When the de la Cruz Family Danced - Giveaway

It's been about a year since I reviewed Donna Miscolta's When the de la Cruz Family Danced - actually about a year since it was first published. You can find the review here.

This is truly a great book - So when Donna e-mailed and asked about doing a guest post and giveaway in honor of her one year mark, I jumped at the chance! Without further ado ... Here's Donna!
 

A year ago, I was celebrating two things: my 58^th birthday and publication of my first book -- my novel When the de la Cruz Family Danced. The very first review of my novel appeared on this blog.  It was a lovely, glowing review that included these lines: This was one of those novels I ended up so totally immersed in, that when I had to put the book down, it would take me a minute to reorient myself to reality. I love it when that happens! I laughed out loud, I cried, I fell in love with this family and their friends. Truly a masterpiece.

What a great way to start me off on my pursuit of potential readers! Now that my book is a year old, I’d like to celebrate by giving away three copies. Dana will handle the logistics of the giveaway.  Once the winners are identified, I will mail out signed copies.

I’d also like to offer some reading suggestions. Through the generosity of fellow authors, I have been given opportunities to share my book through readings, workshops and other outlets to reach readers. I’d like to acknowledge as many of them as I can here and to mention their books.  You may find books perfect for your reading list here.

Sheila Bender, author of A New Theology: Turning to Poetry in a Time of Grief and several other books, shared a couple of my blog posts on her popular website for writers.

Wendy Call is the author of No Word for Welcome.  She and I celebrated the publication of our books together at a book launch party on June 21, 2011. Wendy’s narrative, non-fiction book “explores how economic globalization intersects with village life in southern Mexico.”  Wendy’s book won the Grub Street Book Prize for Non-Fiction and first place in the Best History/Political Book in English category of the International Latino Book Awards.

Jennifer Derilo, nonfiction editor of Kartika Review, invited me to read in San Diego with some fine poets and writers. Kartika Review is a national Asian Pacific Islander American literary arts journal.

Kathleen Flenniken is Washington State Poet Laureate and author of Plume, described as “nuclear-age songs of innocence and experience set in the ‘empty’ desert west.” These are lovely, haunting poems.  Kathleen shared her enthusiasm for my book to her colleagues.  As a result, I was invited to be a 2012 Literary Voice by the University of Washington Friends of the Libraries.

Robert Francis Flor, poet and author of the play Daniel’s Mood, invited me to be part of readings organized in part by Filipino student groups at the University of Washington and Seattle University. Bob writes a blog called Pinoy Seattle.  You can find some of his poems there as well as interesting historical information about the local Filipino community.

Anne Germanacos, author of the story collection In the Time of the Girls, made it possible for me to make a book trailer. An interview with Anne here will give you an idea of her lovely prose. Anne’s stories “navigate turbulent waters from American shores, Aegean islands, and both sides of the Bosphorus.”

Allison Green, author of Half-Moon Scar, invited me to speak at the college where she teaches. In her novel, Allison examines friendship and love and how our lives are shaped by childhood events.

Tammy Ho Lai-Ming, poet and editor of Cha: An Asian Literary Journal, published the story that led to publication of my novel. Tammy and her staff produce a beautiful online journal of Asian-themed work.

Jennifer D. Munro is author of The Erotica Writer’s Husband. Among other supportive actions, she connected me to a bookseller in Hawaii. If you’re looking for smart, funny writing about relationships, you’ll find it in Jennifer’s book.

Linda Nietes, owner of Philippine Expressions Bookshop invited me to be part of a reading in Los Angeles and to also sign books at her booth at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.  Linda also connected me to Jannelle So, the host of Kababayan L.A., a TV show about Filipino-Americans.

Midge Raymond, author of the short story collection Forgetting English, put me in touch with the kind folks at San Diego Writers, Ink for whom I did a reading and a workshop. Midge’s story collection was the recipient of the Spokane Prize for Fiction. She also has a new book out called Everyday Writing.

Barbara Jane Reyes, author of Diwata and other poetry collections, is a literary activist who constantly works to create awareness of books by Filipino-American authors.

Elena Louise Richmond, author of 99 Girdles on the Wall, arranged for the two of us to do a book signing at Santoro’s Bookstore during the big art walk in our neighborhood. Elena’s memoir, which tells how she finally fell in love with her own life, will make you laugh and cry.

Kelcey Parker, author of the short story collection For Sale By Owner, features interviews with writers on her blog, including one of me. Kelcey’s stories have a mordant wit and are sharply and satisfyingly drawn. Her book won the 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Award, Short Fiction.

Peggy Sturdivant, co-author with Robin Abel of Out of Nowhere, believes my novel deserves national recognition and is actively spreading the word about it. Out of Nowhere is the story of a mother’s determination to rebuild her daughter’s life and change road safety laws to prevent other tragedies.

It’s an eclectic list and I hope there is something here that will pique your interest.  Keep reading, and if you come across something you love, be sure to spread the word.

Giveaway Time
Here's how - just fill out the rafflecopter for a chance to win one of three signed copies of When the de la Cruz Family Danced! The giveaway is open to Canada and the US and winners will be chosen on the 28th of June.

a Rafflecopter giveaway