Whatever Wednesday – Stealing Bases Cover Love!

March 30th, 2011

Hey, everyone!

I’m soooo excited to present to you the cover for STEALING BASES.

I’m so grateful to the photographer and the amazing team at Razorbill. I love, love, love the look on Kylie’s face.  Time is flying. Only three more months to go until Kylie’s story is revealed!

Speaking of stories, are you looking for something fun to do this weekend? I’ll be partying at the Art Haven Studio in Glassboro, New Jersey this Saturday with the Kid Lit Author Club. Lots of giveaways, games, and good times. Check it out!

Happy Wednesday!

Whatever Wednesday: Bring on Spring

March 16th, 2011

Hey, everyone!

Yay! Spring begins in four days. Are you ready?

Happy Wednesday!

Whatever Wednesday: A Day at ABC

March 9th, 2011

Hey, everyone!

Yesterday, I spent the day at ABC Studios in Philadelphia.

This was my second time at a television studio. About twenty-five years ago (Has it really been that long?), I appeared on the eighties game show, Double Dare. I jumped in a pool of baked beans, won two physical challenges, and slipped all over the obstacle course in my soaked high tops.

However, this time there were no food or physical challenges involved. Instead, I was interviewed for the show, Perspective New Jersey. The amazing host, Nora Muchanic, was kind enough to invite me to appear on the show after she met my dad at a Vietnam Vet event, read Head Games, and loved it.

When my hubby and I arrived at the studio, we were escorted into the Green Room.

Then, it was time for the taping.

Afterwards, the super nice staff showed me around the studio. I got to play pretend newscaster.

Whew. What a day! The interview will air March 26th on Channel 6 at 5:30 a.m. It will also be available online.

Happy Wednesday!

Whatever Wednesday: March Book Review Club

March 2nd, 2011

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 that recently blew me away, Jennifer Brown’s Hate List.

My fairy agent, Michelle Grajkowski, has been raving about Hate List since Three Seas acquired the project a few years ago. I bought the book last year and I finally carved out some time to dive inside. Suffice to say, I was not disappointed. Hate List is amazing.

Here are five reasons why I loved Hate List…

1. Prose – Jennifer Brown’s literary writing is raw, real, and effortless. Each word flows into the next and keeps you wanting more.

2. Characters – It was no easy task to create a likable main character. Valerie wrote a Hate List with her boyfriend who then went on a killing spree at their high school. Brown nailed it. I liked Valerie, felt sympathetic towards her, and rooted for her throughout the book.

3. A Must Read – Brown tackled a taboo subject with honesty and integrity. Hate List is a must-read for students. In my humble opinion, it should be included on every high school’s reading list eliciting conversations about differences, bullying, and school violence. Hate List has the power to change lives.

Wow! Jennifer Brown is my hero. I cannot wait to get my hands on her next book – Bitter End, a story about an abusive high school relationship.

For more middle grade, young adult, and adult book reviews and recommendations, click here.

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: KAC and Mr. B

February 15th, 2011

Hey, everyone!

Last Saturday was my first official HEAD GAMES and Kid Lit Authors Club signing. Yay! I had an absolute blast meeting readers, catching up with friends, and hanging out with my KAC buds at the Cherry Hill Mall.

Here’s me with my high school basketball coach, Mr. B. I was so touched that he attended the signing. Thanks, Mr. B! And yes, I promise I’ll keep working on my left handed lay-up.   

And here’s some of my fellow Kid Lit Author Club members – the gorgeous and insanely talented Ellen Jenson Abbot, Jennifer Hubbard, and Nancy Viau.

Thanks bunches to everyone who took time out of their busy Saturday afternoons to attend our signing. It means so much!

I’m on my way to the Cape May Court House this weekend for one of my favorite events of the year. The amazing authors from the Summer Teen Writer’s Workshop will be signing their short story anthology, Teen Tales: Volume 2 at the Cape May County Library this Saturday at 2 p.m. If you’re in the area, please stop by to support these budding writers.

Happy Wednesday!

Whatever Wednesday: First HG Sightings and a Signing!

February 9th, 2011

Wow!! Bunches of thanks go out to Scott Neumyer and Mandy Hubbard for sending me my first official HEAD GAMES sightings pics. You guys rock.

Speaking of HG, this Saturday marks my first official signing with the Kid Lit Authors Club. We’ll be hosting a book party for all ages at the Cherry Hill Mall Books a Million in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Please stop by any time between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. for loads of fun, balloons, books, giveaways, and more!

Here is the list of the authors I’ll be joining at Books a Million…

Jennifer Hubbard

Nancy Viau

Ellen Jenson Abbott

Irene Breznak

Alison Ashley Formento

Happy Wednesday!

Whatever Wednesday: Play, Believe, Achieve!

February 2nd, 2011

Today is an amazing day for girls and women across the country. Twenty-five years ago, the National Girls and Women in Sports Day was developed to celebrate the participation, celebration, and success of female athletes. Please, take a minute or two today to enjoy the occasion.

Here are some ways you can show your support:

1. Cheer on a local girls’ or women’s team

2. Play a sport with your cousin, daughter, niece, granddaughter, neighbor, or participate in a pick-up game

3. Flip on a women’s college basketball game (there are some great rivalries going on right now)

4. Go for a walk or run

5. Workout

6. Spread the word through your blog, Facebook, and/or Twitter account

I’m off to celebrate this important day with my daughter and a serious game of indoor hallway soccer. My daughter and I are undefeated against Daddy.

Happy National Girls and Women in Sports Day!

Whatever Wednesday: Did You See This Shot?

January 26th, 2011

Hey, everyone!

Check out the University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky’s Stephanie Quattrociocchi’s unbelievable shot with 0.7 seconds left in the first half of their game against Cambellsville University.

Amazing!

Happy Wednesday!

Whatever Wednesday: Wanna Sports Job Someday?

January 19th, 2011

Hey, everyone!

Whew.. The dust is finally settling after a whirlwind HEAD GAMES release. Thank you for your support, emails, and messages. Here is one of my favorite pics I received last week, from Grace – a Pretty Tough Jersey girl. She’s enjoying both HEAD GAMES and SCREWBALL. Thanks for sending the pic, Jules!

Today, I stumbled upon this amazing article. The President of WISE – Los Angeles and college professor, Alex Madden, shares valuable advice and insight on how to break into a sports career. If you’ve ever dreamed of a career in athletics, don’t miss the full article here.

Speaking of a sports career, soccer superstar Kristine Lilly retired earlier this month. Lilly’s phenomenal professional career included playing in five FIFA cups and three Olympic games. She’s also the second leading goal scorer in both United States and world history. Wow! Congratulations and thank you for sharing your talents with the world, Kristine!

Back to work…

Happy Wednesday!

Whatever Wednesday: HEAD GAMES Blog Tour

January 12th, 2011

Hey, everyone!

The amazing Kelsey, AKA The Book Scout, was kind enough to host the HEAD GAMES Book Tour over the The Teen Book Scene. Check out the reviews, interviews, playlists, and enter to win gift cards to Barnes and Nobles, Blockbuster, ITunes, Amazon, and more!

Bunches of thanks goes out to Kelsey, Kari, Erica, Katie, and Jordyn! You guys rock!

Happy Wednesday!