BEHIND THE DRIVE — review

BEHIND THE DRIVE: 99 INSPIRING STORIES FROM THE LIFE OF AN AMERICAN ENTREPRENUER. I found this book fascinating. I love learning about people through their works, and there's nothing better than stories from close friends, co-workers, and family. It gives amazing insight as to who the person really is. I really enjoyed the forward by Mitt Romney and the stories are incredible. Some of the people that shared I know about and others I didn't, but either way I learned about how Larry Miller was a wonderful friend, businessman, father, and friend. He is a great example of we all can be toward our fellow men and to become great people in the process. They are lessons that we all can take to heart and apply to our lives. This is a book I would highly recommend to anyone who is looking to improve their lives.

:) :) :) :) :)

Larry H. Miller played by his own rules. Owner of an NBA franchise and founder of one of the country's largest automotive retail groups, Larry was a college dropout who went on to buy or build nearly one hundred businesses. Having started his career behind the service counter of an auto parts store, Larry became known as a masterful entrepreneur, a self-made billionaire, and a philanthropist. But he was so much more. 

Behind the Drive contains ninety-nine uplifting and untold stories from every aspect and era of Larry's life. Contributors range from NBA legends to religious officials, business moguls to political leaders, employees to childhood friends, and colleagues to competitors.

These stories of an "ordinary-yet-extraordinary" man will inspire readers to find and live their own greatness by following Larry's example of working hard at something he loved, applying his God-given talents in service to others, and allowing his life to be guided by something greater than himself. This book is a guide for anyone who wishes to find success and make contributions in today's busy world.

*A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

DOUBLE PLAY by Renee S Clark — book review

DOUBLE PLAY by Renee S Clark. This is a darling book. I loved it from the first page to the last. Sophie is a riot. Her journey is a fascinating one that I feel a lot of women follow to some extent or another. David is such a good guy that has his own flaws to work through. There are many good lessons to learn from Sophie and David. It is fabulous story that will have anyone turning the pages to find out how it ends. I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone.

:) :) :) :) :)

Sophie Pope is devastated when she hears the news: her former boyfriend, college football star Anthony “Rocket” Rogers, is engaged to be married. Determined to win him back before he says “I do,” Sophie hatches a foolproof plan to stop the wedding. But when Rocket’s best man, aspiring baseball player David Savage, thwarts her plot, she realizes the game is up. For David, though, it’s just beginning . . . 

David knows that Sophie is just another pretty face, and he’s more than happy to save his best friend from her shallow advances. She’s not his type at all, so he’s baffled by his response to an awkward encounter with Donovan, another of Sophie’s former flames. Despite himself, David feels driven by an inexplicable need to protect her. Pretending to be Sophie’s new fiancé leads to unexpected sparks between the pair, and soon they’re searching for excuses to spend time together. But when a curveball threatens to send them in opposite directions, will Sophie and David step up to the plate for the possibility of true love?

*A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

Tour Schedule:

Jan. 18th

http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/
http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/

Jan. 19th

http://fireandicereads.com/
http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/
http://www.bonnieharris.blogspot.com/
http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/

Jan. 20th

http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/
http://www.wishfulendings.com/
http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/

Jan. 21st

http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/
http://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/index.html
http://www.rockinbookreviews.com/

Jan. 22nd

https://joyinthemoments.wordpress.com
http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/
http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/
http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/
http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BROKEN THINGS TO MEND by Karey White — book review

Broken Things to Mend by Karey White

This is a very cute story, although a bit predictable. The characters were fun and the setting made things intriguing. That being said, I had a hard time reading this story. I felt like I couldn't pinpoint the point of view. A few paragraphs were from one person's viewpoint then it would switch. It was almost like Karey was trying to do an omniscient point of view but for me, it didn't work well. I ended up scanning through some of it and by the midway point things seemed to settle a bit and each section was in a different point of view. This is just one person's opinion and it may not bother other people, so I would have to say if the head hoping (changing points of view in the same section) this is a great love story.

:) :) :)

Celia is in desperate need of a change--a change of scenery, a change of pace, and a complete redo of all relationships. Not knowing what else to do, she opens a map, closes her eyes, and lets fate decide her future. Then she packs her meager belongings and buys a one-way ticket to a little town on the fringes of Oregon's Deschutes National Forest called Sisters. She's wanted a family for years. Will she find one in Sisters? What Celia doesn't plan to find is a strange Chinese woman whose meddling ways keep throwing her in the path of a handsome, but reserved, forest ranger. But no matter how kind or dependable Silas seems to be, there are some things in Celia's past that neither of them can escape, and this time, the damage might be too much to mend.

 

 

Author Karey White Karey White grew up in Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and Missouri. She attended Ricks College and Brigham Young University. Her first novel, Gifted, was a Whitney Award Finalist. She loves to travel, read, bake treats, and spend time with family and friends. She and her husband are the parents of four great children. She teaches summer creative writing courses to young people and is currently working on her next book.

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

      Blog Tour Giveaway - $50 Amazon Gift Card or $50 in Paypal Cash Ends 2/2/16 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.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour Schedule

CHRISTMAS ROUND UP — Great Christmas Gifts

Take a look at these great Christmas gifts! I'm excited to get to review all these soon. Stay tuned for those reviews and Merry Christmas!

IT'S ALL ABOUT CHRISTMAS Like heirloom ornaments on a splendid tree, It’s All About Christmaswill put you and your family in a festive frame of mind for a glorious holiday season. Stuffed with stories, songs, poems, Christmas history, joyful traditions, recipes, and activities, this delightful book celebrates all things Christmas—from the sacred story of the Nativity to the lore of Saint Nick. Opening this book is like tearing the paper off a much-anticipated gift, offering new surprises with each turn of the page. Generously illustrated with scores of vibrant vintage images, It’s All About Christmas will remind you of Christmases past, help you appreciate Christmas present, and guide you to creating memories for the Christmases to come.

WORDS OF CHRISTMAS Investigate the deeper meanings of Christmas with this beautifully designed book that takes a closer look at twenty-five words, like hope, faith, and joy, that we hear throughout the holidays. Reflect upon the true meaning of these oft-repeated words.

A SONGBOOK Her music and lyrics are timeless, her legacy limitless. Now audiences everywhere are invited to celebrate the work of musical legend Janice Kapp Perry with A Songbook for LDS Families, a stunning illustrated compilation of many of Janice’s most moving pieces. A Songbook for LDS Families highlights eighteen beloved and well-known songs, as well as twenty-eight newly penned Book of Mormon hymns composed by Janice Kapp Perry with text by Bonnie Hart Murray. The first section of this beautifully designed book showcases musical scores everyone loves, as well as new sister missionary arrangements of “As Sisters in Zion” and “In the Hollow of Th y Hand.” Incredible insights into the stories behind the cherished lyrics accompany each song. In addition to the choral arrangements, section two explains the process and highlights the scriptures that inspired the creation of these new Book of Mormon hymns. Also included in this special-edition volume are two CDs containing accompaniment tracks to all forty-six pieces of music. Underscored by the stunning artwork of Greg Olsen, Simon Dewey, and Tom Lovell, as well as the complete Book of Mormon art collection by Arnold Friberg, this unparalleled celebration of faith-promoting music is sure to be a treasured keepsake.

He Knows My Name
Little Rebekah is fascinated by the man her neighbors call Jesus, and she wants to hear all He has to say. But her mother, Sarah, wants Rebekah to keep her distance. She has heard that some call this man Master and others a heretic, but beyond that, she has heard rumors that some factions wish to harm Him. However, Rebekah is persistent, and one day she brings Jesus home to meet her mother and grandfather—a simple act that will forever change all their lives.

No Ordinary Shepherd
As the sun beams brightly on the hills surrounding Palestine, one young shepherd boy thoughtfully considers the significance of the day. The child, crippled in a terrible accident, has always treasured his shepherd father’s tale of that starlit night so many years before—a night filled with the wonder of angelic heralds and a tiny Bethlehem stable sheltering the chosen Messiah. Now, years since that sacred event, tales of Jesus of Nazareth’s miraculous birth touch the young boy’s faith. When he meets the gentle stranger in the hills—a man oddly familiar to him—the faithful young shepherd encounters a miracle of his own.

BY THE RIVER by Jennie Hansen — #books #reviews #amreading

BY THE RIVER by Jennie Hansen. I had a hard time getting into this story. I thought it would be easy to jump in but for some reason it wasn't. When that happens I like to figure out why, and I haven't been able to put my finger on the answer to that question yet, other than I wasn't into it this time around. The characters were good, solid characters and the story began with a bang, right in the middle of things, but for me, it seemed to fizzle out a bit after that. It is a good, clean read that I can recommend for those who love a good romantic suspense though.

:) :) :)

It was supposed to be a relaxing early morning run, but the path along the river trail quickly turns into the scene of a nightmare for recent college graduate Kira Paxton. An unintended exploration of a secluded riverbank leads to a gruesome discovery that sets her on a collision course with danger: it is the body of a young woman. In shock, all Kira can manage to do is scream . . . From the moment Ford Kettering hears the cries for help along the trail, he is drawn irrevocably into a mystery in which he plays a shocking role. Ford, a local high school teacher, had a recent classroom clash with the victim—now, he’s a person of interest. As Ford and Kira bond over their shared ordeal, they work together to prove Ford’s innocence—and soon, their attraction is undeniable. But it seems that Kira’s nightmare is far from over. What begins as a series of close calls and acts of vandalism soon escalates, putting Kira’s own life in jeopardy. It appears that Kira saw something that day along the trail, something that has made her a target. With Ford’s help, she is determined to track down the killer—before she becomes the next victim.

*I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

Tour Schedule:

Nov 23rd

http://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/index.html

http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/

http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/ 

Nov 24th

http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/

http://www.rockinbookreviews.com/ 

Nov 25th

http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/

http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/

http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/

Nov 26th

http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/

http://www.bonnieharris.blogspot.com/

http://www.wishfulendings.com/

Nov 27th

http://www.littlelightdesigncollective.com/

http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/ 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A RARE NATIVITY by Sam Beeson — #amreading #reviews #christmas #books

A RARE NATIVITY by Sam Beeson. This book had me curious from the get go. Just the title alone caught my attention, although I had my doubts about it. Then, when I opened it and began to read, my doubts rose. I couldn't see how this book would pull together all the "gifts" that were given to an enemy into something beautiful. It surprised me and I was touched at the end and ashamed at my judgements. This book has a very poignant, sweet message on forgiveness. It is a great book that is for everyone of all ages, especially those have been or who have hurt someone. It is a beautiful way to look at forgiveness.

:) :) :) :) :)

We've all heard the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas," and we've all seen the traditional Christmas creche. Now, author Sam Beeson and photographers Nina and Terral Cochran combine these two classic Christmas icons to create A Rare Nativity.

Upon reading the first lines of the book, it's clear the narrator holds a bitter grudge as he sends his enemy crude and discarded gifts:

On the first night of Christmas I gave my enemy a briar from a tanglewood tree.

On the second night of Christmas I gave my enemy two broken eggs.

Night after night the "gifts" pile up - shards of glass, rusty nails, gnarled twigs, and more. What the narrator's enemy decides to do with each of these odious gifts is nothing less than a Christmas miracle. The photographic creation of the rare nativity at the end of the book is both a work of art and a wonder to behold.

Forgiveness is something we all need to give and receive, and A Rare Nativity opens our eyes to the act of forgiveness and the true meaning of Christmas. It's a universal message to be shared with readers of all ages. Christmas is a season for giving. Make it a forgiving season.

PUZZLE PIECES by Betsy Brannon Green — #bookreview #books #amreading

PUZZLE PIECES by Betsy Brannon Green. This was a fun mystery that had me thinking on my toes. I loved the characters and the setting. The first chapter had me excited to turn the page. It slowed down from there until the mystery began to unfold. So for me it felt like it was a slow start to the story. I loved it though and would recommend it to anyone who loves a good mystery.

:) :) :) :)

Presley DeGraff is a young woman on the run. With nothing but the clothes on her back, her escape from the ruthless manipulations of her former fiancé leaves her with little time to hide. There is only one person to whom she can turn, only one place she may be safe . . .

Haggerty, Georgia, is known for its Southern hospitality and quirky inhabitants. For Presley, her Aunt Violet’s home in the tiny town is a lifesaving haven. Her aunt, along with a cast of delightful friends and neighbors, warmly welcomes her. For the first time in so long, she feels hope—a hope that hinges on hiding her past. But the dreams of solitude that she had envisioned quickly fade when a disturbing discovery is made in her aunt’s backyard: a human skeleton. At the first hint of crime, Haggerty’s own amateur sleuth, Miss Eugenia, is on the case. Along with handsome Haggerty resident Mac and sprightly ninety-nine-year-old Loralee, Presley is quickly drawn into a mystery spanning generations of Haggerty’s history. But when news coverage of the investigation digs up Presley’s own secrets, it’s up to her new friends to come to her aid, by whatever means necessary.

*Nov. 9th

http://www.rockinbookreviews.com/
http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/ 

*Nov. 10th

http://www.wishfulendings.com/
http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/
http://www.bonnieharris.blogspot.com/

*Nov. 11th
http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/
http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/
http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/

*Nov. 12th
http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/
http://www.littlelightdesigncollective.com/
http://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/index.html

*Nov. 13th

http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/
http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/
http://www.ldswomensbookreview.com/wordpress/ 

a Rafflecopter giveaway