Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Kirkus

So every writer knows that getting a positive review from Kirkus, never mind a star, is quite a feat. Well, Jazz in Love was recently reviewed on the Kirkus blog. If it weren't for the "factual error" the reviewer pointed out, the actual review was quite lovely. I don't mind "predictable" - there are thousands of predictable books on the shelves featuring white teens. In a sea of books about PoC who suffer nobly, are rescued by white or western saviours, or are living amidst despair and violence, I am delighted that in this book, South Asian teens get to star in a light, fun, somewhat predictable read that was compared to some of Meg Cabot's (The Princess Diaries) writing :).

Even though my elation was slightly dampened by one line I didn't catch, I cherish the review, nonetheless. [The line: one of my characters states that same-sex marriage is legal in Hawaii - and it is not.] I am grateful to the reviewer, who personally sent me a kind email notifying me of the review, for bringing this to my attention and I have already implemented the change in all editions.

There may be a slight lapse of a few days in availability while Jazz in Love is updated, but it will be back up and available almost immediately.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Giveaway of L.K. Madigan's Books


The Debs are giving away tons of copies of L.K. Madigan's books, FLASH BURNOUT and THE MERMAID'S MIRROR. Each of us is buying a copy of both of Lisa's books and offering them to readers as a way to show our love and support for Lisa, and also to celebrate the wonderful books, themselves!

I've known Lisa (also known as L.K.) as fun, funny, irreverent and a lady who tells it like it is. Last week, she shared some "hard news" on her blog and we were all devastated. We love you, Lisa!

Please go and comment to win a copy of (the 2010 Morris Award winning) FLASH BURNOUT, or THE MERMAID'S MIRROR - your chances are really good. And please help spread the word about Lisa's amazing books. Tweet the giveaway, announce it on Facebook and tell your friends!

Monday, January 10, 2011

Release Day!!!


Today, January 10th, 2011, is Release Day for JAZZ IN LOVE!!! I am so excited and overwhelmed and full of gratitude. Please help me celebrate!!

Here is where Jazz is available:

Boone Bridge Books (indie bookseller)
Indiebound (US)
Powell's (US)


And here is where you can find JAZZ in eBook:

For the Apple iPad

Sony e-reader, Stanza, Diesel, and hand-held reading devices

Kindle

If you don't see it at your local bookstore, please ask them to order copies!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Movie Links & A Giveaway

And so we begin anew! Another cycle of birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, gray hair. >grin<

First: if you don't have a copy of Jazz in Love, Edi over at Crazy Quilts is giving away two copies, so if you'd like to enter your name in the draw, go on over and comment!

Second, here are a couple of films I watched over the holidays that I really liked -



The main criticism of the film seems to be that it was not an accurate depiction of the horrors of Partition. But honestly? I've read, watched, and heard enough about the carnage of Partition to last me a looong time. This was a love story by Kashmiri-born director, Vic Sarin, and for that, it was quite beautiful. Yes, they got a lot of it wrong (the accents, some of the details), but for the love story (for which I am, admittedly, a sucker), it was well worth watching.

And this one -



I got worried about this one partway through, but then it righted itself and ended up pretty good.

Happy viewing, all!