Book Review: Prophecy Girl by Cecily White

I missed my post date for Prophecy Girl as last week was just really messed up in every way possible.  So for the next couple of days I am going to be playing catch up.  Prophecy Girl, however, was a great book and I just flew through it.

Tour Schedule:

4/1/2013- Anatea'sBookshelf -Review

4/2/2013- Fadeinto Fantasy  - Guest Post

4/3/2013- Bookalicious - Review

4/4/2013- Bookyramblings of a neurotic mom  - Top 10 List.

4/5/2013- BibliophiliaPlease  - review

4/8/2013- Hope,Love and Happy Endings  - review

4/9/2013- TwoChicks on Books - Music Post- Playlist for Prophecy Girl

4/10/2013- Booksand Needlepoint  - review

4/11/2013- Fiktshun  - top ten or top five to ten favorite quotes

4/12/2013- FantasyBook Addict - Interview 

Title: Prophecy Girl
Author: Cecily White
Publisher: Entangled Teen

About the book: Amelie Bennett. . . . Ending the world, one prophecy at a time.

I was born to slay Crossworld demons.

Big black flappy ones, little green squirmy ones. Unfortunately, the only thing getting slain these days is my social life. With my high school under attack, combat classes intensifying, and Academy instructors dropping right and left, I can barely get my homework done, let alone score a bondmate before prom.

Then he shows up.

Jackson Smith-Hailey. Unspeakably hot, hopelessly unattainable, and dangerous in all the right ways. Sure, he’s my trainer. And okay, maybe he hates me. Doesn’t mean I’ll ignore the wicked Guardian chemistry between us. It’s crazy! Every time I’m with him, my powers explode. Awesome, right?

Wrong.

Now my teachers think I’m the murderous Graymason destined to bring down our whole race of angelbloods. Everyone in New Orleans is hunting me. The people I trusted want me dead. Jack and I have five days to solve the murders, prevent a vampire uprising, and thwart the pesky prophecy foretelling his death by my hand. Shouldn’t be too difficult.

Getting it done without falling in love. . . that might take a miracle. 

~Goodreads~     ~Amazon~     ~Barnes&Noble~     ~Book Depository~

My thoughts:  Imagine the local high school, full of teens and teachers, but they are Guardians, or really Guardians in training, and protect anyone with a soul from demons.  Upon graduation they are paired together - bonded - to kill demons.  Usually those bonded end up falling in love as well - so bonding is sort of a really big deal.  There is a lot of thought that goes into the bonding decisions, one of which is what bloodlines a person has descended from.  

Amelie is known to be somewhat of a troublemaker.  Her spells usually end up backfiring in some big way.  That is how she meets Jack the first time - she is trying to put out a fire that she has created on accident.  The connection between them is immediate and Jack does everything he can to keep his distance from her.  That isn't meant to be though and before they can blink they are on the run together.  

I loved their chemistry and hope to see more of them in the future.  The book flowed nicely and I found it easy to follow the storyline. There were some twists at the end, some I had figured out, some I hadn't.  All in all - good quick clean read.

~I received a complimentary eCopy of Prophecy Girl from Entangled Teen in exchange for my unbiased review.~

About the author: Cecily Cornelius-White, Psy.D. makes a habit of avoiding boredom whenever possible. She has enjoyed careers as a hand model, GAP salesgirl, movie projectionist, psychotherapist, yoga instructor, university professor, artist, dance choreographer, eating disorders specialist, psych diagnostician, book reviewer and copy editor. None of which are as much fun as writing novels.

She currently lives in Springfield, MO with two FABULOUS kids, and a schizophrenic yet well-mannered cat. She can swear in Klingon, take down an alien aggressor using only her mind (or a pair of chopsticks), and kill giant spiders without getting schmutz on her shirt.

When not singing to herself, she spends time creating new worlds and thinking up ways to make this one better…

Where you can find her:

Website 

Twitter

Facebook

Goodreads

Promo Blitz: The Order of the Black Swan by Victoria Danann

The Order of the Black Swan

By Victoria Danann

Paranormal Romance / Fantasy

Date to be Published: 2/14/2013

Synopsis:

Synopsis:  Discover a world of adult fantasy where modern day knights of a secret society 

interact with an alien, a witch, a demon, a psychic, a berserker, a most unusual vampire, 

werewolves, elves, and fae. Fairytales intersect adventure, romance, and emotion proving 

that true love can find you in the strangest places, even when you're least expecting it, 

even when you're far, far from home.

This is a compilation of the first three installments of the Black Swan serial saga

Victoria Danann

 http://www.VictoriaDanann.com

BUY LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | iTUNES | SMASHWORDS

Promo Blitz: Welcome to Paradise by Rosalind James

Welcome to Paradise

By Rosalind James

Contemporary Romance

Date Published: 4/12/13

Synopsis:

By the bestselling author of the Escape to New Zealand series—

They’re going to party like it’s 1885.

Mira Walker is hoping that competing on a “living history” reality show will give her what’s missing from her real life. Maybe she’ll get closer to her boyfriend, who hasn’t been all that nice to her lately. Get fired up about her job again. Who knows, she might even win a million dollars.

Gabe Kincaid and his brother Alec are after that million too, though. Mira and Scott are no threat at all, not when everybody involved is going to want to kill Scott after the first day. And there’s no bond stronger than a twin’s. What could possibly go wrong?

EXCERPT

Gabe began to haul out suitcases, then stopped in his tracks.

A couple spaces beyond, a young woman stood next to a glossy black BMW with its door open, her gaze turned up to the eastern skyline. Gabe could see why. The view was tinted with a rose pink that lay softly over the mountains, giving them an almost ethereal glow.

She sensed his presence behind him, turned with a warm smile that was a perfect complement to the light bathing the landscape behind her. “Alpenglow,” she told him happily.

“What?” he asked stupidly.

“That’s what they call that pink thing. Alpenglow. Isn’t it beautiful?”

“Yeah,” he smiled slowly. “It sure is.”

She nodded, looked back at the mountains with a sigh, leaving Gabe free to take in the view that interested him most. She wasn’t especially slim—in fact, she was downright . . .rounded. Arms, breasts, hips, it was all there, all the good stuff. A nicely defined waist, too, in a slightly crumpled short-sleeved summer dress that flared out at the hem. Long, shiny brown hair caught on the side of her head in a simple braid that reached nearly to her hips, ended in a curly tail. All right, she was attractive. A pretty face, nice hair, a beautiful smile, but she certainly wasn’t gorgeous. So why was he staring at her?

“Cute,” Alec said quietly beside him.

“Yeah.” Gabe gave himself a shake and began to turn away.

“Hey.” The man was striding quickly across the parking lot. Light brown hair, parted neatly. Slim and tall, somewhere between Gabe’s six foot and Alec’s six-two. And, Gabe realized, the same asshole who’d flipped them off earlier, at the light. Frowning, now, as he came to join the woman. “What are you doing? I’ve been waiting for you.”

“Sorry,” she said. “I was just looking at the view.”

“Did you get the car cleaned out?”

“Not yet.”

He sighed impatiently. “I’ve got all our stuff inside already, and unpacked, while you’ve been standing here. Could you get a move on, please? I want to go to dinner.”

“Sorry,” she said again. “It’s just so beautiful.”

The man smiled tightly, still not acknowledging Gabe or Alec, who had come up to stand beside his brother and watch the pair. “All I’m asking for is a bit of focus here, sweetie. Eyes on the prize, remember? Can you do that for me?”

“Of course,” she said. Gabe could see the flush spreading up her cheeks, her embarrassment at the reproof in front of strangers. Not his business, he reminded himself.

None of his business at all.

Author Bio:

Rosalind James is the author of the bestselling “Escape to New Zealand” series.

“Welcome to Paradise” is her first book set in the United States. A former marketing executive, Rosalind divides her time between California and New Zealand.

Author Links

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Book Blast: Excuse Me, My Brains Have Stepped Out by Pandora Poikilos

Excuse Me, My Brains Have Stepped Out

Anya Michaels is having the time of her life. She has the man of her dreams by her side. She has graduated at the top of her class. She has the job others were lining up for. Between late night drinks at her favourite bar and fancy dinners at the most expensive restaurants, she has a string of adoring friends.

Everything changes when she hears the dreaded words, "You are sick." Being diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder, her world starts to fall apart, one piece at a time. Now dumped, her four year relationship is nothing but a memory filled with pictures, thoughts and a very broken heart. Her job becomes an even further challenge as she tries to hide her condition. Her friends suddenly have more important things to do, what is a party without a party girl? Perfect could not crumble any faster. Soon, caught between situations, people and pieces of life that she never dreamed of planning for herself, Anya begins to wonder if her brain condition is all that bad. As she absorbs the changes in her life and realization sets in, she begins to wonder if she is the only one saying: Excuse Me, My Brains Have Stepped Out.

Amazon Kindle * Barnes & Noble * Amazon

Author Pandora Poikilos

Pandora Poikilos has been writing for more than 10 years for various media which include newspapers, radio, television and various websites.

A social media enthusiast who is passionate about blogging and finding her way around the virtual world, she wills away time in the real world by reading, writing and people watching.

Facebook * Twitter * Website * Blog * Facebook

Book Blast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 4/28/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.



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Book Blast: Replacing Gentry by Julie N. Ford

Replacing Gentry

When Marlie agrees to attend a cadaver ball at Vanderbilt Medical School, she did not expect to actually see any cadavers. Or, that a strange apparition would issue her a chilling message.

Despite the cadaver's warning, Marlie is married a year later to Tennessee State Senator, Daniel Cannon, and living in a plantation-style mansion with two step sons. Add to the mix her growing suspicion that something is amiss with the death of Daniel’s first wife, Gentry; and newlywed Marlie is definitely in over her pretty Yankee head.

What begins as an innocent inquiry into her new husband’s clouded past, ends with Marlie in the midst of a dangerous conspiracy.

A modern twist on the classic Gothic romance novels of Rebecca and Jane Eyre, Replacing Gentry follows Marlie’s precarious journey as she learns the truth about the man she married.

Grab a copy!

Replacing Gentry is just $1.99 on Amazon

Author Julie N. Ford

Julie N. Ford graduated from San Diego State University with a BA in Political Science and a minor in English Literature. In addition, she has a Masters in Social Work from the University of Alabama. Professionally, she has worked in teaching and as a Marriage & Family Counselor. She is the author of two women’s fiction novels, The Woman He Married and No Holly for Christmas, published in 2011. In addition, she wrote a romance/chick-lit novel, Count Down to Love, also published in 2011. Count Down to Love was a 2011 Whitney Award finalist. Her next novel, Replacing Gentry, is due for release April 9th, 2013.

Currently, she lives in Nashville, TN with her husband, two daughters and one hedgehog.

Website * Facebook * Twitter

Tour Schedule

BookBlast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 4/30/13



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Blog Tour: Blue Hearts of Mars by Nicole Grotepas (w/bonus Ten Books Nicole thinks should be movies!)

Tour Schedule

Blue Hearts of Mars by Nicole Grotepas

Retta Heikkinen knows the unspoken rule of society: love between androids and humans is forbidden. A simple enough edict until Hemingway Koskinen spends an evening charming her with his intense gaze, bewitching smile, and sparkling conversation that hints at so much more than the usual obsessions of high school boys. Rules were meant to be cast aside, especially when love beckons.

If only it were as simple as being in love.

Trouble is brewing, not just for Hemingway--for all androids. Secrets have been kept, lies propagated, and Retta soon discovers that a frightening future awaits thousands of androids if she doesn’t do something to stop it. Worse yet, she will lose the one love she’s ever endangered herself for: Hemingway.

Amazon

Ten Books That Should be Made into Movies, or

"Dear Hollywood, Let Me Help You Out"

I like to write YA books, but I read a lot of other books as well. Many of the great new YA books are already being made into movies or have been done as movies. So my list is made up of books that have been passed up by Hollywood. Some are old and some are more recent. But trust me, these books would be great on film. 

1. Crossing to Safety, Wallace Stegner. Probably the best story about friendship in the entire universe. I read this novel regularly and I die every time. The prose is lyrical but not stifling, the story moves at a decent pace, and you never feel bored. At least I don't. But you do love Charity, Sid, Larry, and Sally.

2. Eye of the World, Robert Jordan. Well, really, Game of Thrones is nothing compared to this. I say that having never read Game of Thrones, so maybe that calls my judgment into question, but Jordan's work is a masterpiece and hey, it's finished now! Yes, it took Brandon Sanderson to wrap it up, but nevertheless, such a great series with a fine beginning.

3. We, Eugene Zamiatin. The best dystopia ever and done by the grandfather of the genre. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love D-503. Yes, I'm in love with a number!

4. Elantris, Brandon Sanderson. This is a different kind of fantasy with a good pace and plenty of intrigue, mystery, and several cinematic moments. The ending is amazing.

5. Blue Hearts of Mars, Nicole Grotepas (heh). My book. Well, why not? It would be GREAT as a movie.

6. Twenties Girl, Sophie Kinsella. Her books are usually fun, quick, and hilarious with a good love story too. I'd love to see this one as a movie and it would work really well.

7. The Crocodile on the Sandbank, Elizabeth Peters. This is the start of the Amelia Peabody series. I'm quite surprised they haven't been made into movies yet. They're hilarious and fun with a great mystery to move them along. I really see the guy who plays Niles in Fraser as Walter, Emerson's brother. If they stick to that, they'll be perfect!

8. Sister of My Heart, Chitra Bannerjee Divakaruni. I loved this book. It's so colorful and mythical and it made me want to go to India so bad! I still do. I can see this story as a film and it would be dang beautiful. Please do it. Someone. Please.

9. Dragonflight, Ann McCaffrey. This really should be a movie. It's a great story with a female protagonist who overcomes her culture to become the most powerful woman. With CGI the way it is today, the dragons would be incredibly awesome indeed.

10. The Mistborn Trilogy, Brandon Sanderson. This series has another female protoganist whose growth and development spans three books, with the absolute most amazing and epic ending of any series. I mean, I was stunned. And blown away. And just...mind-blown. Wait, did I already say that? I did. That's how mind-crippling it is. In a good way. All three books are phenomenal and should be films. 

Praise

"Nothing like I've read before. A true original story! Everything is so well described. Now if they could make a follow up book and movie, that would be great!" ~Mrs. Z (Amazon)

"I was addicted to this book from the beginning. Life on Mars was very real and not at all a sci fi world I didn't understand . . . I found myself rooting for Retta and Hemingway from the very beginning. Easy reading, couldn't put it down and had it read in a weekend. Waiting for a sequel!" ~TNielsen (Amazon)

"The ending of this book is exceptional. While it was different from what I imagined, the way the author brought in a shocking revelation was amazing. I probably reread the last chapter 3 times letting it sink in and the meaning behind it. It was truly beautiful . . . I would love to see more of Retta and Hemingway!" ~Kat Meyer, (Goodreads)

"I love how the author populated Mars . . . so descriptive and comprehensive . . . I could clearly picture everything as if I was seeing the movie &/or was along for the ride. . . . Retta, the main character, is strong, opinionated, and a great champion for her cause." ~Megan (Amazon)

"I had been in the worst reading slump ever and came across this on Goodreads and thought I'd give it a try. Well, I was pleasantly surprised on how funny and exciting and mysterious it was . . . Mei, Retta's bff, had me laughing out loud quite a bit as well as Retta herself. I'd definitely hang out with those two." ~Deanneluvbooks (Goodreads)

Blue Hearts of Mars has made it to the quarterfinals of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award.

Readers are invited to download the excerpts (here) and rate and comment on the entries. So please, if you want to contribute, download and rate Blue Hearts! Your support is incredibly appreciated!

Or purchase the full version of the book here: Amazon

Author Nicole Grotepas

Nicole wrote her first fantasy novel in 7th grade on her mother's old Brother typewriter. It was never finished but it strongly resembled a Dragonlance plot and she's forever wondered what happened to the manuscript and Tonathan--the handsome elven protagonist. After living in Nashville where she worked as an editor, she returned to the Utah desert where she was raised. Nicole now lives near the Wasatch mountains with her husband. She writes and raises her son and three cats full time.

Website * Blog * Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash (Internationally)

Signed Copy of Cinder & Blue Hearts of Mars (US only)

Ends 4/19/13



Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Book Blitz: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge by Donna Shields

Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

by Donna Shields

Hunting down a dangerous mob boss has brought FBI agent Mitchell Donovan home, reawakening an old flame, resurrecting a dead best friend, and discovering fatherhood. As if those aren’t enough, his new case will push everything else aside: finding the kidnappers who took the daughter he never knew he had.

Katherine Delaney never forgot the heartbreak Mitchell had caused with his abrupt departure all those years ago. With her dead ex-husband accused of murder and her daughter kidnapped, she will place her trust in the one man who could trample her heart again if she gets too close. But, will the resurrection of Katherine’s ex-husband and Mitchell’s chase for a killer destroy their second chance at love and happiness?

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Soul Mate Publishing

About the author: I live in the beautiful upstate of South Carolina with my husband, our children, and some great haunts. Besides being a busy bee with my writing, I'm a Mom, a Grandmom, a co-owner of a motorcycle shop and an avid reader. And we love traveling to Mexico and Jamaica when life and finances allow us to go.

I have two books published with Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders, a paranormal romantic suspense, and Secrets of Jenkins Bridge, a romantic suspense. I like writing about things that go bump in the night and finding a new twist to include in my stories.

I can usually be found on Facebook and Twitter and on my blog. 

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Soul Mate Publishing

They followed the paramedic toward the ambulance while Gladys and the other woman continued to talk.

He’d had a nightmare in the early hours before Gladys’ call had awakened him. The Camaro from his dream sat in the same exact spot. Aidan pointed out the car and told Mitchell he had to save ‘her’, whoever that might be. He figured he was about to find out. If, in fact, he wasn’t losing his marbles.

As they rounded the corner to the back of the ambulance, Gladys stopped short causing Mitchell to nearly colliding into her. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” he croaked, and then cleared his raw throat. “What’s the victim’s name?”

The paramedic shook her head, blonde ponytail swishing. “We don’t know. Haven’t found any ID yet, and she’s a little confused. Has a nasty bump to the head.”

He let Gladys climb aboard. Her upward movement stopped in midair, one leg dangling a little too close to Mitchell’s jewels. He jumped back as she whipped around, almost losing her balance. In a barely audible tone, she said, “I know her.”

“You know practically the entire town.” Mitchell gestured toward the victim. “Say something. Who is she?”

Her gaze stared off in the distance above his head. “It’s just so weird. It’s the widow whose husband drove off that bridge.” She pointed toward Jenkins Bridge, the old wooden-covered overpass in the distance.

An icy chill ran up his spine. Gladys moved aside, giving him full view of Katherine Delaney. She may be battered and bloody, but Mitchell could never forget her face, her high cheekbones, or the tiny, turned up nose. Shit.

Their eyes met, and his chest instantly tightened, his throat constricting. Something was wrong. She seemed to stare through him. Surely, she recognized him. He hadn’t changed that much. He managed to find his voice. “Hello.”

Katherine closed her dazzling emerald eyes. “What happened?”

He put his trembling hands behind his back interlocking them. “You were in an accident. What’s your name?”

She shook her head, the confusion apparent..

“It’s all right. This is Detective Freeman and I’m Detective Donovan.” Would the name register?

If it did, she didn’t react. She closed her eyes and turned her head away from them.

The paramedic announced, “Gonna have to finish this at the hospital after the doctor examines her.”

Mitchell reluctantly backed away allowing Gladys to jump down. Once the ambulance left, Mitchell said, “She didn’t recognize me.” Hundreds of miles apart and fifteen years later, and none of that mattered anymore. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and protect her. What was her life like now? Did she still live on the ranch with Aidan’s mother? Or did she have another whole life somewhere else?

Would she be okay? What if something happened to her? He couldn’t think like that. He wouldn’t.

“You know her?”

Of course he had. When he left Addison, he had been running from the hurt they’d caused one another. And his mother’s death. And his own demons.. “You keep forgetting. I grew up in this town.”

“What’s your connection?”

He didn’t want to get into his and Katherine’s complicated past at the moment. “We went to school together. Her husband, Aidan, and I were best friends.”

Gladys’ milk chocolate eyes grew large. “Oh wow. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. That was a long time ago.” Life goes on.

Book Review: Taylor's Gift by Todd and Tara Storch

Title: Taylor's Gift
Authors: Todd and Tara Storch with Jennifer  Schuchmann
Publisher: Revell

About the book: It was the last run of their first day on the slopes, the beginning of another great family vacation for Todd and Tara Storch and their three children.  But when thirteen-year-old Taylor's life was tragically cut short in a skiing accident, the Storches were overcome by the devastating loss of their daughter.  Still in shock, they were asked a question no parents ever think they will hear:  "Would you be willing to donate Taylor's organs?"

Their answer would change their family's lives forever and provide comfort during their darkest moments.  It would also save the lives of five desperate people anxiously waiting for a heart, a liver, a cornea, a pancreas, and a kidney.

Taylor's death could have destroyed the Storches -- and in some ways it almost did.  Instead, her gift of life brought them strength, knowing her heart was continuing to beat.  Taylor's Gift is more than Taylor's story, or even Todd and Tara's story.  It's the story of a nurse who can now be an active mom and fully present for her kids, a cowboy who now has the strength and ability to give back to the community, a biker who can now give of himself completely, and a teenager who can now see her future for the first time.

It's a story of finding strength in God and creating good even in the darkest times.  It's a story of hope.

Through the Gift of Organ Donation, Tragic Death of 13-Year-Old Taylor Storch Brings Life & Hope

“The prayer of this book is this: may good continue to happen. May this story bring hope to anyone who has suffered tragedy. There is life after loss. It comes after a monsoon of tears. But it comes.”

- Max Lucado

On what was supposed to be the family trip of a lifetime, thirteen-year-old Taylor Storch's life was tragically cut short after a horrific ski accident two years ago. As Taylor lay unresponsive in the ICU, Todd and Tara clung to any shred of hope that they would see their daughter smile again. Devastated and still in shock about the accident, they were asked a question no parents think they will ever hear: “Would you be willing to donate Taylor’s organs?”

Their answer would change their family’s lives forever and provide hope during their darkest moments. It would also save the lives of five desperate people anxiously waiting for a new heart, a new liver, new corneas and a new kidney.

Now Todd and Tara Storch, with New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Schuchmann, share their heartbreaking, yet inspirational story, shining a light for those enduring their own ocean of grief. Todd and Tara share the ugly side of their grief. Todd’s impulse to bury himself in work and even worse, to just leave. Tara's inability to come out of the fog of grief for months. Taylor’s death could have destroyed them. Instead, her gift of life brought them hope, knowing her heart had never stopped beating.

Taylor’s Gift: A Courageous Story of Giving Life and Renewing Hope is more than Taylor’s story or even Todd and Tara’s story. It’s the story of a cowboy who has the strength and ability to give back to the community; a nurse who can be an active mom and fully present for her kids; a biker who can give himself completely; and a teenager who can see her future for the first time. It’s the story of finding strength in God and creating good even in the darkest times.

It’s a story of hope.

“The greatest gift we’ve received on this journey didn’t come from Taylor,” writes Todd and Tara. “It came from God. Her death is not the end of her story. God is sovereign, and he is still writing.”

After discovering their home state of Texas had the second lowest organ donation registration rate, Todd and Tara created the Taylor’s Gift Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising organ donation awareness. The Foundation gave them a way to celebrate Taylor’s life and to use their story to encourage others to register to be an organ donor. In less than two years, they have spoken to thousands of people across the country have helped contribute more than two million registered organ donors in Texas and over 12 million nationally.

Available April 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

My thoughts:  Taylor's Gift is an amazing story about a beautiful girl and the unselfish response that her grieving family gave when asked if they would donate her organs.  Through the book, you learn how caring Taylor was for her family and friends, even though she was only 13 when she was killed.  There were times while reading the book that I could hardly see the words through my tears.  But this isn't just a tear jerker.  There were also times when I was amazed at how God was working through the tragedy to bring hope to so many people. How God kept His presence known in so many ways and let them know His purpose behind Taylor's death. 

The Storches struggled with their grief. They got angry with God. Tara withdrew to her room for months while Todd had to stay full of activity.  But through it all they came together to create Taylor's Gift Foundation .  This is an organization working to inform people about the huge need for organ donation.  While a story like this has to touch everyone on some level, I love that -- as it says above -- it is a story of hope.  That even in the darkest of times, you can find strength in God. 

Loved it.

~I received a complimentary copy of Taylor's Gift from Revell in exchange for my unbiased review.~

© Frank Marott, Pixels–Coppell, TX

About the Authors: Todd Storch is a successful consultant, public speaker and community leader. After the death of his daughter, he began to pursue his new God-given mission to promote organ donation. Todd is cofounder and president of Taylor’s Gift Foundation, where he and his wife, Tara, work tirelessly to help those who have been touched by organ donation. Todd is honored to lead the foundation that has helped contribute to the registration of millions of new organ donors and is still changing the conversation about organ donation.

Tara Storch is first and foremost a mom, but she is also a sales and marketing professional, is active in her church, and is a community leader. Along with her husband, Todd, she cofounded Taylor’s Gift Foundation. She leads the marketing

 efforts of the foundation with the mission to “increase organ donation to Regift Life, Renew Health and Restore Families.” She loves helping others recognize the beautiful gift we all have within.

Todd and Tara have shared their story on Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show and other national media. They are the parents of Taylor, Ryan, and Peyton and have made their home in Texas.

Jennifer Schuchmann specializes in collaborations with celebrities and newsmakers. Among her many books, she is coauthor with Kurt and Brenda Warner of the New York Times bestselling First Things First; with Dan Woolley of Unshaken, the only book written by a survivor of the Haiti earthquake; and with Jim Cymbala of Spirit Rising.

Book Review; The Dance by Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley

Title: The Dance (Book 1, The Restoration Series)
Authors: Dan Walsh & Gary Smalley
Publisher: Revell

About the Book: After 27 years of marriage, Marilyn Anderson is tired of playing the role of perfect wife.  Her husband Jim is a successful businessman who gives her everything she needs -- a beautiful home in an upscale neighborhood, the financial freedom to be a stay-at-home om, an enviable collection of stuff.  Everything, that is, except what really matters:  love.

After years of trying to connect with Jim, Marilyn has had enough.  she longs to experience some measure of happiness before she's too old to enjoy it.  Needing some time to herself to sort things out, Marilyn leaves to start a new job and take dancing lessons -- something she has wanted to do for as long as she can remember.

Shocked to find his wife gone, Jim Anderson must sort through the past to save his marriage.  With a little help from an unexpected ally, he begins a campaign to win Marilyn back.  What he doesn't anticipate is how his actions will affect everyone around him -- starting with himself. 

Combining the literary talents of bestselling author Dan Walsh and the relationship expertise of bestselling author Gary Smalley, The Dance is the first novel in The Restoration Series. Readers will get caught up in these flawed but sincere members of the Anderson family as they rediscover genuine love and start a transformation that ultimately affects all of them. Based on the principles behind Smalley’s bestselling The DNA of Relationships, Walsh expertly weaves proven relationship advice to restore a marriage into this powerful novel.

In The Dance, readers will meet the Anderson family amidst crisis. Jim Anderson is a successful businessman, and his wife, Marilyn, is the perfect wife. Jim never expected to come home one day and find Marilyn gone. What will it take to restore their marriage before their problems shatter the entire family?

Smalley previously collaborated with New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury on the wildly successful Redemption Series introducing her readers to the beloved Baxter family. After seeing the impact those characters continue to have with readers, Smalley partnered with Walsh to create powerful storylines that transcend words on a page and begin to impact readers’ marriages and relationships.

“I’ve learned what a tremendous impact novels can have on the real relationships of readers,” says Smalley. “And when I read Dan Walsh’s work, I knew—this was a guy who can tap into the needs of the heart.  I’m thrilled we could work together to create the story of the Anderson family.” 

Other novels in the series will following the Anderson family as Walsh and Smalley continue to draw from The DNA of Relationships as well as several other of Smalley’s bestselling books on marriage and family relationships.

Walsh’s writing is known for enthralling the reader and creating emotional connections with his characters. In a review of his last novel, The Reunion (September 2012), USA Today’s Happily Ever After said Walsh has a “… gift for pulling the heartstrings and encouraging a slow build of tears within his reader.” Similarly RT Book Reviews wrote, “Walsh is so gifted that the reader becomes a part of his stories.”

Available April 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

My thoughts: This was a wonderful book! It really hit home learning that a Christian marriage and family can also have misunderstandings to the point that a person doesn't feel loved.  Marilyn was so strong to finally walk out, after who knows how many months or years of trying to get her husband's attention.  She moves in with a single christian woman and starts working at a local gift shop.  One day at lunch, she meets an elderly woman, Audrey, who used to own the local dance studio.  It is because of this meeting that she decides to take dance lessons.

Meanwhile, Jim also meets Audrey one evening after a confrontation with Marilyn outside that dance studio. Audrey talks to him a little about his troubles with Marilyn and convinces him to let her give him private dance lessons.  Jim hates dancing so much, he wouldn't even dance with Marilyn at their wedding!  Audrey uses these dance lessons to also start to teach Jim about relationships.  The Dance is very much a metaphor for life and how we relate to other people.

I enjoyed this book so much, that I order The DNA of Relationships by Gary Smalley this afternoon.  I can't wait to share it with my husband.

~I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my unbiased review.~

About the authors: Dan Walsh is the award-winning author of several books, including The Discovery and The Reunion. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Dan served as a pastor for 25 years. He lives with his wife in the Daytona Beach area, where he's busy researching and writing his next novel. For more information about Walsh and his books, visit his web site at www.DanWalshBooks.com and follow him on Twitter at @DanWalshAuthor.

Gary Smalley is one of the country’s best known authors and speakers on family relationships. He is the bestselling and award-winning author or coauthor of more than 60 books. He has spent over 40 years learning, teaching and counseling, speaking to over 2 million people in live conferences. Smalley has appeared on national television programs such as Oprah, Larry King Live, Extra and TODAY, as well as numerous national radio programs. Gary and his wife, Norma, have been married for 48 years and live in Branson, Missouri. They have three children, all in full time ministry to families, couples and orphans, and they enjoy their wonderful relationships with their ten grandchildren.

The Dance

Publisher/Publication Date: Revell, April 2013

ISBN:  978-0-8007-2148-0

352 pages