Sun Tunnels and Secrets by Carole Thayne Warburton

Have you ever wondered what the Golden Girls would have been like if they were LDS? That’s exactly what I thought of when I met “the sisters” in Sun Tunnels and Secrets by Carole Thayne Warburton. When I’m old and grey I want to wear purple, with a red hat that doesn’t go, and be just like LaRue, Mabel and Norma.



They actually reminded me a bit of my own grandmother before she passed. She didn’t want anybody sticking their nose in her business, kept her own secrets and wasn’t exactly playing with a full deck. (but that was okay, because cards were the tool of Satan and she wouldn’t be caught dead admitting that she had *any* much less having a few missing) J I just wanted to hug them.



There’s a lot going on in Sun Tunnels and Secrets. If you’ve ever lived in a small town you’ll know how hard it is to keep a secret in one, much less a series of them that come together in a tangle of coincidences. All I can say is it’s the type of thing that can only be pulled off in a place like Grouse Creek. I mean, you’ve got dead bodies on the side of the road, secret loves, secret children, secret cookie recipes and a dozen other things all wrapped up in a pretty book package. It was a fun, multilayered read.



Did I have any grumbles while reading? Well, there were times, especially at the beginning, when the information offered seemed a little heavy-handed. Not necessarily the dreaded “info dump” just a little obvious in places, just enough to distract me from the story but not enough to make me want to stop reading.



Pluses? As I’ve mentioned, I’m totally in love with the characters Carole Thayne Warburton created in the three sisters. I’m also itching to go see the Sun Tunnels for myself (after all, I’m not a Utah-ite so I didn’t even know they existed. I also enjoyed the touches of historical insight.



Who would I recommend Sun Tunnels and Secrets to? Hmmm. I think this one will appeal most to the older reader. It’s a pretty light read, but I don’t see the teen/early twenty crowd getting into it. Although, I can see a few of them wondering where their “Tony” is. . . .Also, anyone who’s been on the with the “widow patrol” at church. Great job, Carole!

It'sblog tour time for

Filled with zanny and loveable characters,family secrets, and of course mystery, Sun Tunnels and Secrets will appeal to every reader.We are giving away THREE copies. One lucky GRAND PRIZEWINNER will win a beautiful pot by Carole (who's also atalented potter)!Blog tour runs from December 1st--December 9th.

Want to win a copy ofSun Tunnels and Secrets? It's easy.
1. Visit the fabulous reviews and leave a comment letting us know whyyou're excited to read Sun Tunnels.Remember to include your email address.
2. If you tweet about the blog tour, or post about it on your blog orfacebook, leave the link in the comments section and you'll receive anadditional entry.
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On a trip to the Sun Tunnels in the Utah desert, Norma and her sisters finda body on the side of the road. But this awful discovery turns out to bethe least of their problems. Norma's husband just passed on, and she learnshe kept a secret from her for sixty years. LaRue is keeping a secret fromNorma. The sisters' young friend Tony is keeping a secret about his famousfather, and Tony's mother is keeping a secret of her own. Tony is secretlyin love with his friend Kelli, who recently escaped from a polygamist cult.And who is the mysterious young car thief with whom Norma feels a specialconnection? Everything converges in Grouse Creek at the Fourth of Julycelebration. Will secrets prove everyone's undoing?
November 30Alison Palmer--Tangled Wordsand Dreams
December 1Braden Bell--Braden'sBlog
December 2Danyelle Ferguson--Queen of theClan
December 3Jewel Adams--Jewel's BestGems
December 6Tristi Pinkston--*TrisitPinkston
December 7Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen--TheWrite Blocks
December 8Diony George--Diony George
December 9Marsha Ward--Writer in thePines

Secret Sisters by Tristi Pinkston

I was so pleased to be offered a chance to review Tristi Pinkston’s newest title Secret Sisters. She’s such an awesome, uplifting lady that you can’t help but celebrate all the wonderful things she manages to accomplish. Personally, her life wears me out just thinking about it.

Tristi’s first few novels were historically based. They were wonderful and carefully researched, but I have to say that with Agent in Old Lace and the new Secret Sisters series her true colors really show. They’re just plain fun and uplifting.

If you’re a fan of Ms. Marple, or cozy mysteries in general, you’ll enjoy Secret Sisters- the tale of a Relief Society President gone rogue in order to figure out how to help members of her ward.
How did I like it? Well, first off I have to say that Ida Mae is my idol. I could never be like her, but she’s just about the most awesome lady I “know”. She is the ultimate Relief Society President with a heart of gold and someone I’d be honored to know. The world definitely needs more Ida Maes.

All the characters felt real and likable to me. No one was cardboard cutout perfect, but they had distinct personalities, voices, strength and flaws. Spending time with them was a comfortable experience.

One thing that really appealed to me about Secret Sisters was the size. The cover is cute, but I really fell in love with the size and feel of the book in my hand. Weird, huh? It just seemed to show so clearly what you could expect from your reading experience: a solid story, a sweet mystery that was easy to read, a non-taxing afternoon escape. It was about the size of a normal paperback, but with a hard cover, perfect for tossing in a purse on your way out the door to the eternal waiting room at the doctor’s office. Heck, you could probably get the whole thing read before that mythical doctor even graces you with an appearance. (Okay, that was just rude of me. I obviously need to spend more time learning how to curb those unrighteous judgments.) I know, I know, I pick up on the strangest things, but there you have it.

Any whinny bits? Mmmm. The leap from Ida Mae’s curious worry to felony seemed a bit abrupt to me. But then again, I’d probably bend over backwards to jump in with anything Ren suggested. I liked him. ;)

Also, I’m not really sure you could call it a complaint, but I did notice that I was becoming so caught up in the subplots, worrying about all the different dramas in Ida Mae’s ward, that I wasn’t particularly intent on solving the mystery. At times that felt like the subplot.
Oh yeah- and where is Ida Mae’s recipe for sour cream chocolate chip cookies? What’s with these author who think they can just taunt you with good food, then not tell you how to get your hands on it? Or, maybe normal people just don’t fixate on food as much as I do. I’m still mad at another book for getting me craving Ding-Dongs. . .

At any rate, Secret Sisters proved to be a very enjoyable book. Hurray for Tristi and the little things in life that make it so enjoyable!

I believe Tristi is still running her sock drive in conjunction with this release as well. Sooo, read the book, then throw in a pair of socks for Arlette’s favorite cause. (You don’t have to knit them if you don’t want to. ;)

Lemon Tart by Josi Kilpack

Well here's a fun new twist. I've enjoyed the national culinary mystery series titles like Chocolate Chip Cookie Murders and Holy Guacamole! It's fun to mix good food with good reading. Now there's a new mystery that’s squeaky clean for the LDS audience. I've got to say that the yellow cover of Lemon Tart by Josi Kilpack is almost as fun as the actual book!

Lemon Tart features a fifty-one year old ultimate-happy-homemaker named Sadie. She finds herself sick at heart and curious of mind when her neighbor and friend Ann Lemmon is found murdered while she has a lemon tart baking in the oven. Hmmm, very curious. Even worse, no one seems to know where Ann's two-year-old son is. It's more than Sadie can handle without "doing something" about it all.

While I found Sadie to be a very lovable character and a neighbor I certainly wouldn't mind having if she'd feed me as much as she feeds here own neighbors, there were several moments when I thought she was an absolute ditz. I suppose that's half the fun of these kinds of books. I mean, what fun would it be if the main character was always totally reasonable and never gave us a chance to say, "You’re kidding me. You actually think it's a good idea to . . . " How cool is a horror movie if you don't get to scream, "No! Don't go in that room you idiot!"

Roll-my-eyes moments aside I certainly got caught up in the story and Josi's excellent story telling techniques. I picked up a few household hints, not that I will actually use them (that would require me too actually keep house) and I got a few new recipes to add to my collection. The lemon tart was far too complicated for my poor culinary skills but the recipes for alfredo sauce and brownies were very yummy. Those even a schmuck like me could make with out messing them up. How fun!

Oh yeah, I did have fun with the mystery part as well. Though I was able to figure some things ahead of time, but there was just enough that I couldn't piece together that made the ending very satisfying. It's a good mix of light and breezy fun and curious clues that will keep you engaged-- but not necessarily biting your nails until the very end.

Looking for a good summer day reading vacation? Lemon Tart just might fit the bill. I for one can’t wait for the next installment.

Ghost at Work: Bailey Ruth Raeburn Series, Book 1 by Carolyn Hart

Have you ever read a book and had something click for you that just made you want to hunt down the author and ask the golden question, "By any chance are you LDS?" Well, that's the experience I had when I read Ghost at Work.

Ghost at Work was the first book I’d read by Carolyn Hart and I was thoroughly pleased with my experience. This is a national title, but I found Ghost at Work to be a wholesome, fun read without all the unnecessary stuff found in so many books these days. It made for a great afternoon escape and I highly recommend it.

Ghost at Work is the first book in the Bailey Ruth Raeburn series by Carolyn Hart. Bailey Ruth is dead, happily living in heaven with her husband, when she gets the urge to return to earth. The solution? Signing up with the Department of Good Intentions. In her new role she will be allowed to visit earth to help out people experiencing “dire situations” requiring heavenly intervention. The problem? Bailey Ruth has difficulty following rules, and there are a lot of rules for those sent to earth on heavenly missions. If Bailey Ruth can ever learn to follow the precepts of the Department of Good Intentions she might actually get to keep the job; but, helping out Kathleen- a preacher’s wife who finds a dead body on her porch- seems to require a lot of rule breaking and it’s totally fun to read about!

You can hear a podcast about the book here. Or, read an excerpt from the book here.

Now. What was it about Ghost at Work that made me suspect Carolyn Hart might have some knowledge about the LDS Church? Bailey Ruth Raeburn’s biggest problem with helping Kathleen seems to be an inability to remember to be “in the world, but not of the world.” Sound familiar? Uh-huh. It did to me, too and it’s been driving me crazy ever since. See, I was sure that it was simply a scripture, but it also felt like something I kind of thought was specific to the LDS culture. Hmmm. Hence, I drove myself and several people in the halls at church insane trying to figure out the origin of that statement.

I tried looking it up in the scriptures. At first, I thought it was a Doctrine and Covenants thing. No luck. Then, I thought, “Ok, it kind of sounds like a Paul thing.” No luck. Then I got really determined. I looked through the entire Topical Guide reference sections for both world and worldly. I found some close matches: John 17:11-17 being the closest, but no scripture that specifically said, “Be in the world, not of the world.”

I looked online. I found one quote that said it was a statement coined by Hugh Nibley (upon referring to the above scripture), but could not find an original reference under his name. I found a couple of generic Christian websites talking about it, but not quite quoting it the same way my silly memory has it etched in my brain.

I took a casual poll among my friends in other religions and converts to the LDS church. Those outside of the church said, “Sure its makes sense as a Christian thing but it’s not something I hear all the time.” Those who were converts to the church said, “No, I never heard that before joining the church.” Those who were life-long members said, “Of course it’s in the scriptures.” At that point a long silence would follow as they went through the same searches and logic I did, eventually they’d sigh and say either, “Well, it’s in there somewhere” or “it’s a modern revelation did you check [insert prophet’s name here] works?”

So. Here I am, sorely tempted to contact Carolyn Hart just to find out what religion she is. At any rate, I do highly recommend curling up with Ghost at Work for a no stress, feel good mystery. I’ll be checking out a few more of her titles to see if they all tend to provide such good, clean entertainment. Ghost at Work certainly fit the bill.

Now, somebody set me straight on that whole worldly business. I can’t afford to be any crazier than I already am. Besides, if I can’t get it figured out while I’m alive how will I ever stand a chance of landing a job with the Department of Good Intentions myself?

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The Mist of Quarry Harbor by Liz Adair

Shame on me. I finally got my curriculum outline and should be hard at work on my next project, but what did I do yesterday? I read a book.

I'd picked up The Mist of Quarry Harbor by Liz Adair a while ago and never had a chance to read it. It turns out I just needed a good procrastination excuse. All it took was a very tight book deadline to mull over and suddenly I wanted nothing more than to read a good book.

I chose The Mist of Quarry Harbor for its mysterious cover. I have to admit, a boat in the middle of nowhere was a very appealing idea at the moment. Plus, I liked the back cover blurb because I could completely relate.

“The sheets were damp and cold as Cassie climbed into bed. She shivered, aching with loneliness. . . . Cassie lay listening to the creaking timbers of the old hotel, and tears slid down her face.

“It doesn’t matter what answers I find, she thought. Nothing will ever be the same.

“It was in that twilight between wakefulness and sleep that she wondered how she could find any answers when she didn’t even know the questions.”

My choice did not disappoint me at all.

The Mist of Quarry Harbor was a quick, engrossing read that I thoroughly enjoyed escaping my own life through. After all, I was certainly better off than the main character in Ms. Adair's tale of intrigue. I was at first a bit skeptical, however. The Mist of Quarry Harbor begins very heavily based in romance and I'm afraid I'm totally romance impaired. I just don't get it. I found myself immediately suspicious of all the motives behind the mush. I don't know if a “normal” woman would have been or not, but I certainly have a problem with men who seem so focused on wooing women. They just make me suspicious, so I had a hard time relating to the Cassie’s choices. Oh, I do have moments when I'd like to be adored, but I much prefer feeling safe and understood. I'm just weird that way.

Even with a choice that I tell myself I never would have made, I couldn't help falling in love with the overall story. No, romance may not be my downfall but I have made my own fair share of bad choices. I’ve found myself in enough places I never would have chosen to be in that it was an easy transition to empathy for the characters and story. I loved it even more when the mush toned down and the intrigue settled in full force.

Liz Adair is a very talented storyteller. She manages to keep and hold your attention, whether you think the story is your “thing” or not. There are twists and turns that aren't always easily understood and some that are just plain obvious. It's a good mixture.

Sadly, despite all of the pitfalls experienced by the character in Quarry Harbor, I'm wondering how to convince my husband to sell our home and buy a boat to live on. I'm in love with her beautiful and poetic descriptions of all the settings in the book. I already have a soft spot for Arizona as it is, but Quarry Harbor in Washington left me hungry for that type of peaceful experience. Just as soon as I can figure out how to get over my tendency toward motion sickness.

I think I would definitely have to classify The Mist of Quarry Harbor as a women's romantic suspense title. Most men would probably see right through the “love interest” as well. I think most guys would probably roll their eyes and agree with me that any guy who acted like that wanted something and it had very little to do with noble qualities they may or may not possess. Still, if you had your hubby skip those first few mushy chapters, I think even they would appreciate the story of adventure, sailing, cops, robbers, and mistaken identities.

Now I have to get back to work on my own latest “masterpiece”, but you can bet I’m keeping one eye peeled for Liz’s next title.

Liz Adair writes the “Service” column for yourLDSneighborhood. If you need a lift, visit her blog at http://sezlizadair.blogspot.com/

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House of Secrets by Jeffery S. Savage

I recently had the pleasure of re-reading a favorite book of mine: House of Secrets by Jeffery S. Savage.

This is the first book in the Shandra Covington mystery series, and I love it. If you’re a mystery fan, but hate having to skip whole pages because of negative content, then these books are for you. The main character is LDS and there are a few cultural references. Aside from that it’s just a clean and exciting novel that anyone could pick up and appreciate. There are no covert or not-so-covert gospel messages and valuable insights, well except maybe: don’t go into houses that have been standing empty for years, there’s probably a good reason no one else is dumb enough to go inside.

Yes, this is a guy writing a female main character. I understand he has a lot of help making sure he portrays us correctly. Still, I have one bone to pick with him about Shandra. I do not know any women over the age of 20 who can eat as much as Shandra does and be as skinny as she is. Yeah, I know there are a few choice women out there with “high metabolisms” that makes this possible. For the rest of us pleasantly plump people we can only roll our eyes and get mildly jealous at the very mention of such a thing. Sure, I share her passion for food, but her waistline makes her less real to me. Sorry Shandra but you really need to gain a few pounds.

My husband claims that the plot in House of Secrets is fairly predictable. Whatever. The man thinks everything is fairly predictable. I don’t think he’s ever been surprised in his life. He’s also one of those who reads Stephen King and the like on a regular basis, so if that’s the type of book you crave it may be a little too mild for you. I couldn’t say for sure because for me it’s just right. Skinny heroine all, House of Secrets definitely earns a place among my favorites.

Jeff Savage is the master of cliffhanger breaks. Be forewarned that he is very skilled at not letting you go once he’s got you reading. The very first sentences hook you and then he spends the rest of the book reeling you in bit by bit. Just when you think you can put it down at the end of the chapter he’ll end with another point of tension that just draws you further in.

There are many who are still cursing his name for the ending of the second Shandra Convington mystery. He’d better get the third volume out pretty soon or there could be lynching mobs after him. Actually, a little bird told me recently that he is working on the editing process on that one right now. Yeah!

Ok, now here’s the best part. Click on one of the links for House of Secrets. Go on, I’ll wait. . .
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Yep. It’s super saver time! As part of their summer clearance Deseret Book is offering House of Secrets for only $2! Go get one. Now. I promise it’s more fun than the two double cheeseburgers from McDonalds that you could have spent your money on.

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