Reviews
"Forged in the Refiner's Fire" Virtual Blog Tour
Reviews from across North America
Tristi Pinkston, Families.com USA
Wendy Elliott, Wendword Utah, USA
J. Adams, Jewel's World Utah, USA
Karen Hoover, A Writer's Ramblings Utah, USA
H.B. Moore, LDS Readers Utah, USA
Emily Debenham, Gamila's Review Utah, USA
LuAnn Staheli, Osmond Family Blog Utah, USA
J. Scott Savage, Six LDS Writers and a Frog Utah, USA
Sandra Sorenson, The Dance Utah, USA
Rebecca Shelley a.k.a J.D. Henham, Author of Red Dragon Codex USA
Karlene Browning, Inksplasher USA
Ali Cross, Girl in a Whirl Michigan, USA
Alison Palmer, Tangled Words and Dreams Wisconsin, USA
Anna Marie Junus, View from Hobbit Hole Canada
Autumn Warren, Queen of Chaos Arizona, USA
Danyelle Ferguson, Queen of the Clan Kansas, USA
Shirley Bahlmann, A Ton of Authors and a Wannabe Utah, USA
Shirley Bahlmann, Shirley Bahlmann Biz Utah, USA
Deseret News' Dick Harmon Reviews "13 and 0: Reflections of Champions"
New Book Gives Update on '84 Title-team Players
The topic brings up pride in Cougar fans, taunts and scrutiny from others.
That's why picking up the newly published "13 and 0: Reflections of Champions" stirred mixed reactions. What more could be added to the chronicle of BYU's 1984 season? The season that triggered controversy after controversy until money moguls hatched the Bowl Championship Series we have today?
Well, the 289-page soft-cover book by Candace and Alvin Salima (Spring Creek Book Company, Provo) surprisingly delivered new material. The focus is a look into the lives of 30 players and staff of that team, a work made more complicated by the publisher's race to go to print this summer, cramping the Salimas' research.
Just the same, time with Glen Kozlowski in Chicago, Philadelphia's Vai Sikahema, Robbie Bosco on campus and a solid crew of others, "13 and O" provided the skeleton for some interesting life updates and lessons learned.
The 1984 team has some history, some of it sad. The struggles of the late Craig Garrick, the trials and triumph of Hawaii-game hero safety Kyle Morrell and the rebellious run of Kozlowski to return to BYU's football team after being asked to leave are part of the drama. Some of these stories could make books in and of themselves, something the Salima husband/wife combination either could not get on the record or simply ran out of time to produce.
After starting last January with a manuscript deadline to produce by spring, Candace-the writer-immediately ran into trouble. The boys of 1984 were reluctant to be part of a project that made money off their fortunes. There is a $1 donation to the BYU Cougar Club on each sale of the book, and that loosened some tongues.
Candace got the book rolling by doing an end run of her own. She went to the wives of players, and they delivered biographies, family photos and other information. Plus, they got their hubbies involved.
The result is a poignant reflection by these players on how that season changed their lives. Anecdotal accounts of preparation, camaraderie and struggles during and after 1984 are the gems in this book, which concludes with a spiritual tone discussing faith and the leadership of LaVell Edwards and his staff.
Chapters include a summary of each game of the season, biographies of 30 players, a Bosco focus, a BCS system commentary from players and an update on families. Other sections explore advice for youth, pivotal plays and some spiritual offerings on faith and what it brings on the field in life.
Remembering the confidence and tradition - what current coach Bronco Mendenhall is attempting to restore in current Cougar players - is this story from Kozlowski, now a radio analyst in Chicago: "There are times in the huddle when you're in a fourth-down situation, and you can see panic in the eyes of some of the players," Kozlowski remembered. "They didn't want the ball, and it was clear. Not that team. Everyone wanted the ball, everyone knew they could make the play. Me, I was the cockiest. I would receive the play from other wide receivers, and I'd change them. I'd tell Robbie (Bosco) a different play. I did get in trouble, if it didn't work. If it worked, Norm (Chow) would just scold us, and then it was cool. Every skill-position guy wanted the ball. We'd all be screaming at Robbie, 'I'll make the play for you, I'll make you look good.' "
The book has timely updates. Take, for instance, former Utah sprint champion Brian Hazelgren of Murray. He has written six books and CDs in the Business Game Plan Collection. Two of his books are college textbooks and have been translated into three languages. He also co-designed the Gumball Wizard spiral gumball machine found in retail outlets throughout the world.
Offensive lineman Dave King, a computer security specialist, just served as an LDS bishop on BYU's campus and interviewed and processed 150 missionaries, sent all over the world.
The Salimas, indeed, added to the knowledge base of 1984. But they also may have just scratched the surface of a remarkable group of men who, in that season 21 years ago, were perfect for one time in their lives.
— Dick Harmon, Deseret News
15 September, 2005
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Meridian Magazine Review of "Out of the Shadows . . . Into the Light"
"Out of the Shadows. . . is an example of romantic suspense, a sub-genre that has established itself as the "romance of choice" for millions of readers, men and women alike. In fact many will deny it is even a romance because the emphasis is on the suspense. Salima does a masterful job of drawing the reader into the suspense from page one, when the reader learns a child has been kidnapped by the protagonist's ex-husband. The author skillfully draws in the harsh realities of a Wyoming winter to add to the drama that unfolds when a U.S. Marshal, Slade Taggart, appears on Caroline Duncan's doorstep during a blizzard. He informs Caroline that federal agents are closing in on her ex-husband and the son she hasn't seen for three years. The plot grows complicated when Todd Duncan and his son slip through the net and are suspected of heading west toward the ranch. Law enforcement agents are not the only ones in pursuit. A plane wreck, murder, hypothermia, a Gadianton-style cult, and plenty of emotional baggage add edge-of-your-seat twists. Still the romance is there, skillfully woven into the various elements of the suspenseful plot.
Romantic suspense probably surpasses classic romance as the fastest growing genre in LDS fiction, possibly because of its broader appeal to men as well as women. Though the use of inspiration is a little overdone, it is handled tastefully and does not detract from the story as it might with a less skilled writer. Sister Salima has aptly earned a position of rank among LDS romantic suspense writers with this novel.
— Jennie Hansen, Meridian Magazine
09 February, 2005
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