UNFORGETTABLE'S Blog tour begins tomorrow. The schedule for the review tour is listed below. Please check them out and enter the following Rafflecopter giveaway  a Rafflecopter giveaway .

Schedule:
May 14th: https://brightlystreet.com/ and  http://mybookaday.com/

May 15th: http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/ and http://empowermoms.net/ and https://www.rockinbookreviews.com/

May 16th: http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/ and  https://joyinthemoments.wordpress.com/ and http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/

May 17th: https://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/ and https://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/

May 18th: http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/and  http://www.wishfulendings.com/ and http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/ and http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/

What She Did Right--Showing Silence (Escape to the Sea by Tera Mecham)

Author Tera Mecham's new novel, Escape to the Sea, is a sweet romance about a young woman who finally finds love, marriage, and delicious romance with a handsome man after having been jilted at the alter two years earlier. While there are many great things about this story, such as the exotic settings and Mecham's ability to effectively and sweetly show the physical and emotional attraction between a man and a woman, one of my favorites is that Mecham beautifully shows moments of silence rather than telling us that time has passed. For example, during a dinner scene, Mecham writes: "A soft breeze blew across the table, and I placed my hand
on my napkin so it wouldn’t flutter away." If the author intended only to show action during the conversation, she could have left it at "I placed my hand on my napkin" or even "I moved my napkin to my lap." However, with the added details, Mecham shows both a moment of silence and a description of the setting. LOVED IT!

What She Did Right: Uniqueness (The Hitler Dilemma by Carolyn Frank) by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

Since there are only a set number of story lines in the world, authors struggle to find unique ways to share their stories with their readers. Some utilize wondrous settings or give characters extraordinary abilities. Others shock or mystify. I mix ideas together and see what comes out. But I'm happy to report that Carolyn Frank has incorporated one of my favorite methods in her latest historical novel, The Hitler Dilemma. It is based on the true story of Max Adam, a German soldier who did not agree with Hitler, but because he was a German citizen, had to fight Hitler's war. I've heard and studied a lot about WWII over the years, and I can't remember ever hearing the story from that particular point of view. For that reason alone, I applaud Carolyn Frank's work. But I must also say that this frequently heart-wrenching story is likewise poignant and insightful. Read it. You won't regret it. 

Christine Bryant--What She Did Right: Emotional Honesty

Debut author, C.K. Bryant, has just released her first novel in the "Crystor series." Because I enjoy imaginative, paranormal novels (though I'm not much into vampires and werewolves), I was really quite interested in reading this novel. The good news: I was not disappointed.

Book Description:
When a photo shoot ends in tragedy, Kira discovers her best friend, Lydia, has been keeping a secret. Knowing the truth, and accepting it, will change Kira’s life forever and thrust her into a world of ancient curses, magical objects, and savage enemies. What happens next will challenge everything Kira knows about her world, herself and the shape-shifting warrior she’s falling in love with. No longer the timid mouse her mother accused her of being, but a woman who finds the mental and physical strength to endure and survive. BOUND is a heroic tale of true friendship, infinite sacrifice and untamed love.


As you can tell from the description, there are many intriguing elements in  BOUND that kept me reading, but what most captured my attention was a tiny plot line about Kira and her mother. I won't "spoil" your read by revealing it here, but suffice it to say that Bryant's emotional honesty felt so real that my heart broke alongside Kira's.

If you like YA paranormal novels--or imaginative sci-fi for that matter--you ought to check out BOUND by C.K. Bryant.

The Unpredictable Marie Higgins

Please welcome a new friend and author, Marie Higgins. Although I first "met" her through email shortly after she received her first contract with Walnut Springs Press, the first time we spoke face to face was at a Black Friday book signing at Reflections of Utah in Brigham City, Utah. At that time, I learned not only a bit about her as a wife, mother, and employee of a nearby business, but also that she is a very prolific writer. I'm quite amazed by her ability to crank out a novel in a few short months. Or was that weeks?

So, Marie, please tell us about your latest book. Who is your publisher?


My latest book is called, Hearts Through Time. My publisher is Walnut Springs Press. It’ll be released some time in March 2011.



When a beautiful woman claiming to be a ghost from 1912 appears in Nick Marshal’s new office and begs for help in solving her murder, he’s intrigued enough to consider her plea. A scandal that rocked Hollywood almost destroyed his law practice, so taking on a client who insists she’s dead seems a good way to refresh his career. The more history he uncovers, the deeper he falls for the ghost. Abigail Carlisle believes Nick is her heart’s true desire, but how can happily ever after happen when she’s already dead?

Oooh. Sounds interesting. How long have you been a writer?

Funny story about this…I never knew I was a writer, even when I was a writer. lol In junior high, I liked to write poems that were in story form. I even won 2nd place in a contest. When I was a senior in high school, I wrote a skit for my Young Women’s group for camp. We won the award for “Best Written”. A few years later after I married and had my kids, I loved to write skits for my church. They were performed and judged, and I won “Best Written” and “Funniest”. Still, I never thought about being a published writer. lol Secretly, I was writing romance, though. Finally I got brave enough to have someone read it. That’s all it took, and I was encouraged to try my hand at submitting stories. What fun!

What genres do you write?

I’ve been told for years to pick a genre and stick with it until I’m an established writer. For some reason, I can’t do that. My favorite genre is historical (Colonial, Regency, Victorian, the Old West), but I’ve also written romantic comedy, mystery / suspense, paranormal, and recently, I’m trying my hand at YA fantasy. Go figure…

What is your favorite book or who is your favorite author?

My favorite author of all time has to be Kathleen Woodiwiss (although Judith McNaught is a close second). My favorite book has to be A Rose In Winter by Kathleen Woodiwiss, because that was the book I read that made me fall in love with romance.


My blog is about writing, so to help my readers, what is one writing skill you consider to be your best, and how did you develop it?

Oh, this is a hard one. I enjoy fleshing out my characters (so-to-speak) and making them real. I enjoy writing adventure and complicated story lines. I also enjoy ending my chapters with a hook! But I think what I enjoy most of all is figuring out those twists in the story that will shock the reader.

How did I develop it? Hmm…well, I write my stories to lead the readers to believe one thing before I throw in a kink later in the story that is totally opposite. All my twists have a reason, and trying to figure out where in the story to fit this all in is the trick. I don’t ever want to be called one of those authors that write ‘predictable’ stories. Sure, my stories are predictable because my characters will fall in love, have a dark moment (where they break up), and then the story will end with a Happily Ever After. But…it’s how they get to those spots in the book that is NOT predictable. It’s my goal to keep my readers on their toes! I think I’ve accomplished this with my next release, Hearts Through Time. This has a bunch of genres mixed into the plot: contemporary, historical, romantic comedy, suspense, paranormal, and time-travel.

Oh, I happen to think I’m pretty good at teaching 3rd person point of view. I’ve given several workshops on this subject, too.

Great! Now, will you please share your favorite something with us. Something like a favorite recipe, activity, childhood memory, game, etc.

One of my favorite memories is when my husband and I took a trip to South Carolina. We stopped in Charleston for a few days, and I had to take some plantation tours. The first day we were there, we went on a Colonial tour, which was fun, but I wanted plantations!! We grabbed a bunch of flyers and since we were limited on time, I could only pick two. Well, the first one we visited was amazing. As we drove through the grove of trees, something looked vaguely familiar – until I realized the plantation we were visiting was the same one where North and South was filmed (with Patrick Swayze). I was in hog-heaven, let me tell you! I could have cried with happiness. Come to think of it…my eyes did get a little misty a time or two. (dreamy sigh) What a wonderful memory!

I totally agree.

Ronda, thanks so much for the interview. My readers can find me at my blog – http://mariehiggins84302.blogspot.com or on Facebook.

Tristi Pinkston: A Note on Developing Characterization

I'm fortunate to have Tristi Pinkston here today. I first met her at a Storymaker's writers' conference. She taught a class on voice, but one of the things I remember most about her presentation was her emphasis on our individuality. Like I've mentioned before, part of our value as writers is our individuality, and I loved hearing that conviction in her, too.

But today, she's promised to tell us a little bit about herself and about how she has developed her skills in characterization. 

Welcome, Tristi! Please tell us about your latest book. Who is your publisher?

My latest book is titled "Dearly Departed," and it's the sequel to "Secret Sisters." It came out just this last January, and I published it through Walnut Springs. In this installment, Ida Mae infiltrates a nursing home to investigate a suspicious death. Oh, and she gets her very own motorized wheelchair, too, which is awesome.

How long have you wanted to be a writer?

I honestly do not remember a time in my life when I didn't want to be a writer. Some of my earliest memories are of writing little stories in very bad handwriting.

What genres do you write in?

I started out in historical fiction, which I love and always will love and will go back to writing someday, but for right now, I'm focusing on cozy mysteries. I'm having so much fun with them, and it's a completely different world from history. I've needed to get my brain humming along a new track, and this has been great for me.

What is your favorite book or who is your favorite author?

You do realize this is the most difficult question to answer, right? Well, it is! I would have to say that "I Capture the Castle" by Dodie Smith is one of my very favorites, as is "Peace Like a River" by Leif Enger. I love Ann Rinaldi, Dee Henderson, Terri Blackstock, L.M. Montgomery, Louisa May Alcott, Catherine Marshall, Juliet Marillier ... um ... how long is your blog? I could go on ...


My blog is about writing, so to help my readers, what is one writing skill you consider to be your best, and how did you develop it?

I think I'm pretty good at characterization, and I'd say I developed that by reading books that demonstrated it and by watching movies to observe the character's cues. By watching people and taking note of what they do and how they do it, you can strengthen the characterization in your writing.

Please share your favorite something with us. Something like a favorite recipe, activity, childhood memory, game, etc.

I'll share several favorites!
Favorite beverage: ice water
Favorite colors: mauve, burgundy, country blue, sage green, plum
Favorite childhood memories: visiting my grandparents, playing with my pet rabbits, making my own Barbie clothes (I was actually quite talented) reading Heidi and Alice in Wonderland over and over again.

Thank you so much for sharing a bit of yourself with us today, Tristi. We really appreciate it. :)

What Carole Thayne Warburton Did Right--Humor

Authors try to capture their readers' emotions. Before reading Sun Tunnels and Secrets (provided by the publisher), I concentrated on creating grief, fear, and joy in my stories, but now I realized humor is not only an effective, writing garnish, but it's also a powerful "tunnel" to emotion. Who hasn't laughed so hard they cried? Or cried so hard they laughed? My point is, humor has the power to connect stories to their audiences, and Sun Tunnels and Secrets is filled with that power.

Case in point, Warburton's protagonists are more than people, their characters. By "characters," I mean they're the slightly "off," yet truly lovable people whose unconventional antics make life a bit more enjoyable. We all know them. They're kind of like the nosy yet too daring Sadie Hoffmiller in Josi Kilpack's culinary mysteries.

Sun Tunnels and Secrets incorporates other humorous elements as well. In fact, it reminds me of a zany cross between the movies, Driving Miss Daisy and Pure Luck; it's filled with laugh-out-loud humor (one sister refuses to die in Tremonton, Utah, because she can't stand the thought of a certain mortician laying her out),wild coincidences that somehow make sense (finding a naked, dead man out in the middle of nowhere who just happens to be able to help solve a long, lost family secret), and age-old insights that can only be taught with gentle wit (I'll let you pick these out for yourself.).

Finding Rose by Stephanie Humphreys

From the back cover:

On his deathbed, Rose Sterling's father asks her to consider Miles Crandall as a suitor. Then Rose is sent to live with an uncle in Spring Creek, Montana, far from her carefree life with her family in Utah. Miles is returning to his hometown of Spring Creek to set up a medical practice, so Rose is certain her being sent there is a setup. Yet Miles doesn't seem interested in her, and after Rose falls ill in Montana, he seems content to act as her physician and friend. When Rose captures the attention of Miles's younger, flamboyant brother as well as the town sheriff, Miles retreats even further from any attempt at courtship.

How can Rose honor her father's last wish if Miles doesn't even try to court her? Will she have the courage to put her heart on the line and fight for the one she really loves?

My Review:
I'm going to begin by making an observation that has nothing to do with this book, simply because I really want my posts  to be something readers can learn from. With that said . . .

As both a writer and a reader, I've learned that reviews, contests, and even the finding of a publisher are very subjective experiences. Simply put, if a book isn't the reader's "cup of tea," then he or she will likely disregard it or give it a bad review. Not easy for the author to take. I know, I've been there. But the truth is, there are also many, many other readers who love what that same author has written. He or she may even become that reader's favorite author. The trick for us as authors is to find those readers. Sort of like finding friends. Or spouses. :)

But with Finding Rose, one of the things I liked most about it was it was a lot like a Hallmark Channel movie; it was a gentle romance about two people who grew into love. My novels are fast-paced, so Finding Rose was a pleasant change for me. I also loved Miles, the romantic lead. It took me a little while to warm up to him because I initially didn't think his character fit his profession, but the more I read, the more I liked him and the more I hoped he'd show up on the page--a good thing in a romance novel. So if you like quiet romances, give Finding Rose a try. Author Stephanie Humphreys just might become one of your new, favorite authors.

Divine Intervention

Last weekend, I read a great book I think everyone should read. It's Divine Intervention by Helen and Randy Hall, and it's the true story of how the Halls' survived a should-have-been-deadly plane crash in Arizona. The tale alone is fascinating, but even more importantly, it is inspirational. Divine Intervention reminded me of not only how much Heavenly Father loves us, but also how much--physically and spiritually--we take for granted.

Donna Hatch's Queen in Exile: What She Did Right--Characterization

I am currently writing a new novel, but I am also trying to increase my ability to create sympathetic characters, or in other words, characters that readers can relate to. In doing this, I've studied not only effective techniques, but I've also watched for those techniques in other writers' novels. One of those novels is Donna Hatch's Queen in Exile. First, from the back cover:

Rumors of war hang over Princess Jeniah's peaceful country of Arden, a land that shuns both magic and warfare. Following a lifelong dream, Jeniah forms a telpathic bond with a revered creature called a chayim, who is prophesied to save her kingdom. But when a Darborian knight comes upon Jeniah with her chayim, he sees only a vicious monster about to devour a maiden, and he slays the beast.


Devastated by the loss of her chayim, and fearing that her own magic is evil, Jeniah doubts her destiny. When an enemy invades Arden City, they slaughter the people, storm the castle, and execute the entire royal family except the princess. Rescued by the knight who slew her chayim, Jeniah is now heir to the throne of Arden and the only hope for freeing her people from tyranny.


On the run and hunted by enemy soldiers, Jeniah must place her life and the fate of her kingdom in the hands of this trained killer. Torn between embracing her destiny as queen of Arden, and her love for a mere knight, she must ultimately rely on her magic to save herself and her people from death and tyranny.

Two of the most basic techniques authors use to create characters that readers can identify with are 1) to show the character "petting the dog" and 2) to give them a tragic situation readers can sympathize with. While these are basic methods, authors must find a way to make them feel unique to their stories. Donna Hatch not only did this very well, but she also included them in the first few chapters of her novel.

First, her character reveals her kindness by petting the dog, or in this case, a  magical and rare beast called a chayim. In Donna's own words:

"Jeniah continued to extend her hand until it finally touched the long, square muzzle, finding the golden fur softer than she expected. the chayim closed his mouth and uttered a noise much like a purr."

See? She simply petted the animal, and yet since this is a romantic fantasy, Hatch used a fascinating animal and a unique, legendary situation to make it memorable.

Second, the tragic situation. In Harry Potter, we find Harry orphaned and living in a cupboard with his neglectful aunt and uncle. In my latest novel, Trapped, Emi is a sheltered young woman whose father "died" when she was a baby and whose mother keeps such a tight hold on her that she hardly has her own life. In Queen in Exile, after the romantic lead kills Jeniah's chayim, Jeniah finds herself caught up in a world of war and betrayal in which her entire family is killed and she is captured. All tragic situations? Yes. And as readers, we yearn to see the characters' wrongs righted and their lives restored to a  happily ever after.

Overall, Queen in Exile is an intriguing story, but Hatch's characters . . . well, lets just say it's been several months since I read this book (which I received from the publisher), and yet I still remember Jeniah. And her knight. :)

CHOCOLATE ROSES by Joan Sowards and Audience--WHAT SHE DID RIGHT

Love chocolate? Love Jane Eyre?

Then you're going to love the blog tour (July
26-August 6)
for Chocolate Roses by Joan Sowards.

My take:
Like every novel I've reviewed, authors like Joan Sowards have done multiple things "right" in the creation of their works. However, because the purpose of this blog is to help writers in their quest for better writing--myself, included--I try to focus on and teach through one especially well-done aspect of the book. In the case of Chocolate Roses, A Jane Eyre Parady, I've chosen audience.


If authors hope to sell their work to readers, they must keep their core audience in mind. Notice, I said "core" audience. Far too often, new writers believe their work is written for all people and all ages. This may be true to the extant that an elderly neighbor down the street may like your book just as much as the child in your son's classroom did, but the majority of your readers will likely come from one certain age group and/or sex. For instance, as I've been doing book signings for MISSING over the past month, I've learned that while a few men have read and enjoyed my novel, most tend to like non-fiction. That fact tells me that if I ever want to write something that will primarily sell to men, then I should look to non-fiction.

How does audience apply to Chocolate Roses? Chocolate Roses, as I already mentioned is a fun, modern parody of the classic novel, Jane Eyre. Jane Eyre is one of my all-time favorite stories. I've read it several times, referred to its plot structure in my writing, watched various movie versions countless times, and I own the book. Yes, I'm a Jane Eyre fan. But, and here's the key, I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE who has read and/or watched it. In truth, if you're female and if you like classic romance, there's a good chance you've seen and enjoyed at least one movie version of the story, which makes you one of Sowards' target audience. Along with that, you'll likely give the book a try simply because you love Jane Eyre so much. I know I did. That's the power of keeping your audience in mind. But, even better, after I picked Chocolate Roses up, I wasn't disappointed. And neither will you be. :) Here are some of the reasons why:

1) I loved the direct quotes from Jane Eyre at the beginning of each chapter. Sometimes I liked them because they added insight into Soward's modern story, and sometime I liked them simply because they reminded me of my favorite scenes in Jane Eyre.

2) I enjoyed Sowards' humorous writing style. A parody, of course, should be humorous, but I found this novel especially intriguing because the humorous style was in such opposition to Charlotte Bronte's mostly dark, gothic story.

3) In Jane Eyre, Rochester is the brooding, sinful, "Beast"-like character that only Jane can tame. This cliche character is highly romantic and often expected in modern romance writing, but Sowards has given readers an honestly good hero to love. He's one who will be good because he chooses to be good. One who the heroine, and reader, can trust will always be there, no matter what comes. To me, that's a romance that's not only delicious--it's satisfying. Sort of like chocolate roses. Grin.

Chocolate Roses can be purchased from Deseret Book, Amazon, and of

course your local LDS bookstore.

Janie Rose Whitaker's world revolved around her chocolate shop until
Roger Wentworth and his young daughter moved into the apartment across from Janie's. Anyone would think Roger fit the mold of the "perfect" guy, but
soon Janie discovers secrets that could keep them apart forever. Though she
resists getting involved in Roger¹s complicated life, they are drawn
further into a bittersweet relationship.

You will laugh, cry, and crave chocolate as you read this LDS parody of the
classic novel Jane Eyre.

Awakening Avery Review & Contest Reminder

From the back cover:

"You're depressed," the doctor declared.
"Ya think?" is author Avery Elkins Thompson's sarcastic response to the astute diagnosis for the malaise that set in following her husband's untimely death. Avery's carefully controlled world is imploding, and her adult children fear they are losing her too.
"You're just a shadow of the person you used to be...We'd gladly give you up for a while if it meant getting you back."
Avery can't write, and questions about their father's death leave the family mired in pain. "We need a healing place," her oldest son tells her, suggesting she find it on Anna Maria Island, Florida, a former family vacation spot.
When Avery returns to Baltimore to sell the family's waterfront condo, she meets rodeo-ers-turned-real-estate-brokers Teddie and Rider Davis, and Avery's quiet life will never be the same again.
The Davises help arrange a short-term house swap with widower Gabriel Carson from Anna Maria, whose overprotective parenting has resulted in two self-centered, twenty-something daughters. Avery and Gabriel are in for the summer of their lives as they step into one another's messy, complicated worlds.
Still, venturing out on her own again is challenging for Avery, whose experiences at the Ringling's magnificent Ca d'Zan mansion, and with the quirky characters she meets there, eventually awaken her to truths she has long forgotten - that as crazy as life can be, it is possible to laugh and love again.

My take:
Awakening Avery is a beautifully written story that reminds me of a happily-ever-after version of the acclaimed movie, "84 Charing Cross Road." In that movie, two book-loving characters correspond through letters over the course of twenty years, yet while they obviously grow to care for each other, they never physically meet. Perhaps that is a good thing, since the man in the novel, portrayed by Anthony Hopkins, is married, and I would have hated to see any rift come to his marriage. However, I couldn't help but feel saddened by the pen-pal's often poignant situation.

That's why I say Awakening Avery is a happily-ever-after version. In Lewis's story, a man and woman meet, grow together through their later correspondence, and eventually come together again to find joy in their heart and soul union. But Awakening Avery is more than a simple love story. It is also a quiet, yet sometimes insightful portrayal of a woman's self-awakening from grief and creative suppression into a world where second chances at love and personal growth are possible.

Awakening Avery is definitely not a fast-paced, heart-pounding story, but it's charm not only held my attention, but it also continues to touch my heart.

IMPRINTS--What She Did Right and Must Have #3: Humanity

I just finished reading Rachel Ann Nunes's latest novel, IMPRINTS, and since Nunes did such a great job with characterization, I thought I would combine "What She Did Right" with a new update to my list of "Must Haves". Gary Provost titled this Must Have as "Humanity" in his "Seven Beacons of Excellent Writing," but I simply refer to it as people.

"Humanity" or "people" means that if you're writing an article or other piece of nonfiction, infuse your information with personal stories about people. Human nature--a reader's nature--is to be interested in other people, their lives, their stories, and especially their CONFLICTS, so using bits of human drama in your writing will draw your readers into your topic.

The same works with fiction. Think about it. While plot points and story events definitely play a roll in catching a reader's attention, it is the character, herself, that captures a reader's heart. It's part of what makes readers love a story; and Rachel Nunes, as I said before, created such a unique, sympathetic character in Autumn, that I just had to use her as an example.

First, Autumn is memorable because she's much of what most of us are not: a barefoot-only, health-food fanatic who was raised by hippies. BUT, the most important parts of Autumn--her caring for others, her personal and spiritual gifts, and her desire to make a difference in this world--are characteristics we can all connect with. All of that, along with Autumn's story, makes her a great character I won't soon forget. More than that, Autumn has given me a new perspective into the hearts of people who seem so different than I am, helping me to pause just a moment longer before I judge another based on their appearance. Thank you, Rachel. Well done!

What She Did Right--Wrong Number and "Relativity"

First, for those of you who are not yet familiar with Wrong Number by Rachelle J. Christensen, here's the story blurb from the back cover:

When Aubree Stewart receives a mysterious phone call on her way to work, she doesn't know what to think. At first, she assumes it's some kind of prank. But the call isn't a practical joke, and Aubree soon finds herself swept up in a world of danger, intrigue, and murder. With help from the FBI, Aubree races to protect herself and what's left of her family, but the one thing she forgets to protect is her own heart.

As you can see, Wrong Number is a suspense novel with a bit of romance. What you probably don't know, however, is it's also a story based on a premise I wish I had thought of. Why? One, because I loved the idea! But also, because one of the ways writers draw their readers into their worlds and connect them with their characters is by creating situations their audiences can relate to. I know I'm no Einstein, but for today, let's call it the law of "Relativity."

Consider how JK Rowling connected us with Harry Potter. From a distance, we initially see him as a young boy with unknown wizarding power, but as we get to know him, we discover he feels abused, neglected and powerless. How many of us aren't able to relate to those feelings? I'd wager very few.

And then there's Stephenie Meyer's Edward Cullen. From a distance, Edward is a terrifying monster, but tens of thousands of girls have not only related to him but also "fallen in love with him." Why? Not because he drinks blood, but because he's good, strong, and humanly vulnerable. In fact, I'd almost guarantee each of us can relate to him because we have not only based some of our choices on our love for someone else, but we have also wondered about our own ability of "making it" into heaven.

That's why I believe Christensen's use of the law of relativity in Wrong Number is just as effective as those utilized by Rowling and Meyers. I mean, who hasn't answered a "wrong number" phone call? What's more, how many of us haven't been just a bit creaped out by something an unknown caller said? Or didn't say? Or only breathed? I know I have. And I know I enjoyed reading Christensen's Wrong Number. I believe you will, too.

An Interview with Rachelle Christensen

Rachelle Christensen is one of our newest LDS authors, and as such, it's my pleasure to introduce her, her new novel, WRONG NUMBER, and a bit about how she writes. Thank you for joining us, Rachelle. It's so good to see you again. First off, why don't you tell us a little about yourself, including something you haven’t shared with any other blogger.

Rachelle:  I was born and raised in the small farming town of Rupert, Idaho and I’m a dirt between the toes, irrigation boot-wearing, ponytail flipping in the wind as I drive the 4-wheeler FARM girl all the way!

I currently live in Utah County and I miss those farm days, but I’ve been in Utah now for about 13 years. I’m married to my incredible husband, Steve, and we have three wonderful kids–2 girls and one boy.

Wrong Number is my first published novel, but my second is close on its heels. My nonfiction book, Lost Children: Coping with Miscarriage for Latter-day Saints will be released in May 2010.

Hmm, something I haven’t shared with any other blogger. I’ve written 22,590 words on my current novel, Caller ID, which is a spinoff from Wrong Number and I’m pretty excited about the plot twists happening.

Ronda:  Sounds like you're writing up a storm! What is your favorite part of the writing process?

Rachelle:  When I have a new story idea and it just keeps bugging me until I stop and write down a bunch of notes. I love to see how the story unfolds as the idea ferments in my mind.

Ronda: Your least favorite?

Rachelle:  Revising

Ronda:  I think a lot of writers would agree with you on that one. Not me, though. I love to revise--JK, sort of. Actually, for me, revising is like I assume it must be for an artist when he adds that final, finishing hue to his well-crafted sunset; it's when the beauty or power really comes out.

Ideas, on the other hand, seem to be everywhere and yet only certain ones "make it." The premise for WRONG NUMBER, by the way, was an excellent idea. I remember as I read the book, I thought, "I wish I'd come up with this idea!" So, how do you come up with ideas for your novels?

Rachelle:  Lots of ways. News stories sometimes tickle my brain and I think…Hmm, that would make an interesting story if… I’ve also been inspired by dreams. Some of my working scenes are from actual dreams I’ve had where I feel like I’m the onlooker taking notes as to what these people in my dream are doing and why. The novel that I just finished writing began from a single sentence that popped into my mind just before I fell asleep. So the ideas seem to come from all over at any time of day or night, so I try to make sure I jot them down before I forget them!

Ronda: What inspired you to write WRONG NUMBER?

Rachelle:  I wanted to enter a chapter into the first chapter contest at LDStorymakers in 2007. I came up with the first chapter of Wrong Number, it won second place, and then I went on to write the rest of the novel.

Ronda: Good for you!  Along those same lines, you have a number of twists and turns in WRONG NUMBER. How did you come up with them? Do you keep a list or do they, like your other ideas, just come?

Rachelle:  It was interesting how the story evolved. I had this idea of what I wanted to happen, but I knew I needed a great conspiracy “theory” to pull it off. I wrote in layers. I kept going back and adding more foreshadowing, red herrings, and all that good mystery type stuff.

Ronda:  I'm an outliner. Some of my other author friends write by the seat of their pants. What do you do?

Rachelle:  I did have a very rough outline that I worked from and I talked through a lot of ideas with my brother and his wife. They helped me to come up with a believable motive for murdering more than one person. I’m actually trying to do better with outlining and I think it helps. My outlines aren’t set in stone, more jumping off points for how I want the story to flow. I like to have a general idea of the beginning, middle, and end, but my characters usually end up writing scenes in interesting directions.

Ronda:  What is your favorite genre? Romantic Suspense?

Rachelle:  That’s a toughie! I love pretty much everything except horror. I like to read a wide variety of books from children to YA to adult. I really like a good romance, but nothing too detailed. And yes, I love romantic suspense. A favorite of mine is Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart.

Ronda:  I noticed you seem to have a particular penchant for motherhood and babies, and it shows in your book. Is there a reason for that?

Rachelle:  Yes, that’s pretty much the stage I’m in right now with three kids ages 6, 4, and 1 yr. so it makes sense that it overflows a bit into my writing. I also think a lot of people can relate also and sympathize with Aubree’s character.

Ronda:  Unrelated to writing, what skill do you or others consider you to be best at?

Rachelle:  I love music and singing. I’ve played the piano for 26 years and I still enjoy it, although I don’t get to play/practice as much as I used to.

Ronda:  Hey, we have music in common. So nice to find a "kindred spirit." If you don't mind me asking, what’s coming up? Something more with music?

Rachelle:  I’ve got a few things I’m working on. I’ve finished an inspirational romance that I love, called Wind Song and I’m enjoying writing my WIP-working title Caller ID, so I guess we’ll see what comes up first on the docket.

Ronda:  We'll watch for them! What advice do you give other writers who are trying to become published authors?

Rachelle:  If you’re serious about writing, attend writers conferences and classes, join a great critique group, read novels in your genre of interest, and write, write, write! Also, learn how to take criticism and know when to apply it to your writing and when to chuck it out the window.

Ronda:  Thanks Rachelle. And to my readers, if you’d like to get a sneak peek at Wrong Number, check out her book trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg5X0T59a9E.
 
Rachelle: Thanks so much, Ronda, this was fun!

My take on LOVE YOUR BODY

I was quite happy when my publisher asked me if I'd like to review Brooke Parker's self-help book, Love Your Body. I had met Brooke as I was leaving a book signing at Confetti Books, and in that few moments, I was quite impressed with her both as a person and a professional. She really knows her stuff.

But . . .
when I read Love Your Body, I was even more impressed, and in some ways, I consider it a godsend. In fact, I frequently work with young women, and as I read Love Your Body, I kept thinking, "Every woman needs to read this book."

Why? Let me start by sharing the copy from the back of the book:

Are you tired of dieting and feeling unsatisfied with your appearance? In this book, registered dietitian Brooke Parker shares secrets for developing a positive body image and creating your own customized eating plan. You¹ll also learn how to replace negative thoughts about yourself with positive, motivating thoughts.



With the tools you master in Love Your Body, the scale, the media, and your "skinny jeans" will no longer have the power to determine your mood or your life!


Topics include:


€ Finding a New Relationship with Food

€ Honoring Your Hunger and Fullness


€ Finding Your Own Healthy Balance


€ Creating Healthy Expectations


€ The Inner Dialogue


€ Put an End to Worry


€ Your Body Is a Gift


€ Eliminating the Physical Triggers


€ Destructive Thinking Styles


€ Pampering Activities

. . . and many more.

And now for the reason: Because Love Your Body does exactly what it promises to do: it helps you learn to love your body. Not because it's the next greatest diet book, because it's not (although it does offer a few, very helpful tips that can aid in weight loss). But because it's main purpose, as I see it, is to help us accept and love the physical part of who we are right now. I mean, what woman out there doesn't "dis" some part of her anatamony? And when she does, does she feel happy or sad afterward?

I won't answer that question, but I will say that while there are some editing flaws in the book, there are so many useful tips they can be easily overlooked.

Here's an example of just how helpful Love Your Body was for me. I have an unnamed part of my body, unrelated to weight, that has always disappointed, hampered and embarrassed me, and it's something I can do very little about. However, shortly after reading this book, I was busy with a mundane task when I noticed that "offending" part of me. Usually, such a small event could quickly dampen my emotions, but not that day. That day--and I know it was because I read Love Your Body--I automatically thought, "I'm so glad I have __________. They help me to ___________ and ______________ and ______________." What a break through!

MORMON MISHAPS

In previous posts, I've mentioned the release of MORMON MISHAPS AND MISCHIEF by authors D.N. Giles and C.L. Beck because Giles and Beck are my friends, because MISHAPS is such a unique book, and because one of my own, true stories, "No More Baby Steps," is included inside. However, this time I am taking part in their blog tour and now have the privilege of telling you just how GREAT MISHAPS really is.

First, the cover is perfect. Each, laughing, smiling face is so contagious I can't help but giggle whenever I see it. I don't think I've ever had a book's cover affect me that way.

Second, while the stories range from sweetly humorous to down right hilarious, all are unforgettable. Some stories were so funny I laughed out loud when I read them, and I still can't help but chuckle when I think about them--or share them with someone else.

Finally, MORMON MISHAPS AND MISCHIEF is proof positive that we as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--the human race even--shouldn't take ourselves too seriously. Mishaps and mischief are everywhere, and Giles and Beck have captured them. Why not get a copy to share with those you love this year? One of the stories just might be the perfect attention getter for your next speaking assignment.

What They Did Right--A Review of H.B. Moore's Novel, Alma

To me, one of the most important elements a good book must have is a life lesson and/or spiritual insight, like those found in some of my favorite classics, "To Kill a Mockingbird," "Rebecca," and "Jane Eyre." Unfortunately, incorporating insight into our work without being didactic can be tricky, but I'm happy to say H.B. Moore has done just that in her recently released novel, "Alma." Sure, her fictional story is based on a true story from the Book of Mormon, but Moore does not use that ready medium to preach. Like any master craftsman, she lets her characters and conflict reveal important truths for her.

For instance, one of ALMA's lessons, or themes, is the importance and power of patience. Every one of Moore's righteous, main characters struggles with it. First, there's Rachel, Abinidi's grieving widow. Though initially unwilling to open her heart to another, she plows forward with her day to day challenges until the Lord eventually heals her heart enough that she can again find joy.

Similarly, Maia, one of King Noah's widows, faces a worse fate, yet she patiently submits to abuse and servitude while simultaneously pleading with and relying on the Lord to deliver her. Alma and Helam, Abinidi's brother, also deal with like challenges. In fact, all of Alma's people subject themselves to the power of their enemies, knowing the Lord will, in the end, free them.

Of course, the beauty and strength of these lessons, are not the only reasons you should read ALMA. Actually, H.B. Moore is an exceptional storyteller. I mean, how many of us can create suspense in a story that nearly all LDS readers are already familiar with?

What They Did Right--RD Henham (Rebecca Shelley)

Let me start out by saying my fifteen year old, fantasy loving daughter LOVED the Brass Dragon Codex. Read it in two days. Said it was better than other dragon books she'd read recently. To me, that means Rebecca Shelley definitely did something right. And one of the things I believe she did right was she filled her book with action.

In You Can Write Children's Books, Tracey E. Dils advises middle grade books should "rely heavily on visual action . . . One way to ensure you have enough visual action in your plot is to ask yourself if you can think of at least one illustration that can be created for each chapter."

This is advice R. Shelley obviously took to heart. From the get-go. Her first chapter opens with a young dragon discovering his parents have been killed. The next introduces us to two gnomes working with lightning and acid as they try to invent a moving giant. Third, the gnome is burned. The action goes on and on. And so, too, does the reader's interest. I'd definitely recommend this book to young, fantasy loving readers.

What They Did Right--Joyce DiPastena

What do Jane Austen, Stephenie Meyer, and Joyce DiPastena have in common? The ability to make romantic scenes come to life and even, especially if you're a girl, increase your heart rate a bit. And they do it by incorporating "restrained desire."

For example, in Pride and Prejudice, both Elizabeth and Darcy occasionally convey their desire for the other, and yet because of social restraints, not to mention their belief in the other's indifference, they resist. In the Twilight series, Edward resists his desire for Bella because if he didn't, he'd kill her. And in DiPastena's Loyalty's Web, Helene and Gunthar resist each other because Gunther is engaged (at the Prince's command) to Helene's sister.

Furthermore, their restraint is depicted, not just through their situations, but through tiny, catch your breath details as they associate with each other. Think of Darcy staring at Elizabeth and then looking away. Of Bella touching Edward's hand and he pulls away. Of Helene and Gunthar's constant misunderstanding of each other and acting according to that misunderstanding.

You see, restraint is the key to compelling romance, not letting it all hang out as is so often shown in today's media. And that's exactly what Joyce DiPastena has done right in Loyalty's Web. I look forward to reading her next book.