Tulips and Treason by Tristi Pinkston – Countdown to Summer 2014

 Posted by  Countdown to Summer
Jun 132014
 

CD2S-2014_300

8 days until summer!

 

tristiprofilepic2012Tristi Pinkston is the author of nearly thirty books of all lengths and in all genres. She also works full-time as a freelance editor and is the president of Trifecta Books.

Visit Tristi: WEBSITE | BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

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LDSWBR: What book or movie reminds you of summer?

TRISTI: This was a tough question for me to answer. I can’t think of any with a theme that reminds me most of summer, so will you take a book I read during the summer? I have very fond memories of curling up on my bed with a nice thick copy of Little Women.

LDSWBR: Do you hike during the summer? If so, where is your favorite place to hike?

TRISTI: Do I hike? What, are you trying to give me a heart attack and make me die? No, I do not hike. I occasionally hike up my skirt, but that’s about it.

LDSWBR: What is the best book you’ve read so far this year?

TRISTI: With all the editing I’ve been doing this year, I haven’t had a lot of time to read published works. I can tell you, though, that there are some great books coming out by my editing clients in the not-so-distant future!

LDSWBR: Thanks, Tristi!

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DESERET BOOK  |  BARNES & NOBLE | AMAZON | GOODREADS

 TulipsandTreason
The town of Omni has a thorny problem. Two rival crime syndicates have chosen the quiet mountains of Utah as their hideout. Now they want to join forces and become stronger than ever. When the FBI needs to send two undercover agents to infiltrate the mob, they call on Jack and Molly — field operatives of experience and skill — to pose as floral-shop-owning Mormons so they’ll blend in to the conservative background. Jack bears a resemblance to Joe Baker, notorious mob hit man, and stands the best chance at going undetected. The biggest challenge? Teaching Molly how to arrange a dozen roses. Compared to that, bringing down the Mafia will be a tiptoe through the tulips.

Have you read Little Women? Which movie version is your favorite?

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**To enter the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2014, leave a thoughtful comment below.**

This is raffle-style drawing where all entries throughout the contest period are entered into the same “hat” for all prizes. Because this is a raffle-style drawing, commenting on each Countdown to Summer 2014 post will give you 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. US only. 18 years and older please. See all contest rules and restrictions below.

Following LDSWBR is not required but you may want to consider doing so during the contest so you don’t miss any posts or chances to enter the drawing. You can follow us through email, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Instagram, and Pinterest (links in our sidebar.)

If one of our reviews has ever helped you find a book you enjoyed, please consider helping us spread the word about the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2014. A link posted to your friends and family either in email or on your favorite social network would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

By leaving a comment and entering the Countdown to Summer 2014, 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 June 5, 2014 and all entries must be received by 12:00 Midnight June 30, 2014 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 post’s 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 July 3, 2014 by use of a sequence generator on random.org; winner will have until July 10, 2014 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 and 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 6/13/14 – more to be added to this list!)**

  • Unraveled by Julie Daines (signed paperback)
  • Any book by A.L. Sowards (choice of paperback or Kindle version)
  • An autographed copy of any one Sarah M. Eden book of the winner’s choice
  • Chances Are by Traci Hunter Abramson (signed/personalized paperback)
  • Choice of The Inventor’s Secret (hardback or paperback) or The Avatar Battle (hardback or audio CD) by Chad Morris (signed copy)
  • Missing Lily by Annette K. Larsen (ebook in .mobi or epub)
  • Glimmering Light by Margot Hovley (personalized paperback or Kindle)
  • Before the Clock Strikes Thirty by Aubrey Mace (personalized paperback)
  • Tulips and Treason by Tristi Pinkston (personalized paperback)

 

Tulips and Treason by Tristi Pinkston

 Posted by  Book Reviews
May 152014
 

tristi-pinkston-02Tulips and Treason (Omni Orchids Mystery)

Author: Tristi Pinkston

Publisher: Walnut Springs

Published: April 9, 2014

ISBN13: 978159929002

ebook: 246 pages

FTC FYI: Received a PDF copy in exchange for an honest review

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary 

The town of Omni has a thorny problem. Two rival crime syndicates have chosen the quiet mountains of Utah as their hideout. Now they want to join forces and become stronger than ever. When the FBI needs to send two undercover agents to infiltrate the mob, they call on Jack and Molly field operatives of experience and skill to pose as floral-shop-owning Mormons so they’ll blend in to the conservative background. Jack bears a resemblance to Joe Baker, notorious mob hit man, and stands the best chance of going undetected. The biggest challenge? Teaching Molly how to arrange a dozen roses. Compared to that, bringing down the Mafia will be a tiptoe through the tulips.

My Review

Tulips and Treason is another extremely enjoyable read from Tristi.  I really loved her Secret Sisters series and was thrilled when my favorite characters appeared in the Omni Orchids Mysteries Series too.

Molly North and Jack Coleman are FBI agents.  They are also partners who secretly got married, having kept it a secret from everyone but their boss.  Now their marriage is in a rough patch.  But they are still partners and have been given a special assignment.  A lead has come on an investigation of a mob case the FBI is following.  Molly and Jack are being assigned to a small town in Omni, Utah to run a flower shop as a married Mormon couple.  Normally this assignment would be exciting for the couple, but Molly has her doubts.  How are they going to pose as a married couple when they are on the brink of a divorce.

Jack and Molly head to Omni and are in need of “Mormon” lessons.  That is where Ida Mae, Tansy, and Arlette come in.  Molly and Jack have to run a flower shop to keep up the mob front and to find their contact.  Molly is lost and is really nervous about it.  As they are moving things around the shop, a wall gets busted and they hire a fix-it man to come.  When he gets murdered, the mystery begins.

I loved this book.  Tristi’s books are full of fun, humor, heart, and good ole-fashion mystery.  I loved having my favorite ladies from the Secret Sisters series make an appearance in this book.  I have missed them.  Having said that, the new characters held my attention and Tristi’s writing, as always, was solid.  I would email her back and forth while I was reading to update her on who I thought was the murderer… Let’s just say, I better not quite my day job. :)

Author Links

Goodreads / Website / Trifecta Books / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book

Till Death Do Us Part by Tristi Pinkston

 Posted by  Book Reviews
Jun 122013
 

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Till Death Do Us Part

Author: Tristi Pinkston

Publisher: Walnut Springs Press

Published: May 2013

ISBN13: 978-1-59992-880-7

Paperback: 245 pages

FTC FTI: Received a paperback copy in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

Will Ida Mae survive her own wedding?

When charming—and mostly bald—widower George Gilmore asked Ida Mae Babbitt to marry him, she was surprised and delighted. But now he has made another proposal—to hold the wedding in two weeks, while all his children are in town. Flustered but sure she can handle it with the help of her friends, Ida Mae
agrees.

The plan doesn’t go over so well with George’s family, however, and Ida Mae finds herself the victim of a plot to stop the wedding. At first the incidents seem like harmless pranks, but they escalate until Ida Mae finds herself in real danger—and in real pain. Bells are ringing, but are they wedding bells or death knells?

My Review

Till Death Do Us Part finds Ida Mae knee deep in trouble again.  This time is seems that someone from George’s family doesn’t want her to marry George.  Right away events occur that rattle her nerves, but (as always) Ida Mae stands her ground.   George has not told Ida Mae that he is very wealthy, and it appears that someone from the family doesn’t want Ida Mae taking what they think it theirs.  Danger lurks around every corner (and elevator) as Ida Mae and her friends try to plan her wedding to George.

There is nothing more delightful then a Secret Sisters mystery by Tristi Pinkston.  I have grown to love these characters and their endearing quirks.  As I’m reading I remember what a fantastic writer Tristi is.  (Not that I had forgotten :) Consistent, consistent, consistent is how she writes.  Every line is important and most of the time, very funny.  I was thrilled to learn that Ren reminded Ida Mae of Ewan McGregor, “only without the light saber and with a temple recommend.” (page 37)  I was happy that the love triangle between Eden, Ren, and Kevin was quickly solved so I could focus on other aspects of the story.

I could quote the whole book for it’s humor and cleverness, but this was one of my favorite moments:

The officers waited until Arlette got the minivan turned around, and then they climbed into their own vehicle.  Ida Mae was surprised when one of them flipped on red and blue lights built into the front of the car.  All the vehicles ahead of them edged out of the way, and Arlette followed the officers down the canyon and toward Federal Heights.

“If this weren’t so extremely frightening, it would be exciting,” Tansy remarked.

For once, Ida Mae knew exactly what she meant. (page 144)

5 out of 5 stars.  This is the last book in the series.  If you are new to the Secret Sisters, definitely start with the first.

Author Links

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book

Turning Pages by Tristi Pinkston – Countdown to Christmas 2012

 Posted by  Countdown to Christmas, Special Features
Dec 062012
 

19 days until Christmas

 

Tristi Pinkston is the author of fourteen books, the mother of four adorable children, the wife of one handsome man, and the taker of very, very long naps. She works full-time from home as a freelance editor, and she is a popular presenter at writers conferences up and down the Wasatch Front. She sits on the board of directors for iWriteNetwork and is the managing editor for Gospel Ideals. You can learn more about her at www.tristipinkston.com.

Visit Tristi:  WEBSITE | BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | 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?

TRISTI: I do my tree a little bit differently every year, and so the topper coordinates with that theme. I love shopping the 75% off sales after Christmas and picking up one or two new ornaments. This year I went with red and white, so my white star is on top of my tree. I also have a white angel, a burgundy angel, a green star, and a snowman topper. Was this too long of an answer? You know I can’t give short answers. It’s impossible.

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

TRISTI: I have a couple of favorites. First is White Christmas, because come on, who doesn’t love White Christmas? We watch it every year, whether my kids want to or not. Then Elf, of course, because it’s awesome. Mr. Krueger’s Christmas, because it makes me cry, and I love Liken the Scriptures’ The First Christmas. Each of those touch me in different ways, whether it’s with humor or nostalgia or the spirit of the season.

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

TRISTI: A few years back, we were given a $100 gift card, and I honestly couldn’t think of a single thing we needed to spend it on. A friend’s husband had just been laid off, so we decided to play Secret Santa. That was seriously fun, thinking about things they might enjoy. I’ve been on the receiving end many times and it was wonderful to be the giver.

LDSWBR: Oh, wow. What a great way to teach your family about giving. Thank you, Tristi!

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Purchase Turning Pages: 

AMAZON | KINDLE

When the arrogant Blake Hansen steals Addie Preston’s promotion at the library, he pretty much rubs her nose in it. But Addie, who dreams of being a full-fledged librarian, decides to stick it out. She loves surrounding herself with books and keeping her father’s memory alive in the building where they spent so much time together.

Soon, Addie learns that her beloved library will be torn down to make room for a larger facility, and she has to make a choice. Fight, or let go?

To complicate things, she finds herself attracted to Blake, who is engaged to someone else. Will Blake and Addie ever resolve their differences?

 Have you ever received an anonymous gift during hard times? How do you teach your family about selfless giving?

* * * * *

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 6, 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)

Previous Countdown to Christmas 2012 posts:

 

Turning Pages by Tristi Pinkston

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Nov 202012
 

Turning Pages

Author: Tristi Pinkston

Publisher: Inkberry Press

Published Date: July 2012

Paperback/Kindle; 240 pages

Genre: New Adult Romance

ISBN13: 978-0-9838293-6-2

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: received a free review copy in exchange for an honest review

Summary

With his pride and her prejudice, what could possibly go wrong?

When the arrogant Blake Hansen steals Addie Preston’s promotion at the library, he pretty much rubs her nose in it. But Addie, who dreams of being a full-fledged librarian, decides to stick it out. She loves surrounding herself with books and keeping her father’s memory alive in the building where they spent so much time together.

Soon, Addie learns that her beloved library will be torn down to make room for a larger facility, and she has to make a choice. Fight, or let go?

To complicate things, she finds herself attracted to Blake, who is engaged to someone else. Will Blake and Addie ever resolve their differences?

Review

Turning Pages is a cute story about Addie Preston, a college student who works at the local library. She hasn’t had the easiest life, which is probably why she finds such comfort in the books she loves.

Addie and her family are dealing with the recent death of her father in a car accident that also injured her step-mother. Addie’s own mother died when she was little, and Addie, her younger siblings, and her step-mom have to face the reality that they can’t afford to stay in their home. She was passed over for a promotion that was promised to her, and the city just announced it’s going to tear down her beloved old library and replace it with an expensive new building. Addie gets rejected by a boy she’s liked forever, she and her best friend have a falling out, and to top things off, the guy that was hired for her promised position is a bit of a jerk.

While Addie fights to save the library, she realizes that change always comes. She learns to hold tight to what is most important, to let go of things she can’t control and that some things (and people) are not as bad as they first seem.

I enjoyed Turning Pages as a clean read with good themes that I would happily hand to my 15-year-old to read. I liked Addie and related to her love of books and her beloved library. It was a good reminder that change is the only constant and people are what matter most.

Visit Tristi:

WEBSITE | BLOG | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

Find Turning Pages:

GOODREADS | AMAZON | KINDLE

 

Review of Women of Strength by Tristi Pinkston

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
May 252012
 

Product Details:

  • Title: Women of Strength
  • Author: Tristi Pinkston
  • Paperback: 142 pages
  • Publisher: Walnut Springs Press. (March 8, 2012)
  • Genre: Non-Fiction LDS
  • ISBN-10: 1599928469
  • ISBN-13: 978-1599928463
  • FTC:FYI: Review copy
  • Reviewed by Sheila

 

 

 

 

Book Description:

The need for courageous, faithful women has never been
greater than it is today. As we draw nearer to the Second Coming of
Jesus Christ, we are faced with temptations on every side. But we can
prevail as we gain true strength from living the gospel.

In Women of Strength, Tristi Pinkston shares inspiring stories, as well as
insightful quotes from Church leaders, to demonstrate the power and
influence of righteous women. This book invites women everywhere to
deepen their relationship with the Savior, rely on the guidance of the
Holy Ghost, and learn what it really means to be strong.

My Review:
 Day to day life struggles can really pull us down.Keeping up with the kids, our jobs, church callings, yard work, laundry, cleaning, etc. make us tired. Being able to review Tristi Pinkston’s new book, Women of Strength, was the breath of fresh air I needed right now. I needed to be reminded of who I am, and how important I really am in this world and in my children’s lives.

The 140 pages of Women of Strength are powerfully packed with messages that will make you think, make you thankful, and encouraged. Some of my favorite chapter titles(Out of the 14 chapters) were:

-Divine Identity

-Womanhood

-Strength in Parenting

-Strength in Keeping the Commandments

-Strengths in Talents

-Becoming Strong 
There is one passage I wanted to quote to you from the chapter entitled, “Strength in Our Divine Identity”. It brought tears to my eyes and filled me with a sense of peace and understanding.

“Sometimes we look around at all of the creations of His hands, and wonder if we really do matter…Surely we must get lost in the crowd and our feature become a blur. That’s what we think, but in reality, we are as precious to our Father as if He only had one child…He not only knows our names, but He knows our thoughts and fears, our strengths and weaknesses, our talents and capabilities,and He knows what we can become, often when we don’t have any idea.
 If I could grant wishes, if I were some kind of good fairy and could sprinkle sparkly dust and give you anything, I would most want to give you the knowledge that you are a daughter of God. When you really understand that, you will find miracles in your life. Your inner peace will be unbounded. Your confidence will burst out of you. Your real beauty will shine forth. A woman who knows who she is? Incredible. Amazing.”…pages 37-38 Women of Strength
Tristi’s writing is so personal in this book, as if she is my best friend helping me feel better about myself. If I had read nothing else in the book, just reading these pages increased my confidence and love for myself. I am grateful for writers like Tristi, who so beautifully express what is hiding there in my heart. Women of Strength will become a guide for many women like me, who need a boost, and reminders of their potential. 


About the Author:

 
Tristi Pinkston is the author of eleven published books –
“Nothing to Regret,” “Strength to Endure,” “Season of Sacrifice,” “Agent
in Old Lace,” “Secret Sisters,” “Dearly Departed,” “Bless Your Heart,”
“Hang ‘Em High,” “Targets in Ties,” “Women of Strength,” and “Million
Dollar Diva.” She also works as a freelance editor and online writing
instructor. When she’s not writing, editing, or homeschooling her children,she enjoys reading, watching good movies, and taking really long naps. You can reach Tristi at her blog here 
You can purchase Women of Strength here at:
Amazon.com and


***I received a review copy of Women of Strength. In no way did this influence the honest review that was given.***









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