On Little Wings - Book Review

            I was excited to do this review because I had heard good things about this book. It did not disappoint. From the first pages, I knew this would be a book I would keep on my shelf as a friend to be read again. Not only is the story intriguing, but the way the story is written is such a treat.

For example, here is a description of the main character’s best friend Cleo:

The women of Christ’s Church who spent many years praying for the unfortunate little Douglas child suddenly looked up in confusion. They were hoping to comfort her soul and God had taken the short cut and given her a full-blown makeover.

And later,  Jennifer’s trip to Maine:

The road to shelter Cove followed the rocky banks unwilling to leave the side of the ocean after working so hard to find it. Some scrawny pine trees tried to obstruct the view by pushing between the water and the street, but they didn’t get far. The ocean reappeared again, watching me, following me, tugging her foamy white skirts along the jagged rocks to keep up with the car.

            The characters and dialogue are deep and insightful. Here’s a look at Little:

            “I’m all here, Jennifer.” Little’s voice stopped me as I reached for the handle. I started and turned back to her at the sound of my name. “Some people think that all old people start going soft in the head but I’m not that old. Only my skin got old and I can’t help that. Ugly, I know, but you should have seen... Boy, tell her that she should have seen me seventy years ago.” She continued without pause so she didn’t really expect him to say anything, which seemed fitting, considering. “I’ve got stories for you and when you’re ready I’ll be here. 

           I couldn't just tell you how good the writing is, I had to show you.

           The story begins when a young woman finds a picture she was not meant to find, and suddenly she has questions about her family and her mother's past she can't leave alone.

          You can find On Little Wings for purchase on Amazon. To connect with Author Regina Sirois, you can go to her website, reginasirois.com. 

            You can purchase little wings as an e-book, but if you are like me, you'll want a copy on your shelf that you can hold in your hands and enjoy more than once.

             

Retirement Quest, Make Better Decisions - Book Review

Retirement Quest. Sounds like an epic fantasy where the journey ends up in a condo in Florida, right. Actually, that's not far off, it's a book about practical financial planning so that you can retire to that condo in Florida.

With his experience in financial planning, John Hauserman provides you with the tools you will need to plan a strategy for retirement. I found Retirement Quest to be very informative with topics such as goal setting, risk management, investing, the market cycle and choosing a source of advice, among others.

In chapter 7. Risk in a Modern World, I learned about maintaining a diversified portfolio as opposed to having a non-diversified investment. The latter is basically like having all your eggs in one basket, and if the basket gets knocked over, you risk facing a total loss. A diversified portfolio spread among stocks, bonds and other assets, protects you from this scenario.

"In order to make the best possible retirement saving and planning decisions, we must begin by fully understanding the challenges at hand."

                             John Hauserman, CFP

To take a look at the Retirement Quest website click Here. 

For a copy of Retirement Quest you can visit Barnes and Noble or Amazon.I would advise anyone interested in getting a jump start on planning for their financial future to become acquainted with the advice given in this well designed book.

A Change of Heart

In the adult session of Stake Conference, Sister Suzanne Tate (wife of Elder Warren G. Tate, area seventy) spoke about having a change of heart. When people are frustrated with their circumstances sometimes they need to turn to Alma chapter 5 and learn about the "mighty change that was wrought in their hearts."

Sister Tate listed six things we can do to have a change of heart. They include; 1. Learn and internalize who you are, because it's important to know we are children of God and get closer to him through scripture study and prayer. 2. Be in control of your thoughts and behavior. Before you react, think, "how do I choose to let this affect me?" 3. Make peace with your past so it won't ruin your future.

 4. Relationships are opportunities to grow and improve. 5. Be a beacon of joy and happiness. 6. Forgive everyone for everything and look to yourself for change.

I appreciated Sister Tate's talk, because there are times when I find myself in need of a change of heart. Having the tools to assist me in this goal is invaluable. 

I Nephi

I Nephi is a wonderful historical novel, rich with description of the mountain country around Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Born into a polygamous family, Nephi struggles with his father's decision to take on extra wives. He doesn't understand his brother Alma's desire to get all tied up with a girl and start a family. He is full of mischief and when he gets an itch to pull a prank, he makes it a memorable one. Nephi is a character you won't soon forget.

 You can find I Nephi at Barnes and Noble in paperback.
 I Nephi on Amazon is offered in paperback or for the kindle.

You can connect with Karen at her blogs Satin and Swords and Country Eating.

Whether read as an e-book or actual page by page, I'm sure you will enjoy this heartwarming biography.

Goals for the New Year

Here we go again, a new year and a new set of goals to tackle. I look at it as a fresh start. Sure, sometimes our goals can fizzle, but doesn't it feel good to get them on paper and have a list to focus on. Lists are what I thrive on. If I don't write it down I am doomed. Doomed I say.

My family sat down last night and we divided our goals into four categories - Spiritual, Educational, Financial and Personal.

So here is my list:

Spiritual - 1. Read scriptures daily. 2. Personal prayer morning and night. 3. Personal Journal weekly.

Education - 1. Two writing conferences per year. 2. Take a family history class.

Financial - 1. Do the Family Financial Workshop. 2. Organize our home office and set up a better mail system.

Personal - 1. Finish my YA novel 'Loom of Dreams'. 2. Revise a story for the FRIEND. 3. Continue writing and illustrating for Stories for Children Magazine.

Writing things down is key for me to actually getting them done. Does this work for you? Are you a goal setter? What's your system?

Transcendent - Tales of the Paranormal

Looking for your fix of sirens, vampires, angels and things otherworldly? These eight short stories will delight you with touches of humor and a shiver or two. These stories have it all, if you like romance, suspense, and a good old dose of spooky this is the book for you.

You can find Transcendent on Amazon
Transcendent is on Goodreads and Facebook .

You can win a copy of Transcendent just by posting a comment on my blog. Be sure to leave me a link so I can find you.

If you just have to have a book in your hands, try winning a hard copy of the book over at Wendy Swore's Blog.

Tales From The Hollow Tree

Tales From the Hollow Tree is a delightful collection of short stories. Each tale is infused with imagination and attention to detail.These girls know how to write. I think of this book as a a box of bon bons. Each of them is sweet, but until you take a bite you won't know what flavor to expect.

In Lisa Asunama's story 'Trickster', a young girl faces the cunning Trickster, who deceived her grandfather and brought shame to her family. She has a secret he is itching to know. She challenges him to perform three services in order to learn the answer.

In Lisa Santiago's story 'The Final Sacrifice', a man yearns to spend more time with the sweet young lady who makes his life more bearable, but at what cost?

At three or four pages to a story, treat yourself to a yummy reading indulgence.

Isabel and Lisa began this book on a blog - Hollow Tree Tales
. Each friday they post a free fiction story. Tales From the Hollow Tree is a collection of some of these stories.

Tales From the Hollow Tree is now available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. You can read and write great reviews about Tales From the Hollow on Goodreads..

Good luck, and enjoy this awesome book.