I really needed to hear the message that President Uchtdorf had for me in this book. No good thing comes without adversity. I need to better myself inI really needed to hear the message that President Uchtdorf had for me in this book. No good thing comes without adversity. I need to better myself in order to receive the blessings I have been promised. I loved this book! ...more
I won this as a Goodreads first read and am currently waiting for it to arrive in the mail.
Ok, the book is here and I've started it! Looks interestinI won this as a Goodreads first read and am currently waiting for it to arrive in the mail.
Ok, the book is here and I've started it! Looks interesting!
I love this book! It's so interesting and really puts things into perspective. I'm the kind of person who loves to have the facts laid out in front of them, and that's what this book does.
Each chapter delves into a specific LDS belief, explains it, and backs it up with verses from The Bible. You can read it straight through or in sections if one subject interests you more. I can see it being used in Sunday School lessons or for family home evening. It cross-references and helps you decipher what each verse means as well. I love the organization and the explanation. It's the kind of book that can enrich your knowledge of your own religion and also aide investigators in understanding the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Definitely a keeper! ...more
I really liked the story, the concept, the characters, the idea, everything. It kept me on the edge of my seat and I was highly entertained. I read itI really liked the story, the concept, the characters, the idea, everything. It kept me on the edge of my seat and I was highly entertained. I read it during a long trip home and it made the trip much more pleasant than it would have been. :)
Really, my only complaint is totally unrelated to the writing -- the cover design. I'm a graphic designer and do judge books by their covers. I'd seen it around a lot, but had never picked it up. If I had not met the author at Costco and heard her description of the story I probably would never have read it, and that would have been sad! I know most of the time the author has no say in the cover design, but I'm just saying. A better design with better typography and use of imagery would make for a stronger and more professional-looking book. :) ...more
I was happy to read the final book in the trilogy. It was a quick read and very entertaining. Some things seemed a little far-fetched. Savannah had thI was happy to read the final book in the trilogy. It was a quick read and very entertaining. Some things seemed a little far-fetched. Savannah had the entire military and the White house wrapped around her little finger while on her quest to rescue Dane. In this day and age, that seems a little bit too far from the truth. If you don't pay attention to that, though, it's a good story and leaves the reader satisfied. All loose ends were tied up and all conflicts were resolved. ...more
I think there was a little too much cheesy LDS stuff in this one. I mean, I'm an active member of the church and love it, but I don't like books that I think there was a little too much cheesy LDS stuff in this one. I mean, I'm an active member of the church and love it, but I don't like books that shove religion at you in a non-realistic way or an over-dramatic way just to teach something. I was also getting tired of the exact same thing happening over again:
She woke up, she took a shower, she got dressed, she went down to breakfast, she got changed into work clothes, she cleaned the rooms and delivered fresh towels, she talked to this person, she talked to this person, she went here, she got changed for dinner, she ate dinner, she tried to clean up but was told not to, she went to the beach, she went to sleep. This happened a lot. There was no variation in Mary Grace's life unless someone was trying to cause trouble.
Mary Grace was proposed to before she even told the guy she loved him and vice versa. And then he kept bugging her about it. It wasn't realistic.
Plus... cheesy depictions of an active LDS person's life. I just wasn't a fan.
It struck me a bit as a copy of The Net, a movie starring Sandra Bullock. I really liked the story and the characters and the underlying romance, but It struck me a bit as a copy of The Net, a movie starring Sandra Bullock. I really liked the story and the characters and the underlying romance, but I could not help but think it was a bit or an already-done kind of subject.
That aside, though, I love Josi's writing style and I loved the story. A few loose ends could be tied up in a sequel, which would be great. I'd love to hear what happened with Chrissy, Micha, and baby Salazar. ...more
I cried, I laughed, I smiled, and I sat in awe as I read this story. Mario Facione, an evil man involved in a very dangerous mafia was touched by 2 yoI cried, I laughed, I smiled, and I sat in awe as I read this story. Mario Facione, an evil man involved in a very dangerous mafia was touched by 2 young missionaries one day and joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. To do so, he flirted with death, lost everything he owned, went through a divorce, and was shunned by his family for years. He pressed on, though, and now he is a temple worker at the Detroit temple and has 3 children and an amazing wife. The Spirit confirmed to me again that the church is for everyone. I love this book and I'm sure I'll read it many more times....more
I will agree with the reader who said that this book was not necessary in the trilogy. It could have been combined with one of the others. I was gettiI will agree with the reader who said that this book was not necessary in the trilogy. It could have been combined with one of the others. I was getting tired of all the re-hashing that was going on in it. There's multiple books in the series for a reason and they are ordered 1, 2, 3 for a reason: they build on each other. I feel like Traci attempted to make each of them a stand-alone, which was probably not the best idea.
However, I love the romance and the suspense. It makes the re-hashing worth it, to some extant. I still love the characters and the storyline. And I do really like the book, there was just a lot more cheesy church talk in this one than the last one. The characters say things that nobody realistically says in a conversation or inside their own minds. It was worthwhile read, though, and I still think Traci does LDS fiction better than anyone else I've read thus far. ...more
Like I've mentioned before, the constant rehashing of events from the other two books bugs me. I don't need to hGood way to wrap it up. Tense ending.
Like I've mentioned before, the constant rehashing of events from the other two books bugs me. I don't need to hear everything explained over and over again....more
Ok, I loved this book! Just the right amount of suspense. Just the right amount of romance. Just the right amount of spirituality. It was not cheesy lOk, I loved this book! Just the right amount of suspense. Just the right amount of romance. Just the right amount of spirituality. It was not cheesy like so many LDS fiction books are. I love Traci's writing style. She writes like she actually understands the English language. Some authors are incapable of being creative in how they convey messages.
I got really attached to the characters involved. I loved Thanksgiving at Matt's house. It made me excited for the holiday season. The book made me want to swim, it made me want to fall in love, and it made me want to be a better person. That's when I decide a book deserves 5 stars. It entertained me and pulled real emotions and desires out of me.
I'm so glad I bought all three books at once! I'd be dying right now if I did not have the second one to jump into! ...more
Jana at ThatArtsyReaderGirl.com
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