Clean Books for LDS Families

Gregg Luke's "Blink of an Eye"

2010-09-20T22:35:00.000-07:00

Gregg Luke's latest release, Blink of an Eye, is unlike his previous mystery/suspense books, but still well worth a read.

Childhood was a happy, carefree time for Joseph Ramirez. At least that's how he used to remember it. But since the near-fatal traffic accident that landed him in the hospital with brain trauma, he's not so sure. Along with physical pain, Joseph now suffers recurring nightmares. Each night the heart-wrenching dreams grow increasingly vivid and graphic-to the point that Joseph's hospital roommate reports that Joseph talks in his sleep, often crying out in anguish and remorse. To complicate matters, a ruthless lawyer is challenging Joseph's innocence in the traffic accident. When defense attorney Michelle Haas comes to his aid, they discover they knew each other as children, and soon another forgotten experience comes into play-one that goes deeper than simple friendship. Are Joseph's night terrors actually repressed memories? Does he speak the truth during his unconscious midnight hours? And if so, what will that mean when Joseph's hospital roommate claims he confessed to murder? Soon Joseph realizes there's only one way to uncover the truth about his family and himself-involving reliving a past he has unknowingly worked all his life to forget.

The story has plenty of well-research medical procedural information, but none of it is overly detailed--it slides into the plot seamlessly. The description of his night terrors is gripping, but not graphic enough to be disturbing. This is a great drama with a tiny slice of romance squeezed in. Check out the review on my blog, or visit Gregg's website for more information about his books.

Rachelle Christensen's "Lost Children: Coping with Miscarriage for Latter-day Saints"

2010-06-30T06:49:00.000-07:00

Whether it happens to you or someone you love, there’s no way to prepare for the overwhelming sense of loss that accompanies a miscarriage. But as Latter-day Saints, we know that Heavenly Father’s plan offers solace, even in the face of adversity. Lost Children provides specific information about miscarriage and how it affects a person physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

R. J. Christensen draws on her own experiences with miscarriage and infertility to bring you a comforting guide that’s perfect for anyone who’s had to struggle through this trial. Strengthen your testimony of the eternal plan as you learn to find happiness in spite of trials and joy in spite of pain.

This is Rachelle's second book to be released this year, close on the heels of her suspense book, "Wrong Number." You can learn more about Rachelle and her writing on her blog or her website.

Miss Mae's sweet romance, "When The Bough Breaks"

2010-06-29T07:04:00.000-07:00

Miss Mae writes G-rated romances and mysteries that are getting great reviews. Check out When the Bough Breaks. Check out the blurb.

Darlene Moore's reason for shunning Parker Shane has nothing to do with his reputation of being a playboy. She even dates him before the death of her mother forces her to move away. After a two-year absence from Dalesville, she returns home to find

Parker exchanging wedding vows with her sister. Two months later, her sister dies.

Then Richard Ryan, head of Dalesville's wealthy, prominent family, and Parker's employer, goes missing. Could there be a connection to his disappearance and Parker's unexpected promotion?

Danger and questions a plenty barrage Darlene with the deadly speed of a six-shooter. Who called down a representative from a Washington agency? Who later assaulted him? Who attacked Darlene at her friend's apartment? And will Parker's scandalous brand of playboy be changed to one of murderous culprit? Or, in the moment of Darlene's greatest need, might he become her rescuing knight?

You can read more about her books and see the many book trailers on her website. Check out the trailer for When the Bough Breaks below.

Michele Ashman Bell's newest book, "Hometown Girl"

2010-06-28T07:47:00.000-07:00

Michele Ashman Bell is one of the most prolific writers in the LDS fiction market with twenty-one books published.

In Hometown Girl, book two of the Butterfly Box Series, the focus is on Jocelyn and the secret she has kept from her friends for almost fourteen years.

When her grandmother passed away, Jocelyn inherited her house in Milford Falls, Washington.

With the encouragement of her friends, Jocelyn decides to move there and live in her grandmother’s home. But she soon finds that the house is falling apart, she doesn’t fit in there, and memories from her past have come back to haunt her.

The only way to put those memories to rest is to finally face them.

The only way to find love is to be free of the memories that have locked her heart.

Will Jocelyn be able to adjust to her new life in Milford Falls?

Will she find the strength to finally put her past to rest?

Read Hometown Girl and find out.

Check out Michele's website or blog to read sample chapters for her books or see what else she's written.

"Alma the Younger" by H.B. Moore

2010-06-25T07:20:00.000-07:00

H. B. Moore is the author of eight books, seven historical fiction, and one non-fiction. Her latest offering is Alma the Younger. Her three previous fiction books were all finalists for the Whitney Award and two of the three were winners in the historical category. I've heard readers say this is her best one yet.

Alma the Younger, son of the aging high priest, once was taught by the wisdom of the prophets.

Now, ensnared by the wiles of strong drink and harlots, he’s a

bitter dissenter determined to overthrow the church and lead the people into new “freedoms.”

But en route to one of his malicious missions with his royal henchmen, Alma is halted by an unexpected opponent: an angel of the Lord, a messenger of the very God he has sought to defame.

What unfolds is a story of miraculous redemption, a story building on the poignant Book of Mormon account to show how even the vilest of sinners can be transformed by the Savior’s amazing grace.

Heather is a busy mother, writer, and owns an editing company. You can learn more about her books, including reading a sample chapter for most of them on her website. You can also learn what she's up to on her blog.

"Forbidden Portals: The Quicksilver Project" by J.A. Lightender

2010-06-24T07:09:00.000-07:00

Renny is your average teenager. He’s tall, lanky, and an easy target for the neighborhood bully.

But things quickly change when his parents buy him a not-so-average dog. Entering “Ernie’s Pet Shack” was an experience Renny would not soon forget, nor could he guess the adventure that awaited him once he took his dog Lou home.

The two were about to embark on a quest that would change the world as Renny knew it.

This is the ninth book for J Adams, though it's the first in this genre and with this pen name. The Quicksilver Project is an e-book for kids. Check out her website or blog for more information about her books.

"The Canticle Kingdom," a YA fantasy by Michael Young

2010-06-23T07:29:00.000-07:00

The Canticle Kingdom is Michael Young's first book. It's a YA fantasy, filled with plenty of action and adventure.

It’s seemed like ages since Kate’s father went off to war, and she is eager to thank him for the beautiful German music box he sent for her birthday. But when it starts playing a strange, new melody and Kate vanishes into thin air, Captain Edison is willing to do anything to rescue his little girl.

When the Canticle Kingdom is attacked and the queen falls deathly ill, Johann, a young blacksmith’s apprentice, learns a terrible secret—the kingdom is contained entirely within a music box in another world. With the help of his friends,Johann races to bring aid from that other world in an effort to stop the dark power that threatens to destroy them all.

Enter a beautiful world full of magic, danger, loyalty, and bravery in The Canticle Kingdom, and discover that even the most ordinary objects and people might be hiding something truly wonderful inside.

You can learn more about this author, read sample chapters, and check out the free music box melodies he has posted on his website.

"The Ready Resource for Relief Society" by Trina Boice

2010-06-22T07:28:00.000-07:00

Trina Boice has been writing and compiling resource books for years from Relief Society, to Young Women's, to Primary. Her latest book is "The Ready Resource for Relief Society." Here's the blurb:

Whether you’re a new teacher or a seasoned pro, preparing lessons for Relief Society just got easier with The Ready Resource for Relief Society: Gospel Principles, Part One.

Trina Boice provides a lesson summary, pertinent quotes from General Authorities, and relevant hymns for each lesson in the manual. In addition, each lesson features a helpful and attractively designed handout that you can copy for each Relief Society sister, suggestions for artwork, and even some fun object lessons!

With the groundwork done for you, you can now concentrate on the fun part of giving lessons: personalizing them to the needs of the sisters in your ward.

Take the stress out of preparing lessons, and focus on giving Relief Society lessons that will touch the hearts of your class members. With invaluable help like this, lesson preparation has never been so simple!

You can learn more about Trina's creative books on her website.

"Psychic Madman" Jim Karol and LuAnn Stahelli

2010-06-21T07:31:00.000-07:00

Come on a journey into one of the world’s most fascinating minds. Entertainer and memory expert, Jim Karol is known to millions of fans. He has performed on NBC’s Phenomenon, the Tonight Show, the Ellen Show, and the Today Show.
Jim dazzles audiences with fun and comedy, all while demonstrating his memorization of 80,000 zip codes, the entire Scrabble dictionary, thousands of digits of pi, every day of the week since the beginning of the modern calendar, and thousands of other facts. He can memorize a shuffled deck of cards in minutes.

For decades his audiences have wondered how The Madman is capable of such extraordinary mental feats. He now shares his knowledge through life stories and technique. Jim aims to show readers just how much the human mind is capable of. Learn how Jim has developed his impressive mind, and give yourself the opportunity to tap into your own extraordinary mental abilities.

In this book, Jim Karol shares his story. You can learn more about the book, and the ghost writer, LuAnn Staheli on her blog. This is her second ghost-written book. She's also a speaker, educator, and writing coach.

"The Road Show" by Braden Bell

2010-06-20T05:48:00.000-07:00

“Brother Jenson, you’ve been called as the ward road show specialist. Would you accept that calling?”

“Sure,” Scott answered quietly.

Scott Jenson hates everything he knows about road shows, especially the cheap costumes, silly songs, and bad acting. So when he finds himself agreeing to be the road show specialist, he wonders how he can do it without becoming the biggest fool in the ward. From miscues to missed practices, Scott directs his crew of amateur actors while hoping that no one finds out about his secret.

Is there any way that this trivial road show could have a healing effect on those who participate? A pornography addict, a depressed young mother, a sick older sister, a lonely outcast, and a spiritually numb elders quorum president are about to find out.

Braden Bell is a first-time author and his new book "The Road Show" is trickling into stores now. You can read a sample, find links to reviews and learn more about the author at his website and his blog.

His book trailer is posted below:

Carole Thayne Warburton's mystery "A Question of Trust"

2010-06-19T07:04:00.000-07:00

Photojournalist Stacey Willis is working on a story that could change her career, when she stumbles upon the story that will change her life. Through a twist of fate, she becomes enmeshed in the lives of the people of tiny Grouse Creek as secrets of the past begin to unravel.

Fifty years ago there was a murder. But it's difficult for Stacey to believe that aging rancher Herman Anders could be the killer. But can she trust her boyfriend, Dave? Her engaging new friend, Sam?

She says about herself:

I'm a 50-something woman who loves the great outdoors. Besides writing, I spend my time roaming the hills and mountains in Northern Utah, making pottery, and enjoying life with my husband of 30 plus years.

My husband and I taught school in a K-10 two-room school with 24 students in the small town of Grouse Creek. The nearest grocery store was sixty miles away and most of the road was dirt and windy (still is). Much of my writing was inspired by the six years we spent living there. Now we live in Cache Valley, Utah.

You can check out Carole's musings on her blog. Her book can be purchased on Amazon.com.

Donna Hatch, "The Guise of a Gentleman"

2010-06-18T06:46:00.000-07:00

First Line: “Lady Standwish was a traitor.”

The widowed Elise is a perfect English lady living within the confines of society for the sake of her impressionable young son.

Her quiet world is shattered when she meets the impulsive and scandalous Jared Amesbury. His roguish charm awakens her yearning for freedom and adventure.

But his irrepressible grin and sea-green eyes hide a secret. A gentleman by day, a pirate by night, Jared accepts one last assignment before he can be truly free. Elise gives him hope that he, too, can find love and belonging.

His hopes are crushed when his best laid plans go awry and Elise is dragged into his world of violence and deceit. She may not suvive the revelation of Jared’s past. . . or still love him when the truth is revealed.

You can read a review of this book on Bookworm Nation.

This is the second book in the Rogue Hearts series and is available in both print and ebook formats. She has four books in print right now. To learn more about Donna and her books, you can check out her blog here, or visit her website and read an excerpt of any of her stories.

Rachel Ann Nunes' new paranormal romance, "Imprints"

2010-06-14T07:20:00.001-07:00

Do you enjoy paranormal romances and wish you could find some that weren't filled with offensive language and intimacy? Rachel Ann Nunes' newest title, Imprints, has you covered. I read this book last month and thoroughly enjoyed it. It had a tight, suspenseful plot, a sweet romance, a mystery, and well-developed, likable characters.

Here's the blurb:

Sometimes what you can't see means everything.

A young woman is missing. In desperation, her parents turn to Autumn Rain for help. Autumn reads imprints - emotions mysteriously left behind on certain treasured objects. But will this ability enrich her life or destroy it?

Autumn isn't sure - her life has become far from normal - but for people whose loved ones are missing, her talent might mean the difference between life and death. Even the infuriating Detective Martin has asked for Autumn's help, though at times she feels more like a suspect than a consultant. Too often Autumn find herself retreating to her antiques shop and the company of her best friend, Jake Ryan, to avoid notice.

But soon more than one woman is missing, and Autumn teams up with private eye Ethan McConnell to investigate their disappearance. Ethan's attraction to her is a pleasant change from Jake's frustrating offers of friendship, but once Autumn takes that first step, she sets in motion a series of events that risk not only her own life but the lives of those she cares most about.

You can read my full review of this book here, and check out the review on Mormon Times here. You can learn more about Rachel's books and what's coming up soon from this prolific author on her website or blog.

"Secret Sisters" by Tristi Pinkston

2010-05-10T18:43:00.001-07:00

Do you like a funny farce with characters you can't help but love? If so, you should definitely check out Tristi Pinkston's new book, "Secret Sisters." This light-hearted farce about a Relief Society presidency going the extra mile and beyond to figure out how to help a family in their ward is sure to bring plenty of chuckles.

If you're familiar with Tristi's historicals: Nothing to Regret, Strength to Endure, and Season of Sacrifice, or even her mystery/suspense novel, Agent in Old Lace, you'll know this new series of stories full of older women getting in hilarious capers while in the pursuit of answers to the mystery is a change of pace from her past work--and the stories she's got lined up for later in the series will be every bit as fun and entertaining.

Here's the official back cover blurb:

Ida Mae Babbitt, president of the Omni 2nd Ward Relief Society, didn't mean to become a spy. But when visiting teaching stats are low and she learns that one family under her care is in financial trouble, she'll do whatever it takes to make sure they have what they need. If that includes planting surveillance cameras in their home and watching them from a parked car in the woods, well, isn't that what any caring Relief Society president would do?

With the help of her counselors Arlette and Tansy, Ida Mae soon learns that there's more to the situation than meets the eye. It's all in a day's work for the Relief Society.

You can learn more about Tristi on her blog, or this blog, or this one, or this one, or, well, okay, so the woman likes to blog. Maybe you should just check out the full list on her profile.

Where Hearts Prosper by "Suzanne V. Reese"

2010-04-30T08:05:00.000-07:00

Where Hearts Prosper is the first book published by Suzanne V. Reese and was released late last year. Suzanne has been relatively quiet on the publicity front since she's been very distracted with her fight with breast cancer. Coming from a family where breast cancer is alarmingly prevalent myself, her struggle and frustrations are especially touching for me.

You can read a preview of this book and learn more about the author and her book on her website and keep track of her fight with breast cancer on her blog, Chocolate Daydreams.

Here's the back cover blurb:

Carmen Anderson has spent her entire life avoiding the place she grew up: the town tiny of Prosper, Arizona.

But when her teenage daughter, Paige, begins to rebel, the devoted single mother makes an impulsive decision to move back to Prosper and its wholesome values.

While Carmen is in Chicago for a business meeting. Paige is unexpected stranded in Prosper during a flood that takes out its only access bridge.

In a race to save her daughter, Carmen sets out on a desperate journey.Jeopardizing both her career and a proposal of marriage, Carmen must get to her daughter before she uncovers a painful secret--the mystery of why Carmen ran away from a people who still love her fiercely, even after years of hurtful separation.

Mystery, Suspense, Romance in Ronda Hinrichsen's book "Missing"

2010-04-28T21:45:00.000-07:00

I first 'met' Ronda Hinrichsen online three or four years ago after attending the same writer's conference. Through the email group we joined I actually read a long-ago incarnation of this story, which was captivating and interesting then, and I know has undergone massive rewrites and improvements since. Rhonda's book Missing was released last fall and her second book Trapped will be released shortly and show up in stores over the next few weeks.

Here's the back cover blurb:

A BYU-Idaho choir tour in British Columbia turns out to be anything but ordinary when soloist Stacie Cox spots a kidnapped child from Rexburg during a performance.

Before Stacie can alert the authorities, the little girl disappears. Stacie vows to find and rescue her, a choice that forces her to deal with her guilt-ridden past and another little girl that haunts her dreams.

When the handsome Matt Brennan helps Stacie in her search, she tries to resist the attraction she feels for him. Yet as he gains her friendship and trust, her resolve to never fall in love begins to crumble.

And after a series of harrowing events, Stacie must decide if she is willing to sacrifice her life--and a possible future with Matt--to save a stranger.

If you live in the Brigham City area, you can attend Ronda's opening night party next week:

My OPENING NIGHT Book Signing party for TRAPPED will be at Reflections of Utah Book Store at 47 S. Main Street, Brigham City, Utah on May 6, 2010 from 5 p.m to 7 p.m.

You can learn more about the author, her books and read an except on her website. Also, check out her blog for regular updates.

"Life is Tough--I Doubt I'll Make it out Alive" by Stacy Annderson

2010-04-28T11:25:00.000-07:00

I first met Stacy Gooch Anderson a year ago when we happened to be at our publisher's office at the same time. She was picking up books for a writer's conference that weekend, and I was dropping off my second manuscript for consideration. She was so warm and friendly, inviting me to join some email groups she was part of and asking about the status of my first book.

I've since had a few more times to speak with her in person, and get to know her online and my impression of her has own grown. This woman has so much on her plate I wonder how she's managed to keep her sanity sometimes, yet she always projects a positive outlook, expresses interest in others, and wows me in her attention to her goals. You've probably heard of her book The Santa Letters, or maybe even her Christmas picture book that was released last fall called The Legend of the Star. Unlike those works of fiction, Life is Tough--I Doubt I'll Make it out Alive is drawn off of her real life, giving a humorous look at the trials we all face in one way or another.

Here's the back cover copy from her book:

Life has been overly kind to me when it comes to handing me its lessons and forcing growth in all dimensions where once there was a young and impetuous sleepy-eyed hag.

Stacey Gooch Anderson, author of The Santa Letters, has had her share of trials as a mother. From making decisions about her career and future to dealing with illness and death in her family, she has learned that life will continue to teach her lessons in all circumstances. These lessons can be poignant, meaningful and in Stacy's case, quite humorous. Stacy reveals a life filled with laughter and wit as she chronicles her adventures of being a mother. Join her as she shared 28 life lessons that changes her perspective and helped her grow in character. Full of humor and practical advice, Life is Tough--I Doubt I'll Make it Out Alive is sure to inspire readers everywhere.

You can learn more about Stacy on her blog. Her books are available through most online retailers.

Inspirational romantic suspense by Dee Henderson

2010-04-26T10:10:00.000-07:00

I love audio books and listen to them all the time as I travel or do projects around the house. My local library is set up with Netlibrary.com, so I can download oodles of audio books for free--which I've totally loved. Unfortunately, it's gotten so hard to find books that are both engaging and free of the harsh language and sex scenes. Honestly, most of the inspirational romance I'd been exposed to in the national market I found to be insipid, but I gave Dee Henderson's work a chance and have been so pleased! Her books are all romantic suspense (at least the ones I've been exposed to so far) and involve either law enforcement/federal agents (like the FBI) or military personnel--and no, not all the tough characters are men, the women are plenty strong and inventive as well.

My first book was Danger in the Shadows, which I found complex, with a well developed romance, likable characters, and not too heavy-handed on the religion angle. Her male and female leads even had a legitimate reason to be kept apart, unlike so many books about people who have simple misunderstandings. Here's the blurb from Amazon:

Sara is terrified. She's doing the one thing she cannot afford to do: fall in love with former pro-football player Adam Black, a man everyone knows. Sara's been hidden away in the witness protection program, her safety dependent on staying invisible--and loving Adam could get her killed!

Introducing the O'Malleys, an inspirational group of seven, all abandoned or orphaned as teens, who have made the choice to become a loyal and committed family. They have chosen their own surname, O'Malley, and have stood by each other through moments of joy and heartache. Their stories are told in CBA best-selling, inspirational romantic suspense novels that rock your heart and restore strength and hope to your spirit.

You can learn more about Dee Henderson' stories including reading a first chapter here.

"Courting Miss Lancaster" by Sarah Eden--a clean Regency romance!

2010-04-13T08:29:00.001-07:00

I 'met' Sarah Eden last year when I learned about her fun "I Need Friends Friday" interviews--which she does every Friday. They're fun, quirky, and different from any other interviews I've every seen (and some of them are with fictional characters, which is also fun!) Anyway, because she loved Regency romance, but doesn't like the explicit content all of the national publishers put into theirs, she decided to write her own.

She self published several books, then after her book Seeking Persephone was a Whitney Award Finalist last year, Covenant expressed an interest in her books, and recently published Courting Miss Lancaster. They are currently considering republishing her previous books, which are out of print at the moment.

Courting Miss Lancaster came out last month. Here's the blurb:

Harry Windover adores blonde, green-eyed Athena Lancaster, but alas, a penniless man like himself has no hope of winning a young noblewoman's hand.

To add insult to injury, Athena's brother-in-law and guardian, the Duke of Kielder, has asked Harry to assist Athena in finding the gentleman of her dreams. But the lovesick Harry is cunning as well: as the weeks pass, he introduces Athena to suitors who are horrifically boring, alarmingly attached to their mothers, downright rude, astoundingly self-absorbed, and utterly ridiculous.

Athena can't comprehend why she is having so little success meeting eligible and acceptable gentlemen. Indeed, her circle of admirers couldn't be less admirable-nothing like the loyal, gentle friend she's found in Harry. But how long can Harry's scheme be hidden before it is discovered? And what will Athena do when she uncovers Harry's deception?

Escape into a charming regency world in this delightfully romantic comedy of manners that will entertain you to the very last word.

You can learn more about Sarah, her books, her writing journey, and her fun interviews on her website. Her books are available at Deseret Book, Seagull, on Amazon.com and many other places books are sold.

Just as a note, Annette Lyon wrote a great blog post yesterday about the changing face of LDS literature and how diverse it has become recently. To learn more about Sarah's book (which is mentioned) and several other new books in genres never before published in the LDS market, check out Annette's blog.

"The Adventures of Hashbrown Winters" by Frank L. Cole

2010-03-26T07:14:00.000-07:00

I've met Frank Cole before, but it wasn't until last weekend when we were part of a large group filming a music video that I really understood why this bookstore-manager come author writes books for kids--his zany sense of humor and willingness to try almost anything (even if it meant going home with bruises and strained muscles) showed that he's definitely still young at heart. Also, when he does signings, he gives away these pencils that are heat sensitive and change color where you're holding them--how cool is that?

The Adventures of Hashbrown Winters is Frank's first book, though the second one, Hashbrown Winters and the Mashimoto Madness was released recently as well.

Here's the backliner for the first book:

There I stood, hiding next to the vending machines, disguised as a potted plant. I brushed the plastic leaves from my face and stared down the hallway toward the front double doors. Snow Cone always said one day this ridiculous costume would come in handy.

Fifteen minutes had passed since the last student left for the buses, but I wasn t about to take any chances. Not with my life hanging in the balance. Leaning forward, I peered around the corner just as the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway. Was this it? Could this be him? Was I about to be pulverized by Hambone while wearing an emergency disguise I had just pulled from my locker?

Hashbrown Winters and his treehouse club of buddies are well known around Pordunce Elementary, especially after Hashbrown's seminar last year on how to give the best show and tell performances... er, presentations.

But when Hashbrown accidentally crosses Hambone Oxcart, the death dealer of Pordunce, he'll need more than just the support of his friends to survive Hambone's wrath.

Join Hashbrown, Snow Cone, Whiz, and the rest of the gang in Frank Cole s hilarious debut novel of the trials and tragedies of fifth grade life. The Adventures of Hashbrown Winters will keep kids and parents alike laughing out loud, groaning in sympathy, and turning pages until well past bedtime.

You can learn more about Frank and his books (and twisted, crazy humor) on his blog.

"Bands of Gold" by Shirley Bahlmann

2010-03-25T07:46:00.000-07:00

Shirley Bahlmann is one of the funniest ladies I know, and you're guaranteed to have a good time if she's part of the group. She's the author of 17 published books, including Bands of Gold, which I'm highlighting today. Shirley is six foot tall, and the mother of several sons, including the talented Bron Bahlmann, whose first book was released last summer, though he's only now old enough to take driver's ed. First the backliner:

It couldn't be a worse time for Mattie Jones' ex-husband to show up. Not only was he unexpected, but he's got a broken arm from a car wreck with a pregnant passenger he swears is a stranger.

Mattie's already dizzy from what she thinks is the flu, so is grateful when her fiancé offers to let her ex-husband stay at his house.

The next morning, her fiancé's livelihood is nearly destroyed.

Soon Mattie is enmeshed in serious problems with her eccentric neighbor's conniving niece, the return of her old anti-Mormon high school buddy, her daughter's scary boyfriend, a missing son, and the unexpected changes in her ex-husband's behavior. What's a girl to do?

You can learn more about Shirley's books (written in a variety of genres, time periods, and lengths) on her website, and stacks about her zany life, writing, and her family on her blog.

"The Ball's in Her Court" by Heather Justesen

2010-03-24T07:33:00.000-07:00

I'm surprised to realize how long I've been running this blog and have yet to feature my own book, and since the second one is being released this spring, I thought it high time. Some years back my husband and I did foster care, and before we started fostering I spent hundreds of hours online learning about adoption and all of the issues that arise from it. The Ball's in Her Court was written as a way for me to explore those feelings and relationships.

Here's the backliner:

She's got a great job, a loving group of family and friends and basketball skills like you wouldn't believe, but Denise DeWalt's life is far from perfect, and she's about to come face-to-face with a past she hoped to leave behind forever.

Twenty-six-year-old Denise thinks she's come to terms with her childhood in the foster care system, but when her old nightmares return, Denise realizes that she must deal with her past once and for all if she ever wants to move on to a brighter future with Rich, the only man who can see past her former life. As Denise's search leads her closer and closer to the one person she hoped she'd never have to face again, she begins to realize that her future depends on just one person--herself.

This emotional and inspirational love story proves that life is full of unexpected twists and turns--especially when it comes to facing your demons, fighting for love, and finding happiness for the future.

You can read the first chapter of this book here. Also, below is the book trailer. You can also learn more about me on my other blog, or my website. The second book (a spin-off so the books can be read completely independent of each other), Rebound, will be released in May. You can see the new cover, backliner and read the first chapter to it on my website as well.

"Dawn's Early Light" by Laurie C. Lewis

2010-03-23T07:19:00.000-07:00

Laurie C Lewis is the author of the Free Men and Dreamer's series of three books--all surrounding the early years of the newly formed United States. Volume 1 Dark Sky at Dawn, a

nd Volume 2 Twilight's Last Gleaming cover the years from 1781 to the beginning of the third book, Dawn's Early Light. Here's the backliner:

In the spring of 1814, a temporary calm settles along the Patuxent. While the British Navy skulks in the Chesapeake Bay, the Willows' families and their neighbors enjoy a brief season of peace.

That is until Napoleon is subdued.

Britain's navy re-enters the Patuxent, prepared to loose her triumphant European conquerors on America, even as peace negotiations commence in Belgium.

But weeks of relentless British attacks along the waterfront soften the will of the American militia and citizenry, leaving the voracious British military confident that victory is within their grasp. And their primary target? Washington D.C.!

While attentions turn to the defense of the Capital, Sebastian Dupree and his band of mercenaries strike the Willows. Not everyone survives, despite former enemies becoming allies, with the Willows' freed slaves to defend their homes and families.

Mere miles away, the Capital lies in peril, its defense now resting primarily upon citizen soldiers like Jed Pearson, and a most unlikely Naval force--Commodore Joshua Barney's rag-tag fleet of barges called the Chesapeake Flotilla--and the courage of Markus O'Malley and the men who built it.

But Britain's house is also divided over the war, and as the cost mounts in blood and money, rifts widen in her families and government, wearying the mind of the Earl Of Whittingham, and threatening to destroy Arthur Ramsey.

Experience the pain and passion of five families--American, slave and British--as they endure three of the darkest days in American history--the week Washington burned!

Laurie is an incredibly sweet person, and is looking forward to the publication of her fourth book, Awakening Avery, which appears to be a contemporary romance, and is being released in April. You can learn more about Laurie's books (including entering her contests promoting her new release) on her blog or her website.

"Life's Alphabet Soup" by Terri Ferran

2010-03-22T10:04:00.000-07:00

I met Terri for the first time (in person) at an Authorpalooza at Barnes and Noble this past February (though I had 'met' her online before), where she was signing this new book as it had just barely come out. Here's what she has posted about the book on her website:

Life's Alphabet Soup has 26 chapters starting with Allowance and ending with Zoomph. Each chapter begins with a Dr. Seuss-like poem as an intro. It's a glimpse into the life of a sometimes "working" and "non-working" mother of six who loves Dr. Seuss and chocolate, that will cause you to empathize, sympathize or just be thankful you are not her.

Take a break, grab some chocolate, a beverage of your choice and spend some time relaxing and chuckling at what life sometimes spits out for us to clean up.

Remember--they will grow up, move out, and give us a short window of opportunity to change the locks before they come back!

This is Terri's third book, but her first non-fiction title. Her fiction titles are Finding Faith and Having Hope. You can learn more about Terri and her books on her website or her blog.

"Deadly Treasure" by Jillayne Clements

2010-03-16T09:12:00.000-07:00

"Deadly Treasure" is Jillayne Clements' first novel, though she has a cook book coming out shortly.
Here's the blurb:

A treasure map. A locket. Murder. Deceit.

None of these things are on Lexi's mind when she returns home to Park City, Utah, for her grandfather s funeral--until she stumbles across an old diary while cleaning out his attic.

Soon Lexi's head is filled with tales of hidden treasure buried deep in the Uintah Mountains.

When the diary is stolen and Lexi realizes her life is in danger, she decides to find out if the stories are true. She heads to the Uintahs in search of the secret mine, with her handsome friend Brad by her side. With surprising twists around every corner, expect the unexpected in this thrilling tale of adventure and romance.

You can learn more about Jillayne, her book, and her cookbook on her website.

"Simply Singing Time" by Allison Palmer

2010-03-15T12:05:00.000-07:00

Have you ever searched for a book to help you planning sharing time, singing time, or other Primary activities? Allison Palmer has been producing books to help parents and Primary teacher and leaders with these things for years. Simply Singing Time is her latest volume.

Teach your children the values they need in a way they'll never forget. With these 24 fun-filled lessons you'll be singing and laughing together in no time.

This delightful new resource makes it easy for leaders, parents, and teachers alike to reinforce the lessons children are learning at church this year and helps everyone remember the songs of the gospel.

With a variety of fun activities and lots of songs to choose from, you'll never be bored by the same old songs again.

This book is available through Deseret Book, Amazon, her publisher Cedar Fort, and many other places where LDS books are sold. To learn more about Allison's collection of primary-related books, check out her website.

"The Route" by Gale Sears

2010-03-05T07:22:00.000-08:00

Unlike the previous authors I've highlighted this week, Gale Sears is no newcomer to the world of publishing. Her new book, The Route, is only one of seven books, which includes both novels and picture books. The fifth finalist in this genre is Julie Wright's Eyes Like Mine, which I posted about here.

Here's the blurb from her website:
Zipping along life's highway . . .

Fifty makes you think. Thirty makes you morose, and forty makes you panic, but fifty makes you think. Half a century, and what is my life? Does it resemble anything I dreamed at sixteen, or expected at twenty, or hoped at twenty-five? What am I doing here? . . . I thought of climbing to the top of a high mountain in Tibet to consult a wise man, but I like vacations
where there ís indoor plumbing and vegetation. Since I already attended church, I thought perhaps I could pay closer attention. Maybe I'd been missing a great fundamental truth. Well, come to find out, I had been missing something. . . .

Carol, a middle-aged wife and mother, is pondering the meaning of life. On a trip to the grocery store to find some energizing dark chocolate, she sees a sign asking for volunteers to deliver meals to the elderly. When Carol decides to take a chance and help out, she's in for a life-changing 'and route-altering' experience.

“Absolutely delightful! The Route shows all the depth and talent of Sears' previously published masterpieces in a witty, fun-filled romp full of warmth and humor. This is a book to read in one sitting 'and then run out to buy for all your friends!' ” Kerry Blair

There is scads of information about Gale, her books, and what's coming up in her life on her website.

Gravity vs The Girl by Riley Noehren

2010-03-04T07:15:00.000-08:00

Gravity vs The Girl is the first of Riley Noehren's novels, and also up for Best General Fiction.
From the back cover blurb:

Samantha Green has just spent an entire year in her pajamas, and she is beginning to regret it.

What's more, she is haunted by four ghosts that are former versions of herself. First up is the overachieving and materialistic attorney, who is furious with Samantha for throwing away the career she worked so hard to build. Second is the lackadaisical college student who is high on life but low on responsibility. Next is the melodramatic teenager, who is consumed with her social standing, teal eyeliner and teased bangs. Finally, there is the scrappy six-year old, whose only objective is to overcome gravity so that she can fly.

Samantha's ghosts alternate between fighting with each other, rallying around Samantha's budding sanity and falling in love with a string of good-for-nothing drummers. Despite her reluctance to do so, Samantha must rely on these spirits from the past to repair the present and ensure her future.

You can learn more about Riley on her website or her blog.

"No Going Back" by Jonathan Langford

2010-03-03T07:02:00.000-08:00

First, my caveat--this book deals with the difficult subject of a teen who is same-gender attracted and his struggle to deal with those feelings without going against the principles he had been taught growing up in the LDS Church. I know several people who read it with some reluctance, but found it a wonderful read and very well done. I haven't read it myself.

Here's what it says about the book on Jonathan's website:

A Coming-of-Age Novel About What It Means to Be Teenage, Mormon — and Gay

A gay teenage Mormon growing up in western Oregon in 2003. His straight best friend. Their parents. A typical LDS ward, a high-school club about tolerance for gays, and a proposed anti-gay-marriage amendment to the state constitution. In No Going Back, these elements combine in a coming-of-age story about faithfulness and friendship, temptation and redemption, tough choices and conflicting loyalties.

You can learn more about Langford and his book, including a sample chapter on his website.

"Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" by Jamie Ford

2010-03-02T10:47:00.000-08:00

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is Jamie Ford's first full-length novel. It's the first of the Whitney Award Best General Fiction finalists that I'll be highlighting this week. He also has some short fiction on his website and contributed some of the script for the graphic novel, Secret Identities.

Here is the book blurb posted on his website:

In the opening pages of Jamie Ford’s stunning debut novel, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, Henry Lee comes upon a crowd gathered outside the Panama Hotel, once the gateway to Seattle’s Japantown. It has been boarded up for decades, but now the new owner has made an incredible discovery: the belongings of Japanese families, left when they were rounded up and sent to internment camps during World War II. As Henry looks on, the owner opens a Japanese parasol.

This simple act takes old Henry Lee back to the 1940s, at the height of the war, when young Henry’s world is a jumble of confusion and excitement, and to his father, who is obsessed with the war in China and having Henry grow up American. While “scholarshipping” at the exclusive Rainier Elementary, where the white kids ignore him, Henry meets Keiko Okabe, a young Japanese American student. Amid the chaos of blackouts, curfews, and FBI raids, Henry and Keiko forge a bond of friendship–and innocent love–that transcends the long-standing prejudices of their Old World ancestors. And after Keiko and her family are swept up in the evacuations to the internment camps, she and Henry are left only with the hope that the war will end, and that their promise to each other will be kept.

Forty years later, Henry Lee is certain that the parasol belonged to Keiko. In the hotel’s dark dusty basement he begins looking for signs of the Okabe family’s belongings and for a long-lost object whose value he cannot begin to measure. Now a widower, Henry is still trying to find his voice–words that might explain the actions of his father; words that might bridge the gap between him and his modern, Chinese American son; words that might help him confront the choices he made many years ago.

Set during one of the most conflicted and volatile times in American history, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is an extraordinary story of commitment and enduring hope. In Henry and Keiko, Jamie Ford has created an unforgettable duo whose story teaches us of the power of forgiveness and the human heart.

You can learn more about Jamie's books, read his blog, and learn about his upcoming titles on his website.

"In The Company of Angels" by David Farland

2010-02-25T08:37:00.000-08:00

David Farland (who also writes under the pseudonym David Wolverton) is a former BYU professor, and has a varied career in Hollywood, writing Star Wars novels, and other original Sci-fi and Fantasy titles, in addition to this book about LDS history. He is the creator of the daily newsletter for writers, 'Daily Kick in The Pants," and speaks at lots of conferences all over the place.

He's currently in China working on a movie there--he can't give details about it right now, but I'm sure we'll be hearing a lot more about it in the future. you can learn more about his books, his speaking engagements, and sign up for his newsletter on his website. His LDS historical book, In The Company of Angels has been getting great reviews.

Here's the blurb from Amazon:

Based on the true story of the Willie Handcart Company of 1856, In the Company of Angels unfolds the triumphant tale of pioneers who struggle against unendurable hardships—persecution, buffalo stampedes, rampaging Indians, lingering starvation, and the early onset of the coldest winter in US history—to find the gentle homeland of the soul.

David Farland’s moving masterpiece echoes the drama of Gone with the Wind and the glory of Ghandi, sweeping from the green fields of Denmark to the icy peaks of the Rockies in a saga that elevates and enriches those that it touches.

In the Company of Angels tells the story of three people Eliza Gadd, Captain James Willie, and Baline Mortensen.

Eliza Gadd is the feisty, sophisticated wife of a Mormon clergyman. When her husband answers his leader’s call to abandon his cottage in England and settle in the Rocky Mountains, Eliza’s world comes apart. She may help her husband pull a handcart with everything that they own across the plains of Utah, but she won’t bring herself to bow to a god she doesn’t believe in.

Stalled by setbacks, the pioneers find themselves forced to take their journey perilously late in the season. The lives of Eliza’s children hang in the balance. But how can she reason with people who believe they are in the hands of angels, and that their leaders, like the Apostles of old, have the power to raise the dead?

Captain James Willie has given a vast fortune, all that he owns, to bring “the poorest of the poor” Mormon saints from England to Utah. Yet as he watches his people starve and the tribulations begin to mount, he finds that his prayers begin to go unanswered and his faith is challenged like Abraham's of old.

Baline Mortensen is a nine-year-old girl fleeing the intense persecution of her home in Denmark. With a child’s pure love, her greatest hope is to learn to become a servant of god—speaking the words that the angels would speak, doing the things that a saint should do. Unexpectedly, she finds herself at the heart of a storm, becoming the glue that binds this band together.

"The Last Waltz" by GG Vandagriff

2010-02-25T08:24:00.000-08:00

I already posted on H.B. Moore's book Alma here, so we'll move on to The Last Waltz by G.G. Vandagriff. I signed recently with G.G. at Barnes and Noble and had a chance to hear about the years of research and love she put into writing this book. G.G. is a multi-faceted writer with nine books in print including nonfiction books and a mystery series. You can learn more about her on her website or her blog.

In December 1913, the city of Vienna glitters with promises of the future for sought-after debutante Amalia Faulhaber. But life takes a dramatic turn when simmering political unrest escalates into the most deadly war the world has ever known.

Amalia is devastated when her fiance, Baron Eberhard von Waldburg, breaks off their engagement to return to his native Germany and obligatory military service. But she soon discovers that her passion for democracy in an increasingly fascist world has put everything she loves in danger.

Her family torn apart and improvished by the war, Amalia must now choose between an idealistic young Polish doctor, who shares her political views, and the wealthy Baron von Schoenenburg, an Austrian Cabinet minister who promises to provide safety and security in a violent, tumultuous time. Reminiscent of Gone with the Wind, this epic novel explores the nature of human character and the elusive seach for love and peace.

Gerald Lund's "Undaunted"

2010-02-23T07:40:00.000-08:00

Gerald Lund, author of The Work and the Glory series is one of the most beloved authors of LDS historical fiction ever, so it's no surprise to see his book Undaunted among the Whitney finalists this year. This is available in hard cover, e-book and CD. Here's the blurb:

When it comes to creating spellbinding historical fiction, nobody does it quite like Gerald N. Lund. In The Undaunted, he transports readers first to the coal mines of Yorkshire, then across the ocean and the plains to the territory of Utah, where, even in 1879, there is pioneering to be done.

A little-known and perhaps even less-appreciated chapter in the Church’s history comes to life in this gripping story of a stalwart group of Saints called to create a settlement to serve as a buffer between the established communities of Utah and the lawless frontier of the Four Corners area. Their challenge will be enormous — but the biggest part of it just may be getting there in the first place.

Skillfully interweaving historical figures and events with fictional characters, Gerald Lund takes us through the Hole in the Rock and over miles of uncharted country that even today is impassable without all-terrain vehicles. His account of the adventure, romance, and sacrifices of these undaunted pioneers will resonate with readers who love a good story as well as those who want to better understand the incomparable legacy and unconquerable faith of those valiant Saints.

Lund is also being awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's Whitney Awards ceremony. e doesn't appear to have a website or blog, but there are links to podcasts and several reviews on his page on the Deseret Book website. Here's the book trailer.

"Tribunal" by Sandra Grey

2010-02-22T07:23:00.000-08:00

Tribunal, by Sandra Grey is the first of the five finalists in Best Historical. This is her second book. Here's the back cover blurb.

Berlin, 1945 Major Rolf Schulmann lies close to death in a military hospital after enduring the horrors of a concentration camp. Revived from a coma through a priesthood blessing, he slowly returns to health as his fiancee, Marie Jacobson, tenderly cares for his deep physical and spiritual wounds.

Meanwhile Rolf 's best friend, SS Lieutenant Hans Brenner, begins to overcome the despair and depression of his postwar gutter-rat existence as he finds himself falling for Natalie Allred, a beautiful American nurse. But as the world's emerging superpowers race to obtain nuclear secrets, Hans becomes a pawn in the deadly game-and Natalie's freedom hangs in the balance. Rolf, unaware of their predicament, feels haunted by his Nazi past and seeks peace of conscience through the rigors of a military tribunal. Then, as tensions escalate between the United States and Russia, Rolf and Hans find themselves on opposite sides of the conflict. With vivid emotion, Tribunal explores the risks and rewards of loyalty and love in the bitter aftermath of world war.

I was unable to find a website or blog by the author, but I did find this great book review by Tristi Pinkston.

Best Speculative Fiction Finalists

2010-02-18T07:46:00.000-08:00

I've been going over and over this trying to decide what to do with these titles, because normally I wouldn't cover them on my clean books blog (maybe Wings, which I'm told you might hand to a twelve-year-old, depending on the kid). The other four books all have serious themes, some have a fair amount of violence, and I understand Warbreaker also has quite a bit of sensuality. (Again, I've read none of the books in this category, so I'm going on what I was told by another author who has read them.) Most of these books have had their movie rights optioned, which means that a production company paid them a chunk of money and called dibs (That's how Dan Wells explained it at LTUE last weekend), but they may or may not ever be turned into movies.

Since I'm highlighting Whitney finalists, I decided to do a single blog with a warning that most of these don't fall in the G to PG rating that I normally cover.

Blurb for Servant of a Dark God:

The launch of a towering new fantasy series introduces an elaborate new world, a strange and dark system of magic, and a cast of compelling characters and monsters. Young Talen lives in a world where the days of a person’s life can be harvested, bought, and stolen. Only the great Divines, who rule every land, and the human soul-eaters, dark ones who steal from man and beast and become twisted by their polluted draws, know the secrets of this power. This land’s Divine has gone missing and soul-eaters are found among Talen’s people.

The Clans muster a massive hunt, and Talen finds himself a target. Thinking his struggle is against both soul-eaters and their hunters, Talen actually has far larger problems. A being of awesome power has arisen, one whose diet consists of the days of man. Her Mothers once ranched human subjects like cattle. She has emerged to take back what is rightfully hers. Trapped in a web of lies and ancient secrets, Talen must struggle to identify his true enemy before the Mother finds the one whom she will transform into the lord of the human harvest.

I'm not going to post more about James Dashner's The Maze Runner, because I posted about that here, which includes the blurb, links to reviews and his book trailer. I'm told the trailer I linked is actually quite a bit more intense than the actual book, but again, I haven't read it yet.

Wings has gotten fabulous reviews, and I might have to go track a copy down myself! there are scads of reviews all over the Internet, including a bunch at Amazon.com. Here's the blurb:

Laurel discovers she is a faerie, sent among humans to protect the gateway to Avalon. Thrust into the midst of a centuries-old battle between faeries and trolls, she's torn between a human and a faerie love, as well as her loyalties to each world. In this extraordinary tale of magic and intrigue, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever.

You can learn more about Aprilynne, her books, read her blog, and catch up on her latest news on her website.

I had to check about six websites before I finally found a back cover blurb for this book.

Warbreaker is the story of two sisters, who happen to be princesses, the God King one of them has to marry, the lesser god who doesn’t like his job, and the immortal who’s still trying to undo the mistakes he made hundreds of years ago.

Their world is one in which those who die in glory return as gods to live confined to a pantheon in Hallandren’s capital city and where a power known as BioChromatic magic is based on an essence known as breath that can only be collected one unit at a time from individual people.

By using breath and drawing upon the color in everyday objects, all manner of miracles and mischief can be accomplished. It will take considerable quantities of each to resolve all the challenges facing Vivenna and Siri, princesses of Idris; Susebron the God King; Lightsong, reluctant god of bravery, and mysterious Vasher, the Warbreaker.

I Am Not A Serial Killer is actually a horror novel, so yes, there will definitely be violence, and according to the author himself, some of it is graphic. This book was released in England last year with a red cover, but is coming out in the USA with this cover very soon.

Here's the blurb:
John Wayne Cleaver is dangerous, and he knows it.

He’s spent his life doing his best not to live up to his potential.

He’s obsessed with serial killers, but really doesn’t want to become one. So for his own sake, and the safety of those around him, he lives by rigid rules he’s written for himself, practicing normal life as if it were a private religion that could save him from damnation.

Dead bodies are normal to John. He likes them, actually. They don’t demand or expect the empathy he’s unable to offer. Perhaps that’s what gives him the objectivity to recognize that there’s something different about the body the police have just found behind the Wash-n-Dry Laundromat---and to appreciate what that difference means.

Now, for the first time, John has to confront a danger outside himself, a threat he can’t control, a menace to everything and everyone he would love, if only he could.

Dan Wells’s debut novel is the first volume of a trilogy that will keep you awake and then haunt your dreams.

'The Chosen One" by Carol Lynch Williams

2010-02-17T10:14:00.001-08:00

The Chosen One is the last of the Youth Fiction category for the Whitney awards. Author Carol Lynch Williams has published ten other books and is no newcomer to the world or fiction.

I had trouble finding the backliner copy for this book at first, but most of it is in the book review below.

From Booklist: Taking a story “ripped from the headlines,” Williams looks inside a polygamist cult and the dangers it poses for one girl. Kyra and her father, three mothers, and 20 siblings live in an isolated community under the thumb of a prophet, who controls every aspect of his apostles’ lives. The most shocking intrusion of all comes when the prophet decrees that Kyra is to become the wife of her 60-year-old uncle. A secret patron of a local mobile library, Kyra knows there’s a world away from the compound she might escape to, but first she pins her hopes on her father’s ability to change the prophet’s mind.

Instead, her family is threatened, and the stakes for her refusal to marry are raised. The clandestine relationship Kyra is having with one of the compound’s teenage boys is a romance more convenient than convincing (everyone is carefully watched except this duo, it seems). Contrivances notwithstanding, this is a heart pounder, and readers will be held, especially as the danger escalates. Williams’ portrayals of the family are sharp, but what’s most interesting about this book is how the yearnings and fears of a character so far from what most YAs know will still seem familiar and close. Grades 7-10. --Ilene Cooper

As you can see, the book deals with some serious issues, so even though this is geared for 7th grade on up, please be aware of what your kids are reading, and be available to discuss it with them afterward.

The author has a website, but it is still under construction with very little information on it. Thanks to Lu Ann Staheli for pointing out Carol's blog address here. There is also a blog interview with her about this book located here.

"Bright Blue Miracle" by Becca Wilhite

2010-02-16T09:32:00.000-08:00

When I saw this book in the Whitney finalist lineup I thought I hadn't heard of it before, but when I read the back liner, I realized it was familiar after all. Here's the blurb:

Seventeen-year-old Leigh Mason is not sure she is ready to share her mom, her bedroom, and her little sisters with her new stepsister, Betsy. And she's definitely not ready to share her best friend, who happens to be a boy! Coping with a blended family is not easy for either Leigh or Betsy, especially during their senior year in high school. Each step brings them nearer to a crisis that will either send them running in different directions or bind them firmly together (which, let s face it, would take a miracle). Bright Blue Miracle is a new young adult novel that has everything a girl wants: a hero (more specifically, a really cute boy), a villain (who happens to be a stepsister), comedy, despair, pedicures, ice cream, love, hate, tennis, revenge, and, of course, a couple of surprises that might send you for some tissues.

Bright Blue Miracle is Becca Wilhite's first book, though her second one, My Ridiculous, Romantic Obsession is now available for pre-order on Amazon as it isn't being released for a few more weeks. I was happy to find out her book is at my library, so if I can squeeze in enough time before the April due date, I'll have to read the youth Whitney finalists too!

You can check out her blog to learn more about her, her books, and her thoughts on life in general.

"My Fair Godmother" by Janette Rallison

2010-02-15T08:02:00.000-08:00

I love Janette Rallison's books--her characters are fun and well rounded, her story lines engaging, and there's plenty of fun and laughter. I'm actually quite shocked I didn't highlight this YA book on this blog already. She's another finalist for best youth book in the Whitney's.

Finding your one true love can be a Grimm experience!

After her boyfriend dumps her for her older sister, sophomore Savannah Delano wishes she could find a true prince to take her to the prom. Enter Chrissy (Chrysanthemum) Everstar: Savannah’s gum-chewing, cell phone–carrying, high heel-wearing Fair Godmother. Showing why she’s only Fair—because she’s not a very good fairy student—Chrissy mistakenly sends Savannah back in time to the Middle Ages, first as Cinderella, then as Snow White. Finally she sends Tristan, a boy in Savannah’s class, back instead to turn him into her prom-worthy prince. When Savannah returns to the Middle Ages to save Tristan, they must team up to defeat a troll, a dragon, and the mysterious and undeniably sexy Black Knight. Laughs abound in this clever fairy tale twist from a master of romantic comedy.

Check out Janette's website, which has links to her book trialers, information on each of her books, her blog, and other fun facts.

And here's her book trailer!

"Fablehaven IV: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary" by Brandon Mull

2010-02-12T22:14:00.000-08:00

Brandon Mull's Fablehaven series has been inspiring kids for years now, and is about to come to an end next month with book five is released. However, between now and then, you can turn your attention to the first four books, including the Whitney finalist Fablehaven IV: Secret of the Dragon Sanctuary.

Here's the blurb:

Brace yourself for a shocking secret.

Two hidden artifacts have been found. Three more remain unrecovered. More preserves face destruction as the Society of the Evening Star relentlessly pursues new talismans. Reading in Patton’s Journal of Secrets, Kendra learns the location of the key to a vault housing one of the artifacts. In order to retrieve it, the Knights of the Dawn must enter a death trap — a dragon sanctuary called Wyrmroost. The mission cannot proceed without stealing a sacred object zealously guarded by the centaurs. Anybody seen Seth?

Brandon's website is fun and filled with great information, games and video clips. It also contains extra materials for parents and teachers to help you teach your kids while they enjoy reading his books.

Also up for the title of Best Youth Fiction in this year's Whitney's is Jessica Day George's Princess of the Midnight Ball, My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison, Bright Blue Miracle by Becca Wilhite, and The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams. I'll get to the last three next week.

"Altered State" by Gregg Luke

2010-02-11T09:19:00.001-08:00

Altered State is the last of the Mystery/Suspense finalists for the Whitney Awards. This is Gregg Luke's fourth published book, and he's expecting another one to come out this summer.

Homer and Morgan Winegar believe they may have finally found happiness in the quiet college town in which they have settled. Perhaps now in their new life together with Morgan’s nine-year-old son, they can each leave a troubled past behind.

But when Morgan’s psychology students begin exhibiting bizarre behavior, the couple quickly becomes entangled in an experiment headed for catastrophe. Someone is illegally administering a mind-altering drug to unwitting students. With the potential for millions of dollars in profits on the line, the pharmaceutical designers are more than willing to set aside morals to test the limits of the subconscious and mind control.

As the growing ranks of test subjects fulfill increasingly disturbing commands, Homer and Morgan race to discover who’s pulling the strings—and how they are doing it. But as the final stages of research point to a deadly calamity, events from the past threaten to shatter the couple’s fragile trust—just as they need it most. Will they be able to overcome the forces that threaten to pull them apart and find a way to stop the impending tragedy?

You can learn more about this author and his books on his website. Here's one review, you can find more on his website:

"Gregg Luke has done it again! What a fantastic read. I don't hand out those 5's too often, but this was definitely deserved! He has a gift of being able to make you love characters, give you a dynamic and interesting plot, AND give you an intense suspense- no way is it predictable or ordinary! Love it!!! -Hillary, LDS Women's Book Review

Betsy Brannon Green's "Murder by the Book"

2010-02-10T16:19:00.001-08:00

Betsy Brannon Green is one of the best-loved writers of mystery and suspense books in the LDS market. Author of at least seventeen titles, her latest is "Murder by the Book," another of this year's Whitney Award finalists.

Small-town librarian Kennedy Killingsworth thought that Midway, Georgia, was the dullest place on earth-until a fateful day that begins with a speeding ticket and ends with a suicide. The ticket comes from Kennedy's ex-husband, Deputy Cade Burrell, who seems desperate to find any reason to talk to Kennedy ever since his scandalous affair. And the suicide victim is Foster Scoggins, the leathery- faced resident who applied for a library card just hours before his gruesome death.

Rumors fly that Foster took his life after being jilted by a mysterious love interest. But as the investigation unfolds, murder becomes the name of the game, and anyone might be a player-including the four men who recently started competing for Kennedy's attention. Could the killer be Cade, who's been more interested in her since the divorce than he ever was when they were married? Drake Langston, the dazzling billionaire who needed Foster's cooperation to land a major development deal? Drake's construction boss, Sloan, whose powerful build makes him a perfect suspect for the crime? Or could it be Luke Scoggins-Foster's hazel-eyed nephew, the charming ex-Marine whom Kennedy just might be falling for?

In Murder by the Book, celebrated suspense novelist Betsy Brannon Green skillfully weaves a rich tale of intrigue and romance in a Southern town that-for the time being-is anything but dull.

You can learn more about the author, her books and what she's up to now on her website and blog.

"Lemon Tart" by Josi Kilpack and links to other finalists

2010-02-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

I just realized that in previous posts I already blogged on the rest of the Whitney romance finalists All the Stars in Heaven by Michele Paige Holmes, Illuminations of the Heart by Joyce DiPastena, and Santa Maybe by Aubrey Mace, and Previously Engaged by Elodia Strain (click any of the links to see those posts). So I'll be moving on to the Murder/Suspense category today.

And, lookee there, I've hit several of those as well. This is where I posted on Traci Hunter Abramson's book Lockdown, And here's is Stephanie Black's Methods of Madness. I did post on Josi Kilpack's second culinary mystery, English Trifle, but never mentioned the one that finaled: Lemon Tart, which was the first in her series.

First, the blurb from Deseretbook.com, and bonus recipe:

A recipe for murder!

5 families living on Peregrine Circle
1 flowered curtain tieback
1 missing child
1 body in the field

Mix with a long list of suspects and top with two very different detectives. Increase heat until only the truth remains.

Award-winning author Josi S. Kilpack introduces a new series of culinary "cozies" that is sure to tantalize mystery lovers. In this debut volume, cooking aficionado-turned-amateur detective, Sadie Hoffmiller, tries to solve the murder of Anne Lemmon, her beautiful young neighbor - a single mother who was mysteriously killed while a lemon tart was baking in her oven. At the heart of Sadie's search is Anne's missing two-year-old son, Trevor. Whoever took the child must be the murderer, but Sadie is certain that the police are looking at all the wrong suspects - including her!

Armed with a handful of her very best culinary masterpieces, Sadie is determined to bake her way to proving her innocence, rescuing Trevor, and finding out exactly who had a motive for murder.

Mom’s Lemon Tart
Crust
1 cup all- purpose flour
1/3 cup powdered sugar
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter (cut into smaller pieces)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a food processor or mixer, combine ingredients for crust. Pulse together until a dough starts to form in clumps. Press into tart pan, making sure to cover bottom and sides evenly. Pierce the bottom of the crust with a fork and place in freezer for 10 to 15 minutes. Place tart pan on a cookie sheet and bake until crust is a golden-brown color, approximately 12 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.

Filling
5 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 large lemons—DO NOT use concentrated lemon juice)
2 large eggs
Zest from one lemon (get zest from lemon before juicing)

Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. Mix cream cheese with electric beaters until smooth. Add sugar. Mix until well blended. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each egg. Stop and scrape bowl halfway through. Add the lemon juice and zest and mix until smooth.

Pour filling into tart crust and bake on cookie sheet for 20 to 30 minutes or until filling is set. Let tart cool on wire cooling rack. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled. Use whipped cream as an optional topping. It can be piped on instars or served on top with each piece. For extra flavor in the whipped cream, add a teaspoon of lemon zest.

One interesting thing to note, Josi has a collection of testers across the country who help her try out and refine her recipes in her books, so you don't need to worry about them tasting yummy.

You can learn more about this talented and multi-faceted author on her website or blog. Her latest book in the Sadie Hoffmiller series, Devil's Food Cake has just been released and she's having a launch party this week--but you'll have to check out her blog for details.

2009 Whitney Award Finalist, "Counting the Cost" by Liz Adair

2010-02-08T07:00:00.000-08:00

As you can see in my sidebar, the 2009 Whitney Award Finalists have been announced. You can get a full explanation for what the awards are here. But just as a quick explanation, the awards are for books written by authors who are LDS. Most of the titles were written with an LDS audience in mind, but there are many exceptions to this list, but rest assured, all titles are appropriate for LDS audiences. Over the next six weeks I'll be telling a little more about each of the books and authors so you'll be able to decide if the books are just right for you or someone you know.

Today's book is Counting the Cost, by Liz Adair. This is one of the Romance genre finalists. First, the blurb:

For handsome, hard-riding cowhand, Heck Benham, life is as solid as the New Mexico countryside he loves, as predictable as the annual spring roundup. Yet, that all changes when Mrs. Ruth Reynolds moves from back east into his homeland and into his heart.

The stark contrast in their lives is played out in a territory that is, itself, coming into its own. As Ruth and Heck face a trail of pivotal, life-changing decisions, their love is challenged at every turn. What will it cost them before they find what is most important in life?

With strong characters, true-to-life emotion, gentle humor, meticulous attention to detail and historical accuracy, Liz Adair paints a passionate tale of love and learning, of romance and redemption.

Liz is the author of six books, is a wife, mother, grandmother, former business woman, public speaker, seminary teacher, and family history enthusiast. You can learn more about her on her website, her blog, or her profile through Deseret Book.

Check out her book trailer!

"Depth of Deceit" by Betty Briggs

2010-02-04T14:48:00.000-08:00

Here's a book released last fall by author Betty Briggs that I just stumbled across. Sounds great doesn't it?

How does an intelligent woman find herself mired in a web of deception, abuse, and danger?

Stephanie Saunders is a lovely young attorney with a big heart, keen mind, and a trust in others that nearly proves disastrous. Her handsome and wealthy boyfriend strikes her as perfect, but is he too good to be true? Her boss hovers around her like a protector and friend, but is he? Stephanie’s work focuses on defending the indigent, and one client earns her trust and friendship, but why is he showing up at the oddest places? It seems that she can trust only the horses she trains and loves, magnificent beasts who remind her of life’s purposes and meaning.

In a dramatic turn of events, Stephanie must make a decision that will affect her life forever. While fans of the author’s earlier novels will be thrilled to discover a familiar character, this novel stands alone in plot and dramatic impact.

You can learn more about the author at her website. and take a moment to check out her book trailer.

This book was published by Sunrise Selections and can be purchased at Amazon.com. The ISBN: 978-0965630757 and it is 352 pages, 5x8, softcover.

Mormon Mishaps and Mischief: Hilarious Stories for Saints

2009-12-31T21:21:00.000-08:00

I admit, I do actually have a tie to this book. My friends, D.N. Giles and C.L. Beck are the ones who complied this collection of funny anecdotes--one of which was written by me. There are well over a hundred funny stories bound to tickle your funny bone, however, so don't let that deter you.

First, the blurb:

Whoever thought sacrament meeting could be so silly? In Mormon Mishaps and Mischief you'll find a unique collection of hilarious short stories from celebrated LDS authors that turn the spotlight on ordinary members to illuminate the lighter side of Mormondom. Whether it's the annual Primary program or a simple Sunday school prayer, you'll soon find that ?where two or three are gathered together? . . . there's bound to be potential for some humor. Cure your family's Sunday afternoon doldrums with a little dose of mishaps and mischief.

This book is still trickling into stores, though Deseret Book has picked it up, so it should arrive on shelves there soon. It can already be ordered through Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, the publisher, Cedar Fort, and direct from the authors on one of their blogs. You can learn more about the authors at one any of their various blogs, which you can find here, here, here, here, and here (among others).

GG Vandagriff's murder mystery, "The Hidden Branch"

2009-12-16T20:18:00.000-08:00

Paul Mardian is a shining example of the American dream. The grandson of an Armenian immigrant who fled to the United States during the genocide of 1915, Paul is a self- made industrial tycoon and one of the most eligible bachelors in the country. But the dream is shattered when Paul turns up dead and his valuable collection of ancient Armenian artifacts goes missing.

Hired to find the murdered man's heirs, professional genealogist Alexandra Campbell and her sidekick, Briggie, are brought to the swanky beaches of Southern California and a community of Armenian relatives who all seem to be hiding a secret.

When another family member is suddenly murdered, Alex discovers there is more at stake than an unclaimed fortune or missing antiques, but piecing together Paul's complicated family tree may be more dangerous than she ever anticipated. Author G. G. Vandagriff combines mystery, suspense, and romance in this page- turning thriller!

Vandagriff has four other books out which are unrelated to this series, which you can learn about on her website. She also has a blog she updates regularly. Her books are available everywhere LDS books are sold.

________________

I had a great signing in Beaver earlier tonight, and I have a few more this week. Friday evening I'll be in Nephi at Mt Nebo Thriftway from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Saturday I'll be at Kent's Market in Ephraim from 10-2 and Manti Market from 3-7.

"Bone Warriors" by Bron Bahlmann

2009-12-11T05:12:00.000-08:00

Not only is Bron a teenager, but he's a great writer too. He's been writing since he was eleven, and his book was released last summer.

Here's the blurb for his book, Bone Warriors:

CRAVING POWER AND LUSTING FOR HUMAN SOULS, the wicked necromancer sweeps the land, leaving behind nothing but death and devastation. RETURNING HOME, fifteen-year-old Derrik and his friend Tweaks find their homes burning and families missing. They immediately embark on a rescue quest for redemption and retaliation. Such evil cannot be allowed to roam exempt. SINISTER GIANTS, colossal green jungle cats, and undead monsters confront them as Derrik and Tweaks encounter inconceivable threats in the forbidden woods, as well as gain unlikely allies. THE BOYS SOON REALIZE that their only hope to save their families comes from the very creature they cannot trust. But they re running out of time. How can they put an end to the necromancer s terrifying reign?

You can learn more about this teen wonder at his website, his blog, or check out this fun video about him.

"Just One Wish" by Janette Rallison

2009-12-10T20:41:00.000-08:00

Seventeen-year-old Annika Truman knows about the power of positive thinking. With a little brother who has cancer, it’s all she ever hears about. And in order to help Jeremy, she will go to the ends of the earth (or at least as far as Hollywood) to help him believe he can survive his upcoming surgery.

But Annika’s plan to convince Jeremy that a magic genie will grant him any wish throws her a curveball when he unexpectedly wishes that his television idol would visit him.

Annika suddenly finds herself in the desperate predicament of getting access to a hunky star actor and convincing him to come home with her. Piece of cake, right? Janette Rallison’s proven talent for laugh-out-loud humor, teen romance, and deep-hearted storytelling shines in a novel that will have readers laughing and crying at the same time.

Check out Janette's book trailer for this story--it's just been posted.

You can learn more about Janette and her books at her website. You can also see this video she did about her experience with writing this book.

"Bright Ideas for Young Women Leaders" by Trina Boice

2009-11-22T09:02:00.000-08:00

Looking for ideas for your Young Women's organization? Check out Trina Boice's book, Bright Ideas for Young Women Leaders.

Being a Young Women leader requires the eloquence of a Gospel Doctrine teacher, the compassion of a Relief Society president, and the stamina of a Scoutmaster, rolled into one!

On top of that, you are also expected to come up with activity ideas each week. Thankfully, this book provides wonderful ideas on all aspects of the Young Women program. Inside you will find valuable insights on:

Structuring Personal Progress
Implementing the Young Women values
Organizing Girls Camp
Planning New Beginnings and Young Women in Excellence
Providing leadership instruction
Increasing Parental Support
Seasonal celebrations
Utilizing Internet resources
Ideas for Youth Conference
Plus 20 other topics!

Trina has lots of other great non-fiction titles. Check out her website to learn more.

"An Angel on Main Street" by Kathi Oram Peterson

2009-11-18T08:59:00.000-08:00

Every year we see a new crop of Christmas stories that warm the heart and remind us what the season is really about. Kathi Oram Peterson's newest book, An Angel on Main Street is one of those special holiday offerings.

Micah Connors, his mother, and little sister have only been living in Bolton, Idaho for a few weeks, but Christmas, 1953 is not looking to be a happy one. Micah's dad died in the recent war and his mom struggles just to put food on the table. Added to that, they moved to Bolton to get Micah away from some friends who were headed down the wrong road, and his little sister, Annie, is very sick. They've had to sell all of their nice furniture to pay for her medical bills and while Micah could seriously use a new coat and shoes, he's not complaining because he's trying to be the man of the house.

When the sheriff catches Micah in the wrong place at the wrong time, they makes a deal to keep it a secret from Micah's mom. Then a mysterious stable and nativity figures begin to appear in the island at the intersection in front of Micah's building, and he begins a quest to find out who's putting it there.

Through bad choices, bad timing, and a Christmas miracle or two, this book will touch your heart and make you yearn to bring the real reason for the season back into your home. At only 99 pages, this story is just the right length to curl up with for an hour or so of relaxation.

This is the second of Kathi Oram Peterson's books. You can learn more about the author at her website or her blog. Her books are available on Amazon, Seagull Book, Deseret Book, and many, many other stores. Check out one of her sites to see which stops are on her book tour this month!

"How to Stuff a Wild Zucchini" by Heather Horrocks

2009-11-12T18:59:00.001-08:00

I've heard great things about this book, but haven't had time to read it yet myself. Here's the blurb:

Sophisticated New York playwright Lori Scott feels like a failure when her producer boyfriend calls it quits on both their relationship and her first play. On a dare, she throws a dart at a map and ends up moving to Brigham City, Utah, where she plans to set aside writing, religion, and men to focus on her new career substituting as The Garden Guru for the local paper. But fate has something else in mind. When she accidentally lights her house on fire, Lori has no idea of the sparks that lie ahead.

Will she be able to resist the charm and persistence of local firefighting hero John Wayne Walker? Will old hurts and fears cause her to turn her back on the best thing that’s ever happened to her? Author Heather Horrocks brings a fresh, fun voice to this delightful contemporary romance about following your heart, finding true love, and wrestling with a basket full of zucchini!

Heather is also the author of Women Who Knew the Mortal Messiah, and Men Who Knew the Mortal Messiah. Check out her website for more information about her books, to learn about her (she lived in the Middle East for a time), and see what else she has up her sleeve.

"Family Home Evening Adventures", by Rebecca Irvine

2009-11-08T22:24:00.000-08:00

You may have heard of Rebecca Irvine's first book, Adventures with the Word of God. She's recently followed it up her second book, Family Home Evening Adventures--a guide to help you plan your Family Home Evening activities. Each month you'll find a theme with song suggestions, suggested Friend articles, a game or activity, a thought-provoking quote and a fun treat idea that goes with the theme. The book also contains a sheet and ideas for planning for success for your Monday nights.

This is what the publisher has to say about the book (aka the back-cover blurb):

Take the stress out of family home evening scripture study.
It s Monday night, and you re ready for another fun-filled, family activity. Family Home Evening Adventures is the perfect way to keep your children focused on the scriptures to build their testimonies. Filled with 12 fun seasonal activities, puzzles, questions, and lessons, this book lets you effectively plan for the entire year with a theme for each month.

Your children will learn gospel topics such as

Reverence
Love at Home
The Atonement
Feasting Upon the Word
Preparing for Baptism and others.

With this handy helper, parents can teach children to actively learn from the scriptures and increase their individual testimonies during family home evening.

To learn more, visit Rebecca's blog. This book is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and everywhere else LDS books are sold.

"As Time Goes By" by Jerry Borrowman

2009-11-03T09:23:00.000-08:00

As German bombs fall over London and England is drawn into war, members of the Carlyle family are forced to make choices that will deeply affect their lives-and the lives of thousands of others. Family patriarch Philip, a member of the House of Lords and a confidant of Winston Churchill, has been struggling for the esteem of his peers since joining the LDS Church. As he slowly gains acceptance, little does Philip realize there is someone very close to him who would like to see him destroyed-even if it means taking the entire country down with him.

As the Carlyles scatter across three continents, family divisions hewn by supposed political beliefs grow wider than the geographical distance that separates them, and it seems the family will never be together again. In this time when safety is only momentary, for one member of the Carlyle family perhaps the most dangerous enemy is himself.

An unforgettable reading experience, this poignant tale of World War II from acclaimed author Jerry Borrowman is a stirring tribute to the remarkable survival of the human spirit.

Jennie Hansen had this to say in here review (the full thing can be read here). This is a fast-paced, gripping novel, perhaps Borrowman’s best. It is well-researched by researchers on both sides of the ocean and carries powerful messages concerning the value of freedom, family loyalty, duty, and both the strengths and weaknesses of individuals.

This is the third title of four in this series by Borrowman, who now has eight published books. You can learn more about the books, read excerpts, and learn more about the author on his website.

"The Elf and the Princess" by Anna del C. Dye

2009-11-02T09:24:00.000-08:00

Monday is YA fantasy day, so here's a book I heard about this week. First, the blurb from the author's website:

Menarm was a well-known and prosperous kingdom. Then a bitter struggle of succession left the kingdom devastated, the people divided.

Now Adren, the last princess of the vanquished realm of Menarm, finds herself alone in a world where women live in the shadow of men. Not only must she battle her enemies, but also a truth that could obliterate her last hope for happiness. On her quest, she finds unlikely allies in a powerful prince and a defiant mercenary, only to be devastated by an ancient elf. Will Adren survive this final assault?

Anna’s in-depth character development makes The Elf and the Princess a brilliant tale of true love, high adventure, and medieval-style warfare. Drawing inspiration from such writers as J.R.R. Tolkien, Anna spins a completely original tale that will leave the reader wanting more.

This is the first in a trilogy which includes Trouble in Elf City and Elfs in a Conquered Realm, all of which are now available for purchase at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. You can learn more about these books and the author at her website.

C.Z. Bezas, "Powerful Tips for Powerful Teachers"

2009-11-01T09:24:00.000-08:00

The "well" has run dry — I feel so burned out.

Why won't they listen to me?

Am I getting through at all?

Ever had these thoughts? If so, you're not alone! Whether you have been called to work with youth, or are a parent, teaching teens can be a most exhilarating, yet demanding commitment. Powerful Tips for Powerful Teachers is a crucial guide to working with today's dynamic youth. Compelling, yet simple, these tips will help you burst beyond fatigue and frustration, launching you toward powerful moments with today's young men and women.

C.S. Bezas has drawn together a variety of preparation tools to help you succeed in your efforts to help the teens under your stewardhip find their spiritual wings. Covering topics like No Throwaway Kids, Spiritual Bumblebees, Dissension in the Classroom, and The Language of the Spirit, this book is filled with thought-provoking essays and reflective questions. Powerful Tips for Powerful Teachers is sure to keep your "well" fresh and full of the living waters of gospel inspiration.

The previous bit was the blurb from the book. I'm thinking with an intro like that, I'm totally going to have to buy it because teaching any age group can be a challenge at times--and my CTR 8s are no exception! The book is available all over the place online. You can check out Cindy's website here to read reviews, learn about her other books, check out her blog and favorite links.

Stephanie Black's "Methods of Madness"

2009-10-31T09:43:00.000-07:00

Though I don't know that the book exactly qualifies for Halloween horror, I understand Stephanie Black's latest tale will keep your pulse racing to the exciting conclusion. Stephanie won a Whitney Award last year for her mystery/suspense book, Fool Me Twice, and has a reputation for delivering plenty of twists and turns along the way.

The blurb:

It’s been three years since the terrible night Emily Ramsey suffered a double tragedy—the death of her sister and the disappearance of her fiancé. She deserves another chance at happiness, and gentle, adorable Zach Sullivan is the perfect man to mend her shattered heart. But from the moment Emily opens the hand-carved box holding a glittering diamond solitaire, she’s seized by an unshakeable fear: she’s going to lose Zach.

That’s exactly what Monica, Zach’s ex-girlfriend, is banking on. Bitter with envy, Monica will stop at nothing to sabotage Zach and Emily’s romance. Troubling notes show up in Emily’s mailbox, fanning the flames of suspicion. A bloody photograph sends her reeling. But when someone is brutally murdered, will Emily be able to escape suspicion and the possibility that she might be next?

Whitney Award–winning author Stephanie Black treats readers to another of her brilliantly thrilling stories that will leave the reader no choice but to keep reading well past the stroke of midnight.

You can learn more about Stephanie at her blog, or her website.

"Princess of the Midnight Ball" by Jessica Day George

2009-10-30T09:12:00.000-07:00

Jessica Day George has only been publishing for a few years, but already has several fantastic, successful titles out, the last of which is Princess of the Midnight Ball. I haven't read this book yet, but have heard wonderful things about it from friends who have. Don't you just love the cover? First, the blurb on this fractured fairytale:

A tale of twelve princesses doomed to dance until dawn…

Galen is a young soldier returning from war; Rose is one of twelve princesses condemned to dance each night for the King Under Stone. Together Galen and Rose will search for a way to break the curse that forces the princesses to dance at the midnight balls. All they need is one invisibility cloak, a black wool chain knit with enchanted silver needles, and that most critical ingredient of all—true love—to conquer their foes in the dark halls below. But malevolent forces are working against them above ground as well, and as cruel as the King Under Stone has seemed, his wrath is mere irritation compared to the evil that awaits Galen and Rose in the brighter world above. Captivating from start to finish, Jessica Day George’s take on the Grimms’ tale The Twelve Dancing Princesses demonstrates yet again her mastery at spinning something entirely fresh out of a story you thought you knew.

JESSICA DAY GEORGE studied at Brigham Young University, and worked as a librarian and bookseller before writing full time. She now lives with her family in Salt Lake City, Utah. You can learn more about Jessica at her website.

"Santa Maybe," by Aubrey Mace

2009-10-29T13:59:00.000-07:00

Aubrey Mace, winner of the 2008 Whitney Award for Best Romance, is at it again with her new Christmas romance, Santa Maybe. This is Aubrey's third book in under two years (My Fairy Grandmother, being the other title). You can read the blurb here:

Dear Santa,
I've been a good girl this year. (Well . . . pretty good.) I have a nice life and there's only one thing that I really want one thing that's missing. If you happen to have an extra one lying around your workshop, I would really like a husband. I promise to take good care of him.
Love, Abbie

With a successful bakery to run, super cute nieces and nephews to spoil, and plenty of good friends to keep her company, Abbie s not about to start crying over the fact that she s doesn't have a boyfriend to spend Christmas with. But when her sister convinces her to write a note to Santa, Abbie has no idea that a little Christmas magic is about to land her the man of her dreams. Or rather, that man is about to land smack dab on the floor in front of her Christmas tree with no memory of how he got there.

Now Abbie and Ben have to figure out where he came from, who he really is, and if he's actually available.

Aubrey Mace, the award-winning author of Spare Change, has done it again! This light-hearted holiday romance is sure to please even the most cynical scrooge. Told with humor, sweetness, and Aubrey's signature wit, this is one Christmas story that will keep you smiling all year round.

You can learn more about the author and her books at her website or her blog.

Tristi's Pinkston's mystery/romantic suspense novel "Agent in Old Lace"

2009-10-28T09:35:00.000-07:00

Tristi Pinkston is the author of three other books--all historical fiction--and contributed to a couple of other books, which you can learn all about on her website. This book was a change of direction for the author, but a great read. The blurb follows:

Shannon Tanner has it all a perfect family, a perfect job, and a perfect boyfriend. Or so she thinks. What Shannon doesn't know is that her boyfriend, Mark, is stealing money from her father and making millions doing it. When Shannon learns Mark's secret, he turns on her, and Shannon's life abruptly goes from perfect to perilous.

In an effort to protect Shannon, the FBI assigns their only female agent to go undercover as her personal bodyguard. But when the agent is injured the day before the assignment, they turn to the next best thing: their top agent, Rick Holden in a dress.

Life seems safe again for Shannon with Rick by her side and Mark apparently gone for good. Then Shannon gets word that her best friend has been kidnapped, and it becomes clear that Mark isn't going to stop any time soon. Shannon realizes the only way to save herself and her friend and stop Mark once and for all is by sending Rick, her only source of protection, away. Can Rick save Shannon before it's too late?

You can learn more about Tristi at her website, or her blog (one of several). Tristi has a humorous mystery series she's working on as well, the first of which will be released next March.

Western Historical "Trail of Storms" by Marsha Ward

2009-10-27T10:14:00.000-07:00

Marsha Ward has been writing for decades and has had over 900 articles, short stories, poems, and newspaper columns printed. She is the founder of ANWA, the American Night Writer's Association, a group for women with an every-growing membership. She is known for her engaging westerns. Here's the blurb for her latest, Trail of Storms.

Jessie Bingham put heartbreak away to tend to her sister's needs, but when she settled for second best in love, she didn't foresee that James Owen would come back into her life.

The aftermath of the Civil War creates cruel circumstances for the Bingham family. A brutal attack on Jessie's sister, Hannah Fletcher, drives the extended family to flee to the West. They are soon joined by Heppie Bingham's beau George and his brother, Ned, who bring news that the Binghams are being pursued by cronies of Hannah's attacker. Even after they fight off that onslaught, poverty, bad weather, and Hannah's frightful secret plague their journey. Nursing her battered heart when she hears James Owen took a wife, Jessie accepts Ned's offer of marriage. But a stop on the trail holds surprises that launch Jessie into a bewildering tangle of values, emotions, and high adventure.

REVIEW by Shirley Bahlmann, author of the "Odds" pioneer series
Marsha Ward has the uncanny ability to transport readers back in time. You feel the characters' sorrows, hate the villains, cheer the heroes, and sit on the edge of your seat as one adventure after another unfolds. What a satisfying story this is, with real, believable trials and heart-warming conclusions. I recommend it to everyone, from history buffs to adventure lovers to romance readers.

Trail of Storms is the third book in a series about the Owen family of Virginia and their neighbors. If you prefer to read in sequence, read The Man from Shenandoah first. However, each book stands alone.You can read a first chapter of Trail of Storms here, learn more about the author, get links to her blog and many other interesting things at her website here. You can read a review of this book (which I haven't read yet) here.

"FarWorld book 2: Land Keep" by J Scott Savage

2009-10-26T10:02:00.000-07:00

If you aren't familiar with J Scott Savage's first FarWorld book, WaterKeep you'll want to check it out first. The basic story is that we have two teens, both from alternate 'worlds' that essentially use the same space. Farworld is a magical place where everyone has magical abilities. That is, everyone except Kyja, who has none. Marcus, here in our reality, however, has found he does have certain abilities, despite the fact that he is consigned to a wheelchair and lives in an orphanage. When FarWorld is threatened, Marcus is pulled back there to help get the Elementals to help fix things. There are four sets of Elementals. In this book, they try to find the Land Elementals. The blurb follows.

Four mythical Elementals— Water, Land, Air, and Fire— have the power to save two worlds, Earth and Farworld, from a common enemy: the Dark Circle. In book one, Water Keep, a portal has been opened between the two worlds, allowing Marcus, from Earth, and Kyja, from Farworld, to combine their unique gifts and begin their epic quest to find the Elementals.

In book two, Land Keep, Marcus and Kyja travel with Cascade, a Water Elemental, toward Land Keep, the home of the powerful and wise Land Elementals. However, their journey may end before it even begins. Land Keep is empty, deserted for at least a thousand years, and the rumor is that the creatures who once controlled all land magic are extinct. Marcus and Kyja's only hope seems to lie in finding the Augur Well, a legendary Oracle protected by subtle traps and mind-bending trials. To succeed in their quest, Marcus and Kyja must also avoid the Keepers of the Balance, an order dedicated to redistributing magic to the rich and powerful. And they must travel far underground, where Cascade is unable to follow and where they will be unable to leap to the safety of Earth.

As the Dark Circle closes around them, Marcus and Kyja are faced with the temptation of what they desire most. Sacrifices must be made, and not everyone will survive unscathed.

The FarWorld books are considered middle-grade books, but appeal to much older readers as well (including yours truly). They are now available at DeseretBook.com, and should be seen in some stores already, with many more to come.

"Prayers that Bring Miracles" by Stephen M. Bird

2009-10-25T21:50:00.000-07:00

In the summer of 1983, a young Marine knocked on the door of Chaplain Bird. His face was ashen and his eyes wide with fear. He had just come up positive for the second time on a drug test and now faced certain demotion to the lowest rank, two months in the brig, and a dishonorable discharge.

The Marine explained that he was innocent and that there must have been some mistake. He went on to say that he had recently married a woman with five children. The family was living in military housing and his wife was currently receiving treatment at the base hospital for bone cancer. If he were kicked out of the Corps, his family would have no home or income.

As he listened to the young man’s story, Chaplain Bird began to pray. After the Marine finished, the chaplain heard Heavenly Father say, “I’m the only one who can help him now.”

This began a spiritual adventure for both the Marine and Chaplain Bird. As they talked, prayed, and read form the scriptures Brother Bird felt impressed to teach this young man how to pray. A few days later the Marine returned to Brother Bird’s office saying, “Chaplain, you’ll never believe what happened.”

The result of their prayer together was so remarkable that Brother Bird began to share the story with other Marines. Virtually all those who learned and used the same principles of prayer as this young Marine came back to report their own personal miracles.

The writer for this book doesn't have a personal website, but the book can be purchased at Amazon.com.

"Life in the Pit" by Kristen Landon

2009-10-23T13:28:00.000-07:00

This is a fun teen read about a girl who plays in the school orchestra, with mystery and romance woven together. Here's the blurb.

Brittany sees her life reflected in her high school’s musical production.

Her best friend, Amanda, shines on stage as the star of the play, while Brittany is an invisible member of the pit orchestra.

Amanda has a new boyfriend every week, while Brittany doesn’t date much at all.

Brittany believes the only time guys talk to her is when they are using her to get closer to Amanda.

When the male star of the play starts to pay attention to Brittany, she has difficulty accepting that he is sincere.

Meanwhile, an anonymous note-writer threatens to destroy the play, Amanda and Brittany.

Brittany is determined to save the production, her friend and her love life.

This is Kristen Landon's first book and is widely available. Check out Kristen's website for more information about her and her book.

Shannon Guymon's "Taking Chances"

2009-10-22T07:47:00.000-07:00

Shannon Guymon has been publishing for several years now and I've reviewed some of her other books on my normal blog. This is a zany, lighthearted romance sure to brighten up any day. Here's the blurb:

Meet Maggie Tierney, a lighthearted, kind, free spirit who has a lot to be happy about: at 24, she is independent, successful, a wealthy artist, and she's just inherited a home in beautiful Alpine, Utah, the place where her mother, Lisa, grew up. However, her excitement is colored by the reality that Maggie has never been to Alpine, and that this home was left to her by her estranged great-grandmother, a woman Maggie never met. As Maggie makes the move from St. George to Alpine, she is haunted by her mother's past: a childhood filled with the misery and despair of childhood sexual abuse. However, she is determined to make amends with the relatives she's never met and help heal her mom's childhood wounds.

Armed with Propels, Doritos, and her favorite easel, Maggie dives into Alpine life, ready to make it her home. Despite being 24 and only having had one serious boyfriend in her life, Maggie quickly attracts the attention of Luke Petersen, a man dealing with the death of his fianc� but in need of a friend, and maybe more . . .

Between battling Luke's jealous admirers and quelling the gossip always present in any small town, Maggie has to muster all of her courage and black belt skills in Jujitsu to come to terms with her mother's past, overcome her own fears, and jump into a relationship with unknown but exciting prospects.

Shannon was a Whitney Awards finalist for her previous book last year. Her books are available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Deseret Book, Seagull Book & Tape and anywhere else LDS books are sold. You can read more about Shannon and her books here.

James Dashner's teen dystopia "The Maze Runner"

2009-10-20T16:18:00.000-07:00

James Dashner is not a new author. With his newest release, The Maze Runner, his total comes to seven. His previous books are all middle grade fantasy. This title, however, is a teen read--perfect for an older audience without the inappropriate contents that many recent releases contain. The blurb:

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone.

When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls. Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight.

And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift. Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade.

And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

You can read reviews here, here, and here as well as many other places on the web. Check out James' blog here, and the website Random House put together for the book is here.

Kerry Blair's "Counting Blessings"

2009-10-18T09:55:00.000-07:00

Kerry Blair is one of the most beloved authors in the LDS market. She's authored at least eleven books and has been actively involved with the Whitney Awards and was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Whitney Awards last year. This book which came out last year is called Counting Blessings, Wit and Wisdom for Women. The blurb says:

Spiritual refreshment is only pages away in this down-to-earth collection of inspiring stories and essays. Like a wise and witty friend, Kerry Blair leads you through the rough spots of life by poking gentle fun at herself in such a vivacious way that you'll be smiling at your own foibles. You'll laugh out loud-and occasionally be moved to tears-as you discover some of life's greatest truths hidden within these simple pages. Reclaim your sanity and enrich your soul with this humorous and poignant anthology that celebrates the joy of being alive and shows how greatly each of us is blessed.

On the About Me section of Kerry's website it says:

MORMON MAJOR-GENERAL

I am the very pattern of a modern Major-General,

I’ve information vegetable, animal, and mineral;

I know the books of scripture, and I quote prophets historical,

From Abraham to Joseph Smith, in order chronological;

I’m very well acquainted, too, with Mormon lit that’s fictional,

I’ve read five dozen Whitney books from romance to fantastical;

About the Cub Scout program I am teeming with a lot o’ news;

With interesting facts about the banquet that is gold and blue.

I’m very good at critter care and tending kids without a fuss,

I cook, I clean, I Visit Teach; sometimes I write – miraculous!

In short, in matters quite mundane, relevant, and trivial,

I am the very model of a Mormon Major-General!

So you can see she has a great sense of humor. You can read more about her and her books on her website or her blog.

"Santa's Secret" by Christy Hardman and Phil Porter

2009-10-17T18:42:00.000-07:00

I know it's not even the end of October yet but there are a wealth of really exciting Christmas titles hitting the shelves and I can't wait to start talking about them. Today I'll talk about Santa's Secret, Christy Hardman's second book, which she co-wrote with Phil Porter. The back cover blurb reads:

Of everything to do with Christmas, Phil loves to play Santa Claus the most. When he puts on his Santa suit, something magical happens--for the people of his town, he becomes Santa. The only problem is that Andrew, his own son, doesn't know. And Phil doesn't want to tell him. Phil wants everyone to keep the magic of Christmas for as long as possible, so how can he tell Andrew that he is Santa? Will Andrew lose the special magic of Christmas if he finds out the truth? But if Phil doesn't tell Andrew, how can Phil balance his time being Santa with his time for his family? Will Phil have to miss Andrew's Christmas in order to be Santa? Santa's Secret is the heartfelt story of the importance of family and the truth that being Santa isn't about fame or attention--it's about changing lives and fostering faith and good hope.

And can't we all just use a dose of this going into the holiday season? haven't read this book yet, but It's high on my list. Christy is a mom working on a college degree, who runs half marathons, quilts and writes for her local paper. You can learn more about Christy and her books on her website.

Book trailer for "My Fair Godmother"

2009-10-16T14:58:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know I it's only been three days since I talked about one of Janette Rallison's books, but she just posted this book trailer for My Fair Godmother and I had to share. I really enjoyed this fractured fairytale when I read it this past spring.

Michele Ashman Bell's "A Modest Proposal"

2009-10-15T18:27:00.000-07:00

Michele Ashman Bell had been writing ten years before she found a publisher for one of her books. Years later, she now has twenty books in print and another coming out soon. Her most recent offering is A Modest Proposal. The blurb follows:

All my life I had dreamed of changing the ordinary girl's world of fashion by designing modest formal gowns-ones that you'd actually want to wear. With my super-hero stitching I would save you mothers and daughters crying in dressing rooms over yet another "the straps are just too small" prom dress. Don't worry, I even thought of a catchy tagline for my brand: "Modest Is Hottest." I told you I was good!

So I moved to New York and am finally living that dream . . . Well, almost. I am at one of the top fashion companies, and my designs are definitely modest-but let's face it, when it comes to outerwear, would you want to buy a skimpy trench coat? Didn't think so.

Even though I don't have my dream job, my family is a mess, and my love life stinks, I have a feeling things are going to change. I mean, they have to soon, or I'll be forced to marry Jace. I did promise to become his wife only if I turned thirty and was still single, but I honestly didn't think it was possible. Now twenty-nine, I'm cutting it way too close. Right now I'm flying back to Utah for our Butterfly Girls reunion. And since it is the Mormon Mecca, I might find myself a modest proposal. Utah engagements can take mere weeks. Never mind, I'm not that desperate. Really.

But maybe the girls can help. We've been best friends since high school. We Butterfly Girls are not the typical Pink Ladies, although we've definitely had our share of drama. We'll laugh and cry over memories, from pageant glory to tragic endings, but the ones stored inside our butterfly box will surprise you most. We only open it when we're all together, and our lives never seem the same after.

If this sounds interesting to you, check out her website to read a first chapter, learn more about Michele and more. Michele also has a blog where she interviews authors and talks a bit about her books.

Josi Kilpack's "English Trifle"

2009-10-14T10:18:00.000-07:00

Josi has made a name for herself in her women's fiction that hit hard issues like internet predators, prescription drug abuse and identity theft, but earlier this year she launched a completely different kind of series with her culinary mystery Lemon Tart--which hit the Deseret Book's best seller's list. The second book in the series, English Trifle was released this summer and is also doing very well.

Here's the back liner:

Things to do in England:

Visit Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, and the London Zoo
Take the Jack the Ripper tour — creepy!
Sample authentic English scones and crumpets
Discover a dead body

What begins as a holiday trip for amateur sleuth and cooking aficionado Sadie Hoffmiller and her daughter, Breanna, turns into a bizarre mystery. First comes the discovery of a dead body in the sitting room of an English manor belonging to the family of Breanna’s boyfriend, who is also heir to the family title. When the body comes up missing, Sadie and Breanna are stranded at the estate until the police can clear them to leave.

Armed with a jogging whistle, her personal recipe collection, and an unfailing sense of American justice, Sadie begins her own investigation to find the killer. But when she seems to encounter one dead end after another, Sadie wonders if anyone is telling the truth — or if the case is really as hopeless as it appears to be.

Layer by layer, Sadie uncovers a mouth- watering mystery with an English flair. Included are Sadie’s favorite new recipes for American English Trifle, High Tea Lemon Cookies, Coconut Macaroons, Wake ’Em Up Breakfast Casserole, Sausage Rolls, Crumpets, and Sadie’s Scrumptulicious Scones.

Josi is a very busy writer, mom, business owner, professional editor, and probably a dozen other hats. She has a great website with more information on all of her books, including a first chapter for this one, a blog, the blog she the other editors for Precision Editing Group maintain with great writing tips, and various other blogs.

She and Julie Wright are planning a western states book tour next month. To learn more abut her plans and see if they can fit your book group or other organization into their schedule, check out this page. Her book is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Deseret Book, Seagull Book and anywhere else LDS books are sold.

Janette Rallison's "Just One Wish"

2009-10-12T18:54:00.000-07:00

I first experienced Janette Rallison's hilarious storytelling several years ago when I took one of her books on a family trip. Since then I've been making my way through her entire collection of stories, from the obvious teen reads (all geared for national audiences) to her novels geared toward adults (which she writes under the name Sierra St. James--and they are all perfectly safe to hand to a thirteen-year-old without a qualm). She'll keep you entertained from the start. Janette's latest offering is Just One Wish--which I still need to read. The blurb:

But Annika’s plan to convince Jeremy that a magic genie will grant him any wish throws her a curveball when he unexpectedly wishes that his television idol would visit him. Annika suddenly fi nds herself in the desperate predicament of getting access to a hunky star actor and convincing him to come home with her. Piece of cake, right?

Janette Rallison’s proven talent for laugh-out-loud humor, teen romance, and deep-hearted storytelling shines in a novel that will have readers laughing and crying at the same time.

You can read a truly excellent review of the book here. Also, check out Janette's website to learn more about her and her other books, see some book trailers and other fun stuff.

"Forged in the Refiner's Fire" Stories About Overcoming Trials

2009-10-11T12:11:00.000-07:00

This book has been out for a couple of years, but it's still available for purchase. It's filled with inspiring stories of how people overcame trials. Here's the blurb:

Why do bad things happen? Is there a purpose when we face a bad trial? As mortals, we can be compared to ore, such as gold and silver. Ore that is unrefined is generally impure and undesirable. Only ore that is crushed -- and then refined by fire -- becomes beautiful, pure, precious and valuable. This book was written to help you see the results of the Ultimate Refiner, the Lord, in your own life.

Within these pages, people from all walks of life share their stories of triumph over tragedy. More importantly, they reveal how they were strengthened as they passed through the Refiner's fire. They became more precious, and so can you. Look for the experiences of vocalist Merrill Osmond, LDS writers Shirley Bahlmann, Elizabeth Cheever, Willard Boyd Gardner, Tristi Pinkston, and Candace E. Salima, renowned columnist Muriel Sluyter and several people across the nation who are ranchers, housewives, writers in the national market and more. Candace E. Salima partnered with Elizabeth Cheever to co-author this book.

You can learn more about Candace, purchase a copy, or see what else she's written at her website.

"the Bishop's Bride" by Elizabeth Watkins

2009-10-10T11:41:00.000-07:00

I'd seen this on several store shelves before I broke down and bought it. I was glad I did. It's a fun story, a great, light read.

Andrew McCammon, a widower, knows that he shouldn't be nervous going in for an interview with the stake president. They are friends, after all, and have worked together closely over the past few years. But something is still niggling at the back of his mind . . .

In one sentence, his stake president deals Andrew two of the biggest shocks of his life: First, he is called to be the new bishop of his ward. The second is even more alarming-he has three weeks to meet a woman, fall in love, and get engaged.

What follows is a sweet, hilarious, and thoroughly enjoyable story of one man's faith and obedience, intertwined with a series of delightfully bizarre events that guide the right woman to him. Readers of all ages will love this rollicking, exciting novel.

I couldn't find a blog or website for Watkins, but the book can be purchased through Seagullbook.com or Amazon.com.

"Lockdown" by Traci Hunter Abramson

2009-10-09T09:12:00.000-07:00

Traci Hunter Abramson has been a Whitney Award finalist twice for her suspense books Freefall and Royal Target. Her newest title, Lockdown, was released this past spring. As a former employee of the CIA, Traci brings lots of realism to her books and is highly acclaimed. Her latest book was inspired by the tragedy at Virginia Tech. Here's the blurb for Lockdown.

Only twice had she set foot inside the building since the massacre. The first time had been just a month after the tragedy .. . . The second time she had returned to the scene of the crime had been two days ago when she forced herself to enter the building to check on the temporary office for the SEAL team. The counselor she had seen in the months after the shooting had encouraged her to face her fears, but now . . . Riley wasn’t sure she was ready to face them after all.

Caught up in a hostage situation that is hauntingly familiar, Riley Palmetta once more finds her life hanging in the balance. What starts out as a well-organized and highly intensive training course for the prevention of random acts of terror quickly turns into a real-life nightmare of suspense and intrigue that will test the faith and finely honed skills of Tristan Crowther and his elite group of LDS Navy SEALS. For Tristan, this is not only a race to save lives; it is a deeply personal mission that moves relentlessly toward an irreversible crisis. And life—as well as love—is on the line.

You can visit Traci's website for more information about her, her books, links and other fun stuff.

"Previously Engaged" by Elodia Strain

2009-10-08T21:20:00.000-07:00

This is Elodia Strain's second book (the first was The Icing on the Cake), and was released earlier this year. I haven't read it yet, by one of my friends has and said she really enjoyed it. Here's the blurb:

She has the wedding. Now all she needs is the groom...

Annabelle Pleasanton has just been given the chance of a lifetime: A $50,000 "Dream Wedding." The only problem? She's not technically, 100 percent, all-the-way engaged.

Yes, her best friend has seen the ring, and her boyfriend has been dropping all kinds of hints, but something seems to be keeping him from popping the question.

In this hilarious companion to The Icing on the Cake Annabelle navigates the crazy, often chaotic twists of life and love and learns some very important lessons along the way about what really matters most.

Here's the book trailer:

If you check out Elodia's website, you can read reviews, learn more about the author, find links to buy the book, and other great info.

Stephanie Fowers' "Rules of Engagement"

2009-10-07T19:07:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I admit I stayed up half the night freezing in the living room, wrapped in a blanket reading this because I couldn't put it down and didn't dare read it in bed (like I usually do) because I was laughing too hard and would certainly have woken my husband. Stephanie Fowers has two humorous romances out, and several other books in the works. Here's the blurb for her first one, Rules of Engagement:

It isn't about fun, it's about marriage

Samantha Skyler is determined to find the right man, except the wrong man keeps getting in the way.

"There are four noncommittal males in the LDS dating scene: Mr. Friendly, Mr. Flirty, Mr. "Fraid, and Mr. Freaked out."

Mr. Friendly is friendly to everyone…so friendly that all the girls love him, but no one knows who he really likes. In fact, he probably doesn't even know himself. It wouldn't be nice to have favorites.
Mr. Flirty can always be depended on for a scandalous comment. He melts the hearts of each girl in his ward, though no one has the skill to melt his heart in return…if he even has a heart.
Mr. "Fraid gives all the signals of interest, but he doesn't make a move. There is no way of knowing if he is shy or just not interested, so no one will go anywhere with him, not even to dinner.
And finally there is Mr. Freaked out. He asks the girls out, but when it comes to commitment, he runs out. Such a shame.

These are the men that Samantha Skyler, a BYU coed, has set her sights
on:

"You see, I have a problem, a big problem…guys. And I always like the wrong one."

After breaking up with Mr. Freaked Out (Marcus Gray), Samantha is determined to find and woo a guy that won't turn on her. But she is completely inexperienced at the game of love…until she meets up with Harrison Bean, a condescending student from Britain who condescends to put Samantha and her roommates under his wing:

Now, the only snag to snagging a guy is that Mr. Freaked out has discovered Samantha's plot for the manhunt and is determined to sabotage all her efforts.

To learn more, check out Stephanie's totally revamped website. You can also read about her other books, check out her fun and funny music videos, and find the link to buy her book. Traditionally books about college students are considered YA, but I honestly think this is much funnier if you've actually been to college first--especially if you've been to a school that is primarily LDS.

Medieval romances without the saucy wenches

2009-10-06T09:25:00.000-07:00

Okay, maybe there is a saucy wench or two in Joyce DiPastena's historicals--but they aren't the main characters. I've always been a sucker for a really good historical romance, but most of them are so full of stuff I don't want to read, that I hesitate to pick up any of them. No worries with Joyce's books, however. Her first book, Loyalty's Web, was selected as a Whitney Award finalist for 2007--and it thoroughly deserved the honor. Her second book, just released this summer, is Illuminations of the Heart. Joyce is an expert at writing spine-tingling kisses that stop at kissing, weaves her history into the story so it feels organic, and adding plenty of inner tension in the story. She's also brilliant at marketing her book and getting the word out.

And here's the blurb for Illuminations:

“Clothilde.”
He spoke the name on a breath like a prayer. Then he lowered his head and kissed her.

Her heart is lost in that first embrace, her world shaken to its foundations. There is just one problem: her name is not Clothilde. It is Siriol de Calendri. Trained in the art of illumination in the far-off city of Venice, Siri is directed by her late brother’s will to the county of Poitou in France, where she enters the guardianship of her brother’s friend, Sir Triston de Brielle. Once in Poitou, Siri hopes to find employment in an illuminator’s shop—until Triston unexpectedly snatches her heart away with a kiss.

Triston is a man of quiet honor and courage, but the guilt he carries for the death of his late wife, Clothilde, has left him numb and hesitant to love again. Worse yet, Siri bears an uncanny resemblance to his lost love. Or does she? Her merry laughter and twinkling eyes are very different from his late wife’s shy smiles and quiet ways. Yet when he gazes into Siri’s face, all he sees is Clothilde.

Then Triston’s past returns to threaten them both. Will his tragic life with Clothilde be repeated with Siri? Trapped between the rivalry of the king’s sons on the one hand and a neighbor out for vengeance on the other, Triston realizes it would be safer to send Siri away. But how can he bear to lose her again?

Siri is determined not to be cast off and not to live in another woman’s shadow. She has illuminated many a priceless book with pen and paint. But can her own vibrant spirit illuminate the darkness in Triston’s soul and make his heart beat for her alone?

In case you need more recommendations than my own, you'll find a list of the people and dates of reviews from her blog tour here. You'll find her website here, which has excerpts and news about her books, along with more reviews, and where you can buy the books.

There's just something about dragons

2009-10-05T21:03:00.000-07:00

Kids from middle grade on up to young adult are flocking to fantasy these days--and who can blame them? With Harry Potter drawing reluctant readers to the book shelves, more publishers have stepped up and provided them with yet more reason to hang out. The Dragon Codex series is a great example. Though the entire series is 'authored' by R.D. Henham, R.D. has received a lot of help from various scribes along the way. One of these 'helpers' is Rebecca Shelley, who wrote the Red Dragon Codex, and Brass Dragon Codex--books designed for middle-grade readers with plenty of adventure but without some of the more mature themes in some fantasy books geared toward teens.

R.D. Henham is a scribe in the great library of Palanthas. In the course of transcribing stories of legendary dragons, the author felt a gap existed in the story of the everydragon: ordinary dragons who end up doing extraordinary things. With the help of fellow scribes, R.D. had filled that gap with the Dragon Codices.

The blurb for Red Dragon Codex:

Mudd lives a peaceful life in his small town, tinkering with the mill and any mechanical devices that he can find. But his peaceful life soon changes when, out of nowhere, a red dragon attacks, burning the town and kidnapping Shemnara, the village seer. Only one clue is left behind--a cryptic note telling Mudd, "Seek the silver dragon."

And for Brass Dragon Codex:

Never start a conversation with a brass dragon--it might never end! In another volume of the companion series to A Practical Guide to Dragons, orphaned baby brass dragon Kyani ventures out into the desert to find something to eat, and finds a gnome named Hector instead. Hector is not so sure he wants a chatty, hungry brass dragon following his every move. But several groups ready to go to blows over the marvelous invention Hector guards with his life, he may need the help that only a fun-loving brass dragon can provide.

An Amazon reviewer had this to say: Red Dragon Codex is a great fantasy story that includes not just dragons, but all kinds of magical creatures. The best part is that it is written specifically for middle grade readers. Girls and boys alike will love that the plot moves along quickly, and the story is full of action, thought and bravery. I grew to love Mudd, Hiera, Kirak, Greenthumb, and Iroden. I highly recommend this book.

Unfortunately, the publisher decided to stop this series before the entire series was published, but the good news is there are seven fun, clean titles you can search out at your local library (for your child or yourself), or buy for your personal library at home.

Famous Family Nights Revisited in Anne Bradshaw's New Book

2009-10-04T07:09:00.000-07:00

What is one thing you can take with you to Heaven? Family! Invest in no-fail, low-risk, wealth-building stocks and bonds that Wallstreet cannot plunder. The Family!

Famous Family Nights is described as touching, inspiring, and often hilarious. The personal experiences in this unique book highlight family home evening as a priceless tool for building strong, faith-centered families, despite the many obstacles of modern life.

An avid reader and scribbler, Anne writes books, screenplays, youth short stories, and articles. She is a member of LDStorymakers and has been with this group of writers since their first ground-breaking conference in the Little Brown Theatre in Springville, Utah.

You can read more about Anne's books here, or check out this review Janet Jensen did on the book

Rachel Rager's "By Love or By Sea"

2009-10-03T19:05:00.000-07:00

Rachel Rager is new to the bookshelves, her first book By Love or By Sea was just released. She's right in the middle of her blog tour, so there will be lots of opportunities to read reviews and the occasional author interview about her. Rachel specializes in non-preachy clean romance. Here's her blurb:

Alice Lind Frank never forgot the boy she loved when she was just six years old, even after he was lost at sea. Now a young woman, Alice has found happiness in living and working with her grandparents, and in the affections of Clarence Hielott, the wealthy shipyard owner who intends to make Alice his bride.

When a ragged sailor appears in town, Alice is reminded of the young boy who once held her heart. Upon learning that the sailor is in fact her childhood love, Caleb, she finds herself yearning to trust him again.

But Clarence refuses to let this ghost from the past destroy his plans for the future. He exposes the secrets of Caleb s past and Alice realizes that the boy she once knew is now a man with a dark history. Soon Caleb and Clarence are locked in a fierce competition for Alice s heart.

Can Alice trust Caleb with her heart once more? And what will she do about Clarence? Action, adventure, and most of all, romance, make By Love or By Sea a thrilling and emotional love story you won t soon forget.

Watch her book trailer

and check out her website to learn more about the author and read an excerpt of her new book.

Here are the stops on her blog tour:

September 28 - Jaimey Grant - http://romanceoldschool.blogspot.com

September 29 - Kaylee Baldwin - http://kayleeseye.blogspot.com/

September 30 - Cindy Beck - http://www.bythebecks.blogspot.com/

October 1 - Kim Thompson - www.scribbledscraps.blogspot.com

October 2 - Alison Palmer - www.alisonpalmer.blogspot.com

October 3 - JoAnn Arnolds - http://www.authorjoann.blogspot.com/

October 5 - Rebecca Talley - http://www.rebeccatalleywrites.blogspot.com/

October 6 - Anna Arnett - http://frespafan.blogspot.com

October 7 - Heather Justensen - http://heatherjustesen.blogspot.com/

October 8 - Rachelle Christensen - www.rachellewrites.blogspot.com

October 9 - Joyce DiPastena - http://jdp-news.blogspot.com

Also doing a review - Liz Adair - http://sezlizadair.blogspot.com

Ya read: "Eyes Like Mine" by Julie Wright

2009-10-02T07:27:00.000-07:00

I thoroughly adore Julie Wright, her books, and her fun and funky style, so I was thrilled when she announced she had a new book coming out this summer. I haven't had a chance to read Eyes Like Mine yet, but look forward to it. First, the blurb:

A story of family that transcends time. William has been missing for two days. And even though the rest of the wagon company has decided they must continue on to Zion, Constance Brown refuses to go any further until she finds her husband. All she can think about is the last time she saw him-he lovingly touched her face and then sang their baby girl to sleep. Will that memory be all Constance has to hold on to? In a future time and place, Liz King is a teenager struggling with her identity in the modern world. The embarrassment she feels because of her parents' divorce and her family's newfound financial problems turns to bitterness. Through an inexplicable twist of fate, Constance and Liz are brought face to face. Liz recognizes Constance's name from her mother's endless lectures on their family history, and she also recognizes her eyes-they are exactly like her own. Were these distant relatives brought together in order to help each other? Will Constance be able to return to her own life and find William, and will Liz be able to keep from telling Constance how her story ends? In this irresistible novel filled with gripping adventure and heartfelt emotion, two young women from drastically different times and settings learn that the challenges life holds for them are not so different after all.

You can check up on Julie at her website, which also hosts her sporadic blogging (she's one of the busiest people I know so it's amazing she has time to breath, let alone blog, do signings, speak at conferences, and everything else on her list.) sample chapters of her writing, lists of reviews, and lots of other fun stuff about Julie. Besides co-writing a couple fo writing books (LDS Writing Secrets and LDS Publishing Secrets), Julie other published titles include To Catch a Falling Star, Loved Like That, and My Not-So-Fairytale Life.

Her books are available at Desert Book, Seagull Book, Amazon.com, and other stores.

She and Josi Kilpack are putting together a book tour covering Idaho Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona and Nevada in November. If you live in this area and you'd like them to come speak at your ward, stake, writing group, etc, contact her through her website and they'll see what they can do.

"All the Stars in Heaven"--sweet romance by Michele Paige Holmes

2009-10-01T11:39:00.000-07:00

Michelle Paige Homes first book, Counting Stars was selected at the Whitney Award winner for best romantic fiction in 2007, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Her second book, All the Stars in Heaven has been praised as even better then the first book. The two books are slightly related through a minor character, but you absolutely do not need to read the first one to understand the second.

Here's the blurb from her publisher:

Ever since the woman he once adored told Jay Kendrich he was a chivalrous hero, he has tried to live up to the praise. But when things don't work out with Jane, moving on and dating other girls proves to be a chore. That is until he meets fellow Harvard student Sarah Morgan. Although Sarah is a freshman studying music and Jay is in his third year of law school, he discovers they have much in common. He has also discovered that getting to know the shy pianist is painful. The last thing Jay expected from his friendly advances was to be assaulted by a brawny stranger.

It is abundantly clear that someone wants him to stay away from Sarah. If only he could. As long as she can remember, Sarah has lived under a watchful eye. While her father insists it's for her own protection, Sarah feels imprisoned. As she begins to believe that those she has trusted most don't have her best interest at heart, she is driven further from her respected father and closer to Jay. But their love will come at a high price as the pair edges closer toward to a truth that is darker than either of them could have imagined.

Here's a link to Michele's blog, which has the prologue available for your reading pleasure. Also, here's a book review from Jennie Hansen at Meridian Magazine--all writer's wish they got such great reviews from this tough but fair writer/reviewer. Michele's book is nearly at the end of the column, but feel free to see what Jennie says about the other books she reviewed that month. =)

Humorous suspense in "Wake Me When It's Over" by Robison Wells

2009-09-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

Robison Wells is one of the funniest guys I know (virtually), so there was no question when I picked up his books that I would be entertained. Rob published three books, then decided he needed to feed his family on a regular basis and returned to school to earn his MBA, just in time for him to graduate last spring after the economy tanked and jobs disappeared like a mirage. The good news is that unemployment has given him plenty of time to start writing again, so we look forward to yet more entertaining books. He seems to be managing to squeeze in writing with his family, blogging, and being president of the Whitney Awards committee again.

His second book, Wake Me When It's Over is a humorous suspense--the first of a three-book series whose back cover blurb follows:

It took months for Eric to work up the courage to ask Rebekah Hughes out, and now the woman of his recent dreams is gone. Kidnapped! At least that's what Eric believes. It's difficult to clearly recall recent events when you're lying semi-conscious, bleeding in the snow. Now it's up to Eric to rescue his new girlfriend--well, his almost-girlfriend. In the great teeter-totter of love, Rebekah has been sitting solidly on the ground, casually ignoring the fact that Eric is dangling four feet above the sandbox. So far, his brilliant, passive approach to winning Rebekah's love hasn't worked--now, perhaps, his unusually daring heroics will sway her. It's worth the trip to find out in this seriously funny, full-throttle ride into the human heart.

"Hire a babysitter, order up a pizza, and take the phone off the hook. Because once you pick up Wake me When It's Over, this book won't leave your hands until you've read it straight through to the last page." --Kerry Blair, author of This Just In.

You can find this book and the second in the series, The Counterfeit, at Amazon.com. you can read their first chapters on Rob's website. To read funny tidbits about Rob's life and writing experiences, check out the blog link at the top of the post.

"Alma" by H.B. Moore

2009-09-29T18:00:00.000-07:00

Heather B. Moore is a two-time Whitney Award winner **for her historical fiction, who doubtless would have garnered far more Whitney's for her previous work, if the award had been around that long. Though she wrote for several years before she began work on her Out of Jerusalem series about Nephi's family, she has found her niche in the LDS market doing just that.

Alma is the second in a series of three stories which started with Abinadi, and is expected to end with Alma the Younger, which she is diligently working on right now.

New York Times Best-selling author Jason F. Wright said this about the book. "Alma has it all: vibrant characters, danger, spiritual challenges, and bittersweet joy. Moore has created an epic tale that's simply impossible to put down."

Heather's currently in the middle of her blog tour for the book, and has a list in the sidebar of her blog with links to the various reviews. Some of the bloggers have been giving away copies, so there may still be a chance to enter to win one. You can also check out her website to see the first three chapters of her books here.

I look forward to reading Heather's latest masterpiece myself.

**Don't know what a Whitney Award is? Check it out here.

Laura Bingham's YA fantasy, "Alvor"

2009-09-28T07:56:00.001-07:00

I recently had a chance to sit with Laura Bingham at an event for local school librarians (local to me, not to her--she drove a long way to be there). I would say I signed with her but, well, I didn't have copies of my book yet. Her book, Alvor, the first in a series of G-rated YA fantasies sounds like a great book, which is now on my very lengthy to-read list. It is geared for kids about fourth grade through high school. Here's the back cover blurb:

Erin and her twin brother, Bain, never expected to find that the cabin in the woods near their home is actually a secret entrance to a magical world. Surrounded by pegasi, dragons, and fairies, they discover new powers within themselves and a secret they have unknowingly been preparing for: they are training to become elves. Now they are faced with the decision to stay in this dream world or return home to the life they knew.

A spellbinding tale of fantasy and fairy tale, Älvor draws you into an enchanting world of all things magical.

Laura is the mother of five and teaches clogging--how she finds time to write and do so much publicity I'll never know. Her hard work in getting the word out is paying off however, as I understand her bok has already gone back for a third printing--and it's only been out for a few months.

You can read a review of the book here. Check out Laura's website here, (which has a first chapter posted) or for regular updates through her blog, check her out here. She's currently giving away a copy of her book--in celebration of one year since she got her contract. If you check out her blog and leave a comment on Wednesday, September 23rd's post before October 17th, you could be the lucky winner.

Mother and Daughter Teach how to Enjoy the Journey

2009-09-27T07:42:00.000-07:00

On Sundays I'm going to try to highlight uplifting reads, which means they will mostly be nonfiction, though I may find a piece of fiction here and there that will qualify too. Today I thought we'd start with "Enjoying the Journey: Steps to Finding Joy Now" by Jaime Theler and her mother Deborah Talmadge. I won this book at a conference last spring and it's a great read that can be taken in little bites or in an afternoon.

As Latter-day Saints we strive for joy in eternal life -- but many struggle to find joy during the journey there. Let this book help you learn to rejoice and find more joy right here, right now. Clearing away the clutter, staying in touch, and living with purpose are only a few of the many tips this book provides to help you enjoy your journey through life. Specific steps in each chapter will guide you through important principles and help you apply them to your feelings, thoughts, and actions. Reach for your full potential as a child of God and find the joy the Lord intends for each of us during our journey back to His presence. Enjoying the Journey is a delightful and heartwarming message for any who need a lift.

You can read an excerpt of her book at Jaime's website, or check out her blog to find out what Jaime is up to now. Deborah's website can be found here. Both women's websites have lists and blurbs of their other publications as well.

Cami Checketts "The Sister Pact"

2009-09-26T07:30:00.000-07:00

Cami Checketts' third book, "The Sister Pact" was recently released. It's a romantic suspense that's full of mysteries. the back cover blurb reads:

Savanna Compton is devastated when her sister and best friend, Allison, falls into a coma after a tragic accident. Or was it an accident? Even with a charming and handsome detective at her side, it seems Savannah may never discover the truth. But if she doesn’t her family could be in even more danger. And Savannah’s past holds its own secrets that could change everything.

Now she must prove her innocence to the one person who is beginning to matter most. Join Savannah as she struggles to summon hope and rely on faith even in the darkest of circumstances, and learn how the bond between sisters can overcome anything.

A review I posted to the Facebook group is found here. Cami's website which has an excerpt of the book can be found here, and her blog which has other reviews, her upcoming signings, and other great information about the author can be found here. This books is available at Amazon.com, Borders, Barnes & Noble, Deseret Book, and anywhere else LDS books are sold.