"Secret Sisters" by Tristi Pinkston

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"

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"

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

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

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!

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

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.