IT Tuesday Where Are You? Utah

I am in Utah the baby capital of the world. Just recently had a baby girl and is going through the sleepless nights that mothers do. All told in a very humorous way. (It Sucked And Then I Cried by Heather B. Armstrong)

Winner of RaBW 3/30/09!

This week I decided to pick two winners. So congrats to Angela who recommend the Constant Princess and congrats to Pamela who recommended Boundaries. I picked the Constant Princess because I have been meaning to read a Philippa Gregory novel and this looks like a good one. I picked Boundaries because I have been looking for a christian inspiration book and start reading another one by the same author but I kinda took this as a sign that maybe i should be reading this one.


gautami tripathy - you recommend Jane Eyre. I have actually read this one years ago and liked it a lot. I am do for a reread but not ready quite yet.

Kristi - you recommended Simple Wishes by Lily Dale. It sounded good but maybe for another time.

Refer A Book Weekend 3/27/09

Rules of Refer A Book Weekend: To play all you have to do is recommend a book that you liked and post in the comments. Tell me why you liked the book or link to your review. I will pick a recommendation, then add it to my TBR pile and the person who recommended the book will get to win a book from this Pile of Free Books that I reviewed.I usually post the Refer A Book Weekend post at 12pm EST after I am done work. Each week I will post a new post for you to comment in. The winner will not be picked until Monday so you have the weekend to recommend.

Hint: What romance titles do you recommend?

Also still looking for Jenny who won last week. She gets to pick a book from the freebie pile. Email me please lavenderagate(at)yahoo(dot)com

Author Interview - Kristin Calendar

What are your favorite books and authors to read?

I love any story I can get lost in and that can be anything from Hemingway to Sidney Sheldon. I have read a lot of Danielle Steele, Sandra Brown, Mary Higgins Clark, and Nora Roberts. Right now I am reading Nora Roberts' J.D. Robb 'Death' series. I didn't think I was going to like the futuristic setting, but as soon as I got into the characters I forgot all about that.

Can you tell me a little about what got you started in writing?

I have wanted to write a book for a long time, but was too busy and full of doubt to try. I started writing The Truth Lies in the Dark on a pad while I watched my kids at the park. I still have all of those notes about the characters and the first chapter. I do the same thing before starting any book now. I write notes on each character and their backgrounds. It helps me see them as real people and then the story takes on a life of its own.

Do you have a routine when you write?

Some days I can sit down at the computer and next thing I know it's 3:00 and other days I can't seem to sit for 3 minutes. I am also a part time substitute teacher and a full time mom and wife, so I have to squeeze writing in around my other routines.

Do you have any tips for a writer starting out?

Be patient and expect rejection. Writing is a long process and publishing is even longer. Don't get discouraged by how long it takes a publisher to get back to you. In my experience, the longer they take considering your work the more they like it. All of my quick responses have been rejections. You will get rejected; it is part of writing. Keep reminding yourself that even the most famous writers have gotten rejected and keep trying until you get that one or two that say YES.

You just released a new book called The Truth Lies in the Dark. Could you tell us a little about it?

The Truth Lies in the Dark is about a woman, Amanda, who lost her memory as a child and then finds out that she is not who she thinks. While trying to find her true identity she uncovers a dark secret that could destroy everything she knows; her family, her marriage, and maybe even her life.

What made the plot about amnesia and true identity appealing to you?

I think the way our minds work is amazing; how some memories are kept while others are blocked from our consciousness. What interested me most was how Amanda's dreams, or nightmares, revealed the truth to her, but only as she became strong enough to handle what the truth was.

Do you have a favorite part in the book?

It is hard to say without giving away the ending, but there is a part when Amanda gets in the water at night to hide from someone who is after her. Not only does the water hide her from sight but it also creates an echo that helps keep her position a mystery.

What would you do if you found out this had happened to you? Find the truth or live the "perfect life" lie?

I would definetly find the truth. Life is too short to live a lie. Besides I don't believe there is a perfect life, just perfect moments :)

I would like to thank all of the readers and fans of Confuzzled Books for stopping by to get to know me and my book a little better. And of course, a big thanks to Shannon for interviewing me and participating in this Book Blog Tour. If anyone wants more information about me, the book, or the tour you can go to my website: http://sites.google.com/site/kristincallenderbooks.

The Truth Lies in the Dark by Kristin Callender is available at www.amazon.com/Truth-Lies-Dark-Kristin-Callender/dp/1604520140 and is the 'Featured Book of the Month' at www.bluewaterpress.com.

It's Tuesday Where are You? Portland, Oregon

Event Takes place at Raidergirl3's An Adventure in Reading Blog .

I am in Portland, Oregon reuniting with high school friends over the death of a classmate whom I have been having strange visions of. (Wicked Game by Lisa Jackson and Nancy Bush)

Review - Death Daughter by Amber Benson

Title: Death's Daughter
Series:: Calliope Reaper-Jones Series
Author(s):: Amber Benson
Genre:: Fantasy
Summary: After her father (Death) is kidnapped, Calliope Reaper-Jones must take over the family business.
Finished: 03/15/09
Pages: 368
Challenges: none
Rating:










My Thoughts: Fans of TV's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" will probably enjoy this one. I believe Miss Benson (who played Tara) mentioned on her blog that she took inspiration from being on the show when writing this story. I found the book enjoyable, but not that memorable. OK, maybe a couple grotesque images will sitck with me, but other than that it wasn't that great. Maybe I hoped for too much when I picked this up.

About the Author: Amber Benson is probably best known as the character Tara from the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" TV Series. She has co-authored a web series, "The Ghost of Albion," with author Christopher Golden. This is her first novel. You can visit Amber at her blog here http://amberbensonwrotethis.blogspot.com/

Winner of RAFW 3/23/09!

Congrats to Jenny who recommended Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen. I will email you tomorrow or if you want to email me before that is fine too.


Chris - recommend Little Bee by Chris Cleave. This one didn't catch my interest. Sorry.

Kelly (aka Book fool) - recommended Boys Life by Robert McCammon. Sounds interesting but could be too creepy for me.


Angela - recommended Second Glance by Jodi Picoult.. I do want to read a Jodi Picoult novel and this one is up my alley but Garden Spells beat it to the top. Maybe next time.

Aerin - You can play as many times as you want. I do try to balance out the winner so everyone gets a chance but there have been people to win twice in a row. You Recommended Lois Duncan's Down a Dark Hall. I use to read Lois Duncan when I was younger not sure I could now I remember them being a little creepy but maybe that was because I was young maybe they wouldn't be that bad now. Maybe another time.

Kristi - recommended Marked By Passion by Kate Perry. I really liked your review and would have picked this book second.


Thanks to everyone for playing.

Refer A Book Weekend 3/20/09

Rules of Refer A Book Weekend: To play all you have to do is recommend a book that you liked and post in the comments. Tell me why you liked the book or link to your review. I will pick a recommendation, then add it to my TBR pile and the person who recommended the book will get to win a book from this Pile of Free Books that I reviewed.I usually post the Refer A Book Weekend post at 12pm EST after I am done work. Each week I will post a new post for you to comment in. The winner will not be picked until Monday so you have the weekend to recommend.

Hint: Recommend to me something mystical and/or paranormal.

Review - Lily Pesky Plant by Kristen Larsen

Title: Lily's Pesky Plant
Series:: Disney Fairies
Author(s):: Kristen Larsen
Genre:: Children's Chapter Book
Summary: Lily the Garden fairy finds an unknown seed that turns into a plant and causes trouble for all of Pixie Hollow
Finished: 03/16/09
Pages: 110
Challenges: none
Rating:









My Thoughts: After reading other fairy books, this one is a delight. There is such originality in the way these Disney fairy books are written. Sure, you still have some typical characters like other fairy books, but many of the characters in these aren't so typical. They have more depth. Like the "mean" fairy Vidia, who really isn't that mean all the time. And Disney fairies aren't that clumsy. They do get into trouble, but that is the fun of these books. For example, in this one Lily, a garden fairy, finds a seed that she does not recognize. The plant grows to look ugly, smell ugly, and everything about it seems bad. But Lily still cares for the plant and knows that it is happy. This story is an example of how you can find true beauty in everything.

About the Author: Kristen Larsen is the writer of many children books including some Dora the Explorer and Lizzie McGuire books.

Review - Magic Muddle by Margaret Ryan

Title: Magic Muddle
Series:: Airy Fairy
Author(s):: Margaret Ryan
Genre:: Children's Chapter Book
Summary: A bumbling, clumsy fairy tries to make it through fairy school. In this one, she participate in the Fairy Olympics.
Finished: 03/16/09
Pages: 80
Challenges: none
Rating:









My Thoughts: Again, another typical fairy book where we have one bad fairy, one good fairy who is a little clumsy, and the good fairy's friends. I think it is a typical setting for most girl's chapter books. This one did have some differences to it. I liked that it was very detailed in describing what was going on in the story. There seemed to be a lot to tell, but because of the typical typecasting of the characters, it can be a boring read if you've read others like it, for example "Fairy School" by Gail Herman or the "Zoe the Fairy" books

About the Author: Margaret Ryan writes and lives in Scotland. She has written at least 6 Airy Fairy books.

New Challenge Hosted by Me

I am hosting a new Faerie Book Challenge. To see the rules go to http://confuzzledfaerie.blogspot.com/ If I missed anything in the rules please let me know.

Review - A Decent Ransom by Ivana Hruba

Title: A Decent Ransom
Series:: None
Author(s):: Ivana Hruba
Genre:: General Fiction
Summary: A kidnapping gone right. A kidnapped woman takes solace in one of the young men who kidnapped her.
Finished: 03/3/09
Pages: 272
Challenges: none
Rating:

My Thoughts: At the begining of this book, I was captivated by the story. It is written differently then anything I have read before. Each chapter, you don't know which character you're reading about until the end. Sometimes it is the same character as the one you just read, sometimes a different character. It's one of those stories where you can't see the ending going well. And, well, it ended better than I thought, but I generally didn't enjoy the ending. I just think the message the end sent seemed like it was for a different book. The story is interesting and keeps you guessing, I just couldn't fully reconcile the ending with the rest of it.

About the Author: Ivana Hruba grew up in the Czech Republic and now lives in Australia. This is her first published novel. You can visit her at http://www.ivanahruba.com/

Winner of RABW 3/16/09!

Congrats to Angela! Who recommended The Constant Gardener by John LeCarre. Angela I will email you tomorrow or if you want email me when you see this.

Aerin - Thanks for Stopping By!!!

Kylee - DANCING ABOVE THE WAVES by Susan Wallerstein didn't really catch my interest.

Becky - Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan. Something about the sister hood creeped me out. So I had to say no on this one.

Refer A Book Weekend

Rules of Refer A Book Weekend: To play all you have to do is recommend a book that you liked and post in the comments. Tell me why you liked the book or link to your review. I will pick a recommendation, then add it to my TBR pile and the person who recommended the book will get to win a book from this Pile of Free Books that I reviewed.I usually post the Refer A Book Weekend post at 12pm EST after I am done work. Each week I will post a new post for you to comment in. The winner will not be picked until Monday so you have the weekend to recommend.

Hint: I am reading a thrilling book right now. I could go for some more.

Booking Through Thursday

Tami inspired this week’s question:
What book do you think should be made into a movie? And do you have any suggestions for the producers?
Or, What book do you think should NEVER be made into a movie?

I started reading book a while back called Magic Kingdom For Sale by Terry Brooks and as I was reading I thought it would make a great movie. And looks like according to IMDB they are planning to make and release in 2010.

One book I don't think should be made into a movie (even though I know it already as been) Slaugherhouse - 5 by Kurt Vonnegut. That book is confusing enough the movie is no help.

Review - Baron Think Dogs Are People Too by Laurie Dean

Title: Baron Thinks Dogs Are People Too

Series:: None

Author(s):: Laurie Dean

Genre:: Children's Picture Book

Summary: Dog searches for a best friend.

Finished: 03/1/09

Pages: 26

Challenges: none

Rating:

My Thoughts: A cute little book. A little excitment in the middle, where the dog runs out into the street when a car iscoming. It picks up at the end, too. The begining is only so so. The first couple pages just introduce to the dog and family. It is acute book that kids who like animals would like.

About the Author: This is the first book for Laurie Dean. You can visit her at her website http://www.baronthinks.com/

If you would like to win a Signed Copy of this book go to This Post and post in the comments your email and that you would like the book .

It's Tuesday Where Are You?

Event takes place at Raidergirl3's An Adventure in Reading.

I am on my way to Bollywood to visit a Hindu God who is going to give me sea foam as my second task I must take in order to take over the family business and become Death. (Death's Daughter by Amber Benson)

By the way the picture is taken from the film On the Other Side which stars my brother-in-law Collin McGee.

Review - The Nixie's Song by Holly Black

Title: The Nixie's Song
Series:: Beyond The Spiderwick Chronicles
Author(s):: Holly Black
Genre:: Children's Book

Summary: Two children find a mythical Nixie in a pond near their house. The nixie wants to find her sisters and needs help.

Finished: 03/1/09

Pages: 162
Challenges: 20 Books in 2009 (20)
Rating:

My Thoughts: A little creepy at times because the main characters couldn't really trust any of the magical creatures or the people involved. Humorous at other times. I especially liked the breaking of the fourth wall. I am not sure if I liked it better than the orginal Spiderwick Chronicles or about the same. In all, it was a good short story and I will be reading the rest of the new series.

About the Author: Holly Black has written 3 teen books, 1 graphic novel and 6 other children's books. She lives in Massachusetts.

Winner for RABW and Signed Copy of Scat!

Congrats to Aerin for picking the Graceling by Kristen Cashore which I am now added to my TBR pile.

Alyce - I didn't pick the Uglies because it is something I want to read but it is just lower on my list. Maybe next time.

A second Congrats goes to taterbug who is now the winner of the Signed Copy of Scat because Diane never contacted me.

Expect email from me soon peoples!

Refer A Book Weekend 3/6/09!

Rules of Refer A Book Weekend: To play all you have to do is recommend a book that you liked and post in the comments. Tell me why you liked the book or link to your review. I will pick a recommendation, then add it to my TBR pile and the person who recommended the book will get to win a book from this Pile of Free Books that I reviewed.
I usually post the Refer A Book Weekend post at 12pm EST after I am done work. Each week I will post a new post for you to comment in. The winner will not be picked until Monday so you have the weekend to recommend.

Hint : Let's see your fantasy book picks.

Signed Book Giveaway #4 - Baron Thinks Dogs Are People Too by Laurie Dean

Here it is the Signed Book Giveaway #4 - Baron Think Dogs Are People Too by Laurie Dean

This is the post to enter into the Giveaway. Post in the Comments that you would like to enter into the contest and please leave your email! The book is more interesting then it sounded on Twitter.

That and I didn't get to finish twittering about . Sorry something came up.

More Delays and Note about RABF

Okay here's the deal about the giveaway. I will be posting today about the book on Twitter starting at 2pm and there will be a twitter message every half hour until I get to the half way point of the book. Then I will announce the book at 6pm.

This is all going to push back Refer A Book Friday which I am making Refer a Book Weekend. So everyone will have the Weekend to post recommendations. I will post RABW tonight sometime after the Giveaway Announcement.

Sorry for delay

I will have to twitter about the signed book giveaway tomorrow. Just had to take care of one of my dogs who we found out has a bad back. Poor Smokey first Cancer now a slipped disc.

Twitter Working Now

Twitter is working now. Thank Amy for letting me know.

I will twitter and announce the new signed book contest tomorrow as it is late here and bedtime for me.

Twitter Problems

If someone reading using twitter would not mind contacting them and telling them I am having a problem logging in. It seems the only way to contact them is to login. I can't find any email. I am under http://twitter.com/confuzzledbooks. Thank you!

When I try to login I get Page does not exist.

Winner of Signed Copy of Scat Announced!

The winner is number 22 who is Diane. Congrats Diane! Diane there was no email for me to contact you . I will give you until the end of Sunday to email me at Lavenderagate(at) yahoo(dot)com with your mailing address. If I don't hear from you then I will pick another winner.

Will announce a new signed book later tonight! Follow me on Twitter to see hints of what the book could be.

It's Tuesday Where are You?

Event takes place at raidergirl3's An Adventure in Reading.

I am in New York City(I think) taking subways to work. I just recently remembered (after breaking a spell) that I am the daughter of Death and monster and demons are real. My dad just recently went missing. (Death's Daughter by Amber Benson)

I Suck at Challenges update #2

I totally forgot about the update for this. So far I am doing pretty good with my challenges. I actually finished one or will finish one when I post on Wednesday when I post my review. I have read 20/20 books for 20 books in 2009 challange.

I haven't read anything for the Vampire Challenge yet but I am sure I will get to it. So in that one I am 0/2.

Last Chance On Signed Copy of Scat by Carl Haaisen Giveaway!

Last Day on the Giveaway for a signed copy of Scat by Carl Haaisen. To enter comment in this post.

Review - The Moose With Loose Poops by Charlotte Cowan M.D.

Title: The Moose With Loose Poops
Series:: A Dr. Hippo Story
Author(s):: Charlotte Cowan, M.D.
Genre:: Children's Picture Book

Summary: A little boy moose plans a camping trip with his father but gets sick and learns what happens when you have diarrhea.

Finished: 02/27/09
Pages: 32
Challenges: 20 Books in 2009 (19)
Rating:









My Thoughts: You may laugh at the title and the subject matter, but this is a very smart book. The story teaches kids what happens to your body when you have diarrhea. Speaking as a child who used to get tummy aches when she was sick, like the little moose, and did not know what was wrong either, I think that's a great thing to explain in a friendly little book. We have all had it and dealt with it at one point in our lives, so I think this is a story kids absolutely need to have at home. This book also comes with a little handbook for parents on how to take care of a child with gastroenteritis.

About the Author: Charlotte Cowan, M.D., is a pediatrician in Boston, MA, and a mother of three. She has written 4 other books in the Dr. Hippo series.

Review - A Day With My Dad At The Beach by Lance Waite

Title: A Day With My Dad at the Beach
Series:: A Day With My Dad Series
Author(s):: Lance Waite
Genre:: Children's Picture Book
Summary: A little girl spends a day with her father at the Beach.
Finished: 02/27/09
Pages: 32
Challenges: 20 Books in 2009 (18)
Rating:









My Thoughts: This book describes a charming day a little girl and her father spend at the beach. I am not sure the words needed to rhyme, but some of it was very clever and well done. I love the art work, it shows the personalities of the father and daughter very well. If I had kids, I think this would be one Dad could read to them and enjoy.


About the Author: Lance Waite has written one other book, A Day With My Dad, the first book in the series. He lives with his family in California.

Winner For RABF 3/01/09!!

The winner of Refer A Book Friday is Kristi! Thank you Kristi for recommending And There Were None by Agatha Christie! Your review of it is what sold me that and that 401 people gave it 5 stars at Amazon. 401 out of 600! I have never read any Agatha Christie either and this will be my first.


BookWormz - I have seen In the Wood by Tana French in the bookstore and picked it looked at the back cover and it hasn't really grabbed me.

Aerin - People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks would have been my second. I struggled over this one and And There Were None. This one does sound interesting.

Ann Diana Dinh - The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin I can't say it is not a book that doesn't interest me but books with child abuse is a touchy subject with me.

scottsgal - You recommend James Patterson the alex Cross Series. I am interested to know why somany people like James Patterson but it's not at the top of my list. Maybe some day though.

mari - Glad you got the book and thanks for stopping by!

Amy - This book would have been my 3rd pick. I do like YA novels and this has gotten great review including yours.

SmilingSal - Age before Beauty (Sister-to-Sister, Book 2) by Virginia Smith is good review from you but the book just didn't interest me. Sorry.

Angela - "Child 44" by Tom Rob Smith seems a little two dark IMO and little graphic from what I just read of a review at Amazon the way the children are killed *grimaces* I don't think I would be able to get through it.


Thanks everyone for playing there were quite a few of you this week. I am wondering should I change Refer A Book Friday to Refer a Book Weekends. It might give people more of a chance to comment. What do you think?