"The Mormon Way of Doing Business"- Jeff Benedict

"Deep down in my gut I hate it when someone else does something better than me."
                                                                                                         - David Neelman

"I hate to lose! I don't want to hurt people to win. But I want to win."
                                                                                                          - Kevin Rollins

These are just a few comments from top Mormon CEO's in our country. Not only are they people but they do their best to have a normal life by shirking from country clubs, personal limousines, staying at expensive hotels, and always giving 10 percent of their earnings to the church.

This book piqued my interest because I am always curious what others think Mormons are since I am one and am constantly proving myths wrong. Yes we do have belly button's like every normal human on this planet and no we do not grow horns even though some days my attitude deserves a pair. ;)

What this book is essentially about are a few families who have climbed the corporate ladder dodging common problems such as financial fiasco's, divorce, adultery and lavish expenditures. Well done! This book follows five CEO's explaining how they volleyed life's hard balls and the influence of how the church was their best asset when faced with tragedy.

The church lets each member govern themselves but requires a strict lifestyle compared to other sects. However avoiding alcohol, spending time with family, and serving others without compensation helped them shine.

What I really loved was that not all the credit went to the CEO's but also their wives and family backgrounds. You understand why one person might calendar everything in while another flex's and releases his duties depending on their duties on hand at the time.

If you are curious about Mormons or looking for good business ethics definitely open this up. It has fantastic tips of how to become a leader and keeping yourself grounded. Everything is easier if your home is a place of love and refuge from the rest of the world.

                                         - J. Feistner

The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima

      If normal puberty wasn't hard enough on teenagers Jack discovers that some peculiar incidents are hurting others around him. Saved at birth from a heart doctor she prescribes some medication to keep him going that can't be missed even for a day. One day in a rush he does forget it and starts for feel better, stronger, and more aware of the world. But it lasts only so long until his enemy Lobeck is thrown against the soccer goal post on accident by Jack.

     Jack's flippant aunt Linda shows up to take Jack on a weekend trip to do some genealogy brining his two best friends Fitch and Will. genealogy was never so exciting for three teenage boys as they raced a nosey cowboy to a graveyard to dig up a sword and battle a wizard.

     Jack's ex ,Leesha, see's Lobeck as the next top dog and leaves Jack until Ellen the new girl at school takes an interest in him. Ice cream soda dumping, soccer cheering, and name calling ensue which confuses Jack as to when his love life ever began.

     Not only does he have his own problems but he discovers that he is being hunted by the Red and White Rose wizard groups to battle for them. Jack is a wizard and a warrior but its not revealed until he is dueling Ellen and she cuts his sword arm reducing him to rely on magic for survival. Torn between killing Ellen and protecting his family Jack makes some daring moves.

                                                                           - *-

     I personally really love wizardry. I also like Cinda Williams Chima second series, "The Seven Realms". As I started reading this book I noticed some things I didn't like which I think are just preference. My first is that it's time frame is current. I always love something that in a different time period. Then again that is a preference not a author mistake.

     I liked Jack and the plot but it wasn't as well written at her later series and I believe it's because she wasn't done growing as a writer and I hope she keeps at it. I can tell she is building this web and including all these people. At the same time I think there wasn't enough character development from anyone besides Jack and Ellen. Whereas, in her second one a lot of the characters change over time and they are better developed.

     I also don't think that the story about Wylie in the beginning needed to be included and if it was kept to be better explained or followed. Wylie is a misunderstood tortured soul. Either way it is a good book but nothing I would go crazy over and I still recommend her second series all the time.

      Below is a fan made video. Woohoo! Who doesn't love corny trailers made by teenagers. I did scream though when they did kiss at the end of it. Hahahahaha I was just shocked because I wouldn't have been willing to do that since boys have cooties and all.

                 J Feistner