Joyce DiPastena's Blog, page 57

3rd Annual Summer Treasure Hunt: Dig for Clues and Win! Contest

Welcome to our 3rd Annual "Summer Treasure Hunt: Dig for Clues and Win Contest!" This is becoming an exciting tradition, both for our sponsors and hopefully for all of you! 29 writer friends and I have banded together to present a month-long contest where we will give away a prize a day for the entire month of June. That's right! 30 awesome prizes, running the gambit from books books books! (romances, fantasies, mystery/thrillers, inspirationals, children's books, and various non-fiction), as well as Amazon gift cards, a Mary Kay gift set, a vinyl lettering gift certificate, a hand-sewn weekly planner with ribbon bookmark, a crocheted book tote with matching cell phone case, and again for you aspiring authors, TWO free edit/critiques of a partial manuscript. Many of the giveaways are open to International entries, though always check to be sure before you enter for a particular prize.
And how exactly do you enter for these amazing prizes? By following these rules:
SUMMER TREASURE HUNT RULES:
You can send in one entry for each day's prize, or only for those prizes that strike your fancy. The rules are simple:
(1) Go to the website or blog indicated for each day, find the answer to the question for that day, then email the answer with your name and AND MAILING ADDRES to jdipastena@yahoo.com. I promise you will not wind up on any mailing lists. This is only to facilitate the receipt of your prize. All entries will be deleted at the end of the contest.
(2) Please send a separate entry for each day and type the day you are entering in the subject line. (Such as: Summer Treasure Hunt, June 1; Summer Treasure Hunt, June 2, etc).
(3) Deadline for each day: Midnight PST
(4) The winner will be contacted and announced on the day following the deadline.
All winners will be draw by www.random.org.
You do not have to wait until the designated day to enter. You can start sending in your entries right now, or begin entering at any point along the way. And check back here each day between June 2nd – July 1st to read the names of the winners.
If you have any questions, please email Joyce DiPastena at jdipastena@yahoo.com.
And now…let the treasure hunt begin!
June 1 SPONSOR: Canda MortensenPRIZE: A $25 Amazon gift certificateQUESTION: What is the title and artist of the Princess song on Newbie's playlist? (HINT: Scroll to the bottom of the blog and read "Newbie Teaser". Match the number of "Princess" with the same number on the Playlist box (you may have to scroll down the playlist to find this, too). It will give you the title and artist.)WEBSITE/BLOG: http:candamortensen.blogspot.comOPEN TO USA ENTRIESWINNER:ANSWER:
June 2 SPONSOR: Jennifer GriffithPRIZE: Delicious Conversation (LDS romance, an adaptation of Jane Austen's Persuasion, set in a chocolate shop in Salt Lake City), by Jennifer GriffithQUESTION: Name at least 5 kinds of candy I ate at the last writers' conference I attended AND share YOUR favorite candy. (HINT: Read the April 20, 2011 post. Click on April under the Blog Archive in the right hand sidebar.)WEBSITE/BLOG: http://cottoncandy4thesoul.blogspot.comOPEN TO USA ENTRIESWINNER:ANSWER:
June 3 SPONSOR: Peggy UrryPRIZE: Choice of book: Villette by Charlotte Bronte (romance, paperback); Airframe by Michael Crichton (thriller, paperback); The Body Farm by Patricia Cornwell (contemporary crime, paperback); OR The Mist of Quarry Harbor by Liz Adair (LDS romantic fiction, paperback); AND choice of Jelly Belly Gel Case for iPhone 3G/3GS or Jelly Belly Strawberry Cheesecake Gel Case for iPod Touch.QUESTION: What is the name of my Work In Progress (WIP)? (Hint: It's the title of my March 12, 2011 post. Click on "March" under Blog Archive in the right hand sidebar.)WEBSITE/BLOG: http://peggyurry.blogspot.comOPEN TO USA/CANADAWINNER:ANSWER:
June 4 SPONSOR: Danielle ThornePRIZE: Josette (sweet Regency romance, E-book) AND Southern Girl, Yankee Roots (poetry), both by Danielle ThorneQUESTION: Danielle supports what wildlife conservancy organization? (HINT: See right hand column of website)WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.daniellethorne.comOPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIESWINNER:ANSWER:
June 5 SPONSOR: Bonnie HarrisPRIZE: Mary Kay Microdermabrasion Set QUESTION: What are the names of my two WIPs? (HINT: Scroll to the bottom of the blog and click on "Work in Progress" under Labels)WEBSITE/BLOG: http:// www.bonnieharris.blogspot.comOPEN TO USA/CANADAWINNER:ANSWER:
June 6 SPONSOR: Susan Kaye QuinnPRIZE: Autographed copy of Life, Liberty, and Pursuit (YA love story), by Susan Kaye Quinn QUESTION: How many days do David and Eliza have on the cruise together, before they're forced to go their separate ways? (HINT: Click on the "About Me and My Books" tab and read the blurb for Life, Liberty, and Pursuit )WEBSITE/BLOG: http://ink-spells.blogspot.comOPEN TO USA ENTRIESWINNER:ANSWER:
June 7: SPONSOR: Anne BradshawPRIZE: True Miracles with Genealogy: Help from Beyond the Veil (non-fiction), by Anne Bradshaw – 1 print and 1 eBook – Print copy can be autographed. (Yes, there will be TWO winners drawn for this prize)QUESTION: Which TV station interviewed Anne? (HINT: Answer is a short way down the middle column.)WEBSITE/BLOG: http://truemiracleswithgenealogy.comOPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES; PLEASE NOTE YOUR PREFERENCE FOR PRINT OR EBOOK, ALTHOUGH I CAN'T GUARANTEE YOU WILL WIN YOUR PREFERENCE.WINNER:ANSWER:
June 8 SPONSOR: Cheri SchmiditPRIZE: Autographed copy of Fateful (YA paranormal romance), by Cheri Schmidt QUESTION: Who is the prince of darkness? (HINT: Click on "April" under Blog Archive in the left hand sidebar and read the April 12, 2011 post)WEBSITE/BLOG: http://cherischmidt.blogspot.comOPEN TO USAWINNER:ANSWER:
June 9 SPONSOR: Mary Fremont SchoeneckerPRIZE: Moonglade (a sweet cozy mystery, Book Two in the Maine Shore Chronicles series), by Mary Fremont Schoenecker The prize is an autographed First Edition hard cover print book. QUESTION: What special skill does character Tante Margaret use that puts her in danger during Remi's murder investigation? (HINT: Click on the "About Her Books" tab and read the Publisher's Weekly Review.WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.maryschoenecker.comOPEN TO USA/CANADAWINNER:ANSWER:
June 10 SPONSOR: Shaunna GonzalesPRIZE: FREE edit and/or critique of first 50 pagesQUESTION: What do his lips taste like? (Hint: click on "Sizzling Kiss" under Post Subjects in the left hand sidebar)WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.shaunnagonzales.blogspot.comOPEN TO USA/CANADAWINNER:ANSWER:
June 11 SPONSOR: Donna HatchPRIZE: The Stranger She Married (Regency romance), by Donna HatchQUESTION: What poses the greatest danger to Alicia's heart? (HINT: Scroll down underneath the book cover of The Stranger She Married , and read the paragraph directly below.WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.donnahatch.net/bookshelf.htmOPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES FOR E-BOOK VERSION; US/CANADA FOR PRINT BOOK OR PAPEBACK VERSIONWINNER:ANSWER:
June 12 SPONSOR: Cindy R. Williams & Planet Play Productions, LLC.PRIZE: Award winning glossy cover children's snuggle, giggle picture book, Chase McKay Didn't Get Up Today , signed by the author and the real Chase McKay. QUESTION: What is the name of the dragon in the upcoming fantasy, Thundertail's Tale: The Legend? (HINT: click on the Blog tab)WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.cindyRwilliams.comOPEN TO USA/CANADAWINNER:ANSWER:
June 13 SPONSOR: Larry HammersleyPRIZE: Motorcycle Woman (sweet contemporary romance, E-book), by Larry Hammersley QUESTION: What kind of motorcycle does Tess, the motorcycle woman, ride? (HINT: Read the blog post "Motorcycle Woman from Red Rose Publishing", May 5, 2011)WEBSITE/BLOG: http://larryhammersley.blogspot.com OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES WINNER:ANSWER:
June 14 SPONSOR: Cheryl CoryPRIZE: Autographed copy of Must've Done Something Good (romantic comedy), by Cheryl CoryQUESTION: What is Sylvie's all-time favorite movie? (HINT: Click on the "Info" link in the left-hand column)WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.facebook.com/MustveDoneSomethingGood OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIESWINNER:ANSWER:
June 15 SPONSOR: Valerie IpsonPRIZE: $15 Gift Certificate for Vinyl Lettering  (http://vinylsignsanddesigns.blogspot.... What is Valerie's writing goal for 2011?  (HINT: Look in the right hand sidebar)WEBSITE/BLOG: http://valerieipson.blogspot.com OPEN TO USAWINNER:ANSWER:
June 16 SPONSOR: Rachel RagerPRIZE: Wednesday Romances - romance (obviously), ebook, by Rachel Rager. This is a compaliation of three different love stories, A Season for Love , The Tiger Unleashed , and The Feather Kiss . (All sweet romances)QUESTION: Every week I have post a new chapter of a book on my blog. What are these posts called? (Hint: These posts are featured every Wednesday.)WEBSITE/BLOG: http://rachelrager.blogspot.comOPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIESWINNER:ANSWER:
June 17 SPONSOR: Danyelle FergusonPRIZE: Autograhed copy of (dis)Abilities and the Gospel: How to Bring People with Special Needs Closer to Christ (non-fiction/self-help) by Danyelle Ferguson & Lynn Parsons, M.S.)non-fiction/self-help, autographed bookQUESTION: What is the name of the non-profit Danyelle co-founded? (HINT: Check out Danyelle's author bio)WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.danyelleferguson.com/OPEN TO USA ENTRIESWINNER:ANSWER:
June 18 SPONSOR: Teresa Thomas BohannonPRIZE: A Very Merry Chase (Regency Romance novel), by Teresa Thomas Bohannon. AND a $5 Amazon gift certificate. Winner's Choice: PDF with personalized dedication, or Ebook format for Kindle or Epub format for Nook. (HINT: Read "A Very Merry Chase Excerpt" under "A Very Merry Chase" in the right hand sidebar)QUESTION: What did Lady Bethany do and why?WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.ladysilk.netOPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIESWINNER:ANSWER:
June 19 SPONSOR: Diane DanielsPRIZE: Autographed copy of Over the Moon (YA fantasy romance, print copy), by Diane DanielsQUESTION: Who is Andrew's evil x-girlfriend, Sonya, named after? (HINT: Read the May 14, 2011 blog entry)WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.overthemoonseries.comOPEN TO USAWINNER:ANSWER:
June 20 SPONSOR: Margaret Larsen Turley PRIZE: critique for up to 5000 wordsQUESTION: Margaret Larsen Turley is administrator for ______________________________ group. They hold fund-raising events for Cancer Research. (HINT: You'll find the answer in one of her website tabs)WEBSITE/BLOG: http://margaretlarsen.comOPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES/ENGLISH LANGUAGE ONLYWINNER:ANSWER:
June 21 SPONSOR: Anna ArnettPRIZE: Autographed copy of Lolly's Yarn: a memoir (older YA to adult), by Anna Arnett, with a hand-crocheted bookmarkQUESTION: What was the verdict regarding Anna's radar photo speeding ticket? (HINT: Click on the Blogs tab and read "I Fought the Law and Guess Who Won?"WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.annaarnett.comOPEN TO USAWINNER:ANSWER:
June 22 SPONSOR: Joyce DiPastenaPRIZE: Autographed copy of Loyalty's Web (sweet medieval romance), by Joyce DiPastenaQUESTION: How do people win Joyce's "Light Bulb Award"? (HINT: Answer is found in the right hand column of the blog)WEBSITE/BLOG: http://jdp-news.blogspot.com OPEN TO USA WINNER:ANSWER:
June 23 SPONSOR: C. Michelle JefferiesPRIZE: 52 page hand-sewn weekly planner, with ribbon bookmark.QUESTION: What rank is Michelle in martial arts? (HINT: Look in right hand sidebar under "MY TANG SOO DO PROGRESS")WEBSITE/BLOG: http://cmichellejefferies.blogspot.comOPEN TO USA/CANADAWINNER:ANSWER:
June 24 SPONSOR: Valerie J. SteimlePRIZE: Choice of two books:   Home Is Where The Learning Is (homeschool how-to book, non-fiction; autographed print copy) OR Dogs, Blogs and Hobbits: Writings from a Widows Perspective ---(non-fiction articles about everything from being single and single moms to inspirational stories; autographed print copy), both by Valerie J. SteimleQUESTION: How many children does Valerie have? (HINT: Look in the right hand column in "About Me")WEBSITE/BLOG: http://valeriesteimle.blogspot.comOPEN TO USA/CANADAWINNER:ANSWER:
June 25 SPONSOR: Karen AdairPRIZE: Crocheted Book Tote with matching cell phone case.QUESTION: What commenter recently called me (Karen) "The Queen of Sugar Land?" (HINT: Select "January 2011" under Archives and read the COMMENTS on Karen's January 6, 2011 post on "The 20 Minute Sprint")WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.kbadair.comOPEN TO USAWINNER:ANSWER:
June 26 SPONSOR: Jaimey Grant (www.jaimeygrant.com) and/or TreasureLine Books & Publishing (www.treasurelinebooks.com)PRIZE: Winner's choice of 1 of 5 Regency romance eBooks by Jaimey Grant ( Honor, Betrayal, Deception, Spellbound , or Redemption . Please note: Honor contains some marital "heat".)QUESTION: Which of Jaimey's previously self-published titles has recently been picked up by a publisher? (HINT: Click the "Purchasing Options" tab)WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.jaimeygrant.comOPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIESWINNER:ANSWER:
June 27 SPONSOR: Heidi MurphyPRIZE: Autographed copy of Small Deceptions (sweet Regency/Georgian romance), by H. Linn Murphy QUESTION: In what country is the bridge found over which 'we' were fighting? (HINT: Find "Blog Archive" in the right hand sidebar, click on April and read the post titled: "The Far Bridge")WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.murph4slaw.blogspot.comOPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIESWINNER:ANSWER:
June 28 SPONSOR: Kenneth RosenbergPRIZE: One e-book copy of my new romantic comedy, Sweet Ophelia and the Tinseltown Blues, any formatQUESTION: What instrument does the character Warren August play? (HINT: Click on the cover image for Sweet Ophelia and the Tinseltown Blues.  Read the first few paragraphs of the excerpt.)WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.kennethrosenberg.comOPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTRIESWINNER:ANSWER:
June 29 SPONSOR: Michael Young PRIZE: Autographed copy of The Last Archangel (YA Urban Fantasy, print copy - Release date July 14th)QUESTION: What is the name of the fallen angel who is the main character in "The Last Archangel"? (HINT: Click on the Reviews tab. Frank Cole thinks this character "rocks!"WEBSITE/BLOG: http://thelastarchangel.weebly.comOPEN TO USA/CANADAWINNER:ANSWER:
June 30 SPONSOR: Joan SowardsPRIZE: The Star Prophecy: a Book of Mormon Adventure (LDS novel), by Joan SowardsQUESTION: Why do Enoch and his friends sail to Jerusalem? (HINT: Read the blurb under The Star Prophecy book cover in the right hand column of the blog)WEBSITE/BLOG: http://joansowards.blogspot.comOPEN TO USAWINNER:ANSWER:

Tuesday Teaser

Tuesday Teaser is a weekly bookish meme (rhymes with "cream"), hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. (I've borrowed it from LDS Women's Book Review.) Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
Grab your current readOpen to a random pageShare at least two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!
I'm adapting the rules slightly. I'll be quoting some random lines from the last chapter I read before I post a teaser. I'm a slow reader, so you may get multiple teasers per book. Here's a teaser from King John (as you can see, I'm back to my research reading):
What they feared, and what the king assumed, was that if he attempted to put to sea he would be faced with something like a sit-down strike. Weeping and wailing with frustration and shame, still arguing and protesting, John was practically dragged off to Winchester where his counsellors thought, perhaps, to calm him down.
From King John , by W.L. Warren, p 115
If you'd like to share a teaser from a book you're currently reading, I'd love you to do so in the comment section. And you don't even have to share it on a Tuesday! Be sure to include the title, author, and page number in case others would like to check out the book you're reading.

Tuesday Teaser is a weekly bookish meme (rhymes with "cre...

Tuesday Teaser is a weekly bookish meme (rhymes with "cream"), hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. (I've borrowed it from LDS Women's Book Review.) Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
Grab your current readOpen to a random pageShare at least two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!
I'm adapting the rules slightly. I'll be quoting some random lines from the last chapter I read before I post a teaser. I'm a slow reader, so you may get multiple teasers per book. Here's a teaser from King John (as you can see, I'm back to my research reading):
What they feared, and what the king assumed, was that if he attempted to put to sea he would be faced with something like a sit-down strike. Weeping and wailing with frustration and shame, still arguing and protesting, John was practically dragged off to Winchester where his counsellors thought, perhaps, to calm him down.
From King John , by W.L. Warren, p 115
If you'd like to share a teaser from a book you're currently reading, I'd love you to do so in the comment section. And you don't even have to share it on a Tuesday! Be sure to include the title, author, and page number in case others would like to check out the book you're reading.

Get to Know the Author: Anne Patrick

First, my apologies that this weekly post may seem to have vanished off the face of the earth. It hasn't really. I simply got distracted with a trip to Salt Lake City to visit my sister and kind of let this series slide while I was gone. But it and I are both back now! So today we resume our Get to Know the Author series with romantic suspense author, Anne Patrick. JDP: Welcome, Anne! Did your mother read to you as a child?Anne: Oh yeah!  She passed her love for mystery and suspense on to me, which in turn fueled my very active imagination.  It was my mother who encouraged me to write my adventures down instead of acting them out.  I usually got into less trouble this way :-).JDP: Do you remember a favorite book from your childhood? Anne: A teacher reading Escape from Witch Mountain, by Alexander H. Key, was the first to really inspire me to read.  I still think often about this book and  those two mysterious orphan children, with extraordinary powers, and their black cat named Winkie.  Come to think of it, as much as I enjoyed this book it's a wonder I didn't grow up to be a writer of the paranormal.  Hummm....JDP: Name a favorite author as an adult.  Anne: Hands down, it's inspirational romantic suspense author Dee Henderson.JDP: Share a book you've read multiple times.Anne: Dee Henderson's O'Malley series.  I've read each at least twice.JDP: Kindle, Nook, or good old hard copy?  Anne: After playing with my aunt's Kindle I have plans to buy my own.JDP: What's your favorite place to read?  Anne: Same place where I write, my faithful rocking chair.JDP: What are your three favorite reading genres.  Anne: Inspirational, Romantic Suspense and Mystery.JDP: What's the last book you read?  Anne: Tess Gerritsen's Ice Cold.JDP: What are you're reading now? Anne: Irene Hannon's Against All Odds.JDP: What's next on your reading list? Anne: Next on my TBR list is In Harm's Way by Irene Hannon.JDP: What you would like to read more of? (author, genre, etc) Anne: Dee Henderson.  Did I mention I love her books! :-)JDP: You may have mentioned it once or twice. LOL! If you like her that well, I guess I'd better check her books out! Share a favorite book that you've read in the last 12 months.  Anne: The book that stands out the most is The Shack by William P. Young.  It came out in '07 but there was so much controversy connected to it I put off reading it.  I'm glad I read this amazing book.More about Anne! : Anne Patrick has penned more than a dozen novels of Romance, Mayhem & Faith, including the award-winning and best-selling Journey to Redemption & Fire and Ash.  Her works continue to receive 4 & 5 star reviews from readers and reviewers.  Anne has an alter ego by the name of Kinzie Monroe, who writes Inspirational Romance.  Anne, you might say, is the dark side of Kinzie.  Anne's books may be darker in subject matter, but they all carry messages of hope and faith.  Born and raised in Oklahoma, she now makes her home in Kansas.To learn more about Anne, please visit her website or blog. She loves to hear from her readers! Publishing Credits:Journey to RedemptionDark AllianceReservations for Two (by Kinzie Monroe)Lethal DreamsTies That BindOut of the DarknessFire and AshNo Greater Love (Kinzie Monroe)SabotageChristmas with Hope (short story) – 'Sweet' Christmas AnthologyYou can find buy links to all my works on Anne's website.Summary of Fire and Ash: Fire Investigator Sadie McGregor has been called to her hometown of Emerald Point, Missouri to investigate a suspicious fire which claimed the life of a local college student. By appearance the fire looks like the girl was just careless. What Sadie and Sheriff Quinn Harrington discover will not only affect those close to them, but will rock the entire community of Emerald Point and put Sadie's life on the line.Sadie's life isn't the only thing at stake. Struggling with the guilt of having been responsible for the fire that killed her family, when she was only seven, Sadie doesn't feel she's worthy of God's love and forgiveness. Will Quinn be able to prove otherwise before it's too late? 

7th Annual Brenda Novak Auction for Diabetes Research...in progress!

I'm posting this a little late, but best selling author Brenda Novak's Auction for Diabetes Research is currently in full swing! 23.6 million children and adults in the USA have diabetes. It runs in my family on my father's side, which is why I am excited to be able to once again support this wonderful cause.

In 2010, the auction raised $303,000 for diabetes research. Wouldn't it be great to break that record this year? You can help and get something back in the process. Once again, I am donating a copy of my sweet medieval romance, Loyalty's Web , to this auction. If you'd like to bid on it, click here.

Already have a copy? Not a problem! There are literally hundreds of other items you can bid on. Why not take a stroll on over to the site and at least take a peek? Click here for the main online auction page.

Deadline for bids is May 31, 2011, so don't delay! Remember...it's for a great cause!

Tuesday Teaser

Tuesday Teaser is a weekly bookish meme (rhymes with "cream"), hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. (I've borrowed it from LDS Women's Book Review.) Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
Grab your current readOpen to a random pageShare at least two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!

I'm adapting the rules slightly. I'll be quoting some random lines from the last chapter I read before I post a teaser. I'm a slow reader, so you may get multiple teasers per book. Here's a teaser from Abinadi :
Then he fell against the cushions, barely awake. He didn't mind the stale stench of spilt wine as he let his eyes close. The image of the preacher stayed in his mind, but within moments Alma was sure it would be obliterated by his dreams.
From  Abinadi , by Heather B. Moore, p 171
If you'd like to share a teaser from a book you're currently reading, I'd love you to do so in the comment section. And you don't even have to share it on a Tuesday! Be sure to include the title, author, and page number in case others would like to check out the book you're reading.

What Am I Reading Now?

I finished Mark of Royalty while I was on vacation in Utah, the night before I attended the LDS Storymakers Writers Conference. Instead of starting another book on my Kindle, I got sucked into the LDS Sorymakers Conference bookstore and bought a print copy of Abinadi , by Heather B. Moore. (Yes, I know, kind of defeats the purpose of carrying a Kindle with me, but they weren't selling Kindle books in the bookstore.) Abinadi is based on a scripture story in the Book of Mormon , and I'm going to be honest ... I have a hard time with fictionalized versions of scripture stories in general, because I tend to have already sort of rewritten the stories in my own head when I read them. Not the basic facts, but you know, what I think the people looked like, what they might have been thinking or feeling during the actual scripture story, etc. So it's hard for me to give up my own "vision" to read someone else's, but I've heard tons of good things about this book, so I wanted to give it a try. (The one exception with scripture-based novels for me was The Chariot of Israe l , and that was because the author somehow managed to strike a chord of how I had already pictured Elijah in my own head, so I didn't get jarred every time Elijah appeared on the fictionalized pages.)

Here's the back cover blurb for Abinadi :


Raquel has a secret. As the daughter of one of King Noah's priests, she enjoys a luxurious life and the admiration of powerful men. But her heart belongs to a commoner, a man with no earthly wealth but rich heavenly gifts. When King Noah demands that Raquel join his harem, she flees the only life she has known and marries her secret love. His name is Abinadi. The couple finds abundant joy in their community of believers and in their firstborn son. But when the Lord calls Abinadi as His prophet, their faith is tested to the outermost limits. Abinadi's commitment to the Lord requires them both to give their all—even unto death. Yet if Alma, the newest priest in King Noah's court, chooses to overcome his troubled past and cleave unto the truth, their sacrifice may yield rich fruit. With vivid detail and poignant emotion, this historical novel pulls readers into a fiery tale of love, courage, and faith that is difficult to put down and impossible to forget.


Stop by on Tuesday to read a Tuesday Teaser from Abinadi. (And yes, when I finish this book, I'm going to finally finish reading King John, by W.L. Warren!)

My trip to the Utah Renaissance Festival

My sister took me to the Utah Renaissance Festival for my birthday this year! Though quite a bit smaller than the Arizona RenFest, it was still quite fun. Their regular site got flooded out in April, so they had to find a substitute "home" for 2011, but I think they did quite well. Here are a few highlights from my visit.

First we stopped to visit the Little Chapel of Miracles and watched a friendship "handfesting" there.


Next we visited inside the Little Chapel of Miracles. It was too dark inside to snap too many pictures, but I did manage this one of the bible. Maybe I'll work a bible like this into a future medieval story of mine.

Next we watched the Oak Hills Vaulters doing balancing acts on horseback!


From there we stopped to visit a good author friend of mine, Anna Del C. Dye. Check out her books on her website!

I just thought this was a pretty shop flag at the faire.

This angel's name is Serene. This is where lost children go to find their parents at the faire.

If you get hungry, one of your many eating options at the faire is "The Holy Crepe"!

There was a nifty pirate ship...

...sometimes filled with pirates...

...including Captain Jack!

Here's Queen Elizabeth and part of her court.

And last but not least, what's a Renaissance Festival without jousting!




Thank you, Dear Sister, for giving me such a great birthday present this year! Huzzah!

Tuesday Teaser

Tuesday Teaser is a weekly bookish meme (rhymes with "cream"), hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. (I've borrowed it from LDS Women's Book Review.) Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
Grab your current readOpen to a random pageShare at least two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!

I'm adapting the rules slightly. I'll be quoting some random lines from the last chapter I read before I post a teaser. I'm a slow reader, so you may get multiple teasers per book. Here's a teaser from Mark of Royalty :
"I do understand your reasons, but when were you planning on telling me? Surely you didn't expect to hide it here tonight. I would've discovered your secret."
From Mark of Royalty , by Jennifer K. Clark and Stephonie K. Williams (Kindle version, no page number; from C16)
If you'd like to share a teaser from a book you're currently reading, I'd love you to do so in the comment section. And you don't even have to share it on a Tuesday! Be sure to include the title, author, and page number in case others would like to check out the book you're reading.

What Am I Reading Now?

Technically, I'm still reading/researching King John by WL Warren. But I'm currently on a trip to visit my sister in Utah, and since I didn't want to lug around a big book, I'm taking a break from King John to read a few books on my Kindle. My research reading will resume when I return to Arizona.
In the meantime, the Kindle book I've chosen to read is Mark of Royalty , by Jennifer K. Clark and Stephonie K. Williams. (Must admit, I LOVE this cover!)
Here's the back cover blurb:
At a time when royal infants are marked at birth, a royal advisor makes a terrible misstep—and an infant princess must be secreted away to save her life. Named Sarah by Miranda, the woman who agrees to raise the child as her own, the girl is unaware of her royal heritage—even though Miranda has done all she can to pair Sarah with the king's nephew, Lord Chad. But unexpected events prevent the expected betrothal.
Determined to fulfill her devoted mother's wishes, Sarah reserves her heart for Chad despite her growing affections for another man. But as plots against the crown unfold, someone accidentally discovers Sarah's mark of royalty—setting the stage for discoveries that will shake the kingdom to its core.

Stop by on Tuesday to read a Tuesday Teaser from  Wrong Number .