Book Blast & Giveaway: After the Miracle: The Cody Parmer Story by Brenda & Kreg Parmer

   

After the Miracle: The Cody Parmer Story

In the summer of 1999, doctors raced against the clock to save Cody Parmer's life after a terrible car accident on a rural Idaho road. His parents, Brenda and Kreg Parmer, prayed that God would save him, and received their miracle. Months after his recovery a mysterious new discovery threatened to take Cody's life once more, but this time the doctors couldn't fix it. As Cody fought for his life, his mother searched for answers. Why would God let this happen? Would God save her son, just to let him die a short time later? Even if Cody lived, could the family handle his injuries and limitations? Even after receiving a miracle, the strength to accept God's will would be the greatest blessing they could ever ask for.

Praise for the Book  

"Such an amazing story! I read this book cover to cover all in one day. I could not put it down! It is very well-written, and you feel as if you are right there with the family experiencing every part of their incredible journey first hand. I cried through a lot of it but found parts that made me laugh too. When a book can make you do both of those things, you know you've found a good one." Shannon Dooley, Amazon Review

"This is a book about amazing resiliency in the face of the kind of trauma every parent dreads. It's told with incredible honesty and transparency. But, it's also a story about struggling faith that grows into a deep belief in the goodness of God even in the face of adversity..." MarSue, Amazon Review

"This book was an inspiring read. Very well written, and a page turner. Cody's family made it through some impossible odds. You really feel the struggles that they go through as they try everything to get the best results for their son." Nora, Goodreads Review

Excerpt

Chapter 20 - I started walking out the door but I stopped and turned back, giving it one more try. “Hey Cody, if someone called, what would you say?” Cody’s eyes were staring at the ceiling, and he was breathing deeply. My son was inside there, somewhere, and it was exciting and excruciating at the same time, knowing that he was so close, yet so far. I turned to leave and was halfway through the doorway when I heard it. “Hello.” The sound was labored and barely resembled a word, but I could tell what he was trying to do. “What did you say?” I tried to coax it out of him once more as I ran to his side. “Hello.” The same sounds, the same word, a little bit clearer than before. I could barely contain myself, Cody was speaking! I picked up the phone and quickly dialed Kreg’s number at work. “Kreg! Kreg! You’ve got to hear this!” I held the phone up to Cody’s mouth. “Tell Dad what you told me.” “Hello, hello.” Cody was getting excited about his newly-found ability and his voice was getting stronger each time he spoke. Kreg was crying on the other end of the line, trying unsuccessfully to maintain his composure.

 

 

 
About the Authors 

Brenda and Kreg Parmer met in high school in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and fell in love on the night of graduation. Brenda graduated from cosmetology school and Kreg went to work for a farm equipment company, and soon married. They had one son, Cody, and three beautiful daughters. Since the accident in 1999, a major part of Brenda and Kreg's lives have been devoted to caring for Cody, who still suffers from major limitations. They love being with family, enjoying the beautiful Idaho scenery, and visiting their grandchildren. Along with their family, their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the most important thing in their lives.

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Can't Wait Wednesday: Blue Ridge Sunrise by Denise Hunter

I am excited for the first book in a new series from Denise Hunter, one of my favorite contemporary romance authors! I can always count on her books for some great romantic chemistry, tension, and plenty of emotion. Blue Ridge Sunrise releases November 2017 and is available for pre-order!

Synopsis

Former free spirit Zoe Collins swore she’d never again set foot in Copper Creek or speak to the man who broke her heart. But return she must when her beloved Granny dies, leaving the family legacy to Zoe--a peach orchard nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

When Zoe returns home with her daughter and boyfriend Kyle, she finds that she’s the only person in town who doesn’t expect her to give up the life she’s established far away from Copper Creek. Everyone believes she was born to run the orchard, but how can she make it her home after so many years?

Cruz Huntley never quite got over his first love Zoe Collins, the little sister of his best friend Brady. Not when she cheated on him during their “break,” not when she took off to parts unknown with good-for-nothing Kyle Jenkins, and not even now—five years later.

As life-changing decisions and a history with Cruz hang over Zoe’s head, tensions rise between her and Kyle. Even as she comes to terms with the shifting relationships in her life, Zoe still isn’t sure if she can remain in Copper Creek with her new responsibilities . . . and her first love.

Review & Giveaway: Winds of Change by Jean Holbrook Mathews

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

The year is 1854, and change is in the air throughout India. Within the walls of her grand home in Calcutta, Sarah McCune anxiously awaits the future. After eighteen months at war, her husband, a sergeant in the Bengal Army of the East India Company, has made an extraordinary proposal: leave all the comforts of their life in Asia for an unknown future in America. As recent converts to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sarah and her husband are drawn to the promise of Zion. So, despite their fears regarding the dangerous voyage before them, they and their four children embark on a journey of faith that will test the limits of their conviction and define generations to come. This breathtaking saga, based on the historical journals of one Latter-day Saint family, invites readers to experience the sacrifices and perils of these early pioneers as they faithfully seek a land of promise.

My Review

This novel is rich with historical details of the McCune family, their life in India, their journey to join the Saints in Utah, and their new life there. The pace of the story was slowed down by so many details, but I think the meticulous research done by the author will be appreciated by readers who enjoy history. I felt like the way the book was written, I was reading an account of the members of the family instead of experiencing the story through their eyes, which prevented me from becoming emotionally connected to them or invested in the story. There is very little romance, rather, the focus was on information that the author gleaned from journals and accounts of the family members the story is based on.

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

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Review: The Cherished Quilt by Amy Clipston

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Tragedy tore Christopher’s world apart. But Emily believes there are enough pieces left behind to stitch together a beautiful new beginning.

Emily Fisher is eager to meet the new employee at her father’s shop in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania. But when Christopher Hochstetler arrives, his cold demeanor freezes her attempts at building a friendship.

Longing for a fresh start, Christopher travels from Ohio to Bird-in-Hand to work at his uncle’s shop. Christopher’s heart is still wounded from memories of home, and making new friends is the last thing on his mind—he knows the pain that comes with losing those you love. When Emily is kind to him, he tries to remain distant, but he soon finds himself stealing glances at her throughout the day.

When Christopher shares his tragic reasons for leaving home, Emily decides to make a quilt for him as a gesture of their friendship. Even though he is not a member of the church, she’s found someone with whom she can imagine a future. The two are quickly falling in love when a family emergency calls Christopher back to Ohio without warning.

Emily finishes the quilt, in spite of her pain. But when Christopher receives it, will he have the courage to follow his heart?

My Review

One of the things I love about this series is how the sisters in this Amish family help men who are hurting and vulnerable. And then fall in love with them, of course ;) There is great chemistry between Emily and Chris, and even though their friendship developed quickly, it seems they have known each other longer since they understand and support each other so well. Emily is a compassionate and service-minded person, and her natural instincts are to reach out and befriend Chris even when he is stand-offish. Her special care for him is balm to his wounded spirit and she gets him to open up when nobody else could, which helps start the healing process for him. I loved the strong sense of family and acceptance from the Fishers and how they envelop Chris in their circle and home. I was taken off guard by the conflict that comes between Emily and Chris, and their friendship and budding romance is put to the test as Chris must finally face important issues on his own to resolve them. I appreciated the theme that turning to God for relief from the trials we face blesses us with peace and the feeling that all will be well.

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

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Don't miss the other books in the Amish Heirloom series!

Read my 5 star review here

Synopsis

 Veronica Fisher knows how lucky she is to be marrying her best friend. Seth Lapp is kind, hardworking, and handsome—but most importantly, he loves Veronica.

When an accident on the job steals Seth away from her, a heartbroken Veronica is certain she will never love—or be loved—again. Yet when she discovers a batch of forgotten recipes and opens a bake stand to sell her Mammi’s raspberry pies, Veronica picks up a regular customer  who gives her heart pause.

Jason Huyard was with Seth when he lost his life—a memory that haunts him still. So when he seeks out the grieving fiancée to convey his condolences, the last thing he expects—or wants—is to fall in love. Nonetheless, Jason soon finds himself visiting Veronica’s bake stand every week . . . and it’s for more than the raspberry pies.

Now, as Veronica’s heart thaws, Jason can’t bring himself to tell her he was there when Seth died. Can he ever reveal where he was on the day her life derailed? Or will his secret rob them of the second chance at love they both want?

Read my 5 star review here

Synopsis

Years ago, a picnic basket brought two hearts together. For Rachel and Mike, history may be about to repeat itself.

Rachel Fisher is devastated when the young man she’s loved for years leaves her to date her best friend. Her heart is broken, and she has all but given up on love. Determined to keep her mind off the pain, she starts teaching at an Amish school for children with learning disabilities.

Since his father became ill, Mike Lantz has been overwhelmed with the responsibility of providing for his family and caring for his six-year-old brother, John. When John joins Rachel’s class and she learns that his mother is deceased and his father sick, she desperately wants to help the family, even with something as simple as a meal.

With her parents’ old picnic basket, Rachel begins sending food to the Lantz family. As the weeks go by, John’s grades start to improve, and the attraction grows between Rachel and Mike. They can’t deny that their friendship is growing toward something more, but both of them are hesitant to risk a more serious relationship.

The last thing Rachel wants is another heartbreak, and Mike is worried about providing for his loved ones. Will the two be able to reconcile their past hurts with new hope for the future?

Synopsis

In the final installment of the Amish Heirloom series, the Fisher sisters learn the mystery behind their parents’ marriage—and about the sibling who has never been spoken of.

Mattie Fisher’s three daughters know that she’s been keeping a secret from them. With each item pulled from the beloved family hope chest, they’ve discovered a new clue about their mother’s past.

But there’s a reason Mattie has been keeping her history hidden, and she’s not sure she’s ready to reopen old wounds. Will dredging up the past change the way her children view her? Or her marriage to their father? And can she handle the pain of revisiting the memories that preceded the last few happy decades?

Mattie’s story is one of grief and learning to love again. But like the best things preserved in a hope chest, it's a story of love and redemption born out of heartache—and it's past time to share it.

Review & Giveaway: J. Golden Kimball: The Remarkable Man Behind the Colorful Stories by Kathryn Jenkins Gordon

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

He is J. Golden Kimball, and when he is gone, there will never be another. He was the original product, and when Providence had finished him, the pattern was lost and never found again.

LDS Church history is comprised of the accounts of multitudes of men and women who set the groundwork for the Church. And while there are plenty of ordinary individuals woven into that patchwork of history, there are also a handful of unique individuals who enliven the past and provide inspiration for the future. Known as the “swearing Apostle,” J. Golden Kimball is just such a character, one whose legacy of colorful language is surpassed only by his fierce loyalty to the gospel.

In J. Golden Kimball: The Remarkable Man Behind the Colorful Stories, readers are invited to come to better know this legendary man made famous by his unique humor and powerful testimony. From a chronicle of Kimball’s youthful adventures to the legacy he forged in his more than forty years as a General Authority, gear up for a rollicking ride through the life of one of the liveliest servants of the Lord.

My Review

Even though I was raised in the Mormon church, I hadn't heard about J. Golden Kimball before. This book gave inspiring and fascinating insight into his early life, his missionary work in the volatile and violent post-Civil War Southern states, his struggles with his marriage, family and finances, and most importantly, his stalwart testimony of the gospel. Several of the anecdotes made me chuckle or laugh out loud, and I found that I didn't want to put the book down- which never happens with nonfiction for me! This is by far the most enjoyable biography I've read. Even though Kimball is perceived as an optimistic, humorous, and irreverent character, there was a respectful tone as the difficult and sad parts of his private life were explored. I was able to feel the Spirit as I read about the second generation of Latter-day Saints that Kimball served and served with. I loved learning more about this man of God who wasn't perfect and was beloved for it.  

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

Extras

Listen to a brief audio recording of J. Golden Kimball, including some humor, his advice to young people, his feelings for the prophet, and his testimony of the gospel. (Starts at 46:14)

 J. Golden Kimball was 30 years old when he served a mission to the Southern states

 (l-r) J. Golden Kimball, Ben E. Rich, Elias S. Kimball (J. Golden's brother), each served as mission president to the Southern states mission

J. Golden Kimball served as a member of the First Council of the Seventy, and later became the senior president of the Seventy.

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May 25th
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May 26th
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