Dec 282011
 

It’s time to announce the winners fo the Countdown to Christmas 2011 drawing!

Before we do, though, we want to thank the authors for participating in our Countdown to Christmas. We certainly wouldn’t be able to do it without them! Also, we want to say an extra THANK YOU to the authors for generously donating their books as additional prizes in the drawing. We appreciate each and every one of you!

We want to say THANK YOU and WE LOVE YOU to all of our wonderful LDSWBR followers. Without our blog readers we wouldn’t have a reason to do what we do. Thank you for participating in the Countdowns every year. We enjoy reading every comment and feel like we get to know our readers better with each one. Even if we aren’t able to reply to every comment, we read them all and laugh (or cry) with you.

The Countdown to Christmas 2011 has been our BEST COUNTDOWN EVER. Not only did we have the most amazing list of book prizes we’ve ever had, we also had the best participation by blog readers EVER.

Here are some numbers to show what we mean:

 

22 authors

25 prizes

452 entries

60 different entrants

2,041 unique visitors

5,960 page views

 

Okay, enough of that.

Shall we announce the winners?

Ready?

Are you sure?

Okay, let’s do this thing!

The winners selected by Random.org’s random sequence generator are listed below:

 

Book prizes donated by their authors:

  • Winners choice of  Divinely Designed, Luck of the Draw, or Minor Adjustments by Rachael Renee Anderson – Lolawid (for comment on Garden Plot)
  • Winner’s choice of Secret Sisters, Dearly Departed, or Hang ’em High by Tristi Pinkston – Diana (for liking LDSWBR on Facebook)
  • Montana Summer by Jeanette Miller – Gayle Humpherys (for comment on Pride & Popularity)
  • Ribbon of Darkness by Julie Coulter Bellon – Cathleen Moffat (for comment on The Hainan Incident)
  • Not My Type by Melanie Jacobson – Melissa (for comment on Hang ’em High)
  • Cinder & Ella by Melissa Lemon (ebook) – Sarah M. Eden (for comment on Pumpkin Roll)
  • Pride & Popularity by Jenni James – Pam (for bonus entry on The Kissing Tree)
  • The Kissing Tree by Prudence Bice – Chantele Sedgwick (for comment on The Next Door Boys)
  • Rearview Mirror by Stephanie Black (paperback or Kindle) – Cathy Jeppsen (for comment on Montana Summer)
  • The Next Door Boys by Jolene B. Perry – MaryKay Lee (for comment on The Kissing Tree)
  • 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) – MaryKay Lee (for comment on Geek Girl)
  • Seeking Persephone by Sarah M. Eden – Cathy Jeppsen (for comment on Hang ’em High)
  • Obsession by Traci Hunter Abramson – Gayle Humpherys (for bonus entry on The Breakup Artist)
  • Circle of Secrets by Kimberley Griffiths Little (autographed hardcover!) – rmhulse (for bonus entry on The Breakup Artist)
  • Indelible by Lani Woodland – Lolawid (for comment on Circle of Secrets)
  • Signed Indelible bookmark – Heidi (for bonus entry on The Hainan Incident)
  • Signed Indelible bookmark – Allison (for comment on Ribbon of Darkness)
  • Bag of Indelible swag – Debbie/Cranberryfries (bonus entry on The Breakup Artist)
  • Identity by Betsy Love – LisalLJ (for comment on Geek Girl)
  • The Hainan Incident by D.M. Coffman (autographed copy) – rmhulse (for comment on Indelible)
  • Count Down to Love by Julie N. Ford – Heidi (for comment on Obsession)
  • Geek Girl by Cindy C. Bennett – Allison (for comment on A Question for You)
  • The Breakup Artist by Shannen Crane Camp – Corrine (for liking LDSWBR on Facebook)
  • Seers by Heather Frost – Melody A. (for liking LDSWBR on Facebook)

 

And the winner of the $50 Amazon Gift Card is…….

DEBBIE/CRANBERRYFRIES

 

Congratulations to all of the winners and thank you to everyone who entered the Countdown to Christmas 2011 contest!

If you are a winner, please send an email to ldswbr (at) gmail (dot) com with your mailing address so the authors can get your prizes to you.

Keep reading and Happy New Year!
Dec 242011
 

1 day until Christmas

 

It’s Christmas Eve and the last day to enter the Countdown to Christmas 2011 contest. It’s a busy day full of fun activities with friends and family, but if you happen to have a spare minute, don’t forget to get your final entries in before 12:00 Midnight MST for your chance to win one of 21 books donated by their authors and $50 at Amazon.

 

Happy Christmas Eve from all of us at LDSWBR!

 

 

Dec 232011
 

2 days until Christmas

 

Okay, Sheila, your turn!

* * * * *

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

SHEILA: Wow! I cant think of anything. How boring am I? I like doing all of my old favorite traditions, instead of finding new things. Watching Christmas movies, drinking hot chocolate, reading Christmas stories together and singing Christmas songs together around the piano.

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

SHEILA: Inheritance, Book #4 in the Eragon series.

LDSWBR: What is your favorite childhood Christmas memory?

SHEILA: My favorite childhood Christmas memory is the year I was 9 years old. That was the year I got the whole Little House on the Praire Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder for Christmas. I was so excited!!!! I couldn’t believe that I got the whole set just for me. Up until then, I always had to check them out from the library. (I think this is when my obsession for collecting books started! ;0)

* * * * *

Sheila’s Top Ten Reads of 2011

1. Variant by Robison Wells
2. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
3. Making Rounds With Oscar by David Dosa
4. The Cross Gardner by Jason Wright
5. The Upside of Down by Rebecca Talley
6. Unwind by Neil Shusterman
7. Don’t Fear the Reaper by Michelle Muto
8. Bloodborne by Gregg Luke
9. Count Down to Love by Julie N. Ford
10. Rearview Mirror by Stephanie Black

The next 10 are right up there and so close to being in the top 10. This was a hard year to choose my favorites. There were so many I really, really liked.

What books have you read on my top ten for 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) – Do you, or have you ever, owned the entire set of Little House on the Prairie books by Laura Ingalls Wilder? Have you read them all? Do you prefer the books or the TV show? Do you have a favorite episode? (I know, they’re all so good it’s tough to choose a fav!)
  • 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 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

* * * * *

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. :)

* * * * *

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.

* * * * *

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

* * * * *

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!