Blog Tour: A Nothing Named Silas

A Nothing Named Silas
By Steve Westover

"In the not-so-distant future, workers are forcibly drafted into their fields, and the Labor party chooses Silas. Because he's new, strong, and trained for Command, everyone wants to use him for their own purposes. But when a strange girl shows him that he can choose his own destiny, Silas must make his first real decision---which side he will fight for?"


Not all decisions in life are black and white. It's difficult to decide who to follow/lead/join when you're given bits of propaganda. In a dystopian world, Silas must decide who is on the right side, or if there is a "right" side. Or, if he can choose something else entirely. 

The book does get into some pretty deep thoughts. The content is more mature but I would call it a clean read. It's definitely meant for an older reader, but can work as a great conversation starter with a mature teen. If you'd like to purchase a copy click here.

Epic Tales of a Misfit Hero

 

This was a fun book to review for two reasons. 

One: I enjoy a good coming of age story as much as the next reader. 

Two: I have an 11-year-old who is about to turn 12! (Scary, I know!)

What I loved while reading this book is seeing some of my own son's worries reflected in the main character, Andrew. Getting the Aaronic Priesthood is a big step for a young man and, just like Andrew, my kid is a bit nervous. That's why I'm going to get him his own copy of this book. He'll see that other kids, like him, are struggling through the same issues. 

Here's the back cover:

From passing the sacrament with his fly down to failing miserably at capture the flag, Andrew knows he'll never be able to fulfill his duties as a deacon. But when tragedy strikes on his Boy Scout backpacking trip, Andrew's whole troop must become stronger than they ever imagined. This hilarious coming-of-age story is bound to have you rooting for a misfit hero!

Final Thoughts

Isn't that what we all felt like when we were 12 - misfits? No one feels like they fit in and they feel awkward and just plain off when they try. However, as every mom on the planet will tell you, a 12-year-old is full of potential! As moms we see what we know our kids can become, just like Andrew is capable of being more and doing more than he thinks he can. All it takes is a little nudge to get them there. 

If you'd like to pick up a copy here's the link.

Healing From Neglect ... When Those We Love Don't Love US

Today I have a wonderful guest post from Author Janene Baadsgaard. 

She is the author of Healing from Neglect, Healing from Abuse, The LDS Mother’s Almanac, Families Who Laugh . . . Last, Family Finances for the Flabbergasted, Is There Life After Birth?,  On The Roller-Coaster Called Motherhood, 15 Secrets to a Happy Home, Grin and Share It . . . Raising a Family with a Sense of Humor, and many more wonderful titles. 

In this post she'll be talking about her new book Healing from Neglect. 

Take it away Janene!

Do you have one sentence that describes your book?

HEALING FROM NEGLECT helps readers recognize abuse & neglect, overcome the effects of destructive relationships, then heal and move forward.

What inspired you to write this book?

             Perhaps the greatest joy in life is to love and be loved. The sad truth is that many of us are hurting inside because some of those we choose to love do not love us in return and we need help figuring out what to do about it.

I’ve been a journalist specializing in family life issues for three decades in newspapers, magazines, and books. This career has placed me in the unique position to interview numerous professionals and in the field and also to receive letters, e-mails, and phone calls from readers all over the world. The most heartbreaking pleas for help I’ve received concern abuse and neglect. While I don’t claim to be an expert, I want to share what I’ve learned from my research, interviews, personal experience and readers.

On a personal note, I was involved in destructive relationships myself for over fifty years and didn’t know what to do because I loved the people who abused and neglected me. After a major crisis I finally found the courage to change  . . . me. I stopped tolerating mistreatment.

You published a book called HEALING FROM ABUSE last year. How is this book different?

HEALING FROM NEGLECT focuses on the neglect side of abuse and is a perfect companion to HEALING FROM ABUSE because it allowed me to go into more detail about the part of abuse we often leave out of discussions . . . neglect. Because neglect is every bit as devastating as any other form of abuse, this new book is a vital discussion about a side of abuse that is often ignored or misunderstood.

Who should buy your book?

Most of us have been involved in a destructive relationship or we know someone who is. What do we do if the person we love abuses us? We all deserve to be treated with kindness and respect. If the person we have a close relationship with mistreats us, it is time to stop tolerating abuse. This book tells us how to untangle ourselves from destructive relationships without losing our capacity to trust and to love again.

Can you share a rewarding experience since being published?

I have grateful readers visit me at book signings, come to my house or call and tell me about how my books have changed their life. One reader said after reading HEALING FROM ABUSE and removing herself from a destructive relationship, it was the first time in her life when she actually looked forward to the rest of her life.

What is your goal in writing this book?

My desire is that this book will help stop our personal and societal tolerance for abuse and neglect. Abusers seldom change their destructive behavior, so those who are mistreated need to change. We have to stop tolerating mistreatment.

If someone is interested in your writing where can they follow you?

I blog at www.janenebaadsgaard.blogspot.com

I have an author page on goodreads

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1246829.Janene_Wolsey_Baadsgaard

Saving Savannah

I'm so excited to be a part of the blog tour for Saving Savannah because I have a huge soft spot for Christmas stories full of heart and messages of Christ. 

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we often don’t make time to read. That’s why this small booklet, Saving Savannah, is such a great gift – for yourself or a friend.

This sweet story of a man pushed to the brink of spiritual blackness finds renewed strength through the Light of the World. With his innocent little girl leading the way, Devan struggles through his bitterness and into a Christmas Eve program where he experiences his own Christmas miracle.

I enjoyed this short Christmas story. I've long-since been a believer that more miracles happen at Christmas than any other time of year because our hearts are softened as we look for ways to make our family and friends’ faces light up with joy. It’s the one time of year when we are more worried about other people than we are about ourselves. If you find yourself in short supply of Christmas spirit, or love to be reminded of the goodness inside us all, take a little break and read Saving Savannah.