Wednesday, June 10, 2015

The Song of My Father by Christine T. Hall


This book... powerful, tender, profound, sweet, moving and life-changing.

Author Christine T. Hall has a wonderfully warm and poetic way of writing, her words painting pictures, creating connections and stirring emotions. In The Song of My Father the reader is easily drawn into this incredible book from the very first page. Even though I didn't intend to, I ended up reading it in one sitting because I couldn't put it down.

"Things will work out. Good will come from this."

These words that were repeated over and over in the book have now been woven into my own life "song". Sure, they are words I've heard before, words I've believed to some degree in different stages in my life, but Hall presents this mantra in a way that creates a desire in the reader to believe a little harder and hope a little stronger.

From the back of the book:
As a child, Chris Hall heard her father repeat these words so often they became the song of his life. Even through difficult circumstances, his optimism and faith kept her family going.

But as an adult, Christ faced something so horrific she couldn't imagine any good every coming from her experience, and she questioned if her father's song was always true. This is the inspiring story of finding hope in the midst of trials and suffering.

As Chris says, "Each of us, at some time in our lives, will experience loss, heartache, and a grief that seems to test us to our limits. If we choose to live and walk by faith . . . we eventually will come to a place of acceptance and finally, after much work, to a place of believing."


The book begins with the author sharing an experience at the hospital where where she is visiting her father who suffered a heart attack followed by a stroke. As the doors of the elevator open on his floor she hears an urgent message over the loudspeaker, "Code blue--ICU!" Within minutes she learns that the code blue alert is for her father. Over the next few days Hall sits by her father's side, holding his hand, talking to him, sharing her thoughts and feelings, reminiscing, and thanking him for the lessons he taught her. These lessons he taught, were the theme of his life, the basis for everything he did. In turn, these lessons became and still are a "guide and blessing" to the author in her life.

In Part I: Music Lessons, Hall shares experiences and events that reinforce her father's song and we learn that not only did her father live the words he taught, his constant, unwavering beliefs touched the lives of everyone around him.

In Part Two, “Learning to Sing” the author shares a personal experience that plunges her into a state of such despair she believes there is no possible way good could come from it. Hall's honest, heartfelt and hopeful delivery, as she heals and learns about the power of forgiveness, love and understanding, not only will touch the reader's heart, but allow for personal introspection and evaluation. Through her own agony and physical pain Hall experiences small but miraculous moments, proving that her father's song holds fast and true.

In Part Three, “The Song of Believing,” Hall teaches that “Each of us, at some time in our lives, will experience loss, heartache, and a grief that seems to test us to our limits. If we choose to live and walk by faith . . . we eventually come to a place of acceptance and finally, after much work, to a place of believing.”

Within these pages the reader will find passages that will resonate and ring true and inspire.

Christine T. Hall's The Song of My Father is published by Cedar Fort. It is an important addition for any home library and a perfect gift to give, especially this Father's Day.

To purchase online, go to:

AMAZON HERE
Deseret Book HERE
Barnes and Noble - HERE

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Beautiful stories by a beautiful lady, Jewel Adams

I've been friends with, and a fan of, Jewel Adams for over ten years. Jewel is a remarkable woman and has always been an inspiration to me and her books have inspired thousands. I'm excited to share with you her latest releases...

Till You Come Back to Me Again
Angelo De Luca is a man who has it all. As the owner and CEO of one of Orlando's five-star hotels, the twenty-three-year-old bachelor is wealthy and successful, possessing looks, charm, and a heart of gold. He is the perfect boss and a good man.

But there is one thing that Angelo doesn't have–someone to share his life with. When he meets Suzanne Haynes, a new employee at the hotel, he discovers love and is happier than he has ever been.

Then life throws him curves that steer him toward trials so painful, he learns to lean on God more than he ever has before.
And he will definitely need God to get him through what he has yet to face.

One of Jewel's gifts as a storyteller is weaving an emotionally driven plot with wonderful characters. To purchase this book click HERE

Also new from Jewel...
Pages, a Love Story
“One of the great truths in life is this: When it comes to love, there is no rhyme or reason and love is never planned. It just happens. It just is.
Joy and pain, wonder, beauty, ecstasy, tenderness, completeness, hurt and healing, a feeling of being whole. Being in love–truly being in love–encompasses all these things.
Or so I have heard.”

When Masai Grant went on her first cruise to celebrate her thirtieth birthday, she was not looking for love, but forbidden love found her. That was four years ago.
And now her heart is irrevocably tied to a man she can never have.
To purchase this book click HERE

Monday, May 4, 2015

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Exciting new release by Marlene Bateman - Crooked House

I'm happy to announce the release of a new book by Marlene Bateman. Crooked House is packed full of excitement, suspense, and romance. Good luck getting a good night's sleep after you start reading it!

From the back cover of the book:
Someone is trying to kill Liz Johnson and it’s up to quirky private investigator, Erica Coleman, to find out who. Erica is no stranger to murder and mystery, which is why her best friend’s daughter, Megan, turns to her when unaccountable and potentially fatal “accidents” threaten her roommate’s life.

Once Erica arrives at the ramshackle old mansion known as Crooked House, matters go from disturbing to deadly as it becomes clear someone is trying to kill Liz. As Erica begins to unearth secrets, she discovers a twisted web of love, money, greed, and deception. Although the police and friends sometimes find Erica’s OCD annoying, its those very traits that help her sift through evidence and see clues that others miss. Erica must draw upon her all her investigative prowess to keep Liz safe and unmask the killer before he can accomplish his deadly objective.

With a dash of romance and surprising twists, this thrilling mystery will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. As with all Erica Coleman mysteries, ten delicious recipes are included.


Here's an xcerpt from Crooked House
“I’m scared.”
Erica’s heart turned over when she heard the quaver in her young friend’s voice on the phone.
Then Megan asked, “Can you come?”
“Of course.” Erica’s reply was automatic. She would do anything she could to help. Although she often received emotionally-laden phone calls in her job as a private investigator, there was a difference when the call came from the teen-aged daughter of her best friend. The very fact that Megan—who was usually so calm and composed—sounded frightened out of her wits, put Erica on high alert.
“I think someone’s trying to kill my roommate, Liz,” Megan said.
“What makes you think that?” Erica asked. “Has someone threatened her?”
“No, but Liz has had a couple of serious accidents lately—at least she says they’re accidents, but either one of them could have killed her.”
Erica made an effort to reel in her skepticism. “Tell me about them.”
“First, someone tampered with her car. The brakes went out and Liz ended up driving across someone’s yard and hitting a tree. Fortunately, she was okay. The second one happened downtown. Liz was on the sidewalk waiting for the bus when someone shoved her. She fell into the road. A truck was coming and if a guy hadn’t pulled her back, Liz could have been killed.”
Still, they could have been accidents, Erica thought, at least until the third one occurred—this time at Crooked House.

Get to know the author:
Marlene Bateman was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and graduated from the University of Utah with a BA in English. She is married to Kelly R. Sullivan. Her hobbies include gardening, camping, reading, and enjoying her four cats and three dogs.

Marlene’s first novel was the best-selling Light on Fire Island. Her next novel was Motive for Murder—the first in a mystery series that features Erica Coleman, a quirky private eye with OCD. The next book in that line, (they do not have to be read in order) is A Death in the Family.

Marlene has also written a number of LDS non-fiction books under the name Marlene Bateman Sullivan. Those books include: Gaze Into Heaven; Near-death Experiences in Early Church History, which is a fascinating collection of over 50 documented near-death experiences from the lives of early latter-day Saints, Heroes of Faith, and Latter-day Saint Heroes and Heroines. Marlene also wrote three books about documented accounts in early LDS church history when a person either saw or heard an angel; Visit’s From Beyond the Veil, And There Were Angels Among Them, and By the Ministering of Angels.

This book can be found at Deseret Book and Seagull Book, as well as:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Crooked-House-Erica-Coleman-Mystery/dp/162108521X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426788931&sr=1-1&keywords=crooked+house+maxcrlene

Deseret Book: https://deseretbook.com/products/crooked-house-marlene-bateman-95187

Seagull Book; http://www.seagullbook.com/seagull/product/873826.html

To visit Marlene's website visit: www.marlenebateman.info

Other books by Marlene:

Monday, April 27, 2015

Extreme Measures scheduled for release Friday, May 1st

I am beyond excited for my new book to hit stores on Friday.



Backliner:
Following the trauma of her estranged husband’s untimely death, Emma Lowell is happy with the life she has rebuilt for herself. She’s engaged to a wonderful man and anticipates a fresh start, free from her troubled past. Only one persistent obstacle remains: Margaret Lowell, her former mother-in-law. Margaret continues to be a demanding presence in Emma’s life, and her requests have become increasingly disconcerting. When Margaret asks Emma to accompany her on a sentimental journey to the family’s mountain cabin, the young woman reluctantly agrees. After all, her fiancé is out of town. No one will miss her. Emma could never have suspected the horror that awaits in the snow-bound cabin, for beneath Margaret Lowell’s elderly façade lies a sinister and terrifying nature—and a plot born of insanity. Alarmed by the dark plan that unfolds, Emma struggles to escape the cabin in a chilling game of cat and mouse. As the danger escalates, and with little hope of rescue, Emma must engage in a battle of wills if she is to avoid becoming the final piece in Margaret’s twisted puzzle . . .

Please join me for a launch party on May 9th:



As I set up signings and my blog tour I will post info right here and I will also do a huge giveaway in conjunction with my book release SO STAY TUNED!!!