Book Review: Luminescence by Braden Bell and a Giveaway

Today's post is by my daughter, MJ.  =)

This series was non-put-downable! Lexa, Melanie, Connor and Pilaf are lovable and fun--and it was interesting to see how they reacted in challenging and exciting situations. It's hard to believe the series has already ended. The Kindling series is AWESOME!

Braden Bell is one of my most favorite authors ever. I can't wait to see what his next book will be - and really hope it will be as awesome as the Kindling series.

More about Luminescence:

 “He’s alive!” she yelled. “He’s alive!”
As Lexa spoke the words, she knew they were true. She knew with total certainty.
“Dr. Timberi’s alive!”

When Lady Nightwing kidnapped Dr. Timberi, everyone assumed their teacher had been killed. So when Lexa discovers that he isn’t dead, Conner can’t believe his ears.

Determined to rescue their favorite teacher, Conner, Lexa, and Melanie confront their worst fears and use their powers in unexpected ways to defeat Lady Nightshade, the treacherous Darkhand leader. But when the trio makes a terrible choice to save Dr. Timberi, their powers may not be enough to keep everyone alive. A thrilling conclusion to the Middle School Magic series!

Your favorite characters return in this satisfying conclusion of the Middle School Magic series! Filled with plenty of twists, humor, and adventure, Luminescence will keep you guessing until the last page.

Study hall? Definitely. Substitute Teachers? Absolutely. Rescuing people from brutal villains? Bring it on!

About the Author Braden Bell 

During his middle school years, Braden Bell was the least-stable, lowest-achieving student in the history of the world. He shocked every former teacher by graduating from high school and college, and then going on to earn both a Master’s degree as well as a Ph.D. A teacher by day and a parent by night, he is around teenagers 24/7. He teaches music and directs plays at a private school, much like Marion Academy in The Middle School Magic series. Whether he fights evil after hours is something he cannot disclose.

Braden Bell holds degrees in theatre from Brigham Young University and a Ph.D. from NYU. A committed educator, he has been directing plays and teaching school now for over twenty years. Braden lives with his family on a quiet, tree-lined lot outside of Nashville, TN, where he teaches theatre and choir at a middle school. The author of The Road Show, The Kindling, and Penumbras.

Lean More on his website* twitter* facebook* goodreads* publisher


Giveaway $25 Amazon giftcard or Paypal cash!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Low Carb Bell Pepper "Sandwich" and a Giveaway Winner

I recently had to change my diet - per orders of the doc. Low carb. Gasp! All my fave foods will now be a very rare indulgence. Thankfully, with the help of many fabulous friends, I am discovering new yummy foods. Today, I'm sharing a sandwich option I never even considered!

The Bell Pepper "Sandwich"

1 bell pepper, halved and deseeded
Meat salad of your choice (tuna, chicken, etc)
Toppings (onions, celery, pickles, shredded cheese, nuts, etc)

Simply fill each half of the bell pepper with your meat salad. Add your toppings and enjoy!

I made mine with tuna and celery salad, then topped it with onions and pickles. It was super delicious and surprisingly very filling. My kids even tried it and most them really liked it.


Sweet Confections Cover Reveal Giveaway Winner

A huge sincere thank you to everyone who participated in the giveaway. Thank you for all your comments, tweets and Facebook messages. I'm super excited to share the rest of the journey of my book release with you. And now, the winner of the $10 Redbox gift card and advance ebook copy of Sweet Confections is . . .

Destiny Shackleford! Congrats!!!

Win Autographed Books for Winter Break!

At my house, Winter Break is filled with fun activities - trips to the movie theater, playing board games, and devouring books. Today, I have three awesome books for you to enter to win. I met each of these authors at writers conferences and asked them to sign the books for my readers. They're fabulous reads that I know you'll enjoy!

Rocky Road: A Culinary Mystery by Josi S. Kilpack

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Just One Day by Gayle Forman

To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter below. The contest ends on Sunday, December 22nd at midnight. Winners will be announced Monday and books shipped that same day. Be sure to use the entry option "Leave a Blog Post Comment" to tell me which book or books you'd like. I'll do my best to accommodate the winners. I can only ship to U.S.A addresses.




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$25 Giveaway and Cover Reveal for The Accidental Marriage!

About THE ACCIDENTAL MARRIAGE: Nina Rushforth was born with a silver spoon caught in her throat. She and her father have mapped out a future that includes a brilliant legal career, a marriage to an equally stellar attorney or Wall Street whiz kid, and eventually the production of three perfect children. A semester at St. Andrew's University in Scotland, was part of the plan, but falling in love with a handsome missionary was not.

Six months later, after Elliot returns from his mission and after a tumultuous courtship, Nina finds herself teaching at a junior high school, learning to keep house in a minuscule apartment, and living with a man who doesn't know any more about being married than she does. Intimacy, cooking, laundry, lesson plans, and a tug-of-war with a possessive mother-in-law prove to be more overwhelming than Nina can successfully manage. The newlyweds awaken to realize the head on the adjacent pillow belongs to a stranger.

This novel captures the heartbreak of young love caught in the turbulent social crosscurrents of the 70's, at a time when brave women struggled to find dignity and equality in the workplace, as well as peace at home.

Publication Date: December 10, 2013

The Accidental Marriage can be pre-ordered at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. 

Praise for THE ACCIDENTAL MARRIAGE:

“A thoughtful, heartbreaking, and often laugh-out-loud romp… Annette Haws explores the interesting question: What keeps a marriage together?”

--Terrell Dougan, a columnist for the Huffington Post and the author of That Went Well: Adventures in Caring for my Sister

“Haws delivers a story that makes you want to rush to the end to find out what happens and prose that makes you want to slow down and savor it.”

--Karey White, author of For What It’s Worth, Gifted, and My Own Mr. Darcy

“If you want a story with plot, character and real, deep meaning that will leave you thinking long after you’re done, this is the book for you.”

--Shannon Guymon, author of Do Over

About Annette: Annette Haws’s literary strengths are based upon her experiences in the classroom. She began her teaching career as a junior high teacher in Richmond, Utah and ended it teaching Sophomore English at Murray High School in Salt Lake City. However, her favorite assignment was a five year period at Logan High School teaching English, coaching debate and mock trial, and watching the antics of her own three children who were also students in the same school.

Her first novel, Waiting for the Light to Change, won Best of State in 2009, A Whitney Award for Best Fiction, and the Diamond Quill Award for Best Published Fiction in 2009 from the League of Utah Writers. In July of 2008, the Midwest Book Review selected it as a Top Pick for Community Library Fiction Collections.

Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Annette-Haws/449482665167812

Website: http://annettehaws.com/

Blog: http://annettehaws.com/?page_id=14

Book on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18275669-the-accidental-marriage

Annette on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1404936.Annette_Haws

Giveaway!

Enter below to win $25 in cash!

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An Autism Awareness Month Giveaway

CJ over at the fabulous website, Give, Oh Giveaway, reviewed my book - (dis)Abilities and the Gospel - today AND she's offering a fabulous giveaway in honor of Autism Awareness Month.

Here's a short blurb of something she learned from the book:

"Another great thing I read in this book is to change MY attitude on a particularly rough day…instead of day thinking, “What am I going to do with this child today” think “What does this child need today?” WOW. I know it seems basic–but to an inexperienced volunteer like myself this was a profound idea! I tried it on a rough day and saw HUGE improvements…not only in the children but in myself as well."  

You can read the rest of her review on her website and enter to win as well.

Happy Autism Awareness Month!

Faith, Hope & Gravity by Merrill Osmond & Giveaway

Today, I am spotlighting Merrill Osmond's new book, 

Faith, Hope & Gravity. 

“Faith, Hope and Gravity” is the spiritual, magical adventure of teenage Liam Kane as he discovers some of the same lessons Merrill Osmond learned as the world-traveling lead singer of the Osmond Brothers. Like Merrill, Liam is often misunderstood as he helps those seeking for purpose in their extraordinary talents. Liam’s visionary abilities gain him international notoriety as “The Prophecy Boy” who swims with dolphins, dreams of a mysterious red door, and champions those who are often misjudged for their uncommon gifts. Surviving kidnapping, near-drowning, and imprisonment leads to the discovery that despite differences, when people respect each other and their wide variety of abilities, the thread of commonality that runs through mankind grows ever stronger. Turn the pages to join in this unforgettable journey.

Endorsements:
“Fiction rarely resonates with more truth that ‘Faith Hope and Gravity.’ Merrill Osmond's music has made him part of our lives. His delightful debut novel is a journey into his heart. It is a journey you don't want to miss."
Kieth Merrill, Academy Award Winning Filmmaker

The Giveaway














Enter to win 2 Merrill Osmond CD's - Swingtime & Unplugged. To enter, simply do the following two things before September 30th. Giveaway is open to the U.S. only.

1. Follow my blog AND
2. Leave a comment on this blog post

More About The Authors

Merrill Osmond is a world-class entertainer, producer, author, motivational speaker and renowned lead singer of the Osmonds. Merrill and his siblings have produced 47 platinum & gold records and Merrill has written the lyrics for five #1 hit records. Merrill is a co-founder of the Osmond Foundation, which originally produced “The Children’s Miracle Network” Telethon. He has produced presidential inaugural events for both Reagan & Bush. Merrill is excited to release his first novel, Faith, Hope & Gravity.





Shirley Bahlmann has written a wide variety of genres, including historical fiction, novels, biographies, how-to, and how-not-to books. One of her favorites is a children’s book titled “When the Chicken Crossed the Road” which comes with instructions and a chicken-colored washcloth so you can roll your own chicken! Shirley finds the most annoying thing about being a prolific writer is sleep, because she’d rather be writing.






Buy the Book

Faith, Hope & Gravity is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and your local book stores.

 

Tres Leches Cupcakes Winner AND an Upcoming Booksigning!

Thank you to everyone who entered to win a copy of Josi Kilpack's new book, Tres Leches Cupcakes. Before I announce the winner, just a quick note!

I'm participating in a fabulous Authorpalooza this Friday, September 14th. If you're in the Kansas City area, please stop by, visit, and check out some awesome books! There will be a Q&A session with the authors and several prize drawings.

Oak Park Mall Barnes & Noble 
11323 W 95th Street, Overland Park, KS

Additional authors include:
Lisa Mangum
Josi Kilpack
Heather Justesen
Don Carey
Karen Hoover
Traci Hunter Abramson
L.C. Lewis
Steve Westover
Lynn Parsons
Tamara Hart Heiner
and more! 

And now, the Tres Leches Cupcakes winner is . . . 

Kathleen Brebes!

Kathleen, please email me your snail mail address and I'll get your book in the mail.

Daughters of Jared by H.B. Moore PLUS a Giveaway

Naiva, daughter of the dethroned King Jared II, lives in the shadow of her privileged elder sister, Asherah. But when Asherah develops a secret plot to return their father to the throne, Naiva’s resentment turns to fear. Thwarting the scheme becomes more complicated when Naiva discovers that Akish, the first man who has shown interest in her, is an integral part of the plan.

Asherah traps Akish in a ploy to make him marry her, breaking Naiva’s heart and leaving her feeling more alone than ever. Somehow Naiva must find the strength to stand against the encroaching evil in the kingdom and a sister who will stop at nothing to become queen. When Akish’s wickedness escalates and threatens to destroy the bonds of sisterhood, Naiva must decide between protecting her sister and honoring her new belief in the true God—a forbidden belief that could cost her life. 

The first book I read by H.B. Moore was Abinadi, and I have been a huge fan ever since. I especially love that Daughters of Jared was about two sisters and their loyalty to each other despite the very different choices and paths they take. I've always overlooked the story of the daughters of Jared, not really thinking about them and the impact their lives had on a generations of people. But this book reminded me that each of us - no matter what our role is here on Earth - has a unique way of influencing not only our spouses and children, but our friends, neighbors, and future generations. And with the internet, there are so many who read blogs or are followers on Facebook or Twitter - and each of them, whether they are close friends or cyber buddies - learn and grow from each other. I'm grateful that H.B. Moore brings scripture stories to life, with vivid characters and such an in-depth look of what their lives may have been like. I look forward to sharing this book with my 11 year old daughter, who pulled Abinadi off my book shelf a few months ago and absolutely loved it. She's working her way through the series, and I just love her questions and the conversations we've had. I highly recommend Daughters of Jared. It's definitely one to add to your To Read list!

You can find out more about H.B. Moore and her books on her website or blog. You can add Daughter of Jared to your Goodreads list here, or purchase it at Deseret Book, Barnes & Noble or the Amazon link below.




Win an Autographed Copy of Daughters of Jared by H.B. Moore

Entering is simple. Follow my blog and leave a comment on this post telling me why you'd like to win Daughters of Jared and if you've read any of H.B. Moore's other books. I will choose a winner on Monday, June 4th.

It's So Cherry Super Spring Giveaway!

I'm excited to share with you a totally fun new store called It's So Cherry! They have the cutest accessories. And lucky you, I've been asked to participate in their giveaway for Mother's Day.

It's So Cherry Super Spring Kickoff

The trees and flowers are blooming, the sun is out (well, sometimes) and we here at It's So Cherry are all about celebrating, so we're giving away gift bags to four lucky winners, and a pair of barefoot sandals to 20 more. That’s right, you have TWENTY-FOUR chances to win.

To enter, register at www.itssocherry.com, and follow one (or more) of the participating blogs, then fill out the form below.

Contest Rules:

- Must be 16 and over

- One prize per household

- Must be registered @www.itssocherry.com

- Only valid for those living within the continental US, or with a United States mailing address

Each grand prize goodie bag will contain (1) Flower necklace set (with earrings), (1) crochet head wrap (color may vary), (1) scarf (color and style may vary), (1) package nail wraps, and (1) black wrap bracelet.  We will also give away 20 pairs of barefoot sandals to 20 winners.  

Barefoot Sandals - Aren't they awesome?

To enter, simply register for an account with It's So Cherry (www.itssocherry.com) and sign up for their email list.  Entries will be accepted starting Monday, May 7^th, until midnight, mountain standard time, on Friday, May 18^th.  

Prizes will be shipped within 10 business days after contest winners have been announced.   Winners will be selected using random.org, and contacted using the email provided for registration on the It's So Cherry website.  

Names of the goodie bag winners will be posted to participating blog sites as well as the blog for It's So Cherry, www.itssocherry.blogspot.com. Upon notification, winners will have 7 days to respond, after which another winner will be chosen.