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 »
Showing posts with label Connie E. Sokol. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Connie E. Sokol. Show all posts

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Christmas Kisses: An Echo Ridge Anthology-Review and $200 Giveway


Are you on the hunt for that special Christmas book, the one that will get you into the holiday spirit, bring back memories of your own family traditions, and inspire you to revel in this Christmas season like no other? (What about $200 in Christmas cash to go along with it?) Every year, I search for stories that will fill my Christmas reading list--romance is always a fun read, but  I want them to be clean and wholesome too. That's why I'm sharing this spectacular book. Christmas Kisses is not just one story, but five romances, all clean, wholesome, and beautifully written in one anthology now on sale for .99 cents!

Let's show the reading world that there is a demand for clean and wholesome romances by purchasing this book today. For less than a dollar, you get a delightful read and help send a message that we want more of these kinds of books. Purchase your copy here, or your preferred vendor and then, will you please help spread the word about this book? Feel free to share any part of this post. Oh, and don't forget to enter the giveaway for $200 in Christmas cash!
Christmas Kisses is a collection from five bestselling and award-winning authors.
Set in the snowy town of Echo Ridge in upstate New York, these inspirational romances are sure to delight while you sip cocoa by the fire and listen to Christmas carols.



***$.99 November 3rd -7th***
Add it to Goodreads

My Review: 
I have read a lot of anthologies that are very good. Some are all connected around a certain theme. This anthology for example is centered around Christmas time. What makes this anthology even better though, is that all of the stories take place in the same small town in New York, centered around the local town's 100 year old department store called Kenworths. Most of the characters know each other and interact some what in each story. I liked how connected this made all of the stories feel, even though they were written by five different authors. 

Each story has a clean romance where the characters had either given up on love or thought it would never come. Some of the stories moved along faster than the others, but I particularly enjoyed the characters and the romances found in Christmas Makeover and Hope for Christmas. If you are looking for some nice romances to get you into the spirit of Christmas, this anthology, along with a nice cup of hot chocolate, will surely do the trick.


The Candy Counter Heiress by Lucy McConnell Amazon bestselling and award-winning author
Someday Reese Gates will own The Candy Counter at Kenworth's; but someday can't come fast enough when the manager threatens to bring in a national candy provider. Reese secretly takes matters into her own hands hoping to save her parents from additional worry and prove herself capable of running the company. Her deception deepens as she ropes computer guru Andy Edwards into helping her expand the business.  Reese wanted to shake things up, but she wasn't planning on her heart getting caught in the mix by Andy's stolen kisses. If she can hold it together until after Christmas, then she can reveal her successful online company and her feelings for Andy. Unfortunately for Reese, even the best laid plans can melt like chocolate.
https://lucymcconnell.wordpress.com/ * https://www.facebook.com/ChristinaDymock?fref=ts

Christmas Makeover by Cami Checketts Amazon bestselling author
Chelsea Jamison has been infatuated with Drew Stirling longer than she's loved playing basketball, high-top sneakers, and the Knicks. Unfortunately, all Drew sees is the kid who kicked his trash in the high school free throw contest and not the girl whose heart breaks into a fast dribble when he's near.

Drew makes an unexpected visit home to Echo Ridge and their friendship picks up where they left off as they scheme to make a teenaged boy's Christmas dreams come true. When Chelsea realizes she's fallen for her best friend, she wonders if there is any hope of a relationship with Drew or if she's stuck in buddy-status for life.
www.camichecketts.com * https://www.facebook.com/CamiCheckettsAuthor

Soda Fountain Christmas by Connie E. Sokol Amazon bestselling author
Keira Kenworth has one focus this holiday season: save her father's old-time department store from bankruptcy. She is not focused on Tayton Wells, the tall, dark, and genius marketing guru from downtown New York, hired to make it happen. He is as doubtful that her nostalgic connect-the-town ideas will succeed as she is about his numbers-first plan. However, it's not just their different approaches that cause sparks to fly. Working together on a fast deadline to save the store before Christmas, the unspoken connection between them grows. But will the tough decisions they face drive them back to their separate worlds, or will they lead to the beginning of love?
www.conniesokol.com * https://www.facebook.com/8basics?_rdr=p

Hope for Christmas by Rachelle J. Christensen Amazon bestselling & award-winning author
Anika Fletcher hates Christmas--its promises of good tidings and hope for the future are as tinseled as the ornaments on Kenworth's Hope Tree. Despite her feelings, Anika wants to maintain her daughter's faith in the magic of the season and gladly accepts a second job working with the handsome Carlos Rodriguez to restore Kenworth's old fashioned soda fountain. Carlos is no stranger to hard times and slowly shares his life of light and joy with Anika as they work together. Just as her fragile soul begins to feel hope again, an ill-timed act of charity changes everything. Anika isn't sure who she can trust or if hope is worth nurturing--especially at Christmas when it's easy to enjoy a kiss and believe love can last longer than the season.
www.facebook.com/rachellechristensenauthor * http://rachellechristensen.com/

One Winter Night by Heather Tullis Amazon bestselling author
Jonah Owens thought moving to Echo Ridge to open his art gallery would solve all of his problems. The need to sell his grandma's house adds an unexpected complication. It would be easier if his neighbor didn't have all those farm animals.
Kaya Feidler's family has owned their land for nearly a hundred years--long before the neighbors were there. There's no way she's giving up the animal therapy business she's been struggling to make profitable. She gets a temp job helping Jonah in the gallery. Spending time together is a recipe for romance, but can they overcome their own hangups to be more than friends?
http://heathertullis.com/ * https://www.facebook.com/HeatherTullisBooks

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Friday, January 25, 2013

Blog Tour Review and Giveaway For, Create a Powerful Life Plan! 3 Simple Steps to Your Ideal Life


Product Details

  • Title: Create a Powerful Life Plan! 3 Simple Steps to Your Ideal Life
  • Author: Connie E. Sokol
  • File Size: 251 KB
  • Print Length: 96 pages
  • Publisher: Sokol Publishing; 1 edition (January 7, 2013)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B00AY7P6M6
  • FTC;FYI: I received a review e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
 Book Description:


Ready to jumpstart your life, but not sure how?

Years ago I was fat, unfulfilled, and unfocused. Then I got serious about making changes, writing an achievable life vision and goals. Starting with weight, I lost twenty-five pounds and gained great energy. This motivated me to organize my home and time, rediscover the joy in parenting, and speak professionally part-time to share with others what I had learned.
That was my ideal life change, what’s yours?
Create a Powerful Life Plan: 3 Simple Steps to Your Ideal Life! will help you achieve life changes in three stress-free steps. You’ll learn how to create a clear vision of your ideal life. Then, how to set and achieve simple, enjoyable goals to make that vision a reality. And finally, what to do when you become stuck, fearful, or frustrated.

You’ll also read the real-life experiences of five women who put their Life Plan into action. And receive online support through podcasts, video segments, blog posts and more at www.conniesokol.com.

Now is the best time to become the person you want to be, and live the life you yearn to live. No gimmicks, no hoopla, just solid, time-tested principles and practices that will help you achieve your dreams and goals, and enjoy the process.
So, are you ready to create your powerful Life Plan?

My Review:

I want to state from the beginning of this review that this review may be an ongoing one. This book is one that I have not read all the way through because it is a work in progress. As I have been reading this, I have also had my little composition notebook by my side. As author Connie Sokol has suggested things to think about or write down, I have done exactly that. For example, at the beginning of the book here was the first thing/assignment I chose to do...

"Life Plan. Specifically, it’s a paragraph comprised of four to six sentences that describe your ideal self and life—a written reminder of what you want your ideal life to be, feel, and look like."

Create A Powerful Life Plan is basically this...
" The three simple steps to creating your Life Plan are as follows: Create a Life Vision, Choose a Life Focus, Set ONE weekly to achieve it!"

As I have been reading this book the one thought that has been going through my mind is, "I can do this!" The way that this is set up, in smaller steps, I have not felt overwhelmed. I'm so excited to try follow the steps and advice that Connie has laid out for readers. It has left me with a feeling of great empowerment. I have been feeling so overwhelmed lately in my life, but this book has breathed new life into me. I look forward to checking in with readers of this blog to let you know how things are going with my Life Plan. 

Connie is such an inspiration to me and I know that she will be able to do the same for you!

You have a chance to win a copy of this wonderful book, or a 30 minute CoachCast with Connie Sokul on Fit and Fabulous, by entering with the Rafflecopter form at the end of this post.  



Endorsements:
"I love your book!! I read it once last week and now I'm reading it again and marking it. I can see it making a difference in my life. I'm realizing that I don't have to do it all at once." Jodi Anderson

"Before I started this [book], I wanted to break down my goals into weekly accomplishments in a goal setting program. I can't believe it, this is exactly what I have been looking for!" Brea Mefford

"I love this program. It really helps me to be accountable, and more importantly, to see progress. I increased my weekly income by better than half. I paid off two credit cards and my overdraft. My husband was able to pay off his car, and I have completely revamped my business goals and direction. Thank you!" Andrea Johnson

Social Media Links:
www.facebook.com/8basics
www.conniesokol.com
www.8basics.com
http://pinterest.com/conniesokol
http://www.amazon.com/Connie-E.-Sokol/e/B00530YEVI/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5032389.Connie_E_Sokol
www.youtube.com/My8Basics

Biography:
Connie Sokol is a mother of seven, a sought after local and national presenter, and a regular speaker at Education Week. She is a monthly TV contributor on KSL’s “Studio 5” and regular blogger for KSL's "Motherhood Matters." She is a former columnist for Deseret News and Utah Valley Magazine, and TV and radio host for Bonneville Communications. Mrs. Sokol is the author of several books including the award-nominated Caribbean Crossroads, Faithful, Fit & Fabulous, and Life is Too Short for One Hair Color Series, as well as the creator of talk CDs, podcasts and the "8-week Challenge." Mrs. Sokol marinates in time spent with her family and eating decadent treats. For more, visit www.conniesokol.com.
 

Blog Tour Schedule for Create A Powerful Life Plan! 3 Simple Steps to Your Ideal Life by Connie Sokol

January 2013--
1/16/2013    http://rachelannnunes.blogspot.com/
1/17/2013   http://thebookbug-hogan.blogspot.com/
1/18/2013    http://www.christydorrity.com/
1/21/2013    http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/
1/22/2013    http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/   
1/24/2013    http://lisaswinton.blogspot.com/
1/25/2013    http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/
1/25/2013    http://www.ldswomensbookreview.com/wordpress/
1/28/2013    http://rachellewrites.blogspot.com/  
  2/1/2013    http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/
 2/8/2013    http://ordinaryhappilyeverafter.co
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Friday, June 29, 2012

Blog Tour review of, Caribbean Crossroads, by Connie Sokol

 

 

 

Product Details:

  • Title: Caribbean Crossroads
  • Author: Cobbie E. Sokol
  • Paperback: 270 pages
  • Publisher: Sokol Publishing (June 8, 2012)
  • Genre: Romance
  • ISBN-10: 0615651860
  • ISBN-13: 978-0615651866


 Book Description:
June 8, 2012
New college grad Megan McCormick just got dumped. Hard. Swearing off men and relationships, Megan is coaxed into performing on a cruise ship where she meets the star performer, Bryant Johnson. Handsome and charismatic, he looks like trouble, but she can't deny the intense attraction between them. Urged to find a wife and run the family lumber business, Bryant is torn between his family's expectations for his life and his own. However, when he meets spunky, but love-skittish Megan McCormick, settling down doesn't look so bad. Just when Megan begins to trust again, and Bryant makes some big decisions regarding his future, her former fiance returns with a malicious surprise, taking Megan and Bryant to their own CARIBBEAN CROSSROADS.
My Review: 
 Caribbean Crossroads is another book that I'm classifying as a fun summer read. I loved how the book begins, with Megan as a performer with a talented group of young people on a cruise ship. There she meets the good-looking and charming Bryant, whom she is desperately trying NOT to fall in love with him. I liked the feeling and fun atmosphere that the reader feels on the cruise ship. I also liked their experiences together as they visit different stops in the Caribbean. There is excitement on the ship as Megan and Bryant are falling in love. It fits the beauty found on the front cover of the book. 
After the cruise ends, a different feeling is found in the story. It is almost like the let down after you come home from a vacation. Megan and Bryant go back to their "real" lives and the family drama and pressures awaiting them. This is also the part where Megan and Bryant falter in their relationship. Talk about romantic angst! I was very frustrated with both of them as they tried to work out things in their relationship. This is where the novel shows realism as Megan is scared about getting hurt again. Readers may think she is being stubborn or stupid for not falling for this talented and handsome man. The thing that really works here though, is that the superficiality of the characters found at the beginning is wiped away. The author deepens the characters,and what is really going on inside of them. Even though you get fed up with Megan and her resistance to Bryant, you can relate if you have ever been hurt in a relationship. At the end of the book I wanted to scream as I read about the Thanksgiving dinner. I also wanted to string a few people up by their necks, namely Megan's Mother, sister Kara and her husband Jackson. After reading the book you will know why I say this. 

Overall, this book is recommended to fans who like a quick, romantic read. It will bring out many feelings,in you the reader, as you cheer on Megan and Bryant as they cruise towards love.

You can purchase Caribbean Crossroads at Amazon.com in paperback or Kindle.
 
 About the Author:
Connie Sokol is a mother of seven—a national and local presenter, and a regular speaker at Education Week. She is a monthly TV contributor on KSL’s “Studio 5” and regular blogger for LDSLiving online. She is a former TV and radio host for Bonneville Communications, and columnist for Deseret News and Utah Valley Magazine. Mrs. Sokol is also the author of Motherhood Matters, Faithful, Fit & Fabulous, and Life is Too Short for One Hair Color, as well as talk CDs and podcasts. Mrs. Sokol marinates in time spent with her family and eating decadent treats. Visit her website at www.8basics.com/   
You can also find Connie on FB http://www.facebook.com/8basics