Captive Heart by Michele Paige Holmes – Countdown to Summer 2011

 Posted by  Countdown to Summer, Special Features
Jun 072011
 

14 days until summer!

Michele Paige Holmes felt that getting six hours of sleep per night was a little too much, so several years ago—in her spare, middle-of-the-night time when she wasn’t busy with her husband and five children—she began writing novels. Three of those, Counting Stars, 2007, All the Stars in Heaven, 2009, and Captive Heart, April 2011, have been published by Covenant Communications. A fourth novel, My Lucky Stars (working title) has been accepted for publication in spring 2012. Michele feels so blessed to belong to the most amazing critique group on the planet. She is also married to the tall, dark, and handsome love of her life, and his support makes it possible for her to pursue her dreams.

Visit Michele’s website: www.michelepaigeholmes.net and her blog: My Paige

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?

MICHELE: If I had an entire day at the beach to myself to read (just contemplating that is delicious!), I would spend it reading young adult fairytale retellings. I’ve always loved that genre, and a few years ago I began writing my own retellings. I am still working my way through every fairytale (original as well as retellings) I can get my hands on, in order to know this market better and improve my writing in it.

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

MICHELE: What books do I look forward to reading most this summer? Currently I have HB Moore’s latest, Ammon, on my nightstand, as well as Carla Kelly’s first LDS offerening, Borrowed Light. I’ll be reading both of those in the next week or two. I’m eager to read Ally Condie’s Crossed (I loved Matched) and to have an actual copy in hand and reread Rob Well’s YA dystopian, Variant—though I guess that one has to wait until fall. I’d also like to continue reading Carla Kelly’s other titles, Georgette Heyer’s regencies, and Susan Evans McCloud’s books. On the schedule to read with my younger children this summer are the Great Brain Series and the Anne of Green Gables series.

LDSWBR: How would you describe the perfect summer day?

MICHELE: My perfect summer day would be (indulge in fantasy here for a moment, okay?) spent at Disneyland with my husband and children. The weather is great—not too hot and not too cold— and no one is fighting, no one is tired, grumpy, or hungry. No one’s feet hurt; no one spilled their drink all over their t-shirt or left their wallet on the last ride. The camera batteries aren’t dead. Everyone is smiling and laughing for pictures. I am getting some seriously good shots (for all that scrapbooking I never do anymore). Just as we are exiting the Indiana Jones ride, my cell phone rings. I take the phone from my pocket (it is a new phone, by the way, not the ancient, duct-taped thing I currently have and am embarassed to use in public) and see that it is my agent texting to tell me that my YA fairytale has been sold to BIG PUBLISHER NAME HERE. My family is as estatic as I am (now they won’t have to eat the squished PB&J sandwiches I packed for dinner). We celebrate by dining with Mickey at the Blue Bayou, then sit in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle to watch the fireworks, where I reminisce that dreams really can come true.

LDSWBR: Now THAT sounds like a perfect summer day. Thanks, Michele!

Captive Heart by Michele Paige Holmes (Covenant; April 2011) is available for purchase from Deseret Book and for Kindle at Amazon.

How many of you would include the magic of Disneyland/Disneyworld in your perfect summer day?

***

***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 Forgotten Locket by Lisa Mangum – Countdown to Summer 2011

 Posted by  Countdown to Summer, Special Features
Jun 062011
 

15 days until summer!


Lisa Mangum has loved and worked with books ever since elementary school, when she volunteered at the school library during recess. Her first paying job was shelving books at the Sandy Library. She worked for five years at Waldenbooks while she attended the University of Utah, graduating with honors with a degree in English. An avid reader of all genres, she has worked in the publishing department for Deseret Book since 1997.

Besides books, Lisa loves movies, sunsets, spending time with her family, trips to Disneyland, and vanilla ice cream topped with fresh raspberries. She lives in Taylorsville, Utah, with her husband, Tracy. She is the author of The Hourglass Door (which was named the 2009 YA Book of the Year by ForeWord Reviews) and The Golden Spiral (which was awarded the silver medal for the 2010 Benjamin Franklin award).

The final book in the trilogy, The Forgotten Locket, was released May 2011.

Visit Lisa’s website and blog.

Follow Lisa on Facebook: Lisa Mangum and the Hourglass Door fan page.

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?

LISA: I would reach for an epic fantasy novel—specifically A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin. Not only do I love the series, but book 5 is coming out this summer and I have to catch up on the plot. :)

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

LISA: I’m really looking forward to the new book by George R. R. Martin—A Dance of Dragons. And top on my list of “to-reads” is the new one by Sarah Dessen—What Happened to Good-bye. (I got a copy at BEA; so excited!) I also really want to read Shadowrise and Shadowmarch by Tad Williams. And there’s the new Cassandra Clare novel—Clockwork Angel. The list goes on and on!

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

LISA: I love a perfectly grilled hamburger with Italian seasonings and a melty layer of fresh mozzarella cheese on top. Yum.

LDSWBR: Thanks, Lisa. Enjoy your summer!

The Forgotten Locket (Shadow Mountain; May 2011) is available for purchase from Deseret Book, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

Are you a barbecued burger “purist” or do you like to experiment with different flavor combinations? Go on, tell us your barbecued burger secrets. :)

***

***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!

AMMON by H.B. Moore – Countdown to Summer 2011

 Posted by  Countdown to Summer, Special Features
Jun 052011
 

16 days until summer!


Heather 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.com has become a great friend. Although she has spent several years living in the Middle East, she prefers to forget the smells. Heather writes under the pen name H.B. Moore so that men will buy her books. She is also the author of one non-fiction book, which took her much too long to research and write, so she is back to novel writing.

Visit Heather’s website: www.hbmoore.com and her blog: my writer’s lair

Follow Heather on Facebook: Fans of H.B. Moore and on Twitter: @heatherbmoore

Read our combined review of AMMON by H.B. Mooore.

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?

HEATHER: I’d finish reading Cleopatra’s Daughter by Michelle Moran, then for fun I’d pick up either a James Rollins or Harlan Coben thriller.

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

HEATHER: Loaded question! Some of my “must-reads” include Possession by Elana Johnson, The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan, Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff, The List by Melanie Jacobson, My Unfair Godmother by Janette Rallison, The Pharaoh’s Daughter by NC Allen, a book by Holly Black and book by Bree Despain since I’ll be meeting them.

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

HEATHER: Pulled Pork Sandwiches
I cook this one outside in a crock pot so that it doesn’t make the whole house smell (does that count?). Pork shoulder (or Butt), Kosher Salt, Liquid Smoke. Sprinkle and rub Kosher Salt into pork shoulder, drizzle with liquid smoke on both sides. Put in crockpot before bedtime, let cook overnight on LOW. Serve the next afternoon or evening. If you want to start in the morning, cook on HIGH for 4 hours, then turn to LOW. Pull apart and serve over rice or on sandwich buns. Yummy!

LDSWBR: Thanks, Heather!

AMMON by H.B. Moore (Covenant; June 2011) is availabe for purchase from Deseret Book.

Watch the book trailer for AMMON below:

Do you have a recipe you love but makes the house smell? Have you cooked something outside overnight before?

***

***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!

River Whispers by Kathi Oram Peterson – Countdown to Summer 2011

 Posted by  Countdown to Summer, Special Features
Jun 042011
 

17 days until summer!

Kathi Oram Peterson not only writes white-knuckle, edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense, but also YA time travels that open the past to readers in new and different ways. She’s the mother of three, grandmother of two, and wife of one wonderful husband.

Kathi is the author of four books: The Forgotten Warrior, An Angel on Main Street, The Stone Traveler, and River Whispers.

Visit Kathi on her website: www.kathiorampeterson.com and her blog: Kathi’s Writing Nook.

You can follow Kathi on Facebook: Kathi Oram Peterson and on Twitter: @KathiOPeterson

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?

KATHI: I love young adult novels and romantic suspense. Not sure which one I’d reach for first. That would depend on my mood.

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

KATHI: I just bought Nora Robert’s book, The Search. I’m looking forward to cracking the binding on that.

LDSWBR: How would you describe the perfect summer day?

KATHI: The perfect summer day would be golfing with my husband in the morning, where I make a birdie at least once; shopping with my daughters where we find an amazing shoe sale; and in the evening, grilling rib-eye steaks, served with corn on the cob and for dessert strawberry rhubarb pie with homemade ice cream. Yummo!

LDSWBR: Thank you, Kathi!

River Whispers by Kathi Oram Peterson (Deseret Book; May 2011) is available in softcover and CD from Deseret Book, as well as an ebook from Amazon.

Watch the trailer for River Whispers below:

Have you or someone you know ever made a birdie while golfing? Do you have a favorite golf/miniature golf course?

***

***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 Kiss of a Stranger by Sarah M. Eden – Countdown to Summer 2011

 Posted by  Countdown to Summer, Special Features
Jun 032011
 

18 days until summer!

Sarah M. Eden is the author of multiple historical romances, which her mother thinks are fabulous and her 10-year-old son thinks are too kissy. A few of these fabulously kissy novels are 2008 Whitney Award finalist Seeking Persephone, 2010 Whitney Award finalist Courting Miss Lancaster and The Kiss of a Stranger, released in 2011. When not researching, writing or talking to the voices in her head, Sarah spends her days avoiding housework, admiring the growing mountain of laundry and pretending she knows what to make for dinner. Visit her at www.SarahMEden.com.

Sarah has written several books. Two are currently available, with 8 out-of-print, and Seeking Persephone is slated for re-release this fall!

Follow Sarah on Facebook: Sarah M. Eden and Twitter: @SarahMEden.

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?

SARAH: Romance. Hello! Preferably Historical Romance, but as long as it’s a love story with a happy ending and a good “clean” read, sign me up!

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

SARAH: I have so many books on my to-be-read pile. Sheesh! I’m particularly excited about Captive Heart by Michele Paige Holmes, The List by Melanie Jacobson and Mark of Royalty by Jennifer K. Clark and Stephonie K. Williams

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

SARAH: Outdoor Dinner of Champions

1 super puffy, jumbo-sized marshmallow
1 rectangular graham cracker, broken in half so it’s more like a square (unless you wanna really live it up and make it a super skinny rectangle (let me know how that works out, ’cause I’ve never tried it))
an entire milk chocolate candy bar

Cook the marshmallow over a campfire until it’s a bit swollen and golden. Put a couple pieces of the candy bar on one half of the graham cracker. Put the swollen, golden marshmallow on the chocolate & graham cracker. Put the other half of the graham cracker on top of it all. Eat. Enjoy. Repeat as needed.

What? You have extra chocolate? You’d better eat it, my friend. Can’t let good chocolate go to waste. And no matter what anyone says, this is a meal. An actual, counts as dinner, meal.

LDSWBR: Wonderful, Sarah. Thank you!

The Kiss of a Stranger by Sarah M. Eden (Deseret Book; January 2011) is available for purchase from Deseret Book and Amazon.

What is your best memory associated with S’mores? Have you tried the new square-shaped S’mores marshmallows?

***

***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!

Abish: Mother of Faith by K. C. Grant – Countdown to Summer 2011

 Posted by  Countdown to Summer, Special Features
Jun 022011
 

19 days until summer!

K.C. has been a freelance writer for eight years. Much of her work appears in family-oriented magazines such as LDSLiving, Latter-Day Woman, Back Home, Parents & Kids, and Natural Life and The Deseret News/Mormon Times. She is currently the president of the Bountiful chapter of the League of Utah Writers and is a member of the Association for Mormon Letters and LDStorymakers. Though raising her children is still her most important task, she combines it with the demanding job of working out the numerous plots she has for future novels. She and her husband of sixteen years love to travel and scout out new settings for books. While ancient Mexico was the setting for her first published novel, Abish: Daughter of God, which was released by Covenant in 2010 and its sequel, Abish: Mother of Faith, released March 2011–modern Mexico was perfect for her suspense novel titled, Venom, to be released in 2012. Other publications include a short story recently published in Covenant’s seasonal compilation How Will Christmas Find Us? by various LDS authors.

Visit K.C. on her website: www.kcgrant.com, her blog: Writer’s Corner, on Facebook: K.C. Grant and Twitter: @authorKCGrant

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?

K.C.: A good romance.

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

K.C.: I want books that don’t make my brain work too hard and that make me feel good at the end of them.

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

K.C.: I love Dutch oven-cooked food and my mouth is watering thinking of a delicious peach cobbler which is so easy, even I can do it! You just dump two cans of sliced peaches (draining off heavy syrup which you then mix with four tablespoons of corn starch and add). Then mix together a yellow cake mix according to recipe except add four eggs and spread batter over the top. Cook on low coal temperature until cake is springy on top and add whipped cream to the finished product. Yum!

LDSWBR: That is easy! Thank you so much, K.C. Have a great summer!

Abish: Mother of Faith by K.C. Grant (Covenant Communications; March 2011) is available for purchase from Deseret Book.

Have you had the opportunity to enjoy Dutch oven cobbler? What is your favorite flavor of cobbler?

***

***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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