Nov 292011
 

 

26 days until Christmas

 

Kristen Garner McKendry grew up in Provo, Utah. She began writing in her teens and her work has been published in Canada and the U.S. She received a Bachelors Degree in Linguistics from Brigham Young University and has always been a voracious reader. Kristen has a strong interest in urban agriculture, sustainable living, and environmental issues. She enjoys playing the bagpipes, learning obscure languages, growing wheat in the backyard, and making cheese. She now resides with her husband and children in Ontario, Canada.

Connect with Kristen: WEBSITE | Facebook

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 LDSWBR: What Christmas-related activity would you like to do this year that you have never done before?

KRISTEN: I want to participate in the sing-along Messiah in Toronto, which I’ve heard is an amazing experience. Also, something I want to do that is winter-related but not necessarily Christmas-related: I want to ride the Polar Bear Express, a train that goes to the far north of Canada, and see the northern lights.

LDSWBR: If you could find one book under the tree this year, what would it be?

KRISTEN: One I’ve been wanting is The Self Sufficient Life by John Seymour.

LDSWBR: What is your favorite childhood Christmas memory?

KRISTEN: Every Christmas seems special as I think back. It’s difficult to narrow it down. We had some great traditions – visiting my grandparents’ farm, Mom’s wonderful homemade hot chocolate, caroling to our neighbours (why don’t people carol anymore? That was great fun.) Playing secret Santa to a needy family in the neighbourhood. And every year my mother sewed all of us kids matching flannel pajamas. But I think one of my favourite memories is when my brother was on his mission in Germany and we lit real candles on the Christmas tree at home, to honour the German tradition, and sang Stille Nacht (while Mom hovered with a bucket of water in case the whole thing went up in flames).

LDSWBR: Riding the Polar Bear Express to see the Northern Lights would be an amazing experience. Thank you, Kristen!

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Buy Garden Plot by Kristen McKendry

LDS BOOKS CANADA | DESERET BOOK | AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

 Read Shanda’s review of Garden Plot.

Have you ever seen the Northern (or Southern) Lights? When and from where?

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To enter the Countdown to Christmas 2011 contest, complete the following and then tell us what you did:

  • **Required entry (+1) – Leave a thoughtful comment on this post. (More than just “Great contest!” please) You must leave a comment on this post for your other entries to count. If you are reading this post through email or an RSS reader, please click through to leave a comment.
  • Bonus entry (+1) – Tweet or post on Facebook the following message: Great book give-away! Visit www.ldswbr.com & enter to win $50 at Amazon, books & swag in @LDSWBR Countdown to Christmas. Send an email to ldswbr (at) gmail (dot) com telling us what you did.
  • Additional entries (one time +1 entry each) – 1) Subscribe to LDSWBR through email 2)Follow @LDSWBR on Twitter 3) Like LDS Women’s Book Review on Facebook (all found at the the top of the right sidebar on the LDSWBR blog). NOTE: If you already subscribe through email, follow us on Twitter, or Like us on Facebook you must tell us in a comment for the extra entries to count.
  • By leaving a comment and entering the Countdown to Christmas 2011, you agree to the contest information found here.

 

***So far the Countdown to Christmas 2011 authors have donated 16 books and some swag! The prize list is continuing to grow and will be updated often. If you haven’t read the contest rules and info, read them here.***

 

Book prizes donated by their authors (list will be updated as more prizes are added):
  • Rearview Mirror by Stephanie Black
  • The Next Door Boys by Jolene B. Perry
  • Winner’s choice of one of the books in the Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery Series by Josi S. Kilpack (including Banana Split which will be released in February 2012)
  • Seeking Persephone by Sarah M. Eden
  • Obsession by Traci Hunter Abramson
  • Circle of Secrets by Kimberley Griffiths Little
  • Indelible by Lani Woodland and a swag bag!
  • Identity by Betsy Love
  • The Hainan Incident by D.M. Coffman (autographed copy)
  • Count Down to Love by Julie N. Ford
  • Geek Girl by Cindy C. Bennett
  • The Breakup Artist by Shannen Crane Camp
  • Seers by Heather Frost
  • Pride & Popularity by Jenni James
Don’t forget to comment! Merry Christmas and happy reading!

  11 Responses to “Garden Plot by Kristen McKendry – Countdown to Christmas 2011”

  1. Wow, that’s a great list of books people can win. I’ve got Garden Plot on my to-read list. It’s sounds like a lot of fun. For a murder mystery. I love that cover!

  2. I haven’t read many murder-mysteries, but this sounds like a fun one to test out the genre with! I have never seen the Northern (or Southern) lights, but I think it would be an amazing experience!

  3. Garden Plot was a fun read, I really enjoyed the mystery of the book. I haven’t ever seen the Northern or Southern Lights, but I think that it would be a really cool thing, I’m adding it to my list!

    I get your e-mails and like LDSWBR on facebook.

  4. I can feel a road trip coming on. We should pick a year and all go see the Northern Lights together.

    Thanks everyone for the kind words about Garden Plot.

    Kristen

  5. I would love to see the Northern Lights especially by train. I have never seen these lights and I bet it would beautiful. I have so many trips I want to take when my kids are older, this one will go on the list!

  6. I enjoy murder mysteries, but I struggle with suspense books. I like to read before bed and will sometimes stay up way too late if I can’t get to a good stopping point. I’ve never seen the Northern Lights, and the train ride is enticing.

  7. I haven’t seen either of the lights, but would love to! Awww, so many things I’d like to see in my lifetime!

  8. Facebook and e-mail follower.

  9. Oh my goodness I saw this book in the store the other day and it looks fabulous!! I have never seen the northern lights but it is on my mom’s bucket list so sometime in the next 2 years my mom and sisters and I are taking a trip to Alaska to see them :-) Dreams are ment to be made into reality!

  10. WOW………….the cover of your book is very intriguing!!! Looks like it would be a good read!!
    I would also love to see the northern lights………..riding the Polar Bear Express would be so much fun!!!

  11. I also follow LDSWBR through e-mail and like you on Facebook. Thanks so much!

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