FTC FYI: review copy in exchange for honest review
I realized that I haven’t posted my official review of Of Grace and Chocolate yet, so let me do it now.
Of Grace and Chocolate is Krista Lynne Jensen’s debut novel. She currently has two more books under contract with Covenant, so we have more to look forward to from her.
Summary
After a childhood of neglect and abuse, Jill has created a new life for herself. The order and routine make Jill feel safe and secure–until the day Scott, a man from Jill’s past who doesn’t remember her, steals her phone and keys to get her attention. All he wants is a date, but Jill isn’t interested, knowing that he doesn’t remember her and how he hurt her.
But Jill’s day isn’t over yet. Her runaway sister shows up on her front porch, setting Jill’s highly ordered life onto a path that will change her forever.
My Review
Of Grace and Chocolate is a story full of emotion, choice and consequence, suspense, forgiveness and love. I’ve read it twice, and cried both times. Jill and Evie’s story touched me, and my heart broke for their past suffering.
I appreciated how the relationship between Jill and Scott developed with an emotional maturity not often seen in a romance novel. Great story, clean writing, engaging characters, and some really nice kisses all add up to an unforgettable read that comes highly recommended from me.
5 stars out of 5. I can’t wait to read more from Krista.
Instead of a Guest Author Thursday blog post we recorded a podcast! In Season 6 Episode 1, Sheila and I welcome debut author Krista Lynne Jensen. Her book Of Grace and Chocolate was released this month. Read on to find out how to win a signed copy!
Krista shares her inspiration for Of Grace and Chocolate, what she’s working on now, her experiences with revising, and gives us a copy of her book to give away.
To enter to win Of Grace and Chocolate, find the answers to the following questions in the podcast (each correct answer gets you an entry) then email the answers to ldswbr (at) gmail (dot) com. The contest ends at midnight MST on Friday, January 27, 2012.
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1. Who provided inspiration for Scott in Of Grace and Chocolate?
2. What did Krista have to draw out on butcher paper?
3. What specific chocolate-covered treat has a role in Of Grace and Chocolate?
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Book Launch Photos
Sheila and I were fortunate enough to attend the book launch for Sarah M. Eden’s Friends and Foes and Krista Lynne Jensen’s Of Grace and Chocolate. We’ve posted some photos below for you to enjoy while you listen to the podcast.
Happy listening!
(Click through to the blog to listen to the podcast if you can’t see the play button below. You can also find LDS Women’s Book Review Podcast in iTunes.)
I can’t wait to tell our LDSWBR readers about a new feature on the blog this year. We are so excited to announce Guest Author Thursday, where we will be honored to present a blog post written by a guest author.
Here to start us off in the new year is Krista Lynne Jensen, debut author of Of Grace and Chocolate being released January 2012.
I had the opportunity to beta read Of Grace and Chocolate for Krista, and I LOVED-LOVED-LOVED it. (It even made my Top Ten Reads of 2011 list despite not having been published yet.)
If you enjoy Krista’s post, please leave a comment below and let her know!
Watch the book trailer for Of Grace and Chocolate at the end of the post.
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From Krista: Riding in a Mine Car
I’ve been sorting through the Christmas cards and letters. I keep up the family pictures for a while; make sure everyone has read the update letters before letting them go, keep the super-pretty cards for whatever reason in a box labeled Super-Pretty Christmas Cards.
So many friends have written things like, “So excited for all your success!” “Happy for all the good things you are experiencing!” Some of them are referring to my book and its launch in just a week or so (grinning). But holy wow, November and December have kicked my tush. The “good things” are definitely worth clinging to, because I feel like I’m riding in one of those mining cars on a rickety rail in an old abandoned mine, like in Temple of Doom, or The Apple Dumpling Gang, or Harry Potter in Gringotts, with cave walls collapsing and the tracks falling away and Indy is nowhere in sight and there’s a dragon chasing me and stalactites drop and WHERE’S MY INVISIBILITY CLOAK?
Okay, that may be exaggerating a bit (writer), but our family has been hit with all kinds of not-fun stuff the last several weeks. Things that might discourage me. Things that have worn me down. Health, job, kids, parents, friends. Things that have those close to us throwing up their hands and saying, “Are you kidding me?!”
Things that have me saying, “Oh, I am SO supposed to be writing.” Because alongside all of this weight, good stuff is happening with my writing. Good stuff that both scares me and thrills me. And I’m not discouraged. There’s a saying: “Be the kind of woman that, when your feet hit the floor each morning, the Devil says “Oh crap, she’s up!”
Maybe, with me, it’s when I open my doc. Maybe my words are where I can be strong. I can be a force. I’m supposed to do this.
Honestly, if you are compelled to write, whether it is a personal history, a short story, a novel, then write it. Figure it out. If it’s something you begin, and you’re hit with a barrage of “No-you-can’ts”, well, maybe that’s because yes-you-can. And you should. And you don’t know how many amazing things will come of it. Weather it out. Hold your chin up. Square your shoulders. Think of your favorite authors and how they didn’t give up. Surround yourself with people who shout, “Go, Krista!” or, you know, your name.
And hang on. That ride in the mine car is a doozy. *ducks*
Krista Lynne Jensen’s debut novel, Of Grace and Chocolate, will be on shelves anytime now at an LDS bookstore near you. Come join her and author Sarah M. Eden at their Double Book Launch, Saturday, January 14th at the Fort Union Deseret Book in Midvale, Utah from 11:00-1:00. There will be chocolate and wonderfulness.
Of Grace and Chocolate
