Write Bravely

The Secret of Lies by Barbara Forte Abate

2012-01-26T23:16:00.002-07:00

"Propelled by an insurmountable sense of desperation, Stevie Burke is recklessly abandoning home, husband, and outwardly contented life under cover of night; at last resigned to defeat in her long battle against the tortured memories of her past.

Days later, lost and floundering in a dreary motel room without plan or destination, it is a long ago song playing on the radio that gently tugs Stevie back through the dust of remembrance. 1957 - The last summer spent at the ancient house overlooking the North Atlantic. A season which had unfolded with abundant promise, but then spiraled horribly out of control - torn apart by a shattering tragedy that remains splintered in fragments upon her soul. And it is only now, when Stevie at last lifts her eyes to stare deep into the heart of her long sequestered memories, that the long held secrets of past and future are at last unveiled."

The Secret of Lies is Barbara Forte Abate's first book. The story is intriguing. As the summer of 1957 unfolds and the story is explained through Stevie's eyes, I found myself saddened by the events in her life and wondered how she would cope with the discoveries. The family interactions were interesting and I loved the way Abate wrote the relationship between Stevie and her sister. The story then follows Stevie into adulthood as she tries to leave the tragedies of that summer behind her. She is sometimes unloveable and yet I could understand her confusion and abrasive behaviour. The ending left me a little unsettled, but I think it is because I am used to things being tied up neatly. This book leaves many questions for the reader to answer with their own imagination.

What I really loved about this book was the author's writing style. Abate has a way with words and I would often find myself stopping to read her sentences over again just to savor the beauty of the words. The story was interesting and well told. I enjoyed this book and recommend it. Abate is a good writer and I'm interested in seeing what she writes next. You can learn more about Barbara Forte Abate at her website and you can purchase the book here.

No Holly for Christmas Blog Tour

2011-12-09T08:00:00.001-07:00

"As Brian McAlister struggles to move past being jilted not once, but twice by the only woman he's ever loved, he's all but given up on relationships. Then, on special assignment for the DA's office, he crosses paths with ex-socialite turned social worker, Holly Cavanaugh Winter-and romance blossoms. Widowed, practically penniless, and reduced to shopping at WalMart, Holly is dreading the approaching Holiday Season. However, her angst isn't due to her husband's untimely death the previous December 25th, but because of a secret that could reveal itself unless she can find a way to avoid the coming Christmas. Love at first sight quickly turns frigid for Brian and Holly when Holly gets pulled into a manhunt for an accused murderer who now has his sights set on her. His case unraveling, Brian finds himself tasked with keeping Holly and her two daughters safe while bringing an assassin and the powerful man who hired him to justice. A heart-warming story of suspense, healing, giving and receiving, No Holly for Christmas is the perfect addition to everyone's holiday reading list."

This isn't your standard Christmas story. Julie N. Ford has written a book full of romance and suspense - my favorite combination. The best thing about this book is the characterization. All the characters are flawed and their stories are interesting. As the book began, I found I could understand the characters and why they acted the way they did, though I didn't like them very much. As they developed I grew to like them. It was fun to watch the characters grow and change throughout the book.

It did take me just over a hundred pages to get truly caught up in the story, but I'm glad I read it through to the end because the suspense built and by the end of the book I couldn't put it down. If you want a Christmas story that is a little different, this is a good choice. You can read more about Julie here and purchase the book here.

Eclectic Books Catalog

2011-12-08T23:00:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for books to give as Christmas gifts or even to stock you own shelves, check out the Eclectic Books catalog. Every book in this catalog is a clean read and look great under the Christmas tree. You'll find everything: YA, romance, suspense, non-fiction, and more. You'll find Double Deceit and Finding Rose there, too. So take a few minutes to check it out and give the gift of words this Christmas.

Bitter Blessings Blog Tour

2011-11-17T23:37:00.001-07:00

Megan has the perfect life, but when her mother dies in an accident, everything spins out of control. With the rest of her family falling apart, Megan must confront her past to uncover the truths that will keep everyone together. Thought-provoking and heartfelt, this book shows that even in times of trial, you can often find blessings. -Deseret Book.com

Every once in a while I pick up a book that I have to read until it is finished. Bitter Blessings by Christine Mehring was one of those books. I thought I would read a chapter or two while the kids were brushing their teeth and gathering their backpacks for school. A little while later the book was finished. The premise of the story was compelling enough that I kept turning the page to find out what Megan would do about the family's problems.

It is interesting to watch the strugges and triumphs of Megan, and interesting to watch her grow. This is a good read with lots to think about. It would make a great Christmas present for the teenagers and adults in your life.

Variant Book Bomb

2011-11-10T12:29:00.000-07:00

What is a book bomb? A book bomb is when we ask people to all buy the same book on the same day. This pushes the book up in the Amazon rankings and provides much needed exposure for the author. I wanted to pass on the information about the Variant book bomb. Larry Correia started this through his blog. Here is what he had to say about Rob Wells and his book Variant:

"Normally I wouldn’t bomb the same book again, but Rob is also going through a really tough time. A little while ago he was diagnosed with a severe panic disorder. Basically, something in his brain chemistry has gone out of whack, and his fight or flight reflex is constantly switched on. As a result this has really screwed up his life. He has been trying to get it under control and his doctors have been experimenting with different treatments trying to find the one that will click.

Recently, Rob was laid off from his day job as a result of his illness. This is a real financial hardship for him and his family.

What many people don’t realize about writers is that we keep our day jobs until we have about five or six books in circulation, and sometimes longer depending on how well they are selling. Writing isn’t the most steady of paychecks. (I’m doing well enough now that I could just be a writer, but I happen to love my day job, so I plan on doing it for probably another year). You’ve got to earn back the advance and even then you only get paid every six months. Variant is Rob’s first book on the national market. He had a ways to go before he would be able to quit the day job, but his illness totally wrecked that plan.

So I want to book bomb the HELL out of Variant. I want to shove that thing up the bestseller lists on Amazon and I want to give my friend a hand.

What is a book bomb? Well, Amazon has its own bestseller list. It is calculated hourly and you are given a sales rank based up on how you stack up against the other six million books on there. It is some sort of strange rolling average algorhythm, but what it comes down to is, the more books that are purchased during that particular time frame, the higher you rank. The higher you rank, the more of their top 50 or top 10 lists you show up on. The more of those you show up on, the higher you go, the more attention you get, the more books you sell.

By getting as many people as possible to purchase the book on a single day, it really kicks a book up the rankings."

Variant would make a great Christmas gift for the YA readers in your life. My son will find one under the tree this year. (It's a good thing he doesn't take the time to read my blog).

Amazon link to Variant: http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=monshuntnati-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0062026089&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr

A New Normal

2011-10-06T00:02:00.000-06:00

Most summers my children entertain themselves by swimming, reading, and hanging out with friends. That still happened this year, but I found myself putting my own projects aside to spend more time with the kids. I knew that our household would change in September when my oldest daughter left home to go to university and I wanted to enjoy having them all together.

Many of my summer hours were taken up with getting her ready to move several hours away from home. I spent time sewing new dresses for both my girls and catching up on a few other projects. I de-junked the house and my family held a successful garage sale. We spent a weekend in Montana at the water slides and came back over Logan Pass in Glacier Park. (Breathtaking view. Breath-holding drive. The Going-to-the-Sun highway consists of a very narrow, winding road with no shoulder and sheer drops.) What I enjoyed the most this summer was the many hours I spent just talking to my daughter.

I'm excited she is at school and having new adventures, but there is a definite empty spot in our home. I can't imagine how my own mother sent me to university back in the days when phone calls were expensive, text was in a book or newspaper, and the internet was in its infancy. I'm so grateful for email and skype. My daughter and I talk several times a week, and my two younger kids can talk to her whenever they see she is on the computer. I miss her, but I'm so excited to hear all the things she is learning and discovering.

We are finally settling into a new normal at home. The chores have been redivided and I'm learning to cook a little less oatmeal in the morning. I'm still on the sub list at the school and I've taken on four sewing students. But even with all the emotional upheaval and changes, there are stories percolating in my mind. My fingers are itching to get back to the computer and see what adventures I find.

Monarch Winner

2011-09-16T08:00:00.002-06:00

The winner is:

NAT

Monarch by Michelle Davidson Argyle (Contest Too)

2011-09-08T08:00:00.007-06:00

"Nick’s life as a CIA spy should be fulfilling, but it has only given him unhappiness — a wife who committed suicide and two daughters who resent everything he has become. Now, stuck in the Amazon on the last mission of his career, he must track down Matheus Ferreira, a drug lord and terrorist the U.S. has tried to bring down for years. If he succeeds, he’ll have the chance to start his life over again.

Just when he’s on the brink of catching Ferreira, he’s framed for a murder that turns his world upside down. His only chance of survival lies in West Virginia where Lilian Love, a woman from his past, owns the secluded Monarch Inn. He’s safe, but not for long …" (from the back of the book)

This book was a refreshing change for me. I've been reading a lot of YA and enjoying it, but my first love is suspense so I was excited to receive this book to review. The first sentence drew me in and I found myself speculating from page one who the "bad" guy would end up being. Michelle Davidson Argyle definitely keeps the reader guessing about what will happen next and how it will all come together in the final chapter. I'm excited to read Michelle's next book which will be released Fall 2012.

Michelle is a mother, artist, and writer who lives in the Rocky Mountains with her sword-wielding husband and energetic daughter. She writes contemporary, literary, and fantasy fiction. Michelle believes imagination is the only rule in fiction. This is the foundation of her writing, and she plans to strengthen it with each and every story she writes. You can learn more about Michelle and her books here.

You can win your own copy of Michelle's book. All you have to do is leave a comment here and I'll enter you in the draw. Become a follower and you'll get two entries. You have until Sept. 15 to enter your comment. Please remember to leave a way that I can contact you. Good luck!

And the Winner Is. . .

2011-09-05T08:00:00.002-06:00

The Double Deceit blog tour has come to a close. Thank you for all your support. The grand prize package includes each of my books, a beaded bookmark, and of course chocolate.

The winner of the Grand Prize package is. . .

Anna Maria Junus

Congratulations!

Week Two Winner/Week Three Prize

2011-08-30T10:21:00.003-06:00

The winner of the week two prize is:

Vivien

Congratulations!

The prize for week three is a $20 Amazon gift card. Remember you can enter by leaving a comment here or by leaving a comment on any of the blog tour's participants. Good luck!

August 15 - Maria Hoagland

August 16 - Heather Gardner

August 17 - Rachelle Christensen
August 18 - Jane Still
August 19 - Deborah Davis
August 22 - Renae Mackley
August 23 - Cindy Hogan
August 24 - Matthew Tandy

August 25 - Taffy Lovell
August 26 - Kathy Habel
August 29 - Don Carey
August 30 - Teri Rodeman
August 31 - Cathy Witbeck
Sept. 1 - Shelly Seele

Sept. 2 - Tristi Pinkston

Awesome August Blog Hop

2011-08-28T00:01:00.001-06:00

Welcome to the Awesome August Blog Hop, where bloggers from all over the Internet have come together to throw a summertime party!

Every blog on this hop is offering a fun prize, and entering is quick and easy. Simply follow the instructions on each blog, leave a comment, and bop right along to the next blog. You can win multiple times, so be sure to check out all the participating blogs!

On my blog, you can win a $15 Amazon gift card.

To enter:

1. Become a follower of my blog.

2. Answer the question "Why do you like to read?" on your blog or in my comment section.

3. Leave me a comment and tell me that you've done both things. If your e-mail isn't available through your profile, I'll need you to leave that, too - I can't tell you if you've won if I can't contact you!

This blog hop runs through Wednesday night at midnight, so be sure to enter before then! The winner will be notified by e-mail.

Now that you've entered my contest, come meet all my other blog friends and see what fun things they are offering!

Awesome August Blog Hop Participants

1. Tristi Pinkston, LDS Author
2. Karen Hoover
3. Michael Young
4. Kristy Tate
5. cindy Hogan
6. Julie Bellon
7. Margot Hovley
8. Laurie Lewis
9. Mandi Slack
10. Melanie Jacobson
11. Joyce DiPastena
12. Renae Mackley

13. Debbi Weitzell
14. Donna Hatch
15. Carolyn Frank
16. Marsha Ward
17. Stacy Coles
18. Bonnie Harris
19. Danyelle Ferguson aka Queen of the Clan
20. Diony George
21. Lisa Asanuma
22. Susan Dayley
23. Christine Bryant @ Day Dreamer
24. Stephanie Humphreys

25. Ranee` Clark
26. Tamera Westhoff
27. I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
28. Heather Justesen
29. Rebecca Talley
30. Jennifer Hurst
31. Aimee Brown
32. Cheryl Christensen
33. Rachelle Christensen
34. Imaginary Reads
35. Andrea Pearson

Learn more about Awesome August Blog Hop here.
View More Awesome August Blog Hop Participants
Get The Code

We Need a Little Christmas

2011-08-26T12:05:00.002-06:00

Last week I was in my mother-in-law's home and saw the Sears Christmas Wish catalogue on the coffee table. Doesn't it seem like it comes a little earlier every year? I can't decide if it is added pressure and stress or if the early reminder will relieve the pressure and stress in December.

My oldest daughter has always loved Christmas music. I used to start listening to it in late September because the month of December just isn't long enough to really enjoy all the great seasonal music. Every year, my daughter tries to convince me to put in a Christmas CD a little earlier. Last month she had an idea. Maybe I would let her and her sister play some one day a month, say the 25th since Christmas is on the 25th. The idea sounded fine to me, so I agreed, sure they would find it a novelty for one month.

Guess what yesterday was. That's right, the 25th. I assigned the kids the chore of washing all the walls and then went into the office to do some work. When I came out to see how things were going, they were singing Christmas carols at the top of their lungs. When my husband came home for lunch and heard what was playing, he just rolled his eyes. He maintains that Christmas music should only played in December and put away on December 26th, but he determined years ago that he lives in a weird household and tolerates our quirkiness with a smile.

So this family celebrates Super Bowl Sunday in our own peculiar way and we listen to Christmas music on the 25th of every month. It keeps life interesting. What strange things do you do in your own families?

P.S. I apologize in advance to my daughter's roommates. I hope you like Christmas music!

Running On Empty - Week 2 Contest

2011-08-22T07:00:00.009-06:00

The winner of last weeks contest is:

Debbie Davis

Congratulations!

The prize this week will be this book:

Happiness and contentment are not the same. Happiness is circumstantial - it depends on outside influences that are often beyond our control. Contentment, however, has no preconditions. Contentment can be found by all - rich or poor, sick or healthy, privileged or underprivileged.

When was the last time you fueled up emotionally? Spiritually? Physically? Do you find yourself out of fuel when you encounter trials? We all need to find ways to refill our tanks as we navigate the road of life. If you're feeling overwhelmed, tired, confused, or just plain weary, the solution may lie in refueling.

In Running on Empty? Joseph Alston gives 12 revitalizing tips for navigating the road of life and the obstacles you'll face. With its conversational style and candid wisdom, Running on Empty? is a practical user's manual for life. As an added bonus, the book doubles as a meditation journal with space for you to reflect on the ideas discussed.

Burns Alston was my neighbor, bishop, friend, and my children's school teacher. He wrote this book after he was diagnosed with ataxia. Despite the difficult years he spent living with this illness, he always kept his positive attitude and spent his time teaching others. Burns passed away this July and our whole community misses him. Running on Empty is an inspiring look at the way he lived his life.

I will also throw a few surprises into the package as well. To enter the contest this week, do any of these and leave a comment telling me what you've done.

Here are the ways you can enter to win the prizes.

Become a follower of my blog.
Comment on any post or comment on any reviewer's post.
Blog about the contest or the book tour
Mention the book on Facebook or Twitter
Leave a review of either of my books on Goodreads, Amazon, etc.

Make sure you leave a comment telling me which of the above things you have done. Each thing you do will earn you one entry. You have until September 2. Have fun!

August 15 - Maria Hoagland

August 16 - Heather Gardner

August 17 - Rachelle Christensen
August 18 - Jane Still
August 19 - Deborah Davis
August 22 - Renae Mackley
August 23 - Cindy Hogan
August 24 - Matthew Tandy

August 25 - Taffy Lovell
August 26 - Kathy Habel
August 29 - Don Carey
August 30 - Teri Rodeman
August 31 - Cathy Witbeck
Sept. 1 - Shelly Seele

Sept. 2 - Tristi Pinkston

Stretching

2011-08-17T00:00:00.003-06:00

My kids take after me and are all avid readers. Like most young people they have a favorite genre and most of the books they read come from that genre. I suppose many adults are the same way. My son enjoys fantasy and some distopian and devours books so quickly I can hardly keep up with him. He tells me quite regularly that other books just don't interest him. I can relate. I read everything but fantasy.

Just before school ended in June, the English teacher asked my son what he planned on reading this summer. He listed a few books - all in his regular genre - and his teacher was impressed with the amount of reading he thought he could do. Then she told him that he should stretch his mind and reach something that he wouldn't normally pick up. She challenged my son to read a few classics and let her know what he thought.

When he told me about the teacher's challenge, I just shook my head. This is the first summer he has worked full-time and I couldn't imagine him taking what little spare time he has and using it for something that doesn't interest him.

I was wrong. This summer he read Ben Hur and he just finished Great Expectations. He can't wait to report back to the teacher about his summer reading. He just started reading A Tale of Two Cities and was wondering what to read after he finished it. I told him he should read some Shakespeare, quite sure he would laugh at the idea. Tonight, I noticed my volume of Shakespeare was on the couch. Somehow this teacher inspired him to try something out of his comfort zone and, even though he probably won't admit it, I think he is actually enjoying the experience. At the very least, he is inspiring me. There are several classics I've been meaning to read and I think it is about time I start on them.

What books have you read lately that have stretched your mind?

Wild Irish Rose - Week 1 Contest

2011-08-16T00:49:00.001-06:00

The prize this week will be this book:

"It is May 1865. When Rosaleen O'Shay and her mother lose their factory jobs, and then her father and brother are injured in a coal-mine cave-in, the family is in serious trouble. Rosaleen worries they will never save enough money to fulfill their dream to leave Pittsburgh and buy a farm in California. Hoping to give her a better life, Rosaleen's father secretly arranges to marry her off to Blaise Cameron, a young man on his way to his parents' ranch near Stockton, California. In a twist of fate, Blaise turns out to be the soldier from the street — the one Rosaleen considers a blackard.
To make matters worse, Blaise has a plan and dubious motives for taking a wife — so Rosaleen will have to drive a hard bargain of her own. Will Blaise tame the fiery redhead and make her truly his? Or will he annul the marriage as promised when he has achieved his objectives? And will Rosaleen realize that unusual beginnings can lead to happily ever after?" from DeseretBook.com

I will also throw a few surprises into the package as well. To enter the contest this week, do any of the things listed here or leave a comment.

Double Deceit Blog Tour and Contest

2011-08-15T07:00:00.010-06:00

Welcome to my Double Deceit Blog Tour. I'm so excited to have fifteen amazing bloggers on board. Make sure to stop by each blog and come back here every day for chances to win prizes. The tour for Double Deceit starts Monday August 15 and runs through September 2.

I will be giving away a prize package each week.

Week 1 - Wild Irish Rose by Deborah L. Weikel, a beaded bookmark, and chocolate.

Week 2 - Running on Empty by J.Burns Alston, a beaded bookmark, and chocolate.

Week 3 - $25 amazon gift card

There will also be a grand prize. This will include both of my books, Double Deceit and Finding Rose a beaded bookmark, and of course chocolate.

Here are the ways you can enter to win the prizes.

Become a follower of my blog.
Comment on any post or comment on any reviewer's post.
Blog about the contest or the book tour
Mention the book on Facebook or Twitter
Leave a review of either of my books on Goodreads, Amazon, etc.

Make sure you leave a comment telling me which of the above things you have done. Each thing you do will earn you one entry. You have until September 2. Have fun!

August 15 - Maria Hoagland

August 16 - Heather Gardner

August 17 - Rachelle Christensen
August 18 - Jane Still
August 19 - Deborah Davis
August 22 - Renae Mackley
August 23 - Cindy Hogan
August 24 - Matthew Tandy

August 25 - Taffy Lovell
August 26 - Kathy Habel
August 29 - Don Carey
August 30 - Teri Rodeman
August 31 - Cathy Witbeck
Sept. 1 - Shelly Seele

Sept. 2 - Tristi Pinkston

A Favorite Quote

2011-08-04T19:30:00.000-06:00

This is the quote that hangs on the wall in my office.

"The man who follows the crowd will usually get no further than the crowd. The man who walks alone is likely to find himself in places no one has ever been before.

Creativity in living is not without its attendant difficulties, for peculiarity breeds contempt. And the unfortunate thing about being ahead of your time is that when people realize you were right, they'll say it was obvious all along.

You have two choices in life: you can dissolve in the mainstream, or you can be distinct. To be distinct, you must be different. To be different, you must strive to be what no one else but you can be. . ."

Alan Ashley-Pitt

Peaceful Place

2011-08-03T23:39:00.000-06:00

It has been a crazy year and my blogging has suffered. In the last year, I've had two books published, co-directed a high school play, redecorated two rooms of my home, and made or altered four prom dresses. Like everyone else, I'm too busy.

Last September I talked about the office makeover my husband and I started and I promised pictures - which I never got around to taking or posting. So here they are for the few people who asked to see the finished project.

I didn't take "before" pictures. I'm new to the redecorating thing, so it didn't occur to me to document the process. I also forget to take pictures of my kids most of the time, so it only makes sense that I would forget a mere room.

So the first picture is approximately the original colour of the room. My name for it was "blah" and I didn't find it inspiring at all. The room was a standard bedroom that held two tables which my husband and I used as desks. A previous owner built in bunk beds on one wall. The room has always functioned as an office/guest bedroom. I would make the beds with whatever quilts the kids weren't using on their beds and hope the guests didn't think it too odd that the wood on the beds had never been painted or finished in any way.

The whole makeover began when my uncle offered me a desk. It was one of those huge, old, wooden desks that all the teachers had in their classrooms and came with a large piece of glass to cover the top of the desk. The light coloured wood didn't appeal to me, but the size of the desk did and besides that, it had drawers (remember, I was using an old office table.) I decided to paint it white and replace the old gold pulls with new silver ones. Of course once the painting was done, I just couldn't put my shiny new desk in my old blah office. What better colour to show off the white desk than a deep blue? So I picked this colour, then crossed my fingers and held my breath. I've always lived with neutral walls and knew even if I hated it we wouldn't be repainting the room any time soon. We painted the unfinished wood on the bed white to match the desk and found some bright fabric to make into quilts.

The finished room ended up being much darker then I had initially pictured, but once I put everything in place, it was perfect. The blue is calming and shows off the desk and quilts on the bed. It took me quite a while to figure out what I wanted on the walls. I ended up making a wreath out of an old dictionary I picked up at the thrift store. There is also a family tree and some framed prints of Celtic knots and hummingbirds that I love. I've also framed one of my favorite quotes. The room does have a little bit of a split personality. My husband's half of the office still has his old office table for a desk, but we put two narrow white shelves on the wall and put some of his mission memorabilia from Japan. I just need to finish sewing the quilts and put some curtains up.

Here is my little corner of the world.

Guests beds or the perfect place to shut my eyes for fifteen minutes when I just can't keep them open any longer.

So that's it. I don't think I have a talent for decorating or even a real desire to do too much of it, but in the end, I'm pleased with my peaceful corner of the world. Now if I could just figure out what to do with the rest of the house.

Hang 'em High

2011-07-31T07:00:00.005-06:00

Author Tristi Pinkston is excited to announce the release of the third novel in her Secret Sisters Mysteries series.

Titled Hang ‘em High, this novel takes place on a dude ranch in Montana. When Ida Mae’s son invites her to come for a visit, of course she brings Arlette and Tansy along with her. They are expecting to spend the week looking at horses, avoiding the cows, and making amends in Ida Mae’s relationship with her son. What they don’t expect is to be stuck on the ranch in the middle of a blizzard and to be thrust headlong into the middle of a mystery.

***

Help Tristi celebrate her new novel in two ways. First, come participate in the two-week-long blog contest, where you can win a book nearly every single day! All the details are up on Tristi’s blog.

Second, come to the book launch!

You are invited to an

August Authorama!

Saturday, August 13th

Pioneer Book, 858 S. State, Orem

12 – 4 pm

Games, prizes, balloons, face painting,

and Dutch oven cobbler

prepared by world champion cook

Keith Fisher.

Authors Tristi Pinkston, J. Lloyd Morgan, Cindy Hogan,

Nichole Giles, and Heather Justesen

will all be there to sign books.

This is one book launch event

you will not want to miss!

Book Giveaway - Boost Your Revenues by Turning People Away

2011-07-13T16:33:00.000-06:00

Cami at Cami's Books is giving away this book on her blog. This is what she has to say about it.

"I was so impressed with this book I decided I needed to do a giveaway so one of my wonderful followers can be inspired to update their website like I was (give me a few weeks, I'm still working on it).

Boost Your Revenues By Turning People Away is a fabulous how-to book. I learned a lot about how to startup or update a website but I also learned about promotion, marketing, and general internet info (that I probably should've known but didn't). I would recommend the book to anyone who is selling a product online."

If you want a chance to win this book, go here and leave a comment.

LDSWBR Countdown to Summer Contest

2011-06-22T21:14:00.000-06:00

I completely forgot to post about the Countdown to Summer on the LDS Women's Book Review Blog, but there is still time for you to go there and enter the contest. Everyday a different book is reviewed and the book's author is interviewed. Double Deceit was featured here.

Leave a comment on any of the Countdown to Summer posts to be entered to win a prize. There are fourteen books being given away (including a copy of Double Deceit), and also a $50 gift certificate to Amazon.com. Just go and leave a comment before midnight, June 24th for a chance to win. Good luck and happy reading!

If Only it Were True

2011-06-14T22:28:00.000-06:00

I have my name on the substitute list for classroom aides at the school. A couple times a week I'll get a phone call to go to work. Usually I help individual children with math or reading or help special needs children with their daily routine. One day I was asked to sub in the library - my favorite place to work. This particular time, I ended up teaching a grade two class about biographies. We were to discuss what a biography is and then the children were to pair up and write the biography of their partner.

As the class went to work on their assignment, I walked around the room trying to keep them on task and answer any questions they had. One little girl tapped my arm as I walked past her. "Mrs. Humphreys, my friend told me you are a real writer and wrote a real book." When I said that her friend was right, this little girl's face lit up in amazement. "That is so cool!" she said. Then she turned to her partner and they started working on their biographies.

The next time I walked past her, she tapped my arm again. "So you have a real book that you really wrote?"

"Yes." I smiled and asked her to turn back to her work. She giggled and said again, "That is SO cool!"

This went on for the rest of the class. Every time I walked by she would have a different question. "What is the book about?", "Is your book in a bookstore?", and "Are you writing more books?" After every one of my responses, she would say how cool it was. (I wouldn't have normally encouraged her interest in the middle of class, but she was one of the more diligent students and was getting the assignment finished.)

At the end of the class period, I had them line up at the door to return to their classroom. This little girl stood at the end of the line where I was standing and said, "Mrs. Humphreys, if you write books, you must make all the money in your house."

She was a little disappointed when I told her Mr. Humphreys makes the money in our house. Oh well, it can't all be cool, can it?

Win a Copy of Double Deceit

2011-06-06T10:05:00.001-06:00

If you would like to win a copy of Double Deceit go to the Walnut Springs Press blog. They are giving away a copy. It is easy to enter. Just leave an answer to the question "Has someone you loved ever deceived you?" Good luck!

2011 Whitney Eligible Book List

2011-06-01T08:00:00.007-06:00

I've debated with myself about whether to compile a list of the eligible books for the Whitney Awards this year. It is a fair amount of work and I don't know if anyone really uses it. I started the first list in 2007 because we were being asked to nominate books, but there was no other list available. Many people I talked to weren't even aware of who the current LDS authors were. I spent hours searching for LDS authors and their most recent books. That first year, the list was 96 books long.

Soon after that LDSpublisher began posting a list on her blog. I've thought a lot about it and have decided to go ahead and post the list. Not all my readers follow the other blog, and I like to have a list right at my fingertips. I figure the more we advertise the awards, the better for everyone. This year's list is growing quickly. There seem to be more self published books than ever before and more series. So here is this year's list. If you know of any book published by an LDS author that should be on the list, let me know and I"ll make sure to add it.

Abramson, Traci Hunter - Obsession
Abramson, Traci Hunter - Smokescreen
Adair, Liz - Cold River
Allen, N.C. - Isabelle Webb: The Pharoah's Daughter
Anderson, Rachael Renee - Minor Adjustments
Amber, Argyle - Witch Song
Argyle, Michelle Davidson - Monarch
Ashworth, Heidi - Miss Delacourt Has Her Day
Autry, Clover - Sea Born
Autumn, Ivory - Rise of the Fallen
Beck, Glenn - The Snow Angel
Bell, Michelle Ashman - The Perfect Fit
Bellon, Julie Coulter - Ribbon of Darkness
Belt, C. David - The Unwilling: The Children of Lillith #1
Bennett, R. William - Jacob T. Marley
Bingham, Laura - Wings of Light: Alvor #2
Black, Stephanie - Rearview Mirror
Borrowman, Jerry - Attack the Lusitania
Bostick, B.K. - Huber Hill and the Dead Man's Treasure
Brown, Marilyn - Fires of Jerusalem
Bryant, C.K. - Bound
Bush, Linda Todd - Voice Across Time
Bushman, John S. - Impractical Grace
Buttimore, Anna Jones - Honeymoon Heist
Card, Orson Scott - The Lost Gate
Carey, Donald J. - Bumpy Landings
Chidester, Millie - Beyond this Valley
Clark, Jennifer K. & Stephonie K. Williams - Mark of Royalty
Clark, Linda Weaver - Montezuma Intrigue: The Adventures of John and Julia Evans #3
Coffman, D.M. - The Hainan Incident
Cole, Frank L. - Guardians of the Hidden Scepter
Collings, Michael R. - Serpent's Tooth
Collings, Michael R. - Shadow Valley
Collings, Michael R. - Static: a Novel of Horror
Condie, Ally - Crossed
Correia, Larry & Mike Kupari - Dead Six
Correia, Larry - Hard Magic
Correia, Larry - Monster Hunter Alpha
Correia, Larry - Spellbound
Cross, Ali - Become
Dashner, James - The Death Cure
Daybell, Chad - The Renewed Earth: Standing in Holy Places #5
Doucet, Therese - A Lost Arguement
Drake, Terrance - Perdition's Gateway
Dye, Anna del C - Curse of the Elfs
Eden, Sarah M. - The Kiss of a Stranger
English, Ben - Tyro: Jack Be Nimble #2
Erickson, Michelle - Walking in Lightning: Chest of Souls #9
Erickson, Michelle - Pic Jump
Erickson, Michelle - Storm: Chest of Souls #8
Evans, M.J. - Behind the Mist
Evans, Richard Paul - Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25
Evans, Richard Paul - Miles to Go
Ficklin, Sherry D. - Second Sight: The Gods of Fate #2
Fitzpatrick, Becca - Silence
Ford, Julie N. - Countdown to Love
Forman, M.L. - The Horn of Moran: Adventurers Wanted #2
Frost, Heather - Seers
Gardner, Julie - The Trouble with Squids: Splurch Academy for Disruptive Boys #4
George, Jessica Day - Tuesdays at the Castle
Grant, K.C. - Abish: Mother of Faith
Grundvig, Arnold - I am Peter
Haberkorn, Jim - Einstein's Trunk
Hall, Vickie - All that was Promised
Hansen, Jennie - If I Should Die
Harrison, E. James - The Tomb Builder
Harrison, Mette Ivie - The Princess and the Horse
Harrison, Mette Ivie - Tris & Izzie
Hawkes, Jaclyn M. - The Outer Edge of Heaven
Heimerdinger, Chris - Escape from Zarahemla
Hickman, Tracy - Embers of Atlantis
Higgins, Marie - Hearts Through Time
Hill, C.J. -Slayers
Hinrichsen, R.K. - The Hidden Kingdom
Hoagland, Maria - Nourish & Strengthen
Holmes, Michele Paige - Captive Heart
Hoover, Karen E. - Armor of Light: The Wolfchild Saga #2
Hueller, Andy - Skipping Stones at the Center of the Earth
Hulet, Debra Terry - Independence Rock
Humphreys, Stephanie - Double Deceit
Jaconson, Melanie - Not My Type
Jacobson, Melanie - The List
James, C.C. - Banshee's Cry: Demon Trackers #2
Johnson, Elana - Possession
Jovan, Moriah - Magdalene
Kammeyer - The Defender of God: The Clan of Stone #2
Kammeyer, Kurt - The Clan of the Stone
Kelly, Carla - Borrowed Light
Kent, Steven L. - The Clone Redemption
Keogh, Abel - The Third
Kilpack, Josi - Blackberry Crumble
Kilpack, Josi - Pumpkin Roll
Kirby, Matthew - Icefall
Kurland, Lynn - One Magic Moment
Kurland, Lynn - Spellweaver
Lang, L.C.- Missing
Leavitt, Lindsey - The Royal Treatment: Princess for Hire #2
Leavitt, Lindsey - Sean Griswald's Head
Lemon, Melissa - Cinder and Ella
Littke, Lsel - Keepers of Blackbird Hill
Little, Kimberly Griffiths - Circle of Secrets
Love, Betsy - Identity
Luke, Gregg - Bloodborne
Lyon, Annette - The Golden Cup of Kardak
Mangum, Lisa - The Forgotten Locket
Marks, Melanie - When Kyle Came Back
Mathews, Jean Holbrook - The Assignment
McKendry, Kristen - Garden Plot
McClure, Marcia Lynn - The Trove of the Passion Room
McPheters, Mike - Lit Fuse
Mehring, Christine - Bitter Blessings
Merrill, Kieth - The Evolution of Thomas Hall
Miller, Jeanette - Montana Summer
Miller, Rod - The Assassination of Governor Boggs
Moncur, Misty - Daughter of Helaman
Moore, H.B. - Ammon
Mull, Brandon - Beyonders: A World Without Heroes
Mueller, Elizabeth - Darkspell
Niccum, S.B. - Veiled
Nielson, Jennifer A. - Elliot and the Pixie Plot
Novak, Brenda - In Close
Novak, Brenda - In Seconds
Novak, Brenda - Inside
Nunes, Rachel Ann - Before I Say Goodbye
Nunes, Rachel Ann - Shades of Gray
Olsen, Jeffrey - Called to Serve Again
Patten, E.J. - Return to Exile
Pearson, Andrea - The Ember Gods: Key of Kilenya #2
Pearson, Andrea - The Key of Kilenya
Perry, Jolene B. - The Next Door Boys
Peterson, Donna - The Misadventures of Phillip Isaac Penn
Peterson, Kathi Oram - River Whispers
Pickett, Anola - Wasatch Summer
Pike, Aprilynne - Illusions
Pinkston, Tristi - Dearly Departed
Pinkston, Tristi - Hang 'Em High
Poulson, Clair M. - Hunted
Poulson, Clair M. - Vengeance
Rallison, Janette - My Unfair Godmother
Richardson, Frank - Sudden Peril
Rimmasch, Paul - The Lost Stones
Sanderson, Brandon - The Alloy of Law: a Mistborn Novel
Sanderson, Brandon - Infinity Blade: Awakening
Scott, Loraine - NYC: Murder Brooklyn Style
Sears, Gale - Letters in the Jade Dragon Box
Shelley, Rebecca - All I Got for Christmas: Smartboys Club #5
Shelley, Rebecca - Black Dragon
Shumate, Nathan - The Demon Cross
Skye, Obert - Beyond Foo
Skye, Obert - Wokenstein: Creature from My Closet
Slack, Mandi Tucker - The Alias
Sneed, Theresa - No Angel
Sorenson, Toni - Messiah
Spitzer, Raymond - Arizona Guy
Stansfield, Anita - A Distant Shore: Shadows of Brierley #3
Stansfield, Anita - A Far Horizon: Shadows of Brierley #2
Stansfield, Anita - The Wanderer: Shadows of Brierley #1
Strain, Elodia - My Girlfriend's Boyfriend
Stringam, Jean - Balance
Talley, Rebecca - The Upside of Down
Tew, Catherine - The Perfect Token
Thayne, RaeAnne - Blackberry Summer
Thayne, RaeAnne - Christmas in Cold Creek
Thompson, Michelle - Flames of Redemption
Tippetts, E.M. - Paint Me True
Vandagriff, G.G.- Foggy with a Chance of Murder
Vasicek, Joe- Bringing Stella Home
Warburton, Carol Thayne - Just Shy of Paradise
Wells, Dan - I Don't Want to Kill You
Wells, Robison - Variant
Wheeler, Jeff - The Blight of Muirwood #2
Wheeler, Jeff - The Scourge of Muirwood #3
Wheeler, Jeff - The Wretched of Muirwood #1
White, Karey - Gifted
White, Kiersten - Supernaturally
Whitesides, Tyler - Janitors
Wiggins, Bethany - Shifting
Wilkins, Roseanne Evans - Hidden in the Heart
Wilkins, Roseanne Evans - Tangled Hearts
Williams, Carol Lynch - Miles from Ordinary
Woodland, Lani - Indelible
Woolley, David G. - Compass of God: Promised Land #5
Worlton, Stephanie - Hope's Journey
Wright, Jason F. - The Wedding Letters
Wright, Julie - Hazzardous Universe
Young, Michael D. - The Last Archangel

Graduation

2011-05-31T10:49:00.000-06:00

It hardly seems possible that my daughter is old enough to graduate from high school, but on the 20th I attended her graduation ceremonies and watched her walk across the stage in a cap and gown. The ceremonies we attended were just the formal celebration. She still has several weeks left of school.

My daughter and I spent weeks working on her dress and finding the perfect jewellery and shoes. She had a clear vision in her head of exactly how she wanted to look. There was no talk of sophisticated or glamourous. She just wanted to be modest and look like a princess. She also didn't want to look like the other girls. In the end she loved her dress and still wants to find excuses to wear it. She chose a dark green satin with a black, embroidered organza overlay. That alone made her different, since most of the dresses were brighter colors. The fact that she also chose a modest sleeve also made her stand out.

When I began making the dress, I chose not to take the normal shortcuts I usually take to keep the cost down for clients. The layers of lace and satin in the bodice were hand-basted together. I chose to add an inner layer of flannel to give the bodice some body and also to provide a place to attach the boning so it wouldn't be visible on the finished dress. This layer was also hand basted in. Once we got the bodice just right, the skirt went in easily. There was a crinoline attached to the dress and, just out of curiosity, we measured the length and found that the circumference of the crinoline hem was 500". We could stretch it from one end of the house to the other. The finishing touches were the brooch she found on clearance and the 1,500 Swarovski crystals we attached to the hem. You can't really see them in the picture, but when she moved, the crystals caught the light just right. It was a lot of work, but so worth it. The happiness in her face was the best payment I've ever received for a dress.

When I graduated I wondered why the school held grad so early. As a parent, I see the logic behind the decision. There were dresses and dates to find, hair and nails to be done, and general excitement on top of the many activities the kids planned. I don't think many of the graduates focused on school work the whole week. Now that the fun is all over, they have to buckle down for the real work. Departmentals - a government exam given in each of the core subjects and worth 50% of the final grade - are coming and bringing with them all the stress of studying. I can't imagine how hard the tests would be if the weeks before were taken up with grad preparations.

I'm so proud of my daughter and all she has accomplished. One of the speakers said that graduation is just the beginning, and I can't wait to see what she does with her talents and abilities. She'll definitely go far. At the same time, I am still trying to figure out how she is old enough to graduate. I think we get closer to being the same age all the time.

Double Deceit

2011-05-11T22:47:00.000-06:00

Last weekend I was able to attend the LDStorymakers conference in Salt Lake City. As always, it was a fun and valuable experience. For me the best part was being able to pick up my copies of my new book, Double Deceit, and being able to see both of my books available in the bookstore. Double Deceit should be in bookstores soon. I realized that I forgot to even mention that the book had been accepted. It ended up being quite a whirlwind process. Between the play, the grad dresses, and two trips to Utah, I haven't said much of anything about the book to anyone, but that will change.

My next priority is finishing my daughter's grad dress. Grad is next weekend. I'm just putting the finishing touches on her dress and I have one more dress to alter for one of her friends. I have to keep reminding myself that there is life after grad dresses. I hope to come up for air soon and focus more on the writing side of my life. Until then I'll just have to send the persistent characters in my head on vacation.

Beautiful Mommy Writer Award

2011-03-23T21:19:00.000-06:00

Dierdra Eden-Coppel from A Storybook World gave me this award.

Thanks, Dierdra. It is just what I needed today.

This and That

2011-02-26T23:30:00.001-07:00

It has been another crazy week here. I still feel like I'm behind on just about everything, but I am slowly catching up. It's all about taking things one day at a time.

1. My oldest daughter turned 18 on Thursday. The years have flown by so fast, I can hardly believe it. She is beautiful, talented, and kind. I am so proud of her and can hardly imagine how strange it will be in our home when she goes to university next year.

2. I spent Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at girl's camp. Yes, it was snowy and cold, but we didn't feel any need to prove how tough we were. We stayed at a cabin so we were out of the bitter weather. There were only two very small bedrooms, so most of us slept on the floors around the wood burning stoves. There were several tables set up with different crafts, cross country skis to use, a pond to skate on, sleds to ride and a ping pong table. We let the girls pick the activities they wanted to do and didn't really schedule anything. It was about relaxing and spending time together. I have to admit that I was glad to return home to my own bed, though.

3. The last three days, my husband took some scouts up to Camp Impeesa for the Senator Buchanan Winter Camp. Temperatures that dipped into the -40 C range kept them from doing many outdoor activities, but they had fun anyway and everyone returned safe and sound. I'm sure they are all glad to return to their own beds, too.

4. Did I mention that I am more than ready for spring to arrive? Temperatures are still dipping to -20 C quite regularly. Seriously, I'd be happy with a balmy 0 C.

5. I finally started my daughter's grad dress. The pattern making part of the job is driving me crazy. I just wish the pattern companies would produce designs with shoulders and sleeves so that I wouldn't need to draft the missing pieces in every time I sew a dress. Once I get the pattern just right, the rest should go together smoothly. I'll post pictures of the finished product in a month or two.

6. I finally finished Double Deceit and submitted it. Now the fun of waiting begins.

7. The Whitney Awards are quickly approaching and I'm working on reading all the finalists so I can vote. So far I've read 16 1/2. I should be able to catch up now that I'm finished my own revisions. Just looking at Brandon Sanderson's The Way of Kings is intimidating. That is a lot of pages to read, especially considering how many other books are on the list. I'm determined to finish it though.

So that is my week in a nutshell. How was yours?