Our blog has moved!

Dear loyal LDSWBR follower:

Happy News - LDSWBR has a new home! Please come visit us, tell us what you think, and let's talk books. Happy reading!

- Shanda, Sheila, Mindy, and Hillary

You should be automatically redirected in 8 seconds. If not, visit
http://www.ldswomensbookreview.com
and update your bookmarks.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Winners! Winners! Winners! Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest





We hope you enjoyed the Countdown to Summer 2010. We want to thank all of the authors who participated in our countdown. You are amazing!

A big "thank you!" to all of our blog readers and podcast listeners who left comments, tweeted and followed us on Facebook. We had over 200 entries into the contest from more than 30 participants!


Authors Sarah M. Eden and Annette Lyon were happy to help us draw the names of our contest winners during the recording of our podcast tonight. We passed around the big yellow popcorn bowl of entries and took turns announcing the winners.




Luckily you don't have to wait until the podcast is released to find out who won because I'm announcing the winners on the blog right now!



And the winners are:


  • Abish: Daughter of God by K.C. Grant - Chaleese (for her comment on the Awakening Avery by Laurie Lewis blog post)

  • TRAPPED by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen - primarymary (for following LDSWBR on Twitter)

  • The Road Show by Braden Bell - Chantele (for her comment on the First Day of Summer blog post)

  • Courting Miss Lancaster by Sarah M. Eden - Fire and Ice (for commenting on The Silence of God by Gale Sears blog post)

  • Awakening Avery by Laurie Lewis - Jolynn_Reads (for her comment on the About LDSWBR - Mindy blog post)

  • Summer in Paris by Michele Ashman Bell - Rachel Rager (for her comment on the Queen in Exile by Donna Hatch blog post)

  • Hometown Girl by Michele Ashman Bell - Heather Feather (for her comment on the Dangerous Connections by Julie Coulter Bellon blog post)

  • Alma the Younger by Heather (H.B.) Moore - Taffy Lovell (for tweeting about The Road Show by Brandon Bell)

  • Queen in Exile OR The Guise of a Gentleman by Donna Hatch (winner's choice) - CheriWrites (for tweeting about the countdown)

  • The Silence of God by Gale Sears - Debbie/Cranberry Fries (for her comment on The Silence of God by Gale Sears blog post!)

  • Dangerous Connections by Julie Coulter Bellon - Jolynn_Reads (for her comment on The Silence of God by Gale Sears blog post)

  • Blink of an Eye by Gregg Luke - Jaclyn Weist (for her comment on the First Day of Summer blog post)

We received a last minute prize donation!

  • 33 Habits of a Really Good Man by Yvonne Swinson - Heather Feather (for her comment on the Blink of an Eye by Gregg Luke blog post)


  • The winner of the 3 chapter/30 page critique by author Nichole Giles is: Elizabeth Morgan! (for her comment on TRAPPED by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen blog post)


  • And finally, the winner of the $25 Amazon gift card is.... Julie! (for her comment on the First Day of Summer blog post.)


If you are one of our winners, send an email to ldswbr @ gmail dot com to claim your prize!



Congratulations to all of the winners!




Friday, June 25, 2010

About LDSWBR - Sheila - Countdown to Summer 2010



Today is the last day to enter the
LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest!


For those of you that are just finding out about the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest, entries are still being accepted. The deadline for Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest entries is Midnight MDT on Friday, June 25, 2010. Comments on this blog post count as entries as well!



I am originally from Blackfoot, Idaho. I am the 3rd child of 4 kids. I have a Mom that read to/with us. I graduated from Idaho State University with a BA in Elementary Education & Early Childhood; with a minor in English and History. I have been teaching for 21 years: preschool (I taught Shanda's oldest two beautiful girls), Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade. I currently am living a very full life as a single Mom with two great kids at home and a classroom of 2nd graders at school. My favorite things to do (besides reading!!) are to blog, sing, play the piano, scrapbook, play with my kids and hang out with my family members. I am one of the original members of LDS Womens Book Review and love to podcast with my friends. I am actually doing some writing now and seeing some progress. I hope some day to be published. I think you don't get anywhere in life unless you dream BIG.



What activities do you and/or your family participate in every summer? Do you have plans to try something or go somewhere new this year?

Of course every Summer, me and my kids participate in the summer reading program at the library. We also love to just hang out in our back yard and read chapter books out loud together. We also make our annual trip to Lagoon and have many family BBQ's with extended family. We also go camping, every year, up in the canyon, with another family and have a blast. We love to hike and watch Moose wander through our camping site. ;) All of us really want to go to Universal Studios new Harry Potter's Wizarding World in Florida. We are huge Harry Potter fans!! We are saving our money to go next summer.


Do you have a favorite summer food or drink? If so, are you willing to share the recipe?

I love to eat a lot of watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew melon and strawberries. I love to eat food grilled on the BBQ. My favorite salad is one all of you probably know, Broccoli Salad.


Broccoli Salad:

4 cups fresh broccoli
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup golden raisins
1/4 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 cup red grapes
1 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped green onions

Dressing:

1 cup low-fat Mayo or salad dressing
1/4 cup sugar
3 Tbsp. rice vinegar

Combine all ingredients. Mix dressing and combine with salad. Stir well and chill a few hours before serving.


What books are on your summer reading list?

I actually have over 50 books on my "to-read" list for the summer. I am not going to list all 50 :) ...but here are a few on the top of the pile: Mockingjay, City of Angels, Queen in Exile, Trapped, Spells, Wrong Number, Chocolate Roses, The Scarlet Lion, Imprints, Bran Hambric:The Fairfield Curse, When You Reach Me and Raven Speak. I am already in the middle of about 7 books right now, so they don't count on my official "to-read" list. I will be blogging about those and many others here at the LDSWBR blog and my other book review blog, Why Not? Because I Said So.

Have a Great Summer everyone!



Does your local library organize a Summer Reading Program? If so, have you or your children ever participated in the Summer Reading Program?




***Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest***

LDSWBR will hold a drawing on June 26, 2010 for a $25 Amazon Gift Card, as well as a variety of books being offered by some of the LDS authors that will be featured on the blog.

Book prizes generously donated by the authors:

  • Abish: Daughter of God by K.C. Grant
  • TRAPPED by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
  • The Road Show by Braden Bell
  • Awakening Avery by Laurie Lewis
  • Courting Miss Lancaster by Sarah M. Eden
  • Summer in Paris by Michele Ashman Bell
  • Hometown Girl by Michele Ashman Bell
  • Alma the Younger by Heather (H.B.) Moore
  • Queen in Exile OR The Guise of a Gentleman by Donna Hatch (winner's choice)
  • The Silence of God by Gale Sears (book or audio- winner's choice)
  • Dangerous Connections by Julie Coulter Bellon
  • Blink of an Eye by Gregg Luke
  • Critique of three chapters (up to 30 pages) from Nichole Giles

How to enter:

  • Post a thoughtful comment on the Countdown to Summer 2010 author posts. Comments can be added on any of the author posts anytime during the contest period (June 1, 2010 through June 21, 2010). Only one comment per person per "Countdown to Summer" author post will be entered into the drawing. Feel free to comment more than once per post if you'd like, but only one comment will be accepted as an entry.
  • Follow us on Twitter: @LDSWBR - then send us a direct message to let us know you want to be entered in the Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest. If you are already a follower you need to send us a direct message telling us you want to be included in the contest.
  • Tweet about that day’s author post using the tweet message included in each author post. Send an email to ldswbr at gmail dot com with the link to your tweet. Only one tweet per day counts so no need to harass your friends :). LDSWBR must be able to see the tweet in order for you to get an entry into the contest.
  • Tweet this message each day (one entry per day). Just copy and paste into your twitter message window to send it: LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2010 at http://ldswbr.blogspot.com! Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card & some great books! @ldswbr #ldswbr2010
  • Follow LDSWBR on Facebook, then send an email to ldswbr at gmail dot com that you’d like to be entered into the Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest. If you already follow LDSWBR on Facebook, send us an email to let us know you’d like to be included in the contest.
  • Blog about this contest on your blog in a post that includes the link to the LDSWBR blog, then send us the link to your specific blog post.

Here are the rules:

  • LDSWBR reserves the right to decide what determines a "thoughtful" comment.
  • Contest ends at 12:00 Midnight MDT on June 25, 2010. Drawing winners will have until 12:00 Midnight MDT on July 3, 2010 to claim their prize. After that time, another name will be drawn to receive the prize.
  • Book prizes can only be shipped within the contiguous United States.

Please join us in counting down to summer with some great reads!


Thursday, June 24, 2010

About LDSWBR - Mindy - Countdown to Summer 2010



Only two days left to enter the
LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest!


For those of you that are just finding out about the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest, entries are still being accepted. The deadline for Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest entries is Midnight MDT on Friday, June 25, 2010. Comments on this blog post count as entries as well!



I was born and raised in Salt Lake. I am the oldest of three kids. I went to Brighton High School, went to the U for a year, then got married. I have three girls and love being a stay at home mom. I work at a pre-school during the school year. I'm a fantasy nut. What started it was my love for Star Wars. I also love Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. My life's ambition is to one day be a librarian or at least work in the library. I love books and I love being around them.




What activities do you and/or your family participate in every summer? Do you have plans to try something or go somewhere new this year?

We love going to Disneyland! Enough said right :). My grandparents pay for the whole family to stay on the beach for a week. We have been doing that about every other year since my oldest daughter was a baby. But this year, we had to put it on hold. My sweet grandpa had his hip replaced. On the year we aren't with my family, we do something with my husband's family. He has nine brothers and sisters, so when we all get together, it's an automatic reunion. Last year was the greatest, we went to Washington for a week. I even ran around Forks like a teenager. This year, we are going to hang around home, and hopefully spent time together at my aunt's cabin. Every August we head to Enterprise, UT for the Corn Fest. My dad-in-law is a farmer, and every year he raises the best sweet corn you could ever taste.


Do you have a favorite summer food or drink? If so, are you willing to share the recipe?

The best summer drink, or the best drink for anytime (especially breakfast), is homemade orange julius:

1/2 can of frozen OJ
1/4 c sugar
1 cup milk
1 cup water
1 cap full vanilla
tray of ice cubs

Blend in blender and enjoy!


What books are on your summer reading list?

I will be reading Mockingjay, The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner, The Necromancer, Princess of Glass, the rest of the 39 Clues series, Red Pyramid, Tiger's Quest, and anything else I can get my hands on.


Have you ever been to a {insert fruit or vegetable of your choice here} festival, i.e., Corn Fest, Strawberry Days, etc.? If so, tell us about it. Did you sample any of the food?




***Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest***

LDSWBR will hold a drawing on June 26, 2010 for a $25 Amazon Gift Card, as well as a variety of books being offered by some of the LDS authors that will be featured on the blog.

Book prizes generously donated by the authors:

  • Abish: Daughter of God by K.C. Grant
  • TRAPPED by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
  • The Road Show by Braden Bell
  • Awakening Avery by Laurie Lewis
  • Courting Miss Lancaster by Sarah M. Eden
  • Summer in Paris by Michele Ashman Bell
  • Hometown Girl by Michele Ashman Bell
  • Alma the Younger by Heather (H.B.) Moore
  • Queen in Exile OR The Guise of a Gentleman by Donna Hatch (winner's choice)
  • The Silence of God by Gale Sears (book or audio- winner's choice)
  • Dangerous Connections by Julie Coulter Bellon
  • Blink of an Eye by Gregg Luke
  • Critique of three chapters (up to 30 pages) from Nichole Giles

How to enter:

  • Post a thoughtful comment on the Countdown to Summer 2010 author posts. Comments can be added on any of the author posts anytime during the contest period (June 1, 2010 through June 21, 2010). Only one comment per person per "Countdown to Summer" author post will be entered into the drawing. Feel free to comment more than once per post if you'd like, but only one comment will be accepted as an entry.
  • Follow us on Twitter: @LDSWBR - then send us a direct message to let us know you want to be entered in the Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest. If you are already a follower you need to send us a direct message telling us you want to be included in the contest.
  • Tweet about that day’s author post using the tweet message included in each author post. Send an email to ldswbr at gmail dot com with the link to your tweet. Only one tweet per day counts so no need to harass your friends :). LDSWBR must be able to see the tweet in order for you to get an entry into the contest.
  • Tweet this message each day (one entry per day). Just copy and paste into your twitter message window to send it: LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2010 at http://ldswbr.blogspot.com! Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card & some great books! @ldswbr #ldswbr2010
  • Follow LDSWBR on Facebook, then send an email to ldswbr at gmail dot com that you’d like to be entered into the Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest. If you already follow LDSWBR on Facebook, send us an email to let us know you’d like to be included in the contest.
  • Blog about this contest on your blog in a post that includes the link to the LDSWBR blog, then send us the link to your specific blog post.

Here are the rules:

  • LDSWBR reserves the right to decide what determines a "thoughtful" comment.
  • Contest ends at 12:00 Midnight MDT on June 25, 2010. Drawing winners will have until 12:00 Midnight MDT on July 3, 2010 to claim their prize. After that time, another name will be drawn to receive the prize.
  • Book prizes can only be shipped within the contiguous United States.

Please join us in counting down to summer with some great reads!


Wednesday, June 23, 2010

About LDSWBR - Hillary - Countdown to Summer 2010



It's summertime!


For those of you that are just finding out about the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest, entries are still being accepted. The deadline for Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest entries is Midnight MDT on Friday, June 25, 2010. Comments on this blog post count as entries as well!



hmmm, where to start...

I'm a 33 year old mom of 5, and have a hot husband. I love a great mystery and a great romance to go with it. I am an ice-hockey freak, and have been playing for 15 years- and yes, I have all of my teeth. I like to rollerblade a lot in the off-season. I love to fly my kite, lay in my hammock, and scrapbook. One day I hope to have enough money to buy a pottery wheel and kiln and get back into pottery. By trade- I work for JetBlue airways and am a Licensed Massage Therapist. I look forward to the day when I can be at home full-time. You can get to know me even better on my blog: It's Me, Hillary.



What activities do you and/or your family participate in every summer? Do you have plans to try something or go somewhere new this year?

We have a tradition of doing "Wonderful Wednesdays." This is where the kids draw an activity out of a hat, and we go do it. Activities range from: going to Temple Square, to swimming or mini golfing and we've even toured farms, gone hiking and visited museums. This summer, our big "vacation" would be that we're probably moving out of state. Still not 100% sure on when. Well, that and a beach trip. :)


Do you have a favorite summer food or drink? If so, are you willing to share the recipe?

Favorite summer food would definitely be 7-11 nachos and slurpees.We don't even buy nachos the rest of the year, just in the summer for some reason. Weird.


What books are on your summer reading list?

My reading list includes: Discovering Isaac, The Help, Courting Miss Lancaster, Merrilee Boyack's new book, and a bunch of non-fiction books.



How often do you visit the beach? Do you have a favorite beach? What do you like to do at the beach?




***Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest***

LDSWBR will hold a drawing on June 26, 2010 for a $25 Amazon Gift Card, as well as a variety of books being offered by some of the LDS authors that will be featured on the blog.

Book prizes generously donated by the authors:

  • Abish: Daughter of God by K.C. Grant
  • TRAPPED by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
  • The Road Show by Braden Bell
  • Awakening Avery by Laurie Lewis
  • Courting Miss Lancaster by Sarah M. Eden
  • Summer in Paris by Michele Ashman Bell
  • Hometown Girl by Michele Ashman Bell
  • Alma the Younger by Heather (H.B.) Moore
  • Queen in Exile OR The Guise of a Gentleman by Donna Hatch (winner's choice)
  • The Silence of God by Gale Sears (book or audio- winner's choice)
  • Dangerous Connections by Julie Coulter Bellon
  • Blink of an Eye by Gregg Luke
  • Critique of three chapters (up to 30 pages) from Nichole Giles

How to enter:

  • Post a thoughtful comment on the Countdown to Summer 2010 author posts. Comments can be added on any of the author posts anytime during the contest period (June 1, 2010 through June 21, 2010). Only one comment per person per "Countdown to Summer" author post will be entered into the drawing. Feel free to comment more than once per post if you'd like, but only one comment will be accepted as an entry.
  • Follow us on Twitter: @LDSWBR - then send us a direct message to let us know you want to be entered in the Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest. If you are already a follower you need to send us a direct message telling us you want to be included in the contest.
  • Tweet about that day’s author post using the tweet message included in each author post. Send an email to ldswbr at gmail dot com with the link to your tweet. Only one tweet per day counts so no need to harass your friends :). LDSWBR must be able to see the tweet in order for you to get an entry into the contest.
  • Tweet this message each day (one entry per day). Just copy and paste into your twitter message window to send it: LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2010 at http://ldswbr.blogspot.com! Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card & some great books! @ldswbr #ldswbr2010
  • Follow LDSWBR on Facebook, then send an email to ldswbr at gmail dot com that you’d like to be entered into the Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest. If you already follow LDSWBR on Facebook, send us an email to let us know you’d like to be included in the contest.
  • Blog about this contest on your blog in a post that includes the link to the LDSWBR blog, then send us the link to your specific blog post.

Here are the rules:

  • LDSWBR reserves the right to decide what determines a "thoughtful" comment.
  • Contest ends at 12:00 Midnight MDT on June 25, 2010. Drawing winners will have until 12:00 Midnight MDT on July 3, 2010 to claim their prize. After that time, another name will be drawn to receive the prize.
  • Book prizes can only be shipped within the contiguous United States.

Please join us in counting down to summer with some great reads!


Tuesday, June 22, 2010

About LDSWBR- Shanda - Countdown to Summer 2010



It's summertime!


For those of you that are just finding out about the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest, entries are still being accepted. The deadline for Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest entries is Midnight MDT on Friday, June 25, 2010. Comments on this blog post count as entries as well!




I was born and raised in the suburbs of Salt Lake City, UT. I am wife to an incredibly patient man and mother to three daughters and one son, ages 12 years to 17 months. Some of my favorites are walking, reading, photography, scrapbooking, celtic music, dark mint chocolate and watching movies. I am founder and moderator of the LDS Women's Book Review Podcast. LDSWBR came about in December 2005, and these past four and a half years have been a lot of fun. Thank you to all of our blog followers and podcast listeners. We couldn't do it without you!



What activities do you and/or your family participate in every summer? Do you have plans to try something or go somewhere new this year?

The last few years we've taken the kids to Lagoon, an amusement park in Farmington, UT. That is usually the highlight of our summer, which tells me we are over due for a trip to Disneyland, lol.

At the end of June, my hubby and I will be flying to Florida for a couple of days so I can have surgery to remove a parathyroid gland tumor. I wish it was so we could go on a Disney cruise, though! We have never been to Florida before so it will be a bit of an adventure for us.


Do you have a favorite summer food or drink? If so, are you willing to share the recipe?

My hubby just got a new grill for Father's Day after two summers without one. Right now, my favorite summer food is anything I don't have to cook because he's grilling it. The family favorite so far: s'mores made with gigantic marshmallows.


What books are on your summer reading list?

My list is a lot longer now that I've added all the books I haven't read yet from the Countdown to Summer. I also look forward to reading Imprints by Rachel Ann Nunes, Alma the Younger by Heather Moore, A Time to Die by Jeff Savage, Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins, Key Lime Pie by Josi Kilpack, Fablehaven 5: Keys to the Demon Prison by Brandon Mull, 13th Reality #3: Blade of Shattered Hope by James Dashner..... there are so many books on my list I simply can't name them all. Suffice it to say I will be reading as much as possible, with my cherry Icee, next to the vent where I can enjoy the cooling breeze of the central air.



Have you been to Lagoon? If so, what is your favorite ride? If not, what amusement park do you frequent and what is your favorite ride there?




***Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest***

LDSWBR will hold a drawing on June 26, 2010 for a $25 Amazon Gift Card, as well as a variety of books being offered by some of the LDS authors that will be featured on the blog.

Book prizes generously donated by the authors:

  • Abish: Daughter of God by K.C. Grant
  • TRAPPED by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
  • The Road Show by Braden Bell
  • Awakening Avery by Laurie Lewis
  • Courting Miss Lancaster by Sarah M. Eden
  • Summer in Paris by Michele Ashman Bell
  • Hometown Girl by Michele Ashman Bell
  • Alma the Younger by Heather (H.B.) Moore
  • Queen in Exile OR The Guise of a Gentleman by Donna Hatch (winner's choice)
  • The Silence of God by Gale Sears (book or audio- winner's choice)
  • Dangerous Connections by Julie Coulter Bellon
  • Blink of an Eye by Gregg Luke
  • Critique of three chapters (up to 30 pages) from Nichole Giles

How to enter:

  • Post a thoughtful comment on the Countdown to Summer 2010 author posts. Comments can be added on any of the author posts anytime during the contest period (June 1, 2010 through June 21, 2010). Only one comment per person per "Countdown to Summer" author post will be entered into the drawing. Feel free to comment more than once per post if you'd like, but only one comment will be accepted as an entry.
  • Follow us on Twitter: @LDSWBR - then send us a direct message to let us know you want to be entered in the Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest. If you are already a follower you need to send us a direct message telling us you want to be included in the contest.
  • Tweet about that day’s author post using the tweet message included in each author post. Send an email to ldswbr at gmail dot com with the link to your tweet. Only one tweet per day counts so no need to harass your friends :). LDSWBR must be able to see the tweet in order for you to get an entry into the contest.
  • Tweet this message each day (one entry per day). Just copy and paste into your twitter message window to send it: LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2010 at http://ldswbr.blogspot.com! Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card & some great books! @ldswbr #ldswbr2010
  • Follow LDSWBR on Facebook, then send an email to ldswbr at gmail dot com that you’d like to be entered into the Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest. If you already follow LDSWBR on Facebook, send us an email to let us know you’d like to be included in the contest.
  • Blog about this contest on your blog in a post that includes the link to the LDSWBR blog, then send us the link to your specific blog post.

Here are the rules:

  • LDSWBR reserves the right to decide what determines a "thoughtful" comment.
  • Contest ends at 12:00 Midnight MDT on June 25, 2010. Drawing winners will have until 12:00 Midnight MDT on July 3, 2010 to claim their prize. After that time, another name will be drawn to receive the prize.
  • Book prizes can only be shipped within the contiguous United States.

Please join us in counting down to summer with some great reads!


Monday, June 21, 2010

The Contest Continues! First Day of Summer - Countdown to Summer 2010



Happy first day of summer!


LDS Women's Book Review hopes you have enjoyed the Countdown to Summer 2010! The books and authors highlighted during the countdown are an excellent sampling of some of the great fiction by LDS authors available to readers so far this year.


Entries into the drawing (see below for ways to enter) will still be accepted through Friday, June 25, 2010 until Midnight MDT. This allows plenty of time for you to go back through the Countdown to Summer 2010 author posts and leave comments on those that you missed.


We thought it might be fun for you to learn a little about us as well. Starting tomorrow, we will spotlight each member of LDS Women's Book Review. Comments on those posts will count as entries into the drawing as well.


Get another entry today by commenting on this post and answering the following questions:

  • How did you hear about the Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest?
  • How did you first learn about LDS Women's Book Review?
  • Do you listen to the LDS Women's Book Review podcasts, read the LDSWBR blog only, or both?
  • If you listen to the podcasts, are you subscribed in iTunes or do you listen through the LDSWBR podcast website?
  • Comment! Tell us what you think of LDS Women's Book Review, the Countdown Contests, the LDSWBR podcast, etc. What do you enjoy the most? What would you change?

Don't forget to go back through the Countdown to Summer 2010 posts and comment on the ones you missed for more entries into the drawing!



***Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest***

LDSWBR will hold a drawing on June 26, 2010 for a $25 Amazon Gift Card, as well as a variety of books being offered by some of the LDS authors that will be featured on the blog.

Book prizes generously donated by the authors:

  • Abish: Daughter of God by K.C. Grant
  • TRAPPED by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
  • The Road Show by Braden Bell
  • Awakening Avery by Laurie Lewis
  • Courting Miss Lancaster by Sarah M. Eden
  • Summer in Paris by Michele Ashman Bell
  • Hometown Girl by Michele Ashman Bell
  • Alma the Younger by Heather (H.B.) Moore
  • Queen in Exile OR The Guise of a Gentleman by Donna Hatch (winner's choice)
  • The Silence of God by Gale Sears (book or audio- winner's choice)
  • Dangerous Connections by Julie Coulter Bellon
  • Blink of an Eye by Gregg Luke
  • Critique of three chapters (up to 30 pages) from Nichole Giles

How to enter:

  • Post a thoughtful comment on the Countdown to Summer 2010 author posts. Comments can be added on any of the author posts anytime during the contest period (June 1, 2010 through June 21, 2010). Only one comment per person per "Countdown to Summer" author post will be entered into the drawing. Feel free to comment more than once per post if you'd like, but only one comment will be accepted as an entry.
  • Follow us on Twitter: @LDSWBR - then send us a direct message to let us know you want to be entered in the Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest. If you are already a follower you need to send us a direct message telling us you want to be included in the contest.
  • Tweet about that day’s author post using the tweet message included in each author post. Send an email to ldswbr at gmail dot com with the link to your tweet. Only one tweet per day counts so no need to harass your friends :). LDSWBR must be able to see the tweet in order for you to get an entry into the contest.
  • Tweet this message each day (one entry per day). Just copy and paste into your twitter message window to send it: LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2010 at http://ldswbr.blogspot.com! Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card & some great books! @ldswbr #ldswbr2010
  • Follow LDSWBR on Facebook, then send an email to ldswbr at gmail dot com that you’d like to be entered into the Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest. If you already follow LDSWBR on Facebook, send us an email to let us know you’d like to be included in the contest.
  • Blog about this contest on your blog in a post that includes the link to the LDSWBR blog, then send us the link to your specific blog post.

Here are the rules:

  • LDSWBR reserves the right to decide what determines a "thoughtful" comment.
  • Contest ends at 12:00 Midnight MDT on June 25, 2010. Drawing winners will have until 12:00 Midnight MDT on July 3, 2010 to claim their prize. After that time, another name will be drawn to receive the prize.
  • Book prizes can only be shipped within the contiguous United States.

Please join us in counting down to summer with some great reads!


Sunday, June 20, 2010

The Key of Kilenya by Andrea Pearson - Countdown to Summer 2010




1 day left until the
first day of summer!



Andrea, a Utah native, is a graduate of Brigham Young University (April 2010, bachelor of science degree in Communications Disorders), and a writer for a magazine called Mormon Artist. Her debut novel, The Key of Kilenya, will be released this July. She enjoys biking, music, watching movies and basketball, spending time with family and close friends, and reading.




She can be reached through her blog, Twitter, or email, all listed on her website: http://andreapearsonbooks.com.



LDSWBR: What activities do you and/or your family participate in every summer? Do you have plans to try something or go somewhere new this year?

ANDREA: I love summer! It's the best time of the year. :-) Every year my family attends the local rodeo. We try to make it to all the parades, and we usually have a Fourth of July party.

No plans for anything new! Besides traveling to promote my book, of course. :-)


LDSWBR: Do you have a favorite summer food or drink? If so, are you willing to share the recipe?

ANDREA: Sub Zero Ice cream (two stores in Idaho, three in Utah), Lipton noodle soup, hot chocolate. These foods can (and should) be enjoyed year round. :-) I also love fresh bell peppers, and home grown zucchini. Yum!


LDSWBR: What books are on your summer reading list?

ANDREA: I think the question should be more "What books are NOT on your summer reading list?" It seems like I have a lot of catching up to do. :-) I'll be reading the following: Rachel Ann Nunes' Imprints, David Wests' Heroes of the Fallen, The Uglies, Rick Riordan's The Red Pyramid, Brandon Sanderson's Hero of Ages, and a book I found at Costco, but had never heard of: The Baseball Box Prophecy. I'd love to hear if anyone else has read it. :-)


LDSWBR: Thank you so much, Andrea!


The Key of Kilenya by Andrea Pearson (Valor Publishing; July 2101) is available for purchase from Andrea's website and through Valor Publishing. (Update 6/21: I just learned that Andrea's book release date has been pushed back. The new release date is unknown at this point, but hopefully we'll be enjoying The Key of Kilenya soon!)




Have you ever been to or participated in a rodeo? If you were to take part in a rodeo, what event would you sign up for?


Tweet this today for an entry in the drawing:

The Key of Kilenya by Andrea Pearson- Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest- Win a $25 Amazon gift card & books! http://bit.ly/9LC8xs #ldswbr2010




***Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest***

LDSWBR will hold a drawing on June 26, 2010 for a $25 Amazon Gift Card, as well as a variety of books being offered by some of the LDS authors that will be featured on the blog.

Book prizes generously donated by the authors:

  • Abish: Daughter of God by K.C. Grant
  • TRAPPED by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
  • The Road Show by Braden Bell
  • Awakening Avery by Laurie Lewis
  • Courting Miss Lancaster by Sarah M. Eden
  • Summer in Paris by Michele Ashman Bell
  • Hometown Girl by Michele Ashman Bell
  • Alma the Younger by Heather (H.B.) Moore
  • Queen in Exile OR The Guise of a Gentleman by Donna Hatch (winner's choice)
  • The Silence of God by Gale Sears (book or audio- winner's choice)
  • Dangerous Connections by Julie Coulter Bellon
  • Blink of an Eye by Gregg Luke
  • Critique of three chapters (up to 30 pages) from Nichole Giles

How to enter:

  • Post a thoughtful comment on the Countdown to Summer 2010 author posts. Comments can be added on any of the author posts anytime during the contest period (June 1, 2010 through June 21, 2010). Only one comment per person per "Countdown to Summer" author post will be entered into the drawing. Feel free to comment more than once per post if you'd like, but only one comment will be accepted as an entry.
  • Follow us on Twitter: @LDSWBR - then send us a direct message to let us know you want to be entered in the Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest. If you are already a follower you need to send us a direct message telling us you want to be included in the contest.
  • Tweet about that day’s author post using the tweet message included in each author post. Send an email to ldswbr at gmail dot com with the link to your tweet. Only one tweet per day counts so no need to harass your friends :). LDSWBR must be able to see the tweet in order for you to get an entry into the contest.
  • Tweet this message each day (one entry per day). Just copy and paste into your twitter message window to send it: LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2010 at http://ldswbr.blogspot.com! Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card & some great books! @ldswbr #ldswbr2010
  • Follow LDSWBR on Facebook, then send an email to ldswbr at gmail dot com that you’d like to be entered into the Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest. If you already follow LDSWBR on Facebook, send us an email to let us know you’d like to be included in the contest.
  • Blog about this contest on your blog in a post that includes the link to the LDSWBR blog, then send us the link to your specific blog post.

Here are the rules:

  • LDSWBR reserves the right to decide what determines a "thoughtful" comment.
  • Contest ends at 12:00 Midnight MDT on June 25, 2010. Drawing winners will have until 12:00 Midnight MDT on July 3, 2010 to claim their prize. After that time, another name will be drawn to receive the prize.
  • Book prizes can only be shipped within the contiguous United States.

Please join us in counting down to summer with some great reads!


Saturday, June 19, 2010

Rebound by Heather Justesen - Countdown to Summer 2010




2 days left until the
first day of summer!



Heather Justesen was addicted to books even before she could read, and almost always had a story of her own playing in her head. Though she hadn't planned to be a writer when she was growing up, it was inevitable that she'd eventually start writing the stories in her head.
After getting a Bachelor's degree in English Lit at Southern Utah University, she worked for the Provo Daily Herald and its sister papers for several years.

Ten years after she started writing, her first book,
The Ball's In Her Court was released in October 2009, and her second book, Rebound, was recently released.

She lives in Central Utah with her husband and a menagerie of pets where they both volunteer with the local ambulance department.


Visit Heather's website: www.HeatherJustesen.com and blog: Heather Justesen.



LDSWBR: What activities do you and/or your family participate in every summer? Do you have plans to try something or go somewhere new this year?

HEATHER: Every summer my family gets together for a reunion in July with lots of cousins, and my sister comes up from Mexico with her family and I get to hang out at the lake or under a shady tree and chat or read for days without feeling guilty about all of the things I'm supposed to get to at home.


LDSWBR: Do you have a favorite summer food or drink? If so, are you willing to share the recipe?

HEATHER: Every summer whenever we go camping we make Dutch oven cobbler--usually peach, but you can use nearly any fruit. Here's the link to the recipe: Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler.


LDSWBR: What books are on your summer reading list?

HEATHER: I'm bound to add titles to my list of books this summer, but they'll definitely include Josi Kilpack's newest culinary mystery, Devils' Food Cake, Sierra St. James' Time Riders, Julie Wright's Eyes Like Mine, all of Traci Hunter Abramson's back list (because now I've read one of hers, I have to check out the rest of them), and whatever books by Janette Rallison that I can get my hands on, starting with Just One Wish. And that's just a fraction of my to-be-read pile!


LDSWBR: Thank you so much, Heather!


Rebound by Heather Justesen (Cedar Fort; May 2010) is available for purchase at Deseret Book, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.




Dutch oven cooking is some of the best tasting food I've ever eaten. Do you cook in a Dutch oven during the summer? What's your favorite thing to cook in a Dutch oven?



Tweet this today for an entry into the drawing:

Rebound by Heather Justesen- Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest- Win a $25 Amazon gift card & books! http://bit.ly/9LC8xs #ldswbr2010




***Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest***

LDSWBR will hold a drawing on June 26, 2010 for a $25 Amazon Gift Card, as well as a variety of books being offered by some of the LDS authors that will be featured on the blog.

Book prizes generously donated by the authors:

  • Abish: Daughter of God by K.C. Grant
  • TRAPPED by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
  • The Road Show by Braden Bell
  • Awakening Avery by Laurie Lewis
  • Courting Miss Lancaster by Sarah M. Eden
  • Summer in Paris by Michele Ashman Bell
  • Hometown Girl by Michele Ashman Bell
  • Alma the Younger by Heather (H.B.) Moore
  • Queen in Exile OR The Guise of a Gentleman by Donna Hatch (winner's choice)
  • The Silence of God by Gale Sears (book or audio- winner's choice)
  • Dangerous Connections by Julie Coulter Bellon
  • Blink of an Eye by Gregg Luke
  • Critique of three chapters (up to 30 pages) from Nichole Giles

How to enter:

  • Post a thoughtful comment on the Countdown to Summer 2010 author posts. Comments can be added on any of the author posts anytime during the contest period (June 1, 2010 through June 21, 2010). Only one comment per person per "Countdown to Summer" author post will be entered into the drawing. Feel free to comment more than once per post if you'd like, but only one comment will be accepted as an entry.
  • Follow us on Twitter: @LDSWBR - then send us a direct message to let us know you want to be entered in the Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest. If you are already a follower you need to send us a direct message telling us you want to be included in the contest.
  • Tweet about that day’s author post using the tweet message included in each author post. Send an email to ldswbr at gmail dot com with the link to your tweet. Only one tweet per day counts so no need to harass your friends :). LDSWBR must be able to see the tweet in order for you to get an entry into the contest.
  • Tweet this message each day (one entry per day). Just copy and paste into your twitter message window to send it: LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2010 at http://ldswbr.blogspot.com! Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card & some great books! @ldswbr #ldswbr2010
  • Follow LDSWBR on Facebook, then send an email to ldswbr at gmail dot com that you’d like to be entered into the Countdown to Summer 2010 Contest. If you already follow LDSWBR on Facebook, send us an email to let us know you’d like to be included in the contest.
  • Blog about this contest on your blog in a post that includes the link to the LDSWBR blog, then send us the link to your specific blog post.

Here are the rules:

  • LDSWBR reserves the right to decide what determines a "thoughtful" comment.
  • Contest ends at 12:00 Midnight MDT on June 25, 2010. Drawing winners will have until 12:00 Midnight MDT on July 3, 2010 to claim their prize. After that time, another name will be drawn to receive the prize.
  • Book prizes can only be shipped within the contiguous United States.

Please join us in counting down to summer with some great reads!