Scribbled Scraps

Book Review: Faithful, Fit, & Fabulous

2011-12-12T12:57:00.002-07:00

Author: Connie E. Sokol

Author's Website: 8basics.com

Genre: Non-fiction Self-help

About the book:

Filled with humor and "I can relate" life experiences, Faithful, Fit & Fabulous is the ideal life boost--no guilt, no feeling overwhelmed, and no reaching for that pan of brownies. Connie E. Sokol shares gospel principles from scriptures, priceless gems from general conference addresses, and much more along with ways to readily apply them in your busy daily life. Finally focus on priorities while enjoying the process. Goal-setting has never been more simple, fun, and rewarding! Let Faithful, Fit & Fabulous show you how!

My Review:

Lately, I've been at a point in my life where I feel ready for a change. I'm so happily married that I can hardly see straight, I have great kids who for the most part make good choices, I have a great job, yet I still often feel unsettled. I feel this need for personal growth. I'm ready to find my purpose in life and become the person I know that I truly am.

This is exactly what Faithful, Fit & Fabulous is all about. It identifies the following eight areas that profoundly affect our happiness:

Holy Habits

A Personal Life Plan

Being Fit and Fabulous

Finances

Joy in Womanhood

Balance in Motherhood

Organization

Relationships

Sokol focuses one chapter on each of these essential topics. The great thing about the book is that you can start exactly where you are. Pick the chapter that speaks to you and start there! For me it was Balance in Motherhood. I picked up some great ideas and have made some goals to implement them.

The book includes timeless counsel from LDS leaders, but does not come across as overly religious. There's something in it for everyone and I highly recommend it. It is available on Amazon. You can also learn more about the author at her website, 8basics.com where she has many other resources for getting back to the basics and transforming your life.

Book Review: No Holly for Christmas

2011-11-13T21:52:00.001-07:00

Author: Julie N. Ford

Author's Website: JulieNFord.com

Genre: Romantic Suspense

About the book:

As Brian McAlister struggles to move past being jilted not once, but twice by the only woman he's ever loved, he's all but given up on relationships. Then, on special assignment for the DA's office, he crosses paths with ex-socialite turned social worker, Holly Cavanaugh Winter-and romance blossoms. Widowed, practically penniless, and reduced to shopping at WalMart, Holly is dreading the approaching Holiday Season. However, her angst isn't due to her husband's untimely death the previous December 25th, but because of a secret that could reveal itself unless she can find a way to avoid the coming Christmas. Love at first sight quickly turns frigid for Brian and Holly when Holly gets pulled into a manhunt for an accused murderer who now has his sights set on her. His case unraveling, Brian finds himself tasked with keeping Holly and her two daughters safe while bringing an assassin and the powerful man who hired him to justice. A heart-warming story of suspense, healing, giving and receiving, No Holly for Christmas is the perfect addition to everyone's holiday reading list.

My Review:

No Holly for Christmas is not your traditional feel good Christmas story, but it's definitely an engaging read. In my opinion, characterization is the strongest element of the story. The two main characters each had unique personality quirks that made them authentic and appealing. I enjoyed seeing their growth throughout the book. The supporting characters were also well-portrayed and a valuable addition. The romantic elements were well-developed, including obstacles to be overcome, and some heart-racing sexual tension between the characters.

I thought the pacing of the story could have been somewhat improved. I was over 100 pages into the story before I felt like I couldn't put it down and wanted to read more. But, overall, I would definitely recommend the book, and look forward to reading more by Julie N. Ford.

To learn more about the author, please visit her website and blog. No Holly for Christmas can be purchased on Amazon.

Book Review: Six Weeks to Skinny Jeans

2011-11-05T13:54:00.002-06:00

Author: Amy Cotta

Author's Website: www.amycotta.tv

Publication Date: December 2011

Publisher: Rodale

About the Book:

We all have a pair: those frumpy, roomy, "fat jeans" we reach for when a few (or more than a few) extra pounds have banished our favorite "skinny jeans" to the back of the closet. Well, get ready to toss those fat jeans, because personal trainer and fitness expert Amy Cotta is here to help you tone up, slim down, and stay motivated until you can shimmy back into those sexy skinny jeans for good.Cotta believes that the key to skinny jeans success is threefold: diet, exercise, and attitude. Her 6-week eating plan trims fast-burning carbohydrates for the first 3 weeks, ignites weight loss, then reintroduces and manages those carbs for the second half of the plan. Her graduated fitness plan offers three styles of cardio and strength-training exercises that get progressively more challenging to keep you from getting bored or hitting a plateau while you sculpt those curves. Both plans are simple to follow in your own home--no gym, fancy equipment, or expensive food deliveries required--and there are calendars, food logs, and meal plans to help you stay upbeat and organized. Packed with dynamic, down-to-earth strategies, Six Weeks to Skinny Jeans will inspire you to take control of your lifestyle and feel younger, sexier, and fitter than ever before.

My review:

I love reading books about fitness and nutrition. I really enjoyed Six Weeks to Skinny Jeans. It is full of helpful information and inspiring real-life stories. Amy Cotta starts out with her own personal story which gives her credibility. Cotta's three tier-philosophy to fitness includes diet, exercise, and attitude (DEA). She argues that with only one or two of these elements you can make a small change temporarily, but that all three are required for long-term success.

The book is set up to read week-by-week. Each week includes elements from Cotta's DEA philosophy, as well as a detailed action plan, workout schedule, and checklist to complete at the end of the week to track your progress.Perhaps the most unique thing about the Six Weeks to Skinny Jeans plan are the workouts. First, they are designed to be completed at home, so anyone can do it. All you need is a pair or dumbbells or a resistance band. Three workouts are included: blast, firm, and burn. The book includes photos of each exercise, and suggestions are given to make them easier or harder based on your own fitness level. There is also a stretching routine Cotta calls The Daily Lube to help prevent muscle soreness and to thank your body for all of its hard work.

I've read a lot of fitness books and was pleasantly surprised with all the new information presented in Six Weeks to Skinny Jeans. It's definitely worth adding to your fitness library. The book promises that you'll drop two pant sizes in six weeks by following the plan. Unfortunately, for me, two pant sizes still doesn't equate to "skinny jeans." But progress, not perfection, right?

Six Weeks to Skinny Jeans will be released December 20, 2011. It is now available for pre-order on Amazon. Learn more about the book and register to win a copy by visiting Six Weeks to Skinny Jeans on facebook. You can also join the Amy Cotta Challenge.

For more health and fitness information, visit my new blog at happyandfitby40.com.

The best present EVER!!

2011-10-31T21:42:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was my birthday. I'm not a huge fan of birthdays, and even less a fan of presents. I'm not really sure why. Perhaps it's because one thing I hate more than anything is being the center of attention. But this year I received the best present EVER! My oldest daughter made me a book. You'll see as we move further into this journey how much I love books. But this wasn't just any kind of book. It was a book all about me! She titled it 100 Reasons . . .

It was a list of 100 things that she loves about me. Now, seriously, what parent of a teenager thinks their child could come up with 100 things? That being said, my daughter is not really your typical teen. She doesn't talk back, disobey, or be respectful. In fact, I don't think we even got in any kind of disagreement until a couple years ago. And even then, it wasn't severe.I won't bore you with the whole list of 100, but here are some of my favorite:

I can talk to you about anything.
You're sensitive to my being sensitive.
You help me learn to love myself.
You always remind me that everything happens for a reason.
You taught me what real beauty is.
You don't get mad when I butcher vegetables when we are making dinner.
You've shared your love of books with me.
You say sorry even when it's hard.
You've helped me learn how to be independent.

What a great kid! She's such a blessing in my life.

Now, you are probably wondering how all of this applies to you, right? I'm sure that each of you have people in your life who give you compliments, or tell you good things about yourself. A few months ago, I started a folder in my email titled, "Feel Good Emails." Anytime I receive something that uplifts my spirit, whether it's directed specifically at me, or just feel good information, I drop it into that folder. I even move all my favorite text messages into it. On days when I need a pick-me-up, I read through that folder. Sounds kind of hokey, but it really helps! Try it and let me know how it works.

What do you do on days when you need your spirits lifted?

Deal of the Day - 3D Photos!

2011-10-04T10:51:00.000-06:00

Your Photos...now in 3D!

Today's deal features one of the hottest trends right now...3D photo gifts from Snapily! These are not your typical greeting card. Instead, Snapily uses lenticular printing that simulate 3D effects and animated images! These products are not available anywhere else and feature two of the most unique offerings...

1) Personalized 3D products...no glasses required. The images on the page jump out at you!

2) Animated /Motion photo gifts...where 2 images are displayed in the space of a single picture. This is great for before /after, siblings, naughty/nice, and when you can't decide which picture you love best!

This is your chance to stock up on these great products! From greeting cards, t-shirts and even ornaments and a GREAT price!

Today's Deal of the Day: $9 for $20 of products at Snapily.com

*Deal will end 10/5/11 at 11:59pm MST

*Shipping not included
*Coupon valid for 6 months from purchase date

*Limit of 3

*One coupon redeemable per transaction

What a fun way to send your Christmas cards this year! Click here to order yours now.

The Story of My Life

2011-10-02T18:23:00.000-06:00

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters
By Portia Nelson

Chapter 1

I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in
I am lost . . . I am helpless
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter 2

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in the same place.
But, it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter 3

I walk down the same street
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in . . . it’s a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

Chapter 4

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter 5

I walk down another street.

Luckily, I think I'm in Chapter 4. I can't wait to see what Chapter 5 brings!

Book Review: The Alias

2011-10-02T18:19:00.000-06:00

Author: Mandi Tucker Slack

Genre: Suspense

Authors' Website: http://heyyouslackers.blogspot.com/

About the Book:

Jacey Grayson is an average, young, divorced mother struggling to build a new life for her son, Blaze. But when the FBI discloses some disturbing information about her ex-husband, Jacey's life becomes anything but average. At the risk of losing her identity, her future, and her heart, Jacey and Blaze flee to Utah, hoping to hide and start over once again. But no matter how far she runs or who she pretends to be, her past is always lurking nearby, bringing old fears with it. Thrilling action and a suspenseful plot make this novel an edge-of-your-seat read.

My opinion:

I was very interested in reading The Alias. It tackles the subject of domestic abuse, which is what my 2010 release, I'll Know You by Heart, was about. It's always interesting to see how another author approaches a similar type of story.

The Alias is a true-to-life look at the emotions and fears that are inevitable as someone tries to escape an abusive situation. I loved Jacey's character and found myself empathizing with her situation. Mandi did a great job with pacing throughout this story. The book catches your attention in the very first chapter and is hard to put down.

I appreciated the growth evident in Jacey and her son, Blaze. Their experiences as they carved a new life for themselves were realistic and touching. As a mother, I understood Jacey's desire to protect her son at all costs. If you like a story that includes some heart-racing suspense as well as personal growth of the characters, I highly recommend The Alias.

To learn more about Mandi Tucker Slack, please visit her website. The Alias is available for purchase on Amazon. The Kindle edition is only $3.99 which is a great price for an LDS book!

Book Review: The Key of Kilenya

2011-09-30T21:10:00.000-06:00

Author: Andrea Pearson

Genre: YA Fantasy

Authors' Website: http://www.kilenyaseries.com

About the Book:

When two vicious wolves chase fourteen-year-old Jacob Clark down a path from our world into another, his life is forever changed. He has no idea they have been sent by the Lorkon--evil, immortal beings who are jealous of powers he doesn't know he possesses--powers they desire to control.
The inhabitants of the new world desperately need Jacob's help in recovering a magical key that was stolen by the Lorkon and is somehow linked to him. If he helps them, both our world and theirs will be in danger. The Lorkon will stop at nothing to unleash the power of the key--and Jacob's special abilities.

My Review:

I was excited to get the opportunity to read this debut novel from author, Andrea Pearson. Let me preface my comments by saying that I'm not a huge fan of fantasy. I think it's because I don't like thinking outside the box and having to keep all the details of another, unfamiliar, world straight in my head.

The Key of Kilenya was a refreshing change of pace from my normal reading. While it did involve a new world, and a variety of strange characters, it also included references to things with which I am familiar, like the NBA, cell phones, etc., so it was easier for me to relate to the story , and especially the main character, Jacob. He was no different than any other 14 year old I know. Okay, there are a few significant differences, but I'll let you discover those for yourself by reading the book.

I'm always amazed at the ingenuity of fantasy writers because my mind just does not think that way. Andrea included many very creative elements in her book, like the glowing blue ring fingers, bears with human hands, mud bubbles, and more.

In my opinion, the Key of Kilenya is perfect for the younger YA reader. It's a story full of adventure and twists and turns. As a mother, it's refreshing to know there are authors writing fantasy, like The Key of Kilenya, that is not dark and depressing. And now that I'm done with it, I can't wait to turn it over to my son.

If you'd like to learn more about Andrea Pearson and her upcoming books in this fun series, please visit her website.

The Key of Kilenya can be purchased here.

Deal of the Day!

2011-09-28T13:32:00.000-06:00

What's at the bottom of your purse, backpack or laptop bag? Probably everything but the kitchen sink! Today's deal eliminates the "fumbling around your purse trying to find your lipstick/lotion/bandaid" problem!

PAK (Personal Accessories Kit) comes LOADED with all the must have essentials that YOU need.

Each PAK comes stocked with personal-care products and first-aid accessories, all designed to fit inside convenient kits sized for suitcases, gym bags, and purses. Available in three sizes and two colors, the PAK can carry myriad grooming trinkets, each slotted into its own retaining loop to prevent clutter, spillage, and inter-accouterment mingling.

More than 30 items come in the largest PAK ($50), from tweezers and nail clippers to bandages and a set of five miniature toiletry bottles. The vessels come prefilled-with body mist, hair spray, lotion, hand sanitizer, and breath spray-but boast screw tops and wide openings for easy refilling with your favorite products!

The midsize mini PAK ($40) stows 23 goodies, and the wallet-sized micro PAK ($30) holds 16 on-the-go essentials. All three models feature a transparent window, perfect for displaying a driver's license or a wallet-size snapshot!

Today's Deal of the Day: $25 for $50 at thePAKstore.com

Click here to make a purchase or learn more!

That means you can SNAG these MUST have kits for 50% off! These are PERFECT gifts for the holiday season...from your hard to buy for mother-in-law, to your babysitter...everyone NEEDS a PAK of their own! And with three different sizes, there is a PAK for everyone!

*Deal will end 9/30/11 at 11:59pm MST

*Offer valid only to address in the U.S.

*Refill (RePAK) items not included in promotion

*Shipping not included
*Texas Residents 8.25% sales tax at checkout

Book Review: Hang 'Em High

2011-09-28T08:47:00.000-06:00

Author: Tristi Pinkston

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Authors' Website: http://www.tristipinkston.com

About the Book:

When Ida Mae Babbitt receives an invitation to visit her son Keith's dude ranch in Montana, she's excited to mend their broken relationship, but not so excited about spending time with cows. Arlette and Tansy go along with her, ready to take a vacation that does not involve dead bodies or mysteries of any sort - one must have a break from time to time. But it seems a no-good scoundrel has moseyed into Dodge City and is bent on causing all sorts of trouble for the ranch. Unable to keep her curiosity in check - especially when it seems her own son is the most likely culprit - Ida Mae decides to investigate. Can she lasso the varmint and get him to the sheriff in time?

My Review:
First of all, for those who don't already know, a cozy mystery is a book involving a crime solver (generally a woman) who is an amateur sleuth. It usually takes place in a small setting where the suspects know each other, and with characters you could envision as neighbors or friends. The amateur sleuth is a likable character who is usually not taken very seriously. Cozies are often written in a series, giving the reader time to fall in love with the characters. Tristi Pinkston has accomplished all of this and more in her Secret Sisters mystery series.

Hang 'Em High is the third book in the series. It's a fun read as Ida Mae and her cohorts, Arlette and Tansy, visit a Montana dude ranch. In no time at all, they're sleuthing around trying to solve a mystery before it's too late.

The reader can't help falling in love with these little old ladies and their hilarious antics as they unknowingly gets themselves into difficult situations. The book is humorous, and I found myself chuckling throughout the entire thing. Hang 'Em High also includes some tender moments between Ida Mae and her son, Keith. I think this is what made it my favorite book in the series so far, as it added depth to the story.

Tristi Pinkston is an outstanding author. She has a well-developed voice and is an expert at characterization. Throw in her amazing sense of humor, and you'll wish her stories extended far beyond the last page. But lucky for you, there are two more books in the series which will be published soon.

Hang 'Em High can be purchased online at Deseret Book or Amazon.

Tristi is seriously one of the most talented people I know. Not only is she a succesful author, but she's the mother of four beautiful children whom she homeschools, a cheerleader (no, not the short skirt and pom-poms kind) and friend, and the most awesome editor around! I know because she was mine. If you are a writer or know one, please read the details about Tristi's contest below. She's giving away an amazing prize.

Contest Details:

To celebrate the release of Tristi's eighth book, she's holding a contest! If you leave a comment on this review, you will be entered into a drawing for a free manuscript evaluation, done by Tristi Pinkston Editing http://www.tristipinkstonediting.blogspot.com In fact, you can leave comments on all the blogs participating in this virtual book tour! Go to Tristi Pinkston's blog at http://www.tristipinkston.blogspot.com for a list. The deadline is October 5th at midnight MST. If you win and you're not a writer, you can give this evaluation to a friend.

Book Review: The Crazy Daze of Motherhood

2011-04-16T11:04:00.000-06:00

Author: Jane Isfeld Still

Publication Date: August 2010

Authors' Website: http://www.janeisfeldstill.com

About the Book:

A mother's day is filled with all kinds of emergencies, from bumps and bruises to hospital stays. Find the perfect way to recover from your own family's little emergencies with Jane Isfeld Still's latest book on the hilarious daily challenges of a mother in the fray. You're sure to laugh and cry as you celebrate the joys of motherhood.

About the Author:

Jane is married to Rick Still, who she believes has the distinction of being the only man in history brave enough to give her earwax candles for her birthday. They had six children in eight years, and while her children were growing up, she discovered she had a great sense of humor. At least that was her take. Rick once said to her, "Honey, you know all those real corny things you say all the time? Who ever thought you could make money at it?" Her son Adam once told her, "Mom could you please stop telling jokes to my friends? It's really embarrassing." One of Jane's philosophies is, "You're not doing your job unless your children are worried about being seen in public with you.

My Opinion:

I have ten kids myself, so the stories in The Crazy Days of Motherhood seemed all too familiar. Jane has a delightful sense of humor as she recounts some of her experiences with motherhood. Her lighthearted look at the foibles of motherhood made me decide not to take myself so seriously. Jane's positive attitude about life shines through in every story. I loved it!

This book was so much fun to read. It would be the perfect Mother's Day gift for the women in your life and is sure to put a smile on their faces.

Fun Stuff:

You can win a fun prize from Jane to help celebrate the release of her book. Just go to her blog at http://www.janeisfeldstill.blogspot.com and become a follower, and then leave her a comment and tell her that you're a new follower. You could win:

1. Mother's Daze basket, soap, chocolate, lotion, decorative candles, and recipe cards

2. Box of blank cards with a smattering of Canadian chocolate

3. Chocolate

Book Review: Journey of Honor

2011-03-06T22:17:00.001-07:00

Author: Jaclyn M. Hawkes

Genre: Historical Romance

Publication Date: August 2010

Authors' Website: http://www.jaclynmhawkes.com

About the Book:

Disowned, she came to America anyway. Attacked and left pregnant by a vicious mob, she still pressed on. Finally, in spite of being accused of theft by the vilest of her attackers, Giselle tries to remain as upbeat and uncomplaining as a prairie wildflower as she travels on to Zion.Thoroughly disillusioned with the ugliness and cruelty of slavery in the South, Trace Grayson leaves his young medical career to go west, hoping to leave bigotry and hatred behind. He begins taking goods by teamster train to sell in the territories. However, this fourth time across, in July of 1848, he’s stuck in St. Joseph, Missouri, waiting for enough wagons to join the train so that they can leave.Knowing that if they don’t start west soon, they’ll be caught by snow in the mountains, Trace is thrilled when the final wagon signs on. Then, when the beautiful, young Dutch girl traveling with the last wagon is falsely accused of stealing and is detained, the whole trip is jeopardized. Thrown together by circumstance, Trace and Giselle team up to begin to figure out just how to make this epic journey across a continent a success.With a deep sense of honor and an equally strong sense of humor, together they learn to deal with everything except the one trial that neither of them can overcome.

My opinion:

I love stories about relationships. It's what I write, and my favorite thing to read. That being said, historical romance is usually not my favorite genre. However, Journey of Honor was a delightful read. I've read a lot of pioneer stories, so I picked this book up expecting it to be heavy. It's not. The book follows the story of two young people who are thrown into a situation they probably would not have chosen, but they both make the best of it.

The most delightful thing about this story is its characters. The main characters are well developed and very likeable. My favorite supporting character is Mose, Trace's best friend. I loved how the author showed a secret that he and Giselle shared and the way he kept that secret while still being loyal to both of them.

The book drags a little bit as we read about the daily life on a pioneer trek over and over. They get up, cook, drive for the day, make dinner, and go to bed. There is some action interspersed throughout, but also a lot of repetition. I also feel the book could have benefitted from a good edit. There were a lot of point of view switches mid-scene and quite a few repetetive words.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by Journey of Honor. The author did a great job showing the building relationship between Giselle and Trace. I definitely wanted to keep reading to see how their relationship progressed. It's an interesting story that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.

To learn more about the author, please visit her website. You can purchase Journey of Honor here.

Perfect Just the Way I Am

2011-01-30T16:38:00.000-07:00

Well, January is almost over, and my New Year's Resolutions have officially been broken! I started out the new year with grand ideas of what I was going to accomplish this year. They were the usual things--be better, thinner, more organized, and just a wee bit closer to perfect. It didn't take long for me to fall short of these ideals and feel like giving up.

I seriously struggle with perfection. If I can't doing something perfect, or at least better than most, I don't want to do it at all. This causes me a TON of frustration and feelings of inadequacy.

I was discussing this with my critique group, and my friend Nichole asked, "Who are you trying to impress?" I've thought a lot about that question since then. The answer I came up with is that I'm simply trying to feel good about myself. Several childhood experiences caused me to doubt my own worth and so I'm continually trying to prove that I'm worthwhile.

Like another friend told me, I've finally decided to just "Stop it!" I've been reading a lot about personal motivation, happiness, and change. I've discovered that I'm perfect and worthwhile just the way I am. Let me repeat that . . .

I'm perfect and worthwhile just the way I am.

And so are you!!

I think it's time that we all resolve to accept and love ourselves exactly where we are. Without all the improvements that we could doubtless make, without the pressure to be better. Without the voice of our mother, or father, or third grade teacher that we carry in our head. What a concept, to just be at peace with who and what we are right now.

Does this mean that we should remain stagnant or refuse to make changes that would benefit our lives? Not at all! It simply means loving yourself now! As President Gordon B. Hinckley said, "You are doing better than you think you are."

I've decided that 2011 is going to be the year of me. I'm bound and determined to learn to love myself this year. I'll let you know how it goes.

The day will come when the risk it takes to remain tight inside the bud is more painful than the risk it takes to bloom.

Book Review: The Stone Traveler by Kathi Oram Peterson

2010-09-05T15:04:00.000-06:00

Author: Kathi Oram Peterson

Genre: LDS Fiction
Publication Date: August 2010

Author's Website: http://www.kathiswritingnook.com/

First Sentence: I watched as Kei tried to outrun my men.

About the book:

Sixteen year old Tag can't believe he's in this much trouble. He's not actually a member of the gang known as the Primes, all he did was spray paint some graffiti that caught their attention. In all honesty, ever since his dad and brother left, Tag just wants to be alone. And it's certainly not his fault that the Primes nearly beat up his goofy cousin, Ethan. But his mom is furious about these gang-related activities and insists that Tag send the whole summer at his grandpa's lakeside cabin, which is not Tag's idea of a good time. So he does what any self-respecting teenager would do: run away. But he doesn't get far before he encounters three strange men carrying an even stranger object, a stone that glows with radiant light as bright as a thousand sparklers.

Tag doesn't steal the stone, not exactly. He feels like he is supposed to take it. But he doesn't expect the stone to transport him through space and time to a place he's never seen before, a place that looks an awful lot like the ancient lands described in the Book of Mormon. And he definitey doesn't expect to join Sabirah, the entrancing daughter of Samuel the Lamanite, on a quest to rescue her father and brother from the evil King Jacob. And he absolutely doesn't expect to be captured by Jacob's minions and prepared as a sacrifice to the evil idol of the city. But just as Tag faces his death, a terrible storm begins to break, and the ground cracks into jagged pieces. And he's not sure which event will impact his life more: his captor's knife coming at his body, the violent tempest sweeping the land... or the men who later appear, glowing even more brightly than the traveler's stone.

My opinion:

I was excited to get the opportunity to read and review Kathi Oram Peterson's new novel, The Stone Traveler. I have read and enjoyed Kathi's previous books, and this one was the best yet. I was endeared to the characters, but especially Tag (love that name) from the very beginning. I identified with him right away from Kathi's vivid description: "She eyed me up and down, taking in my freckled face, formerly red hair now dyed jet black, black eyeliner, black nail polish, black T-shirt, and black baggy jeans with chains dangling from the pockets." Then we see another side of Tag from his mother's perspective. "Tag, you might dye your hair and paint your face, but you can't change your blue eyes." Both of these snippets describe the complex character Peterson has created. In the book you follow Tag's journey into another time and place, and watch as he discovers who he really is and realizes his own worth.

Throughout the book, the story is told from two different points of view. The author switches between the two and has done a fantastic job of giving each character their own voice. I also enjoyed the Book of Mormon elements of the story. It brought the ancient characters to life without feeling like it was just another scripture story. While the intended audience is young adult, I think The Stone Traveler will appeal to adult readers as well. I know I was enthralled in the story and didn't want to put it down.

To learn more about Kathi's other books, and to follow her blog tour, please visit her website. She is holding an AMAZING contest with many fun prizes including a Kindle!! To read details about the contest, click here.

Book Review: Trapped by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

2010-08-20T18:38:00.002-06:00

Author: Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

Genre: Paranormal Suspense

Publication Date: April 2010

Author's Website: http://www.rondahinrichsen.com/

First Sentence: Secrets thrive in my family.

About the Book:

Her expression remained somber, but excitement crept into her voice. You are the Firstborn She...You must go to them. You want me to act as bait? Not bait, Emi. A spy. Our Trojanhorse. When Emi Warrin wakes one night to find a thief in her mother's house, she has no idea the intruder has planted a trap - a mysterious letter that will change her life forever.Lured to the Austrian Alps with Daniel, the man she loves, Emi is thrown into a perilous, mafia-like world of feuding families and a devastating curse that spans generations. As the Firstborn She - the only firstborn female in hundreds of years - only Emi can free her family from the cursethat will soon afflict her as well. But for Emi to break the curse, she must delve into evil designs. As Emi struggles to understand her destiny as the Firstborn She, she learns that everything isn't as it seems and that all choices have consequences.Can Emi break the curse before it's too late?

I have been intrigued with the books written by Ronda Hinrichsen ever since I saw the cover of her first novel, Missing, so I was excited to get the opportunity to review Trapped. Suspense starts on the first page and continues throughout the story. There were a few places where I had a hard time following what was happening, but the pacing and intrigue held my attention and made it hard to put the book down.

I also enjoyed the paranormal aspects of the story which took me by surprise. The romantic element was present, but was not overpowering. Overall, Trapped was a very engaging read, and I highly recommend it. I look forward to reading more from this author.

The publisher will be giving away THREE autographed copies!

All you have to do is leave a comment (along with your email address if it isn'ton your blog profile) and answer the following question. Which Austrian city would you most like to visit?

The more blogs you comment on, the more entries you'll receive. All comments must be left by midnight MST on August 27th to be eligible.

August 9 Heather Gardner
August 10 Jewel Adams

August 11 Mary Greathouse

Teri Rodeman

August 12 Lynn Fowlstone

Christine Bryant

August 13 Valerie Ipson

Sheila Stayley

August 16 Deanne Blackhurst

August 17 Connie Hall

C.S. Bezas

August 18 Kimberly Job

Tristi Pinkston

August 19 Karen Hoover

Nichole Giles

August 20 Alison Palmer

Jessica Williams

August 23 Joyce DiPastena

Laurie Lewis

Book Review: Leaning Into the Curves

2010-07-19T09:10:00.001-06:00

Authors: Nancy Anderson & Carroll Hofeling Morris

Genre: General Fiction

Publication Date: April 2010

Authors' Website: http://www.virtualsisters.net/

First Sentence: Saturday breakfast on Monday was Molly's first clue that life after her husband's retirement really was going to be different.

About the Book:

Molly is happy with her life the way it is, taking the classes she loves and performing with the Fiddling Finleys. But everything changes when her husband, Hank, retires. She's still trying to adjust to this new phase of her life when he brings home a Honda Gold Wing--even though he knows she hates motorcycles! Things go from bad to worse when he joins the Temple Riders Association, a "Mormon motorcycle gang" that combines road trips with temple work.

Faced with the prospect of being left hebind when Hank rides with his rew friends, Molly starts making some changes of her own.

Leaning into the Curves offers a delightful view of a little-known group of faithful Latter-day Saints. Full of appealing characters and unexpected turns, it gives a new twist to what life can be like after "a certain age"!

My Opinion:

Having read their Company of Good Women series, I was excited to read and review Leaning into the Curves by Nancy Anderson and Carroll Hofeling Morris. My first impression based on the cover (love it!) was positive and the story inside did not disappoint.

I love stories about relationships. It's what I write and my favorite thing to read. In Leaning into the Curves we follow Molly's and Hank's relationship through a transtionary stage of their lives as Hank retires and upsets Molly's normal busy routine.

The story presented a very real view of how couples work through issues on which they might not see eye-to-eye. I think in marriage it is important to support and learn about the things that interest your spouse. Although difficult for her, Molly overcomes her fear of motorcycles and grows closer to her husband in the process. I learned much from this story and it gave me a desire to nurture the important relationships in my own life.

I think this book will probably appeal more to people who are in the same stage of life as the characters, but it has life lessons that will benefit anyone who reads it.

To learn more about the authors and read about their recent adventures at the Temple Riders Association motorcylce rally, visit their blog.

Leaning into the curves can be purchased at Deseret Book, DeseretBook.com, and select bookstores throughout the country.

Book Review: Rebound by Heather Justesen

2010-06-14T14:54:00.001-06:00

Genre: LDS Fiction

Publication Date: June 2010

Author's Website: http://www.heatherjustesen.com/

First Sentence(s): John tuned out the babbling of the other realtors from outside his office door and focused on the computer screen. If things went well that evening, he'd have to buy himself a celebratory present.

About the book:

Lily's life is perfect--a perfect lie.

With a successful husband, a gorgeous home, and a growing family, Lily Drake has it all. But when the FBI shows up, she realizes her husband is not the man she thought he was.

Meanwhile, Lily's friend Curtis is about to be drafted by the NBA, but he suddenly feels pulled to find his birth family, and no one is prepared for what he'll discover. With so many obstacles in their way, Lily and Curtis must learn to rely on each other if they're ever going to find peace and learn to love again.

In this heartwarming family drama, Heather Justesen, author of The Ball's in Her Court, weaves a stirring story of hope. Reunite with your favorite characters and discover how determination, love, and faith can overcome even the toughest trials.

My opinion:

Rebound is Heather Justesen's second novel, and it's even better than her first. Although it's not a sequel to The Ball's in Her Court, it does include some of the same characters. I was riveted from the first page as I traveled along the emotional roller coaster with Lily, the main character. It's the story of a woman who learns a disturbing secret her husband has been keeping from her. As the lies continue to add up, she finds herself pregnant and alone.

Through the support of loving family and friends, and sheer determination, Lily is able to find her way to happiness. Also woven throughout Rebound is the story of Lily's friend, Curtis. He feels pulled to find his birth family, and no one is prepared for what he discovers. Despite all the obstacles in their way, Lily and Curtis learn to rely on each other, and eventually learn to love again.

Heather has a unique voice and always includes clean but touching love scenes and humor throughout her books. You will go from laughing to crying and back again. I loved this story, and highly recommend it.

To learn more about the author and her upcoming projects, visit her blog and website. She is also holding a fun giveaway on her blog with lots of great prizes from June 21-25. Be sure to check it out!

Rebound can be purchased on Amazon, at Costco, and local bookstores.

Kisses for Amy

2010-06-02T15:21:00.001-06:00

Blogging has changed my life. I have met so many amazing men and women who share their lives through their blog. Today my heart was touched by Amy Jackson.

This is Amy, a 36 year old mother of six.

On April 15th, 2010, she was diagnosed with a rare and terminal cancer: Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma. Without treatment, she was given 1-3 weeks to live.

Visit this amazing woman's blog, Kisses for Amy, to read about her journey as she makes preparations to leave this earth and her family for a season. Surrounded by her family and friends, she is determined to face her future with faith, hope, courage and love.

She has shared some inspiring words of wisdom that are even more poignant coming from someone with her perspective.

"As I sit here in the early morning hours, I think of all the little things that I may have always taken for granted. These are things you never recognize until you come to the realization that the day may come soon that those little things may no longer be available to you to be a part of. This morning I spent almost an hour brushing and styling Lindsey's hair. I am sure that she probably hated almost every minute of it and the poor things hair really wasn't that fancy of a do, for having spent an hour being tortured. What she may never realize is how important that hour was to me and how much I appreciated being able to do that. It is incredible to me how important such a little task seems to me now as I am faced with the thoughts that I will not be here to do such simple tasks for my children in the future." ~Amy

You can learn more about this amazing family at Kisses for Amy. They were also featured on KSL television this week.

When I learn about trials like these, I'm so grateful for an eternal perspective. It is such a blessing.

Book Review: Awakening Avery by Laurie Lewis

2010-06-01T23:26:00.002-06:00

Genre: Women's Fiction

Publication Date: April 2010

Author's Website: www.laurielclewis.com

First Sentence: Everyone knew it was inevitable--everyone but Avery Elkins Thompson herself.

After reading the Free Men and Dreamers historical fiction series by Laurie (L.C.) Lewis, I was excited to read Awakening Avery, her latest novel. I was engaged in the story from the opening scene where Avery, the main character, takes out her anger over her husband’s death on anything she can find, including a television and VCR. I immediately wanted to know more about the kind of relationship that would make her feel so passionate and out of control.

About the book:

"You're depressed," the doctor declared.

"Ya think?" is author Avery Elkins Thompson's sarcastic response to the astute diagnosis for the malaise that set in following her husband's untimely death. Avery's carefully controlled world is imploding, and her adult children fear they are losing her too.

"You're just a shadow of the person you used to be...We'd gladly give you up for a while if it meant getting you back."

Avery can't write, and questions about their father's death leave the family mired in pain. "We need a healing place," her oldest son tells her, suggesting she find it on Anna Maria Island, Florida, a former family vacation spot.

When Avery returns to Baltimore to sell the family's waterfront condo, she meets rodeo-ers-turned-real-estate-brokers Teddie and Rider Davis, and Avery's quiet life will never be the same again.

The Davises help arrange a short-term house swap with widower Gabriel Carson from Anna Maria, whose overprotective parenting has resulted in two self-centered, twenty-something daughters. Avery and Gabriel are in for the summer of their lives as they step into one another's messy, complicated worlds.

Still, venturing out on her own again is challenging for Avery, whose experiences at the Ringling's magnificent Ca d'Zan mansion, and with the quirky characters she meets there, eventually awaken her to truths she has long forgotten - that as crazy as life can be, it is possible to laugh and love again.

My opinion:
Lewis has created authentic characters with distinct personalities. I identified with the emotions of each of her children as they struggled with their own feelings about their father’s untimely death, as well as how to support and love their mother through something so difficult.

The pacing of the story was well done. Avery’s journey to rediscover herself was present, but never felt rushed or as though something magical was sweeping her very real problems away. I’m not sure if the author has experienced the death of a closed loved one, but she portrayed the feelings of such a heartbreaking event perfectly.

Awakening Avery is a thought provoking book that will tug at your heartstrings. It is a novel unlike any other I’ve read, and I highly recommend it.

2nd Annual "Summer Treasure Hunt"

2010-05-31T23:31:00.001-06:00

Welcome to the second annual “Summer Treasure Hunt: Dig for Clues and Win” Contest! Last year, some of my author friends 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, and this year I get to participate…only this time we’ve gathered together enough prizes to last through the first week of July!

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

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: http://www.laurielclewis.com/
USA ENTRIES ONLY

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

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: http://www.jennadawlish.com/
OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

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

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: http://www.somesecretshurt.com/
USA ENTRIES ONLY

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: http://www.daniellethorne.jimdo.com/
USA ENTRIES ONLY

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 ENTIRES

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

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: http://www.angela-morrison.com/
OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

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

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

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: http://www.rebeccatalleywrites.blogspot.com/
USA ENTRIES ONLY

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

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 13th 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

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: http://www.rebeccairvine.blogspot.com/
USA ENTRIES ONLY

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: http://www.mrbunderson.blogspot.com/
USA ENTRIES ONLY

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

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: http://www.nicholegiles.blogspot.com/
USA ENTRIES ONLY

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

June 21
SPONSOR: Lynn Parsons, co-author of the soon-to-be-released non-fiction book: (dis)Abilities and the Gospel
PRIZE: A pair of hand-knit socks
QUESTION: What are three of the topics I list on the parent page of my website? (Look on “Parent Page” tab)
WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.lynndparsons.com/
USA ENTRIES ONLY

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

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

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

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: http://www.christinethackeray.com/
OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

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

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
USA ENTRIES ONLY

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

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

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

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: http://www.scribbledscraps.blogspot.com/
USA ENTRIES ONLY

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

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

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:

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

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

July 7
SPONSOR: Danyelle Ferguson, co-author of the soon-to-be released non-fiction book: (dis)Abilities and the Gospel
PRIZE: A 30 page manuscript edit
QUESTION: Name three of the "special needs" addressed in (dis)Abilities and the Gospel. (Hint: Click on the "Books" tab for (dis)Abilities and the Gospel)
WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.danyelleferguson.com/
USA ENTRIES ONLY

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

Awakening Avery Blog Tour

2010-05-29T09:38:00.002-06:00

Summer's here and what better way to kick it off than with a blog tour for

Awakening Avery

by Laurie Lewis. It is the perfect poolside read. Avery can't cope with the death of her husband and is finally convinced by her son to return to the family's Anna Maria Island vacation spot. With help from some new-found friends, Avery swaps her house with a widower named Gabriel. As Avery and Gabriel step into each others lives, they begin a correspondence that leads to spiritual and emotional awakening for each of them.

We're giving away 3 fabulous prizes. Two readers will win their own copy of Awakening Avery! There will be one lucky grand prize winner who will the beautiful necklace below. The contest opens June 2 and will close June 13 at midnight MST.

Stop by the following blogs to read reviews of Awakening Avery and for some fun interviews with the author:

June 1 Sheila Staley Why Not? Because I Said So! LDS Women's Book Review
June 2 Alison Palmer Tangled Words and Dreams
June 3 Kimberly Job Scribbled Scraps
June 4 Nichole Giles Starcrossed Book Reviews
June 7 Deanne Blackhurst The Book of Deanne
June 8 Tristi Pinkston *Tristi Pinkston, LDSAuthor
June 9 C.S. Bezas For the Love of the Written Word
June 10 Joan Sowards Joan Sowards
June 11 Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen The Write Blocks

Entering the contest is easy--all you have to do is blog, tweet, follow, or comment and then fill out the entry form.

1. Follow our reviewers blogs. (1 entry for each blog you follow.)
2. Leave a comment on a review. (1 entry for each review you comment on.)
2. Blog about Awakening Avery, the contest, or a review. (3 entries for each blog post.)
3. Follow us on twitter. (1 entry for each person you follow.)
Walnut Springs Press http://twitter.com/walnutspringspr
Nichole Giles http://twitter.com/nicholegiles
LDS Women's Book Review http://twitter.com/LDSWBR
Sheila Staley http://twitter.com/ssdawn2002
Kimberly Job http://twitter.com/kimberlyjob
Joan Sowards http://twitter.com/joansowards
4. Tweet about the contest. (2 entries for each tweet.)
5. Post about the contest on your Facebook. (2 entries for each facebook post or status update about the contest.)
6. Become a fan of Walnut Springs Press on Facebook. (1 entry for becoming a fan.)
7. Anything else you can think of that will spread the word. (3 entries for every social media site you post on.) If you mention it on goodreads, shelfari, google buzz, make it your status on gmail chat, MSN or yahoo messenger let us know. We'll reward your creativity with entries.

2010-05-28T00:34:00.000-06:00

Join me for the BlogFest!

2010-05-24T13:44:00.003-06:00

I am joining A Journey of Books and the Book Blog Network along with hundreds of other bloggers for BlogFest 2010. From September 10-12, 2010, over 100 blogs will get together to offer one amazing giveaway carnival. Make sure to mark it on your calendar because these giveaways will only remain open for that weekend. Want to participate? Sign up here.

Between now and then all the participating blogs will be featured on A Journey of Books. Scribbled Scraps was featured this week.

Click the links to see a list of all participating blogs (it keeps growing) and prizes being offered.

Prizes include:
Books (Yay!)
Gift Cards
Gift Baskets
Cosmetics
Jewelry
Blog Design
And lots more!!

I know September is a few months away, but don't worry, I'll remind you. I just wanted to give you a heads-up in case any of you are interested in participating. It's a great way to advertise your blog!

Coming Up Short? -- Break the Habit!

2010-05-21T12:59:00.000-06:00

If you are anything like me, you often compare yourself to others. Unfortunately, I frequently seem to come up short. My house isn’t as clean, my children as well-behaved, my blog as cute, my hair as stylish, my body as thin—sound familiar?

The biggest problem with comparing is that we usually compare one of our weaknesses to another’s strengths. We may see a neighbor in church with eight perfectly groomed children all sitting reverently waiting for the meeting to start and invariably compare our own children who look like their hair hasn’t even seen a brush that morning. What you don’t know is that the woman left a messy kitchen at home with cereal and milk spilled on the floor, or that she feels inferior inside so she strives to look polished on the outside to hide those insecurities, or that she constantly fights with her husband and is secretly watching you and your spouse wishing she had the kind of relationship that you do.

So how do you break this negative habit of comparing yourself with others? Here are some useful tips:

• Become aware. Often we make these social comparisons without realizing we’re doing it. You need to become consciously aware of when you do this. Try this. You’ll be surprised how often you notice it.

• Stop and change focus. Once you realize you’re comparing yourself, pause, but don’t criticize yourself or feel bad—just acknowledge the thought, and gently change focus.

• Count your blessings. A better focus is on what you are already blessed with. Think about how lucky you are to have what you have, the unique talents you’ve been blessed with, and the people in your life who care about you.

• Focus on your strengths. Instead of looking at your weaknesses, ask yourself what your strengths are and be proud of them. Don’t brag, but feel good about your talents and work on using them to your best advantage.

• Be okay with imperfection. No one is perfect. We all know that, but still seem to strive for it anyway. You aren’t perfect and you never will be. I certainly am not, and I’m still working on being okay with that. If you look at it in a different way, that imperfection is what makes you who you are. Perfection would be boring!

• Don’t knock others down. Sometimes we try to criticize others just to make ourselves look or feel better. This is a destructive habit that, in the end, hurts you as well. Instead, try to be happy for them and learn from their successes.

Don’t focus on how you rank in comparison to others—life is not a competition. It’s a journey. We are all on a journey, to find something, to become something, to learn, to create something of our own. That journey has nothing to do with how well other people are doing, or what they have. It has everything to do with what you want to do, and where you want to go. That’s all you need to worry about. The only one you should compare yourself with is you.

No matter how many clothes you buy, or how skinny you get, or how many people follow your blog, or how many books you publish, or if your children are reverent at church . . . if you always want what others have, you will never have enough. That is an endless cycle that never leads to happiness.

Instead, learn to realize that what you have is already enough. If you have shelter over your head, food on the table, clothes on your back, and people who love you, you are blessed. You have enough. You are enough. Be good with that, and you’ll find contentment.

Family Pics!

2010-05-17T15:40:00.000-06:00

I recently won a photo shoot with Susan Monson Photography on the Cranberry Fries blog. I was way excited, because since I got married we haven't had any pictures with all ten of our children.

Getting family pictures taken has never been my favorite thing to do, especially with ten children. Just the prospect is overwhelming. What will we wear? Where will we take them? Can I really clear my kids schedules all at once, and keep seven boys clean for an hour?

Susan Monson made it easy. She provided suggestions for location and wardrobe, and rearranged her schedule more than once to fit ours. During the photo shoot she was professional but had an outgoing, fun personality that made every member of my family comfortable and willing to cooperate.

She came prepared with a list of ideas, but was completely open to anything we wanted to try. I loved her creative photography style. We had some traditional poses, along with many fun shots. She is awesome at capturing candid moments that show real emotion. We are already talking about scheduling my daughter's senior photos, and I won't hesitate to recommend her to family and friends.

Author Interview: D.N. Giles and C.L. Beck

2010-05-12T00:00:00.000-06:00

Author's Websites: www.nicholegiles.com and www.bythebecks.com

Publication Date: December 2009

I'm pleased to introduce you to two amazing women and authors, D.N. (Nichole) Giles, and C.L. (Cindy) Beck. These women have both influenced my own writing career and I feel privileged to call them my friends. They have written a fun book called Mormon Mishaps and Mischief.

About the Book:

This collection of humorous anecdotes from celebrated LDS authors shows off Church members at their finest. From Primary pranks to cheeky comments made by Zion’s youth to high priest hijinks, no age group is immune to the potential for humor. Though it might not be in the official Word of Wisdom, laughter really is the best medicine. Whether you’re a senior missionary or an eight-year-old graduating to senior Primary, you’re bound to get a kick out of these silly stories.

Our Interview:

What prompted you to write Mormon Mishaps and Mischief?

Cindy: The moon was full, Aquarius was on the cusp, and the chickens were molting, all of which combined to make this the right time for a book of humorous anecdotes. Well, that and the pantry was empty, so a book that might actually sell a few copies seemed like a good idea.

Nichole: What Cindy says might be true. Or it could be that one sunny spring morning, one of us woke up and said, “I think I’ll write a book of humorous anecdotes today.” Then there was email involved. Lots of email. And brainstorming and collecting and chocolate eating. And maybe some Twinkies. Thus, the proposal for a book of humorous anecdotes was born.

What’s your favorite story in the book?

Cindy: There’s this fantastic story about a crotchety old man who gets visited by three ghosts at Christmas, and by the end of the story, he vows to keep Christmas … oh wait, that’s Charles Dickens’ stuff. All right then, my next favorite is “A Good Impression” contributed by Cathy Witbeck. It’s about a little girl who gets all decked out for Easter and puts something interesting into her purse to take to church. (But I’m not going to tell you what, because it would ruin the fun.) On the other hand, I do have to tell you that because they’re all so funny, my favorite story changes about every five minutes.

Nichole: I’m with Cindy. Choosing just one favorite would be like playing favorites between my children. Which I’ve never done. Ever. I’m a good mother. I promise. Oh, but speaking of motherhood, there are several stories about children doing funny things, like licking worms and bringing a head of lettuce to pray. Love all of those.

Where do the stories come from?

Cindy: From the demented … er … I mean, the creative genius of our minds. And from the funny events that we, and our contributors, saw happening at church, home and everywhere in between. Rest assured, however, that all contributors to the book signed a statement that the stories were true, and so even though real names were seldom used in the anecdotes, the situations actually happened. Which means if you think you recognize your bishop in there, well … we’ll never tell.

Nichole: None of them came from my current ward. They all came from other people’s wards, which I visited while wearing my invisibility cloak. So if you happen to be in my ward and recognize a story or five or twenty, well I didn’t see those things or write them down in my handy-dandy notebook. Er. Um. I mean…I plea the fifth?

Thank you for letting me interview you. Do you have anything you’d like to add?

Cindy and Nichole: It was our pleasure! Readers can visit us at our website, MormonMishaps.com, or laugh with us at our humor blog at ldshumor.blogspot.com. In addition, there are our personal blogs—follow Nichole at nicholegiles.blogspot.com or Cindy at bythebecks.blogspot.com.

We really like having followers. It makes us feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Plus, we like to post funny stuff and make you laugh.

Don't forget the contest associated with the Mormon Mishaps and Mischief blog tour. You can read more about it here. The prize is a $150 advertising package.

Blog Tour and Giveaway!

2010-05-10T15:48:00.000-06:00

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 kimberlyjob. 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. 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. Be sure to check back tomorrow when I'll be posting an interview with the authors!

Do You Feel Invisible?

2010-05-08T13:16:00.005-06:00

Motherhood often feels like a thankless calling. We love, nurture, work, worry, and perform a never-ending list of household tasks, only to get up tomorrow and start it all over again. Tiring? For sure. I think many of you probably feel like I do and wonder if anyone even notices all that you do.

I recently ran across a video clip that describes this feeling. It also explores the fact that even when it feels like you are invisible and nobody sees or appreciates your efforts, God sees. No sacrifice is too small for him to notice. He sees every little nose you wipe, every cookie you bake, every skinned knee you kiss better, every pair of socks you lovingly fold. He sees every tear of disappointment you shed when things don't go the way you'd hoped, and hears every heartfelt prayer you offer. Remember that you are doing a great work. I hope all of my followers and friends have a great Mother's Day. Don't forget to reassure the women in your life that they are not invisible, and that their efforts are appreciated.

Life's Alphabet Soup by Terri Ferran

2010-05-08T12:44:00.000-06:00

Genre: Non-fiction

Publication Date: February 2010

Author's Website: www.terriferran.com

First line: "There are some questions in life that just can't be answered properly until you experience them for yourself."

I recently met Terri Ferran at the LDStorymakers writing conference. She is a CPA, mother of six, grandmother of two, and lover of chocolate--not necessarily in that order. Basically, she's just downright amazing. I attended the class she taught at Storymakers and learned oodles about keeping track of my writing expenses, what I can deduct on my taxes, and much more.

I was excited to get a copy of her new book Life's Alphabet Soup: When Your Children Make You Eat Your Words. It is a delightful look at the blessings and trials of motherhood.

About the book:

A parent's life is never dull and often downright droll but in the middle of the tantrums, squabbles, and boo-boos, it's sometimes hard to see the hilarity. Life's Alphabet Soup is the perfect antidote for any tired, stressed-out parent. With six kids of her own, Terri Ferran knows what raising a family is really like: incredibly hard, completely thankless, and so worth it. There are plenty of books that'll tell you what you're doing wrong as a parent, but how about one that knows what it's really like to spend a sleepless night with a sick child? (Even though the sickness was mostly brought on by letting her eat too many cookies.) Full of stories all parents can relate to, this book is sure to keep you laughing from A to Zoomph.

My opinion:

I really enjoyed this book. It's a quick but fun and inspiring read. I really liked how each chapter dealt with a different topic. It made it a great book to keep in my purse to read when I only had snatches of time. It explores parenthood from A-Z with topics such as allowance, chores, garbage, meals, overreacting, pets, x-rays, and much more--one topic for each letter of the alphabet.

Terri has a light-hearted perspective about motherhood and its many challenges and blessings. She doesn't leave out the hard stuff, but she celebrates in the victories as well. Reading her words motivated me to take a look at my own mothering style. I've made a few changes, and they seem to be working.

This book would make a great Mother's Day gift. To learn more about the author, visit her website or blog. You can read a sample chapter of this fun book here.

Life's Alphabet Soup can be purchased at Amazon, as well as other local and regional bookstores.

Author Interview: Erin Klingler

2010-05-07T10:01:00.001-06:00

Erin's Website: http://www.erinklingler.com/

I recently had the opportunity to interview Erin Klingler. She is the author of Between the Lines, an LDS romantic suspense novel which was just released this week. She is one amazingly talented lady. I enjoyed getting to know her, and I think you will too!

About her book:

Sydney Hallam, hard-line journalist for the San Francisco Chronicle, is poised for action after receiving a tip from a mysterious source that criminally implicates several influential power brokers-but her source is gunned down before he can disclose any details. Days later, Salt Lake Tribune reporter Justin Mickelsen receives a letter from a childhood friend-the murder victim-written just prior to his death, leading the two reporters to team up in San Francisco to expose the scandal. In the intensity of the investigation, the pair's attraction quickly grows, along with proof of money laundering, drug trafficking, and grand theft. But as the evidence builds, so do the tempers of certain billionaires and heavy-hitting politicians-soon it seems the dangerous career path chosen by the two ace reporters can only lead to a very dead end.

Our Interview:

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

When I was about eight years old, actually. I wrote a silly little story (though I probably thought it was groundbreaking when I wrote it) about a dog who wanted a dog house for Christmas. I still have it saved in a scrapbook somewhere. My love of reading prior to that and ever since only strengthened my desire to become a writer. I soaked up everything I was taught in my English and creative writing classes in junior high and high school. Then after I got married and was busy raising children, I started writing a couple of different things when my kids were napping or playing. Between the Lines is my second novel.

Is your book based on a personal experience?

Not in the least. :) But I do love watching television shows that mix character relationships with criminal investigation--Alias, Castle, Bones, etc. My passion for those kinds of stories made me try my hand at romantic suspense. To my surprise, I actually love writing bad guys almost as much as I love writing romance! Who would have thought?

How long did it take you to write the book?

Um...forever. :) In its various incarnations, it was probably a three-year project. It doesn't normally take me that long, but it started out as mostly romance until Covenant's evaluators decided they thought I should stick in more "bad guy stuff." So I rewrote. Then resubmitted. Then had it accepted and rewrote various aspects of it many times. It's been a long road, but I'm happy with how it turned out.

What books or authors have most influenced your writing?

Definitely Kerry Blair, first and foremost. Her "The Heart Has It's Reasons" and subsequent books in that series were the first LDS books I fell in love with. They really were a turning point in my life. Shortly after I read them, we started exchanging emails, and she became a dear friend. She had an enormous impact on my decision to keep trying to get publish. Also, Traci Abramson's books really turned my thoughts to writing LDS suspense. She's such a master at it! I greatly admire her and her writing ability so much. Just getting to know her has inspired me to become a better writer.

What can we look for next? What current projects are you working on?

Between the Lines is out the first week of May, and I'm very excited about that! I hope all the years of hard work put into this book helps it to be something people enjoy. So much of my writing time has been focused on getting this book ready that I haven't fully jumped back into writing my next project. Now I can do that! Its working title is "Deceit," and the book is high-energy action (the helicopter chase scene as the bad guys try to chase my main characters through the mountains of Colorado continues to be my favorite!) with a tale of rekindled love--if my characters make it out alive, of course!

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Finding time, mostly! Being a YW president, raising five kids, and working part time as a medical transcriptionist rarely leaves me spare time. But writing seems to be vital to my mental health, so I squeak out whatever time I can.

Do you have any advice for other authors?

Yes! Don't give up! I talk to so many aspiring authors, and most of them think the path is easy: write a book, send it off to a few agents, and then it's published. When they find out there's a lot of hard work and heartbreak along the way, they get a little freaked out. But anything worthwhile takes work! So be prepared to work, and don't give up! Most of the joy in the experience, I have found, comes in the friendship and learning experiences you discover along the way.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

In my 2 seconds of spare time? :) I love to play tennis, and I love to read. It seems to be easier to find time to read (while waiting for kids to come out of school, or in bed at night during the news broadcasts) than to play tennis, so I find myself reading more often than pounding tennis balls across the net.

Any last words you want the reader to know?

I'm just excited to be sharing my passion for reading by writing something I hope people will enjoy. If I've been able to give somebody a few hours of escape or enjoyment through the pages of my book, I'll feel like my time writing has been well spent. Every time I hear somebody say, "I haven't done a lick of housework in 2 days because I was too absorbed in your book!" I feel like I could die happy. :)

To learn more about Erin, visit her website.

Publish Your Blog to Amazon's Kindle

2010-05-03T11:16:00.004-06:00

Technology amazes me. It's sometimes overwhelming trying to keep up with it all. For example, did you know you can publish your blog so people can read it on their Amazon Kindle? Is that cool, or what? Kindle readers can subscribe to your blog posts and read them anywhere. I read about this at Moomette's Magnificents. For complete details, check out her blog.

Basically, here's how it works:

* Sign up for an Amazon Kindle vendor account.

* Kindle blog subscriptions are between $0.99 and $2.00, and Amazon shares a portion of the revenue with you.

* You'll need your blog's RSS feed. Click here, if you don't already know how to find it.

* Also, a screenshot of your blog homepage. Get this by clicking Ctrl+PrtSc on your keyboard. Then open the image in any paint program to crop and edit.

* A screenshot or image of your blog's header.

* Upload the images on the Kindle sign-up page. You can see a preview before you actually publish your blog.

* Tell the world you are now on Kindle. It would be a great idea to create a blog button that links to your Amazon Kindle page and put in your sidebar.

You can also check out the Kindle Publishing Forum for more information, and click here for a complete list of blogs currently available.

Mother's Day Room Service

2010-05-02T22:47:00.000-06:00

I ran across a cute idea for Mother's Day by Kim over at Seven-Thirty-Three. She has created this darling door hanger for Mom to order breakfast in bed. Even better, you can download it for free!

Book Review: "The Thorn" by Daron Fraley

2010-04-25T23:11:00.002-06:00

Genre: Speculative Fiction

Publication Date: March 2010

Author's Website: http://www.daronfraley.com/

First Sentence: Another rumble of thunder, this one closer than the last, caused the final bird near the garden fountain to take flight.

About the Book:

Three tribes are at war on the planet Gan, unaware that the sign of Christ's birth on an unknown world - Earth - is about to appear in the heavens

During a bloody skirmish with Gideonite troops, Jonathan of Daniel spares Pekah, a young enemy soldier, gaining his trust forever. These two distant brothers from estranged tribes covenant with each other to end the war being waged by a self-proclaimed emperor, and soon discover the intentions of a far more dangerous foe named Rezon - a sinister general bent on ruling those he can bring into subjection and destroying all others.

In the end, Pekah's selfless bravery is the means by which all the tribes are united. But there are dissenters, and Rezon escapes a well-deserved fate. When the promised heavenly signs appear, will there be peace at last, or will the malefactors once again threaten the safety of them all?

My Opinion:

I'll preface my opinion by saying that Daron and I have the same publisher. Be assured that this did not affect my review. In fact, I honestly wasn't really looking forward to reading it because I thought it was a fantasy novel, which is my least favorite genre. I really don't enjoy reading about other worlds. I want to read about familiar things to which I can relate, and I was pleasantly surprised.

I've heard The Thorn described as the Old Testament on another planet. But, while it takes place on another planet, the world is very similar to ours. They speak the same language, call animals by the same names, don't have magical powers, and have landscapes that all seemed familiar.

Daron is a very descriptive writer which made it easy to imagine the setting because of his rich, vivid descriptions. I also really appreciated the themes of family, faith, and friendship throughout the book.

Probably because I'm a romance writer, there were occasional moments where I wished there was a little more emotion, and I would have liked to see women characters earlier in the book. But overall, The Thorn is a very engaging story, and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

The Thorn can be purchased on Amazon, and will be available in bookstores soon. To learn more about Daron, visit his website.

First Sentence Frenzy

2010-04-19T18:07:00.001-06:00

I've been reading a lot of book reviews. One reviewer always includes the first line of the book. I think it's a great idea, and might even start doing that myself.

It got me thinking about the importance of the first sentence. As a writer, you only have a few pages to grab your readers attention. If you can hook them with the first paragraph, or better yet, the first line, it's even better.

Some ideas:
- Show a character in trouble, pulling the reader in for more.
- Use a bold statement that has some shock value to make your reader laugh or worry.
- Start at the moment a story becomes inevitable.
- Start in the last moments of a peaceful world, just before everything falls apart.

If you're having trouble getting started, start with the second paragraph. Just because you have to write the first sentence sometime, doesn't mean you have to write it first. It may even be a good idea to leave the opening line for when the story is done. Then, when you know where the story ends up, you'll know where to start.

Here's a sample of first sentences from the books in my reading pile. After reading them, leave me a comment with the first sentence from your book, or another book that you love.

"Ida Mae Babbitt didn't know what cookie to serve with bad news." Secret Sisters by Tristi Pinkston

"When I wake up, the other side of the bed is cold." The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

"It was time to say goodbye. She could feel it--the inevitable separation had begun." I'll Know You by Heart by Kimberly Job (Yep! That's me, and I cheated and put the first two sentences.)

"A cool February breeze blew over the desert and swirled around me as my assailant slashed by scarf into strips with his knife." The Sharp Edge of a Knife by D.N. Giles

"Muffled voices outside my door that October morning woke me and took me from a peaceful place to one I'd come to hate." Far from You by Lisa Schroeder

"My breath came faster as I stared ito the shoebox sitting on the counter at my antiques box." Imprints by Rachel Ann Nunes

"Today it finally hit me: I have worn nothing but jammies for an entire year." Gravity vs. the Girl by Riley Noehren

Aren't those great? They all make me want to know more. Now, leave me a comment with your first sentences. I really want to read them. I'll pick my favorites and post them here on my blog.

Book Review: Band of Sisters by Annette Lyon

2010-04-18T19:57:00.001-06:00

When I heard about Annette Lyon's new book, Band of Sisters, I jumped at the chance to read it. I've long been a fan of LDS fiction, and it's authors like Annette who have helped to create a better impression of the quality of writing that is now coming out in the LDS market.

About the author:

Annette Lyon has been writing ever since second grade, when she piled pillows on a chair to reach her mother's typewriter. A cum laude graduate from BYU with a degree in English, she has had success as a professional editor and doing newspaper, magazine, and business writing, but her first love is creating fiction. She's perhaps best known for her historical novels centered around the four old Utah temples.

In 2007 she was awarded Utah's Best of State medal for fiction. Spires of Stone, her fifth novel, was a 2007 Whitney Award finalist for Best Historical Novel. She has received three publication awards from the League of Utah Writers and currently serves on the Executive Committee of the LDStorymakers, a guild for LDS writers.

About the book:

When the war on terror calls their husbands to duty, five LDS women are left behind to fight battles of their own: Kim, newlywed and pregnant, frightened of what the future might bring. Brenda, struggling to manage three unruly boys and a crippling bout of depression. Jessie, secretly grappling with mixed feelings about her crumbling marriage. Marianne, wrestling with a rebellious teenage daughter. And Nora, the seasoned Army wife with perfect hair, an immaculate home—and an ill-tempered mother dying of cancer.

Knowing the separation of deployment is extremely difficult, Nora gathers the wives every week to share lunches and burdens. In good company, they worry over safety in the field and stability at home and offer one another counsel and comfort.

But as their personal crises build, each woman faces the risks of forming deep bonds of trust. And when tragedy strikes, they must confront the painful realities of war that pull families apart and bring friends together as sisters.

My opinion:

I thoroughly enjoyed Band of Sisters. Luckily, Annette is an amazing writer. I was never pulled out of the story by that pesky editor in my head, because Annette's writing is flawless.

She did an amazing job giving each of the five women in Band of Sisters a distinct personality. The women vary in age. Some have children at home, while others don't. Some are happily married, and others, not so much. I was able to relate to each of them in a different way, but Jessie was my favorite. They seemed so real to me because they each had their own set of difficulties, with the common thread of husbands being away at war.

I love the way they uplifted and supported one another, and the strong friendships that were created. It showed that we have each been blessed with our own unique talents that can be used to improve the lives of others, even at times when we don't feel like we have much to give.

Band of Sisters is a moving story about the unique power of women, and the strength we can gain from relationships with one another. I highly recommend it.

For more information about Annette and her other books, please visit her website and blog.

Feelin' the Love!

2010-04-17T14:34:00.003-06:00

I love all of my bloggy friends! I've met so many amazing people. Some live far away, and I'll likely never meet them in person, but that doesn't negate the effect they've had on my life.

I received a couple of awards this week, and want to pass them along.

First, I received the Happy 101 award from my friend, Nichole. Isn't it cute?

Here is how it works:

1. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
2. List who gave the award to you and use a link to their blog.
3. List 10 things that make you happy.
4. Pass the award on to other bloggers and link to their blog.

10 Things That Make Me Happy:

1. A clean house
2. Making others happy
3. Snuggle time with my kids
4. Summer evenings
5. Comments on my blog
6. When a chapter turns out just the way I wanted
7. When my children set a good example for their friends
8. Laughing with my critique group
9. Late night talks with my amazing husband
10. Happy endings

I'm passing the award to:

Don at 90,000 Words of Delusion
Tracy at A Blissful Life
Crystal at A Book a Day
Melissa at Breath of Life
Carolyn at Checkerboard Squares
Cindy at Dragon Dreamer
Loni at Loni and Tyler
Marta at Marta Writes
Jane at Mother's Daze
Robyn at Our Homeschool Home

I also received the Blogger BFF award from Bethany at Shooting Stars.

I'm not sure if there are any rules for this award, but I'm passing it on to a select group of bloggers who I will always call my best friends. I count them among my choicest blessings.

Nichole Giles
Keith Fisher
Tristi Pinkston
Heather Justesen
Danyelle Ferguson
Autumn Ables Weber
Karen Hoover

If you need some fun new blogs to follow, be sure to check these out!

Writing Tips!

2010-04-16T10:28:00.001-06:00

I love writer's blogs! I learn so many great tips on all aspects of writing. My friend, Stina at Seeing Creative had a link to this video on her blog.

The video originally came from Becca Fitzpatrick, YA author of Hush, Hush.

Watch it and see how many authors you can name.

Catch the Tooth Fairy!

2010-04-13T10:38:00.000-06:00

I saw this on Saving Dollars and Sense today, and thought it was so cute I wanted to share.

Imagine the look of wonder and surprise when your children see a photo of the Tooth Fairy in their very own room! Catch her flying overhead, peering over a pillow, or blowing a kiss.

Simply take a photo of your child sleeping, then go to this website, to add in the Tooth Fairy.

This usually costs $9.99 but it is completely FREE when you use the code fairy-proof.

Even if your child doesn't have a loose tooth, you can make the picture now while it is free and save it until you need it.

Book Review: Secret Sisters by Tristi Pinkston

2010-04-12T10:32:00.004-06:00

I read and review a lot of books, but Tristi Pinkston's latest release, Secret Sisters, is unlike anything I've ever read. It's a story about a Relief Society Presidency who turns to espionage in order to properly take care of the women in their ward.

About the Book:

Ida Mae Babbitt, president of the Omni 2nd Ward Relief Society, didn't mean to become a spy. But when visiting teaching stats are low and she learns that one family under her care is in financial trouble, she'll do whatever it takes to make sure they have what they need. If that includes planting surveillance cameras in their home and watching them from a parked car in the woods, well, isn't that what any caring Relief Society president would do?

With the help of her counselors Arlette and Tansy, Ida Mae soon learns that there's more to the situation than meets the eye. It's all in a day's work for the Relief Society.

About the Author:

Tristi Pinkston is the author of four published novels. She is a popular presenter at the annual LDStorymakers Writers Conference, and has presented at numerous other conferences and workshops.

Tristi enjoys good movies, taking long naps, scrapbooking, and teaching other writers how to dig within themselves for the very best they have to offer.

Tristi and her husband, Matt, have been married fourteen years and together they have four adorable, smart, talented, creative, home schooled, wonderful children who keep them busy.

My Review:

If you've followed my reviews, you know that fantasy is not my favorite genre. I like to read contemporary novels about things that could really happen. Secret Sisters is the perfect mix of reality and an entertaining story. Is it likely that a Relief Society presidency will spy on the sisters they visit teach? Probably not. But it could happen. The unlikeliness of the situation is what makes Secret Sisters so hilarious.

Tristi has created characters that you can't help but love. Ida Mae, Tansy, and Arlette each have their own distinct personality, and Tristi has done a remarkable job giving each of them a voice that you can recognize.

While Secret Sisters does include a mystery, it is not the focus of the story. The zany antics of Ida Mae and her cohorts will keep you laughing throughout the entire book. Tristi also includes some real life lessons throughout the book. I finished the story feeling uplifted and happier, and I think you will too. It's a quick, entertaining read, and I highly recommend it. It's definitely going on my shelf of books to keep and read again and again.

Secret Sisters is the first in a series of books. I'm part of Tristi's critique group, so I've had the privilege to read the other books in the series, and I can tell you, the fun continues--you won't want to miss it!

The characters from Secret Sisters have their very own blog! If you need a smile, be sure to check it out. You can also learn more about Tristi by visiting her blog and website.

Secret Sisters can be purchased here.

Love this Quote!

2010-04-10T12:21:00.002-06:00

I found this cool quote on my friend's blog and LOVED IT!! Autumn is an amazing writer and friend, and one of the most creative people I know. You need to check out her gorgeous blog.

"Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning, the devil says, "Oh crap, she's up!"

Did Someone Say PARTY??

2010-04-08T17:46:00.000-06:00

5 Minutes for Mom is holding the ultimate blog party!

Thanks for partying with me! I love meeting new people . . . so leave a comment and I will hop on over to your blog party too .

A little about me--I'll make this quick, because I know you have a lot of blogs to visit. My name is Kimberly Job. I recently married the love of my life, and we now have a combined family of TEN children ages 6-17. It's definitely crazy, but lots of fun too.

I'm also an author. My first novel, I'll Know You by Heart, was just released last month. You can read more about it here. I blog about writing, motherhood, combining families, marriage, and whatever else I feel like rambling about. I also post weekly book reviews. If any, or all of that interests you, become my follower. :) (Over there--on the sidebar!)

You are all invited to join the blog party! Click here for details.

TONS of prizes are being given away, including a Toshiba Laptop, Hilton Hotel stay, Restaurant certificates, and handstamped jewelry.

I'm also giving away a copy of my book, I'll Know You by Heart. Just leave a comment, and you'll be entered to win!

Heartfelt Personal Reviews

2010-04-07T21:04:00.001-06:00

It's been fun following all the reviews of my new book, I'll Know You by Heart. The three most recent have all had something in common--each of the reviewers have had personal experience with abuse.

Here are a few comments from the latest reviews:

Daron Fraley, a fellow Valor author said:

"I am qualified to judge one element of this book, and that is the part which pertains to the abuse portrayed in the story. . . .In fact, I almost put the book down after the first chapter, never to pick it up again. Why? Not because Kimberly did a poor job with the story. Quite the contrary. She did an excellent job. Her portrayal of the situation is spot-on. So much so, that it was painful to read. And for me, it was very personal.

. . . Two thumbs up for Kimberly’s story. She did a fantastic job with it. The characters are real. The emotions are real. Read the book. And if you feel inspired to do so, maybe you’ll even share it with someone who might need it. You may just change their life forever."

Read the entire review here.

Lori Nawyn from Forethought and Purpose said:

"I’ll Know You by Heart, the debut novel of author Kimberly Job, struck a nerve with me because I once found myself in the same situation. . . . Enduring spousal abuse, being trodden into submission by the man who is supposed to love you, is heart wrenching and demeaning; one of the deepest betrayals of trust.

Kim deftly shows the inner struggles both Stephanie and Jared experience as they strive to maintain emotional equilibrium. And she has penned a cast of well-crafted family members, from children to in-laws, whose lives are also impacted by the inherent anguish and scars of violence, divorce, and loss. The story is testament of the power of love and the strength of the human spirit."

Read the entire review here.

Danyelle from Queen of the Clan said:

"This book is so much more than a romance. It's such a true to life story, with raw emotions and a mother's struggle to survive & recreate a life for her and her children - all while also trying to escape the negativity and poor self-esteem which results from years of abuse. By the end of the first chapter, I knew Stephanie was a woman I could personally connect with as a survivor of abuse. The turmoil and emotional upheaval she experiences - Kimberly Job did such an excellent job detailing and pacing it throughout the book. I love that she also showed Stephanie's journey back to rediscovering her worth as a daughter of God."

Read the entire review here.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading these heartfelt, personal reviews. I've often been asked what I hope readers will gain from reading my book. I hope that readers who are in the midst of, or have previously experienced abuse, will find hope in its pages and know that there can be happy days ahead.

Service Soapbox Baby Shower

2010-04-06T22:03:00.003-06:00

Service Soapbox is proud to announce its first ever Blogger event--and it's one you won't want to miss!

The Teddy Bear Den helps to prevent birth defects by giving low-income women baby-related incentives (diapers, baby clothes, wipes) for participating in prenatal care and for avoiding unhealthy behaviors like smoking and drinking during pregnancy.

Grab a pack of diapers, baby clothes, blankets, or anything else baby related (see the wish list here), and join the Service Soapbox bloggers as we gather baby items for the March of Dimes Teddy Bear Den. Come socialize with your fellow bloggers and enjoy food, door prizes and lots of fun.

You don't have to live in Utah to be

a part of the fun...

Anyone can join in by participating in the Virtual Baby Shower!

The week after the event, we'll be holding a virtual shower. Anyone who donates baby items to the Teddy Bear Den will be eligible to win great prizes from PC Laptops, Ulta, GiftTree, Target, Marilee Jean, Bellybuds, Minutes with Me, and many more. Click here to see how to participate.

If you'd like to become a Service Soapbox blogger, click the image below for details:

More Reviews!

2010-04-02T23:21:00.000-06:00

I'm having fun reading all the reviews of "I'll Know You by Heart" that are showing up online. Here are a few snippets from the latest ones:

Chantele from There is Always Something to Read said:

"The story had me at the very first page . . .It's a story of courage, faith, and love, and I am looking forward to see what this author writes next. Powerful, moving, and emotional, this book is a great debut by Kimberly Job."

Read the full review here.

Crystal from A Book a Day said:

"If you want a page-turner, this is the book for you! I could NOT put it down! I was frustrated that I had to put it down at points to deal with real life. This story is gripping from the first few pages and will take you on a journey of heartache, pain, love lost and love found again. If you want a good read this IS the book! Congratulations Kim on a fabulous first novel! I enjoyed every page and look forward to the next great book!"

Read the full review here:

Hillary from LDS Women's Book Review said:

"This book begins with an INTENSE and dramatic gut-wrenching first chapter and doesn't really slow down. . . . The story is unique and authentic. It has a way of drawing you in and making you forget that it is a story."

Read the full review here.

My virtual book tour has begun!

2010-04-01T16:47:00.001-06:00

Today is the first day of my virtual book tour!

All month, I'll Know You by Heart will be featured on someone's blog. All of the participating bloggers are listed on my sidebar, and I'll also be sharing portions of the reviews here on my blog.

Today's review is found at Why Not Because I Said So. Sheila Staley is one of the awesome ladies from LDS Women's Book Review and Podcast. I first officially met her at my book launch party, but felt an instant connection. She's a sweetheart. Sheila had this to say about my book:

"To say that this story touched me would be an understatement. . . .this is not your typical love story of a single girl meets a single guy and and they dance around through the whole book and fall in love at the end. This is a love story of two people that have had their hearts broken. This man and woman meet and are still trying to heal. Through their support and growing love for one another you will read of a tender romance. You will be moved to tears often through this book."

You can read the whole review here.

Conference Helps for Kids

2010-04-01T08:00:00.002-06:00

I love Conference. I love that I can spend the weekend in my pajamas, cuddled up with my sweetheart, listening to the words of the prophet, and recharging my spirit for the coming months ahead.

But, I do have little kids, and I know there’s always the challenge of deciding whether it’s best to let them play in another room so that I can watch Conference in peace and quiet, or if I should make them watch it with me, because it really is for them too.

Over the years, we’ve used a variety of methods to keep them quiet, but still actively involved. The Friend magazine usually has some conference ideas for families, we’ve also played Conference Bingo with Skittles for markers. This year, I found some amazing conference packets online at SugarDoodle.net. They have packets geared to all ages—youth, Sr. primary, and Jr. primary. Check it out!

Also, check out these resources:

LDS.org General Conference packet and games
Conference packet from Scriptures4Kidz
Fun Conference packet!
Beehive Messages Conference packet

What about you? What fun Conference ideas have you tried? I'm always eager to learn something new.

Blog Buddy - April Showers!

2010-03-31T22:55:00.000-06:00

I'm going to start introducing you to some of the amazing friends I've made through blogging starting out with April from April Showers. Today's introduction is a bit selfish, for two reasons--first, I won her awesome giveaway for a free blog design, second, by posting about April's giveaway month, I get a free entry to every giveaway. I don't know about you, but sometimes all the giveaways on blogs and all the requirements for entry drive me crazy, so the chance to enter just by blogging--LOVE IT!! And in case you were wondering, YES, you can do it too. Click here for details.

April is one talented girl! She is an amazing blog designer. Her prices are totally reasonable, and her designs are so creative. Check these out:

Click here to see more of her portfolio.

April is also one of eight contestants in the Flab to Fab Blogger Fitness Challenge. As part of the challenge, the participants blog and vlog their way through eight weeks of weight loss. You can watch one of April's vlogs here. I’m also participating in the blogtourage part of the challenge, so check back later this week for my first post.

Check out April’s blog for more information about the fitness challenge and her month of giveaways. Become her follower while you’re there. I promise you won’t be disappointed. She’s lots of fun and always keeps me laughing.

Summer in Paris by Michele Ashman Bell

2010-03-29T09:34:00.002-06:00

As an author, it is amazing to me that I can associate with, and learn from, established authors such as Michele Ashman Bell. She has long been one of my favorite authors, so to think that we now have the same publisher, is almost surreal. I jumped at the chance to review her new nationally published YA novel, Summer in Paris, and my daughters were even more excited.

About the author:

In Michele's own words:

"As a young girl I was a devoted journal keeper. I would express my most personal thoughts and feelings in my journal in a way I could never express them verbally. Coupled with my great love for reading it only seemed natural to become a writer.

During the course of having and raising my children, as a beginning writer, I spent any free time I had writing and learning the craft. I attended workshops and conferences, joined critique groups (I have the scars to prove it) and sent many of my stories and novels off to magazines and publisher, only to receive rejection after rejection. I came close a few times, but something wasn't quite right.

Still to this day I wonder why I didn't give up. You'd think after ten years of rejections I'd finally get the message. Actually I know why I kept writing, I couldn't not write. It's in my blood. When I get cut, ink comes out. There's something so wonderful and fulfilling about the creative process of developing characters and storylines and pouring your heart out on paper that can't be matched by anything else. I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to write. And I want to encourage anyone who has the desire to write to never give up on their dream. If you want it bad enough and are willing to work hard enough, you will become published. I believe that with all my heart because that's exactly how it worked for me.

I grew up in St. George, Utah, where a lot of my family still lives, but now reside with my husband and family in the Salt Lake City area. My favorite thing to do is support my kids in their many interests. Between basketball, ballet and piano lessons we squeeze a lot into a week, but I wouldn't have it any other way."

About the book:

Kenzie Williams feels like she has it all; wealth, friends, popularity and talent. But when her father tells her that he has declared bankruptcy, her whole world in New York City turns upside down. Her parents' solution while they sort through their financial and marital problems is to send Kenzie to live with her relatives in Paris . . . Idaho!

Feeling like she's been sentenced to three months in Hickville Prison, Kenzie arrives in Idaho feeling like a square peg, with name brand clothes, in a round, horribly podunk, hole.

Leaving everything she loves behind, Kenzie is forced to get up at the crack of dawn, do chores, and hang out with her cousin's loser friends. She feels like she's about to die until she meets Adam White, the town outcast, whose been accused of killing his best friend and is being blamed for some trouble that's been happening around town.

Not only is Adam the best-looking guy she's ever seen, but he's also the most fascinating guy she's ever met and Kenzie is determined to get to know him and find out his secret. But, the longer she stays in Paris, the more she realizes, Adam isn't the only one keeping secrets.

My opinion:

I really enjoyed Summer in Paris. It's a fun story for young girls to read. They will identify with the angst that Kenzie feels when life as she knew it is pulled out from under her and she's forced to spend the summer on a farm in Idaho.

Michele is a master at characterization. As a reader, I experienced Kenzie's emotions throughout the story, and felt like I was growing and learning right alongside her. The pacing is perfect. Although the storyline was somewhat predictable, Kenzie's change of heart did not happen overnight.

The issues Kenzie faces are typical of those in the lives of our children today. I highly recommend Summer in Paris. It includes a little of everything--comedy, drama, and romance. It is a refreshing change from the dark YA literature that seems to be increasingly popular. Now that I've finished reading it, my daughters can't wait to get their hands on it. And as a mother, it's nice to know there are clean uplifting reads to offer my children.

Interview with Nichole Giles

2010-03-25T22:44:00.000-06:00

I had the opportunity to interview Nichole Giles, author of The Sharp Edge of a Knife, and Mormon Mishaps & Mischief. Nichole is a member of my critique group, so I get to learn from her wisdom every week. Not only is she one of the most talented writers I know, she is cute as can be, and tons of fun to be around. I hope you enjoy the interview as much as I did.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

NG: Thinking back, I've always liked to write. I've had a thing for buying notebooks and pens for as long as I remember. The thing is, I didn't actually recognize the drive until about the time I turned thirty. I was reading a book in which the main character's love interest was an author and so many of the things he did were things I recognized in myself. I remember thinking, hey, maybe I should try writing. I registered for an online class and it kind of snowballed from there.

Is your book based on a personal experience?

NG: This particular one is based on experiences from my grandpa. The Sharp Edge of a Knife is based on the true story of his experience of being kidnapped by convicts on the run.

What type of research was involved?

NG: Actually there was a lot. I started with about two pages of his personal history, which had very few actual details, and dug around for newspaper articles. I happened to come across a court subpoena which gave me a case number. That particular detail was huge, because I was then able to get a hold of someone in the national archives offices in Denver and have him help me find court documents and evidence. It was tricky, since they didn't have computers in the fifties. Besides those things, a detective I know helped me track down one of the kidnappers--the only person involved in the kidnapping incident who is still living--and I talked to him on the phone.

Besides those two things, I had to research the area and specifically, details about Highway 66, which was the main road at the time, and the route by which the kidnappers took my grandpa from Arizona to New Mexico.

How long did it take you to write the book?

NG: With all the research and everything, a little over three years. Granted, I worked on numerous other things during this time as well, so it wasn't my sole focus. But I think that amount of time helped me find certain details that were very much needed to tell the story the way my grandpa wanted it told.

What books or authors have most influenced your writing?

NG: Wow. I read a lot, so that could be a really long list. Actually, I think that everything I read has some kind of impact, some take-away tidbit of influence on my work. At the time when I started writing, I'd read a lot of Nora Roberts (yes, I am a huge romance fan) and the Harry Potter series, along with other young adult books that my kids were getting into.

What can we look for next? What current projects are you working on?

NG: I have a few things in the works. Typically, I write in the YA paranormal/fantasy genre, so The Sharp Edge of a Knife was a bit of a change for me. I have three YA books in various stages of work, including one that is currently under submission in several places. I'm hoping you'll see that one on the market here before too long. The current title is Gifted.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

NG: Finishing. Rough drafts are so hard for me. After a book is drafted, I find I'm able to edit it for weeks or months, but actually getting it written is sometimes a certain kind of pleasure and torture at the same time. I could probably spend years perfecting a manuscript if I'm not careful, so the whole process is like balancing on a teeter-totter.

Do you have any advice for other authors?

NG: Never give up. It's always at the times you feel the most discouraged when good things start to happen for you. But you have to recognize the small successes along with the big ones, and know that you're headed in the right direction. These are the things that make you better, help you grow into the most brilliant, prolific author you can be. It's all about remembering your own potential.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

NG: I love spending time with my family, reading, shopping, traveling, and driving around in the sunshine (or even the rain) with my convertible top down and the stereo blasting.

Any last words you want the reader to know?

NG: Passion is what drives you, persistence is what makes you, and patience is what gives you the courage to endure to the end. ~Nichole Giles

And also, never give up.

See! I told you she was awesome. Check out my review of her latest book. Since I'm part of her critique group, I've also read Gifted, and it is amazing! Nichole has a well developed voice unlike any other writer I know. Someday she is going to make it big, and I can say, I knew her when.

Nichole is having a book launch party for The Sharp Edge of the Knife. Details below. Come and bring a friend. It's sure to be a blast!

March 27

1-3:00 pm
Eborn Books
Provo Towne Center Mall
Provo, UT

Nichole is also holding a huge contest in connection with her blog tour. Check out her blog for details!

A Message from "The Universe"

2010-03-24T12:33:00.004-06:00

I've been sick since Sunday. Not just a little--like 104 degree temp, can't get out of bed sick. My sweet husband has been taking great care of me, but I'm tired of feeling yucky. Today, I finally got up and showered and I'm almost feeling human again.

I got online, and checked my email. I receive an email every day from "The Universe." Sounds strange, I know. But they are always really inspiring.

Here is the message that was in my inbox this morning:

What if I told you, Kimberly, that you couldn't have anymore of anything... No more friends, no more money, no more anything, until you first got happy with what you have?

Well, guess what I did with it? I threw it in the trash folder--immediately, thinking, that doesn't apply to me--I'm happy with what I have. But then I saw this video on Facebook. It's been going around a while, so you've probably seen it, but watch it again. It's worth it!

This man is so inspiring. There are many things he says that strike a chord in my heart, but today, this is the one that stood out:

"If you keep on concentrating on the things you wish you had, or the things that you wish you didn't have, you sort of forget what you do have."

So, that's my message for you today. Focus on what is good in your life, be thankful for those things, and then the bad, yucky, no-good things, won't seem so daunting after all.

Love ya!!

The Sharp Edge of a Knife by D.N. Giles

2010-03-23T06:00:00.000-06:00

I'm thrilled to be able to review The Sharp Edge of a Knife by D.N.(Nichole) Giles. I'm part of Nichole's critique group, so I've read this book from its early beginnings. It's a story that has deep personal meaning to Nichole, and I'm glad she was able to get it published.

About the author:

D.N. Giles was born in Nevada, and moved with her parents to a number of cities in and around the Midwest, mostly staying in Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and snatches of time in Texas. Her future aspirations include adding a tropical island to her growing list of locations. For now, she plans to travel to as many tropical locations as possible, scouting for her future home in paradise.

Her early career plans included becoming a megastar actress or a rock star, but she decided instead to have a family and then become a writer, in that order. Writing is her passion, but she also loves to spend time with her family, travel, drive in the rain with the convertible top down, and play music at full volume so she can sing along.

About the book:

Most people would have panicked, sitting bound and gagged on a boulder in the middle of the desert as I was, but for some reason, I didn't. A strange kind of reassurance washed over me from somewhere deep within. Whether it was peace that I'd go quickly, or comfort that I was being protected, I wasn't sure.

When Mel Petersen leaves for work on the morning of February 7, he has no idea what awaits him. A few miles from his house, Mel picks up a pair of young men who appear to be college students, hoping to prevent them from having to walk in the cold. What Mel doesn't know is that the men are actually convicts on the run from the law who are desperate to get away by any means necessary.

When one of his passengers holds a knife to Mel's throat, he has no choice but to submit to the demands of the criminals. Mel hopes he has what it takes to talk his captors into letting him live so he can return to his wife and children, but fears they will kill him before he has the chance.

Based on a true story, The Sharp Edge of a Knife follows Mel and his captors on an unforgettable ride that will have you questioning the depth of your faith and sitting on the edge of your seat as it grabs your attention from the first sentence and keeps you riveted until the very end.

My opinion:

The Sharp Edge of a Knife is an amazing story based on actual events that happened to Nichole's grandfather. It's fast-paced action keeps you sitting on the edge of your seat, and unable to put the book down. Nichole does an amazing job at portraying the distinct personalities of Mel's captors. My favorite character is Jeneal. I like that we see what is happening to her throughout the story. It makes the reader feel like they know Mel's family personally which gives them an even greater interest in his safe return.

This book is a treasure for Nichole and her family, but is also inspiring to everyone who reads it. Mel's great faith in the face of hardship will inspire and uplift even the most hardened of souls--but don't take my word for it--read the book to find out.

You can purchase The Sharp Edge of a Knife on Amazon. To read more about this book and the author, visit her website and blog.

Women of the Book of Mormon by Heather B. Moore

2010-03-22T22:01:00.002-06:00

A couple years ago when I worked in the Young Women's organization in my church, we held an activity where each of the girls picked a woman from the scriptures and found ways that they were similar. They looked at their life, their experiences, and their characteristics. I learned so many astounding things at that time about the amazing women throughout the scriptures. Ever since then, I've been fascinated by these women's stories, and their faith filled lives.

Because of my great interest in this subject, I jumped at the chance to read and review Heather Moore's newest release, Women of the Book of Mormon.

About the author:

Heather was born in Providence, Rhode Island, but spent most of her childhood in Orem, Utah. During these years, her family traveled back and forth between the Middle East and Utah. At the age of eight, while living in Egypt, she was baptized in the Red Sea. Heather attended the Anglican School of Jerusalem from 1987-88, and returned again to Jerusalem with her husband in 1994.

Heather graduated from Brigham Young University with a major in Fashion Merchandising and minor in Business Management. This has nothing to do with writing books, but at least she can color-coordinate her kids school clothes and balance a mean checkbook.

Heather is a member of the League of Utah Writers and LDStorymakers. She also manages the editing company, Precision Editing Group, LLC.

About the book:

Explore the lives, circumstances, and choices of women in the Book of Mormon in this uplifting and inspiring volume that illustrates the parallel between the lives of the women of the Book of Mormon and LDS women today. With new insights on practically every page, author Heather B. Moore explores the written and unwritten stories of the prominent women in the Book of Mormon—taking familiar material and providing vivid details about family dynamics, domestic practices, and other aspects of daily life. By applying historical and cultural contexts to the situations of women like Sariah, Abish, Eve, Mary and the faithful mothers of the stripling warriors, you will peek beneath the surface of the scriptural accounts to better understand both the righteous women of the Book of Mormon—and the women who didn’t use their agency wisely.

My opinion:

I loved this book. Heather's writing style is clear and concise. The ideas she presents about women such as Eve, Sariah, Mary, Abish, and the Queen of King Lamoni, made me feel as though I know them personally. She reveals details of their everyday lives that we don't often hear. I realized they were women just like you and I. Their profound faith is inspiring and motivates me to want to do what is right. Thank you, Heather, for this insightful look into the lives of these outstanding women. Learning about them reminded me of my own divine nature.

I highly recommend this book. It is a quick, yet inspiring, read, and would make a great Mother's Day gift.

To learn more about Heather's other books, check out her website and blog.

Another Awesome Giveaway!

2010-03-21T11:47:00.001-06:00

The Sharp Edge of a Knife Blog Tour and Giveaway!

To celebrate the release of The Sharp Edge of a Knife, D.N. Giles has put together an exciting giveaway, with several opportunities to win. Since the book deals a lot with making choices, the prizes all have something to do with choice.

Among prizes Nichole has been collecting, Lisa at Watches by Lisa has agreed to sponsor the giveaway by donating a custom made beaded watch and face. Head on over to her blog and take a look at the incredible selection.

So, choice number one: the winner gets to choose a watch band and face so that their watch is personalized to their tastes and fashion needs.

Nichole realizes that a beaded watch is not exactly a prize to be coveted by a bunch of masculine men (though it makes a great gift for the woman or girl in your life), which is why she’s also giving away more great stuff. Check out the following really cool prizes:

1. Choice between: An autographed copy of the New York Times number one bestselling novel, Wings by Aprilynne Pike—or—a non-autographed copy of The Darwin Awards, Intelligent Design by Wendy Northcutt—or—a numbered, autographed copy of Recovering Charles by Jason F. Wright. Click here to learn more about Wings, here to read about The Darwin Awards, and here to find out about Recovering Charles.

2. Choice between: A $25 gift certificate to the Restaurant Morelia in Murray, UT (Sorry out-of-state peeps, this is local to Utah) or $25 worth of vinyl lettering by Whaddayawannasay Vinyl Lettering—you choose your quote or phrase.

Bonus prize for author types:

3. You may substitute any of the above selections with the following incredible opportunity: The chance to sit in on a critique session with my wonderful, amazing, incredible critique group. While there, you will be treated to not one, but six critiques on the first chapter of your work in progress. This is no ordinary group. We have in our midst some fabulous authors including Tristi Pinkston, acquisitions editor for Valor Publishing and author of the Secret Sisters series, Danyelle Ferguson, freelance editor for Ferguson Authors Editing & Review Services and author of (dis)Abilities and the Gospel—who will edit via internet, since she actually lives in Kansas—Heather Justesen, author of The Ball’s In Her Court and the upcoming release, Rebound, Kimberly Job, author of I’ll Know You By Heart, and Keith Fisher, up and coming author of women’s fiction and plotting genius, and Nichole Giles, also known as D.N. Giles.

**If enough people enter this contest, Nichole reserves the right to choose extra winners and give away some, or all, of the prizes left after the first three winners have made their choices.

Dates to enter: Entries will be accepted between March 15th and April 3rd. On April 5th Nichole will announce the contest winners on her blog.

Entry requirements:

1. You must be a follower of my blog.
2. You must leave a comment telling me which prize you want to win and why.
3. For those wishing to win the watch, you must go to Watches by Lisa and become a follower, then come back and tell me which watch combination is your favorite.

Extra entries:

1. Blog about this contest, then come back and leave either a url address or a link in a comment.
2. Tweet this contest, tell me where to see your tweet in a comment.
3. Follow me on Twitter.
4. Follow Nichole on Twitter.
5. 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 and/or Nichole.
6. Become a fan of The Sharp Edge of a Knife on Facebook.
7. Become a fan of Kimberly Job, Author on facebook.
8. Sign up for my newsletter.
You may enter this contest on any of the tour posts at the following blogs:

March 15th Cindy Beck, Review
March 16th David J. West, review, interview
March 17th Cindy Beck, Interview
March 18th Tristi Pinkston, review
March 19th Rachelle Christensen, review
March 22nd Shanda, LDS Women’s Book Review
March 23rd Kimberly Job, review
March 23rd, Keith Fisher, Interview
March 24th Heather Justesen, review
March 25th Christine Bryant, Review
March 26th Kimberly Job, interview
March 26th Heather Justesen, interview
March 27th Keith Fisher, review
March 28th Ali Cross, Review
March 29th Rachelle Christensen, Interview
March 30th Heather Gardener, Fire and Ice Book Reviews
March 31st Danyelle Ferguson review, interview

My First Review!

2010-03-20T22:26:00.001-06:00

I signed up for google alerts, and I'm loving it! Anytime my name or book title is mentioned anywhere online, I get an email and a link. I received an email today that had a link to a review of my new book, I'll Know You by Heart. It's the first unsolicited written review I've received, so it made me smile. You can read the entire blog post here, but below are a few of the highlights!

". . . After BYU’s dramatic double overtime win, I casually picked up the book and thought that I’d read just the first chapter. Romance novels aren’t really my thing, but I’m a firm believer that a person should try to read outside of the genre they write in. I think that doing so makes one a better writer in whatever genre they’re focused on.

Long story short, after the first chapter I had to read the next. I didn’t finish reading it in just one day like Wendy did. The book was competing with the single greatest sporting event ever created for my attention. However, when I woke up this morning at 4:30 a.m., I knew I wasn’t going to get back to sleep until I finished reading it. Yeah, the book is that good . . .

. . . Despite feeling my testosterone slip away like a boat leaving a safe harbor, I have to admit that if other romance novels are this good, I just might read another. Before my maleness completely fades into obscurity I think that I’ll go turn March Madness on again. "

Thanks for the review, Dan! I'm so glad to know someone enjoyed my book! As a first-time author, you have no idea how sweet those words sound!

Book Launch Photos!

2010-03-20T22:05:00.000-06:00

Whew!! What a week. I'm just now able to sit down and post some pictures from the book launch on Tuesday. The event was amazing. Valor Publishing Group launched five books that evening. There was awesome entertainment, yummy food, and over 200 guests in attendance.

Me and some of my family that attended.

Me, Tristi Pinkston, and Andrea Pearson

Me, Scott, and Britt

More of my family, and my good friend, Keith Fisher.

Me, Karlene Browning, and Tristi Pinkston

Me and Ash

Look at the amazing posters Valor provided for all the authors!

Wrong Number by Rachelle J. Christensen

2010-03-20T12:42:00.002-06:00

It’s been so much fun participating in Rachelle Christensen’s book launch. Congrats to all those who won prizes in the fun giveaway she sponsored in connection with her new release, Wrong Number. As a participating blog, I also get the chance to review the book.

About Rachelle:

Rachelle was born and raised in a small farming town in Idaho and is a dirt between the toes, irrigation boot-wearing, ponytail flipping in the wind 4-wheeler FARM girl all the way! She currently lives in Utah County, and she and her husband, Steve, have three kids–two girls and one boy.

She graduated cum laude from Utah State University in ‘99 with a bachelor’s in Psychology and a minor in music. She loves running, making cards with rubber stamps, crocheting, knitting (on a loom), playing volleyball, singing, playing the piano, telling felt stories and giving puppet shows to my kids and their friends, and cooking. She has enjoyed writing for as long as she can remember.

About the Book:

When Aubree Stewart receives a mysterious phone call on her way to work, she doesn't know what to think. At first she assumes it's some kind of prank. But the call isn't a practical joke and Aubree soon finds herself swept up in a world of danger, intrigue, and murder. With help from the FBI, Aubree races to protect herself and what's left of her family. The only thing she forgets to protect is her own heart.

My opinion:

Rachelle is a very talented new author. Wrong Number grabbed my attention from the very first page. This gripping story of a pregnant mother who finds herself in an unimaginable situation is fast-paced and hard to put down. The mystery keeps you guessing, and the romance is believable and perfect for the story. I highly recommend it, and look forward to reading more from this author.

Rachelle's second book, Lost Children: Coping with Miscarriage, will be out in May. You can learn more about Rachelle on her website, or check out her blog. You can also read the first chapter here. You can watch her book trailer here.

Wrong Number is available wherever books are sold, including Barnes & Noble, Borders, and Amazon.

Contest WINNERS!!

2010-03-16T01:04:00.001-06:00

It's hard to believe that today is the day of my book launch. It still seems so surreal. I haven't even seen the book yet, so maybe when I hold it in my hands, I'll really believe it's happening. My launch party is tonight. Here are the details:

Barnes & Noble Booksellers
The Gateway
6 N Rio Grande Street, Salt Lake City
6:00-8:30

It is going to be tons of fun, and many authors will be in attendance. If you come, please say hi! I'd love to meet some of you in person.

Now, on to the announcement of all the contest winners!

Thanks to all of my faithful blog followers and those who entered the Office Box giveaway, and My Favorite Things giveaways.

First of all, the winner of my book, I'll Know You by Heart, and one of 25 entries in the grand prize drawing for the Office Box Giveaway . . .

Momnerd!!

Favorite Things Winners:

Socks - Buttons and Bows
Mary Kay Moisturizer - Brittany
Pajamas - Kim
Jewelry - Karlene
Chocolate - Josie
Stickers - xxsquigglesxx
Critique Group - Kate
My book - Elizabeth Morgan

Congratulations to all the winners. If I can access your profile and email address, I'll email you. If not, please send me your name and mailing address to kim at kimberlyjob dot com.

Thanks for entering and for reading my blog!!

"World of Difference" Book Launch Party

2010-03-15T18:38:00.000-06:00

Valor Publishing Group is thrilled to announce its World of Difference book launch Tuesday evening, March 16th at the Salt Lake City Gateway Barnes & Noble. The book launch will feature the release of five books by authors Michele Ashman Bell, Tristi Pinkston, Karen E. Hoover, Kimberly Job, and Daron D. Fraley. Valor Publishing Group president, Candace E. Salima, believes "these authors contribute greatly to the world of books and the furthering of literacy."

Michele Ashman Bell's Summer in Paris (YA) takes readers on a journey of self-discovery and romance in a small western town, Paris . . . Idaho.

Tristi Pinkston's Secret Sisters (Comedy/Mystery) immerses readers in the zany world of a Relief Society presidency trying to shoulder a little more of the load and taking on the mob in the process.

Karen E. Hoover's The Sapphire Flute (YA Fantasy) introduces readers to a new world filled with magic, shape shifting, and two young women on a journey to save their world from absolute destruction.

Kimberly Job's I'll Know You By Heart (Romantic Suspense) takes readers through the horror of abuse, the soul-destroying fear of escaping only to find there is no escape, and finding love when all was believed lost.

Daron D. Fraley's The Thorn (Speculative Fiction) invites readers to a world torn apart by war, ancient prophecies referring to a Savior born on another world far away, and the three who form a friendship against all odds.

Also featured will be entertainer Shaun "Hammer Hands" Barrowes, LDS Womens Book Review podcasting live, Karen E. Hoover playing her "Sapphire Flute," prizes, and the launching of five fantastic new books on the market. The evening of March 16th is one you will want to mark on your calendar and remain for the entire time, 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Join Valor Publishing Group authors at their "World of Difference" national book launch for a fun, entertaining evening.

Barnes & Noble at The Gateway
6 Rio Grande Street
Salt Lake City, UT
6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
I hope to see you all there! Be sure to come and introduce yourself to me.

The Sapphire Flute by Karen E. Hoover

2010-03-15T00:09:00.001-06:00

It's an honor for me to be able to review Karen Hoover's debut novel, The Sapphire Flute: Book One of The Wolfchild Saga. Karen is one of the most talented authors I know. I admire her writing gift, but even more than that, I admire her as a person. She is one of the most genuinely loving people I know. She reaches out to aspiring writers, and is always willing to offer her knowledge and expertise. More than once, she has offered me a listening ear and kind words. She once told me that one of the greatest things she learned from her mother is to follow her heart. I'm so happy for her, and can't wait to celebrate the release of her book.

About the book:

It has been 3,000 years since a white mage has been seen upon Rasann.

In the midst of a volcanic eruption miles outside of her village, Ember discovers she can see magic and change the appearance of things at will. Against her mother's wishes, she leaves for the mage trials only to be kidnapped before arriving. In trying to escape, she discovers she has inherited her father's secret--a secret that places her in direct conflict with her father's greatest enemy.

At the same time, Kayla is given guardianship of the sapphire flute and told not to play it. The evil mage C'Tan has been searching for it for decades and the sound alone is enough to call her. For the flute to be truly safe, Kayla must find its birthplace in the mountains high above Javak. The girls' paths are set on a collision course...a course that C'Tan is determined to prevent at all costs.

My opinion:

First, I'm going to admit that fantasy is not my favorite genre, but I really enjoyed Karen's novel. I am constantly amazed by people who can write fantasy. I think Karen has an extraordinary talent as a writer, but she also is remarkably creative. The world of Rasann, the mage trials, magic jewelry, and shape shifting characters are only a few of the things that make The Sapphire Flute a page turner you won't want to put down.

Karen has created characters that youth will identify with. Kayla and Ember are each on an individual journey of self-discovery that is full of action and unexpected twists and turns. Although the main characters are girls, Hoover includes enough action that boys will enjoy her book as well.

In the spirit of offering a candid review, I did find that some of the modern language throughout the book was a little jarring and pulled me out of the setting, but it's highly possible that will make young readers love the book even more, because they can identify with it. I also would like to see a little more distinction between Kayla and Ember. Their characters were very similar, so I had to pay close attention to remember which one I was reading about. Luckily, because there are more books to come in the series, I'll have plenty of time to get to know the characters better.

Overall, The Sapphire Flute is a very entertaining read, and I highly recommend it. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book when Ember and Kayla finally cross paths.

The Sapphire flute is available on Amazon and will be sold at national and regional bookstores.

You can read more about the book and Karen at her blog.

A Cry for Help

2010-03-14T23:09:00.003-06:00

My son came home from school a few days ago and I could tell something was wrong. He was quiet and withdrawn. As I sat down with him, the story he told me filled me with sorrow and made me reflect on my own life, and what I could do as a mother to avoid something so tragic happening in my family.

That day, the school psychologist visited his class to talk to them about suicide. The older sister of one of his classmates had hung herself over the weekend. They were able to revive her, but she died the next day.

My heart was heavy the whole day. I couldn’t stop thinking about the young girl’s mother and how she must feel. I also considered the desperation the girl must have been feeling to follow through with something so life altering.

There was a time in my life when I contemplated suicide, and I have scars to prove it. I look back now, from an adult perspective, and realize that my sadness at that time was much of my own making. I understand now that the inability to forgive myself for my sins and shortcomings was a motivating factor in my suicide thought process.

Youth often have difficulty placing past actions in perspective. They may feel that the steps they’ve taken are irreversible and that their prospects for a happy life have been forever shattered. If parents can keep the lines of communication open and remain accessible to their children—and sympathetic to their problems—they can do much to help dispel these fears. Unconditional love and understanding are the tools that work best.

Face it. Being a teenager is hard. There are many new social, academic, and personal pressures. And for teens who have additional problems such as divorce, substance abuse, or conflict at home to deal with, life can seem even more difficult.

Teens think deeply—about their existence in the world, the meaning of life, and other profound ideas. It is not uncommon for them to also think about death. In some cases, death even seems romantic—think about Romeo and Juliet. However, wishing to be dead, thinking about suicide, or feeling helpless and hopeless about life, are signs that a teen is in need of help.

So what makes some teens begin to think about suicide? I think one of the biggest factors is depression. A teen who has suicidal feelings often sees no other way out of problems or emotional pain they are experiencing. Depression also distorts a person’s viewpoint. They tend to focus only on their failures and the difficulties in their life. These negative feelings are often exaggerated and it is easy to become convinced there is nothing to live for. In my case, it was an attempt to communicate my desperate unhappiness—a plea for help.

I think it’s very important as parents to know the warning signs, and realize that no child is immune. Here’s a list of the most common ones:
• pulling away from friends or family
• changes in eating or sleeping habits
• major changes in appearance
• talk about feeling hopeless or feeling guilty
• talk about suicide and death
• self-destructive behavior (drinking alcohol, taking drugs, or driving too fast, for example)
• no desire to take part in favorite things or activities

I personally feel that teaching our children about repentance and the Savior’s unconditional love goes a long way in preventing the overwhelming feelings that inevitably precede suicidal thoughts. The message that it is never too late is vital for young people to understand.

"Lost and Found" by Greg Olsen

We have a loving Savior who already died for our sins. Repentance is not a one time opportunity. He suffered for everything we will ever do wrong. His unconditional love is the key.

Suicide is a very real thing that affects the lives of many families. It is important to remember that most people who contemplate suicide really don’t want to die. They simply want the pain to stop. The atonement not only covers our sins, it covers all of our pain and disappointments as well.

Other resources:

New Era: Questions and Answers
Suicide: Some Things We Know, and Some We Do Not by M. Russell Ballard
NAMI – Teen Suicide

Tears of Heaven by Jewel Adams

2010-03-13T10:40:00.001-07:00

I have always admired Jewel Adams from afar. She is classy and elegant, but totally friendly and willing to offer her help to new writers. When I heard about her latest release, I jumped at the opportunity to read and review her novella, Tears of Heaven.

J. (Jewel) Adams was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. Her hard childhood spurred her imagination and later on those imaginings fueled her love for writing.

She moved to Utah in 1989 and started writing seriously a few years later.

She is a wife and the mother of eight children. When she is not home schooling her children or writing, she loves to curl up with a box of chocolates and read, her favorite books being romance and fantasy novels.

She frequently speak to youth and adult audiences. She has a great love for the youth and because of her own painful childhood, she is always anxiously engaged in helping them to understand how marvelous and special they are.

She also loves doing signings and meeting new people. Jewel and her family live in West Point, Utah. She loves hearing from her fans.

About the Book:

Escaping from an abusive relationship, Heaven Gundersen flees to the safety of her grandparent's home and begins a new life in Sweden, praying the past is behind her. When she accepts the housekeeping job arranged by her grandparents, she has no idea how much it will change his life. Her boss, Sergei Petrenko, is a retired hockey player, and definitely not what she had expected.

No matter how hard she tries to guard her heart, Sergei's kindness makes it impossible to do and she once again opens up to love. But leaving the past behind isn't as easy as she hoped it would be, and the peace she has found in her new life is about to be shattered by the nightmare she thought she'd escaped.

Tears of Heaven is the new emotionally charged novella by Jewel Adams that will touch your heart and make you cheer the endurance of the human spirit.

Tears of Heaven was a very interesting read for me.  My new book, I'll Know You by Heart, deals with the same subject matter of abuse and trying to move on, so it was interesting to see how another author presented it. Jewel does a marvelous job of portraying the feelings of fear and lack of control that abuse victims experience.

Throughout the story, we see a lot of internal thoughts and feelings from the main character, Heaven. It added depth to the story, and made me, as a reader, experience the same emotions she felt. I was afraid when she was, and I felt the relief and happiness when the ever-present fear was finally behind her.   Jewel is a master at evoking emotions through her words. The scenes between the two main characters tugged at my heart, and made me smile.

The concept of a novella is new to me. My life is busy, so I loved the fact that I could read the story in one sitting. In my opinion, the drawback to a novella is that I had just learned to love the characters, and the story was over. If you are in the mood for a fast-paced story full of suspense, but with a feel good ending, I highly recommend Tears of Heaven.

To learn more about Jewel, and to purchase her books you can visit her website and blog.  You can even download some of her books for free, so be sure to check it out.

Interview Links

2010-03-11T16:15:00.001-07:00

I already blogged once today, but I wanted to link to two interviews posted on other writer's blogs today. Thanks Kate and Krista. I really appreciated talking with you, and your willingness to share the word about my new book. You can read the interviews here:

Kate Palmer--Running on Dirt Roads

Krista Lynne Jensen

Sweating the Small Stuff

2010-03-11T12:20:00.000-07:00

Please forgive me ahead of time for this rambling post. My brain is trying to hold so much information, and organize so many details—some of them big, and others not so much. Either way, I’m getting overwhelmed. Even the small things are threatening to overpower me.

Examples.

[Big]—My husband’s grandmother passed away. She was 94, so we are happy for her and know she’s in a much better place. The only problem is that my book launch is next week and somewhat interferes with the funeral plans. I’m torn over supporting my husband and fulfilling my obligations to my publisher. I’ve worked it out so that I’m available for most of the promotional events that were planned. I’ve informed my publisher and received their support, but still can’t stop thinking about it, and wondering if I’ve made the right decisions. I do that—I make a decision then dwell on it, rethinking every possible scenario until I feel like I’m going crazy. Why can’t I just STOP??

[Not life altering]—Because my book is coming out, I went shopping online last week looking for something to wear. Okay, so I went a little crazy, and spent more money than I should. Mainly because I hate shopping for clothes and usually don’t like what I buy, so I just pre-plan to hate some of them and send them back. So, the more I buy, the more chance I’ll get something that will actually work. Right? Normally, not a problem, but then Grandma dies and we have the added expense of traveling out of state to the funeral and all the expenses involved with that. Dang! I just spent all our extra money. No worries. We’ll be fine. We’ll rearrange things and make it work out, but a stress I didn’t need.

[Miniscule]—My daughter is competing in the National Ballroom Championship this weekend. For this event, she has to be tan. Our solution—Loreal tanning spray. I helped her put it on, and I swear I washed my hands after, but both my hands, and her body, are orange. Pretty much everyone at the competition has a fake tan, so not a big deal. But this morning I was in the shower, trying to return my hands to their normal color as thoughts ran through my head of signing books while people stare at my hands wondering what disease they might contract. Big deal? Not really. But it sure felt like it this morning.

Now, I’m sitting at the competition, trying to keep all of these things in perspective.

Breathe.

Next week will be busy, and before I know it, all the details I’m worried about will be ironed out, and go smoothly—or not. Either way, I’ll come out of it as a published author with my amazing husband and sweet kids surrounding me. And right now, that is enough.

Follow Me:

Book Launches Galore!

2010-03-10T11:01:00.003-07:00

March is the month of book launches. I have so many friends with books coming out. Most of them are holding amazing launch parties, with food, fun and prizes!

First, my book launch! Wahoo! Next Tuesday, March 16th my book is being launched along with four other books by Valor Publishing Group.

The other books launching with mine are:

* Secret Sisters by Tristi Pinkston

* The Saphire Flute by Karen E. Hoover

* The Thorn by Daron D. Fraley

* Summer in Paris by Michele Ashman Bell

Our launch is being held at the Gateway Barnes & Noble in Salt Lake City from 6:00-8:30 pm. There will be a mini-concert from Shaun Barrowes. The LDS Women's Book Review podcast will be broadcasting from the launch-party.

One of my good friends, and fellow critique group member, Nichole Giles is holding a signing to launch her book, The Sharp Edge of a Knife.

Saturday, March 27th

1:00-3:00 pm

Eborn Books

Provo Towne Centre Mall

This book is based on a true story. You can read more about it and a sample chapter here.

Rachelle Christensen is doing several signings of her new book this month. Check out her blog for dates and locations. Her official launch is:

Saturday, March 13th

12:00-2:00 pm

Orem Barnes and Noble

Rachelle is also holding a HUGE contest associated with her book launch, and I'm participating. Go here for more details and to enter. (Part of the contest includes a free autographed copy of my book.)

Another multiple author book launch is being held this Friday.

Sarah M. Eden, Annette Lyon, and Julie Coulter Bellon will be signing their books and giving away some awesome prizes.

Friday, March 12th

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Deseret Book at University Village
(East of University Mall in Orem)

Wow! Just getting all those details posted and linked correctly made me tired. I feel privileged to be associated with all of these amazing authors and wish them the best of luck as they launch their books.

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Interview with Rachelle Christensen

2010-03-09T09:28:00.000-07:00

I recently had the opportunity to interview Rachelle Christensen about her recently released novel, "Wrong Number."

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I’ve always loved to write, but I guess I didn’t consider myself “a writer” until a few years ago when I began pushing hard on my dreams of becoming published.

Is your book based on a personal experience? No, but some of the settings are personal. I don’t want to give anything away, but I’ll say that my family loves to take a family reunion every year to one of the settings.

How long did it take you to write the book?

I started this book in 2007, wrote two other books while I continued to work on this one and finished it in February 2009.

What books or authors have most influenced your writing?

Great question. I like to read a wide variety of books from children to YA to adult. I really like a good romance, but nothing too detailed. And yes, I love romantic suspense. It’s hard to pinpoint a certain author because I go through phases where I’ll gobble up everything I can by an author and then move on. I’ve read most of Mary Higgins Clark and love Agatha Christie. A favorite book of mine is Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart. You can check out my goodreads list of favorites and repeat-offenders to see more all time favorites.

What can we look for next? What current projects are you working on?

I’ve got a few things I’m working on. I’ve finished an inspirational romance that I love, called Wind Song and I’m enjoying writing my WIP-working title Caller ID, so I guess we’ll see what comes up first on the docket.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

It changes with the project I’m working on. One great thing I’ve noticed is that with each new book I write, I seem to overcome a writing weakness and my attention is drawn to something else I can work on. I had a lot of fun working on making the settings realistic in Wrong Number and invoking the five senses to draw the reader in.

Do you have any advice for other authors?

If you’re serious about writing, attend writers conferences and classes, join a great critique group, and write, write, write!

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

I’m a stay at home mom of three young children, so that takes up most of my time. I love to laugh at the funny things my kids do and say each day. I also love music and singing. I’ve played the piano for 26 years and I still enjoy it, although I don’t get to play/practice as much as I used to.

Where can we find your books?

Anywhere books are sold. If you don’t see it, ask for it and they can order it in. Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, etc.

Any last words you want the reader to know?

Sure, check out my book trailer—it’s awesome! Stop by my blog, to see what I’m up to. Thank you so much for this interview! Happy reading and writing.

Click here to get a sneak peek of the first chapter of Wrong Number.

I'm participating in a HUGE contest. We are giving away the Original Scrapbox ($895.00), as well as an autographed copy of Wrong Number, and my book, I'll Know You by Heart.

Also, don't forget to enter the "My Favorite Things" giveaway!

"My Favorite Things" Giveaway

2010-03-08T11:56:00.004-07:00

It's hard to believe the release date of my book, I'll Know You by Heart, is only eight days away. I'm celebrating with all of my faithful blog followers by holding a "My Favorite Things" giveaway. I wish I could afford to give prizes to all of you. Your love and support mean so much to me, and your comments always brighten my day. I've made some amazing friends, and I hope to meet all of you in person some day.

Here's how the contest will work. I'm going to list some of my favorite things which I'm giving away as prizes, as well as how to enter below, so keep reading. I'll take entries through Monday night, March 15th, then I'll announce the winner(s) on my release date, Tuesday, March 16th.

Favorite Item #1

Cute Socks

For as long as I can remember, I've loved cute socks. My husband teases me about my crazy socks not matching my clothes, but I don't care. They make me feel amazing. The picture above is not the exact socks--I haven't bought them yet. But, I promise, they will be just as cute.

Favorite Item #2

Mary Kay Moisturizer

Mary Kay's Oil-free Hydrating Gel is my all-time favorite moisturizer. It is cool and refreshing--it feels like a drink of water when you're thirsty. I love it because it doesn't leave my face feeling oily or sticky. [$30.00 retail value.]

Favorite Item #3

Pajamas

I LOVE pajamas! More often than not, if I'm home and don't intend to go out, I'm wearing pajamas. I admit, I even occasionally wear them to Walmart, late at night when I hope nobody will see me. :) I bought this cute pair to give away since they go along with the Heart theme of my book.

Favorite Item #4

Silver Jewelry

Going along with the heart theme, I'm giving away this silver charm bracelet. The heart charm is actually a watch. Cute! I love all jewelry, but silver is my favorite.

Favorite Item #5

Chocolate

Normally, white chocolate is not my favorite, but I love the white chocolate Lindor Truffles. Other than these, I prefer dark chocolate--the darker, the better.

Favorite Item #6

Stickers

I've always loved stickers. I remember trading them at recess in elementary school. Back then, I was so desperate for new ones, I even took the sticker off the Chiquita bananas to put in my sticker book. I'm giving away all the Pebbles, Inc. stickers pictured above. [$30 value]

Favorite Item #7

My Critique Group

I have the most amazing critique group ever! Tristi, Keith, Heather, Nichole, and Danyelle have helped me improve my writing more than any other thing. I'd be lost without their suggstions. We've been meeting for two years, and between all of us, we've critiqued 14 full manuscripts and are currently working on five more.

I love these guys, but no, I can't give them to you. But, we thought it would be fun to invite one lucky winner to join one of our critique sessions. So, if you are local, I'll let you know when and where we are meeting, and you'll be invited to come and bring a chapter to be critiqued. Just be warned, sometimes things get a little silly. If the winner is not local, all these amazing writers have agreed to critique one chapter for you. I promise you won't be disappointed!

Favorite Item #8

My Book!!

I love my book, and I hope that you will too. I'm giving away an autographed copy. So, what's it about? Read on--

What happens when the love you thought you found is the one that puts you in mortal danger? A story of pain, survival, and love, I’ll Know You by Heart is a deeply emotional journey of one woman’s determination to save herself and her family from a life of abuse and fear, and culminates with her finding love again.

Now, onto the details.

I haven't decided yet how I'm going to divide the prizes. I could give each item away individually, or put them all together for one lucky winner. It depends on how many entries I get. Every time I do a contest, my biggest fear is that nobody will enter--so if you are reading this, PLEASE enter.

You get one entry for each of the following:

*Leave a comment telling me which item you'd most like to win.

*Follow this blog. (Click on the follow link on the right sidebar.)

*Become a fan of Kimberly Job, Author on Facebook.

*Follow me on Twitter.

*Tweet about this contest.

*Post about this contest on Facebook.

*Visit my website and click on contact me to sign up for my newsletter.

For five additional entries, blog about the contest and leave me a link to your blog post.

Casual Blogger Conference

2010-03-08T01:31:00.000-07:00

For weeks I've been hearing about the Casual Blogger Conference. I've really wanted to go, but couldn't justify the expense, so I've been entering every ticket giveaway I could find. I just found out that I won a full conference pass from Navel Gazing at It's Finest. I'm so excited!!

If you haven't heard about the conference, check it out here. You can also sign up for their newsletter and follow them on twitter for a chance to win a ticket for yourself. Each week the newsletter lists blogs that are giving away tickets.

I know Jenni James and Annette Lyon are both presenters at the conference. How about the rest of you? Is anybody going?

Progress, not perfection--right??

2010-03-06T19:31:00.004-07:00

Most of you already know that I recently got remarried, and that my husband and I combined our families, now totalling ten children. Yep! Ten. Am I crazy? Yeah, pretty much.

It's definitely had some challenges. Our children come from very different backgrounds, so putting them together has been interesting--to say the least. Some days we wonder if we are going to make it. It finally seems like they are all getting along, then something happens and they each return to their own camps and it becomes the Thompson's vs. the Jobs.

Occasionally, we see glimpses of progress, and cheer silently inside. Almost every day my 17 year old daughter helps her younger step-brother with his homework, and my son always wants to know if "the boys" are coming over. The two 8 year olds have made up games that are theirs alone, and even the 16 year old when asked about one of his new step-brothers said, "Yep, that's my brother." My heart melts when they all get along and we start to feel like a "real" family.

Today was one of those occurrences. Our youngest daughter got a large whiteboard for Christmas and today I found this note on it to her, from one of her step-brothers.

Isn't that cute? It made me smile.

It's things like this that make me think we just might make it. I just keep reminding myself that it's progress, not perfection that we are after. Most of the time, I'm grateful for the opportunity I have to be "Mom" to so many amazing wonderful children.

Huge Giveaway!

2010-03-05T06:00:00.031-07:00

The Office Box Giveaway & Wrong Number Book Launch

The Original Scrapbox has a brand new piece of organizing furniture and you have a chance to win it! Introducing the Office Box...
And we're celebrating the launch of Rachelle J. Christensen's suspense novel, Wrong Number, with a chance to win an autographed copy!

The Office Box was created as an addition to the line of incredible scrapbooking furniture The Original Scrapbox has to offer, such as The Workbox and The EZ View Craft Desk.

I'm hosting a preliminary giveaway. You have the chance to win an autographed copy of my new book, I'll Know You by Heart.

On March 16th, I'll announce the winner of my book who will then go on for the grand prize drawing of The Office Box and a copy of Wrong Number.The Grand Prize Winner will be drawn on March 19, 2010 at RachelleWrites. She will select a winner from the 25 finalists to receive one Office Box (Value $895.00) in their choice of color and an autographed copy of Wrong Number by Rachelle J. Christensen.

Giveaway open from March 5, 2010- March 15, 2010 at 11:59pm Mountain Standard Time.

Open to addresses in the contiguous United States only.

Giveaway Rules:
*You can only enter under one name

* It is possible to win more than one preliminary prize, which means it’s possible to be entered into the grand prize drawing more than once.

*All winner’s addresses must be stateside US addresses

*You must complete the required entry to be eligible to win

Here's how to enter:Please leave details in your comment of how you entered with required links. I'll put all entries into a spreadsheet and use Random.org to select the winner.

*Required entry: You must visit The Original Scrapbox website and leave a comment telling me your favorite item

Extra Entries:

*Become a Facebook Fan of The Original Scrapbox
*Tweet the contest with linkback in your comment and use the hashtag #officebox or #scrapbox in your tweet
*Facebook the contest with linkback in your comment
*Add the contest button(pictured above) to your sidebar with a link to this contest
*Follow RachelleWrites
*Follow Scribbled Scraps
*Become a Facebook Fan of Kimberly Job, Author
*Follow me on Twitter

To receive 15 extra entries, you must do the following 5 things together on your blog post and please leave a link back to your blog post with your comment (only one comment required, but you must leave a link so I can check your post.)

Blog about the contest WITH a picture of The Office Box and Wrong Number in your post, and link back to this post, so people will know where to enter.
In your blog post link the phrase "The Office Box " to http://theoriginalscrapbox.com/catalog/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=87&Itemid=138
Link the phrase "The Original Scrapbox" to http://theoriginalscrapbox.com/catalog/
Link the phrase "Wrong Number" to http://www.amazon.com/Wrong-Number-Rachelle-J-Christensen/dp/1599553643/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1
Post the Wrong Number book trailer from You Tube on your blog

There are 25 different blogs participating in this giveaway. Each blog is giving away a preliminary prize and a chance to win an entry into the Grand Prize Drawing. Stay tuned for reviews on Wrong Number and author interviews as well!

Here's the list of blogs where you can enter:

The Mommy Files
Cricut Christmas
Little Birdie Secrets
Priscilla Styles
Mommy Mandy
RockinMama
RachelleWrites
Alvor-Dare To Dream
Diony George
Heather Justesen
Queen of the Clan
Scribbled Scraps
Anne Bradshaw
Rachel Rager
Tristi Pinkston
Cami Checketts
Nichole Giles
Wendy Paul
Marilyn Bunderson
Ronda Hinrichson
C.L. Beck: Write Up My Alley
Christine Bryant
Ali Cross
Jenni James
Annette Lyon

*Results of contests are final. Participants will be eliminated if entry rules are not followed correctly.

Guest Blogger

2010-03-04T06:00:00.002-07:00

I'm a guest blogger today at Christine Bryant's blog, Day Dreamer. Christine is the most creative blogger I know. Check out her blog, and my post, here.

Contests Galore!

2010-03-02T14:55:00.001-07:00

I'm still on vacation, and having a great time. I'm just giving you a heads up about an awesome contest I'll be participating in that starts this Friday, March 5th.

It involves a prize valued at $895 as well as chances to win my new book, I'll Know You by Heart, and Rachelle Christensen's new release, Wrong Number. There are 25 blogs participating, and they are all giving away fun prizes. Be sure to come back Friday for more details.

You can still preorder an autographed copy of my book at 10% off. Click here to order.

On Vacation

2010-03-01T11:30:00.000-07:00

Time in the Sun

2010-02-24T23:09:00.001-07:00

My book release is getting closer and closer. I'm honestly not sure what to expect. I've been busy with promotion, while still trying to keep up with my writing. I've just about got my next book done, and I'm feeling pressured to get it turned into my publisher. I struggle to keep up with my blog and all the other blogs I follow, as well as facebook, and trying to figure out twitter.

I didn't realize how much work it is being a published author. I'm seriously the kind of writer who feels most comfortable hiding behind my laptop. But I'm realizing I can't do that. I recently heard a poem that explains how I feel.

Independence

I would stay here
Close to roots
That fed me
Close to
Cool shelter--

Always close
I would be.

Except,
I'm afraid.

Have you seen
The pitiful
Small green
That grows
In shade?

From Beginnings and Beyond by Carol Lynn Pearson

Shortly after discovering this poem, I received a note from one of my good friends on facebook:

My friend,

You are about to experience your place in the sun. Nobody deserves it more. Look at all the well wishes you are getting about your book. Wait till they read it. Your star will rise, and I will be here to enjoy the light and watch you shine. Congrats and enjoy. I knew you could do it, and you knew it too.

I'm getting the message that it's time to come out of the shade. It might feel safe, but staying safe limits personal growth. I know an amazing chance at growth stands before me. Pass the sunscreen. I don't wanna get burned.

A Christ Centered Relationship

2010-02-23T20:03:00.001-07:00

I attended a meeting recently where one of the speakers, a marriage and family therapist from BYU, spoke on having a Christ centered marriage. It was an amazing presentation. A true/false checklist was handed out for each of us to assess how Christ centered our own marriages are. It was divided into two sections: doctrine and actions.

Doctrine:
1) I believe eternal marriage between man and woman is ordained, or set up and sanctified by our Father in Heaven.
2) I believe eternal marriage is possible for every son and daughter of God, and is a promised blessing to everyone that is faithful to God's commandments.
3) I belive I can have an eternal marriage that brings joy to both spouses.
4) I believe woman and man were divinely created to complete and complement each other.
5) I belive that no earthly struggle, trial, disability, or injustice can prevent a person from receiving eternal marriage if he/she trusts in the Lord and keeps His commandments.
6) I believe in the principle of being equal partners in marriages.

Actions:
7) I speak positively about marriage and the opposite sex.
8) Those closest to me would see me as a defender of eternal marriage between a man and woman.
9) My spouse would say that next to my relationship with my Father in Heaven and His son Jesus Christ, our marriage is my highest priority.
10) My spouse would describe me as an equal partner, including parenting and domestic responsibilities.
11) My spouse and I have regular scripture study, regular couple prayer, and attend the temple together.

The speaker also presented an image similar to the one below:

If you picture the man and woman in this picture, each becoming closer to Christ and rising up the sides of the triangle, they automatically become closer to one another as well. This visual image solidified something in my mind that I realized I already knew.

I know there are many out there who probably find these words about marriage difficult to read. Believe me when I say, I understand. I lived through a very difficult marriage for 19 years. I'm a happily married newlywed now, but I know that trials are inevitable, and if we both strive to become closer to the Savior, we can make it through the difficult times and come out closer in the end.