A Somber Anniversary

This day every year gives me pause. In 1968, I was a little girl and I got up in the morning to tell my daddy good-bye before he left for work. That was the last time I ever saw him. He died later that night on a dark, lonely road near Simi Valley, CA. His funeral was on December 24th. That event, of course, changed my life forever.

I often wonder what might have been. Would we have stayed in Santa Barbara? Would my parents have had more children? Would they both still be alive today enjoying their grandchildren? Would I have found the gospel?

I don't know the answers to these questions. What I do know is that I have the gospel in my life. I feel so blessed each day to know that my Redeemer lives, and because He lives, so does my father. And my mother. My grandparents. Friends. I may not be able to see those that I've loved and lost with my mortal eyes, but they are not far from me. Some days, I've felt them so close I could almost reach out and touch them.

As I consider the tragic events as of late, especially at Sandy Hook Elementary School, my heart aches for all those who have lost loved ones to such violent acts. But I know that they can be reunited one day. I know that their loved ones are not gone forever. Because the Savior lives, so do their precious loved ones. And through the Savior, they can find some peace and some comfort.

I will never stop missing my father, or my family members that have died. There will always be a hole in my heart for each one, but I can feel comfort knowing that they are in a better place and that the bonds of family do not end with death. I don't think you ever get over losing a loved one, but with time you learn to live with it.

The Savior said in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

May we all find some peace and comfort, especially those in Connecticut.

Aura is $.99 This Week

In celebration of the release of my newest novel, Aura, it's on sale for $.99 at Amazon for the Kindle.

If you'd like to read it but don't own a Kindle, you can download the free app from Amazon that allows you to read Kindle books on your computer. Go here to download that app.

If you prefer to read print books (and who doesn't love how a real book feels in your hands?) Aura is now available in a print version.

I sincerely appreciate your help and support in spreading the word about Aura. Word-of-mouth is THE best and most effective way to advertise a book. So, thank you to all of you who have read it and recommended it. And, thank you to those of you who have posted reviews.

Being an author is like walking around naked. You bare your soul because each book is an extension of who you are, what you believe, and how you view the world. Yes, the stories are fictional, but the way each author tells his or her story is very personal and based on his or her life's experiences. Every time I publish a book, it's like sending my child out to the world to be judged. It's exciting and stressful at the same time. Sometimes, I think it'd be easier to be a brain surgeon. Or a rocket scientist. And yet, I can't not do it. I can't not write the stories in my head that are begging to be released.

Thank you again for your support!

Aura is FREE Today and Tomorrow

Aura is FREE today and tomorrow on Amazon. Here is the link to get it. Tell your friends!

I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for your support!

After you read it, if you'd like to post a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads, that'd be awesome.

Happy reading.

Finding New Authors

There are the books everyone has heard about: Twilight, Hunger Games,  Harry Potter. But what about all those books written by people you’ve never heard of? Some of them are treasures, just waiting to be found, and that’s what this blog hop is all about: the books you might not have heard about, but that you might end up loving.

I was tagged by Julie Coulter Bellon. You can learn more about Julie on her website or her blog, and  where you can then connect with her on Twitter, and even Pinterest. 

Here’s a little info about my current project:

1: What is the working title of your book? Aura

2: Where did the idea come from for the book? I knew a guy in high school who claimed to be a warlock and that he'd gotten his powers from his dad. I asked myself, what if the son didn't want to be like his dad and what if it were demons and what if a girl had enough power to fight the demons and what if her power came from her virtuous choices.

3: What genre does your book fall under? Young Adult Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

4: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? The villain: Cillian Murphy (Scarecrow in Batman Begins), Melinda: Julianne Moore. I actually found photos of each of my characters, including the main character, Crystal, but they aren't famous actors.

5: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? Everything in Crystal Scott's life finally seems perfect--until a powerful demon thirsts for her Light.

6: Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? I have self-published this book after having three novels traditionally published.

7: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? Over a year (in my defense, I have 10 kids).

8: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? I'd say my book is a mix between the TV show Supernatural and Twilight (without the vampires).

9: Who or What inspired you to write this book? Young girls who don't see themselves as being powerful. I wanted to empower young girls and help them realize that they have strength.

10: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? Crystal's power to fight the demons comes from her virtuous choices--her power is directly tied to her choices, including her choice to remain a virgin.

Here are links to some great books I've read this year:

The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Renee Anderson
The Kindling by Braden Bell
Checkin' It Twice by various LDS authors
On Little Wings by Regina Sirois

Check them out! You might find some new authors you love!