Dearest Dreams

Persuasion by Rebecca Jamison - Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Christy) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:07:00 +0000

Persuasion: A Latter-day Tale by Rebecca H. Jamison

I'm tickled to be on the launch tour of this fun novel that releases today! And what better day to review a romance book than on Valentine's Day? Stop by the other blogs on the tour. Don't forget to visit Rebecca's website for more news.

I'm giving away an ARC copy of this wonderful love story. All you need to do is follow my blog and leave a comment on this post. If you want to spread the word about this giveaway you will earn another entry for each instance. Just leave a separate comment for each instance. Winner will be selected at random and announced Friday, February 17th.

When Anne broke off her engagement seven years ago, she thought she'd never see Neil Wentworth again. But when Neil's brother buys the house she grew up in, it seems fate has other plans in store, and Anne is woefully unprepared for the roller coaster of emotions that accompanies Neil's return. Fans of Persuasion will love this fast-paced, modern retelling of Jane Austen's most romantic novel.

Paperback, 240 pages Expected publication: February 14th 2012 by Cedar Fort, Inc.

Persuasion: A Latter-day Tale by Rebecca H. Jamison is based on Jane Austen's classic novel Persuasion and set in a modern-day Latter-day saint setting. If you are like me and you have never read Jane Austen, don't be scared away, Jamison's modern retelling is current and you will have no trouble being drawn into Anne and her dilemma.

My favorite thing about Jamison's story is Anne's voice. She is down to earth, a bit self-conscious and I found it a joy to read about the novel's happenings through Anne's eyes. Her personality and self-doubt make the fact that she thinks Neil could never love her again believable.

The first few chapters of Persuasion: A Latter-day Tale put me off a bit. The opening scene did not interest me at all, had too much back story and after reading the book, it's my opinion that the first scene does not give a good representation of the rest of the story. I would have cut the first few chapters and sped up the action a bit.

Before each chapter is a journal written flashback. I found them distracting and I'm not certain that they pushed the story forward or provided any benefit. In fact, a few times I regretted having to slow down long enough to switch gears before seeing what happened in the current timeline.

The interactions between Anne and her family are fun and endearing. One of her sisters is always trying to get Anne to take her kids and the other is a total ditz who just generally needs help. Anne's parents aren't much better--divorced and flighty at best. Anne is loyal to her family and this helps the reader understand why she could be holding on to the relationship she had with Neil.

After reading the story, I read about the plot of Jane Austen's Persuasion on Wikipedia. It was interesting to see the parallels and I am certain that fans of Jane Austen will enjoy the references that I, in my ignorance, missed. I did wonder, though, why Jamison used some exact names from the original story and other names were completely unrelated in her retelling.

I enjoyed the many interactions that bring Anne closer to Neil. He is a worthy suitor for Anne who is transposed into a modern society where suitors are not always so, as evidenced by other characters in the book. Neil is kind, loyal, protective, capable and gentle--qualities any woman would look for in a man.

Whether you've read Austen's novels or no, be prepared to be swept away by Jamison's retelling of Persuasion.

Saturday Feb 18--Book Launch Party and Signing at Taylorsville Seagull Book 11-1 ( 5720 S. Redwood Road, Taylorsville)

LDSStorymaker Conference 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Christy) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:51:00 +0000

LDStorymakers Writers Conference

Anyone who writes in Utah also knows that there is an amazing group of Authors here who are supportive of each other and of those of us who are just breaking into the craft. I've even heard that there is a sort of "Mormon Mafia", the godfather of which is supposedly David Wolverton. I'm not sure about that, but I do know that I've benefited from the community that all of these writers support.

The LDStorymakers Writers Conference is one of the best conferences offered and it is held in Utah every year. The price is great and I can tell you from past experience that the workshops, bootcamp, contacts and networking that are thrown in the package are well worth it. You can register on the LDStorymakers Writers Conference yourself--you will be happy you did!

You can read about my experiences at last year's conference.

Also, you can spread the news about the conference and you may win a spot at the agents' table for dinner on Friday night. Check out the Show Your Love Contest.

Matched by Ally Condie

noreply@blogger.com (Christy) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:59:00 +0000

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate... until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.
The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

Hardcover, 366 pages Published November 30th 2010 by Dutton Juvenile

Food to Eat While Reading: Trapped in a Bubble Bobo Drink

Fruity Bobo drink for
Matched by Ally Condie

Matched by Ally Condie is my kinda book--YA romance, strong female protagonist, smooth writing and packed with emotion. It asks the question, "Can there be freedom without choices?" I hope we can all wonder, as Cassia in the book, and continue to ask questions that lead to choices.

Condie's writing is superb overall, but there were a few scenes that blew me away:

When Cassia is on a train and what she thinks is snow floats to the ground. It's really a cottonwood tree fluff and it is a perfect mirror of what is happening in the story. It shows the fear her people have of anything that is different, it introduces her mother's love of trees and foreshadows future events, and it asks the question, "Can something wrong be true?". This scene shows that Cassia is not bothered by the truth that may be seen by others as wrong, it shows how society is tearing down everything that is impractical in their world. Cassia says there is a mystery in it's little brown core that she doesn't know what to do with and she puts it in her pocket-a symbol of how she will wait until she knows what to do to unlock the truth.

In this one scene, Condie seamlessly provides information about the society, Cassia's role in it, background information and set up for future scenes. Beautiful!

The second scene that gave me cause for reflection is the scene when it is her grandfather's time to die. At first I was temped to say that his is the perfect way to die--surrounded by family, eating whatever you like, getting to say goodbye before you have to leave this life. But then I understood that Grandpa was forced to comply, and he wished that he had more years to plant that cottonwood seed of an idea and wonder, to always question his ideas and find out for himself the meaning of life and death and what is in between.

The other poignant scene for me happened when the society is at Cassia's house to take away all artifacts. She sits on the couch with her brother. Quote: "We have things of value but you can never find them because you don't even know how to look."

The romance was pleasant. I'm not sure that I agree with Cassia's choice of love, but the point of the book is for her to have the right to choose. I'll be excited to see what happens in books two (Crossed, available now), and three(Fall 2012) with both love interests.

I love the involvement of Cassia's family in her life, which is not often included in YA. Her relationships with her family were key to her decisions and she loves her family so much.

Matched is a romance with themes so deep that your mind and heart will ponder for weeks after you read the last page.

Tasty Tuesday-Trapped in a Bubble Bobo drink

noreply@blogger.com (Christy) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:58:00 +0000

Trapped in a Bubble Fruit Drink
for Matched by Ally Condie

Trapped in a Bubble Bobo Drink

Trapped in a society that long ago stopped questioning, Cassia in Matched by Ally Condie is brave enough to break out of the bubble and use her ability to wonder, "Can something wrong be true?". Cassia's world is filled with colorful images: a bright green dress, and red, green and blue tablets that inspired the brightly colored bubbles in this colorful fruit drink. Like Cassia, this tapioca pearl drink is free from harmful additives, and will brighten any occasion.

1 cup guava nectar
1 cup peach mango juice drink (V-fusion)
6 oz frozen orange juice concentrate
10 ice cubes
2/3 cup tapioca pearls (I used rainbow colored pearls)
1/3 cup water
2 T white sugar
2 T brown sugar

Place the three juices and ice cubes in a blender and mix until combined. Pour into two tall glasses. Cook the pearls in a saucepan according to package directions. Strain the water from the pearls. Return the pearls to the saucepan and add the water, white and brown sugar. Heat the mixture on medium-high until the it is syrupy and sticky. Divide the sticky pearls into the two glasses of juice. Drink with an extra large straw or use a spoon. Experiment with other fruit juice combinations.

Tasty Tuesday-Perfect Ten Dauntless Chicken Skewers

noreply@blogger.com (Christy) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:35:00 +0000

Perfect Ten Dauntless Chicken Skewers
for Divergent by Veronica Roth

Perfect Ten Dauntless Chicken Skewers

Tobias only has four fears to overcome in the simulations common in Divergent by Veronica Roth, an insanely small number compared to the majority of the population. When Tris begins her own initiation, she has only seven fears--until she finds enough strength to conquer one of them. Between Tobias' four and Tris' six fears, they make a perfect ten, just like the combination of soy and soda in this marinade. As a selfless Abnegation, Tris is accustomed to eating plain food, like chicken. These skewers take ordinary bits of chicken and transform them into a mouthwatering wonder. In a similar way, Tris keeps what is good from the life of service that she learned as an Abnegation and slowly steeps herself in what she finds positive in her life as a Dauntless.

2 pounds chicken breasts, cut into cubes

1 can of lemon-lime soda

1 cup soy sauce

1 T horseradish sauce

Place the cubed chicken in a large bowl. Add soda, soy sauce and horseradish sauce. Mix the horseradish sauce into liquid with a fork. Allow to marinade at least 3 hours in the fridge. Thread the chicken onto skewers and grill or broil in the oven.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

noreply@blogger.com (Christy) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:16:00 +0000

Divergent by Veronica Roth

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself. During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves… or it might destroy her. Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

Hardcover, 487 pages Published May 3rd 2011 by Katherine Tegen Books

Food to Eat while Reading: Perfect Ten Dauntless Chicken Skewers

Perfect Ten Dauntless Chicken Skewers
to go with Divergent by Veronica Roth

What a fascinating world Roth created in Divergent. The book felt as real to me as The Hunger Games and is often compared to the dystopian best seller. I have to agree. The story is original, the characters full of emotion and the themes worthy. I wasn't sure how Roth was going to pull it all together, but she tied it all up nicely.

The romance in Divergent was heart pulling and a bit heated, but not racy. I didn't mind it so much because it served a purpose and was dealt with as a valid teen issue. I would recommend this to older teens (in fact I gave a copy of this book to my 3 teen nieces for Christmas.

The fear simulations that Tris went through were fascinating and thought provoking. I read with a watchful eye as she overcame some of those fears through her experiences. Each time that she overcame her fears she became stronger.

Courage in selflessness, facing your fears and being true to yourself are the themes that stood out to me. Tris overcame obstacles she never imagined and came out a better person for it. Isn't that one of the secrets to peaceful living?

There is a real sense of loss near the end. Tris changes and is forced to change in so many ways, not all of which are pleasant. I am left with questions that beg to be answered: why is Tris Divergent? And why can she control the simulations?

Fans of The Hunger Games will devour Divergent, the new dystopian with real characters, suspenseful romance and a world that is close enough to our own that they will whisper, "it could happen".

Insurgent, the second book in the series is due to be published on May 1, 2012.

Tasty Tuesday Everliving Tomato Soup

noreply@blogger.com (Christy) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 02:22:00 +0000

Everliving Tomato Soup for
Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Everliving Tomato Soup

Nikki from Everneath by Brodi Ashton never wants to feel emotions again after her mother dies in--that's why she allows everliving Cole to take her to the underworld, where he drains her of the despair and sadness. Perhaps if she had just made some comfort food, she wouldn't have made such a rash decision. Nothing beats tomato soup for soothing emotions. This hearty and creamy soup is full of vegetables and laced with cream. Careful when sampling the soup--not only will it fill your belly, but it's creamy goodness is likely to drive away any bad emotions.

1 tsp olive oil
2 celery sticks, chopped
1 cup carrots, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 clove of garlic, chopped
2 14 oz. cans of stewed tomatoes
3 cups chicken broth
1 tsp lemon juice
4 tsp butter
1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup half and half
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
fresh chopped basil and oregano, to taste

In a saucepan, heat olive oil and saute celery, carrots, onion, and garlic. Put stewed tomatoes in a crockpot, then add the sautéed vegetables, chicken broth and lemon juice. Cook on low for 5-7 hours.

When the soup is fully cooked, make a roux by melting the butter in a small saucepan on medium heat, then add the flour and mix. Slowly add the half and half until the mixture is creamy. Add parmesan cheese and mix until combined.

If you want the soup to be smooth, blend it and return it to the crockpot. Add the roux slowly, mixing to combine. Add fresh basil and oregano to taste.

Cook for one hour longer in the crockpot on low.
Serve with a swirl of half and half.

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

noreply@blogger.com (Christy) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:26:00 +0000

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Read my interview with author Brodi Ashton.

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever. She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.
Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.
As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...
Hardcover, 384 pages Expected publication: January 24th 2012 by Harper Collins / Balzer + Bray

Food to Eat While Reading: Everliving Tomato Soup (recipe coming soon)

Everliving Tomato Soup for
Everneath by Brodi Ashton

I have a confession to make: I'm an emotional junkie. Just like the everliving in Everneath feed off of human emotions, I am guilty of the same addiction to books that exude emotions.

Everneath was easy to read and although the way it was presented was new, it felt natural (I can only imagine the blood, sweat and tears it took to make it read this way). I was sucked in by the first chapter.

The format of this book is different than others I have read in the mythology/fantasy genre. The story begins sort of in the middle, when Nikki wakes up a one hundred year nap in which she was drained of every emotion. The book then alternates between telling what happened before Nikki was in the Everneath and the present after she returns to her normal life, always pointing to when she will have to return to live forever in a sort of purgatory called the Tunnels.

How cool is the idea that kissing can make you feel better--suck away all of the negative energy? It's so cool when books take an idea that is already true and elevate it to a fantastic power. I fell in love with Jack, Nikki's love from above ground. He is loyal, loves Nikki and is in pain. Why do I love those emotions? If Jack is every girl's dream boyfriend, then Cole is every girl's bad guy fling. He's dark and brooding and mysterious. The love triangle in this book played out very well.

I'm not up to speed on my Greek mythology and so I don't know much about Persephone. It didn't matter because Ashton gave me just enough information so that I could enjoy Nikki's story, without overdoing it with unneeded background info.

The setting was odd for me because I know where Park City, Utah is, and yet I wondered if it were the same Park City that I had vacationed in. I didn't get a real sense of place and I thought the setting could have played a larger role.

I had no idea how the story would end, and I imagined a much different ending. I imagined a different ending than the one that played out. It's a good thing too, because the ending I envisioned would have been happily ever after. Or everneath.

If you love to experience emotion vicariously through books, you don't want to miss Everneath! It will suck you in and bleed you dry--in a good way of course.

Book two in the series is in the works. I'm assuming it will come out in 2013.

*the only compensation I received for this review is an advanced reader copy from Harper Collins-thank you.

Interview with Brodi Ashton

noreply@blogger.com (Christy) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:26:00 +0000

Brodi Ashton, author of Everneath

Welcome to Brodi Ashton, author of the emotionally thrilling Everneath.
Read my review of Everneath and then go make some Everliving Tomato Soup!

Hi Christy! Thanks for the opportunity!

How does it feel to be a published author? Are you surprised, delighted, frustrated, or nostalgic?

It's been such a long process from writing the book, finding an agent, selling the book, revising with my editor, printing the ARCs and finally getting the book on the shelves. Now that we're a little over a week away, it feels totally surreal!

When getting ready to write an emotion-packed scene, how do you "get into character"?

Mood music definitely helps. For EVERNEATH I listened a lot to FALLING SLOWLY by Glen Hansard and Mariska Irglova, and also I WILL FIX YOU (Coldplay)

What do you want readers to take away from your book?

Whatever they want! I didn't write it with a specific thing I wanted them to take away. One of the great things about being the author is that I get to hear about all the different interpretations from readers. Every reader takes something unique from it.

Are you working on other projects? Can you tell me a little about them?

Right now I'm busy with revising the sequel to EVERNEATH. And then after that, there's book 3.

What do you eat while reading/writing?

Diet Coke. Tea. Candy. The candy comes into play especially when I'm under deadline! I also have a space heater, because I can't write if my feet are cold. :)

Thanks Brodi! Good luck with your writing.

Interview with Holly J Wood

noreply@blogger.com (Christy) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:54:00 +0000

Holly J. Wood

I'm so excited to have my future neighbor Holly J. Wood, author of the novel Invaluable here today. You can read my review of Holly's inspiring book here and don't forget to check out the yummy recipe for Invaluable Rainbow Jello. Read more about Holly's book for LDS young women.

What inspired you to be an author?

I like the way you phrased this question. I've always admired writers who carry the lifelong dream of becoming an author and pursue that dream until they become published, but this was not the case with me.

A few years ago, I was getting ready for church when the strong thought came to me that I should write a book which focused on incorporating the LDS Young Women values in everyday situations. I hadn’t done any writing since high school, and even then nothing serious, so this thought terrified me! It took me a few years to finally get around to doing it, but once I took the leap of faith and sat down to write, the words just seemed to flow. It was a real testimony-building experience for me.

The day I sent my manuscript off it felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I didn’t know what was going to happen, but just having accomplished something I would have previously thought impossible felt so good. No one was more surprised than I was when I didn’t immediately receive a rejection letter. I started worrying, “It’s so bad they’re not even going to bother with a response!” But when I finally heard back from Deseret Book that they were interested in the story, I was thrilled beyond words. I sometimes still can’t believe how it all came about, but I’m so grateful and humbled to have been blessed with this experience.

Is Eliza based on a real person?

Yes and no. Eliza and I share many of the same personality traits. I’d heard that when it comes to writing you should, “Write what you know,” so I pulled a lot from my own high school experiences. However, once I started getting more into the story, she began to take on a life and personality of her own. It was fun to watch that happen with each of the characters as the story developed.

What do you want readers to take away with them after reading your book?

I had mainly teenage girls in mind while writing this book, and because that is such a pivotal time of life there were many messages I wanted to share. If I had to whittle it down though, I would hope the reader could come away feeling first and foremost that the Lord loves them. Each and every individual is so precious and each has infinite amounts of potential. There is too much that is dark and depressing out there; so many trials that we all face. I hope readers will come away from this book feeling uplifted and inspired. It’s not the huge, miraculous events that can change our lives, but the small and seemingly insignificant little choices that we make every day. That’s the message I hope to share.

Are you working on any future projects that you can tell us about?

I feel like I went about this process backwards---first I had a book published and then I had to decide if I wanted to become a writer! It sounds crazy, but when my publisher hinted that they were interested in more books, I had to take a few days to think it over. As any writer knows, writing is hard work. You have to be dedicated, and you have to share half of your brain with your story and your characters to the point of insanity! (At least that’s how I get when I’m involved with a story). The bottom line though, is that I feel happy and complete when I’m writing. It feels good to develop my talents, and the best part is being able to share a message with an audience I might not otherwise reach. So after that long introduction, the answer is yes---I am working on another project. It’s another YA LDS novel, but this one is much more light-hearted than Invaluable was. The writing process has been entirely different for me this time, but I’m enjoying the challenge. We’ll see what happens.

What do you like to eat while reading/writing?

Nothing. I really get into a zone when I’m writing and don’t like any distractions. However, sometimes when I need a little extra motivation I’ll bribe myself with a chocolate or some ice cream if I complete my writing goal for the evening.

Tasty Tuesday Invaluable Rainbow Jello

noreply@blogger.com (Christy) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:55:00 +0000

Invaluable Rainbow Jello
Invaluable by Holly J Wood

Invaluable Rainbow Jello

Eliza dreams of her grandmother and learns about each of the young women's values in Invaluable. Each time she learns a valuable lesson, Eliza finds a trinket to remind her of eight values, each in a color that reminds her of it's worth. This jello salad is a rainbow of values. Each layer is developed individually and combine to create a work of art, just like the beautiful woman a girl who obtains each value can become.

1 cup and 2 T. (divided) water for each color of jello
3 oz. package of each desired color of jello
2 T vanilla flavored yogurt per each color (a pint should suffice for any variation)

To make all 8 colors of the young women's values, use the following flavors of jello:
Faith/white-pina colada or the kind that is clear that you add juice to
Divine Nature/blue-blue raspberry
Individual Worth/red-cherry
Knowledge/green-lime
Choice and Accountability/orange-orange
Good Works/yellow-lemon
Integrity/purple-grape
Virtue/gold-apricot or peach

Empty one package of jello into a medium sized bowl. Boil one cup water in the microwave (about 2 minutes) and add it to the jello. Stir with a fork until dissolved. Divide jello mixture equally into two paper cups. To one cup add 2 T of cold water, to the other add 2 T of vanilla yogurt.

Repeat with each color, allowing them all to sit out at room temperature (if any of the jello begins to set up before you want it to, simply microwave it for 10 seconds). This took me about an hour to do.

Begin molding the jello by pouring a clear color into a deep pan or a large bundt pan. Allow to set in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes until the jello is set and sticky but not solid. Ladle the clouded jello on top of the clear. As the bowl and jellos cool, the setting time will decrease. Keep in mind that the color you use first will end up on the top of the finished product and the color you use last will be on the bottom.

Repeat with each color until all of the layers are set. Chill the final dish for 3 hours or overnight.

To remove from the mold, fill a sink with warm water and carefully lower the bottom of the mold into the water (don't get water on the jello). Turn the jello over onto a platter. Serve with whipped cream and sprinkles if desired.

Invaluable by Holly J. Wood

noreply@blogger.com (Christy) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:59:00 +0000

Invaluable by Holly J. Wood

Food to Eat While Reading: Invaluable Rainbow Jello

Help Wanted. Sixteen-year-old girl seeks advice on how to reach out to a sister who has become distant; how to make up with my best friend, who spends every moment with her new boyfriend; how to avoid losing my job over working on Sundays; and how to figure out who has been putting love notes in my locker.

Applicants are also required to provide advice on how to handle being head-over-heels for my prom date's best friend--who happens to be the hottest guy in school.

Math tutoring a plus.

Interested persons may contact Eliza Moore

Sound like a tall order? Well that is what Eliza Morre is up against during her sophomore year of high school. But when her great-grandmother begins visiting Eliza in her dreams, everything starts to change. These dreams take Eliza back in time to see extraordinary women who help teach her about eight important values. As ELiza learns more about these women and the values they lived by, she discovers the courage and confidence she needs to faceher challenges-and her secret admirer.

Invaluable has a more limited readership than some of the books I recommend, due to its target audience of Latter-Day Saint young women. The reason why I am recommending it to all readers is because I feel strongly about the values that are taught in the book, namely, faith, divine nature, individual worth, knowledge, choice and accountability, good work, integrity, and virtue. Wouldn't you love for every young woman in your life to understand and value those attributes?

I have to let you in on a surprising coincidence. One of my dear friends told me her sister-in-law was writing a book and asked if I would be willing to review it when it was published. Of course I agreed and when Holly mailed the book to me, I was thrilled to find out that she lives not only in the same town that I'll be moving to in a few months, but she will be just down the street from me. I'm excited to be neighbors with another bookie!

Having said that, I want to assure you that my reviews are impartial. I will always tell you what I liked/disliked about the books that I read. I hope that Holly will be thick skinned and understand why I lump the bad with the good, especially since I hope that we will be great friends.

My favorite books have a moral or teach a lesson and Invaluable does just that. t takes the young women values and teaches them through examples of women in the scriptures and also through the eyes of a teen. At times the teaching was a bit "preachy" for my tastes--especially when Eliza began spouting speeches that sounded like they were right out of a teacher's manual. But once I accepted the style, I found myself learning so much about the values. I'm not sure I've ever really understood exactly what virtue or integrity are. I've always used them interchangeably. Now I can understand the difference.

I love Eliza's voice. The best parts of the book are the high school scenes when she is struggling with who she should be with or what is nagging her best friend. I have to admit that during the night dreaming lessons I couldn't wait to get back to the "real" story. I was glad to see that later lessons were condensed in a way that I was spared too many details about each of the eight visitations, but still experienced the wonder and value of what was being taught.

For each value learned, Eliza finds a token to match--for instance, a white mustard seed for the value of faith. This is a nice touch and I loved hunting through each day with Eliza for the token.

The relationship between Eliza and her sister is strained and she is able to help her. I love this idea of sisterhood and the way the girls become friends again. I do wish it had been a bit more subtle--it felt like somehow Eliza's sister was magically cured of rebellion and therefore it didn't quite seem real.

The story flows naturally and is an effortless read. I found myself wanting to find out what would happen with both the love triangle and the dreamed lessons.

Invaluable has the best of both worlds--the fun of romance with the values a girl needs to survive the dating years.

Published December 10, 2011 by Deseret Book Company
*I received only a copy of the book as compensation for my review.

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

noreply@blogger.com (Christy) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:49:00 +0000

Shatter Me byTahereh Mafi

Food to eat while reading: Caramel Crack

Caramel Crack for Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.

From the beginning I found myself dying to know why Juliette is so broken and what will happen to her. The premise of a girl whom know one can touch works out perfectly for a forbidden romance. The fact that Adam is the only person who can touch Juliette is a mystery that propels a reader throughout the book.

I felt Juliette's emotional pain and when Adam came on the scene I was routing for the inevitability of them falling in love. Adam would do anything for Juliette and as the story unfolds I see more of his character. The more I see the more I like Adam.

The world they live in feels a bit uncreative to me--a world where birds can't fly because of pollution and vegetation is weakened. It's not a huge deal, because the premise was original enough to carry the entire book.

Warner is a chilling villain--relatable and yet evil. I love villains that are humanized and make me wonder if I would be the same way in an extreme situation. Warner is a mirror of Juliette and what she could be if she gives into selfishness and revenge. Warner's vulnerabilities are exactly what draw him to Juliette and I am hoping that she will be his undoing.

At first I enjoyed the romance scenes because of her need for human touch. I have to admit that after awhile I got sick of hearing how effected Juliette was by Adam's touch. The romance didn't go to far for my tastes, but the fact that the characters obviously wanted things to go to far and were always interrupted are grounds for me to recommend this only to older teens.

The last few chapters were disappointing for me. I don't like spoilers so I'll let you decide. But it felt too much like other stories I've seen or read and I was hoping for so much more. You bet I'll be reading the sequel (slated for print in 2012) though. There are a few inexplicable things that Juliette can do that make me excited to find out why she can.

Shatter Me is a tale of fragmented emotions and hope--that the world can always become a better place.

Hardcover, 338 pages
Published November 15th 2011 by Harper/HarperCollins

Tasty Tuesday-Caramel Crack

noreply@blogger.com (Christy) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:23:00 +0000

Caramel Crack for Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Caramel Crack

Juliette is emotionally broken and knows that because of her lethal touch she can never live like those around her. She can't see that the future holds sweetness for her, just like this toffe and chocolate candy. Caramel Crack is brittle like Juliette's life but so sweet and addicting. The crunchy texture and the broken way the treat is served complements the many references in Shatter Me to breaking and shattering.

1 1/2 sleeves salty soda crackers (like Saltines)
1 1/4 cups butter
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
pinch kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 400'. Line a jelly roll size pan with parchment paper (foil will do in a pinch but it will stick). Layer the crackers on the bottom of the pan.
In a saucepan over medium heat(no hotter!) bring the butter and sugar to a rolling boil. Let boil for 7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the salt and vanilla.

Drizzle the sugar mixture over the crackers (no need to spread it out). Cook in the oven for 5 minutes. Cool the candy for a few minutes and then sprinkle the chocolate chips over top. Wait until the chocolate melts and then spread it over the caramel with a spatula. Refrigerate the candy for a few hours. Crack into pieces. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

The 2011 Book Blogger's Cookbook for free--two days only!

noreply@blogger.com (Christy) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:28:00 +0000

The 2011 Book Blogger's Cookbook by Christy Dorrity

Special Christmas price!

For the next two days The 2011 Book Blogger's Cookbook will be free. Purchase the cookbook, regularly priced at a low $2.99 between now and Saturday and receive it for free.

Please spread the word to those whom you know would enjoy this unique cookbook filled with tasty reads and adventurous eats! With reviews and recipes for books by Aprilynne Pike, Maggie Steifvater, Lauren Oliver, and more, you'll love this fun and helpful resource.

The 2011 Book Blogger's Cookbook is also available in the lending library at Amazon for those who are Amazon Prime members (I recommend joining-it's $80 per year and you get free 2 day shipping and access to movies and tv shows as well)

Read The 2011 Book Blogger's Cookbook for free!

noreply@blogger.com (Christy) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:40:00 +0000

The 2011 Book Blogger's Cookbook

Now you can read The 2011 Book Blogger's Cookbook for free! If you have been thinking about purchasing this fun and unique cookbook, now's your chance to take a peek and see if you like it.

Not only that, but between December 15th and December 17th you can download the cookbook for free for your viewing pleasure forever!

Click here to download it to your Kindle now!

A few more bookish items for your consideration:

Nightingale by David Farland is now out as an app for the iPad. I've had a chance to preview this enhanced ebook and it is fabulous! The comic style art, soundtrack and internal links combine to make an experience like none I've yet to see. You can also purchase it through Amazon here.

There is a new essay contest for aspiring writers of YA/middle grade fiction. Below is the information from www.bookwish.com:

Win a literary agent or acclaimed author's feedback on your unpublished manuscript for young adult or middle grade readers. This rare opportunity is being offered to the six winners of an essay contest recently announced by the literacy charity Book Wish Foundation. See http://bookwish.org/contest for full details.

You could win a manuscript critique from:

Laura Langlie, literary agent for Meg Cabot
Nancy Gallt, literary agent for Jeanne DuPrau
Brenda Bowen, literary agent and editor of Karen Hesse's Newbery Medal winner Out of the Dust
Ann M. Martin, winner of the Newbery Honor for A Corner of the Universe
Francisco X. Stork, winner of the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award for The Last Summer of the Death Warriors
Cynthia Voigt, winner of the Newbery Medal for Dicey's Song and the Newbery Honor for A Solitary Blue

All that separates you from this prize is a 500-word essay about a short story in Book Wish Foundation's new anthology, What You Wish For. Essays are due Feb. 1, 2012 and winners will be announced around Mar. 1, 2012. If you win, you will have six months to submit the first 50 pages of your manuscript for critique (which means you can enter the contest even if you haven't finished, or started, your manuscript). You can even enter multiple times, with essays about more than one of the contest stories, for a chance to win up to six critiques.

If you dream of being a published author, this is an opportunity you should not miss. To enter, follow the instructions at http://bookwish.org/contest.

In the Forests of the Night by Kersten Hamilton

noreply@blogger.com (Christy) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:03:00 +0000

In the Forests of the Night by Kersten Hamilton

The battle against goblinkind continues . . . but which side will Teagan be on?

Teagan, Finn, and Aiden have made it out of Mag Mell alive, but the Dark Man’s forces are hot on their heels. Back in Chicago, Tea’s goblin cousins show up at her school, sure she will come back to Mag Mell, as goblin blood is never passive once awoken. Soon she will belong to Fear Doirich and join them. In the meantime, they are happy to entertain themselves by trying to seduce, kidnap, or kill Tea’s family and friends. Tea knows she doesn’t have much time left, and she refuses to leave Finn or her family to be tortured and killed. A wild Stormrider, born to rule and reign, is growing stronger inside her. But as long as she can hold on, she’s still Teagan Wylltson, who plans to be a veterinarian and who heals the sick and hurting. The disease that’s destroying her—that’s destroying them all—has a name: Fear Doirich. And Teagan Wylltson is not going to let him win.

In the Forests of the Night is the second book in the Goblin Wars series. I am very much enjoying this series by Kersten Hamilton, the first of which is Tyger Tyger. Based on Celtic folklore, with characters that jump off the page, this book will keep you interested to the last word. And tiger eyes? Wicked (I wonder if I can get some tiger eye contacts?)!

I love the ties to Celtic mythology and how Hamilton weaves established myths with her own imaginings. Goblins and fairies and sidhe are recreated in a new light.

Teagan's progression is the series is interesting to follow. I'm not certain I understand what her character arc is for the entire story, but I'm glad to see her growing and changing. Her struggle to be herself despite her genetics and other's expectations is relatable.

Abby is such a fun and spunky character--I never know what she is going to say or do and she adds a chaotic flair to the story.

The relationship between Teagan and Finn continues in this sequel. The romance feels a tiny bit flat, as most second books tend show, but the interest is still there. I love to think of Finn's dialogue in an Irish brogue.:)

I feel at home with Tea's family. They merge the strange with reality and I think everyone's family is that way to a certain extent--normal but a bit off. We wonder what people would think if they really knew us and our own quirky family.

I'm thinking there are going to be some big conflicts and emotional trials for Teagan and Finn to face in the last book--I hope so. I highly recommend this romantic adventure.

Hardcover, 288 pages
Published November 22nd 2011 by Clarion Books

Dael and the Painted People by Allan Richard Shickman

noreply@blogger.com (Christy) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 20:25:00 +0000

Dael and the Painted People by Allan Richard Shickman

A prehistoric adventure, this is the third of the Zan-Gah young adult books. When Dael, guilty and tormented, came to live with the tribe of the painted people, he longed for peace and restoration; but without knowing it, he made a powerful enemy. Luckily, Dael had friends-including a troop of crows-and his own mystical powers. The disturbed and violent hero learns from the Children of the Earth, and from his submissive wife, a new way of life that is peaceful and generous. Dael and the Painted People is a story of conflict, healing, hate, and love by the winner of the Eric Hoffer Award, a finalist for the ForeWord magazine Book of the Year Award, and the Mom's Choice Gold Seal for Excellence in a family-friendly book series.

I don't know what it is about the Zan-Gah novels that captivate me. I mean, a middle-grade prehistoric novel? It doesn't sound like something I would enjoy. And yet, I find the characters real, the settings and survival lifestyle fascinating and the themes timeless.

I first read Zan-Gah in July of 2010. The prehistoric characters in the series have deep feelings and although the time period is far removed from the present, readers will find themselves empathizing with Dael and his family.

The painted people are peaceful and are so connected to the red earth that they cover themselves with the crimson dust. Angry and regretful, Dael happens onto this new race of people with his subservient wife, Sparrow. The acceptance and love of the painted people is like a healing balm to Dael's scarred soul. Even Sparrow flourishes among their new people, finding that she can speak for the first time. When Sparrow gives birth to a child, Dael feels as if he has a new start in life.

What Dael doesn't know is that because of his affinity with wolves and crows, he has made an enemy of Shur, the local medicine man.

Dael is a conflicting character who dynamically changes for the better as he goes through internal and external struggles. Readers will be happy to see the changes that transform Dael.

Shickman has a smooth writing style and balances description and action with finesse. I find myself wanting to adventure with Dael to a land of striking beauty and dangerous survival.

Paperback, 168 pages

Published August 30th 2011 by Earthshaker Books

Pumpkin Roll by Josi Kilpack and enter to win an iPad!

noreply@blogger.com (Christy) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 21:36:00 +0000

Pumpkin Roll by Josi Kilpack

Pumpkin Roll is the perfect fall read! Yummy comfort food recipes like Whitty Baked Beans, Cinnamon Twists, and Yorkshire Pudding (something I've never tried), ghostly happenings and scary situations make it a great choice as the weather gets cooler.

Contest!!

In conjunction with the release of Pumpkin Roll the author, Josi S. Kilpack,and the publisher, Shadow Mountain, are sponsoring a contest for a new iPad.

To enter, leave a comment in the comment section of this blog before

November 1, 2011.

Winners will be announced and notified November 3rd 2011.

More information can be found on Josi Kilpack's website.

Sadie Hoffmiller is looking forward to spending her favorite baking season of the year making delicious New England recipes in Boston, Massachusetts, with her favorite leading man, Pete Cunningham, as they babysit his three young grandsons. But when the boys insist that Mrs. Wapple, the woman who lives across the street, is a witch, Sadie and Pete are anxious to distract the boys from such Halloween-induced ideas. However, it gets harder and harder to explain the strange things that keep happening, particularly after Sadie learns the eccentric Mrs. Wapple has been attacked in her home. As the unexplained occurrences escalate, Sadie finds herself embroiled in yet another mystery with life-or-death consequences. Can Sadie discover whoever—or whatever—is behind the mystery before anyone else gets hurt? Or will this be Sadie's last case?

I just love Sadie Hoffmiller. She is a combination of Murder She Wrote and Anne of Green Gables. A sort of busy body Nancy Drew grandma.

The recipes and food preparation never feel forced--in fact they make me feel right at home in a cozy murder mystery. I know, it's weird. Food is such a part of our lives and I love how Josi incorporates the cooking and the recipes into each adventure.

The cover of Pumpkin Roll is so mouth-watering that my dog tried to eat it. I am not kidding! He got sent to his kennel for chewing on the signed copy that the author so generously sent me in the mail (Bad boy, Nestle!).

What I find attractive about the culinary mysteries that Josi writes is the versatility--anyone can read them and enjoy them (I plan to give a copy to my grandmother for Christmas).

I have to admit that it took me awhile to get into Pumpkin Roll. I just didn't know what to expect in the beginning. I am so glad that I kept reading--I was rewarded with some serious suspense and entertainment for hanging in there.

Pumpkin Roll is yet another masterful blend of suspense, romance and good home cooking. Enjoy!

Nightingale by David Farland

noreply@blogger.com (Christy) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:39:00 +0000

Nightingale by David Farland

Nightingale by David Farland is the first book being published by the author's own forward-thinking publishing company. What do you think of the cover? I don't know about you, but I'd pick it up just to get a closer look. :)

East India Press takes e-books in a whole new direction with enhanced multimedia--soundtracks, movie clips, author interviews and more. From the site: "East India embraces emerging technologies and new distribution methods, producing every novel in three forms: as an enhanced multimedia experience, as a standard e-book, and as a limited edition hardcover."

Manuscript submissions will soon be accepted on the website and in the meantime you can enter your short story in a contest with fabulous prizes!

Read my interview with David here.
Food to eat while reading: Memory Merchant's Sour Cream Blueberry Pie

David Farland, Nightingale
Memory Merchant's Sour Cream Blueberry Pie

Watch for Nightingale to go on sale through Apple's App store for the iPad in the last part of 2011.

Bron Jones was abandoned as a newborn. Thrown into foster care,he is rejected by one family after another, until he meets Olivia, a gifted and devoted high-school teacher who recognizes him for what he really is--what her people call a "nightingale".
But Bron isn't ready to learn the truth. There are secrets that have been hidden from mankind for hundreds of thousands of years, secrets that should remain hidden. Some things are too dangerous to know.
Bron's secret may be the most dangerous of all.

My review:

*note, I reviewed a non-enhanced copy of this e-book, print only.

I instantly felt empathy for Bron, a teen who had been handed from foster home to foster home and who hasn't allowed himself to love or be loved.

The prologue drew me in and let me know that Nightingale is no ordinary book. In its digital pages I sensed the promise of adventure, sacrifice and an unexplored world. I wasn't disappointed.

What teen boy wouldn't want to be Bron? Handsome, wicked talented on the guitar, able to control opponents just by willing it to be so, and looking forward to the time when he will emit a scent that will draw every female for miles around. With its focus on action and adventure, Nightingale will certainly appeal to both the male and female teen readership.

The world of masaaks is interesting and unique. The memory keeping and leech aspects of the race (the ability to take will and even life from a victim and add vitality and years to the masaak) reminds me of the dedicates in Farland's earlier fantasy series, Runelords. I like the idea and it feels natural in a YA urban fantasy novel.

The settings in Nightingale are masterfully painted and Farland transports his readers away from their daily grind. From small Alpine, Utah, to St. George, Utah with its red rocks and Tuacahn theatre, to the swamps of New Orleans, a palpable sense of place grounds the novel in reality. Readers are then free to make the fantastic jump into Bron's world.

I prefer to read books that have a female point of view and Nightingale is aimed at the YA male market, but I settled right into Bron's point of view. The violence and at times crudeness that come with a male protagonist are not on par with what I usually enjoy reading. They weren't overpowering though and I am certain, that Nightingale will appeal to the young ladies as well as the young men.

I enjoyed the first half of the book the most--the part that deals with high school and love interests and emotional stakes. The last third of the book bogged me down with violence and backstory about the malevolent half of the masaak population. I'll be anxious to see more of Tuacahn High School for the Performing Arts and Bron's emotional struggles in the next book in the series.

An exciting new urban fantasy with vivid settings and a unique twist on the paranormal, Nightingale is unlike anything I've ever read--you won't want to miss it.

I can't wait to see what the multimedia enhancements have to offer.

Farland has plans for three more books in the series: Dream Assassin, Draghoul, and Shadow Lord.

For more information about Nightingale and East India Press click here.

Tasty Tuesday-Memory Merchant's Sour Cream Blueberry Pie

noreply@blogger.com (Christy) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:37:00 +0000

David Farland's Nightingale
Memory Merchant's Sour Cream Blueberry Pie

Memory Merchant's Sour Cream Blueberry Pie

Bron's life in Nightingale by David Farland is bittersweet. He doesn't dare enjoy the glimpses of happiness he has in his new life with Olivia in St. George. Instead, he holds on to the walls he has built for himself through years of foster care. Olivia breaks through some of those barriers as she uses her skills as a memory merchant to plant in Bron's mind her own memories of learning to play the guitar.

This recipe is unique because the author suggested it. I tweaked the original recipe (given to me by Farland's lovely wife Mary) to make the sour cream and blueberry fillings separate and swirling around each other like the competing factions in Bron's life. While visiting family in St. George, Utah (the setting of the book) I was able to make the recipe and photograph the pie on the red rocks of the area.

3/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup blueberries, frozen or fresh
1 cup water
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon almond extract or lemon juice
unbaked pie crust (if you ask me nicely I will email you my mother's prizewinning pie recipe)

pecan topping (optional)
5 tablespoons flour
3 tablespoons butter, softened
3 tablespoons pecans, chopped

In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir together the sugar and cornstarch. Add blueberries and water and cook until boiling, stirring occasionally. Let boil for one minute and then remove from heat. Allow to cool completely.

In a medium sized bowl, beat the eggs with a fork. Stir in the sour cream, and almond extract or lemon juice. Keep in the fridge or freezer until the blueberries are cooled.

Pour the cream mixture into the unbaked pie crust. Add the blueberry mixture on top of the cream. Swirl the two together with a spoon, giving it a marbled look.

Prepare pecan topping by combining the flour, butter and chopped pecans.

Cook at 400' for 30 minutes. Remove the pie and sprinkle the pecan mixture on top, if desired. Cover the edges of the pie crust with tin foil to prevent over browning. Cook for an additional 15 minutes. Let cool in the fridge. Best served the day you make it.

Interview with David Farland

noreply@blogger.com (Christy) — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 21:23:00 +0000

David Farland author of Nightingale

Today I am pleased to welcome David Farland, a friend and mentor of mine and many others in the writing world. Thank you, David, for stopping by.

Read my review of David's new release Nightingale.

Nightingale focuses on a different audience than most of the stories you write. What made you decide to focus on young adult?

I've actually dabbled with a number of young adult and middle-grade novels. I did one Star Wars young adult novel, four more tied to the Mummy series, another dozen middle-grad pieces for Star Wars, and of course my own middle-grade fantasy series. Most of those were written back when I was writing science fiction under the name Dave Wolverton.

Over the years, a number of my students have had a lot of success in young adult--people like Brandon Sanderson, Brandon Mull, James Dashner, and Stephenie Meyer.

I finally decided that it was time for me to get serious about it.

Setting plays a large role in Nightingale--what research did you do in St. George to provide such a sense of place?

For years I used to go to Saint George on writing retreats, and in 2003 we moved there. My daughter attended Tuacahn, the school I use in the story. So I went with a teacher and took a tour of the school. Then I had my daughter read through the book and make more suggestions. I also traveled to other locations, like the small town where Bron lived, and took pictures of the houses that I use as locations. Even the swamps in Louisiana and hills in North Carolina are all based on places I've been. But I took it one step further. When I wrote about scenes, I wrote about them on the days that the scene occurred, in many places, in order to get the details right. For example, when Bron goes out to watch a meteor shower, it happens on a day when I went out and looked at one. If I talk about a storm one night, and smoke from wildfires the next, it's because those were prevalent on that night.

You have a police officer in your book named Rick Walton. Is there any connection to the children's book author?

I love Rick, so I thought that I'd immortalize him. But then he turned out to be such a nasty cop. Guess we all have our dark sides. Rick Walton is an old friend, and when I was writing the character of Sheriff Walton, I had just been reading an email from him. I decided that Rick needed to be immortalized, and since he's one of the nicest guys I know, it only seemed appropriate to turn him into a scoundrel. Seriously, as I began writing about Officer Walton, I didn't realize just how nasty he'd turn out to be!

What are you hoping that readers will take away from Nightingale?

This is a novel that deals with a lot of things--feelings of abandonment, the pain of being a teen, the anxiety of dating, the struggle to be human. My hope is that as people read my stories, they see themselves in my characters, and that at the end of the novel, they feel like they're better, stronger, more enlightened individuals for having read my work.

At the same time, I don't write books that very sweet. I like books that make you "live" through them, where you laugh one minutes, are shocked another, and find yourself crying the next.

Somewhere along the way, I try to "discover" the deeper meaning of the story. I don't set out to preach, simply to ponder facets of life that I might not have otherwise considered.

Tell me about your new publishing company. What is unique about it?

At East India Press, we're trying something that I haven't seen anyone else do.

Most publishing companies in the past have made their money selling books in hardcover and paperback. In the past twenty years, audiobooks have come to make up a significant portion of the market. In the past four years, electronic books have grown to the point that, if the last figures that I heard were accurate, more than 50 percent of all book sales are now electronic.

But the exciting new thing that's coming is "enhanced novels," books with color illustrations, animations, video clips, soundtracks, and annotations, along with possible videogames. These books are interactive to a degree, more like a movie than a novel. Such novels can be "updated" instantly, so that we can correct typos or add new features to the book, such as the ads for an upcoming movie. So the enhanced novel is a sort of living document.

A few companies have started up with the idea of doing these, but we thought, "Hey, why not publish the book in all of those formats?" My partner, Miles Romney, has a background in illustration, acting, singing and writing. I've worked as a screenwriter, videogame designer, and novelist.

So we're doing enhanced books, e-books, audiobooks, a hardcover book, and a soundtrack--all based upon this one novel. We're pulling the entire line of companies under one roof.

It's fun. In some ways, we're the stodgy old publishers trying to make sure that we've got the highest quality hardcover available for book collectors, and on the other hand we're creating cutting-edge content.

Are you accepting submissions?

In the very near future. I'm thinking that by the first on November, East India Press will be ready to take on its next project.

I see that you are having a writing contest. What is the purpose of the contest?

The East India Press Short Story Contest will do a couple of things. First, it will help promote writing. It may very well bring to our attention some young new writers who are immensely talented. And last of all, we're hoping that it will create some name recognition for the newest publishers on the block.

What do you eat while writing/reading?

I drink diet Mountain Dew or water. I find that if I eat, it makes me tired.

Variant by Robison Wells

noreply@blogger.com (Christy) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:13:00 +0000

Benson Fisher thought that a scholarship to Maxfield Academy would be the ticket out of his dead-end life.

He was wrong.

Now he’s trapped in a school that’s surrounded by a razor-wire fence. A school where video cameras monitor his every move. Where there are no adults. Where the kids have split into groups in order to survive.

Where breaking the rules equals death.

But when Benson stumbles upon the school’s real secret, he realizes that playing by the rules could spell a fate worse than death, and that escape—his only real hope for survival—may be impossible.

-October 4th 2011 by HarperTeen

Food to eat while reading: Hidden Ham and Cheese

Hidden Ham and Cheese Roll
Variant by Robison Wells

Variant by Robison Wells is a new take on the questions reminiscent of Lord of the Flies by William Golding: what does man (or in this case teen) do when left to his own? The novel has breakneck twists and turns that deepen the plot and make it impossible to put down.

Author Robison Wells in a resident of Holladay, Utah. He recently finished graduate school and says that he wrote Variant when he should have been studying finance. Wells is the author of three LDS fiction novels and Variant is his debut to the national market.

What to expect:

It is hard for me to talk about Variant without giving away spoilers. As I read it, I anticipated a twist that other reviewers mentioned changed the book for good or bad. I have to say that I love the direction Wells took the book.

Though I did get a bit confused at first by the large cast of characters in Variant, the main character Benson felt real and I sympathized with him. I truly felt trapped in the school with him and had no idea how he could escape.

Unlike many novels that fall into the young adult dystopian genre, Variant has very little swearing and violence and no sex. Wells does a fabulous job maintaining the crisp suspense and emotional depth typical of dystopia while keeping it clean. Parents can feel comfortable recommending it to teens who will be so involved in the story that they won’t miss the edginess.

The plot of Variant worked well for me and I enjoyed watching the story unfold, but the last few pages are what sealed the deal for me. Wells answered my questions neatly and then threw me for a loop that has me begging for the sequel.

I am anxious to see what happens to the teens in when they are forced to live in their own society. The complete lack of adults in Variant and the man vs society struggle reminds me of other dystopian-type novels such as Gone by Michael Grant and Maze Runner by James Dashner.

Wells is busy working on a second and final book in the series, tentatively titled Feedback.

What did you think of the twists in the book--throw you for a loop or reel you in?

Tasty Tuesday-Hidden Ham and Cheese

noreply@blogger.com (Christy) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:07:00 +0000

Hidden Ham and Cheese
Variant by Robison Wells

Hidden Ham and Cheese

Maxfield Academy in Variant by Robison Wells is full of surprises, but when Benson tries to escape from the odd school where no adults are present and deviants simply disappear, he finds the biggest surprise of all. The surprise inside of Hidden Ham and Cheese is much more pleasant than any at Maxfield Academy. Fluffy bread surrounds a combination of ham and cheese with a touch of tangy mustard.

One prepared batch of your favorite roll dough (you can use mine if you want)
3 tablespoons yellow mustard
1/2 pound honey ham lunch meat, chopped
1/2 pound pastrami lunch meat, chopped
1 package pepperoni, chopped
2 cups Colby jack cheese, shredded

On a floured surface, roll the dough into a large rectangle as you would if you were making cinnamon rolls. Spread the mustard over the entire surface of the dough. Sprinkle the chopped meats and shredded cheese on top. Beginning at one of the long ends of the rectangle of dough, roll the bread over the fillings, cinnamon roll style. Place on a cookie sheet, curling into a wreath, if desired. Allow to rise for 30 minutes. Bake at 350' for 20 minutes or until the bread is golden brown. Slice and serve to six or eight lucky people.

Tasty Tuesday-Beignet Chess Squares

noreply@blogger.com (Christy) — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 20:14:00 +0000

Beignet Chess Squares

In Gypsy Knights by Two Brothers Metz, Durriken and Dalia travel across America in a Chess-like adventure that brings them to Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans. There they dine on late night beignets frosted with powder sugar and discuss their next move toward checkmate. These pastry pillows taste great with powdered sugar, but are divine when a bit of berry jam is spooned into their insides.

4 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons shortening

1 cup warm water

canola oil for frying

Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Cut the shortening in to the dry mixture. Add warm water and mix well. Cover the dough and let it stand for at least 30 minutes.

Heat oil to medium high. Roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thick. Cut into squares. Fry the squares until they are golden brown. Sprinkle generously with powdered sugar. Makes 24 small beignets.