The Lost Stones/Paul Rimmasch

Review:

    Instead of putting up a synopsis I put up the book trailer. Check it out! The question to ask now is, what did happen to the 16 glowing stones that the Lord touched to bring forth light for the boats that brought the Brother of Jared and his people to the Promised Land? This book is a work of fiction, but uses historical facts from the Book of Mormon.
    Ammon Rogers grew up in an LDS home, but fell away until he returned home from his 2nd tour in Iraq. Now at BYU he is trying to find ways to produce alternate energy. Still trying to understand the truthfulness of the Gospel and Book of Mormon he finds himself traveling with John Byrd and his feisty daugther Sariah. From Utah, to Mexico, to a few other places on the map, they search for clues on the whereabouts of those lost stones which could be the answer to Ammon's alternate energy solutions. While on this journey they must evade "Accident Man" who is hired to stop those people who make significant discoveries and cause an "accident" before the findings can be heard.
    I would recommend this book to those who love history and archeology! It is a very informative book on ancient discoveries and possibilities. I liked how it explained the reason why the church doesn't use scientific proof to prove fact, even if it is genuine. It just goes to show you don't need proof to know the truth.
    Do they find the lost stones? Do they evade the "Accident Man"? Find it all out when you read this book by Paul Rimmasch.

My Loving Vigil Keeping/Carla Kelly

Synopsis: 


   "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."

Review:

   This book was based on true events, which made it all the more real for me. Della may be a fictional character, but she brought the feelings of that day to the forefront of my mind and I felt the devistation of the tragedy like I was there, and she was real.
   Della has struggled to find her place in the world after her father died in a coal mining accident when she was 12 years old. Having not known her mother and had no other family close by, she was sent to live with her Uncle and Aunt in Salt Lake City Utah. Her Aunt and Cousins despised her and her Uncle was clueless to it. Even though she lived with them, she was alone and had to fend for herself.
   She needed to get away and took a teaching job at Winter's Quarters, a coal mining camp. At first the families in the area looked down on her and couldn't figure out why a spoiled rich girl had taken a teaching job there in the first place. They didn't realize her Father was a coal miner and she was practically an orphan from 12 and on.
   As the story unfolds there is laughter, drama, respect, understanding and love. Oh, and lots and lots of singing! Follow Della, or even become her as you read this book. Share her emotions and strategies as she starts to find her way to a place where she finally feels like she can belong.
   Another great read from Carla Kelly! She even put information at the back of the book about the mine explosion and some more details of the real families and what happened to them after this tragedy. Perhaps there will be a sequel for Della where she finds her mother?? Either way pick up this book and transport yourself back in time and fall in love with the coal miners and their families!

Carnival Girl/Sonja Herbert

Review:

    I didn't put down a synopsis because Sonja wrote a beautiful guest blog just below that explains her book and a few other tidbits of life after the Carnival. So please take a minute and read that when you get the chance.
   What a moving book, to read the memories and real life experience of Sonja! It was a journey for me to take in what it was like for her to grow up in Germany after WWII. Having a Mother who was half Jew and her having to hide out from the Nazi's. How utterly sad! But she made it through strong. Every chapter was usually a different age of Sonja's life and her memories of her Parents and siblings just trying to survive and make ends meat while being part of a moving carnival.
    I really enjoyed having pictures to look at as well, and knowing who I was reading about! It brought the book to life. These are real people and real emotions to take in. This family is strong, and even though Sonja's family was very opinionated about her new Faith, they didn't get in her way when she wanted to get baptized (except for her mother asking her to wait a year to see if she would still be interested).
    Get to know Sonja and her Mutti (Mother) and Vati (Father) and her siblings. Your heart will go out to them through their trials and accomplishments. Thanks Sonja for giving us a glimpse into your life! :)