Michele Ashman Bell's Blog, page 2

Sweet and Clean Romance Collection, party and prizes!!!

Trifecta Books is doing an autumn celebration and you can win prizes!!!

To check out their site and find out more about their books and the contest go HERE

Good luck! Watch for more great reviews and giveaways in the weeks to come.

HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE HALLOWEEN!!!

Book review of Hot Pursuit by Susan Dayley and Interview with Author and GIVEAWAY!!!!

When Susan Dayley is not writing, she squeezes in some of her other favorite things, such as teaching children (she’s a private tutor and teacher of small classrooms), preparing lessons, trying new recipes–raw desserts are her latest passion, and being in her garden. She will take a hike at the drop of a hat. She loves all seasons, but her favorite time of year is October with its snuggly, sweater days, pumpkins piled on porches and warm, spicy treats.
Susan Dayley is the author of Redemption, the story of Jonah, and Cold Pursuit.

I had the pleasure of reading Susan's new book and am excited to share a little bit about it with you and give you a chance to get to know this awesome author a little bit better.

About the book:

Kennady thought she’d found the perfect summer escape—working at a resort in Jackson Hole. But then Atticus comes to town, an international conference threatens world finances, and a Mexican cartel shows up to stop the conspirators. When Kennady’s friend Chelo gets entangled with a handsome and possibly dangerous man, her own life is threatened. From eco-terrorism and kidnappings, to gunshots and an earthquake, Jackson was not an escape after all.

BONUS: Hot Pursuit offers two storylines with two different endings for each. Also includes links to pictures, songs, music videos, info about story locations, and other exciting details.

My review:

The tone of Hot Pursuit is quickly set when a senator’s aide exchanges cryptic text messages with an unknown sender. Next we read of a man in a South American country who also receives a text that informs him that his wife and daughter have been tracked down at a Jackson Hole resort. Questions flood the reader’s mind and the quest to find answers begins and with heightened anticipation we are then introduced to the book’s main characters. First we meet Kennady, who is just finishing a year of college where she also worked as a TA for Dr. Keane, the chair of the English Department. Next we meet her friend Chelo, short for Consuela, who doesn’t hide the fact that she is a flirt in every sense of the word and is on the hunt for a husband. The two girls have accepted summer jobs in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where Chelo’s mother works.

Much to Kennady’s surprise she runs into Atticus Keane, the last person she’d expect to see in Wyoming. Atticus and Kennady began dating at the beginning of the year but Dr. Keane, the professor she worked for, had informed Kennady that she felt her “friendship” with her son could stand in the way of his future.” Kennady had graciously bowed out but Atticus never knew why. Their fortuitous meeting in Jackson Hole gives them a chance to revisit their relationship and for Kennady to explain why she ended it. However, their dream of enjoying a fun-filled summer is soon turned into a nightmare of suspense, intrigue and high-octane action.

Hot Pursuit is the sequel to Cold Pursuit. Like Cold Pursuit, there are four endings. Both stories were designed to be interactive stories for the growing eBook market. This includes links to places, music, and other interesting things.

It was fascinating to read different storylines and be able to choose an ending as well as click on some of the links. Author Susan Dayley did an admirable job of keeping storylines consistent and exciting and turned eBook reading into a whole new experience.

Hot Pursuit and its prequel, Cold Pursuit are available on Amazon.

My interview with Susan...

M.B.: When did you first know you wanted to be an author?

S.D.: When I was old enough to know I should have started much sooner—it was after my children were grown.

M.B.: What is your writing and educational background?

S.D.: I began writing verse in kindergarten and wrote creatively up through high school. Then I stopped pursuing it. I took classes at ISU, where I met my husband, and a couple of years ago I took more classes at UVU where I wowed everyone by still commanding a 4.0.

M.B.: What makes you passionate about writing?

S.D.: I love words and stories and the ideas and stories can form in the mind from the words, letters, black marks written on a page. There is something magical about that.

M.B.: What was the pathway like for you to get your first book published?

S.D.: Not a shining one.

M.B.: I get that. My was far from shining. Were you ever discouraged along the way? If so, how did you deal with it?

S.D.: Only from my publisher’s business practices. I never went into this expecting fame and fortune, well not right out of the gate, so I just keep writing and learning.

M.B.: What is your writing schedule like?

S.D.: I tutor in the mornings, so afternoons and evenings divide with writing and e v e r y t h i n g e l s e. I can sit down at my keyboard and disappear for hours without realizing it.

M.B.: Lol! Where do your ideas come from? How do you know the idea is good enough to write a book about it?

S.D.: They grow from ideas. For Cold Pursuit, I wanted to write for the new turn in the industry—eBook sales. I decided to write an interactive book—complete with links to places, music, even a recipe or two. Then I took it to the next level and wrote it with four endings. Hot Pursuit is the sequel, but with a totally new adventure and location. My WIP started as the story of a family where I grew up and grew to something much more fabulous.

M.B.: When did the idea for this book first come to you?

S.D.: My great-grandpa homesteaded a small town on the Idaho side of the border of Jackson Hole. I grew up visiting that area. I thought it would make a great setting, but I needed something intriguing to happen. Then I read about the international financial conferences that happen there every year and about the large caldera beneath Yellowstone. I already knew about the lightning storms.

M.B.: What do you hope readers will get from this book?

S.D.: A fun read that they can return to and each time (at least four times) find a different ending.

M.B.: What is your process of brainstorming a story? Do you just sit down and write, waiting to see what happens next? Or do you outline first?

S.D.: I am such an outliner. Don’t throw potatoes please. It still takes creativity, but when a book has four endings, outlining is essential.

M.B.: I'm an outliner too. It's the OCD in me. Do you ever experience a snag in a story, a form of writer's block? If so, how do you deal with it?

S.D.: Not really, unless it’s like, how can I improve the pacing on this part of the story? With my current WIP, I’ve deleted big chunks, moved things around, and rewritten scenes completely to increase the level of interest. So not writer’s block so much (thanks to an initial outline) as a moment that needs engineering.

M.B.: Do you need absolute quiet to write? Do you listen to music when you are writing?

S.D.: I never remember to put music on. But yes, I enjoy quiet.

M.B.: What kinds of inspiration do you use during your story creation periods?

S.D.: There are quiet times when inspiration comes, like lying in bed at night, but the biggest help is conversations with my husband. Sometimes he contributes something valuable, and sometimes just hearing myself voice the situation has moved me forward.

M.B.: Who has made the greatest difference for you as a writer?

AUTHOR: My husband. He encourages me and brags about me and even finds beta readers at his work. He’d rather I tell him what I wrote that day than that I accomplished anything else. If everyone believed in me as much as he does, I’d be a best seller.

M.B.: What’s your secret to making the character’s in your books come to life?

S.D.: I like to pattern some of them off people I know, but not quite, and others just introduce themselves to me. A fan favorite in Cold Pursuit is Chelo—she’s back in Hot Pursuit, though a bit more sober. I’ve never met anyone like her. In my WIP, one of the most intriguing characters is the antagonist. I don’t know what dark part of me he crept out of. It’s a bit scary to think I wrote him.

M.B.: Do you use a critique group during the writing process? Why or why not?

S.D.: No. Sometimes I wish I did, sometimes I wonder how I would fit one in.

M.B.: Which of your books is your favorite, and why?

S.D.: My WIP. It’s the current baby at home. And I don’t have to figure out four endings. ☺

M.B.: What is something about yourself people don’t know?

S.D.: I grew up with 6 other sisters (and two brothers) and one shower. I shared a bedroom with two sisters and we borrowed clothes, jewelry, and took turns with the family station wagon. I get snarky, vain, selfish, and sarcastic. But I also get dancing to music, telling secrets, defending each other, and crushing on boys.

M.B.: What is your favorite snack to have while you are writing?

S.D.: Currently, cottage cheese or something equally mushy until my braces come off.

M.B.: I want a picture when they do come off so I can see that killer smile! What words of advice do you have for other writers who desire to have their manuscripts become books in print?

S.D.: I’d recommend new writers publish traditionally first so that they can better understand the level of production that is expected before they venture into self-pubbing. And keep writing.

M.B.: What are you working on now?

S.D.: It’s called The Kavanagh House. It’s a YA paranormal. A mechanized house is haunted by the man who designed and created her. His spirit seeks revenge and control of the house. When Parker moves there, she finds a journal by the original daughter of the home. The wrapping on the journal says, “Please undo what I’ve done. My father’s house is haunted and it’s my fault.”

M.B.: That sounds awesome! I can't wait! Any final words you would like to share?

S.D.: Thank you Michele for reviewing Hot Pursuit and offering this interview. Please feel free to edit.

M.B.: Where can our readers go to find your books and order them?

S.D.: Redemption HERE , Cold Pursuit HERE and soon, Hot Pursuit. All are available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

B&N link for CP: HERE
For Redemption: HERE

GIVEAWAY INFO: To find out about Susan's fabulous GIVEAWAY click on the link HERE
To enter please leave a comment on this post. To get more entries go to Susan's Social Media Page HERE and "follow" "friend" etc. on the various media formats. WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED NEXT MONDAY!!!!!

Here is the link to Susan's website: HERE

And she has a serialized story, Misdirect, on her blog based on one of the characters in Hot Pursuit. It's about a museum heist and how Luke and his friends become involved. Go HERE

Interview with Karen Tuft author of Unexpected and Reality Check - GIVEAWAY!!!!

Karen Tuft was born with a healthy dose of curiosity about pretty much everything, so as a child she taught herself to read and play the piano. She studied composition at BYU then graduated from the University of Utah in music theory as a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Pi Kappa Lambda honor societies. In addition to being an author, Karen is a pianist, composer, and arranger, and has spent countless hours backstage and in orchestra pits for theater productions. She also has a 75 percent success rate when it comes to matchmaking and is a big believer in happy endings. Among her varied interests, she likes to spend time with her hubby and kids, figure out what makes people tick, wander through museums, and travel--whether by car, plane, or paperback.



Karen's most recent novel is Unexpected:
Eleven years ago, Ross McConnell was devastated by the betrayal of the woman of his dreams. Time does not heal all wounds, and after more than a decade, Ross is no closer to finding love. When his well-meaning family attempts to play matchmaker, he concedes by creating a list detailing his perfect mate. Perhaps he’ll give love another try, if such perfection exists . . .
Natalie Forrester is no stranger to heartache. After two failed marriages, the single mother is determined to make it on her own. Without a college degree, she starts at the bottom: working as a housekeeper may not be glamorous, but it’s her first step toward independence. And then Ross and Natalie meet . . . and meet again. And following a series of awkward encounters, Ross is shocked by his growing attraction for this woman. Natalie couldn’t be further from his ideal woman, and she is firm in her determination to keep her heart closed to love. But as their tenuous friendship develops and deepens, will the unlikely pair have the courage to set aside the disappointments of the past to catch hold of a bright new future?

Karen's writing is fresh and clever, her characters interesting and memorable. If you're looking for a book to entertain you and keep you up late, this is the one for you! And if you post a response to this blog post you will be entered into a giveaway for a free autographed copy of her book Unexpected.

Here is my interview with Karen Tuft...

M.B.: When did you first know you wanted to be an author?

K.T.: I didn’t know I wanted to be an author! I spent the majority of my life being a musician and dabbling in other creative arts. But life has an “unexpected” (pun intended!) way of throwing us curve balls. A dozen years ago, I experienced a significant loss of my eyesight following failed LASIK surgery. As a result, I had to redefine who I’d always been and find a new creative outlet for myself. And writing became that outlet.

M.B.: How wonderful that something so great could come out of something so horrible. What is your writing and educational background?

K.T.: I have a Bachelor’s degree in Music Theory, although I have always loved English and am constantly reading. My initial writing experience came mostly through school essays and limericks for friends (seriously). Interestingly, music and literature are structurally similar, so my college education helped me a lot when I made the transition from music to writing fiction.

M.B.: Were you ever discouraged along the way? If so, how did you deal with it?

K.T.: I think every human being is discouraged at some point, regardless of what they choose to pursue. The trick is to have yourself a little cry, evaluate if you really have the potential and desire to continue, and then move forward with a realistic outlook and a healthy dose of optimism.

M.B.: Where do your ideas come from? How do you know the idea is good enough to write a book about it?

K.T.: I believe everyone has a story, and it is a story worth telling—at least to someone. (That’s the genealogy fanatic in me speaking.) As a writer of fiction, however, I think the trick is to discern what makes the story relatable and compelling to others.

M.B.: What do you hope readers will get from this book?

K.T.: My main character in Unexpected, Natalie, made choices and mistakes early in her life that took her down a challenging road. My hope for the readers of Unexpected is that they will realize that while we have to live with the consequences of our choices, it doesn’t mean that God loves us less or that we can never have hope or love in our lives.

M.B.: What is your process of brainstorming a story? Do you just sit down and write, waiting to see what happens next? Or do you outline first?

K.T.: Through trial and error, I’ve learned that I work best if I have a basic skeletal structure for my entire story, and then allow myself the latitude to fill in the details as I go along. If I get too detailed in my outline I feel hamstrung, but I like having an outline that makes it clear where I’m heading and where I’ll end up at the story’s conclusion.

M.B.: Do you need absolute quiet to write? Do you listen to music when you are writing?

K.T.: You’d think, as a musician, that I listen to music, but NO!—I need absolute quiet to write!! I can’t go to “that deep place” I need to be while writing with music or conversation going on around me—especially music. Because of my training, I automatically revert to “musician mode” if music is playing—I start paying attention to the choice of instruments, the chord progressions, everything!! **groan** It’s too ingrained!

M.B.: What kinds of inspiration do you use during your story creation periods?

K.T.: I stare out the window a lot (I’m only half-kidding). I read a lot. I ask myself “what would happen if . . .” a lot. And I keep a notebook handy so if I see a random quote or have an idea pop in my head I can jot it down.

M.B.: You are so much like me!!! Who has made the greatest difference for you as a writer?

K.T.: I’ve had a lot of great support from family and friends as a fledgling writer (the lovely and talented Michele Ashman Bell included—thank you so much!). My husband has been and remains my biggest champion in all of my creative endeavors. I mean, he used to cook dinner for his kids and put them to bed so I could go to community theater rehearsals! The guy’s a prince among men.

But the “aha moment” of my writing journey came from a children’s author named Bonny Becker (http://www.bonnybecker.com). I was sitting in a breakout session at a writing conference, and she explained the structure of writing fiction in a way that was like unraveling the universe in a single paragraph, or finding the key to the secrets of the Rosetta Stone. And she writes about a bear!

M.B.: What’s your secret to making the characters in your books come to life?

K.T.: Making them real. People are layered in real life, and characters need layers, too, especially main characters. There has to be something empathetic or compelling about them, or else we as readers won’t be interested enough to keep turning the pages.

M.B.: Do you use a critique group during the writing process? Why or why not?

K.T.: I don’t use a critique group. It’s too structured of a setup for me, personally. I do ask people I trust to critique my writing occasionally, if I find myself stuck or want specific input, though.

M.B.: What is your favorite snack to have while you are writing?

K.T.: Chocolate anything, anytime! Specifically, DARK chocolate anything—although I’m not so picky as to turn down chocolate in any form if it’s available for consumption.

M.B.: What are you working on now?

K.T.: I'm working on a story involving Lucy Kendrick Glass’s (my heroine in Reality Check) brother, Andy Kendrick. This one has taken a little longer for me to complete—life keeps getting in the way (it needs to stop doing that!)—but I’m hoping to have it completed and submitted soon.

M.B.: YAY!!! I'm so excited! Where can our readers go to find your books and order them?

AUTHOR: Unexpected and Reality Check can be found at any LDS bookseller, including Deseret Book (deseretbook.com), Seagull Books (seagullbook.com), and amazon.com in either soft cover or e-book formats.

karentuft.blogspot.com, kktuft.blogspot.com, facebook.com/AuthorKarenTuft

Emma: A Latter-day Tale by author Rebecca H. Jamison

I'm excited to post this interview with author Rebecca H. Jamison. Since I met her and did the interview she's had another book come out. I want to apologize to this sweet lady for taking so long to get her interview posted but would also like to take the chance to promote her most recent book, Sense and Sensibility: A Latter-day Tale
I mean how cute is this cover!!!
To order this book you can click HERE


Rebecca H. Jamison is the author of Emma: A Latter-day Tale and Persuasion: A Latter-day Tale. She loves running, dancing, reading, playing with her kids, and watching detective shows.

About the book: Emma's her name and matchmaking is her game! Quirky life coach Emma wants to help her first-ever client, a lonely nanny named Harriet. But all of her attempts at matchmaking result only in embarrassing miscues and blunders, leaving the pair disheartened and confused. This modern take on the Jane Austen classic shows that sometimes the greatest match is the one we make for ourselves.

Jamison's modern telling of the classic Jane Austen novel is creative, fresh and fun. Even if you haven't read the original you will enjoy the story and perhaps find yourself seeking out the Austen version after you finish Emma: A Latter-day Tale. Even though it is geared toward the female LDS market I noticed in some of the reviews of this book that men and non-members have also enjoyed the book.

I got a chance to interview this awesome author and thought you might enjoy getting to know her as well.

M.B.: When did you first know you wanted to be an author?

R.B.: I never set out to become an author. I like to write novels, and I figured since I write them, I might as well publish them.

M.B.: LOL! Good for you! What is your writing and educational background?

R.B.: I have a BA and MA in English from BYU. With each degree, I emphasized creative writing, so I wrote my first novel as my master’s thesis. It’s still not published. One of these days I’ll go back and revise it.

M.B.: What makes you passionate about writing?

R.B.: The process of writing keeps me happy. I feel that it’s part of my mission in life to write good, clean fiction. The world definitely needs more of that!

M.B.: What was the pathway like for you to get your first book published?

R.B.: Like most first-time authors, I was terrified to submit my book to publishers. I’d tried with my first novel and failed. After I finished my second novel, I set a New Year’s resolution to submit it to as many publishers as possible. I submitted to Deseret Book first. They rejected it. I then submitted to Cedar Fort, and they accepted it.

M.B.: Were you ever discouraged along the way? If so, how did you deal with it?

R.B.: I’m very vulnerable to discouragement, which is bad because a discouraged writer is not a productive writer. I work hard to stay positive about my writing. I try to get outside in the sun. I avoid reading too many reviews. I write every day. I also try to keep myself spiritually strong.

M.B.: What is your writing schedule like?

R.B.: I write every morning before my kids get up and in the evening right after my little ones go to bed. I also go to the library twice a week to write for a few hours.

M.B.: Where do your ideas come from? How do you know the idea is good enough to write a book about it?

R.B.: I write what I think would be fun to read. If I’m not excited to write it, it won’t be fun to read.

M.B.: What do you hope readers will get from this book?

R.B.: I hope readers will come away feeling that they don’t have to be perfect to live a fulfilling life.

M.B.: What is your process of brainstorming a story? Do you just sit down and write, waiting to see what happens next? Or do you outline first?

R.B.: I do an outline, but I don’t stick to it very well. I end up changing the outline over and over again while I’m writing.

M. B.: Do you ever experience a snag in a story, a form of writer’s block?

R.B.: Yes. Sometimes when I’m stuck on a scene, I’ll write down a list of thirty different things that could happen. I get some great ideas that way. Occasionally, if the story doesn’t feel right, I’ll go back and revise something that happened earlier in the manuscript.

M.B.: Do you need absolute quiet to write? Do you listen to music when you are writing?

R.B.: I have six kids. There’s never absolute quiet, but I prefer things to be as quiet as possible. I love to listen to music, but sadly, I can’t write and listen at the same time. It’s too distracting for me.

M.B.: What kind of inspiration do you use during your story creation period?

R.B.: Since I’ve been writing Jane Austen retellings, I read a lot of Jane Austen and watch all the movies I can find. I also read other popular books in my genre, as well as books that pertain to the subject. For example, when I wrote Emma, I read books about how to become a life coach.

M.B.: Who has made the greatest difference for you as a writer?

R.B.: That is a hard question because I’ve had so many great teachers and friends influence me. I would have to say, though, that my husband has had the biggest influence on my writing. If he hadn’t encouraged me to write Persuasion: A Latter-day Tale, I wouldn’t be an author today.

M.B.: What’s your secret to making the characters in your books come to life?

R.B.: I try to give my characters quirks. They all have a past, a unique voice, and insecurities . My goal is to reveal something new about each main character in each chapter. I think it’s also important for people to relate to my characters. I think if you can relate to a character because, say, she hates shopping for jeans, then that character starts to come alive for you.

M.B.: I agree a thousand percent! Do you use a critique group during the writing process? Why or why not?

R.B.: I would love to have a critique group. Unfortunately, my schedule prevents me from attending most critique groups I’ve found. I do use critique partners and beta readers, however. They’re very helpful. It also helps that my husband works full-time as an editor. He and my teenage daughter are some of my best critique partners.

M.B.: Which of your books is your favorite, and why?

R.B.: Probably the one I’m writing now. (I’m doing my version of Sense and Sensibility.) I’ve fallen in love with the characters. This is my fourth book, so I feel like I’m getting better at plotting and character development.

M.B.: Oh wow! It can't wait for your next one! What is something about yourself people don’t know?

R.B.: I’m really bad at sports that involve a ball. I have an eye motor control problem, so I can’t track the ball very well when it’s moving.

M.B.: What words of advice do you have for other writers who desire to have their manuscripts become books in print?

R.B.: Read a lot, and read the best books you can find. I’m always a better writer when I’m reading great writers. Right now, I’m reading Anne Perry’s books. My local library has a lot of her books in audio versions, so I listen while I work in the kitchen or while I’m driving.

M.B.: What are you working on now?

R.B.: Sense and Sensibility: A Latter-day Tale will come out in August. Here’s the logline: On the verge of bankruptcy, a feisty programmer take s a job working for her ex-fiancé and falls in love with his new brother-in-law. When she stumbles upon some company secrets, she must follow her conscience instead of her heart, even if it means living in her grandma’s cluttered basement for the rest of her life.

M.B.: Any final words you’d like to share?

R.B.: Yes. Thank you so much, Michele, for interviewing me. I’m such a fan of you and your books. It’s an honor to be a guest here.

M.B.: Where can readers go to find your books and order them?

You can order them at Amazon.com here:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=rebecca+h.+jamison

You can also buy them at Seagull and Deseret Book bookstores.

You can find out more about me at www.rebeccahjamison.com

I’m also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaHJamison

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/rebeccajamison/

And Twitter: https://twitter.com/RebeccaHJamison

Fantastically fun fairytale book review!!!! The Rebel Princess by Janice Sperry

Raven Perilous is a princess but she is definitely not a damsel in distress. Her mother, (who is also a princess), was saved from a tower by an evil sorcerer, (her father), and the two fell in love and escaped to the “real” world.

Even though Raven and her family live in the “real” world her family is nothing like the other families in the neighborhood. Her mother coughs up gems and jewelry and her father has magical powers. She lives in a moody house, and she has a twin brother, who like their father has inherited his sorcerer talents. To her disappointment Raven has inherited her mother’s talent, which in her opinion is useless because she wants to be evil like her brother, (who really isn't evil).

Raven tries to distance herself from anything “princessy” but that becomes even more difficult when who of all people shows up at school but Prince charming himself. It seems that Eric Charming had been trapped in time by Raven's father after he was supposed to have rescued Raven's mom from her tower. Raven decides instantly that he's her nemesis and she’s going to show him whose boss, however Prince Charming thinks he has to come save Raven so he can get back to his magical world.

Not to be excluded from this fun and completely delightful tale filled with magic forests and mythical creatures are the fairy godmother's who don't really do a lot to help but actually add extra problems and entertainment.

Anyone who is a fan of fairytales will fall in love with this cute story. Author Sperry has created a fresh, delightful book that is sure to become a fan favorite. I loved the characters, loved the twists, and several times I laughed out loud! Do not miss, The Rebel Princess.

Purchase at Barnes and Noble

Purchase at Amazon

Author Web-site

Last minute Mother's Day gift idea

If you are still looking for that last minute gift for your mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, visiting teaching sisters, neighbors, friends or yourself, this is it. A perfect gift for anyone on your list. Filled with stories that will warm your heart and feed your soul, A Mother's Prayer will bring hours of enjoyment.

Available wherever LDS products are sold, get yours today!
Deseret Book
Seagull Book
Amazon

New Year - New Start! Fun new product review! Things are heating up again!

Happy Holidays dear friends. Hope you had a very Merry Christmas and I wish you an amazing New Year!

I have several New Year's resolutions, some I would like to share with you.

I will be posting weekly on Fridays (or at least bi-monthly) on my blog. I will do reviews of books and products that I think will be of interest to you. I will also post interviews with authors. You will get to know about the author's themselves and their work.

I'm starting off by sharing a product with you that is a "must have" for anyone with electronic devices (cell phones, ipads, ipods, etc...). Our family recently went on a vacation to Los Angeles to spend Christmas with my daughter who dances for Los Angeles Ballet, and this Magicstick saved us more than once. I tend to go through cell power quickly on a normal day, but on vacation it seems to go even faster. Having this Magicstick to help keep phones charged (mine and my daughter's) was a huge lifesaver. I recommend it highly and wish I'd had it a long time ago.

Here is a little more information about it from the manufacturer.
You’ll never feel powerless when you have the Magicstick 2800mAh rechargeable battery handy. This compact and lightweight mobile charger will quickly become must have for any person on-the-go. The Magicstick 2800mAH is the perfect size for any pocket, purse, or backpack. Never get stuck with a dead phone or other mobile device again. The Magicstick is easy to use and carry. A single USB port and corresponding cable with micro to USB connectionslet you charge a variety of devices seamlessly. This cable can also be used to charge the Magicstick from any high current USB port. A single button illuminates when pressed and shows the power capacity via a colored LED light, so you know at a glance how much charge is left. The Magicstick also features a smooth, brushed aluminum finish available in a variety of colors. An included drawstring carry case keeps it protected and always handy for use. Just grab, go, and get charged up with the Magicstick.

Charges standard smartphone and other digital devices such as Bluetooth headsets, cameras, GPS, e-readers, and more
2800mAh battery capacity provides up to 2 full charges before needing recharging
Lightweight & Powerful: Perfect for work, vacation, and every day on-the-go
Engineered with smart chip technology to prevent damage or over charging
Aluminum housing for durability & safety
Fun color assortment for personal style expression
Charges as fast as a standard wall charger in an electrical outlet
Check power status with a push of button
Easy and intuitive use
Included carrying pouch
MSRP: $49.99
SKUs: Black 370704 | Blue 370706 | Purple 370707 | Red 370705
Sliver 370729 | Pink 370823 | Green 370821 | Charcoal 370822
BATTERY CAPACITY: 2800mAh
BATTERY TYPE: Lithium ion
INPUT: 5.0 V / 0.55 A
OUTPUT: 5.0 V / 1 A
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A Gaze Into Heaven by Marlene Sullivan, BOOK REVIEW

I was excited to be asked to participate in a blog tour for this book, A Gaze Into Heaven by Marlene Sullivan. I have always had a huge interest in books that help us understand the pre-existence and life after death. Life's challenges seem a little bit easier to handle when we can look at them with an eternal perspective. A Gaze Into Heaven did exactly that.

Here is a synopsis of the book:

Gaze Into Heaven is a carefully compiled collection of more than 50 near-death experiences that occurred during the early years of the Church. These documented accounts give fascinating glimpses into the Spirit World by those who have actually been there. Besides being filled with stories of insight and inspiration, Gaze Into Heaven has pertinent quotes from latter-day Prophets and other leaders, scriptures, and perceptive commentary. After reading this book, you will never think of life—or death—in the same way.

Most of us have wondered exactly what will happen when we die. What does the Spirit World look like? Will we see departed family members and friends? What do people do there? Do spirits there know what is happening on earth? What did people who had near-death experiences learn from their visit? All of these questions and many more are answered in Gaze Into Heaven. There have been many books written about modern day near-death experiences, but this book is the first to focus solely on those that took place in early church history.

Studying near-death experiences can bless us with a better understanding of this life and increase our knowledge of the life to come. By reading about those who actually entered the spirit world and saw conditions there, we can benefit from the insights they gained and use that information to reevaluate our lives and use our time on earth productively.

Many times during the reading of the book I stopped and pondered the great gospel truths and profound teachings that were shared through these near-death experiences. For me it was a very moving and visual experience as the accounts in the book painted an incredible peaceful and beautiful existence that awaits each of us, after we leave this earth. Some of the accounts so vivid in description I felt my understanding of the great Plan of Salvation expand and deepen.

Let me share a quote from the back of the book:

“With this book, Marlene Bateman Sullivan has done a valuable service for Latter-day Saint readers. Previous life-after-death studies published brief extracts from numerous sources and combined them to define spirit-world events and conditions. Returning to those sources, she has compiled many of their complete accounts, which add additional insights that will be enjoyed by many. Well done!” Duane S. Crowther, author of Life Everlasting—A Definitive Study of Life After Death

Marlene was kind enough to answer some questions about how she gathered her information and did research for this fascinating book.

How did you come up with the book title?
By reading a quote by Joseph Smith. It’s really cool, but a bit lengthy, so I’ll shorten it a little. Joseph Smith said; “All men know that they must die . . . it is important that we should understand the reasons . . . of life and of death, and the designs and purposes of God in our coming into the world . . . and our departure hence. . . It is a subject we ought to study more than any other. . . Could you gaze into heaven five minutes, you would know more than you would by reading all that was ever written on the subject.” Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Period I, vol. 6, (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 9 October, 1843), 50.
I was fascinated by the idea that if we could ‘gaze into heaven’ for even just 5 minutes, we would know more than studying for days and weeks! Incredible. Especially when you think that the experiences in “Gaze Into Heaven” will let us catch glimpses of heaven!

What kind of research did you do?
I lived in libraries for a while. J While I did some research at BYU and the University of Utah, I also went to Utah State. However, the majority of experiences came from the Church History Library and the Church Archives. I pored through old newspapers, early church magazines, and in the archives, looked at countless collections of papers, journals, letters, and microfilms.

What was your inspiration for writing the book?
It might sound a little cheesy, but my main focus was about trying to present these stories in such a manner that the book would be accepted and published, so people could read it and in so doing, have their faith and testimonies increased. After finding and reading these experiences, I was so touched that I wanted to share them with everyone! I wanted people to know that God exists, that He loves us, and that the gospel is true. I wanted people to know and read these incredible stories so they would realize that this life is but a fleeting moment and we should take advantage of our time here to learn and grow.

What will people gain from reading your book?
I hope it will build people’s testimonies. I hope people will be inspired to try a little harder and do a little better. To know that all acts of kindness mean so much, and to realize that this life is not just a testing period, but a chance for us to grow and learn. I hope people come away from this book with a firmer conviction that life continues on and that if we endure our trials patiently and learn from them, great blessings await us in the next life.

What does your book teach us that will help us in our daily lives?
I think that reading and pondering these near-death experiences can give us a better understanding of what is important in life. It helps us realize that this life is a time to learn and increase our knowledge of the gospel. It will help us become better people. We can benefit from the insights given by these near death experience and use them to re-evaluate our own lives—to see what changes we could make to improve. Learning about the next life can help us use our time on earth to be more productive.

Below are 3 links where Gaze Into Heaven can be purchased online.
Amazon: Click HERE
Deseret Book: Click HERE
Seagull Book: Click HERE

Gaze Into Heaven is also available at Deseret and Seagull Bookstores, as well as other LDS bookstores.

For more information and to get to know author Marlene Bateman better please visit her website: www.marlenebateman.info