THE STAR PROPHECY by Joan Sowards

written by Ranee S. Clark

My husband thinks it’s absolutely hilarious that I don’t like studying American west history or Wyoming history. I mean, I have a degree in history from the University of Wyoming. I live in the American west. But I can’t help that I just like European history and World War Two.

What does any of that have to do with reviewing The Star Prophecy by Joan Sowards? Well, when I read, I have the same problem. I’m LDS, but I hardly ever read LDS fiction. (I’m sort of stuck in a fantasy-adventure-I’ll-probably-have-to-stay-up-all-night-to-finish-this-book rut…) I’ll tell you the truth. I sort of shy away from it, and I don’t know why. But The Star Prophecy is a book I’m glad I snuck out of the box to read.

Set only months before the birth of the Messiah, The Star Prophecy takes place in several settings—mostly-wicked Zarahemla, the boat Jerusha Rebekah, and Jerusalem. It tells the story of a young man, Enoch, who dreams of finding the baby Jesus by sailing west across the ocean. He takes with him a crew of friends—some welcome, some not quite so. By relying on their faith, the crew sails month after month, from one adventure to the next in search of the prophesied Messiah.

I received The Star Prophecy at the perfect time. About a week before Christmas. I dove in the same day I got it, eager to get into the Christmas spirit by reading a Nephite Christmas story. Right out of the gate, I realized I’d probably really enjoy it! It combined so many elements that I’ve come to need in a good book—Adventure, some romance, good character development—and some things that I should seek more of—spiritually uplifting with lessons about faith and obedience.

I have lots of good things to say about the ideas and plot development of The Star Prophecy. Liz Adair (author of Counting the Cost) wrote about The Star Prophecy, “[Joan Sowards] begins this adventurous tale with ‘what if?’ and tells it so well that the reader closes the book thinking ‘why not?’” Liz had it right on. With every sentence into the book, I nodded my head to myself and said, “Yeah, that could’ve happened.” Every aspect is imaginative, yet thoroughly researched, making the plot believable. I once heard a writer compare a good plot and characters with the first stages of romance—when you walk away from a kiss or a date and that person stays on your mind. Even when I tore myself away from The Star Prophecy, I thought about Enoch and his friends. What will happen next? Will they make it to Jerusalem? The plot captures you inside and holds you there! The idea is so unique as well. My only critique of the plot development is that sometimes I felt a little gypped by how quickly some elements move along. There are moments in the story that I wanted to savor, to grow along with the character, but they happen too fast, and we move on to the next thing before I can linger.

Joan Sowards writes an excellent narrative. Another confession: my biggest pet peeve in writing is poorly done voice. That is—too many voices, jarring movements between voices, inaccurate jargon, etc. (If I’ve critiqued your work, you’ve probably noticed, hehehe J) The Star Prophecy has no problem with this. Enoch’s voice is believable, and consistent (only slipping up and using modern phrases a time or two). Though written in third person, Sowards stays with Enoch’s viewpoint throughout the novel, making it even easier to connect with him and the other characters. The narrative also flows well from idea to idea. The characters are lovable (and hate-able at times!). I enjoyed learning about each of them and coming to care for them. Their problems are easy to identify with, even though their trials took place hundreds of years ago.

Through Enoch, and all his friends, I’m sure you’ll love this imaginative tale about a boy with a dream and the lengths—and the places—he’ll go to see it through.

*Read more from aspiring author Ranee` S. Clark at raneesclark.blogspot.com.

Joan is the author of "We Seek After These Things" and other music as well.
Another book by Joan Sowards

Have you read Chocolate Roses? Leave a comment or review!

(We'd love to hear from you!)

Title: Dark Days of Promise (excerpt is unedited and may undergo changes prior to publication)
Genre: Women's Fiction
Status: WIP

Not everyday ends as expected. Today my perceptions of my same-old semi-boring life changed, putting wheels into motion that had glided to a halt years earlier.


“My goodness, Kellie,” Janine exclaimed. “You didn’t tell me it was the mirror from above the mantel the boys broke. I could have brought the car down to your place. You didn’t need to carry the mirror up the hill just to add to my Halloween decorations.”

I smiled at my best friend. Thirty-five years separated my thirty odd years from her seventy plus but not our hearts. Janine had shown no sign of slowing down until the past summer despite her almost white hair and wizened face. Her stroke left its mark. Her smile often twitched and always seemed a bit crooked but still reached her gray-blue eyes. In her hand, she carried a cane but didn’t use it in the exact manner the doctor had instructed.

I strained to pull the mirror up the last step, my muscles not used to the effort. I considered resuming my impromptu exercise program to go with my third try at Marge’s outrageous diet. I didn’t have that much to lose, but I wanted my flat tummy back. The sight of my belly and hips reflected in the framed mirror with its spider web cracks made me momentarily cringe.

“I didn’t carry it, I used Krista’s wagon to haul it. I’m stubborn but not crazy enough to put my back out.” I panted, thankful that Janine’s drive wasn’t any steeper, that the pines kept the long drive well shaded, and that her porch boasted three steps instead of four like my own.

“What did the boys hit it with?”

“Would you believe me if I told you Phillip threw his football down the hall from his bedroom? Carter claims that he was going out for a long pass.”

Update:
This entery did not win the contest. Congrats to you sisters in ANWA who did. It looks like the agent was looking for something else.

An inspirational book to read: Dogs, Blogs and Hobbits

A great book is out on the town. The fourth book of Valerie J. Steimle called Dogs, Blogs and Hobbits: Writings from a Widow's Perspective. A mix of Erma Bombeck and Sarah Palin, you will enjoy her collection of writings which will encourage and inspire. 

Here is the back of the book blurb:

Becoming a widow at the early age of 46 was not what Valerie J. Steimle expected. She still had five of her nine children at home in her care with aspirations for a fulfilling life with her husband.  After burying him, she went to work and wrote every day for three years.  This collection of 60 articles is part of that work.

With her twenty-year writing experience, Mrs. Steimle writes about everything from dating jerks to the power of positive thinking.  Her outlook on life is inspiring and she writes about what is really important in life.  From tears to laughter, you will enjoy reading these vignettes of encouraging words which will edify and uplift your life.

A sample of her writing from the book:

Please Don’t Eat the Superglue

            After the unexpected passing of my husband, my children wanted a dog.  We could never have a dog while my dear husband was here because of his allergies to dog hair so now that their Dad was not with us; they really wanted their chance at raising a puppy.

   

         Week after week went by hearing them ask for a dog.  I would always tell them that we had to wait for the dog to find us.  Several dogs did find us in the past.  Strays would wander into our yard and we would take care of them for a couple of days and then take them to the pound.  We just couldn’t keep them.  But this time I knew that the next dog we found would find a home with us.

           Three months later, after no stray came by, a friend of mine told me about her dog having puppies.  I kept that thought to myself until two months after that, I ran into her again.  Two puppies were left.  Two adorable black lab/golden retriever dogs were left from the original eight and were I still interested in taking one?  We went for a look and they were adorable.  My daughter, going back to school wanted one and we would take the other.  So there I was carting back a car load of happy children (six) and two puppies we named Maximus and Jackson.

            At that point, life changed for us drastically.  Not only were they not potty trained, they ate everything in sight.  My shoes were no longer safe on the floor. The kitchen trash can had to be put up on a stool.   We had to have round the clock watch on what they did and made sure they were taken out every hour.  It was a long month but we made it through and they started to tell us when they needed to go out.

            After that, the children seemed to lose interest.  They said they would help (they always say that) and promised to clean up their messes.  But of course puppies don’t always stay puppies and their welcome was worn out and no one wanted to take care of them anymore.  I threatened to give them away and they didn’t seem to mind. “Okay Mom” was their answer so I called around to see who would take them.  I couldn’t find anyone.  Besides I couldn’t give them away, as a mother, I needed to follow through on my children learning to be responsible for more than a month.  What was surprising was that the dogs were actually loyal to me.  They knew I was the boss and would lie at my feet to sleep.  How could I get rid of such loving dogs?  They didn’t even bark much.  So I had to crack the whip and make my children take turns taking care of them.

            One day, while I was looking for something in my teenage sons’ room, Maximus came up behind me with something sticking out of his mouth.  My son, Eliot had left a tube of superglue on the floor and Max found it.  I pulled it out of his mouth and inspected the damage.  There were puncture marks in the tube and glue all over his mouth. Max kept licking his chops as if he had peanut butter on his tongue only it wasn’t peanut butter.  The superglue had dried and made a sandpaper surface on the top of his tongue.  His lips weren’t sealed together but they had a layer of superglue that would not come off.  The poor dog.  I felt sorry for him but all we could do was let it wear off on its own.

            Then one day my older daughter let them out to go and they ran off.  She could not find them anywhere and called their names over and over again.  They finally came back but were full of mud.  She had no idea where they were but had to give them baths before they could come back in.

   It has been almost a year now and they are wonderful dogs. My daughter ended staying at home with us instead of going away to school so we have both dogs at home.  The younger children have learned to take responsibility for the care of their pets and Maximus and Jackson love us as if we were a part of their pack.  I’m glad we kept them even though they have ruined several pairs of shoes.  There is something to say about having a dog around.  My children learned responsibility and we have two loyal friends.

To buy Valerie's book see:

http://www.amazon.com/Dogs-Blogs-Hobbits-Writings-Perspective/dp/1449561616/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1299681340&sr=8-1

Or visit her website:

http://www.strengthenyourhome.com/

THE GAZEBO

The Gazebo by Emily Grayson is Women’s Fiction.

I strongly suggest that a concerned parent preview the book before sharing it with a younger reader. Although the sex is not graphic, it is inferred throughout much of the book.

THE DOOR

Each must enter through the door.
I've stood there, once and more,
Regrets then filled my mind.
Missed kisses of loved ones
Hugging my sons good-bye
Yearning for the setting sun.

Lonely hours accepting fate
Heaven smiled on me that night,
Allowing me new light.

Two more children came our way.
Sunrises graced each new day.
A second time I knocked
Feeble and worn, I was.
Too weak to hold my baby
Or bid my children good-bye.

Too faint to perceive death’s door
Gaped wide, its arms to take me.
Heaven smiled that afternoon

A Priesthood blessing full of love,
Lifting me from above
Denying death my fate.
Years have traveled my way since.
Thirty-six hundred fifty days
Renewed faith in so many ways.

Good-byes have I whispered,
Some bitter and some sweet.
My faith has grown with each farewell.

My tasks of life are not yet done,
Someday they’ll be complete.
And on that day I’ll knock once more.
My farewell bittersweet.
Anxious then, I will be to greet
My parents, friends, and kin.

The nail prints in His hands I’ll know
The tokens of His love.
Before my Lord I'll humbly bow
As many have done before
To bathe His feet with tears
As Nephites have of old

His voice I’ll recognize
I’ll listen close and hope to hear
"Well done, my child, come home."

Sandra Grey's TRIBUNAL

It is a shame to open a book review of such an outstanding book with—I was disappointed. Even though, as an aspiring author, I understand Sandra Grey’s reasoning for some of her first chapters. If you pick-up this book, and I strongly recommend that you do, be sure to read the PROLOGUE. Sandra follows the events of her story chronologically. This means that you are in for a heavy dose of her bad guy, Vicktor Rostov, who isn’t really a bad guy but must act because he is acted upon, in the early chapters. I found that these chapters almost caused me to put the book down. I am so glad that I didn’t!

If you read her first book, Traitor, I’m sure that you wondered what happened to Rolf Schulmann—will he pay for the crimes of war? Marie Jacobson—will she still love him when she learns the truth? Hans Brenner—will he love as his best friend has, overcoming his own trials and sacrifice himself as he has seen Rolf do?

Tribunal picks up where Traitor left off without making one who hasn’t read the first installment of this trilogy feel lost. She introduces a new heroine, Natalie Allred, with ingenuity. She too has her secrets.

Having introduced her major cast of characters, I encourage you to take a journey with Sandra Grey that will take you back in history to the post war drama of 1945. These characters feel real from the moment you meet them on the page. You feel what they feel, you fear what they fear, and you crave to know the secrets that they keep.

I give this read 4 1/2 stars because she almost lost me at the get-go.

Coming soon—review of Trespass, the third in Sandra Grey’s series.

James Dashner's ==Journal of Secrets==

For those wishing to have a review of James Dashner’s work from a young readers perspective, I thought I would share this letter.

Dear James Dashner,
I’m 10 years old and in Miss John’s class. My mom got your book (The 13th Reality). Just to let you know, fantasy fiction isn’t my type of genre . . . until I read your books.

I didn’t really like your book at first, until I got to when Tick teleports to where Master George is. You know where. I liked how you described Sofia and the other characters. You captured my interest in the book because I have never felt so interested in a book like that before. Like I said you captured my imagination.

One question I would like to ask is: Where did you think of these characters and stuff?

I would recommend this book for someone else to read. Yes, I will admit it is boring at first but later it’s awesome. Trust me on this one.

Sincerely,
S.L.G.

PARTY DELIGHT(Open-faced Sandwiches)

6 eggs - hard boiled a marinated in sweet pickle juice
1 package hotdogs
1/2 pound cheddar cheese
4 baby sweet pickles

Dice these ingredients (I use my Cuisinart). Mix and add just enough Miracle Whip to make it hold together. Put it on your favorite sliced bread. Toast under oven broiler for 3 min or until browned to liking. (Dark tastes a bit like dogs roasted over an open fire.)

I never have leftovers but seem to recall that this mixture refrigerates well. The children like the sandwiches after they've cooled too!

Awesome talk on the 'Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet'

Thomas S Monson, is a living prophet and speaks to us today.
According to President Ezra Taft Benson, we have promised our obedience to the living prophet as he receives commandments and revelations from God. Elders Claudio Costa and Kevin R. Duncan, both of the seventy, referred to President Ezra Taft Benson’s 1980 devotional talk entitled: Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet.

The first of those fundamentals is: The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.
Our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, has asked us to keep the commandments, to love our fellowman by serving them, and to seek after the less active and inactive. We should understand these are Gods priorities and that President Monson is his voice in communicating this to the church and the entire world. See D&C 21: 4- 6

The second fundamental is: The prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.
Our prophet, Thomas S Monson, receives specific revelations for us at this particular time dealing with our current needs.

Three: The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.
The most important prophet to us right now is our current prophet, Thomas S. Monson, to whom the Lord is currently revealing his will for us.

Four: The prophet will never lead the church astray.
President Wilford Woodruff said, “The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as president of the church to lead you astray.”

Five: The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or diploma to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time. Joseph Smith Jr., the prophet who stands at the head of this last dispensation, was a poor farm boy without almost any formal education. He stands as the supreme example.

Six: The prophet does not have to say ‘Thus saith the Lord’ to give us scripture.
Anything our prophet, his counselors or any one of the twelve apostles says is modern scripture. Remember ---President Henry B. Eyring, in the Saturday afternoon session (October 2010) said: It is proposed that we sustain the counselors in the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers and revelators.

Seven: The prophet tells us what we need to know not always what we want to know.
See 1 Nephi 16: 1,3

Eight: The prophet is not limited by men’s reasoning.
“Whatever God requires is right no matter what it is, although we may not see the reason thereof until long after the events transpire.” (Scrapbook of Mormon Literature vol 2 pg 173) Consider this revelation, The Word of Wisdom, given in 1833, long before tobacco was discovered to cause cancer.

Nine: The prophet can receive revelation on any matter—temporal or spiritual.
Brigham Young said: I defy any man on earth to point out the path a prophet of God should walk in, or point out his duty and just how far he must go, in dictating temporal or spiritual things. Temporal and spiritual things are inseparably connected, and ever will be. (Journal of Discourses, 10:363-364.)

Ten: The prophet may well advise on civic matters.
Consider: A Proclamation to the World. “The Family is ordained of God. Marriage is between a man and a woman and is essential to His eternal plan. . . .We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.”

Eleven: The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.

Twelve: The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.
I caution you to be aware of ‘Selective Obedience.’ Choosing what revelation or counsel one will follow or reject according to ones personal whims can be dangerous. To those who demand chapter and verse of a particular piece of counsel---read the Ensign.

Thirteen: The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency—the highest quorum in the Church. See D & C 107: 80, D & C 112: 20

Fourteen: The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the First Presidency—follow them and be blessed—reject them and suffer.

I encourage all of us, as we desire to draw closer to God to Follow the Prophets. Read their words in the Ensigns and even pray about those things you find most challenging to accept.
“If we want to know how well we stand with the Lord then let us ask ourselves how well we stand . . . with his living Prophet and the Quorum of the First Presidency.”


On tap for next week--Tribunal book review.

QUICHE'

2 pie shells (unbaked)
20 oz. brocolli (or spinach, steamed)
8 slices bacon (fried crisp)
1/4 cup onion (finely chopped and browned in bacon grease)
1 - 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese (room temperature)
2 cups half and half
7 eggs
2 cups cheese (Feta, grated Mozerrella, Cheddar, Swiss or any combo you like)

Line pie pans with shells and flute the edges, set aside. Steam vegetable, if fresh, cut to small bite size pieces, drain. Fry bacon and onions, drain on paper toweling. Break up bacon into small pieces when cooled. In a mixing bowl, with hand mixer beat cream cheese and eggs, add half and half and onions. Divide vegetable evenly between pie shells, sprinkle with bacon, using all. Divide cheeses evenly between the two pies and carefully pour egg mixture over, using all (if fits). May be topped with cheese as desired.
Bake at 350 for 40 minutes. (Knife test doesn't work here due to cheeses.
Let cool 20 - 30 minutes before cutting. Maybe served warm or chilled.

Book Reviews by Marci Blackner

I just finished Ex Libris by Anne Fadiman. It is her "confessions of a common reader" meaning that each chapter is her thoughts about reading books. It is an easy read but very engaging. She writes about her feelings towards reading a book while actually being there in the location that it took place, or how she arranges her books on the bookshelf, or her reactions to editing errors, or the words written on the flyleaf, etc. I really enjoyed it as I related to her thoughts as well as didn't relate to them. I recommend it because it stretched my mind with difficult vocabulary and stirred deep emotions of my fondness for reading that mirrored hers.

I also read Mao's Last Dancer which is a true story of a young man growing up in China in the 1970's. I loved learning more about the communist rule in China at the time and how it affected him and his family and the customs and cultures of the country. It is a story of personal triumph over the odds of living in squalor and obscurity and through determination and hard work he is able to become a success as a dancer. It is a fascinating memoir that took place about the same time I was growing up here in America so I enjoyed making comparisons to my life here.

Traitor (my review as promised)

With war raging in Europe, the only way Marie can be with Felix is to join the Allied forces. However, as Marie parachutes Into France to join the Resistance, she not only lands into the arms of her fiancé, but also drops into the hands of the enemy.

Major rolf Schulmann has been struggling between personal convictions and his duty to the German Fatherland. Now he must decide what to do with the captured fincee of the man who gave him a new chance at life—a man he once loved as a brother. The Gestapo will do whatever it takes to dispose of Marie. If Rolf helps her escape he will have enemies on all sides—is it a sacrifice he is willing to make? Can Marie possibly trust her life to a man torn between two masters?

Join acclaimed suspense writer Sandra Grey on a journey of unexpected twists and turns through the trenches of love, suspicion, and faith.
--Back cover—

Those who know me know that: I don’t read a book twice, watch a movie more than twice (the second time is to break it apart—sometimes rather cruelly to see what I can learn for my craft), or read a book series. This is my exception to that rule.

I strongly recommend Traitor to readers from teens to the elderly. This spell-binding journey took me on a wonderful roller coaster for the second time. Like a roller coaster it had unexpected ups and downs, twists and turns, with the expected build to the first drop. Tears warmed my eyes although I knew what to expect (I’d been here before.)
This historical novel warmed my heart, gladdened my soul and restored my faith not only in God, but His gift of talented writing to Sandra Grey. I’m not a student of history, as a matter-of-fact, I dreaded the required history classes, and yet, Sandra has brought me a history lesson I’ll not soon forget.
Five enthusiastic STARS for Traitor. I’ve already begun her second in the series, Tribunal, and I can hardly wait to get my hands on Trespass.

TAMALE CASSEROLE

1 can Hormel Tamales (I like this brand for the sauce.)
1 can chili
1 can corn
1 can black olives
2 cups mild cheddar cheese (grated)
tortilla chips

Cut tamales into bite size rounds, drain corn, drain and cut olives into quarters. Mix with chili in mixing bowl and add 2/3 of the grated cheese. Spoon into casserole dish. Top with crushed chips and the rest of the cheese. For a party presentation, line casserole with chips before the toppings go on. Bake in 350 oven for 30 minutes or until cheese is lightly browned. If made and frozen before baking, add 20 minutes to baking time.
This is a favorite at our house. This isn't enough for our family and one guest, therefore we double the recipe and bake in a 9 x 13 pan.

Book Tour Stop on January 13, 2011

She paced the small confines of her bathroom as she waited the obligatory two minutes for the result. Yet, part of her sensed the truth. Not only did Austin take her self-esteem and plans for happiness, but he also took her get-out-of-this-marriage-free card.

The plus sign glared at Meg from the white plastic frame of the pregnancy test. The test fell from her hands and clattered into the bathtub as Meg’s back slid against the wall until she reached the floor.

“I’m pregnant,” she said into the quiet.

Meg never imagined she'd end up like this. With nowhere else to turn, she's forced to rely on the family she pushed away, the church she abandoned, and an unexpected friendship to help her find her forgotten melody. Meanwhile Matt is still mourning the loss of his wife. But determined to keep things together for his daughter's sake, he decides starting over in a new place might be just what his family needs.

This touching story combines romance with redemption and real conflict to remind you it's never too late to find joy. Kaylee Baldwin's capable hand renders a sincere, heartfelt story of rediscovery and hope. Perfect for romantics of all ages, this book will captivate your heart and rekindle your belief in the magic of music.



Kaylee Baldwin grew up in Mesa, Arizona, and graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in English literature.

She currently lives in southern Arizona with her husband, Jeremy, and their three children. When she is not writing, Kaylee enjoys reading, starting new craft projects, and spending time with her family.

Kaylee is running a contest! Whoever comments a the review post on any of the blogs in the tour, will be entered into a drawing to win a copy of Meg's Melody.

Contest is now closed. Thanks for entering.

Meg’s Melody deserves five (5) STARS.

One STAR for writing a novel dealing with pregnancy that I can comfortably share with my teenage daughter. Unlike many novels on the bookstore shelves, Kaylee keeps it clean even when involving the gynecologist.

One STAR for reminding me of the bitter-sweet memories of my pregnancies. From the positive pregnancy test---to the morning sickness---to the weight loss and gain---to the Braxton Hicks and the exhaustion of labor. Even the “new mother syndrome” of not putting the precious new arrival down.

One STAR for sharing gospel principles as they related to her characters.

One STAR for sharing real relationships, not the sugar coated ones that are too good to be true. She introduces us to the people in Meg’s life, each one with his or her strengths and faults, inviting us to read on to learn of their influence for good or ill.

And one really big STAR for reminding me of how important music has been in my life over the years.

Jeanne’ Recommends . . .

. . . a list of books that I (Jeanne’) recommend to my friends to read. Unless indicated, they are free of any language, sex, or graphic violence. The ones indicated as having mild language and violence are books I would unhesitatingly recommend to anyone because I think they are fabulous books that are authentic to their story and do not use the language or violence for gratuitous means. I've separated the books into genres and mostly listed my favorite authors or books at the beginning of each section.

Amish Fiction
Kathleen Fuller (all)
Mary Ellis (all)
Pleasant Valley series by Marta Perry (good overall Christian author)

Newbery books
After Tupac and D Foster and Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson
Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! by Laura Amy Schlitz
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

YA Fantasy
Gail Carson Levine (all)
Shannon Hale (all)
Margaret Peterson Haddix (all)
Crown Duel/ Court Duel by Sherwood Smith
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken
The Wide-Awake Princess by E. D. Baker
Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Aurelia and Academy 7 by Anne Osterlund
The Seer and the Sword by Victoria Hanley
Princess of the Midnight Ball/ Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George
The Shifter/ Blue Fire by Janice Hardy

Historical Fiction/ Romance (mostly Christian)
Georgette Heyer (all her Regency; she’s the best!)
Deeanne Gist (all; set in various periods of American history)
Tamera Alexander (all; set in mid-1800’s Colorado)
Mary Connealy (all; humorous Western fiction)
Julie Klassen (all; set in Regency-era England)
Boston Jane series by Jennifer L. Holm (humorous YA Western)
The Agency series by Y. S. Lee (YA Regency-era mysteries)
Forevermore by Cathy Marie Hake
Sixteen Brides by Stephanie Grace Whitson
A Tailor-Made Bride and Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer
Courting Morrow Little by Laura Frantz

Contemporary Christian Romance
PJ Sugar series by Susan May Warren
French Twist series by Sandra Byrd
Just Between You and Me by Jenny B. Jones
Georgia on Her Mind and Love Starts with Elle by Rachel Hauck
Driftwood Lane by Denise Hunter
Mixed Signals by Liz Curtis Higgs
The Cubicle Next Door and Moon Over Tokyo by Siri L. Mitchell

Favorites/ Must Reads/ Books to Make You Think (some mild language/ possible violence)
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke (an amazing audio book)
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
The Thief (and all other Attolia books) by Megan Whalen Turner
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Marley & Me by John Grogan
The Tipping Point and Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery

Choose the Best for Christmas this Year

The holidays are always a busy time of year and this year has seemed more so for me. I don’t regret the opportunities to serve and give. And yet as Halloween disappeared with the goblin’s candy so did my reserves. One day at a time, steady as the drummers marching cadence, my bucket of strength, emotional, spiritual and physical gradually siphoned off to those around me. At first I didn’t notice and in subsequent days I reminded myself to tighten the cinch on my growing load and pick up my dragging pace to get through it. Somehow I believed that if I just ignored the lessening of my reserves they would magically regenerate or at least hold strong for the duration.

Thanksgiving arrived and with it a full house. My reserves magically held, buoyed by the adrenalin rush of youth around me. I enjoyed the frenzied pace of young love with its varied ups and downs and shielded by the love of my husband and children. The crowd retreated to their respective homes, the last moving two weeks after the holiday. Then the quiet descended . . . and with it the weight of fatigue. Quiet hours gave way to painful silence. I gathered my wilted energies and determined to move forward. Serving neighbors and friends would most certainly prove the cure for what ailed me.

I made a list of friends to serve and added what holiday treat each enjoyed, encouraging the tiring elf on my shoulder. “Hush, ‘tis the season of giving. Give more.”

As the closing credits of our family Christmas tradition rolled up on the screen before me the tiring elf on my shoulder crumbled. My tears burned at the back of my eyes and I sagged into my husband’s shoulder to hide. My children could not see these tears, tears that would prove the last drops in my proverbial bucket. I fought the tears back long enough to clean-up only to sob into my pillow. “Tomorrow . . . I’ll think about that tomorrow” . . . Silly Female.

Fatigue evolved into depression by the time daylight arrived and I knew not why. I prayed, half-heartedly at first. I opened my email account to find a note from the publisher. “Oh no . . . I can’t take a rejection right now.” I delayed until after morning family prayer. I wrapped the last of my Christmas presents wishing my husband would forgo his trip to Fred Myers. I begged my daughter not to buy me anything, threatening her that I would take it back. Her countenance crumbled, I stopped and apologized for the hurt I had caused reminding myself to “Fake it until it feels real.”

I prayed again after they left and this time an answer seemed to stare me in the face. The November Ensign with the Conference Report lay open on my desk to President Uchtdorf’s address. I procrastinated instead, opening the wrong e-mail. The editor thanked me for my submission and assured me she would see to it that it received its due attention. I sighed glancing at the Ensign.

I love President Uchtdorf. His gentle counsel never fails to warm my heart. Would his address hold the comfort I stood in need of?

Of Things That Matter Most
By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Trees and Airplanes---yes, they do have something in common. I smiled remembering the cadence of his voice, the first for several days. Then the message meant for me . . .”it is good advice to slow down a little, steady the course, and focus on the essentials . . .” A simple but critical lesson. One I needed to remind myself of often. I had allowed myself to move “. . .at an ever-increasing rate, regardless of the turbulence or obstacles.” My business of serving other was fast becoming a vice. I had barely turned to Heavenly Father, reading scriptures just to finish the Book of Mormon by the end of the year, muttering words of prayer that I knew had gotten no further than the four walls. And my family? My list of whom to take the baked goodies to had become more important than the family time planned to prepare them. And the love that should have gone into each batch? I wondered if I had remembered to add that ingredient. Sure I was going through the motions, then too I was beating myself up over not working on Dark Days of Promise almost most of every daylight hour.

“The wise understand and apply the lessons of the tree rings. . . They resist the temptation to get caught up in the frantic rush. . .”

Maybe more powerful a message for me than all the rest was a passage that reflected something I had written in Dark Days of Promise months before President Uchtdorf said it. Of course, he may have said it better than I ever will. He said, “These core doctrines and principles,” he is speaking of the gospel of Jesus Christ. “though simple enough for a child to understand, provide the answers to the most complex questions of life.”

BAM

My Heavenly Father loves me. He knows me. He hears and answers our prayers (even those we don’t dare enunciate for fear of it being counted as naught.) “The holy scriptures and the spoken word of the living prophets give emphasis to the fundamental principles and doctrines of the gospel.” And for me, when I listen, they are the instruments that sing to my soul, bring me peace, and answer my prayers.

Good News, Bad News: The stuff life is made of on Sept. 20th.

Good News --- The doctor can see you today.
Bad News ---You need to fast until your appointment at 4pm.
Good News --- Preliminary test appears normal.
Bad News --- We'll need to run more tests to know for sure.
Good News --- The Lab is right across the hall, no appointment necessary.
Bad News --- Only one Lab Tech and a very unhappy little baby put Tech one whole hour behind.
Good News --- Didn't have to wait fifteen minutes between blood draws (like the patient in the next cubicle).
Bad News --- Whole building closed for the day . . . even the restroom (which I needed desperately due to not having to participate in that test).
Good News --- Got home in time for dinner which my wonderful hubby has waiting.
Bad News --- Twenty minutes to eat before running to get daughter.
Good News --- Still on time.
Bad News --- Black Charger stops in middle of high school drive just in front of me to pick-up not two or three but a fourth basketball team member. (I stress that I'll get rear ended.)
Good News --- Charger and occupants don't lynch me for honking.
Bad News --- Daughter is waiting as it starts to rain.
Good News --- I am optimistic . . . we are home safe and the children are retired, my turn next.
Bad News --- Hmmm Think positive. no bad news. . .

Had a similar day?

Answering questions about MS

Catherine,

You asked what the symptoms of MS are. I could write a list here, but it would be incomplete. Visit MSAA site (links on this blog) and type in "symptoms" in search bar or a more complete reference is found by typing in "Winter/Spring 2009". I found the Symptom Management Update invaluable.
Also, you and M. might find "Fall 2009" -Men's Health- valuable.

MS Diet

Fruits and Veggies should be organically grown or washed to remove chemicals.

NO
sugar, diary, gluten, wheat, oat, barley, spelt, rye. (Sprouted okay)

Safe
Rice, Millet, Quinoa, and Buckwheat

Helpful: No chemicals or preservatives -
One (1) ounce of purified water per two (2) pounds of body weight
Avoid hot baths
Lemon in 1st glass of water per day
1/3 cup Chlorophyll plus 1 egg yolk

Reasons behind Helpful:
Chemicals and preservatives can irritate body systems to greater or lesser degrees according to individuals.
Water helps flush the dietary mistakes we make from our systems. It is a pain to have the pelvic girdle take a hit from a sclerosis but less harmful than diabetes when it goes undiagnosed leading to possible kidney failure or amputations. Trust me, I've seen both.
Hot baths cause instant fatigue, sometimes making it difficult to dangerous to lift oneself out of the bath.
Lemon, though beneficial, can cause more frequent urination, limiting quality of life and keeping us MSers home bound.
Chlorophyll and a raw egg yolk feed the myelin sheath that takes such a beating with the disease.

Additional notes: Any cleanses that you do should be short. Short is a relative term. for me it means less than ten days with the exception of my brand of a Colon Cleanse (see post).
Athough wheat,barley, spelt and rye are no-no's, my personal exception can be found under recipes - Ezekiel Bread - The reason is this. When tested in the lab, this bread burns as a protein. (over 80% protein). The body seems unable to recognize this bread as a carbohydrate or able to break the grains apart into individual grains, rendering them safe for MSers.

Again: note the disclaimer on this blog.

MS - Vitamins and Herbs

There are a lot of theories out there. I include only the ones I have used or am considering.
Key: Ones I have used in italics.
Ones I continue to use in Bold.

Colon cleanse See post.
Vitamin C Only during cold and flu season
LBS II This herbal combination is a product of Natures Sunshine. I can get it for you if you pay for Tax and shipping. This combination has often and lovingly referred to as "Poop Pills" Trust me on this one.
Vitamin B-complex I didn't see a difference but am concidering using it again.
Pycnogenol This can be purchased may places and in many forms.
Lecithin I swear by this one and probably ought to devote a whole post to it. This is nerve food and helps heal in the brain!!!!
Herbal CA Again this is a Natures Sunshine product. Basically it is an herbal form of calcium.
Chlorophyll (1/3 cup every day) Must be refrigerated so I tend to forget it when I have it.
Eight ATC Another Natures sunshine product. I now use Nerve Control instead.
Talk to me in person or via email if you are interested in more details of these above mentioned vitamins and herbs.

Keep in mind that MS is different for every one. What works for one is not necessarily good for another. I encourage you to consult your Maker, in whatever form you worship for guidance. For me, Heavenly Father created my body, He and my body know what it needs. It is my mission to figure out what they are telling me.

As to the theories of cures out there . . .

I have joked about going out into the desert during a lightening storm with a lightening rod in one hand and a live scorpion in the other. Sure one of them will cure me or kill me. Either way I'm out of my misery!

Notice I say I've joked about it.

The one theory that I am sceptically considering is Bee Pollen. I'm open to input on that one, preferably from someone who has tried it.

Dealing with MS - Start with a Colon Cleanse -

There are a bunch out there but this is the cheapest and most effective for me. I keep some of this on hand all the time just in case the drugs slow and stop the evacuation process.
The first time I used this for a whole month. This is what I suggest to anyone needing to get the old poop factory moving.
Take this first thing every morning before a glass of water and especially before eating.
The night before - Four (4) prunes or dried plums
2 Tablespoons Golden Flax seed
Cover with purified water.
The consistency of this concoction may take a bit of getting used to, but it costs a whole lot less than the colon cleanse that you buy at the health food stores!

Managing MS pain

Libby, in answer to your question. Yes, at times the pain is unbearable. Although Doc is more than happy to prescribe a variety of drugs, I prefer to use good old Ibuprofen. I noticed that one of the first painkillers the doctor prescribed years ago was simply a double dose of what my 200 mg over the counter Ibuprofen recommended.
Why pay the prescription price? I asked myself.
Why live with the hallucinations that come with 'Vicadin' or a few others?
This last round of pain reminded me just what a bad case of the flu felt like. Ever one to try and figure out what my body is trying to tell me, I sat quietly and listened to it and the Spirit when the house was quiet.
Potassium--- my daughter's coach insists that she eat a banana every day to keep her muscles from cramping. I ate a banana and went to bed--- without painkillers. I slept well (relatively) and woke without the pain--- only a ghost of it to remind me that I had chosen wisely.
Hope that helps.