every day, but I'm also relieved. I had so many goals to meet before concluding the series. I wanted to walk away feeling I had tied up the story's loose ends, shown how critical this period of American history was to the development of our national identity, and I wanted to give a little insight into how American history impacted the Smith family and eventually, the Restoration. I feel we accomplished that, and that is very satisfying. No matter what other books I write, I think I will be most proud of Free Men and Dreamers.

The FM&D project has taken so many years, and like anything that requires that much time, one's entire family makes sacrifices to see the project to its end, and it was time to turn that energy back to other needs. I think things worked out as they needed to.


 
2.Sheila:Did you ever think that this series would be as BIG as is it? I know that you have a lot of fans that love your books?

Laurie:You are really kind. Thanks so much. I've been blessed with some extraordinarily loyal readers who deserve a lot of credit for seeing this project through to its completion. When the research became tedious, and when we struggled to get the word out about the series, it was their letters and encouragement that kept me going. Some of those letters are among my most prized treasures.

Now if you know any movie producers who would like to make FM&D:THE MOVIE--send them my way!

 
3.Sheila:Who ended up being your favorite characters in the book? I know that this is like asking who your favorite child is, but who did you think made the most growth or change for the better?

Laurie:Wow, yeah. . . that is hard. Most of my characters reflect some part of me. Like the opening where a hand fits into a puppet, it's how I really get inside a character and bring them alive with consistency. Having said that, I think Hannah is the character most like me, but I aspire to have the vinegar and sass of Frannie. I love how the challenges of life made her heart more permeable until she was able to take risks for love while defending her family like a lioness.

I loved Arthur for finally finding the courage to leave his excuses behind and take chances. I loved Abel and Jerome's moral compasses. I loved Bitty's willingness to sacrifice herself for everyone she loved. In the end though, Jed is and has always been my favorite. He reflects the struggles we all face as we balance duty to God, to family, and to country. He was flawed, but humble enough to admit his errors, and his intentions were always noble. I'd love a world filled with Jeds.



4.Sheila:Do you want to write another series? What would it be based on?

Laurie:I have no current plans for another series, but if I ever did another one, I'd write books that could each stand totally alone, or I'd have the first few written before launching the series so loyal readers wouldn't have to wait a year between volumes. There's so much pressure to meet deadlines when you're trying to write well and quickly while assuring that the historical elements are accurate. I felt so bad for my readers who were hungering for the next volume.

Having said that, I have two partial manuscripts featuring Jed and Hannah's children, and I may complete those carrying Abigail and James up to the Civil War.


5.Sheila:What is something important that you learned from writing The Free Men and Dreamers series?

Laurie:I've learned so much from this experience--about the sacrifices of people whose stories are being lost and forgotten, about how close we've come to losing our liberty in the past, and how many parallels there our between our day and mistakes, and those of this War of 1812 generation. They saw themselves as a privileged generation, the first American-born generation, and they were not vigilant. The last of the Revolutionary heroes tried to warn them not to be haughty, and to guard their freedom fiercely, but it wasn't until the eleventh hour that they finally understood what freedom would require of them in blood and courage.

I see the World War II generation as those Revolutionary heroes. They understand the cost of freedom, and the greater cost of losing it. They're almost gone now, and I hope we are learning what they tried to teach us.

 
6.Sheila: What are your currently working on now? What is your favorite time to write?

Laurie:I took a break from writing to attend to ongoing family needs, but I'm back at the computer as often as I can. I've got two current projects going. One is a political suspense novel set in West Virginia near an underground military installation my husband came across in his work. It's been a nice transition from FM&D because it contains a mix of history, political intrigue, and rich characters. I've also got a Women's Fiction novel going about a two people who become estranged from their families for various reasons, and who meet and try to connect despite their various trust issues. The female protagonist has one remaining family member, a grandmother with early onset dementia. The challenges she faces as she tried to bond with this equally broken woman cause her to seek security in a man she feels is more "steady," and that leads to some painful choices and revelations from all the characters. My mother has early onset dementia, and though it is a fictional novel, this book, like "Awakening Avery," will draw from my own experiences. It's a tough one to write right now.

My favorite time to write is when I jump straight from my bed, while still in my pj's, head to the computer and hammer away. I generally take a plot or character question to bed with me, and when I wake up I generally have clear insight into where I need to go next. It's pretty awesome.

I have to say that working late at night was my second favorite time to write, but late writing led to late-night snacking, and in the past seven years I published five books and packed on fifty pounds. I just got those off, so I'm taking a break from late night writing!

Thanks so much for the interview, Sheila. And thanks for supporting the series. Your kind notes and reviews have meant so very much to me over the long haul.

 

About the Author:


Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Sisters: A Modern Girl's Guide to Serving a Mission by Melissa Dymock




Product Details:

  • Title:  Sisters: A Modern Girl's Guide to Serving a Mission
  • Author: Melissa Dymock
  • Paperback: 82 pages
  • Publisher: Covenant Communications ( March 2012)
  • ASIN: B007G3TICA




Book Description: 
As they enter adulthood, many LDS women face a challenging question: should I serve a mission? This deeply personal choice becomes even more complex in light of other opportunities such as advanced education, employment, and starting a family. Inside Sisters: The Modern Girl’s Guide to Serving a Mission is what every prospective sister missionary deserves: a thoughtful “older-sister” to help her find the right answer to that vital question of whether to serve a full-time mission—and, if the answer is yes, to help her understand how to prepare both spiritually and temporally, what to expect, and how to succeed. Returned missionary Melissa Dymock leads readers step by step through the transition into mission life, from packing bags to surviving the MTC to thriving in the field, and offers insights from a variety of experienced missionaries on how to make the most of missionary experience. There’s even a glossary of mission terms, a collection of recipes for easy eating on the job, and advice on making a smooth transition back home once those “best eighteen months” draw to a close. This comprehensive resource will enlighten and encourage any LDS woman who stands at the crossroads of missionary service.


My Review:
This is a short book, but it is loaded with information. I was very impressed with what you will find when you read Sisters: A Modern Girl's Guide to Serving a Mission. This book has been greatly needed by young women considering serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Author Melissa Dymock covers every area that you may have questions about before and after your mission. Here are the chapter titles:

Chapter 1: Should You Serve a Mission? 
Chapter 2: The Papers and The Call
Chapter 3: Preparing to Serve
Chapter 4: The Missionary Training Center
Chapter 5: The Field
Chapter 6: Coming Home
Chapter 7: Quick, Easy, and Delicious Recipes for the Field
Chapter 8: A Brief Summary and Words of Wisdom from Those Who've Gone Before

Melissa even includes a glossary of mission terms such as what are "Greenies" and what is "Trunkiness". Within each chapter Melissa goes in depth such as in Chapter 3: Preparing to Serve, she talks about how to prepare both spiritually(by prayer and scripture study) and physically(Health matters and what kind of clothing to buy, like buying quality shoes.

Sisters: A Modern Guide to Serving a Mission, will make a great gift for any young women trying to make this important decision of whether or not to serve a mission. I wish that a book like this would have been around 20 years ago. This is an excellent addition to any family's library of LDS non-fiction books.
 
About the Author:
 Melissa Dymock is a writer/ski instructor/editor. Utahn, born and bred, She loves to share her adventures.Sisters: A Modern Girl's Guide to Serving a Mission is her first published book. You can find her at her blog here.

 


Monday, May 21, 2012

Winners of the LDS Authors Giveaway!!

So sorry that I am late announcing the winners for this giveaway hop. I was without Internet access over the weekend. I know hard to believe, but it is true. But I am happy to say that instead of 3 winners I had 4 winners. Here are the names of the 4 winners. They will all be contacted through email. Thanks so much for participating in this hop. The next hop will be at the beginning of June. 

WINNERS
1.Dana C.
2.Kris
3.Mindy H.
4.Bridget H.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Blog Tour Review of, The Most Important Catch by Jaclyn M. Hawkes

Product Details:

  • Title: The Most Important Catch
  • Author: Jaclyn M. Hawkes
  • Paperback: 318 pages
  • Publisher: Spirit Dance Books (March 16, 2012)
  • Genre: Romantic Fiction
  • ISBN-10: 0985164808
  • ISBN-13: 978-0985164805
  • FTC:FYI: I received a review copy of
  • this book.




 

 

Book Description:

Run or die! She knew too much, and she’d seen too much. And the police refused to help. Knowing that she was to be the next scheduled death, Kelly Campbell hid under head to toe black leather and a tinted motorcycle helmet and ran for her life. When the weather turned cold, she turned south. She ended up in North Carolina, home to one of the most famed and eligible NFL football stars in the whole league; only she didn’t know that. She thought he was a businessman. Not being a huge fan, all she knew was that he was incredibly attractive, kind, generous, and that she was safe with him. Or was she? His brand of fame proved to be all but deadly, but his fame wasn’t nearly as lethal as his attraction. He kept her safe and protected. All except for her heart.




Book Trailer for The Most Important Catch





My Blog Tour Review:
This is the third book of Jaclyn's that I have reviewed. This book also happens to be just as good as her previous books. The story of Kelly and Robby grabbed me from the start. At the beginning of the book, we meet Robby, whose life as an NFL football player isn't as wonderful as you would think, especially as he is constantly being stalked by female admirers. Then we read about Kelly, and discover the reason why Kelly has to go on the run in order to save her own life. 

Robby and Kelly happen upon each other on a lonely, country road. They immediately keep secrets, about themselves, from each other,and they soon grow close to one another. It was fun to see how their relationship developed. I loved how it showed a relationship developing slowly, from friends to eventual boyfriend/girlfriend. It was a nice change of pace for me. So many times in fiction the man and women are thrown together and fall in love instantly. You have to be patient in this book, but it is such a sweet thing to see how and why this relationship develops. Always in the background you know that Kelly is still in danger and that the bad guys are still looking for her. I only wish that there would have been a little more action in the middle of the story.


There are so many things that worked for me in this novel, such as the strong character development, and the humor and banter between the main characters. You have a man and a woman who are so "perfect" in their looks, but they both have emotional and personality flaws. It made both characters likable and approachable. They are members of the LDS church and share a little about their beliefs, but nothing what I would call preachy. It just made them more well-rounded and wholesome. I truly liked how this was shown throughout the course of the story.

The Most Important Catch will be a great beginning to your "Summer To-Read" list. It will make you laugh and believe in love again. Make this novel your most important catch to read this Summer. 






Author bio:
Jaclyn M. Hawkes grew up in Utah with 6 sisters, 4 brothers and any number of pets.  (It was never boring!)  She received a Bachelor’s degree, had a career, and traveled extensively before settling down to her life’s work of being the mother of four magnificent and sometimes challenging children.  She loves shellfish, the outdoors, the youth, and hearing her children laugh.  She and her fine husband, their family, and their sometimes very large pets, now live in a mountain valley in northern Utah, where it smells like heaven and kids still move sprinkler pipe.


Social Networking Links


Purchase Links



Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Dead Running by Cami Checketts and HUGE Fitness Giveaway!!



We’re celebrating the release of Cami Checketts’ novel Dead Running with a huge fitness giveaway.


Prizes Include:

Experienced and beginner yoga packages from Hugger Mugger

Two MIO Global Active Watches

Three months online personal training from Fitcore Fitness

Three Lebert Stretch Straps

Fitness Apparel from Running Chics

One pair of running shoes from Altra Zero Drop

iFrogz Earbuds and Armbands

Six month adult membership: Smithfield Recreation Center

One month membership: Crossfit UAC

Autographed copy of Dead Running by Cami Checketts

Win one of these amazing prizes simply by following this blog, liking my Facebook page, leaving a comment below and several other ways to earn entries. Please visit each of our sponsors’ websites to learn more about their products and decide which one you’d like to win. While you’re at their site, like their page or follow their blog to show our gratitude for their donation to this fun blogfest. You can enter on as many different blogs as you like, a list of the participating blogs is featured at the end of this post.
Hugger Mugger Yoga Experienced
and Beginner Yoga Packages.
Value: $325.00
Hugger Mugger on Facebook




Two MIO Global Active Watches
Value: $239.98
Sign up for My MIO
Like MIO on Facebook
MIO is the number one brand in strapless Heart Rate monitoring
with features like calorie management systems, all day steps counting,
distance tracking, and fitness assessment tools.


Three months online fitness training
Value: $150
Fitcore Website -- Fitcore on Facebook


Three Lebert Stretch Straps
Value: $48.49 each
Like Lebert Fitness on Facebook
Flexibility and mobility are two vital components of fitness.
The Lebert Stretch Strap™ is a simple, innovative tool that will
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Two $50 Gift Certificates to spend on Running Chics fitness apparel.
Running Chics on Facebook
Whether you're running a race or just running around town, you should feel comfortable.
And there's no reason you shouldn't look good, too!
We're Running Chics...just like you,
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Altra Running Shoes - Value: $109.99
Altra Zero Drop Website - Altra Running on Facebook
Altra Zero Drop Footwear features the world's first ever line of
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iFrogz Armbands and Earbuds - Value: $175.00
iFrogz Website - iFrogz on Facebook
iFrogz is native to Cache Valley and offers awesome
accessories for your iPods, iPhones, and iPads.
Six month adult membership - Value: $157
Smithfield Recreation Website - Smithfield Rec. on Facebook



One Month Membership - Value: $90.00
Crossfit’s Website - Crossfit on Facebook
*Available in Cache Valley only












     About the Book
Cassidy Christensen is running.

Running from the mercenaries who killed her parents.

Running from a scheming redhead intent on making her life miserable.

Running from painful memories that sabotage her dreams of happiness.

With two very tempting men competing for her attention, she hopes she'll finally have someone to run to, but can she trust either of them? When secrets from her past threaten her family, Cassidy decides to stop running and fight for her future.
Giveaway:
Win one of these amazing prizes by filling out the Rafflecopter form below. An entry will be chosen from each of the participating blogs. These entries will then be entered in to the raffle for the prizes. Prize winners will be posted on Cami's blog.
Contest runs from April 24 through May 18, 2012. Open to residents of US and Canada. That only give a few days for those who follow my blog, so please enter soon!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

  My Review:
Cami Checkett's new book, Dead Running, is about a runner, but your heart will also be running fast as you read this story! You are kept on constant edge as Cassidy's life is in danger. To compound things, she also doesn't know who the good and bad guys are. Cami does an awesome job of blurring the lines of suspicion, where eventually you think everyone is out to get Cassidy, the main character. 

Speaking of Cassidy...wow! She is a "kick-'butt" gal who pushes the limit and doesn't give up. As I read this I truly felt like a wimp. I don't think I would ever have the resolve that Cassidy did as she trained to run a marathon. I am not a runner, thanks to my bad knees that don't have much cartilage left. Even if I did, I'm not sure I could/would train like she did. I fully admire all of my friends out there that are runners. You are awesome!!


Another part I enjoyed about the book are the thoroughly "delicious" men that are chasing Cassidy. One is, Damon, fellow runner and handsome businessman, and the other is the  ruggedly built Dr. Jesse "Tattoo"; they reminded me of vanilla and chocolate ice-cream. As a reader you end up just as confused as Cassidy about who you like the best. You will be very surprised by the ending, but also very satisfied. I recommend this romantic thriller to all those who want to be reading on the edge of their seat. I know that anyone that runs will especially love and relate to this main character. Those of us that are not runners can just sit back and enjoy the mystery and romance that will be found in Dead Running.


Make sure that you enter the drawing because there are truly some wonderful prizes to be won!!

About the Author:
Cami is a part-time author, part-time exercise consultant, part-time housekeeper, full-time wife, and overtime mother of four adorable boys. Sleep and relaxation are fond memories. She's never been happier.

A portion of the proceeds from Cami's books will be donated to The Child & Family Support Center. For more information on this worthy cause, please go to www.cachecfsc.org

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


Other participating blogs in the giveaway...