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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Monday, September 30, 2019

Paul, Big, and Small by David Glen Robb-Book Review








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Book Details
Publication Date: 10/1/19
Hardcover
ISBN: 9781629726021
Retail Price: $17.99
Page Count: 336
Genre: Young Adult Fiction / Social Themes /Bullying
Ages 14 to 18, Grades 9 And Up
Book Design: © Shadow Mountain
Art Direction: Richard Erickson
Design: Barry Hansen
Production Design: Emily Remington

***I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own***


Book Summary
A YA novel about the turbulent, emotional lives of teenagers who are struggling with life’s challenges openly and sometimes in secret.

Paul Adams has always been short, but he’s an excellent rock climber. And his small size means he can hide from the bullies that prowl the halls of his high school.

Top on his list of “People to Avoid” are Conor, from his Language Arts class, Hunter, who hangs around the climbing gym, and Lily Small, who happens to be the tallest girl in school. But he might be able to be friends with a new kid from Hawaii who insists that everyone call him “Big.” He’s got a way of bringing everyone into his circle and finding the beauty in even the worst of situations.
When the three of them—Paul, Big, and Small—are assigned to the same group project, they form an unlikely friendship. And Paul realizes that maybe Lily isn’t so bad after all. He might even actually like her. And maybe even more than like her.

Paul and Lily team up for a rock-climbing competition, but when Lily is diagnosed with leukemia, Paul ends up with Conor on his team. And when Paul learns that Conor is dealing with bullies of his own—as well as some deep emotional pain—he realizes that the bullying in his school has got to stop.

My Review
Paul, Big, and Small is a book I want to put into the hands of every kid between the ages of 10-20...and everyone else that can read. This book is full of so many emotional moments and unique characters. Anyone that has ever been a teenager will be able to relate to one of the main characters found in this novel. Author David Glenn Robb doesn't hold back on showing the turbulent happenings inside of a high school involving bullying, acceptance, and social awkwardness. Other topics in this book that involves one or more characters are mental illness, loss, grief, cancer, and suicide. Everything is written without being showy or preachy. It will open up the eyes of teens that think no one else has any problems except them.  

The characters of Paul, "Big", and Lily are written so well and you grow to love them. "Big" the new kid from Hawaii has to be my favorite character. He always looks for the beauty in everything and everyone. I actually learned a lot from this character and want to be more like him. The biggest character development shown is by Paul and Lily, bringing about many heart-warming moments and tears to the reader. As I was reading this book, I couldn't help but think about how this novel could change the lives of real teens. This book read at school or home could bring about great discussions on hard topics. 

I also wanted to add how there is a lot of information about rock climbing that was very interesting. Much of the story revolves around this sport. 

The thing I absolutely loved most about this book is how the story flows so easily. Once you are immersed in the story it's hard to pull yourself away. Readers' emotions are pulled up and down continually throughout this novel. I'm very impressed that this is the author's first published novel. This book has the potential of becoming a classic like the Outsiders. So, Paul, Big, and Small gets 5 stars from me! 




Purchase Links: 

Meet Author David Glenn Robb 
David Glen Robb lives in the Rocky Mountain West with his wife, two sons, and two dogs and is an avid rock climber who also coaches youth rock climbing teams. He taught high school English, art, and creative writing for eleven years before deciding to pursue writing full time.

Learn more about David and his book HERE: https://www.davidglenrobb.com/



Advance Praise/Endorsements: 
"Paul is hardly five feet tall which makes him the perfect target...in high school. He encounters Lily Small, a tall, athletic black girl, and Big, a triple-X Hawaiian shirt-wearing Polynesian. The trio are partnered up for a project on Of Mice and Men...this assignment is the seed for the strongest friendships he has ever had. Through this project and at the local rock climbing gym, Paul, who is white, learns to recognize others’ issues that cause them to pick on those weaker than themselves. While much of the book focuses on the mental strength and physical agility necessary to be a successful climber, the subplots demonstrate how this sport can provide the therapy needed to overcome bullying, grief, and trauma. This book shows how friendships can be found when least expected. Perfect for libraries building their sports collections, as it clearly explains the fundamentals of rock climbing not often found in other YA books." 
-School Library Journal 

Friday, September 27, 2019

Love Sidelined By Tiffany Odekirk-Book Review





Product Details


  • Title: Love Sidelined
  • Author: Tiffany Odekirk
  • Paperback: 312 pages
  • Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc. (September 1, 2019)
  • Genre: LDS Contemporary Romance
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1524410128
  • ***I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own***

Book Summary
Jason Jennings made a tough call two years ago when he left behind his status as a hard-partying star quarterback in order to serve the Lord. Recently returned from a mission now, he's ready to get back on the football field at UCAL. But despite turning his life around, his bad boy reputation is proving hard to shake.

Allie Hollis is everything a cheerleader should be--beautiful, outgoing, and smart--but her brilliant smile hides a devastating secret. So when Jason begins to show interest in her, there's no question: her answer is no.

Yet, in the face of Allie's chilly response, Jason's gentle persistence pays off, and a tentative friendship grows. Their chemistry is obvious, but Allie's determination to steer clear of a relationship with Jason goes deeper than he realizes. When the truth of her painful history comes to light, the couple must decide whether they will remain on the sidelines or jump back in the game of love.
 

My Review
Love Sidelined is so much more than a love story, it is a story of life struggles, redemption, and moving forward. One thing this author does so well is writing characters that are real and very relatable. I also like how through the course of the story both Allie and Jason's past struggles come to light. The reader goes through an emotional journey right along with the characters. 

Love Sidelined is told from both Allie and Jason's POV. I love it when an author does this, especially in a romance. This novel is told from the perspective of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There are many things mentioned that pertain to the culture of the church that you may not be familiar with. But, any person who likes reading Christian fiction will understand and appreciate the tone of this book about turning your life around and back towards God. 

There are moments when I was frustrated with Allie and Jason as they danced circles around each other instead of admitting their feelings. As you come to understand what happened in their lives, readers will have more compassion for why it took so long for the two main characters to come together. This book is one that shows the healing process and that takes time. 

I love this series of books and Jason is now one of my favorites. I recommend reading all of them in the order written, but you really don't need to...I'm just anal that way. It must be the teacher in me. 

This book is recommended for teens 18+ and adults. There is mention of underage drinking, rape, and some violence but nothing graphic. This story is one that will touch the lives of those recovering and healing from things in their past and also shows the beauty of when redemption comes.  


Meet Author Tiffany Odekirk


Tiffany Odekirk believes cooking should take less than thirty minutes, frosting is better than ice cream, and all books should end with happily ever after. After graduating from Brigham Young University with a degree in Marriage, Family, and Human Development, Tiffany completed an internship with LDS Family Services in adoption and then went on to work with homeless women and children in the non-profit sector. Married to a Broadway star, Tiffany’s days are filled with music, and her nights are spent writing the types of characters she hopes her children will one day marry.









































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Friday, September 20, 2019

Deborah: Prophetess of God: A Novel By H.B. Moore and Giveaway





Product Details

  • Title: Deborah Prophetess of God: A Novel
  • Author: H.B. Moore
  • Paperback: 232 pages
  • Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc. (September 1, 2019)
  • Genre: Historical Fiction/Biblical Fiction
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1524409995
  • ***I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own***

Book Summary
From 4-time Whitney Award-winning author, H.B. Moore comes the new biblical novel about Deborah the Judge, a woman who rises from oppression and leads her entire nation to victory.

After years of mistreatment, the Israelites prepare to defend themselves against the oppressive Canaanites. Readying for war not only takes secret military training but also an Israelite leader who is willing to both stand against generations of oppressions and follow God.

Deborah, a young Israelite woman, lives a quiet and isolated life with her father and brothers. As a shepherdess in the hills near her home, she knows well the perils of her work. But when faced with incredible danger, she witnesses a series of remarkable events that preserve her life. The hand of the Lord is apparent, and it is clear that hers will be no ordinary life.

Years later, Deborah is a faithful wife and mother when she learns that the Third Judge of Israel has died and she has been called to take his place. It is a tumultuous time in history, and soon, Deborah prophetess, judge, and military leader faces a seemingly insurmountable task: alongside the commander of the Israelite army, Deborah must lead ten thousand soldiers in their final campaign against their Canaanite oppressors with only her faith in God to guide her.


My Review
Deborah: Prophetess of God is another well written and researched book by H.B. Moore. Once you start reading one of her books it's near impossible to put down. When I first picked it up in the evening (which was a big mistake) I kept telling myself..."Just one more chapter." Well, 9:00 p.m. turned into 1:30 a.m. very quickly. Moore's writing pulls you into the plot in a way that you forget you are reading a book and not watching a movie.

This particular book is about Deborah the Prophetess spoken of in the Holy Bible. There is not a lot written of her, so this makes this novel an even bigger achievement for Moore. Readers are swept away to the time when the Israelites are preparing to defend themselves against the oppressive Canaanites. With only little known facts of Deborah and her family, they are brought to life in rich, vivid detail. We learn a little about her upbringing and then go to years later when Deborah is made one of the judges of Israel. Deborah is portrayed as a woman of not only faith but great courage and wisdom. I enjoyed this book so much. I feel that this is one of her best novels yet and she has written A LOT of books. If you like historical/Biblical fiction with adventure and romance, you will truly love Deborah: Prophetess of God. 



 

Purchase Your Copy of Deborah: HERE
-Amazon:https://amzn.to/30fcBGK
-Deseret Book: https://deseretbook.com/p/deborah-prophetess-of-god?variant_id=179289-paperback


Meet Author H.B. Moore 

Heather B. Moore is a USA Today bestselling author of more than fifty publications. She writes historical novels and thrillers under pen name H.B. Moore. She writes women’s fiction, romance and inspirational non-fiction under Heather B. Moore. This can all be confusing, so her kids just call her Mom. Heather attended Cairo American College in Egypt, the Anglican School of Jerusalem in Israel, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University in Utah. Heather is represented by Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret.


More Biblical Novels by H.B. Moore:
Esther the Queen
Ruth
Eve: In the Beginning
Anna the Prophetess
The Moses Chronicles


Enter the Giveaway Today
Win a FREE copy of Deborah: Prophetess of God by H.B.Moore

Sunday, September 15, 2019

The Lady and the Highwayman (Proper Romance Victorian) By Sarah M. Eden-Blog Tour Review




Product Details

  • Title: The Lady and the Highwayman  (Proper Romance Victorian) 
  • Author: Sarah M. Eden
  • Series: Proper Romance
  • Paperback: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Shadow Mountain (September 3, 2019)
  • Genres: Historical FictionClean RomanceMysteryAction/Adventure 
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1629726052
  • ***I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own***



Book Summary
Elizabeth Black is the headmistress of a girls school in 1865s Victorian London. She is also a well-respected author of silver-fork novels, stories written both for and about the upper-class ladies of Victorian society. But by night, she writes very different kinds of stories--the Penny Dreadfuls that are all the rage among the working-class men. Under the pseudonym Charles King, Elizabeth has written about dashing heroes fighting supernatural threats, intelligent detectives solving grisly murders, and dangerous outlaws romancing helpless women. They contain all the adventure and mystery that her real-life lacks.

Fletcher Walker began life as a street urchin but is now the most successful author in the Penny Dreadful market, that is until Charles King started taking all of his readers. No one knows who King is, including Fletcher s fellow members of the Dread Penny Society, a fraternity of  authors dedicated to secretly fighting for the social and political causes of their working-class readers. The group knows King could be an asset with his obvious monetary success, or he could be the group s undoing as King s readership continues to cut into their profits.

Determined to find the elusive Mr. King, Fletcher approaches Miss Black. As a fellow-author, she is well-known among the high-class writers; perhaps she could be persuaded to make some inquiries as to Mr. King s whereabouts? Elizabeth agrees to help Fletcher, if only to insure her secret identity is never discovered. What neither author anticipated was the instant attraction, even though their social positions dictate the impossibility of a relationship.

For the first time, Elizabeth experiences the thrill of a cat-and-mouse adventure reminiscent of one of her own novels as she tries to throw Fletcher off her scent. But the more time they spend together, the more she loses her heart. It's upper-class against working-class, author against author where readers, reputations, and romance are all on the line.



My Review
The Lady and the Highwayman is a clever twist on a Proper Romance. Sarah Eden has crafted a tale like none she's done before. Everything from the characters, setting, and plot are unique and exciting. This is not a Regency Romance but takes place during the Victorian era in England. 

Both of the main characters are authors of the "Penny Dreadfuls" that were the rage among the working-class men. Elizabeth writes under the pseudonym of a Mr. King. As the headmistress of an all girl's school, she needs to remain in good standing with the upper class of Victorian Society. She meets fellow author, Fletcher Walker, who also writes Penny Dreadfuls. The novel is told from both Elizabeth's and Fletcher's POV. I also really loved how we were also able to read the stories written by Mr. King and Fletcher. What an incredible undertaking for Eden to write so many "stories" within the pages of this novel.

I learned so much about the Dread Penny Society, a fraternity of authors dedicated to secretly fighting for the social and political causes of their working-class readers. This novel once again shows the incredible work and dedication that Sarah Eden does in researching before she writes a book. I found an article that gave great information about The Dread Penny Society and the Penny Dreadfuls that were written. It was all very interesting.{http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20160502-the-shocking-tale-of-the-penny-dreadful}

This new novel is a brilliant combination of mystery, suspense, history, and of course romance. The witty dialogue makes the interaction between Elizabeth and Fletcher a delight to read. If you are a Sarah Eden fan, be prepared for something new and just as well written as her previous books. 





Purchase The Lady and the Highwayman HERE:
-Amazon:https://amzn.to/31tERTq

-Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-lady-and-the-highwayman-sarah-m-eden/1130650833?ean=9781629726052#/

Meet Author Sarah M. Eden


Sarah M. Eden is a USA Today Bestselling author of witty and charming historical romances, including Foreword Review’s 2013 “IndieFab Book of the Year” gold medal winner for Best Romance, Longing for Home, as well as 2014 Whitney Award winner for “Best Novel of the Year,” Longing for Home: Hope Springs. Combining her obsession with history and affinity for tender love stories, Sarah loves crafting witty characters and heartfelt romances set against rich historical backdrops. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in research and happily spends hours perusing the reference shelves of her local library. Sarah lives with her husband, kids, and mischievous dog in the shadow of a snow-capped mountain she has never attempted to ski. 

Thursday, September 12, 2019

All Hearts Come Home for Christmas: A Regency Christmas Collection By Sarah M. Eden, Anita Stansfield, Esther Hatch, and Joanna Barker.-Blog Tour Review and Giveaway




Product Details

  • Title: All Hearts Come Home for Christmas: A Regency Christmas Collection 
  • Authors: Sarah M. Eden, Anita Stansfield, Esther Hatch, and Joanna Barke
  • Paperback: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc. (September 1, 2019)
  • Language: English
  • Genre: Regency Romance
  • ISBN-10: 1524411094
  • "I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own***

Book Summary
Christmas at Falstone Castle · Sarah M. Eden


The Dowager Duchess of Kielder eagerly anticipates spending Christmas with her son and his family. Though their relationship has been strained, the duchess is determined to heal the chasm. Even with the help of the widowed local vicar, her plan will take a Christmas miracle. But during this magical season, anything is possible . . . even two-second chances for love.




The Heart of Christmas · Anita Stansfield
When a chance meeting brings together a gentle seamstress and a widowed banker, each lonely soul finds a first hint of hope. As their lives become entwined, it will take Christmas spirit to guide a broken family to love and healing.

Tis the Season to Be Daring · Esther Hatch
Elizabeth Davenport has had quite enough of the London Season. Determined to evade a parade of unsuitable suitors, she seeks help from the one gentleman who has no regard for Society’s rules. All of Society knows Lord Hawthorne is not interested in marriage, yet he cannot deny Miss Davenport’s unique charm. And as the Christmas season works its magic, their charade begins to feel less like playacting and more like love.

The Christmas Dress · Joanna Barker

Seamstress Nell Addington is thrilled when her childhood friend Jacob Hammond commissions a dress for his sister. But when Nell realizes her feelings for Jacob run far deeper than friendship, an unexpected snowstorm—and some holiday cheer—may convince them both that love is worth fighting for.
 


My Review
It's always exciting to read and review the first Christmas book of the season. I have several coming up in the next few months. Today I'm happy to tell you about a collection of sweet Regency Christmas stories. The four authors are ones that I've read before and love their previous work. They were all stories of promise, hope, and love. I especially loved Christmas at Falstone Castle because I have come to love the Lancaster family that Sarah M. Eden has created. It truly felt like coming home to spend Christmas with family.

After you read, All Hearts Come Home for Christmas, I know it will get you ready and very excited for the holiday season. Each of these short stories was a pleasure to read. They have the perfect balance of humor, romance, hope, love, and forgiveness. All of the authors wrote emotional stories that truly touched me. I highly recommend this Christmas collection for you, your family, and your friends. 


Learn more about the authors HERE:




Esther Hatch: https://estherhatch.com/


Enter the Giveaway to Win a FREE copy of
 All Hearts Come Home for Christmas 

Official Book Blitz for 6th Turn: Kat-YouTube Reading by Ren Garcia...Join the Treasure Hunt and Giveaway!


This Blitz is a bit of a change of pace for us We are doing something different and fun as Author Ren Garcia is making YouTube videos telling you the backstory of each chapter in his book and then narrating the chapter. The Treasure Hunt Questions will be based on the videos and you can answer the questions in the Rafflecopter.


Ren Garcia is a Science Fiction/Fantasy author and Texas native who grew up in western Ohio. He has been writing since before he could write, often scribbling alien lingo on any available wall or floor with assorted crayons. He attended The Ohio State University and majored in English Literature. 

Ren has been an avid lover of anything surreal since childhood. He also has a passion for caving, urban archaeology, taking pictures of clouds, and architecture. He currently lives in Columbus, Ohio with his wife, and their four dogs.


~ Website ~ YouTube ~
~ Amazon ~ 


Raised in the dark under the lash of the Black Hat Sisterhood, when the woman who would become known as Kat, is sent on a suicide mission into the heart of the League, she was not expected to survive. Her mission: discover the identity of the fabled Shadow tech Goddess, a being who does not exist. All other considerations, including her possible death, are secondary.


But, Kat is guided by higher powers, by merciful hands that feed her, clothe her and whisper in her ear. As she watches the sun rise for the first time, she recalls their words: “Be strong,” they said. “You have much to live for.






YouTube Clip:

Subscribe to Author Ren Garcia's Youtube Channel for more clips like this one.
The answer to Treasure Hunt Question #1 is in this video.
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Snippet:

The Autocon inside her body swam through her Shadow tech like a giant parasite. It cajoled her along the way with its icy Shadow tech voice:
“Do not die! The Black Abbess is invested in your success. Die, waste our training in you and we will reclaim our Shadow tech and cast your soul to Hell where it will be devoured for the remainder of eternity … Do not die!”   --Kat, along with a tormenting demon, confined within an atmosphere suit.


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Treasure Hunt Questions 1-4: (put your answers in the rafflecopter below)
( One of the Rafflecopter Prizes is specifically for the Treasure Hunt Winner )

 1-      Shade Church – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjc0OiikC0g
Question: How many crawlers, besides Kat, were selected by her “angels”?
A: 3
B: 2
C: 1
D: 4
2-      Send to Die – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iB73rrVJ-fc
Question: What happened to Kat’s Autocon demon?
A: It died during the journey to Kana
B: She convinces it to return to Shade Church without her
C: She captured it within an arcane device.
D: It captures Kat and forces her to complete her mission

3-      The Ruins – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoHefUpoZ_w
Question: What did Kat encounter at the bottom of the stairs?
A: A dead body
B: A treasure chest
C: Nothing—an empty room
D: The Shadow tech Goddess

4-      Bird, Walk, Wheel and Kat – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbdJwUB0eLM
Question: Which of Kat’s sisters decided to go below into the catacombs?
A: Bird
B: Walker
C: Wheel
D: Karma

See our Official Event Page for links to where you can find the rest of the Treasure Hunt Questions.


To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page