Jun 162013
 

CD2S2013_200

 

Heather MooreHeather B. Moore is the award-winning author of several historical novels which are set in Ancient Arabia and Mesoamerica. She is not old and doesn’t remember the time period, so Google has become a great friend. Although she has spent several years living in the Middle East, she prefers to forget the smells. Heather writes her historical thrillers under the pen name H.B. Moore so that men will buy her books. She is also the author of two non-fiction books, and several women’s novels including the co-authored series The Newport Ladies Book Club, the anthology series A Timeless Romance Anthology, and the historical romantic suspense novel Heart of the Ocean. These are all written under her real name so that women will buy her books.

Visit Heather:  WEBSITE | BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

* * *

LDSWBR:  What books do you plan/hope to read this summer?

HEATHER:  I just bought The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult… I’ve loved all the books I’ve read by her.

LDSWBR: Did you ever go to summer camp, and/or what is your most memorable camping experience?

HEATHER:  I went to “Girls Camp”–which is a church camp. The best year was when I won all the canoe races.

LDSWBR:  If you could have a summer home anywhere in the world, where would it be?

HEATHER:  I would just stay in Utah for the summer… the mountains are a great getaway… but if we are talking winter homes, maybe San Diego.

LDSWBR:  Thank you, Heather!

* * *

Find Esther the Queen

AMAZON (Paperback & Kindle) | DESERET BOOK (Paperback, ebook & audio) | SEAGULL BOOKGOODREADS

EstherQueen5106742_detail

She is a beautiful young Jewess, content in her life of anonymity… He is the most powerful king in the world… When chance brings the two together, the course of history is forever altered.

The glittering court of the Persian Empire serves as the backdrop for one of the most poignant tales of courage in the Bible, brought vividly to life in the pages of bestselling author H.B. Moore’s sweeping saga. And it begins on a dusty road in the Jewish Quarter . . .

An unexpected meeting between Esther and King Xerxes results in an immediate and unmistakable connection. When Esther is summoned to enter the king’s harem—the first step toward becoming his wife—Esther is torn between her desire to be with Xerxes and the knowledge that they will forever be divided by the secret of her Jewish heritage. Encouraged by her family to do what she must to help her people, she deftly navigates her new position in the palace, quickly becoming beloved by all—including Xerxes.

But when a treacherous plan threatens to engulf the kingdom in violence, Esther must choose between love and duty.

Have you ever been canoeing? Did you race? Did you win?

* * *

To enter the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2013, leave a thoughtful comment below.

Comment on each Countdown to Summer 2013 post for more chances to win. Please click through to the website as only comments submitted directly on this post will be accepted.

Prizes include a $50 Amazon gift card and the author-donated books listed below. This is raffle-style drawing where all entries throughout the contest period are entered into the same “hat” for all prizes. US only. 18 years and older please. See all contest rules and restrictions HERE.

If you don’t already follow LDSWBR through email, Facebook or Twitter (those cute little book buttons on the sidebar) you may want to consider doing so during the contest so you don’t miss any posts or chances to enter the drawing. Following LDSWBR is not required but it is nice to know that our book reviews are useful to other readers.

If one of our LDSWBR reviews has ever helped you find a book you enjoyed, perhaps you would consider helping us spread the word about the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2013. A link posted to your friends and family either in email or on your favorite social network would be so greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Book prizes generously donated by the authors as of 6/16/2013 (more added throughout the countdown!):

  • A Blind Eye by Julie Daines (signed), a bookmark AND a Mind the Gap temporary tattoo
  • I, Spy by Jordan McCollum (choice of paperback or ebook)
  • Sworn Enemy by A.L. Sowards (choice of paperback or ebook)
  • Glimmer of Hope by Sarah M. Eden
  • A Change of Plans by Donna K. Weaver
  • Fairy Godmothers, Inc. by Jenniffer Wardell (signed paperback)
  • Esther the Queen by H.B. Moore (Kindle or Nook)

By commenting and participating in the Countdown to Summer 2013 you agree to the following:

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY; entrants must be 18 years or older; open to residents of continental US only; giveaway begins June 10, 2013 and all entries must be received by 12:00 Midnight June 30, 2012 Mountain Time; to enter, complete the required entry on each post and any additional entries of your choice if listed; LDS Women’s Book Review reserves the right to determine what is considered a thoughtful comment as per each post’s required entry; giveaway prizes include a $50 Amazon gift card and a variety of book prizes donated by featured authors; the number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning; LDS Women’s Book Review is not liable for technical problems which may affect entry into the giveaway; winner identity will be verified by email address; winner will be selected July 2, 2013 by use of a sequence generator on random.org; winners will have until July 10, 2013 to claim their prize; if any prize winner forfeits or does not claim prize, prize will be re-awarded to next winner in sequence; all prizes will be awarded; limit of two prizes per entrant; this contest/giveaway is not associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other entity unless otherwise specified; by entering the giveaway you give LDS Women’s Book Review the right to publicize your name on the LDS Women’s Book Review blog; winner agrees to release LDS Women’s Book Review from any liability as a result of winning; email comments & questions to LDS Women’s Book Review – ldswbr (at) gmail (dot) com; giveaway subject to Utah regulations; VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

  19 Responses to “Esther the Queen by H.B. Moore – Countdown to Summer 2013”

  1. I think I went canoeing (or was it kayaking?) once at Girls Camp, but I don’t remember ever being involved in a boat race. I love being out on the water on any type of boat. It is incredibly relaxing and refreshing!

  2. Ever since I fell in love with Minerva Teichert’s painting of Queen Esther, I’ve always been intrigued by historical fiction tales about her. This looks like a good book. I will have to read it for sure. :) Thanks!

  3. I never went canoeing because I was always reading in the tent!

  4. I went canoeing once as a teen with our YM/YW group (back in the days when they did big “super activities.” I was in a canoe with my sister and we tipped over in the middle of the river. She’s not a great swimmer and was pretty traumatized by it!

  5. I’ve never been canoeing, with my luck, I’d probably get dumped out!

  6. When I went to girls camp as a young woman, we never had canoeing. (Maybe because we never camped by a lake?) The last time I went as a leader (2 years ago), I was out in the middle of the lake having a great time with our girls. My friend even painted a picture of me demonstrating proper balancing techniques. :o)

  7. Yes, I have been canoeing, but my friend and I didn’t know what we were doing, so we faced each other and paddled, it was a little tough, but we worked together and were able to make it a little ways – no racing, though.

  8. We did canoe races every year at girl’s camp and I was a pretty good canoeist since my family owned a canoe and I had had previous experience. But the race that really stands out in my mind isn’t one that I participated in. It was called the gunnel race and the person would stand on the back of the canoe prow and jump up and down to propel their boat forward. Way fun, but it had a high casualty rate as girls would frequently fall off. I’ve since been back to my old girl’s camp as a leader and it is now against the rules to gunnel race, but we did it every year that I went as a girl.

  9. My husband and I just bought a canoe last year. When we go out, he paddles and I keep tabs on the kids, so we definitely aren’t going for racing!

  10. I have many fond memories of going canoeing. Whether it was with my family, friends or ward, we always had a good time! And there is always a healthy dose of racing! On a few occasions, the races have ended with a canoe tipping, and other times flipping someone out. It is SO much fun!

  11. We were only able to go canoeing one time at camp. I am not a water person but I do remember loving the canoe and wanting to go in it as much as I could. We never did races, but that would have been fun!

  12. I’ve been canoeing a few times. No races, but the most memorable time was with some friends from high school. We tipped the canoe really far from shore and it was an adventure getting it upright. Good times!

  13. Yes I have been canoeing and did not enjoy it at all. I did not race nor did I win.

  14. uh a long long time ago as a small child. I just remember going in circles rather than rowing in a straight line.

  15. OK I just have to say, I find it cute that all of the authors so far have explained that girls camp is a form of church camp. I find it cute because this website is about LDS authors. Sorry just thought it was cute.
    I have never been canoeing. I just don’t know if it is something I want to do.

  16. I have been canoeing. Our stake YW president and a large pack of YCLs decided to try to swamp me. Once we got out in the lake, they all started coming at me so I had to race to get away from them all.

  17. I’ve never been canoeing. Maybe I should try it!

  18. I have been canoeing a lot and actually got to take a canoeing class when I was up at BYU-Idaho. It was a lot of fun and while we did have races I cannot recall if I won. It is a great activity.

  19. I have done a lot of canoeing, but never racing. My parents bought a canoe when I was little and my brothers and I had a good time in it!

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.