Random Book Quote

Guess the book!

"I live in the computer age and I love it here!  I have long embraced pixels, multi-screen work stations and the information superhighway. I really can picture a paperless world. 

And yet, I grew up in a very different place.

When I was born in 1960, paper was where great knowledge was recorded.  in my house, all through the 1960s and 1970s, our family worshipped the World Book Encyclopedia---the photos, the maps, the flags of different countries, the handy sidebars revealing each state's population, motto and average elevation."

LAST WEEK'S BOOK WAS:

ABINADI by H.B. MOORE

Twilight Movie Previews WARNING

When is it appropriate to show previews of rated 'R' movies before 'PG13' movies? Apparently if the movie business is marketing to teens.

The first preview that is shown before the "Twilight" is called... I don't want to give the movie any free publicity but it is rated 'R' and it is SCARY!! It is about a girl who had a twin brother. You'll know the preview when a little boy hits the babysitter hard in the face with a book or something.

The young teenagers I was with all screamed during the preview and talked about how scary it was at least 3-4 that night. Many wished they would have covered their eyes. It did lead to a good discussion on the topic of why the prophets counsel us not to watch rated 'R' shows and being careful with 'PG13' movies as well. The images that are in the girls heads from the preview left an lasting impression. A few even voiced concerns about having nightmares.

If you are taking a young teenager BEWARE! I don't know how to avoid the previews except to get to the movie late or cover your eyes. We saw 5 previews before "Twilight" started. 3 of the 5 are rated 'R' movies! It's getting harder to protect ourselves and our children. I am going to talk to the manager of our theater. I would urge everyone with young teens to talk to the managers of theaters about the previews. It may not change Hollywood, but it we can change our neighborhoods!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Contest Time! I need your help!


This is part of an email I'll be sending out to my friends. Since we're all friends here, please consider yourself invited to spread the word and win prizes! Send a message to five friends, or post something on your blog, and I'll enter you to win a $25 Amazon gift card. Just copy me or send the link to: contest @ suzannevreese.com. Even bigger prizes are available if you actually read the book and recommend it! Finally, one last favor to take note of: if you've decided to buy the book (just cause you love me or whatever) please do it ON DECEMBER 11 FROM AMAZON!

See my website for a preview or more info!

Abinadi by H.B. Moore

Abinadi by  H.B. Moore

I was in bed reading and 3/4 of the way through Abinadi when I decided I should go to sleep.  It's probably 11-11:30 PM, I thought to myself.  I put the shut the book and looked at the clock.  

It was 1 AM.  

I couldn't put the book down!  I needed to know what would happen to Abinadi, Raquel, and Alma. 

Heather Moore has taken a small but significant scripture story from the Book of Mormon and enlarged it to a rich scriptural novel.

The story begins with a young Abinadi who has a small crush on a local girl who happens to be the daughter of a high priest in King Noah's court. 

King Noah is an adulterous, greedy whoremonger who bullies his court and people.  He doesn't like being told he is sinning.  He doesn't like being told he and his people must repent.  And when Adinadi starts preaching about sin and repentance, King Noah doesn't like him.

One of King Noah's high priests, Alma, learned the gospel while he was young.  He struggles with what is right and wrong but gives in to the carnal temptations of the court. When Abinadi preaches to King Noah and his priests, Alma knows the prophet is speaking the truth and tries to stop his death.  But King Noah will have both men killed.  Alma must run for his life.

Heather has added a couple of fillers for this lean scripture story.  She filled out Abinadi's life with a mother, wife and baby. Abinadi's wife, Raquel, is the only child of a wealthy couple. Her father is Amulon, high priest to King Noah.  There are also other religious leaders like Gideon, who have wives and families.  Their fictional parts in the book help bring real emotion to the story.

Heather's attention to detail is woven well throughout her book.  Reading about the food, clothing, customs and ceremonies in Abinadi's time brought richness to her story.  The historical details helped move the story along and make it realistic without taking me out of the story.

Abinadi is a book everyone will want to buy for their personal libraries.  A book that can be read again and again.

Random Book

Today is Random Book Day. 

I randomly pick a passage or quote from a book I am reading.  And you try and guess the book!

'Her mother was sorting through her things.  She held up a set iridescent quetzel feathers. "Wear these in your hair with your turquoise and red tunic.  Wrap it tightly so your figure shows."

Raquel opened her mouth but was too surprised at her mother's words to answer.  Her mother wanted her to impress the king!  Raquel looked at her mother's face.  Itzel wore a tight, pinched look---very task-oriented.  She showed no emotion in preparing her daughter for this event.  It was simply a duty.

Angle flamed in Raquel's chest; she felt betrayed.  Her parents feared the invitation from the king, and now her mother seemed to accept it---embrace it even.  That meant that her father had ordered it so.  Hopelessness descended on her as her mother started combing through Raquels' tangles.  Soon her hair would shine like cooper.  Suddenly she had the urge to run from the room and cut off all her hair.  Surely the king would lose his interest then.'

Books and Looks

Here is a shout out to all the wonderful people I meet down at the new bookstore, Provident Book in PG!

I spent large chunks of my Saturday hobnobbing with some of Utah's author. Local authors. One from Orem, one from Lehi, another from Sandy, all close enough to be my friend. Not that I am lacking in friends; they probably aren't either. But after I talked to a few of them I felt I could be friends with them. Besides being down-to-earth, fun and helpful, they didn't laugh when I said I wrote a book.So this is a plug for all the authors today who didn't laugh at me!
Buy their books!

Michele Bell Ashman
A Modest Proposal
The Spirit of Christmas
Perfect Timing
A Candle in the Window

Heather B. Moore (or H.B. Moore)
The Out of Jerusalem series (4 books)
Abinadi

Tristi Pinkston
Season of Sacrifice
Strength to Endure
Nothing to Regret

And I will put a plug in for the store because they didn't boot me out when they saw me again. And again. And again. I know the owners/managers at Provident Book would love for you to buy ALL these books at their bookstore. Don't forget to look at the toys and games.Go on! Go look!

Here are some links:
http://www.providentbook.blogspot.com/
http://www.micheleashmanbell.com/
http://www.hbmoore.com/
http://www.tristipinkston.com/

New LDS bookstore in Pleasant Grove!!!

Don't forget to visit the new LDS bookstore on state street in Pleasant Grove (near the PG rodeo grounds).

Provident Book, 661 W State 

New & Updated Coupon!

FarWorld by J. Scott Savage

"Take courage-the magic is already inside you"

How many times do we wonder if we have what it takes to move forward, to conquer fears, to do a really hard task? 

Marcus and Kyja are finding out in Mr. Savages book, "FarWorld: Book One" and they must find their own magic. Is the magic strength, brilliant ideas, bravery, compassion or is it really magic? 

Mr. Savages book is a fun, intense, fast-moving fantasy. I had to keep reading because of the twists and turns the story takes. The book is good, clean reading with humor and lessons throughout.

I enjoyed watching Marcus and Kyja grow and learn and come to terms with what they thought were their weaknesses. 

The book is obvious in pointing out black and white, good and bad, scary and safe.  I will admit, the bad guys made me nervous!  How do two thirteen year-old kids stay out of the clutches of evil and save their two worlds?  

We won't know until the NEXT book comes out!  Are you done writing Book Two, Mr. Savage??

New LDS bookstore in Pleasant Grove!!!

New LDS Bookstore Opening in Pleasant Grove UT

The following message was sent to me by a reader and since I'm all about promoting LDS books, I decided I would post it here. I may regret this if I get bombarded with everyone who wants to promote their business, but I'm taking a chance and hoping it won't get out of hand.

Dear LDS Publisher,

I know you don't usually do advertisements like this, but I thought perhaps you would make an exception in this case. 

There is a new independent LDS bookstore opening this weekend, November 8th, in Pleasant Grove, Utah. It's called Provident Book, and it's located at 661 W State, Pleasant Grove. It's just north of the PG Rodeo Grounds and in the same strip of shops as Timpanogos Cyclery. 

As I'm sure you're aware, it's been a long time since there was an independent bookstore in this area and we're excited to be opening it. We hope your readers that are local to us will come by for a visit and will support us in our efforts to make books by smaller presses readily available to the public. Of course, we'll carry books from the "big guys" as well. 

To celebrate our Grand Opening, we will have over 30 authors there signing books throughout the day. They will include David G. Woolley, H.B. Moore, Rachel Ann Nunes, Jennie Hansen, Michelle Ashman Bell, N.C. Allen, Julie Coulter Bellon, Tristi Pinkston, and Angela Hallstrom—just to mention a few. You can find a full list and the schedule here. 

Our store will also carry a fabulous line of toys and games for all ages, LDS CDs and DVDs, and lots more. For a sneak peek, you can visit my personal blog. You'll also find a printable coupon for 25% off any one item there. 

I hope all your readers in the Utah County area will come by and visit—and bring their Christmas shopping list. You will be amazed by what we have!

Thanks (in advance) for helping us spread the word.

Karlene Browning, Asst. Manager
Provident Book/Humdinger Toys

P.S. LDSP—if you come to the store and reveal your true identity, I'll give you an extra discount. :)

Book Review

"Dollmage" by Martine Leavitt

My DD and I loved "Keturah and Lord Death" by this same author.  Her storytelling draws you into the story and keeps you there, rooting for the hero only for the story to take a different path.

"Dollmage" is no different. Strictly fantasy, this story is about the storyteller of the village, the Dollmage.  She is growing old and must have a successor.  She predicts that on a certain day, the new dollmage will be born.  And on that day, four children are born: two girls and two boys. She picks one girl over the other because of her pride has been hurt.  

The dollmage gives dolls that will bring comfort, peace, and tell of future promises.

As in any village, there are certain laws and expectations.  This village is no different.  Promises are kept and very rarely broken because it is punishable by death.  But who is to say that a promise given because another is extorted is a promise?

The dollmage's story was hard to hear: her pettiness and pride and the ripple effect they have on the entire village.

Interesting story.  I would recommend this book for old teens.

NEXT REVIEW: FARWORLD