The Route by Gale Sears

We can't begin to understand the challenges of aging and the aches of growing old until we have an elderly person in our life. Gale Sears' The Route gives insight, touches our heart, makes us ponder on the these years of retirement that might not be as joyous as we'd hope. She also makes the point that our attitude determines a lot of how we deal with it, and how it deals with us.

The Route is a different kind of story--no mystery, only love stories in retrospect--no car chases. The story's true promise is that the reader, when finished, will have a bit more understanding of humankind.

Carol, a middle-aged wife and mother who has taken on a Thursday route to deliver meals says: "The fellowship I've shared over the months with these scrappy older folks has elevated my perspective on what I once considered to be the dastardly process of getting old."

In the beginning of the story, Carol is pondering the meaning of life. On a trip to the grocery store to find some energizing dark chocolate, she sees a sign asking for volunteers to deliver meals to the elderly--and that is where her adventure begins.

Buy The Route on Amazon.

Visit Gale's website here.

Leave a comment and be entered into a drawing to win a copy of The Route. Deadline 1s my birthday May 13.

Congratulations to Connie Hall for winning a copy of The Route!

Haunts Haven reviewed by Jennie Hansen

Jennie Hansen reviewed Haunts Haven at Meridian Magazine today!

"Soward's characters are wonderful, even the more minor ones. They're colorful, distinctive, and memorable. Each time I expected the cliché, I was surprised... Teens and adults both will enjoy this one." -Jennie Hansen

BYU Women's Conference

These are pictures of my book signing at BYU Women's Conference. It was a lot of fun. I sold several copies of each of my novels, Haunts Haven and Chocolate Roses.

I shared the table with Mormon Times columnist Jerry Johnston. His booklet A Woman's Worth, reflections on women who have influenced his life, was recently released--just in time for Mother's Day. I have enjoyed the touching vignettes that I have read so far.

BYU Women's Conference was wonderful as always. I chose all the right classes (for me) and the spirit of joy and testimony I walked away with makes me want to return again next year--for at least the tenth time. I hope it will be a tradition I'll repeat until I'm 93.

Shadow of the Crown by Jeri Gillchrist

Shadow of the Crown by Jeri Gilchrist is a romantic suspense adventure set in Denmark. Teira Palmer, an American, comes to work in her ancestor's homeland. As soon as she arrives, she begins researching about her grandfather who had been part of the Danish Resistance, but after his tragic death, he was accused of treason. Strange things begin to happen, including attempts on her life. It is obvious that someone doesn't want her there or want her to unearth the truth about her grandfather.

Shadow of the Crown is like taking a tour of Copenhagen. Teira's quest takes her to locations such as the Krongborg Castle, Tivoli Gardens, the Little Mermaid statue, and many more. I have been to Denmark, so this novel brought back many wonderful memories and I enjoyed researching on the Internet about the places she mentions. Somehow I had missed that the Oresund Bridge had been built between Denmark and Sweden since I had visited. What an awesome endeavor!

Shadow of the Crown was well written, well researched and is a great read.

To purchase Shadow of the Crown, click here.

Visit Jeri Gilchrist's website here.

Read about Jeri's other novels here.

The Guise of a Gentleman by Donna Hatch

Donna Hatch has authored another great Regency novel titled The Guise of a Gentlemen. It is number two in the Rogue Heart Series. The first book is The Stranger She Married featuring Cole Amesbury which I very much enjoyed reading and have previously given a review.

Each book is a stand-alone story, about a different brother of the Amesbury family, and the family members wander in and out of each other’s books. Jared Amesbury is the daring and impulsive hero of The Guise of a Gentleman.

Here is the back-of-the-book synopsis:

The widowed Elise is a perfect English lady living within the confines of society for the sake of her impressionable young son. Her quiet world is shattered when she meets the impulsive and scandalous Jared Amesbury. His roguish charm awakens her yearning for freedom and adventure. But his irrepressible grin and sea-green eyes hide a secret.

A gentleman by day, a pirate by night, Jared accepts one last assignment before he can be truly free. Elise gives him hope that he, too, can find love and belonging. His hopes are crushed when his best laid plans go awry and Elise is dragged into his world of violence and deceit. She may not survive the revelation of Jared’s past…or still love him when the truth is revealed.

The Guise of a Gentleman by Donna Hatch is available at Wild Rose Press, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

Mormon Mishaps and Mischief - a fun book!

It is good we can laugh at ourselves, knowing we are a peculiar people. Very peculiar. Nicole Giles and Cindy Beck, in a way only they can, have captured some of our most hilarious moments.

Here is the blurb from the back of the book:

Ward meetings have never been so funny!

This collection of humorous anecdotes from celebrated LDS authors shows off Church members at their finest. From primary pranks to cheeky comments made by Zion’s youth to high priests hijinx, no age group is immune to the potential for humor.

Though it may not be in the official Word of Wisdom, laughter really is the best medicine. Whether you’re a senior missionary, or an eight-year-old graduating to senior primary, you’re bound to get a kick out of these silly stories.

Read about:

*The preschooler who was afraid of being eaten by ‘Sunbeans’

* Establishing Zion in Cougar Stadium

*The ‘oddmonition’ of Paul

*The 14^th article of faith

*Doing battle with the “Laman Knights”

*A young women outing that almost landed the class behind bars…and lots more!

Perfect for those long Sunday afternoons, Mormon Mishaps and Mischief will keep your family laughing all week long!

Visit Mormon Mishaps and Mischief 's website.

Queen of Exile by Donna Hatch--just released!

As much as I enjoyed The Stranger She Married, I am looking forward to reading Donna Hatch's recently released Queen of Exile. Donna is an excellent Regency writer, and I'm sure her newest novel will be as well written as her others.

"Queen in Exile weaves a glorious tale of romance and mystery with an exiled princess, a dark hero, and magic. Princess Jeniah is strong-willed and kind and Kai, the Darborian knight, is the type of hero that every girl secretly wishes they could have--incredibly handsome, loyal to a fault, and one that will always protect you. Queen in Exile is a spellbinding read."-Amesbury Reads blogspot

Here is the synopsis:
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 telepathic 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.
Rachel Anderson also says "Donna Hatch is a skillful author that draws the reader into her fantasy world filled with duocorns and wrywolves. . . .[Donna Hatch] is a proven regency romance writer. I'd say she stepped it up a notch by moving into the fantasy genre."

Click here to read the entire first chapter.

Missing by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

I have been on several choir tours, but never like the one Stacie Cox experiences during the BYU-Idaho choir tour in British Columbia.

When Stacie stands to sing a solo during a concert at the Craigdarroch Castle, she sees, standing in the back of the room, four-year-old Becka, who months earlier had been kidnapped from Rexburg. Before the song ends, a woman leads the child out of the building.

Though she had never previously met Becka, she had been very involved in the initial search in Rexburg. Now that Stacie knows the girl is in Victoria, she becomes obsessed with rescuing her. She risks her life--for this young stranger.

Stacie must also deal with her guilt-ridden past and memories of another little girl that haunts her dreams.

When the talented and handsome Matt Brennan helps Stacie in the search, she tries to resist the attraction she feels for him, for she has resolved to never fall in love, to never marry. Yet he gains her friendship and trust.

Missing will keep your interest to the last page. It is a story of commitment, courage--and change of heart.

Buy Missing wherever LDS books are sold. Ronda's next novel, Trapped, will soon be released. Visit Ronda at her website.

Lemon Tart by Josi Kilpack

This culinary mystery keeps you reading from the first sentence, "The first police car went by at 9:23 according to the clock on the microwave." Author Josi Kilpack keeps you guessing, leaving no stone unturned until the murder is solved. The main character is 56 years old--no college-age beauty--and I found it refreshing. She had much energy and wits about her--and of course there was a subtle romance that will probably carry on into Josi's next mystery English Trifle.

Can't wait to try the recipes!

Chocolate Roses--Share a funny story about a kiss.

Chocolate Roses is at the printers!

Janie Rose Whitaker’s whole world revolved around her chocolate shop until Roger Wentworth and his daughter Emily moved in next door. Anyone would think he fit the mold of the “perfect guy,” but soon Rose discovers the secrets of Roger’s life. The more Rose resists getting involved in his complex life, the further they are drawn into a bittersweet relationship. You will laugh, cry, and crave chocolate as you read this humorous LDS, Jane Eyre parody.

Since Chocolate Roses is a love story, I invite everyone to tell a funny story about a kiss--in good taste, of course. My story is the classic one. My date, hoping to get a kiss at the doorstep, leaned against the doorbell. My father greeted us seconds later. Needless to say, there was no kiss.