Cover Reveal: Painting Rain by Annette K. Larsen

Painting Rain by Annette K. Larsen

Book Description:

How do you heal your heart after tragedy leaves you broken? When the person you loved didn’t deserve it and they can’t earn your forgiveness because they’re already dead? How do you move on, and heal, and love?

If you’re Princess Lorraina, you paint. A year ago Lorraina watched Tobias die, and she still doesn't know how she's supposed to heal—or forgive. How can she when she’s still running away? In an attempt to reinvent herself, she steps outside her comfortable life as princess and seeks the tutelage of a master painter—a man who is not at all impressed by her pedigree, and demands not just talent, but emotional honesty. Struggling to learn what’s being taught, she finds herself drawn to someone who not only knows her secrets, but who she once considered far below her notice. Now she is compelled to seek him out despite knowing their relationship would be forbidden if discovered. Staying away from him doesn’t seem possible when discovering him may be the key to healing her heart and rediscovering herself.

About Author Annette K. Larsen:

I was born in Utah, but grew up in Flagstaff, Arizona and St. Louis, Missouri, the fifth of seven children. I attended Southern Virginia University and Brigham Young University, where I studied English and Theater. I now live in Idaho with my husband and four children. I have Charlotte Brontë to thank for the courage to write novels. After being bombarded with assigned reading about women who justified abandoning either their families or their principles in the name of love, I had the great fortune of reading Jane Eyre. And that was it: finally, a heroine who understood that being moral and making the right choice was hard, and sometimes it hurt, but it was still worth it. After rereading it several years later, I realized that if I wanted more books to exist with the kinds of heroines I admired, then I might as well write a few myself. My books are about women who face hard choices, who face pain and rejection and often have to face the reality of sacrificing what they want for what is right. The consequences are often difficult or unpleasant, but in the end, doing what’s right will always be worth it. I believe there is no substitute for good writing or good chocolate. Fortunately, one often leads to the other.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Cover Reveal Giveaway:

$25 Amazon Gift Code or Paypal Cash
Ends 2/22/16
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.  

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Review: Larry H. Miller—Behind the Drive: 99 Inspiring Stories from the Life of an American Entrepreneur

Larry H. Miller—Behind the Drive:

99 Inspiring Stories from the Life of an American Entrepreneur

Compiled by Bryan Miller

In Driven: An Autobiography, business mogul Larry H. Miller shared his painful and joyful lessons about the many facets of his life and legacy and candidly spoke about the people and circumstances that influenced him. In Behind the Drive, the tables are turned as we hear firsthand from both famous and obscure people whose lives were influenced, inspired, and even transformed by the compassion, generosity, and leadership of Larry. More than 100 individuals share personal stories about the man who they came to know and love as a philanthropist, a Good Samaritan, an angel in disguise. Quite frankly, Larry H. Miller was addicted to helping people. It didn't matter who they were. It didn't matter what he was doing at the time. When Larry heard the call for help, he unassumingly went about to make things better. The marvel of Miller isn't what he did to shape a community or touch a life, it's how he did it—one person at a time. Readers might ask how did Larry H. Miller have the time to personally impact so many lives? The answer—Larry chose to use his time a little bit differently than most. Behind the Drive pulls back the curtain and shows us the difference one person can make when he's driven to serve.

Joseph's Review:

I’ll start out by saying that I was a big Utah Jazz fan back in the Stockton, Malone era.  I would spend many an hour watching or listening to games agonizing over loses and reveling over wins.  I have always had great respect for Larry Miller and what he did to keep the Jazz here in Utah and help make them relevant. 

A while ago I read the book Driven and enjoyed learning about Larry Miller and how he lived his life and the impact that he made on our community and the lives of many people. He truly was driven and had many talents that made him successful. Reading the book Behind the Drive by Bryan Miller was another opportunity to gain perspective and understanding of Larry Miller. The traits of an incredible memory, mastery of numbers, risk taking, relentless work and a kindness towards his fellow men were all exemplified in this book. (I guess if you’re going to write a book an easy way to do it is to ask 99 people to write two or three pages each on stories that exemplify Larry Miller and bind them all together).

I thoroughly enjoyed the stories from these 99 people from all walks of life. From young children, to employees, successful business people, religious leaders, sports personalities and neighbors, they each gave insight to a very complex and giving man. Each of these stories point out character traits, both good and bad, that made Larry Miller so successful.

Behind the Drive is a very easy read and very entertaining. It was well worth my time and was inspiring to read what a difference one man can make in the world.

Cameron's Review:

I was a young boy when Larry H. Miller was really starting to make a name for himself in our community. As a very big fan of the Utah Jazz, and a kid who was very dedicated to sports, what he built with the Utah Jazz franchise went far from unnoticed. I paid attention to as much as I could when it came to how the team was run and what they did to be successful. I even paid attention to his softball teams, as my father’s construction team also played in a league, which was, if I recall correctly, a level below Larry H. Miller’s teams.

Fast forward several years as I grew up, and as with most people who followed what was going on with sports in Utah, Larry H. Miller really did have his hands in just about everything. Basketball, baseball, racing, etc. But then it started to grow to educational contributions, religious endeavors, and other very worthy causes. Not only was he now the guy who was very involved with owning the Jazz in a hands on way, but he was making his mark everywhere else as well.

I eventually ended up reading his book Driven and as someone who is very involved with sport management and business, found his approach and drive to succeed to be very helpful.

So when I had the chance to read Behind the Drive I certainly jumped at the opportunity. This was a very easy book to read, and with the format, is one that can be read in a very short amount of time, or can be done over an extended period. As I read it, one of the things that I came away with was just how much influence for good that he had. To have that many people contribute to the book is pretty
impressive. The other thing that I liked was how you got a feel for the way that Larry progressed throughout his life. He was willing to work on his weaknesses and deal with them to the very end. I found that to be motivational. Not one of the 99 stories implied that he was doing what he did with an extremely selfish attitude.

Yes, he demanded success and refused to fail, but it seemed like he had a constant internal battle to make sure he was also trying to do what was right and make a difference for the better. 

Overall, this was a book I would recommend to anyone. As I mentioned, it’s an easy read, that can be rather motivational in respects to making a difference, admitting to weaknesses, and enduring to the end.

Title: Larry H. Miller—Behind the Drive: 99 Inspiring Stories from the Life of an American Entrepreneur
Author: Bryan Miller
Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing
Published:
ISBN: 1629720941
Source: We received review copies from the publisher in exchange for a review.
 
Purchase: Amazon | Kindle | Deseret Book

Review: My Fair Gentleman by Nancy Campbell Allen

My Fair Gentleman by Nancy Campbell Allen
Book Description:

In this Regency twist of My Fair Lady, Jack would rather be at sea than fixing the mistakes of his grandfather, the late Earl of Stansworth. Instead, he finds that inheriting his grandfather's wealth and title—and securing the welfare of his sister and mother—means joining the ranks of high society and living with the aristocracy. Luckily, Ivy Carlisle, the granddaughter of a dear friend of Jack's late grandmother, is willing to teach him etiquette and properly introduce him into society. Jack soon learns that his challenge isn't surviving his new lifestyle but surviving the conspiracies against him—as well as keeping himself from falling madly in love with his new tutor.

Andrea's Review:

I have been very pleased with Shadow Mountain's Proper Romance novels, and My Fair Gentleman by Nancy Campbell Allen did not disappoint. I got it in the mail on a Monday afternoon and finished the book the next evening (sadly work interrupted finishing as quickly as I would have liked). 

I was immediately pulled into the story. Jack had an appeal right off. I suppose it was a bit of a bad boy attraction (which I haven't really thought of as being my thing, but it worked very well in this story, especially because he wasn't really bad). He was stubborn, but his love for his mother and sister trumped his personal desires, and that definitely added to his appeal.

Ivy was a great character as well. Her sister's shame on the family made a big difference in her life. She tried so hard to be proper and please her parents, but she was also very kindhearted, and that lead her to not fit society's proper mold at times. I loved the interaction she had with her grandmother, and the strength and support that gave her.

It was just an all around great story that I'm excited to read again. 

Tarah's Review:

If you are going to read this book may I suggest that you start it when you have the time to actually finish it, because you are NOT going to want to put it down until you are done.  I started it when I had to keep doing other things, and the annoyance I felt was great.  So learn from my experience, and only start this when you have time to read the whole thing :)

I will say that I didn't love the cover. It's so sad being a cover snob, but honestly, nothing about the cover makes me want to pick this up and read it, except for the tiny blurb up top that says, "A Proper Romance".

It goes without saying that I loved the main characters, but I really enjoyed Jack's best friend and his sister. I'm kind of hoping they get their own book, they were that good....and maybe Pug can play a part in their story too :)

Clean - check. Regency fiction - check. An entertaining read - check. Recommended - check. 

Rorie's Review:

This is NOT the kind of book I typically read. I tend to shy away from books that announce they are romance novels. This was also made very clear to me when my husband saw the cover and teased me to no end about it. :) That being said, I'm so glad I decided to give it a try. This was such an enjoyable book to read. Although I need to google a few words - what on earth is a "pelisse" and a "ton?" 

Reading stories set in Regency times is both fascinating and appalling. I can honestly say that I really related to Jack and his reluctance to enter into the lifestyle of the rich. Granted, manners are always a good thing, but good grief! I know I've said this before, but I am so very, very glad that I was not born way back then.

OK, now to the story. Jack's character is rough, and he's got quite a temper - completely understandable, considering how he grew up and what his grandfather did to his entire family. His complete dedication to his mother and sister is heartwarming. Ivy is such a fun character. I can picture us being friends. :) 

The romance developed perfectly, and it was very believable. All of the characters in the book were brought to life really well. I really liked some and really couldn't stand some others. Definitely a book I would recommend.

Title: My Fair Gentleman
Authors: Nancy Campbell Allen
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Published: January 2016
ISBN:  162972095X
Source: We received copies from the publisher in exchange for a review.

Purchase: Amazon | Kindle | Deseret Book

Blog Tour: Abby's Crossing by Darryl Harris

Book Description:

Fall 1862 Following her husband's tragic death, young widow Abby Butterfield Browett's first responsibility is to her son. Her desire to provide a secure future for her child has led her to accept a proposal of marriage from Isaac, a man twice her age. In her heart, she knows that Isaac lacks the fire and zest for life that defines Abby, but her son will be cared for. Can she be happy with only that? Despite her reservations, Abby joins her fiancé on the journey to the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, unprepared for the challenges that begin soon after they embark. When their trouble turns dangerous, it is a group of rough frontiersmen that come to their aid. The incident provides Abby the excuse she needs to turn back and postpone the wedding and in truth, she simply can't forget the connection she felt with Scooter, the leader of their rescuers. But as hostilities arise between the local Indians and the white frontiersmen, Abby's focus turns again to the safety of her son. When the young boy disappears following an attack, Abby disregards propriety and turns not to her fiancé for help, but to Scooter. In the face of unimaginable odds, the pair embarks on a quest to find Abby's son, a journey that will test their courage and faith as never before . . .

Rorie's Review:

This book just fell flat for me. I can't really pinpoint why, but I had a really hard time getting lost in the story. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either. It was just OK. I was still able to finish it in just a few days though. I'm having a hard time coming up with a review for this book, and I think it's because nothing really stood out to me. The part I enjoyed the most was the climax near the end, but after that was resolved, the book went back to being just OK again. 

Tarah's Review:

First, let me say that I think anyone who writes and can get a book published needs to be given kudos. That takes serious talent, and more hard work and effort than I can fathom. So, kudos to Darryl Harris for being a published author.

All that being said, I struggled through this book. I kept wondering why I was struggling, and here is what I came up with. First, it reads more like a history than a novel. Yes, there is a story line, but there is so much history that I feel like the story gets lost. Second, I found the story to be really pretentious. I was going to classify Abby as really judgmental, but on further reflection she isn't judgmental so much as thinking she's just better than everyone else. Granted she never says anything like that, but with the way her thoughts toward other people are geared it comes across as ... well ... pretentious.  Scooter's reactions were somewhat baffling to me as well. Abby just sees a massacre and can't find her child, and he expects her to say goodbye with a hug or something? What?!?  Not much about their relationship seemed real to me, and that made me sad.

While this wasn't a book for me, if you really like Utah Pioneer History, you may really enjoy this book. There were lots of stories from up in the Logan area that I wasn't familiar with.

Blog Tour links:

Jan. 25th: http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/, http://www.sweetlymadejustforyou.com/ 

Jan. 26th: http://www.rockinbookreviews.com/,http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/

Jan. 27th: http://fireandicereads.com/, http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/

Jan. 28th: http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/

Jan. 29th: http://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/index.html, http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/

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Title: Abby's Crossing
Author: Darryl Harris
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Published: January 2016
ISBN:  1621088324
Source: We received copies from the publisher in exchange for a review. 

Purchase: Amazon Deseret Book

 

Cover Reveal: First Light (Forever After Series, Book 1)

Book Description:

Seventeen-year-old Adrielle doesn’t believe in magic; she merely possesses it, though no one has ever mentioned that her unusual gifts—exceptional speed, a flair for fire, and an intimate knowledge of flora—aren’t things she was born with. When Adrielle starts a fire that burns down the family home, she must deal with both her grief and her siblings’ hurtful rejection.

While journeying to far away Tallinyne, in search of her older, estranged sister—the only relative who might take her in—Adrielle is separated from her escort when the carriage is beset by thieves. Alone, she is thrust into a dangerous and unfamiliar world where she encounters fairies and gypsies, a wild boar, a drunk cook, and an evil queen whose curse is sweeping death across the land. Adrielle also finds love, falling hard for a kind, funny, handsome—and completely unavailable prince.

From the glowing pearls tucked beneath her mattress and keeping her awake at night, to Queen Nadamaris’s curse that seems to thwart Adrielle’s every effort, Adrielle struggles to navigate a world of magic she never imagined, where people she knows and loves are not always what they appear to be. With the glowing pearls—and her fondest desire—within her grasp, she is forced to make a choice no girl should ever have to—satisfying her own heart or saving the kingdom.

Release Date: February 25, 2015

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Book Review: With This Ring?: A Novella Collection of Proposals Gone Awry by: Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, Regina Jennings, Melissa Jagears

Book Description:

Four top historical romance novelists team up in this new collection to offer stories of love and romance with a twist of humor. In Karen Witemeyer's "The Husband Maneuver," Marietta Hawkins decides to grab the reins when the ranch foreman she loves seems to be leaving forever. Regina Jennings offers "Her Dearly Unintended," where friends stranded by a rising river pretend to be newlyweds when a dangerous stranger arrives.

Mary Connealy's "Runaway Bride" finds a Texas ranger getting more than he expected when he rescues a young woman fleeing a dangerous arranged marriage. And Melissa Jagears' "Engaging the Competition" finds a young woman forced to assist the man she's often sparred with after an accident leaves him helpless. Each tale is a fun blend of history and romance that will delight readers.

Book Review:

The Husband Maneuever by Karen Witemeyer
This was a cute story that follows a minor character from on of Witemeyer's other books. I love love love that it had a story in the story, and I love the ending, crossed out part of the story. That was cute and clever. 
Marietta is a strong character and I loved getting to know her a little better. Her little scheming were awesome. 
It's hard not to like Dan. He has such a good character and it just upstanding. 
This was a lovely little story. 

Her Dearly Unintended by Regina Jennings
I didn't love this one as much. The female lead was soooo aggressive the whole time and that made it a little unbelievable at the end.  If she wasn't such a stinker I would have liked this book a lot more. 

Runaway Bride by Mary Connealy:
I was really enjoying this story when all of a sudden it just had too many "What?!?!'s" Maybe because this was a novella, but this might have been better as a longer story that could be flushed out more and didn't have you jumping from one extreme to another. 

Engaging the Competition by Melissa Jagears:
This was my second favorite story in the collection. I have so much sympathy for Harrison and being blind. I can totally relate to that. I just read another review and the reviewer didn't like this story at all, and while I can understand all of her points, and even agree with them, I just thought this was an entertaining read. 
 
  


Title: With this Ring? A Novella Collection of Proposals Gone Awry
Authors: Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, Regina Jennings, Melissa Jagears
Publisher: Bethany House
Published: January 2016
ISBN:  0764217720
Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for a review.

DVD Review: Just Let Go

Movie Description:

Henry Ian Cusick, Emmy Nominee, as Chris Williams in the true story "Just Let Go". After surviving a drunk driving accident that killed his pregnant wife and two kids, Chris Williams struggles to 'just let go' and forgive the young man who caused it.

As we begin the New Year, this message of forgiveness is an important reminder, that forgiveness can bring peace to your soul. “It has allowed a terrible tragedy … to be turned into, in many aspects, a tremendous blessing. That has been one of the most fascinating things to experience,” Williams said in a interview with the Deseret News. “To see the lives blessed since the crash, it has been overwhelming how many positive things have come from it.”

Andrea's Review:

The tears started flowing almost immediately as Just Let Go began. It is a heart wrenching story (one that I was familiar with). I cannot imagine the pain that would come from having any loved one killed, not to mention having more than half of your family killed by a drunk driver. Chris' story is really amazing. It made me ask myself what sort of things I hold onto. Certainly nothing even remotely close to Chris' situation, and he was able to let it go. Why do I hold onto an unkind word or action? This is really a great movie to help put the important things in our lives into focus. It also is a reminder of how fragile life is.

This movie was very well done. The acting and cinematography were excellent, and I would highly recommend it (have tissues handy!).

It is rated PG-13. There are a couple of mild swear words, and some blood from the accident scenes.

Rorie's Review:

Don't start watching this movie without a box of tissues nearby. I never ended up sobbing throughout it, but I think had I been watching this movie without my kids coming in and out, that would have been different.

I had seen the previews for this movie, and I think I remember hearing about the story when it initially happened. Throughout most of the movie, Chris seems to be living in a fog - just going through the motions, but not really living, due to the grief caused by losing his family. I can't even imagine that kind of pain, and I also can't imagine being strong enough to forgive the person who destroyed my family.

It amazes me that Chris was able to work through the pain and finally forgive. What an amazing example to all of us. Even though most of us will not have to go through something so tragic, we can choose to let go of so many other things that cause us pain and bitterness.