Julie Daines was born in Massachusetts and raised in Utah. She spent eighteen months living in London, where she studied and fell in love with English literature, sticky toffee pudding, and the mysterious guy who ran the kebab store around the corner.

She loves reading, writing, and watching movies—anything that transports her to another world. She picks Captain Wentworth over Mr. Darcy, firmly believes in second breakfast, and never leaves home without her vervain.

She is the author of A Blind Eye (February 2013), and has won several awards for her writing.

Visit Julie:  BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE | GOODREADS

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

JULIE: Chime by Franny Billingsley, Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein, Lord of the Flies by William Golding, The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey, and the two new Sarah M. Eden books coming out this summer. That should be a good start!

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

JULIE: When I was in college, I went snow camping with my cross country ski class. I know this post is supposed to be all about summertime, but this is my most memorable camping experience. We carved tent spaces out of the snow–which was about 6 feet deep–and told wonderful stories by the fire. Everything was going fine until I had to go to the bathroom. Of course there were no facilities, we were in the middle of nowhere. The procedure for relieving yourself was basically put your skis on–because the snow was way to deep to walk on–and find a private tree.

Well, I don’t want to get into too much gruesome detail, but, let’s just say that when you squat with your pants down on skis, it’s possible the skis will head downhill at a very inopportune moment.

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

JULIE: Oh my gosh I’m the worst at picking favorites. I guess I’d have to say a little cottage somewhere in the English countryside. Or in New Zealand. Or a cabin in Alaska … or Montana.

LDSWBR: Thank you, Julie!

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Find A Blind Eye:

FACEBOOK | AMAZON | KINDLE  | NOOK | DESERET BOOK | DB BOOKSHELF | SEAGULL BOOK | GOODREADS

Seventeen-year-old Christian Morris decides the only way to save himself from his father’s neglect is to run away from home. On his way out of town, he finds a stowaway hiding in his car—Scarlett, who has been kidnapped from London. Blind since birth, Scarlett has developed a sixth sense: she dreams about someone’s death before it happens. And now, she has dreamed about her own.

Christian’s attempt to leave home turns into a race to save Scarlett from death by scientific experimentation. His growing relationship with the girl helps him to look past his own blindness and confront the truth about his father. But first, he must find the kidnappers before they can get to Scarlett.

Read Shanda’s review of A Blind Eye | Watch the BOOK TRAILER

Have you ever camped in the snow like Julie?

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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.

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Book prizes generously donated by the authors as of 6/10/2013 (more added throughout the contest!):

• A Blind Eye by Julie Daines (signed), a bookmark AND a Mind the Gap temporary tattoo

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.