All's Fair by Julie Coulter Bellon & Last day to enter the drawing

Alls Fair by Julie Coulter Bellon


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed "All's Fair" by Julie Coulter Bellon. There are two story lines to follow in this novel; siblings Kristen, a political campaign expert and Brandon an Army doctor and LDS covert who is stationed in Iraqi.



Kristen leaves her fiance at the altar and the old boyfriend comes into the picture and Brandon finds he is falling for his fellow doctor, Rachel Fields. The two story lines eventually merge, but I found I was drawn more to Brandon and Rachel's story. Their relationship seemed more believable and this was also the more exciting storyline. Granted, the storyline taking place in Iraqi is full of war happenings, kidnappings and terrorists; of course this had more excitement.



Julie is very good at writing suspense. I read this book rather quickly because I had to see if everyone made it out alive. I felt the book had a good ending, though some people have a thing against a "Happy Ever After" type ending. Personally, I don't mind reading a happy ending once in awhile. I have had too much reality in my own life lately and like to be taken away to a happy place when I read.



I look forward to reading more of Julie's books. I am sorry it has taken this long to find out what a great writer she is.


View all my reviews >>


Remember, today is the last day to enter the drawing to win a copy of "Loyalty's Web" by Joyce DiPastena. If you would still like a chance at winning this book, read the rules in the post below. "Loyalty's Web's" is a great book that I enjoyed very much.

Review of "Loyalty's Web" and enter to win your own copy

I have always loved reading a good historical romance. The medieval period has always fascinated me through the years. To me, the best blend of a well written historical romance, is one with interesting historical events and a true romance, filled with a little angst. Joyce has achieved this perfect blend in her novel, "Loyalty's Web".

Here is some basic information about the storyline:

The year is 1176, and the Earl of Gunthar and his knights have been sent to France by King Henry II of England to enforce a peace treaty. The rakish earl falls in love with Heléne deLaurant, the younger, spirited sister of the beauty he is supposed to wed in an arranged marriage designed to unite the two countries. But when Heléne and her family are accused of plotting against the king, Heléne is torn: should she betray the man who could send her family to the gallows, or should she follow her heart and risk her safety to save him?

The main characters, The Earl of Gunthar and Helene deLaurant, develop a strong attraction for one another from their first meeting. Many things come between them such as secrets, lies, assassination attempts, arranged marriages and of course a mystery that needs to be solved to save their lives and their love.

I have been impressed with Joyce's intense research that she has done of the medieval time period. If you go to her website and her blogs, she has a great amount of interesting information that she has uncovered to go along with her novels. I admire any author who does deep research to make their novel more authentic. You can see why "Loyalty's Web" was a 2007 Whitney Award Finalist in the Romance category.

If you have not read "Loyalty's Web" yet, you should, and I can assure you that you will not be disappointed. Joyce is a great writer who moves the story along well. This kind of writing makes for a fast read because you can't put the book down. I recommend this book to readers of romance of any age, including teenagers. I am looking forward to reading Joyce's new novel called, "Illuminations of the Heart". I will be doing an interview with Joyce, that will be posted, along with a review of the new book.

You have a chance to enter today to win a copy of "Loyalty's Web". Joyce has offered me a copy to give away on my blog. There are three ways to enter:

1.Sign up to follow the blog. Once again, if you already follow my blog , you will get an automatic entry.

2.Post about this give away on your blog, on facebook or Twitter & let me know here where you added the link.

3.Tell me why you like reading a historical romance.

Make sure to post a comment here on my blog to tell me what you did: signed up to be a follower, posted a link or why you like to read historical fiction.

I will give everyone a week to get their entries in and the drawing will take place next Saturday, July 18th, at 8:00 p.m. Good luck!

I have three links to Joyce and her novels that you should look at.

http://www.joyce-dipastena.com/

http://medievalresearch.blogspot.com/

http://jdp-news.blogspot.com/

Review of new fantasy book, "Bone Warriors" by Bron Bahlmann

Title: Bone Warriors
Author: Bron Bahlmann
Publisher: Sweetwater Book
Release Date: May 15, 2009
ISBN: 978-1599553221
Size: 278 pages, 6x9, softcover
Genre: YA Fantasy
Target Reader: Teens


I was very excited to get a copy of a new fantasy book called, "Bone Warriors". The best part of this book is how old the author is who wrote the novel; Bron is 15. The even better part of this story is how old Bron was when he started writing "Bone Warriors" {Read the interview to find out how old he was}. Now, here is the part that shocked me...how well this book is written! You would never know that it was written by a teenager. There is an adult writer inside of Bron's teenage body. Let's just say, he impressed me greatly by his very mature writing style.

"Bone Warriors" has characters, some are VERY creepy, that have never been imagined or written about before. I just kept shaking my head in amazement as each new creature was introduced. I would love to see pictures of some of these creatures. Bron writes so colorfully that these images came alive for me. It seemed like there was no let down in the adventure for Derrik and Tweaks. I read quickly because I had to find out what would happen to them.

Here is "Bone Warriors" at a glance from the back cover:

CRAVING POWER AND LUSTING FOR HUMAN SOULS, the wicked necromancer sweeps the land, leaving behind nothing but death and devastation.

RETURNING HOME, fifteen-year-old Derrik and his friend Tweaks find their homes burning and families missing. They immediately embark on a rescue quest for redemption and retaliation. Such evil cannot be allowed to roam exempt.

SINISTER GIANTS, colossal green jungle cats, and undead monsters confront them as Derrik and Tweaks encounter inconceivable threats in the forbidden woods, as well as gain unlikely allies.

THE BOYS SOON REALIZE that their only hope to save their families comes from the very creature they cannot trust. But they're running out of time. How can they put an end to the necromancer s terrifying reign?

Who should read this book? Anyone who loves fantasy books, those who want to read about two boys who forged ahead courageously in order to save their families and those who just want to read a well thought out story that brings unexpected friends together.

Here is an interview I did with Bron. I hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I did. Some of his answers made me LOL!








1.How old were you when you first started writing? Well I started writing when I learned the alphabet, but I made my first attempt at writing a book in 3rd grade. It wasn't "Bone Warriors," though. How old were you when you wrote Bone Warriors? I started writing "Bone Warriors" in 5th grade, so I would have been eleven years old.

2.What was your inspiration for writing Bone Warriors? Dreams I had pieced together, which ultimately fulfilled my one big dream, which was to become a published author.

3.What authors have influenced your writing? I wouldn't say they've influenced my writing because I don't write based on other people. I have my own style. But some have inspired and helped me. One of the first bunch of books I remember, other than Calvin and Hobbes, are James Dashner's books. (Don't get a big head, James!) I remember them because my mom is friends with James, and she would read us his books at night while she proofread for him. Recently, Orson Scott Card has been a big inspiration to me. I like the way he makes his characters seem like real people. And I was recently introduced to author J. Scott Savage. He took me to a fancy restaurant (a local Taco Bell) and gave me some really useful career advice that I will never forget. Overall I've had some really good interactions with people in the author world.

4.What are your favorite books/genre to read? I enjoy books of almost any genre, but really like books that try new things. An example is J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" books. There have been books about wizards and books about boarding schools, but she mixed them together into something you wouldn't expect; wizards going to boarding school. Another great example is the Bartimaeus Trilogy, because Jonathan Stroud mixes a more modern world with ancient practices and switches from each character's view in every chapter. The genre I seem to read most often is fantasy.

5.Are you currently working on some new books? Yes. I have several series of books I'm planning to write. They will be revealed when they're published!

6.When do you find the time to write? Being as young as I am and not really having set job hours to limit me, I can write wherever my computer is or wherever I have some pen and some paper. Most of the time I write at night before I go to bed. During the school year, I write during lunch.

7.Where do you do your best creative work? Wherever I have the most inspiration. It varies from day to day. Some days I'm more creative than others. Do you listen to music when you are writing? No.

8.Is there a dream book that you hope to write in the future or have you already written it? I have already finished the rough draft for another book and am currently working on yet another book, and was writing a whole different book and got a third of the way through until "Bone Warriors" was published. Then I thought I should complete the "Warriors" series before I finished the other books. I'm really excited about all 18 of my current book outlines. (I keep getting new ideas.) I think they're all really different, with amazing characters, unique plots, and unexpected twists. I can hardly wait to write all of my books, and can't say that I like any one better than another. I only write dream books, because they're all the best ones I can think of.

9.Did you outline "Bone Warriors" before you wrote the story? Yes. You wrote a very surprising ending. Did you plan ahead of time for this ending, or did it happen as the story unfolded? When I first started writing the book, I didn't want to be completely grim, but I was a little bored with reading the happy schmancy everything turns out good kind of books. I wanted a book that was more down to reality, more true to the kind of stuff that goes on in real life. And it was the one of the only ways I could have ended it, as you may understand after reading the book. (I don't want to say more or I might give it away to anyone who hasn't read it yet.)

10.You created a fascinating fantasy world. You did a fabulous job creating such phenomenal creatures. Do you ever sketch out the creatures on paper or just in your mind? Yes, I sketch out the creatures a lot. I have notebooks and boxes full of drawings and sketches that I still haven't finished sorting through. I also draw characters along with weapons they may use and a short outline of what traits they have.

I truly enjoyed reading "Bone Warriors" and I look forward to more books from you. Keep up the great work. I am really impressed with you Bron. Thanks for letting me interview you. Thank you. It was nice of you to set up this interview.


If you would like a copy of "Bone Warriors" you can order it here at http://cedarfort.com/ or at http://www.amazon.com/

If you would like to know more about Bron and his book you can go to his website at http://www.bronbahlmann.com/

Review of "Poison Study" by Maria V. Synder

I finished Poison Study last night. It ended with a bang! I am so glad that I stuck with this book. It turned out to be a great story. In fact, I might have given this book 5 stars, if it would have had a faster start for me. I had a hard time getting into the book. A little over a 1/3 of the way through, it took off. The story starts slow, but builds up momentum like a steam train. You can guess some things in the plot, but I was happy there were some surprises at the end.

I also learned to like and respect Yelena more, the tragic heroine, as the storyline progressed. It's like people say, you shouldn't judge others from first impressions. As I learned more about Yelena, and what she had been through up to this point in her young life, I liked her more. Snyder does a great job of developing her main character into someone very likable. This is good because she was too cold and gruff for me at first. I had no reason to care about her at the beginning. That changed as the reasons for her rough demeanor and outlook were explained.

I also truly enjoyed the supporting characters in this story. They helped flesh out the storyline and added color to the novel. Some of the characters I enjoyed are the soldiers, Janco and Ari, the chief of security, Valek, the seamstress Dilana and even the mysterious and moody baker/chef Rand.

This book, though marketed as YA Fantasy, does contain some adult themes and scenes. So if you are worried at all about an early teen or tween reading this book, read it first. All in all, it was a great read and I have already started reading the second book in the series called, "Magic Study".

My Review of "PickUp Games" by Marcia Mickelson

After reading "PickUp Games" I was happily surprised. It was very different than my initial impressions. The title does not go with the book, it is so much deeper than what is suggested. Here is a quick description of the book found on Goodreads:

When Mick Webber gets a new job hosting a college basketball show, he is less than thrilled to learn he will be co-hosting with Cara Jones, a pretty brunette trying to get over her failed engagement. From the start it is clear the two will not be playing nice, and work soon turns into a battlefield. But as the season progresses and the two are forced to work together more closely, they begin to see that first impressions can often be deceiving. In this riveting story about the game of love, you'll find yourself holding your breath to see what the scoreboard says when the clock runs out.

I loved the way Marcia wrote the romance between Mick and Cara. It progressed at a real life pace, which was very refreshing for a novel. So many times, writers portray two people, that hate each other, falling in love quickly. You will not find that here. Mick and Cara adjust to each others personalities and grow to care about each other once they let go of their past. Everyone carries baggage in their lives, as did the main characters. As they learn to let go of their past disappointments and fears, the romance begins to blossom.

Marcia wrote a book that young and old will enjoy. Let me also point out two things:

#1 I stayed up to read the last several chapters even though I was dead tired. Very good indication of a good book.


#2 I had a smile on my face when I finished the book. The ending was very satisfying and I was happy to have stayed up late reading it.


If you are looking for a romance with a little competition, heartache, forgiveness and new beginnings, "PickUp Games"is the book for you. If you have never read a book by Marcia you will be happy to have found a great new author.


On her website this is what it said about Marcia:

"Marcia was born in Guatemala and moved to the U.S. when she was an infant. She and her family moved around a bit while in elementary school and lived in Louisiana, Texas, and New Jersey. She started writing her first novel during her senior year of high school.

She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in American Studies. She met her husband, Nolan, at BYU and they were married in 1994. Marcia did almost no writing (other than the requisite college assignments) in college or during the first several years of marriage. After she graduated, they moved to Ogden, Utah where her husband finished up his degree at Weber State University.

During that time, Marcia worked in Salt Lake running a foster care program for a non-profit organization, Centro de la Familia de Utah. Although it was heart-wrenching at times, it was a rewarding experience in. After Nolan graduated, Marcia talked him into moving back to New Jersey. He’s always been a Yankees fan, so that sweetened the deal a bit. They had two sons while in New Jersey.

When they moved to San Antonio, Marcia stopped working and that made it possible for her to start writing again. For two years straight, she wrote almost every night and finished several novels. She also had another son along the way.

After having three novels rejected by a few publishers, Marcia finally received a contract with Cedar Fort. Star Shining Brightly was the first novel to be published. The second novel, Reasonable Doubt, was released in December 2007. The third novel, Pick Up Games, will be published in May 2009. Marcia also has another novel in the revision stages and half a dozen story ideas swirling around in her head."



You can find more information about Marcia and her books at her website

http://www.marciamickelson.com/index.html

or at her blog

http://www.marciamickelson.blogspot.com/

Please also check out my other blog post at LDS Women's Book Review blogspot, on Father's Day and gift suggestions at http://ldswbr.blogspot.com/

The Winner of Annette Lyon's book is....

Thank you everyone who entered the drawing. I was so pleased at the response I received. It is great to have new followers join me here at my blog. I hope that you will continue sharing with your friends and family about me here at "Why Not Because I Said So".

Now to the winner..... Congratulations Connie Hall !!!

I will let Annette Lyon know that you are the winner so she can sign your book before it is sent to you. Please send me an e-mail at ssdawn2002@yahoo.com with your address. Your copy of "There, Their, They're: A No-Tears Guide to Grammar From the Word Nerd"will be on it's way soon. Hopefully I will be having another give away soon. If there is any author out there, that would like their book featured in a giveaway here at my blog, please let me know. I would be happy to promote your book here at my site.


One last thing I wanted to share with you today. I have noticed several books that kids at my school are reading and enjoying. The one that has been read the most recently in my class is the
"Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series. The boys in my 2nd grade classroom can not get enough of these books. They are choosing to read these books together when they get free time. They can play learning games, do art etc. They are choosing to spend their time sharing their favorite parts of these books with their friends.

Here is a wonderful review I found by Kim Dare, for The School Library Journal:

From School Library Journal Grade 5–8—Greg Heffley has actually been on the scene for more than two years. Created by an online game developer, he has starred in a Web book of the same name on www.funbrain.com since May 2004. This print version is just as engaging. Kinney does a masterful job of making the mundane life of boys on the brink of adolescence hilarious. Greg is a conflicted soul: he wants to do the right thing, but the constant quest for status and girls seems to undermine his every effort. His attempts to prove his worthiness in the popularity race (he estimates he's currently ranked 52nd or 53rd) are constantly foiled by well-meaning parents, a younger and older brother, and nerdy friends. While Greg is not the most principled protagonist, it is his very obliviousness to his faults that makes him such an appealing hero. Kinney's background as a cartoonist is apparent in this hybrid book that falls somewhere between traditional prose and graphic novel. It offers some of the same adventures as the Web book, but there are enough new subplots to entertain Funbrain followers. This version is more pared down, and the pace moves quickly. The first of three installments, it is an excellent choice for reluctant readers, but more experienced readers will also find much to enjoy and relate to in one seventh grader's view of the everyday trials and tribulations of middle school.—Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

I know it says it is recommended for 5th-8th graders, but I have several advanced readers that love this series. If you have a boy who likes to read, check these out at the library or purchase at local book stores or Amazon.com. I think that even girls would enjoy these books, I just have not seen any in my class reading them yet. Let me know if you have a girl who has read and enjoyed them.

Last day to enter drawing and a movie review

Are we movie
compatible?

My Flixster
profile

A reminder to those who have not entered the drawing yet, today is the last day to do so. If you didn't take advantage of the four ways to enter the drawing to win Annette Lyon's new book, "There, Their, They're: A No-Tears Guide to Grammar From the Word Nerd" you can still do that today.
So, here are the rules of how to enter to win this book....

1-Link my blog to yours. If you already have done that, guess what? You already have one entry in the drawing. Just let me know so I can go to your blog to check it out.

2-Sign up to become a follower of my blog. If you already are a follower, that is an automatic entry for you.

3-Tell others about this contest on your blog, Twitter or facebook. Then send me the link.

4.Comment here at my blog why you think you really need this book.


The winner will be announced some time on Monday. Good luck everyone!

My Blog Tour Post for "Agent In Old Lace"

I have mentioned before how much I love being asked to be part of a blog tour for a new book. This time author, Tristi Pinkston, asked me to join the blog tour for her new book, "Agent in Old Lace". Not only was it exciting because I would get to read a great book, but I would also get to associate with Tristi.



Let me tell you a little about "Agent in Old Lace":

Shannon Tanner s perfect life is turned on end when she discovers her boyfriend, Mark, is not what he seems. Fearing for her safety, she enlists the FBI, who puts its best man on the job Rick Holden, who dons a dress and goes undercover as Shannon s roommate. For a while it seems that life is safe again, until Mark kidnaps Shannon s best friend. Shannon realizes the only way to save her friend and herself is to send Rick, her only protection, away. Agent in Old Lace is a thrilling combination of action, suspense, and romance that will keep you turning the pages until the end.

I thought the blurb from the book described the plot line perfectly. I have to add it is true that you do keep turning the pages quickly and can't stop. This book is so well written. You get so involved, you forget you are reading a story. The characters are also very believable. So many times, authors make their characters so perfect that the normal reader can not relate to them. Not the case here and you even care very deeply about them. That is always the clincher for me when an author truly makes me care about their characters. This holds true whether I am reading a romance, mystery or fantasy book.

Now on to my interview with Tristi Pinkston.

1.Why do you write?

Writing fills a need for me that I can't seem to fill any other way. I
need time to just be myself and to recharge, and that's what writing does
for me. It reboots my brain and gives me strength for all my other
challenges. Plus, it keeps the voices in my head from getting too loud.



2.How long have you wanted to be a writer?

I don't remember a time in my whole life when I didn't want to be a writer.
I did go through that ballerina phase all little girls seem to go through,
but deep down, it was writing that really did it for me.



3.When do you find the time to write?


Time isn't found - it's carved out, usually with fingernails and teeth. I
write a little bit here and there throughout the day, but I do the bulk of
my writing between 9 and 12 at night, sometimes later, depending on how
long it takes to get the children to bed. I'm sleep-deprived almost all
the time, but you've gotta make room for the things that are important to
you, and for me, it's not a sacrifice when I'm doing something I love to
do.


4.Tell us how you came up with the idea to write "Agent in Old Lace"?

This book went through so many metamorphoses, it doesn't look anything like
how it started out. I got the idea from watching a news story about some
hikers who were lost on a mountain and how they used landmarks to find
their way back down. Then I got to thinking, what if you were on a
mountain in an unfamiliar place? How would you use landmarks if you didn't
know what the landmarks were? It just sort of went from there, but after
so much rewriting, those original elements got buried along the way. The
rest just sort of ... came.


5.How was your experience different writing a mystery?
Do you have plans to write more mysteries?
You did a wonderful job!

It was very different to write a mystery. There was so little research
involved compared to my historical novels. I did talk to a nurse for
medical information and so forth, but most of my time was spent writing and
revising, rather than researching. It allowed me to explore different
facets of myself and to concentrate a little more on the craft of writing.

I do plan to write more mysteries - in fact, I have a new mystery series
starting this fall, and I'm really excited about it. It's called "Secret
Sisters," and I think you're really going to love it.



6.I really liked your main character Shannon Tanner.
She was gutsy, but also had a vulnerable side.
I could relate to this character quite a bit.
Is she a lot like you?


Shannon is very different from me. She's a lot stronger, emotionally, than
I am. She's single, a returned missionary, knowledgeable about math and
money, a career woman, she's skinny. I've been married since I was
nineteen, I have four children, never served a mission (although I'm
currently filling a part-time service mission for the Church) I'm clueless
when it comes to math - and as far as the skinny goes, we'll just say, I'm
not. But there are a lot of traits Shannon has that I would like to
develop within myself. I think the main thing Shannon and I do have in
common are frequent headaches, but mine are diet-related. Shannon doesn't
know what causes hers.



7.There is a lot of humor in "Agent in Old Lace".
I know that you are a very humorous person.
Was this an easy aspect to write in the story?
You had many funny things happen to agent Rick Holden.


The humor is by far my favorite part of the story and the easiest to write.
Once I opened up those floodgates, it just came pouring out.



8.The thing I liked most about your new novel,
is that the storyline was very unpredictable.
You had your readers guessing throughout most of the
story.
How did you master this technique so well?


I've read a lot of mysteries. In fact, cozy mysteries are one of my
favorite things to read. They're always full of red herrings, the truth is
always hidden away behind logical explanations, and just when you think
you've solved the crime, something pops up to stop you. I just
incorporated those principles into writing the book. It was a lot of fun.

Some of my readers have said they figured it out toward the beginning, but
that's okay. This isn't a traditional mystery where the author has failed
if the reader guesses too soon - this is a character-based story where you
go along with the characters for the ride and watch them figure it out for
themselves.



9.Are you planning on writing a sequel to "Agent in Old Lace"?
I think most people would love to see more of Shannon and Rick.


I have a plot idea kicking around in my head, but I'm not sure if I am or
am not going to use it for Rick and Shannon. I had planned to make "Agent
in Old Lace" a stand-alone and to give this plot to different characters.
I think the jury is out on that one.



10.What is your advice for aspiring writers?

Sit down and write instead of just talking about doing it, banish those
little negative voices in the back of your head, learn from criticism but
don't internalize it, and don't give up.



11.Are you excited about being in charge of next year's
LDS Storymakers Conference?
Could you share with us anything different or
unique that you are planning for the conference?

I am very excited. When we first started the conference in 2004, I was in
charge then as well, and it's amazing to me to think of the growth we've
experienced since then. Every year is bigger, better, more exciting, more
informative, and I look forward to the conferences like nothing else all
year long. We have seen a lot of our participants go on to be published,
and it's so cool to cheer them on.

As far as different and unique, the very nature of our conference is
different from all others out there. We focus on interpersonal
relationships and a genuine desire to see our participants succeed. We
don't have an attitude of competition - we want everyone to achieve their
goals and we're willing to help them in any way we can.

This next year, we will be offering even more classes, some for the very
beginning beginners and some for the way more advanced. We've got some
really great guest speakers coming in (I'm not spilling any beans yet, just
in case we have to adjust things) but I can tell you that the conference
is on April 23rd and 24th at the Provo Marriott. Registration will be live
at http://www.ldstorymakers.com by December 1st, and you will want to
register a room at that time if you want one. We must get our reservations
in early because it's also BYU graduation. Instructions for all that will
be on the Storymaker site.


12.One last question...is there a dream book that
you hope to write some day or have you already written it?

I've already written the book I think I was made an author to write. It's
called "Season of Sacrifice" and it's the true story of my
great-great-grandfather who engineered the passage through the Hole in the
Rock in southern Utah. If I never wrote another thing, I feel I would have
fulfilled my role with that book.

However, I am still writing and still loving it. I have so many ideas for
books, there's no way I'll ever have time to write all of them. But I'm
good with that.



Thank you Tristi for letting me be part of your blog tour.
I really loved reading "Agent in Old Lace".
I think that you are a fantastic writer!!


Aw, thank you! I appreciate that a lot. Thank you for hosting me!

Tristi


That is about it! Please let me know if you have read "Agent in Old Lace" an what you thought about it!

I also want to remind everyone about the contest going on right now at my blog. You can win a copy of Annette Lyon's new book and the details are listed down below on the previous blog entry. The contest ends on Sunday, June 14th, 2009. Thank you to all who have already entered the drawing and signed up to follow my blog.

Win a copy of Annette Lyon's new book: There, Their, They're: A No-Tears Guide to Grammar From the Word Nerd

Author Annette Lyon has generously donated a copy of her new book, There, Their, They're: A No-Tears Guide to Grammar From the Word Nerd. This is a great book for anyone to own whether you are a writer or a parent helping your child with their homework. I have been using it a lot ever since my pre-ordered copy came in the mail.

Annette, is known in the LDS Writer's circle as the Queen of Grammar. She has often helped her fellow writers in the editing process. Author Tristi Pinkston had something funny to say about this:

" I shall remember the countless grammar questions she has answered for me over the years.

I actually think I'm the inspiration behind her new book, "There, Their, They're: A No-Tears Guide to Grammar from the Word Nerd." She didn't say as much in the introduction - in fact, I think she said she wrote the book in response to popular demand on her blog - but I'm sure that was just her polite way of saying, "Tristi, stop e-mailing me already."


Of course I highly doubt Annette was bothered by Tristi's questions. I do feel that Annette has given the world a nice present with her book. So that is why I am very happy to be giving someone a chance to win her new book. Here is a good explanation of the book:

"Finally: a book with clear and easy explanations of your most common grammar, usage, and punctuation questions. There, Their, They're: A No-Tears Guide to Grammar from the Word Nerd cuts the convoluted terminology and explains things in a way anyone can understand. The Word Nerd-as the author is affectionately called because of her "Word Nerd Wednesday" blog series-is known for her ability to help even the most frustrated writer get it."

So, here are the rules of how to enter to win this book....

1-Link my blog to yours. If you already have done that, guess what? You already have one entry in the drawing. Just let me know so I can go to your blog to check it out.

2-Sign up to become a follower of my blog. If you already are a follower, that is an automatic entry for you.

3-Tell others about this contest on your blog, Twitter or facebook. Then send me the link.

4.Comment here at my blog why you think you really need this book.

OK, there are four ways to get your name into the drawing, so get busy. You have until Sunday, June 14, 2009 10:00 p.m. to enter the contest.

Coming Soon: a contest to win a newly released book!

I am so excited to be having my first drawing on my blog. Details will be coming soon for your chance to win a book by a great author. This is a recent release that will be wanted by most writers, professional and those not so professional. Check back here soon so you can see what you can win and what you will need to do to win!

I also wanted to tell you about a wonderful article, in this past Sunday's Deseret News, in the Life Etc. arts section.(May 31, 2009) The article features Jessica Day George, Shannon Hale and Mette Ivie Harrison. The article states,"Three local authors are gaining far-reaching reputations with their fantasy novels" This is a great article with some super interviews. Of course I was thrilled to see one of my favorite authors Jessica day George there (BTW fabulous picture of you Jessica!!)

Jessica in the article, said about writing for Young Adults,"You have to have a lot more action and a tighter story line." But she also likes weaving in "moral issues. The heroes are always honest, courageous, good to their friends. There are amazing moral lessons, but you learn them in a good way."

Shannon Hale said something that I totally agree with, "Fantasy has always been popular, "she says,"I do think we are in a golden age of children's literature. Some of the most talented writers around are writing it...So much of fantasy is about adventure, about confronting the unknown, about learning what is possible and conquering fears and hoping for a positive, happy ending."

Another quote, by Mettie Ivie Harrison, speaks to my heart and how I feel about reading, "Whatever else series like Harry Potter and Twilight have done, "she says,"they started the tradition of adults and children reading the same books and talking about them, We've been missing that in families."

I know I have mentioned before, but I grew up in a family where my Mom would read to all of us at night. We would be gathered somewhere around the living room, before bedtime, while my Mom would be reading classics to us. Did this bring us closer to our Mom? Yes, we grew to love the intimate setting our mother created, along with establishing the love of reading in all of us. I have been so proud to continue this tradition with my own children. What did we do for fun on Saturday afternoon? I took them to the book launch for Jessica Day George's new book, "Dragon Spear". Did they have a good time? I believe they did and there isn't a better place I would rather hang out in than a book store.

To read more of the article in the Deseret News go to:
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705307330/Dream-makers-3-local-authors-gaining-far-reaching-reputations-as-fantasy-writers.html

I also want to thank Carma Wadley, of the Deseret News, for her outstanding interviews and article. E-mail Carma to let her know what you thought and if you want to read more interviews with the superb local authors living in Utah. carma@desnews.com

I also want to give credit to Stuart Johnson, Deseret News photographer, for taking such a fantastic picture of Jessica!