Carol's Notebook

Thanks to Marcia at The Printed Page for hosting Mailbox Monday. I found one book in my mailbox this week, but I think it'll be a great one. I won it at Peeking Between the Pages. Thanks, Dar!   Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross For a thousand years men have denied her existence--Pope Joan, the woman who disguised herself as a man and rose to rule Christianity for two years. Now this compelling novel animates the legend with a portrait of an unforgettable woman who struggles against  restrictions her soul cannot accept. When her older brother dies in a Viking attack, the brilliant young Joan assumes his identity and enters a Benedictine monastery where, as  Brother John Anglicus, she distinguishes herself as a scholar and healer. Eventually drawn to Rome, she soon becomes enmeshed in a dangerous mix of powerful passion and explosive politics that threatens her life even as it elevates her to the highest throne in the Western world.   What books found their way to your...

I thought I’d let you know some of the giveaways I ran across this week. As always, my current giveaway is listed on my sidebar and make sure you check out West of Mars- Win a Book! where there's always a ton of links to great contests, interviews and guest posts. Summer of Two Wishes by Julia London, at Seductive Musings (ends tonight, August 22, US and Canada, no PO boxes) Rooftops of Tehran by Mahbod Seraji, at Savvy Verse & Wit (ends August 24, International) The Dust of 100 Dogs by A. S. King, at Stop, Drop & Read (ends August 31, International) School of Fear or The Makedown by Gitty Daneshvari, at Stop, Drop & Read (ends August 31, North America and Europe) Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev, at Life After Jane (ends August 31, International) The Coyote Road: Trickster Tales edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling, at Wordsmithonia (ends August 31, International) The White Queen by Philippa Gregory, at Booking Mama (ends September...

Amber got a new book this week, Egyptology, and happened to notice that the picture on the book matched a picture on the box of a game we have on our shelves, Horus. So, I decided to spotlight that game today, although we've only played a couple of times. It's rated ages 10 and up, but I may give it a try with Amber, connecting it to her new book.     Horus Designer: Jean Vanaise Manufacturer: Mayfair Games Year: 2008 Players: 2 - 4 Time: 60 - 90 minutes Ages: 10 and up Seize your destiny and reign supreme over the land of Egypt! Discover your inner Pharaoh with Horus, as players journey to ancient Egypt's sacred Nile valley in a struggle to control the land of Kemet. Guide the course of the sacred river, cultivate the land surrounding it, build a holy necropolis to thwart your foes, and earn the blessings of the Horus temple as you seek to unite the valley into one great kingdom! My thoughts: This is...

I would like to thank JD Seamus for taking a page in my notebook today to share the one thing he doesn't want to hear at book signings.   “Book Madness – Why Everyone Feels They Have a Book in Them” One of the most frequent things I hear when I happen to confess to being a writer is generally, “I’ve always wanted to write. I have a great book in me.” No you don’t. If you did, it would be written. I hear the “book in me drivel” a lot at book signings. Don’t get me wrong. I love the people part of the business and book signings is the people part but please, ask about the book and tell me what you like or dislike-or hell, even about the pony you are buying your kid. Or best, “Can I buy you a beer?” But please don’t cheapen writers worth by saying you can do it as if it’s not one huge amount...