2011 YA Fiction BEST COVER - Winner!

I know they say, "don't judge a book by it's cover," but I'll admit, I am guilty of doing just that. As an artist - and a very visual person - one of the hardest parts about turning my manuscript over to my publisher was trusting them to capture the story with the cover art. I waited on pins and needles for months, praying they'd catch my vision. Then the day came; the day of reckoning... Nervously, I sat down and with my heart racing, opened the file:

Tears! Yes, literal tears! Tears of pure joy! Not only had my manuscript come to full fruition in the form of a book, it was a beautiful book with an amazing cover. 

Thanks to Angela D. Olsen and Cedar Fort Publishing for capturing the beauty within Hope's Journey's pages.

Hope's Journey was recently nominated in the LDS Publisher BEST COVER CONTEST... and it WON 2011 YA General Fiction BEST COVER! The competition was steep, but we walked away with 38.6% of the votes. It is now in the running for 2011 BEST COVER OF THE YEAR AWARD. Voting ends today, and the competition is fierce, so I don't know where we'll land, but, honestly, just making the list is an honor.

A "LOVE"ly Valentines Tradition

To most, Valentine's Day is a chance for couples to celebrate each other and their love. I find it funny how this innocent little holiday frequently evokes lamentation from men and hope-filled excitement from women.  From an early age, girls get giddy as they wish and hope and pray for some fabulous expression of their sweethearts dying devotion (ie: flowers, candy, jewelry...) For some those hopes are fulfilled, but for others the anticipation can be somewhat of a let down.

The day of LOVE has essentially become just another over marketed holiday. It's almost as if we've decided to believe that the key to someones heart is through our wallet.

However, it doesn't have to be that way.

I am fundamentally opposed to buying any item just because tradition and culture dictate that we should. I don't think my sweetheart needs a box of chocolates (which by the way, would go stale before he ate them) to know that I love him. Likewise, I'd rather him not run into the jewelry store to frantically purchase a necklace that I probably will never wear. The same holds true for overpriced flowers. Instead of throwing money into the laps of distributors once a year, we choose to express our love to each other daily - in the big things, but also in the little things.

And, what greater manifestation of our love is there than our children? The very breath they breath is a witness of the love my sweetheart and I share. The laughter, the joy, and even the occasional heartache they bring into our lives is the pinnacle of our family existence. We love them more fully than we could ever love ourselves. This is why Valentines is a family affair at out home.

(Disclaimer: my husband and I celebrate our wedding anniversary in the days leading up to Valentines, so by the time the 14th rolls around, we've already spent many days devoted to each other! Disclaimer #2: I believe the secret to keeping your marriage strong is to run away together at least once a year. Disclaimer #3: Aforementioned "runaway" should only involve the two of you, which means you will need to plan ahead for a multi-day, responsible babysitter... aka Grandma.)

Our family Valentines tradition started about a dozen years ago when my two oldest were still toddlers. Because our family situation at the time didn't lend for an expensive night on the town as a couple, I decided to treat my sweetie to a candle light dinner at home. And, if I was going to do it for him, I thought it would be fun (and more functional) to include the children. With little preschool scissors, my two toddlers and I cut out dozens of little hearts from sheets of construction paper. We blanketed the table clothe and even made a little heart-mobile to fancy-up the light fixture. We set the table with our best dishes (ceramic, which was a big step up from the kids typical plastic settings). We even including crystal champagne flutes at every place setting.


In probably one of the purest expressions of love I've ever felt, I made dinner for my little family. The menu was simple, yet exquisite to the little ones. Chicken Cordon Bleu, mashed potatoes and gravy (both died pink, of course), broccoli (our family favorite!), handmade rolls (also pink), and flutes full of sparkling cider. Dessert was heart shaped brownies topped with french vanilla ice cream, homemade hot fudge, and ample portions of whip cream.


Hands down, that little dinner ranks among the best evenings of my life. In those candle-lit moments, I saw my children in a whole new light. They were not the little rascals I spent my days chasing, they were angelic little offshoots of my husband and me. They were the purest manifestation of the love my husband and I share. They were my little valentines.

I can't claim that I was intending to start a tradition (lets face it, I'm just not that genius), but my kids grabbed onto the memories and began anticipating them year after year. Our Valentine's dinner has become one of their annual highlights. And, as the kids grow and mature (haha, that's such an interesting concept, isn't it?), the decorations have matured too. Gone may be the days of our construction paper hearts (though they still exist in a Rubbermaid tote in the basement), but one thing has remained constant: the menu. It just wouldn't be Valentine's without pink potatoes and gravy and chicken cordon bleu.

I'm so happy we stumbled upon such a lovely tradition all those years ago. I'm so grateful to have a day to celebrate the LOVE that we share as a FAMILY. I'm such a believer in the binding power of traditions - a believer that the little consistent repetitions are what will hold us together as the kids continue to grow. I hope the memories will continue to burn in their minds and their hearts long after the candles are blown out. I hope they will remember the love their parents have, not just for each other, but for them too. And, I hope that we have taught them how to love as well as how to be loved.

Interview with Karey White, Author of "Gifted"

Have you ever read a book that keeps you guessing right up to the end? Have you ever finished a book yet thought about it for days afterword? 

It's no secret,  I read a lot of books. I love to read, yet I'm a pretty critical reader. Rarely do I give out a five star rating, because, honestly, my criteria for five stars is pretty high. And, in my opinion, not many books can hit the mark... 

"Gifted," by Karey White, is a rare find and an absolute five star read!  

About the book: 

Susan and Brent Weller have been married for several years and have been unable to have children. They adopt Anna, a beautiful baby girl orphaned in a terrible car accident. As Anna grows, Susan and Brent discover that she’s blessed with unusual gifts that both bless and complicate their lives.

I was so riveted by this book, I read it from cover to cover in one sitting. I was so enamored by not just Anna, but by Susan as well. The connection and genuine love between mother and daughter radiates through every page. Anna is truly "gifted" both on a physical level and a spiritual one. And, because I want you to read it, that's all I'm going to tell you about it. I will warn you though, you may want to have a box of tissue near as you approach the end! 

Because I loved this book so much, I invited the author, Karey White, to answer a few questions for me. Obviously, she obliged my curiosity, or I wouldn't be writing this.  :) 

Steph: Where did you get the idea for Gifted? 

Karey: Our neighbors, an older couple, were the guardians for their grand-daughter, a wild teenage girl who was pregnant. Just before her baby was due, she was drinking and driving with friends and was killed in a terrible car accident. They were able to save the baby. I went to bed one night, worried about my neighbors and the difficult situation they were now faced with--finding a home for this baby. That night I had a dream about the baby. It's actually the dream that Susan has in the book. When I woke up the next morning, I couldn't stop thinking about the dream and how that baby would affect those around her. 

Steph: Is any of the story based on real-life experiences or is it complete imagination?

Karey: While most of the book is completely fiction, there are a few things that were based in my reality--my children had a piano teacher just like Mildred, the house Kelsey lived in was just like the house of a girl my daughter knew, and I love Enstrom's toffee. There are probably a few other little tidbits but I can't think of them at the moment.

Steph: Authors typically write characters they are familiar with, either basing them on people they know or by giving them some of their own characteristics. Was Anna's character based on anyone in particular? Is there a character you relate most to? Who and why?  

Karey:While most of Anna isn't real, there are parts of her personality and talents that are similar to my two daughters. I probably related most to Susan, her desire to be a mother, her mama-bear instincts, and her frustration with Stan. I could really relate to those feelings.

Steph: They say you can't judge a book by its cover, but in this case, the cover is as wonderful as the story. What was your reaction when you saw the beautiful cover art? 

Karey:Incredibly relieved and thrilled. I had paid a lot of attention to covers in the months leading up to seeing mine and I'd seen some I thought were truly awful. I was so worried I wouldn't like mine. I couldn't have been happier with it. Dani, at Cedar Fort, did an amazing job.

Steph: Is "Gifted" the first book you've written? What are you working on now?  

Karey: Gifted is my first published book. I have one coming out later this year. It's a romance, very different from Gifted. I called it For What It's Worth, but I'm not positive they're keeping that title. I'm working on a third book, another romance, called The Husbandmaker. A lot of my time right now is being spent getting class plans together for the creative writing classes I'm going to teach this summer. I'm going to offer some writing classes/camps for 5th grade up to high school. Helping kids get inspired to write has me really excited.

 Steph: If there was one thing you wanted us to know about you, what would it be? 

Karey: Wow, that's hard. I hope the things I'd want you to know about me would be obvious when you get to know me so I wouldn't even have to say them, but since many of your readers won't know me, I'd want people to know that I love my family, I try to be a good friend and I'm so grateful for my blessed life.

Steph: Do you have any advice for aspiring writers? 

Karey: Read, read, read and write, write, write. And don't give up.

----------

Thank you so much Karey. You are such a talented story teller, I can't wait to read more from you. 

To learn more about Karey, visit her blog at HERE. For reviews of "Gifted" or to purchase a copy, visit Amazon. Also available on Kindle. 

Pizza

Tonight we made homemade pizza. 

Not completely healthy, I know, but oh so delicious! (Unless of course, you use the federal government's nutritional standards, in which case, pizza is a vegetable.) 

 Talia hand tossed tossed the dough! She cut fresh pineapple, onions, and peppers. Loaded it up with turkey pepperoni, low fat cheese, and tomato sauce with pureed carrots.... Beat that!

The crust was so thick, one slice filled you right up! Plus, she made twisted bread sticks too. 

Stuffed bellies for us tonight. 

Good job Talia. Keep cooking! 

Tips for Talking with Teens

It's kind of a funny microcosm of life, this struggle many adults experience when it comes to talking with their children. At one point every adult was a teenager, yet somewhere along the road to maturity they somehow forget what its like to be a kid. I've seen and heard both sides of the communication coin: kids who would "never!" talk to their parents and kids who talk freely with their parents about everything. The common thread is this, whether they recognize and admit it or not, teens crave open communication with their parents.

So, what's the problem then? If teens want to talk, why do they grumble and shrug and avoid all contact? The simple answer is not an easy one to swallow, but here it is: PARENTS BUILD WALLS.

Now, take a deep breath and don't get all defensive. You probably didn't even realize you were building, but over the course of years, brick by little brick has been stacked. You swore you'd never be like your parents. You promised yourself you'd be the "cool" ones. Yet, somewhere you lost hold on that precious little baby and before you knew it he/she was almost grown. The time went so fast and now you're staring in the face - eye to eye in some cases - a child who is no longer a child... a young, independent teen that seems to want nothing to do with you. But, it's not too late. You don't simply have to cower in the corner and wait out the storm. Just because you built that wall, brick by brick, doesn't mean you can't knock it down. It's never too late to establish a pattern of effective communication with your teens.

5 little tips to help break down the parent/teen communication barrier: 

(These apply equally to all youth that cross your path, not just those who share your blood-line.)  

1. Talk to kids like they are people, um, because they are! And, not only are they people, they are intelligent, thinking individuals, with thoughts and worries just like you. KIDS ARE SMART - don't dehumanize them by talking to them like they are idiots. Don't pretend to be their intellectual superiors. There's nothing that will open communication quicker than leveling the playing field. This doesn't negate the need for respect, just remember, it goes both ways.

2. Talk to your kids every day, not just when an issue arises. And, not just about "important" stuff. Laugh and joke and have a good time with each other. Think about it for a minute: you would never want to share your important thoughts with a stranger, would you? Well, then why would your kids? Create an atmosphere of familiarity and comfort, and if or when a big issue arises, your kids will feel comfortable coming to you because THEY KNOW YOU!

3. Listen. Respect. The counterpart to talking is listening. And, honestly, these two activities don't always equally balance the scale. Human nature - or at least "parent nature" - is to get the last word. This isn't necessarily the best approach. We don't have to fix everything, and as a matter of fact, we shouldn't. Sometimes the job of a parent is to simply LISTEN. Don't try to correct the action or solve the problem, just listen. Often the mere verbalizing of a concern and the opportunity to think through it out loud allows kids the ability to see the magnitude of their situation and recognize solutions on their own. When we listen and offer only needful, appropriate advice, we allow our children to (1) feel accepted and (2) to learn how to find solutions on their own.We also allow room for natural consequences to play out.

4. Be slow to judge or condemn. Remember, you were a kid once too, and likely, stupidity blurred your path at least once. If you lead a kid to believe that they are a bad person or at least incapable of making good decisions, you've set the stage for them to throw in the towel and prove you right! Avoid phrases like, "Well that was dumb," or "Wow, you're stupid." Instead use constructive conversation and thought provoking questions like, "What do you think of that decision?", or "How did that make you feel?" or even, "Knowing what you know now, do you recognize where you went wrong? And, the next time something like this comes up, what can you do to ensure a more positive outcome?"  

5. Be Comfortable talking about the difficult stuff. Seriously, if you can't talk about dating or drugs or sex without blushing, you are going to make them uncomfortable and they will take their questions and concerns somewhere else. It's a simple, but honest truth. They are seeing and hearing about these things all around them anyway, so don't think you're going to tell them something they haven't already heard somewhere else. Be the voice of honesty and the provider of accurate information. Don't shy away or beat around the bush. Sweeping taboo subjects under the rug doesn't make them go away, it only hides them. Your kids will not only appreciate your honesty, they will see you as a safe and comfortable resource for important information.

A Real Love Story

Every little girl dreams of her PRINCE CHARMING. From a young age, she starts thinking about this handsome man who will ride in on his white horse and carry her away into their HAPPILY EVER AFTER. Even the most independent of girls wants to be taken care of (believe me, I'm about as stubborn and independent as they come). She wants to be loved and cared for and protected by her mighty man....

But, what happens when that Prince Charming's body goes to war with itself? What happens when your strong,  rugged warrior can no longer take care of himself, let alone his Beautiful Princess?


That's when the REAL LOVE STORY begins!

I've seen pictures of my mighty Uncle Dave when he can walk, and run, and play with the best of them. He was a strong and healthy and fit man. Unfortunately, I don't hold any of those memories. I know he had these abilities in my lifetime, I was just too young to remember them. When MS (multiple sclerosis) hit him, it hit hard.  But Dave is a fighter!

A warrior!

And, so is my Aunt MaeLynn, who lovingly, tenderly, unfaltering, devoted everything she is to making his life the best that it could be. For years - and even decades - she has been his caretaker. Not out of obligation or responsibility, but out of LOVE. She is a strong and courageous example of true womanhood. Her love knows no bounds. Her service has no limit. Selfish is a word she doesn't know. And, when you talk about LOVE, it doesn't get any more REAL than that!

Impaired only by his physical shell, Dave's abilities have always outshone his disabilities. He had an uncanny power to make a sad little girl smile. An ability to bring laughter to any room. A smile that could brighten any day. And a positive attitude that made everyone who crossed his path want to be just a little better. Though unable to run and frolic with us kids, we were drawn to him. He made us laugh. He teased us and lifted us. He let us race his scooters down the street! He was the kind of uncle we should all be blessed to have. The kind of father that cherished his children and grandchildren. The kind of husband that is a true Prince Charming.

The measure of a man isn't in his physical strength, 

but in the size of his heart and the depth of his soul.

Dave was called home to our Father in Heaven this week. We will miss his sense of humor and the joy of his company, but we celebrate his life and are excited for him to have finally been able to shed the bounds of his mortal body. And, as Aunt MaeLynn goes on without him, she will find peace in the knowledge that their union is one designed for eternity. Their amazing marriage is not limited to this mortal existence, but because of the beautiful plan of our Heavenly Father, they will rejoice in each other's love forever, because, a real love story has no end!  

Book Review: Daughter of Helaman- by Misty Moncur

I'm such a slacker. I read this book in September and, even though we discussed it in our Book Club, somehow I never got around to posting my review of it. Better late than never, right? 

Daughter of Helaman - by Misty Moncur

Misty's debut novel is a fun, fast-paced step back into Book of Mormon times, though you don't have to be a member of the LDS church or even a believer in it's teachings to enjoy the story. Keturah is a young Lamanite girl who should be thinking about marriage and family chores but isn't really interested in those traditional activities. She, instead, see's herself as a warrior in Helaman's army.  

What I loved most about this book: 

There are more than a couple of things that endeared Daughter of Helaman to me. Foremost, I loved Keturah's character. She is smart and strong and sassy! She doesn't let anybody tell her what she can and can't do. When she sets her mind to something, she does everything she can to pursue it. I love strong women characters and I felt like in many ways I could relate to her. And what's not to like about a love triangle? With two boys fighting for her affection, which one will she choose? The dependable, loyal, committed one, or the new, exciting one that supports her in her desire to join the army? 

Daughter of Helaman is a fast paced, fun, and danger filled book that will transport you back in time and   bring the Book of Mormon to life. With just the right blend of love, adventure, and self-discovery wrapped up in a delightful main character, Daughter of Helaman is a great read for kids (aged 10 and up) as well as adults.  I've added it to my daughter's book shelf.   

From the back cover: 

SHE SHOULD BE THINKING of housework and being a wife. Instead Keturah is thinking of swords and being a warrior. Ignoring the worries of her family and her nearly betrothed, Keturah begins secretly trainning with one of the new soldiers to prove herself worthy of Helaman's army. But when the two men meet up, sparks fly, and Keturah must figure out not only her place in society, but also her heart's desire. 

About the author: 

Between working and raising a family, Misty fits in writing like others fit in breathing. Misty loves to write. She writes in the Romance, Young Adult, and Religious genres.

Misty lives in Utah with her husband, her Wii-addicted son, and her curly-haired daughter. They spend a great deal of time laughing and the rest of it eating pizza.

Visit Misty's blog for more information on her writing and current projects, or click here to read the first chapter of Daughter of Helaman.