The Kindling by Braden Bell – Countdown to Christmas 2012

 Posted by  Countdown to Christmas, Special Features
Dec 082012
 

17 days until Christmas

 

Braden Bell grew up in Farmington, Utah. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in theatre from Brigham Young University and a Ph.D. in educational theatre from New York University. He and his wife, live with their children on a quiet, wooded lot in Tennessee, where he teaches theatre and music at a private school. An experienced performer, Braden enjoys singing, acting, reading, gardening, and long walks with the dog.

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

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

BRADEN: We have a star. It reminds of the first Christmas star.

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

BRADEN: Easily, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” I love it because it’s a realistic look at the challenges that come with life. Doing the right thing isn’t always easy. Sometimes, in fact, it’s difficult. For years. I love that the ending, while solving the immediate problem doesn’t change everything. It also reminds me to try to make a positive difference around me.

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

BRADEN: A few years ago, our youngest wanted a train table. He was about three, so it was a very magical age at Christmas time. We couldn’t afford the train table but wanted him to have it. Our older kids gave up a portion of what we had budgeted for them, adding it to the pot for the train table. They were as excited as we were. The whole family anticipated that gift more than anything I’ve ever seen.

LDSWBR: Wow, what a sweet sacrifice for your children to make. Thank you, Braden!

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Purchase The Kindling: 

AMAZON | KINDLE | BARNES & NOBLE | NOOK | DESERET BOOK

BRADEN’S WEBSITE (Special: only $9.99)

All thirteen-year-old Connor Dell wants to do is pass pre-algebra, play lacrosse, and possibly kiss Melanie Stephens, but when a run-in with the school bully ignites strange powers inside him, Connor’s normal teenage life goes up in flames. Now he’ll need his new powers to defeat the Darkness that’s coming for him. Fast-paced and original, this book’s guaranteed to keep you guessing!

Have you witnessed your children or other loved ones sacrificing their own wants for the sake of another at Christmastime? 

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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; 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 by use of a sequence generator on random.org; winner will have until January 3, 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 8, 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)

Previous Countdown to Christmas 2012 posts:

 

The Kindling by Braden Bell

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Jun 202012
 

The Kindling

Expected Publish Date: July 10, 2012

Publisher: Cedar Fort

ISBN13: 9781462110278

Paperback: 304 pages

FTC FYI: Review copy

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary:  All thirteen-year-old Conner Dell wants to do is pass pre-algebra, play lacrosse, and possibly kiss Melanie Stephens. He didn’t mean to set anyone’s gym shorts on fire or make school lunches explode. But now that the strange powers inside him have been ignited, Conner’s normal teenage life is about to go up in flames!

This fast-paced novel is non-stop fun for kids and parents alike. With characters you can’t help but root for, a plot that keeps you guessing, and plenty of humor, it’s a guaranteed thrill ride from cover to cover!

My Review

Conner, Lexa, and Melanie are noticing strange things that keep happening around them.  A creepy guy that no one else can see, kids being set on fire, and teachers that are acting really odd.  The three notice that the teachers seem to be getting them in trouble on purpose. That’s when they start to really worry.

That is the only summary I’m going to give you, I don’t want to give anything away. There are some great twists and turns, and so much action.  You are just going to have to read it and see.  I will say this, my favorite part is when the kids go to Disneyworld, and they have quite an adventure in It’s a Small World.

This is such a fun book, with some great action scenes and dangerous tense moments.  It also has great humor, and lots of heart.  I loved the relationship between the 3 kids, and the teachers.  The author writes teenagers very well, and you can tell has had experience in that area.  A very fun read that will keep you turning pages until you are through, and wanting more.

4 out of 5 stars.  The Kindling is Braden’s 2nd book.  His novel The Road Show was released in 2010.  Find out for out the author here, and on his blog.

FACEBOOK / TWITTER

The Kindling has not been released.  Look for it with these links below coming soon.

AMAZON / BARNES AND NOBLE / CEDAR FORT