Too Precious for Earth by Amy C. Maddocks

Too Precious for Earth
By Amy C. Maddocks

Review by Heather Moore

Amy Maddocks’ heart broke on the day that she held her infant son in her arms as he struggled with his final breaths. Her son, Connor, had been a miracle. Amy wasn’t supposed to be able to have any more children, but then she miraculously became pregnant. After all the precautions were taken and all the risks made, she and her husband eagerly prepared to welcome a new child into their home.

In Too Precious for Earth, Amy provides a rich and detailed telling of her journey into becoming a mother for the second time. Although an unexpected journey, she rearranges her life so that she can be healthy physically and financially provide for her son.

Just as Amy is finally allowing herself to believe that even the most impossible dreams can come true, she develops a serious pregnancy complication. Her son, Connor, is born twelve weeks premature. As Amy struggles with her own slow and painful recovery after a cesarean birth, little Connor begins to fail.

A beautiful but heartbreaking tale of a mother and family who overcome the depths of grief and despair and learn to embrace life again. Amy forges through her trials, learns the meaning of true friendship, embraces the miracles that she has been witness to, and triumphs as she uses the miracle of Connor to change and bless hundreds of lives.

Too Precious to Earth will take you on a raw and poignant spiritual journey you’ll never forget.

Visit Amy's Website for more information, or to order her book.

Gravity vs. the Girl

Gravity vs. The Girl
by Riley Noehren

Review by Heather Moore

A few weeks ago, a friend recommended this book—a friend who I pretty much take her word for a book that she loves, I’ll love as well. I ordered it from Amazon, and finally had a chance to start reading it last night. I have no time to be reviewing books, but I really wanted to mention this one. Gravity vs. The Girl is an astonishing, thought-provoking novel. Funny, definitely quirky, but to fall-in-love with.

Premise:
Who’s Haunting You?

From the cover: Samantha Green has just spent an entire year in her pajamas, and she is beginning to regret it. What's more, she is haunted by four ghosts that are former versions of herself. First up is the overachieving and materialistic attorney, who is furious with Samantha for throwing away the career she worked so hard to build. Second is the lackadaisical college student who is high on life but low on responsibility. Next is the melodramatic teenager, who is consumed with her social standing, teal eyeliner and teased bangs. Finally, there is the scrappy six-year old, whose only objective is to overcome gravity so that she can fly. Samantha's ghosts alternate between fighting with each other, rallying around Samantha's budding sanity and falling in love with a string of good-for-nothing drummers. Despite her reluctance to do so, Samantha must rely on these spirits from the past to repair the present and ensure her future.

Gravity vs. the Girl can be purchased through Barnes and Noble, etc. .

The Christmas List

Review by Heather Moore

This is something I've always wondered about. What will my obituary say?

In Richard Paul Evan's latest book, The Christmas List, James Kier is about to find out. Another man by his name is killed in an accident, and the newspaper reporter mixes up the identities. For a few hours, James’ loved ones believe he is dead. But when the comment section to the on-line posting starts to fill up, James discovers what people really think of him.

The Christmas List is an intriguing, as well as poignant about a ruthless business man who refocuses his life and tries to get his priorities back on track.

Whitney Awards

This is the third year for the Whitney Awards. To nominate your favorite novels by LDS writers that have been published in 2009, go to the Whitney Award website. There are several fiction categories. Deadline to nominate is December 31, 2009.

LDS Publisher blog keeps a running tally of eligible books. I've posted the list below and bolded the ones that I've read so far!

2009 Fiction by LDS authors


Abish: Faith Among the Lamanites – Brenda Andersen
Actor and the Housewife, The – Shannon Hale
Adventures of Hash Brown Winters, The – Frank Cole
Agent in Old Lace – Tristi Pinkston
Alcatraz vs the Knights of Crystallia – Brandon Sanderson
All the Stars in Heaven – Michele Paige Holmes
Alma – H.B. Moore
Altared Plans – Rebecca Talley
Altered State – Gregg Luke
Alvor – Laura Bingham
Am I Not a Man – Mark L. Shurtleff
Amaranth Enchantment – Julie Berry
Babylon – Wendie L. Edwards
Balls in Her Court, The – Heather Justesen
Best of Times, The – Anita Stansfield
Beyond the Mask – Kae D. Jacobs
Bone Warriors – Bron Bahlmann
Bones of the Dragon – Weis & Hickman
Brass Dragon Codex – Rebeccan Shelley (aka R.D. Henham)
Briana, My Brother and the Blog – Jack Weyland
Bright Blue Miracle – Becca Wilhite
Burning Wild – Christine Feehan
By Love or By Sea – Rachel Rager
Chaosbound – David Farland
Chosen One, The – Carol Lynch Williams
Christmas Jars Reunion – Jason F Wright
Circle of Souls, A – Preetham Grandhi
Clone Betrayal, The – Steven L. Kent
Code of Honor – Betsy Brannon Green
Cold Creek Homecoming, A – RaeAnne Thayne
Counting the Cost – Liz Adair
Crimson Frost, A – Marcia Lynn McClure
Dark Slayer – Christine Feehan
David & the Bear Lake Monster – Linda Weaver Clarke
Dead Wrong – Clair Poulson
Deadly Treasure – Jillayne Clements
Dragon Spear – Jessica Day George
Dragon War Relic, The – Berin L. Stephens
Dragons of the Hourglass Mage – Hickman & Weis
Elena, Woman of Courage – Linda Weaver Clarke
Elfs in a Conquered Land – Anna del C Dye
Eliza's Field of Faith – Rachelle Pace Castor
English Trifle – Josi S Kilpack
Everything Is Fine – Ann Dee Ellis
Execution Dock – Anne Perry
Eyes Like Mine – Julie Wright
Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary – Brandon Mull
Farworld: Land Keep – J Scott Savage
FOB Bible, The – Eric W Jepson, et al
Forest Born – Shannon Hale
Forgotten Warrior, The – Kathi Oram Peterson
Fortune's Woman – RaeAnne Thayne
Freaky Flyday – David Farland
Gathering Storm, The – Brandon Sanderson (Robert Jordan)
Gravity vs the Girl – Riley Noehren
Green Dragon Codex – Clint Johnson (aka RD Henham)
Haunts Haven – Joan Sowards
Having Hope – Terri Ferran
Heart's Desire – Steven D. Nielsen
Heavenly Surrender, The – Marcia Lynn McClure
Hidden Branch, The – G.G. Vandagriff
Hidden Currents – Christine Feehan
High Country – Jennie Hansen
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet – Jamie Ford
Hourglass Door, The – Lisa Mangum
How to Stuff a Wild Zucchini – Heather Horrocks
Hunt for Dark Infinity, The – James Dashner
Hush, Hush – Becca Fitzpatrick
Illuminations of the Heart – Joyce DiPastena
Immortal Sins – Amanda Ashley
In the Company of Angels – David Farland
Just One Wish – Janette Rallison
Last Waltz, The – GG Vandagriff
Lemon Tart – Josi S. Kilpack
Leven Thumps & the Ruins of Alder – Overt Skye
Light Above, The – Jean Holbrook Mathews
Lockdown – Traci Hunter Abramson
Maze Runner, The — James Dashner
Methods of Madness – Stephanie Black
Missing Pieces – Jeni Grossman
Missing – Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
Murder by the Book – Betsy Brannon Green
My Fair Godmother – Janette Rallison
My Fairy Grandmother – Aubrey Mace
Mystic Cipher, The – Dennis Mangrum
Night's Pleasure – Amanda Ashley
No Going Back – Jonathan Langford
On the Jericho Road – K.L. Morgan
One Last Chance – Jerry Borrowman
Phoenix, The: Firestorm - Joseph Allen
Pickup Games – Marcia Mickelson
Previously Engaged – Elodia Strain
Princess and the Bear, The – Mette Ivie Harrison
Princess of the Midnight Ball – Jessica Day George
Princess of the Sword – Lynn Kurland
Pursued – Lynn Gardner
Reiyalindis – Cory Poulson
Return of the Outlaw – Craig Curtis
Rift – Todd Robert Petersen
Right Click – Susan Aylworth
Rise of Zion, The – Chad Daybell
Route, The – Gale Sears
Samaritan Bueno, The – Jack Weyland
Santa Maybe - Aubrey Mace
Saphyre Snow – Marica Lynn McClure
Saving Madeline – Rachel Ann Nunes
Second Chances – Linda Chadwick
Servant of a Dark God – John Brown
Shackles of Honor – Marcia Lynn McClure
Shadow Dragons, The – James A. Owen
Shadow Hunter – Galli & Galli
Shadows of Eden – Timothy F. Bone
Shelter from the Storm – Anita Stansfield
Shudder – Jennie Hansen
Silence of Snow, The – Anita Stansfield
Sister Pact, The – Cami Checketts
Slathbog's Gold – M.L. Forman
Soul Alliance: The Thorn of Gooze – Charles Streams
Taken by Storm – Angela Morrison
Ties That Bind – Kristen McKendry
Till There Was You – Lynn Kurland
Torn Apart – Diony George
Tower of Strength – Annette Lyon
Trail of Storms – Marsha Ward
Tree House, The – Douglas Thayer
Tribunal – Sandra Grey
Trigger – Todd Durrant
Uncut Diamonds – Karen Jones Gowen
Undaunted, The – Gerald N Lund
Under a Lakota Moon – Deborah L. Weikel
Warbreaker – Brandon Sanderson
Winds of Hope – Anita Stansfield
Wings – Aprilynne Pike
Within the Flame – LeeAnne Hanks
Wordsmith 1: The Veil of Heaven – Michael R. Collings
Wordsmith 2: The Thousand Eyes of Flame – Michael R. Collings

Saving Madeline by Rachel Ann Nunes

Saving Madeline

By Rachel Ann Nunes
Shadow Mountain, 2009

Reviewed by Heather Moore

Caitlin McLoughlin is a talented public defender, assigned to cases where she finds herself defending the bad guy over and over. But in her position, she doesn’t mind when she loses a case—because that means the criminals go to prison where they belong.

But then a four year old is abducted from her home and when the police find the kidnapper, it’s the girl’s father, Parker Hathaway. When Caitlin is assigned as his public defender, she is eager to wrap up the case, until she discovers Parker’s motivations.

Saving Madeline has an intriguing plot that follows Caitlin McLoughlin through the twists and turns of the legal system, explaining why some criminals get let off and some don’t, and how the prosecutors and defenders are held to the specifics of procedure.

As Caitlin’s professional life collides with her private life, she uncovers those who are worth having in her life and those who aren’t. She also wrestles with giving love a second chance. She makes every effort to keep her personal feelings out of her current case with Parker, but it proves to be difficult as time is running out for both Parker, and his daughter, Madeline.

An enjoyable, unexpected journey of ethics and love with a dynamic plot that will keep you guessing! I consider Saving Madeline as one of my favorite Nunes book. Readers will be pleased with this new novel and Nunes' fresh endeavor.

Rachel Ann Nunes is the bestselling author of many books. Visit her website here.

Christmas Jars Reunion by Jason F. Wright

Christmas Jars Reunion

By Jason F. Wright
Shadow Mountain, October 2009

Reviewed by Heather Moore

If you haven’t read Christmas Jars, the New York Times bestselling book by Jason F. Wright, you’ve missed out on a classic Christmas story that will change how you view the season of giving. Its sequel, aptly titled Christmas Jars Reunion is reminiscent of the first.

Across the country, a phenomenon has begun to unfold. Since the release of Christmas Jars, hundreds of readers have contacted author Jason Wright and shared their Christmas Jar stories, and thousands of Christmas Jars have been given away across the country. Individuals and families are setting out an empty Mason jar to be filled with spare change throughout the year. Then anonymously, the family gives away the jar around Christmas time to a person in need.

In Christmas Jars Reunion, the story that began in Christmas Jars continues. Yet, this story stands on its own, bringing the reader once again into Hope’s Jensen’s remarkable life. The author includes a quote from a Christmas Jar recipient at the beginning of each chapter. One reads, “I’ve often wondered how a person repays kindness. I know now . . . with a Christmas Jar. As if a year full of blessings wasn’t already enough, God blessed me again tonight. And tomorrow? A new jar begins. –Patricia” (CJR, 60).

But even Hope Jensen needs to learn what the spirit of selfless giving is truly about. When Clark Maxwell re-enters her life, she must decide if she can allow him into her heart once again, and discover that loving someone might just be worth the risk.

Hope sets the lofty goal of distributing 1,001 Christmas Jars in honor of Chuck, deceased owner of Chuck’s diner. But in the process, the importance of the original Christmas Jar is lost.

It will take a stranger, a young girl, and an interview of a lifetime to bring back the true meaning that the Christmas Jar was intended for. Christmas Jars Reunion is a story that will inspire you to look closer at your life and remind you of the significance of selfless giving.

To read personal experiences or share your Christmas Jar story, visit here.

Other books by Jason F. Wright: Penny's Christmas Jar Miracle, The Wednesday Letters and Recovering Charles.

In the Company of Angels by David Farland

by Guest Reviewer, Robyn Heirtzler

New York Times best-selling author David Farland has done it again, created compelling fiction with unforgettable characters in his newest novel, In the Company of Angels.

Based on the true story of the Willie Handcart Company, Farland has beautifully captured the trials, fears and hope of these pioneers. He seamlessly pieces the thoughts and actions of the feisty Eliza Gadd, Captain James G. Willie and young Baline Mortensen into a compelling story that’s difficult to release. Led by Captain Willie, the company encounters countless tragedies that delays their trip across the plains, eventually resulting in numerous deaths from exposure and starvation.

Indian wars rage as they march across the plains, carrying their sick and injured in handcarts built from scraps of wood. Companies ahead of them report nearly constant threat of the raids and the discovery of corpses along the trail does little to ease their fears.

This heartbreaking account takes the reader to Eliza Gadd’s side as she watches her family collapse around her and culminates as Baline Mortensen gives the ultimate sacrifice…

In the Company of Angels is a story for all faiths and all people. It’s a historical recollection of fact combined in a novel that makes the reader believe he’s walking beside these brave pioneers.
From the prologue: “…Fifteen people are buried there in a circle, laid out toe to toe. In 1856, they tried to cross a continent, hauling all that they owned in handcarts, and were caught in an early storm. Most were men who died struggling to save their families from the brutal blizzard, but others were children, weakened by starvation. They are but a few of those who died along the trail.

“Their story is not a common tragedy. Theirs is a story of courage, hope, and heroism that may be unparalleled in the American West.

“Few have tried to tell their tale. It is not an easy one to tell. Though survivors, and even many of those who died, left biographical accounts, it is an odd tale—a story of revelations, of angelic visitations, of people struggling to find religious freedom in a harsh world.”

David Farland is an award-winning, New York Times bestselling author with nearly fifty novels in print. While most of his novels fit into other genres, Dave felt deeply touched by the story of the Willie Handcart Company, and so began to study it with an eye toward writing the tale. He spent two years in the process, reading from numerous biographies, pulling handcarts, and traveling along the Old Mormon Trail.

The novel can be purchased here.