Chocolate Roses

This great book is written by Joan Sowards, and I would recommend it to ALL my friends. The back cover reads – 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 Roger’s complicated life, they are drawn further into a bittersweet relationship.

I love the suspense Joan twisted into this story. Besides lots of mystery, there was also plenty of romance. I found myself laughing, crying, and wanting to know what would happen next. Sometimes I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough and some nights I found myself fighting to stay awake so that I could find out what was happening next.

I’ll warn you ahead of time to pay strict attention to everything you read, or you’ll find yourself hunting for the answers at the end because Joan includes a quiz at the end of her book.

BLOG TOUR

Trapped
By ~ Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

This book has it all –
family secrets, intrigue, and romance

and the tour has already started
(August 9-August 24)

THREE autographed copies of the book will be given away

All you have to do is leave a comment (along with your email address if it isn't on your blog profile) and answer the following question.

Which Austrian city would you most like to visit?

The more blogs you comment on, the more entries you'll receive. All comments must be left by midnight MST on August 27 to be eligible.

August 9
Heather Gardner

August 10
Jewel Adams

August 11
Mary Greathouse
Teri Rodeman

August 12
Lynn Fowlstone
Christine Bryant

August 13
Valerie Ipson
Sheila Stayley

August 16
Deanne Blackhurst

August 17
Connie Hall
C.S. Bezas

August 18
Kimberly Job
Tristi Pinkston

August 19
Karen Hoover
Nichole Giles

August 20
Alison Palmer
Jessica Williams

August 23
Joyce DiPastena
Laurie Lewis

On the back of the cover, it says - When Emi Warrin wakes one night to find a thief in her mother's house, she has no idea the intruder has planted a trap - a mysterious letter that will change her life forever. Lured to the Austrian Alps with Daniel, the man she loves, Emi is thrown into a perilous, mafia-like world of feuding families and a devastating curse that spans generations. As the Firstborn She - the only firstborn female in hundreds of years - only Emi can free her family from the curse that will soon afflict her as well. But for Emi to break the curse, she must delve into evil designs.

As Emi struggles to understand her destiny as the Firstborn She, she learns that everything isn't as it seems and that all choices have consequences. Can Emi break the curse before it's too late?

Just reading that much, made me want to read the enitre book. From the very first exciting paragraph until the very end the book was full of suspense. The longer I read, the more I found it difficult to turn the pages fast enough.

This was a well-written, magical story. I loved the captivating settings, suspense, and all the twists and turns along the way. The romance and mystery kept me guessing until the very end. I’m glad that I read this book and look forward to reading more by Ronda in the near future.

Erie Canal Cruise

I have wanted and waited for the chance to take a ride on the Erie Canal. Yes - it was everything that I had expected. I loved going through the locks (gates) - watching the water raise and then later in the trip watching as our boat got lower in the water. I took over 40 pictures and it was hard deciding which ones I should share.











locks opening




under a bridge













heading back

Who Am I?

On July 10th, my daughter Brenda and I flew into New York so we could attend the Palmyra Pageant that evening. Prior to the performance, Book of Mormon characters roamed the audience, handing out Book of Mormons and visiting with the people. As you can tell, I took many pictures.

I thought it would be fun to see how many of my readers know who these character are - both the Book of Mormon name, and the name of the person portraying them. I'll send a prize to the person who can name the most Book of Mormon names.

AND THE WINNER IS!

(Drum roll) The winner for the contest yesterday is

WINNER: Chris Okelberry of Utah
ANSWER: 14

She wins a copy of my book.

Be sure to enter the treasure hunt contest today by checking out Sarah M. Eden's special question. Maybe you will be lucky and win.

Summer Treasure Hunt

Here are the rules for the Summer Treasure Hunt contest by Joyce Dipastena –

You can send in an entry for each day’s prize, or only for those prizes that strike your fancy. The rules are simple:

(1) Go to the website or blog indicated for each day, find the answer to the question for that day, then email the answer with your name and AND MAILING ADDRES to jdipastena@yahoo.com.or
http://jdp-news.blogspot.com/2010/05/2nd-annual-summer-treasure-hunt- dig-for_20.html I promise you will not wind up on any mailing lists. This is only to facilitate the receipt of your prize. All entries will be deleted at the end of the contest. You can also click on my sidebar under my blogging friends, on her name.

(2) Please send a separate entry for each day and type the day you are entering in the subject line. (Such as: Summer Treasure Hunt, Day 27).

(3) Deadline for each day: Midnight PST

(4) The winner will be contacted and announced on the day following the deadline.

All winners will be “drawn” by RANDOM.ORG.

You do not have to wait until the designated day to enter. You can start sending in your entries right now, or begin entering at any point along the way. And check back here each day between June 2nd-July 9th to read the names of the winners.

Sad, but true, the contest is almost over, and today is my day. Be sure to enter to win a copy of my book.

June 28
SPONSOR: C. LaRene Hall
PRIZE: Martha’s Freedom Train (middle grade historical), autographed by both author and illustrator
QUESTION: How many short stories has C. LaRene Hall published in the humorous anthology, Mormon Mishaps and Mischief? (Hint: Look in the left hand sidebar)
WEBSITE/BLOG: http://www.clhall.blogspot.com/
USA ENTRIES ONLY

I’m listing the rest of the treasure hunt sponsors so if you aren’t lucky enough to win today maybe you’ll get one of the other ones.

June 29-SPONSOR: Sarah M. Eden
June 30-SPONSOR: Marcia Mickelson
July 1-SPONSOR: Kimberly Job
July 2-SPONSOR: Joan Sowards
July 3-SPONSOR: Margaret L. Turley RN
July 4-SPONSOR: Joyce DiPastena

Book Signing

Everyone is invited to attend a book signing of Martha’s Freedom Train by C. LaRene Hall at the Mayhew Cabin & with John Brown's Cave, at 2012 4th Corso, Nebraska City, Nebraska on Wednesday, July 21, 2010. She will also be at the local library during that day. Times will be announced later.