Announcements ...

Two very important things ...

First of all, I blogged about my weight loss and the amazing changes in my health that have been taking place. If you're curious at all if my diet is making me sick, come read this.

Second, don't forget that tonight is the book launch party for Targets in Ties! Click here for all the details, including an online contest for those who can't make the launch. This is way definitely the cool place to be on a Thursday night!

Book Review: Family by Design by Heather Justesen

Confident, talented interior decorator Rena has everything she could possibly want - a fantastic career, a bright future, and a very pleasant boyfriend. If she pretends hard enough, she can believe herself to be happy, but she wants more. She wants someone to fall madly in love with her and sweep her off her feet, but she's over thirty, and it just seems that such things will never happen. The most exciting thing that ever happens to her is helping her best friend, Tucker, redecorate his flip home.

Tucker, a Marine home until his next deployment, is hit with the surprise of his life when his brother and sister-in-law are killed in a car accident, leaving their two young children without parents. The young father's dying wish is for Tucker to raise the children, and Tucker wholeheartedly agrees. He loves his niece and nephew, and would do anything to keep from losing them. Anything.

When a social worker expresses her concern that Tucker could get called up again at any moment, leaving the children without a guardian, Tucker stumbles upon a plan. He and Rena have always been good friends. If they were to get married, they could raise the children together, and then if he got called up, Rena could watch over everything for him. Approaching her in a somewhat less-than-romantic way, he proposes.

Rena doesn't know what to think. She's had feelings for Tucker off and on throughout their ten-year friendship, but she never expected it to culminate in a marriage proposal. And it's not a marriage for love, anyway ... but rather, a marriage of convenience.

As we read the story, we see Rena and Tucker move through the emotional stages from best friend, to reluctant fiance, to committed spouse, and then finally, falling in love. We see character growth in both of them, and we can see how they each struggle in some ways to leave their single life behind and embrace their instant family. We also see how deeply they care about these children and are determined to create a solid foundation for them as they grow up.

The themes of the story are familiar. We've all heard of two best friends getting married, of the need for a marriage in order to gain custody of children, and people falling in love unexpectedly. What makes this story unique is Heather Justesen's own writing style. She has a unique turn of phrase and the ability to describe things in a way that makes her books unlike anyone else's. It's distinctive and a pleasure to read. And, if I were to be totally honest, I would have to say that I did rather appreciate the moments of sweet romance throughout the story. Perhaps I might even go so far as to say that it sounds to me like Tucker is a pretty good kisser.

If you're looking for a family drama with romantic elements and plenty of tear-jerking moments, I daresay you would enjoy Family by Design by Heather Justesen.

Help Heather celebrate the release of this new novel! Also, as a special promotion for anyone who buys a book from this tour, you can get a free ebook for her companion novella, “Shear Luck.” Once you buy a copy of her book go here to get your free copy.

Here's a blurb about "Shear Luck:"

Chelsea Robison has never forgotten the older boy next door whom she crushed on as a teen, so when she runs into him at the restaurant he’s preparing to open, it’s a delightful shock. And learning he’s available again is more than a little tantalizing.

Vaughn Krenshaw had never seen his neighbor as more than a nice kid—but Chelsea had definitely grown up in the decade since they saw each other last. He’s attracted to the feisty red head, but still struggles over his wife’s death the previous year. And then there’s his five-year-old daughter, Molly, who really liked Chelsea—until she realized the woman was dating her dad.

As Chelsea starts to wonder if their love for each other will be enough to make things work, a specter from Vaughn’s past rises, making her question whether she really knew him at all.

As if that weren’t enough, Heather’s holding a host of giveaways on her blog throughout the next few weeks. Enter to win below!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

It's Time for a Secret Sisters Fiesta!

My newest Secret Sisters mystery, Targets in Ties, will be launched on Thursday, February 2nd, and you are invited to the fiesta!

When: Thursday, February 2nd, 5 - 7 p.m.

Where: Pioneer Book, 858 S. State Street, Orem

After two long years, Ren’s mission is finally over, and it’s time for Ida Mae, Arlette, and Tansy to travel to Mexico to pick him up. They have their itinerary all planned out—visiting the ruins in the Yucatan, shopping, playing in the sand and surf—and then they’ll head to Ren’s mission home and be reunited with that dear boy. But a wanted antiquities thief crosses their path, and soon the ladies find themselves tangled up in a web of lies, intrigue, and costly jewelry. Held hostage by men desperate for riches, they do what only they can do—keep their heads about them, plan their escape, and discuss the proper making of tortillas. Will they survive their most harrowing adventure yet?

I'm celebrating this book's release in a very bright, colorful, hot-and-spicy way!

First, everyone who comes can enter a drawing for a Grand Basket of Goodies, containing:

Secrets After Dark by Marie Higgins

Just Shy of Paradise by Carole Thayne Warburton

Nourish and Strengthen by Maria Hoagland

Sadie by Rebecca Belliston

Alma the Younger by H. B. Moore

Compass of God by David G. Woolley

Advanced Readers Copy of Jacob T. Marley by R. William Bennett

And if you're reading, you need snacks, so I'm including:

Pringles

Twizzlers

M & Ms

Candy

Second, if you come and purchase Secret Sisters, Dearly Departed, Hang 'Em High, or Targets in Ties, you will receive a free download for my novel Season of Sacrifice!

Both of these are available at the launch only, and yes, you must be present at the time of the drawing (7 p.m.) to win the basket, because there's really no way I can ship it.

If you can't make it to the launch, but still want to get in on the book launch fun ... check this out! I'm holding a Targets in Ties Online Launch Contest. All you have to do is tell your friends about the book, about the launch party, and spread the love! Then e-mail me at tristipinkston@gmail.com and tell me what you did. Each thing you do will get you one point in a drawing to win the Awesome Envelope of Prizes, which will be shipped to you. So tell a friend about the book, tell a local friend about the launch, tweet about it, Facebook it - and each time, you'll get one point. Please put Targets in Ties in the subject line of your e-mail. The drawing will take place on Thursday, February 2nd, at midnight, so turn in all your points by then ... starting now!

What can you win?

No Angel by Theresa Sneed

Cold River by Liz Adair

The DVD Cinderella Man starring Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweiger

Candy

Now, not only that ... not only that ... which is cool and awesome all by itself ... but if you come to the launch, you will also get to meet ...

D.N. Giles, author of The Sharp Edge of the Knife
and Mormon Mishaps and Mischief

Heather Justesen, author of Family By Design,
Blank Slate, and others

Andrea Pearson, author of the Kilenya series

Tell your friends!

Bring your family!

Forgive your enemies and invite them, too!

It's a Secret Sisters Fiesta, and you won't want to miss it!

Announcing ... Targets in Ties!

My ninth published book, Targets in Ties, went to press yesterday. How cool is that?

And how cool is this cover?



Stay tuned ... I will shortly be announcing my plans for my launch party, and the blog contest that will run in conjunction with it. You will definitely, most definitely want to participate!