Lovely Blog Award

Thank you so much to Mozette (isn't that a pretty name?) of My Reading List for awarding my blog this lovely award! Mozette has a lovely blog of her own which, if you're a reader (and why are you following me if you're not?--just kidding!), might lead you to some intriguing new titles if you check it out.

Now that I have humbly and appreciatively accepted this award, I  have the privilege of passing it on to others in accordance with the following rules:

Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you enjoy. (Okay, so 15 can be a lot to come up with! Pass it on to as many bloggers as you can, up to 15. I'm passing it on to 10.) Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

And so, I pass this award on to these truly deserving blogs. I hope you will check each one of them out!

Laura Fabiani (Library of Clean Reads)
Danielle Thorne (The Balanced Writer)
Anne Patrick (Suspense by Anne)
Miss Mae (Pure Southern Genteel)
Deirdra Eden Coppel (A Storybook World)
Sheila Staley (Why Not? Because I Said So!)
M. Gray (The Egos, the Logos, the Pathos)
Rachel Rossano's Words
Rachel Rager
Shanda Cottam (My List of Ten)

Win a Copy of Loyalty's Web and Chase Away Those Winter Blahs

Cami Checketts is holding a drawing for a copy of my medieval romance, Loyalty's Web, over on her Cami's Books Blog. Deadline to enter is January 25th! And while you're there, check out all the other wonderful books she's giving away this month to help you chase away the Winter Blahs!

Book Review of “Haunts Haven”, by Joan Sowards

Why is it that in a Church with over 13.5 million members spread throughout North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and many “isles of the sea”, all LDS novels continue to be set in Utah (or occasionally Idaho)?

Oh, wait. They’re not! Finally, an LDS novel that I can relate to! Haunts Haven, by Joan Sowards, is set in my own home state of Arizona. I can’t tell you how excited I was to read a book with references to Tucson and Sierra Vista, places I’ve actually been to…more than that, lived in, having received my university degree from the University of Arizona. Although the story takes place in the mythical town of Cassady Springs, still, I felt like I was reading about “home”. This link bonded me much quicker to the story than the endless LDS books I’ve read recently, all set in Salt Lake City or Provo or even rural Utah. I understand why so many authors set their books in Utah. It’s the “write what you know” philosophy. Though I can’t help but think, as well written as some of these books are, that it wouldn’t hurt to stir things up a bit by stretching out into the “write about what you know through research” philosophy and reflect the LDS diversity of membership that lives out in what we call “the mission field”.

Of course, Joan Sowards was also undoubtedly “writing what she knew” by setting her book in Arizona, since she’s a third generation Arizonan herself. Still, I find myself saying, “Thank you, Joan!” It was a refreshing change of location and culture for me. (Even if I’m a bit prejudiced because it is, in fact, my own location and culture, too.)

But the Arizona link is not what drew me to this story. That was just a very pleasant side-benefit. What really grabbed me was the book’s subtitle: Haunts Haven: An LDS Ghost Story. How many LDS ghost stories are running around on the shelves of LDS bookstores? Until now, I’d have been forced to say “None!” Now, happily, I can at least say, “One!” And Joan pulls it off in a way entirely plausible to an LDS audience. If you’re looking for an LDS novel with an unusual twist, you will want to check out Haunts Haven.

Note to non-LDS readers: The LDS theme is in no way heavy handed and should not affect your enjoyment of this book in the least. There are, however, a few mentions of doctrine, such as temple sealings, that might be unfamiliar to you. If you find yourself curious about any LDS terminology used in this novel, you can find a handy glossary to answer your questions at Mormon.org.

Summary 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.

Haunts Haven is available at DeseretBook.com and Amazon. Also check out Joan Sowards blog, Haunts Haven. (And for an extra treat, visit Joan's music website at www.joansowards.com.)

For the FTC: As soon as I heard our shared publisher, Walnut Springs Press, planned to publish “an LDS ghost story”, I was knocking on their e-mail door, begging for a chance to read and review it. They most kindly sent me a complimentary copy, for which I most sincerely thank them.

You (my readers, not the FTC!) can win a copy of Haunts Haven by doing one or more of the following things. Do all three and receive THREE chances to win!

(1) Send an email to jdipastena@yahoo.com. Type “Haunts Haven Review” in the subject line, and the words, “I don’t believe in ghosts…but I might after I read Haunts Haven!” in the text. And INCLUDE YOUR NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS.

(2) Become a follower of Haunts Haven's publisher (and my own), Walnut Spring Press, so you can keep track of the wonderful new titles they are bringing out this year, as well as previous titles they’ve published. Then email me at jdipastena@yahoo.com to tell me that you’ve become a Walnut Springs Press follower. Type “Haunts Haven Entry #2” in the subject line. (I won’t know if you don’t email me.) AND INCLUDE YOUR NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS, PLEASE.

(3) Send an email to jdipastena@yahoo.com, with “Haunts Haven Entry #3” in the subject line, and “Arizona Rocks!” in the text…even if you don’t live in Arizona. (Arizona really does rock, plus we actually HAVE a lot of rocks! Makes for cool hiking trails.)

Please don’t combine your entries into a single email, or you may only be counted once for the drawing. Deadline to enter is January 22nd, midnight PST. Winner will be announced here on JDP NEWS on January 23rd.

Thanks and good luck!

Books I Read in 2009

Here are the books I read in 2009. Those marked with double **'s were re-readings of an old favorite. My favorite "new" book of the year is marked with three ***'s, in red. Though I read more fiction than non-fiction, once again it was a non-fiction book that won the title of "favorite" for 2009.

The Great and Terrible: Clear As the Moon, by Chris Stewart (fiction/begun in December 2008)
The Death of a Squire: A Templar Mystery, by Maureen Ash (fiction)
The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas (fiction)**
The Dark Lantern, by Gerri Brightwell (fiction)
Black Sheep, by Georgette Heyer (fiction)**
Mr. Monk Goes to Germany, by Lee Goldberg (fiction)
Catherine, Called Birdy, by Karen Cushman (fiction)**
Miss Delacourt Speaks Her Mind, by Heidi Ashworth (fiction)
Seeking Persephone, by Sarah M. Eden (fiction)
Messiah: The Little-known Story of Handel's Beloved Oratorio, by Tim Slover (non-fiction)***
Dogsbody, by Diana Wynne Jones (fiction)**
The Convenient Marriage, by Georgette Heyer (fiction)**
A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity, by Bill O'Reilly (non-fiction)

Arabella, by Georgette Heyer (fiction)**

The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan (fiction)

The Lives of Christopher Chant, by Diana Wynne Jones (fiction)**

Martha's Freedom Train, by C. Larene Hall (fiction)

Charmed Life, by Diana Wynne Jones (fiction)**

Spellbound, by Jaimey Grant (fiction)

The Stranger She Married, by Donna Hatch (fiction)**

By Love or By Sea, by Rachel Rager (fiction)

Marguerite Makes a Book, by Bruce Robertson and Kathryn Hewitt (fiction)

The Sister Pact, by Cami Checketts (fiction)

Trail of Storms, by Marsha Ward (fiction)

The Conqueror, by Georgette Heyer (fiction)**

The Ball's In Her Court, by Heather Justesen (fiction)

The Pinhoe Egg, by Diana Wynne Jones (fiction)

Esther, by Norah Lofts (fiction)**

Stolen Christmas & Other Stories of the Season, by misc authors (fiction)

There are no ordinary cats, a Rachael Hale book

Join my New/Old Reading Challenge for 2010! Click here for details.

2010 Reading Challenge Update

Okay, some of you are finding my 2010 Reading Challenge too hard already, so I'll simplify it for all of us by breaking the challenge into three categories.

(1) Read a minimum of 4 "old favorites" this year and be entered to win a $5 Amazon gift certificate on January 15, 2011.

(2) Read a minimum of 8 "old favorites" this year and be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift certificate on January 15, 2011.

(3) Read 12 or more "old favorites" this year and be entered to win a $25 Amazon gift certificate on January 15, 2011.

You don't have to pre-commit to the number of "old favorites" you plan to read this year, but I encourage you to sign up under Mr. Linky at the end of this post, OR leave a comment letting me know you will be taking part in this challenge. And at the end of the year, I will have to be able to find your list of "reads" for this challenge to see how many "old favorites" you read, so I'll know which prize to enter you for, so be sure to post them on your blog or keep track of them somewhere to leave in a comment on my blog next January!

Come Join Me in My New/Old Reading Challenge for 2010!

January is a popular time to kick off new reading challenges. I have seen challenges to read 100 books in a year. Challenges to read 12 YA books before the end of the year. There are Speculative Reading challenges. Thriller and Suspense challenges. Historical Reading challenges. Romance reading challenges. Even an A-Z Reading challenge.

Google the words “2010 book reading challenge” and you are sure to come up with additional reading challenges you never even dreamed existed!

Well, I’ve decided to start a reading challenge of my own this year. I’ve quoted these quotes before, and I’m going to quote them again. (I like them so much, I’ve added one of them permanently to my sidebar!)

“Books worth reading are worth re-reading.” (Holbrook Jackson) And: “We hold if a book be worth reading once, it is worth reading twice, and if it stands a second reading, it may stand a third." (Gilfillan)

So I am officially kicking off my New/Old Reading Challenge for 2010! 

For every new book I read this year, I’m going to pull out an old favorite and re-read it. I did this as a personal challenge last year. I didn’t quite succeed with an even trade-off (after all, it’s the striving that counts, right?), but oh! what treasures I rediscovered along the way with the old favorites that I did take time to read! My head is already buzzing with “old favorite” titles that I want to add to my list this year!

Are any of you willing to join me? There’s no required numbers of books to read by the end of December. Only that for each new book you read, you take the time to revisit an old favorite from your past.

Shall I throw in a prize to motivate your participation? How about a $25 gift certificate to Amazon.com to be awarded in a random drawing from among the challenge participants next January 15^th, 2011? That will give you all time to compile your lists and get them posted on your blogs. (Or listed in my comment section.)

Rules:

1. Anyone can join. You do not have to have a blog to participate.

—Non bloggers include your information in the comment section.

2. If you have a blog, please post about this challenge. Insert the picture above with a link back to this site if possible.

2. You can join the challenge at any time during the year.

3. There are no minimum number of books to read. Fiction and non-fiction books both count.

4. Reviews on your blogs are purely optional.

5. Any book format counts.

6. Titles do not have to be selected ahead of time.

7. Keep a running roster of your reading somewhere on your blog (if you have one), either in a continually updated post or in your sidebar, so that others can see what you are reading. If you don’t have a blog, keep a list SOMEHOW (notebook, whatever) so you can post it in a comment section on my blog next January.

8. Find some way to differentiate between "new reads" and "old reads". (I like to use asterisks, but CAPITALS, Bolds, or Colors work good, too.)

8. Challenge ends December 31, 2010.

9. Please sign up for this challenge under Mr. Linky. When you sign up, put the DIRECT LINK TO YOUR POST ABOUT THE NEW/OLD READING CHALLENGE (example: http://jdp-news.blogspot.com/2010/01/come-join-me-in-my-newold-reading.html), NOT just your general blog address (example: http://jdp-news.blogspot.com). You may put your blog’s name in parentheses behind your name in Mr. Linky if you so desire.

I hope you will join me! I promise, many of your “old favorites” will be happy to see you again!

(Before you decide this challenge is impossible, check out my 2010 Reading Challenge Update.)

(NOTE: New Mr. Linky signups have been moved to 2010 Reading Challenge Update.

OOPS! Giveaway

Oops! I recently opened a new box of copies of Illuminations of the Heart and inadvertently cut a big "scratch" in the cover of the copy on top. (See that white line parallel to Siri's chin? Oops!) I could give this copy away to a place like Deseret Industries or Goodwill...or I could see if any of you out there would be interested in winning this slightly marred copy for yourself. Only the cover is scratched (and yes, it's a pretty big scratch), but the text is entirely new and fresh and completely unmarred.

So...would anyone out there like this copy? If so, I'll hold a drawing to give it away. Here's how you can enter for a chance to win:

Email me at jdipastena@yahoo.com WITH YOUR NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS. Type, "JDP NEWS Drawing" in the subject line, and type "I don't care if the cover's got a scratch. I just want to read the STORY!" in the text.

Deadline for entries is midnight, January 31st, PST. I will draw a winner on February 1st. (Let me know if you'd like your marred copy autographed and I'll be happy to comply.)

Good luck and Happy New Year!

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!)