Book Review - The Soul Seekers

The Soul Seekers by Amy Saia was one of the most intriguing books I've read in a while. Set to be released in August, this book confused me, captivated me and kept me turning the pages until the very end. I definitely will recommed this book to anyone who enjoys a bit of a guessing game. 

So what's it about?  Emma Shay, a seventeen year old girl with a bit of a psychic ability, moves to Indiana with her mom after her dad dies. It's a small, boring town, she doesn't know anyone and she's grieving the loss of her father. So, she gets a job at the local library where she meets him. William. The most gorgeous, interesting guy she's ever met. And mysterious. Emma wants noting more than to meet him.  When she finally does, she discovers that he is being hunted by the Soul Seekers, a cultish religion that steals souls to gain their own power. William, no longer mortal, but not dead, is on their list. And so is Emma.

 

Set in Southern Indiana during the summer of 1979, The Soul Seekers reminded me of books like Twilight by Stephenie Meyers or any of Lois Duncan's thrillers. It had a paranormal feel, but was full of normal emotions and elements, like romance, betrayal and jealousy.

 

And in the end, it made me cry... both happy tears and a few sad ones.

 

I definitely recommend this book. Be sure and check it out when it's released!

 

xoxo

 

PS- while you wait for this new book to come out, feel free to read a fun, fab and flirty romantic comedy, also published by WiDo Publishing. Tanned, Toned and Totally Faking It is the hottest book of the summer and you definitely don't want to miss it!

 

Have a great day, all!

Book Review - When In Rome

I received When In Rome by Gemma Townley for a birthday gift by my sister in law. I had never heard of the author, but I liked the cover, so I was all for it. (I'm a sucker for silly, chicklit cover art...). Anyhoo, I absolutely loved this book! Definitely a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars!




So what's it about? Georgie Beauchamp has this dream of running into her ex boyfriend Mike who dumped her a few years ago. It's going to be this surreal, she-looks-gorgeous-but-he's-lying-in-the-gutter moment and it'll be awesome. However, when she finally does see him again, she's dressed in unglamorous sweats and carrying a curtain rod down the street, while Mike is driving an expensive sports car and looking better than Brad Pitt at the Oscars. She longs to have the glamorous life Mike can offer—and starts to think that he might want her back in his armsm despite her being happy with her new, solid, dependable boyfriend, David.

Mike starts emailing and calling. David doesn't want her to have anything todo with Mike, not even as friends. David is working all the time, Mike is flirty, and invites her to jet off to Rome with him for a weekend. Georgie is torn and has to decide between them.

It is in some ways a very typical chick lit novel. There is the love triangle, the bad decisions that become good ones, a whole lot of worrying about if your dress is ok, and the token best friend (in this case, it's more of the mother that comes to the rescue though). Georgie is the typical heroine who you relate to, laugh with, cringe with and want to shake when she does stupid things. But she is likeable, fun and I felt for her the whole way.

I think anyone who has ever been dumped would really enjoy this book. It captures the resentment for her ex boyfriend, but also the what-if mentality. What if he hadn't dumped me? What if he is sorry? What if we can make it again?

There was a bit of language (I don't mind mild language, but this one dropped the old f-bomb a few times), but other than that it was a good, clean read. And the language that was used was used appropriately, by people that would use that language and anything else might seem far fetched, if that makes sense.

Definitely recommend this one! Thanks, Monica, for the gift!

PS - For another fun, uplifting, 5-star novel, immerse yourself into Tanned, Toned and Totally Faking It. It's the perfect summer beach read, and will keep you turning pages right to the end!

What does a Mormon look like?

There has been alot said about Mormons in recent days in various media outlets. With Mitt Romney's campaign, Jef Holm being Emily's probable choice in The Bachelorette, and many other such stories, people have been saying alot of crazy, unfounded and bizarre things about Mormons. As I've read different comment sections on these articles, I've thought it sad how many hateful and untrue comments are made about this church.

And it's made me think. Would you try to understand what Muslims believe by asking a Catholic? Would you find out about Baptists through a Jew? Of course not! So instead of listening to non-Mormons to figure out what Mormons believe, how about you look at a Mormon?

So... this is me clearing it up as best I can... by telling you about me.

I am 26 years old, a graduate from the University of Calgary and a People magazine addict. I am a runner, training for a half marathon in the fall. I am blonde by bottle, red-head by birth. I have a baby who sounds like a police siren, a husband who is the best looking accountant in the world, and a dog who follows me around the house spastically. I am a published author, with two chicklit novels to my name. I believe in Jesus Christ, in God the Father and in the Holy Ghost. I am 100% Christian. I love the Bible and read it daily. I also love the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ. I respect everyone's right to worship as they see fit. I don't drink alcohol or smoke because I choose not to. I am slightly dependent on Cadbury mini eggs and Lindor truffles. I enjoy watching good TV shows. I like everything from The Bachelor and Hell's Kitchen to Lost and Stargate SG-1. I don't swear because language tells alot about one's character. I speak Spanish. One day I will live in Spain. I HAVE LIVED IN UTAH, IDAHO AND FLORIDA. I LOVED ALL THREE PLACES, BUT DEEP DOWN, I AM AN ALBERTA GIRL THROUGH AND THROUGH. I have friends who are gay. I love them and respect that everyone has the right to choose how they will live their lives. I go to church every Sunday. I volunteer with the youth program at church and love working with those girls. They are hilarious. My parents taught me about God and Jesus since I was young. I, however, had to choose for myself if I believed what they taught me. So I studied and prayed and now know it is truth. I don't think that being intellectual and being religious are mutually exclusive. Politically, I usually vote Liberal. I love to cook, like to do dishes, but can't keep a plant alive to save my life. My garden is a disaster. I wear contacts. I hate shopping. I wanted to be Britney Spears when I was 13. I still sort of do.  

I am a Mormon. Who are you? 


Mormonism has changed my life and given me continual peace and joy. You are welcome to learn more at www.mormon.org if you wish to see more about what Mormons actually believe instead of relying on things you 'might have heard once'...


For a free copy of The Book of Mormon, which is a volume of holy, ancient scripture, comparable to The Bible, you can go here.