Shades of Gray by Rachel Ann Nunes – Countdown to Summer 2011

 Posted by  Countdown to Summer, Special Features
Jun 132011
 

8 days until summer!

Rachel Ann Nunes (noon-esh) is the acclaimed best-selling author of more than thirty novels, including the Ariana and Huntington Family series, Fields of Home, Saving Madeline, and the Autumn Rain suspense novels. As a stay-at-home mother of seven, it isn’t easy to find time to write, but she’ll trade washing dishes or weeding the garden for an hour at the computer any day! Her only rule about writing is to never eat chocolate at the computer. “Since I love chocolate and writing,” she jokes, “my family might never see me again.”

Rachel has several upcoming novels, which you can read about on her website www.RachelAnnNunes.com. For more fun, join her on her blog, Rachel’s Ramblings, on Facebook: Rachel Ann Nunes, and on Twitter: @RachelAnnNunes.

LDSWBR: If you had an entire day to read (on the beach, at the lake, by the pool, etc.), what book(s) or genre would you reach for first?

RACHEL: Urban fantasy. For those of you who don’t know what that is, it’s basically contemporary novels where there is some sort of supernatural element in the story. It’s hard to find good ones that don’t have a lot of questionable junk, but there are a few good series available. I wish there were more. Sometimes I’ll read YA stories in the genre for this very reason, but I avoid anything that features kids in high school. Been there, done that, and it doesn’t interest me. I also enjoy regular women’s fiction and suspense.

LDSWBR: What book(s) do you look forward to reading the most this summer?

RACHEL: I am saving the fifth in the Kate Daniels series to read on my summer camping vacation. I’ve also been trying a few new authors in that same genre.

LDSWBR: What is your favorite outdoor cooking recipe? (Can be grill, campfire, Dutch oven, etc.)

RACHEL: My husband does all the outdoor cooking, and I like it that way. Even if I knew how to do any of it, I’d pretend I didn’t!

LDSWBR: How would you describe the perfect summer day?

RACHEL: For me the perfect summer day would be one where I get to sleep until eight or nine before working for a few hours on my current manuscript. None of the kids would interrupt me with complaints, fighting, or to solve their problems. They would all do their chores before they come ask if they can play video games. After a nice lunch, we’d all go to the pool for a little fun and exercise. Then I’d read a bit of a book until my seven-year-old (who never wants to quit) is ready to get out of the pool. We’d go in and shower. By that time my husband would be off work and would stop and get some chicken or something for dinner. After dinner, we’d all go out in the backyard and play a little soccer before roasting marshmallows for s’mores over our outdoor fire pit (which after two years would finally be completed). All the kids would be there, even the one who doesn’t live at home anymore. Then we’d go in and send the kids to their rooms to read (most likely) or sleep or whatever while my husband and I go for a walk or watch a little TV.

Wow, what a fantasy! In actuality, there might be a lot of days where some of this happens—for instance, we swim almost every day in the summer—but all these things in one day. Ha! We really might finish the fire pit soon, though . . .

LDSWBR: Thank you, Rachel. Have a great summer!

Shades of Gray by Rachel Ann Nunes (Shadow Mountain; May 2011) is available for purchase from Amazon.

Fire pits are really popular right now. Do you have a fire pit in your back yard? If not, do you have plans to build or buy one?

***

***Countdown to Summer 2011 Contest***

LDSWBR will hold a drawing on June 25, 2011 for a $50 Amazon gift card, as well as a variety of books being offered by some of the LDS authors featured in the Countdown. This will be a raffle-type drawing, so more entries means more chances to win. There are several ways to enter the Countdown to Summer 2011 contest. See details below.

Book prizes generously donated by the authors:

  • The Upside of Down by Rebecca Talley
  • Gifted by Karey White
  • Bumpy Landings by Donald J. Carey
  • Captive Heart by Michele Paige Holmes
  • The Perfect Fit by  Michele Ashman Bell
  • River Whispers by Kathi Oram Perterson
  • Hazzardous Universe by Julie Wright & Kevin Wasden
  • Hearts Through Time by Marie Higgins
  • Double Deceit by Stephanie Humphreys
  • The List by Melanie Jacobson
  • The Forgotten Locket by Lisa Mangum
  • The Kiss of a Stranger by Sarah M. Eden
  • Blackberry Crumble by Josi S. Kilpack
  • **Bonus Prize** An autographed copy of BLOODBORNE by Gregg Luke (released August 2011)

Do ANY of the following to enter:

  • Post a thoughtful comment on the Countdown to Summer 2011 author posts. Comments can be added on any of the author posts anytime during the contest period (June 1, 2011 through June 24, 2011). Only one comment per person per Countdown to Summer author post will be entered into the drawing. Feel free to comment more than once per post if you’d like, but only one comment will be accepted as an entry.
  • Send LDSWBR an email to ldswbr AT gmail DOT com telling us which of the following you have completed. If you already do these things, email us and let us know. Each item gets you 1 entry.
  1. Follow LDS Women’s Book Review on Facebook
  2. Follow @LDSWBR on Twitter
  3. Subscribe to LDSWBR by email (see top right sidebar on website)
  4. Follow LDSWBR with Google Friend Connect (right sidebar beneath “Follow LDSWBR”)
  • On each Countdown to Summer author post, leave a comment telling us which of the following you completed or already do. Each item gets you 1 entry.
  1. Follow the author’s blog (if they have one)
  2. Follow the author on Twitter (if they tweet)
  3. Follow the author on Facebook (if they have a Facebook page)
  • Tweet this message each day. One entry per day. Just copy and paste into your twitter message window to send it (LDSWBR must be able to see the tweet): LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2011 – Enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card & great summer reads! http://bit.ly/kZ5jXw @ldswbr
  • Blog about this contest on your blog then send us the link to your specific blog post. You can find the Countdown graphic badge/button to include in your blog post here. (5 entries)
  • Post the following on your Facebook page (3 entries) then send us an email (ldswbr AT gmail DOT com) telling us that you did: LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2011 – Enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card & great summer reads! http://bit.ly/kZ5jXw

Here are the rules:

  • Contest ends at 12:00 Midnight MDT on June 24, 2011.
  • Drawing winners will have until 12:00 Midnight MDT on July 2, 2011 to claim their prize. After that time, another name will be drawn to receive the prize.
  • Book prizes can only be shipped within the contiguous United States.
  • LDSWBR reserves the right to decide what determines a “thoughtful” comment.

Let’s keep counting down to summer with some great reads!

Hearts Through Time by Marie Higgins – Countdown to Summer 2011

 Posted by  Countdown to Summer, Special Features
Jun 122011
 

9 days until summer!

Since Marie Higgins was a little girl playing Barbies with her sister, Stacey, she has loved the adventure of making up romantic stories. Marie was only eighteen years old when she wrote her first skit, which won a Funniest Skit award. A little later in life, after she’d married and had children, Marie wrote Church roadshows that were judged Funniest and Best Written. From there, she branched out to write full-length novels based on her dreams. (Yes, she says, her dreams really are that silly, and she’s like that in real life.)

Marie has been married for twenty-six years to a wonderful man. Together, they have three loving daughters and several beautiful grandchildren. Marie works full time for the state of Utah, where she has lived her entire life. Marie plans to keep writing, because the characters in her head won’t shut up. But her husband smiles and pretends this is normal.

Marie is the author of 3 books: Winning Mr. Wrong (romantic comedy), Heart of a Hero (historical romance), Hearts Through Time (time-travel, mystery, paranormal romance).

Visit Marie on her blog: I Must Be Dreaming… and on Facebook.

LDSWBR: If you had an entire day to read (on the beach, at the lake, by the pool, etc.), what book(s) or genre would you reach for first?

MARIE: Having an entire day to read sounds heavenly right now. Because of my hectic work scheduled (both the crummy day job and my writing career) I’d love to do nothing by lounge by the beach reading a good book. The genre I’d pick would definitely have to be historical. I love Colonials, Regency, Victorian, and the Old West. Probably my favorite would have to be Victorian, though. I love the manners, the way of life, and especially the beautiful, romantic clothes they had back then. Reading historicals like that takes me out of the real world and puts me in a romantic setting… Ahhh…

LDSWBR: What book(s) do you look forward to reading the most this summer?

MARIE: I will always choose historicals of course, but I also enjoy suspense. I must have a little mystery in my romances. So I’ll be looking for my next favorite author who writes what I love to read!

LDSWBR: What is your favorite outdoor cooking recipe? (Can be grill, campfire, Dutch oven, etc.)

MARIE: Dutch Oven potatoes, baby!!! Oh yeah! I love making this recipe, especially when the family gets together in the canyons for a lunch or dinner. Yum! All I do is cut up bacon and onions and cook these until they’re brown. Then I throw in cut up potatoes and cook them until they are almost done. Then I pour sour cream over the top (don’t stir in!) and sprinkle grated Cheddar Cheese on the top until everything melts into the potatoes. Then I serve! My mouth is watering even now…

LDSWBR: Wow, sounds delicious! Thank you, Marie. Oh, and Happy Anniversary!

Hearts Through Time (Walnut Springs Press; March 2011) is available for purchase from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Deseret Book.

Where do you go to find your next favorite author or book?

***

***Countdown to Summer 2011 Contest***

LDSWBR will hold a drawing on June 25, 2011 for a $50 Amazon gift card, as well as a variety of books being offered by some of the LDS authors featured in the Countdown. This will be a raffle-type drawing, so more entries means more chances to win. There are several ways to enter the Countdown to Summer 2011 contest. See details below.

Book prizes generously donated by the authors:

  • The Upside of Down by Rebecca Talley
  • Gifted by Karey White
  • Bumpy Landings by Donald J. Carey
  • Captive Heart by Michele Paige Holmes
  • The Perfect Fit by  Michele Ashman Bell
  • River Whispers by Kathi Oram Perterson
  • Hazzardous Universe by Julie Wright & Kevin Wasden
  • Hearts Through Time by Marie Higgins
  • Double Deceit by Stephanie Humphreys
  • The List by Melanie Jacobson
  • The Forgotten Locket by Lisa Mangum
  • The Kiss of a Stranger by Sarah M. Eden
  • Blackberry Crumble by Josi S. Kilpack
  • **Bonus Prize** An autographed copy of BLOODBORNE by Gregg Luke (released August 2011)

Do ANY of the following to enter:

  • Post a thoughtful comment on the Countdown to Summer 2011 author posts. Comments can be added on any of the author posts anytime during the contest period (June 1, 2011 through June 24, 2011). Only one comment per person per Countdown to Summer author post will be entered into the drawing. Feel free to comment more than once per post if you’d like, but only one comment will be accepted as an entry.
  • Send LDSWBR an email to ldswbr AT gmail DOT com telling us which of the following you have completed. If you already do these things, email us and let us know. Each item gets you 1 entry.
  1. Follow LDS Women’s Book Review on Facebook
  2. Follow @LDSWBR on Twitter
  3. Subscribe to LDSWBR by email (see top right sidebar on website)
  4. Follow LDSWBR with Google Friend Connect (right sidebar beneath “Follow LDSWBR”)
  • On each Countdown to Summer author post, leave a comment telling us which of the following you completed or already do. Each item gets you 1 entry.
  1. Follow the author’s blog (if they have one)
  2. Follow the author on Twitter (if they tweet)
  3. Follow the author on Facebook (if they have a Facebook page)
  • Tweet this message each day. One entry per day. Just copy and paste into your twitter message window to send it (LDSWBR must be able to see the tweet): LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2011 – Enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card & great summer reads! http://bit.ly/kZ5jXw @ldswbr
  • Blog about this contest on your blog then send us the link to your specific blog post. You can find the Countdown graphic badge/button to include in your blog post here. (5 entries)
  • Post the following on your Facebook page (3 entries) then send us an email (ldswbr AT gmail DOT com) telling us that you did: LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2011 – Enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card & great summer reads! http://bit.ly/kZ5jXw

Here are the rules:

  • Contest ends at 12:00 Midnight MDT on June 24, 2011.
  • Drawing winners will have until 12:00 Midnight MDT on July 2, 2011 to claim their prize. After that time, another name will be drawn to receive the prize.
  • Book prizes can only be shipped within the contiguous United States.
  • LDSWBR reserves the right to decide what determines a “thoughtful” comment.

Let’s keep counting down to summer with some great reads!

The Upside of Down by Rebecca Talley – Countdown to Summer 2011

 Posted by  Countdown to Summer, Special Features
Jun 112011
 

10 days until summer!


Rebecca Talley grew up in Santa Barbara, CA. She attended, and graduated from, BYU where she met and married her sweetheart, Del. They are the parents of ten wildly-creative, multi-talented children. Rebecca now lives in rural CO with her family, a dog, numerous cats, a herd of goats, and a spoiled horse. When she isn’t writing, Rebecca enjoys dating her husband, playing with her kids, swimming in the ocean, and dancing to disco music while she cleans the house.

Visit Rebecca on her website: www.rebeccatalley.com and her blog: Rebecca Talley

Follow Rebecca on Facebook: Rebecca Cornish Talley, Author and Twitter: @rebeccatalley

LDSWBR: If you had an entire day to read (on the beach, at the lake, by the pool, etc.), what book(s) or genre would you reach for first?

REBECCA: A clean romance. I love to get lost in a fun romance especially on a summer day.

LDSWBR: What book(s) do you look forward to reading the most this summer?

REBECCA: That’s a very hard question–there are so many books and so little time! I want to finish Paranormalcy and The Hero with a Thousand Faces. I also want to read Gregg Luke’s new novel due out in August.

LDSWBR: How would you describe the perfect summer day?

REBECCA: A perfect summer day to me is sitting on the beach watching my kids play in the waves and making sand castles. I love the smell of the sea water and suntan lotion and feeling the sun bathe me in warmth while listening to my kids laughing and splashing in the water. And to top it off, eating taquitos with guacamole followed by chewing green apple bubble gum.

LDSWBR: Thank you, Rebecca!

The Upside of Down by Rebecca Talley (Bonneville/Cedar Fort; January 2011) is available for purchase from Amazon.

Have you been to the beach? If so, do you have a favorite beach you love to visit?

***

***Countdown to Summer 2011 Contest***

LDSWBR will hold a drawing on June 25, 2011 for a $50 Amazon gift card, as well as a variety of books being offered by some of the LDS authors featured in the Countdown. This will be a raffle-type drawing, so more entries means more chances to win. There are several ways to enter the Countdown to Summer 2011 contest. See details below.

Book prizes generously donated by the authors:

  • The Upside of Down by Rebecca Talley
  • Gifted by Karey White
  • Bumpy Landings by Donald J. Carey
  • Captive Heart by Michele Paige Holmes
  • The Perfect Fit by  Michele Ashman Bell
  • River Whispers by Kathi Oram Perterson
  • Hazzardous Universe by Julie Wright & Kevin Wasden
  • Hearts Through Time by Marie Higgins
  • Double Deceit by Stephanie Humphreys
  • The List by Melanie Jacobson
  • The Forgotten Locket by Lisa Mangum
  • The Kiss of a Stranger by Sarah M. Eden
  • Blackberry Crumble by Josi S. Kilpack
  • **Bonus Prize** An autographed copy of BLOODBORNE by Gregg Luke (released August 2011)

Do ANY of the following to enter:

  • Post a thoughtful comment on the Countdown to Summer 2011 author posts. Comments can be added on any of the author posts anytime during the contest period (June 1, 2011 through June 24, 2011). Only one comment per person per Countdown to Summer author post will be entered into the drawing. Feel free to comment more than once per post if you’d like, but only one comment will be accepted as an entry.
  • Send LDSWBR an email to ldswbr AT gmail DOT com telling us which of the following you have completed. If you already do these things, email us and let us know. Each item gets you 1 entry.
  1. Follow LDS Women’s Book Review on Facebook
  2. Follow @LDSWBR on Twitter
  3. Subscribe to LDSWBR by email (see top right sidebar on website)
  4. Follow LDSWBR with Google Friend Connect (right sidebar beneath “Follow LDSWBR”)
  • On each Countdown to Summer author post, leave a comment telling us which of the following you completed or already do. Each item gets you 1 entry.
  1. Follow the author’s blog (if they have one)
  2. Follow the author on Twitter (if they tweet)
  3. Follow the author on Facebook (if they have a Facebook page)
  • Tweet this message each day. One entry per day. Just copy and paste into your twitter message window to send it (LDSWBR must be able to see the tweet): LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2011 – Enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card & great summer reads! http://bit.ly/kZ5jXw @ldswbr
  • Blog about this contest on your blog then send us the link to your specific blog post. You can find the Countdown graphic badge/button to include in your blog post here. (5 entries)
  • Post the following on your Facebook page (3 entries) then send us an email (ldswbr AT gmail DOT com) telling us that you did: LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2011 – Enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card & great summer reads! http://bit.ly/kZ5jXw

Here are the rules:

  • Contest ends at 12:00 Midnight MDT on June 24, 2011.
  • Drawing winners will have until 12:00 Midnight MDT on July 2, 2011 to claim their prize. After that time, another name will be drawn to receive the prize.
  • Book prizes can only be shipped within the contiguous United States.
  • LDSWBR reserves the right to decide what determines a “thoughtful” comment.

Let’s keep counting down to summer with some great reads!

Hazzardous Universe by Julie Wright and Kevin Wasden – Countdown to Summer 2011

 Posted by  Countdown to Summer, Special Features
Jun 102011
 

11 days until summer!

Julie Wright has written over a dozen books, but especially loves writing about the fantastic. She enjoys speaking to writing groups, youth groups, and schools. She loves life and everything life has to offer, except mayonnaise and mosquitoes. She especially loves reading, eating (especially ice cream), writing, hiking, playing on the beach with her kids, and snuggling with her husband to watch videos. Julie’s favorite thing to do is watch her husband make dinner.

Visit her at her website: www.juliewright.com

Kevin Wasden has an overactive imagination, is unable to sit through meetings without drawing, and tends to be silly at the most inopportune moments. He is an advocate of creativity in education and enjoys speaking to youth, writers, artists, and educators. He studied illustration at Utah State University and has studied figure-drawing and painting from the exceptional figure artist, Andy Reiss, in New York City. Kevin teaches visual art at DaVinci Academy of Science and the Arts.

Website: www.kevinwasden.com

Blog: kevinwasden.blogspot.com

Julie Wright has published 6 books and Kevin Wasden has done professional illustrating for 17 years.

Learn more about Hazzardous Universe on www.hazzardousuniverse.com and on Facebook.

LDSWBR: If you had an entire day to read (on the beach, at the lake, by the pool, etc.), what book(s) or genre would you reach for first?

JULIE: Young Adult fantasy or Science Fiction.

LDSWBR: What book(s) do you look forward to reading the most this summer?

JULIE: The Guardians and the Hidden Scepter by Frank Cole, Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George, and My Unfair Godmother by Janette Rallison.

LDSWBR: What is your favorite outdoor cooking recipe? (Can be grill, campfire, Dutch oven, etc.)

JULIE: Take out. :)

LDSWBR: How would you describe the perfect summer day?

JULIE: Sunshine, ocean, sand, and a book.

LDSWBR: Thank you so much. Enjoy your summer!

Hazzardous Universe (Covenant; March 2011) is available for purchase at Amazon.

Where do you get your favorite summer take-out?

***

***Countdown to Summer 2011 Contest***

LDSWBR will hold a drawing on June 25, 2011 for a $50 Amazon gift card, as well as a variety of books being offered by some of the LDS authors featured in the Countdown. This will be a raffle-type drawing, so more entries means more chances to win. There are several ways to enter the Countdown to Summer 2011 contest. See details below.

Book prizes generously donated by the authors:

  • The Upside of Down by Rebecca Talley
  • Gifted by Karey White
  • Bumpy Landings by Donald J. Carey
  • Captive Heart by Michele Paige Holmes
  • The Perfect Fit by  Michele Ashman Bell
  • River Whispers by Kathi Oram Perterson
  • Hazzardous Universe by Julie Wright & Kevin Wasden
  • Hearts Through Time by Marie Higgins
  • Double Deceit by Stephanie Humphreys
  • The List by Melanie Jacobson
  • The Forgotten Locket by Lisa Mangum
  • The Kiss of a Stranger by Sarah M. Eden
  • Blackberry Crumble by Josi S. Kilpack
  • **Bonus Prize** An autographed copy of BLOODBORNE by Gregg Luke (released August 2011)

Do ANY of the following to enter:

  • Post a thoughtful comment on the Countdown to Summer 2011 author posts. Comments can be added on any of the author posts anytime during the contest period (June 1, 2011 through June 24, 2011). Only one comment per person per Countdown to Summer author post will be entered into the drawing. Feel free to comment more than once per post if you’d like, but only one comment will be accepted as an entry.
  • Send LDSWBR an email to ldswbr AT gmail DOT com telling us which of the following you have completed. If you already do these things, email us and let us know. Each item gets you 1 entry.
  1. Follow LDS Women’s Book Review on Facebook
  2. Follow @LDSWBR on Twitter
  3. Subscribe to LDSWBR by email (see top right sidebar on website)
  4. Follow LDSWBR with Google Friend Connect (right sidebar beneath “Follow LDSWBR”)
  • On each Countdown to Summer author post, leave a comment telling us which of the following you completed or already do. Each item gets you 1 entry.
  1. Follow the author’s blog (if they have one)
  2. Follow the author on Twitter (if they tweet)
  3. Follow the author on Facebook (if they have a Facebook page)
  • Tweet this message each day. One entry per day. Just copy and paste into your twitter message window to send it (LDSWBR must be able to see the tweet): LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2011 – Enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card & great summer reads! http://bit.ly/kZ5jXw @ldswbr
  • Blog about this contest on your blog then send us the link to your specific blog post. You can find the Countdown graphic badge/button to include in your blog post here. (5 entries)
  • Post the following on your Facebook page (3 entries) then send us an email (ldswbr AT gmail DOT com) telling us that you did: LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2011 – Enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card & great summer reads! http://bit.ly/kZ5jXw

Here are the rules:

  • Contest ends at 12:00 Midnight MDT on June 24, 2011.
  • Drawing winners will have until 12:00 Midnight MDT on July 2, 2011 to claim their prize. After that time, another name will be drawn to receive the prize.
  • Book prizes can only be shipped within the contiguous United States.
  • LDSWBR reserves the right to decide what determines a “thoughtful” comment.

Let’s keep counting down to summer with some great reads!

Dearly Departed by Tristi Pinkston – Countdown to Summer 2011

 Posted by  Countdown to Summer, Special Features
Jun 092011
 

12 days until summer!

Tristi Pinkston is the mother of four, author of six (soon to be seven) and the wife of one. She loves reading, watching good movies, and taking ridiculously long naps. She is a freelance editor, a virtual book tour coordinator, mentor, writing instructor, Cubmaster, and headless chicken.

Visit Tristi on her website: www.tristipinkston.com and blog: Tristi Pinkston, LDS Author

Follow Tristi on Facebook and Twitter: @TristiPinkston

LDSWBR: If you had an entire day to read (on the beach, at the lake, by the pool, etc.), what book(s) or genre would you reach for first?

TRISTI: Cozy mystery is my choice these days, but I also enjoy historical fiction and general fiction. I just love books, can I say?

LDSWBR: What book(s) do you look forward to reading the most this summer?

TRISTI: I look forward to the possibility of possibly, maybe, finding time to read anything at all, if I can fit it in. Life has been crazy lately, but books are necessary for survival!

LDSWBR: How would you describe the perfect summer day?

TRISTI: The perfect summer day is warm, but not too hot, and has a gentle cooling breeze blowing. My hair turned out really well, I’m dressed in cute clothes, and my perfectly behaved children are walking respectfully at my side, speaking kind words to each other. My handsome husband takes my hand and tells me I’m more beautiful today than on our wedding day, and someone drives up and hands us a million dollars. That would be a perfect day. Oh, and I’m skinny.

LDSWBR: Nice! Thanks, Tristi. Have a great summer!

Dearly Departed by Tristi Pinkston (Walnut Springs Press; January 2011) is available for purchase from Amazon.

Do you get to read as much as you want? What types of things often keep you from reading?

***

***Countdown to Summer 2011 Contest***

LDSWBR will hold a drawing on June 25, 2011 for a $50 Amazon gift card, as well as a variety of books being offered by some of the LDS authors featured in the Countdown. This will be a raffle-type drawing, so more entries means more chances to win. There are several ways to enter the Countdown to Summer 2011 contest. See details below.

Book prizes generously donated by the authors:

  • The Upside of Down by Rebecca Talley
  • Gifted by Karey White
  • Bumpy Landings by Donald J. Carey
  • Captive Heart by Michele Paige Holmes
  • The Perfect Fit by  Michele Ashman Bell
  • River Whispers by Kathi Oram Perterson
  • Hazzardous Universe by Julie Wright & Kevin Wasden
  • Hearts Through Time by Marie Higgins
  • Double Deceit by Stephanie Humphreys
  • The List by Melanie Jacobson
  • The Forgotten Locket by Lisa Mangum
  • The Kiss of a Stranger by Sarah M. Eden
  • Blackberry Crumble by Josi S. Kilpack
  • **Bonus Prize** An autographed copy of BLOODBORNE by Gregg Luke (released August 2011)

Do ANY of the following to enter:

  • Post a thoughtful comment on the Countdown to Summer 2011 author posts. Comments can be added on any of the author posts anytime during the contest period (June 1, 2011 through June 24, 2011). Only one comment per person per Countdown to Summer author post will be entered into the drawing. Feel free to comment more than once per post if you’d like, but only one comment will be accepted as an entry.
  • Send LDSWBR an email to ldswbr AT gmail DOT com telling us which of the following you have completed. If you already do these things, email us and let us know. Each item gets you 1 entry.
  1. Follow LDS Women’s Book Review on Facebook
  2. Follow @LDSWBR on Twitter
  3. Subscribe to LDSWBR by email (see top right sidebar on website)
  4. Follow LDSWBR with Google Friend Connect (right sidebar beneath “Follow LDSWBR”)
  • On each Countdown to Summer author post, leave a comment telling us which of the following you completed or already do. Each item gets you 1 entry.
  1. Follow the author’s blog (if they have one)
  2. Follow the author on Twitter (if they tweet)
  3. Follow the author on Facebook (if they have a Facebook page)
  • Tweet this message each day. One entry per day. Just copy and paste into your twitter message window to send it (LDSWBR must be able to see the tweet): LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2011 – Enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card & great summer reads! http://bit.ly/kZ5jXw @ldswbr
  • Blog about this contest on your blog then send us the link to your specific blog post. You can find the Countdown graphic badge/button to include in your blog post here. (5 entries)
  • Post the following on your Facebook page (3 entries) then send us an email (ldswbr AT gmail DOT com) telling us that you did: LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2011 – Enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card & great summer reads! http://bit.ly/kZ5jXw

Here are the rules:

  • Contest ends at 12:00 Midnight MDT on June 24, 2011.
  • Drawing winners will have until 12:00 Midnight MDT on July 2, 2011 to claim their prize. After that time, another name will be drawn to receive the prize.
  • Book prizes can only be shipped within the contiguous United States.
  • LDSWBR reserves the right to decide what determines a “thoughtful” comment.

Let’s keep counting down to summer with some great reads!

Blackberry Crumble by Josi S. Kilpack – Countdown to Summer 2011

 Posted by  Countdown to Summer, Special Features
Jun 082011
 

13 days until summer!


Josi started writing in 1998, and has written 13 novels since then. Her most recent book, Blackberry Crumble, is book five in the Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery Series. She’s active in her local writing community and tries desperately to keep up with life in general. She currently lives in Willard, Utah, with her husband, four children, one dog, and varying number of chickens.

Josi’s sixth book in the Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery Series, Pumpkin Roll, is due to be released this fall.

Visit Josi’s website: www.josiskilpack.com and blog: WHAT IS A SUNDIAL IN THE SHADE?

Follow Josi on Facebook: Josi S. Kilpack and Twitter: @josiskilpack

LDSWBR: If you had an entire day to read (on the beach, at the lake, by the pool, etc.), what book(s) or genre would you reach for first?

JOSI: I don’t even know. I read in such a variety of genres, but am so picky about what books I’ll pick up and even pickier on what I’ll finish. My favorite genre to get lost in, however, is probably suspense. I love Sue Graphton so I would hope that should a day such as this happen, it would coordinate with her next book.

LDSWBR: What book(s) do you look forward to reading the most this summer?

JOSI: I’m going to be re-reading Poisonwood Bible by Brenda Kingsolver, and I just ordered Possession by Elana Johnson. Beyond that, I don’t know yet. I scan Facebook and Goodreads to see what my friends liked.

LDSWBR: What is your favorite outdoor cooking recipe? (Can be grill, campfire, Dutch oven, etc.)

JOSI: I’m not a great outdoor cook, but I make Mountain Man Hash every time we camp because it’s hard to mess up too much. To make it, I brown a pound of country sausage in a 12” Dutch oven, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. When it’s cooked through, I add 18 eggs and stir it around to scramble them. When they are about half cooked, I add a bag of tater tots, top it with a 8 oz bag of shredded cheese, put on the lid and let it cook for about 30 minutes. Either with briquettes, 12 on top, 12 on bottom, or over a gas stove, on low heat—you just need to finish cooking the eggs, warm the tater tots, and melt the cheese. I’ve yet to mess that one up :-)

LDSWBR: That one’s going in my camping cookbook. Thanks, Josi!

Blackberry Crumble by Josi S. Kilpack (Deseret Book, February 2011) is available for purchase from Amazon and Deseret Book (comes with 2 Lagoon discounts).

Where do you look for your next read? Do you belong to any of the book-related social media sites (Goodreads, Shelfari, etc.)?

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***Countdown to Summer 2011 Contest***

LDSWBR will hold a drawing on June 25, 2011 for a $50 Amazon gift card, as well as a variety of books being offered by some of the LDS authors featured in the Countdown. This will be a raffle-type drawing, so more entries means more chances to win. There are several ways to enter the Countdown to Summer 2011 contest. See details below.

Book prizes generously donated by the authors:

  • The Upside of Down by Rebecca Talley
  • Gifted by Karey White
  • Bumpy Landings by Donald J. Carey
  • Captive Heart by Michele Paige Holmes
  • The Perfect Fit by  Michele Ashman Bell
  • River Whispers by Kathi Oram Perterson
  • Hazzardous Universe by Julie Wright & Kevin Wasden
  • Hearts Through Time by Marie Higgins
  • Double Deceit by Stephanie Humphreys
  • The List by Melanie Jacobson
  • The Forgotten Locket by Lisa Mangum
  • The Kiss of a Stranger by Sarah M. Eden
  • Blackberry Crumble by Josi S. Kilpack
  • **Bonus Prize** An autographed copy of BLOODBORNE by Gregg Luke (released August 2011)

Do ANY of the following to enter:

  • Post a thoughtful comment on the Countdown to Summer 2011 author posts. Comments can be added on any of the author posts anytime during the contest period (June 1, 2011 through June 24, 2011). Only one comment per person per Countdown to Summer author post will be entered into the drawing. Feel free to comment more than once per post if you’d like, but only one comment will be accepted as an entry.
  • Send LDSWBR an email to ldswbr AT gmail DOT com telling us which of the following you have completed. If you already do these things, email us and let us know. Each item gets you 1 entry.
  1. Follow LDS Women’s Book Review on Facebook
  2. Follow @LDSWBR on Twitter
  3. Subscribe to LDSWBR by email (see top right sidebar on website)
  4. Follow LDSWBR with Google Friend Connect (right sidebar beneath “Follow LDSWBR”)
  • On each Countdown to Summer author post, leave a comment telling us which of the following you completed or already do. Each item gets you 1 entry.
  1. Follow the author’s blog (if they have one)
  2. Follow the author on Twitter (if they tweet)
  3. Follow the author on Facebook (if they have a Facebook page)
  • Tweet this message each day. One entry per day. Just copy and paste into your twitter message window to send it (LDSWBR must be able to see the tweet): LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2011 – Enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card & great summer reads! http://bit.ly/kZ5jXw @ldswbr
  • Blog about this contest on your blog then send us the link to your specific blog post. You can find the Countdown graphic badge/button to include in your blog post here. (5 entries)
  • Post the following on your Facebook page (3 entries) then send us an email (ldswbr AT gmail DOT com) telling us that you did: LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2011 – Enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card & great summer reads! http://bit.ly/kZ5jXw

Here are the rules:

  • Contest ends at 12:00 Midnight MDT on June 24, 2011.
  • Drawing winners will have until 12:00 Midnight MDT on July 2, 2011 to claim their prize. After that time, another name will be drawn to receive the prize.
  • Book prizes can only be shipped within the contiguous United States.
  • LDSWBR reserves the right to decide what determines a “thoughtful” comment.

Let’s keep counting down to summer with some great reads!

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