COMING SOON!!!

I apologize profusely for not being more consistent with my blogging. I WILL change that . . . just not right now. (Can you tell I'm really good at procrastination?) I've been running like a madwoman. Or I should say "crutching" or "wheeling" as I'm still on crutches and sometimes they are literally a pain so I ride around in the borrowed wheelchair.

But that is beside the point. Tonight I go to the in-laws for dinner and family time. Which is where I should be going right now, but I had to let everyone know I really DO have updates coming soon. I promise!

Until then, have fun!

FINALLY!

Well, I'm going in for surgery in the morning. They're finally going to fix my ankle. We delayed my book tour in order to get this taken care of and I couldn't be happier. I must admit, I'm a little nervous about the surgery, but am looking forward to being able to walk again. I miss walking. I'll post an update as soon as I'm no longer delirious.

The Light Will Come

Book Review: I'll Know You By Heart by Kimberly Job

First, let me apologize to Kimberly and Valor for being late in my review. I was at the LDStorymakers Writing Conference this past weekend and have been dealing with some physical challenges that have somehow made my brain turn to mush. But, better late than never, as they say, so here it is! My review of "I'll Know You by Heart" by Kimberly Job.

By way of disclaimer, I have known Kimberly for about 3 years and admired her writing from the very beginning, but that in no way influences my review of her book.

***

I'm not usually a reader of romance. It's not my genre. I write fantasy, for goodness sake, but I'll Know You By Heart was more than just a romance. It was the story of a woman's battle with abuse and lose all confidence in herself. It was about her coming to terms with her fear and standing up for what was important in the end.

It was about life.

And might I say, Kimberly has done a fantastic job of making it real. I was right there with our main character as she battled with her husband to protect her son. I was there when she first had to face the fact that not all men are like her ex. I was there as she fought the feelings she had for the new man in her life. Kimberly made me walk in this woman's shoes in a way most books rarely do, and though it ripped my heart out and shredded it at times, it also made me glow with happiness and pride when she made progress.

I'll be honest here. This book was so fantastically good that when I got toward the end, in particular, I could not put it down. I slowed down as I drove to hit every light red, then asked my kids to tell me when the light turned green and prayed it would stay red forever. Yes, it was just that good.

It is an LDS novel, but it's not one that hits you over the head with it, so it makes it a read that anyone can enjoy, and it's CLEAN.

I would give this book 5 out of 5 stars. Seriously. And I don't do that often. So, congratulations, Kimberly, for a fantastic debut novel. I look forward to the many yet to come.

Quote of the Day: "The only reason for being a professional writer is that you just can't help it."

Leo Rosten

Not Again!

I hate doing this when I've just started the write-a-thon thing, but I made appointments before I set up the write-a-thon, so I won't be able to write from 10-2 tomorrow. I apologize most profusely! If you want to write with me during the day, let's make it Tuesday instead. It's the only other free day I've got this week, as Wednesday I co-teach a class, and Thursday I'm heading to Provo for the LDStorymakers annual writing conference. So, if you want to write with me during the day, remember, Tuesday, April 20th, from 10 am to 2 pm. See you then!

Write-a-thon TONIGHT!!!

Just a reminder, I'll be online for my first evening write-a-thon tonight. If any of you want to join me, post your starting time at the end of this blog, along with your starting word count. Then, no later than 12:15 tonight, post your finishing time and word count, then your total words written in those four hours. If you want to open up a chat window with me and any of our fellow writers, I'll be on MSN Live (Windows live messenger?) during that time (user name is writingpal AT live.com). Or, if you're on Yahoo, I'll open that one too (luv2writefantasy user name). Just remember, the chat window is for support purposes, not to talk the whole time. lol

Hope to see you tonight!!!

My First Podcast!

My interview with the ladies of LDS Women's Book Review posted today. It was a TON of fun being interviewed with my publisher and friend, Candace Salima. Go check it out!

PODCAST HERE!