Title: The Secret Me Book: A Journal to celebrate what makes you, you Author: Rachel Kempster and Meg Leder Pub Date: April 2012 Pages: 208 Publisher: Soourcebooks
Source: I recieved a copy of this book for review
About the book: Discover what makes you, you…
What makes you tick and hum? What quirks and habits are yours and yours alone? who do you wish you could be? who are you now?
The answers make up your “secret me,” your soul’s fingerprint.
Packed with creative and quirky prompts, ideas, and activities, The Secret Me Book gives you an inspiring way to get to know this core part of you.
Scribble thoughts, make lists, paste pictures, and doodle—all tapping into the real you.
What would you do if you won the lottery? Is there a movie that defines you? What’s your secret talent?
Here’s your secret me book—it’s time to celebrate what you’re made of.
I liked this book and I am sure anyone would love this book. It was like that book by Kerri Smith called Wreck This Journal. What I loved about the book was that it was guide with instructions on what to do but you didn’t have to follow it in order, you could do what you wanted and how you wanted.
This is one of those books that you can sit and do as much or as little as you want. I know for awhile it was in my purse and I would take it out while I was waiting for my son to come out of school or while he was on the ice at hockey practices.
There is all kinds of fun things to do with the book and I really enjoyed it. I love being creative and this was one place I was care free and don’t have to follow any rules and rack my brain for the answers.
I know the authors have another book out called The Happy Book that I will have to look into getting.
Thanks Sourcebooks for sending a copy to me.
copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.
Author: Ruth Kaiser Pub Date: March 2012 Publisher: Random House (Golden Books) Pages: 32
Source: I received a copy of this book for my participation in the WOW tour.
About the book: The Smiley Book of Colors contains verse written to get parents talking to their children about optimism, specifically about choosing happiness. The photo illustrations–arranged by color–are “Smileys” found hidden in fire trucks, flowers, clouds, even mommy’s latte. Although it is a children’s picture book, A Smiley Book of Colors is really for anyone who needs a burst of happiness in their day.
When I saw this book being advertised in an WOW email that I got I knew I wanted to read and review this for Cindy’s Love of Books. I knew my son would love this.
This book was super cute and I am sure it would delight the young and the old. Looking through this book you can’t help but smile.
I loved as soon as you opened the book you saw a bunch of photos and you basically had to guess what they were and funny enough what I thought they were, they weren’t. The answers were on the back and once you saw them you were like “yea that’s right”
The colors of the photos are very vivid and eye popping.
I loved that there was a little theme to the book and one that was quickly picked up by my son and that was to smile and look around you because one smile leads to another and that they are all around us if we just look we will see it.
The book is told in verse and its easy to read that I am sure kids will be reading it on their own. Michael read the book on his own with no problem. Plus there is smiley pictures to accompany the colored verse.
Thanks so much WOW for hosting the tour and to the author for sending me the book and stopping by for a Q&A with me today.
I will definitely be looking for copies of this book to share with the school and friends.
copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.
Title: The Smiley Book of Colors Author: Ruth Kaiser Publisher: Random House (Golden Books) Pages: 32 Pub Date: March 2012
About the book: The Smiley Book of Colors contains verse written to get parents talking to their children about optimism, specifically about choosing happiness. The photo illustrations–arranged by color–are “Smileys” found hidden in fire trucks, flowers, clouds, even mommy’s latte. Although it is a children’s picture book, A Smiley Book of Colors is really for anyone who needs a burst of happiness in their day.
I am super excited to be an the blog tour for The Smiley Book of Colors by Ruth Kaiser. Not only was I able to review the book (review to come later) but I got the chance to do a Q&A with Ruth. So please help me welcome Ruth to the blog.
Cindy: How did you become involved with Operation Smile?
Spontaneous Smiley started in 2008. By 2009 it was clear that a community of enthusiastic, happy people had grown up around the fun of finding Smiley Faces in everyday objects. It seemed like a “no brainer” to see if the community could connect with a charity. I looked around to find a charity where our focus of SMILING could align with their focus. Operation Smile was a perfect fit.
I had been seeing Smileys my whole life. Along came the digital camera. With it I could take a picture and crop it so that anyone could see the Smiley I was seeing. About this same time I discovered Facebook and posting my Smileys there was a perfect fit.
Cindy: After looking through The Smiley book of Colors I was amazed at how often a face would appear, are you still amazed when they pop up for you?
YES! Amazed and delighted. Having the Spontaneous Smiley concept in the back of your mind means that at least a couple times a day you get the gift of discovering a Smiley when you least expect it. It’s a wonderful tool for a happier life. It is also a gift that you can give to your child and to your friends. Tell them about SpontaneousSmiley.com and their world becomes a little happier!
Imagine how I felt driving down the road to work and seeing this Smiley Bush in front of this house! Joyous? Yes, joyous!
Cindy: Are you surprised at the photos that are sent to you?
Always. I am surprised on a couple of fronts. First when Smileys are uploaded with captions in a different language, I am delighted to think that people of all cultures are embracing the Smiley idea: Be porous, not Teflon! Soak up every wonderful, beautiful moment!
And then there’s the surprise that comes from Smileys found in an object I’d never thought to look at. It’s a moment of Discovery! I had that feeling when I first saw a Strawberry Smiley. Duh, strawberries are filled with Smileys!Doubt that it’s true? Do a little research! Slice up a basket of strawberries and you’re sure to find at least one!
Cindy: How can people get involved?
The absolute easiest way is to simply slow down in your daily life, enough to take in the incredible wonder that surrounds you. Looking at your world is a great way to pull yourself out of habitual reliving the past and worrying about the future! make a point of looking around, of looking for Smileys. They really are everywhere!
Cindy: Do you have any future projects/books in the work that you can share with us?
YES! I think of A SMILEY BOOK OF COLORS as a child’s book of optimism. I have written and am just about to send off to Random House (my publisher) A SMILEY BOOK OF NUMBERS, a child’s book of gratitude (as in count your blessings!).
Cindy: What made you decide to write The Smiley Book of Colors?
I’m a teacher. I always tell my students and parents that my curriculum is kindness. The Smiley Project is all about living in a happier, kinder way. I LOVE the idea of helping parents and children talk about choosing their behavior and outlook. It really is a choice. Let’s work together to help kids choose to live happily!
Thanks so much Ruth for taking the time out of your busy schedule to do this for me and my readers. I am looking forward to sharing this book in the library at my son’s school.
About the Author:
Ruth is proud to be a self-proclaimed, happy-go-lucky, cockeyed optimist! She is mom to three of the greatest kids ever who, even though they are all out in the world pretending to be grown-ups, will always be her babies. Ruth owns a small chain of preschools called TOT DROP where for 18 years she has been known and loved as “Teacher Ruth” by hundreds of preschoolers and their parents. To quote one of her mommies, “Everyone should have a ‘Teacher Ruth’ in their life!”
Although completely allergic to cats, she is also completely enamored with them. So Philbert, Noodle, Rooster, and Mr. Simon have the run of the house and Ruth sits on a plastic chair and washes her hands a hundred times a day.
Ruth studied art at the University of California at Berkeley, but really believes that everyone is an artist. With excitement she proclaims, “How cool is it that the Internet has given us all an avenue to share our art!”
Just one Smiley makes you a Smiley Captain! Not only will you brighten people’s day with your Smiley AND help raise money for Operation Smile, a non-profit organization that helps children with facial deformity receive the surgery they need, but you’ll be entered in a contest just for Ruth’s WOW friends to win a copy of The Smiley Book of Colors. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, April 17! Now grab your camera and start searching for Smileys!
Be sure to check out where Ruth has recently visited:
With every Smiley uploaded, the community of enthusiastic Smiley contributors donates $1 to Operation Smile. So far we’ve funded 17 surgeries, one Smiley at a time. You can help. Donate and help us keep the $1 a Smiley pledge alive!
Here in Canada we have smiletrain.org and recently Michael’s school raised $650 towards this fantastic organization and they were able to provide two kids with this much deserved operation. So this is something worth while. So if you happen to see a picture of a smiley while you are out and about please make sure you download it to http://spontaneoussmiley.com/shareyoursmileys.php every little bit helps.
copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.
Title: The Wedding Beat Author: Devan Sipher Publisher: New American Library (Penguin) Pages:256 Pub Date: April 2012
About the book: Sometimes the best man isn”t even in the wedding party…
Gavin Greene is a hopeless romantic. He”s also a professional one: he writes the wedding column for a Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper, covering spectacular parties from coast to coast. But there”s a thin line between being a hotshot reporter on assignment…and being a single guy alone on a Saturday night at someone else”s wedding.
Everything changes on New Year”s when Gavin meets Melinda, a travel writer with enchanting dimples. A moonlit stroll across a Manhattan rooftop seals the deal. Until an Aussie with attitude swoops in and whisks her away before Gavin gets her number.
Gavin crisscrosses New York City to find her again. And he learns that there”s something worse than losing the woman of his dreams: Having to write an article about her wedding.
I am excited to share this amazing book and author with you. I got asked to review this book and I loved the description given about the book that I quickly accepted it (please note my review will be posted later this morning) and I was lucky enough to do a Q&A with Devan Sipher which I was excited about. So please let me introduce you to Devan Sipher the author of The Wedding Beat.
Cindy: If The Wedding Beat was to be made into a movie, who could you see playing Gavin and Melinda?
In my mind, I see Paul Rudd or Jason Segel as Gavin. Melinda’s harder. As I wrote the book, I pictured Sarah Jessica Parker, but that’s because I’ve had a crush on her since I was about 12. If Emmy Rossum was older, she’d be ideal. And Anne Hathaway can do no wrong in my eyes – plus she’s got Melinda’s smile.
Cindy: Oh those are great choices. Although I could see Paul Rudd and Anne Hatheway being them. Having written about weddings for the New York Times, what was one of your absolute favorite weddings that you covered?
Weddings are like children. I try not to choose favorites. But one that stands out a bit from the rest took place in a candy store. The bride walked down an aisle lined with lollipop trees and wore a dress made of chocolate wrappers designed for Project Runway (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/26/fashion/weddings/26VOWS.html).
Cindy: That must have been an amazing wedding. You must see all kinds of weddings? How long was the writing process for The Wedding Beat?
I wrote the book in over the course of a year and a half, writing six days a week, 12 to 15 hours a day. I didn’t think it was possible to work more hours than I did at The New York Times, but I was wrong.
Cindy: What would be the one spot you would recommend a person see in NYC that is a hidden gem?
I recommend taking the Roosevelt Island tram. It’s a Swiss gondola that carries commuters from Manhattan to a small adjacent island. It also offers one of the most romantic views of the city, especially at night.
Cindy: I will have to look into that as it looks like a great way to see some of the city. What is the next writing project you’re working on?
I’m working on another romantic comedy for my publisher. I’m not supposed to say a lot about it, but I can say that it’s about a couple who make a lot of wrong turns on the way to finding each other. The tagline is “Sometimes love at first sight can take a lifetime.”
Cindy: Oh it sounds really good. I will have to keep my eye out for that. If you were to give Gavin a theme song what would it be and why?
There’s a song by the group Angels & Airwaves called “Everything’s Magic” that really was Gavin’s theme song as I wrote the book. The song has a strong, driving beat with lyrics that are life-affirming and hopeful. And that’s what I consider the essence of Gavin. The other song that comes to mind is much better known (and a bit corny). But I’d say Gavin’s theme song could also be “Don’t Stop Believin’.” Because he never does.
Cindy: I have never heard of Angels and Airwaves. They sound amazing and I love that song. As for Journey its not corny. Its one of my favorite songs of all time and this is where I have to admit that I had a little crush on Steve Perry. What inspired you to write The Wedding Beat?
For five years, I was a single guy writing the Vows wedding column for The New York Times. “Always a wedding columnist, never a groom” was how The New York Observer put it. I could either look at that as being depressing or the basis of a romantic comedy. I chose the latter. Or maybe it chose me.
copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.
Title: Rae of Hope (THE CHRONICLES OF KERRIGAN) Author: W. J. May Publisher: Mitchell Morris Publishing, Inc Pages 248 Pub Date: November 2011
About the Book
How hard do you have to shake a family tree to find out the truth about the past?
Fifteen-year-old Rae Kerrigan never questioned her family’s history. That is until she accepted a scholarship to Guilder Boarding School in England. Guilder is an exclusive, gifted school. Rae has no idea what she is getting herself into or that her family’s past is going to come back and taunt her.
She learns she is part of an unparalleled group of individuals who become inked with a unique tattoo (tatu) on their sixteenth birthday. The tatu enables them to have supernatural powers particular to the shape of their ink-art. Both of her parents where inked, though Rae never knew, as they passed away when she was young. Learning about her family’s past, her evil father and sacrificial mother, Rae needs to decide if there is a ray of hope in her own life.
The first thing that drew me in about this book is the beautiful cover. I love it and the second thing was the author. When I discovered that she was a Canadian writer I knew I had to read this one.
I loved the book and can’t wait for the sequel, DARK NEBULA to come out in August 2012. I will definitely be buying it and book three, HOUSE OF CARDS will come out in 2013.
I managed to read this in almost one day. It was a pretty quick read although for me it was a little longer only because I wasn’t able to download it onto my Kobo (because I am currently having issues with downloading books onto it) so I basically had to read this on the computer but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the book.
Rae is not your typical 15 year old girl. She has experienced more in her short life then anyone should. Her parents died in a horrific way leaving her an orphan at the age of 6. She is then sent to live with her aunt and uncle. For the past ten years she has been living in The United States.
Now shortly before turning 16 she is being whisked back to Britain to attend a very elite school called Guilder Boarding School. She has no idea why her aunt and uncle are sending her back but she is very apprehensive about going.
You can tell Rae is out of her element but quickly makes friends. One of them being her roommate, Molly. I have to say that I really liked Molly even though she was a little nosey for my liking. For me I kind of thought the friendship between both girls was like Anne of Green Gables, Diana and Anne. Kindred spirits.
Its not long before Molly tells Rae the real reason she is at Guilder along with everyone else. Rae will soon have special powers. Rae realizes that she was brought to the school for that reason alone. How will she handle all this when she finds out?
I would have loved to seen the tattoo that Rae got on her 16th birthday that magically appeared. It sounded amazing. Rae realizes that this tattoo holds so many secrets from her past (father). I think she was a little shocked and who could blame her.
This was were I got a little frustrated because everyone knew about Rae and her story except Rae. She had no idea what was going on and I felt for her because wouldn’t want to know this before everyone else did?
Of course no book would be complete without some love interests for Rae. I have to say that I loved Andy because I loved his interactions with Rae. He was very flirty and aggressive. I just loved him. (Its been awhile since I have gushed over a guy character.) As for Devon, I have to say he wasn’t my favorite. He reminded me of that bad boy we are warned about.
I am so happy that I got to read this book and I can’t wait to read the next one in the series. I am dying to know what happens next.
Thanks Bewitching Book Tours for allowing me to be on this tour.
copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.
I was lucky enough to get on the book tour for Rae of Hope by W.J May. Not only was this a great book but the author is Canadian. My review will be posted later this morning.
Title: Rae of Hope Author: W. J. May Publisher: Mitchell Morris Publishing, Inc Pages 248 Pub Date: November 2011
About the Book
How hard do you have to shake a family tree to find out the truth about the past?
Fifteen-year-old Rae Kerrigan never questioned her family’s history. That is until she accepted a scholarship to Guilder Boarding School in England. Guilder is an exclusive, gifted school. Rae has no idea what she is getting herself into or that her family’s past is going to come back and taunt her.
She learns she is part of an unparalleled group of individuals who become inked with a unique tattoo (tatu) on their sixteenth birthday. The tatu enables them to have supernatural powers particular to the shape of their ink-art. Both of her parents where inked, though Rae never knew, as they passed away when she was young. Learning about her family’s past, her evil father and sacrificial mother, Rae needs to decide if there is a ray of hope in her own life.
Please help me welcome M.J to Cindy’s Love of Books. I want to thank Bewitching Book Tours for arranging this and to M.J for taking the time out of her busy schedule to do this for me.
The Power of a Name
I love getting a new book and falling in love with the story. When an author is able to pull me in so deep I can’t stop reading, or thinking about the plot line or what’s going to happen. How about when you want to jump up and down and scream at the characters?
Speaking of characters, when we’re laughing or screaming at them (in our heads or aloud) one thing that matters, even when we don’t realize it, is that these guys need to have good names. Good, proper names which roll off the tongue smooth as butter.
What does it take to have power behind a name?
For myself as a writer, I want something that sounds good together – the first and last name so if someone were really mad, saying the entire name has some kick behind it.
The name has to match the characters personality… hmmm… or is that the personality has to make the character’s name?
There are also a few basic background need-to-knows. If the character is Irish, giving him (or her) a German name isn’t going to be smooth (like butter, it’ll be more like butter mixed with gravel – bumpy and not good on the tongue). Klaus VanLictenstien just doesn’t have an Irish ring like Kian McDowell.
Another writing hint I’ve been taught is to not have characters with similar names and another suggestion I’ve tried to follow is not having characters names that start with the same letter. It sounds a tad silly but really it does help readers avoid any confusion.
I’m going to use my first book in the Chronicles of Kerrigan as an example. There are a lot of characters throughout but some key names needed to stand out.
The main character, Rae Kerrigan, had her name decided before I even started the book. I had the title and name already picked out. I have a friend with a similar name with Irish background. I loved it as it had such a wonderful ring to it – the first and last name. Well, I changed it up a bit to make it Scottish. It rolls off the tongue (say it with me now, smooth as butter ) .
I got lucky with her name and her character was based on her name. She became the muse that created my entire storyline. Her friends, teachers, acquaintances were a bit harder.
Molly, Rae’s best buddy name came next. The name alone seems to represent fun and a little bit of trouble (maybe it’s from watching Molly Ringwald as a kid in all her teen movies).
Devon Wardell came along and I also originally had Dean Cardel. Except the two names sounded too similar so Cardell became Cartel and blurred into Carter (though in my drafts, I still sometimes write Cardel).
Julian, Devon’s buddy, has an artistic side, so to me he needed a name that had the same appeal.
And the character names going on and on… some are named based on the character, others became the characters based on their names.
I’d love to hear other writers (and readers) opinions on what makes a name strong. Where the power is behind a name, and how you create your characters name.
‘Cause in the end, a name is just a name that’s just a name, that’s in a name.
Can I let you in on a little secret? I’m terrible at remembering people’s names.
About The Author: Wanita May grew up in the fruit belt of Ontario – St.Catharines. Crazy-happy childhood, she always has had a vivid imagination and loads of energy.
The youngest of six — four older brothers, and sister — they taught her at a young age to be competitive in all aspects of life.
At sixteen, she began competing in athletics (track and field) and before she turned seventeen, she was representing Canada in high jump. She continued to compete, breaking Canada’s JR High Jump record (1.92m – 6′ 3 1/2″ for those metric-ly challenged). She attented University of Toronto, and Kansas State University – graduating with a BS degree in Kinesiology and beginning her Masters in Business.
She is currently married, and the mother of three adorable kids.
After her father passed away in 2009, from a six-year battle with cancer (which she still believes he won the fight against), she began to write again. A passion she’d loved for years, but realized life was too short to keep putting it off.
Her first book, Rae of Hope – from the Chronicles of Kerrigan – is available Nov 15, 2001 by Mitchell Morris Publishing. It is contracted as a four book series and available in print and ebook through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Smashwords and other online sites.
She is currently represented by Dawn Dowdle of Blue Ridge Literary Agency. Wanita is a writer of Young Adult, Fantasy Fiction and where ever else her little muses take her.
copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.
copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.
