Posts Tagged: cedar fort books

Enduring Light Blog Tour & ARC Giveaway

10 Dec, 2011 by in roamnce, western 7 comments

Fire and Ice is pleased to kick off the Enduring Light blog tour hosted by Cedar Fort books. We have a review, some recipes from the book and an ARC giveaway as the first stop on the virtual blog tour.

Enduring Lightby Carla Kelly
Paperback, 392 pages
Expected publication: January 8th 2012
by Bonneville Books
ISBN 1599559846
Book Source: publisher
4 stars

She leaned toward him and rested her elbows on the brass rail at the foot of her bed. “All right, cowboy, just when did you fall in love with me? I’m definitely curious now.”
He regarded her in the moonlight. “I knew I was a no-hoping goner when I caught that ridiculous hat of yours on the platform at Gun Barrel.”
Julia sucked in her breath. She tried to be severe. “Mr. Otto, nobody falls in love that fast!”
“I did,” he said simply, as he left her room.

Julia Darling is finally able to marry Paul Otto for eternity. But it’s a harsh world for a rancher in turn-of-the-century Wyoming, especially a Mormon rancher. When alienation and threats begin, Julia must prove she’s her husband’s equal in strength and endurance as she learns to let go of scars on the outside and inside.

Bestselling author Carla Kelly has woven a new story of a determined rancher, his wife, and how they discover the depths of love.

Last year I savored every minute of Carla Kelly’s first historical Western romance written for the LDS market. So when Cedar Fort asked me to Enduring Light I was thrilled! The follow up to Borrowed Light, book 2 finds Otto back on his Wyoming ranch tyring to repair the damage and Julia is in her Salt Lake family home healing physically as well as emotionally. She is suffering form PTSD and nightmares as well as dealing with self-doubt as a result of her new scars. She can’t imagine why any man, let alone, the man she loves, Otto would want her. She and her parents are feeling the loss of Julia’s sister while Otto faces fierce persecution that comes with the knowledge that he has converted to the Mormon faith. It’s the turn of the century and prejudice runs high on the open range. No one in the ranching business welcomes the change. Together with faith, perseverance and Julia’s spit fire spunk the two have so many more trials to weather.

Carla Kelly’s writing is filled with history and small little details that help readers feel pulled right into the book’s time and place. From the holiday windows and lace at ZCMI to the smells and frights of the harsh Wyoming was of life you’ll feel as if you are living a day in the life of Julia and Otto. I literally wanted to jump right into the storyline and taste a bit of Julia’s home cooking on the Double Tipi ranch. Kelly has built solid likable secondary characters that you can;t help becoming attached to. I’ll admit the one drawback I had is that Enduring Light is quite a bit spicier than its predecessor. There is quite a bit of information about married life with sexuality being discussed openly and because of content I would rate this a book best suited for adults. In then end, Kelly incorporates a theme of hope, endurance and courage in the face of fear. There’s even a little suspense and action built in there.

I’m so happy to have found such a talented author in Carla Kelly. I met her at Barnes and Noble and through reading her blog plus correspondence I can say she is so much fun to work with! Can’t wait to read more from her…and I have a feeling we’ll be seeing a lot more. In the mean time you and I cook up some of the yummy food mentioned in both books.

Some Recipes from Julia’s kitchen:

Snow Cake
1/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk
1 2/3 cups flour
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 egg whites
1/2 tsp. vanilla or 1/4 tsp. almond extract

Follow recipe for mixing butter cakes. Bake 45 minutes in a deep narrow pan.

Cecils with Tomato Sauce
1 c. cold roast beef or rare steak finely chopped
salt and pepper
onion juice
Worchestershire Sauce
Flour
2 T. bread crumbs
1 T. melted butter
Yolk of one egg, slightly beaten
Season beef with next salt and pepper, onion juice and W Sauce; add remaining ingredients, and shape into the form of small croquettes, pointed at ends. Roll in flour, egg and crumbs, fry in deep fat, drain and serve with tomato sauce. (Julia substituted ketchup, for the sophisticated palates of her guys on the TTP.)

About The Author: A newcomer to Cedar Fort, Inc., Carla Kelly is a veteran of the New York and international publishing world. The author of more than thirty novels and novellas for Donald I. Fine Co., Signet, and Harlequin, Carla is the recipient of two Rita Awards (think Oscars for romance writing) from romance Writers of America and two Spur Awards (think Oscars for western fiction) from Western Writers of America.

Recently, she’s been writing regency romances (think Pride and Prejudice) set in the royal Navy’s Channel Fleet during the Napoleonic Wars between England and France. She comes by her love of the ocean from her childhood as a Navy brat.

Carla’s history background makes her no stranger to footnote work, either. During her National Park Service days at the Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, Carla edited Friedrich Kurz’s fur trade journal. She recently completed a short history of Fort Buford, where Sitting Bull surrendered in 1881.

Following the dumb luck principle that has guided their lives, the Kellys recently moved to Wellington, Utah, from North Dakota and couldn’t be happier in their new location. In her spare time, Carla volunteers at the railroad and Mining Museum in Helper, Utah. She likes to visit her five children, who live here and there around the United States. Her favorite place in Utah is Manti, located after a drive on the scenic byway through Huntington Canyon.

And why is she so happy these days? Carla looks forward to writing for an LDS audience now, where she feels most at home.

To Learn More Visit: Blog Tour Schedule /Author Blog /Author Facebook/ Book Poster page /Publisher Blog/ Publisher Twitter

Giveaway: Cedar Fort has offered one advanced reading copy of Enduring Light to the followers of Fire and Ice as part of the official blog tour. To Enter to win fill out this form. US mailing addresses only, ends December 24, 2011.

Carving Angels Blog Tour & Giveaway

03 Dec, 2011 by in Uncategorized 3 comments

Fire and Ice is today’s stop on the Carving Angels blog tour hosted by Cedar Fort books.
Carving Angels
by Diane Stringham Tolley
Hardcover, 128 pages
Published September 8, 2011
by Cedar Fort, Inc
ISBN  1599559447
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 Stars
Papa Adam, the North Pole’s oldest elf and Santa’s former chief carver, has given up. Blind, frail, and feeling useless, he counts the minutes in every day as he waits to die — until his youngest granddaughter challenges him to carve again. Together they prove that the most beautiful creations can come from the most unlikely sources and with the right love and encouragement, anything is possible.
 This is a sweet Christmas story that tells more than just the tale of Santa and his elves. It tells of the power of love and belief to bring light and joy into the lives of another. Sweet Amy (Papa Adam’s youngest grandchild) brings her blind grandfather a block of wood and asks him to make her a carving like he had made for the other grandchildren. At first Adam says no, but Amy’s belief in him inspires him to take his tools out of their dusty box and try. What results is more than just beautiful carvings, but the development of a beautiful relationship between Papa Adam and his sweet, young granddaughter, Amy.
What I love about this book is it’s simplicity. As the holidays arrive, schedules become busy and time is in short supply. Reading for pleasure (as opposed to a careful and complete perusal of the sale ads and recipe books) can often be pushed to the backburner. This sweet story is a very quick and uplifting; certain to put you in the Christmas mood. 

Content: clean
Learn more about Carving Angels as well as tour dates here.
About the author- Diane Stringam Tolley was born and raised on a ranch in Southern Alberta, Canada. Educated in journalism, she is the author of countless articles and short stories and a novel for young adults, Essence. She and her husband, Grant, are the parents of six children and live in Beaumont, Alberta, Canada.
The Giveaway- We have one e-book of  Carving Angels to give away to our readers coutesy of Cedar Fort as part of the blog tour. Open Internationally. Comment below to enter. Ends December 17, 2011.

Guest Post With Author Susan Elzey

29 Nov, 2011 by in miracle of christmas star, susan elzy Leave a comment

The Rose-colored Memories of Christmases past

By Susan Elzey

As a mother of seven children—all grown now—I have realized looking back on Christmas family videos that I was always the mere shell of a mother on the couch in the videos, exhausted and pale, sometimes even asleep. If I did rouse up as the children ran through the house in post-present-opening, I’m sure I was begging for fudge or a nap.

From Thanksgiving to Christmas is truly a marathon for women. By Dec. 26th I am always ready to reclaim my house from the holly and mistletoe, pack my Nativity collection away, and get all the gifts in their places. But something happens through the spring and hot and humid summers of Southern Virginia. I love fall and relish every brightly colored, cool moment of it. And, suddenly, when the Christmas decorations start to appear in the stores—usually fall—I start to plan and wonder how I can “do Christmas” again with more meaning and less stress.

A few years ago, I realized that Christmas rush is forgotten and a deep patina of nostalgia makes our Christmases of the past seem so nice and sweet that we commit ourselves once again to craft the “perfect Christmas” for our families.

It’s all about rose-coloredness, a word I believe I have coined.

I learned about rose-coloredness a few years back in an interesting conversation my sister, Paulette, and I had with our mother about a Christmas that we remember as being just about the most perfect one we’ve ever had. Paulette was in the third-grade and I was in the fifth, and we had arrived the first of November at our father’s new duty station in Germany.

After a joyful reunion with him, we had settled into temporary quarters near the small picturesque German town of Idar-Oberstein with its romantic Church in the Rocks up on the mountain we passed frequently.

Here’s how the conversation between my mother; my sister, Paulette; and me (basically) went as we remembered that wonderful Christmas:

Paulette: “Oh, Susan, remember how magical that first Christmas in Germany was? That charming little German town, our first taste of German bread and pastries, and all the snow on the trees and the castle on the mountain?”

Susan: “I do. And remember that was the year that I first heard the song “Silver Bells” and sang it in my school program? And it was the first time I saw Charles Dickens’ “Christmas Carol” performed.”

Paulette: “And we bought everyone those bath oil beads for Christmas. And we put out our shoes on Dec. 6th and someone filled them with candy in the German Christmas tradition.”

Susan: “Really, Paulette, who did that?”

Paulette: “St. Nicholas, of course.”
Once again I believed.

Susan: “And Uncle Alvin and Aunt Rena (who were also stationed in Germany) came to spend Christmas with us.”

At this point, Mother begins to remember.

Mother; “Yeah, and they brought that friend of theirs with them who didn’t have any place to go for Christmas, and he drank too much on Christmas Eve and got sick by the Christmas tree.”
(We turned into a non-alcohol family later.)

Paulette: “No, I don’t remember that.”

Susan: “Me neither. I just remember all the newness of another country and our friends who lived above us and had traveled on the ship across to Germany with us with the little girl who looked like Cindy on the ‘Brady Bunch.’”
(I think that mom really put the candy in the shoes.)

Mother: “You mean that trip where you stayed in bed, Susan, most of the time with extreme seasickness?”

Paulette: “I just remember the movies and the crafts for the kids.”

Mother: “And I was the only one on the ship of thousands who signed up for the ironing board every day.”
Susan: “By the way, Mother, when did we leave and move to permanent quarters in Baumholder where we lived in that cool housing (on the fourth floor with no elevator, this writer interjects) with that big hill we used to sled on?”
Mother: “It was on your father’s and my anniversary, and we had the worst argument in our entire married life.”
Paulette: “No you didn’t, Mother; it was a fun move.”
Mother, snorting: “Hah. Your father tried to pull out the clothes from the closet, and a hanger got caught, and he pulled the whole curtain rod down. He was furious, and I was furious with him. So then we moved and your aunt and uncle came before I could get unpacked, and they brought their friend . . .
(No need to repeat all that. You probably get the picture.)
So Paulette and I retreated and hugged our rose-colored memories close to us. We refuse to remember the move, the clothes, and the friend and still believe St. Nicholas brought us that luscious German chocolate.
Now I am the mother, who can totally destroy my kids’ memories of times past with a healthy dose of reality, if I choose to. But I don’t.
I realized years ago, however, to be grateful for the rose-colored memories. Now I look back on the Christmases when my kids were young and so excited about Christmas and think how wonderful those days were. My children who are parents now will begin to experience the rush and the stress. But about the beginning of November, it will all be forgotten and they’ll be excited when they see the wreaths begin to appear in the stores.
Thank goodness for the rose-coloredness of it all.

Visit Susan Dean Elzey at http://www.susanelzey.com/ or like her page on facebook.

Book Review- The Wise Man Returns

25 Nov, 2011 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment

The Wise Man Returns
by Kenny Kemp
Hardcover, 368 pages
Published September 8, 2011
by Cedar Fort, Inc
ISBN 1599554968
Source: Publisher

Rating: 4.25 stars

Many years after the sign of the star, Melchior, one of the three wise men, returns to Judea to receive counsel from the King of the Jews. Unexpectedly finding him in the countryside teaching rather than ruling on the throne, Melchior searches for answers and finds healing in the process. A historical fiction that address contemporary concerns, this book is a balm for the wounded soul.

This was such a unique and entertaining book. While a work of fiction, I really felt that I was learning more about the time in which Jesus Christ lived. The political and religious setting (the character Melchior is essentially a priest in the temple of a very popular God in the Roman ruled city of Alexandria, Egypt) was very interesting and eye-opening. The author’s theories are quite intriguing, and if you will read the author notes and other information that follow the story, you will learn more about his thoughts and what is actually drawn from fact.
The story unfolds as a life history, written by Melchior himself. He unravels his story a little at a time, beginning with how he gained a position of great power in the city of Alexandria. This opening scene is very powerful, and caught my attention right away. He goes on to tell how he was drawn to Jerusalem to find the new born King of the Jews, and his meeting with two other “wise men” from other areas of the world.

But Melchior’s story does not end after finding Christ in a manger, and presenting him with the gift of Myrrh. It is so much more. I don’t want to ruin it for you, so I won’t tell any more. I will say, go grab a copy of this fabulous book!

Content: clean

Marian’s Christmas Wish Blog Tour

15 Nov, 2011 by in author interview, marians christmas wish Leave a comment

Marian’s Christmas Wish
by Carla Kelly
Mass Market Paperback, 304 pages
Published September 8th 2011
by Cedar Fort, Inc.
ISBN 1599559536

Miss Marian Wynswich is an unconventional young lady. She plays chess, reads Greek, and is as educated as any young man. And she is certain falling in love is a ridiculous endeavor and vows never to do such a thing. But everything changes when she receives a Christmas visit from someone unexpected— a young and handsome English lord.
Fire and Ice is today’s stop on the Cedar Fort blog tour for Marian’s Christmas Wish. We have an exclusive author interview with Carla Kelly. Thanks so much for joining us Carla!

When did you publish your first work and how many books gave you written? My first pubished book was Daughter of Fortune, set in 1680 colony of New Mexico. Incidentally, I’ve just signed a contract for it to be published as an e-book and paperback on demand. I have written 24 novels, plus two non-fiction historical works, plus any number of short stories for Signet and Harlequin. Plus in June there will be another Harlequin Historical, this one beginning in 1815 in and near Dartmoor Prison. And Enduring Light will be out in January. SO maybe that’s 26. Picked up a couple of Rita Awards for Best Regency of the Year. Big ol honker statues.

Any in the works now? Yep. I’m writing a third book for Harlequin in my current 3-book contract, plus a fun little novel set in Chama Valley, NM in 1725, which I’m hoping to turn into a series. Then in January, I’ll start my Scofield Mine Disaster story.

What would be your Christmas Wish? O gee, whirled peas. Family around, some Christmas carols, and more tenors and basses in my ward choir, which I direct.

Tell us a little about the book and your main characters. It’s Devonshire in 1814. The interesting, eccentric Wynswich family is facing ruin and the loss of the family estate, thanks to Dad’s mismanagement. In order to avoid the above, one of the two daughters has to marry well, and marry soon. Ariadne, the older, already is pining over the poor-as-a-church-mouse vicar. Marian, the younger, is a smart young lady who has looked around and decided that she’s too sensible to get married. Ever. Enter Gilbert Collinwood, Lord Ingraham, a marquis with diplomacy on his mind. He meets Marian and wants to change her mind about marriage. He’s hauling around some heavy baggage that puts the issue in serious doubt. Two people in the novel, Marian and her brother Alistair, have to grow up, and as Duke of Wellington said of Waterloo, “It is a near-run thing.”

What has been your most rewarding part of being an author? Readers, and the pleasure of creating little worlds that really matter, while someone is involved in reading. I also like padding down the hall in my sweats, hair combing and shoes optional, and getting to work.

Do you have any writing rituals, music or snacks that help? No rituals. I put my happy a** in the chair and leave it there until I’ve written enough for the day. I do have a lovely photo of a 1948 trail drive of the Two Dot Ranch in Sunlight Basin near Cody, Wyoming, where my dad was raised. I look at it a lot, because I like cowboys and know a few. I’m LDS, but I have a wonderful little retablo of St. Francis de Sales hanging over my printer that makes me smile. He’s the patron saint of writers, journalists and editors. Yo, St. Francis.

If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go and why? I’ve been to home ground in lowland Scotland, and enjoyed London and Plymouth. I’ll be heading back to the Chama Valley this spring, and then Bonanza, Colorado, settings for two books to come, when I get a moment. That’s where I want to be. Back in Taos and Santa Fe, too. Writing is a bit like painting. I need to see where stories take place, when possible.

What advice would you have to aspiring writers? Take your happy a** and put it in that chair. Avoid too many writing/critique groups and blogs. Writing takes time and discipline and that stuff is way too time-consuming and distracting. It is a solitary profession. Also, avoid self-publishing. If you’ve sent it to numerous publishers and been turned down, it’s time to take another look at the book and see what you can improve. Seriously.

About The Author: A newcomer to Cedar Fort, Inc., Carla Kelly is a veteran of the New York and international publishing world. The author of more than thirty novels and novellas for Donald I. Fine Co., Signet, and Harlequin, Carla is the recipient of two Rita Awards (think Oscars for romance writing) from romance Writers of America and two Spur Awards (think Oscars for western fiction) from Western Writers of America.

Recently, she’s been writing regency romances (think Pride and Prejudice) set in the royal Navy’s Channel Fleet during the Napoleonic Wars between England and France. She comes by her love of the ocean from her childhood as a Navy brat.

Carla’s history background makes her no stranger to footnote work, either. During her National Park Service days at the Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, Carla edited Friedrich Kurz’s fur trade journal. She recently completed a short history of Fort Buford, where Sitting Bull surrendered in 1881.

Following the ?dumb luck? principle that has guided their lives, the Kellys recently moved to Wellington, Utah, from North Dakota and couldn’t be happier in their new location. In her spare time, Carla volunteers at the railroad and Mining Museum in Helper, Utah. She likes to visit her five children, who live here and there around the United States. Her favorite place in Utah is Manti, located after a drive on the scenic byway through Huntington Canyon.

And why is she so happy these days? Carla looks forward to writing for an LDS audience now, where she feels most at home.

Learn more: Blog Tour Schedule /Author Blog /Author Facebook/ Book Poster page /Publisher Blog

Hope’s Journey Blog Tour & Giveaway

09 Nov, 2011 by in stephanie worlton Leave a comment

Fire and Ice is today’s stop on the official blog tour for Hope’s Journey


Hope’s Journeyby Stephanie Worlton
Paperback, 288 pages
Published July 14th 2011
by Bonneville
ISBN 1599555069
Book Source: author
5 stars

Sydney is a straight-A student heading to college on a scholarship, and Alex is a quiet jock preparing to serve an LDS mission. But their dreams are shattered on the eve of their high school graduation when they find out that Sydney is pregnant. Separated, they must both trust in God as they search for the worth they once found in each other.

Hope’s Journey is a book that will leave a lasting impression in your mind and heart long after you are done reading. For me it was sad in the beginning because it was easily what could and does happen to so many youth. As the story progressed I could literally feel the heart wrenching experiences and feelings both Alex and Sydney were going through. This is not an easy read because it tackles the issue of teenage pregnancy, the road through repentance the social shunning that comes as a result of other people’s judgements and the anger of dreams lost. It is beautifully written and heart wrenching, so very real. I would recommend this to all teens, male and female, youth leaders and parents. I admire that the author does not skirt around the issues but meets them head on. She teaches that self-worth and confidence are at the core of the problem. I also love that she teaches there is a merciful Father in Heaven who knows us each individually and answers our prayers. Sydney took the road less traveled and she does it bravely because she knows it is right. An absolutely moving debut that I will keep and pass on.
There were several things that left me wanting as I finished…so here is my fair warning of a *spoiler alert*
*I wanted Alex to mature a little more than he did in the 40 weeks he had to think about his future and I was disappointed in the way he handled the news he was going to be a father. He seemed pretty self-centered and immature in comparison to all the progress and growth Sydney made. I also really wanted to see some closure in the confrontation between Alex’s mother and Sydney. Did he even knew that conversation took place? How did the mother handle the way things ended up? I have to admit that deep down I sad she didn’t pick Damon. Could a guy be more perfect? He was an amazing friend and so much more. As well, I think the author left the issue of Sydney’s brother deicing not to go on a mission open ended. Why did he decide not to go and where did he end up? As far as the ending… WOW …so not what I was expecting. A few more chapters may have been good to win me over. I want to see how the road new parents and teen newlyweds was a hard road. I am sure the couple faced many more challenges in their immediate future. Teens need to realize that marriage is hard work and not the end, but just the beginning. * (end of spoliers)
When I read the epilogue and realized Hope’s Journey was a story based on the author’s own experience I was amazed. I admire that she is brave enough and felt compelled to tell her own story within a fictional framework. I would recommend reading the author’s end notes, interviews and the post on the inspiration behind the story on her blog. What a gift Stephanie Worlton has left for each of us. Well done!


About the Author: Stephanie Connelley Worlton pursued a degree in Architecture before turning her creative energy towards other forms of artistic expression including writing. Through her many associations with youth, Stephanie felt prompted to channel her own experience as a teenage mother into a work that might open the eyes of understanding, break down stereotypes, cause youth to reevaluate their relationships, and ultimately provide hope for those in the trenches of an unplanned pregnancy. Aside from the busy schedule she keeps as a wife and mother of four, Stephanie enjoys interior design, gardening, carpentry, painting, and being involved with the youth of our rising generation.

Read a sample of the book at hopesjourneybook.com

Hope’s Journey Giveaway: As part of Hope’s Journey’s blog tour, we will be giving away an autographed copy of Hope’s Journey to one lucky winner. To enter, simply visit the author’s blog and leave a comment on the BLOG TOUR page. Plus, for a few bonus entries, “like” Hope’s Journey on Facebook or become a follower of Stephanie’s blog. It’s that easy!

Contest is limited to those within the continental US. Each person is eligible for up to three (3) entries. Contest closes at 11:59pm November 14, 2011. Winner will be selected by random.org then notified via email and listed at stephanieworlton.blogspot.com on November 15, 2011.

Bitter Blessings Blog Tour

01 Nov, 2011 by in Uncategorized 2 comments

Fire and Ice is the first stop in the Tristi Pinkston blog tour for:

Bitter Blessings
by Christine Mehring
Paperback, 192 pages
Published July 8th 2011

by Cedar Fort
ISBN 1599555239

Source: publisher
4 stars

Megan has the perfect life, but when her mother dies in an accident, everything spins out of control. With the rest of her family falling apart, Megan must confront her past to uncover the truths that will keep everyone together. Thought-provoking and heartfelt, this book shows that even in times of trial, you can often find blessings.

Megan and her family are holding things together after the death of their father until one day they get a visit from the Tuscon Police and receive news that mom will not be home for dinner. Killed in a car accident, mom leaves her own mother as the primary caregiver to Megan and her two younger sisters. But Grandma hasn’t worked in years and turns to Megan to help support the small family. In a snowball of hard events she must put the pieces back together as to why insurance is refusing to pay out their claim, what their grandmother is hiding from them all and just how they are supposed to make ends meet.

With an awesome cast of supporting character including her best friend Adam and his father, Megan just may be able to survive the challenges that lie ahead. There were a lot of things I really loved about Bitter Blessings. It’s a short read that pulled me in and I finished it in one sitting. It addresses adolescent substance abuse, grief, financial hardship, codependency and religious bigotry in an artful, hopeful manner. I appreciate that so many hard things were covered and often found myself wondering if life could get any worse for Megan. But in the end, the author proves that sometimes things fall into place just they way they are meant to, even if it takes some time and effort. A clean LDS fiction title with an endearing example of friendship and faith.

About the Author: Christine Mehring grew up in a house full of books. As a child she was often in trouble for hiding out — in the school library. She wanted to be an astronaut, an archeologist, a starving artist in Paris (so romantic!), a gypsy traveling the world with a backpack, a teacher, a farmer, an international spy; the world was so huge and full of possibilities that is was impossible to choose just one. Then, one day, she realized that what she really wanted most of all, and what she was looking for in everything else, was stories. Now she makes stories, so some days she’s an astronaut, some days she’s a gypsy, and when she’s not writing she really does farm a small market garden with her husband, the beekeeper, and an assortment of kids and animals in an area of Nevada that might generously be called “the boonies”.

Visit the author’s website or click to purchase Bitter Blessings.

Barnes and Noble Authorpalooza Swag Giveaway

26 Oct, 2011 by in Uncategorized 34 comments

Saturday was the huge Authoropalooza event at Barnes and Noble which every year is one of my favorites. There are so many great writers all in one place! This year’s authors in attendance included:

G.G. Vandagriff-Foggy With a Chance of Murder
Jessica Day George– Tuesdays At The Castle
Frank L. Cole– Hashbrown Winters
Joy Spraycar– Quicksilver
April Touchette- Parole at Camp Somerset
Caleb Warnock-Forgotten Skills of Self-Sufficiency Used by the Mormon Pioneers
Connie Sokol– Faithful, Fiot and Fabulous
Mandi Slack-The Alias
Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen– The Hidden Kingdom
B.K. Bostick– Huber Hill and The Dead Man’s Treasure
Carla Kelly-Marian’s Christmas Wish
Tristi Pinkston– Hang ‘Em High
Jason Anderson
Kim Justesen- My Brother The Dog
Berin Stephens-Dragon War Relic
Wendy Paul-101 Gourmet Cake Bites
Nancy Miles– In Good Taste
Debbie Hulet-Independence Rock
Mary Muller- The Guardians of Innocence
Nichole Giles-Sharp Edge of A Knife
Russell Estlack- Shattered Lives Shattered Dreams
Taylor Hartley-Sinner’s Advocate
Marilyn Brown-Images of America: Provo
Paul Talbot-Wizard Magic
Cindy M Hogan-Watched
Jewel Adams-Words of Love
J. Kevin Morris-Strangely Normal
Valerie Mechling & Samuel Stubbs-The Tale of Telsharu
Jenni James– Pride and Popularity
Heather Justesen– Blank Slate
and Jennifer Laurens-Heavenly

Jennifer donated an awesome tote bag from her Heavenly Series as well as a huge of pile of swag including a music CD, postcards and bookmarks. Jessica Day George signed some bookplates for our readers and the other authors chipped in signed bookmarks.
To enter to win some Authorpalooza swag comment below. I’ll pick three winners. Giveaway is open internationally! Ends November 17, 2011. View all the photos from the event on Heather Gardner Photography’s Facebook page.

Book Review and Cookie Giveaway

07 Sep, 2011 by in minor adjustments, rachael renee anderson 18 comments

Minor Adjustments
by Rachael Renee Anderson
Paperback, 224 pages
Published August 8th 2011

by Cedar Fort, Inc.
ISBN 1599559137978

book source: publisher

Chicago businessman and bachelor Devon Pierce doesn’t want to be appointed guardian of Australian four-year-old Ryan Caldwell – but Ryan’s solicitor, Stella Walker, won’t take no for an answer. Little does Devon know that this “minor” adjustment will grant him a future he never expected to have. Told in a fast-paced, poignant, and witty style, Minor Adjustments will take you on a journey filled with humor, growth, romance, and love.

If you’ve never picked up a book by Rachael Renee Anderson now it the time to go out and get one. She is one of those authors that can REALLY write chick lit clean romance. In her latest, Minor Adjustments, she once again weaves in characters with values and personalities that will leave you feeling inspired to be a better person. Set in Australia, land of Tim Tam cookies, lollies and kangaroos MA follows the dilemma of Devon Pierce, who is named rightful guardian to a child he’s not met and a girl he was mere acquaintances with years ago. It’s kind of an awkward situation for a high powered career man who never in his wildest dreams thought of becoming a bachelor father. But fireball Stella, the attorney handling the case will not take no for an answer.

There’s plenty of tender hearted laugh out loud toddler parenting moments and unusual twists of plot. In then end you’ll have that warm feeling that sometimes life works out just the way it is supposed to. My only hesitation with the book is in a choice Devon makes that seemed really out of character…and it’s a big one. Without spoiling I can say since I worked adoptions and guardian cases for the State back in the day it was an emotional gulp for me to see the parties trying to work out the best placement.

Overall, I am once again in love with Rachaeal’s writing and slow building romance molded from real life. You will want to read this one so head on over to Goodreads to enter to win your own copy!

About the author: When Rachael first saw The Man from Snowy River (and Crocodile Dundee, although she cringes to admit it), she dreamed of going to Australia. Over ten years later, she finally got the chance and immediately fell in love with the people, the wild birds that eat sugar from your hand, the kangaroos, the beautiful city of Sydney, and the gorgeous place called Byron Bay.

Rachael is the author of two previously published books, Divinely Designed and Luck of the Draw. She lives with her husband and children in Springville, Utah. Rachael would love to hear from you.

And here’s the fun part! Since Tim Tam cookies are such an integral part of the story we are giving away two packs of them to one lucky blog reader. US only (since ya know…chocolate might really melt in international mail) Good luck! Giveaway ends September 21, 2011. Comment below to enter.

The Last Archangel Book Giveaway

05 Sep, 2011 by in book giveaway 31 comments

The Last Archangel
by Michael D Young
Paperback, 288 pages
Published July 14th 2011
by Bonneville Books
ISBN 1599558947
http://thelastarchangelbook.com/

Xandir has been exiled to earth until the end of time. But when his cherub trainee disappears, Xandir makes a deal with rogue angels and giants that could restore life to the mortal woman he loves and end his assignment as a destroying angel in exchange for helping them bring about the end of the world and all of mankind.

About the Author: Michael is a graduate of Brigham Young University with a degree in German Teaching and a minor in Music. He puts his German to good use by working to build online German courses for High School students. Though he grew up traveling the world with his military father, he now lives in Utah with his wife, Jen, and his two sons. Michael enjoys acting in community theater, playing and writing music and spending time with his family. He played for several years with the hand bell choir Bells on Temple Square and is now a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

He is the author of the novels “The Canticle Kingdom” and “The Last Archangel”. He is also the author of the inspirational pamphlet “Portrait of a Mother”. He has also had work featured in various online and print magazines such as Mindflights, The New Era, Allegory, and Ensign.

Fire and Ice is giving away a copy of The Last Archangel courtesy of publisher Cedar Fort. To enter to win simply comment below. Open internationally, giveaway ends October 4, 2011. Good Luck!