Promises

We make promises every day--agreements that we'll meet a friend for lunch, babysit for a neighbor, proofread a child's homework. Sometimes we take upon ourselves even more important commitments professionally, personally, spiritually. Each requires an amount of integrity to fulfill, especially when other things tend to get it in the way, but it's all a matter of keeping our word.

Carolyn Frank's new middle grade historical novel, Promises, revolves around just such a promise that Hattie makes to herself. This lonely twelve-year-old girl moves with her family to a new, emerging town in southern Utah, where she instantly becomes intrigued with clues left around the house--signs of a former occupant her age--and she vows to return these objects to their rightful owner.

The trailer explains the book's background better than I can:

One of my favorite parts about this book was the character of Penelope. She reminded me of Nellie Olsen in Little House on the Prairie, though without the life of luxury. I also enjoyed experiencing Bryce Canyon through the eyes of Hattie and her school class as she looked upon the red rock hoodoos for the first time. The novel has been well-proofread and reads smoothly, something important for elementary readers. In addition, it gives the reader a taste of what it was probably like to live in a new settlement around the turn of the century.

To find out more about Promises by Carolyn Twede Frank and to check out her awesome blog tour, follow this link to her blog. It includes purchase links if you are interested in ordering a copy. To kick off her blog tour and celebrate the release of her book, Carolyn is giving away a fabulous grand prize. To enter her giveaway, click here.

Carolyn Frank's book was released March 24 in conjunction with Cindy Hogan's second book in the Watched series, this entitled Protected. Hogan's book is geared more toward a teenage crowd and I will be reading and posting about it April 24.

Goodreads Reviewer's Thoughts on Nourish & Strengthen

How excited I was when I went on to Goodreads the other day to check my giveaway for Nourish & Strengthen and saw some of the latest buzz about my book! I was thrilled to see how many people became interested in the book after reading the description and there were plenty of entries for the giveaway. Goodreads randomly selected my winner, Sophia, who now has a signed copy traveling via snail mail to her house in California. Congrats, Sophia, and thanks to everyone who entered.

Even more exciting, I found another review of my book I hadn't seen before. The reviewer, Morte, said it succinctly and perfectly:

"This book not only helped me understand the emotional and physical struggles someone facing a type 1 diabetes diagnosis might face, it also emphasized the strength and courage that can be found through a loving family and friends. This book left me with a conviction that even though I might not face those specific challenges in my own life I can still find strength to overcome the challenges I do have."

Thank you so much! You made my day :)

Nourish & Strengthen Available at a Book Store...In Nampa

Yesterday I was able to spend a couple of hours in one of my favorite book stores, Book Nook Plus in Nampa, Idaho. I was thrilled to see books I'd read and books I want to read, books by people I know and all kinds of new authors to discover!

And now, my book will be there, too! So if you were unable to come by during my book signing, but you are near the Nampa, Idaho, store, you can go on by and pick up my novel, Nourish & Strengthen.

Nourish & Strengthen Book Signings!

I'm excited to announce not one, but TWO book signings I have next week! My family and I are going on a little trip west and along the way, I get to visit two of my favorite bookstores and do something I love to do--talk to people about writing!

So, if you are in Idaho, head on over to Nampa's awesome LDS bookstore, Book Nook Plus!

And if you're in Utah, Pioneer Book in Orem...

I hope to see you there!!

Wireless Running With Insulin

Michael Aviad @
http://asweetlife.org/michael/blogs/
exercise-blogs/a1c-and-race-results-
striving-for-better/22513/   

It's about time to hook up for a run. It's times like this when I think I ought to go wireless. I have so many tubes and wires around me, I feel like I should be in a hospital instead of pounding road pavement, wind in my hair and music in my ear. But I simply can't figure out what to leave behind:

• I've got my insulin pump--can't give that up. Sure, I could use long-acting insulin instead, but then it's not adjustable when I want less of it temporarily to compensate for the exercise. I could go Omnipod, but I like my Minimed (and we won't go into that anyway). So, tube number one.
• Then I've got my tiny little iPod Nano. Love, love, love it. But another wire. Thread it through my shirt, not too bad, but something else to clip to my belt (along with the pump).
• I can't go anywhere without my phone, just in case. And I don't mean in case someone needs to get a hold of me. More like, just in case I run out of steam and need a ride home :)
• Part of being diabetic and running--I need to take along my glucometer, test strips, lancet, and probably most importantly, some kind of sugar.

All that's just around my waist in some contraption or other that I hope isn't too bulky, floppy, or downright uncomfortable. Then add sunglasses and a visor and of course, my GPS watch to track my miles....

I'm sure I look ridiculous, so I'll forgo my pic. (Instead, I'll post someone else showing off his pump. Someone a little less encumbered.) Am I ready yet?

Revision Goals

That's it!! I've got to do something!

I've been working, sometimes floundering and letting other things get in the way since November. I used NaNoMo to finish my manuscript, but now I've got a mess of a novel to get set to rights before Storymakers in May. Not only that, but I was training for a half marathon through October when my book came out, and then I've only been running sporadically (lost motivation, busy, hate the cold). But now I'm going to make some revisions--literally, on my WIP, and also physically, on my running plan. So, in joining AI's March-a-thon, I've set some goals:

1. Get my current manuscript in the correct order, with real chapters (not just random scenes), ready for alpha readers by the end of March.
2. Train for a 10K to be run on March 31.

This might be a bit of a challenge with a couple of book signings and a long drive to Idaho and back during spring break, but check back on my sidebar for updates. What are your March goals?