Shanda’s Top Ten Reads of 2011 – Countdown to Christmas 2011

 Posted by  Countdown to Christmas, Special Features
Dec 192011
 

6 days until Christmas

 

We still have a few more author spotlights coming up for you. However, since Monday is my normal review day, I thought I would take this opportunity to answer the questions we’ve been asking the authors, as well as share my top ten reads of 2011. Mindy will do the same on Wednesday, and Sheila on Friday.

Ready? Okay, let’s go!

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

SHANDA: I would LOVE to have all the presents wrapped and under the tree BEFORE Christmas Eve. Not sure if that’s possible this year, but I’ll give it a shot. If not, there’s always next year.

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

SHANDA: Hm. I think either Of Grace and Chocolate by Krista Jensen or Sarah Eden’s next book, but since they both come out in January, I don’t have to wait very long to get my own copies.

LDSWBR: What is your favorite childhood Christmas memory?

SHANDA: One of my favorite things to do was read by the Christmas tree. I still remember the different colors on the pages of the book as the lights blinked on and off. I’m sure it was horrible for my eyesight, but I loved it.

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I read so many great books that it was hard to narrow the list down to ten. Enjoy! **NOTE: I am modifying my Top 10 into 11 because I remembered another book that I can’t leave off the list!**

Shanda’s Top Ten Reads for 2011
(in no particular order)

  1. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
  2. Of Grace & Chocolate by Krista L. Jensen
  3. Obsession by Traci Hunter Abramson
  4. Variant by Robison Wells
  5. Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George
  6. Bad Guys of the Book of Mormon by Dennis Gaunt
  7. Ammon by H.B. Moore
  8. The List and Not My Type by Melanie Jacobson
  9. Trespass by Sandra Grey
  10. Bloodborne by Gregg Luke
  11. Rearview Mirror by Stephanie Black
There is a very good chance – okay, it’s pretty much guaranteed – that I’ve forgotten a book or two that should be on this list, especially considering I’ve easily read 100 books this year. I need to keep better track on Goodreads!
Have you read any of the books on my top ten of 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 total) – Post this message on Twitter and/or Facebook and comment or send an email to ldswbr (at) gmail (dot) com telling us that you did: Last week to enter to win $50 at Amazon & 21 great books! @LDSWBR Countdown to Christmas 2011  www.ldswbr.com
  • 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 (new addition to the prize list!)
  • Winner’s choice of Secret Sisters, Dearly Departed, or Hang ’em High by Tristi Pinkston (new addition to the prize list!)
  • 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
  • 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!

 

The Kissing Tree by Prudence Bice – Countdown to Christmas 2011

 Posted by  Countdown to Christmas, Special Features
Dec 182011
 

7 days until Christmas

 

Prudence Bice has loved writing her entire life. Born in Orange County, California, one of eleven children, she always felt drawn to stories that spoke and enkindled her romantic heart. Having overcome tragedy in her own life, inspiration for her first novel was spark by her desire to ignite true romantics everywhere with a wholesome, feel good story about the power of love, rising above the pain and suffering from loss and circumstance.

She resides in St. George, Utah with her husband Ray and their five children, four daughters and one son. Her hobbies include drawing, photography, music, writing, and of course reading anything she can get her hands on! Currently she is majoring in English at Dixie Sate College and loving it. The future is bright, she says, every day I wake up with a prayer in my heart and story in my head. I never thought life could be so good!

Learn more: The Kissing Tree WEBSITE

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

PRUDENCE: Sleigh Riding-definitely. Of course I live in St. George and unfortunately there isn’t much chance of that happening. So sad since Karen Carpenter’s Sleigh Ride has always been my favorite Christmas song. One day I am going to convince my family to spend Christmas somewhere snowy. For now, I am out of luck and will just have to be happy with our yearly traditions.

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

PRUDENCE: This is a hard question because I am guilty of indulging myself where books are concerned. Amazon keeps my book shelves well stocked. However, one of the books next on my list to read is Chasing Butterflies by Charles Martin.

LDSWBR: What is your favorite childhood Christmas memory?

PRUDENCE: I come from a very large family, seven sisters and three brothers. Both of my parents had to work to support us. Our clothes were usually hand-me-downs, as were our toys. Christmas was definitely something to look forward to. We never got anything really big, but it was new, and all our own. On my tenth Christmas, however, I woke up to find a very large white box tied with a red bow under the tree that had my name on it. Inside was three foot teddy bear from my father. I don’t know why he singled me out that year. I’m sure he did the same at some point to my other siblings over the years, but I remember how special I felt. I still have that bear.

LDSWBR: That is such a sweet memory. Thank you, Prudence. Have a great Christmas!

* * * * *

Buy The Kissing Tree by Prudence Bice

AMAZON | CEDAR FORT | BARNES & NOBLE

Read Mindy’s review of The Kissing Tree.

Do you have a favorite Christmas song? If so, is there a particular version that you love? Why is it your favorite?

* * * * *

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 total) – Post this message on Twitter and/or Facebook and comment or send an email to ldswbr (at) gmail (dot) com telling us that you did: Would you pass up winning $50 at Amazon & 21 great books from 2011? Of course not!  www.ldswbr.com
  • 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 (new addition to the prize list!)
  • Winner’s choice of Secret Sisters, Dearly Departed, or Hang ’em High by Tristi Pinkston (new addition to the prize list!)
  • 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
  • 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!

 

Hang ’em High by Tristi Pinkston – Countdown to Christmas 2011

 Posted by  Countdown to Christmas, Special Features
Dec 172011
 

8 days until Christmas

 

Tristi Pinkston is the mother of four, the author of eight, the wife of one, and the taker of really long naps. She works as a freelance editor and virtual book tour coordinator, and she is a popular presenter at writers conferences all over the Intermountain West. She has a number of new books coming out in 2012, from fiction to nonfiction to self-help, and she’s excited about all of them.

Connect with Tristi: WEBSITE | BLOG | Twitter | Facebook

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

TRISTI: I want to go reindeer wrangling. I’ve heard it’s tricky because they run really fast and they fly, but I bet I could do it. You never know until you try.

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

TRISTI: Hmmm … you know, that’s a hard one. There are so many authors that I love, and I’d be delighted by any of them. Let’s say something new by Dee Henderson, Elizabeth Peters, Jessica Day George, or Shannon Hale. Yep, any of those would be awesome. And if any of them happen to be reading this and want to make a donation to a very good cause, Merry Christmas to me!

LDSWBR: What is your favorite childhood Christmas memory?

TRISTI: The best Christmas I ever had was the year my mom found a refurbished manual typewriter at the thrift store and got it for me. I was ten years old, and I was so excited. I started learning how to type right away, and because the machine was manual, my pinkie fingers got really sore, really fast. I wonder if my mom knew what she was starting with that gift – from there, I’ve graduated to more … sophisticated … forms of word processing, but since I was ten, I’ve spent quite a lot of time every day on a keyboard of some kind.

LDSWBR: Reindeer wrangling – lol – I would SO pay to see that! Thanks, Tristi. Merry Christmas!

* * * * *

Buy Hang ’em High by Tristi Pinkston

AMAZON | SECRET SISTERS (Bk 1) | DEARLY DEPARTED (Bk 2)

Read our Combined review of Hang ’em High.

Have you ever typed up a document on a manual typewriter? If so, did it have a white-out ribbon or did you have to make corrections by hand?

* * * * *

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 total) – Follow Tristi on her blog, Twitter or Facebook and send an email to ldswbr (at) gmail (dot) com telling us how you follow Tristi.
  • 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 (new addition to the prize list!)
  • Winner’s choice of Secret Sisters, Dearly Departed, or Hang ’em High by Tristi Pinkston (new addition to the prize list!)
  • 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
  • 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!

Minor Adjustments by Rachael Renee Anderson – Countdown to Christmas 2011

 Posted by  Countdown to Christmas, Special Features
Dec 162011
 

9 days until Christmas

 

About Rachael: I love to read, write, and do most anything outdoors, with the exception of rock climbing and sky diving. (I have serious height phobias.) If there’s something I can do within five feet of solid ground, count me in!

Connect with Rachael: BLOG | Twitter | Facebook

* * * * *

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

RACHAEL: Burn a Yule log. That’s always sounded like such a cool tradition but sadly, we have a gas fireplace. I guess I could think of our fake logs as an eternal Yule log, but somehow it’s not the same.

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

RACHAEL: Mmmmm . . . that’s a tough one. Maybe Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins? I’ve been wanting to read that for awhile now. (Yeah, so lame I haven’t yet.)

LDSWBR: What is your favorite childhood Christmas memory?

RACHAEL: That would have to be the year my brother wanted this really cool remote control hovercraft. Since I had to have everything he did (we sort of had this “I’m better than you are” competition thing going on), I asked for one, too. But when Christmas morning came, he ended up with the cool hovercraft and I ended up with a lame beefy tired truck. Or so I thought until we took them outside to try them out. Turned out the hovercraft didn’t like the snow so much, whereas my suddenly cool truck raced everywhere. The best part? The next day he exchanged the hovercraft for a truck like mine. Yeah, I LOVED that Christmas. :)

LDSWBR: That is too funny. Thank you, Rachael. Merry Christmas!

* * * * *

Buy Minor Adjustments by Rachael Renee Anderson

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | DESERET BOOK

Read Mindy’s review of Minor Adjustments.

Have you ever burned a Yule log?

* * * * *

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) – I’m not very familiar with the Yule log tradition, so today’s bonus entry is to send an email to ldswbr(at)gmail(dot)com with either your explanation of what a Yule log is, or a link to a good, concise explanation of the Yule log tradition, thus freeing me from my ignorance. :)
  • 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 (new addition to the prize list!)
  • Winner’s choice of Secret Sisters, Dearly Departed, or Hang ’em High by Tristi Pinkston (new addition to the prize list!)
  • 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
  • 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!

Geek Girl by Cindy C. Bennett – Countdown to Christmas 2011

 Posted by  Countdown to Christmas, Special Features
Dec 152011
 

10 days until Christmas

10 days!

 

Cindy lives in Utah with her high school sweetheart turned hubby of 25 years and two of her four kids. (The other two are still around, they just no longer live at home) She is the author of the new release from Sweetwater, Geek Girl, a contemporary young adult novel, as well as Heart on a Chain and Immortal Mine. When not at her keyboard–which is rare–she can be found either reading, resting, or riding her Harley. Those are her “three R’s”. She feels very blessed and grateful for the opportunities life has afforded her so far.

Connect with Cindy: BLOG | Twitter | Facebook

* * * * *

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

CINDY: This year I would like to stay home and not have to go anywhere for the whole day. I would like to have all of my extended family come to my house where I can feed them, give them gifts, and share in the holiday spirit without the usual hurry and open gifts, grab whatever food you’ve made and run to grandmas, run home to pick up more food, go to the next grandmas, get home and be exhausted from all the running around. I just think it would be relaxing and keep me in the right frame of mind if I weren’t so stressed about getting places on time. I’d like to try it once, anyway.

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

CINDY: Anything antique. I love old antique books that are faded, yellowed, and cracked – especially if it has pictures or drawings in it.

LDSWBR: What is your favorite childhood Christmas memory?

CINDY: My favorite memory is every year going to the Christmas tree place to pick out the perfect tree. It had to be full with lots of bushy branches. Then we’d wait while they flocked it, and return home with this amazing, pure white tree that looked like it had been snowed on, where we then decorated it while listening to Christmas music with a fire in the fireplace.

LDSWBR: Thank you, Cindy. Have a great Christmas!

* * * * *

Buy Geek Girl by Cindy C. Bennett

AMAZON | WEBSITE | CEDAR FORT | BARNES & NOBLE

 

Read Mindy’s review of Geek Girl.

 Do you visit family members’ homes on Christmas or do they visit you?

 * * * * *

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 read Mindy’s review of Geek Girl and leave a comment. Don’t forget to leave a comment on this post first!
  • 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 (new addition to the prize list!)
  • Winner’s choice of Secret Sisters, Dearly Departed, or Hang ’em High by Tristi Pinkston (new addition to the prize list!)
  • 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
  • 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!

Montana Summer by Jeanette Miller – Countdown to Christmas 2011

 Posted by  Countdown to Christmas, Special Features
Dec 132011
 

12 days until Christmas

 

Jeanette Miller was born in northern California, but spent most of her childhood in Guatemala, Puerto Rico and Costa Rica where her father worked. She cherishes her experiences of living in Latin America. In her teenage years, she dreamed of becoming a teacher and a published author. Jeanette attended Brigham Young University where she earned a degree in Elementary Education. After graduating, she taught third grade for four years in the Spanish Immersion program. There, she enjoyed writing and directing plays for her students.

As a young mother, Jeanette started writing in moments snatched between changing diapers and making peanut butter sandwiches, or whenever her nose wasn’t in a book. She loves all things Jane Austen, and Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre. When she isn’t reading a novel in this genre, she watches their movie equivalents on DVD. She also loves scrapbooking, designing jewelry, and eating chocolate. She would love to travel all over the world someday. Jeanette and her husband Michael have six children. They live in Pleasant Grove, Utah.

Connect with Jeanette: Facebook

* * * * *

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

JEANETTE: I’d like to send out a Christmas card on time–complete with a family portrait and family newsletter. It’ll never happen, but it’s nice to dream!

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

JEANETTE: Only one? That’s tough. But I’ve lost my copy of Jane Eyre and can’t live without it, so I’d have to pick that one. I love that story…

LDSWBR: What is your favorite childhood Christmas memory?

JEANETTE: When we were living in Costa Rica, I used my babysitting money and allowance to buy Christmas presents for a poor family in the Ward. I remember going with my dad (who was the Bishop) to deliver my presents along with buckets of rice and beans for this family. They had no furniture. Newspaper covered the walls. There was a hotplate in a corner of the room. Seeing the gratitude in their eyes filled me with the spirit of giving that truly changed my life.

LDSWBR: Jeanette, thank you so much. Merry Christmas!

* * * * *

Buy Montana Summer by Jeanette Miller

AMAZON | DESERET BOOK | SEAGULL BOOK

Read Shanda’s review of Montana Summer.

Do you and your family send out a holiday newsletter for 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) – Post the following on Facebook or Twitter then send an email to ldswbr(at)gmail(dot)com telling us that you did: LDSWBR is giving away 19 books & $50 at Amazon. Go enter the @LDSWBR Countdown to Christmas today! www.ldswbr.com.
  • 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:

  • Montana Summer by Jeanette Miller (new addition to the prize list!)
  • 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
  • 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!
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