All theTeasers, Just in Time for Release Week

Guys! Next Monday, Water So Deep is released to the world. That is less than a week from now, and this news is just hitting me. Not because I don't pay attention to the calendar, but because I am currently being pulled in so many different directions that it only just now HIT ME.

Six. Days.

EEK!

So for today's (semi-late) post, I am going to share with you all the teasers I have posted on social media thus far. There will be more next week, I assure you. And celebrating. And some possible flash giveaways. But for now, here is your lead up.

And also, in case you haven't seen it, you can read the first chapter of Water So Deep here.

And in case you haven't taken advantage of the introductory pre-order price, you can purchase your copy in all of these places, and by pre-ordering have the book delivered directly to your device on release day.

Amazon

Kobo

iBooks

Goodreads

Nook: Pending

One more little detail. Water So Deep will also be available as a HARD COVER! I am crossing my fingers that it is also available on February 2, but there have been a few minor delays, so I will update this post if that changes. However, there is no pre-order option for that at this time. But in case you're wondering, this is what the jacket will look like.

What do you think? I can hardly wait to see this baby in person and be able to show it off. So if you are a person who loves ink and paper books that you can put on a literal shelf rather than a virtual one, stay tuned. These will be available as soon as possible. Hopefully, hopefully the same day as the ebooks go live!

Thanks for being a part of my journey!

Teaser #1:

Teaser #2:

Teaser #3:

Teaser #4:

The Announcement (In Case You Missed It)

Happy December! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving week last week. This is going to be a repeat of information for those who subscribe to my newsletter, but since I'm excited, I want to make sure I share it everywhere. 

For those who read this blog or follow me on social media, you might have already guessed that while the Descendant series has been my primary focus for the last two years, it has not been my ONLY focus, or my only project.  

The result of one of my many other projects is a BRAND NEW BOOK, which is totally and completely separate from the Descendant series, including its characters, and world. This book (which is the first of a two-book series) is a young adult romantic fantasy called WATER SO DEEP, and will be released to the public in paperback and e-book on February 2. (Why yes, yes that is Groundhog Day!) 

The cover is not included here because it hasn't been released yet, but for those of you who are excited about helping me spread the word about this very exciting new release, I will be sure to post sign up links on my blog and FB page as soon as they are available.

I have to be honest here. Of all the books I've written so far, this one is my personal favorite, and I can't wait to share it with all of you. 

Here is a little teaser blurb that is extremely rough and nowhere near final. Probably.

WATER SO DEEP

Seventeen-year-old Emma Harris is drowning on dry land.

No one knows what’s happening to her, and she’d like to keep her evolution from human to mermaid a secret, but the truth is getting harder and harder to hide. From her adoptive family, from her friends, and especially from the irresistible James Phelps.

Her time in the ocean is spent dodging a possessive merman, while her time on land is split between caring for her special-needs brother and squeezing in every last possible moment of human life. She soon realizes falling for James is unavoidable when he constantly comes to Emma’s rescue and somehow manages to see through her carefully constructed icy facade to the vulnerability she lives with every day. Everything about James makes Emma yearn for a life on land she just can't have.

When Emma’s brother disappears on her watch, James is the only person she trusts to help her save him. But even if they can save her brother, nothing can prevent her return to the sea. Whether she likes it or not, Emma is changing—unable to breathe without yielding to the tide—and it's only a matter of time before she's forced to surrender forever.

Reveals, Releases, and Really Great Friends

A couple weeks ago, I was able to spend a few amazing days with four women who are my best friends in the world. The trip started as a Christmas gift from one person’s husband and then snowballed into a full-blown all-in FAB 5 hoorah: Destination San Antonio, Texas.

In the few days they were here, we did a lot of fun things, including making the very long trek to my house and the nearby beach. But the thing that struck me most—the thing that always strikes me—is that when the five of us get together, it doesn’t matter what we do. Whether we’re treated like royalty in a five-star resort, or stranded overnight in a hotel in an unsavory city because we missed our connecting flight trying to get to that resort, we are always happy to each be in the company of the others.

When the weekend arrived and my friends had departed, I drove home feeling a glow of happiness that can only come from spending time in the company of other women, and I found myself thinking, hoping. Friendships like ours are increasingly rare.

It is my grandest hope that someday my daughters will be as lucky as I have been and build the kind of friendships that fill in the spaces and gaps in each other’s lives. The kind of sisterhood that should be shared, and maybe used in a story someday.

Do you have a unique relationship with someone? Would you write about it?

NEWS UPDATE:

Guys. I know this has been a LONG time in coming. But I finally have a release date for BIRTHRIGHT! Mark your calendars for May 1st, because—hopefully—it should be available for purchase from all your favorite bookstores on that day (and if you're coming to the LDStorymakers conference in Logan, UT in April, I plan to have a FEW advance copies).

But…but…you haven’t seen the cover yet, right? How will you know what it looks like? Don’t worry. The cover is coming very soon. Like, probably in the next few weeks soon. As in…check back on or around *April 10th, when I will be posting both the cover and also a teaser chapter to whet your appetites. Between now and then, expect updates, signups for events and/or contests, and any changes or other news. 

See you soon! 

*Date subject to change, but let's hope it doesn't!

It’s HERE! The Descendant Cover Reveal.

AAAAHHHHH! Can you believe this gorgeous cover? Seriously. I know I’m a teensy bit biased. I mean, LOOK! That’s my name. That character? I created her.

Um. Forgive me. I believe it’s possible I’m overexcited. But still. This is it. The cover for my first published full-length YA fiction novel. This is a day for which I have been waiting for a very, very, way-too-long time.

And now I will stop gushing and let you read the cover copy (which may not actually end up on the cover—but it works for now).

Descendant

Seventeen-year-old Abigail Johnson is Gifted.

Blessed—or cursed—with Sight and Healing, Abby lives an unsettled life, moving from place to place and staying one step ahead of the darkness that hunts her. When she arrives in Jackson, Wyoming, she is desperate to maintain the illusion of normalcy, but she is plagued with visions of past lives mixed with frightening glimpses of her future. Then she meets Kye, a mysterious boy who seems so achingly familiar that Abby is drawn to him like he’s a missing piece of her own soul.

Before Abby can discover the reason for her feelings toward Kye, the darkness catches up to her and she is forced to flee again. But this time she’s not just running. She is fighting back with Kye at her side, and it’s not just Abby’s life at stake.

Now, just FYI, there is no purchase link yet because this book isn’t released until May. You will be able to preorder it sometime in the next few weeks, but if you’re interested and want to keep track, you can always add it to your Goodreads “want to read” list. Talk about it, send yourself reminders, whatever. And also, keep checking back here, where I will be posting teasers and contests and other exclusive activities you won’t want to miss.

Thanks for celebrating with me!    

Find Descendant on Goodreads.

**UPDATE** 
Interested in joining us for the blog tour in May? Sign up here!

Reasons Summer Rocks

I love summer. I love the warm sunshine, driving with my convertible top down, and walking barefooted in the grass. (Just as long as I watch out and don’t step in dogie bombs.) I love the lush green trees in my yard, and the flowering vines creeping up the pergola surrounding my porch. And fresh garden vegetables—even when they’re just tiny plants in the ground. I love the very idea of growing food in my backyard, and the smell of freshly turned soil that comes with it.

You know what else I love? Lying on a chair by the pool and doing nothing more than enjoying the absence of snow and cold. I even love the smell of sunscreen, especially if it’s Hawaiian Tropic brand. *sniffs the air* Aahhhh.

Oh, and parades and fireworks and outdoor craft fairs / art shows. (Which often smell like popcorn, cotton candy and caramel apples—or—barbecue.)

With summer, comes the sound of music as neighbors and friends host backyard parties, and the ice cream man driving up and down the street trying to entice little children into begging their parents to pay a dollar for a Popsicle they’d pay twenty cents for at the grocery store.

Homemade ice cream. Snow cones. Roasted marshmallows. Barbecue sauce. Fresh peas off the vine. Outdoor concerts. All tiny slices of heaven on earth as far as I’m concerned.

Oh yeah, people. Summer’s here. So grab a book and a bottle of sunscreen and take a few days to enjoy it. Because if you live in Utah—like me—it won’t last very long.

What’s your favorite thing about summer?

What's Your Super Power?

I’m writing this book—a sequel for another book I’ve already finished—and some of the characters in it have special gifts, or powers, which are unusual to normal “accepted” human ability. Because of said gifts, most of my characters often feel like complete social misfits with an unfair amount of responsibility for the rest of the cruel world.

After spending so much time with these characters, I can’t help but wonder. If I had a special ability like the ones in my books, what would it be? I know if I got to choose an ability, hands down I’d choose teleportation power so I could zip from place to place in the blink of an eye.

Wanna go to Hawaii for the day? No problem.

Need to see that pyramid in Egypt for research? Sure, why not.

Got a hankerin’ for fresh Maine lobster? Great. On my way.

Watching the food network and want to eat at one of the restaurants featured there? *Blink-blink* “May I take your order please?”

Yeah, that would be the best. Power. Ever. I’d so totally be writing this blog on a beach right now instead of in my bedroom listening to my kids play Xbox in the other room.

What about you? If you could choose one super power, what would it be? Think hard and choose wisely. Your special ability can be anything you can think, but hopefully not completely obvious super-hero-esque-already-been-done type skills.

Because, well, that would be boring.

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.

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?

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.

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.