Where Can I Find New Reviews??

I'm now posting book reviews at my "regular" blog, Tristi Pinkston, LDS Author. Be sure to visit me over there, and don't forget, there are lots of great reviews in the archives here!

The Route - Gale Sears

We all know that giving service is a good thing to do. We think about it from time to time, and we generally stop to lend a hand when the need occurs right in front of us, but how many of us actually leave the house with the specific intent of going out to serve? I know I don't do it a whole lot, and I found Gale Sears' new book, "The Route," to be highly inspirational. It's the story of a woman who did this very thing - she left her house every single week to do some good as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels.

Carol is an older woman who is looking for something just a little more in her life. She wants to feel of use even though she no longer has the demands on her time she did as a young woman, but at first, she's intimidated by her assignment. She must pick up the meals by a certain time so they can be delivered when the recipients need them, and one client in particular is very persnickety about her lunch. Carol meets people from all walks of life, from the very active to the homebound, from those who are still brimming with life to those who have practically given up. In each person, she finds something to love, and she learns something from each of them in return.

I have always felt an affinity for my elders, and "The Route" reminded me of just how important it is that we stay connected to members of every generation, even if we sometimes feel a little shy about reaching out to those older than us. Their stories and their strength can give us courage in facing our own trials, and I loved reading about Carol's experiences with the program and how she found those missing pieces of herself in those she served. I give a big round of applause to this touching novel.

(Published in 2009 by Walnut Springs Press.)

Illuminations of the Heart - Joyce DiPastena

Siriol de Calendri, recently widowed, has no where to go. Her brother has died, and without the protection of a husband, she fears that she may have to fend for herself. But the world is a frightening place for a beautiful young woman. Although she has the skill of creating beautiful illustrations for books, and feels she can support herself, she will be the target for any man who tries to interfere with her. Loving his sister and wanting what was best for her, her brother makes arrangements for her before his death. He sends her to live with his good friend, Triston de Brielle, of France.

Siriol is astonished when, at her first meeting with Sir Triston, he sweeps her up and gives her a passionate kiss. No, that's not just how the French do things (although they do have a kiss named after them, as I recall). She reminds Triston of his late wife to such an extent, for a moment he thinks she's come back to him. When his senses return and he realizes that he's just smooched a total stranger, he apologizes and then puts up emotional walls against her. However, as they come to know each other, he realizes that while she is not his dead wife, and indeed is different from her in so many ways, he feels attracted to Siriol and finds her refreshing.

Joyce DiPastena has a vast amount of knowledge about all things medieval and she paints pictures in the minds of her readers. You see the clothes, you imagine yourself walking along the stone corridors, and you can smell the feasts that are offered up in the kitchens. You feel as though you have truly stepped into her story. If you're looking for a really romantic, truly authentic medieval tale of love, treachery, and intrigue, well - what are you waiting for? Click here.

Organize As You Go: Successful Skills for Busy Lifestyles – Marie Ricks

I would have made a terrible pioneer. I think I was meant to be born in the age of computers and cars and refrigerators—whenever I think of myself out in the fields, carving meals out of the land, I count my blessings that I merely have to grocery shop. But with the blessings of modern technology come something else—it seems that our lives are overly hectic, and there are more demands on our time every day. We have more possessions to keep track of, more scheduling issues to balance—there are days when laboring in a wheat field does seem attractive. At least it was simpler back then. Physically harder, in a lot of ways, but simpler.

Marie Ricks has taken her organizing skills and used them to help countless people find sanity in their lives as they bring the many elements of their days into order. With her new book, “Organize As You Go,” Marie shows her readers how they can simplify their lives by taking consistent, small steps toward the goal of a more organized home. It doesn’t have to be done all in one day, or one week. You can break it up into segments, and the way the book is laid out, that’s exactly what you can do—take it a chapter, or even a page, at a time and work on those principles at your own pace.

The book doesn’t go into a huge amount of detail on each topic, but rather, gives a general set of ideas. There were a few spots where I would have enjoyed a step-by-step process to show me exactly what to do, but on the other hand, I also like to tailor things to my own needs, and so the basic principles were helpful, and yet not overbearing. There is plenty of room allowed for your own schedule and personal preferences. This isn’t the type of program where you have to march around with a ruler and space your shelves exactly eighteen inches apart to hold the red, blue, and yellow boxes, but rather, you incorporate things as you see fit.

After coming away from this book, I felt like there was hope in the middle of my mess. I dislike feeling out of control, and I appreciate the tools that come my way as I seek to take better care of my family. Marie’s book will definitely come handy in my home, and I’m sure it will in yours, too.

(This book was published in 2009 by Marie Ricks.)

The Holy Bible and Mormonism - Christopher Mills

It has long since been rumored that Mormons don't believe in the Bible, that they created a book of scripture all their own and don't subscribe to the teachings of Christ as taught by other denominations. This belief has led to a lot of arguing and miscommunication. The fact of the matter is, Mormons do believe in the Bible, very much.

Joseph Smith, the first prophet of the Church, wrote: "We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly. We also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God."

I've been a Mormon my entire life, and I've read and enjoyed the Bible on numerous occasions. I believe it. I have tried to live my life according to its teachings. One of those teachings is, "Other sheep I have which are not of this fold," and that is where the Book of Mormon comes into play. Just as the Bible is the record of Christ's dealings with people in the Old World, the Book of Mormon is a record of His dealings with the people of the Americas.

Christopher Mills, author of the new book "The Holy Bible and Mormonism," explores the relationship between this book of scripture and those who belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) and explains how it is that our religion and the Bible go hand in hand. Using full quotes from the Bible and not just bits and pieces, he shows how the teachings of the Church are found in the Bible. It's a very non-confrontative approach to showing those of other religions that Mormons are indeed Bible-following Christians, and it also serves as a testimony strengthener for Mormons, to help them become more familiar with the Bible and to know where these references are located. I think this book will not only be a great tool to end misunderstandings, but will also help us all to realize how truly interconnected we are and how we all long for the truth, no matter where it may be found.

(This book was published in 2009 by Millennial Mind Publishing.)

The Three Deceivers - Richard M. Eyre

New York Times bestselling author Richard M. Eyre has been in the business of educating families for years. Teamed with his wife Linda, he has been instrumental in bringing to the attention of America the need to focus on our families and teach them values and principles of honesty and decency that will serve them well throughout their lives. With his release of "The Three Deceivers," Richard discusses a new theme - the ways in which we lie to ourselves about those things that will bring us the most joy.

We live in a land of free enterprise, and I think it's safe to say that we've all grown up with ideas of making it big and being successful. As we set these goals for our future, we can get caught up in what Richard calls the three deceivers: control, ownership, and independence. When used appropriately, these three things can bless our lives, but unfortunately, they are most often used to excess and without proper understanding, and we end up miserable and out of focus.

Richard suggests that we instead focus on the three alternatives, which are serendipity, stewardship, and synergicity. I'll leave it to him to explain these principles to you as you read the book, but essentially we learn that by being more open to the blessings around us and acknowledging where they come from, we will be happier and more successful than we ever would have been otherwise.

The truths taught in this book are marvelous as we understand that it's how we view the world around us that creates our experiences, whether we feel entitled to what we have or if we know that we are blessed for receiving it. I did feel that some segments were redundant and I would have liked to see it thinned out a little bit, but this minor thing didn't keep me from appreciating the book and the message it shares.

You can purchase the book by clicking here.

(This book was published in 2008 by Meridian Publishing.)

A Circle of Souls - Preetham Grandhi

Dr. Peter Gram is a pediatric psychologist fellow in Newbury, Connecticut, and he is devoted to helping children deal with their varying mental conditions. Some merely suffer from nightmares, some have seizures, and some are severely afflicted by mental illness. He spends most of his time at work, studying their cases, not dating much or getting emotionally involved with those around him. He's protecting himself from memories of his own painful childhood, but thankfully, the patients in his care benefit from his long hours.

One patient in particular needs his help. Her name is Naya, and she's been having disturbing dreams that cause her to sleepwalk. She nearly jumps off a balcony in one of these dreams, and her parents hope Dr. Gram can get to the bottom of her condition and possibly save her life.

As Dr. Gram comes to know Naya, he reaches a startling conclusion - Naya is communicating with Janet Troy, a girl close to her same age who was recently murdered nearby. Using the clues Naya gives them, the police are able to apprehend the murderer, but it's almost too late - he's nearly taken another life, that of Naya herself.

"A Circle of Souls" was riveting and suspenseful. There were a few places that might not work for readers who tend to be squeamish - the book isn't extremely graphic, but it's described well enough to paint a mental picture. That's the hallmark of a good book, but I do issue the caution in case you are easily affected by things of a gruesome nature. That aside, the book was well-written, the characters were realistic, and I found myself much impressed.

(This book was published in 2009 by Sweetwater Books.)