My Book Trailer

Woo hoo. I finally finished the book trailer for Altared Plans. Let me know what you think!

Trailer for Heather Justesen's Book, "The Ball's in Her Court."

Heather Justesen has a brand new book out, The Ball's in Her Court. Here is the trailer she created for it and I wanted to share it with you. Look for her book in LDS Bookstores and Amazon in the next few weeks or so. I've read some great reviews and can't wait to read it myself.

Interview by Michele Ashman Bell

Michele Ashman Bell, a fantastic LDS author and one of the kindest people I know, interviewed me about my writing and my new book, Altared Plans.

Here's the link if you'd like to read it: Michele Ashman Bell. I'd love to read your reactions to the interview (you can tell me if I sound dorky).

Thanks!

No Empty Chairs

I actually survived my son's wedding, the reception, and the open house. It feels wonderful being on this side of everything. It all turned out so well and I was really happy with everything except . . .

I was sad that my oldest daughter couldn't make it to the open house. She had to work in Provo and there was no way she could make it to Colorado for the festivities. I really missed her. It made me realize how desperately I want all of my kids to always be part of my eternal family and how even having one missing made a huge difference.

I can't remember which prophet it was who spoke about the empty chair, but I know that I don't want any empty chairs surrounding my eternal dinner table.

To me, the greatest joy I think I'll have in mortality will be when I can stand in the celestial room surrounded by all of my children. I can't think of anything that would bring me more happiness and peace than to have each one of my children embrace the gospel and live it fully.

Since my youngest is only 3 it may be some time before I can experience all of my children in the temple with me, but not having my daughter with us this last weekend reminded me how much I want it and how hard I'm willing to work to bring all of my children to the temple someday.

I am so thankful that families are eternal and that we can enjoy each other after this life. I so enjoy my family, including the newest member and her family as well. I am grateful we can all be sealed together. Of all the things that the gospel gives me, knowing that I can be with my family forever is the greatest part.

No empty chairs.

National Anthem

These young girls are amazing!

By Love or By Sea by Rachel Rager

By Love or By Sea
by
Rachel Rager

From the back cover:

When a mysterious and ragged sailor appears in the seaside town where Alice Lind Frank lives with her grandparents, Alice is shocked to learn that the sailor is her childhood love, Caleb, who she thought was lost at sea. She yearns to trust him again, but what about her plans to marry Clarence Hielott, the wealthy shipyard owner? When Clarence exposes the secrets of Caleb s past, Alice realizes that the boy she once knew is now a man with a dark history. Can she trust Caleb with her heart once again? And what will she do about Clarence? Find out in this thrilling and adventurous love story.

I'm excited to be part of Rachel's blog tour for her novel. I enjoyed reading this sweet love story. I also enjoyed being taken back in time and experiencing the adventure. By Love or By Sea is a fun story filled with interesting characters. From the slimy Clarence to the innocent Alice to the ruggedly handsome Caleb to the feisty Betsy Winters, readers can find an interesting character because Rager does a great job of characterization.

I loved the character of Betsy Winters and learning why she was so rude and mean in the beginning. I thought Rager created a believable character as well as developed a realistic storyline that unraveled at just the right pace. I loved how Alice, the main character, was spunky enough and determined enough to find out more about the town's meanest citizen. Sometimes, when we meet someone that's rude or mean we dismiss them, yet Rager shows through this story how people have their own personal stories and reasons for acting the way that they do, and if we'll simply take the time to care about someone we may discover a diamond in all that rough exterior.

This is an enjoyable book and I recommend it.

Learn more about Rachel Rager here and at her blog.

You can purchase a copy of By Love or By Sea at Amazon or Cedar Fort.

If you leave a comment here at my blog, or any of the other blogs hosting the blog tour, you'll be entered to win your very own copy. The more comments you leave the more chances you'll have to win!

Here is the lineup for the blog tour:

September 28 - Jaimey Grant
September 29 - Kaylee Baldwin
September 30 - Cindy Beck
October 1 - Kim Thompson
October 2 - Alison Palmer
October 3 - JoAnn Arnold
October 5 - Rebecca Talley
October 6 - Anna Arnett
October 7 - Heather Justensen
October 8 - Rachelle Christensen
October 9 - Joyce DiPastena

Inspiring . . . Jason McElway

I become more and more convinced that people with special needs are much more limited by people's preconceived notions than by their disabilities.

Enjoy! (Make sure you have some tissues nearby).