The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back/Sariah Wilson

Synopsis:

   "Quirky, artistic and snarky Mattie Lowe does not lead a charmed life. Her mother is constantly belittling her on Skype. Mercedes, the school mean girl, has made it her personal mission to torment Mattie. But worst of all? Her stepsister Ella is the most beautiful, popular girl in school and is dating Mattie’s secret longtime crush, Jake Kingston.

Tired of being left out and done with waiting for her own stupid fairy godmother to show up, Mattie decides to change her life. She’ll start by running for senior class president against wildly popular Jake.

Ella can keep her Prince Annoying. Mattie’s going to rule the school.

And no one, not even a cute and suddenly flirty Jake, is going to stop her."

Review:

    This YA novel was absolutely fantastic! I have always been a fan of Cinderella stories (Ask anyone who knows me, that Cinderella is my favorite princess). This story takes it to an all new level.
    Mattie has loved Jake Kingston for years but when Ella, her step-sister starts dating him, Mattie's whole world seems to crumble around her. Her mother is no help either. Her Father loves her but spends most of his time in his art studio. When Mattie gets an up close encounter with the love of her life, she comes to question why she ever fell in love with this jerk. But things aren't as they seem and things around her start changing drastically. With the help of Ella, things start looking up, and she doesn't even have to blow out the candles on a birthday cake for her wish to come true!
    I laughed a lot while reading this book. I found myself Fighting alongside Mattie while she underwent changes as a senior in High School, and outside of school. This book had romance, comedy, drama, and courage. Even though this book was written for young adults I read it in a few hours cause I didn't want to put it down. If you are a fan of Cinderella and romance, this is a book for all ages!
    Sariah also has other books out as well that are great, so check those ones out too!

Castles On The Sand/E.M. Tippetts

Summary:

   "Madison Lukas knows her place in the world. She's not pretty, not interesting, and therefore easy to forget. John Britton is serving his mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and has been praying for fifteen years to find the sister he lost in his parents' divorce. She is beautiful, talented, and makes kindness a fine art.
    When John and Madison cross paths, he recognizes her at once, but Madison is certain that he's got it all wrong. Even if she is his long-lost sister, she can't possibly be the exceptional, amazing girl he thinks she is, can she?"

Review:

    So Madison has to deal with High School and all the drama that goes with it. Her best friend Kailie I found to be a bit crazy, but who doesn't have one or more friends like that? Being a good friend Madison sticks by Kailie no matter what predicament she finds herself in. Madison is faced with lots of peer pressure, but to me handles it well. Her long lost brother shows up whom she didn't even know existed, and finds out she has two other older brothers as well.
    John helps Madison realize how special she really is when those around her make her feel useless, when the truth is, she is always there for everyone but herself. John is an angel sent to her and will not give up trying to make his little sister realize what a wonderful and beautiful person she is.
    She also has 3 different guy's in her life. There's JP, Carson, and Alex. They all bring something different and I truly believe she ends up with the right guy!
    Another great book from Emily! She always brings something new with each book she writes. I cant wait to see what the next one will bring!

Paige/Annette Lyon

Synopsis:

   "After a bitter divorce from her unfaithful husband, Paige moves from Utah to California with her two little boys and vows to make a fresh start. She finds a job at a dental practice that helps her get back on her feet, but it's the friends she makes at her new book club who help her realize how strong she is and who give her support to carry on as she faces challenges of being a single mom. She also meets Derryl, a wonderful, kind, attentive man who treats her right-something her ex never did. Yet, Paige struggles to figure out who she is as a woman rather than a wife, how to help her boys adjust to a broken home, and whether she can ever trust a man or love again. As Paige leans on the book club ladies and Derryl's ever present care, one thing becomes clear: healing from the past requires more than a change of address."

Review: 

   Paige is the third book in the Newport Ladies Book Club series and is written by a different author as all the books have, and will be.
   While reading about Paige it was interesting to see that Olivia, Daisy, and also Athena (that book comes out around November) seem to lean on Paige and confide in her compared to each other. I learned far more about Athena as well in this book then I did in the other two.
   Paige is a strength for single mother's and divorced women out there. If you are one of those women then you should pick up this book and realize you are special and important, not just to your kids, but your family and friends! You are AMAZING!
   I fell in love with Derryl and what a wonderful character he is. Doug I definitely disliked! What a creep, and not just to Paige, but his own boys!
   I enjoyed watching the friendship blossom between each of the very different women. It was a fun and insightful book. Friendship is what everyone needs, and who knows you might get your next friend attending a book club. Follow Paige this time around and take in some romance, drama, heartache, and a mothers love.

Choosing Charity/Terri Ferran

Synopsis:

   "When Kit learns that her biological mother wants to meet her, it seems her perfect life is about to come tumbling down. With a new job, a husband she adores, and friends all around her, can Kit possibly be expected to risk everything for a woman who left her in a dumpster to die?
    Of course, love comes in many forms. Now Kit's about to learn that when faith and hope aren't enough, charity can make things right."

Review: 

   This is the third and final book in the Faith, Hope, and Charity series. You do not need to read the first two to enjoy this book, but they help you understand how Kit and her husband Adam met and gives you better input on those people in her life. The first two books are called 1. Finding Faith  2. Having Hope
    I have to say that this was definitely my favorite in the series! Kit has really grown since the first book but still has many unexpected surprises still ahead of her that are brought forward in this last one. She faces her parents sudden divorce and juggling relationships with both and their changing lives. Also the fact that her biological mother finds her after all these years and it's not how Kit planned the meeting would go. Of course Adam is the perfect husband who helps her look past all the negative that's creeping up and brings in the positive. She also has great support from his family and their friends.
   I loved how Terri tied in the word "Charity" and used it in a couple different ways. It was truly an inspirational read! It had love, drama, heartache, laughter, and of course Faith, Hope, and Charity. Family is a powerful thing and these books hold to what it means to be one. To be there for one another, no matter the circumstance. Love never dies. 
   Read all three books and get the know Kit, Adam, and the rest of these fun characters Terri brought to life through her writing.

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! :)