Someone Else’s Love Story by Joshilyn Jackson

Photo Credit: Goodreads

What’s that sound you hear? Yep, it’s people rejoicing over the fact that Joshilyn Jackson has released a new book! I’ll admit that I’m a late-comer to the Joshilyn Jackson- love fest (I’m nothing if not honest!) For me, ole JJ had not even been on my radar till Deep South Magazine put A Grown Up Kind of Pretty on their Reading List back in winter 2011. The cover just called out to me (can you tell me the cover wouldn’t call out to you?!) and lucky for me, I found out she was going to be at TurnRow & I could get my book signed. So I did (here is where I met the incredible JJ)

But enough about a Joshilyn Jackson love fest- the point of today’s post is the review of Someone Else’s Love Story!

Someone Else’s Love Story by Joshilyn Jackson

Shandi is 21. Shandi is not like most 21 year old girls, though- yes, she goes to college, yes, she is finding herself. But Shandi has a child- and she’s making her life better for him- while also learning some hard lessons of growing up. Life has taken a funny twist for Shandi- a twist that was not spelled out for some pages- kind of danced around. However, this twist gave Shandi (and the readers Natty) and it gave Shandi a reason to face reality. To face life and truth. Life is not quite finished with Shandi, though.

One day, as Shandi, Natty and Walcott are heading to the big city of Atlanta- they stop at a gas station. Just an ordinary, average, run of the mill gas station. After Shandi and Natty are inside and Shandi is eyeing this man- this man of Greek god proportions- another man walks in. A man that most would not pay a lick of attention. Except.. This man is holding a gun. What happens next in the Circle K twists and turns Shandi’s life- and unites William (the man of Greek god proportions) and Shandi in ways that are life-altering.

William Ashe, besides being of Greek god proportions, besides being a genius- is also autistic. High-functioning- but certain circumstances throw him. He also has a different way of looking at life- partly because of his autism, partly because of past circumstances.

William and Shandi’s time in the Circle K may not have been long- but that day- events were set in motion. Seeds were planted. And because of that, because of a day of fear- previous happenings in life start to take on a crystal clear glow. What William and Shandi do next, do with the knowledge that is afforded them- is part of their true destiny. Someone Else’s Love Story tells the story- with charm, with laughter, with tears and understanding.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

Someone Else’s Love Story– is it a love story? An examination of faith and science- how they exist separately & yet co-exist together? A story of righting past wrongs and moving to a new understanding? Truth is……It’s all that. And so much more. Joshilyn Jackson takes 2 characters, characters that had nothing in common except being at Circle K at the same time- and writes a story that is thought proving, heartwarming and intensely filled with love- love for all her characters.

Recommended.

*This book was provided by William Morrow to members of She Reads Blog Network in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

Literary Friday ya’ll……

Literary Friday…. The best day of the week (am I right? I so am, right?) This Literary Friday has a bit of a magical feel to me (even more than normal) because Christmas Day is just right around the corner. And the stockings were hung by the fireplace with care- and all that jazz!

1. Deep South Magazine and #literaryfriday: Stories from Kimberly Brock and Ann Hite, 15 Best Covers of 2013, and some Key West news. Plus, much more!

2. Giveaways at Traveling With T: 2 Year Bloggy Anniversary Giveaway, Blade to the Keep by Lauren Dane e-book giveaway, Turn Up The Heat by Lori Foster, Victoria Dahl, and Christie Ridgway, and Thought I Knew You by Kate Moretti giveaway!

3. Remember when Traveling With T went to Louisiana Book Festival in November and how I was going to post all about it? Well- I finally did! Here is the recap- the fun I had, hanging out with Deep South Magazine and Rita Leganski, and how THE HUNK changed my life.

4.Bloggers Made of AWESOME is back this week- with Ashley @ Closed The Cover- a woman who is a social media machine (with a heart of gold!)

5. What are your #FridayReads? I just finished KIND OF CRUEL by Sophie Hannah. And I’m so disappointed. It had such promise- but for me, I did not care for it. Did anyone else read & LOVE it? If so, chime in & let’s talk books! Other reads: THE PIECES WE KEEP by Kristina McMorris (Loving it!)

6. Have you been noticing some of the changes to Traveling With T? I hope so 🙂 Been tweaking my blog (not to be confused with Twerking!)

7. 2014 is going to bring some new features to Traveling With T & an announcement or 2 🙂 Get your party hats on!

Louisiana Book Festival 2013

The Louisiana Book Festival was an incredible weekend in November! In Baton Rouge, just a hop, skip and a jump from my small town in Mississippi, the festival weekend was nice- not hot and def not cold! It was sunny skies and beautiful weather!

My friend Erin of Deep South Magazine invited me to come for the weekend and hang out with her. Erin was a lucky duck that weekend as she was getting to moderate 2 of the panels of author discussions (Rita Leganski of The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow fame and Shirley Ann Grau!)

I arrived Friday around lunch time- and after a quick call to the Hotel Indigo (shout out to them for helping a lost girl find the hotel!), pulled up to hotel, left my car with the valet and walked inside. Seriously, Hotel Indigo was nice. Located in the downtown area, near the MS River- and across the street from PJ’s Coffee– the Hotel Indigo was in a great location with a polite staff! Erin arrived shortly after I made it to the hotel, and after a quick check in, we went to our hotel room and then left the hotel to find a bite to eat. Went to a nearby restaurant where we had this great lunch (grilled shrimp wraps!) and then stopped by PJ’s Coffee to get an afternoon pick me up. Sat outside and chatted, soaking up the sun and taking care of some social media business- then we walked down to the MS River, looked around and began a walking tour of the downtown area.

After walking around the downtown area- we decided to head back to the hotel and hang out for a bit before going to Tsunami for a pre-party drink, then heading to the Louisiana Book Festival Author Party. At Tsunami, we sat on the rooftop (incredible view of the MS River!) and chatted about different books we have been reading, places we wanted to travel and more! Erin convinced me to get The Hunk martini telling me it was so delicious (and she was right!) The Hunk is the perfect combo of sweet and delicious- and def is now my drink of choice for future visits to Baton Rouge.

That night, at the author party, as we walked in we saw Rita Leganski and her husband immediately and began chatting with them. In the lobby, there was a 3 piece band playing lively Louisiana music and there were book covers of the authors attending the festival decorating the area. Inside the library, there was food and wine being served- so we walked inside and had crawfish etouffee, catfish, shrimp, and other nibbles of food. When the party was over, me and Erin walked back to the hotel- where we considered having another drink at Tsunami, but seeing the rooftop was closed for a private party changed our mind. So, we went back to the hotel, discussed The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow for Erin’s discussion the next day and then turned in pretty early- since Saturday was busy!

Saturday, we arrived to the Capitol, had to go through security, and then made it to the author room a few minutes before the Rita Leganski discussion. When escorted to the correct room, Erin passed me her Iphone to take some pictures and video- and I became Deep South Magazine’s social media person- tweeting, videoing, Instagram-ing, and taking picture with my own camera as well! Listening to Rita talk about her love for the South, how Bonaventure Arrow came about and Rita’s incredible story of going to college in her adult years was something else! Rita is incredible- and if you ever get the opportunity- def go meet her! We quickly rushed to the room for the Shirley Ann Grau event- where I again took on Deep South’s social media accounts. Not being familiar with Shirley’s work- I wasn’t sure what to expect- but she was entertaining and memorable. Listening to her stories about her books, her life, and more was so worth it!

Once Erin finished her commitments, we just walked around, took pictures- went to see Kit Wohl cook Popeye’s Gumbo, and had lunch. All in all, we had a fantastic time- and I will def be wanting to go back to Louisiana Book Festival! Here is the recap of the weekend from Deep South Magazine (with a link to the video of Erin and Shirley Ann Grau).

Rita Leganski, me, and Erin

Erin and I at the Louisiana Book Festival Author Party

I HIGHLY recommend attending the Louisiana Book Festival if you ever get a chance.

Giveaway: Blade to the Keep by Lauren Dane

Photo Credit: Harlequin

Another Harlequin sponsored giveaway! Look at this cover- I’ve got to admit, I really like it (I think it’s the green and pink!)

This giveaway is open to US/Canada folks- and it’s only in e-book format.

Here is the synopsis from Harlequin about Blade to the Keep by Lauren Dane:

Canny and ferocious, with the power of an ancient Goddess in her belly, Rowan Summerwaite is the only person who can renegotiate the fragile Treaty between the Vampire Nation and the Hunter Corporation, the last line of defense for humanity. A meeting of this Joint Tribunal, as well as her new status as Liaison, sends Rowan straight to the last place on earth she wants to be, the childhood home she’d escaped so many years before—The First’s Keep.

Raised at the knee of The First—the oldest Vampire and leader of the Vampire Nation—honed into a weapon by the Hunter Corporation, wielding ancient knowledge from the Goddess within, Rowan must navigate bloodthirsty Vampires and Hunters alike. And she’s got to do it while managing a politically awkward but undeniably deepened romance with Scion Clive Stewart. Failure in her role as Liaison could mean all-out war, with humankind in the crosshairs. No pressure.

Walking the path between her two lives has already made Rowan a pariah. The choices she’ll have to make will mean she becomes something even more Other and as a result she may lose those last shreds of home she has left.

Giveaway details: Comment on this post for a chance to win. Please leave your email (you may use the AT and DOT). Giveaway is open to US/Canada only. Note: This book is in e-book format only. Giveaway begin December 19th- December 31st. Winner will be notified January 1.

If you just found my blog, consider giving me a “like” on Facebook or following me via Bloglovin.

Bloggers Made Of AWESOME: Ashley @ Closed The Cover

I heard about Closed The Cover from a fellow blogger that I sing the praises of regularly (Hi Rebecca @ Love At First Book!) and after emailing Ashley- I fell in love with her straight-forward, no-nosense ways. I’ve participated in SEVERAL tours with different tour groups and fellow bloggers- and while I wouldn’t say I have a favorite- I do like when a blog tour coordinator makes you feel welcome and appreciated- which Ashley does in SPADES. She tweets and uses Facebook to support her tours- not only for the authors, but for the bloggers that are participating. Ashley is BIG PICTURE person- she doesn’t just think about next week- she’s got plans for next year!

Bloggers Made of AWESOME: Ashley @ Closed The Cover

Ashley- when did you begin blogging?

When did I begin book blogging or when I did I begin blogging? I began blogging in general in 2007 on a general WordPress blog about anything and everything. Eventually I realized my poor beloved husband was becoming bored to tears with my constant chatter about books and I decided to create a book blog. Now I talk a little and blog a lot about books! I started book blogging in 2010 but didn’t begin blogging as Closed the Cover until the end of 2011.

How did you come up with the name Closed The Cover?

It was tough. I wanted a blog name that associated with books but I wanted to avoid a lot of the commonly used words and phrases. A quick Google search told me there were a lot of book blogs using the words “bookworm, book, novel” and the term “avid reader” so I wanted something different. One night my husband said to me, “Have you ever realized that when you finish a book you don’t close the cover, you slam it?” I opened the book back up and gently closed it then said, “There. I “closed” the cover.” The light bulb went off and my blog name was born! It also seems fitting to me since I do talk about books after I’ve “closed the cover.”

What are your thoughts on blogging today in an ever-changing book-ish world? Are blogs helping other readers connect with good books?

I definitely thing blogs help readers connect with good books. It’s funny because I follow a few bloggers that I never agree with on books. I actually watch their blog for books they criticize and then I pick those books up because I know I’ll love them. Different people love different things, you know? There’s actually a blogger I follow who I seem to always agree with on books. I’ve picked up books I would have never looked twice at after reading that he liked it.

When you are not blogging (or reading!)- what do you like to do?

Surprise! I’m also a martial artist. 🙂 I’ve earned up to my 2nd degree brown belt in Okinawan Kenpo Karate and I’m a trained staff fighter. I fight with a 5” burned bamboo bo staff. I’ve been doing it now for about 11 years. No one would ever think it of me when they meet me or talk to me but other than reading it’s probably my greatest love (not including my husband or puppies of course).

Do you have any #literaryconfessions?

Great Expectations is the only Charles Dickens novel I have ever read. Isn’t that shameful? I’ve never read any of his other works even though I know the stories. I can even quote lines from the books because they are so well-known but I’ve never actually sat and read them myself. Great Expectations is also one of my favorite novels which makes it even more surprising that I never pursued other Dickens’ novels.

Do you have a #literarycrush?

Actually, I don’t. I read so much history, historical fiction, memoirs, autobiographies and biographies that it’s hard for me to develop and literary crushes. I read a lot of WWII fiction and they discuss Nazi’s and German politicians. I just finished two books about the JFK assassination. I just read a lot of book that don’t really lend themselves to literary crushes or book boyfriends.

What books are you looking forward to reading in 2014?

ALL the books! I actually read a lot of indie authors and I have the tendency to just grab books on a whim. I never really know what is coming out when or what the next big anticipated release is so it’s hard for me to get excited about future books. Sometimes I discover a new book, love it, rave about it, then find it was published in 2010. It’s just how I read. I know I have a lot of books on my to-read list that I will get to in 2014 but the pile is about 3 dozen books deep and I’m too lazy right now to look through it. 🙂

What is a book (or 2!) that you’ve read and LOVED- but did not get positive reviews?

Hmm…I don’t know. It usually goes the other way for me. I usually find myself disappointed in a book but then look to find it has GREAT reviews from other people. I find myself feeling like, “What am I missing??” It happened to me with An American Bride in Kabul, Rise of the Governor and In the Company of Secrets.

In your opinion, what book has been the best book you have read (so far!) in 2013?

Ahhh! How can you choose?!!! ONE book? That’s mean. I can tell you a book I read and really loved was The Iranian Scorpion by William Peace. It’s a terrorism thriller and it seems that almost no one has heard of it. It’s really good. I also loved Of Blood and Brothers: Book One by E. Michael Helms. It’s a Civil War fiction and I love war fiction! On another note, I just finished I Am Malala about the girl who was shot by the Taliban in Pakistan for standing up for the right for girls’ education. It’s a pretty great book too.

You have a beach vacation planned. What are the 3 books that you must bring?

Well, I live near the beach so this is kind of a regular weekend for me. I like to read light-hearted books on the beach – ones that aren’t going to be heavy or complicated. If I could choose three right now I would take A Spear of Summer Grass by Deanna Raybourn which I loved and two books from my to-read list: Beyond Belief: Finding the Strength to Come Back (it’s about the baseball player Josh Hamilton) and Beyond the Western Sun by Kristina Circelli.

Are you an e-book or tree book lover? Or does it not matter?

It doesn’t matter. I don’t take my iPad to the beach so I prefer tree books for outdoor reading and eBooks for indoor reading. I donate a lot of the paperback books I receive through Closed the Cover to the Friends of the Library program here locally which supplies youth programs, prison books, women’s shelters and homes for the elderly. Since I can’t donate eBooks I require a $5 donation to the literacy Room to Read for any eBook submissions to Closed the Cover. As far as my reading goes, I can read either one and enjoy it. I have no preference.

How do you find other blogs to read? Recommendations of other bloggers?

I meet a lot of other bloggers on Twitter. I also will Google for reviews of books I’ve enjoyed and then follow the blogs I find that also enjoyed that book.

Closed The Cover organizes blog tours for authors. Do you have tips or recommendations for other bloggers who might be interested in one day being a blog tour organizer?

It’s a lot of fun but it’s a lot of hard work if you want to do it right. For one, it’s important to remember that the tour is about the author and the book not about you as the blogger or organizer. I hate when I see tour posts that emphasize the blogger who organized it more than the book itself. I’ll see banners and buttons for the organizer but only a small book cover for the book itself. I find that frustrating. I put special emphasis on making sure that the book and the author take priority. I also never restrict the number of stops on a tour. The goal is to get the most exposure possible. All I could tell someone who wanted to organize tours is this: Be organized. Be honest. Be fair. Remember – this is about promoting books not about promoting yourself.

What is a book that you’ve wanted to read, but just haven’t found the time?

I’ve wanted to read the entire Dexter series by Jeff Lindsay. There are about 7 books in the series which is a big time commitment. I’ve read the first one but I haven’t had time to read the others yet.

Want to connect with Ashley @ Closed The Cover? Visit her website, Twitter and Facebook.

Tuesday Mashup….

Tuesday Mashup

Giveaways:

1. Doing Dewey just celebrated her 2 year bloggy anniversary ( yay Katie!) and she’s having a giveaway- an indie giveaway!

2. Traveling With T (that’s me!) also just celebrated a 2 year bloggy anniversary (thank you, thank you!) Here is my 2 year bloggy giveaway (Morning Glory, The Returned, Topped Chef, Murder of a Stacked Librarian, The Goldfinch, Read it and Weep, and Someone Else’s Love Story- SELS is signed!)

3. Other giveaways that Traveling With T is having: Once We Were Brothers– a gripping story about the Holocaust and life after. It’s a mystery/historical fiction. Another giveaway- Turn Up The Heat– a collection of stories by Lori Foster, Christie Ridgway, and Victoria Dahl.

4. I Am A Reader is giving away a 5 star book (you get to choose the book from a collection of books she thought was 5 star worthy!)

5. Closed The Cover is giving away 2 copies of The Brim Reaper (AUTOGRAPHED!)

6. Book-alicious Mama is giving away her favorite things- each item is something that J uses in real life or a business she likes to support.

Other Bloggy News

7. Love at First Book is having it’s weekly Linky Love Party! Link up your best post- ALWAYS a ton of great links!

8. The Book Wheel has posted 9, count ’em, 9 WAYS to help spread the word about your website. Without using the internet. Yep.

9. Ivory Owl Reviews listed her picks for Best Books of 2013- Rhiannon has GREAT taste- so check out her list and see if any of her picks line up with your picks!

10. Traveling With T has some bloggy good news ( to be unveiled soon!)

Guest Post: Perfect Beginnings by Kate Moretti, author of Thought I Knew You

Photo Credit: Red Adept Publishing

Today, Kate Moretti, author of Thought I Knew You stops by Traveling With T. Kate wrote a guest post about opening lines (and I must say that I clapped my hands when I read it!) Somehow, when me and Kate were discussing the guest post and what her topic should be- she understood my general reference to “something book-ish” and made a guest post that is smart, funny, and charming!

But it’s not fair for me to talk about how much I love this guest post without showing you readers, right? So….. Here it is! Psst.. There is a giveaway (look at bottom for details!)

Perfect Beginnings by Kate Moretti

I’m a little obsessed with opening lines. Sometimes at a bookstore I’ll pick up ten or more novels, just to read the first sentences, before I even read the back copy. Stephen King has spoken about his affection for the first line and said, “An opening line should invite the reader to begin the story. It should say: Listen. Come in here. You want to know about this.” I’m with him. I immediately want to think: who are these people, what have they done or what has the world done to them? As a reader, anything is possible – characters haven’t disappointed me yet, the plot hasn’t gone awry, there’s a chance for pure enchantment.

As a writer, I keep a document of these single snatches that come to me when I’m driving, or showering, or other likely places where I have little hope of being able to write it down. Most of them involve a “he” or a “she” and mean absolutely nothing – there’s no story context, even in my mind. A shocking number of them involve someone’s moment of death, which may just be a nod to my preferred genre – the thriller. My favorite, but one I haven’t been able to cultivate a backstory to is: When Nick Montana was pushed in front of the speeding C train during rush hour he was holding a lottery ticket worth two hundred thousand dollars. Well, two hundred and eleven thousand dollars to be precise. I know this because after the medics came, and later the coroner, and the crowd stayed on, huddled and whispering as though they were being careful not to wake him, I slipped the ticket into my purse, without knowing its worth, and walked away. I have no idea who these people are, but one day I might figure it out. Either way, Nick Montana is a completely bad-ass name, so I’m really almost forced to write the whole story.

When I sat down to write Thought I Knew You, I had barely a germ of an idea. The first line came to me out of nowhere, like they frequently do, and I crafted the bulk of the story around it. Greg and Cody disappeared on the same day. When I typed it out, I had no idea who Greg or Cody was, other than that one of them would be the family dog and the other would be the narrator’s husband. Where did they go? Are they together? The first line holds its magic as a writer as well as a reader. Everything is still perfect, there are no plot holes or weak characterizations or overused words and it’s all just infinitely possible.

Do other people have this love of novel beginnings? There are classic first lines of course – Call me Ishmael, It was a dark and stormy night, It was the best of times, it was the worst of times – but for me there’s a thrill in opening a novel, whether it be well-known classic, a bestseller, or an undiscovered indie, and discovering a perfectly crafted, completely gripping first sentence. And as I sat to write this blog post I realized I had quite a few memorized. They’re from a wide range of genres, with varying popularity, but they’ve stuck in my mind, and maybe they aren’t universally great first lines, just that they spoke to me personally. Most of my favorites are macabre – moments of death and murder, but then again, that’s the central plot of a lot of my favorite books (and a topic for a different blog post!). Here are my top ten, in no particular order:

“If my father caught me he would cut my neck, so I just kept going.” – A Wolf at the Table, Augusten Burroughs
“Death is my beat.” –The Poet, Michael Connelly
“Last night, I dreamt I went to Manderley again.” – Rebecca, Daphne Du Maurier
“In that place, where they tore the nightshade and blackberry patches from their roots to make room for the Medallion City Golf Course, there was once a neighborhood. It stood in the hills above the valley town of Medallion and spread all the way to the river. It is called the suburbs now, but when black people lived there it was called the Bottom.” – Sula, Toni Morrison
“The terror, which would not end for another twenty-eight years – if it ever did end – began, so far as I know or can tell, with a boat made from a sheet of newspaper floating down a gutter swollen with rain.” – IT, Stephen King
“I’ve thought about suicide a lot lately. I’ve never taken it to the next step, never done anything about it, but I’ve spent hours pondering the hows. I think I’d like to leap from a tall building.” – Absent Children, Juli Townsend.
“I have a meanness inside me, real as an organ.” – Dark Places, Gillian Flynn
“Tap dancing child abuser. That’s what the Sunday New York Times from March 8, 1993, had called Vivi.” – The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Rebecca Wells.
“On the morning the last Lisbon daughter took her turn at suicide – it was Mary this time, and sleeping pills, like Therese – the two paramedics arrived at the house knowing exactly where the knife drawer was, and the gas oven, and the beam in the basement from which it was possible to tie a rope.” – The Virgin Suicides, Jeffry Eugenides.
“I am ninety. Or ninety-three. One or the other.” Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen. (I concede this is not an attention grabbing first line, for me, its more that I can see the main character instantly and it says so much about his personality with these three small sentences. So I love it.)

Did you add any to your TBR? What are some of your favorite opening lines?

Photo Credit: Red Adept Publishing

Kate Moretti lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, two kids, and a dog. She’s worked in the pharmaceutical industry for ten years as a scientist, and has been an avid fiction reader her entire life.

She enjoys traveling and cooking, although with two kids, a day job, and writing, she doesn’t get to do those things as much as she’d like.

Her lifelong dream is to buy an old house with a secret passageway.

Liked Kate’s guest post? Kate can be found: website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Giveaway Details: Kate has generously offered 1 print copy of Thought I Knew You (signed!) and 1 e-copy! The giveaway is open to US only. Giveaway begins December 17- December 29th. Winner will be notified by email December 30th. Comment on this post (easy-peasy!) While you do not have to- if you have been enjoying the content that Traveling With T has been providing- won’t you “like” me, maybe? 😉 “Like” me at Facebook!

Interview with Jean Erhardt, author of Small Town Trouble

Photo Credit: Author website

Today, I have Jean Erhardt at the blog today being interviewed about her book, Small Town Trouble. Jean’s book introduces readers to Kim Claypoole- an amateur sleuth who seems to have trouble following her everywhere!

Small Town Trouble synopsis (from Goodreads)

In Small Town Trouble, the first in my mystery series, you get acquainted with Kim Claypoole’s irreverent ways of dealing with the peculiar characters and events that seem to follow her around. Claypoole’s misadventures begin as she leaves her home in the Smoky Mountains to help save her kooky mother Evelyn’s from financial disaster. Setting off to assist Evelyn, AKA “The Other Scarlett O’Hara,” with her newest personal crisis, Claypoole leaves her Gatlinburg doublewide and the Little Pigeon, the restaurant that she owns with her partner and sometimes best friend Mad Ted Weber as well as a steamy love affair with TV diva Nancy Merit.

Claypoole’s savior complex leads to more trouble when she bumps into an old flame in her hometown who asks for help clearing her hapless brother of a recent murder charge. In true Claypoole fashion, she gets more than she bargained for when she gets dragged into a complicated quest to find the true killer that involves topless dancers, small-town cops, a stream of backwater character and even a meeting with the Grim Reaper. We’re never sure if Claypoole can muddle her way through the murky depths of this bizarre murder mystery before it’s too late. With biting humor and wit, Small Town Trouble will leave you guessing what’s around the next corner in the quirky world of Kim Claypoole and looking forward to her next adventure.

Interview with Jean Erhardt

Thank you so much for agreeing to be interviewed by Traveling With T!

Thank you, Tamara, for the opportunity and privilege to be here with you and your friends today.

Jean, could you describe Small Town Trouble in 20 words or less?

Small Town Trouble introduces amateur sleuth Kim Claypoole who confronts peculiar characters and deadly deeds with biting humor and moxie galore.

How did you create the character Kim Claypoole?

Claypoole basically invented herself.

If Small Town Trouble was made into a movie or TV show- do you have a dream cast in mind?

Actually, Small Town Trouble has been optioned for a movie by writer/director Mike Bizzarri who is in pursuit of funding as we speak. Any investors out there? I would love to see Ellen DeGeneres or Maria Bello as Claypoole. Maybe Diane Ladd or Sissy Spacek as Claypoole’s mother.

Do you have a routine for writing? A writing schedule? Is there a place that when you write there the ideas just seem to happen quicker?

I almost always start writing first thing in the morning. Sometimes very early morning and continue until I’ve reached a good stopping point. I generally write in my study at home, but I can write just about anywhere.

Does Kim Claypoole have a favorite book?

Claypoole is a Charles Portis fan. Portis is probably best known for writing True Grit which was made into the classic John Wayne film. Portis writes deadpan comedic novels and has a small, but devoted group of fans, many of them writers.

Most authors today don’t just write, they also use social media to connect with fans and to spread the news of their book’s release. Are you using social media to help create a fan base for your character Kim Claypoole?

For the longest time I refused to get involved with social media. But my sister Sara seemed to be having a lot of fun with Facebook, so I asked her to show me the ropes. Now, I’m practically an addict. I have a personal page, an author page and Kim Claypoole has her own fan club page.

Jean- when you are not writing your own books- who are some of your favorite authors to read?

I adore Kinky Friedman. I enjoy and greatly admire Robert B. Parker, John D. MacDonald, James Crumley, Joy Williams, Jim Harrison, Ann Beattie, Hunter S. Thompson, Lee Smith, Carolyn Forche, Rita Mae Brown, Stephen King, Armistead Maupin and (yes!) Charles Portis. Some of the writers I’ve more recently come to admire are Joyce Thompson, Mark Spencer, Josh Goldfaden, David Gates and Lily Gardner.

If Kim Claypoole could be best friends with a character from another book series- who would she pick? And why?

It would definitely be Kinky Friedman. Friedman’s mystery novels feature a fictionalized version of himself as, you guessed it, Kinky Friedman. He goes about solving crimes largely in New York City, dishing out wit, wisdom and charm along the way, not unlike Kim Claypoole. Claypoole and Kinky share similarly somewhat jaded, yet cautiously optimistic views of life, love and the human race in general. And they both enjoy a good cigar!

Photo Credit: Author Website

Liked Jean’s interview? Read more about Jean by visiting her website or Facebook page. And if you enjoyed Small Town Trouble, the next Kim Claypoole book will release in Spring 2014!

Giveaway: Turn Up The Heat (collection of stories by Lori Foster, Christie Ridway, & Victoria Dahl)

Photo Credit: Harlequin

Thanks to Harlequin Books ( yay for Harlequin!) I have a giveaway copy of Turn Up The Heat. It’s 3 different stories by Lori Foster, Christie Ridgway, and Victoria Dahl- and the cover looks pretty steamy.

Here is the synopsis from the book from Harlequin:

Love Won’t Wait by Lori Foster

Brendan “Brick” Carlisle is used to women falling at his feet, so shy waitress Merrily Loveland is a breath of fresh air—and an irresistible challenge. But before he can make his move, Merrily comes to him with an offer he can’t refuse. If only their “no-strings” pact didn’t leave him wanting so much more….

Beach House Beginnings by Christie Ridgway

She might have avoided Crescent Cove, California, for years, but no-nonsense Meg Alexander is confident she can handle a brief trip home. What she doesn’t count on is the spark of desire she feels for Caleb McCall. Can a weekend in paradise convince her to give love a second chance?

Strong Enough to Love by Victoria Dahl

Photographer Eve Hill had always told herself that sexy Brian Stewart was off-limits. But now he’s back in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Eve can’t resist their long-denied attraction. When the reality turns out to be hotter than the fantasy, Eve might end up getting more than she bargained for….

If this book sounds like your cup of tea- simply comment on this post for a chance to win! Giveaway is open to US/Canada only (sorry!) Giveaway runs from December 15th- December 27. Winner will be notified December 28th.

And if you like this giveaway- maybe you’ll “like” me on Facebook? Or follow me on Bloglovin?

Traveling With T turns 2! Happy Bloggy Anniversary/Birthday (+ GIVEAWAY!)

That’s right, folks- Traveling With T is turning 2! 2 years of bloggy goodness. Bloggy fun. Bloggy giveaways. And yes some days of being bloggy confused- wondering how to make buttons, what is SEO, do I REALLY need multiple forms of social media, and a million other things.

Has it been fun? Absolutely? Is it worthwhile? 100 percent. Is it all super fun, cupcakes with sparkles, unicorns and rainbows and glitter everywhere? NO. Some days blogging is hard work. But I LOVE it- and the good days outweigh the bad by a million percent.

So- to honor my 2 year bloggy anniversary- my bloggy birthday(I’m totally treating myself to a HUGE cupcake today- because I’ve totally earned it) I’m giving away a slew of books. A pile of books. Books, books, books, and hold on——— 2 of them are signed!! Yes, yes, yes- last Saturday (when the temperature was around 32 degrees- but felt like it was in the mid 20’s) I braved the cold and I got 2 books signed. For you, my darling readers!

Here’s the giveaway line-up:

Photo Credit: Goodreads

Yes. This is the signed book. YES (you are welcome!) But wait…. there is a bit more- I also bought the short story Joshilyn wrote- the story that accompanies SELS- MY OWN MIRACULOUS (which is also SIGNED!) The winner of this wins both- since they are a package deal!

Photo Credit: Goodreads

Sarah Jio’s latest. Seriously, you can thank me later. Here is the Goodreads summary (just in case seeing Sarah Jio’s name is not enough to say “Good golly, I NEED that!)

Photo Credit: Goodreads

This book caught quite a bit of attention. Several bloggers I know RAVED about this book. I have 2 copies of this book for you lucky readers! Here is the summary (just in case you aren’t aware of this book!)

Photo Credit: Goodreads

I LOVE cozy mysteries. I LOVE Jenn McKinlay. The Library Lover’s series is a great one- and this is the latest in the series! Here is the summary on Goodreads.

Photo Credit: Goodreads

Lucy Burdette’s latest- Topped Chef– is great. Fun. And Hayley is delightful (and might be finding a romance. Maybe. Possibly. We’ll see!) Here is the Goodreads summary.

Photo Credit: Goodreads

Denise Swanson’s latest. Another great cozy series. Here is the Goodreads summary.

Photo Credit: Goodreads

And lastly…. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. Note: This was a Kindle Daily Deal a week ago and I bought a copy as a “gift” for a lucky commenter. So you need to have a Kindle or Kindle app to read this book! Here is the Goodreads summary.

So, there you have it. My birthday- but you get the presents 🙂 🙂 It’s my way of saying “thank you” for sticking with me, for taking a chance and following my blog, for being a commenter, for retweeting- for all the things you do that make me want to wake up and blog, baby, blog for another day.

You, my dear readers, like me for who I am. And I thank you for that from the bottom of my heart.

Giveaway details:

The giveaways are US only. To win, comment and list the prizes in order of how much you want from 1 (I really want this!) to 7 (I’d be cool with winning this!) Giveaway begins December 14th and ends Dec 23rd.