Saturday, March 27, 2010

Editing Issues

Well, we tried but obviously not hard enough. My daughter pointed out a couple of editing issues in The Mark. So here's the deal, help me out. When you find typos or things wrong in my book, please leave a comment here letting me know what the problem is and what page it's on. That way, just in case it needs to go to a second printing, we'll be ready with some changes.

Go ahead, hit me, I can take it!

Sunday, March 21, 2010

My First Book Signing

I had my first book signing today at Barnes and Noble in Orem! So much fun. I sat between Diana Webb, author of Forgotten Women of God, and Craig Manning, author of The Fearless Mind. Also there were Lorae Bowder, Centsible Meals,  and Wendy Paul, 101 Gourmet Cupcakes in 10 Minutes. I was a bit nervous that I would feel awkward but so many of my friends and family showed up it really fun. Thanks guys.

I got some great pictures!


Tina, Diane, Me and Stephanie. (My daughter in the background.)


Kaley, Kristina, and Nikky.

Elizabeth, Kaley, Kristina, Diane, and Sheri. Ok, I know it's not the greatest picture but it has a lot of my friends in it so I just had to use it. For a while there was quite a crowd there--to see me--all friends. It was awesome and I felt so supported. I wish I had gotten pictures of everyone that came. I can't thank you all enough for coming down to see me.

Stephanie with her eyes open;) (Sorry about the other picture Steph, but it was just too good to not use.)
My daughter (left) with a bunch of friends. Probably shouldn't name the minors, sigh. Aren't they great?

Kristen and me.

My very sweet nephew Chandler with my daughter. He's the one who is doing my webpage for me. I think he's doing a great job! Thanks Chandler (www.mrbunderson.com)

My son Jason. Cute, huh?

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Book Status

Hello all. So, I was just checking the different online sellers where you can pick up my book and found that Barnes and Noble online is now out of stock, Borders is out of stock, but Amazon still has it in stock. In fact, their price is really good. So you can still order it at Amazon or at Cedar Fort.

I'll leave the links to Borders and Barnes and Noble just because they have some other links up where you can pick it up.

Also, I found out today that bookstores don't order every book that they can. But they will order a book if it's requested. So....If anyone feels inclined to request it that would be great.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

No More Secrets

  I just found out about the No More Secrets walk to prevent child abuse. It's on April 17th at Sugar House Park. Find out more at: http://paperandparchment.blogspot.com/2010/03/family-walkrun.html

Interview with Rachelle Christensen

The most exciting thing just happened to me! I’m so hyped I just can’t wait to tell you about it—I just met a real, honest-to-goodness, published author. But wait, let me back up and start from the beginning.

You see, I was asked yesterday if I would be interested in joining a Ragnar team—you know, to participate in the Ragnar Relay. Anyway, I said yes and then immediately made this workout plan. So today I started training and I was out running and who should I run into (literally) but Rachelle Christensen? I had my ipod in and wasn’t really looking where I was going and all of a sudden SMACK. Next thing I know I’m on the pavement with a sore bum looking over at the author of the latest book I’ve just read. Yup, it’s Rachelle, also on the ground. Except that I’m all dressed in my baggy sweats with a pony tail and she looks perfect—as usual—with her cute little jogging outfit and her hair just so.

I immediately decided I’d better take advantage of the situation. So I took a deep breath to steady my nerves and just asked her, “Do you mind if I ask you a few questions about being an author? You see, I’m a new author myself and I have so many questions.”

She was sooo nice, she said she’d be happy to answer my questions as long as we kept jogging. No problem.

So we picked ourselves up and dusted off and started off together down the road.

“What would you like to ask?” she says sweetly.

“Well, I’m kind of wondering about the best way to write. Do you use an outline or do you just go for it?” Gasp, I’m not too good at the running while talking thing. “Do you know how the book’s going to end from the start?”

“For Wrong Number, I did have a very rough outline that I worked from and I talked through a lot of ideas with my brother and his wife,” she answered easily. “They helped me to come up with a believable motive for murdering more than one person. I’m actually trying to do better with outlining and I think it has helped with my current writing projects. My outlines aren’t set in stone, more jumping off points for how I want the story to flow. I like to have a general idea of the beginning, middle, and end, but my characters usually end up writing scenes in interesting directions.”

Ok, I can see already that she’s in much better shape than me. “So, how do you come up with ideas for your novels, specifically Wrong Number?”

“Lots of ways. News stories sometimes tickle my brain and I think…Hmm, that would make an interesting story if… I’ve also been inspired by dreams. Some of my working scenes are from actual dreams I’ve had where I feel like I’m the onlooker taking notes as to what these people in my dream are doing and why. The novel that I just finished writing began from a single sentence that popped into my mind just before I fell asleep. So the ideas seem to come from all over at any time of day or night, so I try to make sure I jot them down before I forget them!

“For Wrong Number I wanted to enter a chapter into the first chapter contest at LDStorymakers in 2007. I came up with the first chapter of Wrong Number, it won second place, and then I went on to write the rest of the novel.”

At this point I was gasping for breath but there were a couple more burning questions that I just had to ask. “What’s coming up next for you?” I blurted out.

She smiled, “I’ve got a few things I’m working on. I’ve finished an inspirational romance that I love, called Wind Song and I’m enjoying writing my WIP-working title Caller ID, so I guess we’ll see what comes up first on the docket.”

I nodded, too winded to breathe as we crested a small hill. Going down the other side allowed me to catch my breath enough to ask, “What books or authors have influenced your writing and what do you like to read?”

“I like to read a wide variety of books from children to YA to adult. I really like a good romance, but nothing too detailed. And yes, I love romantic suspense. It’s hard to pinpoint a certain author because I go through phases where I’ll gobble up everything I can by an author and then move on. I love Agatha Christie, Shannon Hale, Clair Poulson, Mitch Albom—and many more. A favorite book of mine is Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart.”

She also told me that I could check out even more on her goodreads list of favorites and repeat-offenders. I told her I definitely would do that.

I could see another hill coming up so I quickly asked her one more question while I still had the breath for it. “What advice would you give to other authors?”

“If you’re serious about writing, attend writers conferences and classes, join a great critique group, read novels in your genre of interest, and write, write, write! Also, learn how to take criticism and know when to apply it to your writing and when to chuck it out the window.”

We finally reached the top of the hill where I stopped, unable to go on. “I’m sorry Rachelle, I think I’m done. I can’t run another step. What have we run, like 6 miles?”

She shook her head and smiled and then told me we had only come about a mile. Then she turned to finish her run.

“Wait, don’t go yet,” I yelled. “Where can I find your books?”

“Anywhere books are sold,” She yelled back over her shoulder. “If you don’t see it, ask for it and they can order it in. Available wherever books are sold, including Barnes & Noble, Borders, and Amazon .”

What a nice person! If you’d like to get a sneak peek at Wrong Number, you can check out the book trailer.

For more information about Rachelle or to see what she’s up to you can visit her blog.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

We Have a Winner!

The winner of this contest is Baba. I sent you an email. Contratulations Baba and thanks to everyone!

Monday, March 15, 2010

Book Review: Wrong Number by Rachelle J. Christensen

When Aubree Stewart receives a mysterious phone call on her way to work, she doesn’t know what to think. At first she assumes it’s some kind of prank. But the call isn’t a practical joke, and Aubree soon finds herself swept up in a world of danger, intrigue, and murder. With help from the FBI, Aubree races to protect herself and what’s left of her family, but the one thing she forgets to protect is her own heart.


Intriguing from page one, Wrong Number, is a gripping thriller through the final, breathtaking resolution. The fast paced story is hard to put down and I found myself wanting to turn ‘just one more page’ again and again.

Rachelle Christensen has created a loveable central character in Aubree Stewart whose every decision is designed to protect her baby. As a mother myself, I easily identified with her mother bear instincts in the midst of the chaos surrounding her. When her life is turned upside down due to circumstances beyond her control, she keeps a cool head and meets each challenge head on.

Just when you think you’ve figured out where things are going, the story takes another unexpected turn to keep you guessing. I won’t spoil things but I will say that this book is well worth the frantic few hours you will spend reading it.

I can’t wait to read more from Rachelle Christensen.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Book Signing!

I have an upcoming book signing on Saturday, March 20 from 12-2. It's at University Crossings Plaza, 330 East 1300 South in Orem.

Friday, March 5, 2010

The Office Box Giveaway & Wrong Number Book Launch


The Original Scrapbox has a brand new piece of organizing furniture and you have a chance to win it! Introducing the Office Box...

And we're celebrating the launch of Rachelle J. Christensen's suspense novel, Wrong Number, with a chance to win an autographed copy!





The Office Box was created as an addition to the line of incredible scrapbooking furniture The Original Scrapbox has to offer, such as The Workbox and The EZ View Craft Desk.

Check out the amazing features on The Office Box, available in 4 different colors: Space for a 19" monitor, magazine holder, Totes that act as slide-out drawers, Velcro storage/organizers, Power cord hole in back of box. This folds out to 72" by 48" by 36" and closes up to the sleek space of only 36" wide by 48" high and 21" deep.

I'm hosting a preliminary giveaway on this site, a copy of my book, The Mark, along with a $25 gift card from Barnes and Noble! You can enter to win my prize and on March 16th, I'll announce the winner who will then go on for the grand prize drawing of The Office Box and a copy of Wrong Number.The Grand Prize Winner will be drawn on March 19, 2010 at RachelleWrites. She will select a winner from the 25 finalists to receive one Office Box (Value $895.00) in their choice of color and an autographed copy of Wrong Number by Rachelle J. Christensen.

Giveaway open from March 5, 2010- March 15, 2010 at 11:59pm Mountain Standard Time.
Open to addresses in the contiguous United States only.
Giveaway Rules:
*You can only enter under one name
* It is possible to win more than one preliminary prize, which means it’s possible to be entered into the grand prize drawing more than once.
*All winner’s addresses must be stateside US addresses
*You must complete the required entry to be eligible to win

Here's how to enter:Please leave details in your comment of how you entered with required links. I'll put all entries into a spreadsheet and use Random.org to select the winner.

*Required entry: You must visit The Original Scrapbox website and leave a comment telling me your favorite item

Extra Entries:
  • Tweet the contest with linkback in your comment and use the hashtag #officebox or #scrapbox in your tweet.
  • Facebook the contest with linkback in your comment
  • Add the contest button(pictured above) to your sidebar with a link to this contest
  • Follow this blog, M.R.Bunderson
To receive 15 extra entries, you must do the following 5 things together on your blog post and please leave a link back to your blog post with your comment (only one comment required, but you must leave a link so I can check your post.)
  1. Blog about the contest WITH a picture of The Office Box and Wrong Number in your post and then link back to this post.
  2. In your blog post link the phrase "The Office Box " to http://theoriginalscrapbox.com/catalog/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=87&Itemid=138
  3. Link the phrase "The Original Scrapbox" to http://theoriginalscrapbox.com/catalog/
  4. Link the phrase "Wrong Number" to http://www.amazon.com/Wrong-Number-Rachelle-J-Christensen/dp/1599553643/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1
  5. Post the Wrong Number book trailer from You Tube on your blog
There are 25 different blogs participating in this giveaway. Each blog is giving away a preliminary prize and a chance to win an entry into the Grand Prize Drawing. Stay tuned for reviews on Wrong Number and author interviews as well! Here's the list of blogs where you can enter: The Mommy Files Cricut Christmas Little Birdie Secrets Priscilla Styles Mommy Mandy RockinMama RachelleWrites Alvor-Dare To Dream Diony George Heather Justesen Queen of the Clan Scribbled Scraps Anne Bradshaw Rachel Rager Tristi Pinkston Cami Checketts Nichole Giles Wendy Paul Marilyn Bunderson Ronda Hinrichson C.L. Beck: Write Up My Alley Christine Bryant Ali Cross Jenni James Annette Lyon

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

My Books Are In Early

Not in my hands but in the hands of the publisher. I'll get them in the next few days.

Winner of The Mark is Spav!

Congratulations and thanks to everyone for participating! I wish I could send a book to all of you. Check back on Friday and I'll have another contest up and running.