A Picture Book Giveaway...

I'm giving away two hardcover picture books over at Whimsy Books. Head over and leave a comment by Friday night for a chance to win. If you don't care to have them for yourself, I'm sure you know some lucky little person or picture book-lover who you could give them to for Christmas.

So, go. (I'm hoping to have lots and lots of comments over there.) Good luck!

I have winners!

I went to Random.org and got me some random integer winners. Commenters 9 and 29 are the winners.

Hil'Lesha and Jasmine! Email me at emykate03 AT yahoo DOT com to claim your copy of Courting Emma!

And to all the others who entered, sorry you didn't win this time...but if you choose to buy this book or any other through Amazon because of DCR, it really helps us out if you click my links to get there. THANKS.

And...well, as long as I'm soliciting help, I'm super low on reviews at the moment. So, if you've read any good, clean books in any genre, I'd really appreciate a review in my inbox!

Courting Emma Giveaway!

Hey! Remember when Becky Laney reviewed Courting Emma by Sharlene MacLaren? Well, the publisher has sent me not one, but TWO copies to GIVEAWAY. Do you want one? If so, just leave a comment here at the Giveaway or on the Courting Emma review by Wednesday, May 14th and you'll be entered in! Good luck. I'll post a winner the next day.

Winner Winner Winners!

Shannon Hale Week was a success. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did. Many comments were made. I wish I had books to give all of you....but, alas, I only have three signed books.

And the winners are...(as chosen by my lil guy)...
Bohae
Sarah (from Iceland)
Dasha-girl

If you are one of these lucky people, email me at emykate03 *AT* yahoo *COM*. I need your street address. I also need you tell me which book you want most. I have a hardcover of Book of a Thousand Days, and softcovers of The Goose Girl and Princess Academy. All three have been personalized by Ms. Hale.

Winners have a full week to email me. If any of the winners do not email me during that time, I will choose another winner to take their place.

If you didn't win, click on a bookcover to buy it on Amazon.




Remember, if you purchase books through DCR, a portion of the money comes back to us and helps fund giveaways. Thanks.

PS...I'm low on reviews again! If you have read a delicious book lately that is free of sex and profanity, please email me a review! Thanks.

Interview with Shannon Hale

Here it is! My interview with the fabulous, Shannon Hale:

I asked some of my blog readers what questions they had for you. Here are some of their questions...

1. Lindsey Leavitt asked: Will you be my best friend?

Of course. I’m wearing our BFF bracelet right now.

2. Olmue wants to know how you balance it all--writing, family, other responsibilities?

Ha! That’s my favorite joke. Umm…okay, really, I put my family first, grab writing time whenever I can, and try not to stress about anything else.

3. Sarah Johnson and her daughters asked how many more Bayern books there will be.

I’m writing a fourth right now. I have other books I want to do next, but I imagine I’ll always return to Bayern as often as a good story occurs to me.

4. Kelly R. Fineman would like to know how much research you did for Book of a Thousand Days and how you organize your research.

I’m not very organized. I do a good deal of research, before I write and while I write. I take notes, keep a folder of ideas, and always use much less than I’d like.

Okay, now a couple questions from me.

1. Austenland is very different from the rest of your published books. Do you plan to write any more books like it?

I’m writing another of the same ilk that may be out in 2009. I get bored easily and it’s nice for me to vary my writing (first person, third, contemporary, fantasy, graphic novel…)

2. Personally, I think Book of a Thousand Days is ONE INCREDIBLY WRITTEN book (sorry to yell at you). I've always been a fan, but this one is my favorite so far. If I were on the Newbery committee, I'd vote it to the top. Please tell us how you got the idea for it. Do you struggle for great ideas or do they pop into your head all the time?

Thank you! I get lots and lots of ideas. That’s not the problem. The struggle in writing for me is finding the story in the idea and the words to tell it right. This is based on an obscure fairy tale, Maid Maleen, and my desire to tell the maid’s story, as she was just mentioned and then forgotten in the original tale, which really chapped my hide.

3. What is your favorite thing about being a writer?

When I find just the perfect sentence.

4. What is the hardest part of being a writer?

When I know it’s not working but I don’t know how to fix it. And getting through a first draft.

5. And finally (because I know you are a fan of flattery), how does it feel to be witty, pretty and intelligent and basically an all-around Writer Rockstar?

What? I don’t know what you mean. I’m incredibly humble and modest, and my fabulous good looks are more a curse than a blessing. But if you insist…

Thanks, again!

I know, I know. It's kind of silly, but isn't she fabulous? She used to be a stand-up comedian. You couldn't tell, could you?

Don't forget to comment to be entered into the drawing for one of two signed Shannon Hale books. You can enter as many times as you want!

Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale Review Giveaway

Today is the start of 100 Week! We are celebrating our 100th review by spotlighting Shannon Hale all week. We will be posting reviews, an exclusive interview, and a book group discussion.



And GUESS WHAT? If you comment on ANY of the Shannon Hale posts this week, you will be entered into a drawing for one of two signed books by Mrs. Hale. You may enter as many times as you wish, but please make comments that are relevant to the posts. THANKS. Winners will be announced one week from today, on November 12, 2007. (Be sure to leave a way for me to contact you, a blog link or email addy.)





BOOK OF A THOUSAND DAYS by Shannon Hale

Review by Heather Walker
Heather Walker's Blog


I have read quite a few good reviews of Book of a Thousand Days, by the wonderful Shannon Hale so I was expecting good thing.

It was better than I could have ever hoped for. It was perfect.

The book follows Dashti, a lady's maid, and Lady Saren as they are locked up into the tower for seven years and their subsequent adventures as they try to survive in a war-ridden land.
It was a story that made you forget every story you have ever read before. I had no idea what was going to happen with the characters–I was reading something new and raw, with no expectations. I read as if it were the only book that existed in the world.
Why? Because of Dashti. Dashti is the author of the book. The book is her journal. I usually end up understanding characters, relating to them, and liking them. I loved Dashti. I loved her as if she were my best friend, as if she were my sister. As if she were real. I've read many books and stories where the characters are real, but I haven't loved them as I have loved Dashti. I loved Lady Saren as Dashti loved her. I knew these people and I became a part of their world.
The setting was magnificent. Gone with the Western norm, this was set in a world based off of Asia. Gone was the cliched magic of fantasy books. It was Shannon Hale magic in its best: subtle, gentle, feminine, beautiful.

The voice and tone were Dashti. The words were so different from what many books are, but the newness and rawness of the words became part of me. There was beauty, and there was deep, deep sadness in the book. I have never read a book that so adequately portrayed the sadness of life and war–it could have been real. This never seemed like a world of fiction, ever, it was real. Instead of pretty heroines with feisty attitudes, the book offered something heartfelt, real, and full of inner beauty.

I love Book of a Thousand Days. Wow. Wow. Wow. Please read it. It isn't an enjoyable, fun read. It isn't something that you laugh through and are entertained. You do laugh, but it is the deep laugh that comes from sadness. You cry, but it is because you are happy. You see these characters and you join them and can weep for them, laugh with them, and rejoice with them. This book is what any book should aspire to be.

Recommended readers: 12 and up. Some of the material is somewhat dark, involving death and tragedy (there is some kissing as well).

The original review was posted at: http://heatherwalker.wordpress.com/2007/09/22/book-of-a-thousand-days/

100th Week is Coming Soon!

Next week we are celebrating 100th week at Deliciously Clean Reads. 100 reviews that is!

I am terribly THRILLED to announce that we are celebrating with a Shannon Hale spotlight week, which will include an exclusive interview, reviews of several of her books, AND a giveaway for a signed copy of one or more of her books!

I can't wait. Make sure to check back!

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer Giveaway

Last day for the Eclipse Giveaway!

And the winner is...

Homemom3! Homemom, you have until Friday to send me your address at emykate(AT)yahoo(DOT)com and claim you free signed copy of RULES by Cynthia Lord. However, I'm making a trip to the post office today, so if you email me this morning, you'll have it by the end of the week.

Thanks to all who participated. If you didn't win it today, you can always buy it here!


And just for good measure, I'm posting my review of Rules again....


Rules by Cynthia Lord is a poignant story showing a slice of 12-year-old Catherine's life. Her brother David has autism. Catherine lovingly makes up rules to help him get through life. Things that other people figure out for themselves, David must be taught. Some of the rules include "If the bathroom door is closed, knock (especially if Catherine has a friend over)!", "Keep your pants on! Unless Mom, Dad, or the doctor tells you to take them off.", and "No toys in the fish tank."
Catherine is not only a sister to David, though. She is an artist, a daughter, a friend. When a new girl moves next door, Catherine is hopeful that they will become good friends. But she is embarrassed to say anything about David. She also develops a close bond with a handicapped boy who cannot speak or walk. She draws pictures for him to help him communicate.
Cynthia Lord has done an incredible job tackling a heavy topic. The book is laced with both humor and tenderness.
I highly recommend this book for all ages.
As you can see, Rules won a Newbery Honor and the Schneider Family Book Award in 2006.
Cynthia Lord blogs here, where you can see what a kind-hearted woman she is. This blog will be added to the Delicious Author Blogs in the sidebar.

Clean Reads Giveaway: Rules by Cynthia Lord!

Generous and beautiful author CYNTHIA LORD has sent me a SIGNED copy (with two award seals) of Rules for our second Clean Reads Giveaway. And it's for YOU!

You can see my review of Rules here!

This is how you can become the owner of this new hardcover copy of Rules...Simply leave a comment on any Deliciously Clean Reads post between now and Tuesday, May 15th. Comments can be about anything, but I would appreciate if they were relevant to the book reviewed or your feelings about Clean Reads in general. Your comment must include your name (of course, it can be just a first name, or if you're really shy, just an online alias).

Names of commenters will be tossed into a hat, and I'll announce a winner one week from today on Wednesday, May 16th. The winner must contact me by Friday, May 18th. Another drawing will take place if the winner turns out to be a no-show.

Please let your friends know about the Clean Reads Giveaway! Thanks and good luck!
-Emily