Contesting Monday

This week I'm spotlighting Betsy Love-Making a difference one inspirational story at a time.


I’ve always loved the story of Abinadi and Alma, the Elder’s conversion from the Book of Mormon and have often wondered what it would be like to live during that time. Many times I’ve questioned my own faith and wondered if I would have the strength to withstand the persecution which have always fallen upon the saints.

Soulfire-A Book of Mormon Novel was actually one of the first books I’ve ever written. The story takes place about 150 years before the birth of Christ and follows Zephenia’s struggles of trying to remain true to her faith in spite of the evil around her. When she meets Alma, a wicked high priest of King Noah, Zephenia is drawn to him, but she knows she could never truly consider him because of his visits to Rachael, the harlot.While Zephenia and her family are fictitious characters, many of the characters are real people from the Book of Mormon.

Identity, my first novel published in July 2011, is a suspense/romance. My mother began reading a story with a similar plot line when I was about 10 years old. She never finished the story. Years later I was telling my daughter, Sarah, about the story and how sad I was that she never finished it. My amazing 10 year old daughter said, “So write your own ending.” And that, my friends, is how Identity was born.

The most fun part of the whole story is that Sarah is now an adult and looks very much like the cover model of my book. It was fun to use her in my trailer. Then when the cover came out for Soulfire, I once again planned on using my daughter in my book trailer. That will probably come in a couple of weeks once we are able to coordinate our schedules.
So let me tell you what this week grand prize will be. But first a little bit about the history of Cacao (cocoa). In ancient America the cacao beans were harvested, fermented, ground and then made into a paste which was mixed with chili powder or cornmeal. The Mayans preferred it cold, while the Olmecs liked it hot. Either way it was unsweetened, and they liked it bitter. Sounds yummy, I know. Since I KNOW none of you want to win that as your prize, I’m going to offer the modern version! A bag of Ghirardeli’s dark chocolate assorted squares. Now that sounds more to my liking (and it’s my favorite.)

How to win:

1) Become a follower here if you haven't already. If you are already a follower, leave a comment reminding me.

2) Become a follower of Betsy's http://betsyloveldsauthor.blogspot.com/

3) If you would like an additional chance to win, leave a comment (maximum of one additional entry per day.)