New Mormon Books

for $5.95 you will get
philosophy
love
conversion
adventure
sects
drugs
rock and roll

and even if you don’t love it
as much as i do
you are only out a couple dollars.
or even if you aren’t mormon
as much as i am
at least you will gain some insight into us peculiar people.

. . . your favorite mormon-themed book for really cheap?
By cjane
Dear cjane, July 17, 2009
http://dearcjane.blogspot.com/2009/07/your-favorite-mormon-themed-book-for.html

I had a hard time getting into this book at the beginning. I suppose I didn’t relate to Abe and Maddie as well as I did to Lizzy in Lyon’s previous book House on a Hill. Abe seemed to be too modern minded for the historical time period and that threw me off. His first point of view chapter felt too preachy for me to really get sucked into the story at the start, but I ended up enjoying his character later on. I also felt for Maddie as she tried to heal from the death of her fiancee. While on the surface this seems like the typical LDS romance plot—girl converts boy to gospel and they marry—Lyon’s characters have layers that made it feel unique and fresh.

At Journey’s End by Annette Lyon
By Gamila
Gamila’s Review: YA and LDS Fiction, July 18, 2009.
http://gamilareview.blogspot.com/2009/07/at-journeys-end-by-annette-lyon-abe.html

My ideas come from two places: anywhere and everywhere. There is no facet of my life or experience that doesn’t give me ideas for stories. It isn’t a matter of getting ideas, but of filtering out mediocre ideas and shaping those with the potential to be good. And we do shape our ideas; they don’t come in grade-A story form, and they never come complete. My stories are the result of percolation. I get ideas—fractured, isolated bits of dialogue, or theme, or archetypal emotion, and other stuff—that I write down on scraps of paper that eventually make their way onto my computer. They stay there and in my mind, where they bounce around and accrete until a genuine story concept is born. That concept I then work and build consciously, stressing conflict and the inherent emotive theme of the story. I do this until I become confident enough to begin writing.

Interview with Clint Johnson author of Green Dragon Codex
By Michelle Ashman Bell, July 17, 2009
http://micheleabell.blogspot.com/2009/07/interview-with-clint-johnson-author-of.html

It’s always interesting to read the backliner for the first time and see how your publisher describes your book, what they chose to emphasize, and how they provide a hook for the story without giving too much away. I’m pleased with this backliner (and not just because they said nice things about me).

And Here It Is
By Stephanie Black
Six Writers and a Frog, July 01, 2009
http://sixldswriters.blogspot.com/2009/07/and-here-it-is.html

When I was beginning to write seriously, I attended several writing groups. Some didn’t critique the writers’ work. Those who did usually were attended by writers whose work made me quite uncomfortable. I didn’t fit into the Christian group because my beliefs weren’t exactly in line with theirs. However, over the period of about a year I’d gathered the names of five other LDS women who wrote. It came to me as inspiration from Heavenly Father that I was to get them together in a sisterhood of LDS women writers. We met as strangers one night in October, 1986, and two hours later, we were sisters. The organization evolved from there, and has assisted many hundreds of women to magnify their writing talents, whether for publication or not, as they desired. I never dreamed I would be so heavily involved in ANWA for so long as this.

Interview With Marsha Ward
By Teri Rodeman
LDS Forever Friends Book Nook, 29 June 2009.
http://terirodeman.blogspot.com/2009/06/interview-with-marsha-ward.html

The author’s spare style keeps the action moving at a rapid pace, but doesn’t leave the reader feeling like the plot isn’t developed well enough. Mystery and suspense readers of any age or gender will love this one.

GIVE-AWAY - International Suspense, All’s Fair, by Julie Coulter Bellon
By Anne Bradshaw
Not Entirely British, June 10, 2009
http://annebradshaw.blogspot.com/2009/06/give-away-romantic-intrigue-alls-fair.html

Overwhelmed? Tired? Stressed? Then you need the laughter therapy that is in this book!

GIVE-AWAY - Kersten Campbell’s Confessions of a Completely (In)sane Mother
By Anne Bradshaw
Not Entirely British, June 24, 2009
http://annebradshaw.blogspot.com/2009/06/give-away-kersten-campbells-confessions.html

Well-known LDS author Larry Barkdull (another contributor to forthcoming book, Famous Family Nights) has written a 5-volume book series on becoming Zion people. This series is heavily documented with over 3,800 references. It is titled, The Three Pillars of Zion.

FREE Pillars of Zion Sampler!
By Anne Bradshaw
Not Entirely British, June 19, 2009
http://annebradshaw.blogspot.com/2009/06/free-pillars-of-zion-sampler.html

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

Your new cookbook, Comfortably Yum: Food for Body and Spirit arrived in the mail, and I sat down and read the entire book, cover to cover. I couldn’t put it down, despite the deadlines that are gripping my psyche, and the dustbunnies that are not only multiplying but rapidly becoming ferocious dragons all over the house. I read. I laughed. I nodded in agreement. I found a soulmate. I was inspired.

Open Letter to Luisa Perkins, Author of Comfortably Yum: Food for Body and Spirit
By charrette
Divergent Pathways, June 4, 2009
http://divergentpathways.blogspot.com/2009/06/open-letter-to-luisa-perkins-author-of.html