Whatever Wednesday – Back Soon!

June 2nd, 2010

Hey, everyone!!

Hope you had a fabulous weekend. I’m in the midst of some serious writing – finishing up Pretty Tough 4, copy edits for HEAD GAMES, and a new novel. In the meantime, I wanted to let you know I’m planning some fun stuff for the blog this summer… And I’ll be back this weekend for my first edition of Jersey Shore Sundays.

The countdown is on – six months – HEAD GAMES!!!

Happy Wednesday!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!!

May 28th, 2010

Lots of softball, beach, and boardwalk.. Total Bliss.

Enjoy!

Chick Lit Teens and a Contest

May 16th, 2010

Hope everyone is having an amazing weekend!!

I’m over at Chick Lit Teens today talking about Dance Do Overs and giving away ‘your choice’ from this pile.

Check out the guest post here.

Happy Sunday!

Whatever Wednesday: Lauren Baratz Logsted Stops By for a Q & A

May 12th, 2010

Hey, Everyone!!

Today I’m excited and honored to feature the fabulous and multi-published author, Lauren Baratz Logsted. Lauren’s in the midst of a very clever blog tour – one question and one answer a day – to promote her upcoming double release (check out the blurbs below), THE EDUCATION OF BET (July, 2010) and THE SISTERS EIGHT BOOK 5: MARCIA’S MADNESS (May, 2010) . Lauren is not only an amazing storyteller, but also a kind person and one who is always willing to lend a helping hand to a fellow author.

Without further ado, here’s the blog tour sporty question (of course):

Did you play any sports? If so, do you have a fun sporty story to share?

I played basketball and was co-captain of my junior high team. This is instantly funny because I’m 4’11 and so was my co-captain who was also my best friend. We both had fabulous outside shots but the teams we played against all had girls 6 to 12 inches taller than us and, well, I can’t jump. I can’t run very fast either. Problem was I’d get one shot off from far out, the opposing team would realize what my game was – my only game – and that was the end of that. I think we won one game by one point that year. Still, we had a blast. Just because you’re not very good at a thing is no reason not to do it. Well, unless you’re a brain surgeon.

Love it Lauren! Thanks for sharing your sporty story.

Don’t miss Lauren’s latest Young Adult novel THE EDUCATION OF BET coming this July…

When Will and Bet were four, tragic circumstances brought them to the same house, to be raised by a wealthy gentleman as brother and sister. Now sixteen, they’ve both enjoyed a privileged upbringing thus far. But not all is well in their household. Because she’s a girl, Bet’s world is contained within the walls of their grand home, her education limited to the rudiments of reading, writing, arithmetic, and sewing. Will’s world is much larger. He is allowed—forced, in his case—to go to school. Neither is happy.

So Bet comes up with a plan and persuades Will to give it a try: They’ll switch places. She’ll go to school as Will. Will can live as he chooses. But once Bet gets to school, she soon realizes living as a boy is going to be much more difficult than she imagined.

And, if you’re looking for a an amazing tween/children’s series, check out SISTER EIGHT BOOK 5: MARCIA’S MADNESS out now..

Questions! Questions! Questions! The Sisters Eight have so many questions and so few answers! Luckily, one more month means they’ll get a few answers.

Marcia’s month is about to begin. You remember Marcia, right? The sensible one? The one who would never do anything . . . crazy?

Thanks, Lauren for stopping by!!

Happy Wednesday!

Sporty Saturday Spotlight Takes a Summer Break

May 7th, 2010

Sporty Saturday Spotlight is enjoying a busy summer season and is on a break until the fall..

But, keep the emails coming!

If you’re an athlete (or you know an athlete) and you would like to be spotlighted during the 2010 – 2011 season, please shoot me an email at kerimikulski(at)gmail(dot)com.

Thanks for visiting and have a fabulous summer!

Whatever Wednesday: May Book Review Club

May 4th, 2010

Yay, May! I hope everyone is enjoying the spring season so far. I know I am. I love watching the Jersey shore come to back life after a way too long winter. Gotta love this time of year.

The first Wednesday of the month means another edition of The Book Review Club hosted by Barrie Summy, author of the I So Don’t Do Mysteries series. Today, I’m featuring a book you’ll want to take to the beach with you this summer – Heartbreak River, written by the fabulous Tricia Mills. Tricia is not only an amazing writer, but she’s a great person. When you get a chance, check out Tricia’s amazing website, THE HEALTHY WRITER. It’s a goodie.

Here’s Heartbreak River‘s blurb…

How many times can one girl’s heart get broken?

Grayton River has already taken too much from Alex. First her father, who drowned a year ago in a tragic rafting accident. Then Sean, her boyfriend from last summer who she hasn’t seen or heard from since the day her dad died.

Now Sean’s back in Golden Bend and Alex wants him more than ever. But can they connect again after what happened last summer? Can Alex risk her heart one more time?

Here are five things I loved about Heartbreak River..

1. Tricia is an emotional romantic writing pro! If you love deep reads, she’s your girl.

2. Tricia also has the unexplained author ‘it factor’. She keeps the pages turning and keeps me caring about her characters.

3. Heartbreak River is filled with sensory details – felt like I was Alex.

4. The author does an amazing job writing about death, war, family relationships, and grieving – some tough subjects to tackle.

5. Great summer romance!

Be sure to toss Mills’ debut, Heartbreak River, into your beach bag this summer.

Happy Wednesday!

Disclosure: I often receive ARCs and/or books for reviews (most of the time due to my Chick Lit column for South Jersey Mom magazine and sometimes because I’m an author and other times because I beg). However, I do not blog about every book I receive, only the ones I absolutely adore or feel the need to recommend to fans of sporty lit.

Whatever Wednesday: Check Out this List!

April 28th, 2010

Hey, everyone!

I came across a list that I couldn’t stop thinking about last night. Check out  What’s Missing in Contemporary YA? on Steph Su Reads. It’s a goodie.

Of course, number six athletes, I totally agree with – Yay, Steph Su! And acne.. how can we forget about acne? (Writing note to self). I was also excited to see the college application process mentioned – agree. Tackling an athletic spin-off with my current WIP.

What a great list.. And something I spend a lot of time thinking about.. What is missing? What can I write about that hasn’t been done a million times before? How can I entertain the audience and serve up something fresh? Did I mention I love Steph Su for mentioning athletes?

What do you think of the list? What do you think is missing in YA lit or any genre? Or do you think it’s all been done?

Happy Wednesday!

Sporty Saturday Spotlight Presents Arianna Alosi

April 24th, 2010

As the Sporty Saturday Spotlight season winds down (we’ll be back in September), this week’s spotlight features a rising softball star in South Jersey (Go, Crusaders!), Arianna Alosi. Check out Arianna’s in-depth interview below where she dishes about Jennie Finch, an amazing game, and much, much more.

Name: Arianna Alosi

Age: 15

Sport(s): Softball

Hometown: Wildwood, New Jersey

High School: Wildwood Catholic High School

Number: 2

Position: Second Base

What’s your fave sport? Softball

How many years have you been playing your fave sport? 11 years

What was your fave sporty moment or memory?

My favorite memory was during my freshman year when my high school softball team won our playoff game in extra innings.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from playing your sport?

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to always think positive and never give up.

What have you learned about teamwork?

I’ve learned that there’s no “I” in team. Everyone has to work together and give 100% commitment. Teamwork is essential and teammates stay together for life.

How do you balance school and sports?

I’m very organized, so I try and do all my schoolwork before practice.

List some awards or accolades you’ve received.

I have received the GWLL Coaches and Umpires Award and have been selected for the Little League Hall of Fame.

Who’s your fave athlete, both male and female?

My favorite male athlete would have to be Chase Utley and my favorite female is Jennie Finch.

What’s the girliest thing you like to do? (Pretty Tough signature question)

The girliest thing that I like to do is to sit on the beach and read a book while working on my tan!

Thanks, Arianna! Love your pic with Finch! Best of luck with the rest of your season!

Do you or someone you know want to be spotlighted? We’re rounding up a group of new athletes for 2010 – 2011. Send an email to Keri Mikulski at kerimikulski(at)gmail(dot)com.

Happy Saturday!

Whatever Wednesday – Authors and Cyber PR – Good or Bad?

April 21st, 2010

Hey, everyone!! Hope you’re enjoying the gorgeous spring weather!

Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about cyber publicity. Especially in regards to how certain choices effects an author’s career. Personally, I’ve bought an author’s book after connecting on Facebook, Twitter, and/or after reading their blog. But, on the flip side, friends of mine have been turned off by an author and decided not to pick up their book after reading something on the Internet.

So, here’s my question.. Does cyber PR always help an author? Or can publicity sometimes hurt? And is spending a ton of time on cyber publicity worth it? Or does it all come down to the book?

Happy Wednesday!

Sporty Saturday Spotlight Presents Laura Fong Yee

April 17th, 2010

This Saturday the sporty spotlight shines bright on twenty-year-old skateboarder, Laura Fong-Yee. Check out Laura’s in-depth interview below where she dishes on her respect, time management, hanging out, and much, much more.

Name: Laura Fong-Yee

Age: 20

Sport(s): Skateboarding is my #1, but I love playing all sports (soccer, basketball, golf, bowling, football, tennis)

Hometown: Tampa, FL

High School/Middle School/College: University of South Florida

What’s your fave sport? skateboarding

How many years have you been playing your fave sport? 7 years

Where do you plan on being in five years?

I plan to be a nurse, hopefully working in the ER or on the helicopter.

What was your fave sporty moment or memory?

My first handrail.

What was the biggest lesson you’ve learned from playing your sport?

Being respectful.

What lessons have you learned about work ethic from your sport?

Gotta be patient when waiting for your turn or taking a hundred tries to land a trick. Also to be respectful to other skaters and just people in general.

What have you learned about teamwork?

That it’s 100 times more fun to have a team. I definitely don’t have as much when I’m by myself. I need my teammates to keep pushing me to not give up.

How do you balance school and sports?

Time management. School is my priority because I need that degree so I can get a good paying job and be able to afford the equipment I need for my sport.

List some awards or accolades you’ve received.

• I’ve don’t several interviews for thesideproject.com and other skateboard sites
• I’ve competed in a few local skate contests
  

Who’s your fave athlete, both male and female?

Marissa Del Santos and Chris Cole

What’s the girliest thing you like to do? (Pretty Tough signature question)

I pretty much enjoy a lot of girlie things: painting my nails, putting make up on, girl chat, shopping, hanging out with the girls, going to the clubs or parties and dancing, meeting hot guys.

Thanks, Laura!! Best of luck earning your degree and becoming a flight nurse. Sounds like an exciting career!

Do you or someone you know want to be spotlighted? Send an email to Keri Mikulski at kerimikulski(at)gmail(dot)com.

Happy Saturday!