Hearth Fires by Dorothy Keddington

 Posted by  Book Reviews
Jan 222014
 

HearthFires_FrontCover_FINALHearth Fires

Author: Dorothy Keddington

Publisher: Walnut Springs/Currawong Press

Published: Dec. 31, 2013

ISBN: 978-1-59992-894-4

Genre: Romantic/suspense

Paperback: 303 pages

FTC FYI: Received a paperback copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

Mackenzie Graham’s ideal assignment – writing an article on storybook homes – takes a dangerous turn when she photographs a clandestine meeting between a prominent judge, a black-market kingpin, and a crooked cop. Rescued from harm’s way by a rugged cowboy-attorney, Mackenzie finds her career and life forever changed. Flying bullets and wild bulls team up with romance and suspense in the classic Keddington tradition. This exciting new novel will warm you on the coldest of nights.

My Review

I am so excited to shout this new book from Dorothy Keddington from the rooftops!  I have been eagerly awaiting a new book from Dorothy for years.  Dorothy is the beloved author of Return to Red Castle, Jayhawk, Shadow Song and many others.  Dorothy is also my “Aunt Rae”, so that makes it all the more exciting.

Hearth Fires is full of the same heart-pounding romance, suspense, and twists that make all of Dorothy’s books shine.  Hearth Fires has a page-turning plot and well developed characters that will keep you up late reading.  I loved Mackenzie and William.  They had a connection that was instant and deep.  I loved the kind, caring way William was with Mackenzie and when he was gone, I missed him.  All of the characters are enduring and entertaining.  You will be thinking about these characters, long after you finish reading.  The story is so exciting, and the romance heart-felt.

5 out of 5 stars.

Author Links

Goodreads / Amazon / Deseret Book

Monday Miscellanies

 Posted by  Book News, News
Mar 082010
 

Rebecca Irvine, author of Family Home Evening Adventures, is conducting a survey for LDS Book Readers. She needs your help to answer 8 quick and easy questions. Click on the following link to participate. Thank you!
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Dorothy Keddington, author of The Fairy Thorn (Granite, Dec. 2009), wants to let everyone know that her books are now available in stores at Barnes & Noble! If you can’t find them on the shelf, you can request them at the help desk.
The first of Dorothy’s books to be rereleased this year was Jayhawk, and the rest are soon to follow! If you are a fan of Dorothy’s books, new or old, visit our Dorothy Keddington Fan Page and leave a comment to show your support!

Dorothy Keddington’s books being re-released!

 Posted by  Book Releases & Signings, News
Feb 022010
 

lgFor those of you who may not know yet, following the release of Dorothy Keddington’s The Fairy Thorn this past December, Granite Publishing is re-releasing her older novels, starting with Jayhawk. We know there are a lot of Dorothy Keddington fans that follow LDS Women’s Book Review who will be as excited about this as we are here at LDSWBR! Visit the LDSWBR blog to read more and for links to purchase your copies of The Fairy Thorn and newly re-released Jayhawk!

Jayhawk by Dorothy Keddington – Book Review

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Feb 012010
 

Title: Jayhawk

Author: Dorothy Keddington
Publisher: Granite Publishing
Published Date: originally published in 1978, rereleased in 2010
ISBN#: 978-1-890558-39-0
From the back cover: To Angela Stewart, a summer on a Wyoming ranch with her college roommate’s family seemed like an ideal vacation. For Jay Bradford, his return to the Triple J Ranch involves a potentially dangerous quest and the search for an answer to a 26-year old mystery. Jay and Angela’s chance meeting on a lonely road at dusk, marks the beginning of their unforgettable journey into danger and love.
Many years ago, in junior high, my good friend Hillary let me borrow one of her mom’s books. It was Shadow’s Song by Dorothy Keddington. I read the rest of Dorothy’s romantic-suspense novels in the following years: Jayhawk, Return to Red Castle, Flower of the Winds, The Mermaid’s Purse, and as an adult, Aisling of Eire.

I’ve read each of her books at least half a dozen times or more over the years, and even though I know the story, the enjoyment has never faded. Each of Dorothy’s novels are written in her classic first-person style and never fail to draw me in.

Those of you who are faithful listeners of our podcasts have heard Sheila, Hillary and I mention several times over the years how much we wished for a new book from Dorothy and how great it would be to have her previous books rereleased. They’ve been out of print for years, and used copies were selling for, well, a lot of money.

Imagine my excitement when I discovered one of my good friends in our neighborhood was Dorothy Keddington’s daughter-in-law. I was soon introduced to Dorothy. We talked about the new book she was working on (I had read the manuscript thanks to her daughter-in-law) and I let Dorothy know about the large number of fans we’d heard from wondering how to get their hands on her books. We spoke about what it would take to get her books rereleased and the excitement of that possibility filled the room.

The Fairy Thorn was released in December 2009. The only thing that topped the release of a new book from Dorothy was the news that Granite Publishing would be rereleasing her older books in the coming months as well.

Jayhawk is the first of Dorothy’s romantic-suspense novels to be rereleased. Despite the fact that Jayhawk was first published in 1978, the story doesn’t feel dated (except for the absence of cell phones, but they are on a ranch in the middle of Wyoming). The suspense is well done and keeps the reader turning pages to the very end.

What makes the romance in Dorothy’s novels so effective is that it doesn’t take a significant portion of the book for the hero and heroine to get together. Instead, the reader gets to experience the excitement and anticipation of a new romantic relationship and watch it grow and strengthen as the hero and heroine struggle for survival through the action and suspense.

Dorothy has a way of describing actions and surroundings without disrupting the flow of the story, giving just enough detail and trusting in the reader’s imagination to fill in the blanks. The romance is toe-curling but doesn’t cross the bounds of propriety and the suspense remains effective through numerous rereads.

Jayhawk and The Fairy Thorn are available for purchase from Granite Publishing and Amazon.com.

Dorothy Keddington – Countdown to Christmas 2009

 Posted by  Countdown to Christmas, Special Features
Dec 142009
 
11 Days until Christmas!



Dorothy Keddington is the author of seven romantic-suspense novels and co-author of the non-fiction biography of Ahmad Sharifi, A Square Sky. Dorothy’s most recent novel, The Fairy Thorn, released just this month, is a romantic-suspense set on Washington State’s Whidbey Island and Mazatlan, Mexico. Granite Publishing will be re-releasing Dorothy’s previous novels, beginning with Jayhawk. Currently, Dorothy is working on her next romantic-suspense novel titled Hearth Fires.

The Fairy Thorn can be purchased online at www.amazon.com and www.granitebooks.com. Confetti Books in Spanish Fork and The Book Table in Logan have copies, and it will be in Seagull Book outlets and bookstores everywhere soon.

LDSWBR: Dorothy, what holiday traditions do you and your family participate in every Christmas? Will you be starting any new traditions this year?

DOROTHY: One of my favorite traditions is the mammoth “McDonald Clan” get together which is held every year at my sister Sue’s home. Everyone brings a treat or pot luck goodie and we have all the aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and grandchildren attending. I usually bring everyone’s favorite gingerbread cookies,, a treat that my mother used to make when we were children. It’s a wonderful time to visit, see the new babies, and hear about missionaries and newly marrieds. We always sing Christmas Carols and believe me, it’s quite the choir. My nephew, Marshall McDonald, is a brilliant pianist/arranger/composer and my sister, Kathy, sang with the Tabernacle Choir for years. Niece Tally plays the viola beautifully, my brother Jack plays the guitar, and we all love singing together. Even though my parents have both passed away, I know that our getting together must bring them great joy.

LDSWBR: What a grand tradition! What books are on your Christmas wish list?

DOROTHY: I absolutely love the new illustrated Neal Maxwell quote book. His words and thoughts always touch and inspire me.

LDSWBR: What books have you purchased/will you purchase as gifts for loved ones this Christmas?

DOROTHY: I love giving family, friends and my grandchildren books each Christmas. These may include old, out-of-print titles as well as new books. I am particularly fond of beautifully illustrated fairy tale collections. One year I found an old hard-bound copy of Mary Webb’s classic, Precious Bane, which I gave to my daughter Laura. We both adore that book. This year for Christmas, I will be giving my family and friends copies of The Fairy Thorn. They’ve been waiting patiently for nearly seven years and I’m so happy I can deliver a new book for Christmas.

LDSWBR: You have many, many fans that are happy about that, too! Thanks for taking the time to share with us, Dorothy, and for donating a copy of The Fairy Thorn for our drawing.

A lot of authors have listed singing Christmas Carols as a tradition in their families. What are your favorite Christmas Carols to sing or listen to during the holidays? (I never get tired of listening to Carol of the Bells).

Don’t forget to nominate your favorite 2009 books by LDS authors for Whitney Awards by December 31! Can’t remember what you read? Visit the LDS Publisher blog for a list of books published by LDS authors in 2009.



***Countdown to Christmas Contest***


LDSWBR will hold a drawing on Christmas Day for a $25 eGift Card from Deseret Book, as well as a variety of books being offered by some of the LDS authors that will be featured on the blog. Simply post a thoughtful comment on the Countdown to Christmas author posts to enter. Here are the rules:

  • LDSWBR reserves the right to decide what determines a “thoughtful” comment.
  • Only one comment per person per “Countdown to Christmas” author post will be entered into the drawing. This allows the potential for 24 entries per person at the end of the contest. Feel free to comment more than once per post if you’d like, but only one comment will be accepted as an entry.
  • Contest ends at 12:00 Midnight MST on December 24, 2009. Drawing winners will have until 12:00 Midnight MST on December 31, 2009 to claim their prize. After that time, another name will be drawn to receive the prize.
  • Book prizes can only be shipped within the contiguous United States.

Books that have been generously donated by the author for drawing prizes:

  • Loyalty’s Web by Joyce DiPastena
  • Hidden Branch by G.G. Vandagriff
  • Altared Plans by Rebecca Talley
  • A Modest Proposal by Michele Ashman Bell (includes a bonus copy of Michele’s Christmas booklet, A Candle in the Window)
  • Her Good Name by Josi Kilpack
  • MISSING by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
  • Famous Family Nights by Anne Bradshaw
  • Love Letters of Joseph and Emma (autographed copy) by Angela Eschler
  • Family Home Evening Adventures by Rebecca Irvine
  • Counting the Cost by Liz Adair
  • Shudder by Jennie Hansen
  • Mormon Mishaps & Mischief by D. N. Giles & C. L. Beck
  • Dawn’s Early Light by Laurie (L.C.) Lewis
  • The Fairy Thorn (brand new release!) by Dorothy Keddington
  • Torn Apart (signed copy) by Diony George
  • Pursued: A Maggie McKenzie Mystery by Lynn Gardner

Thank you so much!

Episode 36 with Josi Kilpack and Michele Paige Holmes Released!

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Sep 052009
 

Sheila, Hillary and I were thrilled to have authors Josi Kilpack and Michele Paige Holmes join us once again on the podcast. These beautiful and talented ladies are always fun to talk with and Episode 36 was no exception.

Josi’s latest novel, English Trifle, is the sequel to her very successful book, Lemon Tart. During the podcast, Josi spoke about the next book in her culinary mystery series, Devil’s Food Cake, as well as giving us a glimpse into the future of the series. Josi’s writing style for her mysteries is fun and unique- she let us know that even she doesn’t know the culprit until she writes the end- and if the story keeps the author guessing until the end, it’s definitely going to keep the reader guessing, too! English Trifle takes place in a castle in England as Sadie and her daughter visit Breanna’s fiance, Liam, over the Christmas break. While taking a “turn about the room” on the last day of their visit, Sadie and Breanna make a gruesome discovery- a man, run through with a fireplace poker and pinned to the wall behind a curtain. When the body disappears and the people of the house start doubting Sadie and Breanna, Sadie’s determined to prove they aren’t making up what they saw. What follows is an adventure where everyone has something to hide and Sadie is determined to uncover the truth. English Trifle is a fast-moving, thoroughly delicious mystery and just like any good dessert, you’ll savor every bite.

Sheila reviewed Michele Paige Holmes’ All the Stars in Heaven a few posts ago (go check it out), however, I wanted to add my thoughts to hers. Michele has a powerful way of making the reader invested in the story she writes, caring about and rooting for the “good guys” as well as evoking strong feelings toward the “bad guys.” She can even help the reader feel a certain amount of sympathy for the “bad guy” without lessening the incorrectness of the choices he made. All the Stars in Heaven is ultimately a romance, with some good mystery-suspense as well. It’s a moving story of growth and change, contrasts and unexpected commonalities, courage and forgiveness. Michele is currently working on her third book in the Stars series called My Lucky Stars. Michele calls it a romantic comedy. She told us a little about the premise of My Lucky Stars during the podcast and it sounds like a lot of fun!

Thanks again, Josi and Michele, for taking the time to come visit with us and for entertaining us with your wonderful stories!

On one final note, for all of the DOROTHY KEDDINGTON fans out there, Dorothy let me know that her new manuscript, The Fairy Thorn, has been accepted and is scheduled for an October release through Granite Publishing. All of you who have been leaving comments and waiting and wondering- the wait is over! There is even talk of re-releasing her older novels as well! As soon as I know more I will post updates on the blog, so check back often. Congratulations, Dorothy!

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