Julia Karr's Blog, page 17
December 24, 2011
The 2K12 Days of Christmas Party Wrap Up!
As y'all know - I promised to donate a dollar per comment per day to The Elephant Sanctuary. Individual comments added up to $142!!! I am kicking that up to my max of $150!!! I am so glad to be able to make this donation to The Elephant Sanctuary! And - I am beyond thrilled that my employer matches 100%! Merry Christmas to the ELEPHANTS!!!
And - on Gina Rosati's day - she also donated $1/comment for that day to the sanctuary! Gina - you are not just a fabulous author - you're a super-good person, too! Thank you sooooo much!!!
Also - one of the commenters emailed me to let me know that she is making her own donation of $100 to The Elephant Sanctuary. That is the cherry on top of the sundae for this whole party!!! (I don't have permission to name her - but thank you, thank you, thank you!!! You are amazing!)
It's been a great party - and I'm so looking forward to reading all the good books coming up! Thanks again for being such awesome guests!
Merry Christmas!!!
from me & the elephants!
December 23, 2011
The 2K12 Days of Christmas Party - 2 for 1 on the last day!!!
@
The 2K12 Days of Christmas Party
two lovely and talented writers!Kimberly Sabatini and Kathryn Burak!!!Without further ado, let's meet these ladies!
The amazing Kimberly Sabatini! And the equally amazing Kathryn Burak!
(Kim's photo by Dawn Sela Photography)
Ladies! So nice to see you! Here - warm yourselves with this hot spiced cider! The other guests are so excited to meet you both!
Kimberly - you first - tell us about yourself!
"I am a former Special Education Teacher and am now a stay-at-home mom and a part-time dance instructor for 3, 4 and 5 year olds. After my dad passed away in 2005, I used writing as a way to make sense of the experience and discovered that I'm full of questions that need to be answered. I live in New York’s Hudson Valley with my husband and three boys. I write Young Adult fiction and am represented by Michelle Wolfson of Wolfson Literary Agency. I'm thrilled to be part of the "Wolf Pack." TOUCHING THE SURFACE is debut novel and comes out September 4th, 2012 from Simon Pulse, an imprint of Simon & Schuster."
Very cool! Now, Kathryn - when you're done with that cookie, please tell us about you!
"Well, Julia, if you sleep across the street from Emily Dickinson’s grave do you end up writing a book about her dress? I did. I lived in Amherst, near the poet’s resting place, and even though I moved away I have always felt I never really left.
I teach at Boston University where awesome students keep me laughing and continually amaze me with their writing. I live with my newspaper editor husband and two children and any pets who are willing to hang out with me.
I have an MFA in poetry and am the author of stories, poems, and Writing in the Works (Cengage)."
"Well, I don't have a cover yet for Emily's Dress and Other Missing Things (which may or may not end up being the title! But... here's what it's about.
Claire, new to Amherst and desperate to get out of high school, vows she’ll try to be invisible. She retreats deep into the life and poetry of Emily Dickinson to understand her mother’s death and her best friend’s disappearance. Her retreat doesn’t last long, though, because through a series of events, she finds herself running in a new direction, toward solving the mystery of what happened to her best friend and answering a troubling question: Can you ever really hold onto someone you love?"
Sounds intriguing! I don't know a lot about Emily Dickinson, but I bet I'll know more after I read your book!
What would Claire want for Christmas?
"Claire, would want her best friend and her mother to help her celebrate Christmas. (She knows that's impossible, though.) She'd want the very, very big secret in her closet not to be there. Mostly she'd want to laugh with her father."
More book info! Yes!!! How about you, Kathryn? What's your favorite part of the season?
"As an animal lover, MY FAVORITE THING about Christmas is the story about how the animals can talk between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the Morning--at that little juncture in time when the two days meet. I always was more interested in seeing that happen than seeing Santa (though the flying reindeer did intrigue me). And kind of related to that--about seven years ago, my family started a tradition that is my favorite part of Christmas. When everyone wakes up, before we do anything else--including open presents--we walk into the woods near our house and feed the animals. We sprinkle birdseed and drop off fruit and treats for the birds and squirrels and deer and other creatures. It's our way of thinking about the whole world on Christmas, our way of saying all living creatures should have a good day."
I think that is a wonderful tradition! Just wonderful! (I have to pause a moment before moving on... that is so selfless and thoughtful - makes me want to think of a way to do something similar in my Christmas...)
Okay - now... Kimberly! Tell us about Touching the Surface!
What a great cover!
"Life altering mistakes are meant to alter lives…
When Elliot dies for the third time, she knows this is her last shot. There are no fourth-timers in this afterlife, so one more chance is all she has to get things right. But before she can move on to her next life, Elliot will be forced to face her past and delve into the painful memories she’d rather keep buried. Memories of people she’s hurt, people she’s betrayed…and people she’s killed.
As she pieces together the mistakes of her past, Elliot must earn the forgiveness of her best friend and reveal the truth about herself to the two boys she loves…even if it means losing them both forever."
Ooo!!! A "ghost" story! It fascinates me to read about afterlives - and what people imagine they might entail!
So, what might Elliot want for Christmas?
"Elliot Turner has so many secrets to unravel, you'd think she wouldn't want any more surprises--but when it comes to the holidays, she wants to tear the place apart looking for her gift--just as long as she doesn't actually find it. So I suggest you find a really good hiding spot and I'll give you a short list of things you can surprise her with. You can grab her a gift card to REI, because she loves to hike and they have some pretty cool gear now a days. You can also take her out for pizza, because she loves spending quality time with her friends and of course--pizza. She would also love to visit a Birds of Prey rehabilitation center. She would think it's so cool to see an eagle up close, especially one that's been damaged and is trying to heal. And if all else fails--she would love a book or two. Elliot's a HUGE fan of YA and can't wait for all the new releases in 2012!"
What about you, Kim? What's your favorite part of the season?
"I know it sounds dorky, but I like the kindness, the fact that people think of each other more often. Families and friends spend more time together. It's cozy being surrounded by the people you love. And then add in the smell of pine, the fire place crackling, traditions and something yummy to nibble on. That is my favorite thing."
Not dorky at all - sounds kinda perfect to me!
Thank you both so much for coming to the party!!! (linkage for contacting both gals is at the end of this post!)
Now - there are more party favors - LOTS MORE!!! It's been a wonderful party and I'll be tallying up the comments after today. I'll easily get to the 150 mark for The Elephant Sanctuary. And if it goes over - I'll check the Karr family coffers and see if I can up the ante (I'll let y'all know!) Kim has some stickers and... I have this bag...
The lovely Shirley - Matriarch of the Asian elephants at The Elephant Sanctuary) - and I'm filling it with goodies!!!
An alabaster elephant, an elephant bead bracelet, and a silver elephant charm necklace - PLUS... signed copies of XVI and Truth (ARC.) (By the way - the jewelry is handmade by my BFF, critique partner, and amazing author of Middle Grade books - the fabulous Marybeth Kelsey!)
So - comment away! Remember - it's for elephants!
Thank you all so much for being a part of The 2K12 Days of Christmas Party! May you have a wonderful holiday season and may your 2K12 be blessed beyond your wildest dreams!
Merry Christmas to all!!!
Kimberly Sabatini:GoodreadsTwitter
Class of 2k12Simon & Schuster
Web Site coming soon…www.kimberlysabatini.com
Kathryn Burak:
December 22, 2011
The 2K12 Days of Christmas Party - Suzanne Lazeari!!!
Suzanne Lazear
has just walked into
The 2K12 Days of Christmas Party!!!
(is that a ray-gun in her bustle?!)
Suzanne!!! OMG! You sure know how to make an entrance! Check this girl out!
Awesome!!!
I've heard rumors, Suzanne - but tell us a little truth about yourself!
*chuckles* Well, Julia, I write Steampunk stories for adults and teens. My Young Adult Steampunk dark fairytale "Innocent Darkness", book 1 of The Aether Chronicles, will be released from Flux in August of 2012. I always play with swords, I'm never described as normal, and I have been known to run with bustles. I live in Southern California with my daughter, the hubby, a hermit crab, and two chickens, where I'm currently attempting to make a raygun to match my ballgown." *shows raygun* "What d'ya think?"
I think it's incredible! *pushes barrel aside* Maybe we can put that with the coats for now? *takes raygun* Why don't you tell everyone about Innocent Darkness? I'll be right back.
What a stunning cover!
"INNOCENT DARKNESS is Book 1 of The Aether Chronicles and will be published by Flux on August 8, 2012. Let me read you the back cover.
Wish. Love. Desire. Live.In a Steampunk version of Victorian Los Angeles, sixteen-year-old Noli Braddock's hoyden ways land her in an abusive reform school far from home. On mid-summer's eve she wishes to be anyplace but that dreadful school. Her wish sends her tumbling into the Otherworld. A mysterious man from the Realm of Faerie rescues her, only to reveal that she must be sacrificed, otherwise, the entire Otherworld civilization will perish."
Those four words kind of show the direction Noli's going to take, don't they? With the most important being staying alive? At least that's what I'd want to do! I mean, who wants to be a sacrifice? I guess we'll have to read Innocent Darkness to figure out what's going on for real. And - I love a trilogy, because it means spending more time with great characters!
I wonder - is there Christmas in Steampunk Victorian Los Angeles? If there is - what would Noli want?
"My main character, Noli, loves to fix things -- especially flying cars. She also desperately wants to buck the social norms of her Victorian steampunk world and go to college and become a botanist. But I think what she would want most for Christmas is for her father, who's been missing for six years, to finally come home."
A botanist? A missing father? This book is becoming more intriguing by the second!
What about you, Suzanne? What's your favorite thing about the holiday season?
"I love the food -- pie, turkey, fudge....and I love having the people I care about to share it with."
Yes! I think having people we care about with us is the best part of the season!
Oh - look what Suzanne has pulled out of the folds of her gown! Mini buttons!!! Party favors!!! Leave a comment and you might go home with them! Also - every comment (as you know by now) will go for $$'s to The Elephant Sanctuary! If you haven't read their ele-notes recently, check out the latest one! Love those girls!
And, I love that Suzanne's joined the party! Thanks so much for coming! And, I know our guests will be thrilled to get these links for finding you after the party's over.
Website: www.suzannelazear.com
Blog: www.suzannewrites.blogspot.com
Twitter: @suzannelazear
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/92...
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/suzannelazear
December 21, 2011
The 2K12 Days of Christmas Party - Gina Rosati!!!
@
The 2K12 Days of Christmas Party
and look who just showed up!
Gina Rosati!!!!
Welcome, Gina! So glad you could make it! Come in and get warm! (Okay, we'll ignore that it's an unseasonally warm 55 degrees right now!) Let me take your coat and you start mingling!
I understand Marc Nozell took this picture. It's awesome!
My guests are really excited to meet you, Gina! Please tell them a bit about you!
"I grew up in a suburb of Boston and now live in New Hampshire with my husband and two children. I've worked as a library page, secretary, cake decorator, and volunteer PTA mom. When I'm not reading or writing, I'm volunteering in my local middle school library, crocheting something warm and fuzzy or feeding guinea pigs. Although I write about astral projection, I remain stubbornly bodybound, but you can visit me at www.ginarosati.com."
Does it surprise anyone that you volunteer in the school library?! What a great thing to do - that and feeding guinea pigs! (When my girls were little we had a guinea pig named Olga - after Olga da Polga.) Okay - okay - enough about guinea pigs - let's talk about Auracle!
Wow! What a gorgeous cover!!! I think you hit the cover jackpot! Tell us about Auracle!!!
"16 year old Anna Rogan has a secret she’s only shared with her best friend, Rei; she can astrally project out of her body, allowing her spirit to explore the world and the far reaches of the universe. When there’s a fatal accident and her classmate Taylor takes over Anna’s body, what was an exhilarating distraction from her repressive home life threatens to become a permanent state. Faced with a future trapped in another dimension, Anna turns to Rei for help. Now the two of them must find a way to get Anna back into her body and stop Taylor from accusing an innocent friend of her murder. Together Anna and Rei form a plan but it doesn’t take into account the deeper feelings that are beginning to grow between them. A story about an out-of-body experience gone terribly wrong, AURACLE reaches deep within the soul of one girl to discover the strength of love and the power of a single touch."
This sounds like an amazing book! I can't wait to read it!
All of my Class of 2K12 guests have been sharing what their main characters would want for Christmas (or their holiday of choice!) What would Anna want?
"My main character, Anna, has had a very sparse religious upbringing, but one of the fun things about being able to astrally project is that she can attend Christmas Mass at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, or St. Catherine’s Church in Bethlehem or check out the spectacular light displays in Romania, Madrid, Monte Carlo or Warsaw. What Anna would really love this year for Christmas is a sober father who apologizes for being a sorry excuse for a parent before *presto* he pulls an adorable, fluffy puppy out from behind his back and hands it to her."
(Okay - that makes me want to read the book even more!)
What about you, Gina? What's your favorite part of Christmas?
"Imagine spending a day with a family who ranges in age from 1 to 90, plus three generations of Samoyeds (5 dogs total), plus all the food that a traditional Rhode Island/Italian family would serve, my father-in-law’s annual family joke gift that he spends weeks planning, and you have my favorite part of the season.
And, here's the newest member of the family - my sister-in-law's Samoyed, Chara. Don't you just want to hug her?"
OMG! She's adorable, Gina! And - what a great family holiday time you're going to have!
And... what awesomeness you've brought along for party favors! Lookie! Lookie!
A beaded bookmark and a suncatcher! PLUS... Gina has offered to donate $1 per comment to The Elephant Sanctuary! (That's above and beyond my donation!) You are so generous, Gina! *hugs* *hugs again*
So - comment away, party goers!!! And, thanks so much for stopping by to meet Gina! Here's her contact info:
Website - www.ginarosati.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gina-Rosati/168090603246100?sk=wall
Twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/GinaRosati
Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11362198-auracle
December 20, 2011
The 2K12 Days of Christmas Party - Lynda Mullaly Hunt!!!
The 2K12 Days of Christmas Party
is Hoppin!!!
and bopping in the door is...
Lynda Mullaly Hunt!!!
Hey, Lynda! I'm so glad you could make it! Give me your coat and meet the gang!
Oooh - all that green sorta makes me long for Spring! (And it's not even officially Winter!) No matter - Lynda's arrived! Here you go. *hands Lynda cup of hot cider* Tell us all about yourself.
"You know, Julia, I have the best job in the world! I used to be a teacher and a Scenario Writing coach. Now I'm active in SCBWI-NE, where I'm the Director of the annual Whispering Pines Writers’ Retreat in Rhode Island. Besides reading and writing, I enjoy juggling and watercolor painting—but not at the same time. I live in Connecticut with my husband, two kids, impetus beagle, and beagle-loathing cat. I'm working on my next middle-grade novel entitled, Alphabet Soup."
You are one busy lady! And - I agree - writing is the best job ever! And you've written this great book, One for the Murphys!
Another cover to LOVE! 2K12 covers are going to be rocking the shelves!
Lynda - tell us about One for the Murphys.
"Carley Connors uses humor and street smarts to keep her walls high and thick. But, in the wake of heart breaking betrayal, she becomes a foster child who finds herself in the hands of the Murphys. At first, the oldest of the three Murphy boys wants nothing but to get rid of her and all Carley can think about is getting out and back to her hospitalized mother who is being investigated by the police. However, this loving, bustling family shows Carley a side of life she’d believed did not exist, with dinners around a table and a “zip your jacket, here’s your lunch” kind of mom. Tough-on-the-outside Carley begins to drop her walls.
With the help of her crazy Broadway obsessed friend, Toni, the Murphys do the impossible in showing Carley what it feels like to belong somewhere. What it means to love other people—and more surprisingly—let them love her. But when her mother wants her back, will Carley lose the only family she has ever really known?"
Oh, this sounds like a great book! I can't wait to read it! (And you can read the amazing 1st chapter here.) Tell us, Lynda, what would Carley most want for Christmas?
"Carley Connors would want so much for Christmas. However, none of it would be something you could put in a box and wrap. She’d want to know what a real family Christmas feels like. The kind that she’s seen in movies and television. The ones described on greeting cards. You know, perfect families. However, Carley has learned with the Murphys that even perfect families aren’t perfect and that’s okay because the heart of a family doesn’t live in “perfect;” it lives in love and camaraderie and knowing there’s always someone that has your back. On Christmas morning, it would be great to have gifts to open, but what Carley most wants is the feeling of belonging with people that really love her and wouldn’t hurt her or give her up for anything."
(tearing up here...) *sniff* What about you, Lynda? What's your favorite part of the season?
"Actually, my favorite thing about the Christmas season is the season itself. I love the days leading up to Christmas most of all. Everything about them. The music, the parties, the decorations, the cheesy movies on late night TV, the gift giving, and the good will that rises to the surface this time of year. Even the, “How am I ever going to get everything done?” craziness. I realize this sounds a bit Pollyanna to some, but I guess it’s because I had some sad Christmases when I was young; now, I distill the holiday down to only the very best of it. Also, I feel that God is with me at this time of year even more than any other. I take stock in my many blessings, feeling a mixture of both peace and joy."
That's so lovely! (And, I'm a total Christmas movies freak!)
Now, I can't let today go by without some party favor love! Today it will be... *looks into bag of goodies* *pulls out a signed ARC of TRUTH!* Comment away party goers! And remember - Comments = $$'s for elephants!
And - here's everywhere to find Lynda online!
Website: http://lyndamullalyhunt.com/Blog: http://www.lyndamullalyhunt.blogspot.com/ (Raised by the Apple Trees, which encompasses posts ofMentorMonday, where kid-lit professionals weigh-in on mentors.)Blog 2: http://emusdebuts.wordpress.com/ (a group blog of Erin Murphy Literary debut authors chronicling the path from book contract to bookshelf)
Twitter: @LynMullalyHuntFacebook: Lynda Mullaly HuntGoogle+ : Lynda Mullaly Hunt
December 19, 2011
The 2K12 Days of Christmas Party - Lynne Kelly!!!
The 2K12 Days of Christmas Party!!!
Lynne Kelly!!!
When I decided to throw the 2K12 Days of Christmas Party it was going to just be a party to introduce several of the Class of 2K12 to all my blog readers. But, then I saw what Lynne's book is about - elephants! It's no secret, to my long-time online friends that I am a huge advocate for sanctuary for captive elephants. I won't go into all the gory details, but I guarantee you that no zoo or circus or roadside attraction has the proper facility for giving elephants what they truly need - acres and acres and acres of countryside to roam freely on a daily basis - and other elephants for companionship. Well - more about that later in this post (or follow the above links) - for right now - let's meet Lynne!
Wow! Just Wow!!!
Lynne, I am so thrilled to have you at the party! I know our guests are chomping at the bit (actually chomping ON the Christmas cookies!) to meet you! Tell us a little about you!
"I was born in Galesburg, Illinois, grew up in Houston, lived in some much colder places, then found my way back to the Houston area, where I work as a sign language interpreter. For a few years I also taught special education, a good career for someone with excellent organizational and planning skills. Lacking those skills, I quit teaching in 2006 and thankfully has more time for writing. But it was during those teaching years that I worked with some great kids and became interested in writing, so that all worked out."
Hey! You're a midwesterner, like me! Very cool! And, you wrote this fabulous book, CHAINED.
The cover makes me want to cry!
Lynne, tell us about what's inside.
From the back cover...
The touching story of a boy and an elephant who have a friendship that’s stronger than any lock, shackle, or chain. Ten-year-old Hastin’s sister has fallen ill, and his family must borrow money to pay for her care in the hospital. To work off the debt, Hastin leaves his village in northern India to work in a faraway jungle as an elephant keeper. He thinks it will be an adventure, but he isn’t prepared for the cruel circus owner. The crowds that come to the circus see a lively animal who plays soccer and balances on milk bottles, but Hastin sees Nandita, a sweet elephant and his best friend, who is chained when she’s not performing and punished until she learns her tricks perfectly. With the help of Ne Min, a wise old man who seems to know all about elephants, Hastin protects Nandita as best as he can. Still he wonders–will they both survive long enough to escape?
That gives me chills! And, it's all too true about the way elephants in captivity are treated. I'm so glad you wrote this book, Lynne! *hugs* *hugs again*
I'm guessing that Hastin doesn't celebrate Christmas. But, what might he want most of all?
"You're right. Hastin is Hindu, so he wouldn't celebrate Christmas, but what he'd want most of all is to be with his family, and he'd wish the same for his elephant, Nandita."
(Oh - me, too!)
What about you, Lynne? What do you like about the season?
"My favorite thing about the season is being with my family. Some of us live in different cities and don't see each other often enough, so it's always nice to have the whole crowd together in one house."
I know what you mean! I love a houseful at Christmas!
It's so wonderful to have you here, Lynne! Thanks so much for ... uh, what's that? you brought Party Favors!
Woo Hoo! Lynne's brought some bookmarks and stickers! Yay!
And... I have something, too, for one lucky guest... 
It's a tote bag of Shirley, the senior elephant at The Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, TN! (Yep - that's where all the $$'s from comments = $$'s are going!) Read Shirley's story (have tissues at the ready) - and Shirley & Jenny's story (guaranteed you'll need more tissues for that!) This is a most wonderful elephant with a huge capacity for forgiveness and love!
So - comment away!!!
And - here is linkage for all of Lynne online!
website: http://www.lynnekellybooks.comblog: http://www.lynnekelly.blogspot.comFB author page: https://www.facebook.com/authorLynneKellyTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/LynneKelly
December 18, 2011
The 2K12 Days of Christmas Party - 2 for 1 Day!!!
The 2K12 Days of Christmas Party!!!
opens the door to find
Sarvenaz Tash !
&
Joanne Levy !
If you haven't met these ladies - both amazing & fabulous authors BTW - let's get to it!
Meet Sarvenaz Tash, author of The Mapmaker and the Ghost.
I'm so excited to finally meet you Sarvenaz! Tell us a little about yourself, please! *leans forward to catch every word*
"I was born in Tehran, Iran and grew up on Long Island, NY. I received my BFA in Film and Television from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. That means I got to spend most of college running around and making movies (it was a lot of fun). I have dabbled in all sorts of writing including screenwriting, copywriting, and professional tweeting. I currently lives in Brooklyn, NY."
That is so cool, Sarvenaz! Running around making movies does sound like a blast!
Now let's meet Joanne Levy, author of Small Medium at Large! (Is that not the best title?! I love puns!)
It's so great to meet you Joanne! I'm so glad you made it! Please, tell everyone a little bit about yourself.
"My love of books began at a very early age. Being the youngest and the only female among four children, I was often left to my own devices and could frequently be found sitting in a quiet corner with my nose in a book.
After much teenage misadventure, I eventually graduated from university and now spend my weekdays as an executive assistant at one of Canada’s big banks planning meetings and thwarting coffee emergencies. When I'm not working, I can usually be found at my computer, channeling my younger self into books.
I live in Ontario with my husband and kids of the furred and feathered variety."
I'm so glad you're both here! *hugs Sarvenaz* *hugs Joanne*
I know everyone is dying to hear about your books! Sarvenaz, you first... tell us about The Mapmaker and the Ghost.
"Goldenrod Moram loves nothing better than a good quest. Intrepid, curious, and full of a well-honed sense of adventure, she decides to start her own exploring team fashioned after her idols, the explorers Lewis and Clark, and to map the forest right behind her home. This task is complicated, however, by a series of unique events—a chance encounter with a mysterious old lady has her searching for a legendary blue rose. Another encounter lands her in the middle of a ragtag gang of brilliant troublemakers. And when she stumbles upon none other than the ghost of Meriwether Lewis himself, Goldenrod knows this will be anything but an ordinary summer . . . or an ordinary quest."
Woo Hoo! What an awesome cover and a great plot! I've always been intrigued by the great explorers of this country. William Clark of your Lewis and Clark was the younger brother of George Rogers Clark, also an explorer and Revolutionary War hero. (A pretty important guy here in Indiana!)
Okay, Joanne! Please, tell us about Small Medium at Large! (I can't help but chuckle every time I type that!) 
"Lilah Bloom hears dead people. And boy, are they annoying! After she's hit by lightning at a wedding, twelve-year-old Lilah Bloom develops a new talent: she hears dead people. Among them, there's her over-opinionated bubby Dora; a comically prissy fashion designer; and an approval-seeking clown who livens up a seance. With Bubby Dora leading the way, these and other sweetly imperfect ghosts haunt Lilah through seventh grade, and help her face her one fear: talking to and possibly going to the seventh-grade dance with her big crush, Andrew Finkel."
Ha! Annoying dead people! I love it! And what a cute cover! This book sounds so funny! I'm really looking forward to it!
Well, ladies - I have two questions for both of you. Joanne - you first...
What does your main character want for Hanukkah?
"Lilah, my main character, is Jewish, so she celebrates Hanukkah and what she wants most, besides a date with Andrew Finkel, is a drum set. She and her BFF Alex are so jazzed to get their band going, but the girls don’t yet have instruments, so that’s definitely a priority. After the drum kit (and the date with Andrew), Lilah would wish for some more drumming talent and also a new girlfriend for her dad, who is kind of lonely and sad since the divorce."
How about you and the season? What's your favorite thing about this time of year?
"I’ll be honest here and say that although I love seeing my parents and my brothers and their families at my mom’s annual Hanukkah bash, the food is what I get really excited about. My mom is one of those legendary Jewish grandmothers who is an AMAZING cook. I haven’t seen the menu yet but there will be brisket and turkey and soup and fish and of course, latkes and other fried foods because this is the holiday where we eat fried stuff to commemorate the oil lasting 8 nights. I’d pretty much eat my own foot if it was deep-fried, so this is my kind of holiday."
LOL! I can see why you write humor! And, yes - my Gram was an amazing cook and holidays were the best!
Sarvenaz, what about your main character, Goldenrod? (I love that name!)
"It probably isn’t a big spoiler to tell you that my main character is a mapmaker. I think what she would want most of all is some fancier mapmaking tools: special surveying and measuring equipment, larger sheets of graph paper and maybe her own copy of the Encyclopedia of North American Flora and Fauna. Her best friend had one of those but she has since, very regrettably, moved away."
How about this season and you?
"Technically, I don’t celebrate Christmas, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love it! I live in New York and the whole city turns even more magical to me during the holidays. I guess it doesn’t take more than twinkling lights, red Starbucks cups and festive storefronts to put a spring in my step. Of course, then January hits and I wonder why I haven’t moved to Florida yet."
Ha ha! I know what you mean about the trappings of the season! It makes everything look pretty and merry! And, hey... I'll race you to Florida on New Year's Day! (Brrrr!!!! I do not like being cold either!)
It's party favor time! And today, Joanne has offered a copy of May B by Caroline Starr Rose (since Small Medium at Large isn't out until summer!) That's so sweet, Joanne!
I know y'all want to read about May B. - so leave a comment (with contact info) and don't forget - every comment helps with $$'s for the elephants!
Links for Sarvenaz:
Website: www.sarvenaztash.com
Blog: www.sarvenaztash.blogspot.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/sarvenaztash
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sarvenaztash
Links for Joanne:
Website: http://www.joannelevy.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/" \l "!/JoanneLevy"
Facebook: "http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joanne-Levy-Author-Page/153054214712002"
December 17, 2011
The 2K12 Days of Christmas Party - J. Anderson Coats!!!
Would you look at who just walked in?
OMG! It's
J. Anderson Coats!!!
I have been so looking forward to meeting you! Let me introduce you... Hey everyone! Here's Ms. Coats!
I think J is an author to be reckoned with! (I know - it should be 'with whom to be reckoned' - but that just doesn't 'sound' right, okay?)
J - we are all so curious to find out more about you! Please - tell us...
"Well, Julia, since you asked... I have dug for crystals, held Lewis and Clark’s original hand-written journal and been a mile underground."
No kidding! (I was right - anyone who can go 1 mile underground is awesome!) Tell us about your book?
"I write historical fiction set in the middle ages that routinely includes too much violence, name-calling and petty vandalism perpetrated by badly-behaved young people. I'm represented by Ammi-Joan Paquette of the Erin Murphy Literary Agency. The Wicked and the Just, my debut novel, is forthcoming from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt on 17 April 2012."
I love to read about the middle ages, but man... I would so not want to have lived back then! Thank goodness there are writers like you who do all this research and can tell us what it's like! Actually make us feel like we're there - and at the same time we don't have to give up our indoor plumbing!
Speaking of which - well - not indoor plumbing - but your book - The Wicked and the Just...
What an evocative cover!!! Please give us a hint as to what's inside!
1293. North Wales. Ten years into English rule.
Cecily would give anything to leave Caernarvon and go home. Gwenhwyfar would give anything to see all the English leave.
Neither one is going to get her wish.
Behind the city walls, English burgesses govern with impunity. Outside the walls, the Welsh are confined by custom and bear the burden of taxation, and the burgesses plan to keep it that way.
Cecily can’t be bothered with boring things like the steep new tax or the military draft that requires Welshmen to serve in the king’s army overseas. She has her hands full trying to fit in with the town’s privileged elite, and they don’t want company.
Gwenhwyfar can’t avoid these things. She counts herself lucky to get through one more day, and service in Cecily’s house is just salt in the wound.
But the Welsh are not as conquered as they seem, and the suffering in the countryside is rapidly turning to discontent. The murmurs of revolt may be Gwenhwyfar’s only hope for survival – and the last thing Cecily ever hears.
Wow! This sounds like a book I MUST read! (Full disclosure - I'm part-Welsh - and know little to nothing about Welsh history. But, I want to know more now!)
Here are a couple of fun seasonal questions - this is The 2K12 Days of Christmas, after all! You have two main characters - Cecily and Gwenhwyfar - what would they want most of all for Christmas?
My characters live in thirteenth-century Wales, so they do indeed celebrate Christmas. Medieval people didn’t really give gifts at Christmas the same way we do, but Cecily would want her father to tell her that her uncle died so they could leave Caernarvon and return to the manor that she misses like crazy. Barring that, she’d like a new gown that isn’t all muddy and awful. Gwenhwyfar would like every last rotten English anything to leave Wales forever. Barring that, she’d like to see Cecily fall down the stairs and reeeeally hurt herself.
Heh, heh... I love me some spunk! Now - what about you?
What is your favorite thing about the holiday season?
The best part about this time of year is how most people just mellow out a little. There’s a lot more thought paid to helping others, giving of yourself, and donating time or money to a good cause. People seem friendlier, and there’s an air of anticipation and excitement that carries over into the daily grind and makes everything a little cheerier. Hot mulled wine and plentiful fudge don’t hurt, either.
You are my kind of gal, J! 
*passes her a cup of mulled wine and a plate of fudge*
Just to let y'all know... J is going to have some The Wicked and the Just stickers - this week! - And she'll send some to one lucky commenter! So, be sure to comment & leave a way for me to contact you! Also - don't forget that all comments go for $$'s to help the elephants at The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee!
Here is J. Anderson Coats' contact information - go find her!
Web: http://www.jandersoncoats.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jandersoncoats
Twitter: @jandersoncoats
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12180253-the-wicked-and-the-just
December 16, 2011
The 2K12 Days of Christmas Party - it's AC Gaughen!!!
The 2K12 Days of Christmas Party
is Rockin'!!! COME ON IN!
and meet
A.C. Gaughen!Hi A.C.! I'm so glad you could make it! Everyone - and I do mean EVERYONE - has been dying to meet you!
Wow! Your eyes match your shirt! That is so awesome! Since we just met a few days before the party, I'm excited to learn more about you. I know my guests are, too. (I wonder if she's as mysterious as the main character in her book? Let's find out!)
"I'm a young adult author and a board member of the non-profit Boston GLOW , where I help teen girls in the Boston area use their voices for change. I earned my Master of Letters from University of St Andrews in Scotland and now live in Boston with two ridiculously cute and mischievious goldendoodles. Scarlet is my first novel."
Really? Scotland?! How cool is that?! And, you help teen girls -- which, honestly, is cooler than Scotland! We won't go into the cuteness of goldendoodles! OMG! (Okay - I stole this pic off your website, AC!)
I suppose it's a good thing you didn't bring your pups with you, because we'd never get anything done except fawning all over them & playing with them! But - on to your debut novel, SCARLET! I am so excited to read this! And look at this cover!!!
"Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance.
Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in. It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for."
All right, I am officially IN LOVE with this book & I haven't even read it yet! When I was a kid I spent my Saturday mornings watching TV shows like this one... The Adventures of Robin Hood. And, we had a Robin Hood castle - like this one!
(Can I just say how much fun it was to find this online? I think I know what I want for Christmas now! This and a copy of SCARLET!)
Back to the party!!!
So, AC - what might Scarlet, (a girl masquerading as a guy - I love that!) want for Christmas?
"Scarlet would probably want forgiveness--or to have her sister back. I WISH she would wish to hook up with Robin, but I don't think she's that confident in her feelings for him--or really, his for her. But a Holiday Scarlet-Rob Mash Up (if you know what I mean) would be AWESOME."
Um... YEAH!!! We can dream, right?
And, what is your favorite thing about the Christmas season?
"I love the spirit of the whole thing. People's best sides come out--their generosity, their love, their hope for the future. How cool is that? For a month and a bit, the future just looks brighter because everyone is helping out and helping each other. It's amazing, and inspiring!"
It is indeed! And, of course, in light of that, I am not surprised that AC brought a party favor!!! One lucky commenter will get to take this home for Christmas!
It's an uber-awesome SCARLET T-Shirt!!!
So - get yourself down to the comments and leave your contact info & t-shirt size! (S-M-L-XL) Remember, for every comment, $$'s get donated to The Elephant Sanctuary, too!
Oh - and you are definitely going to want to find AC on the web! She has a fabulous blog - cause she's an awesome writer! Check it ou!
www.acgaughen.com
www.twitter.com/acgaughen
www.facebook.com/acgaughen
December 15, 2011
The 2K12 Days of Christmas Party - Megan!!!
The 2K12 Days of Christmas Party
without
Megan Bostic!!!
I've been waiting right along w/Megan for her debut! Without further ado... let's meet the lovely Megan!
I wasn't kidding that she's lovely - was I? (And, this girl knows how to accessorize! I love the necklace!) Okay back to the intro! Megan, tell us a bit about yourself.
I'm a mother of two, and I live in Tacoma, Washington. I was moved to write my first novel in the spring of 2002 after I decided to close my child care business in order to provide hospice care for my terminally ill mother-in-law.
I'm so sorry about your mother-in-law, Megan. That must have been really tough - but a very loving thing for you to do.
I thrive on the challenges I have faced so far on my journey to publication, and I've recorded my struggles in a humorous, yet personal video series, Chronicles of an Aspiring Writer, viewable on YouTube. I'm a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Pacific Northwest Writers Association, the Apocalypsies, The Class of 2k12, and I'm an avid blogger. My novel, Never Eighteen will debut from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, January 2012.
You are one busy lady! (And, I love your blog!) Now, let's take a look at Never Eighteen!
It's such an awesome cover!
Here's more about the book.
Austin Parker is never going to see his eighteenth birthday. At the rate he’s going, he probably won’t even see the end of the year. But in the short time he has left there’s one thing he can do: He can try to help the people he loves live—even though he never will.
It’s probably hopeless.
But he has to try.
Wow! It sounds like a really powerful book, Megan! And, I'd imagine you put much of your heart into it. I doubt it's readable without tissues nearby. I'm looking forward to finding out!
Before I tell you how to find Megan online - I want to say that she's offered a swag pack for one lucky commenter! And... don't forget - each comment counts for $$'s to The Elephant Sanctuary! So - comment away!
Megan can be found online at www.meganbostic.com and she blogs here. Check it out!!!
