Persuaded by Jenni James – Countdown to Christmas 2012

 Posted by  Countdown to Christmas, Special Features
Jan 172013
 

 

I want to express my gratitude and appreciation for the patience of our wonderful LDSWBR readers as I mourned the sudden passing of my mom. It was incredibly difficult to lose her just three days before Christmas, but the kind words of consolation as well as the thoughts and prayers offered on behalf of my family were felt and brought comfort and peace to us through the sadness of the days following her death. 

We have modified the contest rules so that entries will be accepted until 12:00 Midnight (Mountain Time) on Saturday, January 19, 2013. Winners will be announced the following week. 

*    *    *

2 days until Christmas

 

Jenni James is a busy mom of seven children. When she’s not chasing them around the house, she writing and dreaming about writing her next book. She has two series out: The Jane Austen Diaries as well as her Faerie Tale Collection. (Pride & Popularity, Persuaded, Northanger Alibi, Emmalee, Beauty and the Beast, Sleeping Beauty, Rumplestiltskin)

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

* * * * *

LDSWBR: Do you top your Christmas tree with a star, angel, or something else? Does it have special meaning to you?

JENNI: Usually an angel tops my tree. But I have three trees, so it depends on which one. My favorite is the simplistic country themed angel that adorns the top of our big family tree with all the handmade ornaments from the kids. So, so sweet. I’ve had people offer to buy her from me and I always tell them no.

LDSWBR: What is your favorite Christmas movie? Why is it your favorite?

JENNI: Oh, man! By far my favorite Christmas movie is Alan Menken’s A Christmas Carol with Kelsey Grammar as Scrooge! It is so well done. The music is uplifting and amazing–just breath-taking. And if I ever direct theater for adults (I specialize in children’s theater) it will be this musical I do.

LDSWBR: What Christmas gift have you been most excited to give?

JENNI: I was really excited about the 4 tiaras i was presenting to my four daughters this year. The 2-yr-old had a rhinestone headband in the shape of hearts, while the oldest, my 14-yr-old, had a large one. So, so pretty and so much fun. :)

LDSWBR:  Thank you, Jenni!

* * * * *

Purchase Persuaded: 

AMAZON | KINDLE | NOOK | DESERET BOOK

Will he take her back, or fling her aside like she deserves?

Three years ago, Amanda made the biggest mistake of her life, she let her friends persuade her to reject the guy she loved. They were convinced he was a loser and wasn’t good enough for her.

Now Gregory’s back in Farmington . . . taller, stronger, hotter than ever, and worth millions. Those gorgeous girls who snubbed him before are now falling at his feet, and he’s enjoying every moment of it.

Can he see past the pain Amanda caused him and give her a second chance? Or will she forever regret losing the only guy who truly loved her?

 Do you ever decorate your tree in themes? 

* * * * *

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

Be sure to comment on each Countdown to Christmas 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 $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 below.

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 Christmas 2012. A link posted to your friends and family either in email or on your favorite social network would be so greatly appreciated. Thanks!

By leaving a comment and entering the Countdown to Christmas 2012, you agree to the contest rules below:

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY; entrants must be 18 years or older; open to residents of continental US only; giveaway begins December 3, 2012 and all entries must be received by 12:00 Midnight December 23, 2012 Mountain Time (updated to 12:00 Midnight January 19, 2013 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 posts 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 December 27, 2012 (updated to the week of January 20, 2013) by use of a sequence generator on random.org; winners will have until January 3, 2013 (updated to January 26, 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.

Book Prizes (as of December 21, 2012 – more to be added to this list!)

  • Tres Leches Cupcakes by Josi S. Kilpack (signed paperback copy)
  • Not Your Average Fairy Tale by Chantele Sedgwick (paperback or ebook)
  • Deadly Undertakings by Gregg Luke (personalized paperback)
  • Turning Pages by Tristi Pinkston (personalized paperback)
  • Athena by Heather B. Moore (autographed paperback)
  • The Kindling by Braden Bell (paperback, signed if desired)
  • Sudden Darkness by Margot Hovley (personalized paperback)
  • Code Word by Traci Hunter Abramson (paperback)
  • The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Anderson (ebook)
  • The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back by Sariah Wilson (ebook- PDF/.mobi)
  • Lady Outlaw by Stacy Henrie (signed paperback)
  • A Note Worth Taking by Lu Ann Staheli (Kindle)
  • When Hearts Conjoin by Lu Ann Staheli (paperback)
  • Paige by Annette Lyon (signed paperback)
  • All Fall Down by Julie Coulter Bellon (personalized paperback)
  • Smart Move by Melanie Jacobson (signed & personalized paperback)
  • Shadowed by Stephanie Black (personalized paperback or ebook)
  • Demons by Heather Frost (signed copy)
  • Pride and Popularity by Jenni James (paperback)
  • Northanger Alibi by Jenni James (paperback)
  • Persuaded by Jenni James (paperback)
  • Emmalee by Jenni James (paperback)
  • **Bonus Prize** Of Grace and Chocolate by Krista Lynn Jensen (paperback)

Previous Countdown to Christmas 2012 posts:

 

Review of Northanger Alibi by Jenni James

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Mar 022012
 

Product Details:

Title: Northanger Alibi (Jane Austen Diaries)
Author:  Jenni James
Publisher: Walnut Springs
Release Date: February 3, 2012
ISBN: 978-0983829317
Paperback: 243 pages
Genre: Young Adult Romance

Reviewed by: Sheila

FTC:FYI: Review copy


Book Description:

Book 2: The Jane Austen Diaries
Pride & Popularity
Northanger Alibi
Persuaded
Emmalee
Mansfield Ranch
Sensible & Sensational
Sometimes a guy is even better than you imagined…The Russo family and Seattle,
Washington, are no match for Claire Hart and
her savvy knowledge of all things vampire-related. Thanks to her
obsession with the Twilight series, if there is anyone who would know a
vampire when she saw one, it’s Claire. And she’s positive totally hot
Tony Russo is a vampire – she just has to prove it!

In this modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey, follow Claire’s
hilarious journey on her first summer adventure away from home, where
she learns everything isn’t what is seems, and that in some instances,
reality is way better than anything she’d ever find in a book.

 
 
My Review:
 
Northanger Alibi (A retelling of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey,) is such a fun book! Following in the same footsteps of it’s predecessor, Pride and Popularity(Book 1), this book will be loved by tweens and teens. I loved it because of the many references to the Twilight series, written by Stephenie Meyer.  Having read the Twilight series, this helped me in understanding a lot of the humor found in this book. Main character, Claire Hart, is obsessed with The Twilight Series. She loves hot vampires and is excited to visit Washington state during the Summer. Claire is hoping to find her own vampire while she is there. This premise is what brings about the funniest happenings in the book. Right off she meets Tony Russo, who she thinks for sure is a real vampire. Then she meets Jaden, who she is sure is a werewolf. 

There is a lot of romance, with eye-batting, flirting and kissing…all mild of course. The slight love triangle does not wear on your nerves, like some do. Claire is cute and likable. Tony is a handsome hunk, that I wanted more of in the book. 
 
I can’t wait for my daughter to read this book. I know that she will like it as much as me. I am happy to recommend this book to my daughter, her friends, and blog reader’s daughters. Northanger Alibi is a clean romance, with many “giggle” moments, and the wittiness and appeal found in Jane Austen’s novels, but with a fun modern twist.
 
 
 
 
 About the Author: 
“I’m married to a totally hot, redheaded Air Force Recruiter.
Together we have 7 kiddos. We have just moved back to the States
after living 9 awesome years in the Azores Islands of Portugal and
England! Our kids are really experiencing America for the first time,
and I think they’re sold.”


To contact Jenni or learn more about her books and her free online writing classes, go to these sites…

To purchase Northanger Alibi go to Amazon, or Barnes and Noble.


Pride and Popularity by Jenni James – Countdown to Christmas 2011

 Posted by  Countdown to Christmas, Special Features
Dec 092011
 

16 days until Christmas

 

Jenni James is a crazy mom of 10 kiddos (7 hers, 3 fostered) when she isn’t chasing them around the house, she’s painting, cooking, planning elaborate parties, or dreaming of her next book to write. She is currently rewriting and modernizing all 6 of the Jane Austen novels for teens in a series titled: The Jane Austen Diaries.

Connect with Jenni: WEBSITE | BLOG | Twitter | Facebook

 * * * * *

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

JENNI: I’ve never seen the lights in Temple Square and I can’t wait to see them! :) That’s what you get for not growing up in Utah.

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

JENNI: Ooh… A first edition of Persuasion by Jane Austen.

LDSWBR: What is your favorite childhood Christmas memory?

JENNI: Making all the yummy treats and cookies for the platters our family gave out each year. It’s so much fun, and something I love to do with my own kids now. :)

LDSWBR: Thank you, Jenni. Merry Christmas!

* * * * *

Buy Pride and Popularity by Jenni James

DESERET BOOK | AMAZON | KINDLE | NOOK

Read Sheila’s review of Pride and Popularity.

Have you ever been to see the Christmas lights on Temple Square?

* * * * *

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 to the book page on Jenni Jame’s website (here) to see the rest of the books in her Jane Austen Diaries series, then leave a comment here on this post telling us which one you are most interested in reading as well as your favorite Jane Austen novel.
  • 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:

  • 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 Jane Austen Diaries: Pride and Popularity

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Sep 162011
 

Title: Pride and Popularity (The Jane Austen Diaries)

Author: Jenni James

Publisher: Inkberry Press

Published: July 13, 2011

Softcover: 238

ISBN# 978-0-9838293-0-0

Reviewer: Sheila

FTC FYI: Review Copy from the publisher

Chloe Elizabeth Hart despises the conceited antics of the popular crowd, or more importantly, one very annoying self-possessed guy, Taylor Anderson, who seems determined to make her the president of his fan club! As if! Every girl in the whole city of Farmington, New Mexico, is in love with him, but he seems to be only interested in Chloe.

This modern high school adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice” is a battle of wits as Chloe desperately tries to remain the only girl who can avoid the inevitable—falling for Taylor.

I love most re-tellings of Pride and Prejudice. Jenni James has created a modern, teen version of Pride and Prejudice that will delight any Jane Austen fan. Chloe Elizabeth Hart is the main female character of this fun tale. She is a normal teenage girl dealing with the ups and downs of high school life. For many years there has been one boy who has become the bane of her existence. Taylor Darcy Anderson is the most popular boy in school and he wants to recruit Chloe into his fan club. Chloe doesn’t like the antics of the popular crowd and resists being assimilated into his group of admirers.  This scenario is the basis for so many humorous things that happen in the novel.

Jenni James has written a very engaging character in Chloe. This teenage girl is more mature than some adults. At the same time, she is very much written with a teenage voice. The characters are all very real and the situations are things that happen in every high school across America. It is a lot of fun to see the cat and mouse chase happening between Taylor and Chloe. The only thing I couldn’t relate to was how strict Chloe’s Mom was.  I may have to get with it and start practicing being more strict before my daughter starts dating in three years. As in the original Pride and Prejudice, I liked the main character’s father better than the mother.

I recommend that Pride and Popularity be read together with mothers and daughters. This is what I plan to do. I loved this book and truly look forward to reading the rest of  The Jane Austen Diaries. The next book in the series, Northhanger Alibi, will be released in November 2011. I am giving this book 4 stars for being a fantastic read!!

To learn more about Jenni and her book please go here

To purchase Pride and Popularity go here to:

Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble

To-Read Tuesday 9.6.2011

 Posted by  Special Features, To-Read Tuesday
Sep 062011
 

If you could read only ONE book from your to-read list, what would it be and why?
What are you looking forward to? Is it a sequel? Have all of your friends read it and you’re tired of being the odd one out? Is there a movie being released that is based on the book? Are you in love with the cover? Leave the link to your To-Read Tuesday blog post or just tell us which book you would read and why in the comments below.

Shanda

Obsession by Traci Hunter Abramson

I have been anxiously awaiting the release of Traci’s latest book, Obsession. I think it is her first book since Royal Target that is not a part of the Saint Squad series. Obsession comes out on bookstore shelves today!

Sheila

Pride and Popularity by Jenni James

I am looking forward to reading Pride and Popularity (The Jane Austen Diaries) by Jenni James. I have heard so many great things about this book. I love to read romantic comedies.This “Austen re-write” in a modern day setting looks like it will be a fun read.

Mindy

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente

I’ve heard so many good things about this book on twitter, excited to see for myself.

What book are you really wanting to read this week?