October Author in the Spotlight Wrap-up and Giveaway

October Author in the Spotlight Wrap-up and Giveaway.

The Tale of Halcyon Crane Giveaway Ends Today at Midnight!!!

October - Author in the Spotlight Wrap-Up.

  October is coming to an end and tonight is All Hallows Eve.  I would like to end October with a treat by highlighting Hometown Track Minnesota Author in the Spotlight, Wendy Webb.

Today is the last day to enter the contest to win a copy of The Tale of Halcyon Crane.  The contest ends at midnight tonight.  The contest is open to people living in the U.S. that are current Booksnob followers.  Good Luck and as always thanks for following Booksnob!

Click here to enter: The Tale of Halcyon Crane Contest

Check out my book review of The Tale of Halcyon Crane.  The Tale of Halcyon Crane is Webb's first novel about a woman and her journey to uncover the truth about her past.  The Tale of Halcyon Crane won the Minnesota Book Award for genre fiction in 2011.  This is a good old fashioned ghost story, complete with witches, seances, family secrets and murder.  It will definitely tingle your spine and keep you reading late into the night.


Book Review:  The Tale of Halcyon Crane Book Review


Be sure to read the Author Interview with Wendy Webb, she describes why she believes in ghosts and the experiences of many of her readers.  She also describes her experience winning the MN book award.  She just finished the new novel she is writing and I can't wait to read it!

Author Interview:  Wendy Webb Author Interview

As October comes to a close I would like to thank Wendy for being the October Minnesota Author in the Spotlight here on Booksnob.  She is a talented writer and I look forward to reading her next book and working with her in the future.  Please visit Wendy's website at http://www.wendykwebb.com and support her by reading her award winning book The Tale of Halcyon Crane. 

The Tale of Halcyon Crane by Wendy Webb

The Tale of Halcyon Crane by Wendy Webb

Anyone in the mood for a good ghost story and a giveaway?  

Halcyon Crane grew up believing the story that her mother and all their belongings perished in a fire when she was five.  He father alone raised her and she led a fairly ideal life.  Jump ahead 30 years and she  has just received a letter in the mail confirming her whole life has been a lie.  Her mother has only recently died and sent a letter to her through her lawyer.  Hallie is in shock and doesn't know what to believe and when her dad confirms her worst suspicions, she decides to investigate and go to her childhood home, a home she has no memory of.

Halcyon travels to a remote island in Great Lakes area and it is like traveling back in time.  There are no motorized vehicles on the island and the place seems shrouded in mystery.  Everyone keep staring at her and she keeps having visions of people that aren't there.  Eventually Hallie begins to question what is real as she learns her true identity and the history of her family.

The Tale of Halcyon Crane is a good old fashioned ghost story complete with witches, graveyards, seances, secrets and murder.  It is the perfect book for a bone chilling evening that will at once captivate you and transport you to another dimension.  You may become so immersed in the story you might even see a ghost out of the corner of your eye and then question what you see, like Hallie.

Do you believe in ghosts?  I do.  I grew up in a haunted house and felt the presence of many different ghosts.  I usually get a chill that travels from the tip of my toe to the top of my head when I am in the presence of one.  It is an errie feeling to have and it doesn't happen very often.  My favorite story to tell of the ghost in my house took place on my 13th birthday party sleepover.  I told my friends the house was haunted and they didn't believe me.  Immediately the lights in the room popped on and every girl screamed.  The lights went off and on for several minutes.  I think everyone believed me after that.

What about you?  I would love to hear your ghost story or your opinion on ghosts.  Do you believe we are surrounded by spirits?

If you would like to win a copy of this book please visit the contest link:  The Tale of Halycon Crane Contest

The Grace of Silence by Michele Norris

The Grace of Silence. A Family Memoir by Michele Norris

Every family keeps secrets that are hidden from the next generation.  Whether intentional or not, some secrets are stories that never get told. These stories may explain or define who we are but stay hidden beneath layers of memory.

Michele Norris started out writing a book to explore hidden conversations about race and what she found were painful secrets her parents kept hidden from their children. This is Michele's journey to unearth the secrets of her past and find meaning and grace in her parent's choice to remain silent. 

First Michele introduces us to her family and her life growing up in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  She then tells her grandmother's story and investigates her job as a traveling Aunt Jemima in the Midwest.   Then Norris travels south to Alabama to learn why her father, a World War II veteran, was shot weeks after he arrived home by a white police officer in Birmingham. 

Have you ever traced your family roots?  Have you sat down with the elder generation of your family to ask questions?  Each of us has a family story to tell and a generation of memories that make us who we are.  After reading The Grace of Silence, I thought about the secrets my family has, the ones I've heard, the secrets I've told and the secrets I myself still keep.  And I thought about race.

My grandfather had a secret that he took to his grave and I learned of it 13 years after his death.  My grandfather fought in World War II and was in the 9th Army Air Force.  He was in Belgium, occupying a castle with the Germans about 2 miles away.  There was a bar many of the soldiers frequented during their time off and it was not segregated, so black and white soldiers could drink in the space together.  This was normal for my grandpa because he lived in Minnesota where public places were not segregated.  A fight broke out between a white soldier and a black soldier.  The white soldier pulled out his gun and pointed it at the African American soldier and pulled the trigger.  My grandpa happened to be near the area and I am not sure if he knew either man but he pushed the hand of the soldier with the gun away as the gun fired two shots.  Both shots landed in the ceiling of the bar.  My grandpa took this story, a heroic story in my opinion, to his grave.  Why?

I learned this story from the women whose parents owned that bar in Belgium and who remained one of my grandfather's friends.  My mom and I visited Maggie in 2004, about 13 years after my grandfather's death and she told us this story. 

The Grace of Silence is a book that will get you thinking about race.  Now is the time to take the initiative and start talking about race and break down the barriers and secrets that hold all of us in place.
It is time for change.

The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan

The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson and The Olympians.  Book Three.

Another riveting story from Rick Riordan.  The Titan's Curse is the third book in the Percy Jackson series and it will not disappoint avid fans.  Percy and his friends, Grover, Thalia and Annabeth meet up with Artemis and her virgin hunters to save the world.  Annabeth disappears early in the story and it becomes Percy's mission to save his best friend from peril at the hands of his nemesis Luke.  Several new characters and Greek gods enter the story and continue the drama as the Titan Lord sets his trap.  Will Percy be the demigod that will fulfill the prophecy of Kronos's curse?

The ending is full of interesting surprises to keep young and mature readers up late into the night turning the pages.  I read The Titan's Curse aloud to my children and enjoyed every minute of this action packed adventure.  What I love about Percy is that he is an unlikely hero.  He has ADHD and dyslexia, like both of my kids, and doesn't perform well at school but he has a gift to protect those that he loves and fights to keep them safe.  Percy may not be the best student in school but he is a wonderful teenager with many gifts including a kind heart.  Percy is the kind of character every mom loves.

Percy Jackson and The Olympians is one of my favorite series to read aloud to my kids.  My kids are 13 and 10 now and we have read the series for the last three years.  Next year we will start Book Four The Battle of the Labyrinth.  It has been empowering for my children to read about a character that has ADHD and dyslexia and who faces the same challenges they do on a daily basis.  My kids couldn't read a book this large quickly due to dyslexia and reading aloud is a positive alternative and makes for excellent listeners.  My son and daughter have recently started taking on more challenging books and even thought it takes them a long time to finish, they persevere and they have built confidence much like the characters who have overcome challenges in the Olympian books.  Thanks Rick Riordan for writing great books that kids love.

What books have you read aloud to your kids and would recommend?

Wendy Webb Author Interview and Giveaway

Hey Booksnob Followers,
Do you like spooky ghost stories?  Well, Wendy Webb, Minnesota Author in the Spotlight this month on Booksnob has answered some questions about her book, The Tale of Halcyon Crane, that will interest you.  Readers, I am wondering, Do you believe in ghosts?  Be sure to read Wendy Webb's answer.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself?

I’m from Minneapolis and currently live in Duluth with my husband and our 100-pound Malamute, Molly. My son, Ben, is off to college this year. We also have a cabin on the Gunflint Trail, where we love to spend time.

2. What inspired you to write The Tale of Halcyon Crane?

We took a trip to Mackinac Island, which I find to be a very lovely place that’s also extremely eerie. Old, Victorian mansions, an ancient, crumbling cemetery, horse-drawn carriages clopping through the streets — it’s the perfect setting for a ghost story.

3.  Usually an author puts some of his own life experiences in the book.  Did you do that?  Do you have anything in common with your characters?

I put my two dogs, Tundra and Tika, into the book as Madlyn’s dogs. They never met in life, Tika died before we got Tundra, and now both of them have passed away, but they’ll live together forever in the pages of my book.

4. This is your first book.  Can you tell us why or when you decided to become a writer? 

I’ve been a writer my whole life and I’ve spent my career as a journalist (I’m currently the editor of Duluth~Superior Magazine), but I’ve wanted to be an author since I was about 13 years old. To have that lifelong dream come true is quite a thrill for me.

5. Do you like to read?  What authors or books influence you?

I’m reading all the time. Currently, it’s Louise Penney’s series of mysteries set in Quebec featuring the elegant and courtly chief inspector Armand Gamache. I highly recommend them! The book that has had the greatest influence on me is A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle. I read it when I was a child, and it made me realize that I wanted to be a writer.

6. Are you currently working on a second novel and will you share part of the plot with us?

I just finished it! It’s similar in tone to Halcyon — it’s a mystery set in a big old house that’s filled with all sorts of secrets and strangeness.

7. Do you believe that ghosts are real or are they the work of a creative imagination?

I’ve always believed they were real, but now I’m certain of it. On my travels promoting this book over the past year, I found that the book discussion would often turn to the topic of ghosts. Countless numbers of people have told me their stories of ghostly encounters, visits from relatives who had passed away, and strange occurrences.

8. Your book contains the discovery of old family secrets.  Do you feel some secrets are best kept silent or do you feel the truth must be told regardless the consequences? 

This is an interesting question. I believe that some things are best left hidden, especially if there is nothing to gain and much to lose by bringing them to light. In a case like that, truth for truth’s sake is harmful.

9. The Tale of Halcyon Crane won the Minnesota Book Award for genre fiction this year.  Can you describe your initial reaction when they called your name at the awards ceremony?

I’ll remember it for the rest of my life. My parents, my husband, my son and my closest friends were there with me, and when the presenter announced my name, they all erupted in shrieks and applause and more than a few tears. I’m truly grateful to have received such a prestigious honor for my first book, and the fact that the most important people in my life were there to experience it with me made it all the more special.

10. In one sentence tell readers why they should read The Tale of Halcyon Crane?

People should read it if they enjoy the chills that come from an eerie mystery, old family secrets long buried, and ghosts.

 

Thanks Wendy,

Booksnob followers if you are interested in winning a copy of Webb's book The Tale of Halcyon Crane please click here:  The Tale of Halcyon Crane Contest

Laura

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

Before I go on a trip, I like to read a book or two that takes place in the area I am visiting.  It helps me get to know the city, country or place from a literate point of view.

The Lost Symbol takes place in Washington D.C. and I am fortunate to be visiting there soon.  The Lost Symbol is literally a tour of the D.C. area and it includes the symbolic history of the monuments complete with connections to the ancient world.  This book has introduced me to places I now want to visit and awakened my excitement for traveling.  Places like The Library of Congress, The National Cathedral (Darth Vader gargoyle), National Archives, Alexandria, Virginia and so much more.

The Lost Symbol is the 3rd book in the Robert Langdon series.  The first two are Angels and Demons, and The Da Vinci Code.  This book continues the saga of Langdon, with murder, mystery, misconceptions, and the race to save the world from an unknown fate.  It includes ancient languages, history, religion with particular focus on the founding fathers and Masonry.  Brown never fails to surprise me with his plot twists and turns.  Just when I think I figure the mystery out, something unexpected happens.  Love him or hate him, a book by Dan Brown is an entertaining read especially if Robert Langdon is the main character.

I read the special illustrated edition of The Lost Symbol and it is beautifully done with real photos that enhance the learning and understanding of the reader.  I wish more books were illustrated, so readers could see the connection to the real world the novel contains.  Brown is an excellent teacher of  hidden history and this book is a gem waiting to be discovered by those who love adventures in reading. 

Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot by Margot Theis Raven

Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot.  A True Story of the Berlin Airlift and The Candy that Dropped from the Sky by Margot Theis Raven
Illustrated by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen

This is a true story about a American pilot named Col. Gail S. Halvorson USAF and a little German girl named Mercedes Wild.

World War II has ended and the four allies, Russia, Great Britain, France and the United States all controlled parts of Berlin.  Russia controlled East Berlin, while the three remaining countries controlled the three sectors of West Berlin.  On June 24th, 1948 Stalin tried to take over control of all of Berlin, thereby creating a blockade of West Berlin by cutting off all routes to the city.  The Allies did not want to start World War three and so they created a sky bridge and  flew supplies day and night into West Berlin, known as The Berlin Airlift.

Mercedes is seven years old and lives in a bombed out section of West Berlin.  Airplanes continuously roared overhead and her chickens were so scared they wouldn't lay the eggs her family desperately needed.  The planes rained down supplies, like flour, clothing, coal and candy.  One day, Mercedes mother read a story in the newspaper of the American pilot, Lt. Gail Halvorson who parachuted candy to the children of Berlin. He earned the nickname The Chocolate Pilot and people from all over America donated handkerchiefs for parachutes and candy for the children of Berlin.  Mercedes decides to write him a letter.

Lt. Halvorson and the people of America who donated supplies to the Berlin Airlift brought hope to the people of Berlin.  Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot is a beautiful work of art and a testament to the kindness and civility of people after World War II.  President Truman said on that fateful day on June 24th, 1948 "There is no discussion.  We stay in Berlin.  Period." The Berlin Airlift lasted from June 26, 1948 to September 30, 1949. 

I never knew this piece of history until I read this story and I am so glad I did.  Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot was very moving and inspirational.  It is a true story about the kindness of others that we all hope will be extended to us in our time of need.  You need to buy some candy, read this book together with your family and enjoy this sweet and delicious story.  Children's books are not just for kids.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire caught me by surprise several times with the many twists and unexpected turns it takes, leading the reader on a continuous adventure.  The second book in The Hunger Games series starts out at a mild pace but quickly gains speed as Katniss and Peeta head out on their victory tour.  President Snow has told Katniss to calm the people in the districts but they see Katniss as an inspiration and the mockingjay has become their symbol of rebellion.  Katniss just wants to protect her family and do as she is told but things quickly spiral out of control and Katniss finds herself back in competition fighting for her life. 

My son and I read this book in tandem, each with our own copy, talking about it everyday.  My favorite memory reading Catching Fire is sitting on the patio swing with my son on a Sunday afternoon reading it quietly together.  Another fun memory is when he was reading it in the car and at a stoplight I was reading over his shoulder, when the book revealed a secret I hadn't yet read.  I love that this series by Collins reaches across generations and I can't wait to read the third book, Mockingjay, with my son. This book is not just for teenagers!

Katniss is one powerful young woman, capable of more than she gives herself credit for.  Peeta is a inspiring, selfless young man who is smart on his feet.  Suzanne Collins has created a unique cast of characters who instantly challenge you to search for their particular attributes and not judge them by their appearance.  Catching Fire has a lot to offer to its readers as it is packed full of adventure, suspense, tainted love, confusion, violence and survival.  It is Survivor reality show meets Ancient Roman Gladiators wrapped up in a novel that is sure to keep you reading late into the night.

The Tale of Halcyon Crane Contest

The Tale of Halcyon Crane Contest

Hometown Track Minnesota Author in the Spotlight, Wendy Webb and her publisher Henry Holt are giving away THREE copies of her Minnesota award winning book, The Tale of Halcyon Crane, to Booksnob followers who live in the United States.

Here is the synopsis from Goodreads:
A young woman travels alone to a remote island to uncover a past she never knew was hers in this thrilling modern ghost story
When a mysterious letter lands in Hallie James’s mailbox, her life is upended. Hallie was raised by her loving father, having been told her mother died in a fire decades earlier. But it turns out that her mother, Madlyn, was alive until very recently. Why would Hallie’s father have taken her away from Madlyn? What really happened to her family thirty years ago?
In search of answers, Hallie travels to the place where her mother lived, a remote island in the middle of the Great Lakes. The stiff islanders fix her first with icy stares and then unabashed amazement as they recognize why she looks so familiar, and Hallie quickly realizes her family’s dark secrets are enmeshed in the history of this strange place. But not everyone greets her with such a chilly reception—a coffee-shop owner and the family’s lawyer both warm to Hallie, and the possibility of romance blooms. And then there’s the grand Victorian house bequeathed to her—maybe it’s the eerie atmosphere or maybe it’s the prim, elderly maid who used to work for her mother, but Hallie just can’t shake the feeling that strange things are starting to happen . . .
In The Tale of Halcyon Crane, Wendy Webb has created a haunting story full of delicious thrills, vibrant characters, and family secrets.

Contest Rules:
Leave a comment
Fill out form
Must be U.S. resident
Must be a Booksnob follower
Ends 10/31 at midnight
Good Luck! 

Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren

Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren

Tuscany, Italy evokes dreams but not for Gabi and Lia who have spent too many summers digging up ancient artifacts and long to be home.  These bored teenagers stumble into an ancient Etruscan tomb and find a passage back in time where they end up in the 14th century.

Gabi is wearing her skinny jeans and looks quite quizzical to the knights fighting each other over land.  In fact her appearance causes quite a stir and the men don't know what to make of this young lady in odd clothing. Lia and Gabi have somehow lost each other in the passage of time.  It becomes Gabi's quest to find Lia yet she is confined by the demands of 14th century society and drawn to the handsome betrothed knight who rescues her.

History meets fantasy in this fun time travel series.  Gabi and Lia are great main characters who try to fit into society but aren't able to suppress their girl power.  The girls enlighten the people of Medieval Italy with their kick-ass girl power and end up endangering their lives. 

This is a clean novel for teenagers with a mix of history, adventure, a sweet love story and strong female characters.  Bergren has created a series for teens and adults that will keep you reading long into the night.   Waterfall may cause you to dream in Medieval speak and think you need to be rescued by a handsome prince when all you really need is a pretty dress, some really good food and this book!  OK, I agree, a sword by your bedside would be nice and maybe you should rescue the prince instead. Touche'!

 

Contest Winners!!

Contest Winners!!

It has been a busy week here.  My daughter has strep throat, diagnosed on Friday, my uncle passed away on Sunday, my husband's birthday was Monday, 2 orthodontist appointments today, my uncle Ed's funeral tomorrow, parent conferences and working a 12 hour day on Thursday and add to the mix that I am starting to get a sore throat and a out of town wedding on Saturday and it makes my head spin round and round.  Thanks for listening.

Now to announcing the winners!

The winner of the Banned Books Week Giveaway is Brooke and she has won a 10 dollar amazon gift card.  She has already received her gift.  Happy shopping Brooke.


There are 3 winners for the Vestments contest. 

1.  Karen from Texas
2.  Jordan from Florida
3.  Christie from Princeton, Minnesota

Congratulations Ladies!

I hope everyone has a great week and you have some time to relax.

Hometown Track Minnesota Author in the Spotlight - October

Hometown Track Minnesota Author in the Spotlight

I am super excited to announce my October author in the spotlight.  Wendy Webb is the author of The Tale of Halcyon Crane.  This gothic, ghost story is set on an island in the middle of the Great Lakes. Webb won the Minnesota Book Award for genre fiction for her book.  It promises to be a great read that will keep you up late at night.

Here is the synopsis from Goodreads:
A young woman travels alone to a remote island to uncover a past she never knew was hers in this thrilling modern ghost story
When a mysterious letter lands in Hallie James’s mailbox, her life is upended. Hallie was raised by her loving father, having been told her mother died in a fire decades earlier. But it turns out that her mother, Madlyn, was alive until very recently. Why would Hallie’s father have taken her away from Madlyn? What really happened to her family thirty years ago?
In search of answers, Hallie travels to the place where her mother lived, a remote island in the middle of the Great Lakes. The stiff islanders fix her first with icy stares and then unabashed amazement as they recognize why she looks so familiar, and Hallie quickly realizes her family’s dark secrets are enmeshed in the history of this strange place. But not everyone greets her with such a chilly reception—a coffee-shop owner and the family’s lawyer both warm to Hallie, and the possibility of romance blooms. And then there’s the grand Victorian house bequeathed to her—maybe it’s the eerie atmosphere or maybe it’s the prim, elderly maid who used to work for her mother, but Hallie just can’t shake the feeling that strange things are starting to happen . . .
In The Tale of Halcyon Crane, Wendy Webb has created a haunting story full of delicious thrills, vibrant characters, and family secrets.

In the month of October, you can expect an author interview, a book review and a contest.  Stay tuned for a ghostly month of fun.