Jennifer Thompson's Blog, page 2

Sharing a Favorite. . .

Don't you just love that tingling, drop-from-the-top-of-roller-coaster-hill feeling you get when you watch a favorite scene from one of your favorite movies? I've admitted it before, and I'll admit it again, I love a good love story, whether it be in movie or book form. And, for me, North & South by Elizabeth Gaskell is a good as it gets.

For those of you who are obsessed with (or even like) watching period pieces (i.e., Austen books put to film, etc.), then North & South is an absolute must! Richard Armitage, alone, as John Thornton puts almost every other lead hero to shame. The story is one of overcoming the social divide of the 1850s in Northern England.

And, I don't want to ruin the ending, but the kiss. . .oh, my happy heart. . .the kiss at the end is one of my all-time favorites. That, along with the expression on Margaret Hale's face (played by Daniela Denby-Ashe) after the kiss, makes for a great ending. I can never watch it just once. Again, it's the simplicity of it all that just steals my breath away!

Added bonus: The music orchestrated for North & South by Martin Phipps is a masterpiece. Completely stunning!

So, quick! Go rent, buy, or borrow North & South. You won't regret it! :-D

It's a 5-star Review and a Giveaway! (What could be better?)

The lovely Diane at "Diane's Book Blog" has read my novel, The Scent of a Soul, and awarded it 5 stars in her review! And, to add to that honor, she is hosting a giveaway for The Scent of a Soul. So, please visit here, find out more about my story, and enter to win. I would love to gift my book...to YOU!

An Amazing Find!

When I studied abroad in St. Petersburg, Russia with my university, I had the privilege of meeting many different people from different countries. One girl I lived with in my Russian household was named Claudia; she had been born in East Germany (of course, it was no longer East Germany when we met---just Germany). I remember having many wonderful talks with her, but the one thing that stuck with me the most from our conversations was when she said, "Do you know how embarrassing it is to come from the country that caused two World Wars?"

I had never thought of that. I certainly never thought, Hmm, this Claudia girl comes from Germany, that wretched place that caused two World Wars. But, as I thought about it, I wondered if I would feel the same way if my country had been the cause of two World Wars, even before I was born.

I just finished an amazing novel called, Fireweed, by Terry Montague. It's an engaging, emotional, historical fiction that takes you on a journey with a girl named Lisel Spann and her family living in Germany during WWII. The trials and simply horrific experiences they endured at the hands of their leaders were eye-opening and heart-wrenching. I don't usually cry with books, but I was sobbing when I finished this story. I thought Terry Montague did a superb job at narrating this family's struggles through the hell that was World War II. And, as I read, Claudia's statement of embarrassment kept popping into my mind.

It was very interesting to read a book from the perspective of inside Germany during the war. The lies the German people were told, and the manipulation they endured, were evil and shocking. I'm not naive enough to say horrific things aren't still happening in the world today. But, after reading Fireweed, I certainly hope we can learn from the mistakes made during that terrifying time and never let history repeat itself---again.

This novel will be appreciated especially by those of the LDS faith, but can certainly be enjoyed by anyone. I recommend it without hesitation.

5/5 Stars!!

2013 HOLT Medallion Award of Merit Recipient

Not only am I completely honored that The Scent of a Soul was chosen as a 2013 HOLT Medallion Award of Merit Recipient "In Recognition of Excellence in Romance Writing," I am also thrilled to share with you that it is ready for the Kindle.

So, if Kindle reading is your favorite way to read, you can find The Scent of a Soul here, ready and waiting!

"The Scent of a Soul by Jennifer Thompson is an outstanding debut novel..." ~Dii, Amazon Reviewer, 5/5 stars (Tome Tender Book Blog)

P.S. If you get the chance to read The Scent of a Soul, I'd be very, very grateful for a review. ;-)

2103 HOLT Medallion Award of Merit Recipient

Not only am I completely honored that The Scent of a Soul was chosen as a 2013 HOLT Medallion Award of Merit Recipient "In Recognition of Excellence in Romance Writing," I am also thrilled to share with you that it is ready for the Kindle.

So, if Kindle reading is your favorite way to read, you can find The Scent of a Soul here, ready and waiting!

"The Scent of a Soul by Jennifer Thompson is an outstanding debut novel..." ~Dii, Amazon Reviewer, 5/5 stars (Tome Tender Book Blog)

P.S. If you get the chance to read The Scent of a Soul, I'd be very, very grateful for a review. ;-)

The SCENT of a SOUL Spotlight!

The Scent of  a Soul is getting a moment to shine as the spotlight on "Lost to Books" Blog today. A hearty thank you to the hostess of this wonderful blog for helping spread the word about my novel.

Please stop by for a visit by clicking here. (It's that easy.) :-) Thanks for your support!

Hey, hey! It's a Giveaway!!

I am so excited to share with you that "Penny For Them" Blog is hosting a Rafflecopter giveaway for my novel, The Scent of a Soul, along with a $10 Amazon gift card. So, click here to visit and enter to win!

A warm thank you to the hostess of "Penny For Them" Blog for hosting this giveaway. To read her review of The Scent of a Soul, please visit here.

Good luck to all that enter!!  :-)

Before He Was the "Man of Steel..."

When I finished writing my novel, The Scent of a Soul, a little over four years ago, I did what a lot of authors can't help but do...I mused about who would play the leading parts in the movie version. And way before I knew he'd been chosen to play Superman in Man of Steel, I pegged Henry Cavill to play Marek Jamison, lead hero in my story.

I was able to see Man of Steel, and there were many scenes that had me saying, "That is so Marek!" and I couldn't help but wish just a little bit that I was watching Henry Cavill play the role of  my character, Marek. I know I'm not the first author to think this way, nor the last, but it was a little bittersweet to experience.

As for the movie itself...I enjoyed it completely! I've heard some complaints that the slow parts are too slow, but I loved them, and didn't think them too slow. I love character building scenes that form the foundation for a solid story. I thought the writers did an excellent job. The fight scenes are tremendous---don't know that my eight-year-old is ready for them, but my fifteen-year-old will definitely love them.

Man of Steel is most certainly a popcorn worthy, summer blockbuster, but it's more than a thrill ride. It's a story about learning who you are and doing your best with what you've been given. I highly recommend it!

The Amazing "Croods"

Okay, I just can't help it...I must give a quick share about The Croods. I love it when I go into a movie with no (or in this case low) expectations and I come out more than pleasantly surprised. This movie's message is full of heart and is so much fun that my sister and I found ourselves laughing our heinies off on many occasions.

The writers of this movie infused it with wit, charm, heart, and a solid message about families. I liked it so much, I went back and saw it a second time with my children. It is perfect for every member of the family. I will be quoting from this movie for a long time to come.

One of my favorite quotes is when the Croods have to make a long family trip to get to safety on a distant mountain. Along the way they have the same angsts that we all face on long, family road trips. The youngest Crood, a feisty and fearless toddler named Sandy, attacks her older, and much bigger brother, Thunk. Mother Crood, Ugga, intervenes, ripping Sandy off of Thunk's head saying, "If you're not ready to challenge her, don't look her in the eye."

I know that line is out of context for all of you, but it's hilarious. I highly recommend The Croods. Listen for the great "one liners" and enjoy the message along the way!

P.S. By way of update, I had some amazing suggestions for naming my fictional Boston high school. I am now in the process of trying to decide. I'll let you know when I do. Thx! :-)

Help Me Name My High School....Please!

So, I've finished writing the climax to my second novel, The Sound of a Silent Heart (Candice and Flynn's story.) It takes place in Boston, and I have Candice working at a high school there. I wanted it to be a fictional school, so when I started writing I researched the schools of Boston and came up with "Revere High School" home of the Patriots. Pretty cool, right?

Wrong! Feeling the need to do a little more research, I found out there is a Revere, MA, and that there is, of course, a "Revere High School" in their town, and guess what? Ta da...they are the Patriots. And, yes, they would more than likely, at some point, play Boston schools.

Some might say, "Big deal! It's just a book."

But, it is a big deal to me. So, please, I ask you...help me name my high school. I want it to be of some significance to both Boston and American history in both name and mascot. I would appreciate any and all input on this. Please leave a blog or email address if you give a suggestion, because I would love to send you my first novel, The Scent of a Soul, and use your name in The Sound of a Silent Heart (in some capacity) as a way to say "thank you" if I use your suggestion.

I eagerly look forward to hearing from you!!