11 days until summer!
I was born in Utah, part of a crazy, fun family of nine. I grew up in Flagstaff, AZ and St. Louis, MO before striking out on my own college adventure in Virginia. I decided to try my hand at writing novels after I was married and living in Idaho. I write clean romance because it’s my favorite genre, but often difficult to find.
I believe there is no substitute for good writing or good chocolate. Fortunately, one often leads to the other.
Visit Annette: WEBSITE/BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST
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LDSWBR: What book or movie reminds you of summer?
ANNETTE: The Secret Garden. I was not much of a reader when I was young, but The Secret Garden was one of the few books that I read all the way through and enjoyed. I loved the idea of spending each day in a beautiful place that very few people knew about.
LDSWBR: Do you hike during the summer? If so, where is your favorite place to hike?
ANNETTE: I’m not much of a hiker anymore. I used to love it. My Dad likes to tell the story of going on hikes and watching as my older sister jumped gingerly from rock to rock, worried with every step, while I leapt from one foothold to the next like a mountain goat. Oh, to be six again…
LDSWBR: What is the best book you’ve read so far this year?
ANNETTE: Running Barefoot by Amy Harmon. I loved the steady progression of the relationship. I loved the author’s reliance on actual connection instead of just physical attraction.
LDSWBR: Thanks, Annette! I’m going to look up Running Barefoot on Goodreads.
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BARNES & NOBLE | AMAZON | GOODREADS
“You don’t know who I am,” I whispered. He didn’t move—either away from me, or closer—and after an interminable moment, I stepped back and hurried out of the house.
He didn’t follow me as I fled into the night.
Lylin is not used to being alone—much less alone, hurt, and lost. So when she is separated from her guard and forced to abandon her horse, she counts herself lucky to stumble upon a manor house. Still frightened by those who chased her into the night, she keeps her identity a secret, calling herself Lily as she accepts the help of kind servants and the compassion of Lord Fallon. When they fall into an easy friendship, she wonders if her secrecy was too hasty. However, as she gets to know the manor and its residents, Lylin discovers that she’s not the only one hiding secrets, and it may be a very good thing that her host doesn’t know her true identity as a member of the royal family.
Have you read The Secret Garden? Is there a garden you love to visit?
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**To enter the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2014, leave a thoughtful comment below.**
This is raffle-style drawing where all entries throughout the contest period are entered into the same “hat” for all prizes. Because this is a raffle-style drawing, commenting on each Countdown to Summer 2014 post will give you more chances to win. Please click through to the website as only comments submitted directly on this post will be accepted.
Prizes include a $50 Amazon gift card and the author-donated books listed below. US only. 18 years and older please. See all contest rules and restrictions below.
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By leaving a comment and entering the Countdown to Summer 2014, you agree to the contest rules below:
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY; entrants must be 18 years or older; open to residents of continental US only; giveaway begins June 5, 2014 and all entries must be received by 12:00 Midnight June 30, 2014 Mountain Time; to enter, complete the required entry on each post and any additional entries of your choice if listed; LDS Women’s Book Review reserves the right to determine what is considered a thoughtful comment as per each post’s required entry; giveaway prizes include a $50 Amazon gift card and a variety of book prizes donated by featured authors; the number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning; LDS Women’s Book Review is not liable for technical problems which may affect entry into the giveaway; winner identity will be verified by email address; winner will be selected July 3, 2014 by use of a sequence generator on random.org; winner will have until July 10, 2014 to claim their prize; if any prize winner forfeits or does not claim prize, prize will be re-awarded to next winner in sequence; all prizes will be awarded; limit of two prizes per entrant; this contest/giveaway is not associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other entity unless otherwise specified; by entering the giveaway you give LDS Women’s Book Review the right to publicize your name on the LDS Women’s Book Review blog; winner agrees to release LDS Women’s Book Review from any liability as a result of winning; email comments and questions to LDS Women’s Book Review – ldswbr (at) gmail (dot) com; giveaway subject to Utah regulations; VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
**Book Prizes (as of 6/10/14 – more to be added to this list!)**
- Unraveled by Julie Daines (signed paperback)
- Any book by A.L. Sowards (choice of paperback or Kindle version)
- An autographed copy of any one Sarah M. Eden book of the winner’s choice
- Chances Are by Traci Hunter Abramson (signed/personalized paperback)
- Choice of The Inventor’s Secret (hardback or paperback) or The Avatar Battle (hardback or audio CD) by Chad Morris (signed copy)
- Missing Lily by Annette K. Larsen (ebook in .mobi or epub)