Social Media & Opinions- should you always voice yours?

I’m opinionated. I have thoughts and opinions on many things- from books to more hot topic subjects- such as politics and lifestyles. Mama always told me 2 things “It was ok to have an opinion” and “To be careful of what you write- sometimes words can be used against you”. This advice, given years before my mama even knew that one day social media would be around, has probably been a rule that most people should consider, if not follow.

Famous people are known for putting their opinions out in the world of social media. Some of us like the opinions, some of us do not. Is there anything wrong with putting your opinion out there in the Twitter-verse? On the surface, no. I think everyone is entitled to their opinion- no matter how popular (or not it is)- but the Twitter-verse is not always the best place. Maybe because it’s 140 characters, maybe because it’s so easy to retweet, maybe because in a written word- you can’t tell tone, inflection or meaning always.

What if you aren’t “famous”? Perhaps you are, say, a new-ish author with a desire to be famous one day- and you’ve recently published a new book. A book that has a theme, or a character, or plot that might potentially rub some people the wrong way- what do you do then? Do you stand up for your book? Do you tweet your opinion on subject matter to your followers? Do you “be true to yourself”- no matter the outcome?

Recently I was sent a book for review- a book that I enjoyed. And wrote a positive review. I was pleased to see that the author tweeted about the positive review- and I tweeted “Thanks- enjoyed the book!” When the author tweeted me back, even though I simply had said “thanks- enjoyed the book” the author added some commentary, commentary that after reading the Twitter time-line, I realized this said author had been having some problems with people commenting about choices his characters made. What would you have done if you were the author- simply accepted the “thanks” or taken the opportunity to say thanks & voice opinion on social commentary?

When your job is to sell something- do you have to let the opinions of others slide off your back like water on a duck? Or, because you created something- something that you put your blood, sweat and tears into- does that obligate you to defend it to everyone?

What do you think?

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from Traveling With T

To the readers of Traveling With T,

Today is Christmas Day. Today, people and families will sit around, open gifts, enjoy family time, and then eat some good food! My sweet niece, Baby Owl, will be around- and that’ll make Christmas Day even more special.

As 2013 swiftly approaches an ending (and we welcome 2014 with open arms) I can’t help but feel a bit nostalgic. 2013 has been a big year for me personally- as well as Traveling With T. 2013 is the year of Baby Owl- finding out about her and then welcoming her to the family. I’ve lost some loved ones this year. Both my parents have been sick and had health concerns. I see an almost “circle of life” thing happening (I truly saw it the weekend that Baby Owl arrived as we found out about my grandfather dying just as we were getting a phone call that Baby Owl’s mother was being taken to the hospital.)

I look back over the year with fondness- I’ve done things I’m proud of. I’ve participated in events (fundraising for 3rd year for Blair Batson Hospital!) I’ve made friends, strengthened friendships. I’ve also re-evaluated some relationships with people- and realized that some people are not meant to be friendly with.

Each thing that happened this year- good or bad- had a reason. Do I understand everything? Not even. But I know everything happens for a reason.

For Traveling With T, it was a year of growth. Last year, at this time, I had 50 followers. As I write this, I have 260. I’m finding my niche. My blog is mine and it’s coming into it’s own, at it’s own pace. And, I’m mighty proud.

However, you spend today- I hope you are happy. Content. At peace with yourself and surroundings. And if you have a good book- well, that’s just even better.

Gifts for the Book Lover in Your Life: Week 3

Today is Christmas Eve. You still have that 1 book lover in your life that you haven’t gotten the great gift for. Today, Today, Today- I have 3 women’s fiction books that are sure to please. Or make laugh. Or even start a discussion.

3 women’s fiction books, 1 that could be considered more of a chick lt- but 3 books- that I read and enjoyed for various reasons during the 2013 year. Hopefully, you won’t need the recommendations! Here is Week 1 and Week 2 as well (just in case!)

Women’s Fiction:

The Life List by Lori Nelson Spielman

Photo Credit: Goodreads

I LOVED this book. Loved it. Cried and laughed- and related. Here is my review!

Big Girl Panties by Stephanie Evanovich

Photo Credit: Amazon

This book has many LOL moments. Mostly funny, sometimes over-the-top, even a nugget or 2 of life wisdom. This book is not a thinker book- it’s just a fun book- a way to laugh and enjoy a story. Here is my review!

The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty

Photo Credit: Amazon

The question: “Would you or Wouldn’t you?” haunted book clubs. Highly discussable. Here is my review.

What book would YOU buy for a friend?

The Edwin Drood Murders by Christopher Lord (A Dickens Junction Mystery)

Photo Credit: Goodreads

Are you a Droodist? If so, you have found a book that will entertain! Not a Droodist? Still in luck- folks- because the mystery holds appeal for lovers of Dickens or not.

The Edwin Drood Murders by Christopher Lord

The Droodists have arrived in Astoria. It’s a fun filled weekend festival designed for fans of Charles Dickens work. Maybe fans is too tame of a word to describe some of these characters, though, as they are quite educated and taken with the work of Dickens. Simon, one of the hosts of the weekend and owner of Pip’s Pages, is excited about the weekend. A weekend spent with fellow Droodists- oh my! The only wrinkle in the weekend that Simon can see is that he just asked his boyfriend, Zach, to move in with him- and Zach did not immediately agree to this. Simon, though, will soon learn that there will be plenty more wrinkles in the weekend than he could ever think.

What do you get when you combine a movie star, a blogger, scholars who have opposing opinions, a family friend and a man who claims to be named Edwin Drood? A recipe for disaster…. or murder. The conference starts out fairly well- with one scholar claiming to have absolute proof of the missing pages of Charles Dickens, The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Naturally this announcement has everyone in a-flutter; could it be after all these years that there is more to this story? Some, in the group, are a-flutter for reasons that are nefarious.

When a priceless ring and the potentially priceless artifact are missing, Simon knows there is trouble. Trouble increases ten-fold when a body is discovered. Simon must rely on his skills to help find the guilty party. Luckily for him, his partner, Zach, is also a reporter and agrees to help him- even though he is not as knowledgeable about Dickensian trivia as Simon.

Can Simon solve the mystery before anyone else is murdered? Will the potentially priceless artifact be found? And will Zach agree to move in with Simon? To find out the answers to all these and more- read The Edwin Drood Murders by Christopher Lord.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts

I have a confession: While familiar with A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, I must say that is the only work of his I am knowledgeable with. However, when the publicist contacted me about the possibility of reviewing The Edwin Drood Murders, I was intrigued- the cover, the story, the characters all had something that was calling to me. So, I let my lack of Dickens knowledge not bother me- and accepted this book.

If you are concerned you need to be a fan of Dickens to understand this book- you don’t! Next thing- this is the 2nd book in the A Dicken Junction Mystery– and while you may want to go read the first book, The Christmas Carol Murders– again, to enjoy Edwin Drood- not necessary!

The characters- oh my- the characters. A blogger who is mildly annoying at times- but who Christopher Lord manages to give a unique voice (and a current sounding voice with use of words like hawt) to is quite memorable. Each character has something that makes them unique and at the same time, a viable suspect in the nefarious acts. There are plenty of red herrings for the reader to examine and rule out.

The ending- when Simon gathers everyone together and reveals what he knows reminds me of those murder-mystery weekends you watch on TV (think Golden Girls or Saved By The Bell)- but I liked that. As the reader, you may have figured out a piece or 2- but it’s nice to have it all spelled out.

Recommended for fans of mystery, cozy mystery or just a good story!

*This book was provided to me by a publicist in exchange for a fair and honest review. The above thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

The Pieces We Keep by Kristina McMorris

Photo Credit: Goodreads

The Pieces We Keep by Kristina McMorris

Audra has not had an easy 2 years since her husband unexpectedly passed away. Raising Jack without him and still dealing with grief- Audra decides that what she and Jack needs is a fresh start. A brand new page in the life of Jack and Audra shall begin in Philadelphia- Audra will continue her work as a veterinarian and Jack will go to a new school, with new friends. This is the plan- until they board the plane. Jack has a reaction- a terrible reaction and the plane is forced to turn around and take Jack and Audra back to the airport.

Audra is concerned (what mother wouldn’t be?) but, one reaction like that might can be explained by a million factors. When Audra is called into the school to look at some pictures Jack has drawn- her concern increases. Then, the night terrors. Audra knows there is trouble- and yet, she can’t explain or even wrap her mind around a possible suggestion. One night, when Jack turns up missing at a fair- a former soldier named Sean Malloy finds him. Something Jack said to him triggered a figment of a memory- and Sean, suffering from a memory loss due to an event in Afghanistan, wants to know more.

Together, Audra and Sean begin to piece together a story from World War II- a story of love, of deception, a story that still has the ability to potentially hurt people of today. As each piece of the story is put together- Audra comes closer to understanding why her son, the son she loves and cares for beyond all things possible- has turned into a child who is withdrawn, anxious, and suffering from night terrors.

As the reader delves further into Audra’s life and learns more about the mystery of WWII and how that connects to today’s time- the reader will be amazed, touched and entertained.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts

This is my first Kristina McMorris book. Several months ago, the Twitter-verse was excitedly talking about Kristina’s upcoming book- and a blogger I trust (BookMagnet) raved about Kristina’s previous books. After reading and hearing such good things, when Kristina offered me a book- I jumped at the chance. This story, oh my, this story- weaves together perfectly a mystery of WWII and a current day mystery. The characters- Audra, Jack, Vivian, Lulu, Gene and Judith- are written in such a way that you can almost see them. You can see the characters- the mistakes, the love, the reasons for what they did- and understand them.

The Pieces We Keep takes 2 stories- 2 stories that are strong enough to stand on their own- and places them together. No, not places. Immerses these stories in each other. Criss-crosses them in ways that are not immediately apparent. And makes a story that is a can’t put down, must stay up and read as much as you can story. Once the reader gets to a certain point of the mystery- the intrigue to find out what happens next will outweigh the need to do laundry, talk on the phone or even cook dinner. Clear your schedule and enjoy The Pieces We Keep!

*This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts & opinions are mine alone.

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.

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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.