What Do We Call the New Year?

So is it going to be Two Thousand Ten or Twenty-Ten on New Year's Day? I vote for Twenty-Ten. How about you?

Beat the Winter Blues

Cami Checkettes, author of The Sister Pact, is holding a Beat the Winter Blues Giveaway over on her Cami's Books blog! Check it out for a chance to win one of the following prizes and chase those winter blues away! (An autographed copy of Loyalty's Web is being given away on January 9th. :-) )

January 2nd - 101 Gourmet Cupcakes by Wendy Paul

January 4th - Where the Wind Blows by Caroline Fyffe

January 6th - Guided By Him…to a Thinner, Not So Stressed-Out You by Julie Morris

January 8th - Chickens in the Headlights by Matthew Buckley

January 9th - Loyalty's Web by Joyce DiPastena

January 11th - Altered Plans by Rebecca Talley

January 13th - My Son, John by Kathi Macias

January 15th - Discipline Me Right by Mary Simmons

January 16th - The Sister Pact by Cami Checketts

January 18th - Counting the Cost by Liz Adair

January 20th - Methods of Madness by Stephanie Black

January 22nd - Altered State by Gregg Luke

January 23rd - A Tapestry of Spells by Lynn Kurland

January 25th - Women of Virtue by Jodi Robinson

January 27th - Torn Apart by Diony George

January 29th - All the Stars in Heaven by Michele Holmes

January 30th - Love Your Body by Brooke Parker

Christmas Message Worth Watching

I don't know how to embed a YouTube video into my blog, but check out this video for a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. If you like it, pass it on!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXXwtFWpAI8

The Joyce DiPastena Chronicles 2009

I don't know why anyone outside my family would be remotely interested in reading my annual Christmas letter, but what the heck. I present to you "The Joyce DiPastena Chronicles for 2009", written as a very bad homage to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. Read on only if you dare! (Or don't have anything better to do.)

January

I becameth intrigued with the TV show, Dollhouse, which, because I didst like it, the network didst decide to cancel by the end of the year.

February

16th: I enjoyeth the highlight of my year, also known as the Arizona Renaissance Festival.

March

15th: My bishop didst call me to be Relief Society president. I didst sob in his office. Saith yea, cameth home, and sobbeth some more.

April

1st: I most cunningly joineth LDS Storymakers, so that I canst get into their writers conference CHEAP!

21st: Flewest to Salt Lake City, but not before much trauma inflicted upon me by my car! I wilt spare thee the details. Sufficeth to say it was verily a nightmare I was happy to escape in the city of salt and lakes.

22nd-23rd: Playeth with my sister Janet in various and sundry ways

24th-25th: Attendedth the LDS Storymakers Writers Conference with my boon companion, Sara. I didst participate in a panel on self-publishing, even though I am no longer a self-published author. Still, they didst pay me $25 for being on the panel!

26th: A bitterly cold and rainy day. Janet didst drag me to church, walking up the hill in my wee sandals. My wet, chilled feet and I becameth very grumpy. Janet wast also grumpy, because I left her favorite sweater at the LDS Storymakers conference. Thankfully, the hotel didst find her sweater and the car was nicely heated as we droveth back to Provo to retrieve it, so both of us were in merry moods when we returneth to her apartment.

28th: I luncheth with my editor and signeth a contract for my new medieval romance, Illuminations of the Heart.

May

2nd: Returneth home to Kearny, where I discovereth water running down my driveway from a broken pipe in the yard beside my house.

3rd: Bishop Colby and Brother Guerrero came down most mercifully after Church and repaireth my pipe. I callest down eternal blessings upon their heads!

4th:  When I didst walk outside to retrieve my morning paper, I didst discovered the door to my softener room hadst broken clean off its hinges. No wind last night. The destruction remaineth a mystery. A/C is also broken, just as the Arizona temperatures beginneth to skyrocket. No one canst repair the A/C until Thursday.

7th: My day of birth. A/C repairman comest about 3:30 PM, by which time I have sweltered long enough to feel like a suckling pig being roasted on a spit. The repairman didst achieve a temporary fix, but saith I need to replace the whole unit. Very thankful to be cool at bedtime!

8th: Didst take myself to Mesa to belatedly celebrate my day of birth. Didst see the movie, Star Trek with my merry hearted companion, Suzanne.

15th: New A/C installed. $5000!!!

18th: Goodly Bishop Colby didst repair the door to my softener room, as well as the broken beam over my driveway. May the Lord bless him forever and ever!

29th: Janet fleweth home for her day of birth. Stayeth 10 days. We didst see four movies whilst she was here. (A record for an Arizona visit!) As of December 2009, Star Trek and Up remaineth the best movies of the year!

June

8th: Didst discover another broken pipe on the side of the house.

9th: The plumber comest from Globe and fixeth the pipe.

10th – 12th: A most exciting time! Didst proof Illuminations of the Heart to prepare it for going to press!

16th: Illuminations of the Heart, my second medieval romance, wenteth to press today!

July

16th-18th: ANWA Writers Retreat in Pine, Arizona. I didst renew many friendships, gavest a workshop on marketing thy book, and kickstarteth my stalled work-in-progress. So peaceful an atmosphere! Loveth my new laptop computer. Loveth the peace and quiet. Even began to loveth my WIP again. Alas, all ended too soon. ’Twas most sorry to come home again.

21st: Verily, my dread of returning home proved most valid. Upon this day I didst walk into a back room of my house to discover a huge chunk had fallen out of the wall due to water damage from a leaky A/C wall unit.

22nd: A very frightening day. A tire on my car didst blow out on the journey home from Mesa. A kindly truck driver didst replace my tire, and I limpeth to Arnold Motors in Superior, where they didst say my other three tires were on the verge of blowing, too. Didst replace with used tires for temporary use.

30th: I didst preside over my first funeral luncheon as Relief Society President. Camest close to not having enough food for the family. (But didst make up for it at the next funeral by having a truly breathtaking overabundance!)

August

3rd: On this day, Goodly Bishop Colby camest over and fixeth the broken wall in my house. (And caulketh the leaky A/C wall unit!) Bless him, bless him, bless him!

14th: Made a pilgrimage to Mesa to see my book, Illuminations of the Heart, in a bookstore for the first time.

September

20th: Awoke to yet another broken pipe on the side of the house! (Broken pipes, broken beams, broken walls…verily, is my house trying to tell me something?)

21st: Plumber didst come again from Globe to fix my broken pipe. He suggesteth rerouting the piping under the eaves of my driveway and down the side of the house. I respondeth, “Go for it!”

23rd: A most momentous day! I didst trade in my 1996 Dodge Intrepid for a 2010 Toyota Camry. The dealer threw in satellite radio and Bluetooth for free! Loveth both of these new features!

29th: Woketh up to a backed up softener drain, backing up into the kitchen by bedtime. Can you spell D-I-S-C-O-U-R-A-G-E-D about this accursed house?

30th: Plumber foundeth water from broken pipe “bubbling up” through crack in cement in softener room. He didst reroute the pipe. Plumbing fixed…for now.

October/November

Oct 22nd - Nov 28th: Verily, for these six weeks my publisher didst indenture me to book signings at Costco! I didst rotate between four Arizona Costco stores, inscribing my signature into copies of my new medieval romance, Illuminations of the Heart, laboring four hours a day, three days a week, with naught but bread and water to sustain me. (And sometimes a Wendy’s hamburger, Taco Bell taco, and KFC chicken wing. And a Sprite.) Among my discoveries: those cement floors art hard; some days art better than others; and I canst get the Fox News Channel on my satellite radio. (Madest the drive over and back fly by. Well, almost. Sometimes.)

November

16th: Whatever thou doest, DON’T ask about my skylight! (Bless you, Bishop Colby!)

20th – 30th: Janet flewest home for Thanksgiving. Alas, there wast no time to fix Thanksgiving dinner due to my Costco servitude, so we didst spend Thanksgiving at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, enjoying other people’s excellent cooking and watching the play, Meet Me In St. Louis.

December

Illuminations of the Heart is no longer in Costco, but they are now in Arizona Barnes & Nobles. I have had a short story, “An Epiphany Gift for Robin”, published in a collection of Christmas stories called, Stolen Christmas. Janet miraculously got the Christmas tree up (and decorated!) before she fleweth back to the city of salt and lakes. The plumbing hath been quiet since September. (I do muchly fear that is only temporary, though.) The bird my cat heard chirping on the chimney didst not fall down the chimney into my living room today. Therefore, I close this letter on a heartily cheerful note.

May all your plumbing in 2010 be peaceful. May your favorite TV shows be renewed. May your A/C’s run most smoothly. May your walls stand rightly solid. My your skylights… (Nay, nay, let’s not go there!)

Above all, may you have a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND THE VERIEST OF HAPPY NEW YEARS!

Author Island Chat Contest Winner

Congratulations to Cherie Japp of Florida! Cherie won a copy of my sweet medieval romance, Illuminations of the Heart, in an Author Island Chat Contest on December 17th. Thanks to all Author Island members who entered!

Announcing A Permanent Home for TSRA Chats

Just in case no one was aware of it, your favorite Sweetest Romance Authors have their own spot in the Java Junction of Coffee Time Romance Forum. This is where we come to greet the day with readers, share news, slurp coffee (or in my case, hot chocolate!), and just have fun. :)

Beginning January 2010, it'll also be our "home" for monthly chats. These will start on the second Thursday of January, go all day, and we'll hold contests, post excerpts, and shout out any news about latest releases. We encourage everyone who is an ardent fan of sweet romance to join us on these chats.

But don't forget our other chat! In January, we'll also resume our public chats in our chat room where we'll invite a special guest, and then hold a scavenger hunt. This has been a real hit with our fans and visitors!

So, get ready for January 2010. Reserve your second Thursdays for the Java Junction, and the fourth Thursdays for our chat room. You don't want to miss a single one!

Gold Star Challenge: Win a Copy of Illuminations of the Heart

Jodi Marie Robinson, author of Women of Virtue, is holding a fantastic contest on her blog! All it takes are some good deeds on your part (should be easy this time of year, right?) and a comment left on her blog for a chance to win one of three great books: The Journey, by Jewel Adams; Counting the Cost, by Liz Adair; and, yes, Illuminations of the Heart. 


For details hop on over to Jodi's blog and read about her Gold Star Challenge. If this challenge doesn't get you in the mood for Christmas, nothing will! (The deadline is December 21, so start handing out those gold stars now!)

2010 ANWA Writers Conference - Start Planning Now!

- - - -  IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - - - - 

The 2010 ANWA Writers Conference, Saturday, February 27, 2010.

Open to all writers

Register at http://anwa-lds.com/conference.html

The Best Western Dobson Ranch Inn

1666 South Dobson Road

Mesa AZ 85202-5699

480-831-7000 or 1-800-528-1356

www.dobsonranchinn.com

If you are serious about your writing, and ready for the next step,

this is the place to be!

J. Scott Savage, author of the “Farworld” Series is the Keynote speaker.

Other presenters are:

Aprilynne Pike, New York Times best-selling Author of “Wings”

Doug Johnston, Publicist Extraordinaire

Nancy E. Turner, Author of “These is My Words”

Dr. Pamela Goodfellow, Writing Coach, Editor and Owner of Goodfellow Publishing Services

Sara Fujimura, Author and Magazine Writer

Helen Bair, Counselor and Author of “Finding the Healer in Me”

Arizona’s very own illustrious Marsha Ward, author of the “Owen Family” Series and experienced in e-book publications

Book signings at end of conference

For writers travelling a far distance, follow these instructions for hotel reservations at a special ANWA Writer’s Conference discount at “Dobson Ranch Inn”

Phone

Call our Front Desk toll-free - 1-800-528-1356.

Refer to either Group Name: “ANWA” or Group Number: 804341

This will allow our staff to make your reservations for you to receive the ANWA Conference group rate.

Internet (available to book online starting Wednesday, Dec 9)

Go to the hotel website at www.dobsonranchinn.com

At the bottom of the  "Reserve Your Stay" box, click on "Groups"

Enter the password - ANWA-Dec

Complete your reservation

For questions contact, the ANWA 2010 Conference Chair Person, Cindy R. Williams at cindywilliams@q.com or

Conference Registrar, Krista Darrach at kristadarrach@yahoo.com

What Makes the Perfect Romance?

I just found and LOVE this quote! Of course, the fact that it's by a medieval poet in no way prejudiced me in its favor.

"Through their kisses and caresses they experienced a joy and wonder the equal of which has never been known or heard of. But I shall be silent...; for the rarest and most delectable pleasures are those which are hinted at, but never told." ~~ Chrétien de Troyes

Great Contest in Progress on LDSWBR Blog!

What, you may ask, does LDSWBR stand for? "LDS Women's Book Review". And right now they have an awesome "Count Down to Christmas Contest" going on over on their blog! Every day between December 1st and Christmas Eve, the blog hostesses (Shanda, Sheila, and Hillary) are posting a holiday interview with an author (sometimes two!), followed by a question for you to answer. (I'll try to remember to let you know when my interview pops up on their site.)

The questions aren't scary, I promise. Simple things like, "What holiday traditions do you have in your family?" Leave your answer in a comment on each day's blog (or any day's blog) and be entered to win one of the following very cool prizes:

A $25 e-gift certificate to Deseret Book, or one of the following books:

Loyalty's Web, by Joyce DiPastena

Hidden Branch, by GG Vandagriff

Altared Plans, by Rebecca Talley

A Modest Proposal, by Michele Ashman Bell

Her Good Name, by Josi Kilpack

MISSING, by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

Famous Family Nights, by Anne Bradshaw

Love Letters of Joseph and Emma, edited by Angela Eschler

Family Home Evening Adventures, by Rebecca Irvine

Counting the Cost, by Liz Adair

Shudder, by Jennie Hansen

Mormon Mishaps and Mischief, by D. N. Giles and C. L. Beck

Dawn's Early Light, by L.C. Lewis

Drawings for all the above prizes will take place on Christmas Day. So hop on over to LDS Women's Book Review and start leaving your comments NOW! (And keep checking out their site every day from now till Christmas Eve, so you don't miss a single chance to enter!)

Winners of my "Celebrate the Season" Contest!

Congratulations to Melanie Hahn and Joy Isely! Melanie and Joy have each won a hardcover copy of Stolen Christmas and Other Stories of the Season. I know they'll enjoy this touching, humorous, and all round delightful little book of short Christmas stories. (Including, of course, my own humble contribution, "An Epiphany Gift for Robin". :-) )

Thank you to everyone who entered! If you weren't one of the winners and would like to order copies for Christmas (have I mentioned that they make incredibly fantastic Christmas gifts???), you can find copies at the following links:

Createspace
Amazon
Smashwords (for e-book copies)

Illuminations of the Heart at Barnes & Noble

Hunting for a copy of Illuminations of the Heart for Christmas (or Christmas gifts) this year? All is not lost! While no longer available at Costco, copies are in stock at the following Arizona Barnes & Noble locations. (Don't live in Arizona? Go to your nearest Barnes & Noble and ask them to order a copy. It's in their system! And if they're sold out at these locations, ask them to order more!)

Barnes & Noble

San Tan Village

2150 E Williams Field Rd

Gilbert, AZ

Barnes & Noble

Crossroads Towne Center

3870 S Gilbert Rd

Gilbert, AZ

Barnes & Noble

Dana Park Village Square

1758 South Val Vista Dr

Mesa, AZ

Barnes & Noble

Tempe Marketplace

2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy

Tempe AZ

Barnes & Noble

Ahwatukee Foothills Towne Center III

4847 East Ray Road

Ahwatukee, AZ

B. Dalton Booksellers/Bookstar

Pavillions

8919 E Indian Bend Rd

Scottsdale, AZ

Banres & Noble

Chandler Fashion Mall

3111 W Chandler Blvd

Chandler, AZ

Barnes & Noble

Kierland Commons

7030 E Geenway Parkway

Scottsdale, AZ

Barnes & Noble

Scottsdale Fiesta Shopping Center

10500 N 90th Street (Pima & Shea)

Scottsdale, AZ

B. Dalton Booksellers/Bookstar

Town & Country SC

2073 E. Camelback Rd

Phoenix, AZ

Barnes & Noble

Desert Ridge Marketplace

21001 N Tatum Blvd

Phoenix, AZ

Barnes & Noble

Metro Center

10235 N Metro Parkway East

Phoenix, AZ

Barnes & Noble

Happy Valley Towne Center

2501 West Happy Valley Road

Phoenix, AZ

Barnes & Noble

Arrowhead

7685 W Bell Rd

Peoria, AZ

Barnes & Noble

Palm Valley Pavillions

1446 N. Litchfield Rd

Goodyear, AZ

Barnes & Noble

Surprise Marketplace

112719 W Bell Rd

Surprise, AZ

Barnes & Noble

Foothills Mall

7325 N LaCholla Blvd

Tucson, AZ

Barnes & Noble

5130 E Broadway

Tucson, AZ

Barnes & Noble

Prescott Gateway Mall

3250-302 Gateway Blvd

Prescott, AZ

Barnes & Noble

Flagstaff

701 S Milton Rd

Flagstaff, AZ

Bye-Bye Costco: Thanks for the Memories!

Well, my Costco run has come to an end. As of November 28, I finished my book signings for copies of my medieval romance, Illuminations of the Heart. It was, indeed, quite the interesting adventure!

I learned that standing four hours a day, three to four days a week on a cement floor can do quite the number on your feet and back.

I learned that there really are people out there who will snap up a romance as soon as they hear the words “clean romance” attached to it.

I learned that (especially in Gilbert and Chandler) people who saw the words “Deseret Book” on my bookmarks immediately interpreted that as meaning my romance was “safe”. Well, mostly. Only one woman read the words “Deseret Book” aloud and threw the bookmark back on the table and stomped off. Guess there’s no accounting for prejudice. But bottom line is, I sold many more copies because of those words, and (as far as I know) only lost one potential sale because of them.

I learned that wherever people were shopping on Black Friday, it wasn’t in the Gilbert Costco! The day before Thanksgiving, I sold 19 books in my first two hours! The day after Thanksgiving, I only sold 2 books in the same two hours. Honestly, it was like a ghost town in the Gilbert Costco that day! I barely managed to squeeze out 12 books for the day (I managed 28 at the Chandler Costco the day before Thanksgiving), and that was only with the help of dear Anna Arnett, who came to visit me during my last 10 minutes and convinced three people to buy copies before I closed up shop shortly after 5 PM.

I learned that I have the best sister in the world. She flew all the way down from Salt Lake City to spend Thanksgiving with me, and ended up spending 16 hours of her vacation inside of Costco stores! Being a very wise and intrepid sister, she didn’t just mope around or even sit reading in a chair, as I’d suggested. No! She worked out an exercise route walking around the store while I peddled my books! And she bought us a lovely platter of baklava. Now, you can’t ask for a better sister than that! J

I learned many more things I’ve already listed in former posts, so I’m not going to repeat them here. (Go and read my former posts!)

I don’t know how many copies I sold overall, but I kept a tally of the books I signed (presuming once they were autographed, the buyers wouldn’t quite dare stick them back on the shelf) and in total, I signed 342 copies of Illuminations of the Heart over 16 days of signings. Is that a good number or not? I really don’t know. My publisher insists they are pleased, reminding me that not all readers are in the market for a medieval, or even historical, romance. (As I discovered for myself. Some of the comments made when I tried to hand out bookmarks: “I don’t read romances.” “I don’t read historical romances.” “I only read mysteries/suspense novels”. “I only read non-fiction.” “I just bought a Kindle and don’t read anything but e-books now.” “Do you have it in Spanish?” “Do you have it on CD? I only listen to books in the car.” “I don’t read. Period!” )

Regardless, I’ve decided to be happy with the number I signed. That was 342 copies of Illuminations of the Heart that most people in Costco would likely never have wandered into a Deseret Book to find, or ever heard about to go looking for it online. I’ve expanded my readership by at least 342 people, and with luck, at least some of those people will like my book and tell their friends and maybe more people will buy copies. (Though obviously not at Costco!)

So there you have it. My adventure comes to an end, and now I can concentrate on other important things like helping with the 1^st grade Christmas program (I’m playing the piano for them), participating in my Church Christmas party, and maybe…maybe…clearing off my dining room table so my sister can bake me a turkey when she comes back for Christmas!

Thank you to all you lovely people who came out to support me during my signings. I love you all! And thanks to all of you who have followed my posts about my experiences. I hope you have found a grain of usefulness in at least some of them, in case you ever find yourself signing books in Costco. (And to all my wonderful author friends, I hope someday you do!)

Excerpt from "An Epiphany Gift for Robin" in Stolen Christmas and Other Stories of the Season

Here's just a short excerpt from my medieval short story, "An Epiphany Gift for Robin", included in the new Christmas anthology, Stolen Christmas and Other Stories of the Season. I have to keep it short, since it's from a short story. Too many words and I'd give the whole story away! :-)

Excerpt:

    The food was long gone now, along with the merry games played by the villagers to keep warm in the winter snows. The ivy and holly so gleefully gathered and hung by the children to brighten their tiny thatched cottage had grown dry and crisp, crackling off their garlands and crushed by shoes to form a fine, fragrant dust on the earth-beaten floor. Today, Epiphany, the day the Magi had presented their gifts to the Christ child, was the last day of respite her family would have from the backbreaking work in the baron’s fields.

     “What foolish thing have you done?” Marriot demanded of her husband. Gifts were only given to small children on Epiphany, especially among the poor. 

     Her husband’s dark eyes danced with that mischievous gleam that had won her heart ten years ago. “Sometimes a bit of foolishness is just what a man needs to bestow on the woman he loves.”

     She heard a trio of high-pitched giggles from the children.

     “Open it, Ma, open it!” little four-year-old Lottie trilled.

     “Aye, Ma. Da’s been ready to bust for days, waiting for you to see it,” said Robin.

     Marriot cast a suspicious gaze at her middle child. He bounced excitedly on the balls of his feet, the exact image of his father at the same age with his black hair and bright dark eyes.

     “Do you know what this is, Robin?”

     Robin smiled slyly, but neither shook nor nodded his head.

Stolen Christmas and Other Stories of the Season is now available at the following sites in the following formats:

Hard copies from CreateSpace and Amazon.com
E-copy formats from Smashwords

Omigosh!

So I picked up my sister at the airport yesterday for Thanksgiving. We stopped by Tempe Marketplace to grab a bite for lunch. While we were there, we decided to step inside here:

While there, I checked out this section:

And look what I found!

I had to take pictures, because I knew I'd wake up this morning and think I'd dreamed the whole thing. For years I've wandered through stores like Barnes & Noble and Borders, dreaming of seeing my books on the shelves, but somehow never quite believing it would ever actually happen. But here I am at last! Being in Costco is cool, but being in Barnes & Noble...NOW I feel like a real author!

(For the record, Illuminations of the Heart is also at the Barnes & Noble at Dana Park on Val Vista off US 60. Those are all the B&N's I had time to check out yesterday. :-) )

*********************************************************

Which is not to say we're not "real authors" if we don't have a book in a brick and mortar bookstore. We are! It was just the fulfillment of a dream to see my book there. Of course, now I hope they don't just sit on the shelf, but that they actually sell!

Book Review of "The Ball's In Her Court", by Heather Justesen

Back Cover Blurb:

She's got a great job, a loving group of family and friends, and basketball skills like you wouldn't believe, but Denise DeWalt's life is far from perfect, and she's about to come face-to-face with a past she hoped to leave behind forever.

Twenty-six-year-old Denise thinks she's come to terms with her childhood in the foster care system, but when her old nightmares return, Denise realizes that she must deal with her past once and for all if she ever wants to move on to a brighter future with Rich, the only man who can see past her former life. As Denise's search leads her closer and closer to the one person she hoped she'd never have to face again, she begins to realize that her future depends on just one person--herself.

This emotional and inspirational love story proves that life is full of unexpected twists and turns--especially when it comes to facing your demons, fighting for love, and finding happiness for the future.

Heather Justesen really knows how to write a scene! I finished this book a week ago, and I can still hear the popping of the oil in the frying pan, smell the sautéed oinions, and feel my mouth watering for the homemade, garlic-rich tomato sauce just waiting to be poured over the pasta her heroine, Denise, has just cooked up with her would-be-suitor, Rich. Heather has definitely got that whole “show, don’t tell” writing technique down pat! The Ball’s In Her Court is filled with such vivid writing, as well as a compelling heroine in search of the truth of her past.

Denise DeWalt is one of the lucky ones…a foster care child who found a loving, adoptive home. But Denise still bears the scars, both physical and emotional, of her previous life with her abusive mother. Much as she loves her adoptive family, she feels increasingly driven to try to find out where she came from. What has become of her abusive birth mother? Who was her father? And might there be other birth relatives she has never met? Each layer of discovery leads to a new mystery to be solved. Will the answers lead to healing or greater heartache for Denise? And how will her search affect her still somewhat halting faith in the Lord?

To find the answers, you’ll have to read The Ball’s In Her Court, by Heather Justesen!

The Ball’s In Her Court falls into the category of Christian/Inspirational fiction. While it includes a strong romantic subplot, the real heart of the story for me was Denise’s search for her birth family. The author writes with great authenticity and compassion on this subject, having foster-parented fifteen children herself.

The Ball’s In Her Court is available in Deseret Bookstores and at CedarFort.com and Amazon.com. And you can check out Heather Justesen’s blog for more review links along The Ball’s In Her Court’s book blog tour!

You can read the first chapter of The Ball’s In Her Court here.

For a limited time, you can order an autographed copy of The Ball’s In Her Court here.

"An Epiphany Gift for Robin" (and other splendid Christmas short stories) is now available for order!

The new Christmas anthology, Stolen Christmas and Other Stories of the Season (one of those other stories being my own medieval Christmas story, "An Epiphany Gift for Robin") is now available for order. If you just can't wait for my contest, or if you'd like to order extra copies to share with your family and friends (and let's be honest, why wouldn't you?), this link will take you directly to the order page.

BUY LINK

Here's a reminder of what you'll get when you order copies of Stolen Christmas and Other Stories of the Season:

Stolen Christmas and Other Stories of the Season

By Lds Publisher, Roger Bonner, Don Carey, Laura Craner, Joyce DiPastena, Sarah M. Eden, L. T. Elliot, Gussie Fick, Melanie Goldmund, M. Gray, Taegyn Hutchinson, Angie Lofthouse, Lori Nawyn, Tristi Pinkston, Brian C. Ricks, Sandra Sorenson, Janice Sperry, Christine Thackeray

What happens when you're so poor you have to steal your Christmas presents? Have you ever taken a punch in the face as your Christmas gift to the girl you love? Or saved Christmas while hunting were-weevils?

These award-winning Christmas stories are the best of the best from the LDS Publisher Christmas Story Contests. From Christmases past, to present, to future; from sweet and inspirational, to zany and delightful-there's a story for everyone in this eclectic collection.

Seventeen stories to celebrate the season, from Sarah M. Eden, Tristi Pinkston, Joyce DiPastena, Christine Thackeray, Don Carey, and more.



They'll make great Christmas gifts! But Christmas is coming up fast, so order your copies now!

Costco Week 4

Thanks to my friend, Marjean, for these pictures from my latest Costco book signing!

Winner of "Melissa and the Wild West" and "Stolen Christmas" Contest

Congratulations to Danyelle Ferguson of Kansas! She has won an autographed copy of Linda Weaver Clarke's sweet historical romance, Melinda and the Wild West.

Thank you to everyone who entered!


And don't forget, I have a brand new contest up and running for TWO copies of the Christmas anthology, Stolen Christmas and Other Stories of the Season. Stolen Christmas includes a short medieval Christmas story, "An Epiphany Gift for Robin", written by myself. :-) Here's a description of Stolen Christmas:

What happens when you’re so poor you have to steal your Christmas presents? Have you ever taken a punch in the face as your Christmas gift to the girl you love? Or saved Christmas while hunting were-weevils?



These award-winning Christmas stories are the best of the best from the LDS Publisher Christmas Story Contests. From Christmases past, to present, to future; from sweet and inspirational, to zany and delightful—there’s a story for everyone in this eclectic collection.



Featuring authors:

• Roger Bonner
• Don Carey
• Laura Craner
• Joyce DiPastena
• Sarah M. Eden
• L.T. Elliot
• Gussie Fick
• Melanie Goldmund
• M. Gray
• Taegyn Hutchinson
• Angie Lofthouse
• Lori Nawyn
• Tristi Pinkston
• Brian C. Ricks
• Sandra Sorenson
• Janice Sperry
• Christine Thackeray

Stolen Christmas will be available for order through Amazon.com on November 21st or you may pre-order copies through LDS Publisher now. Pre-orders are expected to ship on or before November 28^th.

For details on how you can enter to win a copy of this book, click here.