Announcing DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE by Josi Kilpack

Devil's Food Cake the, much anticipated, 3rd book in the Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery Series. is now in the stores.

From the Deseret Book Website:
It’s been years since author Thom Mortenson has been back to Garrison, Colorado. As part of the committee who invited the bestselling writer to speak at the library fundraising benefit, Sadie Hoffmiller wants everything to be perfect—right down to the homemade devil’s food cake she baked herself. Certainly, murder was not on the menu.
When Thom’s manager ends up dead on stage, Sadie jumps in to offer her guidance and expertise to investigators. But when the police refuse to take her seriously, Sadie has no choice but to pursue justice on her own. After all, is Sadie to blame if she keeps stumbling over information? Can Sadie turn her back when people intricately woven into the deception keep crossing her path? With her son, Shawn, at her side, her reputation on the line, and a full cast of suspicious characters, Sadie Hoffmiller is once again cooking her way through a case that offers far more questions than answers.
Paperback: 5½"x8", 320 pages

CLICK HERE TO READ THE 1ST CHAPTER  http://www.josikilpack.com/

CLICK HERE TO ORDER DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE FROM DESERETBOOK.COM

MISSING: an LDS Mystery Novel by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

From te back of the book:
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 her 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.
I was at Deseret Book right after Christmas and saw this book on the shelf. I picked it up and put it down a couple of times. I always hesitate when buying a book by an unknown (to me) author. I finally decided to go ahead an take a chance and I was not disappointed.
This is a fast moving mystery with a lot of twists and turns. I had a hard time figuring out who were the good guys an who were the bad guys right to the last page.
The character of Grace aggravated me, because she couldn't forgive, and compromised the safety of the missing child, because of her anger. I cheered every time the parents stood up to her. And YAY for Stacie for never giving up on the little girl.
If you like mystery and suspense I would recommend cheking out this book.
It is available at Deseret Book and Amazon.com, or check with your library about inter library loan.
Learn more about Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen CLICK HERE

MAJOR TECHNOLOGICAL BREAKTHROUGH

Introducing the new Bio-Optic Organized Knowledge device, trade named BOOK
BOOK is a revolutionary breakthrough in technology: no wires, no electric circuits, no batteries, nothing to be connected or switched on. It's
so easy to use, even a child can operate it.
Compact and portable, it can be used anywhere
-- even sitting in an armchair by the fire -- yet it is powerful
enough to hold as much information as a CD-ROM disc.
Here's how it works:

BOOK is constructed of sequentially numbered sheets of paper (recyclable),
each capable of holding thousands of bits of information. The pages are locked together with a custom-fit device called a binder which keeps the sheets in their correct sequence. Opaque Paper Technology (OPT)
allows manufacturers to use both sides of the sheet, doubling the information density and cutting costs. Experts are divided on the prospects for further increases in information density; for now, BOOKS with more
information simply use more pages.

Each sheet is scanned optically, registering information directly into your brain. A flick of the finger takes you to the next sheet. BOOK may be taken up at any time and used merely by opening it.

BOOK never crashes or requires rebooting, though like other display devices it can become unusable if dropped overboard. The "browse" feature allows you to move instantly to any sheet, and move forward or backward as you wish.
Many come with an "index" feature, which pin-points the exact location of any selected information for instant retrieval.
An optional "BOOKmark" accessory allows you to open BOOK to the exact place you left it in a previous session -- even if the BOOK has been
closed. BOOKmarks fit universal design standards; thus, a single BOOKmark can be used in BOOKs by various manufacturers.
Conversely, numerous BOOK markers can be used in a single BOOK if the user wants to store numerous views at once. The number is limited only by the number of pages in the BOOK.

You can also make personal notes next to BOOK text entries with an optional programming tool, the Portable Erasable Nib Cryptic Intercommunication Language Stylus (PENCILS).

Portable, durable, and affordable, BOOK is being hailed as a
precursor of a new entertainment wave. Also, BOOK's appeal seems so certain that thousands of content creators have committed to the platform and investors are
reportedly flocking. Look for a flood of new titles soon.

SANTA MAYBE by AUBREY MACE

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 s 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, the award-winning author of Spare Change, has done it again! This light-hearted holiday romance is sure to please even the most cynical scrooge. Told with humor, sweetness, and Aubrey's signature wit, this is one Christmas story that will keep you smiling all year round.
If I had known finding Mr. Right was as easy as writing a letter to Santa, I would have done it years ago.
This was a cute Christmas story. I enjoyed reading it nd thinking about what I would do if I woke up and found a man under my Christmas Tree. It was a fun way to remember about the magic of Christmas and that dreams can come true.
Even though this is a Christmas story it would be appropriate to read anytime.
I would recommend it to all the kids at heart & the Scrooges out there, and everyone in between.

BOOK REVIEW AND GIVE AWAY

AN ANGEL ON MAIN STREET by KATHI ORAM PETRSON

                                From the back of the book:

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.
This is a wonderful Christmas story about love, service and faith in God. It is a quick read, I read it in one afternoon.
Micah wants to be good, he wants to take care of his mother and little sister who is sick. He wants to stay out of trouble as he promised his Mother he would, but trouble seems to follow him.
When he tells his sister about the Nativity that is slowly being put in the middle of town, she becomes convinced that the baby Jesus wil be able to make her well. It becomes Micah's goal to bring the Baby Jesus to Annie.
During his quest Micah learns that angels come in all shapes and sizes.
If you can only add one new Christmas Book to your collection this year I would recommend this be the one you add.
I will send a copy to one person, next week. Leave a comment here about an Angel in your life, by Dec 18. I will draw a name on the 19th and get your book out. Please include an email address so I can contact you if you win.
An Angel on Main Street is available through http://www.deseretbook.com/, http://www.seagullbook.com/ or http://www.amazon.com/.
CLICK HERE to learn more about Kathi Oram Peterson

The 13th Reality, Vol 2: The Hunt for Dark Infinity by James Dashner

It’s been a quiet summer for Tick, Paul, and Sofia, but the latest message from Master George changes everything.

The Realities are in danger — and from something more terrible than Mistress Jane and the mutated Chi’karda of the Thirteenth Reality. People from all Realities are unexplainably going insane. Worse, some Realities are fragmenting, disintegrating into nothingness. Master George has learned that Mr. Chu from the Fourth Reality is working on a mysterious new weapon called Dark Infinity. But no one has any idea how to stop the weapon — or even if it can be stopped.
To make matters worse, Tick and his friends have been kidnapped, forced to wink from Reality to Reality, solving impossible riddles in order to survive the deadly traps surrounding them.
Mistress Jane and Tick find themselves in a race to reach the weapon first — but who will destroy it and who will become its master?
This is another fun book in James Dashner's 13th reality series. Again I borrowed Dad's audio book and listened while I drove to and from work.
 In this adventure Tick and his friends are sent from Realiy to Reality after their Nano Locators are hijacked. They learn more about Tick's amazing control (or lack of control) over the Chi’karda.
I didn't want the story to end and I will look forward to the next adventure.
Again, I would recommend this to adults as well as mid level readers.
It is available at Deseretbook.com, AMazon.com and interlibrary loan.
To check out James Dashner's blog CLICK HERE.

The 13th Reality, Vol. 1: Journal of Curious Letters by James Dashner

What if every time you made a choice that had a significant consequence, a new, alternate reality was created — the life that would've been had you made the other choice? What if those new realities were in danger? What if it fell to you to save all the realities?

Atticus Higginbottom, a.k.a. Tick, is an average thirteen-year-old boy until the day a strange letter arrives in his mailbox. Postmarked from Alaska and cryptically signed with the initials "M.G.," the letter informs Tick that dangerous — perhaps even deadly — events have been set in motion that could result in the destruction of reality itself. M.G. promises to send Tick twelve riddles that will reveal on a certain day, at a certain time, at a certain place, something extraordinary will happen. Will Tick have the courage to follow the twelve clues M.G. sends to him? Will he be able to solve the riddles in time? Will Tick discover the life he was meant to live?
The first volume of an outstanding new children's fantasy series, The Journal of Curious Letters is filled with adventure, humor, riddles, and, oh, yes — danger. . . As M.G. warns Tick, Very frightening things are coming your way. Will you join Tick and his friends on an amazing journey through the Realities? What will your choice be?

I avoided this book for a long time, no real reason, I just wasn't all that interested. A few weeks ago I borrowed Dad's audio book to listen to in the car while driving home from work.
I found the Journal of Curious Letters to be interesting in a bizarre sort of way.
TIck was confronted with a lot of odd people from an 8 foot tall woman named Mothball to a very short round man named Rutger and machines and other super natural things as part of the test to determine if he is worthy of the challenge the mysterious MG has for him. He also has to solve 12 riddles, some easy, some mind boggling, to me at least. Tick has help from 2 other recruits that he meets online and support from his father in his journey to the "Special Day". Along the way he learns about Chi’karda, QP, barrier wands and many other odd things.
Even though this book is written with younger readers in mind, I would recommend it to anyone who likes fantasy.
James Dashner also wrote The Jimmy Fincher Saga, a four book series written for mid level readers, that I would recommend for even adult readers.
This book is available through Deseret Book and Amazon.com, and as always inter library loan.