13 days until summer!

 

Traci Hunter Abramson was born in Arizona, where she lived until moving to Venezuela for a study-abroad program. After graduating from Brigham Young University, she worked for the Central Intelligence Agency for several years, eventually resigning in order to raise her family. And though Traci found her passion in caring for her family, she couldn’t manage to forget the action of the CIA, so she turned to writing about it. She has gone on to write a number of bestselling suspense novels that have consistently been nominated as Whitney Award finalists and won her second this year in the mystery/suspense category. She loves sports and traveling and enjoys reading, writing, and coaching high school swimming.

Visit Traci: WEBSITE | BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOOGLE+

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LDSWBR: What book or movie reminds you of summer?

TRACI: I had to think about this for a while, but I think the one that comes to mind most is Night at the Museum. This was the first movie my son liked that wasn’t animated and he used to love watching it over and over again. He’s a bit of a history buff so during the summertime, we would watch the movie and that would spur trips to local museums. Since we only live an hour away from the Smithsonian Museum, that was often go into DC to the Natural History Museum (to see the dinosaurs and animals) and to the American History Museum (to see all the cool war stuff.) Imagine our surprise when the second Night at the Museum movie came out and it was set at our favorite museum.

LDSWBR: Do you hike during the summer? If so, where is your favorite place to hike?

TRACI: I don’t typically hike during the summer because it is so hot and humid where I live. I much prefer to go out during the spring and fall, but anyplace near the water is my favorite. I love the trail along the George Washington Parkway between Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria in Virginia, and I also really enjoy “hiking” through Washington, DC by all of the monuments.

LDSWBR: What is the best book you’ve read so far this year?

TRACI: One book that I read recently and really enjoyed was The House at Rose Creek by Jenny Proctor. It was fun reading something set in the same area of the country where I live and I loved the way Jenny used family history as a plotline.

LDSWBR: Thanks, Traci!

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DESERET BOOK | SEAGULL BOOK | AMAZON | GOODREADS

Maya Gupta is a survivor. After escaping an impending arranged marriage in India as a teenager, she has thrived in America. But now she faces her greatest challenge yet—cancer has invaded her life, and unless she finds a way to participate in a clinical trial in Washington, DC, this may be one battle she loses. When Maya’s best friend Kari offers Maya the lifeline of a place to stay—her brother’s currently vacant DC apartment—the young woman eagerly accepts and goes to meet her fate . . .

Ben Evans’s plans have changed, and he’s heading home for some much-needed rest and relaxation during his off-season in the major leagues. Upon arriving at his DC apartment, however, Ben is shocked to find Maya—his sister’s friend, who he hardly knows—in residence. He soon finds himself trapped between protecting his above-reproach reputation and searching for a way to help a woman he is coming to admire. When Maya’s fight to survive her disease becomes more complicated than ever, she and Ben scheme an extreme solution to her predicament that tests to what lengths they’re willing to go together to save Maya’s life.

Is there a movie set in your hometown or one of your favorite places to visit?

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**To enter the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2014, leave a thoughtful comment below.**

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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 6/8/14 – 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)