By February 20, 2003, thirteen members had joined, including Josi Kilpack, Tristi Pinkston, and BJ Rowley, who would also play an integral part of directing the course of LDStorymakers.
A Writers Conference was added to the mix in the spring of 2004. Tristi Pinkston became the first Conference Chair, and the event was so successful that it became a sought-after annual event.
In 2007 the Whitney Awards were founded by member Robison Wells to operate as an autonomous subsidiary of LDStorymakers.
The Whitney Awards has rapidly become THE award to receive among novelists in the LDS community.
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BEST HISTORICAL FICTION 2013
went to H. B. Moore for ESTHER THE QUEEN
She is a beautiful young Jewess, content in her life of anonymity.
He is the most powerful king in the world.
When chance brings the two together, the course of history is forever altered.
The glittering court of the Persian Empire serves as the backdrop for one of the most poignant tales of courage in the Bible, brought vividly to life in the pages of bestselling author H.B. Moore’s sweeping saga. And it begins on a dusty road in the Jewish Quarter . . .
An unexpected meeting between Esther and King Xerxes results in an immediate and unmistakable connection. When Esther is summoned to enter the king’s harem—the first step toward becoming his wife—Esther is torn between her desire to be with Xerxes and the knowledge that they will forever be divided by the secret of her Jewish heritage. Encouraged by her family to do what she must to help her people, she deftly navigates her new position in the palace, quickly becoming beloved by all—including Xerxes.
But when a treacherous plan threatens to engulf the kingdom in violence, Esther must choose between love and duty. Is she prepared to sacrifice all that she holds dear in order to save her people from certain annihilation?
Amazon * Deseret Book * GoodReads
Heather graduated from Brigham Young University with a major in Fashion Merchandising and minor in Business Management–which has absolutely nothing to do with writing novels. But at least she can balance a mean checkbook and color-coordinate her kids’ school clothes.
Website: www.hbmoore.com
Blog: http://mywriterslair.blogspot.com
If you’re an aspiring writer, she also manages the editing company: www.precisioneditinggroup.com
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| Heather and her husband |
About the Author
Heather B. Moore is the USA Today bestseller and award-winning author of more than a dozen historical novels which are set in Ancient Arabia and Mesoamerica. She is not old and doesn’t remember the time period, so Google has become a great friend. Although she has spent several years living in the Middle East, she prefers to forget the smells. Heather writes her historicals and thrillers under the pen name H.B. Moore. She also writes women’s fiction, romance, and inspirational non-fiction under Heather B. Moore, including The Newport Ladies Book Club, the Amazon bestselling anthology series A Timeless Romance Anthology, the Aliso Creek series, and the USA Today bestsellerHeart of the Ocean.Heather graduated from Brigham Young University with a major in Fashion Merchandising and minor in Business Management–which has absolutely nothing to do with writing novels. But at least she can balance a mean checkbook and color-coordinate her kids’ school clothes.
Website: www.hbmoore.com
Blog: http://mywriterslair.blogspot.com
If you’re an aspiring writer, she also manages the editing company: www.precisioneditinggroup.com
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THE OTHER FINALISTS WERE
Belonging to Heaven by Gale Sears
I read this one too...SO GOOD!
Hawaii. A land of deep tradition and rich culture. A people of family and faith. A paradise on earth.
Jonathan Napela is a descendant of the Hawaiian royal line, and his future is bright with a new wife and a position of influence in the community. As a devout man, he believes in God, but he feels there is something more—something he is missing. When he meets Elder George Q. Cannon and is introduced to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jonathan feels as though he has finally found where he belongs.
Jonathan's friendship with George provides remarkable opportunities for the young Hawaiian to grow in his new faith. His joy in the gospel is tested though, when he is challenged by those he once called friends, and later when he struggles to gather Saints to Laie. And when leprosy threatens to take his beautiful wife, Kitty, from him, Jonathan faces an impossible choice: send his wife to the leper colony of Moloka'i alone, or risk how own life to accompany her. Drawing on his deep reservoirs of faith, Jonathan comes to understand that opening his heart to sacrifice is the purest expression of love.
This novel, based on a true story, is an extraordinary example of a man who chooses to serve God and family when others might have given up.
Belonging to Heaven by Gale SearsI read this one too...SO GOOD!
Hawaii. A land of deep tradition and rich culture. A people of family and faith. A paradise on earth.
Jonathan Napela is a descendant of the Hawaiian royal line, and his future is bright with a new wife and a position of influence in the community. As a devout man, he believes in God, but he feels there is something more—something he is missing. When he meets Elder George Q. Cannon and is introduced to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jonathan feels as though he has finally found where he belongs.
Jonathan's friendship with George provides remarkable opportunities for the young Hawaiian to grow in his new faith. His joy in the gospel is tested though, when he is challenged by those he once called friends, and later when he struggles to gather Saints to Laie. And when leprosy threatens to take his beautiful wife, Kitty, from him, Jonathan faces an impossible choice: send his wife to the leper colony of Moloka'i alone, or risk how own life to accompany her. Drawing on his deep reservoirs of faith, Jonathan comes to understand that opening his heart to sacrifice is the purest expression of love.
This novel, based on a true story, is an extraordinary example of a man who chooses to serve God and family when others might have given up.
Safe Passage by Carla Kelly
It’s 1912, the beginning of the Mexican Revolution — and the Mormon colonists must flee to the United States. When his estranged wife is mistakenly left behind, Ammon Hancock goes back to rescue her. But when he finds her, he must coax her to follow him to safety . . . and maybe even love him again. This revolution could be the very thing that ends their war of hearts.
The Mounds Anomaly by Phyllis Gunderson
An ancient gold coin, a mysterious American Indian burial ground, and a Colorado canyon all have something in common—and brilliant archaeologist Mathilda Howard holds the key to solving the puzzle. Warned to keep quiet or lose her job, Mathilda risks her life to expose the truth that could change the entire history of the world in this fascinating mystery.
Amazon * GoodReads
New Mexico, 1879 — The Sebastian Hacienda is a lucrative and coveted ranch deep in the fertile wilderness of New Mexico, a property held for generations by the powerful Sebastian family. After the death of his son and heir, proud and formidable Don Sebastian has only one hope for the preservation of his land: his beautiful young granddaughter, Iliana. Desperate, he makes a shocking deal — the property will be sold to Ross Adams, an American cowboy, on the condition that he marry the stunning young Iliana and bequeath the land to her sons. A bargain is struck, but not everyone is pleased with the outcome. Neighboring rancher Ben Purdy has his eye on pretty Iliana — and on ownership of the Sebastian Ranch. In his ruthlessness, Purdy is willing to go to terrible lengths to acquire them both, even if it means destroying everything in his path . . .
Utah Territory, 1891 — Travis Telford was born to be a cowboy. He left his family to chase the dream of someday owning his own ranch, but years of nomadic living as a ranch hand have proven taxing. After several seasons of horse trading with the American owner of the Sebastian Ranch, Travis finds his life dramatically altered by a routine stop at the property. He finds the ranch in chaos and the rancher’s beautiful widow Iliana in the midst of a turbulent land battle. His instinct to protect Iliana is undeniable, and as the danger mounts, only their reliance upon each other has the power to save them.
Where the River Once Flowed by Jennie Hansen
I LOVED this book!
Utah Territory, 1891 — Travis Telford was born to be a cowboy. He left his family to chase the dream of someday owning his own ranch, but years of nomadic living as a ranch hand have proven taxing. After several seasons of horse trading with the American owner of the Sebastian Ranch, Travis finds his life dramatically altered by a routine stop at the property. He finds the ranch in chaos and the rancher’s beautiful widow Iliana in the midst of a turbulent land battle. His instinct to protect Iliana is undeniable, and as the danger mounts, only their reliance upon each other has the power to save them.
Check back tomorrow to see who won
~ BEST GENERAL FICTION 2013 ~
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