Are You a Bushel or a Candlestick? by Eric D. Richards

This is an inspirational talk on CD by a friend I grew up with! He is an amazing man and teacher. It is geared toward teens but can be enjoyed by adults as well, of any Christian denomination. Use Promo code "FALL15" for 25% off at Deseret Book (expires 9/6)

Synopsis

Is there something you’ve always wanted to do but have been afraid to try? Everyone has unique talents and abilities, and the Lord can use each one, no matter how random it may be. In this inspiring talk, Eric D. Richards shares a message that will motivate listeners to develop their talents so they can bless the lives of others. He says, “The Lord wants us to light the flame of our talent and place it on a candle and then invite the Lord to put it on a candlestick so it can give light to another person’s life. As others look at us and see our good works, they will want to give glory to their Heavenly Father.” With stories from the lives of outstanding Latter-day Saints who have “let their lights shine,” Brother Richards illustrates this message: “Your ability is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift to God. You may feel invisible or inferior, but you are invaluable to Him. Discover your gifts, let them shine, and watch how the Lord uses your talents to bless others around you.”

About the Author

Brother Richards is here today because two missionaries chose to go tracting one day in San Diego. Later, his own mission began in Honduras and ended in Alabama (due to a bone tumor).  He played water polo and volleyball in college, during which time he met wife Megan as they worked as EFY counselors; the two were married in the San Diego temple and have 4 children.
His current assignment is writing church curriculum in addition to being a Seminary Principal;  in the summertime, he directs at EFY and speaks at BYU Education Week. Also, Deseret Book carries his audio CDs.
Brother Richards loves cooking for people, photography, remote controls, ice cream and iPhones.  He loves connecting with people on Instagram and on his Facebook page.
And, on a side note, he loves chocolate more than most women do.
Most of all, he loves teaching and being with valiant Latter-Day Saints.

E-book sale: Three amazing books for only $1.99!

(Be sure to check the price since e-book sales are for a limited time)

 

Only $1.99 for Unending Devotion by Jody Hedlund. This book is on my to-read list but anything by this author is amazing :)

Synopsis
Lily Young longs to find her lost sister or will die trying. Heedless of any danger, she searches logging camps and towns, posing as a photographer's assistant. And then she arrives in Harrison, Michigan--and the sights of Connell McCormick.
Connell is determined to increase the fortune of his lumber-baron father and figures as long as he's living an upright life, that's what matters. But when Lily arrives in town she upends his world, forcing him to confront the truth that dangerous men have gained too much power while good men turn a blind eye.
Vexing but persuasive, Lily soon secures Connell's help, drawing them ever closer to each other. Will standing for what's right cost them both everything?

Only $1.99 for Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden. I rated this book 4 stars, I really liked it!

Synopsis
As a child, Lydia Pallas became all too familiar with uncertainty when it came to the future. Now, she's finally carved out a perfect life for herself--a life of stability and order with no changes, surprises, or chaos of any kind. She adores her apartment overlooking the bustling Boston Harbor, and her skill with languages has landed her a secure position as a translator for the U.S. Navy.
However, it is her talent for translation that brings her into contact with Alexander Banebridge, or "Bane," a man who equally attracts and aggravates her. When Bane hires Lydia to translate a seemingly innocuous collection of European documents, she hesitantly agrees, only to discover she is in over her head.
Just as Bane's charm begins to win her over, Lydia learns he is driven by a secret campaign against some of the most dangerous criminals on the East Coast, compelled by his faith and his past. Bane forbids any involvement on Lydia's part, but when the criminals gain the upper hand, it is Lydia on whom he must depend.

Only $1.99 for The Measure of Katie Calloway by Serena Miller. This is one of my 5 star favorite books- highly recommend!

Synopsis
The Civil War has ended, but in Katie Calloway's Georgia home conflict still rages. To protect herself and her young brother from her violent and unstable husband, she flees north, finding anonymity and sanctuary as the cook in a Northwoods lumber camp. The camp owner, Robert Foster, wonders if the lovely woman he's hired has the grit to survive the never-ending work and harsh conditions of a remote pine forest in winter. Katie wonders if she can keep her past a secret from a man she is slowly growing to love.
With grace and skill, Serena Miller brings to life a bygone era. From the ethereal, snowy forest and the warm cookstove to the rowdy shanty boys and the jagged edges of the saw, every detail is perfectly rendered, transporting the reader back to the time when pine was king, men were made of iron, and rivers were choked with logs on the way to the sawmills. Readers will have a hard time leaving the Northwoods when they turn the last page.

E-book sale: $1.99 for Anna's Crossing by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Be sure to take advantage of this fabulous deal! Only $1.99 for the e-book of Anna's Crossing by Suzanne Woods Fisher. I absolutely loved this book and gave it 5 stars- read my review here.

(Check the price before buying since e-book sales are for a limited time)

Synopsis

When Anna Konig first meets Bairn, the Scottish ship carpenter of the "Charming Nancy," their encounter is anything but pleasant. Anna is on the ship only to ensure the safe arrival of her loved ones to the New World. Hardened by years of living at sea, Bairn resents toting these naive farmers--dubbed "Peculiars" by deckhands--across the ocean. As delays, storms, illness, and diminishing provisions afflict crew and passengers alike, Bairn finds himself drawn to Anna's serene nature. For her part, Anna can't seem to stay below deck and far away from the aloof ship's carpenter, despite warnings.  When an act of sacrifice leaves Anna in a perilous situation, Bairn discovers he may not have left his faith as firmly in the past as he thought. But has the revelation come too late?
Amish fiction favorite Suzanne Woods Fisher brings her fans back to the beginning of Amish life in America with this fascinating glimpse into the first ocean crossing as seen through the eyes of a devout young woman and an irreverent man. Blending the worlds of Amish and historical fiction, Fisher is sure to delight her longtime fans even as she attracts new ones with her superb and always surprise-filled writing.

Review: A Worthy Pursuit by Karen Witemeyer

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Stone Hammond is the best tracker in Texas. He never comes home empty-handed. So when a wealthy railroad investor hires him to find his abducted granddaughter, Stone eagerly accepts.

Charlotte Atherton, former headmistress of Sullivan’s Academy for Exceptional Youths, will do anything to keep her charges safe, especially the little girl entrusted to her care after her mother’s death. Charlotte promised Lily’s mother she’d keep the girl away from her unscrupulous grandfather, and nothing will stop Charlotte from fulfilling that pledge. Not even the handsome bounty hunter with surprisingly honest eyes who comes looking for them.

When the teacher he’s after produces documentation that shows she’s the little girl’s legal guardian, Stone must reevaluate everything he’s been led to believe. Is Miss Atherton villain or victim? She acts more like a loving mother than an abductress, and the children in her care clearly adore her. Should Stone break his perfect record?

Then a new danger threatens, and Charlotte is forced to trust the man sent to destroy her. Stone becomes determined to protect what he once sought to tear apart. Besides, he’s ready to start a new pursuit: winning Charlotte’s heart.

My Review

Boy, does Karen Witemeyer know how to write her heroes! I loved the strength, honor, humor, and hint of vulnerability that made Stone a man that Charlotte could finally count on. He has a soft spot for kids and the truth of the situation along with Lily's safety quickly becomes more important than his tracking record. The story is one of adventure, with some twists and plenty of action. What endeared this story to me though are the small details that subtly deepen the reader's understanding of each character and make them unique. Charlotte playing passionately on the piano to express her anxiety. Lily's obsession with dime novels of frontier heroes. The way that touch affects Stone at a deep level.

The relationship between Stone and Charlotte builds steadily as they learn to trust each other and overcome their own hesitations. Their romantic moments are heightened by the emotion of the desperate circumstances, but prove to be based on a love that each is yearning for. There are also two other couples that have roles in the mission to protect Lily who totally need novellas written about them (hint, hint Karen...)

(Thank you to the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)