In Which I Met Wesley and the Ghostbusters

That is, Wesley from the Princess Bride. And the real live Ghostbusters, not the ones from the movie.

Yes, his name really is Wesley, which would have been amusing if he’d been just a guy dressed up like the real Wesley. Lucky for me, he really was the real Wesley, on his way to save his fiancé, Buttercup, from the clutches of the evil what’s-his-name. Darn. You can't see his really awesome fancy sword. I’m pretty sure it’s real, though.

These guys, on the other hand, spent the weekend roving the halls of the Salt Lake City Radisson, protecting authors, gamers, and other medieval guests from paranormal invasion. Their equipment is state of the art, with lots of switches and flashing lights. They even let me try the beam thingy. Don’t worry, I was careful. But I didn’t catch a ghost. Those guys are so good at their job, there were no ghosts to be found. Although, I did see a couple vampires.

One of the Ghostbuster guys even fed me a lame pick up line. “Wanna hold my gun?” Totally in character. Or was it? *shrugs* Do lines like that work on anyone? I didn’t think so. But I was amused, as he intended.

This is what happens when sci-fi / fantasy authors and fans converge in the same place, otherwise known as a CONduit, or CON. I went this weekend. As you can see, it was lots of fun. Hung with a few old (but not “old”) author friends, made a few new ones, and learned…hm. I’m not sure. But I saw some really cool stuff. Don’t you agree? Yeah. I love being an author.

Success is a Tsunami

You know what I realized recently? I am surrounded by successful authors. When I say successful, I don’t necessarily mean all published, though more and more, that’s happening. What I mean is dedicated, hard-working writers with high aspirations and goals.

I’ve decided it’s like success is a wave. This big tsunami that rears up and crashes down on us all at once. We all hold hands, helping and protecting each other, creating a chain so that when the wave hits, we can all surf it together.

Not that we’re all in the same stage of writing, or on the same level ground as others. Some people wait on the shore, while others prepare for the wave by heading to higher ground. But no matter where we are when it hits, if we hold tight to the hands of others, we’ll all end up in a similar place when it’s over.

Does that make sense? I mean, if I spend all this time surrounded by other successful people, how can I fail? These are my friends and they won’t let me fall any faster than I would allow them to do.

Granted, everyone’s on a completely different journey. But I suspect that if we continue to learn from those who are higher on the mountain, whether we follow in their footsteps or forge our own path, we will absolutely make it to the top. I know this. You should too.

So grab hold of someone’s hand, because the wave is about to crest. I intend to be ready when it reaches me. What about you?



**What inspired this post? Check out Elana’s incredible, amazing, simply awesome news.

What I Have in Common with Catherine Fisher, Author of "Incarceron"

(follow up to my Spread the Awesome post)

Okay, so do you all remember this ten-star review post? Yeah. Well, part of the deal was that I had to contact the author and let her know I was posting said review. Which I did. I also asked if I could interview her.

But here’s the thing. Catherine Fisher lives in England, and I don’t actually know her. Yes, I do know lots and lots of authors. Just not her. But that was the deal when I agreed to participate in this review-deal, so…I tracked her down. Well, sort of. She “isn’t on email”—whatever that means—so I tracked down either her agent or personal assistant (in case you’re wondering, I’m thinking agent) who very kindly forwarded on my post information, as well as interview questions.

So, while the original post is over two-weeks old, Catherine and I have done the long-drawn-out version of an overseas interview. So, here it is. I give you my interview with Catherine Fisher. (See if you can guess how many things we have in common, just from this short Q&A.)

NG: Hi Catherine! Thank you so much for agreeing to this interview. I know you’re busy, but inquiring minds want to know more about you. So tell me, what were you doing when the idea for Incarceron first occurred to you?

CF: Looking at Piranesi’s engravings of ‘Imaginary Prisons’. I thought “what if…?”

NG: Ahh. So art inspires art. I love that. How long did it take for this story to develop into characters and a plot?

CF: At least a year. Much of the plot is worked out in the first draft.

NG: That’s actually quick for such a complex story. Very cool. What is your writing process? For instance, do you outline? Or are you more of a free-writer? Or something else entirely?

CF: I don’t plan very much but just start the story and see where it leads. It’s a difficult but interesting way to work.

NG: I totally get that, since my process is similar. I’m wondering, how long were you a writer before you found an agent or got published?

CF: I wrote three novels before getting one published, though I was publishing poetry.

NG: Excellent. What kind of education or training did you have at that time?

CF: A degree in English, but no creative writing courses or anything like that.

NG: Well, that’s more than I had when I got started. I hope it’s not too personal to ask this question, but everyone is dying to know. How many rejections did you gather before you got your first book deal? And what did you do with those rejections?

CF: Three novels which were all rejected. One I eventually re-wrote as BELIN’S HILL. The others are still in the attic.

NG: Got it. You aren’t going to tell us how many. That’s okay, it’s encouraging to know even the best of us have to try and fail before we succeed.What advice would you give other authors who are striving to be published in today’s competitive market?

CF: Write your own thing and don’t try to second guess the market. Believe in your work, but if good advice comes along, consider it.

NG: Thanks for the advice. We would all do well to follow it. And now for the most important questions, the ones foremost on the minds of my readers. What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream?


CF: Mint or chocolate.

NG: Nice. Once again, chocolate rules the world of creativity. Now, who is your favorite author?

CF: Alan Garner. A brilliant fantasy writer.

NG: I have never read his stuff, but now I’m going to have to go find something by him and read it. Thanks for the recommendation. Now, what is your most favorite thing to do when you’re not writing?

CF: Read, walk, listen to music. I like opera and ballet too – watching, that is.

NG: A woman after my own heart. If you were an animal, what kind would you be and why?

CF: Fox. Clever, trustworthy. Always the outsider.

NG: The outsider, huh? I suppose that’s fitting. Writing is a very solitary work, so that makes sense. Do you prefer diamonds or pearls?

CF: Diamonds.

NG: So you’re a sparkler of a woman and author, then. Nice! Name one or two power snacks that keep you going as you write.

CF: Chocolate and opera.

NG: Opera? Seriously, that is probably the most original answer I’ve had to that question. Excellent! Especially since this week I’ve been listening to Phantom of the Opera to get me in the writing mood. I realize it’s not exactly opera. But still.

Catherine, thank you so, so much for taking the time to do this interview. I’m honored to be so privileged. From your answers, I can see that we have several things in common. I wish you the best of luck with sales for Incarceron and it’s sequel, Sapphique.

To learn more about Catherine Fisher and her works, click here.

To purchase your copy of Incarceron click here.

To pre-order the sequel, Sapphique, click here.

Write It Down!

(*Before I get to this blog, do you remember that book review blog I talked about starting last month? Well, I started it. After this Wednesday, most of my reviews and author interviews will be posted there, starting with a review of Imprints by Rachel Ann Nunes. Go check it out and become a follower. I promise to have cool contests there, too.) And now on to my Monday topic.

Ah, the notebook. A writer’s best friend and constant companion in which we are constantly scratching notes, doodles, lists, and other various tidbits of thought that come to us at all hours of the day and night. Why do we do this? Because our thoughts, epiphanies, spiritual promptings or universal direction are priceless. And if we don’t write them down, we will forget.

Did you get that? We WILL forget. I don’t care about your spectacular memory skills, because the truth is, we can’t all remember every single thing that has ever happened to us. It’s not humanly possible. We forget. We will all forget the most important moments in our lives. Unless…

We write it down. Write it down. Write it down. Write it down.

I can’t say that enough. Think about it. Cameras were invented so people could capture certain moments in time, freezing those images and embedding them on paper to be remembered forever. But there is no camera that can capture a feeling in your heart, words in your head, or a universal aha moment that may—or may not—end up being a life-altering realization. We have to write it down, just as we would aim and click a camera.

Don’t worry about spelling or grammar or if you have the skills to do it right. Just write it while you can, and fix the mistakes later.

Okay, so now you’re saying, “But I don’t know what to write,” or, “I can’t find the right words.”

See, here’s the thing. Once you touch pen to paper, just allow yourself to let it flow. Write and write and write until you find the words, because eventually they’ll come to you. Writing in itself is cathartic, not to mention therapeutic. Only on computer screen or paper can we continue to truly pour out our innermost thoughts and feelings until we’re empty.

But here’s a secret. You’ll never actually be empty, because the more you write, the more you feel and think and see, and you will find you have more to say. Writing in itself tends to be a unique spiritual experience for the writer. Even the writer who isn’t writing to be an author.

There is no pause or rewind button for life. But some things are meant to be remembered. Write them down. You will never be sorry you did, but you will certainly be sorry if you don’t.

2nd Annual Summer Treasure Hunt: Dig for Clues and Win Contest!

Welcome to our second annual “Summer Treasure Hunt: Dig for Clues and Win” Contest! Last year, some authors put together a month long contest where they gave away a prize a day for the entire month of June. The contest was so successful that they've decided to do it again this year, and invited me to participate. 

 

We have something for everyone: romance, fantasy, mystery, suspense, historicals, contemporaries, young adult and middle grade fiction; children’s picture books; and a variety of non-fiction titles. We also have some exciting non-book prizes: a hand crocheted book tote and cell phone case; a book/jewelry combo; a Mary Kay cosmetic assortment; a The Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe DVD; and (you aspiring writers won’t want to miss this one!) a free edit/critique for the first 50 pages of an unpublished novel by a three-time published author!

 

How can you enter to win one of these awesome prizes? Just follow the rules below!

 

SUMMER TREASURE HUNT RULES:

 

You can send in an entry for each day’s prize, or only for those prizes that strike your fancy. The rules are simple:

(1) Go to the website or blog indicated for each day, find the answer to the question for that day, then email the answer with your name and AND MAILING ADDRES to jdipastena@yahoo.com. I promise you will not wind up on any mailing lists. This is only to facilitate the receipt of your prize. All entries will be deleted at the end of the contest.

(2) Please send a separate entry for each day and type the day you are entering in the subject line. (Such as: Summer Treasure Hunt, June 1; Summer Treasure Hunt, June 2, etc).

(3) Deadline for each day: Midnight PST

(4) The winner will be contacted and announced on the day following the deadline.

All winners will be “drawn” by WWW.RANDOM.ORG.

You do not have to wait until the designated day to enter. You can start sending in your entries right now, or begin entering at any point along the way. And check back here each day between June 2nd-July 9th to read the names of the winners.

If you have any questions, feel free to email Joyce DiPastena at jdipastena@yahoo.com.

And now…let the treasure hunt begin!

 

June 1

SPONSOR: Donna Hatch

PRIZE: Queen in Exile, (fantasy romance), autographed by author

QUESTION: The princess must rely upon her magic to save whom? (Hint: Look under “Bookshelf” tab)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.donnahatch.net

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

June 2

SPONSOR: Laurie Lewis

PRIZE: Awakening Avery (women's fiction), autographed copy

QUESTION: Avery's signal that she isn't handling her husband's death very well comes to her when she tosses what into what? (Hint: Look under “books &reviews, then click on the cover to Awakening Avery and read the first chapter)

WEBSITE/BLOG: www.laurielclewis.com

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

June 3

SPONSOR: E.A. West

PRIZE: Riley's Mission (PDF: romantic suspense)

QUESTION: Where does Jade sit after she sees Aziz Khadoul? (Hint: Click on “Books” tab, then on “excerpt” link for Riley’s Mission)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://eawest.mcphitty.com

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

June 4

SPONSOR: Jenna Dawlish

PRIZE: Sprig of Thyme (Victorian romance), autographed copy

QUESTION: What is the name of the hero in Jenna's first novel Love Engineered? (Check out “The Library” tab)

WEBSITE/BLOG: www.jennadawlish.com

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES           

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

June 5

SPONSOR: Rachael Renee Anderson

PRIZE: Divinely Designed (contemporary LDS romantic comedy), autographed copy

QUESTION: What is the title of Rachael's second book, being released in August? (Hint: scroll down to Rachael’s “Goodreads” titles on the right hand sidebar))

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://rachaelreneeanderson.blogspot.com/

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

June 6

SPONSOR: Linda Kay Garner

PRIZE: Some Secrets Hurt (picturebook), autographed copy.  This picture book is for all ages.  It is simple enough to be understood by a very young child, meaningful enough to appeal to teenagers, informative enough to be helpful to parents, and powerful enough to reach out to a wounded adult.

QUESTION: The only thing worse than finding out that your child is being sexually abused is ____ ____ ____? (Hint: Listen to 5 minute KSL TV interview on the right side of the website or dowload the free Parents’ Guide)

WEBSITE/BLOG: www.somesecretshurt.com

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

June 7

SPONSOR: Danielle Thorne

PRIZE: (New/Sealed) The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (Widescreen DVD)

QUESTION: In Danielle Thorne's novel, Turtle Soup, what is the name of the marine biologist who inspires Sara Hart to name her deli Turtle Soup? (Hint: read the blurb for Turtle Soup on Danielle’s website homepage)

WEBSITE/BLOG: www.daniellethorne.jimdo.com

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

June 8

SPONSOR: Larry Hammersley

PRIZE: Lab Partners (sweet 1950’s romance), ebook

QUESTION: What are the first names of the hero and heroine in the short story Lab Partners? (Hint: Check out “WIP Report” post for April 4, 2010)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://larryhammersley.blogspot.com/

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

June 9

SPONSOR: Linda Weaver Clarke

PRIZE: Melinda and the Wild West: (historical romance, YA and adult), autographed copy

QUESTION: What was Melinda doing when she first met Gilbert and why did he act flustered and then abruptly turn and briskly stride away? (Hint:. Click on “Sample Chapters” tab, then on the book title for Melinda and the Wild West to read a sample chapter.)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.lindaweaverclarke.com

OPEN TO USA AND CANADA ENTRIES

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

June 10

SPONSOR: Angela Morrison

PRIZE: Taken by Storm (Penguin/Razorbill 2009), YA romance, autographed hard cover

QUESTION: A legendary LDS author of over 30 books for teens called Taken by Storm, "An amazing story written with a clear, refreshing and creative voice." Who was it? (Hint: check “Taken By Storm” tab)

WEBSITE/BLOG: www.angela-morrison.com

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

June 11

SPONSOR: Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

PRIZE: Trapped (romantic suspense with a hint of paranormal fantasy), autographed copy

QUESTION: The first trap Emi Warrin encounters is a mysterious letter. To where does it lure her? (Hint: Read the book summary under the Trapped tab)

WEBSITE/BLOG: rondahinrichsen.com

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

June 12

SPONSOR: Anne Patrick

PRIZE: Journey to Redemption (inspirational romantic suspense), free download

QUESTION: What did Royce use to do for a living in my upcoming release, Out of the Darkness? (Hint: Look under the “My Books” link for Anne’s new release, Out of the Darkness)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.suspensebyanne.blogspot.com/ 

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

June 13

SPONSOR: Rebecca Talley

PRIZE: Altared Plans (contemporary LDS romance), autographed by author

QUESTION: What is unique about my youngest son? (Hint: Watch the YouTube video Extra C posted on the right side of Rebecca’s blog)

WEBSITE/BLOG: www.rebeccatalleywrites.blogspot.com 

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

June 14

SPONSOR: David J. West

PRIZE: Heroes of the Fallen (historical fiction), autographed hardcopy)

QUESTION: What is the name of my favorite author? (Hint: Scroll through David’s June blogs. He promises you’ll find the answer!)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://david-j-west.blogspot.com/

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

June 15

SPONSOR: Jennifer Stewart Griffith, author of Choosing Mr. Right and Delicious Conversation

PRIZE: FREE edit and/or critique of first 50 pages of a novel

QUESTION: What is the Japanese word for the hairstyle worn by sumo wrestlers? (Hint: Check out Jennifer’s favorite sumo blog, Sumo Beautiful. Look for Hama Bijin’s April 13^th post)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://sumobeautiful.blogspot.com/ 

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES as long as the manuscript can be emailed to Jennifer and is in English

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

 

June 16

SPONSOR: Rebecca Irvine

PRIZE: Family Home Evening Adventures (non-fiction book of FHE lessons), free e-book on CD

QUESTION: What is the title of the first book written by Rebecca Irvine? (Hint: Read “about me” on Rebecca’s blog)

WEBSITE/BLOG: www.rebeccairvine.blogspot.com

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

June 17

SPONSOR: Marilyn Bunderson

PRIZE: The Mark (YA Fiction), autographed copy with a bookmark

QUESTION: In a deleted scene from my book, The Mark, Jon loses a bet to Shae. What does he have to do to pay up? (Hint: Found in post titled "Deleted Scenes From The Mark" dated April 15, 2010)

WEBSITE/BLOG: www.mrbunderson.blogspot.com

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

June 18

SPONSOR: Heather Justesen

PRIZE: Winner’s Choice: The Ball’s In Her Court (contemporary inspirational) or Rebound (contemporary romance), autographed by author

QUESTION: How much did the FBI agent expect John's bail to be set at? (Hint: Click on "My Books" tab, then "read more" about Rebound.)

WEBSITE/BLOG: HeatherJustesen.com

OPEN TO USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

June 19

SPONSOR: Nichole Giles

PRIZE: The Sharp Edge of a Knife (inspirational historical, based on a true story), autographed copy

QUESTION: What is the correct title of the humorous anthology I coauthored? (Hint: Look in the right hand sidebar)

WEBSITE/BLOG: www.nicholegiles.blogspot.com

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

June 20

SPONSOR: Karen Adair

PRIZE: Trendy blue/brown crocheted book tote with matching cell phone case (Check out Karen’s “Diva Strings” website for examples: http://www.divastrings.com/index.html)

QUESTION: Where did Karen learn how to type and what speed did she finally top out at? (Hint: Check Karen’s “Bio” tab)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.kbadair.com

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

June 21

SPONSOR: Lynn Parsons

PRIZE: (dis)Abilities and the Gospel (nonfiction), autographed copy

QUESTION: What are three of the topics I list on the parent page of my website? (Look on “Parent Page” tab)

WEBSITE/BLOG: www.lynndparsons.com

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

June 22

SPONSOR: Kinzie Monroe

PRIZE: Reservations for Two (inspirational romance), autographed CD

QUESTION: What was Maggie doing when she and Carson first met in Reservations for Two? (Hint: click on the “Excerpts” link on Kinzie’s blog)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://kinziemonroe.blogspot.com/

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

June 23

SPONSOR: Michele Ashman Bell

PRIZE: Summer in Paris (YA romance), autographed copy and Eiffel Tower bookmark

QUESTION: What is Michele "dreaming of"? (Hint: found on sidebar above picture of Eiffel Tower

WEBSITE/BLOG: micheleabell.blogspot.com

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

June 24

SPONSOR: Jaimey Grant and JaysDesign Jewelry

PRIZE: A signed copy of Redemption, a Regency romance by Jaimey Grant, and a 19" hand-knotted strand of freshwater pearls ($45 value) handmade by Jay T Lyons of JaysDesign Jewelry.

QUESTION: Artist Jay T Lyons did a sketch for the cover of an upcoming Regency romance of mine. What is the sketch of and what is the title of the upcoming book?

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://sites.google.com/site/jaimeygrant/jaytlyons

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

June 25

SPONSOR: Christine Thackeray

PRIZE: Lipstick Wars (LDS Women’s Fiction), autographed copy

QUESTION: What is the name of the angel who needs a vacation in my recent pamphlet, “Could You Be an Angel Today? (Hint: Play the book trailer for “Could You Be an Angel Today” on Christine’s home page)

WEBSITE/BLOG: www.christinethackeray.com

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

June 26

SPONSOR: Bonnie Harris

PRIZE: Mary Kay Satin Lips Set, Travel Size Satin Hands Set and a set of mineral eye colors

QUESTION: What is the name of my African Gray and African Desert Tortosie? (Hint: Read “About Me” in the left hand sidebar)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.bonnieharris.blogspot.com/

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

June 27

SPONSOR: Teralee Deighton

PRIZE: Cup of Comfort for New Mothers (personal essay anthology)

QUESTION: Name  the editor of Cup of Comfort for New Mothers

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.adamsmediastore.com/category/cup-of-comfort-series?r=COC_Bookstore           

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

June 28

SPONSOR: C. LaRene Hall

PRIZE: Martha’s Freedom Train (middle grade historical), autographed by both author and illustrator

QUESTION: How many short stories has C. LaRene Hall published in the humorous anthology, Mormon Mishaps and Mischief? (Hint: Look in the left hand sidebar)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.clhall.blogspot.com/

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

June 29

SPONSOR: Sarah M. Eden

PRIZE: Courting Miss Lancaster (Regency romance), autographed copy

QUESTION: In his "I Need Friends Friday" interview, what reason does Edward Cullen give for not sleeping at night?

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.sarahmeden.com/2009/11/i-need-friends-friday-edward-cullen.html

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

June 30

SPONSOR: Marcia Mickelson

PRIZE: Reasonable Doubt (LDS Suspense), autographed copy

QUESTION: In what country was author, Marcia Mickelson born? (Hint: Click on “About Marcia” tab)

WEBSITE/BLOG: www.marciamickelson.com

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

July 1

SPONSOR: Kimberly Job

PRIZE: I'll Know You by Heart (romantic suspense), autographed copy

QUESTION: What is the title of my current work in progress? (Hint: Look under “My Books” tab)

WEBSITE/BLOG: www.scribbledscraps.blogspot.com

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

July 2

SPONSOR: Joan Sowards

PRIZE: Haunts Haven (an LDS ghost story), autographed copy

QUESTION: What is the name of the town in which the story of Haunts Haven takes place? (Hint: Found on sidebar synopsis of story)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://joansowards.blogspot.com/

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

July 3

SPONSOR: Margaret L. Turley RN

PRIZE: Save the Child (Reality Fiction), autographed copy

QUESTION: Where can you listen to an audio interview with Margaret L. Turley about her book, Save the Child? (Hint: Click on link at the bottom of Margaret’s bio on her “About the Author” page)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://margaretturley.com

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

July 4

SPONSOR: Joyce DiPastena

PRIZE: Illuminations of the Heart (sweet medieval romance, a 2009 Whitney Award Finalist), autographed by author

QUESTION: Who were gifts usually given to on Epiphany during the Middle Ages? (Hint: Click on “Stolen Christmas” tab and read excerpt from “An Epiphany Gift for Robin”)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.joyce-dipastena.com/

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES:

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

July 5

SPONSOR: Cindy R. Williams

PRIZE: Chase McKay Didn’t Get Up Today (Arizona Glyph Award Finalist and Southwest Book Awards Finalist), a snuggle, giggle children’s picture book

QUESTION: There is a picture of Cindy holding two dragons on her website, www.cindyrwilliams.com.  The names of the dragons are in the caption below the picture. What are their names? (Hint: Look on the “Book” page)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.cindyrwilliams.com

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

July 6

SPONSOR: Gail Pallotta

PRIZE: Love Turns the Tide (inspirational romance with suspense), free e-book on CD

QUESTION: Who comes to Cammie O'Shea's rescue after she has a break-in at her unit in Destin, Florida? (Hint: Scroll down to: MORE ABOUT THE BOOK)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.gailpallotta.com

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

July 7

SPONSOR: Danyelle Ferguson

PRIZE: (dis)Abilities and the Gospel (non-fiction), autographed copy (Yes, this is your second chance to win a copy, this one signed by the co-author)

QUESTION: Danyelle is going on her first book tour this summer (July to August). Name three of the cities where she'll be signing books. (Hint: Check out Danyelle’s May 10, 2010 post)

WEBSITE/BLOG: www.QueenOfTheClan.com

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

 

July 8

SPONSOR: Karen E. Hoover

PRIZE: Sapphire Flute (YA Fantasy), autographed copy

QUESTION: How many bloggers have posted their reviews of The Sapphire Flute? (Hint: Check out the list under “Sapphire Flute Blog Tour” in the right hand side bar and count ‘em up)

WEBSITE/BLOG: http://karen-hoover.blogspot.com/

USA ENTRIES ONLY

WINNER:

ANSWER:

I Can Do Hard Things

This week I did something I’ve been putting off for at least a month, probably more. I started submitting again. Not that I ever stopped, but after another round of revisions, it almost feels like a whole new adventure.

Once again, I needed a bunch of people to tell me I could do it. Elana, Heather, Rachelle, Keith, Danyelle—they all rallied around me to tell me that yes, I can do it. And they’re right. I can.

When I really think about it, sending submissions—and consequently getting rejections—isn’t any harder than ninety percent of the other things I do in life. It’s not harder than that thing I did last week, or last summer, or two years ago or four.

I’ve lived through a lot of stuff I’ll never talk about here. But I’m not unique in that. We’re all human. We all have to deal with difficult things. And for the most part, we do. Something comes at us and we take it, deal with it and react in our own distinct way. Hopefully, we’re then able to grow and learn and become better people. Or different people. Whatever.

The point is, as stupid as it sounds, whenever I get ready to send more submissions, I have to psych myself up. I remind myself that this process is really only as hard as I allow it to be. Some submissions are harder than others because I’ve pinned more hope on them. But in the end, even if I only ever get rejections on this book, I am still a writer. I’ll write other books. I’ll keep submitting, and eventually, I’ll find someone who loves my stuff enough to represent it, and then someone else who wants to publish it. I believe in myself enough to know that.

I would be lying if I said rejection isn’t hard to take. It is. Very, very hard. But as my good friends remind me over and over again, I can do hard things.

Then I look around, see my family and friends and know they’ll still be here even after a thousand rejections. And I remember all the harder, more life-altering things I’ve lived through, and I think, meh. Agent / publisher rejections aren’t as bad as I like to pretend.

Then I click send, and laugh when I get my first rejection an hour later—even though it’s eight o’clock on a Saturday night.

I do not curl up and die. My life isn’t forever ruined or destroyed, or even altered in the least. One down, a hundred more to go. No worries. You know why? I can handle it. I can do hard things. And so can you.

Book Review: Heroes of the Fallen by David J. West

When I first heard about the release of David West’s upcoming novel, Heroes of the Fallen, I was intrigued. I’ve seen fictional accounts of LDS scripture stories turned novels before, but this one is different because I have never seen a scripture-based novel set in this particular time period. David has done an excellent job of researching this culture and utilizing it in his story. I find it interesting how he has taken many historical characters and brought them to life, given them fears and goals, love and anger, hopes and discouragements so that we are better able to see them in a human light, rather than a written one.

The prologue is written in a different style than the rest of the book. It’s literary, heart-wrenching, and simply beautiful. I almost wish the rest of the book was written in the same style, although I understand why that would’ve been next to impossible, considering the complexity of the story and multiple points of view. This story is well developed, and it’s clear David has gone to great efforts to get to know each character well.

My nitpick on this particular book would have to be that because there are so many characters involved, and the point of view changed so often, it was sometimes hard to keep track of who was where and what was going on. I suspect, though, that it will get easier with the next book in the series.

Here’s the blurb:

In a world at war, who will rise to become the heroes of the fallen?


It is the last days of the great Nephite nation as they battle for survival against their sworn enemies, the Lamanites. As the conflict unfolds upon this ancient American landscape, sides are taken and weapons are drawn.


Stand alongside daring heroes with swords bared against sinister villains, never knowing which will fall—Captain Amaron and his Ten Scouts, Zelph the White Lamanite, or Anathoth the Lamanite general, agonizingly loyal to the despised King of Tullan—all must face the chillingly evil Gadianton Master Akish-Antum and his many followers.

Witness the plans of mighty kings and lowly thieves. Follow the murderous intrigue of the Gadianton grand master and his wife, the beautiful sorceress Lilith. See the dreams of Bethia, a prophet’s daughter, as she leaves home seeking independence, only to find confusion and wickedness in a land at war.

And if that doesn’t sound intriguing enough for you, check out the trailer:


To read more work by David J. West, check out his blog.

To purchase your copy of Heroes of the Fallen, click here.


**FTC FYI I was given a free copy of this book in order to read and review. Neither this nor my friendship with the author has in any way affected my opinion of the book itself.

I'm A Watter Bottle Wimp

Okay, first of all, when I say wimp, yes, I’m talking about myself. I openly admit it. But in my defense, it’s not for lack of trying.

So here’s how it usually goes. I get a water bottle because I’m thirsty. I like to mix flavored green tea in my water, because it’s good for me. Sometimes this is in the morning on my way to the gym, others it’s more like lunch time. Whatever.

About a month ago, I got one of those nifty little refillable water bottles in an effort to go green. I love that thing. It’s durable and easy to refill. And the lid is easy to take off.

This is not usually the case with store-bought disposables. Sometimes, I can get the lid off with no problem. Others, not so much. My conclusion: it’s the fault of the factory robot that sealed the stupid things. They must use machines, and naturally, machines and robots are stronger than the average person. Or at least stronger than me. Case in point, I’ve been known to fight with a lid for as long as half an hour before giving up.

Considering all the typing I do, I should have at least some muscle in my hands and wrists. *shrugs* I don’t know why I don’t. Just sayin.

So, on Saturday, during the League of Utah Writers workshop, I was very lucky to sit by my friend Elana Johnson. Not only is she a blast of fun to talk to, but also, she’s an expert bottle opener. I was so relieved at that fact. Thanks to Elana, I didn’t have to try to fight my way across the crowded room to find Keith—who has also been known to open bottles for me. Nor did I have to go thirsty.

Thank goodness for friends and easy-to-open refillable bottles. If not for them, I’d probably stick to drinking pop all the time. And that wouldn’t be good for me either. Or would it? Hm.

More Socks Wisdom: Teamwork

When I was young, I thought that the primary job of a parent was to teach your children. What I didn’t realize was that the job is something of a fifty-fifty deal. For everything I try to teach my kids, they turn around and teach me something back. Not on purpose, but that’s pretty much how it works for us.

So, Happy and Sneezy are on this indoor soccer team, Who Stole the Socks. And the first thing the team taught me is how important it is to play for fun first, and competition last. (Confused? See this blog.) I think that’s a big lesson for some adults, including me. Adults sometimes forget that life is supposed to be fun.

Anyway, by the end of their first indoor soccer season, these girls had learned to play together. Not only that, they’d figured out how to play strategically. And their coach, now that he was getting to know each girl, had a pretty good idea of their strengths and weaknesses, and how to use them to the best advantage.

As life goes, no two girls have the same skills, so as they continued playing together, each girl's individual, raw talent became evident, and the coach started playing certain pairs together depending on the skills of the opposing team. Individually, each player was strong. But together, the team dominated the field.

They helped each other, they learned from each other, they cried when someone got hurt, and they cheered when one of them scored. And always, always, win or lose, they kept the solid rule of cartwheels on the field when the game was over. They’ve been the epitome of good sportswomen.

The second thing the Socks taught me is why it’s important to be part of a team.

However solitary a work writing can be, I would never be where I am without my team. My writing friends help me when I have a question, teach me when I need to learn, cry with me when I get rejected, and get excited when I have good news. And always, always, win or lose, someone always reminds me to do a cartwheel on the field at the end of the day.

I’m playing the game because I love it, and learning as I go. And one of these days, when I score a winning goal, my team will be there to cheer me on. Just as I will be there for them.

Thanks for being part of my team.

Author Spotlight: Joan Sowards

A few weeks ago, I blogged about whether or not it’s worth the time and effort to do book reviews here. In that blog, I believe I mentioned that I’m waiting for a package of several books to arrive in my mailbox. One of those books is Chocolate Roses by Joan Sowards.

Since I’m still waiting, I won’t be reviewing it just yet. But it’s been a little while since I spotlighted an author, so I’m going to spotlight Joan today.

Here’s the blurb for Chocolate Roses:

Janie Rose Whitaker's world revolved around her chocolate shop until Roger Wentworth and his young daughter moved into the apartment across from Janie's. Anyone would think Roger fit the mold of the "perfect" guy, but soon Janie discovers secrets that could keep them apart forever. Though she resists getting involved in Roger's complicated life, they are drawn further into a bittersweet relationship.


You will laugh, cry, and crave chocolate as you read this LDS parody of the classic novel Jane Eyre.


Sounds good, doesn’t it? Joan was nice enough to let me interview her this week.

NG: Hi Joan. I have to say right up front that the title of your book makes me want to run out and get a treat. Or dig into my chocolate stash that no one knows about. At least, I think no one knows about it. But today, since I’m praying for summer to finally show up in Utah, ice cream sounds even better. So tell me, what’s your favorite flavor?

JS: Rocky Road is my favorite, Strawberry is runner-up. I was brought up eating saltines with vanilla ice cream. Sometimes I still crave it.

NG: Hm. Saltines, huh? Sounds like an interesting combination. I was half expecting your answer to be chocolate, but then, I guess Rocky Road does have loads of chocolate in it. So, that makes since. Next question: Who is your favorite author? (Besides yourself or me, since everyone already knows we’re both awesome.)

JS: There are so many. But if I have to choose one, it is Kerry Blair. She's a master at the English language and can manipulate the words to make you smile, laugh, and cry--so clever!

NG: I love her work too. She’s definitely brilliant. What is your most favorite thing to do when you’re not writing?

JS: Be with hubby. I love doing family history research, sewing, and being with my children and grandchildren.

NG: Aw. So sweet. No family animals or anything? Because my next question is: if you were an animal, what kind would you be and why?

JS: Puppies are cuddly. Birds have freedom to soar. I love cuddling and freedom.

NG: So, one or the other or a combination of both? Maybe you could be a new breed of flying puppy.

JS: Maybe.

NG: Well, that settles it. So, Joan the flying puppy, since you’re going to be so rich (being an entirely new cool breed of animal and all) do you prefer diamonds or pearls?

JS: I own one diamond and it is on my wedding ring. I'm not one for expensive jewelry (though I wouldn't turn it down if someone gave it to me!) I really like bling bling and am glad it is coming into style.

NG: A woman after my own heart. *Sigh* Blingage.

NG: Last question: Name one or two power snacks that keep you going as you write.

JS: Almonds, cheese. And always chocolate!

NG: Hence the title Chocolate Roses! Fantastic. Joan, thanks for the visit, and the insight into the life of an author.

JS: Thank you for the interview. I hope you enjoy reading Chocolate Roses!

To find out more about Chocolate Roses, click here.

Team Name: Who Stole the Socks?

I know I’ve mentioned numerous times that some of my kids are into sports. Mainly, my girls. Lately, it seems like my life revolves around soccer. Indoor soccer. Outdoor soccer. Competition soccer. Soccer practice. Soccer every day, and on and on and on.

But for all my complaining, I must admit, I’ve learned a lot from watching my girls play. Specifically with their indoor team.

It all started with my oldest daughter, Sneezy. She’s a sports-girl through and through. At some point, she and a bunch of her friends got together and decided to play indoor soccer together. Most of them had played together in city-league soccer or basketball or other sports before, but the idea wasn’t to go in and dominate. Rather, they went to play together and have fun. My younger daughter, Happy, even joined them.

Instead of ordering expensive uniforms—which many teams do—they tie-died T-shirts. Then they made up two important team rules.

1. No matching socks allowed, and neon is luckier than boring white.
2. Post-game cartwheels on the field are mandatory. Everyone must participate.

Then, they persuaded one of the dads to coach and went in to sign up as a team.

They lost the first few games. It took them a while to find their groove and learn to play together. But about half-way through their first season, something clicked. The girls became a team. And they started to win. Even against serious, uniformed teams. Coed teams with tall, competitive boys.

But they have never lost their spirit of fun to the competition. Even when they’re being slammed into a wall by someone twice their size, the parents are laughing because these girls are squealing, giggling, and cheering for each other. Those girls are there for the fun of the game, and it shows.

The two rules they set have never been broken. And after four indoor seasons, their losses can be counted on one hand.

I love to watch these girls play because it makes me look at my own life. Every time they play, I ask myself: will I let competition eat at me until I become crippled? Or will I play for love of the game and know that eventually I’ll find my groove?

Personally, I hate competition. But I love to play—er, um, I mean write. And I’ll happily wear mis-matched neon socks and a home-made tie-dye shirt while I do cartwheels in my back yard if that’s what it takes. Because I am good enough. We all are. And I’ll keep on writing /playing for as long as it takes until I figure out how to win the game.

Who’s with me?

The Linger Trailer is Out!

Okay all you Shiver fans, I know you've been waiting to see this. Check it out.



Yes. I know. Very exciting. Tell me that's not art at it's finest. That's what happens when you put an artist and an author in a bag and shake them up. But I think Maggie was just born that way. Oh to be that talented with scissors!

Can't wait for the release of this one. For real. And now, back to your regularly scheduled blog reading.

PS. You can learn more about Shiver and Linger, or Maggie Stiefvater herself here.

Karma Picks a Winner

Have I ever told you all how I came to believe in Karma? No? Well, I’m not going to get into that right now, because it involves a culmination of years of experience that won’t fit into one blog.

Plus, it would be boring.

But I’m a firm believer in paying it forward because what goes around comes around, you get what you give, and all those other cliché phrases.

I believe there’s truth behind every cliché, and Karma will have her day, even if it takes her twenty years to get to it. So, I try to live my life being conscious, knowing that while what happens to me might be out of my control, how I react and how I treat other people becomes a deciding factor in life.

I believe in Karma, and I’m about to give you a reason to believe, too.

Last Monday I posted a ten-star review of Incarceron, by Catherine Fisher. The blog-ring included more than sixty bloggers, sending out hugs to sixty+ authors. Many of us chose to give away copies of the books that caused us to blog ten-stars in the first place. The mastermind behind the idea was one Elana Johnson, blogger-extraordinaire, author of the dark-side (aka dystopian), query ninja, super-mother, and awesomesauce friend.c

When I posted my contest, I decided that anyone and everyone could enter to win. To enter, each person had to a) follow my blog and b) leave a comment. That was all. I had 47 (a few people got extra points for tweeting or Facebooking) entries. I then used the random generator at the bottom of the right sidebar of this blog by plugging in the numbers starting with one. The generator takes only a split second to choose one random winner, and almost as quickly as I clicked generate, I was given the number 35.

Number 35 = Elana Johnson. (Wish I could find a way to capture that generated number as an image!)

Now, tell me that’s not Karma!

Clapclapclapclapclapcheercheerscreamyellclapclapclapclapcheercheercheerdancecartwheel dancecheer!

Congratulations Elana! I owe you one copy of Incarceron. That is, as soon as I wrestle it away from my oldest son.

Karma strikes again!


*Click here to read about my thoughts on critiques that hurt.

**Don't forget to enter the contest for a $150 advertising package from Your LDS Neighborhood.

Discover Your Gift

Last week, one of my friends, a stay-at-home mother, told me she’s envious because I’ve found the thing I love, my calling in life outside my family. Writing.

I have found it, and I’m grateful for it. But this comment, said in such sweet sincerity, gave me cause for reflection. I haven’t always known writing is my calling. Without casting blame on my parents, I can openly admit that I was raised believing that I would grow up, get married, and become a mother. As a child—and even throughout my teens—it never occurred to me that I would ever need more than that.

But when my youngest child left babyhood behind, I discovered I really did need something else in life. Something that belonged to me, that I could love and nurture and be proud of, but that wasn’t a living breathing being. My husband had his dream career, my children had school and friends. But when I really thought about it, I didn’t do anything that was just for me. I needed something special that could be mine.

So I set out to find that special thing. Luckily, I’ve always loved reading, and had recently rediscovered this love as I worked with my children. As I read, I began to wonder if I could write a story as captivating as those I held in my hands and couldn’t put down. I’m not going to go into all the boring details, so I’ll just say my search snowballed, and I discovered a deep love of the written word and set out to learn the craft. That discovery was one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever been given.

My point is not to tell you how I became a writer, but rather to share a secret with my readers: I believe everyone has a calling in life, and everyone has a special gift.

So how did I respond to my friend’s statement of envy? I told her this: You can do something special, something incredible. All you have to do is figure out what drives you, and then dive into it. You don’t have to wait until your youngest child is in school, or until your oldest graduates and goes off to college, or until your husband retires. You can make this discovery now, or whenever you most need it. And once you do, it will never leave you again.

So go ahead. Step out of your comfort zone. Apply yourself to something you’ve always wanted to do but never dared to try. Be brave. Discover your gift. You won’t be sorry.

Second Contest for This Week: An Advertising Package

The Mormon Mishaps and Mischief  Giveaway and Blog Tour!

In celebration of Mothers, and all they do for us, Mormon Mishaps authors C.L. Beck and D.N. Giles have put together a giveaway in conjunction with a week-long blog tour. If you aren’t interested in winning a fantastic advertising package valued at $150, you can stop reading now.

Wait, you’re still reading. That must mean you want to hear about our prize package, correct? Well. Okay then.

Let me first tell you a little about our sponsors, yourLDSneighborhood.com and YourLDSradio.com.

yourLDSneighborhood.com is an online shopping mall which features innovative products and LDS-based services, and great ideas for your home, all without the worries of questionable content. Shopping categories include Clothing, Music, Preparedness, Family Entertainment, Scrapbooking, Books and Art, Health and Food, Travel and Recreation, Weddings and more! Visit yourLDSneighborhood.com today.

Your LDS Neighborhood Newsletter is a free online newsletter that comes three times a week right to your email inbox. It provides topical stories and insights that set the tone for your day. The newsletter brings you articles, products, services, resources, and interviews from around the world, all with an LDS focus. Sign up today by clicking here!

YourLDSradio.com commits to bringing you the best in LDS Music – all day, every day and it is totally FREE to listen! Make them your web-surfing companion. It's free and easy to use and makes for the perfect online companion. Listen for yourself at yourLDSradio.com!

Okay, and now for the prize!

Your LDS Neighborhood has offered a YEAR LONG advertising package which includes space on the Neighborhood website as well as tiles in the newsletter. Were you to purchase advertising with them, this package would cost $150.

Here’s the best part. You don’t have to be LDS to advertise with the Neighborhood. As long as the business, blog, or product you’re promoting is family friendly, this advertising package will benefit you. Neighborhood ads are viewed daily around the globe, and by thousands of people.

So how do you win?

Entries will be accepted between May 4th and midnight, MST, May 16th. On May 17th, (or as close there about as possible) the winners will be chosen and announced on the LDS Humor blog. Although it's not required for entry, please take a minute to read the Mormon Mishaps and Mischief review/interview I've posted. Then, you must do the following four things to enter (but don't worry, they aren't hard):

1. Follow my blog, here.
2. Leave a comment here, at this blog.
3. Follow the LDS Humor blog.
4. Follow the Your LDS Neighborhood Newsletter blog.

Extra entries:
1. Blog about this contest, then come back and leave either a url address or a link in a comment.
2. Follow me on Twitter. (Bloggers, you can hyperlink this to your twitter page if you’d like, or include your twitter username.) And then tweet the contest. (Make sure to mention this in a comment.)
3. Facebook the contest. If your Facebook page is private, and I’m not your friend, I can’t see that you’ve done this, so you’ll need to friend me.(Same goes here.) Be sure to leave the link to where you've FB'd the contest in a comment.

All of these options can be mentioned in a single comment, and you can enter at all the participating blogs, as long as you follow and leave a comment for those bloggers so they know you love them.

You may enter this contest here, as well as on any of the tour posts at the following blogs:

May 4th Rachelle Christensen
May 4th Shirley Bahlmann
May 5th Karlene Browning
May 5th Heather Gardener, Fire and Ice Book Reviews
May 6th Kellie Buckner
May 6th Rachel Rager
May 7th Shauna Chambers
May 7th Heather Justesen
May 10th LDS Humor Blog
May 10th Keith Fisher
May 11th Tristi Pinkston
May 11th Rebecca Talley
May 12th Taffy Lovell
May 12th Kimberly Job
May 13th Connie Hall
May 13th Ali Cross

To purchase Mormon Mishaps and Mischief click here.

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Spread the Awesome 10 Star Review and Giveaway: Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

My awesomesauce friend, Elana Johnson, had the best idea last month. 60 authors + 60 ten-star books + 60 blog posts about said books (with a few giveaways thrown in) = the Spread the Awesome blogosphere deluge!

If ever you wonder what you should read or what incredible new YA books are on the market this year, this is the best place to find just what you’re looking for. And not only that, some of us are giving copies of these fantastic books away.  Including me.

The catch? You have to read the blogs to find out who is giving what away, and who loves, loves, loves which books. Not that we don’t all love several of the books on this list. These were some seriously tough choices.  Speaking of choices, here’s mine:

INCARCERON

By Catherine Fisher

Imagine a living prison so vast that it contains corridors and forests, cities and seas. Imagine a prisoner with no memory, who is sure he came from Outside, even though the prison has been sealed for centuries and only one man, half real, half legend, has ever escaped.

Imagine a girl in a manor house in a society where time has been forbidden, where everyone is held in a seventeenth century world run by computers, doomed to an arranged marriage that appalls her, tangled in an assassination plot she both dreads and desires.

One inside, one outside.

But both imprisoned.
Imagine a war that has hollowed the moon, seven skullrings that contain souls, a flying ship and a wall at the world's end.

Imagine the unimaginable.

Imagine Incarceron.

Doesn’t the very description just give you chills? And that’s not even the jacket copy. The whole book is beautifully written with an elegant style that is rare in fantasy and dystopian YA novels. And like such rare and engrossing novels, Incarceron ends on a cliff hanger that makes you want to scream “NOOOOOOO!” That is, until the next book in the series is released. Want to know more? Of course you do.

Here’s the real jacket copy:



Incarceron is a prison so vast that it contains not only cells, but also metal forests, dilapidated cities, and vast wilderness. Finn, a seventeen-year-old prisoner, has no memory of his childhood and is sure that he came from Outside Incarceron. Very few prisoners believe that there is an Outside, however, which makes escape seems impossible.
 


And then Finn finds a crystal key that allows him to communicate with a girl named Claudia. She claims to live Outside- she is the daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, and doomed to an arranged marriage. Finn is determined to escape the prison, and Claudia believes she can help him. But they don't realize that there is more to Incarceron than meets the eye. Escape will take their greatest courage and cost more than they know.

I give this book ten stars—even though I don’t really rate books by stars. But I definitely recommend it. This story is worth the read.  But, you say, where can I find a copy? Well, if you don’t want to run out to your local bookstore, or order it online, you can enter my contest. That’s right, I’m giving away my copy of Incarceron (as soon as I can wrestle it away from my son). All you have to do is follow my blog, and leave a comment.

Yep, that’s all. But I suppose if you feel inclined to tweet or Facebook this contest, I’d likewise give you an extra entry for each. Just make sure you leave me a link. You have until midnight, May 8th. I'll announce the winner on Monday, May 10th.

Do you have a favorite ten-star book? I want to know what it is! Please share.

Next blog on the list: Beth Revis reviews Love That Dog by Sharron Creech. Check out her review and find out if she’s giving away a copy of Love That Dog.

You can find the full list of ten-star reviews on Elana Johnson’s recommended reads page. 

**I do not know this author, nor was I given a free copy of this book to review, so my ten-star rating of this title cannot possibly be skewed.