Dearly Departed by Tristi Pinkston

Ida Mae Babbit has done her community service and is a reformed woman - no more law-breaking for her.

But when Arlette's granddaughter Eden discovers a mystery in a fancy nursing home, Ida Mae - with the perfect excuse of a broken wrist and a broken ankle - checks herself into the place. After all, it is for the greater good.

Soon she's buzzing around in her motorized wheelchair, questioning the residents and swiping files from the office. She's bound and determined to get to the bottom of this case.

But can she solve the mystery before she becomes the next victim?

They've done it again. Tristi Pinkston because she's once again written a humorous, entertaining, and fun read. And, Ida Mae because she's helped solve another mystery.

I consider myself somewhat of an expert on old-lady-speak and elderly knowledge since I grew up with my grandparents. I heard about all sorts of things that happen as you age and can attest to the fight for independence. Neither of my grandparents wanted to depend on anyone, even when they desperately needed to. I found the details in Ida Mae's characterization to be right on the money. Ida Mae is fiercely independent and even though her friends try to "help" her, she resists. But, of course, she can't resist a mystery. And you won't be able to resist reading this story.

I loved the unexpected romance. I used to think romance and all that was confined to the young (the older I get the more I realize I was wrong) but it's sweet to see it happen to older people, even if one of them isn't quite sure how to wear his hair. (You'll have to read the book to understand that reference).

Pinkston has created such realistic characters that I feel like I could visit with any of them because they feel like trusted friends. I think that's the magic with this book and with the series. The characters feel like people you might know in your neighborhood.

Dearly Departed in the second in the Secret Sisters Mysteries. I'm looking forward to the next one to see what Ida Mae and her gang will be up to next. And to see who Eden chooses.

You can learn more about Tristi Pinkston at her website and her blog. You can purchase Dearly Departed at Amazon.

Thanks, Tristi, for a fun and entertaining book!

Why I Love the UPS Guy

Well, I don't actually love him, but he is one of my favorite people for delivering this:

Super cool or what? Woo hoo!!

It's quite the surreal experience to hold my book in my hands. Even though this is my third novel, fourth book, it's still so amazing. To physically hold my words, my thoughts, my story in my hands is just incredible. The box was even delivered during a snowstorm so it was just like Christmas for me.

Excuse me while I go do the happy dance!

Meg's Melody by Kaylee Baldwin

Meg's Melody by Kaylee Baldwin

From the back cover:

It's only after her husband leaves that Meg finds out she's pregnant.

Now facing the prospect of single parenthood, she'll have to rely on the family she pushed away, the church she abandoned, and an unexpected friendship to see her through.

This touching story combines romance with real conflicts to remind you it's never too late to find love - if you know where to look.




I read this touching story a while back and I've been waiting until its release to review it. I loved this book. I thought Baldwin did an excellent job of portraying this young woman's reactions to her conflicts. Her husband was a loser and I wanted to slap him. What a jerk.

I thought the budding friendship was realistic and wasn't rushed and I loved the end. I also thought her reluctance to go back to church and the feelings she experienced were very real and I felt like Meg was a fully-developed character. I also thought Baldwin did a good job developing Matt and I felt like I was witnessing a real friendship in the making.

I shed tears while I read this book and I would definitely recommend it if you enjoy romances with some meat to them. Great book. I expect to see much more from this new CFI author.

Meg's Melody is available online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble, and should be in LDS bookstores as well. Great idea for a Christmas gift!

Pre-Order Contest Winner

Thanks so much to all of you who entered the contest. I sure appreciate your support and hope you will enjoy The Upside of Down. I wish you could all win!

I used www.random.org to randomly pick the winner. I'm happy to announce that . . . Rachael Anderson is the winner! Yay! Rachael, I'll be sending you a $50 gift card to Amazon.

Thank you again for entering the contest.

The Upside of Down: Chapter 1, Part 6

Here is Chapter 1 of my new novel. If it whets your appetite, you can pre-order it at Amazon. Those who pre-order The Upside of Down by November 18, 2010 can be entered into a drawing for a $50.00 gift certificate from Amazon. Details for the contest are here.


“How are you doing this evening, Sister Drake?” the bishop asked, drawing her focus to him.

“A little frazzled, but okay.” A nervous laugh fell out of her mouth while her heart thudded.

“I’ve spoken with your husband. I’d like to extend a call to you.”

“Me?” No wonder Spence was smiling. She looked back at Bishop Franken. “But I’ve only been teaching my Primary class for a few months.”

“I know,” the bishop said, his eyes piercing. “But we, as a bishopric, have prayed, and the Lord would like you to serve as Relief Society president.”

She stared at the bishop’s dark brown eyes. “Come again?” Relief Society president? He must be insane.

“I’d like to extend a call to you to serve as the Relief Society president.” He leaned forward, looking deeply into her eyes.

“Are you sure?” she whispered.

“Yes.”
Natalie sat back against the chair, her hands damp. She let out a sigh and looked over at Spence. Her eyes pleaded with him to object, but his face radiated delight.

“I’ve never served in the Relief Society.” She paused while both men stared at her.

“I don’t know what happens in there. I—I can’t even remember the last time I attended. I’ve only served in Young Women and Primary since I got married.” Surely this would convince the bishop that he had the wrong woman.

The bishop didn’t retract the call. In a soft but firm voice he asked, “Sister Drake, would you accept this calling from the Lord?”

Natalie drew in a long deep breath. Relying on her desire to do the right thing, she said quietly, “If that’s where the Lord would like me to serve, then . . . yes.” Her eyes stung with emotion. “I will accept the calling.” She could hardly believe the words as they escaped her mouth.

Spence’s eyes glistened as he reached over and squeezed her hand.

“Thank you,” the bishop said.

She gave a faint smile, feeling like her face might crumble. “You’re absolutely sure?” Natalie asked, knowing the answer but still in a state of disbelief.

“Yes. We all had a strong witness that you should serve in this call¬ing.” He studied her for a moment. “The sisters in the ward need you.”

Her eyes widened. “They need me?” Natalie repeated the words in her mind, clutching onto Spence’s hand.

“Yes,” the bishop said.

She raised her eyebrows, her throat suddenly thick. “I’ll take your word for it.”

Her mind spun in a thousand different directions, trying to absorb the implications of her new calling. “Your husband has agreed to sup¬port you. It will be busy and intense at times, but the Lord will bless you as you dedicate yourself to Him.”

Spence nodded. Natalie reluctantly let go of Spence’s hand when the bishop extended his hand to shake hers. He shook hands with Spence and then turned back to Natalie.

“We’ll set up some training for you. You’ll need to pray about the sisters in the ward and submit names for your presidency. We’d like to sustain you a week from
Sunday.”

Natalie stood and numbly followed Spence out the door and into the late-winter evening, cold air licking at her cheeks. Sitting in the car, she stared ahead of her, lost in her thoughts. Her head pounded with so much pressure it felt like it might explode.

That's the end of Chapter 1. How did you like it? If you decide to pre-order it, be sure to enter the contest here.

Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed it!

The Upside of Down: Chapter 1, Part 5

Here is Chapter 1 of my new novel. If it whets your appetite, you can pre-order it at Amazon. Those who pre-order The Upside of Down by November 18, 2010 can be entered into a drawing for a $50.00 gift certificate from Amazon. Details for the contest are here.


A few moments later, Laura stood in the doorway holding the handset. “Mom, it’s for you.”

Natalie whispered, “I’m a little busy right now.” She pointed to Bradley, who was draped in suds. “Who is it?”

Laura shrugged. “It’s a man.”

“Fine.” Natalie wiped her hands on her well-worn black sweats and grabbed the phone.

“Sister Drake?” Her stomach tightened.

“Bishop, I’m so sorry. I completely forgot. We’re on our way, but it’ll take us at least twenty-five minutes.”

“I have another interview I can take care of. I’ll see you in a bit,” the bishop said.

Natalie hung up the phone. “Laura!” she yelled from the bathroom.

“Yeah?”

“Please finish bathing Bradley,” Natalie said.

Laura stood in the doorway of the bathroom, a large textbook in hand. “I have a ton of homework.”

“I need your help. I have to go to the church.” Natalie mentally chastised herself for being so forgetful.

“Why?”

“I’m not exactly sure. But I’m late. Where’s your dad?”

Laura shrugged. She placed her book on the floor, bent over the bathtub, and patted Bradley on the head. “I’ll wash your hair, okay?”

Natalie raced down the hall. She peeked into each bedroom as she passed. “Spence?”

No response.

She spotted Mariah in her bedroom. “Can you find Daddy and tell him I need him right away.”

“Okay.” Mariah ran away calling for Spence.

Natalie yanked a black skirt and bright pink blouse out of her closet. “I cannot believe I did this.”

Spence entered the bedroom. “What’s wrong?”

“We have an appointment with the bishop.” Natalie glanced at the clock radio on the nightstand. “About twenty minutes ago.”

“Huh?”

“Brother Lakes called earlier and made the appointment. I got so busy with dinner and bathing Bradley that it slipped my mind.” Nata¬lie’s fingers fumbled as she tried to button her blouse. “Bishop Franken is waiting for us.”
Spence stepped over to his closet and grabbed a white shirt. “Did he say what it’s about?”

“I have no idea. I’m so embarrassed.” She finished buttoning her blouse.

During the ride into Farmington, Natalie tossed the reasons through her mind of why they were meeting with the bishop. “Do you know anything?”

Spence shook his head. “I’d guess it’s for a new calling.”

“But both of us have only had our callings for a short time.”

“What else could it be?”

“I don’t know.” Natalie applied some mascara and brushed her hair. “I can’t believe I forgot about this appointment. I’m so spacey lately.”

Spence gave a big smile. “Do I have anything in my teeth?”

“Nope. Perfect as usual. Though you still have some unruly hair in the back.” She patted down a clump of his hair.

They pulled into the church parking lot. Natalie checked her hair one more time and fluffed it before exiting the car. She hoped the appointment would be short and simple so she could get back home and put the kids to bed.

Inside the foyer of the building, the bishop, a short man with round glasses, stood at the top of the stairs just outside his office.

Natalie gazed up at the bishop and said, “I’m so sorry we’re late.” The embarrassment rose to her cheeks.

“No problem. I finished my other interview and had a bit of paper work. Brother Drake, may I have a word with you first? Sister Drake, we’ll only be a moment.”

Natalie sat on the upholstered couch at the foot of the stairs. The soft fluorescent lighting bounced off the cream-colored walls. Plum-colored carpet lined the entryway and the stairs leading down to the family history library. Her Primary classroom was across the cultural hall. She tried to imagine the large three-level building as the stake center many years ago when the stake included wards in New Mexico and Colorado. Now it housed three wards in Farmington, New Mexico, one of which included her rural La Plata ward.

Natalie bit at her fingernail, a nasty habit she’d picked up as a kid. Who could blame her after growing up with her mother? She placed her hands on her lap and laced them together. What was the bishop discussing with Spence? A calling? For him? Her?

Time dragged on while she waited. She checked her watch. A queasy feeling tempted her to bite her nails again, but she resisted.

She checked her watch again. How long could this take? Finally, after a few more minutes that felt like hours, the door opened, and Bishop Franken invited

Natalie into the office. Natalie sat in a chair opposite the bishop’s desk. She glanced at Spence to see if she could read his expression. He gave her a reassuring smile.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for the final installment . . .

The Upside of Down: Chapter 1, Part 4

Here is Chapter 1 of my new novel. If it whets your appetite, you can pre-order it at Amazon. Those who pre-order The Upside of Down by November 18, 2010 can be entered into a drawing for a $50.00 gift certificate from Amazon. Details for the contest are here.


Natalie unlocked the front door to let Spence into the house. He stepped into the entryway, his sandy hair windswept, and Natalie attempted to smooth it back into place. Spence pulled her into a hug and then gently kissed her.

“Daddy!” Mariah squealed. She and Bradley both rushed their father, pushing Natalie out of the way.

Spence embraced Mariah and then picked up a giggling Bradley. “How’s my little man?”

Bradley let out a few more giggles. Spence set him down, and he ran off down the hallway.

“Hi, Dad,” Justin said when he rounded the corner from the living room. He gave his dad a hug, his light brown hair peeking out from under his Arizona Diamondbacks baseball cap, reminding Natalie he was due for a haircut.

“Something sure smells good. What’s for dinner?” Spence said as he and Natalie walked into the kitchen while Justin and Mariah trailed in behind them.

“Lasagna,” Natalie said.

“My favorite,” he said with the familiar sparkle in his pale blue eyes. He leaned against the beige-tiled countertop in the kitchen.

“Every dinner is your favorite, Daddy,” Mariah said. She was wear¬ing a pink tutu and a glittering crown.

“Are you a ballerina today?”

Mariah placed her hands on her hips. “No, Daddy, I’m a princess.”

“Oh, I see.”

She smiled and turned abruptly, her long braid whipping around her head as she ran off after Bradley.

“Has Ryan fed the animals?” Spence asked.

“He’s not home from practice yet, but he should be here in a few minutes. The Kings picked him up tonight. Andrea called and said she’d be home soon too.” Natalie opened the oven door to check the lasagna. The blast of hot, garlic-spiked air made her blink. She pulled the lasagna out and set it on top of the stove. “Dinner’s almost ready. Time to set the table.”

“I think I need another kiss.” Spence swept Natalie into his arms and gave her a long kiss.

“Eewww. That’s so disgusting,” Laura said from the dining room table. “Do you have to do that? I’m trying to do my homework.” She shook her head, and her dirty-blonde hair fell around her shoulders.

“You have one hot mama,” Spence said. He gave Natalie another squeeze. She enjoyed his playful, romantic side. Even more, she enjoyed Laura’s protests.

Laura overacted a dry-heaving motion. “You’re so embarrassing. The kids at school don’t even act like you two.”

“Aren’t you glad we love each other so much? You wouldn’t be here otherwise.” Natalie moved her eyebrows up and down.

“Okay, that’s gross. No more details.”

“What’s gross?” Justin asked, sitting at the table.

Laura rolled her blue-green eyes. “Nevermind.” She gathered up her books and headed down the stairs to her bedroom.

“Dinner is in five minutes,” Natalie called after her.

“How was your day?” Spence asked.

“The doctor’s office was incredibly fun, as usual. We waited for a long time. Bradley rolled all over the floor, went through all the draw¬ers, and then climbed up and jumped off the examining table. How such a cherubic-looking child can be so mischievous is beyond me.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t help. I had one meeting after another and couldn’t get away this morning.”

“No worries. Both the kids got their immunizations.” Natalie tossed the salad inside a large red bowl. “Why so many meetings?”

“Discussions about some new legislation and how it may impact the company.” Spence reached over and grabbed a cookie from the cup¬board.

“Should we worry about your job?”

“I don’t think so.” He snatched another cookie.

Natalie gave him a look. “You can’t snack on cookies when dinner’s ready. You’re as bad as the kids.” She turned to Justin, who was still sit¬ting at the table, absorbed in playing his Nintendo DS, an extravagant gift from her mother. “Go wash up for dinner and tell the other kids it’s ready.”

“Huh?” Justin didn’t look up from his game.

“Justin,” she said in a loud voice.

“What?”

“I’m going to take that thing away.” She took a few steps toward him, intent on taking the handheld device and disposing of it. She dis¬liked Justin’s obsession with it, and she was still angry with her mother for giving it to him against her wishes.

“Okay, okay, I’ll turn it off.” He slipped it into his pocket.

“I better not see it the rest of the night. Now, go wash your hands and tell the other kids that dinner’s ready.”

Justin scurried out of the room.

“How was the rest of your day?” Spence asked.

“I took Bradley and Mariah to lunch and witnessed a disturbing scene that hasn’t left me. A young man treated his wife and his little daughter with such contempt. He was downright mean to them.”

“What happened?”

Natalie grabbed some bottles of salad dressing from the refrigerator. “His little girl had Down syndrome, and he was calling her names. It broke my heart. His poor wife seemed so scared.” She placed the bottles on the counter.

“Did you say anything?”

Natalie nodded. “He told me it was none of my business, among other things.” Reliving the experience brought back the fear she’d experienced at the restaurant. “I can’t seem to get it out of my head. I don’t know why it’s affected me so much.”

“Because you’re a compassionate and caring person. That’s one of the reasons why I love you so much.” Spence ran his finger along her cheek.

“Even after all these years? With all of my gray hairs?”

“What gray?”

“If I didn’t pluck them all out, there’d be plenty.”

“You’re as beautiful today as you were twenty-three years ago.”

Beautiful wasn’t how she’d describe herself. Exhausted, bedraggled, wrinkly, frumpy—those were much more descriptive terms. “I think you need your eyes checked.”

“You are. And I love you.” He squeezed her around the waist.

“I love you too.”

The front door opened, and Natalie’s tall, lean son, Ryan, walked into the kitchen. He dropped his backpack with a thud. “Yes! I love lasagna.”

“Hurry and wash your hands for dinner,” Natalie said.
Ryan returned from the bathroom, and the rest of the kids filed into the dining room. After the usual argument of who would sit next to Natalie, Bradley said the blessing, as he did for nearly every meal. Everyone began eating.

“How was soccer today, Ryan?” Spence asked.

“Good. Coach says I’ll probably be a starter for the next game.” He piled lasagna on his plate and then reached for a piece of garlic bread.

“You’ll need to feed the animals after dinner. Be sure to take the slop out to the pigs and check on the horses’ water,” Spence said.

The front door flew open. Andrea shouted from the entryway, “Sorry I’m late. I had to stay longer than I thought. Mmmm, smells de-lish.”

Andrea found her seat at the table.

“How was school?” Natalie asked.

“Interesting,” Andrea said.

“Must be about that guy,” Laura said with a smirk that exposed her braces.
Andrea’s blue-gray eyes lit up, and a smile appeared her face.

“What’s this?” Natalie asked.

“His name is Tristan. He’s Ali’s cousin. He’s living with them until he finds an apartment, and he’s going to San Juan College,” Andrea said.

“Ali who?”

“We’re on student council together. I’ve talked about her before.” Andrea flipped her long auburn hair behind her shoulder.

“What about this boy?” Spence asked.

“Dark, thick hair and green eyes. He’s from Grants, and he’s almost twenty-one. I wish he’d ask me out,” Andrea said.

“Is he a member of the Church?” Natalie handed the bowl of salad to Justin.

“No, but there’s no one to date from our ward. It’d only be for fun. Stop worrying. I’m sure he’ll never ask me out, anyway.”

After dinner, according to the job chart, Laura cleared the table, Justin unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher, and Ryan wiped down the table.

Natalie grabbed hold of Bradley. “I think you wore more of your dinner than anything. How about a bath?”

Natalie and Bradley ascended the stairs together, one step at a time. They walked into the bathroom, and Natalie laid Bradley on the dark green bathroom rug to remove his diaper. “Remember, potty in the diaper? No, no.” Natalie shook her head. “Potty in the toilet? Yes, yes.” She nodded. “Let’s make a deal. I’ll pay you one million dollars if you potty train. How does that sound?”

Bradley nodded, his blond waves bobbing. “Potty in toilet.”

“That’s right.” Natalie finished filling the tub and was placing Brad¬ley in the mound of bubbles when the phone rang.

Be sure to check back Monday for the next installment . . .

The Upside of Down: Chapter 1, Part 3

Here is Chapter 1 of my new novel. If it whets your appetite, you can pre-order it at Amazon. Those who pre-order The Upside of Down by November 18, 2010 can be entered into a drawing for a $50.00 gift certificate from Amazon. Details for the contest are here.


During the twenty-minute drive home from Farmington, New Mexico, to rural La Plata, where they lived, the situation replayed itself in Natalie’s mind. How could a father be so heartless? She said a prayer of gratitude that her own husband was a kind and devoted father and that none of her children had been afflicted with Down syndrome, or any other handicap, so they didn’t have to encounter such repulsive behavior from others, especially family.

Mariah interrupted her thoughts. “I don’t like that mean man.”

Natalie nodded. “He wasn’t very nice. That’s not okay, is it?”

“Nope. He wasn’t being like Jesus. He’s a bad man.”

Natalie paused, remembering her own judgment of the young man. “He’s not a bad man, but he was doing something bad. Remember, we’re all Heavenly Father’s children, but sometimes we make bad choices that hurt other people.” She needed to convince herself as much as Mariah.

“You’re a nice mom.”

A tear rolled down Natalie’s cheek. “Thank you.”

***

After they arrived at their gray, Victorian-style, two-story house, set back from the highway, Natalie talked Mariah and Bradley into watching a Disney movie. Mariah agreed as long as she could have some popcorn. Natalie glanced at the clock on the wall. She had enough time to study her lesson before the school bus dropped off nine-year-old Justin and sixteen-year-old Laura. She mentally tracked Ryan, her eighth grader, who had soccer practice, and Andrea, a senior in high school, who was staying after school for her student council meeting.

She crept up the stairs to her bedroom and found her sanctuary— the master bathroom. It wasn’t always a place of solitude, but she fig¬ured that Mariah and Bradley would keep themselves occupied long enough for her to think about her lesson and have a little quiet time. The situation at the restaurant still disturbed her, especially how the young father called his daughter stupid and retarded. How cruel.

As she perched on the toilet with her manual spread across her lap, the phone rang. “Let the machine get it,” she yelled from the bathroom.

Another ring. “Don’t answer the phone! I’m busy right now.” She listened for the next ring but only heard a thundering silence. “Oh no,” she said aloud.

Before she could do anything, she heard Mariah’s voice. “It’s okay. She’s going potty. I’ll get her because she takes a real long time in there. Nope, she won’t mind. I’m almost there.”

Natalie gulped. It obviously wasn’t Spence on the phone. The door slid open slightly, and Mariah’s petite hand appeared, grasping the handset. Natalie cleared her throat and grabbed the phone.

“Hello?” she eked out, still hoping for a familiar voice on the other end.

“Sister Drake?”

“Uh, yes?” Her cheeks flushed.

“This is Brother Lakes. Bishop Franken would like to schedule an interview with you and your husband for this evening, if possible.”

“I’m sure that’d be fine.” She tried not to think of how she’d face Brother Lakes after what Mariah had told him.

“Seven at the church?”

“We’ll be there. Thank you.”

Natalie hung up the phone, determined to give Mariah a stern lec¬ture, again, about what was and was not appropriate information to share with people on the phone. “Going potty” definitely topped the not-to-be-shared list.

As her embarrassment abated, her thoughts turned to the purpose of the phone call. She’d been teaching the CTR 7 class for less than a year, and she loved being in Primary. She loved the kids’ natural curios¬ity and their willingness to learn. They were like sponges, soaking up everything. Their small but sincere testimonies touched her, and she loved their energy, at least most of the time.

Spence had only been serving as the Scoutmaster for a few months. He was so comfortable with the young men and looked forward to an adventure-filled summer of campouts and hikes.

Maybe it wasn’t a new calling for her or Spence after all. Maybe it was about Justin or Mariah acting up in Primary or Bradley’s antics in Sunbeams. Perhaps the bishop wanted to visit about Laura’s pathetic seminary attendance or Andrea’s plans for this summer after graduation. Or maybe he wanted to call Ryan to serve in the teachers quorum presidency.

Natalie’s head hurt trying to figure out why the bishop wanted to see them, so she decided to put it out of her mind and not think about it. She needed to concentrate on teaching her Primary class about the Word of Wisdom.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for the next installment . . .

The Upside of Down: Chapter 1, Part 2

Here is Chapter 1 of my new novel. If it whets your appetite, you can pre-order it at Amazon. Those who pre-order The Upside of Down by November 18, 2010 can be entered into a drawing for a $50.00 gift certificate from Amazon. Details for the contest are here.


He whipped around and finished placing the order for his family. He instructed his wife where to sit in the dining room.

Natalie’s cheeks throbbed. Rage-induced shaking overtook her body. His vicious words hung in the air, reminding her that she did not want to fight with him. Yet she desperately wanted to reach out to this innocent girl and her helpless mother.

“Next?” the cashier’s voice rang out, but Natalie, still paralyzed by the confrontation, didn’t move.

“Mommy?” Mariah tugged on Natalie’s shirt.

Natalie stepped up to the counter.

The cashier, a teenage girl with large brown eyes and a nose piercing, said, “Can I take your order?”

Natalie tried to concentrate on the menu. “I . . . I,” she stammered.

“He ain’t no kind of dad talkin’ like that,” the cashier said. Her gaze darted to the table where the family sat.

Natalie cleared her throat. “No. He’s not.”

“Poor kid. She can’t help it.”

“I want a cheeseburger. And a toy,” Mariah said.

“Toy,” Bradley said, his blond curls bobbing up and down with his vigorous nodding.

“I guess we’ll have two kids’ meals. Cheeseburgers. With Sprite to drink.”

“Anything else?”

“I’ve lost my appetite.” Natalie gave a weak smile.

“I don’t blame you. He should be ashamed of himself, actin’ like that.” The cashier rang up the order.

Natalie searched the dining room for an empty table and found one much too close to the young family. They sat down, and Mariah grabbed her cheeseburger. She took a bite and then slurped her soda while Bradley played with the action figure that came with his meal. Natalie was grateful they were both entertaining themselves.

“Eat your lunch,” the man said to the little girl in a rough voice.

Then he turned to his wife, “What’re you lookin’ at?” He paused for a moment.

“What? You think I’m proud to have a retard for a daughter? She can’t even do nothin’ but stare at me with those bug eyes. I’m tellin’ you, we shoulda given her to them people when she was born. She ain’t ever gonna do nothin’.”

Natalie closed her eyes to stop the tears. She couldn’t believe anyone could be so nasty about any child, let alone his own, especially one with a handicap. His words cut into her heart, and sadness settled heavily on her shoulders as she considered the little girl’s home life.

She wanted to get involved, to protect the little girl and her mother from this raving maniac, but when she accidentally made eye contact with him, a tremor of fear raced down her back. She didn’t want to put her own children at risk, so she remained quiet, uttering a silent prayer in the girl’s behalf.

“He’s mean,” Mariah said.

“Shh.” Natalie put her finger to her lips.

“But, Mommy, he has mean eyes.”

Natalie placed her fingers on Mariah’s lips to quiet her. “We’ll talk about this later. Okay?” Natalie glanced up to make sure the man hadn’t heard Mariah.

He yanked his daughter out of the chair and walked out of the restaurant while the mother followed them, staring at the ground. As the older model pickup truck left the parking lot, Natalie’s stomach twisted.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for the next installment . . .

The Upside of Down: Chapter 1, Part 1

Here is Chapter 1 of my new novel. If it whets your appetite, you can pre-order it at Amazon. Those who pre-order The Upside of Down by November 18, 2010 can be entered into a drawing for a $50.00 gift certificate from Amazon. Details for the contest are here.


Chapter One

Natalie grabbed the hands of her two youngest children, five-year-old Mariah and three-year-old Bradley, and walked across the parking lot into the fast food restaurant. After a long morning at the doctor’s office for immunizations, she was eager to eat lunch quickly and return home so she could prepare her Primary lesson. She wanted to get through the line without incident.

A young family stood in line ahead of Natalie. “I told you to stay next to your mother,” demanded a man who looked only a few years older than Natalie’s oldest child, Andrea. His gray eyes almost seared a hole into a little red-haired girl who stepped behind her young mother. Natalie noticed the young girl’s physical features—slightly upward slanting eyes and a tongue that seemed too large for her small mouth— and concluded she had Down syndrome.

“Take your mother’s hand, right now. I mean it,” the man commanded again.

The girl reached up and slipped her hand into her mother’s.

Natalie positioned herself between the family and her own children, hoping to shield them from the young man’s harsh demeanor. In an attempt to divert her kids’ attention, she turned back to Mariah and Bradley and said, “Look outside the window. Do you see that big truck across the street? Isn’t it huge?”

“Where?” Mariah stood on her tiptoes to see out the window.

“Make sure she behaves and doesn’t embarrass me,” the man in front of Natalie said.

His wife cast a glance to the floor, and she brushed at her flushed cheeks. A loose ponytail held her mousy brown hair back from her plain face.

“Over there in that parking lot. It’s orange,” Natalie said to Mariah.

The raw anger of the young man clamped around Natalie’s throat. She bit at the nail on her right index finger and avoided looking in the family’s direction.

While they waited to order their food, Bradley wrapped himself around Natalie’s left leg and Mariah eyed the toys included with each meal. “I want that one,” Mariah said, flipping her long dark braid and pointing to a small figure in the display case.

The sizzle of the french fries laced through the heavy air while the scent of cooking hamburger patties stung Natalie’s nose. The soda machine hissed as an employee filled paper cups with soda pop. Natalie squinted her eyes to read the small print on the menu above the counter so she could order as soon as she stepped up to the register.

“Stop moving, right now. Do you hear me, or are you too stupid to understand a simple thing like that?” the man in line said to his daugh¬ter. Without meaning to, Natalie glanced at him and saw his bright red face.

The little girl froze in place. The mother whispered something to her husband. He countered, “Don’t give me any lip. I know what I’m doing. You’re as stupid as she is, anyway.”

Natalie’s heart beat furiously at hearing his cruel words. She pulled at her shoulder-length hair. The man didn’t seem to care that he was verbally abusing his daughter. He stepped up to the counter to place his order. Natalie seized the opportunity to soften his callous words. She bent down and said, “You sure are pretty.”

“Don’t talk to my kid,” he barked from the register.

Startled, Natalie stood quickly, fear strangling her voice.

“Leave her alone,” he said, his eyes blazing.

“I’m sorry. She looks so frightened.”

“Mind your own business. You don’t know nothin’.”

“But—”

He stepped toward her. “She’s retarded. You got a retarded kid?”

Natalie wanted to put this bully in his place, but instead she pulled Mariah and Bradley closer to her, attempting to shelter them with her hands. Other customers in the dining room stopped talking, and she felt their gaze on her. The cashier took a few steps back, her eyes wide.

“Well, you got a retarded kid or not?”

In a barely audible voice, Natalie said, “No.”

“Then shut up.”

Be sure to check back tomorrow for the next installment . . .

Prologue: The Upside of Down

Here is the prologue for my new novel. If it whets your appetite, you can pre-order it at Amazon. Those who pre-order The Upside of Down by November 18, 2010 can be entered into a contest for a $50.00 gift certificate from Amazon. Details for the contest are here.

PROLOGUE

Natalie sat with her arms folded and head bowed on the green and gold upholstered chair they’d purchased from Deseret Industries a few weeks earlier. Her husband’s hands rested atop her head, and she silently repeated his inspired words.

She focused on a sentence in the blessing: “Soon Heavenly Father will send you a spirit to begin your family, one of many.” Spence con­cluded the blessing, and a soft reassurance wrapped itself around Nata­lie as the Spirit witnessed the truthfulness of the promised blessings. She drew in a breath and reveled in the peace that filled their one-bed­room apartment near Brigham Young University.

Spence leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. She stood and embraced him. “I feel better now. Thank you.”

“We’ll have children. We need to be a little more patient,” he said in a tender voice. He pushed a wisp of her dark brown hair from her face.

She held the gaze of his pale blue eyes. “I know. I’m eager, that’s all. I want to raise a bunch of kids and teach them the gospel. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. Everyone in our ward either has a baby or they’re expect­ing one . . . except us.” She brushed a tear from her cheek.

“We don’t know Heavenly Father’s timetable or His reasons, so we need to have faith it will all work out. I’m confident we’ll have the chil­dren Heavenly Father intends to send us when the time is right.” He ran his fingers along her cheek.

She nodded. “I needed that blessing.”

Spence smiled and it made her heart skip a beat, the same way it had the first time she had seen him on the dance floor at Ricks College. His reddish-blond hair, strong jaw line, and vibrant smile had caught her eye, and when he’d asked her to dance, she wasn’t sure her legs would comply. From that moment, her attraction had grown into a deep and mature love.

Spence broke into her thoughts. “While I was pronouncing the blessing, I saw—”

Natalie cut in, almost afraid to mention what she’d seen. “A baby?”

Spence’s eyes widened. “Yes. A girl.”

“With big, round blue eyes?” The dazzling color and clarity of the child’s eyes stood out in her mind.

Spence nodded. “And blonde hair.”

Natalie’s skin pricked while a tingling sensation traveled up her spine to the top of her head. “Our first baby?” Joy enveloped her as she imagined holding a baby in her long-empty arms.

“Maybe. I saw her so clearly.”

“Did you see any others?”

Spence shook his head. “Only a baby girl.”

Natalie’s insides warmed at the thought of realizing her dream to be a mother. “She must be coming to our family.” Anticipation wound itself around her heart.

That night Natalie lay in bed as other words and phrases from the blessing circled her mind. After two miscarriages and three long years of watching every woman around her give birth, it seemed as though the time was now right for her and the baby she’d seen would soon come to her home. She focused on remembering every detail of the child’s face so she would recognize her. Excitement surged through her body. At long last, it would be her turn.

Though she’d recently graduated from BYU with a degree in psychol­ogy, she had no interest in pursuing it. She’d finished her degree to appease her parents, but her goal was to start a family. She wanted to raise a righteous brood, hold family home evening each week, have daily family prayer and scripture study, and attend church together—something she hadn’t been able to do with her parents. An eternal family was her first, and only, priority.

Her eyelids became heavy. Euphoric images of children running through her home and laughter bouncing off the walls danced across the stage of her mind until she fell asleep.

Be sure to check back tomorrow to begin reading Chapter 1 . . .

Pre-Order Contest: The Upside of Down

My new book, The Upside of Down, goes to press today. Woo hoo!! In celebration, I'm going to hold a contest for a $50 gift certificate to Amazon. I've never done a pre-order contest before, but my goal is . . . 1000 copies pre-ordered in 10 days. That's 100 pre-orders each day. I'm so excited! With your help, I know we can do it!

In case you haven't seen the cover or read the blurb:

“Hmmm,” the doctor muttered.
Natalie wrinkled her forehead, almost afraid to ask, and said, “What does that mean?”
“You do know you’re pregnant, right?”
Her breath caught in her throat. “Excuse me?”
“You’re pregnant.”
Her heartbeat thundered in her ears. “I’m what?”


Natalie Drake certainly has her hands full raising a large family, dealing with her difficult mother, and maintaining a relationship with her rebellious teenager. Just when things seem to be going smoothly, she finds out another unexpected surprise—she’s going to have a baby. Faced with so many challenges, Natalie must learn to trust in a plan that isn’t what she imagined and discover that every situation has an upside.

Beloved author Rebecca Talley carefully creates this touching and heartfelt story that is sure to inspire you. With true-to-life characters and situations, The Upside of Down will reignite your faith and remind you of the importance of family.

Here are the rules:

1. Pre-order my book at Amazon here
.
2. Send me a copy or your receipt or other proof of purchase for the pre-order at rebecca(AT)rebeccatalley(DOT)com to be entered into the drawing. Each pre-order gets one entry into the contest--if you purchase two, or ten :), as gifts each one garners an entry

3. The contest runs from Monday November 8, 2010 until midnight on Thursday, November 18, 2010. You must send me proof of purchase during these dates to qualify.

4. The winner will be chosen at random and posted on Friday, November 19, 2010.

5. The winner will receive a $50.00 gift certificate to Amazon--just in time to use for Christmas!

The books should be available for shipping in late December or early January. If you purchase my book, be sure to check back after the first of the year for another contest.

Tell all your friends! Thank you!!!!

"The Upside of Down" Cover is Here!

What do you think of my new book cover?

Here's the back cover copy:

“Hmmm,” the doctor muttered.
Natalie wrinkled her forehead, almost afraid to ask, and said, “What does that mean?”
“You do know you’re pregnant, right?”
Her breath caught in her throat. “Excuse me?”
“You’re pregnant.”
Her heartbeat thundered in her ears. “I’m what?”


Natalie Drake certainly has her hands full raising a large family, dealing with her difficult mother, and maintaining a relationship with her rebellious teenager. Just when things seem to be going smoothly, she finds out another unexpected surprise—she’s going to have a baby. Faced with so many challenges, Natalie must learn to trust in a plan that isn’t what she imagined and discover that every situation has an upside.

Beloved author Rebecca Talley carefully creates this touching and heartfelt story that is sure to inspire you. With true-to-life characters and situations, The Upside of Down will reignite your faith and remind you of the importance of family.

I'm not sure I'm "beloved" but what do you think? Does this make you want to read it? Would the cover intrigue you enough to pick it up?

I'll be having a contest for those who pre-order the book. I'll let you know when I have all the details set.

Thanks for visiting and thanks for supporting me!!

Defensive Tactics by Steve Westover

From the back cover:

Paul Stephens has it all--a wonderful job at the FBI, a new girlfriend, and a great apartment. Even when Jimmy, a friend from his past, unexpectedly ends up on his couch, Paul has no worries.

But when arresting a corrupt judge puts his girlfriend's life in danger, Paul and Jimmy will do anything to save her. How far will Paul go to protect the ones he love? Filled with suspense and action, Defensive Tactics shows just how much the bonds of friendship can endure.



I enjoyed reading this book. I'm not a big fan of omniscient point of view, I prefer to stay in one person's head, but Westover did a good job of creating an interesting and suspenseful story. I think he created some great characters.

I loved that Emily didn't lower her standards to do her job. She was still able to do what needed to be done, but she did it with modesty and class. I really liked her personality and loved how ingenious she was with the oil and water--you'll have to read the book to see what I mean.

I also really liked Jimmy. He was such a flake, but a likeable flake. I felt sorry for him and all that he lost, but I was glad when he realized he could find happiness and joy again. No matter what trials we endure in this life, we can still find peace and joy. I loved the talk Jimmy had with the bishop and how clearly the bishop explained what he needed to do to be happy again.

Paul is the rock. He is constant and solid--great traits in a character and in real life. I'm glad that . . . . sorry, no spoilers.

Westover did a great job characterizing the bad guys, too. The judge is slimy, slimy, slimy--I'd like to slap him.

I'd recommend this book.

To learn more about Steve Westover check out his blog.

Although I received this book as a review copy, it did not influence my review--my opinion, as always, is my own.

Hometown Girl by Michele Ashman Bell

From the back cover:
Jocelyn Rogers’s life is in a rut. Maybe she should step outside her comfort zone and move to Milford Falls, where she has inherited her grandmother’s house. With the encouragement of the other Butterfly Girls, Jocelyn musters her courage and starts a new life.

However, when she arrives in the small town that holds both good and bad memories for her, she discovers the house in worse shape than she expected, and getting repairs done is anything but easy — especially when it comes to dealing with Jack Emerson, a man who seems to be agitated by Jocelyn and everyone else within a fifty-mile radius.
To make matters worse, she has begun to worry that moving back to the place where she once spent a troubled summer will expose the deep personal secret she has kept hidden for fourteen years. But Jack also has a hidden secret that has prevented him from getting close to anyone in a long time. And now it seems that interfering neighbors may prevent both Jack and Jocelyn from moving forward with their lives.
Join the Butterfly Girls in this charmingly romantic story that shows sometimes it takes a leap of faith to land on your feet.

Michele Ashman Bell sent me this book to review and I'm so glad she did because I really enjoyed it. I found myself thinking about it even after I read it. It's a fun romance. At first, I wasn't at all excited about the main love interest, Jack. With his long hair, beard, and bad attitude, I couldn't understand why the main character, Jocelyn, would find him at all attractive--I wouldn't have. But, she could see beneath his exterior and as I read the story I could see more and more why she would be attracted to him. At the end of the story, Jack explains why his appearance is what it is and it makes perfect sense.

This book also includes some deeper, even disturbing, issues. The main one concerned Jocelyn. I felt connected to Jocelyn and I ached for her when she shared her long-held secret. It also made me angry--I won't say anymore so it doesn't ruin the story.

I love the relationship between the Butterfly Girls and how they worry about each other and love each other.  What a great group of friends.

I think Michele visited where I live to assemble such a cast of quirky characters. The townspeople made me laugh and reminded me of people I know. I loved Jocelyn's neighbor, Harry.

All in all, I had fun, and a few tears, reading this book and I recommend it. It's true that Michele sent it to me, but that didn't influence my review--the romance did that. I loved, loved, loved the first kiss. Michele sure knows how to show the romance in her writing and communicate those emotions. Gave me some tingles.

Michele is hosting a contest on her blog www.micheleabell.blogspot.com for a $50 VISA gift card. If you'd like to enter the contest be sure to visit her blog for directions on entering.

Teaser for The Upside of Down

What do you think?

The Upside of Down Release Date

I've heard from my publisher that my next book, The Upside of Down (LDS Women's Fiction), will be released in January 2011. Woo hoo!

I'll be hosting some contests, a blog tour, and attempting some book signings (although the idea of doing a book signing and having no one show up makes me nauseous). I'll keep you updated on the progress.

This book is particularly important to me because of its message. What do you think of this tagline:
Every baby is a gift, even if its wrapping is a little different.

Does it make you want to read the book? Too boring? Too vague? Clever? Intriguing? I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.

And, if you have any marketing ideas, please, let me know!

Thanks!

Author Interview: Laurie Lewis

I'm chatting with Laurie Lewis, author of Awakening Avery today. Readers may know her best as L.C. Lewis, the author of the historical fiction series Free Men and Dreamers. Laurie, why did you switch genres and write Awakening Avery? It’s not historical is it?

No, Awakening Avery is current, so it’s a nice diversion from my historical work.

What is the message behind the title, Awakening Avery.

Our lead character is an LDS author/wife and mother who gets catapulted from her comfortable support role in the family to the lead after the untimely death of her wonderful husband. Although her husband, Paul, had been slowing fading for a long time, Avery had closed her eyes to the toll his illness and death had taken on her and her family. Her oldest son tells her he needs to get away to deal with his grief, and she is forced to face some hard truths—things are falling apart in her once perfect family, and instead of preparing for the eventuality of Paul’s death, she has been shriveling away. Avery needs to step up and take action, a daring thing that requires her to grow and stretch in ways she never imagined.

So is this story primarily about handling grief?

The Thompson family’s grief is the vehicle we use to address the major theme of the book, which is family vigilance. Their grief opens cracks in their spiritual veneer that weakens them, and makes them vulnerable, but hopefully readers will recognize that all of our families are vulnerable if we lower our vigilance for whatever reason. But another lesson from the book is the power available to us as we draw upon our families and friends for strength. The book is very hopeful.

The themes are serious, but you call Awakening Avery a chuckle-out-loud and grab-a-hankie read. Why?

Avery is grieving, but she goes through a summer of self-discovery where she opens her narrow world up to receive a host of quirky new friends. They all have life experience and strength she can draw from, and she discovers she has a few things to teach them as well. So it’s not a sad book. Parts are very tender—happy tender and sad tender— and parts are a riot. We’ve got some fun, crazy characters in here.

Like Teddie and Rider Davis? They’re hilarious!

Yeah, I love them! They remind me of kids playing dress-up, but they have already been through the fire, and under all their designer duds, they are people of great substance. They have been tested in the crucible of faith, and they are stronger because of it.

And George? I hear the dedication of Awakening Avery is also very personal to you.

It is. It reads, “To my father, Allen K. Chilcoat, the chef behind the magic of slumgolian and peanut-butter balls; and to my mother, Bernice, who kept us alive despite his kitchen exploits.”

Of all the books I’ve written, or that I will ever write, this one probably best reflects my childhood memories of my father. He is the model for George because when Dad went into the kitchen to cook we knew it was going to be an adventure.
So Slumgolian is a real dish? You actually ate it?

Oh yes! I think the recipe had its beginnings in Iceland where my father was stationed for a time. The men threw whatever they had into a pot and called it Slumgolian. One evening when we were camping, after a long day of crabbing in the Chesapeake Bay, my dad offered to make dinner. Mom was horrified at what was being thrown together—baked beans, chicken noodle soup, corn, peas, you name it—but Dad insisted we’d love it. It looked dreadful, but Dad’s presentation and sales pitch transformed it from slop to Slumgolian, a very exotic foreign dish.
And the Kool-Aid pancakes and Peanut Butter Balls?

Yeah, they were all my dad’s recipes.

Avery is an author. Was that meant to be another biographical element?

No . . . I needed Avery to have a career that made her mobile enough to take this journey, and to provide her with a tool with which she could measure her personal growth. Writing her as an author fit that bill, and I already understood that industry. For Avery, her writing and the writings of another author—Axel Hunter—provide an outlet for expression . . . of her grief, her fears, her hopes. I think we all need an outlet. Hopefully one of our outlets is good friends.

Axel Hunter figures critically in this book.

Neither Avery nor Gabriel sees any personal life for themselves after their spouses die. Axel’s books open their eyes and hearts to possibilities they had shut out. As a writer, I’d love to think my books made a difference like that in anyone’s life.

That’s powerful, but there is also great power in humor. I love the story of the Carson sisters and the pink flamingo rug!

That was the most fun scene to write! I hope to begin a new pink flamingo trend in home décor!

The Thompsons are LDS but the Carsons are not. That becomes a major theme in the book as well.

Awakening Avery explores the additional tensions that arise in a marriage when religious differences exist, and the devastating consequences that occur when partners allow that to build a wedge in their family. The absolute essential nature of strong families is the underlying theme of Awakening Avery.

So what other projects are you working on?

I’m still promoting my Free Men and Dreamers series. Volume three, Dawn’s Early Light, debuted in December, and I’m hoping we’ll see book four on the shelves by late summer.

Thanks for the interview, Laurie. Awakening Avery sounds like a great gift for mothers and wives.



Reviews. . .

Readers will love the journey that Avery takes them on and will find themselves transformed in the process. —Martha Adams

“Teddie and Rider are most delightful, and they immediately find a place in Avery's heart and in the reader's heart as well.”

“I had to chuckle out loud.”

“A very . . . compelling read.”

“[This] author has a definite knack for making her characters' voices distinct.”

“I love Avery . . . a middle-aged woman being the heroine.”

Chocolate Roses by Joan Sowards

Don't you just love that title? I'm all about chocolate.

From the back cover:

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.



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

Doesn't that sound like a fun book? Joan stopped by my blog for an interview.
Joan, when did you start to write and how long did it take you get published?


I have been writing over fifteen years. I felt prompted to sit down and write what a particular ancestor would say if I had the chance to interview her. She didn't want to give me much information, didn't trust me, and from that I wrote a short story that grew into a novel. Through that experience I discovered that I loved to write!

Kerry Blair lived in my ward back then. She'd edit my chapters and I tried to learn the rules behind her changes. I learned a lot from her. She realized she could do a lot better than I was doing, so she wrote her own first novel and sent it to Covenant. They accepted it within two weeks.

How did you break into publishing?

I admit it was luck. I was in the right place at the right time. Kathy Jenkins of Covenant Com. suggested I send Walnut Springs Press my novel We Have Seen His Star--so I did. I pestered editor Linda Prince every few months asking if she had read it. After the eighth month, she asked if I had an LDS romance and that she needed one right away. I sent Haunts Haven and she liked it!

What inspired you to write romance?

I think every story needs romance, if not just a touch of it.

What genre or sub-genre do you write? Why did you choose this genre?

I write LDS romance. Haunts Haven is a paranormal mystery romance, Chocolate Roses is pure romance with a Jane Eyre parallel. I haven't been able to get away from the LDS genre. I guess because it is so ingrained in me.

What are you working on now?

I'm writing a story about a recent ASU college grad who takes a journalist job in a seaside village in Oregon. It has a touch of the paranormal, and I love the characters.

What has surprised you about being a published author?

Before being published, everything I did had an eternal perspective: taking care of my family which included cooking and cleaning, etc., my relationship with my husband, my calling. Even writing novels and music was developing talents and I felt the Spirit affirming that was what I should be doing. As soon as Haunts Haven hit the stores and I was expected to promote it and myself. I felt uncomfortable with that because it didn't easily fit into the eternal perspective that gave me comfort. I'm still not comfortable about the promotion.

What do you like to do when you aren't writing?

I'm a family history addict. I love to sew aprons to give as gifts. I write music (http://joansowards.com/) that I give as a service. My adorable grandchildren take a lot of my time, and I love being with my husband.

What advice would you give aspiring writers today?

Don't give up. Be ready for when you are "in the right place at the right time." Learn the craft of writing and be open for critiquing. There's a lot to be learned from other writers.

Thank you for the Interview, Joan. I loved learning more about you and your books.

Thank you! My blog is http://joansowards.blogspot.com/. As all bloggers know, there is joy in getting comments!

Author Interview: Erin Klingler

Today my guest is Erin Klingler. She's here to talk about her new release Between the Lines.

Hi Erin, welcome to my blog. When did you first consider yourself a writer?

When I was about eight years old, actually. I wrote a silly little story (though I probably thought it was groundbreaking when I wrote it) about a dog who wanted a dog house for Christmas. I still have it saved in a scrapbook somewhere. My love of reading prior to that and ever since only strengthened my desire to become a writer. I soaked up everything I was taught in my English and creative writing classes in junior high and high school. Then after I got married and was busy raising children, I started writing a couple of different things when my kids were napping or playing. Between the Lines is my second novel.

Is your book based on a personal experience?

Not in the least. :) But I do love watching television shows that mix character relationships with criminal investigation--Alias, Castle, Bones, etc. My passion for those kinds of stories made me try my hand at romantic suspense. To my surprise, I actually love writing bad guys almost as much as I love writing romance! Who would have thought?

How long did it take you to write the book?

Um...forever. :) In its various incarnations, it was probably a three-year project. It doesn't normally take me that long, but it started out as mostly romance until Covenant's evaluators decided they thought I should stick in more "bad guy stuff." So I rewrote. Then resubmitted. Then had it accepted and rewrote various aspects of it many times. It's been a long road, but I'm happy with how it turned out.

What books or authors have most influenced your writing?

Definitely Kerry Blair, first and foremost. Her The Heart Has Its Reasons and subsequent books in that series were the first LDS books I fell in love with. They really were a turning point in my life. Shortly after I read them, we started exchanging emails, and she became a dear friend. She had an enormous impact on my decision to keep trying to get publish. Also, Traci Abramson's books really turned my thoughts to writing LDS suspense. She's such a master at it! I greatly admire her and her writing ability so much. Just getting to know her has inspired me to become a better writer.

What can we look for next? What current projects are you working on?

Between the Lines is out the first week of May, and I'm very excited about that! I hope all the years of hard work put into this book helps it to be something people enjoy. So much of my writing time has been focused on getting this book ready that I haven't fully jumped back into writing my next project. Now I can do that! Its working title is Deceit, and the book is high-energy action (the helicopter chase scene as the bad guys try to chase my main characters through the mountains of Colorado continues to be my favorite!) with a tale of rekindled love--if my characters make it out alive, of course!

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Finding time, mostly! Being a YW president, raising five kids, and working part time as a medical transcriptionist rarely leaves me spare time. But writing seems to be vital to my mental health, so I squeak out whatever time I can.

Do you have any advice for other authors?

Yes! Don't give up! I talk to so many aspiring authors, and most of them think the path is easy: write a book, send it off to a few agents, and then it's published. When they find out there's a lot of hard work and heartbreak along the way, they get a little freaked out. But anything worthwhile takes work! So be prepared to work, and don't give up! Most of the joy in the experience, I have found, comes in the friendship and learning experiences you discover along the way.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

In my 2 seconds of spare time? :) I love to play tennis, and I love to read. It seems to be easier to find time to read (while waiting for kids to come out of school, or in bed at night during the news broadcasts) than to play tennis, so I find myself reading more often than pounding tennis balls across the net.

Any last words you want the reader to know?

I'm just excited to be sharing my passion for reading by writing something I hope people will enjoy. If I've been able to give somebody a few hours of escape or enjoyment through the pages of my book, I'll feel like my time writing has been well spent. Every time I hear somebody say, "I haven't done a lick of housework in 2 days because I was too absorbed in your book!" I feel like I could die happy. :)

Thanks, Erin, for stopping by. Look for Between the Lines in LDS bookstores. You can learn more about Erin Klingler here.