Living With an Author...The Male Perspective By Lee Kilpack

Many people loved the interview with Jen Savage, wife of author J. (Jeff) Scott Savage. The best feedback I received from that post was this...people wanted to hear from the male perspective.

I thought a lot about the many wonderful female authors that I know. One came to mind though, because I know she had been super busy and on the road during December, leaving her family behind. Author, Josi Kilpack, along with fellow author and friend, Julie Wright, went on a road tour to promote their books. Guess who stayed home keeping down the fort? Yes, it was their amazing husbands. Since I know Josi better than I do Julie, I decided to pick on Josi's husband Lee. (I promise to pick on your family another time Julie!)

Anyone that knows Lee, knows how funny he is. I did not realize this fact until I asked for a picture of him of he

and Josi together. I laughed until I cried when I first saw it!

1. What is it like being married to an author?

What is it not like? Josi has been writing for most of our marriage so it has just become a part of our lives. It’s been a lot of fun to watch Josi develop as a person and an author. I’ve enjoyed watching her develop her talents. I have a permanent image of Josi sitting at the table writing, with an apple at the side with a bite taken out of it (she likes her Mac). It’s inspiring to see her work through her challenges and to grow and develop. I was on an airplane a few months ago and saw a woman reading one of Josi’s book—it was one of my favorite experiences to introduce myself and see her face.

2 What has been the best way to support your spouse as she is pursuing her writing dreams?

Being supportive of the time she needs to focus on her writing and holding down the fort when she’s writing, or on book tours, or at book groups, or at book signings or at book conferences. She’s also thanked me for keeping her grounded when she gets too obsessive. When I tell her that things are out of order, that the computer is getting more of her than us, she gets mad, but then realizes I’m usually right.

3. How do you feel that you have contributed to her success?

I’ve tried to boost her confidence when things are hard, like she does for me. I’ve had success in my businesses and I know she’s a part of that. I could not have done what I have done without her. She often says the same things about my support of her writing. We make a good team.

4.What has been the hardest part of having your spouse pursue her writing career?

The constantness (that might not be a real word) of always having something she’s working on. There are always deadlines, events, conferences and pressures. As Josi’s career has become more successful there are more things required of her. It’s hard for her to keep up with and it’s hard for us, as a family, to make room for it. Our family makes a lot of sacrifices. Sometimes they aren’t hard to do, other times they take a lot out of us.

5. What would be your best advice for others who are married to an author or an aspiring author?

Help them to strike a balance between supporting them and their dreams but also not going overboard so that their family suffers for it. Help them maintain their priorities and see that they should be getting fulfillment from their writing and should write ultimately for themselves whether they published a hundred books or never publish a single one.

6. What has been the most exciting part of Josi’s writing career so far?

Winning the Whitney award and seeing the lady reading the book on the plane. Those are moments that remind me how hard she’s worked and how much people have enjoyed her books. I love hearing people tell me they loved something she wrote. It’s nice that she can pay for the damage to my cars now instead of me having to pay for it now (she’s got a problem with backing into cars in the driveway).

7.What are your hopes and dreams for Josi in the coming years?

I hope some day she buys me a car, or even just her own car. I hope she’ll reach her potential and a point where she’s happy and content with where her career has gone and that she’s maximized her talents and abilities to the best she could. Maybe she’s there now, or maybe there is more to come. But more than anything I want her to be happy with what she’s done and enjoy all the moments.

I want to thank Lee for all of his honest answers. Josi told me that he was goofing around when he was first trying to answer the questions.

Here is what she said, "I wish he’d have written his first answers, we were laughing our heads off. Things like......

What advice do you have for a spouse? He said “Run away! Tell them you’ll pay them or buy them a car or anything if they’ll just not write a single word.” He’s such a card. Once he got through the humor portion we could get the real answers."

I actually wish that he had sent both answers; the humorous and the more serious. I hope that you enjoyed hearing the male perspective of a spouse of an author. If there is any author out there, that would like to volunteer their spouse for this same interview, let me know in the comments.

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I also want to remind you of Josi's new book that is coming out this month. She also is having a contest on her blog to win a copy of Devils Food Cake. Here is the information.

Wanna Win a Book? Devil's Food Cake Blog Contest

I'm giving away two copies of Devil's Food Cake to a random blogger who advertises the book on their website. You are welcome to link to the book cover on my website or here on my blog. It doesn't have to be a review--unless you have already read it--and it doesn't have to be long.


Here's the rules:

1--Between now and February 8th post an announcement about the release of Devil's Food Cake, book three in the Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery Series.

2--Be sure it includes a link to my website, where they can read the first chapter, AND a link to Deseret Books website in case they want to buy the book (www.josiskilpack.com and http://deseretbook.com/item/5033744/Devil_s_Food_Cake )

3--Come back here and leave a comment telling me where it's posted.

4--Cross your fingers!

EXTRA ENTRY: If you HAVE read Devil's Food Cake, leave a review on Deseretbook.com, goodreads, library thing, shelfari, or Amazon.com--get an entry for EVERY review posted (just copy and paste the same one if you want) Let me know where you posted them. If you don't want a copy of Devil's Food Cake (since you might already have one), you can choose any of my other titles.

On February 8th I will draw two random names from the list using www.random.org and will announce the lucky winners. Thanks for playing, you guys, and for spreading the word. MUCH appreciated.

So there you go! I am really hoping that I will win one of the copies of Devils Food Cake. I can't wait to read it!!!!

Of One Heart: Being Single In The LDS World By Valerie J. Steimle

I have been reading one of the most fantastic books! It is on being single and gets to the heart of what it is like. The author of this book is Valerie J. Steimle. She has lived the hard life of being a single Mom, after her husband died in his sleep, and left her to raise their nine children by herself. After reading that in the first chapter, it made my burden feel so light, in that I am only single parenting two children instead of nine.

Here is a good synopsis for the book found on the back of the book.

"In the LDS world (or the world of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) most adults are married with children. It has only been in the last ten years that bein

g single in the church has become much more common. Unfortunately, marriages are failing everywhere and there are now one third of the adults at church who are single.

Whether by divorce, death of a spouse or never married at all, there are challenges to being single in a predominately married wo

rld. Challenges I had never realized until I became single myself when my husband of 25 years suddenly passed away leaving me with nine children at my charge. A daunting task to say the least.

This book was written to help all those who are single, all those who have single friends and all those priesthood leaders with single members under their jurisdiction. I have written this book to help others understand what it is like to be single and included writings from other singles on how they feel about being single. "

From the beginning of this book I felt like...Valerie "gets it". Another thing I want to say, is that this book was not published by the big companies that normally publish LDS books. This is a good thing, because I feel that Valerie was able to be more open and honest than if this book had been published by one of them. For example, she writes one whole chapter on "A Note to the Priesthood". Basically, she outlines for Priesthood leaders things they should know and how they should learn to understand their role in helping the singles in their ward. This is done respectively, but bluntly. The number one things that most people don't understand is this point she brings out, "Understand that many worthy single adults feel uncomfortable at Sunday meetings because of their situation." I still feel this way at times. I was once a part of a couple and now I am alone sitting there with my children. The weekends they are with their Dad, I feel even more uncomfortable sitting there. I have appreciated those who have put forth the effort to make me feel wanted and sat by me or asked me to come sit with them and their family.

Another aspect that I needed to read and sink into my heart was this advice. It is about how to cope with being single.

-Make sure to pray and have scripture /reading study. We must keep the spirit with us always regardless of our circumstances.

-Attend your church meetings every Sunday. Valerie says,"Even if you just sit and feel the Spirit, that time helps you for the rest of the week and it will refill your emotional cup."

-Church Service: Ask your priesthood leader if you want a calling and do not have one yet. It does feel good to serve others and this takes your mind off or your own problems.

-Support the singles program: this is something that I should do more of. Truthfuly, I just haven't had much time to do many things besides parenting, teaching full-time and reading. ;)

-Keep a Song in Your Heart. I just love what Valerie said here,"When experiencing great tribulations and having to take one day at a time, it is so very difficult to have joy; in fact many times it is painful. Whenever you can: remember that Heavenly Father loves you. There are many looking down on you that love you and want you to keep a song in your heart."

I feel that every member of the church, male and female should read this book. This book was written for those church members, who are single and over thirty years old. It was also written for those wanting to know how to help their friends and family members who are single. She has included as much information as possible, to help others understand, life from the single perspective. I also liked how Valerie pointed out one more reason all members should read this book.

"As my stake president so wisely counseled: 'Everyone will eventually be single sometime in their life.' Whether you are taken and leave a spouse behind or your spouse is taken and you are left behind; whether you have never had the chance to marry, or find yourself divorced: Everyone will be single."

I wish that I could share more from this book because it has given me such strength to carry on in my single life. Valerie list many resources, helpful websites, articles and books about coping with single life and single parenting. This book was needed in my life. It speaks to the world in ways, we singles would like to but sometimes can't express, but gives us a voice to share our lives and struggles with others.

I am grateful for Valerie listening to promptings of the Spirit that she should write this book. This book needed to be out there. I appreciate her sending me a copy to review; but I am more grateful for her sending the book to lift me up and increase my faith and not lose hope.

This book is available at Amazon.com. I recommend that every Priesthood & Relief Society leader in the church read this book. If you know someone in your family who is single, buy this book for them. (Read it first though, so you understand how you can help them through this trial.) If you are single, especially raising children on your own, you must have this book in your life. I promise you, that it will bring amazing light and knowledge in your life and you will not feel so alone in your journey.

I also highly recommend you visit Valerie's website here. It is called, "Strengthen Your Home" and you can read about another wonderful book she has written called, "Home is Where The Heart Is". This book gives you 60 articles about the strength of the family. There are many aspects of life that affect the family and Valerie J. Steimle touches on the strengths and distractions of what is so great about your family.

Have you ever asked yourself what is missing in your life? There is much commotion in the world and people are looking for fulfillment. Families are so important. They are what stabilizes us. We become so distracted with finances, work, entertainment and government that we don't pay attention to what is really important: our families.

Update on my 2010 reading challenges

The reading challenges are going well for me. I feel like I have been reading a lot and have made good progress.

The Young Adult Reading Challenge:

I have read 5 books and I am almost finished with #6.

I know the count here will increase during the next few months. Many YA books I can't wait to read, are being released soon.

The 100+ Reading Challenge:

I am doing even better on the 100+ reading

challenge than on the YA challenge.

I have read 9 books and I am almost finished

with book #10. I think for the first month of the challenge, I have done pretty well!

I love the reading challenges. It is fun to see the lists continually growing. Just remember, it is not too late to join the challenges. If you are already reading, why not write/type them up and make them count. I think that you will be surprised at really how many books you read in one year!

Round 4 of 2010 Books I Want To Read: Tristi Pinkston and Michelle Ashman Bell in the Spotlight

One of my favorite authors and friends, Tristi Pinkston, has a huge "book thing" happening this Spring. Tristi has started writing a new series that sounds just wonderful. The series is called,Secret Sisters Mysteries: Secret Sisters by Tristi Pinkston

Release Date: 16 March 2010

Ida Mae Babbitt, president of the Omni2nd ward Relief Society, didn't mean to become a spy. But when visiting teaching stats are low and she learns that one family under her care is in financial trouble, she'll do whatever it takes to make sure they have what they need. If that includes planting surveillance cameras in their home and watching them from a parked car in the woods, well, isn't that what any caring Relief Society president would do?

With the help of her counselors Arlette and Tansy, Ida Mae soon learns that there's more to the situation than meets the eye and they end up bringing down an entire drug ring. It's all in a day's work for the Relief Society.

Price: $15.95
Publisher: Valor Publishing Group, LLC (March 16, 2010)
Genre: Comedic Mystery

I love the idea of a "Comedic Mystery". Anyone that knows Tristi, understands that she has a very wicked sense of humor. In otherwords, this should be a delightful book to read. Just the premise makes me laugh.I am very thrilled that I will be reading this book soon. Tristi has such a wide variety of genres that she has written that it is always fun to see what she will write next. I know that she has been excited about this book/series and so are her fans. There are 5 books planned for the series, but if they do well out there in the market, then she will write more. So if you are a fan of Tristi's, make sure to go out and buy Secret Sisters.

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Another wonderful author, Michelle Ashman Bell, has a Young Adult novel coming out in March called, "Summer in Paris". This book is also being published by the newly established Valor Publishing Company.

Summer In Paris

by Michele Ashman Bell
Release Date: 16 March 2010

Kenzie Williams feels like she has it all; wealth, friends, popularity and talent. But when her father tells her that he has declared bankruptcy, her whole world in New York City turns upside down. Her parents' solution while they sort through their financial and marital problems is to send Kenzie to live with her relatives in Paris . . . Idaho!

Feeling like she's been sentenced to three months in Hickville Prison, Kenziearrives in Idaho feeling like a square peg, with name brand clothes, in a round, horribly podunk, hole.

Leaving everything she loves behind, Kenzie is forced to get up at the crack of dawn, do chores, and hang out with her cousin's loser friends. She feels like she's about to die until she meets Adam White, the town outcast, whose been accused of killing his best friend and is being blamed for some trouble that's been happening around town.

Not only is Adam the best-looking guy she's ever seen, but he's also the most fascinating guy she's ever met and Kenzie is determined to get to know him and find out his secret. But, the longer she stays in Paris, the more she realizes, Adam isn't the only one keeping secrets.

Price: $14.95
Publisher: Valor Publishing Group, LLC (March 16, 2010)
Genre: YA Romance

I can't wait to read "Summer in Paris". My father was born and raised in that area of Paris/Bear Lake Idaho. I have been there many times and truly know how small it is; but it is a beautiful place.

Michelle is well known for the superb romances that she writes. She is one of those "legends" in the LDS writing market. She is also known as one of the kindest and most gracious women around. It was a pleasure to meet her last April at a writers conference.

Michelle has a second book also coming out this year. The second book in the Butterfly Box series, "Hometown Girl", will be released this Spring. I really enjoyed the first book in the series called, "A Modest Proposal". I loved the story of the high school friends that came together once a year to celebrate their friendship and remember their friend who died at the end of high school. The mystery surrounding the women and why their friend really died, makes me very anxious to read the sequel.

Thank you for continuing to read my blog. I hope that you are as excited as I am about all of the great books you get to read this year!

Devils Food Cake By Josi Kilpack...will be released early!!

I just received this exciting e-mail from author Josi Kilpack this morning and wanted to share it with all of you. evil’s Food Cake

Devils Food Cake was released six weeks early, but its hard to find any reason to complain, so I guess I won't. :-) AND, it's a really good fit for Valentine's Day since the cover is red and the Dessert is chocolate! I mean, there's the whole murder thing, which isn't so Valentine's dayish, but perhaps that just gives it overall appeal--let's hope so!

Here's the important info:

Title: Devil's Food Cake
Que: Third book in the Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery series
Pages: 361

Opening Night Party:

Thursday, February 11 5:30-7:00
Reflections of Utah Bookstore
47 South Main Street
Brigham City, UT 84302
(Refreshments: Devil’s food cake while it lasts)

*First two chapters available at www.josiskilpack.com as well as instructions on how to order autographed copies.


Thanks everyone,

Josi

So all of you fans of Sadie Hoffmiller and this series that started with Lemon Tart, the third book will be in your hands soon. Go to Josi's website so you can read the first two chapters.

Go to LDSWBR for my Review of "The Lightning Thief"

Over at LDS Women's Book Review blogspot I just posted my review of the YA fanatasy, "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan.

This book has been made into a movie that is coming out Feb.12th, 2010. Please go read about it at my other blog that I post to.

Round 3 of 2010 Books I Want To Read: Jessica Day George and J.Scott Savage Highlighted

Author Jessica Day George has a great new book coming out on May 25th, 2010. The name of the book is called, "Princess of Glass". First, I must say, the cover of this YA book is just beautiful! I loved the cover of the "Princess at The Midnight Ball", but I think this cover is even better.

At Goodreads.com it says about this book,

"The engrossing companion novel to Princess of the Midnight Ball, with a wicked twist on Cinderella."

Hoping to escape the troubles in her kingdom, Princess Poppy reluctantly agrees to take part in a royal exchange program, whereby young princes and princesses travel to each other’s countries in the name of better political alliances—and potential marriages. It’s got the makings of a fairy tale—until a hapless servant named Eleanor is tricked by a vengeful fairy godmother into competing with Poppy for the eligible prince. Ballgowns, cinders, and enchanted glass slippers fly in this romantic and action-packed happily-ever-after quest from an author with a flair for embroidering tales in her own delightful way.

Anyone who has ever read a Jessica Day George novel, knows they are in for an imaginative and delightful story. I am a huge fan of Jessica's and love her retelling of fairytales. Anyone who reads this blog also knows that I loved her "Dragon Slippers" series. I know that as soon as I can I will be reading "Princess of Glass", as long as my 11 year old daughter doesn't fight me for it first.

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Another one of my favorite authors is J.(Jeff) Scott Savage. I have really loved his Farworld fantasy series, Waterkeep and Landkeep. I also really like his Shandra Covington mystery series. I asked him what was happening with all of his books and when the next ones would be coming out. I also asked him if he had any of the covers for his upcoming books that he could show us. He said that there were no covers yet. His next Shandra Covington book, called "A Time to Die" will be out in June. Yea!! His fans have waited a long time for this next book to come out. He also has three other books coming out this year sometime, "The 4th Nephite" with a scheduled release date of July and "Dark Memories" most likely in the fall. As far as the third book in the Farworld fantasy series, no date has been decided on as of yet. I am excited to read all of them.

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The next book I am anxiously awaiting to read is the last installment in the Hunger Games trilogy. Book three, "The Victors" will be released August 24th, 2010 according to Scholastic. As of January 2010, there is no cover for this book that has been released yet. Hunger Games the movie will be ready for viewing pleasure in 2011. I hope that they do a good job casting this movie. Casting can either make or break a movie. Of course we all have certain pictures in our minds of how characters "should" look. I will be watching closely as they cast the actors for this film.

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That is all for today. More is coming soon of books I can't wait to read in 2010. If there are any books that you can't wait to read, please send the information to me so I can also highlight some of your books.

My Review: Haunts Haven, An LDS Ghost Story by Joan Sowards

"Haunts Haven" includes on it's front cover, "An LDS Ghost Story". You wonder how the LDS and Ghost story can mix? Well, Joan Sowards does it in a very clever and surprising way. I missed the twist that came in the middle, though I should have seen it coming. I am getting ahead of myself here.

Let me give you a brief overview of the story of "Haunts Haven"...

"When Callie Wilford inherits a century-old inn in southern Arizona, locals tell her of a ghost who "guards" the inn. But Callie doesn't believe in ghosts, and she plans to turn the inn into a bed and breakfast. Then things start to happen - strange, spooky things - and she begins to wonder if there is some truth to the ghost stories. If that weren't bad enough, Callie discovers a mysterious grave in the cellar. As she confronts the inn's tragic secrets, she also faces her lonely past and learns to embrace her heritage. But it takes a handsome cowboy and a charming rancher to prove that Callie's long-guarded heart can love again."

This is the first published novel for Joan Sowards and I was very impressed by her wonderful storytelling. I loved the very bright and somewhat colorful characters found in this book. The book seemed to have a nice flow to it, so it is an easy read. I really liked the main character, Callie, who was written so "real" you could relate to her.

I also really liked how Joan was able to weave several smaller stories, into the big story, without it being confusing. I also mentioned earlier about a twist. It is a great twist that simply surprised me and delighted me at the same time. I will not say more because I do not want to give anything away.

I know, if you want to read a different kind of love story filled with mystery and suspense, you will enjoy "Haunts Haven". I look forward to reading more of what Joan writes.

You can purchase this book at Amazon.com and now at Deseret Book.

I want to thank Amy Orton at Walnut Springs Press for the complimentary copy of this book. This one is a keeper and will be read again and again.

Round 2 of 2010 Books I Want To Read

2010 is going to be a big year for author Annette Lyon. She has two very different books that will be coming out this year. The first book is a novel called, "Band of Sisters". On Annette's website, this is what she has to say about her new, upcoming novel,

"Five women, five husbands deployed to Afghanistan: five families changed forever.

Band of Sisters will be released in March. In conjunction with the novel’s

publication, I’m helping to raise funds for the Flat Daddy program to

help families with a deployed parent."

A

Author Annette Lyon

You can go to her website to learn more about the Flat Daddy program. (http://www.annettelyon.com/)

I look forward to reading this new novel from Annette. The past few

years she has written her wonderful historical fiction, "Temple series".

This will be a change for her fans, as she tackles a modern novel with such a poignant topic. Most of us know someone who has been to Afghanistan or who will be going there soon. Bravo for Annette, for showing the struggles of the families left behind. This book is another one coming out in March, 2010.

The other book Annette Lyon has coming out this year is her "Chocolate Cookbook"

This is the much-anticipated chocolate cookbook, with over 120 mouth-watering recipes. Stay tuned for the delicious details! I have, along with many other followers of Annette on Twitter, have salivated pools as she has told us about her many trials trying new recipes. I think I gained weight just reading about the yummy things that will be in the cookbook. If you love chocolate, this is a cookbook you will not be able to live with out trying. I will let you know when I hear of a release date.

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Rachelle J. Christensen, is another author who has two books coming out this year. The first book is a murder/mystery/romance called ,"Wrong Number" that sounds very good! I found this little blurb on her website and wanted you to read it also.

“I THINK YOU HAVE THE WRONG NUMBER.”

When Aubree Stewart answers her cell phone on the way to work one day, she isn’t prepared for her life to change. Someone dialed a wrong number, a simple mistake. But the call changes everything when Aubree overhears information about the murder of a government official. Now she must run for her life as the caller tries to eliminate her.

Aubree is placed in the witness protection program, but when the FBI’s protection fails, she heads out on her own. She soon realizes she’ll never stop running until she can solve the mystery behind the wrong number. Unable to trust anyone but herself, she’s cautious about accepting the help of a Park Ranger named Wyatt Erickson. As she struggles to keep herself hidden from the enemy, she finds it harder to protect her heart.

Teeming with government plots, a dash of romance, and plenty of intrigue, Rachelle J. Christensen’s Wrong Number will have your heart pounding the next time the phone rings!"

I think the cover of this book is just fantastic! I wonder if this is going to be one of those books I shouldn't read right before I go to bed? I can't wait to try out my theory. The date of release on this book is March 8, 2010.

The other book Rachelle has being published is very close to my heart. It is called, "Lost Children: Coping with Miscarriage For Latter-Day Saints; Release date May 2010. From my experience, there are not enough good books out there to help those of us that have lost children; whether at 11 weeks or 35 weeks. I found this personal note on Rachelle's blog to explain about her non-fiction book and why she wrote it.

Lost Children: Coping with Miscarriage for Latter-day Saints

Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc. April 2010

After my second miscarriage and struggle with infertility, I searched for answers to my questions in the gospel. It was hard to understand why I couldn’t have a baby when I wanted one so desperately and it was terrible to cope with the loss of my babies from miscarriage.

I felt alone and couldn’t find anything to answer all my questions and offer comfort.

This is why I wrote Lost Children: Coping with Miscarriage for Latter-day Saints. I wanted to lighten the load of those who are suffering from miscarriage and provide tools for those who would like to comfort someone in need.

Women of the church desperately need this book to help them in one of the most difficult situations they will face on this earth as they try to obey the commandment of the Lord to “multiply and replenish the earth.” Everyone affected by these problems knows others who suffer similarly. This book would be a wonderful gift for those desiring to give comfort, as well as a self-help book to aid the grieving person.

My blog, www.copingwithmiscarriage.blogspot.com offers more information and a forum for those suffering from loss. "

I know that many lives will be touched by Rachelle writing this book. I truly look forward to reading it. There are still many wounds left in my heart that need healing after my losses, 11 years and 4 years ago respectively. I always feel that people who write books like this have been inspired from above. Thank you Rachelle. You can visit Rachelle at her blog here.

Well, I have not even touched the surface yet, about books I plan on reading in 2010. There will be more coming soon. Make sure, to sign up to follow my personal blog here, so you don't miss out on future posts of great 2010 reads.