A Giveaway!

It is my birthday month! Woohoo! And to celebrate I'm giving away a signed copy of my romantic suspense, Second Guess! It's part of my Griffin Force series, but can definitely be read standalone. To enter, tell me one thing you love about winter!

Games, Prizes, and Fun!

Did you know there is a huge author event with amazing giveaways going on every day over on the Team Clean Romance Facebook page? And there's also a HUGE prize giveaway, too, of $500 in cash and so many books! 

You won't want to miss this. Click HERE to go to the page and join in all the fun!

Let Art Be Your Voice & A $200 Giveaway!

Dan Wilson is one of my favorite artists. I follow him on Instagram and he's shown his drawing process several times and it amazes me! He can create something so beautiful in such a short time. He truly has an incredible talent. 

I think the art that we put on our walls says a lot about us as an individual. One of my favorite paintings is this one:

I love the details, the churning sea, the light around Jesus' head as he beckons us to come to Him. In a world that is churning with emotion and oftentimes, contention, I like this reminder of where I can look for light and peace.

Havenlight is a company that sells the art of many wonderful artists, including Dan Wilson. There is a $200 giveaway going on right now that you will definitely want to enter! 

You can enter the giveaway HERE

And that's not all!

Right now, if you would like to buy some art from Havenlight, you can get a 20% off discount code by entering LDSWRITERMOM 

See all the Havenlight art HERE

Dan Wilson Bio:

“I want to paint images that speak to and uplift the viewer, pieces that remind them of the beauties of life, the reasons for living and loving existence. Vibrant colors and brush strokes working together with the disciplines of art to create beauty and emotion you can’t achieve in any other way.” -- Dan Wilson

Dan Wilson is an award-winning fine artist from Lehi Utah. As a young boy Dan dove deep into art, always known as “that kid that doodles on everything”. After serving an LDS mission those artistic passions grew as he painted full time for his Major at UVU. After graduation he was taken under the wing of his mentor William Whitaker, who pushed him hard to improve his skills.

Dan Wilson paints and teaches out of his home art studio where he is supported by his beautiful wife and six children.

Book Review and Giveaway!

I have been looking forward to the last book in the Jonquil and Lancaster series for a long time and Charming Artemis puts a nice little bow on all our favorite families and their stories.

Artemis has always struggled with finding her place in the world. She lost her mother, was ignored by her father, and put up walls and defenses around her heart to avoid getting hurt. She allows few people to truly know her, and has somewhat isolated herself. Her true self. Enter Charlie Jonquil. He is the youngest brother in his family and also struggling to find where he belongs. But despite having this in common, Artemis and Charlie do not get along. He knows she is putting on a facade and it gets under his skin. They snipe at each other and are known to be enemies---as much as a lady and gentleman of the ton can be enemies---until the unthinkable happens and they are thrown into a mess that will affect both of their lives forever. Can they learn to trust each other? Maybe even let each other in long enough to find the love they long for?

I loved Charlie Jonquil. This book really shows some great character growth, and highlights Charlie's tender side. The scenes with him and the children were adorable and his attempts to win over Artemis were endearing and sweet. He did make some mistakes, but he was swoon-worthy enough that readers will cut him a great deal of slack and hope for his happily-ever-after. Artemis also learns a great deal about herself as she tries to get along with Charlie, but her journey to trust herself and others is difficult. She is attempting to reconcile her past with her future and that's always a hard road when expectations are not realized. The story thread about Artemis's "Papa" wasn't my favorite because it didn't seem believable, but I do understand why Artemis would want to hang on to a father figure. I liked seeing some of my favorite characters from other books and catching up with what had gone on in their lives since "The End." Charming Artemis is a solid ending to a wonderful series and Sarah Eden fans will stay up late reading and close the book with a smile.

Don't forget to scroll down and enter to win!

Get your copy of the book here

Here's the back copy:

Charlie Jonquil is mild-mannered and kind—except when it comes to his one true adversary, Artemis Lancaster. Though Charlie has a brilliant mind for mathematics, Artemis poses a problem he can’t seem to comprehend: how can one be so lovely and so infuriating? A party in London brings him into the company of the maddening young lady, and it is clear that Charlie’s disdain is mutual. But when an unfortunate incident between the pair involving Charlie’s jacket and a glass of raspberry shrub leads to scandal, the sworn enemies are left with only two options: be ruined or be married.

So it is that Artemis finds herself in a most outrageous predicament: she must wed a gentleman she’s hated for years—and she pledges to avoid him at all costs. But it is only when they enter into this mockery of a marriage that Charlie and Artemis learn things are not as simple as they once appeared. As their tentative ceasefire leads to friendship, it seems their marriage born of desperation might lead them to a love that was destined to be.

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Book Review and Giveaway!

 

I love this time of year when the Christmas books start coming out. Meet Me Under the Kissing Bough is a collection of three historical romances during the Christmas season that is sure to put you in the holiday mood!

In the first story we are introduced to Deborah, a widow who is navigating the possibility of falling in love again as well as hosting a Christmas house party. But when her mother invites another gentleman to the party for her daughter to consider as a possible match, Deborah is all in a muddle as to how to proceed. This Christmas story offers a tender look at romance in an older couple who have children to consider and emotional baggage from previous marriages. The kissing bough part of the story was really cute and I loved the scenes with the children.

  

The second story is a forbidden romance between the daughter and son of feuding families. There is a bit of intrigue and secrecy as Julia sneaks over to the rival family's home to visit her sister (who married the older son of the feuding family) while she is sick with her pregnancy. Esmond, the younger son, is handsome and charming and Julia finds herself attracted to him, but their parents have so much animosity toward each other, association in public seems impossible, never mind a match. Julia comes across a family secret, however, that has the possibility of healing the rift between the two families or tearing them apart once and for all. And once the decision is made, Julia's life will be changed forever. A journey to love with lots of twists and turns! (While you can read this one as a standalone, I did feel like I was missing some of the background of several characters. I found out later that this story is connected to another one from a previous Christmas anthology.)

The third story is a twist on A Christmas Carol. Caroline was mistreated as a girl and that bitter past turned her into a cruel and selfish young woman. John Charleston is tasked to deliver letters to Caroline from her father, and in each letter is an apology and a chance for Caroline to forgive and learn to love. Her journey to self-discovery and growth as a character was satisfying to read. This was a unique take on A Christmas Carol, but the message of hope in the future and joy in loving and serving others is a nice way to end the collection.

I thought this was a sweet collection of Christmas stories that are all tied together by a kissing bough and the theme of finding love. It will get any reader in the Christmas spirit!

Don't forget to scroll down and enter the giveaway!

Get your copy here

Here's the back copy:

We wish you a merry Christmas and a happily ever after! This special holiday historical romance anthology featuring three heartwarming novellas proves that no matter the obstacles, ’tis the season for love.

Meet Me under the Kissing Bough

by Josi S. Kilpack

Deborah Winfrey hasn’t had the heart to host a holiday party since her husband’s death. But this Christmas, it’s time to move forward. The festivities bring renewed life to her home, and the attentions of two very different men promise a chance at new love.

Healing Hearts for the Holidays

by Anneka R. Walker

Julia Hunt is strictly forbidden from associating with the family in the nearby manor—including the handsome younger son, Esmond, who quickly steals her heart. With Christmas around the corner, an old bundle of hidden love letters may be the key to her own happily ever after.

A Christmas Correspondence

by Sarah L. McConkie

In this novella inspired by the timeless tale A Christmas Carol, John Charleston finds himself on an unexpected journey in the company of the insufferable Lady Carolyn Morleigh. But the magic of the season has a way of softening even the hardest of hearts.

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National Book Lovers Day & A Giveaway!

Today is National Book Lovers Day! That is definitely a day that should be celebrated with all my book loving friends! (And I hope you all get to read a book you love today!)

But let's do a giveaway for a $10 Amazon gift card. Just tell me your favorite book that you've read so far this summer. Winner will be announced tomorrow and contacted by private message. Happy reading!

And the Winner Is . . .

I am so humbled by those of you who entered the giveaways and shared a little bit of yourselves with me. I LOVED reading all about your firsts, your vacations, your songs, your impressions, and really feeling like I had SO much in common with so many of you! Thank you!

And I have to thank all my author friends who graciously donated their books for my blogaversary. I am so blessed to know them all!

If your name is announced as a winner, please email me at juliecoulterbellon AT gmail DOT com to claim your prize. 

Here are the winners!

*drum roll*

$5 Amazon gift card---Debbie P. 

$5 Amazon gift card---Winnie

A copy of Crown of Rosemund by Michele Ashman Bell and a crown necklace--Sarah! (Your answer was 1/3/19 on the blog post)

A copy of Kiss Me Now by Melanie Jacobson---Kim Hansen

A copy of A Torn Allegiance---Miranda Okleberry

The Super Suspense Bundle---CM Jeppsen

The Riveting Romance Bundle--Melanie Stott

A copy of Falling to Pieces by Annette Lyon---Natalya

A copy of Eye for an Eye by Stephanie Black---Kambria

The Swoony Romance Book Bundle--Katie W.

and the FANTABULOUS BOOK BASKET is--- Lily!

Thank you again to everyone who entered. I appreciate you!

The Giveaway Wrap-Up! Come See Which Ones You Still Need to Enter!

Okay, this is your LAST CHANCE to get entered for any of the prizes from my month-long celebration of TEN YEARS of blogging! Click on the links below and then follow the directions on the blog. Thank you so much for playing, partying, and celebrating with me! Winners will be announced right here on Friday, June 4th!

First of all, look at yesterday's blog to enter to win the Swoony Romance book bundle giveaway! Then click below for the rest of the prizes.

Click HERE to win Eye for an Eye by Stephanie Black

Click HERE to win Falling to Pieces by Annette Lyon

Click HERE for another entry into the grand prize drawing for a Fantabulous Book Basket

Click HERE for an entry for the Riveting Romance Book Bundle

Click HERE to get an entry for the Super Suspense Book Bundle

Click HERE for another entry into the grand prize drawing for a Fantabulous Book Basket

Click HERE to enter to win an autographed copy of A Torn Allegiance 

Click HERE to enter to win a copy of Kiss Me Now

Click HERE to win an autographed copy of The Crown of Rosemund and a crown necklace

Click HERE to win a $5 Amazon gift card

Click HERE for an entry into the grand prize drawing for a Fantabulous Book Basket

Click HERE for another entry into the grand prize drawing for a Fantabulous Book Basket

Click HERE to be entered to win a $5 Amazon gift card

The Last Giveaway!

It is so hard to believe we are already at the end of May! I hope you are having a wonderful Memorial Day. I'm so grateful for all the men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. 

Today is the last day of giveaways. It has been so fun celebrating ten years of my blog with you. There are a lot of great giveaways for you to enter, and there will be a wrap-up post for you tomorrow, so you won't miss any! All the winners will be announced on Friday.

But today's prize is SO AWESOME! If you love romance, you won't want to miss either of these books. The Swoony Romance Book Bundle includes The Accidental Text by Becky Monson. This one will hit you in all the feels and leave you with a smile on your face. Then, there's The Seat Filler by Sariah Wilson that has all the butterflies of meeting your person and working through a twisty-turny journey to love. Both of them were so good! 

All you have to do to be entered to win is answer two questions: have you ever accidentally texted someone? And have you ever met a celebrity? Tell me all about it in the comment section! 

Sweet Romance & the Last Scavenger Hunt Item!

Scavenger hunts can be so much fun! And the prize for finding the item is Annette Lyon's romance, Falling to Pieces. You'll definitely want to read this sweet, sigh-worthy romance!

So here's what you have to do to be entered. If you've read my blog before, you know that I have had several features on it. I used to have an East Coast editor that did first page critiques for me every week. I used to review my favorite TV shows every week. And I have someone who does non-fiction reviews for me. Your scavenger hunt quest is to go to one of those features and tell me a blog title/article/review that you liked and why. There were some really fun ones over the years!

Another AMAZING Giveaway Basket for Romance Fans!

If you love romance in the Regency or Victorian period, you are going to LOVE this prize! Even *I* want to win this one. It includes Anneka Walker's book, Refining the Debutante, Heather B. Moore's Until Vienna, and Jennifer Moore's brand new book, Inventing Vivian. They all sound SO good!

What do you have to do to win? Well, it's another blog scavenger hunt! Yay!

I've done a lot of book reviews on my blog over the last ten years. So, in order to get an entry for the amazing Regency Book Basket, you have to find a review that I did of a book that you also enjoyed. Tell me in the comments the name of the book and the date of my blog review. That's it!

Good luck!

The Spy Quiz: Come and Win a Book Basket of Suspense!

 

I am SO excited for today's prize. Do you love books that keep you on the edge of your seat? A little suspense? Mystery? Spies? Bad guys? Well, this is the giveaway for you!

This prize includes Second Look by me, In Harm's Way by Traci Hunter Abramson, and Treacherous Legacy by Kathi Oram Peterson. So much romantic suspense goodness in ONE prize! 

All you have to do is take the quiz below and put your answers in the comments. A random commenter will be chosen as the winner. 

What Kind of Spy Would YOU Be?

1. Do you know any other languages?

2. Where would you want to go on an overseas mission?

3. If you had five hours to prepare for a mission, how would you use your time? Would you pack? Learn some basics of a language? Study your cover ID? Go out to eat?

4. The tech guy gives you some cool gadgets to take on your mission. Which one would you be most excited to use? Hidden lockpicks in boots? Google contact lenses? Lipstick-shaped stun gun? Truth serum pen?

5. What would you like to wear on the mission if you knew you were going to be in the same outfit for twenty-four hours? Comfy clothes, jeans and a sweater, flirty dress, or an all-black ensemble?

6. You check in to your hotel room and the concierge calls you by your real name. What do you do?

7. What would be your code phrase to abort the mission?

8. A bunch of men in suits approaches you from all sides. What would you do?

9. If you could pick your own cool spy nickname, what would you pick?

10. When the mission is over and you were successful, where would you choose to go on your vacation?

Need Another Entry for the Grand Prize Giveaway?

If you need another entry for the grand prize giveaway of a Fantabulous Book Basket, just answer this question. All commenters will get another entry for the grand prize!

What is your favorite family vacation? And how many books did you bring?

My favorite family vacation was when we all went to Hawaii. It was a dream of mine to go and when I won a vacation house stay, it was like the universe was making my dream come true! And I brought my Kindle so I had all the books I could ever want. 

Your turn!

Answer This Question and You Could WIN!

 

I am SO excited about this prize. Jen Geigle Johnson has graciously offered a copy of her brand new novel, A Torn Allegiance! It looks so good! 

In the book, the heroine is asked to spy on someone she loves. My question to you is: have you ever eavesdropped or spied on someone? Could you do it if you were asked to? Why or why not? Tell me in the comments, then your name will be put into the hat and you could be drawn as the winner. Easy peasy!

Here is the back copy of A Torn Allegiance. I can't wait to read this one!

Peace is tenuous in the small kingdom of Oldenburg, and the looming threat of invasion from Napoleon weighs heavily on the royal family. Their country's best chance for safety lies in strengthening their alliance with the English. So it is that Prince Hayes Wilhelm finds himself returning to England, where he hopes a prominent duke can help him protect his country.

 
Lady Elsie longs to make a difference in the world, but spying was not quite what she had in mind. So when her father, the Duke of Shelby, approaches her about keeping a close eye on the visiting crown prince of Oldenburg, she reluctantly agrees. But the outspoken young woman did not anticipate finding in Hayes a man who shares--and respects--her progressive ideas. Their mutual attraction is undeniable, but Elsie cannot forget her charge to spy on the man who is quickly stealing her heart. With the threat of war looming ever closer, Elsie and Hayes must consider carefully whom to trust--before their secrets tear them apart.

Do You Love Romantic Comedy? Then This Giveaway is for You!

 

Melanie Jacobson is so good at chemistry and romantic comedy, I would LOVE to win this one for myself! But this is a party for you, so you won't want to miss this giveaway!

All you have to do to enter is answer this question in the comments: Have you ever made a bad first impression on someone?

I didn't have a great first impression of my husband. After we were introduced, he said hello and then talked to the girl next to me for the rest of the time. I thought he was "stuck up" (as I wrote in my journal.) Later on, he told me that he was tongue-tied because he thought I was so beautiful. (Nice save, am I right? haha) What are your bad first impression stories?

Here's the back copy of Kiss Me Now by Melanie Jacobson:

Ian would do anything for his grandmother, so when Gran suddenly announces she’s leaving the family property to her pretty new neighbor, Ian is on the case. He’ll use every one of his sharply-honed skills as a private investigator to expose the gold digger and save Gran.

Brooke is living her best life far from the city and career that tried to destroy her. She’s happy spending her summer renovating the house she inherited and gardening with her elderly neighbor, Miss Lily. But when Miss Lily’s handsome—and obnoxious—grandson shows up, making wild accusations and dragging up Brooke’s past, Brooke must convince Ian he has her all wrong.

But what happens when their chemistry proves even more dangerous than Ian’s accusations?

The First Day of the Blog Scavenger Hunt AND a Giveaway!

I am SO excited to be starting the blog scavenger hunt! As you know I'm celebrating ten years on my blog all month long. Have you entered to win all the other prizes? I hope so!

This one is going to be fun. I got to have lunch with Michele Ashman Bell today and we talked a little bit about her new YA medieval adventure story, The Crown of Rosemund. She graciously offered to give an autographed copy of the book along with a crown necklace! I honestly wish I could enter my own contest for this one! 

But here is the scavenger hunt clue. In ten years on my blog, I talked a lot about things I was researching. (So many things!) Your challenge is to find one blog about research I did and tell me the month and day in the comments. Then YOUR name will be entered to win!

Good luck! There are about twenty to choose from, so it shouldn't be too hard!   

The Next Prize . . . Are You Entered?

And the celebration continues! 

There is a grand prize of a Fantabulous Book Basket filled with all kinds of books, goodies, and swag! There will be several posts like this one, where if you comment, your name will be put into the hat to win the GRAND PRIZE!

I started this blog in 2011. It doesn't seem that long ago! But back then, I had teenagers and toddlers and life was extremely busy for me trying to balance writing and mothering. I loved Castle and Hawaii Five-0 and I was on an organizing kick that year. Crazy!

Rolling in the Deep by Adele was the #1 song that year. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was the #1 movie. NCIS, Dancing with the Stars, and Football were the top 3 TV shows. And Prince William married Kate Middleton!

Can you remember what you were doing in 2011? Tell me one thing you remember about that year in the comments and your name will be entered in the Grand Prize drawing!

It's My TEN Year Anniversary! Let's Party With a Giveaway!

Can you believe it? TEN years ago today, I started this blog when the Six LDS Writers and a Frog blog ended after five years. I've been blogging for fifteen years! Time has flown by.

To celebrate I'm going to be having a party for the rest of the month! I have some amazing prizes by award-winning authors, gift cards, swag bags, and there will be party games and scavenger hunts, it is going to be so fun! I hope you'll join me.

For the first party game, I want to talk to you about FIRSTS.

Here is my very first blog post on the LDS WriterMom blog, May 4, 2011:

 Getting Started

I'm so excited. And also a little nervous. I've been a part of the Six LDS Writers and a frog blog for five years and I've often thought about having my own blog as well, and here we are. It's sort of like moving away from home for the first time. Remember that? The tears at saying goodbye to mom, looking at her waving in the front yard as you drove away, then the smile as you walked into your own apartment for the first time, and the frown when you looked into the empty fridge. Did you ever wonder how many days you could live on Ramen noodles or counted out pennies at the grocery store till? (Not that I did that. Noooo.)

Anyway, this blog will be talking about things I've learned as a writer, a mom, and a few thoughts of a spiritual nature every now and then. I want to post writing tips, tell you about the new writing journey I'm on, and review some fiction that I'm reading. (Because everyone knows a good writer is also a good reader.) I hope you'll stop back often and leave a comment.

This is going to be fun. 

So, in the comments, I'd like you to tell me about a "first" in your life. Your first book, first pet, first love, first date, first kiss, first day at school, first celebrity crush, any first. And anyone who comments will be entered in the FIRST drawing for a $5 Amazon gift card!

Happy Blogaversary! Thank you for being here! 

A New Podcast and a Giveaway!

In honor of our latest podcast featuring everything spring AND our guest host, Heather B. Moore, (who was talking about her new book, Until Vienna and it was so fun!) we are doing a giveaway over in our Authors Off the Page Facebook group! I hope you'll join us there so you can enter to win!

Click HERE to join the group!  

And here's a sneak peek of the podcast. Heather was telling us who she would cast if Until Vienna was ever made into a movie. I could totally picture those actors and actresses! 

If you want to listen to the entire podcast, you can find us on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, ask your Alexa to play it or click HERE

Here's a $200 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!

Do you want to win a $200 Amazon gift card? Or win one of these fabulous books? Then you should enter the Spring Fling giveaway! Who couldn't use some more book money, am I right? And it's so easy! I'd love to see one of my readers win! (U.S. residents only.)

Click HERE to enter