Review: Saints at Devil's Gate: Landscapes Along the Mormon Trail by Laura Allred Hurtado, Bryon C. Andreasen, John Burton, Josh Clare, Bryan Mark Taylor

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

*UPDATE* Now available at Amazon!
 This book was published to accompany an exhibition of the same name at the Church History Museum in Salt Lake City. Therefore, distribution of the book has been limited. Copies are available at the museum gift store, at store.lds.org, and at some independent bookstores in Utah.

Synopsis

A beautiful art book from the Church Historian's Press, publisher of The Joseph Smith Papers.

From 1846 to 1869, some 70,000 Mormon pioneers traveled the Mormon Trail, the 1,300-mile route from Illinois and Iowa to Salt Lake City. In 2011, three award-winning Mormon painters decided to visit sites all along the historic route and capture the landscapes in oil. This full-color art book, featuring 52 landscape paintings, presents the fruit of their five-year project. Each painting is paired with journal entries or reminiscences from pioneers who made the journey. Essays by the authors and an artist interview illuminate both the art and the history of the trail.

The book gives written and visual context to the pioneers’ experience of the trail, bears witness to the land as it exists today, and links the experience of pioneers to the challenges of today.

My Review

I loved this art book, not just because of the gorgeous paintings, but also the history and real accounts from trail journals and reminiscences of pioneers. Their words truly enhanced the viewing experience and I'm sure the exhibit in the Church History Museum is amazing! The paintings allowed me to try and see the landscapes from the pioneers' perspective, and the wide range of experiences shared showed the trials and joys of men, women, and children of all ages. I was surprised to recognize one of the modern scenes- the road leading to the Winter Quarters Temple. I've driven on that road a few times while in Nebraska for family events. The pioneer cemetery next to the temple site is unforgettable, especially when visited during an icy winter since it brings to life the harsh conditions they endured. I liked that the book showcased the work of three artists, providing both variety and continuity. There are sidebars of information on the majority of pages that provide historical context for the painting subject and pioneer accounts that provided enlightenment. The size of the book is large but not overly so, it fit inside my church tote. The pages are high quality paper and will withstand multiple viewings over time. It is a well-produced book of beautiful art and I encourage you to visit the exhibit and/or purchase a copy for yourself!

(I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher; all opinions in this review are my own)

Extras

View the online exhibit of artwork, maps, and quotes from pioneers

Learn more about the artwork and exhibit from the artists and curators

Accounts from journals of pioneers who traveled through Devil's Gate

Review: How to Get Over Your Ex in Ninety Days by Jennifer Peel

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

How to Get Over Your Ex in Ninety Days

• Break off all contact for ninety days.
• Stay away from social media.
• Remember all the things you liked to do when you were single and revisit those activities.
• Think carefully about starting any new romantic attachments.
• Wine, lots of wine. No, don’t. It could end badly.
• Be mindful of anxiety and feelings of hopelessness.
• Remind yourself it takes ninety days for your mind to switch gears and picture your life in a new direction.

Presley Benson thinks she found the perfect plan to get over her ex-boyfriend, Jackson Montgomery. All she needs is ninety days. There’s a problem, though. Jackson Montgomery is the newly appointed vice principal of Riverton High School where she teaches drama.

And oh yeah, he wants her back.

So what’s a girl to do? Stick with the plan of course.

My Review

Talk about being pulled in different directions! Presley is head-over-heels in love with Jackson, but he blindsides her when she is unceremoniously dumped. It's brutal, and she takes it hard. The first person perspective lends itself well to all the angst that ensues. Fortunately, the witty humor keeps it from being depressing, and the plan gives Presley a goal to stick to as she struggles with the aftermath of a once-in-a-lifetime relationship. Her close girlfriend lends support as well as her teaching mentor at the school and Jackson's grandmother. Jackson initially comes off as a real jerk, but of course we learn throughout the book how great their romance was with some flashbacks and reminiscing. Like a guy, Jackson wants to have his cake and eat it too when he tries to stay friends with Presley... which makes getting over him even harder! Throw in a couple of handsome guys to get Jackson jealous and she has her hands full. Jackson grew on me when it became apparent that he realized he made a massive mistake and starts sincerely trying to fix things. I loved that Presley sure gave him a run for his money! There's more than meets the eye with Jackson and the issues he's dealing with though, and I appreciated that Presley's compassion prevented her from becoming truly bitter and unforgiving in the end. Lots of great romantic tension and an ending to make all the drama worth it ;)

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

"8 is Great" Baptism-themed Giveaway from Jessica B. Ellingson!

FOLLOW Author Jessica B. Ellingson and LIKE & COMMENT on this Facebook post to be entered to win! And because we like to share, if you tag someone in your comment who you know would like this, THEY WIN TOO! Both of you will be sent the following prizes:

• I Want to be Baptized by Annalisa Hall (Get on Amazon)
• The Sacrament is for Me by Jessica B. Ellingson (Get here or on Amazon)
• Color Your Way to Baptism Pamphlet by Kinsey Becket (Get on Amazon)
• CTR Shield and Number 8 Cookie Cutters by Pioneer Plus (Get on Amazon)

The giveaway starts on January 20, 2017 and ends at midnight (MDT) on January 31, 2017. The winner will be announced February 1, 2017.

Review: The Reformer by Jaima Fixsen

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Mary Buchanan has bigger worries than the radical journalist moving in next door who’s spoiling her father’s digestion: unrequited love for a footman, a fractious aunt, patiently awaiting her destiny…

Already she’s nearly eighteen. No sign of destiny yet, but Mary’s certain he’ll be handsome.

Then she meets the reformer, this Mr. Samuel Brown. Destiny is closer at hand than Mary has supposed—if she can just get Mr. Brown to realize it.

My Review

Another favorite from the Power of the Matchmaker series, and a new-to-me author discovered! I really enjoyed the writing style, the way the author protrayed the mundane and repressed life of Mary without it being boring, and her transformation into somewhat of a rebel. Mary's one passion she is allowed to have is drawing, and the descriptions of the caricatures she draws of those around her reveal a wry and cynical part of her personality, which make some of her later choices understandable. She develops a romantic obsession with Samuel, a man she hardly knows but finds herself attracted to, which brings with it an association with Samuel's good friend and protector, Niall. He isn't pleasant to her in an effort to scare her off his friend, but it backfires by helping her find her spine and he becomes an outlet for her before-hidden sassiness. I loved their interactions!!! Poor Niall finds himself shifting from defender of Samuel to self-appointed protector of Mary, and the twists in the plot were angst-inducing. I enjoyed the historical setting and learning more about the reform movement in England, which also provided some action when the riots start. The matchmaker's role in the story as Mary's neighbor Mrs. Chin is an integral one which I liked since it didn't make her seem random. Her love for gardening, long talks with Niall, and appreciation of Mary's drawing skills are endearing and I felt like she was more well-rounded in this story than in some of the others. I'm looking forward to reading the other books written by this author!

(I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher; all opinions in this review are my own)

Review: Rescue Me by Susan May Warren

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

When Deputy Sam Brooks commits to something, nothing can sway him--not just on the job as liaison between the Mercy Falls sheriff's department and PEAK Rescue, but in his private life. He's the one who stuck around to take care of his mother after his father's accidental death. And he's the one--perhaps the only one--who believes Sierra Rose is the perfect girl for him. Safe, practical, and organized, she's nothing like her hippie, impulsive, bleeding heart sister, Willow.

Willow, however, has been in love with Sam Brooks for as long as she can remember. But she wants her sister to have a happy ending. Besides, Willow has other things to focus on--namely, nabbing the job as youth pastor for her small-town church. Best thing for her to do is to purge Sam from her heart.

Neither can predict the events that will bring them together in a fight for their lives in the forbidding wilderness of Glacier National Park. Stranded, injured, and with the winter weather closing in, Sam and Willow will have to work together to save a crew of terrified teenagers. As they fight to survive, they might just discover a new hope for love.

My Review

I can hardly believe it, but I just might have loved this second book in the Montana Rescue series even more than the first!!! (And that's saying a lot...) The action is way ramped up throughout the entire book, and I was literally biting my fingernails at times. (It was like watching a movie in my head!) I love the author's method of including two romances in the story- the main one between Sam and Willow, and also one between team members Jess and Pete, Sam's younger brother. The characters are strong, yet flawed, and all their journeys- physical and emotional- are compelling and human. I think that's why I connected with this story- each character has some major hang-ups, but it made them easier to relate to as they struggled and tried their best to do what they felt was right. The romances were both very "will they/won't they" and kept me turning pages and invested in the outcome. I'm loving this series and just can't wait for the third book!!! Highly recommend!

(I received a complimentary copy of this book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Cover Reveal! My Dearest Love by Sarah M. Eden

From the USA Today Bestselling author of the Longing for Home series, a new romance set in the beloved world of Hope Springs: MY DEAREST LOVE, coming July 2017!

Add it to your Goodreads list!

Synopsis

Alone in the world and far from home, Biddy holds out little hope of lasting happiness. Ian, loving her silently from afar, dreams of one day capturing her heart.
 

From the author's Facebook post:

Return with the O'Connor family back to their early years in New York, working in a textile factory, struggling from day to day, and hoping for something better to come, back when Ian O'Connor first met his beloved Biddy. We had a tiny glimpse into their tender courtship in the Longing for Home series, and it comes to life in this brand new story.

As an added bonus, you get to see Tavish O'Connor as a mischievous teenager and dear Finbarr as a sweet little boy. It was incredibly fun to revisit these characters, and I think you'll enjoy it as well.

Didn't read the Longing for Home series?? Never fear!! This story stands entirely on its own two feet and you'll love it!

Best of 2016 Giveaway Hop!

Happy New Year! I read some amazing books last year (see my Favorites of 2016 posts: historical, contemporary, novellas and series) and one of the ones that stood out to me is A Portrait of Emily Price by Katherine Reay. (Read my review here) I have an extra copy from the publisher to give away, just enter below in the Giveaway Tools widget!

Synopsis

Art restorer Emily Price has never encountered anything she can’t fix—until she meets Ben, an Italian chef, who seems just right. But when Emily follows Ben home to Italy, she learns that his family is another matter . . .

Emily Price—fix-it girl extraordinaire and would-be artist—dreams of having a gallery show of her own. There is no time for distractions, especially not the ultimate distraction of falling in love.

But Chef Benito Vassallo’s relentless pursuit proves hard to resist. Visiting from Italy, Ben works to breathe new life into his aunt and uncle’s faded restaurant, Piccollo. Soon after their first meeting, he works to win Emily as well—inviting her into his world and into his heart.

Emily astonishes everyone when she accepts Ben’s proposal and follows him home. But instead of allowing the land, culture, and people of Monterello to transform her, Emily interferes with everyone and everything around her, alienating Ben’s tightly knit family. Only Ben’s father, Lucio, gives Emily the understanding she needs to lay down her guard. Soon, Emily’s life and art begin to blossom, and Italy’s beauty and rhythm take hold of her spirit.

Yet when she unearths long-buried family secrets, Emily wonders if she really fits into Ben’s world. Will the joys of Italy become just a memory, or will Emily share in the freedom and grace that her life with Ben has shown her are possible?

Entry-Form

Favorites of 2016: Series

Here is the final post of my Favorites of 2016! Of the 197 books I read, 74 were ones I rated 5 stars, and it sure was tough to whittle that down to the best of the best! Check out my other Favorites of 2016 posts if you missed them: historical, contemporary, novellas.

These are the books where there were two or more in a series that I couldn't bear to not share... Use the links below to add them to your Amazon wishlist or Goodreads list!

The Love in Lenox series by Nicole Deese

A Cliché Christmas

Amazon - Goodreads
A Season to Love
Amazon - Goodreads

 The Bishop's Family series by Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Imposter

Amazon - Goodreads - My Review
The Quieting
Amazon - Goodreads - My Review

 The Amish Heirloom series by Amy Clipston

The Forgotten Recipe

Amazon - Goodreads - My Review
The Courtship Basket
Amazon - Goodreads - My Review

The Women of Merryton series by Jennifer Peel

Jessie Belle

Amazon - Goodreads

Taylor Lynne

Amazon - Goodreads

The Pianos and Promises series by Jennifer Peel

Christopher & Jaime

Amazon - Goodreads - My Review 

Beck & Call

Amazon - Goodreads - My Review 

The Power of the Matchmaker series by various authors

Broken Things to Mend by Karey White
Amazon - Goodreads - My Review

Between Heaven and Earth by Michele Paige Holmes
Amazon - Goodreads - My Review
To Move the World by Regina Sirois
Amazon - Goodreads - My Review

Chasing Fireflies by Taylor Dean
Amazon - Goodreads - My Review
King of the Friend Zone by Sheralyn Pratt
Amazon - Goodreads - My Review

Happy reading in 2017!!!

Review: Wild Montana Skies by Susan May Warren

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Search and rescue pilot Kacey Fairing is home on leave in Mercy Falls, Montana, twelve years after she joined the military to escape the mistakes of her past. With a job waiting for her as the new lead pilot of Peak Rescue in Glacier National Park, Kacey hopes to reconnect with the now-teenage daughter she sees only between deployments. What she doesn't realize is that someone else is also back in town.
 
Ben King has been building his country music career since the day Kacey shut him out of her life. Now all of that's on hold when his injured father calls him home to help run Peak Rescue until he's fully recovered. It doesn't take long, though, to discover his father's ulterior motives as Kacey Fairing walks into the house and back into his heart.
 
With Mercy Falls in a state of emergency due to flash floods, Kacey and Ben are forced to work together to save lives. But when floodwaters turn personal, can they put aside the past to save their future?

My Review

I was so excited to start a new series from Susan May Warren! It has all the elements I've come to expect from her writing- dynamic characters, a sense of family and community, drama and angst, and curl-your-toes romance! Even though I'm not normally a fan of the surprise baby/child trope, I was completely immersed in the relationship between Kacey and Ben since it takes such a unique twist... more than once! I loved that the author revealed bits and pieces of their past throughout the story so we could see how the two fell in love and it allowed me to hope that they would reconcile. Intertwined in their story is the continuation of Sierra and Ian's ill-fated romance from the prequel novella (which I highly recommend reading first!). Add to that the action and suspense from the rescues of the team, and this is a book that's impossible to put down! 

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Be sure to read the FREE prequel novella in the Montana Rescue series, If Ever I Would Leave You

Synopsis

If you harbored a devastating secret, had given your solemn promise of silence… what would make you to break it?

Ian Shaw can have anything he wants…

...except the woman he loves. After all, Sierra Rose is his amazing assistant, a woman who helps him hold his empire together, leaving him free to pursue his adventurous hobbies—his only distraction from his excruciating past… until now. But what if she is the one who can finally free him from his regrets?

Sierra Rose harbors a terrible secret…

...the fact that Ian’s favorite niece and ward, Esme, just might elope with her less-than-awesome boyfriend. Sierra’s made a promise to Esme—but her first loyalty belongs to her boss Ian, the man she's admired for years. But letting herself fall in love with him risks the best job she’s ever had.

When tragedy strikes, sparks ignite…

...because Esme has vanished. Ian fears the worst--has she run away with her boyfriend? Or, has something more sinister happened in the wilds of Glacier National Park? It's a race against time, with Sierra and Ian caught in the crossfire of secrets, regrets and what-ifs.