Countdown to Summer – Page 7 – LDS Women's Book Review

A Blind Eye by Julie Daines – Countdown to Summer 2013

Jun 102013

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:

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.

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 6/10/2013 (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.

Countdown to Summer 2012 Winners

Posted by Shanda Countdown to Summer, Special Features

Jul 062012

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Countdown to Summer 2012. We hope both the authors and our blog readers enjoyed the countdown. Every year the selection of great books by talented authors grows, and the Countdowns are a fun way to celebrate great reads.

I had planned to draw names and post winners yesterday but ended up being away from home and my computer most of the day. Are you ready to see who won? Of course you are, and if you haven’t already scrolled down to see if your name is on the list I am seriously impressed. :)

Here are the winners of the book prizes generously donated by their authors:

(as per random.org)

Reality Check by Karen Tuft – RACHEL

Cold Justice by Kathi Oram Peterson – ALYSON MARTIN

Journey to the Fringe by Kelli Nielsen – LOLAWID

Dangerous Favor by Joyce DiPastena – CINDY

Twitterpated by Melanie Jacobson – CINDY

Of Grace & Chocolate by Krista Lynne Jensen – LOLAWID

Espionage by AL Sowards – CATHY JEPPSEN

And finally-

This year’s winner of the $25 Amazon gift card is…….

****CHRIS F.*****

Congratulations to all of you! Please send an email to ldswbr (at) gmail (dot) com with your address so the authors can get your prizes out to you.

Thanks again for all of the wonderful comments left on each of the Countdown to Summer 2012 posts. You all had such nice things to say and I know the authors appreciate the great feedback and encouragement.

We hope you all had a great 4th of July.

Enjoy the rest of your summer and keep reading!

Twitterpated by Melanie Jacobson – Countdown to Summer 2012

Posted by Shanda Countdown to Summer, Special Features

Jun 302012

Melanie Bennett Jacobson is an avid reader, amateur cook, and champion shopper. She consumes astonishing amounts of chocolate, chick flicks, and romance novels. After meeting her husband online, she is now living happily married in Southern California with her growing family and a series of doomed houseplants. Melanie is a former English teacher and a popular speaker who loves to laugh and make others laugh. In her down time (ha!), she writes romantic comedies for Covenant and maintains her humorous slice-of-life blog. Her third novel, Twitterpated, hits shelves in March.

Follow Melanie: WEBSITE | BLOG | TWITTER

LDSWBR: Do you find it easier or more difficult to write during the summertime? Why?

MELANIE: SO MUCH HARDER. It’s mainly because my littlest one just gave up naps and that was my sacred writing time, but it’s also because we don’t have a set daily routine where I’ve blocked out writing time. I don’t want to drag my kids back early from the beach just so I can write. It also doesn’t help that I’m in between projects right now, but I’m about to start outlining a new novel next week, so maybe I’ll hit my groove soon!

LDSWBR: Would you rather be in the pool or next to the pool?

MELANIE: Next to the pool, hands down. I’m always tucked up under my big, shady umbrella avoiding the splashes while I watch my kids play. I’ll go out if my toddler insists but I’d much rather not. Now, if I could just drift on an air mattress without small child water disturbances, that would be a different story.

LDSWBR: Ice cream or slushie? What flavor?

MELANIE: Ice cream. Butter pecan. Or maybe cookies and cream. Although mint chip is great in the summer. Then again, I kind of love straight up vanilla. Um, I guess ALL THE FLAVORS. But not chocolate. I don’t like chocolate ice cream or cake or milk. But I love chocolate everything else.

LDSWBR: Thanks, Melanie. Enjoy your summer!

Twitterpated by Melanie Jacobson

AMAZON | DESERET BOOK | SEAGULL BOOK

Jessie Taylor is furious when her roommate secretly posts her picture on the dating website LDS Lookup — furious, that is, until she spends all night instant messaging Ben Bratton, a man whose wit and warmth just might make Jessie forget the train wreck of her last romantic relationship. Their first date is a smashing success (literally), but Ben’s overall awesomeness can’t save Jessie from having to deal with Craig, her competitive coworker whose baiting behavior sets new standards for obnoxiousness. Determined to beat Craig at his own game, Jessie spends long office hours finishing projects and putting out fires, but while her performance wows her boss, it only makes Ben skittish— after a failed engagement to an up-and-coming lawyer, he’s not about to pair up with someone who’s married to her job. Will Jessie figure out how to be true to herself and take her big chance at love before it’s gone with a click of the mouse?

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To enter the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2012, leave a thoughtful comment below.

Be sure to comment on each Countdown to Summer 2012 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 $25 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 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 2012. 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 donated by the authors include:

Reality Check by Karen Tuft

Cold Justice by Kathi Oram Peterson

Journey to the Fringe by Kelli Nielsen

Dangerous Favor by Joyce DiPastena (choice of print, Kindle or Nook)

Twitterpated by Melanie Jacobson

Of Grace and Chocolate by Krista Lynne Jensen

Espionage by A.L. Sowards

Becoming Bayley by Susan Auten – Countdown to Summer 2012

Posted by Shanda Countdown to Summer, Special Features

Jun 292012

I’ve always loved telling stories. My favorite is the one where I sent the wrong letter to the right missionary. We were married the next summer. I attended LDS Business College where I earned an Associate’s in Computer Technology and Brigham Young University where I should have majored in English. I live in a small town nestled in the heart of the Appalachians. When I’m not busy writing, I can be found baking cookies, going to the movies, helping with the homework or catching fireflies with my handsome husband and four adorable children.

Follow Susan: BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

LDSWBR: Do you find it easier or more difficult to write during the summertime? Why?

SUSAN: I don’t know that it’s harder for me to write in the summertime. I pound it out during the school year so that when my kids are out, I can take a break. I write when I can, but I don’t let the guilt creep in if we went to the pool or the movies or caught fireflies instead. My family will always come first and there’s plenty of time for writing during the school year.

LSDWBR: Would you rather be in the pool or next to the pool?

SUSAN: This is a tricky question for me. I’m pretty picky about the pool. I love to swim. Laps. In a calm lap pool. I don’t like to be cold and unless I’m doing some serious moving, the pool makes me chilly. If the water is warm enough though, or my husband throws me in, I splash around with the family.

LDSWBR: Ice cream or slushie? What flavor?

SUSAN: Ice cream! (Though my current WIP has a lot of slushies in it.) I’m not a fruit lover, even though I’ve tried. I’m sure I get the love of ice cream from my dad. He ate at least one, every day

LDSWBR: Thank you so much, Susan!

Becoming Bayley by Susan Auten

AMAZON | DESERET BOOK

Bayley Albrecht’s dream is to play soccer on BYU’s South Field. When she is invited to soccer camp the summer before her senior year in high school, she just knows she’s one step closer to her dream. Things get even better when she meets Matt Macauley, the star of the men’s soccer team. When they decide to write each other while Matt is on his mission, Bayley figures her life can’t get any better. But it certainly can get worse . . .

After she receives a minor concussion from playing soccer, Bayley discovers she had a disease called alopecia which causes her to lose her hair. As Bayley struggles to deal with the reality of her baldness she finds herself having to make some tough decisions. Can she still play soccer? Does she even want to? More importantly, should she tell Matt? And will he still want her when she does? Becoming Bayley is the story of one girl’s journey through self-discovery, of the definition of true love, and of the realization that as a daughter of God, she is of infinite worth.

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To enter the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2012, leave a thoughtful comment below.

Be sure to comment on each Countdown to Summer 2012 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 donated by the authors include:

Reality Check by Karen Tuft

Cold Justice by Kathi Oram Peterson

Journey to the Fringe by Kelli Nielsen

Dangerous Favor by Joyce DiPastena (choice of print, Kindle or Nook)

Twitterpated by Melanie Jacobson

Of Grace and Chocolate by Krista Lynne Jensen

Espionage by A.L. Sowards

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson – Countdown to Summer 2012

Posted by Shanda Countdown to Summer, Special Features

Jun 282012

Julianne Donaldson grew up as the daughter of a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot. She learned how to ski in the Italian Alps, visited East Berlin before the wall came down, and spent three years living next to a 500-year-old castle. After earning a degree in English, she turned her attention to writing about distant times and places. She lives in Utah with her husband and four children.

Follow Julianne: BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

LDSWBR: Do you find it easier or more difficult to write during the summertime? Why?

JULIANNE: It is always hard to find time to write. Summer is crazier for me because my house turns into the gathering place for half the kids in the neighborhood, and there is never a quiet moment from dawn til dusk. I definitely look forward to the structure of the school year and the earlier bed times that come with it.

LDSWBR: Would you rather be in the pool or next to the pool?

JULIANNE: If it’s hot, get me in the pool. If there’s a nice breeze, stick me in the shade with a good book and I’m happy as can be.

LDSWBR: Ice cream or slushie? What flavor?

JULIANNE: Mmmm…they both sound good right now. I vote berry slushie on a hot afternoon; chocolate nutty ice cream at night.

LDSWBR: Thanks, Julianne!

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

AMAZON | DESERET BOOK | SEAGULL BOOK

Marianne Daventry will do anything to escape the boredom of Bath and the amorous attentions of an unwanted suitor. So when an invitation arrives from her twin sister, Cecily, to join her at a sprawling country estate, she jumps at the chance. Thinking she’ll be able to relax and enjoy her beloved English countryside while her sister snags the handsome heir of Edenbrooke, Marianne finds that even the best laid plans can go awry. From a terrifying run-in with a highwayman to a seemingly harmless flirtation, Marianne finds herself embroiled in an unexpected adventure filled with enough romance and intrigue to keep her mind racing. Will Marianne be able to rein in her traitorous heart, or will a mysterious stranger sweep her off her feet? Fate had something other than a relaxing summer in mind when it sent Marianne to Edenbrooke.

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To enter the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2012, leave a thoughtful comment below.

Be sure to comment on each Countdown to Summer 2012 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 donated by the authors include:

Reality Check by Karen Tuft

Cold Justice by Kathi Oram Peterson

Journey to the Fringe by Kelli Nielsen

Dangerous Favor by Joyce DiPastena (choice of print, Kindle or Nook)

Twitterpated by Melanie Jacobson

Of Grace and Chocolate by Krista Lynne Jensen

Espionage by A.L. Sowards

Espionage by A.L. Sowards – Countdown to Summer 2012

Posted by Shanda Countdown to Summer, Special Features

Jun 272012

Sowards is a graduate of Moses Lake High School and Brigham Young University. She swam competitively for sixteen years, including while she was in college. She found it more entertaining to think of plot ideas while following the black line up and down the bottom of the pool than having a song in her head that restarted with every flip-turn. Sowards currently lives along the Wasatch front with her amazing husband and her adorable twin toddlers.

Follow AL Sowards: BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

LDSWBR: Do you find it easier or more difficult to write during the summertime? Why?

A.L.: I think it’s easier, but I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s because I’m outside with the kids more, so they get tired and take better naps. It also helps that I’ve recently given myself a no-internet-during-nap-time rule, so I’m getting good chunks of quality writing time almost every day.

LDSWBR: Would you rather be in the pool or next to the pool?

A.L.: In the pool. Between swim team and life guarding, I practically lived at the pool most of my youth. This summer I’m not swimming too many laps, I’m just catching my two-year-old twins when they jump into the water.

LDSWBR: Ice cream or slushie? What flavor?

A.L.: I’m going to have to say smoothie, because my daughters and I have smoothies for lunch at least once a week. It’s an easy recipe, so I’ll pass it on: 1 cup milk, 1 cup frozen strawberries, 1 cup yogurt (just about any type works, and if it’s a single-serve size yogurt, I just dump it in without measuring it), 1 banana. Sometimes I add a baby food jar of pureed carrot to add some nice color and some good vitamins (yes, we still have pureed vegetables at our house, because my kids still eat them. Anything I can do to get more vegetables into them…). Blend. Add straw (if desired). Enjoy.

But don’t let that fool you–I’m a total chocolate addict.

LDSWBR: Thank you so much!

Espionage by A.L. Sowards

DESERET BOOK | SEAGULL BOOK | AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

France, 1944: Nobody expects Peter Eddy to survive his first commando mission—to retrieve a code book stolen by the Nazis—so when he does come back alive, his success is rewarded with an even more daunting assignment. Partnered with French Resistance leader Jacques Olivier, Eddy must identify which of three Allied contacts in Calais is a double agent and use the traitor to help implement a strategic Allied diversion that might win the war. Eddy and Olivier secretly cross the English Channel to confront their suspects one at a time, but what appears to be a clean assignment soon turns disastrous, and a shocking betrayal leaves Eddy in the grip of the Gestapo. With the courageous aid of Olivier and his sister, Genevieve, Eddy evades his captors with a dangerous escape plan. But as the Allied invasion approaches, treachery in the least likely places leads to fresh graves in the bloodied European soil—and only the power of loyalty and love can transform tragic endings into new beginnings.

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To enter the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2012, leave a thoughtful comment below.

Be sure to comment on each Countdown to Summer 2012 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 donated by the authors include:

Reality Check by Karen Tuft

Cold Justice by Kathi Oram Peterson

Journey to the Fringe by Kelli Nielsen

Dangerous Favor by Joyce DiPastena (choice of print, Kindle or Nook)

Twitterpated by Melanie Jacobson

Of Grace and Chocolate by Krista Lynne Jensen

Espionage by A.L. Sowards

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