Posts Tagged: covenant communications

A Proper Scandal Blog Tour and Giveaway

24 May, 2019 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment

A Proper Scandal Blog Tour and Giveaway

A Proper Scandal

on May 1, 2019
Pages: 222
Format: Paperback
Buy the Book • Goodreads
Grace Sinclair has been callously cast out of her home. And though taken in as an orphaned child by the vicar and his wife, her unsurpassed beauty makes it impossible for her to remain in the vicar’s household—with two daughters of their own about to enter Society, the vicar and his wife see Grace as nothing but competition. Thankfully, Grace’s estranged Aunt Bell has agreed to take her in to her home in London. But Grace soon learns her situation has just gotten much worse.

It takes only a moment’s acquaintance for Grace to ascertain that her aunt has married a detestable rake. And Aunt Bell, recognizing the danger of having her lovely niece too near her husband, gives Grace an ultimatum: the young woman has two weeks to find a man to marry, after which she will be turned out. With no experience in the art of attracting a husband, Grace quickly realizes that a worthy suitor might not be so easy to ensnare

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Spotlight and Author Photo Shoot- Jenny Moore {Becoming Lady Lockwood}

07 Nov, 2013 by in Heather Gardner Photography, utah authors 4 comments

Author Jenny Moore
All rights reserved Heather Zahn Gardner

I had the amazing opportunity to do another author photo shoot this week. Each time I meet new writers and hear their success stories from draft to publishing, I am inspired. 
Jenny Moore is working with me this year as a Whitney Awards judge. After the slew of emails I forward on to her each week, we finally met! 
Her book Becoming Lady Lockwood is expected to hit shelves July 2014 from Covenant. It’s so new it hasn’t even hit goodreads or amazon yet– but watch for this one, a Regency romance (don’t we all love them?)
And isn’t she beautiful? It’s all in the eyes…
View the other favorites from our sitting on the official website or Facebook page for Heather Gardner Photography.

Jenny Moore Bio: Who am I? Isn’t that the big question. Depends who you ask. I’m currently defined by labels such as “Mom” or “PTA Board Member” or “Primary President.” But deep inside of me, there is a struggling writer trying her best to squirm her way to the surface to earn a label of her own. Here’s hoping she doesn’t get too distracted by all the chocolate in there!

Wife, mom, romance writer, eclectic reader,Guitar Hero champion, shoe addict, and lover of all things chocolate.

Learn more about author Jenny Moore on her website/ twitter

YA Book Review: Hadley- Hadley Benson by Jody Wind Durfee

18 Sep, 2013 by in Heather Gardner Photography, YA Book Review: Hadley- Hadley Benson Leave a comment

Hadley-Hadley Benson
by Jody Wind Durfee
Paperback, 136 pages
Published August 2013
by Covenant Communications
ISBN 139781621081517
Age: YA
Genre: Contemp
Book Source: LDSBA
5 stars

When Maddi Benson moves in next door to Jaxon Quayle, neither of them knows how much life is about to change. Jaxon knows he should date only girls who share his faith, but as he gets to know Maddi he wants his new neighbor to be more than a friend. To make things even more complicated, there’s Maddi’s twin brother Hadley (or Hadley-Hadley, as he calls himself), who has special needs and always seems to be hanging around, and Jaxon’s pal Tanner, who feels more than a little left out. Jaxon feels hopeful when the Bensons begin to consider joining the Church, which would solve at least one of his problems. But just when things seem to be working out, a horrible prank seems to make everything fall apart, leaving Maddi and Jaxon caught in the middle of doubt and faith, hurt and forgiveness, friendship and love.

Review: I received a copy of Hadley- Hadley Benson from a signing by the author at the LDSBA convention and truly had no idea what to expect. The only thing I knew is that I liked the red chucks on the cover. As soon as I started reading the sweet newness of a High School crush and the every day trials of living with a loved one on the autism spectrum I jumped in. I absolutely beam inside when an author chooses to integrate and feature a character with ASD or special needs, and Jody Wind Durfee does it well. My heart was tugged over the trials Hadley Benson’s family and friends go though to protect both his innocence and his spirit.

Told in the perspective of Jaxon Quayle, a soccer star and ordinary next door neighbor to the Benson family, this is a story of forgiveness and hope. Jaxon knows from the second Maddi Benson moves in that she is someone he wants to get to know better, but Hadley keeps somehow tagging along. Jaxon has a lot of growing up to do and readers get to see his character develop in testimony and awareness of others. Each chapter is very short, which I actually liked. There were only a few glitches in long paragraphs of simple conversation that slowed the pacing of the book, but I sat down and read it all in one Saturday afternoon, finishing in tears.

Jody Wind Durfee has written a relevant and heartfelt YA contemp for the LDS and general audience that I would happily recommend, youth or adult. Her sweet understanding of special needs youth and their caregivers is a message that needs to be shared and I’m so glad she took the time to write Hadley- Hadley Benson!

Highlight with cursor to reveal content: clean, some mild prank related violence and blood from an accident


photo copyright Heather Zahn Gardner

Author Bio: I’ve coached Special Olympics for a little over 10 years and it’s one of the most enriching things I do. I’ve made many friends and have been taught too many lessons to count by people much, much farther up the awesome chain than I. This year the State Summer Games were held at Herriman High School. First, whoa! I was amazed at the size of the school and all of its facilities!

Second, the volunteers were extraordinary! I’ve attended almost every Summer Games since I began coaching and the people that help are always incredible, but this year, I might have paid more attention to what everybody does. The kitchen staff were always helpful and friendly––and there were a lot of people to feed, the janitorial staff was ON IT, and all of those helping with Healthy Athletes were kind and professional, no matter how many times I interrupted to gather athletes for events.

 
I can’t begin to mention all of the work the volunteers do, but here are a few things I noticed––they encourage, cheer for, time, announce, stage athletes to prepare for races, guide athletes onto the track, take pictures, tape lines so the athletes (and coaches) aren’t confused about where the athletes need to race, ready medals and ribbons, announce medals, make snow cones, paint faces, sing, dance, set up and take down tents, organize opening and closing ceremonies, listen, share, coach, love and on and on and on. (I haven’t even mentioned the trillions of hours the paid SOUT staff put in.)In addition to all of this, there was something I hadn’t seen before this year. In a corner of the school, there was a back drop, stool, interviewer and camera where people were able to tell their personal Special Olympics story. I’d walk past the area each time I retrieved an athlete from Healthy Athletes. I was always in a hurry, but I still heard little snippets. Some were given by parents or coaches or siblings, volunteers or athletes. Storytelling is always powerful, but I can only imagine the power of these stories and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that one day I’ll be able to tell about the many people with Special Olympics that have influenced me. I’ll be watching for the stories they collected this year.

The thing is, all of these volunteers get together for the incredible, courageous, human, funny, witty, humbling athletes. And I am so thankful they let me be a part of it.


Learn more on Goodreads
Purchase:


Movie Review: Christmas For A Dollar ~ Coming November 2013

22 Aug, 2013 by in movie review 2 comments

Christmas For A Dollar
Genre: Drama, family
To be released: November 2013 (USA)
Director: John Lyde
Writer: Sally Meyer
Stars: Brian Krause, Nancy Stafford, Danielle Chuchran 
Movie Source: Publisher
5 stars

Movie Summary from Imdb: America is in the midst of the Depression, and the Kamp family is struggling to get by, especially after Mrs. Kamp’s untimely death. Now little Ruthie, with her mother gone and her father overwhelmed by doctor bills resulting from her brother s polio, expects another Christmas without presents or festivities. But when her father brings home one dollar in change and lets the children use it to buy special gifts for each other, the Kamps come to find that money isn’t what fills Christmas with joy, love, and miracles. Written by Covenant Communications

Christmas For A Dollar is based on the children’s book of the same name, written by Gale Sears, and illustrated by Ben Sowards.

Review: I received a full pre-release copy of Christmas For A Dollar from LDSBA and Covenant Communications and we used it as a family night activity. Little did we know we would all be in tears at the poignant message and heart warming hero with disabilities. Grab a kleenex box before sitting down!

The DVD is set in the time of the depression when times are already hard, but even more than usual for the motherless Kamp family. Their father is proud and determined to make it on his own, without outside help or suggestion. Oldest daughter Verna is left to fill her mother’s role as a teenage girl. Christmas is coming and the family has little to spare, but somehow they find a way to make it magical for each other.

We loved this movie! It was filmed at This is the Place Pioneer Heritage Park and at times there were a few setting slips like concrete sidewalks or modern props that seemed out of place with the era it is supposed to represent, but overall my impression was a good one. We own the original book and illustrated DVD released in 2009, but this one is our favorite of the three. Christmas for a Dollar carries a wonderful moral about being honest, loyal and brave in the midst of adversity. It held the interest of my entire family and I would recommend it to all ages!

Content: some mild violence involving a knife, fist fights and childhood bullying

Learn more on Facebook/ IMDB/ Deseret Book

Reality Check Blog Tour- Review and Giveaway

19 Jul, 2012 by in reality check 11 comments

Reality Check

by Karen Tuft
paperback, 286 pages
published June 2012
by Covenant
ISBN: 9781608613977
Book Source: Blog Tour

4 1/2 stars
Book summary from Goodreads: After college graduation, Lucy Kendrick heads home with big plans for work, travel, and relishing her freedom—which means no romantic entanglements. But her two best friends have other ideas. Lucy is seriously steamed when she realizes they’ve signed her up to be a contestant on the reality dating show Soulmates, but she decides not to renege and soon finds herself in Los Angeles—a small-town Mormon girl vying for the love of millionaire bachelor Ethan Glass. At first this cute, smart, fun young woman, who would rather pray than party, bewilders Ethan. But his interest and admiration grow with every encounter. However, the conniving associate producer is determined to stir up some made-for-TV drama and takes strides to make this reality television show anything but real. When the show finally airs, Lucy has been recast as someone she unquestionably is not. Lucy is left humiliated in front of the world, and Ethan is left wondering who the Lucy is that he was falling in love with. Will the duplicities that have created this humiliation ever come to light? And will the truth emerge too late for the would-be soulmates?
Cathy’s review: Lucy has finally graduated! Now she wants to get a job and get on with her life, travel to some exotic places and maybe even go to Disneyland. Filling out online job applications becomes tedious rather quickly and Lucy decides that maybe her two best friends, Grace and Ally can help her out with that. She asks them to apply to local news stations. They have other ideas though! One of the magazines that they read has an article about the hot millionaire Ethan Glass, who just happens to be looking for love on a new reality show, Soulmates. Grace and Ally think that that would be a perfect fit for Lucy, traveling to exotic places and it’s in the TV business, just like she wanted. So they fill out the forms to sign her up for the show. When Lucy gets the official envelope from the show she is very surprised and knows right away that Grace and Ally have had a hand in it. Her parents are concerned and their advice is that she needs to pray about it. Lucy prays and has an undeniable feeling that she needs to do it, but getting ready for a reality show in less than a week is hard enough for most people, add in the fact that she’s LDS and all of the formal gowns and swimsuits that are required become a little harder to come by. Soon Lucy is in California, promising herself that she’ll go visit Disneyland the next day, as soon as Ethan sends her home, but things don’t work out quite how she plans. Lucy and Ethan hit it off almost instantly, and Ethan knows there’s just something about Lucy, but can a small town LDS girl and a millionaire from Montana make things work out?



I enjoyed this story. I thought that the whole reality show vibe felt real, with backstabbing contestants, producers and constant gag orders. I liked the plot and I liked that things didn’t instantly work out for either Lucy or Ethan, they had to work for their happily ever after. I thought that Lucy and Ethan felt real, I was pretty mad at her two best friends for the mean trick they played on her. This was a cute romance and worth the time it takes to read it!

Content: Clean

About the author: Karen Tuft was born with a healthy dose of curiosity about pretty much everything, so as a child she taught herself to read and play the piano. She studied composition at BYU then graduated from the University of Utah in music theory as a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Pi Kappa Lambda honor societies. In addition to being an author, Karen is a wife, mother, pianist, composer, and arranger. She has spent countless hours backstage and in orchestra pits for theater productions along the Wasatch Front. She also has a 75 percent success rate when it comes to matchmaking and is a big believer in happy endings. Among her varied interests, she likes to figure out what makes people tick, wander through museums, and travel—whether by car, plane, or paperback.
The Giveaway: Karen is generously donating a paperback copy of Reality Check plus a starfish charm bracelet to one lucky reader. All you have to do to gain entries is to leave a comment on any of the tour stops. Each comment will gain you an entry. The more comments you leave, the more chances you have to win!

She is also giving away an ARC copy of The Selection by Kiera Cass. Make sure you leave your email address and which book you are entering for in your comments (i.e. Reality Check, The Selection, or Both).
Click here for a full list of the tour stops and be sure to check out the contest going on Karen’s blog this summer.

Espionage Blog Tour and Author Guest Post

17 Apr, 2012 by in Uncategorized 5 comments

Fire and Ice is today’s stop on the official blog tour for
Espionage
by A.L. Sowards
Paperback, 242 pages
Published March 2012
by Covenant Communications
ISBN 139781608611485
Book Summary From Author’s Website: France, 1944: Nobody expects Peter Eddy to survive his first commando mission—to retrieve a code book stolen by the Nazis—so when he does come back alive, his success is rewarded with an even more daunting assignment. Partnered with French Resistance leader Jacques Olivier, Eddy must identify which of three Allied contacts in Calais is a double agent and use the traitor to help implement a strategic Allied diversion that might win the war. Eddy and Olivier secretly cross the English Channel to confront their suspects one at a time, but what appears to be a clean assignment soon turns disastrous, and a shocking betrayal leaves Eddy in the grip of the Gestapo. With the courageous aid of Olivier and his sister, Genevieve, Eddy evades his captors with a dangerous escape plan. But as the Allied invasion approaches, treachery in the least likely places leads to fresh graves in the bloodied European soil—and only the power of loyalty and love can transform tragic endings into new beginnings.

Espionage is a suspense packed thriller with historical fiction elements that is set in WWII. It follows the decisions made by Peter, a young American soldier who enlists after his brother is killed in his service. Peter is chosen for a top secret operation then somewhat betrayed by his allies while putting his life on the line. With a bit of romance, authentic history and well written scenes, Sowards pull you right into the action. There is some moderate war related violence so I would recommend this book for adults.
We are so pleased at Fire and Ice to have an exclusive post from the author about why she writes what she writes…
Guest Post by Author A. L. Sowards
Why I write about war

 “I’ve run into a handful of people at book signings who say something along the lines of “I don’t read books about war”. They have good reasons, usually involving a family member’s sad, difficult experience. I met one lady whose father was killed in Vietnam, another whose brothers have served in Iraq. War books aren’t for everyone, and I’ve never thought they should be. These conversations made me ask myself why I write about war. It’s evil, it’s brutal, and it destroys lives in more ways than one. So why am I writing a book about it?

There are a few reasons. First off, Nazis make good bad-guys, and I rarely like books or movies unless there’s an antagonist. It’s also an easy time period to research because so much about it has been written, filmed, and photographed. And no need to waste words giving readers a history lesson—they already know the basics. Then there’s the other reason: all of us have challenges, trials, and moments that try our faith, our courage, our integrity. Reading about fictional characters overcoming their challenges can help us as we try to overcome ours. And what better setting than a horrible war to create difficult challenges for my characters to overcome? In the darkest times, the brightest examples can emerge to enlighten, encourage, and inspire.

 I still won’t say my books are for everyone. They don’t have to be. But sometimes looking into the dark chapters of history can help us find the strength and courage we need in our own lives to overcome our current challenges. And that’s why I write about war.”
Author Bio: “I was born in Atlanta, Georgia and grew up in Moses Lake, Washington. Then I came to Utah to attend school and ended up staying. Books have always been an important part of my life. I remember writing self-illustrated storybooks at my grandparent’s house when I was in elementary school (none of those made it to publication for many good reasons) and attending my first writer’s conference when I was in third grade.
Another big part of my early life was swimming. I swam for the Big Bend Manta Rays, the Moses Lake Manta Rays, Moses Lake High School, and Brigham Young University. In addition to swimming, I studied Political Science and English at BYU.
Now I’m a busy mom of twin toddlers. I still love to read and I also love to write. I’m usually reading a couple books at once and working on multiple writing projects too. Other than that, my life is pretty ordinary. I’m grateful for that. I’ll let the characters in my books have all the adventures.
What can you expect from my books?
A little mystery, a little history, a little romance, and a lot of action, adventure, and suspense. Primarily, I write to entertain. I also hope my books will teach readers something new about history or about life (anything from the wisdom of wearing your seat belt to the truth that it’s never too late to change). You will find no printed profanity in my books, and no sex. Espionage takes place during the largest war in the history of the world, so there is some violence, but it’s not gory or excessive. My goal is for my writing to be thrilling, clean, and uplifting.
Learn More on the author’s website and click here for a full list of blog tour stops plus chances to win your own copy. Thanks so much to A.L Sowards for stopping by today and to Lexie Book Bug for hosting the tour.

Review and Book Giveaway-Twitterpated

19 Mar, 2012 by in book giveaway, melanie jacobson, twitterpated 7 comments

Twitterpated
by Melanie Jacobson
Paperback, 247 pages
Published March 2012
by Covenant Communications
ISBN 139781608610655
Book Source: author
4 stars
Book Summary From Goodreads: Jessie Taylor is furious when her roommate secretly posts her picture on the dating website LDS Lookup — furious, that is, until she spends all night instant messaging Ben Bratton, a man whose wit and warmth just might make Jessie forget the train wreck of her last romantic relationship. Their first date is a smashing success (literally), but Ben’s overall awesomeness can’t save Jessie from having to deal with Craig, her competitive coworker whose baiting behavior sets new standards for obnoxiousness. Determined to beat Craig at his own game, Jessie spends long office hours finishing projects and putting out fires, but while her performance wows her boss, it only makes Ben skittish — after a failed engagement to an up-and-coming lawyer, he’s not about to pair up with someone who’s married to her job. Will Jessie figure out how to be true to herself and take her big chance at love before it’s gone with a click of the mouse?
Heather’s Review: Jessie’s in her mid twenties with a well established career and not much time to spare considering she works 8o hour work weeks.  She believes in doing her best and investing herself in things with measurable results. So, when her roommate Sandy signs her up for an online dating service she is skeptical. Jessie’s love life hasn’t been so hot in the past. With a failed long-term romance and a broken heart under her belt, she’s afraid to take a chance. But Ben Bratton knows just what makes Jessie tick. He is attracted to women with drive. At the same time isn’t willing to commit to someone not committed to carve out the most important hours for him. Can Jessie put aside her over achiever turbo drive and follow her heart and will Ben wait for her to figure out the perfect balance?
Melanie Jacobson once again left me smiling and laughing at the clever dialogue between her characters. I could relate to the storyline since I myself was knee deep in a post degree career and in my late twenties when my mother signed me up for LDS Singles online. On the other end the story was my now husband Todd, whose co-workers signed him up. I had to chuckle at the similarities and am happy to announce ten years later (on the 23rd) I am still happily married to my online set up!
I whole heartedly recommend all of Melanie’s books to readers looking for a light hearted romance. She is so talented at fleshing out real life people and situations that are perfect for our generation. Her first two books The List and Not My Type are currently in the final rounds of the Whitney Awards which means she’s at the top of her game. You will adore getting to know Melanie’s style and following her blog and twitter. She is simpy brilliant!
Content: Clean
Heather
Photo by Heather Zahn Gardner
About the author: Melanie Bennett Jacobson is an avid reader, amateur cook, and champion shopper. She consumes astonishing amounts of chocolate, chick flicks, and romance novels. After meeting her husband online, she is now living happily married in Southern California with her growing family and a series of doomed houseplants. Melanie is a former English teacher and a popular speaker who loves to laugh and make others laugh. In her down time (ha!), she writes romantic comedies for Covenant and maintains her humorous slice-of-life blog. Her second novel, Not My Type, hit shelves in September. Visit Melanie on her website or blog.
The Giveaway: Fire and Ice is giving away one copy of Twitterpated courtesy of author Melanie Jacobson. To enter, choose your own entries in the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway open to US mailing addresses only ends April 2, 2012. Good Luck!

Guest Post and Giveaway with Melanie Jacobson

10 Oct, 2011 by in book giveaway, melanie jacobson, not my type 37 comments

Today Fire and Ice is thrilled to host a guest post and giveaway from author Melanie Jacobson. I gave five stars to her newest book Not My Type which I just finished reading. Oh does Melanie know how to write a kiss! You will fall head over heels in love with her characters and the adventures of Indie girl who braves the crazy world of online dating for her job as a local journalist. This is one of the most fun books I’ve read all year. Welcome Melanie Jacobsen author of Not My Type: A Single Girl’s Guide to Doing It All Wrong, Paperback, 257 pages Published September 1st 2011 by Covenant Communications.
Twenty-three-year-old Pepper Spicer is not living the dream. She ended her engagement at the last minute because her fiance-a musician and soon-to-be reality TV star-wanted her to sacrifice her own career ambitions for his. Now she’s stuck at home sharing a room with her little sister, trying to pay off massive debt for a wedding that didn’t happen, and spending Friday nights Facebook-stalking everyone who has a better life. Her therapist father urges her to choose her career dreams and count her blessings by writing weekly thank-you notes, but gratitude is a tall order when she botches an important job interview and has to settle for writing an undercover dating web-zine column-the last thing in the world she wants to do. Life takes a major upswing as Pepper’s column hits the big time and she tastes the exhilarating thrill of success. But there’s one tiny problem: the intensely hot man she’s falling for is having issues with her job (again). Will Pepper trade her personal ambition for another chance at love?

Guest Post from the author: “My mom never made me write thank you notes. For a lot of reasons, it was one of those things that fell through the cracks of my social training. Thanks to a situation in which I mortally offended my new step-grandmother by not writing a thank you note I didn’t know I was supposed to write, I’ve been reformed. Um, mostly.

Actually, I was kind of obsessed for a while. So much so that at one point I imagined writing a note that was going to get me on Oprah, a dream I’ve now had to accept I’ll never realize. Along with the one where I’m invited to be on her favorite things show. But I haven’t given up hope for making it to one of the Ellen twelve days of Christmas.

Anyway, the idea was that I would write a thank you note to someone every week for a year and then record the effects I observed.

That idea disappeared to the same place that has stolen all my best money-making schemes and sure-fire bestseller ideas. In other words, it went into the ether and it’s floating around with all the wished upon dandelion fluff and falling star dust, waiting to coalesce into another dream for Stephenie Meyers.

But I’ve always loved the idea of a year of thank yous. Ultimately, instead of a life project it became a novel, Not My Type, about a girl named Pepper whose father challenges her to write the notes in an effort to snap her out of a self-pity funk. Still, the constant questions I get about, “Where did you get your idea from?” and “Do you write thank you notes?” has reminded me that I owe quite a few to people, so I might as well start catching up right here.

Dear Legos,

Thanks for teaching me the superhuman skill of biting back curses. Every time I have stepped on one of your evil bricks when chasing a half-naked child to wrestle her into a diaper, I have managed to keep the most vile curses behind my teeth. This has translated into me being able to travel the local freeways and merely grunt as I bite back my road rage-induced profanity. Sure, it sounds like I’ve had a stroke. But my kids have learned all their swear words from the church nursery and NONE of it from me. Barefoot Lego damage has prepared me well.

Dear Clothing Manufacturers.

I have gained thirty pounds in the last ten years, but every time I go shopping, I wear the exact same size. I love vanity sizing! Keep up the good work, guys!

Dear Dove Milk Chocolate Squares,

Sometimes you are the only reason my children survive the day. This thanks is really more on their behalf, because seriously, they OWE you one. More than one. They kind of owe you for every Friday afternoon that they’ve survived.

Dear kids,

Thanks for making me laugh, even though sometimes I’m doing it through Lego-induced tears. Love you guys! “

About the author: Melanie Bennett Jacobson is an avid reader, amateur cook, and champion shopper. She consumes astonishing amounts of chocolate, chick flicks, and romance novels. After meeting her husband online, she is now living happily married in Southern California with her growing family and a series of doomed houseplants. Melanie is a former English teacher and a popular speaker who loves to laugh and make others laugh. In her down time (ha!), she writes romantic comedies for Covenant and maintains her humorous slice-of-life blog. Her second novel, Not My Type, hits shelves in September. Visit Melanie on her website or blog. Click here to order Not My Type at 20% off the cover price.

To enter to win a copy of my new novel, Not My Type: A Single Girl’s Guide to Doing It All Wrong, I’d love to hear about one thing you’re thankful for that you wouldn’t normally list. You don’t even have to explain your answer. For example, for different reasons, I could and probably should thank the following things: Red Box, kitchen tongs, the neighbor’s dog, and Cheez Its. Good luck!

Leave your entry in the comments below and we will pick a winner on November 10, 2011.

Book Review- Ammon by HB Moore

20 Jun, 2011 by in Uncategorized 3 comments

Ammon

by Heather B. Moore
Paperback, 292 pages
Published June 1, 2011
by Covenant Communications
ISBN 1608612384
Book Source: author
5 stars

With the fire of newfound testimony, Ammon and his brethren leave Zarahemla to preach the gospel in Lamanite lands, carrying nothing but hunting weapons and the promises of God. Spotted by an enemy scout, they part ways in the dense jungle with hopes of reuniting at the close of their harvest. Ammon follows the Spirit to the borders of Ishmael, where he’s ambushed just seconds after spotting Elena, a fair-skinned woman who captures his interest.

As Ammon gains renown in the kingdom, he defends Elena from the advances of Gad, the loathsome widower she’ll soon be required to marry. Then swearing allegiance to the Lamanite king and trusting in the Lord, Ammon further proves his strength and devotion by sparing King Lamoni’s flocks from plunderers. The amazed king and his court are converted to the gospel through Ammon’s powerful teachings and the miraculous events that follow. But each action Ammon takes causes more and more disruption throughout the kingdom. And when Elena is abducted by her own brother and hidden away in an unspeakable place, Ammon faces his greatest struggle yet: not just the outward challenge of lethal combat but also the inward challenge of loving one’s enemy.

The first thing you should know about this book is that it has a smart, well-read author behind it. I’ve met Heather B. Moore at a couple of signings and have always been impressed with her patience as she interacts with my young children as well as her calm presence. Before Ammon I had never read any of her books, but now you can bet I’ll be reading all of them!
Heather took the man who smote off the arms of rebels attacking the King’s sheep and made him come alive for me. With rich details from the ancient American Mayan culture as well as inspiring every day heroes I absolutely loved Ammon. It’s the story of the sons Mosiah- a Nephite king, who renounce their life of wealth and royalty to go into neighboring enemy territory. More particularly the book focuses on Ammon, as he travels into the land Ishmael to ask to be a servant to the Lamanite King Lamoni. Upon arrival Ammon meets a girl of fair skin and Nephite lineage, Elana, her father and brother Zaman. Elana’s family are employed making and designing clothing for King Lamoni as well as the richer members of society. They have left the land of the birth and renounced their belief in the religion of their inheritance. Ammon and Elana’s paths cross by chance and soon Ammon’s life will prove to be threatened by several of those closest to Elana. Will he be able to survive the attacks? And will his and Elana pleas be answered in time to save that which is most precious to Elana?

Readers experience the unraveling of adventure, courage and love from both Elana and Ammon’s points of view. Ammon is historically based fiction but has plenty of action to keep male readers interested. The main thing that I carried away from the book was the humility and sincerity of the man Ammon as he faces so many obstacles. His unshakable belief in the mercy and deliverance of God ae inspiring. I came away strengthened and more hopeful than I was when I began reading. Heather B. Moore has a new fan! I can’t wait to read all the other books in her series.
Content: I would recommend Ammon to readers 16 and older because of the violence as well as the references to fertility rites.

To learn more about the book, visit Heather’s website at http://mywriterslair.blogspot.com/ Order Ammon online from Deseret Book online here.