Laurie L.C. Lewis's Blog: Bloggin' It Up Here, page 12

BOOK NOOK REVIEW: "HOHENSTEIN", by Didi LAWSON

                                    BOOK NOOK REVIEWS HOHENSTEINbyDidi Lawson
Lovers of historical romance will relish Did Lawson’s Hohenstein, an engaging pre-World War I glimpse into the privilege and problems besetting the German aristocracy, and the young nobles caught in the transition to the modern world.
Nineteen-year-old Marie Louise, Baroness von Hohenstein, and heir of Hohenstein Castle, is a headstrong heiress with serious money troubles. Abandoned by party-seeking mother to the care of a stern aunt as a child, and then carted off to boarding school upon her father’s death when only seven, Marie-Louise has learned to be independent and determined.
The inexplicable failure of her solicitor to pay her tuition brings her home to Hohenstein after a twelve-year absence. Marie-Louise is stunned to discover that the staff has been dismissed due to lack of funds, and her stern and proper Aunt Ambrosia, defender of the aristocracy, is the cook, maid, and gardener. More distressing, the castle is in dire need of repairs, and the responsibility to restore the House of Hohenstein rests on her pretty, young shoulders.
A trip to Wolfburg Bank to meet with a loving but distant uncle, Count Wolfburg, or Onkel Georg, upends her world as she discovers that the count has passed away, leaving the bank and the responsibility for the entire family, of which she is a part, to his dashing oldest son, Ulrich.
Ulrich remembers Marie-Louise as a mischievous child, and she sees him as a handsome, chiseled version of the same standoffish snob she remembers—the snob also assigned to manage her strictly guarded trust, of which only a small allowance is available to her until her twenty-fifth birthday or her wedding day.
Ulrich’s cat-and-mouse flirtations disarm her while he refuses her any sort of financial help to save the castle, and as rumors abound about his impending engagement. Marie-Louise’s pride, and lack of experience with romance, get her into scrape after scrape, requiring some damage control by the family members she is learning to both love and rely upon.
Lawson pulls from her beloved German heritage, sprinkling Hohenstein with delightful details and rich, descriptive settings. Her phrasing has a German lilt that, when combined with dozens of regional names and phrases, anchors the reader in the story and time.
Lovers of romance will not be disappointed. Lawson turns up the heat while keeping the book a clean read suitable even for mature teens. Details and questions raised throughout the story are tied together nicely, leaving readers satisfied and smiling. Best of all, Hohenstein achieves what readers of historicals want. It transports you to another place and time, entertains, and becomes a trusted guide. What more could a reader ask?
Didi Lawson’s beautiful Hohensteincover, and her engaging story and settings inspired me to do a little reader-research of my own, placing the restored castle and its surrounding communities on my list of places I’d love to visit. Start with the trailer, then grab the book. You’ll be glad you did.

View all my reviewsCopyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

Talented fantasy author Lisa Rector is a good friend with...

Talented fantasy author Lisa Rector is a good friend with a wonderful mission--to help a vivacious little girl name Jill. Here's how you can help too, while enjoying some of the best fantasy you'll find out there. Here's Lisa's pitch in her own words.

***************

I’m so excited to announce the upcoming release of my novel Master of Time (Chronicles of the Half-Emrys #3). 
The BIG NEWS is I am donating all of March's pre-order profits and the entire month of April’s royalties to Help Jill Overcome SMA! This includes all my novels on Amazon, Createspace, and Kindle. Book 3 officially releases on March 31st!


For online shoppers: Books one and two are currently available on Amazon. Order during April so the royalties go to the fundraiser. Book 3 is available for pre-order. Order now to get yours on March 31st and support Jill!
You might not be sold on paranormal romantic fantasy. But surely a young lady in your life is. This is a new adult paranormal romantic fantasy. New adult means the main characters are ages 18–25. In my case, the immortals in my novel act these ages.
Book 1 is Reader Rated (RR) 14+ for clean language, mild fantasy violence, on-page tender moments. Book 2 is RR-15+ for clean language, mild fantasy violence and torture, off page sexual intimacy, but on-page tender moments. Book 3 is RR-16+ for mild fantasy swearing, mild fantasy violence and torture, off page sexual intimacy, but on-page tender moments.


Enough about my novels. I am busting at the seams over this opportunity to make a difference in a lovely little girl’s life. 

Let’s meet Jill!
A few years ago, Jillian MacKay was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, type III. SMA is a genetic condition that slowly causes her muscles to fail. Her parents were shocked—at 18 months her only symptom was that she walked around their Victorian farmhouse bowlegged, but the doctors soon found the root cause was SMA. SMA is degenerative, which means that over time Jill will gradually rely on her wheelchair and lose the ability to walk altogether.
Jill craves independence. She wants to be able to take her wheelchair to her doctors’ appointments, to shop, and to visit with friends and family. She wants to shower on her own. To do this she needs the right equipment, such as an accessible shower and bathroom, and a van capable of transporting her heavy wheelchair.
Her mom stays home with Jill, takes her to doctors’, physical, and occupational therapy appointments, and also looks after Jill’s little sister. Jill used to love ballet and gymnastics but is having trouble participating. Luckily she also loves reading, coloring, and painting at home, as well as cheering on her little sister’s accomplishments.
Jill is a brilliant girl. She’s smart and motivated. All she wants are very basic things that we all take for granted—the ability to shower on her own, get around her school, hang out with friends on the playground, and be dropped off and picked up by her mom in the van.
The family needs funds to purchase a gently used wheelchair-accessible van.
The house also needs updates to accommodate Jill’s wheelchair. The family was able to move into a one level house that is much more wheelchair friendly, but it still needs upgrades to the bathrooms and other places. Please help make this childhood one of fun, friendship, and joy—as childhood should be!
Now to the novels!
Master of Lies
Lost to the lies. Consumed by revenge.
Unaware of her immortal heritage, Ahnalyn learns she’s a child of two worlds—a half-Emrys with the ability to wield the light and the dark power. As Ahnalyn is thrown on a journey beyond her control, she must sift through the lies to uncover her true self and true potential, before the darkness consumes her. Master of Lies is the first book in the Chronicles of the Half-Emrys, a paranormal romantic fantasy.

The Two MastersChoose the light or choose the darkness, but you cannot have both.

Einion is fearful of the dark power inside that could lead to his corruption. Rhianu, a ruthless Dark Emrys, stumbles into his life, challenging everything that was once always so black and white. As despairs over Einion’s heart increase his uncertainty, he is thrust on a path where he must face his worst fears to save who he truly loves. Meanwhile Rhianu is torn between power and love, between the past and the future. Knowing betrayal, she must follow her master’s plan—no matter what her heart tells her.
The Two Masters is the second book in the Chronicles of the Half-Emrys, a paranormal romantic fantasy.
Master of Time
Time is only one enemy.



A malicious shadow trails Catrin and Meuric after they find themselves thrown back in time. Only Meuric knows the enormity of this evil that wants to claim Catrin. Meuric’s light could save her, but using it will diminish his dark power, hindering his ability to pass through the ether to their own time. Discovering the way home has just become the least of his problems . . . if there’s a way home at all.

Master of Time is the third book in the Chronicles of the Half-Emrys, a paranormal romantic fantasy.










Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

I'm pleased to announce the newest release by talented au...

I'm pleased to announce the newest release by talented author and friend, Maria Hoagland!




Title: The {Re}Model Marriage
Series: Romance Renovations
Author: Maria Hoagland
Publisher: Red Leaves Press
Genre(s): Sweet Romance, Family Life, Women's Fiction, Clean Gentle Read
Vendors: Will be available in paperback and all ebook platforms.
Release Date: March 29, 2016

Book Description:From the outside, Kirk and Jamie appear to have a beautiful home and the perfect marriage. Inside, the aging Craftsman is falling apart, their marriage is crumbling from neglect, and Jamie Royce wants out! Kirk, on the other hand, isn’t ready to give up on either the house or their relationship.

With their divorce scheduled for the day after their daughter’s high school graduation, Jamie and Kirk have to fix the home’s problems to lift their selling price out of the basement. Working to renovate the home together, they discover secrets—in the home, in their marriage, and in the fertility clinic that helped give them their daughter—and find themselves questioning what true love really is.



About Maria Hoagland:When Maria Hoagland is not working at her computer, she can be found combing used furniture stores, remodeling houses with her husband, or sitting on the sideline of a son's soccer game. She loves crunching leaves in the fall, stealing cookie dough from the mixing bowl, and listening to musicals on her iPod. While she appreciates the home office she shares with her husband, Maria's favorite writing places are outdoors where there is sunlight and no internet. She and her husband and their children have lived in Idaho, Missouri, Ohio, Utah, and in six Texas cities.
Maria Hoagland has several published works including The {Re}Model Marriage, Home for the Holidays, Nourish & Strengthen, Family Size, and Whitney Award finalist, Still Time. Her prize-winning poems and short stories have been published in small magazines. Maria Hoagland earned a degree in English at Brigham Young University.
Order Your Copy Now!

Connect with Maria Hoagland:To learn more about The {Re}Model Marriage and author Maria Hoagland, find her at the following places:
Website: mariahoagland.comMailing List (with free ebook): mariahoagland.comFacebook: Maria Hoagland, AuthorTwitter: Maria HoaglandPinterest: Maria Hoagland--The {Re}Model Marriage Inspiration BoardRenovation Blog: RomanceRenovations.blogspot.com

Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

ANDREA PEARSON BOOK SALE

Author, friend, Andrea Pearson is running a promotion I'm delighted to pass along.

Hey, everyone! :-)

Just wanted to let you all know that The Complete Katon University Series is only $0.99 for the next few days. It's originally priced at $9.99, and the individual books are usually at $4.99, so this is a savings of over 90%. :-) You can download it from Amazon, Nook, iTunes, or Kobo.

Here's a description for the series:

Nicole Williams has been chosen to lead a corrupt, anti-magic organization in a world revolution which will ultimately destroy all Aretes, including herself. But if she doesn't do it, a curse placed on mankind long ago will certainly lead to everyone's destruction.

The Complete Katon University Series is an adventure of mystery, politics, romance, and fantasy from start to finish.

Also, I've got a giveaway going with around $475 worth of stuff, with ten possible winners. Come check that out here! Lots of odds to win. :-) Good luck!  :-)

Don't forget to download The Complete Katon University Series! :-) And if you know of someone who'd enjoy these books, let them know about this too - the box set won't be at this price for another year at least. Here are the links again: Amazon, Nook, iTunes, or Kobo.

Have a great day. :-)

AndreaCopyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

SIMPLE THINGS

Today, I caught a magical little scene, one probably played out in a thousand stores everywhere, as busy dads herded children to displays of candies, and flowers, and cards, to choose a special Valentine's treat for Mom. 
I watched a proud young father coach his toddler, whose chubby hands could barely hold the little heart-shaped box his Daddy presented, asking, "Do you think Mommy will like this?" 
I smiled as a patient dad endured the manic excitement of three children who needed to touch every offering before a decision could be made.
At one store, a carnival-like atmosphere filled the entrance as the bakery ladies set up before the front doors, dipping strawberries, barely keeping up with excited shoppers who oohed and ahhed their approval as they filled their baskets.
As I hurried through the store aisles, I saw that father of three leading his children along as they collected what appeared to be ingredients for a special breakfast for Mom. We exchanged smiles as the children's enthusiasm bubbled up over each decision that needed to be made.

It was another reminder that, despite the clamor of news and woes, life is generally simple and sweet. Love abounds in most homes, even in its awkward, imperfect majesty.  Parents and children still conspire in the best ways. And there is still magic in chocolate.Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

BLOG TOUR for "VOCAL CRUSH" by Lisa Swinton

Welcome to the Vocal Crush Blog Tour! Now for the fun!

Can you ever out run a broken heart?

Lexi Court spent seven years traveling the world, living the nomadic Broadway life, in an attempt to outrun the broken heart Nick Rivers gave her. Now, there’s nowhere left to go.When she accepted a position as a high school drama teacher in Las Vegas, Lexi hoped to get over Nick, find a nice guy, and settle down. But what should be a quiet summer gets turned upside down when Lexi's best friend, Taffy, drafts her to be an emergency replacement coach on a televised vocal competition.

Feeling out of her league among the other three celebrity coaches, Lexi fights for the most promising contestants to be on her team. One note from a single voice shatters her summer. Nick unexpectedly auditions and joins Lexi's team. With her vocal crush on him raging as strong as ever, she has nowhere to run from Nick’s dreamy looks or siren voice.

Lexi has no doubt that Nick can win the competition. The question is does he want to win her heart as well or will he damage it beyond repair? CLICK to Purchase.

GET IT ON AMAZON!

 Get her other books. Ring on Her Finger and Fallen Angel, are also discounted for a limited time. Grab those too! Ring on Her Finger on Amazon Fallen Angel on Amazon 
Find me on Goodreads 
 Be sure to enter the GIVEAWAY!!! a Rafflecopter giveawayCopyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW with LISA RECTOR, Fantasy Author

(Last week I posted part one of my interview with high fantasy author Lisa Rector, who just released book two of her trilogy, "Chronicles of the Half-Emrys."  "The Two Masters" debuted with high praise from readers of book one, "The Master of Lies." I don't write fantasy, so I'm especially awed by Lisa's deft world-building and her complex, unique characters. They contain great action scenes and suspense, but they're clean reads a family can enjoy together. You'll want to pick these up. Books one and two are currently FREE to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.

How do you deal with writer’s block?

It usually doesn’t take long for me to work out a problem. Basic ideas come pretty quickly. Plot holes a little longer to resolve. Usually I sleep on it. Seriously. I just think about my book and a specific scene and close my eyes as I analyze the material. Sometimes I wake in the night and the idea has come to me, sometimes I dream it. But it always finds its way to me.
What’s the best thing about being a writer?
Flexible hours. You have to be ready to write when an idea strikes. Like at 3 am.
But no really, I am a major homebody. I like just staying home and writing, in front of my fire in the winter months, or in my sunroom in the summer. Perfect job for my introverted self. I think I will become a hermit, only emerging to buy gourmet cupcakes. What’s your advice for aspiring writers?
Get a support group. Join a critique group. Free write without stopping until the book is done. Forget the grammar at first. Just get it down. Find people to critique, beta-read, and proofread. But have fun. Don’t let anyone tell you how to write your book. Take the advice and use what works for you. And remember, only write the parts people want to read!
What are you currently working on?
I am currently working on book three in my half-emryn chronicles. Master of Time is in the revision stages, and I hope to release it in the winter of 2016. The chronicle picks up with Meuric and Catrin falling through time, right after the sonic boom in book two.
How do you get inspired to write? What inspires you to write?
Anything and everything inspires me. I take inspiration from the scriptures, from TV shows, books I’ve read, and dreams I’ve had. When I first started my books, I was on a LOTR marathon and received most of my inspiration from those movies. Many of my characters are based off LOTR.
Now that I’ve been writing for two years, the ideas keep coming and I cannot write fast enough. I hope that as my writing improves the process goes faster.
Tell us about your writing process.
I’m not an outliner. I am a write-as-it-comes to me person.
Do you have any rituals to get you in the writing mode?
Lindsey Stirling, famous violinist, has two amazing tracks on one of her albums. During long writing stretches, I jump up every hour and dance in my kitchen, and when those two tracks come on, I pretend I’m an airbender, harnessing power. Or sometimes an emrys. My less-than-graceful dance moves mimic those of the airbender, but it’s slightly reminiscent of Tai Chi. Very empowering. Do you listen to or talk to your characters?
I become my characters. I put myself into the scene and live it.
How did you decide how to publish your books?            I wanted control. And truthfully, approaching an agent or traditional publisher and writing that synopsis just scares me. I’m such an introvert!
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
Self-published eBooks all the way. Better royalties. Ease of publishing. Just make sure you have a fantastic editor!
What other projects are you involved in? What do you do when you’re not writing?
My garden changes every year. I have raised veggie beds. So far, I’ve been able to keep a lemon and a lime tree alive for over two winters. I’ve already harvested some of the fruit!
I’m really involved with my church. I teach the women’s Sunday school lessons on occasion, and help new converts learn about my faith.
Where will your next writing endeavors take you?
I have a whole other series planned, Lost Emrys, about an emrys stuck in our world. The prequel to my half-emrys series is in the works as well. Many fans want to hear Niawen’s story.

You can buy Lisa Rector's books on Amazon.


Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

Author Interview with LISA RECTOR, Author of "The Chronicles of the Half-Emrys Series"

Author Interview with
LISA RECTORPart One

In the name of full disclosure, let me begin by telling you that talented fantasy author Lisa Rector, featured below, is a member of my critique group, and a really great person about whom I'd say lovely things even if she weren't a friend. But check out the reviews her books are getting on Amazon, and you'll see that she has earned the praise she's receiving. 
She's the real deal. 

(Click on the covers to purchase her books.)

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now? Do you have any pets?
I’m a Maryland native and could never imagine living anywhere else. And no, I do not like crabs or Old Bay Seasoning. A mountain girl at heart, occasionally, every so often, I drift down to the coast and float away on the beachy breezes.
I married my high school sweetheart for time and all eternity in the Washington D.C. Temple after I fell in love with his endless sense of humor. I enjoyed a short stint as a labor and delivery nurse before becoming a stay-at-home mom for my two beautiful daughters. In addition to my newfound love of writing, my passions are my faith in Jesus Christ, gardening, and yoga. My favorite delights are decadent homemade cakes, cookies, or brownies—never store-bought.
I have gone through tons of cats, and right now, I am cat-less. They’re all buried on the mountain in, what my parents have, a thriving pet cemetery. The last cat I lost was the hardest, and because of my husband’s allergies, we can’t have anymore.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
Due to the delightful country music on the school bus, I had to find an alternative activity to occupy my brain. So I read every long 45-minute bus ride to and from school. My favorite childhood author was Lois Duncan. Motherhood separated me from reading for a time, and now I enjoy it every evening once I put my manuscripts away for the night. I started writing in February of 2013. On a whim. An idea came to me. I never even played with the idea to write before, but spent plenty of time dreaming up fantasies once my head hit the pillow at night. It was time.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read? Who inspires you in your writings?
I love fantasy. Anything that involves powers and immortals . . . and dragons help too. Give me a hunky guy and a snarky protag. I love snark. And clean steamy scenes that make your blood rush. I get a major kick out dystopian. Oh, and the novel has to be a quick read. I’m a light thinker. Give me a book I can read in one sitting and that tears me up inside. The Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi did just that. It destroyed me.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
What’s inside The Two Masters, the second book in my Chronicles of the Half-Emrys? Immortal emrys, dragons, magical creatures, powers, light vs. darkness, good vs. evil, revenge, love, hope, forgiveness…
I created a species of immortals who can harness the power of light. My emrys. Which actually means immortal in Welsh. My half-emrys are the result of the immortals mixing their bloodline with humans. The result is the introduction of darkness along with the light. They’re able to use both powers, but it becomes a constant internal struggle for them. With the added temptations of the two competing Creators, the one good and the other evil, many half-emrys find themselves stuck between two worlds.And in the case for the two characters in this novel, their ever-balancing scale of internal light and darkness is the least of their problems.
It’s a story I wrote to be a quick read, not weighed down with lots of superfluous writing, but filled with lots of tension. Written for a YA audience (but readers of a mature age would enjoy it), and it’s a clean story, safe enough that a fourteen year old could read it.
What’s my favorite part? The dragon humor. I have hilarious dragons. Oh, you must not forget the romantic tension. And one part always makes me cry, but you’ll have to read my novel to find out.
What Inspired You to Write This Book?
I started writing this book back when I was doing a Lord of the Rings movie marathon. I even based some of my characters off Tolkien’s. I imagined the rolling hills of Middle Earth for the Realm of Terrin and the murky swamps of the Dead Marshes for Rolant. The torturous snow peaks of the Misty Mountains could be my Eirwen Mountains, where the entrance to Gorlassar is hidden. And when you enter Gorlassar and fly to the capital emryn city called Mared, I imagined the majestic music from when the Fellowship entered the great hall in the Mines of Moria.
But scenes and characters aside, I think that’s where the similarities stop. My writing is nothing like Tolkien’s.
I would have to say music is what carried the feeling in my book. I mentioned the music from the mines of Moria scene. I did listen to the LOTR’s sound track quite a bit in the early phases of my free writing. But I took any music that uplifted or motivated me, from Evanescence’s Fallen CD to the Piano Guys. I think Twilight’s various sound tracks were a major inspiration for me. Evenstar (LOTR) was my inspiration for the final scene before the epilogue in my first novel, Master of Lies.
How did you come up with your characters?
Well, my initial basis for my emrys was the LOTR elves. Alas, my emrys don’t have pointy ears. I needed immortals with a flowing, graceful form, strong, lean bodies, and creamy, unblemished skin. Tolkien’s elves were a perfect reference.
I pictured the tall, thin frame of Legolas and his mysterious charisma. The constantly furrowed look of Legolas’s brows is exactly how I pictured my Aneirin.
Galadriel was my Meinwen. The way she moved with grace and her ethereal air was exactly how I pictured my High Emrys.
I stumbled across a “real life” Disney picture of Jane of the jungle. I knew I had found my Ahnalyn with her green eyes and her tiny nose and innocent look. Adorable. But with a hidden determination.

Einion’s a little rough around the edges. Picture Kit Harington in Pompeii. 
(Read Part two next week) Click on the cover images to purchase.Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

Book Nook GIVEAWAY and Review: "COULD IT REALLY BE THIS EASY?" by Ted J. Peck

Could it Really Be This Easy?by Ted J. Peck
(The author is sponsoring a giveaway--one free copy of his book. To enter, simply leave a comment below.)From the back of the Could it Really Be This Easy:It’s easier than you think. Whether you’re trying to figure out which school to attend, who to date, or how to repent after making a mistake, following God’s plan for you isn’t that complicated. 


LDS parents who keep their eyes peeled for resources to strengthen their teens will be heartened by Ted J. Peck’s perspective on navigating these years. His book, Could it Really Be This Easy? The Eternal Equation of Success for Teens breaks the Plan of Salvation and the challenges of mortality into bite-sized nuggets, which he delivers with humor and personal anecdotes.
Peck clearly loves and understands the youth of the Church. After retiring early from a successful career, he chose to become a seminary teacher. Could it Really Be This Easy is the culmination of fifteen years spent presenting Gospel principles to students in terms teens can relate to.
I’ve never met a seminary teacher who didn’t feel a divine responsibility to the youth of the Church, and Peck is no exception. He pours his testimony into Could it Really Be That Easy, sharing life stories that illustrate how the practical application of Gospel principles, like choice, agency, attitude, and a host of others, can impact a youth’s success or failure in life, therefore impacting Eternal Life. Best yet, he shows them how easy it can be to take charge of their choices. To act rather than be acted upon.
Peck mirrors the Master Teacher, who used situations and objects that were familiar to his listeners. In like manner, Peck breaks good and evil into the good team and the evil team, carrying that idea over as he compares mortality to a football game. While the concept is not unique, Peck’s thorough development of that comparison is impressive.  His comparisons and examples hold your attention. He refers to the teen libido as “the beast,” and illustrates principles, like the importance of how we view things, by sharing his personal experience with each one. In the topic of how we view things, case, he tells the story of a to-die-for Mustang he drooled over, and his agony when he could not get his wife to love it as he did. The stories entertain while also serving as the conduit for the delivery of important truths. In short, the messages stick.
The book gets off to a slow start. Peck’s “Introduction,” and the first four pages of his “Welcome to the University” chapter are more about Peck’s journey, and might not engage younger readers, but these pages help introduce the teacher, establishing his credibility, and that of his truth-packed, easily digested messages.  
Peck’s writing style at first feels suited to a pre-teen to early teen crowd. If you’re older, keep reading. Peck clearly addresses the pre-mission crowd as well, from basic doctrines through to a section that includes questions to ask while dating, questions that help identify young people whose values goals and choices compliment yours. Peck writes as if he were delivering a live presentation before a class, complete with the personal asides he would share. One can easily imagine him pulling out all the stops to befriend and reach each individual. I hope his next project is a talk tape of his stories.
The ease and power of making correct choices is Peck’s primary message. His book speaks less to those whose greatest trials are beyond their control—youth who face serious health issues, the death of a loved one, family stress due to job losses, etc. He does address these issues in general ways, by discussing the power they do have--to be as positive as possible, to remember the long game, to exercise faith in God's promises. He encourages those who cannot shape their mortal outcome by mere choice to remember that this game is eternal, and the real win comes further down the road.
Peck’s style will appeal to most youth, but even if you have a less than avid reader, parents and leaders will benefit from reading Could it Really be That Easy. A family could easily pull months of great FHE lessons from these pages. Likewise, the stories would enhance lessons, firesides, and talks, and most importantly, would provide pertinent explanations and examples for critical one-on-one conversations.
The chapter headings don’t always reveal what topics are covered in each section, but Peck includes chapter summaries with a recap of the section’s basic points, which makes locating topics a bit easier. On the next reprinting, I hope they include a topical index as well.  
A read through Could it Really Be This Easy is empowering. The book is written with LDS references, but it has value for any Christian reader, young or old. Adults will find the read enlightening as well because of its simple delivery. The cadence of a few critical messages plays over and over in the background of every chapter. God loves you. He wants you to be happy. Satan wants you to fail. God will help you succeed. You get to choose.
Start by adding a copy of Could it Really Be This Easy to your family bookshelf.
Could it really Be This Easy is available at your local LDS bookstore, or on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Could-Really-Be...









Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)

Book Nook Review: "COULD IT REALLY BE THIS EASY?" by Ted J. Peck

Could it Really Be This Easy?by Ted J. Peck From the back of the book:It’s easier than you think. Whether you’re trying to figure out which school to attend, who to date, or how to repent after making a mistake, following God’s plan for you isn’t that complicated. 

LDS parents who keep their eyes peeled for resources to strengthen their teens will be heartened by Ted J. Peck’s perspective on navigating these years. His book, Could it Really Be This Easy? The Eternal Equation of Success for Teens breaks the Plan of Salvation and the challenges of mortality into bite-sized nuggets, which he delivers with humor and personal experiences.
Peck clearly loves and understands the youth of the Church. After retiring early from a successful career, he chose to become a seminary teacher. Could it Really Be This Easy is the culmination of fifteen years spent presenting Gospel principles to students in terms teens can relate to.
I’ve never met a seminary teacher who didn’t feel a divine responsibility to the youth of the Church, and Peck is no exception. He pours his testimony into Could it Really Be That Easy, sharing life stories that illustrate how the practical application of Gospel principles, like choice, agency, attitude, and a host of others, can impact a youth’s success or failure in life, and therefore, in eternal life. Best yet, he shows them how easy it can be to take charge of their choices. To act rather than be acted upon.
Peck mirrors the Master Teacher, who used situations and objects that were familiar to his listeners. In like manner, Peck breaks good and evil into the good team and the evil team, carrying that idea over as he compares mortality to a football game. While the concept is not unique, Peck’s thorough development of that comparison is impressive.  He likewise refers to the teen libido as “the beast,” and illustrates the importance of our point of view by sharing a story about the to-die-for Mustang he could not get his wife to love as he did. The stories entertain while also serving as the conduit for the delivery of important truths. In short, the messages stick.
The book gets off to a slow start. Peck’s “Introduction,” and the first four pages of his “Welcome to the University” chapter are more about Peck’s journey, and might not engage younger readers, but these pages help introduce the teacher, establishing his credibility, and that of his truth-packed, easily digested messages.  
Peck’s writing style at first feels suited to a pre-teen to early teen crowd. If you’re older, keep reading. Peck clearly addresses the pre-mission crowd as well, from basic doctrines through to a section that includes questions to ask while dating, questions that help identify young people whose values goals and choices compliment yours. As you read, you’ll realize that Peck writes as if he were delivering a live presentation before a class, complete with the personal asides he would share. One can easily imagine him pulling out all the stops to befriend and reach each individual. I hope his next project is a talk tape of his stories.
Peck’s message is about the ease and power of making correct choices. His book speaks less to those whose greatest trials are beyond their control—youth who face serious health issues, the death of a loved one, family stress due to job losses, etc. He does address these issues in a general way, by discussing the power of choosing a positive perspective and choosing to exercise faith. To those who cannot completely shape their future, Peck encourages them to remember that this game is eternal, and the real win comes further down the road.
Peck’s style will appeal to most youth, but even if you have a less than avid reader, parents and leaders will benefit from reading Could it Really be That Easy. A family could easily pull months of great FHE lessons from these pages. Likewise, the stories would enhance lessons, firesides, and talks, and most importantly, would provide pertinent explanations and examples for critical one-on-one conversations.
The chapter headings don’t always reveal what topics are covered in each section, but Peck includes chapter summaries with a recap of the section’s basic points, which makes locating topics a bit easier. On the next reprinting, I hope they include a topical index as well.  
A read through Could it Really Be This Easy is empowering. The book is written with LDS references, but it has value for any Christian reader, young or old. Adults will find the read enlightening as well because of its simple delivery. The cadence of a few critical messages plays over and over in the background of every chapter. God loves you. He wants you to be happy. Satan wants you to fail. God will help you succeed. You get to choose.
Start by adding a copy of Could it Really Be This Easy to your family bookshelf.
Could it really Be This Easy is available at your local LDS bookstore, or on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Could-Really-Be...









Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)