Another Great Book & Book Signing at Provident

Hi ladies. Wanted to let you know about another great book. I loved this one.

Life in the Pit by Kristen Landon

Kristen is in my writers group, so I read the book a few years ago—and loved it! I wanted to publish it but my company was too small to do the book justice. Fortunately, it was snapped up by Bloomingtree Press and it was released just before Christmas.

Here's the backliner:

Brittany sees her life reflected in her high school’s musical production. Her best friend, Amanda, shines on stage as the star of the play, while Brittany is an invisible member of the pit orchestra.

Amanda has a new boyfriend every week, while Brittany doesn’t date much at all. Brittany believes the only time guys talk to her is when they are using her to get closer to Amanda. When the male star of the play starts to pay attention to Brittany, she has difficulty accepting that he is sincere.

Meanwhile, an anonymous note-writer threatens to destroy the play, Amanda and Brittany. Brittany is determined to save the production, her friend and her love life.

What I like about this book is that there's a mystery to solve—it's not just a story about a love-struck teenager. The story line is great and you'll be hard-pressed to figure out who's behind the threatening notes. The characterizations are wonderful. The teenagers sound and act like teenagers, but "good" teenagers—no swearing, no inappropriate intimacy. Parents won't mind their tweens and teens using the main character as a role model—she is no goody two-shoes, but she's also not depressed, suicidal or self-destructive. This is a fun story that will be enjoyed by girls, ages 12 to 16, and us more mature girls who like to read YA.

For this genre, it gets a 5 out of 5 from me. Loved it.

We're hosting a book signing THIS SATURDAY! Come. Bring your teenage daughter. We'll have door prizes for two lucky visitors, a Humdinger Club Discount card for everyone who comes, and lots and lots of fun.

Meet Kristen Landon
Saturday, January 31, 2009
2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Provident Book (map)

Be there or be square.

If you can't make it to the book signing, come in ahead of time to get it for 20$ off. Or you can order the book online and have it shipped anywhere in the US from our website.

I Have to Wear What?!

So, my sister has convinced me to participate in her upcoming Twist 'n Shout Spring Concert. This is my sister's company and I'm so proud of her and I just couldn't say no. Especially since this number was my idea.

Hey, I'm a Mama Mia fan, what can I say. Loved the movie. Loved the music. So I opened my big mouth and told my sister she HAD to have the Super Trouper number at her next concert. That came back to bite me on my proverbial bottom!

She asked if I'd sing the numbers, oh yeah, she threw in Dancing Queen, with her and another woman. I was worried, but I went ahead and said yes. I haven't sung in public in over 10 years . . . well, I sang with my siblings at my father's funeral, but I'm pretty sure that was it! I was worried about that until I saw the costume! Holy crud! Silver lame (lamay), bell bottoms, oh the horror! Me and my big mouth!

I checked out a few products that are supposed to help you lose weight and decided that it would be better to leave those things alone. Besides, some of them taste really nasty!

Diet and exercise are my bywords for the next five months. I WILL be in shape before I have to wear that costume in public. I will. I will. I will.

So what am I going to do?

Cut out the sweets. All of them. No more cookies. No more cakes. No more pies. And most of all . . . no more Dr. Pepper! Good thing I actually like salads. Vanity, thy name is Candace. Once a week I will allow myself a small treat, but not in excess. Vitamin water and filtered water will be my main drinks with my one glass of milk every night which enables me to have a solid nights rest.

Exercise? Almost all cardio. Treadmill, elliptical, swimming, daily crunchless abs exercises and light weights. I will be working out every day, but lifting weights only 3 times a week. Yes, 5:00 a.m. will begin seeing my face once again. Humiliation creates a lot of incentive. Trust me!

Why have I chosen this path? I've been wanting to get back in shape for a long time. I used to be model beautiful (not anorexic, cocaine snorting thin, but thin and beautiful) . . . and then I got married. (Alvin really hates it when I say that.) Somewhere along my 30's I started to thicken up and put on weight. During events over the last three years I've let my eating and DP habit get out of control. So I'm heading back to the diet and exercise of my 20's and early 30's.

I've had occasion to think about how I used to eat and take care of myself and I realized today, I miss it! I liked feeling strong, healthy and full of energy. I enjoyed looking good in my clothes. That was a good time. I'm getting it back!

So in case you can't remember what those costumes looked like? Picture something along these lines in silver lame (lamay) and no flounces on the sleeves to hide things!



Oh yeah, I will be ever diligent! Wish me luck . . . believe me, I'm going to need it! May 30th is D-Day . . . in other words, that is performance day. Oh boy!

Oh yeah, and you're all invited. Unless you hate me and then really, don't bother. Really.

Purchase tickets by emailing me.

Where: American Leadership Academy
1172 Del Monte Rd
Spanish Fork, Ut

When: May 30th - 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Why: Just for the sheer fun of it, of course!
Who: Twist 'n Shout Performance Company

Update: Tickets for the May 30th Twist 'n Shout concert are now available. Please email me with Twist 'n Shout in the Subject line. I'll respond and we'll work the details out. There are 535 seats, with 500 seats currently available, as the tickets are just now going on sale. Don't wait until the last minute!

What I'm doing right now: Practicing the first four notes of Super Trouper over and over.
What I'm listening to: Super Trouper, natch!

Sick of Snow Urban Botanic Make & Take

Shake off the winter blahs and make a new fragrance just for you!

Hi ladies! It's time for another Urban Botanic Make & Take workshop. When it's gray and icky outside, a new fragrance can add a spark to your life and remind you that spring is not that far away. Come make a new fragrance to get you through the winter blues, or smell the absolutely yummy new fragrance blends from the Scent of the Month.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon



E-mail me for location. Also, please let me know which bath & body products you think you'll be making so I'll be sure to have enough products in stock.


Open House Format

• Everyone gets 10% off their order placed at the workshop.


• Bring a friend who's new to Urban Botanic and both you and your friend receive a free gift.

See you on Saturday!


Click HERE for information about Urban Botanic.

*Promotional pricing and discounts only available at the Make and Take workshop.

I'm getting married!!!!

I wanted to announce to all my sister bloggers that I am getting married!!!

For those who want more details, I invite you to read my new blog: roryandjulia.blogspot.com. I'll be posting on it periodically from now on.

Lastly, for those who would like to receive an invitation, please e-mail me your address (send it to sistergoff@gmail.com) ASAP (that is if you have not already done so). For I would dearly love to share this most joyous event with all of you.

Provident Ladies Book Club

Come join the Provident Ladies Fiction Book Club, sponsored by Provident Book!

Each month, a popular fiction title by an LDS author is chosen for book club members to read. Provident Book wants your input, so please leave a comment suggesting books to read and authors that you'd like to meet at the above link.

During the month, the book club will read the selected LDS fiction book, then meet with the author on book club night! The author will give a short presentation, then the book will be discussed, ask questions of the author, and have lots of fun! Oh, and did I mention door prizes? There will be a door prize for one lucky book club member (must be present to win)!

The Provident Ladies Book Club will meet at Provident Book on the fourth Thursday of every month from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. This month's meeting, the first one, is January 22nd. So be there because I'll be there front and center!

Provident Book and Humdinger Toys
661 West State, Suite A
Pleasant Grove, UT 84062
801-785-0733

This month's selection is N.C. Allen's Isabelle Webb: Legend of the Jewel.

Former Pinkerton spy Isabelle Webb needs a vacation. The broken leg she suffered while trying to warn President Lincoln of his impending assassination has mended a little, but her grief over his death has not. She and her young charge, Sally Rhodes, have an open itinerary when they board a steamer ship to Bombay. But upon meeting Utah blacksmith James Ashby, the two women opt to join the search for his younger brother Phillip, who’s traveling abroad with the ill-reputed Thaddeus Sparks in search of a mystical treasure.

Upon arrival in India, other passengers are also interested in taking up the search. But the seeming good will of some soon turns dark on the streets of Bombay. As murder and kidnapping tears the group apart, James and Isabelle race to uncover the hidden motives and harrowing connections that threaten not only Phillip’s life, but also their own.

N.C. Allen is an LDS historical fiction writer, with nine novels to her credit. She wrote the popular Faith of Our Fathers series, set during the Civil War. Isabelle Webb picks up where that series left off and is fast becoming another favorite of readers everywhere.

To become a member of the Provident Ladies Book Club, simply sign up for the book club newsletter at any book club meeting or use the "Join Our Email List" widget at the top of the sidebar at the above link. Enter your e-mail address. Be sure to check the box by "Provident Ladies Fiction Book Club." The Provident Ladies Book Club will send you an e-mail each month telling you about the book and the author selected for that month.

What are the advantages to being a Provident Ladies Book Club Member? Well let me share!

• Read LDS fiction that has been selected based on popularity and quality of story and writing.
• Receive a discount on the featured book of the month.
• Meet a popular LDS author face-to-face, in a small and intimate setting.
• Get a night out with new friends who share your interests in books and your love of reading.
• Receive advance notice of author signings and other store events.
• Receive a Provident Ladies Book Club Bonus Card.
• Receive special discounts and coupons for Book Club members only!

All in all, this is my favorite new store and I'm am thrilled about this new book club. Provident has a wonderful setting and perfect layout for book club meetings. So ladies, meet me there, it will be way too much fun! Besides, N.C. Allen is a great writer and a fun lady.

Have I already mentioned that this bookstore has quickly become my absolute favorite? I think it would be a fun thing for the Beautiful Bodacious Babbling Blogging Babes to be involved in. What do you think ladies? Sound like fun? We could meet for dinner beforehand and then go this book club?