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11/6/09

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The Best of Times (Dickens Inn v1) by Anita Stansfield


Title: The Best of Times, A Dickens Inn Novel (v1)

Author: Anita Stansfield

Publisher: Covenant

Release Date: November 2, 2009

ISBN: 978-1598118483

Size: 336 pages, 6x9, softcover

Genre: General


A sprawling Montana setting; a charming bed-and-breakfast inn brimming with Dickensian decor; a beautiful and deeply spiritual innkeeper with secret sorrows from her past; a Granny who is as delightful as she is wise; and a handsome guest whose lifestyle and past are both troubled and troubling—these are the elements of a captivating novel of romance and intrigue.

With characters that are vital and vulnerable, and a plot that is wholly unpredictable, this story is a journey of choices and amazing opportunities. Once again, Anita Stansfield proves her versatility as a storyteller extraordinaire in this novel that is an ingenious blend of romance, mystery, and Dickensian charm.

11/1/09

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November 2009 LDSF Prize Sponsors

Last month's prize winners announced HERE.

Please take a moment to learn more about our wonderfully generous sponsors.


In the Company of Angels by David Farland


A test of the spirit. A triumph of faith.

A luminous tale that breaks our hearts and sets our souls soaring.

David Farland’s moving masterpiece echoes the drama of Gone with the Wind and the glory of Ghandi, sweeping from the green fields of Denmark to the icy peaks of the Rockies in a saga that elevates and enriches all those who read it.

In the Company of Angels centers on Eliza Gadd, the feisty, sophisticated wife of a Mormon bishop. When her husband answers his leader’s call to abandon his cottage in England and settle in the Rocky Mountains, Eliza’s world comes apart. She may help her husband pull a handcart with everything that they own across the plains of Utah, but she can’t bring herself to bow to a god she doesn’t believe in.

Stalled by setbacks, the pioneers find themselves forced to take their journey perilously late in the season. The lives of Eliza’s children hang in the balance. But how can she reason with people who believe they are in the hands of angels, that their faith can turn back storms, and that their leaders, like the Apostles of old, have the power to raise the dead?

Based on the true story of the Willie Handcart Company of 1856, In the Company of Angels unfolds the triumphant tale of pioneers who struggle against unendurable hardships—persecution, buffalo stampedes, rampaging Indians, lingering starvation, and the early onset of the coldest winter in US history—to find the gentle homeland of the soul.


Dave is an award-winning, New York Times bestselling writer in two fields. As Dave Wolverton, he began his writing career in 1987 when he won the Writers of the Future Gold Award for his short story, “On My Way to Paradise,” and shortly afterward was given a three-novel contract by Bantam Books. His first novel spent several months on the Locus Science Fiction Best-seller List, and won a Philip K. Dick Memorial Special Award for being one of the best science fiction novels of the year. Dave continued writing science fiction for the following ten years, writing several bestsellers, until at the end of ten years he decided to follow his childhood dream of writing fantasy, and moved into a new genre. With the move, he changed his writing name to David Farland, so as not to confuse his readers. His first fantasy novel, The Runelords, became a runaway hit around the world and has millions of readers. The third book in the runelords series, Wizardborn, hit the New York Times best-seller list.

Over the years, Dave has won numerous awards for his short fiction in particular, and set a Guinness Record for the world's largest booksigning–a record that he still holds. In 1991, Dave became a judge for one of the world's largest writing contests, the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest, and for the next several years he read thousands of stories each year, edited an annual anthology, and taught writing classes to new writers.

To date, Dave has written and edited nearly fifty books. These include novels for adults, young adults, anthologies, middle-grade readers, and picture books.



Santa Maybe by Aubrey Mace


Dear Santa,

I've been a good girl this year. (Well . . . pretty good.) I have a nice life and there's only one thing that I really want—one thing that's missing. If you happen to have an extra one lying around your workshop, I would really like a husband. I promise to take good care of him.

Love, Abbie

With a successful bakery to run, super cute nieces and nephews to spoil, and plenty of good friends to keep her company, Abbie's not about to start crying over the fact that she doesn't have a boyfriend to spend Christmas with. But when her sister convinces her to write a note to Santa, Abbie has no idea that a little Christmas magic is about to land her the man of her dreams. Or rather, that man is about to land smack dab on the floor in front of her Christmas tree with no memory of how he got there.

Now Abbie and Ben have to figure out where he came from, who he really is, and if he's actually available.






Aubrey Mace: I live in Sandy Utah where I have been writing stories for most of my life. In retrospect, the fact that I was secretly scribbling short stories during my medical coding class probably should have been a clue that coding was not my first love.

I graduated from Jordan High School and also attended LDS Business College and Utah State University. I wrote my first Official Short Story of a Certain Length while I was attending Utah State. In addition to Santa Maybe, I have two other published books: Spare Change and My Fairy Grandmother.

I still earn my living in the medical field and when I'm not busy with my day job, I divide my hours between working on my next book and spending time with my wonderful family. I enjoy cooking, traveling, gardening, playing the piano and cello, and last but certainly not least, reading.




CLICK HERE for details on how to win these books.

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Am I Not a Man: The Dred Scott Story by Mark L. Shurtleff


Title: Am I Not a Man: The Dred Scott Story

Author: Mark L. Shurtle

Publisher: Valor Publishing

Release Date: November 3, 2009

ISBN: 978-1-935546-00-9

Size: 534 pages, hardcover

Genre: Historical


An illiterate slave, Dred Scott trusted in an all-white, slave-owning jury to declare him free. But after briefly experiencing the glory of freedom and manhood, a new state Supreme Court ordered the cold steel of the shackles to be closed again around his wrists and ankles. Falling to his knees, Dred cried, "Ain't I a man?" Dred answered his own question by rising and taking his fight to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Dred ultimately lost his epic battle when the Chief Justice declared that a black man was so inferior that he had "no rights a white man was bound to respect."

Dred died not knowing that his undying courage led directly to the election of President Abraham Lincoln and the emancipation proclamation.

Dred Scott's inspiring and compelling true story of adventure, courage, love, hatred, and friendship parallels the history of this nation from the long night of slavery to the narrow crack in the door that would ultimately lead to freedom and equality for all men.

10/30/09

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Babylon (Millennial Glory IX) by Wendie L. Edwards


Title: Babylon (Millennial Glory, vol IX)

Author: Wendie L. Edwards

Publisher: Seventh Seal Publishing

Release Date: October 29, 2009

ISBN: 978-0971222861

Size: 314 pages, softcover

Genre: Speculative

Genre: Hidden Light, Wars of Light, Apocalypse, the Unveiling, The Ascension, Hanging by a Thread, Justice of Affliction, United We Stand, He Is Coming



The unstable earth shakes. The waters continue to rise. Waves heave beyond their bounds as the earth wobbles like a drunken man. Babylon rises as wickedness covers the world like a blanket. Evil spirits seduce its kings and inhabitants with desires of riches and hedonistic living.

Every knee must bow in honor and obedience to the International Community of United Nations and the celebrated Messiah who moves among them, but not all nations do. There are a few radical, religious, rebel nations who resist the matriculation process and refuse the biochip, but not for long! They will be crushed!

In America, the Saints hearts yearn for Zion. A company of three hundred thousand wind triumphantly out of the mountains, their terrible banners of freedom flying high. They are lead by one like Moses, accompanied about by fierce armies of tribal people. Their age-old desire is to finally build the prophesied city of New Jerusalem. Are their hearts worthy? Inevitably, there are trials and hardships which purify them, giving God a sanctified people. Now no power on earth or in hell can stop them!

10/29/09

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The Clone Betrayal by Steven L. Kent


Title: The Clone Betrayal

Author: Steven L. Kent

Publisher: Ace

Release Date: October 27, 2009

ISBN: 978-0441017874

Size: 384 pages, 4x6", softcover

Genre: Science Fiction

Series: The Clone Republic, Rogue Clone, The Clone Alliance, The Clone Elite


Lt. Wayson Harris was born and bred as the ultimate soldier. But he is unique, possessing independence of thought. And when the military brass decide to blame the clones for the decimation of the U.A. republic, Lt. Harris decides to stop being the scapegoat, with all the firepower he can muster.

10/28/09

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The Shadow Dragons by James Owen


Title: The Shadow Dragons (Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica)

Author: James A. Owen

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Release Date: October 27, 2009

ISBN: 978-1416958976

Size: 432 pages, Hardcover

Genre: YA Fantasy

Series: Here There Be Dragons (v. 1), The Search for the Red Dragon (v. 2), The Indigo King (v. 3)


World War II has been raging for three years, but a more terrible evil is just over the horizon. The last stones are falling from the Keep of Time, and the Imperial Cartological Society, led by Richard Burton, has collected doors and is building a new tower at the request of an old enemy: the Winter King's shadow. He has a terrible weapon -- the Spear of Destiny -- that can be used to command the shadows of anyone it touches.

The Shadow King uses the Spear of Destiny to enlist an unstoppable army of Dragon shadows. And after the Archipelago falls, the Shadow King intends to use the turmoil of World War II to take over both worlds.

All the legendary Caretakers, past and present, come together to save two worlds, and their only hope lies with a small group of companions who are on the quest for the broken sword Caliburn: the Grail Child, Rose Dyson; her clockwork companion, the owl Archie; a dead professor of ancient literature; and the mythical knight Don Quixote.

10/27/09

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The Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson


Title: The Gathering Storm (#12 in the Wheel of Time series)

Author: Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson

Publisher: Tor

Release Date: October 27, 2009

ISBN: 978-0765302304

Size: 784 pages, Hardcover

Genre: Fantasy


Tarmon Gai’don, the Last Battle, looms. And mankind is not ready.


The final volume of the Wheel of Time, A Memory of Light, was partially written by Robert Jordan before his untimely passing in 2007. Brandon Sanderson, New York Times bestselling author of the Mistborn books, was chosen by Jordan’s editor---his wife, Harriet McDougal---to complete the final book. The scope and size of the volume was such that it could not be contained in a single book, and so Tor proudly presents The Gathering Storm as the first of three novels that will make up A Memory of Light. This short sequence will complete the struggle against the Shadow, bringing to a close a journey begun almost twenty years ago and marking the conclusion of the Wheel of Time, the preeminent fantasy epic of our era.

In this epic novel, Robert Jordan’s international bestselling series begins its dramatic conclusion. Rand al’Thor, the Dragon Reborn, struggles to unite a fractured network of kingdoms and alliances in preparation for the Last Battle. As he attempts to halt the Seanchan encroachment northward---wishing he could form at least a temporary truce with the invaders---his allies watch in terror the shadow that seems to be growing within the heart of the Dragon Reborn himself.

Egwene al’Vere, the Amyrlin Seat of the rebel Aes Sedai, is a captive of the White Tower and subject to the whims of their tyrannical leader. As days tick toward the Seanchan attack she knows is imminent, Egwene works to hold together the disparate factions of Aes Sedai while providing leadership in the face of increasing uncertainty and despair. Her fight will prove the mettle of the Aes Sedai, and her conflict will decide the future of the White Tower---and possibly the world itself.

The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.

10/26/09

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Farworld: Land Keep by J Scott Savage


Title: Farworld: Land Keep

Author: J Scott Savage

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Release Date: September 30, 2009

ISBN: 978-1606411643

Size: 374 pages, 6x9", hardcover

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Series:
Farworld: Water Keep (v1)


Four mythical Elementals—Water, Land, Air, and Fire—have the power to save two worlds, Earth and Farworld, from a common enemy: the Dark Circle.

In book one, Water Keep, a portal has been opened between the two worlds, allowing Marcus, from Earth, and Kyja, from Farworld, to combine their unique gifts and begin their epic quest to find the Elementals.

In book two, Land Keep, Marcus and Kyja travel with Cascade, a Water Elemental, toward Land Keep, the home of the powerful and wise Land Elementals. However, their journey may end before it even begins.

Land Keep is empty, deserted for at least a thousand years, and the rumor is that the creatures who once controlled all land magic are extinct. Marcus and Kyja's only hope seems to lie in finding the Augur Well, a legendary Oracle protected by subtle traps and mind-bending trials. To succeed in their quest, Marcus and Kyja must also avoid the Keepers of the Balance, an order dedicated to redistributing magic to the rich and powerful. And they must travel far underground, where Cascade is unable to follow and where they will be unable to leap to the safety of Earth.

As the Dark Circle closes around them, Marcus and Kyja are faced with the temptation of what they desire most. Sacrifices must be made, and not everyone will survive unscathed.

10/22/09

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Alcatraz vs The Knights of Crystallia by Brandon Sanderson


Title: Alcatraz versus The Knights of Crystallia

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Release Date: October 1, 2009

ISBN: 978-0439925556

Size: 336 pages, 6x8", hardcover

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Series: Alcatraz vs the Evil Librarians (v1), Alcatraz vs The Scrivener's Bones (v2)

When Alcatraz and Grandpa Smedry make a pilgrimage to the Free Kingdom city of Crystallia, the Smedry home base, Alcatraz is shocked to see that he is, in fact, a legend. When he was a baby he was stolen by the Evil Librarians, and his mother, a Librarian herself, was behind the whole scheme. Now, with his estranged father, who is acting indeed strange, Bastille, who has been stripped of her armor, and Grandpa Smedry, who is, as always, late to everything (that's his Talent), Alcatraz tries to save a city under siege. From who? Why, the Librarians of course!

10/21/09

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Briana, My Brother, and the Blog by Jack Weyland


Title: Briana, My Brother, and the Blog

Author: Jack Weyland

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Release Date: October, 2009

ISBN:

Size: softcover

Genre: YA



Brianna needs a friend, someone to keep her from being lonely while she's waiting for her missionary, Robbie, to come home. And who better for the job than Robbie's brother, Austin? He can keep the other men at bay while giving Brianna guy-type help, like hauling her harp around on weekends to play at wedding receptions.

Austin needs a friend, too. And Brianna is the perfect choice since there's no romantic involvement -- of course not, how could there be, she's waiting for his brother, after all. As a friendship develops between Austin and Brianna, Austin is free to learn what it means to be "true and faithful friends" with a girl.

He begins posting his findings in blog entries that quickly gather a following of interested readers. But what will happen to his friendship with Brianna when she finds out who the real author of the blog is? Because the truth is, Austin isn't looking for just a friend anymore, but something more. Will he have the courage to tell Brianna the truth -- before Robbie comes home?

10/20/09

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The Ball's In Her Court by Heather Justesen


Title: The Ball's In Her Court

Author: Heather Justesen

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Release Date: October 8, 2009

ISBN: 978-1599552347

Size: 256 pages, 5.5x8.5",softcover

Genre: Romance


Growing up in the foster care system was no picnic, but after being adopted into a loving LDS family, playing college basketball, and launching her career in the software industry, Denise Dewalt finally feels as though she s left her former life behind her. What she doesn t realize is that she must confront her past if she ever wants to move on to a brighter future.

While her search for her biological family isn t an easy one, Denise s biggest fear is that even when she finds her family, she ll have nothing to give Rich, the only man who can see past the tragedies of her childhood. This emotional and inspirational story proves that life is full of unexpected twists and turns especially when it comes to facing your demons, fighting for love, and finding happiness for the future.

10/19/09

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Missing by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen


Title: Missing

Author: Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

Publisher: Walnut Springs Press

Release Date: October 5, 2009

ISBN: 978-1935217305

Size: 265 pages, softcover

Genre: Mystery/Suspense


A BYU-Idaho choir tour in British Columbia turns out to be anything but ordinary when soloist Stacie Cox spots a kidnapped child from Rexburg during a performance. Before Stacie can alert the authorities, the little girl disappears. Stacie vows to find and rescue her, a choice that forces her to deal with her guilt-ridden past and another little girl that haunts her dreams.

When the handsome Matt Brennan helps Stacie in the search, she tries to resist the attraction she feels for him. Yet as he gains her friendship and trust, her resolve to never fall in love begins to crumble. And after a series of harrowing events, Stacie must decide if she is willing to sacrifice her life— and a possible future with Matt—to save a stranger.

10/16/09

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Saving Madeline by Rachel Ann Nunes


Title: Saving Madeline

Author: Rachel Ann Nunes

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Release Date: September 16, 2009

ISBN: 978-1606410493

Size: 328 pages, 6x9, softcover

Genre: General


As a public defender, Caitlin McLoughlin dreams of someday locking the bad guys in prison instead of defending them. But prosecuting jobs are scarce, and Caitlin s future seems bleak.

When her current client is about to walk away from a brutal crime, she risks her career to make sure he doesn t hurt anyone else. But how far is she is willing to go especially when she needs her job so she can continue caring for her mentally disabled sister?

Then Caitlin meets Parker Hathaway, charged with kidnapping a four- year- old child. Just another criminal, just another job, Caitlin thinks. But when she learns the real story, she realizes that she must put everything on the line to defend her client and save the little girl before it s too late. Saving Madeline is the story of a man determined to protect a child he loves, and the woman who dared to trust him.

10/15/09

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Servant of a Dark God by John Brown


Title: Servant of a Dark God

Author: John Brown

Publisher: Tor

Release Date: October 13, 2009

ISBN: 978-0765322357

Size: 448 pages, 6x9:, hardcover

Genre: Fantasy


The launch of a towering new fantasy series introduces an elaborate new world, a strange and dark system of magic, and a cast of compelling characters and monsters. Young Talen lives in a world where the days of a person’s life can be harvested, bought, and stolen. Only the great Divines, who rule every land, and the human soul-eaters, dark ones who steal from man and beast and become twisted by their polluted draws, know the secrets of this power. This land’s Divine has gone missing and soul-eaters are found among Talen’s people.

The Clans muster a massive hunt, and Talen finds himself a target. Thinking his struggle is against both soul-eaters and their hunters, Talen actually has far larger problems. A being of awesome power has arisen, one whose diet consists of the days of man. Her Mothers once ranched human subjects like cattle. She has emerged to take back what is rightfully hers. Trapped in a web of lies and ancient secrets, Talen must struggle to identify his true enemy before the Mother finds the one whom she will transform into the lord of the human harvest.