Mailbox Monday - March 3

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles, and humongous wish lists.

Crazy, crazy week filled with getting a lot done, but not what I planned. I am also totally engrossed by Pioneer Girl by Bich Minh Ngyuen, so though I should be working, I'm stealing moments to read it.

Last week, three books arrived in my mailbox.

Rick and Abby grew up together, became best friends, and ultimately fell in love. Circumstance tore them apart in their early teens, though, and they went on to lives less idyllic than they dreamed about in those early days. Rick has had a very successful career, but his marriage flat-lined. Abby has a magical daughter, Paige, but Paige's father nearly destroyed Abby's spirit.

Now fate has thrown Rick and Abby together again. In their early thirties, they are more world-weary than they were as kids. But their relationship still shimmers, and they're hungry to make up for lost time. However, Paige, now nine, is not nearly as enthusiastic. She's very protective of the life she's made with her mother and not open to the duo becoming a trio. Meanwhile, Rick has very little experience dealing with kids and doesn't know how to handle Paige. This leaves Abby caught between the two people who matter the most to her. What happens when the life you've dreamed of remains just inches from your grasp?

I've interviewed Steven Manchester in the past at The Book Connection, and I've also reviewed a first chapter of one of his books. This time, I am reviewing the whole thing. It sounds like a great book.

I'm scheduled to review this one in a couple of weeks. Hopefully I can finish it before I need to post.

As a straight-A student with a budding romance and loyal best friend, M.T.’s life seems as apple-pie American as her blondish hair and pale skin. But M.T. hides two facts to the contrary: her full name of Monserrat Thalia and her status as an undocumented immigrant.

But it’s harder to hide now that M.T.’s a senior. Her school’s National Honor Society wants her to plan their trip abroad, her best friend won’t stop bugging her to get her driver’s license, and all everyone talks about is where they want to go to college. M.T. is pretty sure she can’t go to college, and with high school ending and her family life unraveling, she’s staring down a future that just seems empty. In the end, M.T. will need to trust herself and others to stake a claim in the life that she wants.

Author Maria E. Andreu draws from her personal experience as a (formerly) undocumented immigrant to explore an issue that affects over one million children in the U.S. But while the subject matter is timely, it is M.T.’s sharp, darkly funny voice and longing for a future that makes this story universally poignant.

This is a book I'll be reviewing here at The Busy Mom's Daily.

Every parent wants the golden key to raising well-behaved, academically gifted, successful, happy children. Embedded in the collective psyche is the notion that discipline is the cornerstone to achieving these goals. Out of Control offers a never-before-published perspective on why the entire premise of discipline is flawed. Dr. Shefali Tsabary reveals how discipline is a major cause of generations of dysfunction. The author goes to the heart of the problems parents have with children, challenging society’s dependence on discipline, daring readers to let go of fear-based ideologies and replace them with an approach that draws parent and child together. The key is ongoing meaningful connection between parent and child, free from threats, deprivation, punishment, and timeouts — all forms of manipulation. Parents learn how to enter into deep communion with their children, understanding the reasons for a behavior and how to bring out the best in the child. Far from a laissez-faire, anything goes, approach, this is how a child learns responsibility and takes ownership of their life, equipped with character and resilience that flow naturally from within.

I was a good girl and didn't download any free books last week.

What was in your mailbox?

Young Adult Giveaway Hop at Tribute Books Reviews & Giveaways

BLOG TITLE: Tribute Books Reviews & Giveaways

GIVEAWAY ITEM: The two latest young adult ebook releases from Tribute Books: Until Next Time by Amy Lignor and The Priest and The Peaches by Larry Peterson.

GIVEAWAY RESTRICTIONS: None

GIVEAWAY DATES: January 27 - 31, 2012

GIVEAWAY LINK: http://tributebooksreviews.blogspot.com/2012/01/young-adult-giveaway-hop.html

Author Interview: Ginger Simpson, Author of Shortcomings

Joining us today is Ginger Simpson, author of Tender Return, Sarah's Journey, Odessa, and the upcoming YA novel, Shortcomings. We'll talk to Ginger today about her childhood, her writing, and what the future holds.

Welcome to our little home in the blogosphere, Ginger. It's great to have you with us. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I retired from the University of California in 2003 in order to devote more time to my writing. I'm multi-published with several small houses and have decided to bloom where I'm planted rather than seeking a contract with a bigger house. My grandson, Spencer, is autistic, and has been the biggest inspiration in my life. Watching him develop and improve has shown me that with perseverance, most hurdles aren’t all that tall.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in a small town in California called Sunnymead. When my family moved there it was just a little hole in the wall that the main hwy ran through on the way to Arizona. Now it’s a booming metropolis known as Moreno Valley, and I went back for a visit recently and nothing looked familiar…even the old homes where I used to live.

What is your fondest childhood memory?

All of my fondest memories center on Christmas and my father. He was Jewish, and although he didn’t believe in the “reason for the season,” he was a bigger kid than the four he had. Every year we vowed to open our presents on Christmas morning, and every Christmas Eve he would suggest we open just ONE. It wasn’t long before we were sitting in a mass of paper and bows, having failed once again to be patient. *smile*

When did you begin writing?

I have always like writing, even if only business letters at work or Christmas letters to family. I loved working in Graduate Studies at the university because it gave me an opportunity to develop forms, publications, presentations, and show off my strengths.


Do you write during the day, at night or whenever you can sneak a few moments?


I do my best writing at night, mainly because I’m a night person. I can only write when my character is yakking, so I’m sort of at the mercy of those voices in my head.

 

What is this book about?


Shortcomings is my first attempt at the YA genre. The story is about a young HS girl who is born with a deformity that rules her life and outlook.



What inspired you to write it?


I’m inspired by the characters in my head. Cindy showed up one day with a story to tell, and I wanted to hear it.

 Who is your biggest supporter?

My husband, Kelly.


Are you a member of a critique group? If no, who provides feedback on your work?


Yes, I totally believe in “the more eyes, the better.” My friends in the historical fiction critique group on yahoo have been most helpful and instrumental in helping me strengthen my stories. Even when my WIP is not historical, I have a few friends from the group with whom I exchange chapters via email.

Do you have an agent or are you looking for one?


If I was thirty or so, I would probably seek an agent, but I started writing for the love of it, and I’m sixty-five, so everything I accomplish on my own is a big reason for celebration. I don’t mean to be maudlin, but one never knows how long they have in this world. The competition is too keen for this old bird, and I know I can write. I’ve only received a few rejections, so that’s a good indicator.

Was the road to publication smooth sailing or a bumpy ride?


Bumpy, but only because I was a novice and didn’t do my homework. I recently held a workshop at the Muse Online Conference entitled, The Pitfalls of Publishing. I’ve had three really rotten experiences, working on the forth but keeping low. If you learn something from the experience though, it wasn’t a total loss. I just urge everyone to at least Google your proposed target house.


Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?

Shortcomings will be released by MuseItUpPublishing in March. You can keep an eye on my author's page for news of this release and the other books I have under contract with them.

 Do you have a website and/or blog where readers can find out more?

You can find me all my videos, book covers, and blurbs on my newly-designed website at http://www.gingersimpson.com/ I also blog at http://mizging.blogspot.com/.

What is up next for you?

I have several books under contract with MuseItUp Publishing that will be coming out this year. Also coming in 2011 is my novel, The Locket, which will be published by Eternal Press.


Is there anything you would like to add?


Thank you, Cheryl, for allowing me time and space on your blog.

Thanks for spending time with us today, Ginger. We wish you continued success.

 

Special Holiday Feature: A Texas Christmas by Beverly Stowe McClure

SPECIAL HOLIDAY FEATURE

"A Texas Christmas" by Beverly Stowe McClure, author of Just Breeze

On December 22, 2005, my husband had a heart attack and complications. We celebrated that Christmas in the hospital. He didn’t hear the carolers as they strolled down the hallway singing Christmas songs. He didn’t see the visitors who came to call. He wasn’t even aware it was Christmas.

The next year, we made Christmas special. Except for one daughter-in-law who was ill and was missed very much, our whole family came to share in a Texas Christmas. We had a houseful, including our eldest son, Rex, from South Carolina. (His wife, Kristina, had to stay home.) Our middle son, Scott, and Ann, his stepdaughters Briana and Kylie, live next door which is wonderful. And our youngest son, Kelly, wife Amy, and children Shawn, Scottie, and Katie drove from California. Rex’s daughters, Amanda, Courtney, and Felicity, along with their mother, Anna, were here. Amanda is married, so she brought her hubby, Paul, and children, Riley, Paige, and Henry. And of course, there was Jack and me. As you can see we had a houseful. Best of all, Jack was alive and well.

The younger grandkids decorated the Christmas tree. It was unique, the bottom half overloaded with ceramic mice, icicles, candy canes, keepsake decorations my students gave to me throughout the years I taught, and my own sons’ creations. The top half was sort of bare, except for what the older girls and I added since we were the only ones who could reach that high. The angel on the top added the finishing touch. All of us being together made it perfect, and I have a video for the memories.

Since everyone was together for the first and possibly only time since everyone lived so far apart, we decided to have a family photo taken. Finding a photographer that was working during the holidays was almost impossible. I did finally locate a sweet lady who was intrigued about doing a photo shoot for such a large family, something she’d never done before. Her photographs on the Internet were gorgeous, so we made the appointment. Even with a wiggly baby, a boy who hates having his picture taken, and a sick boy, the photographer did a marvelous job. The photos now hang on my wall as a reminder of that lovely Christmas when we shared the joy of the birth of Christ Jesus and our good health.

To me, family and Jesus are what Christmas is all about.



Beverly S. McClure started her writing career early—though she approached it kicking and screaming—when her eighth-grade teacher sent her poem “Stars” to a high school anthology and it was published in Young America Sings. She graduated from Midwestern State University and became a teacher. As soon as she discovered Dr. Seuss and other great children’s stories, she willingly put pen to paper and had stories and articles published in Ladybug, Focus on the Family Clubhouse Jr., U. S. Kids, Jack and Jill and other leading children’s magazines, including an article that was reprinted in a Scott Foresman Pre-K anthology and a breakout article that appeared in the June 2007 issue of Writer magazine.

A multi-published author, Beverly’s Listen to the Ghost, Secrets I Have Kept and Rebel in Blue Jeans are available in trade paperback. Her latest book is Just Breeze, and she has four more books under contract. A member of the National Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and their North Texas Chapter, Beverly is the mother of three grown boys and lives in the country with her husband, Jack, where an occasional deer, skunk, or armadillo come to visit.

Visit Beverly at http://beverlystowemcclure.wordpress.com

First Night, being a Walking Tour with Alex and Jackie by Tom Weston

Our special guest today is Tom Weston, author of First Night.

Alexandra O'Rourke, aged 16, is not a happy camper. It's New Year's Eve. She should be partying in San Diego with her friends, but instead she is stuck in Boston, with just her younger sister, Jackie, for company. As if that wasn't bad enough, she is being haunted by Sarah, the ghost of a seventeenth century Puritan. Oh, and there is the small matter of the charge of witchcraft to be sorted out.

Armed only with big shiny buttons and a helping of Boston Cream Pie, the sisters set out to restore the Natural Order. Can Alex solve the mystery of the Devil's Book? Can Jackie help Sarah beat the sorcery rap? And can they do it before the fireworks display at midnight? Because this is First Night - and this is an Alex and Jackie Adventure.

Having lived all my life in Massachusetts and having been to Boston multiple times for field trips and sporting events, I asked Tom to discuss some of the landmarks and familiar areas readers will find in First Night.

First Night, being a Walking Tour with Alex and Jackie
by Tom Weston

While First Night is a fantasy, I wanted to set the story in as real a world as possible. Cue Boston - although it would be more accurate to describe Boston on New Year's Eve as surreal.

Part of my aim was to feature Boston as a character in the book. So I dropped a great deal of ink on the history of the city. There are more than 70 landmarks referenced, many of them in detail.

I have to admit, I did worry if all this history throughout the novel would detract from its pace, but I have been gratified by the reactions of the readers: from Bostonians (of both the ‘I-never-knew-that-existed’ and the ‘been- there-done-that’ variety) to out-of-towners, who have been kind enough to write me that the book has made them want to visit the city and follow in Alex and Jackie’s footsteps.

And the good news is: many of the landmarks featured in the book (except, of course, for the ghostly Court of Spirits) are within walking distance of each other. Indeed several of them form part of Boston’s famous Freedom Trail. In the story, Alex and Jackie manage to visit all of these sites in just one day. While this is technically possible (I know, I did it), to do so comes at the expense of a great deal of enjoyment and discovery. So if you visit Boston, I would suggest that you employ a more leisurely pace than that used by the girls.

I have been accused of favoritism in my selections. Indeed I left out so many worthy attractions that I could fill several Alex and Jackie sequels. But I hope that the reader will agree that I chose based on history and connection to the story, not because of personal preference. That said, if I had to highlight any particular landmarks of those featured in First Night, I would choose the following:

The first is the Granary Burying Ground: where the real child, Sarah Pemberton, was laid to rest in 1688. I won’t say where exactly - go and discover. It may seem macabre to list a graveyard as your number one tourist attraction, but the history of Boston (and America) stems from the people buried here, and it contains many names that will already be familiar to you. And this is where the story of First Night had its genesis, during a visit one earlier New Year's Eve. Before I put pen to paper, I knew that this would be where the story began and ended.

The second is the Old South Meeting House: another Boston gem that I discovered one New Year's Eve (thank God for those buttons). Small, sparse and unassuming – a cathedral it isn’t. But with its little museum dedicated to revolution, democracy and civil rights, it is both humbling and inspirational at the same time. That this also turned out to be Sarah’s church was a happy coincidence.

So if you find yourself in Boston, grab a map from the Visitor Center and follow the Freedom Trail, and don’t forget to say hello to Sarah.

Originally from England, Tom now hangs his hat in Boston, Massachusetts; with occasional spells in such faraway places as London and Luxembourg. Tom has a degree in Computer Science, and he claims to speak three languages: English, American, and Visual Basic. Before turning his hand to fiction, Tom had a successful career as the CEO of a systems consulting company, conference speaker, and writer of industry articles and business books.

As well as the novel, First Night, Tom has also written the screenplay, Fission, based on the true story of scientist, Lise Meitner, and the race for the atomic bomb. While Fission has yet to find a home in Hollywood, it garnered enough critical acclaim, including being named as a finalist at the London Independent Film Festival, that Tom was encouraged to keep on writing, resulting in his latest work which is, of course, First Night.

You find Tom online at www.tom-weston.com.