Countdown to Summer 2013 – Page 3 – LDS Women's Book Review

Belonging to Heaven by Gale Sears – Countdown to Summer 2013

Jun 172013

Gale Sears delights in being an average person. She has her strengths and weaknesses, her good days and her bad, her abilities and lack thereof. She was born in Placerville, California and early on migrated to South Lake Tahoe where she was blessed to grow up amid some of the most beautiful scenery on earth. She and her mother lived several years in Honolulu Hawaii where she graduated from high school. Gale went on to college, eventually receiving a master’s degree in Theater Arts from the University of Minnesota.During her college years she met and married George Sears, and, after more than 40 years of marriage, he is still her sweetheart. They have two children—a son Shawn and a daughter Chandler. She has 7 published novels as well as 2 children’s picture books. Her last novel, Belonging to Heaven was published by Deseret book and came out in April of 2013.

Visit Gale: WEBSITE | BLOG | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

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LDSWBR: What books do you plan/hope to read this summer?

GALE: In the Company of Others by Jan Karon, U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton, Biography and Family Record of Lorenzo Snow by Eliza R. Snow Smith

LDSWBR: Did you ever go to summer camp, and/or what is your most memorable camping experience?

GALE: I did go to summer camp! It was a girl scout camp near Meeks Bay, Lake Tahoe, California. The name of the camp was Camp Wasu and it afforded many wonderful experiences: hiking in the beautiful Sierra mountains, learning how to make camp fires, and singing goofy camp songs which I remember to this day.

LDSWBR: If you could have a summer home anywhere in the world, where would it be?

GALE: Lake Tahoe.

LDSWBR: Thank you, Gale!

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Find Belonging to Heaven

AMAZON (Hardcover & Kindle) | DESERET BOOK (Hardcover, ebook & audio/MP3) | SEAGULL BOOK | GOODREADS

Descended from the Hawaiian royal line, Jonathan Napela became one of the first—and most influential—converts to the Church in Hawaii. A man of intelligence, social status, and wealth, he used his considerable position to further the gospel in his native land. He developed a lifelong bond of brotherhood with Elder George Q. Cannon, helping to translate the Book of Mormon into Hawaiian and establish a gathering place for the Hawaiian saints in Laie, Oahu. But when his beloved wife, Kitty, was stricken with leprosy, Jonathan made the defining decision of his life. He would leave his life of privilege to become her caretaker and spend the rest of his life on Molokai, the island of lepers. To those who suffered similar heartbreak and banishment, Jonathan’s self-sacrifice became their lifeline. Based on true story, this is an extraordinary novel of a man who chose love in the face of death.

Have you ever been to Lake Tahoe or the Sierra Mountains? I’ve never been but I’ve seen pictures and it looks beautiful!

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To enter the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2013, leave a thoughtful comment below.

Comment on each Countdown to Summer 2013 post for 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. This is raffle-style drawing where all entries throughout the contest period are entered into the same “hat” for all prizes. US only. 18 years and older please. See all contest rules and restrictions HERE.

If you don’t already follow LDSWBR through email, Facebook or Twitter (those cute little book buttons on the sidebar) you may want to consider doing so during the contest so you don’t miss any posts or chances to enter the drawing. Following LDSWBR is not required but it is nice to know that our book reviews are useful to other readers.

If one of our LDSWBR reviews has ever helped you find a book you enjoyed, perhaps you would consider helping us spread the word about the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2013. A link posted to your friends and family either in email or on your favorite social network would be so greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Book prizes generously donated by the authors as of 6/17/2013 (more added throughout the countdown!):

A Blind Eye by Julie Daines (signed), a bookmark AND a Mind the Gap temporary tattoo
I, Spy by Jordan McCollum (choice of paperback or ebook)
Sworn Enemy by A.L. Sowards (choice of paperback or ebook)
Glimmer of Hope by Sarah M. Eden
A Change of Plans by Donna K. Weaver
Fairy Godmothers, Inc. by Jenniffer Wardell (signed paperback)
Esther the Queen by H.B. Moore (Kindle or Nook)
Belonging to Heaven by Gale Sears (or winner’s choice of another book by Gale)

By commenting and participating in the Countdown to Summer 2013 you agree to the following:

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY; entrants must be 18 years or older; open to residents of continental US only; giveaway begins June 10, 2013 and all entries must be received by 12:00 Midnight June 30, 2012 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 2, 2013 by use of a sequence generator on random.org; winners will have until July 10, 2013 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 & questions to LDS Women’s Book Review – ldswbr (at) gmail (dot) com; giveaway subject to Utah regulations; VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Esther the Queen by H.B. Moore – Countdown to Summer 2013

Posted by Shanda Countdown to Summer

Jun 162013

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 has become a great friend. Although she has spent several years living in the Middle East, she prefers to forget the smells. Heather writes her historical thrillers under the pen name H.B. Moore so that men will buy her books. She is also the author of two non-fiction books, and several women’s novels including the co-authored series The Newport Ladies Book Club, the anthology series A Timeless Romance Anthology, and the historical romantic suspense novel Heart of the Ocean. These are all written under her real name so that women will buy her books.

Visit Heather: WEBSITE | BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

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LDSWBR: What books do you plan/hope to read this summer?

HEATHER: I just bought The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult… I’ve loved all the books I’ve read by her.

LDSWBR: Did you ever go to summer camp, and/or what is your most memorable camping experience?

HEATHER: I went to “Girls Camp”–which is a church camp. The best year was when I won all the canoe races.

LDSWBR: If you could have a summer home anywhere in the world, where would it be?

HEATHER: I would just stay in Utah for the summer… the mountains are a great getaway… but if we are talking winter homes, maybe San Diego.

LDSWBR: Thank you, Heather!

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Find Esther the Queen

AMAZON (Paperback & Kindle) | DESERET BOOK (Paperback, ebook & audio) | SEAGULL BOOK | GOODREADS

She is a beautiful young Jewess, content in her life of anonymity… He is the most powerful king in the world… When chance brings the two together, the course of history is forever altered.

The glittering court of the Persian Empire serves as the backdrop for one of the most poignant tales of courage in the Bible, brought vividly to life in the pages of bestselling author H.B. Moore’s sweeping saga. And it begins on a dusty road in the Jewish Quarter . . .

An unexpected meeting between Esther and King Xerxes results in an immediate and unmistakable connection. When Esther is summoned to enter the king’s harem—the first step toward becoming his wife—Esther is torn between her desire to be with Xerxes and the knowledge that they will forever be divided by the secret of her Jewish heritage. Encouraged by her family to do what she must to help her people, she deftly navigates her new position in the palace, quickly becoming beloved by all—including Xerxes.

But when a treacherous plan threatens to engulf the kingdom in violence, Esther must choose between love and duty.

Have you ever been canoeing? Did you race? Did you win?

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To enter the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2013, leave a thoughtful comment below.

Comment on each Countdown to Summer 2013 post for more chances to win. Please click through to the website as only comments submitted directly on this post will be accepted.

Book prizes generously donated by the authors as of 6/16/2013 (more added throughout the countdown!):

A Blind Eye by Julie Daines (signed), a bookmark AND a Mind the Gap temporary tattoo
I, Spy by Jordan McCollum (choice of paperback or ebook)
Sworn Enemy by A.L. Sowards (choice of paperback or ebook)
Glimmer of Hope by Sarah M. Eden
A Change of Plans by Donna K. Weaver
Fairy Godmothers, Inc. by Jenniffer Wardell (signed paperback)
Esther the Queen by H.B. Moore (Kindle or Nook)

By commenting and participating in the Countdown to Summer 2013 you agree to the following:

Fairy Godmothers, Inc. by Jenniffer Wardell – Countdown to Summer 2013

Posted by Shanda Countdown to Summer

Jun 152013

Jenniffer Wardell is a fantasy romance author and general fairy godmother-at-large who lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. She’s always on the lookout for witty dialogue and a well-earned happily-ever after.

Visit Jenniffer: BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

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LDSWBR: What books do you plan/hope to read this summer?

JENNIFFER: I’m planning on re-reading all of Rick Riordan’s “Percy Jackson” and “House of Olympus” books in preparation for his newest novel, “House of Hades.” It isn’t coming out until October, but with eight sizeable books to get through I should probably get started now. I’d also like to try some of Terry Pratchett’s non-Discworld books, particularly “Dodger.”

LDSWBR: Did you ever go to summer camp, and/or what is your most memorable camping experience?

JENNIFFER: I went to girls’ camp with the other Young Women, but my most memorable camping experience was with my family. We were spending a week at a campsite in Yellowstone, but I didn’t realize until we got there that I’d left everything I’d packed back in Utah. I spent the week sharing clothes with my mother, the only other girl in the family.

LDSWBR: If you could have a summer home anywhere in the world, where would it be?

JENNIFFER: Orlando, Florida. People who can claim in-state residency get discount passes to most of the theme parks, which means you can go to Sea World and Universal Studios the same way most people go to the local playground. The beach is close enough you can spend your Saturdays by the water, and the people are generally very friendly and accepting.

LDSWBR: Thank you so much, Jenniffer!

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Find Fairy Godmothers, Inc.

AMAZON (Hardcover, Paperback & Kindle) | BARNES & NOBLE (Hardcover, Paperback & Nook) | WEBSITE | GOODREADS

In a world where fairy tale situations are as much a fact of life as death and taxes, everyone knows hiring Fairy Godmothers, Inc. is the best way to assure that your beautiful daughter or enchanted frog of a grandson will get the happily-ever-after he or she deserves. Sure, sometimes a little love potion is required to make sure those quotas stay up, but what Prince Charming doesn’t know won’t hurt him.

Kate, an experienced Fairy Godmother, who’s enough of a romantic to frustrate her rigidly rule-bound boss, has just received a specialty assignment from one of the company’s board of directors. Cinderella—Rellie for short—was placed with an appropriately wicked stepfamily years before, and now needs the dress, ball, and handsome prince to complete her happily-ever-after. The fact that Rellie isn’t sure this is her dream come true—balls are fun, but princes tend to be less interesting than fluffy bunnies—isn’t something management considers a problem.

Complicating things a bit is Jon, the youngest son of the royal family, who meets Kate, and is smitten, but isn’t quite ready yet to reveal his true identity. After all, it’s his older brother Rupert who’s supposed to marry Rellie, which means pretending to be a lowly civil servant will give him the chance to spend more time with Kate. (As long as he can get the ball arranged, and stop Rupert from getting himself into trouble over his “self-actualization” business, he should have the perfect opportunity to explain everything and get started on making a little magic with the Fairy Godmother of his dreams.)

But, of course, things never ever happen as planned.

Read Shanda’s review of Fairy Godmothers, Inc.

Tell us your best “forgot to pack ____” story.

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To enter the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2013, leave a thoughtful comment below.

Comment on each Countdown to Summer 2013 post for more chances to win. Please click through to the website as only comments submitted directly on this post will be accepted.

Book prizes generously donated by the authors as of 6/15/2013 (more added throughout the countdown!):

A Blind Eye by Julie Daines (signed), a bookmark AND a Mind the Gap temporary tattoo
I, Spy by Jordan McCollum (choice of paperback or ebook)
Sworn Enemy by A.L. Sowards (choice of paperback or ebook)
Glimmer of Hope by Sarah M. Eden
A Change of Plans by Donna K. Weaver
Fairy Godmothers, Inc. by Jenniffer Wardell (signed paperback)

By commenting and participating in the Countdown to Summer 2013 you agree to the following:

A Change of Plans by Donna K. Weaver – Countdown to Summer 2013

Posted by Shanda Countdown to Summer

Jun 142013

Donna K. Weaver has always loved reading and creating stories, thus she’s been ever entertained. A Navy brat and U.S. Army veteran, she’s lived in many U.S. states as well as South Korea, the Philippines, and Germany. An avid cruiser, she’s sailed the Pacific four times. When she retired from Shorei Kempo Karate with a black belt, she decided it was time to put her imaginary friends and places on paper. She lives in Utah with her husband. They have six children and eight grandchildren.

Visit Donna: BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOOGLE+ | GOODREADS

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LDSWBR: What books do you plan/hope to read this summer?

DONNA: I’ve just started Donna Hosie’s The Secret of Nimue, the conclusion of her The Return of Camelot series. I’ve got Natalie Whipple’s Transparent in audiobook I’ll be started soon. I’ve got Jenn Johansson’s Insomnia, Elana Johnson’s Abandon, Julie Dane’s A Blind Eye, and Dianne Salerni’s The Caged Graves on my list. Somewhere in there I’ll make room for the summer collection of A Timeless Romance Anthology.

Since I hear Jenn’s book is quite chilling, I hope to take an adventure into one of Gregg Luke’s books or Michael Brent Collings’. Maybe. lol

LDSWBR: Did you ever go to summer camp, and/or what is your most memorable camping experience?

DONNA: Curiously, I was only ever a Brownie or a Girl Scout when we lived outside of the U.S. When we lived in the Philippines, I had my one and only chance to attend camp. The camp was an 8-hour drive from Sangley Point, the Navy base where we lived, which is across the bay from Manila.

We were returning home at the end of the week on Good Friday, riding in this rusty old Navy bus (things rust easily in the P.I.) and not all the windows would close. No air conditioning. Easter is a big deal in the Philippines where the Catholic Church has a huge influence. They have these parades in all the communities with people carrying statues through the streets, partiers dancing in the streets, and pranksters causing trouble in the streets. While we were trying to drive through the streets.

Getting the picture? That 8-hour bus ride took something 11 hours, and we had no protection from the pranksters who would squirt diluted cologne through the windows we couldn’t get closed. So my two memories of that week at camp are sleeping under the stars at night and getting squirted with nasty, cheap cologne.

LDSWBR: If you could have a summer home anywhere in the world, where would it be?

DONNA: Just one? I’d love a traveling time share that allowed me (and my family) to live in a different country for a year or two at a time. Having had the opportunity to live in three other countries already and visiting three others, I understand the difference between being a tourist and resident. Realistically, I’d quit my day job, sell my house, and move to Kauai and live with my daughter.

LDSWBR: Thank you, Donna!

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Find A Change of Plans

AMAZON (Paperback & Kindle) | BARNES & NOBLE (Paperback & Nook) | GOODREADS | BOOK TRAILER

When twenty-five-year-old Lyn sets off on her cruise vacation, all she wants is to forget that her dead fiancé was a cheating scumbag. What she plans is a diversion uncomplicated by romance. What she gets is Braedon, an intriguing young surgeon. He’s everything her fiancé wasn’t, and against the backdrop of the ship’s make-believe world, her emotions come alive.

Unaware of the sensitive waters he navigates, Braedon moves to take their relationship beyond friendship—on the very anniversary Lyn came on the cruise to forget. Lyn’s painful memories are too powerful, and she runs off in a panic.

But it’s hard to get away from someone when you’re stuck on the same ship. Things are bad enough when the pair finds themselves on one of the cruise’s snorkeling excursions. Then paradise turns to piracy when their party is kidnapped, and Lyn’s fear of a fairy tale turns grim.

Have you ever camped in a foreign country? If not, is there a place in the world you would be willing to camp to see in person?

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To enter the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2013, leave a thoughtful comment below.

Comment on each Countdown to Summer 2013 post for more chances to win. Please click through to the website as only comments submitted directly on this post will be accepted.

Book prizes generously donated by the authors as of 6/14/2013 (more added throughout the countdown!):

A Blind Eye by Julie Daines (signed), a bookmark AND a Mind the Gap temporary tattoo
I, Spy by Jordan McCollum (choice of paperback or ebook)
Sworn Enemy by A.L. Sowards (choice of paperback or ebook)
Glimmer of Hope by Sarah M. Eden
A Change of Plans by Donna K. Weaver

By commenting and participating in the Countdown to Summer 2013 you agree to the following:

Drops of Gold and Glimmer of Hope by Sarah M. Eden – Countdown to Summer 2013

Posted by Shanda Countdown to Summer

Jun 132013

SarahEden Sarah M. Eden is the author of several well-received historical romances, including Whitney Award finalists Seeking Persephone (2008) and Courting Miss Lancaster (2010). Combining her obsession with history and an affinity for tender love stories, Sarah loves crafting witty characters and heartfelt romances. She happily spends hours perusing the reference shelves of her local library. Sarah is represented by Pam van Hylckama Vlieg at Foreword Literary Agency.

Visit Sarah: BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

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LDSWBR: What books do you plan/hope to read this summer?

SARAH: “How to Sell Unruly Children to the Circus” and the best-selling sequel “So You Sold Your Kids to the Circus, But the Circus Sent Them Back.” I have a love/hate relationship with summer break. I love being able to do fun things with my kids, to bond with them over road trips and summer reading programs, to sleep in a little, and not have homework deadlines to meet. But I hate the inevitable summer cycle of “I’m Bored”/“I Take Delight in Tormenting my Sibling”/“Hi, Mom! You and I Will Never Leave Each Other’s Side All Summer. Not Even So You Can Go to the Grocery Store. I’ll Even Slide Notes Under the Bathroom Door So You Won’t Miss Me Even Then!” It’s the best of times, it’s the worst of times. . .

LDSWBR: Did you ever go to summer camp, and/or what is your most memorable camping experience?

SARAH: When I was fourteen, I attended a summer camp for the other teenage girls at my church. We had a class at that camp all about using axes and hatchets. I had something of a reputation at that time for being excruciatingly accident prone. Excruciatingly. So much so, in fact, that when it came time for me to demonstrate what I’d learned in the class, the teacher turned to me and said, “Now, if we were to give you an ax or a hatchet, how would you use it.” And then I was required to mime my newfound ax and hatchet skills. They were so convinced I would slice myself open, I wasn’t even allowed to touch the handle of an ax or hatchet.

So, having survived the most dangerous of the camp classes, I skipped on over to the lashing class ready to learn wonderful things about tying knots. I have a feeling the camp leaders breathed a sigh of relief. Ropes, after all, weren’t sharp like axes. I’d left something over at the hatchet class, so I decided to just run on over and get it. In true “Sarah Style” I misjudged my proximity to a two-foot long piece of metal acting as a stake holding down the canopy the lashing class was held under and caught the front of my knee on the sharp, jagged edge of the rebar. Not to worry, though, the metal edge didn’t stay caught, it came back out. At the back of my knee.

I have a thick, ugly, long scar along the side of my knee that has, on more than one occasion, inspired people to ask if I’ve had some kind of reconstructive surgery or knee replacement. It’s nasty enough looking that it should have a super fantastic story behind it. But, no. All I can say in that regard is I ripped my leg open at a class on knot-tying. *sigh*

LDSWBR: If you could have a summer home anywhere in the world, where would it be?

SARAH: Ireland. Just outside either Donegal Town or Killarney National Forest. Donegal because it’s a sweet, sleepy little coastal town with just the right mix of accessibility and isolation, and the picturesque beauty one expects from the Irish Countryside. Killarney National Forest because it is amazingly beautiful, directly at the start of the Ring of Kerry (probably the most stunning part of Ireland I visited while I was there), and yet is near enough to Dublin to make regular trips to that fantastic old city.

LDSWBR: Oh, Sarah, Sarah, Sarah…You have the best stories to tell, though they are usually somewhat tragic in nature. Most times I am both laughing and battling guilt at finding entertainment through your suffering. Thank you for sharing your stories with us!

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Find Drops of Gold

AMAZON (Paperback & Kindle) | DESERET BOOK (Paperback, eBook & Audio) | SEAGULL BOOK (Paperback & CD) | GOODREADS

When her father dies and leaves her completely destitute, Marion can think of only one thing to do make a new life for herself. Commencing a life of duplicity, Marion transforms herself into Mary Wood governess. In possession of a forged letter of recommendation and cloaked in the anonymity of her new identity, she enters a life of self-imposed servitude as teacher and caretaker of young Miss Caroline Jonquil of the Meadows. Her idyllic vision of life at the Meadows is dashed when she finds a child desperately in need of hope and a cold and sorrowful home haunted by the past. With her characteristic sunny disposition, Marion casts her spell upon the household and slowly brings to life the longforgotten joy of those within. Layton Jonquil is a man tormented by the lies surrounding the death of his late wife, but he cannot deny his growing attraction for the beautiful governess whose goodness and optimism have touched his dormant heart. Their connection grows ever stronger, and despite the impropriety of harboring feelings for a servant, Layton’s heart whispers that this is the woman he’s destined to love. But when Layton’s fears about the past become too much to bear and the falsehoods in which they are entangled threaten to shatter Marion’s and his blossoming attachment, will true love conquer all?

Find Glimmer of Hope

AMAZON (Paperback & Kindle) | DESERET BOOK (Paperback, eBook & Audio) | GOODREADS

Stunning Miranda Harford once had the world at her feet. She was young, carefree, and desperately in love. But when her new husband left for London without her, her world fell apart. Devastated by his abandonment, Miranda fled their home, taking residence at her husband’s rarely visited countryside estate. For three years, she lived alone. But now, as the holidays draw near, an unexpected visitor arrives . . .

Carter Alexander Harford, Seventh Viscount Devereaux, is a man driven to succeed. His work is his life, and the position of Prime Minister of England is within reach. But in truth, Carter is a man haunted by lost love. Estranged from his beautiful wife, Carter is shocked to find Miranda—the woman he loved and who he believes left him—in residence at his country home. As plans for a holiday party move forward, the uneasy couple realizes that to avoid further scandal, they must keep up appearances in a charade of marital happiness. Thrust together by fate, it quickly becomes clear that they have both been living beneath a conspired cloud of misunderstanding. As family, career, and social pressures threaten to keep them apart, can love have even a glimmer of hope?

I hope none of you can top Sarah’s camping story. Ouch!

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To enter the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2013, leave a thoughtful comment below.

Comment on each Countdown to Summer 2013 post for more chances to win. Please click through to the website as only comments submitted directly on this post will be accepted.

Book prizes generously donated by the authors as of 6/13/2013 (more added throughout the countdown!):

A Blind Eye by Julie Daines (signed), a bookmark AND a Mind the Gap temporary tattoo
I, Spy by Jordan McCollum (choice of paperback or ebook)
Sworn Enemy by A.L. Sowards (choice of paperback or ebook)
Glimmer of Hope by Sarah M. Eden

By commenting and participating in the Countdown to Summer 2013 you agree to the following:

Sworn Enemy by A.L. Sowards – Countdown to Summer 2013

Posted by Shanda Countdown to Christmas

Jun 122013

A.L. Sowards grew up in Moses Lake, Washington, then came to Utah to attend BYU and ended up staying. She wrote most of her latest release while her twin toddlers were sleeping and did most of the revisions while they were supposed to be sleeping, but were really using their crib mattresses as trampolines.

Visit A.L.: WEBSITE | BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

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LDSWBR: What books do you plan/hope to read this summer?

A.L.: Last year I realized I’d been spending so much time on research books that I hadn’t read much fiction, so this year my goal is to read at least one novel a month. (That sounds really lame, doesn’t it?) I want to read The Grecian Princess, by N.C. Allen, because I liked the first two books in the Isabelle Webb series, then there are a few national market WWII books I’d like to read, and my siblings keep suggesting I read something by Brandon Sanderson, so maybe I’ll try the Mistborn series this summer.

I have some WWII research to keep up on too, including The Day of Battle by Rick Atkinson, about the campaign in Italy, and two books about WWII spies: Between Silk and Cyanide, by Leo Marks, and Flames in the Field, by Rita Kramer. I’m also in the goodreads WWII readers group and I’ll probably read something for their upcoming group reads. Right now I’m reading Combat Crew, by John Comer, as part of their WWII aviation month.

LDSWBR: Did you ever go to summer camp, and/or what is your most memorable camping experience?

A.L.: I went to church camp when I was in Young Women. I was part of a huge ward, and we’d stay up late playing Encore (a game with two teams, and you go back and forth singing parts of songs with a specific word in the lyrics until the losing team runs out of songs). The other wards weren’t thrilled by our enthusiastic singing late into the night, but we had fun.

LDSWBR: If you could have a summer home anywhere in the world, where would it be?

A.L.: Part of me wants to say somewhere in Europe, but then it would be too expensive to actually visit the home, so I’ll settle for somewhere along the US Pacific coast, so I could drive there, and lie on the beach while planning out my next scenes, then type while listening to the waves.

LDSWBR: Thank you so much!

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Find Sworn Enemy:

AMAZON (Paperback & Kindle) | DESERET BOOK (Paperback, eBook & Audio/MP3) | GOODREADS

June 1944. As World War II rages, the people of Eastern Europe are hopelessly trapped between two formidable forces: Hitler’s Germany and Stalin’s Soviet Union. In their midst, a band of heroes works to defend against the inevitable Communist takeover.

After narrowly escaping her Nazi captors, French Resistance worker Genevieve Olivier has fled to Allied territory with the help of American Lieutenant Peter Eddy. Their connection is undeniable, forged in the crucible of danger. But despite their blossoming feelings for each other, they must both finish the work they began . . .

In the safety of England, Genevieve hopes to find purpose as a nurse—all the while unaware that the Gestapo still seeks the woman who slipped through their grasp. When she is called upon to resume a life of danger as a French spy, will her desire to prove herself be her downfall?

Recruited by an elite special-ops team intent on thwarting the Nazis, Peter finds himself engaged in a personal battle as well—there is a traitor among his comrades. Deep in the Carpathian Mountains, Peter combats an unknown foe. The stakes are high as he fights to save the lives of his teammates.

They are miles apart, yet as Genevieve and Peter fight for their own survival, they find a common well of strength in their faith—and their determination to be reunited.

What singing games did/do you play while camping?

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To enter the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2013, leave a thoughtful comment below.

Comment on each Countdown to Summer 2013 post for more chances to win. Please click through to the website as only comments submitted directly on this post will be accepted.

Book prizes generously donated by the authors as of 6/12/2013 (more added throughout the countdown!):

A Blind Eye by Julie Daines (signed), a bookmark AND a Mind the Gap temporary tattoo
I, Spy by Jordan McCollum (choice of paperback or ebook)
Sworn Enemy by A.L. Sowards (choice of paperback or ebook)

By commenting and participating in the Countdown to Summer 2013 you agree to the following:

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