computer...book...

My main computer crashed Friday. The good news is that it happened after my awesome editor put the finishing touches on my novel and sent it off to print.

I didn't get a chance to post this update on my picture book, and two book signings last Saturday. I have lots to post, but little time to do it since I'm so far behind. Here are some highlights:

I visited a lavender farm where I did research for my next novel.
I attended LDSBooksellers and met lots of wonderful people.
I had a birthday lunch with my granddaughter who is turning seven!
I fractured my finger, but it's better now.
I was invited to join a new company as an artist and designer--more info to come.
I got the chance to hear my friend author Haley Hatch Freeman speak on anorexia and self-worth!
I was offered a column with our local newspaper.
Valerie and I had two wonderful signings on Saturday--photos here.

If you've sent me an email, sorry if I haven't responded. Only a fraction of my email is trickling in. I hope to have everything back in working order by next week.

review

The Butterfly Girls are back in Michele Ashman Bell’s new release Hometown Girl. The second book in the Butterfly Box Series, the much anticipated sequel to A Modest Proposal opens with Lauren, Chloe, Emma, Jocelyn, and Andrea endeavoring to navigate the twists and turns of their individual lives. Though they are each pulled by the varying forces in different directions their determination to support one another through thick and thin is as strong as ever.

In this book we find out more about Jocelyn, her life, and the forces that have shaped her. The book gets off to an unhurried start with a Butterfly Girl Reunion; for readers who haven’t read the first volume the ample back story helps each woman come into focus. As the story builds steam, Jocelyn departs and, despite misgivings, attempts to begin a new life. Michele has penned a cast of affable townspeople in the small community where Jocelyn finds herself after inheriting her grandmother’s house. The characters keep the story moving forward and the town itself comes alive through Michele’s vivid description and attention to detail. With Michele’s knack for intriguing dialogue we follow Jocelyn as she faces a series of difficult decisions.

When a secret she has kept woven into the depths of her soul for fourteen years begins to unravel, Jocelyn turns to the Butterfly Girls. Though they nurture her with support and understanding, she must summon inner courage to steer her life back on course. Handsome Jack Emerson is appealing to her, but he has secrets of his own and doesn’t get too close. Michele tackles some difficult subject material with tact and we see Jocelyn emerge as a strong and capable woman.

All in all I found the Butterfly Girls to be an enjoyable read. I look forward to more installments in this series and to discovering more about Ava’s mysterious death.

From the book:

Jocelyn Rogers’s life is in a rut. Maybe she should step outside her comfort zone and move to Milford Falls, where she has inherited her grandmother’s house. With the encouragement of the other Butterfly Girls, Jocelyn musters her courage and starts a new life.

However, when she arrives in the small town that holds both good and bad memories for her, she discovers the house in worse shape than she expected, and getting repairs done is anything but easy — especially when it comes to dealing with Jack Emerson, a man who seems to be agitated by Jocelyn and everyone else within a fifty-mile radius.

To make matters worse, she has begun to worry that moving back to the place where she once spent a troubled summer will expose the deep personal secret she has kept hidden for fourteen years. But Jack also has a hidden secret that has prevented him from getting close to anyone in a long time. And now it seems that interfering neighbors may prevent both Jack and Jocelyn from moving forward with their lives.

Michele is having a launch party today!

Saturday, July 17th
11 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Redwood Seagull Book
(1720 S. Redwood Road, SLC)

Giveaways, gift baskets, Utah Truffles, refreshments, fun, prizes. Don't miss the party!




Read more about Michele and her books on her website or blog.

Read my August 2009 interview with Michele here.

book cover

I just received an email from my editor with the cover of my new novel.

Wow!

Thanks, Sam. You made my day.

contest

I've been wanting to give away a signed copy of the new book I illustrated What Are You Thinking? in preparation for its release in July.

It's been almost two years since Valerie and I first met and started to toss around ideas. In some ways that seems like a long, long time ago. In other ways like it was just yesterday.

Initial response to the book has been wonderful, and we couldn't be more thrilled to finally have it in our hands. Valerie is a talented author whose message is sure to touch many lives. I'm honored to have been given the opportunity to be a part of her vision.

A couple of reviews:

"Fantastic! I love to see these principles taught in a fun way to kids. I will definitely share this book with my children, and strongly recommend that if you want to give your kids a tremendous advantage for reaching their highest potential, you'll do the same." --Garrett B. Gunderson, Entrepreneur and New York Time best selling author of Killing Sacred Cows

"At the earliest age our children need to be introduced to the idea that their thoughts are powerful. They need to be taught how to become more aware of how their thinking affects every aspect of their lives. Our children are not taught how to do this. I applaud this simple but powerful book for introducing this critical concept at the earliest of ages." Gordon S. Bruin, M.A., L.P.C., American Board Certified, President, Innergold Counseling Services, Inc.

In celebration, I'm giving away a copy of the book. All you need to do is comment on this post and tell me:

1. Why you'd like like to have a copy--either for yourself or a child in your life.

AND

2. Why you believe positive thoughts are so important.

The deadline is two weeks from today: midnight (mountain) Wednesday, July 7. U.S. residents only.

Author Interview: Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

Ronda's website

Ronda's blog

Who are you as a person, versus an author?

Ronda: I’m a musician (soprano soloist and beginning piano teacher), a wife, mother, and whatever my LDS church calling is at the time. I’m also my husband’s sidekick, which means that since he’s an extreme “do-it-yourselfer,” I participate in those activities as well. Here’s a short list: we’re building our dream house almost completely on our own with the “pay as you go” method, we maintain a small farm, and we travel whenever we can. Skymiles are our friends.

Do you seek to educate or entertain?

Ronda: Both. I really try to help my readers feel as if they’re right there with my protagonists, but I also believe the best novels are those I learn life lessons from, the ones that make me think about something I never have before in just that particular way, the ones I grow from. Those two things are what I try to emulate.

Where do you write your best stuff, and when?

Ronda: I write almost every morning as well as throughout several evenings when the house is quiet. I do my best work in the quiet, but since solitude isn’t always possible, I also write whenever I get the chance—waiting at the doctor’s office, etc. About ten years ago, I used to have a set schedule, and that worked well for me at that time, but now. . . let’s just say I now adapt writing time to my changing schedule.

Why do you write?

Ronda: I first knew I wanted to be a writer when I was in the 6th grade. My English teacher had been reading S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders to the class, and when she reached the section where Johnny urged Ponyboy to stay “gold,” I realized I wanted to write "golden” words just as Hinton had. More than that, I wanted those words to encourage the "golden" in others. That remains one of my goals.

What do you read? Why?

Ronda: I read a lot of different kinds of books, but my favorite genre is romantic suspense, as long as it’s “clean.” I like the combination of thrills, chills, and love. If the book has other genre’s mixed in, like fantasy or mystery, that’s fine, too.

Vanilla or chocolate?

Ronda: If those are my only choices, I’ll choose chocolate, but if you had something else, like Blueberry cheesecake chocolate chunk, I’d have to choose that.

Laptop, PC, Mac, longhand, other?

Ronda: Laptop, PC, longhand. That’s what I have, so that’s what I use. I write final versions on the PC, but if I’m sitting in the car waiting for someone, I write longhand in a notebook. If I’m on a business trip, I use the laptop. The point is, I write with whatever I have available to me.

What is your current book?

Ronda: My first LDS mystery, MISSING, was released in October 2009. It’s a fast-paced novel about a BYU-Idaho student who first sees then tries to save a missing child while she’s on a choir tour in British Columbia.

What's coming up?

Ronda: I’m finishing another romantic suspense/mystery, but this one has a hint of fantasy in it, too. It’s different than anything I’ve ever written before, but I’m really excited about it. I’m also gathering ideas and organizing my third novel.

One piece of advice/wisdom for the world?

Ronda: Hold on to the goodness that’s inside you. I believe if everyone in the world would let that goodness overpower lesser feelings, evil would soon disappear. Yikes! I think I’m starting to sound like Sandra Bullock wishing for “world peace.”

Dogs or cats?

Ronda: We have a dog, cows, and goats, but the truth is, I’m not really an animal person. My husband is.

What do you want to be remembered for, or as?

Ronda: A good person who helped others.

Stolen Christmas Contest: Two chances to win

A contest to celebrate the release of Stolen Christmas!

Two ways to enter:

1. Leave a comment on this blog and/or on my other blog Hearts and Hands. Each time you comment between November 15 and December 10 you will be entered to win a Christmas gift package that includes three of my books, Stolen Christmas, Three Angels for Christmas, and The Magic and the Miracle of Christmas, Volume two.

2. Become a follower of this blog and/or Hearts and Hands. All my followers will be entered for a chance to win a copy of Three Angels for Christmas AND an assortment of my angel cards.


Order Stolen Christmas on Amazon.

An Angel on Main Street

An Angel on Main Street by Kathi Oram Peterson

My review:

The year is 1953 and Christmas looks anything but bright for eleven-year-old Micah Connors. The boy is no stranger to trouble--his mother recently moved the family to Bolton, Idaho with the hope her son could forge a new start with better friends than he left behind. But old habits die hard and Micah soon becomes acquainted with the local sheriff. The family is already awash in trials. Micah's father is dead, a casualty of the Korean War, and his younger sister, Annie, is gravely ill. The boy knows he can't add to his mother's stress so he makes a deal with the sheriff and strives to redeem himself.

The author of the book captured elements of both the charm and the incongruity of small town living, and I enjoyed the love and unity demonstrated by Micah's close-knit family members. I found myself rooting for Micah, with the desire he would find his inner strengths, and I was anxious to learn if his sister would recover. The character of the sheriff is well-crafted, a good guy who is the backbone of the story. All the characters are engaging and I wanted to know more about each one, more depth to the promising storyline. The story illuminates the strength of the human spirit, and is sure to be an enduring Christmas favorite.

At around 100 pages the book is a quick read that will provide respite from the hustle and bustle of the holidays as it helps to recapture the spirit of the season. A wonderful gift for all ages--my eleven-year-old enjoyed it and one of my friends plans to give it to all her married children--the book would also make a nice accompaniment to giving during the Twelve Days of Christmas (for article click here).

Blurb:

Micah Connors promised his mother he would be good in their new town. But with Christmas only three days away, being escorted home by the sheriff does not bode well. Can the towering officer be trusted not to tell what happened? Perhaps the ramshackle stable that has appeared on Main Street will sidetrack him from spilling the day’s events — or maybe his interest in Micah’s widowed mother will do the trick.

The last thing Dawn Connors needs is to hear her son is in trouble. She has enough to worry about with her husband gone and her daughter, Annie, ill. Even though Micah has told his sister the rustic structure in the middle of town is simply part of the town’s holiday decorations, Annie is sure that unseen angels are building the crude stable — which means baby Jesus is coming, and he can make her better.

Terrified that his little sister might die, Micah vows to find the baby Jesus for Annie, even if it is only a plastic doll. But as Micah gets nearer to his goal he finds angels are closer than he ever would have believed.

Buy the book at: Desert Book

Interview with Kathi Oram Peterson:

She blogs here

Kathi, who are you as a person, versus an author?

My passion other than writing would be my family. But that's probably not the kind of answer you want. Let's see, hobbies...I enjoy going to the movies. Might have been to be a movie critic, but than I'd have to watch movies I don't want to. I enjoy cooking, but I'm no gourmet, more meat and potatoes. I love butter and sugar and whipping cream so it's probably best I'm not a professional cook. Now you can see why I write. I can live through my characters. I can be a cowgirl, have a black belt, and go back in time. Nothing better in my book. I do yearn to travel, but I'm more the hermit. Give me some good books, several classic movies and a pizza and I'm good. Soooo boring.

What genre(s) do you write in?

I have written children's concept and biography books K-2; YA inspirational time travel; and romantic suspense. I've also written a screenplay.

Do you seek to educate or entertain?

Can't we have both? I think some of the best stories teach and entertain at the same time. My objectives are to write a story that makes people laugh, cry and think.

Where do you write your best stuff, and when?

I'm definitely a seclusion writer. When all the kids lived at home I didn't have an office, but I had a walk-in closet in my bedroom. So I put my desk and computer in there. Totally private. I wrote some of my best scenes in the closet...that doesn't sound very good, but literally it was true. My prime time is the mornings. Especially if I'm writing the rough draft. When I'm in the throes of writing a book I usually write new stuff in the morning and spend the afternoon editing. Lately I've written in spurts, but I prefer a regular schedule. I'm hoping after the holidays my life will get back to normal...whatever that is.

Why do you write?

I've always loved reading. I had times in school when I'd write a good paper and the teacher would comment or make me read it before the class, but I really didn't think about writing books until after my first child was born. My mother suggested that I try writing a book and it stuck. I'm to the point if I don't write I become depressed. That's why I don't like writing in spurts.

What do you love to read?

I love good YA novels. A while back I spent a year reading as many Newbery winners as I could find. I loved Harry Potter and marvel at the world Rowling created. I'd love to do that. I also love romantic suspense novels. For me the best read has adventure, battles, and romance.

Vanilla or chocolate?

Chocolate hands down.

What is your preferred manner of writing?

PC. I also use the laptop after a long day on the PC. Most of my research information is saved on my PC. I like sitting at my desk with all my books around me within easy reach.

What is your current book?

An Angel on Main Street. I love Christmas and wanted to write a Christmas story that would remind people of simpler times. So I set the story in the fifties, plus it was what I remember. The book takes place in a small town. I was raised in a small town, so I know what it was like. My family lived in an apartment over my father's store, like the Connors family lived over a restaurant in the book. My father worked part-time for the police department, so it wasn't much of a stretch to think up and characterize Sheriff Anderson. When I was a little girl, my mother suffered a heart attack while washing my hair for a dance recital. I remember how scared I was that she would die. Many times I'd stare down on Main Street wondering if my mother would ever come home from the hospital. I was able to use those emotions as I wrote Micah's fears about death. When my mother finally came home, she shared a very sacred experience with the family that left little doubt that there was life after death. As you can see this little book is very close to my heart.

One piece of advice/wisdom for the world?

The world...keep it simple and remember God is in charge. I think many times we forget that. I was always taught that if I wanted something I had to do everything humanly possible and then leave it up to the Lord. That's good advice.

Dogs or cats?

Dogs. I have the cutest little Yorkie. She's my little buddy.

What do you want to be remembered for, or as?

I hope I'm remembered for being a good mother, wife, sister, and friend. Also that my novels would long be remembered as good books the entire family could read and enjoy.


Contest:

An Angel in Your Life Contest runs from now until December 15th. Anyone can enter by simply emailing Kathi at kathiorampeterso@yahoo.com and writing about an experience you have had with someone who became an angel in your life. The winner will be announced on her blog (www.kathiswritingnook.com). A gift certificate from either Seagull Book or Deseret Book will be given to the winner and an "Angel" in his/her life. This contest celebrates the selfless, kind acts performed daily, many times unnoticed.

From the author: "If you are like me, many people have helped you through times of trouble. Let's face it, life is tough and the small acts of kindness shown to us by others needs to be remembered and celebrated especially during the holidays. Christmas brings out the best in people and I wanted to give others the opportunity to thank those who have touched their lives in a profound way. Hopefully this contest will remind us of the angels in our lives."

Stolen Christmas

What happens when you’re so poor you have to steal your Christmas presents? Have you ever taken a punch in the face as your Christmas gift to the girl you love? Or saved Christmas while hunting were-weevils?

The award-winning stories from seventeen LDS authors featured in Stolen Christmas are the best of the best from the LDS Publisher Christmas Story Contests. From Christmases past, to present, to future; from sweet and inspirational, to zany and delightful—there’s a story for everyone in this eclectic collection. I'm excited and honored to have one of my short stories included.

Please visit LDS Publisher's blog to pre-order your copy here.