Dec 222011
 

3 days until Christmas

 

Originally from Arizona, Traci Hunter Abramson spent much of her childhood exploring the little town of Pinewood. She is a graduate of Brigham Young University and a former employee of the Central Intelligence Agency. Since leaving the CIA, Traci has written multiple novels, including the Undercurrents trilogy, Royal Target, and the Saint Squad Series.

When she’s not writing, Traci loves spending time with her husband and their four children. She also enjoys cooking, although she prefers an electric stove to the wood burning variety. Traci says, “I can add to this that after going through a major kitchen remodel, I am REALLY appreciative of kitchen sinks and the idea of having my stove, microwave, and refrigerator all in the same room again!”

Connect with Traci: WEBSITE | BLOG | Twitter | Facebook

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

TRACI: One thing that I always wanted to do was visit the White House when it was decorated for Christmas. I actually was able to do that with a group of friends earlier this month. The best part of the tour was right at the beginning shortly after we entered and everyone was given the opportunity to write a card for a service member overseas. It was great seeing everyone stop and give some thought and thanks to those who are sacrificing their time to serve and protect especially knowing that these men and women will be away from their own families this Christmas. The funniest moment was when the “First Dog” was taken out for a walk. A lot of people got really excited about seeing a dog. The most gratifying moment came as I exited the gates with a few of my friends. One of my friends turned to one of the guards and with complete sincerity said, “Thank you for doing your job.” The guard goggled at her for a moment. Then he thanked her and said something about how rare it is for someone to show their appreciation for their service. Those few kind words really made me appreciate the women I’m fortunate enough to consider friends.

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

TRACI: Oh, the agony to choose just one! I think the one I would most love to find is Be Your Best Self by President Thomas S. Monson. The title alone inspires me.

LDSWBR: What is your favorite childhood Christmas memory?

TRACI: I am fortunate to have a lot of great childhood memories of Christmas, but I think one of my favorites was when I was a teenager a bunch of us from church were given the opportunity to do 12 days of Christmas for a family. The first few days were a lot of fun, picking out presents and then ringing the doorbell and hiding before anyone could open the door. By about day 5, the family was on to us and was getting to the door a little too quick for comfort. What were we to do? We couldn’t get caught delivering the gifts, of course. Yet, we couldn’t stop before we had completed our task. We discussed our options, about six of us who had been working together. A solution was arrived at and was unanimous. We would let my little sister deliver the gifts to the door for the last few days. She didn’t go to church with us and they might not recognize her if she was caught. Wouldn’t you know, that little kid was FAST! She never did get caught, but we sure had a great time watching her sneak up to the door like a spy in an old comedy and then hide in places she shouldn’t have logically been able to fit. The hardest part was holding back our laughter until we were all a safe distance away from our recipient’s house.

LDSWBR: Thank you so much, Traci. Merry Christmas!

* * * * *

Buy Obsession by Traci Hunter Abramson

DESERET BOOK | SEAGULL BOOK | AMAZON

Read our Combined review of Obsession.

Have you ever been fortunate enough to visit the White House at Christmastime?

* * * * *

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) – Visit Traci’s blog (link above) then send us an email  at ldswbr(at)gmail(dot)com telling us the title of Traci’s next book. (Don’t tell us in the comments, please. Thanks! :) )
  • 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.

 

***If you haven’t read the contest rules and info, read them here.***

 

Book prizes donated by their authors:

  • Winners choice of  Divinely Designed, Luck of the Draw, or Minor Adjustments by Rachael Renee Anderson
  • Winner’s choice of Secret Sisters, Dearly Departed, or Hang ’em High by Tristi Pinkston
  • Montana Summer by Jeanette Miller
  • Ribbon of Darkness by Julie Coulter Bellon
  • Not My Type by Melanie Jacobson
  • Cinder & Ella by Melissa Lemon (ebook)
  • Pride & Popularity by Jenni James
  • The Kissing Tree by Prudence Bice
  • Rearview Mirror by Stephanie Black (paperback or Kindle)
  • 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 (autographed hardcover!)
  • 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
Don’t forget to comment! Merry Christmas and happy reading!

 

Dec 212011
 

4 days until Christmas

 

It’s Wednesday, which means Mindy’s up. Take it away, Mindy. :)

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

MINDY: I think it would be fun to go see the lights at Thanksgiving Point. My sister raves about them, and I think they would be beautiful.

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

MINDY: I really have been looking forward to reading Crossed by Ally Condie, and The Death Cure by James Dashner.

LDSWBR: What is your favorite childhood Christmas memory?

MINDY: I am not good with surprises, ask my husband. I like knowing things in advance, even presents. When I was younger, a lot younger :), I really wanted Hysteria by Def Leppard. I asked my sister for it, but there wasn’t an album shaped gift under the tree. In my “sneaky” ways, I cut along the tape line, unwrapped the small box, and saw there was a note inside, telling me where to find my real gift. I did feel bad about being sneaky, but the funny part was, she knew I would do that. That’s why she put me on a treasure hunt.

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Wow, this was hard. To narrow it down, I chose some of my favorite that I rated 5 stars on goodreads. Last year, I cheated, and had too many favorites. This year, I’m playing by the rules.

Mindy’s Top Ten (in no particular order)

  1. Rearview Mirror by Stephanie Black
  2. Tuesday’s at the Castle by Jessica Day George
  3. The Kissing Tree by Prudence Bice
  4. My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison
  5. Variant by Robison Wells
  6. Pumpkin Roll by Josi Kilpack
  7. Bad Guys of the Book of Mormon by Dennis Gaunt
  8. City Limits by Sheralyn Pratt
  9. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
  10. The Cross Gardener by Jason Wright
What are you favorites from my list? Merry Christmas!

* * * * *

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) – Confession time: tell us if you have ever peeked at your Christmas presents early and how you felt about ruining the surprise. Was it worth it? If you are a non-peeker, was there ever a time you were tempted to peek?
  • 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.

 

***If you haven’t read the contest rules and info, read them here.***

 

Book prizes donated by their authors:

  • Winners choice of  Divinely Designed, Luck of the Draw, or Minor Adjustments by Rachael Renee Anderson
  • Winner’s choice of Secret Sisters, Dearly Departed, or Hang ’em High by Tristi Pinkston
  • Montana Summer by Jeanette Miller
  • Ribbon of Darkness by Julie Coulter Bellon
  • Not My Type by Melanie Jacobson
  • Cinder & Ella by Melissa Lemon (ebook)
  • Pride & Popularity by Jenni James
  • The Kissing Tree by Prudence Bice
  • Rearview Mirror by Stephanie Black (paperback or Kindle)
  • 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 (autographed hardcover!)
  • 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
Don’t forget to comment! Merry Christmas and happy reading!

 

Dec 202011
 

5 days until Christmas

 

Kimberley Griffiths Little is the author of five novels, and the winner of the Southwest Book Award. The Healing Spell (Scholastic) was chosen as a Bank Street College Best Books for 2011 and won The Whitney Award for the Best Youth Novel of 2010. Circle of Secrets just released and received a starred review from School Library Journal. Two more novels are forthcoming from Scholastic. When the Butterflies Came will pub January, 2013.

Kimberley adores research trips, anything ancient and mystical – which will manifest itself in deliciously romantic ways in her recently sold YA trilogy to HarperCollins, pitched as the YA version of The Red Tent, and will begin publication in 2013. Kimberley lives on a dirt road along the Rio Grande in an adobe solar home with her robotics husband and three sons.

Connect with Kimberley: WEBSITE | BLOG | Twitter | Facebook

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

KIMBERLEY: Not buy as many presents! Okay, I’m being a bit facetious, but it’s actually true. Every year I spend days and days buying and wrapping and driving all over Albuquerque, and I am really *not* a shopper! (Walmart? Scary. Toys-R-Us? Terrifying. The Mall? Please Just Kill Me Now!) Plus this year I had a book deadline just last week, and nine days of unexpected company and some very ill family members, so instead of killing ourselves at various stores and trying not to get tackled for that last minute Toaster Oven (True Story ;)) we decided not to go so crazy with gift-buying. I’ve purchased 2-3 small things for under the tree, and we plan on having a family day after Christmas and go on a shopping spree to let everyone choose what they want and make a day of it with lunch out, and just enjoy each other instead of hanging out with a Homicidal cashier.

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

KIMBERLEY: An autographed copy of The Book of Mormon. Wouldn’t that be awesome! Nephi’s signature, Mormon’s, Moroni, Alma, Wow! I love that book and it makes me cry nearly every time I read it, the words and spirit are so powerful.

On a more realistic note, this is actually very hard to answer. Lately, I just buy every book I want to read because I don’t want to wait for them – and I want to support other authors!

LDSWBR: What is your favorite childhood Christmas memory?

KIMBERLEY: I’ve always loved Christmas Eve, both as a kid and as an adult. Growing up in San Francisco, it was the night all my cousins and aunts and uncles came over to our house and we talked and talked and read/acted out the Christmas story from Luke and the Book of Mormon and sang all the Christmas carols and ate desserts until we popped. We also got new pajamas!

Now, living in New Mexico, my husband and I adopted the lovely Southwestern tradition of Lighting the Way for the Christ Child by setting up hundreds of sand-filled bags with candles called luminarias. Our entire neighborhood glows spectacularly all night long. There are luminarias on the rooftops and fences, along the road and driveways. After our New Mexican dinner of tamales and bean dip and Spanish rice and sopapillas, we bundle up in warm coats and walk among the luminarias in the chilly night air and go caroling to the neighbors. We usually have the missionaries (sisters this year!) over for dinner and festivities, too. It’s probably my very favorite night of the whole year. I could stand at the living room windows and gaze out at the luminarias for hours. And I do!

LDSWBR: A few things under the tree and a shopping spree after Christmas is genius! All of those luminarias would be beautiful to see. Thank you, Kimberley. Merry Christmas!

* * * * *

Buy Circle of Secrets by Kimberley Griffiths Little

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

Watch the Circle of Secrets book trailer.

Watch The Healing Spell book trailer.

Have you ever decorated for the holidays using luminaries? If so, did you make them or buy them?

* * * * *

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) – Go watch the trailers for The Healing Spell and Circle of Secrets (links are located just below the cover art for Circle of Secrets in the post above), then leave a comment telling us if you have read either of them and if not, which one you would read first and why.
  • 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.

 

***If you haven’t read the contest rules and info, read them here.***

 

Book prizes donated by their authors:

  • Winners choice of  Divinely Designed, Luck of the Draw, or Minor Adjustments by Rachael Renee Anderson
  • Winner’s choice of Secret Sisters, Dearly Departed, or Hang ’em High by Tristi Pinkston
  • Montana Summer by Jeanette Miller
  • Ribbon of Darkness by Julie Coulter Bellon
  • Not My Type by Melanie Jacobson
  • Cinder & Ella by Melissa Lemon (ebook)
  • Pride & Popularity by Jenni James
  • The Kissing Tree by Prudence Bice
  • Rearview Mirror by Stephanie Black (paperback or Kindle)
  • 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 (autographed hardcover!)
  • 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
Don’t forget to comment! Merry Christmas and happy reading!

 

Dec 192011
 

6 days until Christmas

 

We still have a few more author spotlights coming up for you. However, since Monday is my normal review day, I thought I would take this opportunity to answer the questions we’ve been asking the authors, as well as share my top ten reads of 2011. Mindy will do the same on Wednesday, and Sheila on Friday.

Ready? Okay, let’s go!

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

SHANDA: I would LOVE to have all the presents wrapped and under the tree BEFORE Christmas Eve. Not sure if that’s possible this year, but I’ll give it a shot. If not, there’s always next year.

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

SHANDA: Hm. I think either Of Grace and Chocolate by Krista Jensen or Sarah Eden’s next book, but since they both come out in January, I don’t have to wait very long to get my own copies.

LDSWBR: What is your favorite childhood Christmas memory?

SHANDA: One of my favorite things to do was read by the Christmas tree. I still remember the different colors on the pages of the book as the lights blinked on and off. I’m sure it was horrible for my eyesight, but I loved it.

* * * * *

I read so many great books that it was hard to narrow the list down to ten. Enjoy! **NOTE: I am modifying my Top 10 into 11 because I remembered another book that I can’t leave off the list!**

Shanda’s Top Ten Reads for 2011
(in no particular order)

  1. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
  2. Of Grace & Chocolate by Krista L. Jensen
  3. Obsession by Traci Hunter Abramson
  4. Variant by Robison Wells
  5. Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George
  6. Bad Guys of the Book of Mormon by Dennis Gaunt
  7. Ammon by H.B. Moore
  8. The List and Not My Type by Melanie Jacobson
  9. Trespass by Sandra Grey
  10. Bloodborne by Gregg Luke
  11. Rearview Mirror by Stephanie Black
There is a very good chance – okay, it’s pretty much guaranteed – that I’ve forgotten a book or two that should be on this list, especially considering I’ve easily read 100 books this year. I need to keep better track on Goodreads!
Have you read any of the books on my top ten of 2011 list?
* * * * *

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 total) – Post this message on Twitter and/or Facebook and comment or send an email to ldswbr (at) gmail (dot) com telling us that you did: Last week to enter to win $50 at Amazon & 21 great books! @LDSWBR Countdown to Christmas 2011  www.ldswbr.com
  • 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.

 

***If you haven’t read the contest rules and info, read them here.***

 

Book prizes donated by their authors:

  • Winners choice of  Divinely Designed, Luck of the Draw, or Minor Adjustments by Rachael Renee Anderson (new addition to the prize list!)
  • Winner’s choice of Secret Sisters, Dearly Departed, or Hang ’em High by Tristi Pinkston (new addition to the prize list!)
  • Montana Summer by Jeanette Miller
  • Ribbon of Darkness by Julie Coulter Bellon
  • Not My Type by Melanie Jacobson
  • Cinder & Ella by Melissa Lemon (ebook)
  • Pride & Popularity by Jenni James
  • The Kissing Tree by Prudence Bice
  • Rearview Mirror by Stephanie Black (paperback or Kindle)
  • 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
Don’t forget to comment! Merry Christmas and happy reading!

 

Dec 182011
 

7 days until Christmas

 

Prudence Bice has loved writing her entire life. Born in Orange County, California, one of eleven children, she always felt drawn to stories that spoke and enkindled her romantic heart. Having overcome tragedy in her own life, inspiration for her first novel was spark by her desire to ignite true romantics everywhere with a wholesome, feel good story about the power of love, rising above the pain and suffering from loss and circumstance.

She resides in St. George, Utah with her husband Ray and their five children, four daughters and one son. Her hobbies include drawing, photography, music, writing, and of course reading anything she can get her hands on! Currently she is majoring in English at Dixie Sate College and loving it. The future is bright, she says, every day I wake up with a prayer in my heart and story in my head. I never thought life could be so good!

Learn more: The Kissing Tree WEBSITE

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

PRUDENCE: Sleigh Riding-definitely. Of course I live in St. George and unfortunately there isn’t much chance of that happening. So sad since Karen Carpenter’s Sleigh Ride has always been my favorite Christmas song. One day I am going to convince my family to spend Christmas somewhere snowy. For now, I am out of luck and will just have to be happy with our yearly traditions.

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

PRUDENCE: This is a hard question because I am guilty of indulging myself where books are concerned. Amazon keeps my book shelves well stocked. However, one of the books next on my list to read is Chasing Butterflies by Charles Martin.

LDSWBR: What is your favorite childhood Christmas memory?

PRUDENCE: I come from a very large family, seven sisters and three brothers. Both of my parents had to work to support us. Our clothes were usually hand-me-downs, as were our toys. Christmas was definitely something to look forward to. We never got anything really big, but it was new, and all our own. On my tenth Christmas, however, I woke up to find a very large white box tied with a red bow under the tree that had my name on it. Inside was three foot teddy bear from my father. I don’t know why he singled me out that year. I’m sure he did the same at some point to my other siblings over the years, but I remember how special I felt. I still have that bear.

LDSWBR: That is such a sweet memory. Thank you, Prudence. Have a great Christmas!

* * * * *

Buy The Kissing Tree by Prudence Bice

AMAZON | CEDAR FORT | BARNES & NOBLE

Read Mindy’s review of The Kissing Tree.

Do you have a favorite Christmas song? If so, is there a particular version that you love? Why is it your favorite?

* * * * *

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 total) – Post this message on Twitter and/or Facebook and comment or send an email to ldswbr (at) gmail (dot) com telling us that you did: Would you pass up winning $50 at Amazon & 21 great books from 2011? Of course not!  www.ldswbr.com
  • 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.

 

***If you haven’t read the contest rules and info, read them here.***

 

Book prizes donated by their authors:

  • Winners choice of  Divinely Designed, Luck of the Draw, or Minor Adjustments by Rachael Renee Anderson (new addition to the prize list!)
  • Winner’s choice of Secret Sisters, Dearly Departed, or Hang ’em High by Tristi Pinkston (new addition to the prize list!)
  • Montana Summer by Jeanette Miller
  • Ribbon of Darkness by Julie Coulter Bellon
  • Not My Type by Melanie Jacobson
  • Cinder & Ella by Melissa Lemon (ebook)
  • Pride & Popularity by Jenni James
  • The Kissing Tree by Prudence Bice
  • Rearview Mirror by Stephanie Black (paperback or Kindle)
  • 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
Don’t forget to comment! Merry Christmas and happy reading!

 

Dec 172011
 

8 days until Christmas

 

Tristi Pinkston is the mother of four, the author of eight, the wife of one, and the taker of really long naps. She works as a freelance editor and virtual book tour coordinator, and she is a popular presenter at writers conferences all over the Intermountain West. She has a number of new books coming out in 2012, from fiction to nonfiction to self-help, and she’s excited about all of them.

Connect with Tristi: WEBSITE | BLOG | Twitter | Facebook

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

TRISTI: I want to go reindeer wrangling. I’ve heard it’s tricky because they run really fast and they fly, but I bet I could do it. You never know until you try.

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

TRISTI: Hmmm … you know, that’s a hard one. There are so many authors that I love, and I’d be delighted by any of them. Let’s say something new by Dee Henderson, Elizabeth Peters, Jessica Day George, or Shannon Hale. Yep, any of those would be awesome. And if any of them happen to be reading this and want to make a donation to a very good cause, Merry Christmas to me!

LDSWBR: What is your favorite childhood Christmas memory?

TRISTI: The best Christmas I ever had was the year my mom found a refurbished manual typewriter at the thrift store and got it for me. I was ten years old, and I was so excited. I started learning how to type right away, and because the machine was manual, my pinkie fingers got really sore, really fast. I wonder if my mom knew what she was starting with that gift – from there, I’ve graduated to more … sophisticated … forms of word processing, but since I was ten, I’ve spent quite a lot of time every day on a keyboard of some kind.

LDSWBR: Reindeer wrangling – lol – I would SO pay to see that! Thanks, Tristi. Merry Christmas!

* * * * *

Buy Hang ’em High by Tristi Pinkston

AMAZON | SECRET SISTERS (Bk 1) | DEARLY DEPARTED (Bk 2)

Read our Combined review of Hang ’em High.

Have you ever typed up a document on a manual typewriter? If so, did it have a white-out ribbon or did you have to make corrections by hand?

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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 total) – Follow Tristi on her blog, Twitter or Facebook and send an email to ldswbr (at) gmail (dot) com telling us how you follow Tristi.
  • 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.

 

***If you haven’t read the contest rules and info, read them here.***

 

Book prizes donated by their authors:

  • Winners choice of  Divinely Designed, Luck of the Draw, or Minor Adjustments by Rachael Renee Anderson (new addition to the prize list!)
  • Winner’s choice of Secret Sisters, Dearly Departed, or Hang ’em High by Tristi Pinkston (new addition to the prize list!)
  • Montana Summer by Jeanette Miller
  • Ribbon of Darkness by Julie Coulter Bellon
  • Not My Type by Melanie Jacobson
  • Cinder & Ella by Melissa Lemon (ebook)
  • Pride & Popularity by Jenni James
  • The Kissing Tree by Prudence Bice
  • Rearview Mirror by Stephanie Black (paperback or Kindle)
  • 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
Don’t forget to comment! Merry Christmas and happy reading!