Remembered by Tamera Alexander
September 27, 2007
is introducing
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tamera Alexander is a bestselling novelist whose deeply drawn characters, thought provoking plots, and poignant prose resonate with readers. Alexander’s books have won multiple awards, including Romance Writers of America’s 2007 RITA® for Best Inspirational Romance, the 2007 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, 2007 Bookseller’s Best, and Library Journal’s Top Christian Fiction of 2006.
Her books have received acclaim from Library Journal, True West Magazine and Historical Novels Review, and Rekindled debuted on the CBA fiction bestseller list. She has a professional background in business management and conference coordination. A leader of women’s ministries for over twelve years, she is currently active in music ministry, facilitating small groups, and mentoring other women. A graduate of Harding University, Tamera lives with her husband and their two teenagers in Greeley, Colorado.
Her other two books in the Fountain Creek Chronicles are Rekindled (Book 1) and Revealed (Book 2)
To celebrate the release of Remembered, as well as the 3-volume boxed set of Fountain Creek Chronicles (Rekindled, Revealed, and Remembered), Tamera is currently giving away boxed sets in a contest on her website. Check out the contest at http://www.tameraalexander.com/ .
From a Distance, the first book in Tamera’s next historical series (Timber Ridge Reflections) releases in spring 2008.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Though loss is often marked
in a single moment,
letting go of someone you love
can take a lifetime…
The threat of war–and a final request–send Véronique Girard from France to a distant and uninviting country. In the Colorado Territory, she searches for the man who has held her heart since childhood–her father. Pierre Girard left Paris for the Americas to seek his fortune in fur trading, vowing to send for his wife and daughter. But twenty-five years have passed and his vow remains unfulfilled. Sifting through shards of broken promises, Véronique embarks on a dangerous search for a man she scarcely remembers.
His grief finally healed, Jack Brennan is moving on with life. After years of guiding families west, he is now working as a freighter to the mining towns surrounding Willow Springs. What he doesn’t count on is an unexpected traveling companion on his trips up into the mountains, and how one woman’s search will cause havoc with his plans… and his life.
“Alexander again delivers a most amazing story. The characters are more than words on the page; they become real people. Though there are French words sprinkled throughout the story, they enhance the emotions rather than distract the reader.” –Romantic Times
“…a rich historical romance by possibly the best new writer in this subgenre.” –Library Journal
“Alexander has done it again with Remembered, third in the FOUNTAIN CREEK CHRONICLES. She’s fashioned characters that are as rich and deep as the mountains and valleys they explore throughout the pages, coloring the story as adeptly as the heroine does her canvas. I was drawn immediately into the ages-old heartaches of both of the main characters, understanding at once Veronique’s reticence to make a place for herself in the unknown wilds of America and Jack’s uncompromising love for this land that he’s cut a swath through time and again. They both have a series of mountains to overcome in the search for Veronique’s father, but I enjoyed watching their faith and appreciation grow with each turn of the page. And woven adeptly through it all is the encompassing truth of the Lord’s sovereignty—that sometimes He takes away, and sometimes He gives us what we need, not what we’re looking for.
Anyone’s who’s read the other Fountain Creek books won’t want to miss this one, but it easily stands alone. The characters will take you by the hand and lead you heart-first into their stories, and by the time they release you at the end, you’ll feel as though you’ve taken up residence just across the Creek from them, as surely as they have in your heart.” –Roseanna White, christianreviewofbooks.com
“Remembered, the third book in the FOUNTAIN CREEK CHRONICLES, takes us back to Willow Creek and revisits beloved characters from the previous two books in the series, Rekindled and Revealed. Tamera Alexander has the remarkable ability to create places, and characters who endear themselves to us, even those just briefly mentioned. If I had lived in the late 1800s, I would love to have met these people and would surely have been inspired by the way they lived out their faith.
Remembered is a delightful read, well-researched and well-written. I expect to see great things from this author in the future.” –Lindsey Freitas, bookloons.com“Remembered is an absolutely wonderful continuation of the FOUNTAIN CREEK CHRONICLES.” –Amanda Schafer, armchairinterviews.com
The Dallas Conference
September 26, 2007
Technically, I was in Dallas last week, but really I was only at the airport, then the airport shuttle, the hotel, and then the reverse back to the airport. I think I spent all of about an hour outside in the Dallas air and weather. The rest of the time I was inside the Marriot Quorum eating, sleeping, or learning.
It was a great week. I met a number of new people and of course connected with some I’ve met via blogging. I didn’t think to take pictures as often as I should have, but here’s a few to recap my trip.
This is me with my roommate and friend, Maureen Lang. Maureen’s a great writer, and I got to hear the ideas she’s working on next. They sound great. I don’t know that we took any of the same classes, but we did get to hang out together at meals and general sessions and had a lot of fun doing that.
And these wonderful ladies are three of my critique partners. That’s me, Terri Gillespie (who’s written a fantastic story set in Philly about Messianic Jews), Julie Dearyan (who’s signed with Chip MacGregor and is shopping around a number of books, non-fiction and fiction. She’s super talented.), and Cynthia Ruchti (who also has an incredible story about a woman who searches the Canadian wilderness for her missing husband).
Cynthia also received the Member Service award for her volunteer work for ACFW. Anyone who’s a part of that organization knows how much she deserved that. I don’t think I know of anyone better at encouraging than Cynthia is, and she definitely ranks up there in the giving category as well. Congrats, Cynthia!
I’ve got more pictures, but I’ll save those for next week since these pictures are on the ginormous side. Stay tuned — there’ll be more details next week.
Blessed Assurance by Lyn Cote
September 25, 2007
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lyn Cote’s journey to becoming a published author was a long one – she started her first book when her daughter was 13 months old and her first novel was published when her daughter was about to enter high school. But Lyn was writing for a market that hadn’t taken shape yet – the inspirational fiction market.
In 1996, Lyn Cote’s first inspirational historical manuscript was a finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart Contest. This became her first historical novel, Whispers Of Love, in her BLESSED ASSURANCE series.
Most recently, Chloe, the first novel in Lyn’s “Women of Ivy Manor” historical series was a 2006 RWA Rita Award finalist for Best Inspirational, as well as a finalist for the Holt Medallion and the National REaders Choice Contest.
Lyn also writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense. She lives in the lovely northwoods of Wisconsin with her husband and three cats. Aside from writing, she also likes to knit, crochet, read, and do lunch with friends.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Now available for the first time in one edition–All three novels from Lyn Cote’s beloved Blessed Assurance series
In Whispers of Love, Civil War widow Jessie Wagstaff must fend for herself and her son. When a stranger, Lee Smith, befriends Jessie’s son, even though she recognizes nine-year-old Linc’s need for a father figure, she’s reluctant to let a new man into their life. When the Great Chicago Fire blazes, every heart is pushed to its limits.
In Lost In His Love, Jessie’s son Linc, a social activist and reporter, charms his way through the upper class of San Francisco to build much-needed support for his fight against child labor. His main target is Cecilia Jackson, a beautiful heiress who doesn’t recognize the crucial part she plays in this dangerous exploitation. As the secrets of her family’s dark past are exposed, Cecilia must revive her own wounded spirit and find the strength to lean on the never-failing love of Christ. But when the 1906 earthquake hits, everyone’s faith will be put to the test.
In Echoes of Mercy, Meg Wagstaff challenges the racial barriers of 1920s New Orleans in order to prove that her childhood friend did not commit murder. The stubborn lawyer prosecuting the case, Gabriel St. Clair, is an authentic Southern gentleman who makes the mistake of underestimating Meg, both her tenacity and her charm. Despite their many differences, sparks begin to fly. But when Meg discovers the truth, will Gabe be able to protect her from those who can’t afford to have justice prevail?
“A beautiful tale of love, forgiveness, and acceptance.”
~CBA Marketplace
And We’re Back
September 24, 2007
Yes, I’m back from Dallas, and so far I’m still healthy. It’s too easy to push yourself at these conferences and hang out all night with other like-minded writers and get absolutely zero sleep and then of course get really sick once you get home since you’re just wiped. But I was a good girl and went to bed as early as I could each night (which was 11:30 one night).
I’m getting caught up in the gazillion things I need to take care of and do now that I’m back so the conference update is coming, maybe a day or two away. But thank you to everyone who prayed for me while I was gone. It was a great time, and for those of you who are wondering, no, I did not win my category in the Genesis contest, but that’s fine. Being in the top five was thrill enough.
So I’m off to hang up laundry and work on the Bible study I’m leading tonight. Talk to you all soon!
Sally
A Visit from MaryLu Tyndall
September 20, 2007
Today I have MaryLu Tyndall here to guestblog. MaryLu writes great pirate fiction as M.L. Tyndall, and her books are well worth checking out. I recently read The Restitution, book three in her Legacy of the King’s Pirates series. It was a true pirate adventure, complete with unsavory towns and harbors, nighttime chases, pirate ships fighting on the sea, and danger on an island. MaryLu knows how to tell a story, and this latest book of hers was a real page turner. I kept thinking I’d stop reading at the end of the chapter, and then ten chapters later . . . where’s my self-discipline?
Here’s the story: Shunned by her parents and by society, Lady Isabel Ashton lives a secluded life at Port Royal with her seven month old baby, Frederick–the son of the fierce pirate, Kent Carlton. When her baby is suddenly kidnapped, Captain Carlton appears with an offer to help her find him. Can Isabel trust the man who once ravished her? Will Kent win the forgiveness of the woman he loves? Or will the scheme of betrayal and revenge of his enemies keep them apart and from their son forever?
And now, here’s MaryLu.
I didn’t have a normal road to publication. I didn’t sweat for years over multiple manuscripts or send out thousands of query letters or take every available writing class. I did none of those things. Though I had always loved to write, I was a stubborn and rebellious girl who like the prodigal son, took my inheritance, ran away from God and spent it all on wild living.
But when I finally woke up (or should I say the Lord hit me on the head!) at age 36, I had a lot of catching up to do. I mean, God had a plan for me to write, after all. Of course I didn’t know it. I spent the next eight years in a miserable marriage and a miserable job, but during that time, the Lord did a mighty work in me. He had to get the world out of me and replace it with His Spirit.
So, how do you really know the will of God for your life? I heard a famous preacher once say “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and then do whatever you want.” So, when I had finally placed God first in my life, I had this strange desire to write.
In the fall of 2003, I started my very first book, The Redemption. I had no writing experience, no writing classes, and really no hopes of getting published. I was just having fun!
But the Lord had other plans. He was starting to make things more uncomfortable for me at work, and at home. My husband lost his job and we were fighting about my newfound love of God. He wasn’t saved, and our marriage was crumbling. In the Spring of 2004, I finished The Redemption [Legacy of the King's Pirates, Book 1] and the Lord led me to American Christian Fiction Writers where I found two great editors to look over the manuscript. I was starting to get the feeling the Lord wanted me to submit it, and I was terrified at the thought. Yet the more I found out about the publishing world, the more I realized how slim my chances were of ever getting published.
Then a miracle happened. March 2004: After seven years of praying and fasting for my husband’s salvation and for our crumbling marriage, he got miraculously saved by a similar experience to what Paul had on the road to Damascus (minus the blindness) It was absolutely amazing. If you want to read about it, you can go to this site: http://unequalmarriage.typepad.com/my_weblog/2006/06/george_tyndall_.html
Two weeks later, the Lord brought him a job!
Then, see how fast the Lord worked on my behalf!
Feb 1st, 2005: Queried several agents
June, 2005: Got laid off from my job. Yikes… what is going on, Lord?
July, 2005: An agent, Greg Johnson accepted me as his client
September 7th, 2005: Greg sent out query letters to publishers
September 16th, 2005: Barbour offered me a 3 book deal.
October 6th, 2005: Signed contracts
I cannot take credit for any of this! This is all God. For those of you out there who have struggled year after year to get published, I’m not trying to discourage you or cause any ill feelings. What I want you to see is that if it’s God’s will for you to get published, He has a time and a place for that exact thing to happen, and when that time comes, He works FAST. So, don’t lose hope. Keep your eyes on Him.
Great advice, MaryLu. God’s timing is different for every one of us, but He does have a time for the things He has planned in each of our lives.
Believe it or not, I’m not home right now. I’m in Dallas at the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Conference, soaking in all the writing knowledge I can. Over the next two weeks, I’ll do a recap here on the blog of the conference, complete with pictures so if that interests you, stay tuned.
The Ex Files, Reviewed
September 19, 2007
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Victoria Christopher Murray always knew she would become an author, even as she was taking quite an unlikely path to that destination. A native of Queens, New York, Victoria first left New York to attend Hampton Institute in Virginia where she majored in Communication Disorders. After graduating from Hampton, Victoria attended New York University where she received her MBA.
Victoria spent ten years in Corporate America before she decided to test her entrepreneurial spirit. She opened a Financial Services Agency for Aegon, USA where she managed the number one division for nine consecutive years. However, Victoria never lost the dream to write and when the “bug” hit her again in 1997, she answered the call.
Victoria originally self published Temptation. “I wanted to write a book as entertaining and compelling as any of the books on the market, put God in the middle, and have the book still be a page-turner. I wasn’t writing to any particular genre – I didn’t even know Christian fiction existed. I just wanted to write about people I knew and characters I could relate to.”
In 2000, Time Warner published Temptation. Temptation made numerous best sellers list across the nation and remained on the Essence bestsellers list for nine consecutive months. In 2001, Temptation was nominated for an NAACP Image Award in Outstanding Literature.
Since Temptation, Victoria has written four other novels: JOY, Truth Be Told, Grown Folks Business, and A Sin and a Shame. All of her novels have continued to be Essence bestsellers; her last three each reaching #1. In addition, Victoria has received numerous awards including the Golden Pen Award for Best Inspirational Fiction and in 2006, she was awarded the Phyllis Wheatley Trailblazer Award for being the pioneer in African American Christian Fiction.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
There are four ways a woman can handle heartbreak. She can fall apart, seek revenge, turn cold, or move on. The Ex Files is the story of these four women:
When Kendall Stewart finds her husband and her sister in bed together, she vows to never let anyone get that close again. But when she is faced with saving the life of the woman who destroyed hers, will she be able to forgive?
When an NBA superstar tells his mistress, Asia Ingrum, that he’s decided to honor his marriage vows, her shock quickly gives way to revenge…but her decision may come back to haunt their five-year-old daughter.
Every night Vanessa Martin wonders why her husband committed suicide. Even worse, she contemplates joining him in eternity. Will Vanessa be able to gather the strength to live again?
Sheridan Hart is finally finding her way after a lie destroyed her seventeen-year marriage. Her new love is ready to get married, but will she commit to this younger man or is her ex-husband taking up too much space in her heart?
When their pastor asks Kendall, Asia, Vanessa, and Sheridan to meet weekly for prayer, they can’t imagine they will have anything in common. But then a devastating tragedy strikes and these strangers are forced to reexamine their choices. Will they find true friendship, or will prayer — and their union — fail them?
Sally Here:
While I hate saying negative stuff about other people’s books (I mean, they worked so hard!), I find that I have to do that here so it doesn’t look like I’m not reading the CFBA books. So.
Overall I did enjoy The Ex Files — good characters, lots of struggles with at least one real surprise along the way.
But this book’s a bit on the steamy side, and frankly I read Christian fiction to get away from the steamy side of things. I don’t need those details, and while the author would be correct in saying she didn’t give very many details, it still was more than what I like to see.
This is short and sweet because I have to get up in less than 8 hours and frantically pack for my flight to Dallas (ACFW conference), but that’s about the gist of my feelings on the book.
Off to sleep. I hope.
Life, Libby, and the Pursuit of Happiness, Reviewed
September 14, 2007
is introducing
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Hope Lyda has always wanted to write. Ever since she was a young tyke with a spiral notebook in hand, she had the urge to fill it. Sadly, Peggy Meets the Midgets did not cause Hope to be deemed a child prodigy, so she continued her path of education. She was grade-obsessed but also truly enjoyed sharing laughs with her circle of creative friends.
Hope attended the University of Oregon and graduated with a double major in Journalism: Advertising and Telecommunications and Film. With aspirations to write screenplays or teleplays, she of course ended up doing public relations for non-profits until she entered the publishing field in which she has worked for 10 years.
Her passions are quiet ones—she loves a good read, an afternoon of free thinking time, writing, journaling, road trips, travel, and pondering life from her back yard pergola. She loiters in bookstores frequently, though has never been arrested for such. Her big hope is to encourage others to embrace their dreams and understand their faith journeys through the practice of journaling and the art of creative living. She hopes to also inspire such things through the themes in her fiction including Hip to Be Square and Altar Call. (There are also visions of a nice Casita with a hammock in Mexico—but one thing at a time.)
When not living in her head, she resides with her husband, Marc, in the Pacific Northwest.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Libby Hawthorne makes exotic trip itineraries but never leaves Seattle. She’d like to attend church but winds up at a bookstore. She longs for love—but who has the time? Delayed happiness has been worth it, because she’s about to get her dream promotion…
Or not.
So now what?
When a corporate merger leaves her demoted and disillusioned, Libby realizes she needs to start living authentically…and soon. But just as she tries to uncover her purposed life, her cruel and unusual boss, Cecilia, demands that Libby hide Seattle’s most famous homegrown rock star in order to keep her new, bad job. For the first time in years, Libby doesn’t have a step by step plan to guide her. She must trust her faith and her heart. But what is she supposed to do with her growing admiration for Blaine Slater, a new VP from Chicago, or the surprising kindness of the rock star living incognito in her Seattle apartment? Through the humorous twist and turns, Libby uncovers a big life truth—the detours we are afraid of might just be the perfect path to happiness.
SALLY SAYS:
I read Hope Lyda’s first two books, Hip to Be Square and Altar Call, a couple years ago when they were released. And I liked them. So I was looking forward to this latest book of hers.
This will sound bad at first, but it gets better so read on. (Sorry, Hope!) I did have trouble getting into Life, Libby, and the Pursuit of Happiness. I didn’t really care for Libby, the heroine. She was a bit of smart-aleck, and while a lot of her sarcasm was directed toward the nutty people she worked with, still, it wasn’t endearing.
But I had to finish the book so I kept going.
And I’m glad I did.
For those of you who are chick lit fans, you’ll find Libby grows more endearing as the book goes on. She’s got a lot of spunk (although she’d be shocked to hear that said of herself), and she does what’s right, despite getting caught up in a PR plot and being tugged in all directions. She’s got a crazy family that she begins to understand as the book progresses, and I always love stuff like that, figuring out why someone acts as bizarre as they do because, yes, there’s usually a very interesting reason for it.
I got the flu yesterday, all shaky and hot and cold and clammy, but I curled up in bed and read on. The last half of the book moves so fast, it was hard to put it down. So all in all, I do recommend Libby’s story.
And I will read Hope Lyda’s next book.
I Have an Aftertaste?
September 11, 2007
Saw this on Georgiana’s blog. I took the test, and my response made me laugh out loud.
***You Are Diet Coke***
You are energy in its purest form. No need to complicate things with sweetness.
And while people may hate your aftertaste, you are seen as a necessary evil.
Your best soda match: 7 Up
Stay away from: Coke
How ironic. I don’t like 7Up much, and when I do have a few sips of pop, it’s always Coke. I never touch Diet.
And I have an aftertaste that people hate. But hey, I’m a necessary evil so it’s okay.
Sheesh.
If you’re brave enough to take this test after my results, here’s the link — What Kind Of Soda Are You?
I’ve Been Everywhere, Man . . .
September 10, 2007
The other day, while we were driving somewhere, one of my kids asked me how many states I’d been to.
So I started listing them for him — Illinois (duh), Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas, Missouri, Kansas (double-duh), Nebraska, Colorado, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, South Dakota, and California (obviously flew there).
I was really surprised by how big that list was. Twenty-five states. Some I’ve only driven through, but that still counts.
Now I know some of you have been to many more than twenty-five states. Let’s see who’s been to the most!
Sushi for One? By Camy Tang
September 6, 2007
is introducing
(Zondervan, September 1, 2007)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Camy Tang is a member of CFBA and is a loud Asian chick who writes loud Asian chick-lit. She grew up in Hawaii, but now lives in San Jose, California, with her engineer husband and rambunctious poi-dog. In a previous life she was a biologist researcher, but these days she is surgically attached to her computer, writing full-time. In her spare time, she is a staff worker for her church youth group, and she leads one of the worship teams for Sunday service.
Sushi for One? (Sushi Series, Book One is her first novel. Her second, Only Uni (Sushi Series, Book Two) comes out in February 2008!
To celebrate the launch of her debut novel, she’s got a huge contest going on. Camy is giving away baskets of Christian novels and an iPod Nano! Only her newsletter YahooGroup subscribers are eligible to enter, so join today.
For more information about the contest, visit her website.
Contest ends October 31, 2007!
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Lex Sakai’s family, big, nosy, and marriage-minded, is ruled by a crafty grandmother. When her cousin Mariko gets married, Lex will become the OLDEST SINGLE COUSIN in the clan, a loathed position by all single female family members.
Lex has not dated for years.
Grandma homes in on this fact and demands, bribes, and threatens Lex to bring a boyfriend (not just a date) to her cousin’s wedding.
Lex does not want to date … not since that terrible incident a few years back … but, Grandma doesn’t give her that choice.
Lex’s options are slim because she has used her Bible study class on Ephesians to compile a huge list of traits for the PERFECT man (and the more she dates, the more she adds to the list).
The one man she keeps running into (and is completely attracted to) doesn’t seem to have a single quality on her list. It’s only when the always-in-control Lex loses control and lets God take over that all the pieces of this hilarious romance finally fall into place.
If you were here Monday, you already read my interview with Camy and all about her “Camy-o” as I saw her refer to it elsewhere! What a fun book this one was. If you pick it up to read, let me know. And don’t forget Camy’s contest. It’s a whopper.
Also, thanks so much everyone for the encouragement from my last post. I posted a little reply to you all in the comments, if any of you are interested.
Moving Is Hard
September 3, 2007
Really, really hard. And in so many different ways.
Since the beginning of August when we realized we would be moving, I have been basically sprinting till now (with a few stops here and there for Star Wars Battlefront video games). And I tell ya, I’m spent.
I’ve packed up half a house and staged a house in about a week. I’ve run to various grocery stores and Target and Walmart at 6:30 or 7 am. at least half a dozen times in a two week period. I’ve packed up the other half of the house in about 3 days. I’ve tried to keep up with church responsibilities (emphasis on the tried, didn’t quite make it) that needed to be done up until the day we left. I’ve done birthday gift shopping for a child and eventually was smart enough to pass on the party to my mother-in-law’s capable hands. And I slept on the floor one night since everything but a couple blankets, pillows, and sleeping bags was already packed.
And then there are the emotions. The goodbyes. First family, then friends, and then Chicago. Yes, leaving the city was as hard as I imagined it would be.
And now, we’re here in Kansas with the massive crickets I’d forgotten about. We’re unpacking, searching desperately for pens, paper, cell phone chargers, and my kitchen dishcloth (still haven’t found it). I’m looking for a job and preparing myself to juggle our new schedule while I’m still trying to figure out where the grocery stores are.
I still had fifteen pages of a new book and the synopsis to write before the end of August. Somehow I cranked that out on Saturday, just one day late.
For those of you who were wondering how we’re doing, that’s about it. I’d love some Calgon to take me away to a big tub with a laptop beside it so I can write — or maybe a big stash of books beside it so I can lose myself in that. I’d love professional organizers to come in and get my house in order while I prop my feet up on my bed (all our furniture has stuff on it still so there’s no place to sit but on the bed!) and catch a nap.
I know this sounds like a really whiny post (it probably is), and I try really hard to avoid being a whiner, but I’m weary and ready for a break. We’re so glad we’re here. We love this church and the people all ready. We just walked in a Labor Day parade and threw candy at, I mean, to people and handed out flyers about the church’s Awana program. I know this is where we’re supposed to be, and I’m so eager to be used by God to reach this town. We want to see God work in incredible ways here.
So yes, moving is hard. And yes, I’d like to hibernate for the winter (even if it is only Labor Day). But I’ll get over it. I’ll catch up on sleep. I’ll get a day off. I’ll even get to read a book.
If I can find the book box.
Camy Tang’s Sushi for One?
September 3, 2007
A couple weeks ago, while we were driving to and from Kansas, I got to read an advance copy of Camy Tang’s debut novel Sushi for One?
Sports-crazy Lex Sakai isn’t too worried about “winning” the unofficial family title “Oldest Single Female Cousin” when her cousin Mariko marries in a few months. Her control-freak grandma is easy to ignore, until Grandma issues an ultimatum—if Lex can’t find a date for Mariko’s wedding, her ruthless Grandma will cut off funding to the girls’ volleyball team that Lex coaches.
Lex isn’t about to look desperate by dating every player in the dugout. She comes up with a stringent list of requirements from her Ephesians Bible study in her search for The Perfect Man. She always wins in volleyball—if she ups her game, she’s sure to succeed.
Then her brother introduces her to non-Christian, non-athletic, no-immediate-physical-appeal Aiden.
Aiden’s on the rebound from a girl named Trish, who dumped him because he wasn’t Christian. Then he discovers that Lex is 1) not attracted to him at all, 2) Christian, and 3) Trish’s cousin. No way is he hooking up with anyone from that crazy family, much less another hypocritical Christian chick. He’s certainly not masochistic.
Time is running out for Lex, and no matter what she does, she can’t find the right guy. Especially when she keeps running into Aiden everywhere. If only the list would stop getting longer and longer…
I loved Lex! Sushi for One? is a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud story about Lex Sakai and her search for love at the demands of her domineering grandma. Lex is funny, athletic, and a bit obsessed about her goals. Her character develops more and more as the book progresses, and she’s a heroine to root for. I even caught myself groaning out loud in sympathy for her a time or two. I hated to see the book end, but I know Lex will make an appearance in the following books in the series. If you’re looking for a fun, relaxing read, Sushi for One? is it!
And here’s Camy!
SB: Your heroine, Lex Sakai, is quite an athlete, specifically into volleyball. What about you, Camy?
CT: My husband and I played coed volleyball for several years, although I wasn’t as good as Lex. My hubby still plays, but I’ve retired after I tore my ACL twice. Yup, not fun. I decided to give up volleyball rather than risking a third tear and a third surgery.
SB: Ouch! I guess I’d retire, too. In the story, Lex mentions a girl named Camy who gets brained by volleyballs all the time. I have to ask — is that you making a cameo in your own book?
CT: Yup! I am a ball magnet. That part someone mentions about Camy being hit by a volleyball as she walks across the back of a court — that’s me. Happened to me twice. Both times, I was just walking across the back of the gym, but I got nailed in the head by a hitter at the net whose spike went way long.
And the part where Camy gets smashed in the face? Guilty. Happened to me at my Nikkei Volleyball League night.
SB: If it’s any comfort, Camy, I’ve been there too. Someone spiked a ball right at my eye, and my contact went flying. Good times!
Back to the book — you did a wonderful job developing Lex’s character. She just gets better and better as the book goes on. How hard is it to leave a character at the end of a book?
CT: Luckily, I don’t have to leave Lex because the series involves all the cousins at some point. While each book deals with a different cousin, the other cousins are involved in the storyline and evolve themselves as the series goes on.
I think I’m also kind of a weird writer because I have never “talked” to my character or “interviewed” them. Unlike other writers, I don’t really personify my characters and talk about them that way. So as to “leaving” a character at the end of a book, I don’t have problems with it because their story arc is concluded satisfyingly, and that’s that.
SB: When will the other three books in the series be released? Do you have any plans for books after the Sushi series is done?
CT: Only Uni, Trish’s story, releases February 2008, and we recently decided on the title for the third book, which is Single Sashimi (Venus’s story), scheduled to release in September or October 200. The fourth book is not contracted (yet). If it doesn’t, I hope to have at least a shrot story or novella available for people with Jenn’s story.
As for what’s next, I’m working on another proposal, this time a YA series.
SB: Tell us about your contest this fall.
CT: It’ll be just like the one I ran last year. I’m giving away baskets of books and an iPod Nano! Only members of my newsletter YahooGroup can enter, so join today: http://groups.yahoo.com/group
Also, you get extra entries if you get your friends to join my YahooGroup and enter the contest. All they have to do is mention your name, email address, or YahooGroup profile ID when they enter, and you get 3 extra entries.
SB: So all of you who enter Camy’s contest, remember you heard about it here! Camy, where can people find you on the web?
I also blog 5 days a week on my blog:
> http://camys-loft.blogspot.com
SB: Anything you’d like to add?
CT: Thanks so much for having me here, Sally!