Bloggers Who Are Made Of AWESOME: Kristin @ Always With a Book

This week’s Made of AWESOME blogger is Kristin @ Always With a Book. Kristin and I are both members of She Reads, read cozy mysteries and are fans of Twitter book-ish talk! Read on for more of what makes Kristin made of AWESOME.

Bloggers Made Of AWESOME: Kristin @ Always With a Book

Kristin- when did you begin blogging?

I started my blog back in February of 2010.

How did you come up with the name Always With a Book?

I always have a book with me wherever I go and so I thought that would be the perfect name for my blog.

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 think book blogs are helping readers find out about good books – I know even for myself, I’ve heard about many good books from my fellow bloggers.

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

I work part-time for Literacy Volunteers where I am a trainer and data manager. I also enjoy crocheting. I’ve been making tons of baby blankets lately for all my new nieces (3 this year alone!) and am actually toying with starting my own little side business for this.

Do you have any #literaryconfessions?

I’m a huge James Patterson fan. I buy most of his books in hardcover so they can go on my JP shelf. I read his Alex Cross series; his Michael Bennett series; his Women’s Murder Club series; his Private series and most of his stand-alone books.

Do you have a #literarycrush?

I guess it would be Joe Morelli from Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series.

What books are you looking forward to reading in 2013?

A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams; The Promise of Stardust by Priscille Sibley; Beautiful Day by Elin Hilderbrand; All the Summer Girls by Meg Donohue; Hunting Eve by Iris Johansen; Silencing Eve by Iris Johansen; and The Painted Girls by Cathy Marie Buchanan

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

This is a tough one…I’d say it’s a toss up between The House Girl by Tara Conklin and The Winter Palace by Eva Stachniak.

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

If I was leaving this week – the books would be A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams; All the Summer Girls by Meg Donohue; and Second Honeymoon by James Patterson

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

I do the physical book, but I read both, print and e-versions.

You are given a 50 dollar gift certificate to a book store. Do you take time looking through the store or do you know exactly what books you want?

I take the time looking through the store. One of the things I love to do is walk into different book stores to see what books they have spotlighted – I find it’s different in each store and love seeing what everyone thinks is “the book” to read.

*If you liked Kristin’s interview- check her blog out- Always With a Book!

Author Spotlight: Mia March

Mia March was here Monday for an interview and a giveaway of her latest book, Finding Colin Firth. Today she is back for an Author Spotlight!

Read on to find out about Mia March!

Author Spotlight: Mia March

Mia, who are some of your favorite authors?

A: My favorite author is Elizabeth Berg. I love the way she writes studies of women in her elegant, honest voice. Other favorites are: Claire Cook, Ann Hood, Sarah Addison Allen, Jo-Ann Mapson, Helen Fielding, Allison Winn Scotch, Pam Houston, Ann Patchett. . . I could go on and on!

When you are not writing, what do you like to take part in?

A: I’m either writing, reading or at the movies! This past week I saw Man of Steel, Monsters University (with my son) and World War Z. Next up: Before Midnight, Arthur Newman (starring our Colin; I somehow missed this in the theater), and The Heat.

Mia- do you have any #literaryconfessions?

A: I still haven’t read The Great Gatsby. I’ve tried many times over the course of my life. I get to a certain point early on and I stop. All the attention from the movie has made me want to sit down with it again.

What is your favorite movie of 2013?

So far, Monsters University. J Not brilliant like the original, but super cute.

Speaking of Meryl Streep, with Lauren Wesiberger recently releasing Revenge Wears Prada, do you hope that Meryl might reprise her role as Miranda Priestly if Revenge Wears Prada is made into a movie?

A: Yes! I LOVED The Devil Wears Prada. I saw a hilarious interview with Meryl Streep when she was asked if she’d reprise her role, and she said: “Sure, but I’d have to lose the f-ing weight.” Love her!

Do you have a #literarycrush?

A: My literary crush is and has always been Gilbert Blythe from Anne of Green Gables. Such a good egg.

Mia- what is your vision of a perfect day?

A: A morning walk along the trails with my son and our sweet beagle, followed by black bean and veggie burritos for lunch and a couple of hours with a good book, then a few hours of writing. Finally, a movie, preferably starring my heartthrob, Colin Firth. Perfection.

*Special thanks to Mia March for this author spotlight!

Mia March can be found at Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter and her website. Tweet or Facebook her and tell her your thoughts on Finding Colin Firth. If you do the Goodreads thing, add Finding Colin Firth to your Want to Read list- or review it!

August Book Lovers Unite: The Comfort of Lies

August is fast approaching and that means it’s time to announce the August book club selection for Book Lovers Unite online book club!

We’ll be reading The Comfort of Lies by Randy Susan Meyers!

Reading schedule will be posted in the next week or so. The author Randy Susan Meyers has agreed to answer questions about The Comfort of Lies (yay for that!) Due to her traveling and writing in schedule- she will not be able to have a more interactive experience like Kimberly McCreight did. I will have a post titled Ask Randy Susan Meyers (it will be posted August 1). Post your questions there by August 19th!

More details will be revealed as we get closer to August!

Interview with Mia March, author of Finding Colin Firth

Mia March, author Finding Colin Firth, stopped by Traveling With T to discuss Finding Colin Firth, who she’d cast into a movie version, and if she is going on a book tour!

I’m also lucky enough to have a giveaway of this book- a SIGNED copy! Hold on to your hats, ladies!

Check back on Wednesday for Author Spotlight on Mia March- we’ll learn her #literarycrush and #literaryconfessions!

Interview with Mia March

Mia, thank you so much for agreeing to be interviewed.

A: Thank you for having me!

What was the inspiration for Finding Colin Firth?

A: Well, I’d say it started back in 1995, when I sat down to watch the BBC TV miniseries of Pride and Prejudice. When Colin Firth, as Mr. Darcy, first appeared on the screen, I thought to myself: Who IS that? I swooned for the six hours of the miniseries and he’s been my favorite actor ever since. But the inspiration came from A) having just watched The King’s Speech and B) my wandering around of my favorite towns here in Maine, Boothbay Harbor, picture-postcard summer tourist town, and wondering what it would be like if Colin Firth came to film a movie there. Suddenly I had three main characters all with very different reasons to want to find Colin Firth.

Mia, out of all the actors you could have chosen to feature in this book- what made you pick Colin Firth? (Not that I’m complaining or anything- he plays quite the adorable man in Love Actually!)

A: To be honest, I didn’t pick him; the book chose him. He’s my favorite actor and has been for such a long time. He has a unique hold on women, I think. Yeah, George Clooney is gorgeous, and Ryan Gosling is hot, but Colin Firth has something special; women, especially myself, respond to his perceived integrity, despite having never met him! And yeah, he’s so good looking!

How long did it take to write Finding Colin Firth?

A: I thought about the characters for a few months before I started writing, as I always do. Once I started writing, I had a first draft in about five months. The revision took another few months. I do a lot of writing in my head!

How involved were you in the choosing of the cover for The Meryl Streep Movie Club and Finding Colin Firth? I’m a huge fan of book covers- and I adore both of them. Interesting and eye-catching.

A: Oh, thank you! I was involved in that my editor asked for my ideas. For Meryl, we all liked the concept of Maine and readers being invited into a living room. I love that popcorn bowl! For Colin, my brilliant agent came up with the idea. A man’s suit as the cover—with the idea that it’s Colin Firth himself. The minute she suggested it, I knew it was the cover, and everyone said yes!

Do you have a writing space? Or a writing routine?

A: I write when my soon to be 11 yr old son is either at school or camp. My routine doesn’t vary too much, mostly because I love my desk: a six foot tall mahogany secretary. It’s narrow without much room other than for my laptop and my chamomile tea and the little things that inspire me, like photos of my son and dog and a stack of inspiring books. So I write at home generally during the hours when my son is away. I’m a morning person, so up at dawn to walk the pooch, where I work out plot problems and think of ideas. Then I write until my son wakes up. Once he’s off on his day, I sit down and write for hours.

The Meryl Streep Movie Club was picked as a She Reads Book of the Month choice. How, in your opinion, was that experience for a first time author?

A: It was magical! It brought the book to the attention of so many readers, and it was wonderful to have so many book bloggers readers the novel and writing about it. The whole experience was amazing. It was quite an honor that She Reads chose my novel! I love that site.

The Meryl Streep Movie Club and Finding Colin Firth sound like perfect summer movies. If either was made into a movie- do you have a dream cast in mind?

A: I do—and it’s amazing how quickly these actors came to mind out of so many. For my three main characters: Bea—Anna Sophia Robb. For Veronica—Jessica Chastain or Cate Blanchett. For Gemma: Isla Fisher. And Colin Firth will play himself in a cameo!

How did you create the characters in Finding Colin Firth? Do you have a favorite character?

I’ll admit that my favorite character, the one who came alive for me in a really deep-down way, was Veronica, the 38 year old diner waitress who bakes special elixir pies and is grappling with her painful past. It was Bea, the 22 year old who came first though: I started thinking about what it would be like to discover as an adult that you were adopted at birth when you never knew. And the characters stemmed from that concept. Before all of that, I had a small Maine town and the idea of Colin Firth coming to film a movie and how that would affect people. And everything just tied together and I started writing.

Will you be going on a book signing tour with Finding Colin Firth?

A: I’m doing a virtual tour and a few local-ish readings, staying close to him. I recently adopted a shelter dog (the cutest little beagle mix) and want to make sure she feels settled before I take off for extended time).

Mia- what are you working on next? Can you reveal any hints about your next book?

A: I’ve just started thinking about my next novel . . . all I can say at this early point is that it involves food!

*Special thanks to Mia March for agreeing to be interviewed!

Mia March, author of Finding Colin Firth, can be found on Twitter, Goodreads, Facebook and her website. Mia is not only a reader- she’s also a huge movie fan (and she does watch movies other than the ones Colin Firth has a role in- although she does like those quite a bit!)

*Giveaway: To win a copy of Finding Colin Firth, tell me you favorite Colin Firth movie! Please include your email (you may use the AT and DOT). Giveaway will begin July 22nd and end July 29th at 11:59pmEST. Winner will be announced July 30th. Giveaway is open to US only (sorry!)

Interview with Beth Hoffman, author of Looking for Me

Beth Hoffman, author of Looking for Me, stopped by the blog to talk about antiques, how she creates characters, and the setting for Looking for Me.

She will be back on Wednesday to reveal her #literarycrush, #literaryconfessions, and the books that are on her TBR list (plus where she gets many of her book recommendations!)

*Need more Beth in your life? Twitter chat with Beth Hoffman Friday, July 26th from 2-3pmEST- thanks to Deep South Magazine! Use hashtag #southernlit to join in!

Interview with Beth Hoffman

Beth- thank you for agreeing to be interviewed!

I’m happy to be here, Tamara. Thanks so much for inviting me to your blog.

Beth, what was the inspiration for Looking for Me?

After I returned home from touring with CeeCee, I didn’t know what I’d write next, and quite honestly, I was too exhausted to think about it. One day I was cleaning my writing library and began to organize old photographs. I came across an envelope containing photos of my grandparents’ farm—some dating as far back as 1883.

There were probably close to a hundred photos in all, and I spent a good while reliving my childhood and yearning for those simple days on the farm. I missed the smell of freshly tilled earth and the taste of sweet corn grown on the land that had been in my family for generations. Just as I picked up a photo of my younger brother, something flashed in my periphery. I looked up as a red-tailed hawk landed in the tree outside my window. He settled on a branch and then turned his head and looked in the window. For a long moment we considered each other, and then—wham—I knew I had the soul of my story.

Teddi is a complex character, a very real character. How did you create Teddi?

Like all of my characters, Teddi came to me fully realized. Though I gave her my love of antiques, animals, and nature, she took off with her own persona and quirks. One of the things I’ve learned while crafting a novel is to get out of the way and give my characters freedom to live and speak and think without too much interference from me. Many times they’ve brought me major storyline revelations that I hadn’t even considered. It’s a fascinating process.

Part of the book is set in Charleston and part in Kentucky. What about those two settings made it right for Looking for Me?

The atmosphere of the story I want to create will determine the setting. I need to feel connected to a location’s history and culture. One of my favorite things to do while crafting a novel is to explore opposites. The juxtaposition of Charleston’s refinement to Slade, Kentucky’s rugged wilderness intrigued me. Red River Gorge is wonderfully wild and mysterious while Charleston is known for its gorgeous architecture and gentility. The downtown area of Charleston was the perfect place for Teddi to reach for her dream while Kentucky was ideal to hold her family’s roots.

Antiques are a huge part of Looking for Me. Were you using antiques as a metaphor- even when things look bleak, some tender loving care can make things better?

To be honest, I never thought of antiques as a metaphor while crafting the story, but you have an interesting point. I’ve always had a tender spot for people, animals, and objects that have suffered neglect and need care. Many years ago I drove by a trashcan that had an old teddy bear sticking out. It made me sad to think that he’d once been loved and yet soon would be left to disintegrate in a dump. So I stopped and went back to get him. He was so old that he was stuffed with excelsior. I cleaned him up, stitched one his paws, and made sure he was sanitized. He’s now happily sitting on one of my bookshelves.

Beth- how do you create characters? Are the characters based on people you know?

I don’t mean to sound evasive, but my characters just seem to show up. Long before I begin a manuscript they begin to chatter in my head. I don’t so much create them as acknowledge them. More often than not they’ll appear out of nowhere and surprise me. Certainly some characters will have traits of people I’ve known, heard about, or interacted with, but they always end up being unique unto themselves.

When writing Looking for Me– did you know how it would end? Or did the ending reveal itself as you were writing?

I was well into writing the manuscript before I knew how it would end. The ending came to me late one night, and when I saw it play out in my head, I knew it was absolutely right.

Any ideas as to what the next book will be about, Beth?

I have no clue! Some characters have started to “talk” to me, but I really don’t know what, if anything, will come of what they’re saying. I’m the kind of writer who needs to put some time and distance between novels so I can fully immerse myself in a new story and keep it fresh and separate from those that came before it.

*Special thanks to Beth Hoffman for agreeing to be interviewed!

Beth Hoffman, author of Looking for Me and Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, has the honor of being chosen for Deep South Magazine’s 2013 Summer Reading List! When she is not writing, you can find Beth on Twitter– sending encouraging tweets to her writer friends (and fans!) Beth also has a website and a Facebook page.

Author Spotlight: Claire Cook

Claire Cook answered interview questions on Wednesday- and today, she’ll be revealing #literaryconfessions, #literarycrush, and books she’s looking forward to reading in 2013!

Author Spotlight: Claire Cook

Claire- who are some of your favorite authors?

My favorite authors are the ones who’ve been nice to me! Adriana Trigiani, Meg Cabot, Elin Hilderbrand, Beth Hoffman, Mary Kay Andrews, Allison Winn Scotch, Jacquelyn Mitchard and Tom Perrotta are among the talented authors who’ve given me lovely quotes for my books. And Wendy Wax has become my walking buddy since I moved to Atlanta!

Do you have a #literarycrush?

I fall in love every time I read. I even had a crush on Professor Bhaer when I read Little Women for the first time, which is kind of creepy when I think about it!

If you could be a character in a book, who would you pick? And why?

I feel that in many ways writing my novels allows me to be all of my characters, and to live their lives vicariously. That’s a big part of why I do it!

Do you have a #literaryconfession?

At my very first book event, my former high school English teacher showed up. After I finished speaking, he stood up and waved the grade book from my junior year Honors English class.

“You still owe me a paper on Moby Dick,” he roared.

“I’m still trying to finish that sucker,” I said sweetly.

I made him – the former teacher, not Moby Dick – a minor character in my third novel, Multiple Choice, about a mother and daughter who go to college together. He’s Dr. Nord. (I gave him a fictional doctorate, but he still owes me his thesis!)

When you are not writing, what do you like to do?

I love to walk, to garden, to hang out with friends and family, to curl up with a book and a nice glass of wine.

Is there an author that you have not met that you would just love to meet?

Meeting other authors is fun, but I have to admit I enjoy meeting my readers even more. I’d love to meet them all!

What books are you looking forward to read in 2013?

Every single one I can get my hands on!

You begin reading a book- and it’s not as good as you had hoped it would be. Do you keep reading or put it aside?

If I’m not that into it, I put it aside. Life’s too short!

Are you a paperback, hardback or e-book kind of reader?

All of the above. I love the feel of a real book, and I cherish my collection of hardcover books signed by the authors. But I also love e-books because they’re instantly downloadable and because they don’t take up space in my suitcase.

*Many thanks to Claire Cook for taking time to participate in this Author Spotlight!

Want to know more about Claire Cook? Check out my Interview with Claire Cook- and Claire’s website, Twitter and Facebook page.

The Book of Secrets by Elizabeth Joy Arnold

The Book of Secrets by Elizabeth Joy Arnold has many twists and turns to thrill the reader- and will appeal to fans of books about family secrets.

Chloe Sinclair has loved her husband, Nate, for years. Loved him even through their world falling apart. When she comes home one night to find Nate gone, Chloe is concerned- but mainly because he is returning to their childhood town- a place of bad memories. Chloe soon finds out that Nate is keeping secrets, though- secrets that Chloe wants to know- but is afraid to know.

Chloe’s no stranger to secrets (in fact she’s keeping one herself)- but wishes that Nate would confide in her. When she discovers a notebook inside Nate’s antique The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe– she’s unsure of what to make of the notebook. Curiously, it is written in code- but is that to keep it a secret from Chloe? Or someone else?

As Chloe delves deeper into the mystery of the missing Nate, she figures out the code for the notebook- with each clue she uncovers, she’s reminded of how she first met the Sinclair’s, the fun, the pain, the hurt- and ultimately the love she received from some of them. Chloe struggles to understand the past, to make sense of her future- and to figure out where the secrets between her and Nate leave them.

As Chloe learns, some secrets won’t stay buried forever……

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

The Book of Secrets is my first Elizabeth Joy Arnold- but will not be my last. The story of Chloe and Nate- the reader knew some details, some reasons their marriage why their marriage wasn’t great. With each section of the book, as more information is revealed- the reader is further captured into the story. When finally all secrets are revealed- it’s a book that that needs to have time to be thought over, to discuss with others. Interesting, enjoyable- definitely recommend!

*This book was requested through Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All above opinions are mine alone.

Time Flies by Claire Cook

High school reunions- fun or big disappointment? Melanie is about to find out!

Many years ago, Melanie let her husband, Kurt, talk her into leaving their New England beach town home, load up the 2 boys they have and move to Atlanta, Georgia- where the peaches grow, the tea is sweet, and the accents are even sweeter. Melanie adjusts to life in the South and grows to really like it.

Until….

When Time Flies opens, the reader finds out that Melanie’s husband has left her for another woman- and that Melanie is struggling with her day to day life. Her boys are grown, she has friends and a job- but life is different- and she’s not sure what her next step should be. When BJ, Melanie’s old high school friend, emails about their upcoming high school reunion- Melanie is resistant. She doesn’t want to go- until an intriguing email from a high school boyfriend catches her attention. She decides to book her trip, and go on the adventure of a lifetime!

However, Melanie’s new driving phobia might put a crimp in her plans.

As Melanie and BJ reunite- their big plans for the reunion happen- some with hilarious results! While Melanie at first thought the reward of her adventure would be the reunion and seeing the ex-boyfriend- she discovers that the lessons she learned along the way were much more important.

Will Melanie find her happy ending back in New England? Or is her happy ending in Atlanta?

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

Time Flies is a cute and funny book. Melanie is a great character- dealing with a world where everything has changed and trying to find her way as a single instead of a couple. The high school reunion is funny (and a great touch to the book!) Definitely put this on your To Be Read list- entertaining and enjoyable!

Liked my review? Then read my Interview with Claire Cook– the author!

*This book was won in a giveaway sponsored by Claire Cook. The above thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

Thursday Mashup

Mashup, Mashup, Mashup!

1. Leah’s Thoughts is giving away a copy of The Outcast by Jolina Petersheim. Jolina is adorable on Twitter- she’s so excited about her novel!

2. Amy Sue Nathan is featuring Mia March today on her website (wonder what those 2 smart and wonderful women are talking about?!) Come find out and read Mia’s post: Author Mia March Edits As She Writes, Loves Women’s Fiction, And Celebrates Her Kinship With Authors

3. Book-Alicious Mama is still in Week 1 of discussing The Painted Girls! Come, join my adorable Book Lovers Unite co-host, and let’s chat about The Painted Girls!

4. Deep South Magazine is chatting with Susan Rebecca White, author of A PLACE AT THE TABLE, Fri, July 19th 2-3pm EST. Use #southernlit to join in! Can’t wait? Here is my interview with Susan Rebecca White!

5. For more #giveaway information- check out my Wednesday Mashup!

Wednesday Mashup

Wednesday is chock full of good things…..

1. Read it Forward has an article posted On Being a Book Hoarder. It’s funny, smart, and worth reading!

And now- after reading, here’s my book hoarder confession: I love books. I LOVE bargain books. I love going to the store and seeing all the books- laying there all pretty, just waiting to go to lovely homes. I’ve even been known to buy multiple copies of the same book (I’m looking at you Hunger Games- I have it in movie cover paperback, hardback, and Collector’s edition (plus the Kindle version!)

So confess, book hoarders, confess- don’t let my Hunger Games shamefaced moment stand out here alone!

2. Rita Leganski, Holly Goddard Jones, and Anton DiScalfini are 3 of the people who made the Flaherty-Dunnan Prize 2013 Long List.

3. Read Baby Read is giving away The Lake House by Marci Nault!

4. Book-alicous Mama is giving away a copy of Finding Colin Firth!

5. Liz from Chick Lit Is Not Dead is posting about Make New Friends: One is Silver and the Other is Gold. In this she talks about hard it is to make friends in the adult world. I TOTALLY understand this.

6. Bloggers Made of AWESOME: Jaime @ Bookmagnet is featured on my blog today!

7. Author Spotlight with Wendy Francis– learn her #literaryconfessions and #literarycrush

8. Interview With Claire Cook– read for the words she would use to describe her latest book, Time Flies

9. Interview with Wendy Francis (plus a giveaway of Three Good Things!)

10. I’m going to Stephanie Evanovich book signing tonight- so look for pictures from Big Girl Panties book signing soon!