LDS Women's Book Review: December 2009

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Last Chance to Claim Your Prize!!!

Posted by Shanda

LAST CHANCE TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE!

After midnight MST tonight (New Year's Eve), the prizes that have not been claimed and confirmed will have to be redrawn for tomorrow.

PLEASE CLAIM YOUR PRIZE!!!!

I've emailed the winners that I have email addresses for, but there are some people I can't track down. I will hold another drawing in the next day or two for the unclaimed prizes.

In the meantime...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Contest Winners! Woot! Woot!

Posted by Shanda

I'm so excited! Are you excited? I'm excited!

After writing down names on 130+ squares of the exact same size and folding them in the exact same way, I tossed them all in a big formula can.

I shook the can with the lid on between the drawing of each name and with some help from my hubby and three of my kiddos, the names have been drawn and recorded. Ready? Okay! Here we go:

Book prize winners are as follows:

Loyalty's Web by Joyce DiPastena: Chantele
Hidden Branch by G.G. Vandagriff: hopeandme
Altared Plans by Rebecca Talley: Laurie (LC) Lewis
A Modest Proposal by Michele Ashman Bell: Elizabeth Morgan
Her Good Name by Josi Kilpack: Rebecca Irvine
MISSING by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen: Krista
Famous Family Nights by Anne Bradshaw: Elizabeth Morgan
Love Letters of Joseph and Emma by Angela Eschler: Chantele
Family Home Evening Adventures by Rebecca Irvine: Krista
Counting the Cost by Liz Adair: Debbie/Cranberry Fries
Shudder by Jennie Hansen: MarthaE
Mormon Mishaps and Mischief by D.N. Giles & C.L. Beck: Taffy
Dawn's Early Light by Laurie (LC) Lewis: MarthaE
The Fairy Thorn by Dorothy Keddington: Krinn
Torn Apart by Diony George: Taffy
Pursued: A Maggie McKenzie Mystery by Lynn Gardner: Julie
Girl in a Whirl by Victoria Gunther: Joan Sowards

And the winner of the $25 eGift Card to Deseret Book is------ Rebecca Irvine!

Congratulations to all the winners! And a HUGE thank you to all of you who commented and participated in our contest. We hope you all had a warm and happy Christmas yesterday, and we wish you the best in the coming New Year.

ATTENTION WINNERS: Don't forget to email your acceptance to ldswbr at gmail dot com before Midnight MST on 12/31/09. If I don't hear from you by then, a new name will be drawn to receive the prize.

Don't forget to nominate your favorite 2009 books by LDS authors for Whitney Awards by December 31! Can't remember what you read? Visit the LDS Publisher blog for a list of books published by LDS authors in 2009.

Friday, December 25, 2009

Christmas Merries & Contest Info

Posted by Shanda

Hi there!

There's no denying that this December was the fastest December I have ever experienced! Being fairly new to the blogging world, I had no idea the scope of what I was undertaking with the Countdown to Christmas. Now that it's done, I can honestly say it's been one of the most exhausting and time demanding things I've ever done in regards to LDS Women's Book Review (and considering that it takes a big chunk of time to edit our podcasts, that's saying a lot!). But I can also say that it's been one of the funnest and most rewarding experiences for me as well.

I can't say as that I "fit in" with many people or groups in this world, but with all of these great authors and the book lovers who follow us, I feel wonderfully at home. It's like being with family as we share this common love for good, inspiring reads.

I hope, then, that you'll forgive me for not announcing the drawing winners today, and graciously allow me to post them in the morning. It has been two days full of family, food (oh, the food!) and too much fun, and while the drawing is ready to go (no names drawn yet), I just can't bring myself to donate my last Christmas Day hours to drawing names and posting it all up tonight. I'd rather cuddle my kids and gather up the last remnants of wrapping paper and drink hot chocolate by the fire with my hubby.

Thank you all so much for your participation. It's been an amazing experience. I can't wait to post tomorrow morning and see who all the lucky winners are going to be!

If we do this again next year, I'll schedule the drawing for AFTER Christmas :).

Thank you for understanding, and Merry Merry MERRY Christmas!!

Shanda :)

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Lynn Gardner & Victoria Gunther - Countdown to Christmas 2009

Posted by Shanda

1 Day until Christmas!

The LDSWBR Countdown to Christmas 2009 Contest ends tonight at Midnight, MST. Get your comments posted today!

Lynn Gardner is the author of 12 novels: ten in the gem series and two Maggie McKenzie Mysteries. Pursued is her most recent release. She also participated in Famous Family Nights with Anne Bradshaw.

You can purchase Pursued, as well as Lynn's other books, from Covenant Communications, Seagull Book, Deseret Book, Amazon, and through Lynn at lynngardner@verizon.net.

Visit Lynn at her website: www.lynngardner-author.com.

LDSWBR: What favorite holiday traditions do you and your family participate in every year? Will you be starting any new traditions this year?

LYNN: Since Christmas is my favorite holiday, we go all out. We decorate the house outside and yard with lots of lights and a lighted nativity scene. Inside, I remove books from book cases and use every surface available including the dining room buffet for my nearly 100 nativity sets that I've collected from all over the world. I have two children that travel internationally for their business and they have collected many for me. We chose some needy or lonely families to do the 12 Days of Christmas and deliver presents anonymously from the 13th through the 24th. The nice part of living in Southern California is that we don't usually have to trudge through snow and blizzard conditions to do it. I bake up a storm and take home made gifts to friends, and make tons of caramel corn to deliver to friends and neighbors. The caramel corn is our Christmas trademark.

We chose one present from under the tree to open on Christmas Eve so there was a lot of angst and feeling, smelling and shaking when the kids were little to find the most intriguing to open. It was always a huge decision: do we read the Christmas story first from the Bible or do we open presents first? Dad usually prevailed and the story came first, then the presents.

On Christmas Day, my husband was always the first one up so he could light the fireplace or turn up the heat, get the cameras set up, and put on the Christmas Carols, the we would wake the kids. We open one present at a time, beginning with the youngest and go around the family. This can actually take hours because we have to examine each gift (and I have to write down who received what so they/we can write thank you notes.)

We have cinnamon apple tea ring for breakfast (a tradition since the 60's) with hot chocolate, orange juice or egg nog. Dinner used to be a big affair, but I decided I was spending too much time in the kitchen and not enough enjoying Christmas with the family, so when my husband was on a remote tour to Turkey (we are an Air Force family) we decided hot fresh rolls with sandwich fixings and Christmas salads and desserts was much easier, so that is now our Christmas menu.

I love all Christmas music (though I can do without the noisy renditions of some.) When the kids were little, we lived in Austin, Texas and saw The Nutcracker Ballet every year.

LDSWBR: What books are on your Christmas wish list this year?

LYNN: Way too many to list, but on the top are Jennie Hansen's Shudder, Betsy Brannon Green's Murder By the Book, Gerald Lund's The Undaunted on CD as I don't have time to read that huge tome, and Dorothy Keddington's latest. Also Chris Stewart's Seven Miracles that Saved America. Better stop there! :)

LDSWBR: What books have you purchased/will you purchase for loved ones this Christmas?

LYNN: I have given each of our children copies of Famous Family Nights, each family gets a C. S. Lewis collection of books and CDs of The Chronicles of Narnia and I made Shutterfly books for each one of the Christmas my husband was in Turkey. We were missing him and he was missing us, so we took Polaroid pictures of us decorating the house, making caramel corn and home made root beer, wrapping presents, etc. and I wrote a little poem to go with it along the lines of The Night Before Christmas. We made a little Christmas book and sent it to him. I scanned those old pictures and made each of us a permanent record of that time. I love Shutterfly books!

LDSWBR: Thank you, Lynn, for taking the time to share with us. Merry Christmas!

************************************************

Victoria Gunther's first book, The Girl in a Whirl by "Dr. Sue" and Other Things that Women Do, was published in September 2009.

The Girl in a Whirl is available for purchase at Amazon, Deseret Book and all LDS book stores.

More about Victoria: Victoria Gunther earned an M.D. in the state of California, although it's taken her over thirty years to do it. (All those who do mothering in any form undoubtedly recognize how much work goes into obtaining a Mothering Degree.)

Victoria likes goodness, hot bubble baths, people who are kind, white-cheese popcorn, hugs from her kids, and kisses from her wonderful husband. She is not particularly fond of finding out about massive science projects that are due the next day, gruesome movies, dogs who discover an especially delicious piece of trash that they spread all over the entire living room, and seeing a daughter come home from her friend's house after they decided to play "beauty shop," with one of her ponytails cut off.

Victoria has ten children to whom she personally gave birth, as well as one wonderful bonus son. She and her husband Jay are thrilled to live just five minutes away from the beautiful Redlands California Temple with their last three teenagers. And even though she tends to be kind of an off-beat and crazy type, one of her overall desires in life would be to be able to help others to feel encouraged, strengthened, and reassured of their abilities to be faithful followers of Christ regardless of what their circumstances are.

Shanda here: Victoria is an inspiration to me because, as I recently learned, she and her family lost everything in October when their house burned down while they were at church, just after the release of Girl in a Whirl. She and her family have found themselves in circumstances this year that have tried their faith, yet she has endured with faith and gratitude. And Victoria has generously donated a copy of her book to our drawing. Thank you, Victoria, for being an example.

Visit Victoria on her website: http://girlinawhirl.com and her blog: Victoria's Place.

LDSWBR: What favorite holiday traditions do you and your family participate in every year? Will you be starting any new traditions this year?

VICTORIA: We choose a few people or families (from 1 to 3 depending on the year) to do the Twelve Days of Christmas for. We try to choose those who perhaps have had a hard year, or a new family in the ward, or maybe someone who doesn't seem to get noticed much. Some of our kids' favorite memories involve different stories about when they were sneaking up to a door to secretly deliver that day's gift and how they almost got caught when someone had jerked the door open all of a sudden, or about how they had to try to hide behind that skinny little tree, or and so on.

Some years we do what we call "Shepherds Night." We all come together by the Christmas tree when it's getting close to bedtime, with all the lights in the house off except for the lights on the tree which represent being under the stars. We have a simple shepherd's meal with things like olives, dates, goat cheese (which they've all decided is yummy!), grapes and bread. We talk about what it must have been like to be one of the shepherds who saw the angels announcing the Savior's birth and got to go see him. Then we all sleep under the "stars."

New traditions..... Ha! Yes, this would be a great time to start some new traditions, wouldn't it!

LDSWBR: What books are on your Christmas wish list this year, Victoria?

VICTORIA: Oh my gosh. What a question! Let me say that I absolutely ADORE books and ALL of ours need to be replaced. We love books at our house, but I think I love them most of all. So I'm up for just about any one of several zillion!

LDSWBR: What books have you purchased/will you purchase for loved ones this Christmas?

VICTORIA: Hmmm... Let me think....

Brianna, My Brother, and the Blog by Jack Weyland and Eyes Like Mine by Julie Wright for our daughter. She has (well, used to have....) everything either of them have written and they're both so wonderful for teens to read.

Nephi's Isaiah by Denver Snuffer Jr.
The Second Comforter by Denver Snuffer Jr.
A Mother's Book of Secrets by Linda Eyre and Shawn Eyre Pothier
What a Friend We Have in Jesus by Chieko Okazaki
Almost Sisters, Three Tickets to Peoria, and Surprise Packages by Anderson,Littke and Morris
English Trifle by Josi Kilpack
Ripley's Believe It or Not--Seeing Is Believing
Women of the Old Testament by Camille Fronk Olson

...and more. Those are the ones I've gotten that I can think of right now.

LDSWBR: Thank you, Victoria. We wish you the best and have a very Merry Christmas!

This is the last Countdown to Christmas 2009 author post. It has been a lot of fun getting to know these authors a little better and adding their books to my own wish list. I've also added some new traditions to our existing ones. I hope you've enjoyed our Countdown to Christmas as well.

After reading about everyone's favorite holiday activities, the one thing that everyone included was FAMILY. Some families are big, some small, but every single one matters. When all the decorations and gifts and what-not are stripped away, Christmas is family- our physical AND spiritual family. This time of year it's easy to remember that we are all brothers and sisters with a loving older Brother who came to earth for us, and a Heavenly Father who loved us enough to send Him.

I don't have any questions for you to answer today, but I would love to hear your thoughts about the Countdown to Christmas 2009 event (likes and dislikes), how you feel about what you've read in the author posts, this Christmas season in general, even your testimonies about our Savior.

Sheila, Hillary and I thank you for your participation. We're especially grateful to those who continue to read our blog and listen to our podcast. We enjoy sharing the love of books with you.

Don't forget to check back tomorrow to see the winners of all our wonderful prizes :).

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

***Countdown to Christmas Contest***

LDSWBR will hold a drawing on Christmas Day for a $25 eGift Card from Deseret Book, as well as a variety of books being offered by some of the LDS authors that will be featured on the blog. Simply post a thoughtful comment on the Countdown to Christmas author posts to enter. Here are the rules:

LDSWBR reserves the right to decide what determines a "thoughtful" comment.

Only one comment per person per "Countdown to Christmas" author post will be entered into the drawing. This allows the potential for 24 entries per person at the end of the contest. Feel free to comment more than once per post if you'd like, but only one comment will be accepted as an entry.

Contest ends at 12:00 Midnight MST on December 24, 2009. Drawing winners will have until 12:00 Midnight MST on December 31, 2009 to claim their prize. After that time, another name will be drawn to receive the prize.

Book prizes can only be shipped within the contiguous United States.

Books that have been generously donated by the author for drawing prizes:

Loyalty's Web by Joyce DiPastena
Hidden Branch by G.G. Vandagriff
Altared Plans by Rebecca Talley
A Modest Proposal by Michele Ashman Bell (includes a bonus copy of Michele's Christmas booklet, A Candle in the Window)
Her Good Name by Josi Kilpack
MISSING by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
Famous Family Nights by Anne Bradshaw
Love Letters of Joseph and Emma (autographed copy) by Angela Eschler
Family Home Evening Adventures by Rebecca Irvine
Counting the Cost by Liz Adair
Shudder by Jennie Hansen
Mormon Mishaps & Mischief by D. N. Giles & C. L. Beck
Dawn's Early Light by Laurie (L.C.) Lewis
The Fairy Thorn (brand new release!) by Dorothy Keddington
Torn Apart (signed copy) by Diony George
Pursued: A Maggie McKenzie Mystery by Lynn Gardner
Girl in a Whirl by Victoria Gunther (just added!)

Thank you so much!

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Laurie (L.C.) Lewis - Countdown to Christmas 2009

Posted by Shanda

2 Days until Christmas!

Laurie (L.C.) Lewis is the author of four published novels: Unspoken (2004), and her Free Men and Dreamers series, Dark Sky at Dawn (2007), Twilight's Last Gleaming (2008), and her most recent release, Dawn's Early Light (2009). Currently, Laurie has three completed manuscripts on her hard drive. If Dawn's Early Light does well, book four in the series, The Morning Breaks, will debut in the fall of 2010. Laurie is also working on tender romance, and a suspense novel with "some quirky characters" that could make 2010 a busy year for Laurie.

Click here to read the backliner and three chapters of Dawn's Early Light.

Dawn's Early Light is available for purchase at Deseret Book, Seagull Book, Amazon and wherever LDS books are sold.

Visit Laurie on her website: www.laurielclewis.com and her blog: LAURIE LC LEWIS: A VIEW FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HILL (in honor of passing the "fifty-something" hurdle).

LDSWBR: What favorite holiday traditions do you and your family participate in every year? Will you be starting any new traditions this year?

LAURIE: Decorations and food are where most of our family Christmas traditions lie. I decorate to the extreme with lights and greenery over most doorways, and I hang a set of 30-year-old Christmas chains made of aluminum foil in the kitchen. My mother made the first set when she was a girl. Her family was too poor for decorations for the tree, so after WWII, when tin foil was again available, she made chains to hang on the tree and the mantel. She kept making them until she had enough to hang from corner-to-corner in the kitchen. We had a set growing up, and unbeknownst to one another, each of my siblings also made sets for their homes. I made mine while sitting at church basketball games with my first baby toddling about. (He's 31 now!)

Homemade Cinnamon Buns on Christmas morning mark another tradition. But I cheat... or I'm creatively lazy. I buy frozen bread dough and let it thaw. Then I roll it out, slather butter all over, followed by a thorough covering of brown sugar. Next, I sprinkle cinnamon all over, and roll it up into a long log. Cut it into 1-1/2 inch slices and allow to rise. Then I bake them at 350 degrees. The icing is a stick of butter, 3 Tbsp. milk, 1 tsp. vanilla, and a pound of powdered sugar. If the icing is too thick, add drops of milk. If it's too thin, add more sugar.

These are inhaled at light speed at our house, and the aroma is divine!

LDSWBR: Those sound so good!! - (wiping drool from keyboard) - What books are on your Christmas wish list, Laurie?

LAURIE: I've been privileged to read and review so many great books this year, but I made sure to have 1776 by David McCullough on hand, as well as Christmas Jars by Jason Wright, and Rebecca by Orson Scott Card.

LDSWBR: What books have you purchased/will you purchase for loved ones this Christmas?

LAURIE: All the kids are set to get a copy of Famous Family Nights, and I purchased The Santa Letters for a friend, and several copies of Mark Mabry's newest collection of photos, Another Testament. And of course, I'm giving copies of Dawn's Early Light to my family members and friends who have been waiting for volume three.

LDSWBR: Thank you for sharing with us, Laurie (especially the cinnamon bun recipe!). Merry Christmas!

I had never heard of nor seen aluminum foil Christmas chains before reading about Laurie's traditions. I've made plenty of paper chains counting down the days until Christmas (only 2 days left!) but aluminum foil chains are something new. Have you made chains out of aluminum foil? Have you ever used something beside paper to make Christmas chains?

***Countdown to Christmas Contest***

LDSWBR reserves the right to decide what determines a "thoughtful" comment.

Only one comment per person per "Countdown to Christmas" author post will be entered into the drawing. This allows the potential for 24 entries per person at the end of the contest. Feel free to comment more than once per post if you'd like, but only one comment will be accepted as an entry.

Contest ends at 12:00 Midnight MST on December 24, 2009. Drawing winners will have until 12:00 Midnight MST on December 31, 2009 to claim their prize. After that time, another name will be drawn to receive the prize.

Book prizes can only be shipped within the contiguous United States.

Books that have been generously donated by the author for drawing prizes:

Loyalty's Web by Joyce DiPastena
Hidden Branch by G.G. Vandagriff
Altared Plans by Rebecca Talley
A Modest Proposal by Michele Ashman Bell (includes a bonus copy of Michele's Christmas booklet, A Candle in the Window)
Her Good Name by Josi Kilpack
MISSING by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
Famous Family Nights by Anne Bradshaw
Love Letters of Joseph and Emma (autographed copy) by Angela Eschler
Family Home Evening Adventures by Rebecca Irvine
Counting the Cost by Liz Adair
Shudder by Jennie Hansen
Mormon Mishaps & Mischief by D. N. Giles & C. L. Beck
Dawn's Early Light by Laurie (L.C.) Lewis
The Fairy Thorn (brand new release!) by Dorothy Keddington
Torn Apart (signed copy) by Diony George
Pursued: A Maggie McKenzie Mystery by Lynn Gardner
Girl in a Whirl by Victoria Gunther (just added!)

Thank you so much!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Jennie Hansen & Linda Chadwick - Countdown to Christmas 2009

Posted by Shanda

3 Days until Christmas!

Jennie Hansen is the author of 21 novels and five short stories in compilations. Shudder is her most recent release. Jennie was kind enough to donate a copy of Shudder for the Countdown to Christmas drawing.

Shudder is available for purchase at Seagull Book, 1-800-999-6257, or any store that carries LDS books.

Visit Jennie on her website: www.jennielhansen.com and her blog: Notes from Jennie's Desk.

LDSWBR: What favorite holiday traditions do you and your family participate in every year? Will you be starting any new traditions this year?

JENNIE: I love Nutcrackers and I have a pretty large collection. It's a challenge to find places to display them all. Some of my favorites include a modern day Army soldier in combat fatigues, an Uncle Sam, and a fireman hero of 9-11 with an American flag. There's a Canadian Mounty I bought in Victoria that's pretty special too. I even have the twelve days of Christmas characters as nutcrackers. My grandchildren love to try them all out and I think they've each had at least one picture taken with my biggest nutcracker which stands almost four feet tall. Another favorite is a small metal nutcracker that really cracks nuts, one of my last surprises given to me by my Dad.

We celebrate Christmas Eve with dinner, a program performed by our grandchildren, read the nativity from St. Luke, then we exchange Christmas presents. We love doing this so that our children can all be with us on Christmas Eve and they are free for Christmas dinner or whatever with their spouses' families on Christmas Day. Exchanging gifts on Christmas Eve works well too because our grandchildren never mix up gifts from us and other family members with the Santa stuff on Christmas morning and we get to watch them open their presents.

LDSWBR: What books are on your Christmas wish list this year, Jennie?

JENNIE: I don't really have a wish list since I get to read most new LDS fiction in order to review it for Meridian Magazine. And the non-fiction, I just buy for my husband, then borrow it back. I've been looking at the Joseph Smith Papers, Exploring the Connection Between Mormons and Masons, Sacred Walls, Agent Bishop, Senator Bennett's book and Mark Shurtleff's book. Of course, that list grows every time I'm in a bookstore, which is really often this time of year.

LDSWBR: What books will you purchase/have you purchased for loved ones this Christmas? (Unless it would ruin the surprise!)

JENNIE: That would be telling! Hmm, I guess it's safe to say I bought signed copies of Gale Sears' Christmas for a Dollar and Val Bagley's Art Kits for some of my younger grandkids. One grandson wants Dashner's third book in his series which isn't even out yet! I'm thinking of getting By the Light of a Star for the ladies I go visiting teach to, since I gave them the Spirit of Christmas by me, Betsy Green, and Michele Bell last year. One thing's for sure, everyone in the family will get a book for Christmas. I do a good share of my Christmas shopping while (at least before or after) I'm doing book signings!

LDSWBR: Thank you, Jennie. Have a Merry Christmas!

****************************************

Linda Chadwick's first published novel, Second Chances, was released in August 2009.

Second Chances is available for purchase at Deseret Book, Seagull Book, Borders, Barnes & Noble, Cedar Fort, and Amazon.

More about Linda: I was born and raised in Providence, Utah where I attended Cache County Schools and graduated from Mountain Crest High School in 1988. I married the love of my life on November 28, 1987. Our marriage was later solemnized in the Logan Temple on June 3, 1989. Together we have five wonderful children, including a set of twins!

I love to write, watch movies (anything without blood and guts!) and read. In the summertime my favorite thing to do is go camping with the family. There's nothing like sitting around a campfire to inspire your writing. I also love to watch the Jazz (when they're on a winning streak). Second Chances is my first novel, but I hope to have many more.

Visit Linda on her website & blog: www.lindachadwick.com.

LDSWBR: Linda, what favorite holiday traditions do you and/or your family participate in every year?

LINDA: Our favorite holiday tradition is on Christmas Eve the whole family gets to open one gift, and it's always new pajamas! We then watch The Polar Express, complete with hot chocolate.

LDSWBR: What books are on your Christmas wish list?

LINDA: Santa Maybe by Aubrey Mace.

LDSWBR: What books will you purchase/have you purchased for loved ones this Christmas? (Don't ruin the surprise!)

LINDA: For the kids, Hashbrown Winters and for the adults, well, that's a secret.

LDSWBR: Thanks, Linda. Merry Christmas!

Jennie has a large collection of nutcrackers. The only nutcracker we have in our house is an ornament that my girls fight over when it's time to decorate the tree. We do have a good collection of crocheted snowflake ornaments, some of which were made by me. Do you have a collection of certain holiday decorations or elements, intentional or otherwise? Where did you get your most original pieces for your collection? Would you like to start a collection? If so, what would you like to collect?

***Countdown to Christmas Contest***

LDSWBR reserves the right to decide what determines a "thoughtful" comment.

Only one comment per person per "Countdown to Christmas" author post will be entered into the drawing. This allows the potential for 24 entries per person at the end of the contest. Feel free to comment more than once per post if you'd like, but only one comment will be accepted as an entry.

Contest ends at 12:00 Midnight MST on December 24, 2009. Drawing winners will have until 12:00 Midnight MST on December 31, 2009 to claim their prize. After that time, another name will be drawn to receive the prize.

Book prizes can only be shipped within the contiguous United States.

Books that have been generously donated by the author for drawing prizes:

Loyalty's Web by Joyce DiPastena
Hidden Branch by G.G. Vandagriff
Altared Plans by Rebecca Talley
A Modest Proposal by Michele Ashman Bell (includes a bonus copy of Michele's Christmas booklet, A Candle in the Window)
Her Good Name by Josi Kilpack
MISSING by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
Famous Family Nights by Anne Bradshaw
Love Letters of Joseph and Emma (autographed copy) by Angela Eschler
Family Home Evening Adventures by Rebecca Irvine
Counting the Cost by Liz Adair
Shudder by Jennie Hansen
Mormon Mishaps & Mischief by D. N. Giles & C. L. Beck
Dawn's Early Light by Laurie (L.C.) Lewis
The Fairy Thorn (brand new release!) by Dorothy Keddington
Torn Apart (signed copy) by Diony George
Pursued: A Maggie McKenzie Mystery by Lynn Gardner

Thank you so much!

Monday, December 21, 2009

Rachel Ann Nunes - Countdown to Christmas 2009

Posted by Shanda

4 Days until Christmas!

Rachel Ann Nunes is the author of 29 books. Saving Madeline is her most recently published novel. Rachel's next book, Imprints, is scheduled for a March 2010 release.

Saving Madeline is available for purchase at Amazon and Deseret Book.

Visit Rachel's website: www.rachelannnunes.com, Rachel's Ramblings on her website (must be a member to see) and her blog: Rachel's Ramblings.

Listen to our podcast with Rachel at www.ldswomensbookreview.com.

LDSWBR: Rachel, what favorite holiday traditions do you and your family participate in each year? Will you be starting any new traditions this year?

RACHEL: On Christmas Eve we have a bubblegum blowing contest, which I always win (so far!). Then we turn out the electric lights, light every available candle in the house, and have a special dinner (with turkey and codfish dishes). The kids love the candles! Then we sing Christmas songs and talk about the meaning of Christmas, open our new Christmas pajamas and one present from a sibling. Then we change into our bathing suits and head for the hot tub, where we sing more songs at the top of our lungs so our neighbors can share the joy. There are other things we do, including sledding, gingerbread houses, treat-making, but we have the most fun on Christmas Eve.

LDSWBR: What books are on your Christmas wish list?

RACHEL: My husband got me a Kindle for Christmas, which I opened early so I could download a bunch of urban fantasy novels, which is a current phase I'm going through. Don't remember the titles (which are many and varied), but I read the first chapters, and if I'm hooked, I read it. The great thing about the Kindle is that I can buy and read books anywhere--in the car, at the tire shop, in the mall...

LDSWBR: What books have you purchased/will you purchase for loved one this Christmas? (Don't spoil any surprises!)

RACHEL: My children want books more than anything else (yay!), and my husband loves to read so I bought him some books too. Some of these are:

Syren (Septimus Heap, Book 5) by Angie Sage
The Gathering Storm (Wheel of Time) by Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson
Eyes Like Stars: Theatre Illuminata, Act I by Lisa Mantchev
The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry
Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George
Leven Thumps and the Ruins of Alder by Obert Skye
Mister Monday (Keys to the Kingdom, Book 1) by Garth Nix
Grim Tuesday (Keys to the Kingdom, Book 2) by Garth Nix
Drowned Wednesday (Keys to the Kingdom, Book 3) by Garth Nix
Sir Thursday (Keys to the Kingdom, Book 4) by Garth Nix
Lady Friday (Keys to the Kingdom, Book 5) by Garth Nix
Marco? Polo! (Time Warp Trio) by Jon Scieszka
Oh Say, I Can't See (Time Warp Trio) by Jon Scieszka
Summer Reading is Killing Me! (Time Warp Trio) by Jon Scieszka
Hey Kid, Want to Buy a Bridge? (Time Warp Trio) by Jon Scieszka
Me Oh Maya (Time Warp Trio) by Jon Scieszka
Sam Samurai (Time Warp Trio) by Jon Scieszka
See You Later, Gladiator (Time Warp Trio) by Jon Scieszka
You Can't, but Genghis Kahn (Time Warp Trio) by Jon Scieszka
The Riddle of Zorfendorf Castle (Secrets of Droon #25) by Tony Abbott
The Chariot of Queen Zara (Secrets of Droon #27) by Tony Abbott
The Moon Dragon (Secrets of Droon) by Tony Abbott
Pirates of the Purple Dawn (Secrets of Droon #29) by Tony Abbott
In the Shadow of Goll (Secrets of Droon) by Tony Abbott
Escape from Jabar-loo (Secrets of Droon) by Tony Abbott
Queen of Shadowthorn (Secrets of Droon) by Tony Abbott
Flight of the Blue Serpent (Secrets of Droon) by Tony Abbott
Treasure of the Orkins (Secrets of Droon) by Tony Abbott
Moon Magic (Secrets of Doon Special Edition) by Tony Abbott
The Lost Empire of Koomba (Secrets of Droon) by Tony Abbott
In the City of Dreams (Secrets of Droon) by Tony Abbott
Orphanage by Robert Buettner
Semper Mars: Book One of the Heritage Trilogy by Ian Douglas
Rogue Clone by Steven L. Kent
The Clone Republic by Steven L. Kent

LDSWBR: Now that's a nice reading list! Kudos to you! Thanks for sharing with us, Rachel. Merry Christmas!

Rachel's family obviously loves series. What book series do you and/or your children enjoy? Do you wait until there are several books in a series published before starting to read, or do you anxiously await each book in a series and grab it as soon as it's published?

***Countdown to Christmas Contest***

LDSWBR reserves the right to decide what determines a "thoughtful" comment.

Only one comment per person per "Countdown to Christmas" author post will be entered into the drawing. This allows the potential for 24 entries per person at the end of the contest. Feel free to comment more than once per post if you'd like, but only one comment will be accepted as an entry.

Contest ends at 12:00 Midnight MST on December 24, 2009. Drawing winners will have until 12:00 Midnight MST on December 31, 2009 to claim their prize. After that time, another name will be drawn to receive the prize.

Book prizes can only be shipped within the contiguous United States.

Books that have been generously donated by the author for drawing prizes:

Loyalty's Web by Joyce DiPastena
Hidden Branch by G.G. Vandagriff
Altared Plans by Rebecca Talley
A Modest Proposal by Michele Ashman Bell (includes a bonus copy of Michele's Christmas booklet, A Candle in the Window)
Her Good Name by Josi Kilpack
MISSING by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
Famous Family Nights by Anne Bradshaw
Love Letters of Joseph and Emma (autographed copy) by Angela Eschler
Family Home Evening Adventures by Rebecca Irvine
Counting the Cost by Liz Adair
Shudder by Jennie Hansen
Mormon Mishaps & Mischief by D. N. Giles & C. L. Beck
Dawn's Early Light by Laurie (L.C.) Lewis
The Fairy Thorn (brand new release!) by Dorothy Keddington
Torn Apart (signed copy) by Diony George
Pursued: A Maggie McKenzie Mystery by Lynn Gardner

Thank you so much!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Gregg Luke & Rebecca Irvine - Countdown to Christmas 2009

Posted by Shanda

5 Days until Christmas!

Gregg Luke is the author of four published novels, including his most recent release, Altered State. His next thriller, Blink of an Eye (working title), is currently in it's initial review.

Gregg's books are available for purchase at Deseret Book and Seagull Book.

Learn more about Gregg on his website: www.greggluke.com.

Listen to our podcast with Gregg on www.ldswomensbookreview.com.

LDSWBR: What favorite holiday traditions do you and your family participate in each year?

GREGG: Too numerous to mention. We always try to visit Temple Square for the lights. As far as personal traditions, we have our big Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve. The kids usually give a play or message and then we read Luke 2.

LDSWBR: What books are on your Christmas wish list, Gregg?

GREGG: Books are my favorite gift, so any book is a wonderful surprise to me. Unfortunately, I have little patience when it comes to getting a book from my favorite authors. I usually go out and buy it myself rather than waiting for Christmas or my birthday.

LDSWBR: What books have you purchased/will you purchase for loved ones this Christmas? (Don't spoil any surprises!)

GREGG: I sent a number of copies of my novels to friends and family. I also picked up Stephanie Black's and Jennie Hansen's latest.

LDSWBR: Thanks, Gregg. Merry Christmas!

****************************************

Rebecca Irvine is the author of two books, Adventures with the Word of God (Oct 2008, Horizon/CFI) and Family Home Evening Adventures (Nov 2009, Horizon/CFI). She is currently working on a manuscript with plans for submission in January.

Family Home Evening Adventures is available for purchase at Cedar Fort, Deseret Book, and Amazon.

Visit Rebecca on her blog: Rebecca Irvine.

LDSWBR: Rebecca, what favorite family traditions do you and your family participate in every year?

REBECCA: My favorite holiday tradition is Christmas morning brunch with my family. My mother makes a delicious ham, home fried potatoes, eggs, fruit, and croissants. It is so yummy--my mom is an amazing cook! And with brunch there are Christmas Crackers, a traditional English holiday game. Before we eat we open these fun packages that are full goodies: crowns, jokes, and trinkets. It is always exciting to see what little gifts were inside everyone's cracker. After the crackers and brunch we turn on some carols and head in to the tree to open gifts.

LDSWBR: What books are on your Christmas wish list?

REBECCA: The Joseph Smith Papers (vol. 1 and 2), Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, Agent Bishop, Altared Plans, and The Ball's in Her Court.

LDSWBR: What books will you purchase/have you purchased for loved ones this Christmas? (Unless it would ruin the surprise!)

REBECCA: I have already bought each of my kids a new book for Christmas: The Red Badge of Courage for my son, a Nancy Drew for my oldest daughter, and a Junie B. Jones for my first grade daughter. I plan on getting my father a book as well, but I don't want to spoil the surprise!

LDSWBR: Thanks for sharing with us, Rebecca, and for donating a copy of your book as a prize!

Rebecca's mom puts together a delicious brunch. Who does the holiday cooking in your house? Do you share cooking and baking duties, or does one person do the bulk of the food preparation? Do you or someone in your family have a special dish that only you/they can make just right?

***Countdown to Christmas Contest***

LDSWBR reserves the right to decide what determines a "thoughtful" comment.

Only one comment per person per "Countdown to Christmas" author post will be entered into the drawing. This allows the potential for 24 entries per person at the end of the contest. Feel free to comment more than once per post if you'd like, but only one comment will be accepted as an entry.

Contest ends at 12:00 Midnight MST on December 24, 2009. Drawing winners will have until 12:00 Midnight MST on December 31, 2009 to claim their prize. After that time, another name will be drawn to receive the prize.

Book prizes can only be shipped within the contiguous United States.

Books that have been generously donated by the author for drawing prizes:

Loyalty's Web by Joyce DiPastena
Hidden Branch by G.G. Vandagriff
Altared Plans by Rebecca Talley
A Modest Proposal by Michele Ashman Bell (includes a bonus copy of Michele's Christmas booklet, A Candle in the Window)
Her Good Name by Josi Kilpack
MISSING by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
Famous Family Nights by Anne Bradshaw
Love Letters of Joseph and Emma (autographed copy) by Angela Eschler
Family Home Evening Adventures by Rebecca Irvine
Counting the Cost by Liz Adair
Shudder by Jennie Hansen
Mormon Mishaps & Mischief by D. N. Giles & C. L. Beck
Dawn's Early Light by Laurie (L.C.) Lewis
The Fairy Thorn (brand new release!) by Dorothy Keddington
Torn Apart (signed copy) by Diony George
Pursued: A Maggie McKenzie Mystery by Lynn Gardner

Thank you so much!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Liz Adair & Gale Sears - Countdown to Christmas 2009

Posted by Shanda

6 Days until Christmas!

Liz Adair is the author six novels. Her most recent release, Counting the Cost, was a Finalist in the National Best Books 2009 Awards.

Counting the Cost is available for purchase from Amazon, Inglestone Publishing, and book clubs can download a PDF for free or purchase for book clubs at half price at www.lizadairfreebooks.com.

Watch the book trailer for Counting the Cost here.

Visit Liz on her website: www.lizadair.net and her blog: Liz Sez.

LDSWBR: What favorite holiday traditions do you and your family participate in every year? Will you be starting any new traditions this year?

LIZ: Christmas Eve is the day our family spends together. We meet at mid day to carol at the local nursing home. If we start practicing in September, our low-brass family band is able to play a few numbers, but this year we were laggards and didn't start building up our lips in time, so we're just singing.

After we finish at the nursing home, we have our Christmas Eve dinner. As we take our places at the table, there's a small gift box at each plate containing a 24-piece puzzle with a personalized limerick written by Grandma (me). Each person puts his puzzle together and reads it aloud, after which we enjoy our Christmas feast.

Then we all gather in the living room to watch the young ones act out the Nativity as Grandpa reads the Christmas story. We finish the evening by singing carols, and then the old folks (Grandpa and I) go home and the younger people watch a Christmas movie.

Christmas morning, each of our children carries on the tradition we began when they were little, taking turns opening our gifts as we sit around the Christmas tree so the giver of the gift can watch as his gift is opened and appreciated.

As far as traditional food is concerned, every year I make my mother's fudge recipe, and some years I even make her fruitcake. I'll be blogging about the fudge the week of December 15.

LDSWBR: Liz, what books are on your Christmas wish list?

LIZ: After reading Laurie Lewis' action packed Dawn's Early Light about the War of 1812, I'm interested in reading a biography of Dolley Madison. I'm going to ask Laurie which is the best one for a non-scholar like me, and I'll put the word out to family that it's on my list.

LDSWBR: What books have you purchased/will you purchase for loved ones this Christmas? (Don't spoil any surprises!)

LIZ: I have a sister-in-law who loves to read, and I usually try to give her several books for Christmas. She's a Marsha Ward fan and so I'm giving her the third in Marsha's saga about the Owen clan, Trail of Storms. I'm also giving her Joan Soward's newest book, Haunts Haven, and Tanya Mills' topical book set in Iraq, The Reckoning.

I've got a bookworm granddaughter that I'm giving Janette Rallison's clever and hilarious My Fair Godmother.

LDSWBR: Thank you for sharing with us, Liz. Merry Christmas!

**************************************

Gale Sears is the author of four novels, two Christmas booklets, and one children's picture book. Her most recent releases include The Route and Christmas for a Dollar. Gale is currently working on her next book, The Silence of God (working title), a historical fiction novel set in 1917 Russia during the Bolshevik revolution.

Gale's books are available for purchase at Seagull Book, Deseret Book, Amazon and Costco (Christmas for a Dollar).

Learn more about Gale on her website: www.galesears.com and her blog: Stories Around the Kamp Fire.

LDSWBR: Gale, what favorite holiday traditions do you and your family participate in every year?

GALE: My background is Danish so I've carried on the Kamp family tradition of having Aebleskeivers for Christmas morning breakfast.

LDSWBR: What books are on your Christmas wish list?

GALE: A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity. All the others I've already purchased for myself!

LDSWBR: What books have you purchased/will you purchase for loved ones this year? (Unless it would ruin the surprise!)

GALE: Women of Virtue and Master (the other must remain a secret).

LDSWBR: Thank you, Gale. Happy Christmas!

Fudge is one of my favorite Christmas treats (after the Oreos dipped in dark mint chocolate that I make each year). Some people don't care for fudge (I know, hard to believe). There's a candy shop in Gardner Village near where I live that makes a pumpkin spice fudge in fall that is quite yummy. What are your thoughts on fudge? Do you make it, or just eat it? What is the most unusual flavor of fudge you've eaten or seen, and what's your favorite fudge flavor? Do you have a link to a great fudge recipe?

***Countdown to Christmas Contest***

LDSWBR reserves the right to decide what determines a "thoughtful" comment.

Only one comment per person per "Countdown to Christmas" author post will be entered into the drawing. This allows the potential for 24 entries per person at the end of the contest. Feel free to comment more than once per post if you'd like, but only one comment will be accepted as an entry.

Contest ends at 12:00 Midnight MST on December 24, 2009. Drawing winners will have until 12:00 Midnight MST on December 31, 2009 to claim their prize. After that time, another name will be drawn to receive the prize.

Book prizes can only be shipped within the contiguous United States.

Books that have been generously donated by the author for drawing prizes:

Loyalty's Web by Joyce DiPastena
Hidden Branch by G.G. Vandagriff
Altared Plans by Rebecca Talley
A Modest Proposal by Michele Ashman Bell (includes a bonus copy of Michele's Christmas booklet, A Candle in the Window)
Her Good Name by Josi Kilpack
MISSING by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
Famous Family Nights by Anne Bradshaw
Love Letters of Joseph and Emma (autographed copy) by Angela Eschler
Family Home Evening Adventures by Rebecca Irvine
Counting the Cost by Liz Adair
Shudder by Jennie Hansen
Mormon Mishaps & Mischief by D. N. Giles & C. L. Beck
Dawn's Early Light by Laurie (L.C.) Lewis
The Fairy Thorn (brand new release!) by Dorothy Keddington
Torn Apart (signed copy) by Diony George
Pursued: A Maggie McKenzie Mystery by Lynn Gardner

Thank you so much!

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Friday, December 25, 2009

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Monday, December 21, 2009

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Saturday, December 19, 2009

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