Interview by Marsha Ward

Hey, Marsha Ward interviewed me for her blog today. I love to visit Marsha's blog because 1) it has a great name--Writer in the Pines (I wish I was a writer in the pines), and 2) Marsha is a very insightful writer. She also interviews other authors periodically, so check it out!

Thanks Marsha, you're the best!

Map for Volume Four

If you purchase Land of Inheritance and there is no map card (loose card-stock with a map of Mesoamerica printed on it), please email me and I will send you one. At a recent booksigning, the map cards hadn't made it into the books.

The map shows the Mayan tribes that lived in Mesoamerica at the time of Lehi's arrival to the promised land.

Review by Julie Wright

Just like I promised, I'm posting all my reviews from Land of Inheritance on this blog. (So hopefully you won't get too bored.)

Julie Wright is an excellent author, so I was excited when she said was willing to read an ARC.

The fourth and last book in the Out of Jerusalem series, Land of Inheritance, is a vibrant completion to a well written, poignant tale. This conclusion shows us a glimpse into the lives of Nephi and his family as they settle into the promised land. Heather Moore has woven the scripture into a reality I can believe happened. I feel like I got to know Nephi as he carved out the scriptures. I understood passages of scripture that I had never really acknowledged before. The prologue starts off with Nephi who wakes up to find that the ship he had built had been set on fire. The ship represented so much to the family that it was an immense emotional loss. Of course, the guilty arsonists were his older brothers Laman and Lemuel.

The first chapter takes us two years later where Nephi has scouted out a stone quarry where they can find the materials required to build a temple. The news of the temple creates a great degree of new resentment between the brothers, but much of it is kept in control until Lehi dies of old age. It is at that moment where Laman makes his move to try to take control over the family. Heather has shown the bitterness and anger that bubbles over in Laman so believably, that I truly can understand how it all might have happened.

The story follows Nephi fleeing with his family into the wilderness and the heartbreak over the ones he had to leave behind. Throughout the book I found myself impatient to turn each page to find out what happens next. I felt the pain and hope of each of the characters and loved the action sequences. I loved it. I’d give it twenty out of ten stars if I could. I came away feeling excited about the scriptures and feeling like I know the people who played such important roles in the history of these people.

One of my favorite facets of Heather’s writing, is that she includes so much from the female perspective. I can really relate to these women as they move through courtship, motherhood, and trying to keep the men from killing each other. Heather has captured the human element that is timeless, regardless of technology, geography, or race. She has made these people real to me because of how relatable they were to my own life. I cannot rave enough about this book and recommend it to anyone of everyone, male or female. If you want a satisfying read, this is the book to add to your library.

My favorite line in the book: “The writings of Isaiah are straightforward compared to females.”

Review by Dayna Davis

Another review is in for Land of Inheritance

Out of Jerusalem Vol. 4: Land of Inheritance
Reviewed by Dayna Davis, LDSFiles.com Staff Writer

In this final installment of the “Out of Jerusalem” series, Lehi’s family has been living in the Promised Land. There is an uneasy truce between brothers as families are settling in and establishing their homes. Then Lehi dies. The last tie holding the family together is gone. The family must make decisions and choose sides.

H.B. Moore brings the Book of Mormon to life through her meticulous research and creative talents. Moore helps us to read “between the lines” of Nephi’s account and gives us a stronger connection to early prophets through this compelling book.

What I truly love about this particular novel is the portrayal of good versus evil. I thought it was illustrated well throughout that a side must be chosen. Good or evil. God or not. Then once the side is chosen, there is no middle ground anymore.

This series continues to make me relate to and care about Nephi’s family - as I would friends. H.B. Moore has a gift for drawing you into the middle of the story and making it real. This last book in the “Out of Jerusalem” series is a intriguing read – one you won’t be able to put down. I'm really going to miss this family as presented through these books.

Doesn't Get Any Better Than Free

Below, I've posted an offer for a FREE book. It's The Journal of Curious Letters, volume one in the YA fantasy series The Thirteenth Reality (official release date March 2008, Shadow Mountain). The author, James Dashner is in my critique group . . . so this is completely legit (James, you SO owe me). I read his book before he submitted the thing, and of course I'm sure he got his multi-book contract because of my insightful editing (LOL). Anyway, it's excellent, and any child or adult who loves fantasy will love this book. You can read below or visit his blog:

Okay, so I've been going now for a couple of weeks and we've had 500 or so visitors. I have no idea about these things, but man does that seem way lame. Sounds like it's time for some shameless promotion.

I hereby declare a free book contest. Anyone who writes up a little sumthin-sumthin about The Dashner Dude on their own blog or website and provides a link to this site, I will send you a free book when it comes out. You can choose to get an ARC in October or the hardback when it comes out in March. It better be a really nice sumthin-sumthin if I'm gonna send you a hardback!

Here's the rule: Post a comment to THIS post with a link to wherever you wrote the sumthin-sumthin. Then send me an email via my website giving me your home address. To get the book, you MUST do both of these things. And, of course, have written a nice sumthin-sumthin (it can't just be a link on the side).

I have no idea what I'm getting myself into here, so we better have a cap. Let's say . . . the first 30 people for starters. I'll be shocked beyond measure if I get half that many, but at least I have a cap to protect the substantial Dashner Estate coffers. And I promise that you WILL get the book.

Thanks, and have a wicked awesome day. (that's hip talk for have a nice day)

First Review is in

Thanks to reviewer, Tristi Pinkston, my first review is in . . . and so is my book. Tristi is a media reviewer for www.Families.com

"Land of Inheritance" is volume four of H. B. Moore's series, "Out of Jerusalem." Released just this week, you'll soon find it in every LDS bookstore.

In this concluding novel, we see that Nephi and his family have come to the promised land at last. They have been led by the hand of the Lord with every step, but Laman and Lemuel, as well as some of the sons of Ishmael, can't see the miracles that have taken place all around them. Their rebellion continues until they have completely given themselves over to their darker natures.

Meanwhile, Nephi's younger brother Jacob has grown into a fine young man and the girls in the group are vying for his attention. Pretty but quiet Eve, daughter of Zoram, is interested in him too, but doesn't think she could ever catch his eye - the other girls are more bold. She doesn't realize that her modest ways are much more attractive to him.

The voice of the Lord comes to Nephi, telling him that he must take his followers and flee into the wilderness. Laman's wickedness has reached the point where Nephi is in danger. Nephi gathers up all who will come with him and they escape, leaving behind them Nephi's younger sister Elisheba, who has remained in the camp with her husband, not because she wants to, but because she fears what her husband will do to their young sons should she try to leave. She's determined to keep the words of her father and brother in her heart and pass them on to her sons, regardless of what her husband says.

Soon after Nephi leaves, a mark descends upon Laman and his people - a skin of blackness, signifying their separation from God, which is the true curse . . .

I'm sad to see this series come to an end. Moore has put so much time into researching the land, the customs, the clothing, the food - by the time you reach the end of one of the four volumes, you feel as though you've really been a part of the Book of Mormon story. I congratulate this author on a job very well done, and look forward to anything and everything else she writes in the future.
(This book was published in 2007 by Covenant Communications.)

21,500 Words

Or 77 pages, double-spaced typed. That's how far I am into my new book on Abinadi. You might find it surprising that authors, editors, and publishers keep track of book-length by the word count. A manuscript might be turned in double-spaced, single-spaced, Courier font, New Times Roman font, etc. But the great equalizer is word count.

I'm just excited to get this far. Basically I have a quarter of the book drafted. My first draft goal is 85,000 words. By the time I go through it again, the second draft will grow to 95,000-100,000 words. I have to add in those pesky research details and fantastic descriptions.

When I'm "seriously" writing a book, I set daily word count goals and weekly goals. Right now my goal is to write at least 1,000 words a day M-F, totaling 5,000 words a week. Anything above that is a bonus. If I can tune out the myriad of other thoughts that run through my mind, I can write 1,000 words in about 90 minutes, give or take.