Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
“In fact, it’s possible he was in fear of his life.”
Luke frowned. “Uncle Foster wasn’t easily intimidated, and he didn’t fear anything – except the IRS. He was terrified of them.”
Luke fixed me with a penetrating gaze. “You really think someone killed Uncle Foster?”
Murder By the Book by Betsy Brannon Green, page 90
“It means we’re on your side.”
That’s what Bonnie said. I have people on my side? What side? Am I unwittingly the face of the hopes- for rebellion?
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, page 150
Josi Kilpack is the author of ten novels. Her most recently published books, Lemon Tart and English Trifle, were both released in 2009. The next book in her culinary mystery series, Devil’s Food Cake, will be out in March 2010.
Autographed copies are available for purchase through Josi’s website: www.josikilpack.com. Non-autographed copies can be purchased online and in stores at Deseret Book.
Visit Josi on her blog: Sundial in the Shade.
LDSWBR: Josi, please share with us what holiday traditions you and your family participate in every year. Will you be starting any new traditions this Christmas?
JOSI: We are rather non-traditional, as in inconsistent. We’ll do something one year, then never do it again for reasons that remain unknown. Some of the things have been really fun, but pressure sucks so I have set things up so that the expectations remain very low. It works.
One thing that sticks, however, is Christmas Eve dinner by candlelight. My sister was born on Christmas Day (Just FYI, If you’re going to share a birthday with someone, don’t have it be Jesus. He wins every time) and my mom started doing fancy dinners on Christmas Eve for my sister, since there was little hope of much celebrating for her on Christmas Day when everyone gets presents. It’s stuck with my own family, so we have a nice meal by candlelight and always have English Trifle for dessert. The evening ends with carols around the tree and then it’s off to bed. Doing dishes for an hour helps the kids give up on waiting to hear jingle bells. It’s nothing terribly impressive, but it sticks in my children’s minds and we all look forward to it each December.
LDSWBR: What books are on your Christmas wish list?
JOSI: Alma by Heather Moore (this is definitely one I want to own); Previously Engaged by Elodia Strain (also one I want to read again); Ender’s Game (Never read it, but my daughter did and I think it’s time I did too); Santa Maybe by Aubrey Mace (Started it on the booktour, need to get a copy and finish it).
LDSWBR: What books have you purchased/will you purchase as gifts for loved ones this Christmas?
JOSI: The Bronze Canticles series by Tracy and Laura Hickman for my oldest; My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison for my 2nd daughter who only reads Janette; Not sure on my son–he’s behind on all the good stuff I already own; Some Junie B. Jones for my 8 year old–we laugh our heads off.
LDSWBR: Thanks for taking the time to share with us, Josi. Have a Merry Christmas!
Do you plan activities specifically to help wear out the kids or help them fall asleep quickly on Christmas Eve? What activities have worked the best for you?
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:
Books that have been generously donated by the author for drawing prizes:
Thank you so much!
The Maze Runner, long-awaited novel from author James Dashner, is days away from it’s big release. You can find James’ book signing schedule HERE.
Janette Rallison is holding a teen writing workshop on Oct. 8. For more information, visit her BLOG.
Josi Kilpack and Julie Wright will be on the road in November, taking a book tour road trip through the western states. To find out when they’ll be in your area and where you can see them, visit Josi’s website.
Traci Hunter Abramson‘s upcoming novel, Crossfire, has a cover! Click HERE to take a peek!
The first book in James Dashner‘s The 13th Reality series, The Journal of Curious Letters, is being released in paperback. Visit James’ BLOG to see the cover!
Trapped author, Ronda Hinrichsen, posted the new cover of her next book, Missing, HERE.
Jennie Hansen reviewed five novels for Meridian Magazine, including Clair Poulson‘s Dead Wrong, on Meridian’s website.
Speaking of Jennie Hansen, author Michele Ashman Bell interviewed Jennie on her BLOG, where you can also see the cover and read a summary of Jennie’s new novel, Shudder.
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!
What makes a good podcast? How about laughing as much while editing the podcast as you did while recording it? Authors Josi Kilpack and Michele Paige Holmes join us for a great discussion in Episode 36.
[podcast]http://www.ldswomensbookreview.com/shows/2009-08-29/ldswbr_episode36_08-29-09.mp3[/podcast]
