Book Review: Mythical Voyage by Robin Ymer

I recently received a copy of Robin Ymer's new book Mythical Voyage for review. Published by Savant Books, it's part of the "Color Me Please" series, meaning that the interior illustrations are in black and white, allowing the young reader to have a hand in the ultimate appearance of the book.

About the author: Robin Ymer spent her formative years in France and North Africa. She attended university in California and earned a Master's degree. Moving about in support of her husband's career she raised two daughters and worked primarily as a Foreign Language instructor. She sculpts, draws, tends to her garden and writes.

About the book: we've heard tales of unicorns from the time we were children, and for many of us, they are our favorite part of fairy tales and stories about princes and princesses. In Mythical Voyage, we learn where the unicorn came from and how it ended up in so many of our tales.

Bibi is a little white unicorn born in a land where all the other unicorns, called poncas, are black. She has a unique destiny, one that has been prophesied for many years, but in order to fulfill it, she must go on a journey to learn things about herself she never knew. She comes to understand why she is different from the other poncas and to accept her true role - that of inspiring the hearts of mankind with beautiful and lovely things.

My thoughts: I enjoyed the concept of this story, and I liked Bibi's character. She thought and pondered and reasoned things out, never satisfied with the simple answers that placated those around her. She wanted knowledge and she wanted to learn and grow. This desire was necessary in helping her become the unicorn she was destined to become.

I did feel that we spent a lot of time in the beginning of the book setting up the story, and that the conclusion was short by comparison. I would have liked to see a little more about her mission in life there at the end. But those who have read stories of unicorns will be able to piece together what happened to her after the end of this book and know how she spent the rest of her days.

My daughter also read this book, and I've asked her to share her thoughts. She says: "I enjoyed reading Mythical Voyage; it was interesting. However, the ending could have been done quite a bit more smoothly, even if the dream the author says revealed the legend didn’t tell her all of the ending. You kind of read on forever before arriving at an uncompleted ending."

To read more reviews of Mythical Voyage, or to purchase it, be sure to visit it on Amazon.

FTC: I received a free copy for review purposes and was not compensated in any other way.

The Power and Beauty of Repentance

When I was a child, we had the series of beginning readers for the scriptures that are put out by the Church Distribution Center. One picture in particular caught my attention. It showed a young woman kneeling at Jesus’s feet, washing them and anointing them with precious oils. The picture stuck with me because of her hair. It was long, dark, and beautiful, and I wanted hair just like hers.

From the scripture account, we learn that her name was Mary, and she was a sinner. She took His message so to heart that she sought Him out and not only used her expensive ointment to soothe His travel-weary feet, but she dried them with her lovely hair. Hers was an act of submission and humility. She not only wanted to be forgiven of her sins—she wanted to demonstrate her complete willingness to change her life. Christ recognized her sincerity and defended her actions to the Pharisee who denounced her.

Sometime later, Christ paid Mary, His new disciple, a visit in her own home. She was still filled with the desire to learn all she could about the gospel and wanted nothing more than to listen to Him teach. That’s right—Mary from the story of Mary and Martha is the same Mary who washed His feet with her tears. (John 11:2)

I don’t know why I never made this connection until recently. I’ve always pictured Mary, the sister of Martha, as being a goody-two-shoes, that girl who went to all her church meetings and thought reading her scriptures was actually fun and had a different marker for every topic so she could color-code her footnotes as she read. But to make the connection that this Mary and the Mary of the foot washing was the same woman—it put both stories into a completely different perspective for me.

The gospel of Jesus Christ makes complete change absolutely possible. We may think that we’re too far gone, that our sins are too great, that we can never come back to Him. We may feel that we’re unlovable or that we can never be washed clean, but this story proves that He can and He will heal us. Mary was a sinner. The scripture doesn’t tell us just what her sins were, but we can imagine they were pretty big, based on the amount of sorrow she felt as she repented of them. Her grief over her mistakes was so great that she wept upon His feet and washed them with her tears. But later, when Christ came to her home, He held her up as an example of someone who was earnestly seeking after righteousness. He no longer condemned her for whatever her mistakes might have been. He recognized what she had become, not who she had been in the past. He said He would remember her sins no more, and He meant it.

It’s not easy to repent. It requires that we look at ourselves from every angle and see things about ourselves we’d rather not see. It means that we have to put aside our pride, listen to the Spirit, and identify ways in which we need to change to draw closer to Him. I don’t know of one person who has come face-to-face with his or her sins and enjoyed the process, but I’ve heard, time and time again, people speak of how freeing it is to turn those mistakes over to Christ and to ask Him to make them clean through the power of the Atonement. I’ve felt for myself the joy that comes from knowing I’m now on the right path. It’s instant—you don’t have to wait until you’ve completely given up that sin. It comes as soon as you start getting rid of it. It carries you through each step and makes it a beautiful experience. You are guided and comforted as you set your life in order and make better choices.

I can’t express enough how grateful I am for the gift of the Atonement and for everything it makes possible in my life, and I know that as you turn to Him and tell Him of the things you would like to change, with real intent, He will walk you through the process as He has me, countless times, and He will remember those sins no more.

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Guest Blogger: Andrea Pearson on Writing with Passion

Today's guest blogger is Andrea Pearson. I first met Andrea in the capacity of being her editor, but we hit it right off and have been good friends ever since. It's been a lot of fun for me to see her prepare for her book's release and to cheer her on, and now I'd like to turn the time over to Andrea so you can get to know her for yourself.

 ***

Hi, Everyone!

My name  is Andrea Pearson, and my book, The Key of Kilenya (YA fantasy), was released today as a free eBook. If you'd like to learn more about it, you can watch this video:

Or, if you'd like, you can go straight to the purchase link. 

I love guest blogging, and when Tristi and I discussed the possibilities of me doing so for her, I was thrilled!

Thinking over ideas, I chose one close to my heart right now, which I'd mentioned over a year ago on a blog post of mine. Writing with passion. This is so close to the front of my brain right now is because an Internet site I've been using over the past three weeks. It's called Wattpad, and has a very, very large group of teenage writers and readers on it.

How many of us have kids or siblings who are teenagers? My youngest brother just turned eighteen. The other day something came up, and he found himself having to defend a certain position. He fiercely stood his ground, his voice passionate, unwilling to budge. He doesn't get like this very often, but when he does, EVERYONE knows it.

I've noticed this a lot on Wattpad, too. The users are so animated, expressive, and, at times, dramatic in their mannerisms. Not only do they use a ton of emoticons and exclamation points, but their descriptions are vivid and heartfelt when commenting on each other's work and their own writing.

What is it about being a teenager? They feel everything so deeply—they're passionate about life, and it shows in everything: the music they write and listen to, the books they read, how they defend and stick up for things - even when they're completely off the mark. They're more likely than adults to be extreme in hairstyles, clothes, music, even food. They like to experience life to the fullest, trying everything.

How is it that we as adults often lose this passion? Or, is it more that we've come to understand how life works? We've learned to choose our battles?

A year or so ago, I interviewed Michael Flynn for Mormon Artist Magazine. He’s a Mormon actor, director, and producer. (Produced The Best Two Years. Mormons may recognize him as Pontius Pilate in The Lamb of God, or the sheriff in Footloose.) He commented:

 "Passion is what drives the industry — you need to really understand what your character wants, why they do what they do. You bring the passion to it, you bring the emotion to it. That’s really what it’s all about. The passion."

After the interview, Michael made a comment that viewers can always tell when the actor doesn't feel passionate about what they're doing. And, he said, viewers will always choose a passionate movie over something that is only so-so where emotions are concerned. 

This applies perfectly to writing. A couple of point-blank questions we need to ask ourselves: why are we writing if we don't feel strongly about it? How can we expect someone to read our books if our characters don't have an intense pull to something?I think this especially applies to young adult literature. If we're writing for teenagers, we need to give them what they crave: passion. Hunger Games is an emotionally intense book, and no one will argue that Twilight doesn't appeal to its target audience. I'm sure you can name off other "zealous" books.

I've read the occasional story where the main character, at first, didn't care about things around him/her. But, after a few chapters, they always ended up fiercely defending or wanting something. Our own characters need to reach this point, else we run the risk of losing readers.

Now take your passion and make it happen! (Name that song... :-)) 

If you like contests (even if you don't :-)) I'm putting one on to celebrate the release of The Key of Kilenya, and to help spread the word. It started on June 14th, there are a bunch of different tasks to do to get entries (you can choose and pick) and the deadline is June 30th, so only two days away. 

For information on that contest, including the amazing/cool/awesome prizes (my entire series on eBook for free, etc.), go here.   

If you'd like to learn more about me, you can visit my author page on Smashwords. 

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to getting to know you!

Andrea

When Shameless Self-Promotion is Shameful

Last month, I wrote a blog about shameless self-promotion. You can read the full thing here, but essentially my point was this: if you have created something, why be ashamed to let others know you did it? Sometimes we are hesitant to say we have a new book coming out or that we've started a new business because we don't want to sound like we're bragging, but in reality, if we don't tell others what we're doing, we are missing the boat in expanding our endeavors.

As people stopped by and left comments, the conversation turned to a discussion of, "Yeah, but what about times when it really is inappropriate to self-promote?" I promised a follow-up blog, and at long last, here is that blog.

Yes, I'm all about taking every opportunity to self-promote, but I'm also going to be the very first to encourage you to choose your moments. Let's take a look at some completely made-up and over-dramatized examples.

The Right Way:

1. Standing in line at the grocery store, you overhear someone say, "Oh, these awful tabloids. I'm so tired of reading this mindless trash. Why, oh, why can't I find a book that is intelligently written, reaches my inner core, and makes me think about the world around me in a new and different way?" And you hand her your card.

2. Walking down the aisle at the library, you spot a lady with a wistful, lost expression on her face, and she sighs, "I wonder what I should read next." And you hand her your card.

3. You are at a class reunion and the person who broke your heart comes up to you and says, "So, what are you up to these days?" After mentally taking note of just how much they have let themselves go since letting you go, you hand them your card.

Seriously, if you are looking for opportunities, they will present themselves to you. Just don't be afraid to open your mouth when they come along.

Now, let's take a look at The Wrong Way:

1. Your best friend calls you up on the phone. "I'm getting a divorce," she says. "Oh, I know how to cheer you up," you reply. "My new book is on sale at Deseret Book! Go buy a copy. You'll feel better in no time."

2. You are walking through Barnes and Noble and you see someone approaching the register with Robison Wells' new book in their hand. You dive in front of them. "Excuse me, you don't want that book. You want this one instead," and you shove a copy of your own book into their hands, then kick Robison Wells' book under the counter.

3. You are at the reading of Great-Aunt Mildred's will. Each person there was left the paltry sum of $20.00, and the rest of her vast estate was given to The Brotherhood of the Bunny Rabbits Who Wear Purple Pants. You stand up and say, "Twenty dollars? That's great! Now you can all afford to buy my book!"

Seriously, there are times when you need to hold back, and obscure religious cults don't always have to be involved.

Last April, I was given the opportunity to sign at Women's Conference. My table mate was Tiffany Fletcher, author of Mother Had a Secret. Read my review here. It's a nonfiction memoir of Tiffany's childhood growing up with a mother who had multiple personalities. As people came by our table and we gave them the rundown of our books, they seemed to need to hear what Tiffany had to say. Many of them had grown up with parents with mental illness, and she was able to bear them her testimony of how the Atonement helped see her through a rough childhood and bring her closer to Christ. Often, they left the table in tears, thanking her for what she'd said. Was I going to interrupt that and try to sell them one of my books? Absolutely not. Those women needed what someone else had to offer. As a result, I sold about five books, and Tiffany sold fifteen - all the store had in stock. Was I disappointed that I didn't sell more? Of course. But the fifteen people who left that bookstore with Tiffany's book will be uplifted as they read her testimony, and why on earth would I begrudge that?

I believe in karma, that when we do good, it comes back to us. I believe that when we are patient and wait for the right moment, that moment will come. It's good to be actively seeking marketing opportunities, but it's good to be sensitive to the situation and to know when to be quiet. You'll get another chance later. It's how the universe works.

Without Fear

Presenting ... Bless Your Heart: Low-sodium Recipes for a Heart-Healthy Lifestyle

My long-awaited low-sodium cookbook has finally arrived! Now you can own this collection of over 80 recipes designed to make your heart happy and your taste buds even happier. You will learn how to make ...

Bavarian Pot Roast

Almond-crusted Salmon

Pepper Beef Stroganoff

Chicken Carbonara

Texas Sheetcake-style Brownies

Carrot Cake

and much, much more! You won't feel as though you're sacrificing a thing by making the decision to lower your sodium. Instead, you'll be eating delicious food, your family will be happy, your time spent in the kitchen will be minimal, and the whole time, you'll be coming closer to your heart-health goals.

This book is currently on a pre-order special. Order between June 25th and July 10th and receive not only the first copies off the press, but as a bonus, I will send you a sneak peek - the first chapter of my new Secret Sisters novel, Hang 'em High, being released this August. In addition, get 10% off the cover price!

Title: Bless Your Heart

Cost: $9.99 Now: $8.99

Shipping and Handling: $3.50

Total: $12.49

To order, send me an e-mail with your name, address, and number of copies you'd like ordered. Tell me if you would like your book signed or not, and who you would like it signed to. I can accept check or PayPal.

Your book will be shipped as soon as I receive it from the printer, roughly 4 weeks. Spread the word, share the love ... and let's get our hearts healthy!

Come Celebrate the Release of Watched with Us!

And you could win lots of awesome prizes

and learn about

Watched,

the hottest new teen novel,

while making new friends.

Each of the following blogs is offering a different awesome prize!

(That's 14 prizes!)

And the grand prize is a $25 dollar gift card to Amazon.

Quick, Fast Entry

Pick a blog, any blog to get started

(just click on the underlined name)

Better hurry! There's only 4 days to enter -Tues., June 21st-Friday, June 24th
**(Need more details? More complete entry details at the bottom of the page)

1. Follow Rachelle Writes and leave a comment. Then follow Cindy M. Hogan and leave a comment about Rachelle's blog. (If you do both you get 1 entry into Rachelle's contest and one into the Grand Prize contest-You Must do both to enter either)

2. Follow A Writer's Reality and leave a comment. Then follow Cindy M. Hogan and leave a comment about Melissa's blog.

3. Follow Day Dreamer and leave a comment. Then follow Cindy M. Hogan and leave a comment about Christine's blog.

4. Follow The Queen of the Clan and leave a comment. Then follow Cindy M. Hogan and leave a comment about Danyelle's blog.

5. Follow Jordan McCollum and leave a comment. Then follow Cindy M. Hogan and leave a comment about Jordan's blog.

6. Follow The Crazy Daze of Motherhood and leave a comment. Then follow Cindy M. Hogan and leave a comment about Jane's blog.

7. Follow I am a Pistachio and leave a comment. Then follow Cindy M. Hogan and leave a comment about Rebecca's blog.

8. Follow Chasing Dreams and leave a comment. Then follow Cindy M. Hogan and leave a comment about Tamara's blog.

9. Follow Ramblings of a Random Writer and leave a comment. Then follow Cindy M. Hogan and leave a comment about Betsy's blog.

10. Follow Matthew Tandy-The Working Writera nd leave a comment. Then follow Cindy M. Hogan and leave a comment about Matthew's blog.

11. Follow Weaving a Tale or Two and leave a comment. Then follow Cindy M. Hogan and leave a comment about Donna's blog.

12. Follow Tristi Pinkston, LDS Author and leave a comment. Then follow Cindy M. Hogan and leave a comment about Tristi's blog.

13. Follow My Yellow Sandbox and leave a comment. Then follow Cindy M Hogan and leave a comment about Abby's blog.

14. Follow Watched and leave a comment. Then follow Cindy M Hogan and leave a comment about that blog.

Enter all 14 contests and you get an extra 5 entries into the Grand Prize Giveaway. (19 entries)

That's not all! Get 6 extra entries by buying Watched here (print book) or here (e-book) and sending her a copy of your confirmation cindymhogan at yahoo dot com. Easy peasy. Wow! That's 25 entries!

Have fun and good luck!

**More Details on how to enter

• 
  Click on the blog name
  
  


• 
  Follow that blog
  
  


• 
  Leave a comment that you were there
  
  


• 
  Jump over to Cindy's blog
  
  


• 
  Leave a comment about what you liked about the other blog.
  
  

Congrats! You've entered that blog's contest and earned one entry into the Grand Prize Drawing!

Enter one. Enter two or how ever many you like, but...

If you enter all the blogs' contests you get a bonus 5 entries into the Grand Prize Drawing.

That gives you a total of 19 entries to win the

Grand Prize- A $25 gift card to Amazon.
And don't forget to get your copy of Watched for a bonus 6 entries.
(25 total)
Remember- you only have 4 days to enter.
(Tues, June 21st-Friday, June 24th at midnight)

and you must comment on both blogs for entry into each contest.

Individual blogs will award prizes on June 25th

The Grand Prize will be awarded on June 28th on Cindy's blog.
Check back to see if you won! You have 2 days to claim your prize.

A big thanks to my awesome friends for joining in on the fun.

1. Rachelle Writes

2. A Writer's Reality

3. Day Dreamer

4. The Queen of the Clan

5. Jordan McCollum

6. The Crazy Daze of Motherhood

7. I am a Pistachio

8. Chasing Dreams

9. Ramblings of a Random Writer

10. Matthew Tandy-The Working Writer

11. Weaving a Tale or Two

12. Tristi Pinkston, LDS Author

13.My Yellow Sandbox

14. Watched

What is the prize on this blog? Three guesses ... and the first two don't count!

Book Review: Messiah by Toni Sorenson

Readers who loved Whitney finalist Toni Sorenson's first novel Master will be delighted to know that Messiah has just been released.

Description: Turmoil grips Zarahemla. Wickedness abounds despite the humbling famine, and the Gadianton robbers are increasing in strength. While deserted by his rebellious father, Kiah is raised in righteousness by his mother and grandfather and finds guidance in the teachings of Nephi, their prophet and friend. Growing into manhood, Kiah sees his family torn apart by dissension regarding the prophesied Savior, but as he remains courageous in the face of deceit and betrayal, his faith becomes firm. And while his desire to fight the infernal robbers remains, Kiah comes to know his true calling: to be a warrior of God.

Consecrating his life as a missionary, Kiah labors among Nephites and Lamanites caught in destructive cycles of pride and sin. He testifies of Christ amidst fierce persecution, witnessing the miracle of redemption as well as the brutal murder of loved ones. And as the Messiah’s advent draws near, Kiah must face the bitterness of unrestrained corruption before tasting the sweetness of a promise fulfilled.

My Thoughts: I found Messiah to be an interesting look at the lands of the Book of Mormon during a time of great conflict and upheaval for this ancient peoples. Toni's choice of using first person, present tense in a historical fiction novel was unusual, and I admit, it took me a moment to acclimate, as historical fiction is generally written in third person, past tense. However, this new perspective brings the reader more immediately into what is happening in the story. This is a detailed, sensitive, and spiritually enlightening novel.

FTC: I received a copy of this book for review and was not compensated in any other way.

Friday Funny

The Homeschool Family

Interview with Danyelle Ferguson

Last week, I posted a review of (dis)Abilities and the Gospel, a fantastic resource book for parents and teachers of children with a variety of cognitive disabilities, authored by Danyelle Ferguson and Lynn Parsons. You can read my review of that book here. Today I'd like to share with you an interview I conducted with Danyelle. 


 Tristi: What are the current autism statistics?
Danyelle: I found this quote on AutismSpeaks.org: “Today, it is estimated that one in every 110 children is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined. An estimated 1.5 million individuals in the U.S. and tens of millions worldwide are affected by autism. Government statistics suggest the prevalence rate of autism is increasing 10-17 percent annually. Studies suggest boys are more likely than girls to develop autism and receive the diagnosis three to four times more frequently. Current estimates are that in the United States alone, one out of 70 boys is diagnosed with autism.” 1 out of 70 boys has autism. Astounding, isn’t it? 


Tristi: That really is. I'm quite frankly mind-boggled.

If any of my readers suspect their child has autism, what should they know that they might not hear from a website or a doctor?

Danyelle: There are a couple of things, actually. First of all, having your child evaluated is free. If he’s between the ages of 0-3 years old, contact your local early intervention center. If he’s between 3-18 years old, contact your school district. They may not provide testing for autism specifically (because that requires a doctor), but they can test your child to see if he’s delayed in any areas and how significant those delays are. This is a good place to start. You can call and request an evaluation at any time – and, by Federal Law, they have to perform the testing within a reasonable time period. Not six months later. But within six to eight weeks.

Second, if you have concerns, don’t let a school evaluator or doctor tell you to “wait six months and see what happens.” I know many people who were told this not just once, but two, three, or four times before finally putting their foot down and asking for tests to be done. The earlier you receive a diagnosis, the better it is for therapy and learning programs to help your child.

Tristi: Tell me how your book, (dis)Abilities and the Gospel, can help parents with this difficult turn of events in their lives.

Danyelle: When you first receive the diagnosis, everything is so overwhelming—your emotions, the volume and variety of information available (not to mention trying to decipher what’s valid and what’s hokey), your whole world is suddenly upside down and you’re scrambling to pull it all back together again. With (dis)Abilities and the Gospel, you can read a little at a time and set it aside when you need time to absorb or just get a breather. But whatever chapter you read, you will find a similar theme – hope. Knowing that there’s a plan for your child, that his Heavenly Father loves him and has a plan for him, and that yes, your child will have friends, will grow and develop, will have an influence and purpose here on Earth – that’s invaluable. That is what will carry you through the some difficult years. 


 Thank you so much for this, Danyelle! I'm sure a lot of parents will gain hope by reading your thoughts, and my heartfelt congratulations to you and to your co-author, Lynn Parsons, for all the good you're doing and for the publication of this book.


FTC: I was not compensated in any way for this interview.

Book Review: Foggy with a Chance of Murder by GG Vandagriff

Foggy with a Chance of Murder is the newest novel by renowned LDS author GG Vandagriff, who won a Whitney Award for her novel, The Last Waltz.  I've had the chance to get to know GG a bit over the last few years and have found her to be a delightful person as well as a popular author.


From the back cover:  What should have been a peaceful walk on the beach turns tragic when best-selling suspense author Chloe Greene fails to save a ten-year-old boy from drowning along the California coast. For Chloe, the boy's death is simply more evidence that God does not exist - that anyone or anything can be taken by random chance, just as her own father was taken five years earlier.


Rob Stevens, the boy's grieving father and a recent widower, isn't sure he believes in God anymore, either, but when he becomes the target in a chain of violent attacks that are anything but random, he is forced to examine what he believes and what he has to live for.


As the pair search for answers, Chloe is introduced to a new religion that offers her the first hope and peace she has felt in years. That peace is threatened, however, when Chloe's old boyfriend, Luke, reenters her life and stirs up old memories and old desires.


Chloe finds herself at a crossroads of the heart as well as of the soul, but her chance for a new beginning could be destroyed when a dense fog provides the perfect cover for an unknown assailant and one final attack.


My Thoughts:  This book is a good modern-day parable about the way the Atonement of Jesus Christ can change lives as people open up their hearts to repentance and try diligently to overcome the things that are holding them back. 


Hats off to GG for producing another compelling story for her adoring fans!


FTC: I received a copy of this novel for review, and was in no other way compensated. 

Families Can Be Together Forever

May I Have Your Attention, Please?

I present ...

This, ladies and gentlemen, is my book in Costco.

In case you missed that - this is MY BOOK. In COSTCO.

Back to your regularly scheduled blog reading.

Homeschool Funny

  Q: How does a homeschooling family change a lightbulb?


A: First, Mom checks three books on electricity out of the library, then the kids make models of light bulbs, read a biography of Thomas Edison and do a skit based on his life.

Then, everyone studies the history of lighting methods, wrapping up with dipping their own candles.

Next, everyone takes a trip to the store where they compare types of light bulbs as well as prices and figure out how much change they'll get if they buy two bulbs for $1.99 and pay with a five-dollar bill.

On the way home, a discussion develops over the history of money and also Abraham Lincoln, as his picture is on the five-dollar bill.

Finally, after building a homemade ladder out of branches dragged from the woods, the light bulb is installed.

And there is light.

~Author Unknown

Book Review and Tour: (dis)Abilities and the Gospel by Danyelle Ferguson and Lynn Parsons

I am a very lucky duck. I've been blessed with great friends, amazing experiences, and have had the chance to be involved in some projects I truly believe in. (dis)Abilities and the Gospel is one of those projects.

I was first contacted by Danyelle Ferguson several years ago when she was putting this book together. I've known her for years - in fact, I'm currently living in the house she sold me - and when she came to me and asked me for advice, I was immediately struck by just how very needed this book is. I've had the opportunity to cheer Danyelle on through various stages of the book's production and have gotten to know Lynn, Danyelle's amazing coauthor, and at long last, it is my pleasure to participate in the virtual book tour for this book, share my thoughts about it, and offer you some fun prizes.

The book: (dis)Abilities and the Gospel was specifically written to help parents and teachers know how to help those with various mental disabilities as they attend church. Danyelle and Lynn both have children on the autism spectrum, and they had to come up with ways to help their children move through the church experience and get the most out of it. As they searched for resource material, they realized that there really wasn't a book out there to help them, and they decided to write it.

Each chapter covers a different step in your child's journey, from a very young child, moving up into their teenage years, and into adulthood. The book discusses how to help your child with autism, Down syndrome, or other types of cognitive issues. Each topic is presented with the goal of helping your child truly participate in church and feel our Savior's love for them. There are even chapters on how the parents of the child can keep their relationship strong and find ways to spend time together when their schedules are hectic from caring for their child.

The book is positive, uplifting, supports families, and is a must-have for every Primary president, Primary teacher, Young Men's leader, Young Women's leader, bishop, bishopric member - any person in a position of stewardship should have this book, and so should every parent.

This book is specifically targeted to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but please let me make it very clear that it is completely adaptable for any church congregation. Reverends and pastors from all over the nation have read this book and tried out the suggested methods in their own churches with great success.

With autism rates skyrocketing and other forms of cognitive disorders also increasing, this book is needed like never before. I applaud Lynn and Danyelle for their excellent work in this field and cannot tell you enough what a valuable resource you will find in this book.

Blog Tour Giveaways:

Enter to win one of two $25 Amazon gift cards and a free 20 minute consultation with Danyelle! You can ask her about parenting, church surivival, adapting lessons - or even about writing and publishing. Two names will be drawn on June 30th & July 22nd. Each drawing will include 1 winner of a $25 Amazon gift card and free consultation; and a second winner of a free consultation.Winners will be announced on www.QueenOfTheClan.com There are many ways to enter. You must leave a comment on the reviewer’s blog letting us know what you’ve done. Please include your email address.

1 Point Each:

- Leave a thoughtful comment about the blogger’s review

- Add the book to your “to-read” list on GoodReads

- Follow the reviewer’s blog

- Follow Danyelle’s blog

- Follow Lynn’s blog

- Follow Danyelle on FB

- Follow Lynn on FB

- Follow Danyelle on Twitter @DanyelleTweets

- Follow Lynn on Twitter @ParsonsLynn

2 Points Each:

- Tell your friends about (dis)Abilities and the Gospel on Facebook with a person links to Danyelle Ferguson & Lynn Parsons

- Tell your friends about (dis)Abilities and the Gospel on Twitter with links to @DanyelleTweets

5 Points:

- Interview Danyelle or Lynn for your blog or write a blog post about why you’re excited about (dis)Abilities and the Gospel. Be sure to leave a direct link to your post in your comment so we can visit and say hello!

Blog Tour Schedule

June 2nd - Christine Bryant @ Day Dreamer

June 7th - Tristi Pinkston

June 9th - Tamera @ 3 Boys & a Dog

June 14th - Ashlee @ Topsy Turvy Cakes

June 17th - Heather Justesen

June 23rd - Rebecca Talley

June 27th - Don Carey

July 6th - Danette @ Everyday Adventures

July 8th - Sheila Staley @ LDS Women's Book Review

July 11th - Kathy @ I Am a Reader, Not a Writer

July 13th - Jessica @ Fringies

July 15th - Heather @ Fire and Ice by Little Red Reads

July 18th - Nichole Giles @ Star Crossed Book Reviews

Purchase & Review Links:

Amazon.com

Barnes & Noble

Deseret Book

GoodReads

Book Blurb & Endorsements:

Each day, parents and church leaders struggle to teach individuals with special needs. Using helpful information, real-life stories, and a touch of humor, (dis)Abilities and the Gospel provides ways for you to effectively teach people of all ages with autism, Down syndrome, bipolar disorder, memory loss, and other disabilities.

Inside this useful guide, you’ll find

• Guidance for building strong family relationships
• Steps to teaching prayer and scripture study
• Practical and creative teaching tips
• Programs to help with transitions, communication barriers, and behaviors
• Techniques to help others feel welcome and valued

Find the answers you need and overcome the challenges of teaching the gospel.(dis)Abilities and the Gospel will help you develop each person’s ability to learn and grow as you build peace in your home or classroom.

(dis)Abilities and the Gospel is a resource that may be read, reread, and used many times. . . . The authors have beautifully woven the frustrations that so many people have experienced into an action-living plan to help children with special needs.
—Lloyd Kinnison, PhD. Texas Woman’s University, Special Education Department

This book is an unexpected and very welcome gift to the community of churches and their leaders. It addresses so many of the problems that children, young adults, and adults with disabilities face in church activities.
—Brenda Winegar, Early Interventionist/Cofounder, Kids on the Move

Danyelle’s Info:

Website: http://www.DanyelleFerguson.com

Blog: http://www.QueenOfTheClan.com

Lynn’s Info:

Website: http://www.lynndparsons.com/

Blog: http://lynndeniseparsons.blogspot.com/

The War in Heaven Continues on Earth Today

My Thoughts on YA in General, The Wall Street Journal in Particular

This weekend, the Internet exploded as bloggers, Tweeters, Facebookers, and many other kinds of "ers" read and responded to this article posted by The Wall Street Journal. If you're not interested in reading the full article, I'll recap - the journalist states her concern that many of the young adult fiction novels currently on the market contain elements that are too dark for young adults to be reading, and she cites some examples of those that concerned her the most. The aforementioned bloggers, Tweeters, et al have posted their views about her views, feeling that she is blowing things way out of proportion. Both sides feel strongly. Both sides have done some mud-slinging. And it would be very un-Tristi-like of me if I didn't weigh in.

So, what do I think?

I think they're both right.

And I think they're both wrong.

Every person ever born has the right to form their own opinions. It's part of being human, and it's part of the task we were given by God - to decide for ourselves what we think and what we believe. When the lady who wrote the article for The Wall Street Journal penned down her thoughts, she was expressing her beliefs. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. In fact, I agree with many of her points. I applaud her for taking a stand that she knew would be unpopular, but she did it anyway because she truly, genuinely believes what she said, and that takes courage.

The people standing up to oppose her have the right to do that very thing. They have had different experiences from hers. Their perspectives are different. They should have an arena to share their ideas, thoughts, and beliefs. In this way, I feel that the people on both sides of the equation are right. They are sharing their gut feelings. They are sharing with the world what they hold to be true.

And I believe that both sides are wrong. It's unfortunate when people feel they need to become vitriolic to make their point, when mud is slung or names are called. When people feel they are being attacked, they stop listening and start building walls. You can't understand someone else's point of view if you're too busy defending your own.

So, what is to be done?

We all continue to make choices according to what we personally believe, and we allow others the same right. It's that simple. As we make those choices, we are a living example of what we believe, and as others see us, they know where we stand. If they like what they see, they'll gravitate toward wanting to learn more about why we feel the way we feel. The power of influence cannot be measured, and it's the real way in which minds are changed. No amount of arguing can do it. It comes quietly, as others have experiences of their own that shape their perceptions.

Now you're wondering which camp I'm personally in. I think you can guess, if you've been reading my blog longer than thirty-seven seconds.

I am not in favor of censorship. You can read my thoughts about it here. I believe that books with every level of content should be made available to those who want to read them, but I believe they should be properly advertised so the consumer knows what they are getting. It frustrates me to think I'm getting one thing and to end up with something else, and I think a lot of consumers feel that way. Those who want a clean read should be able to find them easily. Those readers who want grittier content should be able to find them easily. It all goes back to freedom of choice. I believe in freedom of choice, and I believe in freedom of speech. You can read about that here.

As for me, I'm in the clean reads camp. I have read books with darker content if I've felt the need to understand more about a certain theme or concept or historical event, because I want to be educated, but I prefer, as a general rule, to spend my time reading books without dark content. That is my personal choice. That is my personal stand. I state it outright and without apology. But if I have a friend who wants to make their personal stand that they like to read something else, I will respect that in them as being their choice, and I will not attack them for it, call them names, or sling mud at them. I would certainly hope that they would do me the same courtesy.

It does not make a person narrow-minded to seek out books without dark content. It does not make a person evil if they seek out books with dark content. Why do we think we should get to judge others and their choices? At the end of the day, we control ourselves and no one else, and if we are doing what we feel is right for us, then the rest doesn't matter.

Book Review: The Forgotten Locket by Lisa Mangum

Lisa Mangum burst onto the young adult contemporary fantasy scene like a firework with the release of The Hourglass Door, and continued to burn brightly through The Golden Spiral. With The Forgotten Locket, she puts on an entire fireworks show, dazzling the reader with burst after burst of excitement and drama until the story (and the trilogy) come to a very satisfying conclusion.

Whoa, I’m starting to sound like Bruno Tonioli. Sorry about that.

My Synopsis: Abby’s family no longer exists in her reality; only her memory of them proves they were ever real. The river of time is splitting off into hundreds of little streamlets, and each split is decaying and destroying those she loves. Dante has the power to read the river and know what it needs, and it needs a special gift that only Abby has. Zo knows this too, and he is determined to get her into his clutches so he can be the only true master of time. As Abby, Dante, and Zo leap into the river at certain key points in history to make things flow the way they believe they should, they come up against each other over and over again until it seems there is no way to heal time and put things right again. But love, determination, and passion for doing the right thing will always prevail in the end.

My Thoughts: Lisa Mangum is a superlative author. There are spots in the book where the pacing is tight and you want to read faster because the action is compelling your eyes to race, but you are forced to stop and savor each word, pulled in by the beauty of her craft. If I didn’t like Lisa so dang much as a person and respect her so dang much as an editor, I’d probably be jealous and hate her forever because she’s such an amazing craftsman. Thank goodness for that liking and respect, right?

I received this book from the author, but this did not influence my review. I can’t be bought with books. Chocolate, maybe, but not books.