Review by Nicole Giles

Nichole Giles-Author

I love it when people read my book...I love it even better when they like...and even better than that, I LOVE it when people say nice things in public about my book. Nicole Giles posted this on her blog:


"I’ve always been intrigued by the idea that everyone has a twin somewhere in the world, and Betsy Love did a great job of using this idea to weave a plot of danger and mystery, with nice little doses of sweetness and spirituality. I liked that we were able to see the story unfold from several different points of view, as it gave the story depth and tension that otherwise wouldn’t have been possible.

Favorite scene: a mud fight between Savannah and her brother Shawn in which Haley’s new lavender suit becomes a victim. The family dynamic there gave me even more reason to love the characters to which I’d already become attached. 

Since the identity switch theme has been recently done a few times, it was hard to feel like this was a fresh new idea. However, it was done in a completely different way and with enough tension that I was able to forgive the things that felt too similar or familiar. Admittedly, I was somewhat bothered by the bad-guy character (who shall remain nameless to prevent spoilers) who was falsely Mormon, but somehow held a temple recommend and planned (in more than one place in the story) to use it. That part was difficult to believe, and pulled me out of the story when it was brought up. But all in all, I enjoyed it nonetheless.

If you’re looking for a clean read filled with intrigue and mysterious tension, I recommend you pick up a copy of Identity and get reading."


Click here to see what she's also saying about Walnut Springs Press! Thanks again, Nicole for your awesome review! 


You can purchase her delightful LDS Humor book Mormon's Mishaps and Mischief here.

The Reviews Keep Rollin' In!

So here are a couple more reviews for Identity: 


"I loved this book, the characters were engaging and the plot had plenty of twists and turns, kept me guessing who the good and the bad guys were, I highly recommend it!" Adrienne from Utah--on Deseret Book


"Identity is Betsy Love's 1st published novel. It is fast moving, full of adventure and suspense. The characters and the plot are well developed and there are enough twists to keep the reader wondering which girl really survived the plane crash, and just who the too good to be true boy friend really is.
I loved this story, I didn't want to put it down.
The Kindle version does have some serious formatting issues, but the story made it worth ignoring them." Mary Walker on Goodreads


"Betsy, I loved your book!!!!!!! The way the story twists around had me excited to turn the pages. The spiritual side to the story really ministered to me. It helped me to understand Mormons link to the family and how prayer works. After all, praying to the Father, in the name of Jesus and with the evidence of the Holy Spirit is the promise of finding Him in our lives. You did a beautiful job portraying that. I really enjoyed reading this book." Lori Dobbins


Identity by Betsy Love For a debut novel, Identity packed a great performance. This novel had a few twists and turns and the ending was a surprise. Samantha is a very active Mormon girl vacationing in Mexico with her best friend Haley. Samantha can't decide if she wants to serve a mission, Amelia is on vacation with her fiance Brent. When the flight to Phoenix crashes and kills all but six passengers, including one of the girls, things go topsy-turvy. When Samantha recovers from her two month coma, she doesn't remember any of her prior life and hasto learn everything over again, even to learning to love her family again. Her brother Shawn, ready to leave for the mission field, is concerned about her feelings for the new single man in their ward. Brent is suscpicious about the crash, finding out that someone tampered with the commuter plane. He has problems with knowing how to pray, so asks his secretary, who is a Mormon, to help. He feels the urgency to get to Samantha to warn her she's in danger. With the police on his tail, he borrows his secretary's car to get to Phoenix. With Samantha's family hot on the trail of the people involved in the plane tampering and another murder in Mexico, and trying to rescue Samantha, we have quite a scene. With Samantha and Amelia having a striking resemblance, anything can happen. I thoroughly recommend this debut novel to anyone who loves a good romance with a lot of suspense thrown in. Teri, WA on Deseret Book


Have you read Identity? Would you like to see your review here? Leave a comment with your contact information and I'd love to have your review posted here. 

What People Are Saying About Identity

I'm starting to get a few reviews in different places: Facebook, Goodreads, Etc. Here are my favorites:

"I just finished Identity and loved it. I have never read an LDS book and I have to say I probably never would have. The strong sense of family and love for Heavenly Father shone through in every paragraph! I hope this becomes a best seller. It has honor, intrigue AND integrity! Great Book Betsy! Congratulations!" ~Victoria Lessell

"I really enjoyed this book. From the beginning it captured my attention and I thought that the story was original and interesting. There were some real nailbiting parts that kept me turning pages and shushing interrupters. I read the Kindle version and although there were some serious formatting issues, the story kept me going. Great job, Betsy!" ~Andrea Smith


The next one I had to edit because of spoilers:

"I really enjoyed the story. I liked:

•the idea of look alikes

•the relationship of Haley to both girls

•being uncertain which girl was which. I couldn't decide if the missionary was the missionary and the finace' would be wrong. Or if he'd be right. I was torn between wanting the family to be whole and wanting the couple to reunite." ~Canda Mortensen

"A tropical vacation turns into a deadly puzzle where happily-ever-after and the family fortune hang on who solves it first. Betsy Love’s first novel will keep you guessing until the last page is turned." ~Liz Adair


Have you read Identity yet? What did you think? 


If you haven't purchased yours you can click here to get your own copy. Or you can win one from Walnut Springs from now until Sept. 15 by following this link.

Identity Book Trailer

So here it is. My very first attempt at a video book trailer. What do you think?

Identity on Kindle

While I was anxiously awaiting my book to be published, it slipped right past me on it's way to ebook on Amazon. Needless to say, I was thrilled when I did a Google search and BAM! There it was. I could hardly breathe. I danced around the room, had tears in my eyes, and had to announce it to anyone who would listen, including all my Facebook and Twitter friends. Then I had to keep racing outside to update my husband (who was working on our boat) about who said they'd bought one. Four copies sold tonight (that I know of). 


If you'd like to purchase one you can click here to download a copy for your ebook reader. 


The print version will be available mid August. Keep checking back for updates.


I hope you love reading it as much as I loved writing it. And I hope after you've read it, you'll let me know what you think.


Thank you Walnut Springs Press for making my dream possible. And to you my readers who take this journey with me.

Cover for Identity

I am sure no one awaits the book release like the author. No one sits by their computer waiting for the galleys to come like the author. There isn't a single other person who dances with such giddy joy when the cover finally arrives as a jpeg in an email as the author. Or that box of books with her words, her very own words. 


But that is the life of an author. This is the part we love the most! It's the thing that validates us us as writers. I haven't gotten my box of books, but I did get the cover today. If you could have been in my shoes you would have danced all over the room in joy. So here is my cover.


Thank you Amy Orton and Linda Mullineaux at Walnut Sprints Press for making my dream come true!

Change of Plans

So, May 31 came and went. I got to start on the edits, but then my project was pushed back by more pressing projects. What? You mean mine's not the most urgent? Okay, so I'll wait. Not that I'm complaining, because I really am not complaining. Who would have thought that my novel, I mean--my novel, written by little old me, would be accepted? I always believed in my book. (Okay maybe I had a few doubts.) It's a great story!

Most books take up to a year, sometimes more, to be published. So for me to sign my contract and then have it come out in May? Wow, that's fast. So what if it's pushed back a few weeks, even a few months? That's still faster than most books.

In the meantime, I'm working on other projects, content to keep myself occupied.

On the bright side, Linda sent me the first 137 pages to review and edit. That's over 1/3 of the book. I'm pretty sure the rest will go fast, and before you know, Shabamm! I'll have a book in my hands, with a cover that will rock anything I imagine. (Because I know Amy is that good!).

So, sit back, hang on. There's a book coming out. And I know it will be soon. Thanks for coming along on my journey!

My First Round of Edits

I'm finally on the front line editing of my book. I just heard from Linda yesterday. She's going to start on my book and should have the first edits to me by Tuesday. Should I be nervous? Should I be scared? Should I be worried. Of course, not. Linda will do an amazing job. Still...I'm really nervous, scared and worried. This is my first book after all, and I'm not quite sure what to expect. But I'm up to the task! 

I hope you'll keep following me on my journey. I'm having the time of my life. Oh, and any pointers any of you established writers can give me are more than welcome. 

Come Tuesday I will be a very busy girl!

How Identity Came About

 I remember the exact spot in the road where my wonderful, amazing, talented daughter, Sarah, helped me come up with the idea for my novel, Identity.

I was telling her about this great book my mother started reading to me when I was just a child. For some reason my mother never finished the story, and this has left me frustrated as I was never able to find it. I gave a brief description of the plot as I remembered it to Sarah. "Why don't you write your own ending." This brilliant advice came from my then ten year old daughter.

So I did! As you can see by the photo she has grown up some, and so has my story. I always pictured my character, Savannah, as sweet, and beautiful and pure as my precious daughter. So Sarah, this story is for you!

Don't worry, DeWalt, I'll  tell your side of the story, too. Even though Sarah was my inspiration, my wonderful, amazing, incredible, understanding, patient, kind, domestic affairs husband  kept encouraging me to write.

He's always been my biggest support, my best critic, my most loyal friend. Without his encouragement I don't think I would have persisted like I did.

My darling, this book is dedicated to you!

Excerpt from Identity-Discovery on the Beach

Who done it?

“Tio! Tio! Alli! Alli!” The two little Mexican boys grabbed their uncle’s hand and pulled him to the water’s edge. The older boy patted Tio's arm. “Es un delphin?”

Tio squatted next to the seaweed-covered mass on the beach and squinted in the late morning light. When he pulled back the slimy tufts, he saw the unmistakable blond hair. Drenched and tangled, it hid her swollen face. Her clothing was stained with blood. Tio dropped the seaweed and backed up crossing himself. “Mi Dios!” he exclaimed. When the younger of the two boys ran to see the discovery, Tio grabbed his arm and yanked him back. “No!”

The nephew’s eyes filled with tears. “Pero, Tio Miguel, quiero mirar un delphin.”
Tio knelt next to the little boy. “No es un delphin. Es muy terible. Yo debo contacto la policia.” He led the boys back to the truck, and then sped into town.

Great Beginnings!

And so begins my journey as a soon to be published author! I've signed my contract, met with my editor, Linda Mullineaux and my marketing director Amy Orton, both incredible women. I get butterflies in my tummy (I really do) when I daydream about my book cover. I can hardly wait to see how amazing it is. If you've looked at the covers already done by Walnutsprings Press, you know what I mean! Incredible!

I hope you will come back frequently, leave a comment--virtual pats on the back are always welcome.

To my family:

Thanks for your support, love and encouragement.

Betsy Love
LDS Author