New Mormon Books

… perhaps his most personal novel. …Reminded me of Stephen King even though the supernatural touches are very light, I wasn’t surprised to find out he wrote this after reading Pet Semetary and wanting a different ending. I may not like his political views, but he can be a wonderful writer, at his best when showing the cracks in a strong marriage between a husband and wife put under stress. A lot of the details were based on Card’s own life (he wrote for a computer magazine that had similar Machiavellian scheming) and makes this a winner.

Moar Book Reviews!: Lost Boys, by Orson Scott Card
By MacGuffin
Darth Ennui, 18th-Jul-2009
http://mac6uffin.livejournal.com/140077.html

Shannon Hale’s The Actor and the Housewife was a fantastic read, and a much different book than what I expected from the cover and plot synopsis. I can tell form some of the other reviews I’ve read that I wasn’t the only one surprised by this book. I expected this to be light and funny – a perfect summer read. And it was funny, but it was anything but light.

Book Review: The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale
By CarrieK
Books and Movies, July 2, 2009.
http://booksandmovies.colvilleblogger.com/2009/07/02/book-review-the-actor-and-the-housewife-by-shannon-hale/

Since leaving his accounting job last year, Mormon author James Dashner has been spending his days in libraries, bookstores and movie theaters. But he can hardly be accused of idleness. After all, Dashner is producing books that have him poised for arrival on the national youth fiction landscape.

Accountant to author: James Dashner trumps the odds
By Aaron Shill
Mormon Times, July 1, 2009.
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705314078,00.html

“It’s not what I expected.” That’s the first response I keep hearing from readers of the actor and the housewife. I wondered if the title or jacket was misleading, or the jacket text. Or all. They may be. But as I’ve listened to these readers, I’ve come to realize that, at least in part, it’s something more ephemeral than all that: this book doesn’t have a genre.

This is what Shannon Hale says about her newest book The Actor and the Housewife and this is exactly the response I had when reading it.

The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale (and Shannon Singing . . . Karaoke?!)
By Natasha
Maw Books Blog, June 29, 2009.
http://blog.mawbooks.com/2009/06/29/the-actor-and-the-housewife-by-shannon-hale/

I really do get my ideas in the strangest places. My first novel came from a dream, my second came from a Relief Society lesson, my third is a family history story, and “Agent in Old Lace,” my new release, came about from a news story. The series I’m starting in the fall came from a late-night conversation with my husband and we got the giggles while we brain-stormed it.

Jerry Borrowman, Jodi Marie Robinson and and interview with Tristi Pinkston, what more could you ask for?
By Michele Ashman Bell
Michele Ashman Bell, May 15, 2009
http://micheleabell.blogspot.com/2009/05/jerry-borrowman-jodi-marie-robinson-and.html

This book is a departure from Tristi’s previous historical fiction. It’s a romantic suspense (why do all my friends write romantic suspense?), with Shannon Tanner as the damsel in distress. She discovers that her soon-to-be fiance, Mark, has been stealing money from her father, and in that moment of truth, he drops his perfect boyfriend facade and tries to kill her. The FBI (who’ve been tracking him for years but unable to catch him) send their best agent, Rick Holden, to protect her—disguised as Shannon’s Aunt Anita.

Agent in Old Lace by Tristi Pinkston
By Karlene
inksplasher, May 13, 2009
http://inksplasher.blogspot.com/2009/05/agent-in-old-lace-by-tristi-pinkston.html

From nine until midnight,you’ll find me at the computer, either writing, editing my own writing, or editing someone else’s writing. My computer is right in the middle of the fray. I used to have it off in my bedroom, but my kids felt left out and then they discovered they could get away with stuff if I wasn’t right there. So now my computer is in the living room, in the flow of traffic. They have instant access to me, and I have instant access to squelch any simmering revolutions. I write regularly, every day but Sunday, but I don’t always work on the same thing.

Dogs or Cats? Vanilla or Chocolate? Tristi Pinkston on Life and Writing
By Lori Nawyn
Forethought and Purpose, May 15, 2009
http://forethoughtandpurpose.blogspot.com/2009/05/dogs-or-cats-vanilla-or-chocolate.html

I have my computer on almost all the time and whenever I get an idea, I sneak away for a second to jot it down. Then at night, after the kids are asleep, I’m able to get in and really work. My husband is also very supportive and takes care of the kids for me when I’ve got something pressing that needs to be finished. I’ve given up some sleep and a lot of tv, and my house isn’t very clean, but those are some of the things I’ve sacrificed to make it all fit.

Interview with famous LDS author Tristi Pinkston
By Kersten Campbell
Life on the Funny Farm, May 20, 2009
http://kersten4.blogspot.com/2009/05/interview-with-famous-lds-author-tristi.html

I read this book in (basically) a single sitting. (If you don’t count stopping to make dinner, take a walk and put the kids to bed.) When I reached the climax, I was racing to find out what happened next! While you know who the bad guy is from page three, there’s lots to keep you guessing—and I totally guessed right . I love a book that makes me feel like a good detective (or just someone who’s seen too many episodes of Law & Order).

Agent in Old Lace by Tristi Pinkston - Review
By Jordan McCollum
Jordan McCollum, 27 May 2009
http://jordanmccollum.com/2009/05/agent-lace-tristi-pinkston-review/

The book is a great mix of intrique, romance, and action. The characters are well fleshed out, the dialogue believable, and the story flow is great.

Book Review: Tristi Pinkston’s Agent in Old Lace
By Heather Justesen
Heather Justesen, June 3, 2009
http://heatherjustesen.blogspot.com/2009/06/book-review-tristi-pinkstons-agent-in.html

It’s been a lot of fun for me to explore this other dimension of myself, although a part of me does feel like I’m cheating on historical fiction, which will always be my first love. I enjoy researching, although I do find myself a little frustrated when I miss something. I appreciate the chances for learning and growth that have come my way as I’ve learned about things that happened decades before I was born. I have every intention of continuing to write in the historical fiction genre, but you know, I like testing out these new waters. Contemporary fiction is challenging me in different ways, and I also feel as though my brain power has been freed up somewhat to concentrate on craft and mechanics and improving my overall writing skills.

Exploring New Facets
By Jennie L. Hansen
Notes from Jennie’s Desk, June 3, 2009
http://notesfromjenniesdesk.blogspot.com/2009/06/exploring-new-facets.html

My mistake was that I started it at bedtime (around 11:30 pm), thinking I’d read a chapter and then go to sleep. I finished it at 1:15 in the morning. It was an easy, fun read. Tristi’s sense of humor really comes through in Shannon, with fun references to the Princess Bride and “assault with deadly fruit”. You know who the main culprit is, early on in the book and I had the other issue figured out fairly quickly as well, but as Tristi said in an interview, it’s as much about the characters as it is about the plot. I agree, this isn’t simply a “solve a mystery” book, it’s a “solve a mystery with the characters and have some fun along the way” book.

Agent in Old Lace
By Holly
2 Kids and Tired Book Reviews, June 3, 2009
http://2kidsandtiredbooks.blogspot.com/2009/06/agent-in-old-lace.html

Agent in Lace is Tristi Pinkston’s new book and a departure from her usual historical novels. I’ve decided that it’s my favorite. Definitely written for the LDS audience, I appreciate the way she includes LDS culture in the book without interpreting it, just assumes we know what she’s talking about. Also, this book is pure entertainment, no overt attempts to hit you over the head with Mormon doctrine. It’s just part of who these people are and that’s the way I like my LDS fiction.

Agent in Old Lace by Tristi Pinkston
By Framed
Framed and Booked, June 04, 2009
http://framedandbooked.blogspot.com/2009/06/51-agent-in-lace-by-tristi-pinkston.html

Tristi has a deep spiritual and intellectual side, but her basic personality is warm, bubbly, and fun. Now, I have enjoyed Tristi’s previous historical fiction, but it was just, so, so, serious. . . I wondered when she’d let her personal nature shine through in her work. Let me just say that she really did that with Agent in Old Lace. To me, it felt like she’d finally given herself permission to just have fun with her creative talent and that made the story really shine for me.

Agent In Old Lace by Tristi Pinkston
By Alison Palmer
Tangled Words and Dreams, June 5, 2009
http://alisonpalmer.blogspot.com/2009/06/agent-in-old-lace-by-tristi-pinkston.html

Two hours. This little slip of a novel will probably only take you two or three hours to read. It’s brief and satisfying like a bowl of homemade mac and cheese. I curled up in bed after a long day of answering approximately 467 calls for ‘Mom’

‘Agent in Old Lace’ on Tour!
By Carolyn
Fruit of the Carolyn, June 6, 2009
http://carolynfruit.blogspot.com/2009/06/agent-in-old-lace-on-tour.html

Fans of Tristi Pinkston will be delighted with her new venture in fiction: a cozy mystery. Agent in Old Lace is a far cry from Pinkston’s award-winning historical fiction books, but there’s not a disappointed reader here. In fact, I can picture the author sitting with her hands poised over the keyboard, chuckling at the banter between her two main characters—Shannon and Rick, aka Aunt Anita. They are truly funny when together.

Agent in Old Lace by Tristi Pinkston
Reviewed by Heather Moore
LDS Readers, June 8, 2009
http://ldsreaders.blogspot.com/2009/06/agent-in-old-lace-by-tristi-pinkston.html

McIntyre’s novel is set at the same time as this tragedy, but in a part of the world very far from West Africa: the small town of Eula, Idaho. Located in the high desert on the shores of a large lake, it is a remote outpost of American life, a conservative, deeply religious place that always seems to be about five years behind the rest of the country. It is the sort of community where the cutting edge is defined by giving the prom a Miami Vice theme and where social climbing involves buying a bigger trailer home.

Intricate lattice of relationships roils placid waters
Debut novel offers touches of Russo
By Stephen Amidon, The Washington Post
Concord NH Monitor, June 07, 2009
http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090607/ENTERTAINMENT01/906070371

So far, I’ve sold over 600 copies, an knowing that many if not most of these books have been read by multiple people, I’m going to guess that Remembering Isaac has been read by over 1000 people. On Amazon.com, I now have reviews from 7 people, one as far away as the U.K.. Many who have read the book are returning to buy more copies to share with friends and family.

By Ben Behunin
Remembering Isaac, June 6, 2009
http://rememberingisaac.blogspot.com/2009/06/its-been-nearly-two-months-since-i-last.html

The Proviso deals with several people who are in different stages or different levels of disillusionment with the Mormon faith. This isn’t the main plot of the story but it is a very well written sub plot that makes Giselle, Sebastian, Knox and Bryce some of the most vivid characters I’ve read in a long time. It’s also to the author’s credit that specific LDS bashing doesn’t occur in the book.

The Proviso, By Moriah Jovan
By Rebyj
Rebyj’s Reading, June 6, 2009
http://rebyjsreading.blogspot.com/2009/06/proviso-by-moriah-jovan.html

This is a ridiculous book. The characters are stock, the premise goofy and, while a few things happen, nothing changes. Of course, this sort of thing can be enormously entertaining. All it takes is wit and inventive writing. Uh-oh.

The Actor and the Housewife By Shannon Hale.
By Tricia Springstubb
Cleveland OH Plain-Dealer, June 07, 2009
http://www.cleveland.com/bookreviews/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/entertainment-1/1244277052117870.xml&coll=2

With the overwhelming popularity of her fairy tales, one has to wonder why she would make the jump to books for adults. The truth is, however, Hale’s books for adults are really just modern-day fairy tales cast for an older audience. As with her first novel for adults, “Austenland,” Hale’s latest work, “The Actor and the Housewife,” takes an average woman and throws her into a situation that is beyond her wildest dreams and not as perfect as initially thought.

‘Actor and Housewife’ an entertaining tale
By Jessica Harrison
Deseret News, June 6, 2009.
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705308768,00.html