Tuesday, July 30, 2013

DROPS OF GOLD by Sarah M Eden--Book Buzzin'

DROPS OF GOLD by Sarah M Eden. I love Sarah's books and can't wait to read this one.


When her father dies and leaves her completely destitute, Marion can think of only one thing to do--make a new life for herself. Commencing a life of duplicity, Marion transforms herself into Mary Wood--governess. In possession of a forged letter of recommendation and cloaked in the anonymity of her new identity, she enters a life of self-imposed servitude as teacher and caretaker of young Miss Caroline Jonquil of Farland Meadows. Her idyllic daydream vision of life at the Meadows is dashed when she finds a child desperately in need of hope and a cold and sorrowful home haunted by the past. With her characteristic sunny disposition, Marion casts her spell upon the household and slowly brings to life the long-forgotten joy of those within.
Layton Jonquil is a man tormented by the lies surrounding the death of his late wife, but he cannot deny his growing attraction for the beautiful governess whose goodness and optimism have touched his dormant heart. Their connection grows ever stronger, and despite the impropriety of harboring feelings for a servant, Layton's heart whispers that this is the woman he's destined to love. But when Layton's fears about the past become too much to bear and the falsehoods in which they are entangled threaten to shatter his and Marion's blossoming attachment, will true love conquer all?
Blurb taken from DesertBook.com

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Confessions Of A Mom

I'm going to try out this new addition to my blog. It's not meant to a pity-party-my-life-is-so-hard type of thing, but more of an if-I'm-thinking-this-way-I-sure-hope-others-are type of thing. I figure that I'm not the only one struggling with balancing life, kids, husband, hobbies, relationships, family, etc. (At least I sure hope I'm not the only one.) :) I'm also figuring that there is strength in numbers. To me, I've always felt better when I learn that someone else is or has shared my same frustrations or experiences or struggles.

So, I want to return the favor. I'm going to share my successes, struggles, worries, and anything else that life brings. Not to generate any pity or sorrow or saying my life is horrible or my life is wonderful, but hopefully to help others know that they aren't alone, because as a woman, we can feel very alone at times.

Now, I need to put a disclaimer here. Some of you know me well enough to be familiar with some of my situations. I am going to do my best to speak in very generic terms but if you happen to know what I'm talking about then hopefully it'll make you laugh. My intent is not to offend someone and that is my biggest fear in doing this. I never intentionally set out to offend anyone, but I know that it can happen. I'm praying that it doesn't happen.

Well, here we go on the journey of life. I hope you enjoy the ride as much as I do. The first official post will happen on Aug 3rd and every Saturday following (as long as life doesn't get in the way). :)

P.S. I think I need a picture to put with each post. Any suggestions?

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

MOTIVE FOR MURDER by Marlene Bateman--book buzzin' & interview

MOTIVE FOR MURDER by Marlene Bateman. Take a look at what promises to be a great mystery, an excerpt from the book, and my interview with the author.


Meet Erica Coleman—a gifted and quirky private investigator with an OCD-like passion for neatness and symmetry, a penchant for cooking, (ten terrific recipes are included), and a weakness for chocolate. 
Erica imagined that her trip to Florida would be a slice of heaven—a chance to get away from it all and catch up with her best friend, Wendy. But one day into her vacation, all hope of fun in the sun is dashed when she stumbles, literally, over a dead man on Wendy’s driveway. With police closing in on her friend as their main suspect, Erica must find the real killer before Wendy ends up behind bars.
With Erica’s skill, solving the mystery should be a piece of cake but then a second homicide-attempt hits close to home and generates a whole new list of suspects. There’s no way to sugarcoat it, a murderer is on the prowl, and no one is above suspicion. 
As the plot thickens, it appears Erica may have bitten off more than she can chew, but she forges on, sifting through mounting evidence until she hones in on the killer who has a surprising motive for murder. With a dash of romance and some surprising twists, this thrilling mystery will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. 



Excerpt 
“As she drove back to Wendy’s house, the headlights cleaved the darkness and shone through the rain, which was falling harder now. Erica parked across the street and was nearly to Wendy’s door when she stopped suddenly, catching herself as she nearly fell over something. 
It was the still figure of a man lying face down on the driveway. He was strangely unmoving. The light from the porch illuminated a puddle alongside him, which was growing bigger by the second. A chill shivered down Erica’s spine as she noticed that the puddle was streaked by dark red threads that ran and merged with rivulets of rain.”







What made you decide to become a writer?

Writing is an internal desire that I’ve always had. I can’t remember ever not wanting to write. Sometimes I wonder if writers are born, because I’ve certainly always wanted to write.  As a child, I was a voracious reader.  I think a large part of wanting to be a writer came from reading so much.  For three years in a row in elementary school, I won the award for reading the most books.  And the prize was: A book!  I was delighted, of course.  
I think one of the earliest stories I wrote was about my brother’s blue car. He parked it in the back yard when he went on his mission.  I was about ten, and wrote about how sad the car was to be alone, and how birds came and sat on it, and so on.  My mother thought the story was so “precious” that she shared it with other people, which embarrassed me to death. 

What would you like your readers to get out of your writing?

There are a couple of things.  First, I want them to be entertained.  That’s why, after all, people read—to be entertained by an engaging story.  Second, I like to introduce a religious or moral topic to make people think.  And I like to leave it open-ended—there are no right or wrong answers.
With Motive for Murder, there are a couple of topics. One is about children, and how they think the world revolves around them. Their viewpoint is so myopic, leaving them unable to see the larger viewpoint and certainly not their parent’s viewpoint. I think this is what drives parents batty—I know it did me.  
The second topic is a little deeper and involves church leaders. So many people expect them to be perfect. Some expect their bishops to be clairvoyant, and if they aren’t, they either stop supporting them, become offended, or even start believing they aren’t called of God.  This is a huge problem because many people (myself included) expect so much from our leaders and can become upset if they don’t live up to our expectations, even if we are expecting waaaay too much. 

Where did you get the idea for Motive for Murder?

I’ve read so many mysteries that I have a lot of ideas floating around in my head. Motive for Murder is a little different from my first book, Light on Fire Island, which was a combination mystery/romance. While there is some romance in Motive, it’s more of a full-blown mystery. I loved the idea of a quirky, OCD private detective, so created Erica Coleman, who will star in forthcoming mysteries.  Erica is both helped and hampered by her OCD tendencies,  and its fun to see how this alternately charms and irritates people.

Who was your favorite character to develop?

Probably Erica Coleman. I loved her OCD and it was interesting to see how the other characters reacted to it.  I also had a lot of fun with Myrna and Coby Kincaid.  They were only in one chapter, but they were such fun people, especially Coby. I loved it when Erica helped Coby sneak some cookies while his wife wasn’t looking!

Any advice for aspiring authors?

Never. Give. Up. 
People don’t fail because they can’t write, they fail because they stop trying. I have a yellowed newspaper clipping by my computer that says; “For most of us, it isn’t that we don’t have the ability to write, it’s that we don’t devote the time.  You have to put in the effort.”  Another way of saying that, is if you want to write and be published bad enough, you’ll work for it.  And if you work at it, your writing will gradually improve and you WILL be published. 

What can we expect next from you?

I have several projects in the works. First, I hope to do a sequel to my non-fiction book, Gaze Into Heaven, which was published earlier this year. Gaze into Heaven is a collection of 50 near-death experiences in early Church History. I’ve had so much positive feedback from readers, which has been very encouraging. 
I am continuing to write mysteries and will have another Erica Coleman book out next year.  I titled it Charade, but my publisher usually changes the titles.  
I am also finishing up a romance, my first, which is called (for now, anyway, )A Home for Christmas.
Oh, I mustn’t forget Heroes of Faith, which will be published later this month. It’s a collection of 24 stories about amazingly valiant people who have stood up for their beliefs despite incredible trials and hardships.

Where can we purchase your book?
Motive for Murder is available in paperback and on CD and is at all LDS bookstores. Here are 3 links where Motive for Murder can be purchased online:
  



THANKS, MARLENE!

* Cover blurb and picture provided by the author. Author picture taken from her website.




Tuesday, July 16, 2013

SNAKEWATER AFFAIR: A SPIDER LATHAM MYSTERY by Liz Adair--Book Buzzin'


SNAKEWATER AFFAIR: A Spider Latham Mystery by Liz Adair. Great mysteries. Stay tuned for my review!


             “I know there was a problem with the mine at Snakewater,” said Jade. “It wasn’t as profitable as Dad thought it should be, and he sent Stan up to investigate.”
            “And what did Stan say?” asked Spider.
            “I don’t know. He never came back. The police say that he got on the plane to come home, but he never picked up his luggage when he landed. He disappeared.”
            “And the police have investigated?”
            “Well, that depends on your definition of the wordinvestigate. My dad doesn’t feel that they have. That’s why he wants to hire someone else to look into it.’
             When Spider Latham takes a leave of absence from his regular job as deputy sheriff in Panaca, Nevada, to solve a mysterious disappearance, it isn’t long before he wonders if he isn’t in over his head. Something is fishy at Brick Tremain Enterprises in Las Vegas, and from the reception Spider gets from a couple of toughs in the parking garage, not everyone is enthused about his taking on the case. Did the regional manager run off, or did something more sinister happen to him? And what about Opal, Stan Lucas’s sad-eyed wife? Did she know more than she’s saying?
            Snakewater Affair once again finds the affable deputy sheriff up to his ears in a baffling mystery.  Click here to order. 

Monday, July 15, 2013

Summer Kindle Fire Giveaway

Kindle Summer
This is a joint AUTHOR & BLOGGER GIVEAWAY EVENT! Bloggers & Authors have joined together and each chipped in a little money towards a Kindle Fire HD 7".
Kindle Fire HD 7" Giveaway
The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HD (US Only)
  Or $199 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)
  Or $199 in Paypal Cash (International)
 

Sponsoring Bloggers & Authors

  1. I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
  2. Feed Your Reader
  3. New Adult Addiction
  4. Jessabella Reads
  5. The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Somthing Year Old Girl
  6. Books Unhinged by StacyHgg
  7. S.A. Larsen - Writer's Ally
  8. Author Inger Iverson
  9. The Geeky Gamers
  10. annakyss
  11. Everyday Word Magic
  12. Candance's Book Blog
  13. Page Flipperz
  14. SMI Book Club
  15. Laurie Here
  16. Feed Your Fiction Addiction
  17. Phantasmic Reads
  18. The Book Bellas
  19. Please Don't Remove MarGreat's Glasses
  20. Author Jennifer Laurens
  21. J.C. Valentine
  22. Holly Hood
  23. Young Adult Novel Reader
  24. Author Heather Bixler
  25. Literary Meanderings
  26. Suspense Author Kim Cresswell
  27. Mother Daughter & Son Book Review
  28. Meredith's Musings
  29. Auggie Talk
  30. Author Camelia Miron Skiba
  31. Author Lena Sledge
  32. LoriTheAuthor
  33. Author Dianne Venetta
  34. Curling Up with A Good Book
  35. MyLadyWeb
  36. Fae Books
  37. Bea's Book Nook
  38. Girls with Books
  39. Ketch's Book Nook
  40. Turning Pages
  41. Bookhounds
  42. Karey White
  43. My Devotional Thoughts
  44. Author Talia Jager
  45. Author Helen Smith
  46. Sher A Hart: Written Art
  47. Author MK McClintock
  48. Word to Dreams
  49. Buku-Buku Didi
  50. Tasty Book Tours
  51. Readerlicious
  52. Romance Bookworm's Reviews
 Giveaway Details 1 winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire 7" HD (US Only), $199 Amazon Gift Card or $199 in Paypal Cash (International). There is a second separate giveaway for bloggers who post this giveaway on their blog. See details in the rafflecopter on how to enter to win the 2nd Kindle Fire. Sponsor a future Kindle Fire Giveaway by signing up HERE. Ends 8/15/13 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash.

Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.   a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, July 11, 2013

SWEPT UP BY THE SEA by Tracy & Laura Hickman--Book Review

SWEPT UP BY THE SEA by Tracy and Laura Hickman. This 323 page fantastical story had very interesting characters. I enjoyed getting to know all of them. The adventures they had incredible. The world the Hickman's created was just as fun as the characters. It was a fun read that was definitely a Romantic Fairy Tale. I would recommend it for 18 and over.

:) :) :) 


Determined to seek his fortune, Percival Taylor leaves behind his sleepy hometown and sets out to become a legendary pirate. The only problem is, no one at the rough-and-tumble seaport of Blackshore will allow him anywhere near a ship!
Percival must find other means to win the heart of the beautiful Tuppence Magrathia-Paddock, who has mistaken him for a pirate rogue out of one of her romantic books. She is entirely willing to swoon into his arms if he can prove his buccaneer soul—and she will even arrange her own kidnapping to prove it.
Percival eventually find himself captain of a broken-down ship, complete with a crew of reluctant pirates, a jilted fiancee, a reclusive master shipwright, and an old professor with a magical secret that could kill them all. Join the strangest assortment of characters you'll ever meet on the Nine Seas as they set sail for treasure and romance!
*Cover and back cover blurb taken from DesertBook.com. The publisher provided the book, but it did not influence my review.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

LONGING FOR HOME by Sarah M Eden--Book Buzzin'

LONGING FOR HOME by Sarah M Eden. I can't wait for this one to come out in August 2013!! Be sure to check back on Aug 22 for my review and enter for a chance to win your own copy.

    Though she was only a child during the darkest days of Ireland’s Great Famine, Katie Macauley blames herself for the loss of her family’s land and the death of her sister. Now a woman grown, Katie has left Ireland for America and the promise of earning money enough to return home again and plead for her family’s forgiveness. 

     She arrives in Hope Springs, Wyoming Territory, a town sharply divided between the Americans who have settled there, with their deep hatred of the Irish, and the Irish immigrants who have come searching for a place to call home. Her arrival tips the precarious balance, and the feud erupts anew.
     Even in the midst of hatred and violence, however, Katie finds reason to hope. Two men, as different as they are intriguing, vie for her heart, turning her thoughts for the first time toward a future away from Ireland.
     Katie must now make the hardest decision of her life: stay and give her heart a chance at love, or return home and give her soul the possibility of peace.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Happy Fourth of July



I want to thank all those who have served, who are serving, and who will serve to help maintain our freedoms. The rights we currently have came at a great cost that I am enternally grateful for. There's nothing more than I can say, but THANK YOU!

If you have a hankering for a fabulous historical fiction about how our nation gained it's freedom, this series is for you. Ron Carter's PRELUDE TO GLORY held me captive through the entire series. I loved following the characters in all parts of the war and the early years of our nation. I would highly recommend it for any and everyone. Because it does deal with the elements of war, it is probably not appropriate for young children and tweens.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

AFTER GOLIATH: A Spider Latham Mystery by Liz Adair--Book Buzzin'


AFTER GOLIATH: A SPIDER LATHAM MYSTERY by Liz Adair. Another great one by Liz. Stay tuned for my review!


Spider looked first at the humble grave marker and then at the grizzled man who stood there with his hand outstretched. Just as Spider stepped forward to clasp Nephi's hand, the late-afternoon sun glinted on something on the cliff above them. Then something exploded in his head for a split second, sending jagged, multicolored laser-lines on a black background reverberating in his vision, like a thousand POW! signs from a Batman comic book all at once. Just a split second, the fireworks, and then all went black as Spider fell unconscious at Nephi's feet. He never got to shake the hand that shook the hand that had shaken the hand of the Prophet. He never heard the report of the rifle that sent a bullet hurtling toward him aimed right for the middle of his forehead.
When Deputy Sheriff Spider Latham finds himself investigating his second murder in six months, it looks as if someone would rather he not finish the job. Can he find the killer-before becoming the next victim?
After Goliath is the second of the Spider Latham mysteries.