Service, not hate, will fix this country

Thanks to my sister, Nadine Evans Lovell, for this thoughtful post:
Warning: Conservative, gun-loving, God fearing, right-winged rant coming on. Step away from the post if you are none of the above.
We need a President that will lift us and unite us. I'm tired of his rhetoric. And using a funeral where people are mourning to push his agendas? Disgusting. Sorry, not sorry that I can't hold back. He needs to quit fanning the flames of hate and discrimination when we live in one of the best countries in the world!
Everyone is discriminated against or misjudged in some way whether you are ugly, beautiful, thin, obese, black, white, Hispanic, old, Muslim, Christian, Jew, LGBT and the list goes on. I'm a Mormon. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has had its own history of discrimination- tarred and feathered, forced out of established communities, extermination order from a Governor, and we still suffer from discrimination and hate. Can I change what others think of me and my beliefs or how they treat me? No. I can only change ME. I can work on loving others. And believe you me I'm working on loving our President every d$@# day. I'm far from perfect. As just demonstrated.
If this country would focus on what I can do better instead of what everyone else can do better for me we will see some positive changes taking place. This is the message the President should be spreading. Take responsibility for your own actions and quit placing your discontent on others. Even better -love and take care of others and you'll forget about your own problems.
Our country is great! We have more rights, freedoms and opportunities than most countries in the world! If you feel picked on, discriminated against, or in general life is not fair to you then read some great historical novels or biographies and you will realize that your so called hard situation is really not so tough. You could start with the book, "I am Malala" Try living in Pakistan and being shot in the head because you're a girl that wants to be educated. Or read "The Boys in the Boat" and see what working your ever-living behind off really looks like to get an education. We have it great here. Stop whining, shouting, hating, wallowing, gossiping and instead go do something good for someone else. It's called service. It's what the Master teaches and tells us to do.
Finally, my rant is almost over, thank you to our wonderful law enforcement officers!! You have the toughest job in our country today. Remember that MOST Americans respect you, are appreciative of you, and pray for your safety!
Have a beautiful, wonderful, free, safe, American day! Be the good! Serve someone today!

Chewbacca Mom and the Hallmark of the Holy Spirit's Work

There are moments in our lives where we can stop and testify of Christ. Candace took that opportunity. Thanks to her and her marvelous testimony of living her life and listening when the spirit moved her. Although I am unable to post the link, you can plug this link into your address bar to see the full article: http://qpolitical.com/chewbacca-mom-shares-real-reason-video-blew-internet/

A Change of Plans

A Change of Plans by Donna K. Weaver

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review. I thought the narrator did a fantastic job, and it was easy to tell who was speaking. At first, this felt like a sweet romance, which I don’t really like, but it soon turned to a much more exciting read. There were a lot of twists and turns that I didn’t expect, and I loved the happily-ever-after ending. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.



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The Girl Who Heard Demons

The Girl Who Heard Demons by Janette Rallison

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is a supernatural YA, and I loved it. Janette made the reasons for hearing demons believable, and I could hardly put the book down. The romance between the teens was handled well and is clean. There were a lot of ideas in the book that were new and different, and I liked how they were handled. Highly recommended.



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Holly Kelly's Raging

Raging by Holly Kelly

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Extraordinary ending to an excellent series. When I closed the book, I felt totally satisfied. All the loose ends were tied up, and I had that glowing happily-ever-after feeling I like to have when I finish a series I've spent four books reading. Thanks, Holly, for a great read. This is a series I hope to see on the big screen.



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Sweet, Clean Gothic Romance

A Savage Ghost by Donna K. Weaver

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review. When Tiffany started the book in an Irish Brogue, I wasn't sure I'd be able to understand the book, but my fears were quickly stilled. Tiffany does a great job, and the Irish Brogue is used only when the scene is through the ghost's point of view. Since I'm familiar with Donna Weaver's writing, I didn't think I needed to worry about any graphic violence. I was right. This is an enjoyable read with a sweet romance between a couple of young adults who are trying to solve the mystery of the ghost at Savage Castle. This is a fun, quick read that I'd feel comfortable handing to my daughters.



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A Valentines' Day re-visit of Noonday Sun

I thought today would be a perfect day to re-visit the oldest love story on earth, Adam and Eve.

I wanted to write about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden in 1991 but realized I didn't have immortal characters everyone loves. When I read Twilight, I realized I had immortal characters. I just had to figure out how to get them into a "Garden of Eden." My entire book was written to get them off site to a new planet. I would not have cared enough to tell the story with any other ending.

Most people like the story until I end it with Edward and Bella on an empty planet. They don't like that extreme twist in the story, but my whole story was written to illustrate the point that Adam and Eve knew very well what they were doing when they ate the fruit. They could have remained as they were: immortal and incapable of change so therefore unable to produce offspring.

They knowingly chose mortality and it's accompanying ability to have children. (Well, Eve chose it. I had always wondered why it is Adam on every planet who will let his wife be the one to choose [I have a deep and abiding faith that it is men and will continue to be men who hold the Priesthood, which means every planet start will be the same; I was raised to believe that men and women are totally equal and find it demeaning for anyone to suggest my equality with my husband is only complete if I am able to have the Priesthood; that would equate with someone telling me I am not his equal unless I share his anatomy.] I had an "aha" moment while I was writing Noonday Sun. I don't believe any really good man would willingly choose childbirth for his wife - especially if he knows it could kill her. But he would love her enough to let her make the choice one way or the other, which Adam did.)

I start and end the story with two scriptures. The first one represents the tree of knowledge of good and evil. It is the tree that starts the journey into mortality. The words inside the shape talk about faith in Christ, the only way back to the immortality available in the garden. The second is in the shape of a tree and also a cup. It represents the tree of life. It was by drinking the bitter cup that Christ was able to achieve immortality for us all. We don't eat of the tree of life, but we partake of it through belief in Christ who drank the cup so we might all achieve immortality. This verse was the one that led me to write the book. I hope you can see what it meant when I read it.


To some it is given by the Holy Ghost
to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God,
and that he was crucified for the sins of the world.
To others it is given to believe
on their words,
that they also might
have eternal life...
D&C 46:13-14

And worlds without number have I created;
and I also created them for mine own purpose;
and by the Son I created them,
which is mine Only Begotten.
And the first man
of all men
have I called
Adam,
which is many.
Moses 1:33-34

Heart of Orion by Laura Bastian

Heart of Orion by Laura D. Bastian

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Wow. What a ride, and I loved every minute of it. From the toe-tingling kisses to the will-they-make-it-out-alive suspense, it was a thrill ride I only regret I didn't read sooner. Laura knows how to write action, science fiction, and romance. You don't often get it mixed up in one book, and she mixed it all perfectly. World-building you can see, kisses you can almost feel, and action that keeps you on your toes. I loved that the switch of characters was clearly marked so you weren't guessing whose head you were in. This is a clean read, and definitely one I recommend. Enjoy :) I did!!



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