Rachelle J. Christensen

Romance, Suspense, Mystery Author

Book Review: The Fourth Nephite by Jeffrey S. Savage

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

When I read the back cover, I wondered how much the book might interest me but I can tell you that Savage did a wonderful job. I’d like to recommend this book to kids and adults who enjoy a bit of mystery and adventure sprinkled with humor and awesome Latter-Day church history facts.

The main character, Kaleo, is remarkably well-written with believable character attributes that keep the story spinning and those pages turning–I was excited to see what role Kaleo would play in helping to protect the gold plates.

I loved how Savage included so many answers to “popular” questions about the Church of Jesus Christ or Mormon faith–questions that many teenage members of the church might wonder about. Kaleo struggles with his beliefs and faces these questions head-on and the results are terrific.

The Fourth Nephite is an entertaining and engaging read. You’ll walk away from this book enlightened, but while reading the story you’ll be so engrossed that you won’t realize that you’re being taught.

Here’s more about the book:

Kaleo Steele is starting to cut seminary and hang out with some new friends ; in fact, he s not even sure what he believes anymore. When his seminary teacher finds him at the wrong place at the wrong time, Kaleo is in jeopardy of missing his high school team s regional football game a game where college scouts will be coming to see him play. But his seminary teacher realizes that much more than a game is at stake, and sends him on a soul-searching quest. Guided by Ladan, a mysterious old blind man, Kaleo pushes through a battered wooden door only to find himself in Palmyra, New York, in the fall of 1827. Soon he is caught up in a battle between treasure seekers led by Allaster Blackburn, a necromancer hired to steal the gold plates and the young prophet Joseph Smith, who is sworn to keep them safe. In his quest to find a key that will send him back to his own time, Kaleo will have to decide what to believe. Before it s too late. In the style of the Tennis Shoes among the Nephites series, The Fourth Nephite is an exciting new time-travel adventure series for LDS teens and their families.

Other books you may enjoy:

A Time to Die: A Shandra Covington Mystery (Shandra Covington Mysteries Book 3) by [Jeffrey S. Savage]   

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Book Review: Unbroken Connection by Angela Morrison

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

Unbroken Connection is part of a Young Adult series that’s full of the raw teenage angst that occurs over love/forbidden love and friendship with a guy that is a part of every adolescent’s dreams and fantasies. Leesie is a straight-laced Mormon girl headed for BYU with her life perfectly planned out and then she meets Michael. He’s a scuba diver and his parents were both killed in a hurricane during a dive trip. Leesie gets to know Michael and wants to help him heal. Michael uncovers a passion in Leesie that she’s uncertain of how to deal with.

The story of Leesie and Michael is emotional, realistic, incredible–you’ll feel like you know these two characters as well as your best friends! The romance that grows between them is so realistic–it shows just how easy it is for lines to blur when the kissing starts. I appreciated Morrison’s theme of abstinence throughout the book and the reality of how difficult, yet worthwhile the choice is. I think this is a great book for teenagers and parents alike because it’s an open window into the real world of teens and how vital it is to make the important choices about your life before you’re in the heat of the moment. And yet, it doesn’t come across as teaching a lesson–you just get it from getting to know the characters and seeing the results of their actions. Morrison’s writing is so vivid and I love Leesie’s poems and use of beautiful words. Reading from the point of view of Michael and Leesie in such creative forms–his dive log and her poetry notebook–creates great tension and character exploration that will leave the reader salivating for more.

Here’s more about the book:

Against all odds, the couple that swept you away in TAKEN BY STORM is back. Michael is in Thailand diving his dream. Leesie is at BYU living hers. And they just can’t leave each other alone. Their romance rekindles, deeper than before. They grow desperate to see one another again. To hold one another again. Michael decides there is only one direction their relationship can go and asks Leesie the ultimate question. Her answer challenges everything Michael is and wants to be. Can she change for him? Can he change for her? Enough?

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Book Review: Daughters of Jared by HB Moore

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

I love reading a good book that keeps me thinking about the characters long after the book is shut. Daughters of Jared by H.B. Moore (AKA Heather B. Moore) is masterfully written. She pulled me into the pages of this ancient story and brought the scriptures to life.  

Daughters of Jared is based on a story from The Book of Mormon, so it is historical fiction for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I would like to voice my opinion that any fan of historical fiction regardless of their faith will enjoy this book. Moore is an incredible writer with a gift of weaving compelling plot lines together with strong-voiced characters. Naiva, one of the daughters of Jared tells this story through her own first-person viewpoint and it’s excellent!

Here’s more about the book:

From the ancient Book of Ether comes a haunting story of two royal sisters. The elder sister, Ash, will do anything to bring her father, King Jared II, back to the throne. The younger sister, Naiva, only wants to save her family from destruction. Greed and the quest for power blend together in H.B. Moore’s volatile new novel. The bond of sisterhood becomes precariously fragile when one man named Akish falls in love with the younger sister, Naiva, but he chooses to marry the elder sister. The sisters’ hearts are divided when Ash becomes queen, seduced by the promise of power and wealth. Naiva watches her world crumble away. She sees only one way out, but it will require forsaking all that she holds dear.

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Book Review: Parenting with Spiritual Power

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

Parenting with Spiritual Power is a book that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints will appreciate because it draws from both Biblical and Book of Mormon stories. Julie has done an excellent job of showing how prophets were parents who sometimes struggled just like we do to parent their children. She reminds us that we can learn parenting skills from these ancient parents.

I especially like the contents section of the book because it shows each chapter and a specific focus that you can go to quickly when in need or if you have a specific worry you need help with.

This parenting business is hard work and even though my kids are young I can see that there is so much emotional energy invested in each of our children’s lives as we pray that they will make wise choices and that we can be the kind of parents to help them through their trials.

I encourage you to check out this book to gain support in your own parenting journey.

Here’s more about the book:

I wish children came with an instruction manual! How many times have we heard this lament? Julie Nelson examines the lives of mothers and fathers in the scriptures (the best instruction manual) and the parenting principles we can learn from them. Discover powerful parenting examples and suggestions for personal application in this essential book.

Other books you may enjoy:

   

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Book Review: Teaching the Book of Mormon

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

I’m a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the holy scriptures are a very important part of my life. I study the Bible and The Book of Mormon. I love how the scriptures teach of Jesus Christ and I’m always looking for ways to impart my love of the Savior to my children. This new book that I’m reviewing today is a valuable resource for parents, teachers, seminary teachers, etc. Teaching the Book of Mormon (Part 1) is written by John S. Bushman, Reed Romney, John R. Manis, & Curt R. Wakefield.

The format is excellent and easy to navigate. I love the large size of the book, about the size of a piece of 8 1/2″ X by 11″ paper–great manual, easy to jot down notes and work in to bring the meat of the scriptures to those you are teaching.

Here’s more about the book:

Teaching the Book of Mormon is full of powerful teaching ideas to change lives. Helpful components include creative object lessons, group activities, discussion questions and more to build an influential atmosphere of learning and interaction. With this all-inclusive resource, you will engage your children, your seminary students, or your Sunday School class in powerful learning.

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Book Review: Lifestyles of the Great and Spacious by John Bytheway

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

This book is a quick read with incredible insight that John Bytheway is well known for. His delightful commentary brings out the meaning of Lehi’s dream with a 20/20 focus that will help everyone appreciate and understand these precious verses of The Book of Mormon.

Here’s more about the book:

With every passing day, the unforgettable imagery in Lehi’s dream becomes more real and more relevant. In our modern world, we can literally hear the taunts and see the pointing fingers of people like those in the great and spacious building. We find ourselves clinging with greater energy to the rod of iron as we work through the massive mists of darkness toward the tree of life. In Lifestyles of the Great and Spacious, John Bytheway looks at Lehi’s dream, and with his characteristic humor, comments from Church leaders, scholarly insights, and personal experiences, he expands our understanding of these precious verses of scripture.

Other books you may enjoy:

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