The Twelve Giveaways of Christmas Introduction to the event

So we are getting ready to begin this awesome event. Check out the calendar below for the authors and their giveaways. Red names are part of the Romance/Mystery group and Green names are part of the Sci-Fi/Fantasy group.

For more information or to link to each individual author's giveaway, click the link below:

The Twelve Giveaways of Christmas

Blog Tour This Week

Take a look at the most recent post for my book tour of The Ring of Remaliha:

Introduction

And check out this great review:

Review

The Twelve Giveaways of Christmas

Merry Christmas!!! And welcome to my blog.

To bring the season in with a bang, I am participating in a fun event, The Twelve Giveaways of Christmas! Twenty-four authors of different genres have gotten together to bring an amazing assortment of giveaways to help celebrate this Christmas Season!

Starting December 14th two different authors will be spotlighted every day on my blog and my FaceBook page as well as twenty-three other author's blogs that are participating. You will find the other giveaways on a chart that tells you each author's name and what they are giving away.

The information will be posted by December 12th, so be looking to that day for more information. The good news is, you don't have to wait for a specific day to enter the different giveaways.

For all those who want to spend some Christmas cheer reading a new book or anticipating a new adventure, come join us for some fun.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good read!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Whitney Award Nominee

Thanks to everyone who nominated The Ring of Remaliha for a Whitney Award. Your support is very much appreciated!!! Now wish me luck. Finalists will be announced in February.

More Books to Read and Enjoy

All right, I've totally been slacking in my writing lately and of course to make up for it I've been reading tons. Here is the latest list of books that I recommend.

The Siren Tamer by Sofia St. Angeles

I’m a Siren Tamer and she’s my Siren. We’re a legendary matched set that only occurs once every thousand years. When we’re together we’re at peace, and can conquer the world—literally. Apart, I can’t stop thinking about her, and . . . she could accidently kill herself. Crazy, huh? Well, it gets even better. We know nothing of our powers. The few people who do know, have kept it from us our entire lives. But now, they know I’ve heard The Whisperings, and they’re running into some issues. One: How do they tell us what we’re capable of? And two: How can they get my Siren to stop hating my guts?

A great read full of mystery, suspense, adventure, and clean romance. It is a must read. I can't wait for the next book to come out!!!

The Masked Heart by Karla Darcy

Miss Blaine Meriweather is a young woman of good family whose estate is in financial shambles. How will she care for her brother and sister? Out of options, she becomes the astonishing actress La Solitaire! Imagine the scandal if anyone discovers her identity! Blaine’s wild success saves her family. All should be well. The only thing she hadn't counted on was Lord Farrington, who is determined to make La Solitaire his mistress! Blaine’s finest acting is required to save her virtue, her family, and their honor. It would have been so easy, if only Blaine hadn’t fallen in love.... 

This delightful Regency romance was all the fun of a romance without all the annoying junk authors seem driven to add nowadays. I loved the fact that there was much more to the story than simply boy meets girl and we get to know wonderful characters that have true struggles, personalities, and life decisions. Excellent story. I like this author so far and I hope she keeps her books clean.

The Princess Curse by Merrie Haskell

In the fifteenth-century kingdom of Sylvania, the prince offers a fabulous reward to anyone who cures the curse that forces the princesses to spend each night dancing to the point of exhaustion. Everyone who tries disappears or falls into an enchanted sleep.
 
Thirteen-year-old Reveka, a smart, courageous herbalist’s apprentice, decides to attempt to break the curse despite the danger. Unravelling the mystery behind the curse leads Reveka to the Underworld, and to save the princesses, Reveka will have to risk her soul.

This was a fun read that would sit more in a YA or even middle grade category, but I am not too picky when it comes to a good fantasy. This story brought us characters that struggled with hard decisions and gave them choices that might be difficult to accept once the decision is made. I really loved how Reveka had to look deep within herself to find out what she really wanted out of her life.

The Season For Prayer Is Always

I gave a lesson several months ago in Relief Society, talking about prayer and I kept the large version of the handout and put it on my refrigerator. Just now I stood in my kitchen and the handout caught my attention.

I've been reading all the funny FB posts about Christmas and Thanksgiving and the proper time to listen to Christmas music and the fact that everything pumpkin will now turn into everything peppermint.

As I pondered the things people wrote and then saw my flier I thought about how I sometimes forget that things like prayer don't have a season. Even the attitude of Thanksgiving, the Spirit of Christmas, the celebration of Halloween, the joy of Easter, the patriotism of July, and the good luck of March, don't need to be left to a specific month or time of the year. I propose we take these beautiful feelings that bring us so much joy and happiness and utilize them throughout the whole year.

And along with all of that, let's remember that we should "pray always and not faint" (2 Nephi 32:9; Luke 18:1) and we will have joy in the Lord and in our lives.

Book Signing in December

I have the wonderful opportunity to participate in a book signing during Midnight Madness at The Book Table.

Look for me on Friday, December 4th, starting at 8pm.

See you there!!!

More books to add to the list.

So I have discovered, for me anyway, this amazing author. She writes historical romances that are clean and sweet. I have enjoyed the two that I've read so far and I'm looking forward to more. Can I just say that I absolutely love the library system!!!

Susanna Smith has grown up with everything she’s ever wanted, except one thing: an education.

Because she’s a woman, higher learning was always closed to Susanna Smith. But her quick mind and quicker tongue never back down from a challenge. And she’s determined to marry well, so she’ll be able to continue her work with the less fortunate.

Growing up with little to his name, poor country lawyer Benjamin Ross dreams of impacting the world for the better. When introduced to the Smiths he’s taken by Susanna’s intelligence and independent spirit, but her parents refuse to see him as a suitor for their daughter.

I loved this story from beginning to end. It had romance, adventure, and beautiful telling of those pre-revolution times. Headlined has done a great job pulling us into this time period.

Due to her parents’ promise at her birth, Lady Rosemarie has been prepared to become a nun on the day she turns eighteen. Then, shortly before her birthday, a friend of her father’s enters the kingdom and proclaims her parents’ will left a second choice—if Rosemarie can marry before the eve of her eighteenth year, she will be exempt from the ancient vow.

Before long, Rosemarie is presented with the three most handsome and brave knights in the land. But when the knights’ arrival results in a series of attacks within her land, she begins to wonder if the convent is the best place after all. If only one of the knights—the one who appears the most guilty—had not already captured her heart.

This story was a heart-stopping romance with danger and daring every step of the way.

Just a reminder . . .

Just a reminder to everyone about my book signing coming up on Saturday the 17th of October.

Successful book signing at Deseret Book

So I had the opportunity to participate in the Ladies Night at Deseret Book. What an amazing experience. I met all the gang at DB including Dawn Clark, the manager. What a wonderful group. They were so welcoming and excited and supportive. It was a ton of fun for me. If you missed out, hopefully you can come next time.

I also had the chance to meet and sit next to Heidi Schulz, author of New York Times bestseller Hooks Revenge. It was delightful to chat with such an accomplished author.

Overall this was an experience I won't forget!