Geo Librarian

THE NOT EVEN ONCE CLUB written by Wendy Watson Nelson, illustrated by Brandon Dorman Deseret Book, 2013 ISBN: 978-1-60907-337-4 Picture Book Grades K-2 Review copy provided by publisher in return for an honest review. All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK The Not Even Once Club  is an adorable and appealing way to engage children in a story that will help them choose for themselves to keep the commandments and to never break them. Not even once. Children will meet Tyler, an energetic boy who is excited to make new friends in his Primary class. They have invited Tyler to join their special club, but first he has to pass the test and keep the club promise. With illustrations from bestselling illustrator Brandon Dorman,  The Not Even Once Club  is a fun and engaging way for parents to help teach their children the importance of keeping the commandments. Included in the back of the book are additional teaching helps for parents and l...

HEAVEN'S JUST A PRAYER AWAY by Diony George CFI, 2013 ISBN: 978-1-4621-1189-3 LDS Nonfiction Review copy provided by publisher in return for honest review. All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Sometimes we wonder how, with so many people on earth, we matter to God. Like birdsongs in a city of sounds, answers to our prayers are easy to miss—unless we’re listening. Through inspiring personal stories, scripture, and prose, Heaven’s Just A Prayer Away answers many questions about communicating with and drawing closer to Jesus Christ and our Father in Heaven. Here is a brief description of the book: “Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let they heart be full of thanks unto God.” –Alma 37:37 Before we came to earth, we lived in heavenly realms. We knew our Heavenly Father....

PARENTING WITH SPIRITUAL POWER by Julie K. Nelson Cedar Fort, 2013 ISBN: 978-1-4621-1168-8 LDS Nonfiction Book received from publisher in return for honest review. All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK "I wish children came with an instruction manual!" How many times have we heard this lament by a frustrated or overwhelmed parent? Perhaps we have said these words ourselves.  There are "how-to" manuals for practically anything: installing a new faucet, building a remote control car, baking an apple pie, refinishing an antique chair, or assembling a bicycle.  Is there a formula or a perfect manual for raising children? Yes! The scriptures. In Parenting With Spiritual Power, Julie Nelson examines the lives of mothers and fathers in the scriptures (the best instruction manual) and the parenting principles we can learn from them.  Discover powerful parenting examples from Adam and Eve, Moses, the brother of Jared, and Captain Mor...

Author: Scott Johnson Release Date: October 2012 Publisher: Cedar Fort Genre: Spiritual Holiday ABOUT THE BOOK For Jeremy, Christmas is just another reminder that he'll never be able to enjoy the things that come so easily to other children. Then one night he has a dream that will change everything. Accompanied by stirring music, this story of finding faith and discovering the power of the Master Healer is sure to be cherished at Christmastime and all year long. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Author Scott A. Johnson spent most of his childhood in Utah, where he gained a love for creative writing. Recognizing his potential at a young age, his teachers and family encouraged him to explore his developing writing talents. Scott continued to craft imaginative and original stories through his teenage years, including original short stories that are beloved by his family. He published his first book, "Nutrition: A Word of Wisdom," in 2009, and has published more...

TEXTING THROUGH TIME: JOHN TAYLOR AND THE MYSTERY PUZZLE by Christy Monson Bonneville Books, 2012 ISBN13: 9781462110841 LDS Middle Grade Fiction Grades 3-6 E-book provided by publisher for blog tour. All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Micah and Alicia are excited to meet John Taylor as a child in England. But when their phone won't let them return to their own time, the'll follow the prophet around the world, learning some important lessons along the way. Humorous, entertaining, and informative, this book is a wonderful introduction to church history that's bound to be a family favorite! ABOUT THE AUTHOR (from author's website ) My grandmother lived with us when I was young. She loved to read me stories. I would curl up in her lap or sit on the bed next to her and listen to the tales spin out before me. We cried together over Lassie Come Home and loved Madeline and her adventures. That was a magical time for me in my life. W...

OPEN FIRE: J. GOLDEN KIMBALL TAKES ON THE SOUTH,  THE BEGINNINGS OF A LEGEND by Scott M. Hurst Bonneville Books, 2012 ISBN: 978-1-59955-907-0 LDS Biographical/Historical Fiction Complimentary copy provided by publisher for blog tour. All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK In this fast paced story filled with holy hi-jinx and missionary mayhem, Golden squares off with his characteristic cowboy sense of humor against everything from spiteful preachers to the threat of death at the hands of the terrible Ku Klux Klan. Join Golden as he takes on the South with these unbelievable, true stories. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Scott graduated from Brigham Young University and is currently enrolled in the School of Hard Knocks. He is a nomad who claims his home in Utah, California, Hawaii and wherever else in the world he happens to be. The closest thing he’s ever done to being a cowboy was dude ranching for a day. He couldn’t sit down for two weeks afte...

CHOOSING CHARITY (Book #3 in the Faith, Hope, & Charity Trilogy) by Terri Ferran Bonneville Books, 2012 ISBN: 978-1-4621-1065-0 LDS Fiction Reviewed from e-copy provided by author for blog tour. All opinions expressed here are solely my own. With a new job, a husband she adores, and a life full of friends, Kit’s life seems pretty much perfect—well, aside from the fact that her husband is in school and way too busy for Kit’s liking. And of course she’s still dealing with the fall-out from her adoptive parents’ divorce. But when Kit learns that her biological mother wants to meet her, she’s not sure how to react. What good could possibly come from getting to know someone who left you in a dumpster to die? Exquisitely written and full of heart, Choosing Charity is a can’t-miss read that’s sure to remind you why Christlike love is the greatest virtue of all. I'm not sure what to say about this one that I haven't already said about the previous two, Finding Fai...

HAVING HOPE (second book in the Faith, Hope & Charity Trilogy) by Terri Ferran Bonneville, 2009 ISBN: 9781599552330 LDS Fiction Reviewed from ARC e-copy received as part of blog tour. All opinions expressed here are solely my own.  After being reunited with Adam Bridger, the missionary she waited for for two long years, Kit Matthews experiences feelings she cannot ignore promptings that take her halfway around the world. The strong connection she feels with orphans in Romania because of her own abandonment at birth draws Kit to Romania where she meets a Romanian medical student, Marcel and when Kit challenges Marcel to learn about the gospel, she has no idea of the doors she has opened. After learning of some disturbing news at home, Kit struggles to have hope that God is mindful of His children, and must decide between creating a new life in Romania and returning to repair her life in America. As I've mentioned in other reviews, there are some characters tha...

Welcome to my stop on the Choosing Charity Blog Tour . I will be sharing reviews, an author interview, and hosting a giveaway over the next four days.  But first the book, the last book in a trilogy including Finding Faith and Having Hope . Today, I'm introducing the author and presenting the giveaway. For each of the next three days, I will review all three books in the series, so be sure to check back. See here for the review of Finding Faith . CHOOSING CHARITY by Terri Ferran Bonneville Books, 2012 ISBN-13: 978-1462110650 LDS Fiction   With a new job, a husband she adores, and a life full of friends, Kit’s life seems pretty much perfect—well, aside from the fact that her husband is in school and way too busy for Kit’s liking. And of course she’s still dealing with the fall-out from her adoptive parents’ divorce. But when Kit learns that her biological mother wants to meet her, she’s not sure how to react. What good could possibly come from getting t...

MY LOVING VIGIL KEEPING by Carla Kelly Cedar Fort, Inc., 2012 ISBN13: 9781599558974 Copy received from publisher through NetGalley.  Della's giving up all the comforts of bustling Salt Lake City to teach school in a rural coal mining camp. Little does she know, she may soon be giving up her heart as well. But when tragedy strikes in the Scofield Mine, Della's life will be changed forever. Based on true events, this thrilling new romance from award-winning and bestselling author Carla Kelly is a must-read!   There are some books that just seem to speak to me as a reader.  This is one of those.  There are several reasons for this. First, the story involves a mining disaster in Utah and my grandfather died in a coal mining accident when my father was only nine days old.  This left my grandmother with three children to raise on her own.  After reading this book, I have a much deeper appreciation for what she must have gone through....