Same book inside–totally new look outside. Here’s the front and back jacket:

Liesa is a delightful woman. It’s so nice to know that I like my editor in person as well as over the phone and through emails!

Yeah. Right.

My weeks have been full of driving kids to camps, lessons and activities. We’ve had some house-guests, and we’ve also had a couple of fun family vacations. We went camping and hiking in some really cool places in south-east Utah that I’ve never been before. I live in an amazing state. One of the hikes was in a slot canyon–which was so narrow in places we had to walk sideways. Extremely cool, though. We spent this past weekend boating and beaching at Bear Lake–which straddles the Utah and Idaho boarder. The water is a bit chillier than I prefer, but it is the most gorgeous blue water you’ll see that’s not in the ocean.

A couple of weeks ago I had the unpleasant surprise of receiving notice that I’d been called up for jury duty. Ugh! The letter said to call in after 5:00 on Tuesday evening to see if I’d really have to go. A lot of time cases are postponed or settled and you don’t have to go in. (I know this because this is the third time I’ve been called in for jury duty in the 9-plus years I’ve lived in Utah. They say it’s a random selection, but I don’t believe it!) So on Tuesday at 5:05 I called in. There was a recorded message–but it was for the previous day! Nobody updated the message. By this time the office with real live people had closed for the day. Augh! I was so mad. I kept calling back all evening, hoping someone would realize they’d forgotten to update the message and would run back to the courthouse to do it. No luck. It wasn’t until 8:10 the next morning–five minutes before I would have to leave home to get there in time–that someone came into the office and picked up the phone. They told me yes, I did have to come in. At least my kids are old enough I could just leave them home without worrying about finding a babysitter. Every prospective juror had the same story to tell–and we were all pretty mad. They let us cool off by making us wait about an hour. Sheesh!

When I was given the randomly selected juror number of three, I knew I was in trouble. The lower the number, the greater chance you have of being chosen. I told #1 and #2 that we were in for it and–yep–we all got picked. The judge assured us this was an easy criminal case that should only take one day. Right. It lasted two full days, and we weren’t released until 2 AM after the second day. Let me note that we, the jury, only deliberated for one hour–and we had five counts to decide on. The lawers and judge needed to take a lesson from us on efficiency.

Overall, the experience was interesting. I’m glad I got to serve, but I would have been much happier if the case had only lasted that one day the judge promised.

So after all this busyness, I haven’t been able to do quite as much writing as I’d hoped I would by this point in the summer. I’ve done a decent amount, though, so I feel okay.

I’m making a goal to update my blog every week–especially as we draw near the publication date of THE LIMIT. I did get my Kirkus review–and it’s pretty good! Now that I’ve published this goal, life is going to hit me with a few surprises, I’m sure. But, hey, that’s what makes life interesting!

This month has been crazy busy. I’ll write an update soon about some of the things that have been occupying my summer so far–some have been fun, some have been not so fun. I also have a few exciting announcements I’ll be posting soon. So stay tuned!

Welcome to my blog and the June 21, Chasing Twilight daily contest! This blog focuses mainly on things connected to my writing life. As a nod toward the contest, I’m including a link to my most favorite thing I’ve seen or read connected to Twilight. Click here  (It takes a few seconds to load, but it’s totally worth it!)

On to today’s question: What is the name of the photographer whose heartbreaking depiction of child laborers Kristen Landon found while doing research for The Limit?

hint: look under my books/The Limit/Behind the Scenes

Answer under the comments section of this blog or else at Inksplasher by midnight June 22.

Winner will be chosen from those with the correct answer, using Random.com Winner must live in or have a ship-to address in the U.S. [or wherever youre willing to ship to]. (If you live out of the country, you’re welcome to have me send it to someone stateside as a gift from you.)

Missed the deadline? You can still win the Grand Prize. Leave your answer in the comments section here to earn your points, then go to http://inksplasher.blogspot.com/2010/05/grand-prize.html to sign up for the Grand Prize.

Thanks, Mr. Jolley and every member of that class, for letting me practice on you and for being such a great audience!

(I’ll post a picture as soon as we receive parental permission.)

During intermission, I thought I’d better go down and check on the auction. That’s when I got nervous. No one else had bid. The auction was slated to end after intermission. I didn’t quite enjoy the second half of the play as much as I should have; my mind kept flitting back to that silent auction. Sure enough, when we went to check on the items at the end of the play, I’d won every item I bid on!

There was nothing I could do but pay up! I actually got some really good deals–but I won a lot of stuff that I have no idea what to do with. (I’m leaning towards gifts.) It was a good thing I had my two daughter’s with me. All three of us left the theater with our arms full!

A funny thing happened on the drive down, about a week ago. The small town of Kanab, Utah was hosting some soft of Model T convention. Those cars were everywhere–at the gas stations, motels, and driving. We noticed more and more Model Ts on the road as we drove through town. Then we noticed a lot of people lining the road, waving and taking pictures. It hit us. My family–in our minivan–had stumbled into a Model T parade! All we could do was laugh and wave.