Merry Christmas!

May the birth of our Savior bring you much joy and peace this Christmas season.

Little Shepherd VBT Ends Today

I feel blessed to have so many wonderful friends. The Little Shepherd VBT ends today with this stop at Cafe of Dreams. April has been one of the greatest supporters of Pump Up Your Book and my writing. It is because of wonderful friends like her that I was able to tour for 3 1/2 months last year and for a month and a half this year. I'm excited that next year I will be touring with a new book, but I will never forget this first one that is near and dear to my heart.

Today I wrote a Letter to Santa. It's a blend of serious and funny, but I think it captures the way many writers feel, especially this time of year. I hope you'll drop by at http://www.cafeofdreamsbookreviews.com/2011/12/guest-post-letter-to-santa-by-cheryl.html

Thanks for following along during my 2011 Little Shepherd VBT. I wish you and your family a blessed Christmas season.

Cheryl

Little Shepherd VBT December - Day 7

I am so excited. I am guest blogging at this beautiful blog titled, The Christmas Spirit. What a perfect blog for a Christmas lover like me.  Michelle wrote up a lovely review of Little Shepherd to go with my guest post about Christmas Spirit. I hope you'll check it out at http://christmasspirit-truebookaddict.blogspot.com/2011/12/sharing-joy-guest-post-with-author.html

I wanted to remind everyone that today is the big Facebook party. I'll be there starting around 4 PM Eastern if you want to drop by and see if you can pick up some great prizes. Details are at http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2011/11/20/pump-up-your-books-1st-annual-holiday-extravaganza-facebook-chat-party/

Thanks.

Cheryl

Little Shepherd VBT December - Day 6

Talented author Pamela S. Thibodeaux hosts me today at her blog. One of the things I feel is important is for parents to teach their children how to live a life of service. This article includes some ideas on how to make that happen. Hope you'll check it out at http://pamswildroseblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/virtual-book-tour-cheryl-c-malandrinos.html

Remember, I'll be participating tomorrow in Pump Up Your Book's 1st Annual Holiday Extravaganza Facebook Chat Party. The party starts at 4 P.M. Eastern. Over 40 authors are participating and giving away great prizes. You can find the details at http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2011/11/20/pump-up-your-books-1st-annual-holiday-extravaganza-facebook-chat-party/

Hope to see you there!

Win A Copy of Little Shepherd at Pump Up Your Book’s 1st Annual Holiday Extravaganza Facebook Chat Party!

This year's virtual book tour for Little Shepherd ends Friday. To celebrate another successful tour, I am participating in Pump Up Your Book’s 1st Annual Holiday Extravaganza Facebook Chat Party! I'll be one of more than 50 authors who toured with Pump Up Your Book in December. Most of them are gathering on Facebook on Friday, December 16th to chat with fans and give away great prizes. The party kicks off at 4 P.M. Eastern.

I'll be giving away two copies of Little Shepherd at the party: one printed copy to a resident of the United States and one PDF copy to an international winner.

Find the details at http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2011/11/20/pump-up-your-books-1st-annual-holiday-extravaganza-facebook-chat-party/

Hope to see there!

Little Shepherd VBT December - Day 5

We took the girls on a short trip to New York City this weekend, but now it's back to work. Today you'll find a lovely review of Little Shepherd by Mandie at Taking Time for Mommy. Mandie runs a wonderful blog and I'm so thrilled she wanted to review my book.

You can find her review at http://takingtimeformommy.com/2011/12/little-shepard-book-tour-and-review/ Feel free to stop by and let me know you dropped in.

Thanks.

Cheryl

Little Shepherd VBt - December Day 4

Today Little Shepherd is reviewed at Mom is the Only Girl. And what a review it is! Nothing like happy dancing on a Friday. Here's a blurb:

"This is a great addition to our collection of Christmas stories, but will be kept out throughout the year, too!"

To read the entire review, please visit http://momistheonlygirl.blogspot.com/2011/12/little-shepherd-book-review.html

Little Shepherd VBT - Days 2 and 3

It's hard to keep promoting when you're sick, but promote you must. This virtual book tour has been another great success so far. Little Shepherd has made the Amazon bestsellers list in its category two times since the tour started. I was just looking at my sales information over there and copies were sold in Utah. I don't even know anyone there. Being an author can be fun sometimes.

So, this week's tour has been a challenge. Between spending time in bed, rescheduling one tour stop, and then another site being down, not as much touring is going on as usual.

On Wednesday, I visited The Hot Author Report. Here's where I realized how overwhelmed I've been since moving back home after losing power at the end of October. I thought I sent the host something, but I didn't. Luckily she posted a spotlight for me.

If you haven't read an excerpt or any review blurbs from the book, you can do so at http://www.thehotauthorreport.com/little-shepherd-virtual-book-tour-november-and-december-2011

Today, my good friend Vanessa from Coffee and a Keyboard was kind enough to ask me back to guest blog. I wrote up this silly little post about how motherhood and writing are similar. You can catch that one at http://vrleavitt.com/?p=981

Tomorrow I should be at Mom's the Only Girl.

I hope you're having fun gearing up for the holidays. I'm a bit behind in my shopping, but with Advent in full swing, we're trying to get the kids to focus on others and not so much on what Santa will place in their stockings.

Little Shepherd VBT December - Day 1

My Little Shepherd VBT kicks off this month with a guest post at the blog of Joylene Nowell Butler. She's a Canadian author and friend who I've come to know thanks to the WWW. I do my best to come up with  posts that reflect the hosting blog and its theme, so I'm talking about writing, nature and family. Please visit me at http://cluculzwriter.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-wish-from-cheryl-malandrinos.html

If you would like to purchase a copy of Little Shepherd for your little one, you can do so at:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Guardian Angel Publishing

Indiebound.org

 

Autographed copies may be ordered directly through the Books page on my website.

Little Shepherd VBT Day 17

The final stop of November's portion of the Little Shepherd VBT is at Coffee and a Keyboard, where Vanessa provides her thoughts on the book. This is what she starts off by saying, "Little Shepherd is an enchanting story!" You can read her entire review at http://vrleavitt.com/?p=936

My virtual book tour will pick up again on Monday, December 5th.

Wishing you and your family a blessed Thanksgiving.

Little Shepherd VBT - Day 16

Does it seem a bit silly to include your own blog during your virtual book tour? Probably, but I hate empty spots in a tour. They glare at me every time I glance at my schedule, taunting me to do something about it.

I've now been on tour for 16 days. Book promotion is a tough gig--even when you know what you're doing. This year, I decided to tour for two months instead of three. I'm glad I did, because we had that awful snowstorm at the end of October and I was without power for a week. By tomorrow, I think I'll finally be all caught up.

So, what's different about touring this year versus last?

• I'm not checking my Amazon stats. Last year I tracked my stats daily until Christmas. It was fun-especially when Little Shepherd reached their bestsellers list in its category multiple times. It's not that I don't care now, it's just not something I feel is good to focus too much on. I would rather focus on writing.
• I reached out to more reviewers that I didn't know. Luckily, the majority of the feedback on the book remains positive. It's tough to ask a totally objective person to review your work, but it's a necessary part of book promotion.
• I'm not running huge giveaways. Last year I put together gift baskets to raffle off at the end of my tour. I think smaller prizes at the end of each month instead of two large prizes at the end of the entire tour schedule would have made more sense. I didn't find the giveaways increased the number of comments on my blog stops or greatly influenced readers to purchase the book.

I love book promotion, and I love helping spread the word about great books. I think the sheer number of blogs I run and contribute to can attest to that. I hope you enjoy following me along the tour trail. If you've purchased Little Shepherd, I would love to hear your thoughts. You can always reach me at ccmal(at)charter(dot)net.

Wishing you and your family a blessed Thanksgiving.

Cheryl

Little Shepherd VBT - Day 15

Today I am sharing my mother-in-law's recipe for Kourabiedes, which are Greek sugar cookies. Author J Q Rose has a month long feature running that offers her readers some great recipes. If you would like to read about this traditional cookie that is usually made at Christmas time, please visit at http://jqroseauthor.blogspot.com/2011/11/recipe-cheryl-malandrinos-greek-sugar.html

A wonderful thing J Q Rose did was compile all the recipes that will be featured this month into a recipe collection. This PDF contains recipes from authors such as:

• Kathleen S. Allen
• Roseanne Dowell
• Dianne Hartsock
• Heather Haven

and more! Fifteen authors are sharing their holiday traditions with you!

If you would like a FREE copy of the Good Eats, Great Reads Recipe Collection, please email me at ccmal(at)charter(dot)net.

Interview on the 400th Episode of A Book and A Chat with Storyheart

I had the distinct honor of being a special guest on A Book and A Chat tonight. Today was Barry's 400th episode, which is very exciting. I hope you'll listen a bit to our interview--though I keep saying I am going to stop saying, "you know" every time I have one of these and when I listen in afterwards all I pick up is the millions of "you knows."

Enjoy!

Listen to internet radio with A Book and a Chat on Blog Talk Radio

Little Shepherd Reviewed at Christian Children's Book Review

A few months ago I sent a copy of Little Shepherd to Christian Children's Book Review. They were kind enough to write up a review on November 10th. Here is some of what their reviewer had to say:

"I like the author showing Obed at work. He hears the wolves howl, scans the hills for danger, shivers in the cold, and warms himself by a fire. That sets the mood for the reader. The shepherds show great faith by leaving everything behind and immediately heading to Bethlehem. I also liked the description of the manger scene and Mary and Joseph."

You can read the entire review at: http://ccbreview.blogspot.com/2011/11/little-shepherd.html

Little Shepherd VBT - Day 14

Inkyblots is a blog that talks about writing--something you know I love to chat about. You can find my article on setting goals that work for you there today at http://www.inkyblots.com/set-goals-that-work-for-you-by-cheryl-c-malandrinos/

I'm also interviewed today by Dorothy Thompson at Examiner, talking about another one of my favorite things: Christmas! Our interview appears at http://www.examiner.com/publishing-in-virginia-beach/decking-the-halls-with-children-s-fiction-author-cheryl-malandrinos

Hope to see you there!

Little Shepherd VBT - Day 13

Today I had the pleasure of having Little Shepherd reviewed by a blogger I met through a networking site. Here's part of what she had to say:

"The Little Shepherd is a sweet Christmas book about Obed, a very young shepherd whose father has just given him a flock of sheep to guard. But Obed's first night guarding sheep is not an ordinary night."

Hope you'll stop by Shaky Mommy and read the entire review at http://shakymommy.blogspot.com/2011/11/little-shepherd-childrens-book-review.html

Little Shepherd VBT - Day 12

Stopping at three places today. Gee, I guess my friends are right--I am all over the Internet.

First, you can find me at Jennifer's wonderful blog, One Day at a Time, where she offers a review of Little Shepherd. Here's a tiny bit of what she had to say:

"I thought the retelling of Luke 2:8-16 was commendable in its approach.  The tale is delightful and faith affirming."

You can read the entire review at http://www.creatingchildhoodmemories.com/2011/11/little-shephard-by-cheryl-malandrinos.html

Next, I stop by Let's Talk Virtual Book Tours, where I am interviewed on one of my favorite topics.

You can find this interview at http://letstalkvirtualbooktours.wordpress.com/2011/11/16/talking-virtual-book-tours-with-cheryl-malandrinos/

Finally, my friend talented author JoAnn Carter, is hosting me today. I share my article titled, "Help Your Family Make the Holidays Meaningful." This post is at http://home.comcast.net/~jo.glenncarter/site/?/blog/view/221/

Please stop by and leave a comment. I would love to chat with you.

Little Shepherd VBT - Day 11

As I mentioned yesterday, Obed's Father is stopping by The Plot today to share his thoughts. I hope you'll check it out at http://theplotline.wordpress.com/2011/11/15/a-father%e2%80%99s-reflections-by-obed%e2%80%99s-father-from-little-shepherd-by-cheryl-malandrinos/

Little Shepherd VBT 2011 - Day 10

Today I am stopping by one of my favorite character blogs, The Plot. Today there is a blurb about Little Shepherd, an excerpt, review blurbs, and information about me. You can find it all at: http://theplotline.wordpress.com/2011/11/14/little-shepherd-by-cheryl-malandrinos/

Hope you'll stop back tomorrow, where Obed's father is interviewed.

Thanks!

Little Shepherd VBT - Day 8 Whoops!

You're probably sick of hearing me using the storm as an excuse lately, but it really messed up my schedule in all kinds of ways. Being without power for a week and having to live somewhere else was not fun.

My good friend, Nicole Langan, founder of Tribute Books, was kind enough to interview me on Thursday at her Tribute Books Reviews and Giveaways blog, but I totally forgot about it. How bad am I?

So, I hope you'll stop by and see what we talked about. You can find our interview at http://tributebooksreviews.blogspot.com/2011/11/cheryl-malandrinos-little-shepherd.html

Thanks!

Cheryl

Little Shepherd VBT - Day 9

I'm visiting the blog of fellow GAP author Nancy Stewart today at http://nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com/2011/11/books-can-educate-and-entertain-by.html where I'm talking about books that educate and entertain. I felt this blog post was a perfect match for her site, since her Bella and Brit books help young readers learn the importance of protecting our marine wildlife and how they can help.

I hope you'll stop by and leave us a comment.

Little Shepherd VBT 2011 - Day 8

It's been an interesting week for the Little Shepherd VBT 2011. On Monday, I had a great talk with Renee Hand at Stories From Unknown Authors. If you didn't catch our interview live, you can still listen to it at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/storiesfromunknownauthors/2011/11/07/interview-for-little-shepherd-by-cheryl-malandrinos 

My stops for Tuesday and Wednesday had to be rearranged, so here it is Thursday and for a second there I couldn't remember what day it was. It's been hectic here since the power has returned.

I'm visiting the blog today of one of my special online friends, Abi from 4 the Love of Books. She hosted me last year when Little Shepherd came out. She asked me to return this fall for an interview. Talk about dedication, this poor woman is having computer issues at home and has been using whatever computer she can find--her kid's, the library's, etc.--to keep her blog moving along. So, please let her know you appreciate her hard work by stopping by and leaving a comment on our interview at http://myheartbelongs2books.blogspot.com/2011/11/little-shepherd-by-cheryl-malandrinos.html We're running a giveaway for a copy of Little Shepherd, so your comment could get you a FREE copy of the book to put under the tree this year. The drawing will be held the Monday after Thanksgiving, so make sure you stop by right away, before you forget.

Good luck to all who enter!

Link to Stories From Unknown Authors Podcast

Renee and I had a great chat today on the Stories From Unknown Authors podcast. If you missed it, you can visit http://www.blogtalkradio.com/storiesfromunknownauthors/2011/11/07/interview-for-little-shepherd-by-cheryl-malandrinos and listen to it now or click on the box below.

Listen to internet radio with storiesfromunknownauthors on Blog Talk Radio

Appearing on Stories from Unknown Authors with Renee Hand on Monday, November 7th!

Hope you'll join me on Monday, November 7th starting at 1 PM Eastern, at the Stories from Unknown Authors podcast with Renee Hand.

Number to call in is: (619) 566-0945

Location: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/storiesfromunknownauthors

Little Shepherd VBT 2011 - Day 4

Wow! What a week it has been. Our hometown is still without power and so are many areas of Western Mass and Connecticut. Still, the Little Shepherd VBT 2011 goes on.

I felt blessed to read this wonderful review from Laura at Day By Day in Our World. Here is a quick blurb:

"This is the first children’s book by Cheryl C. Malandrinos and she has done a lovely job of taking the Scripture of Christ’s birth and woven a story featuring a young shepherd who bears witness to this pivotal point in history."

You can read the rest of the review at http://daybydayinourworld.com/2011/11/little-shepherd-review-and-author-qa/

In addition, we are running a giveaway at Day By Day in Our World. A free copy of Little Shepherd would make a lovely gift for your little reader. Details on how to enter can be found at http://daybydayinourworld.com/2011/11/little-shepherd-giveaway-ends-1118/

Good luck to all who participate in our giveaway.

Little Shepherd VBT 2011 - Day 2

I'm paying a visit to This Little Book of Mine today, where Joy had provided a lovely review of Little Shepherd.

Here's a bit of what she had to say:

"Little Shepherd is an adorable version of the Christmas story written just for children. I love that Cheryl told the story through a small shepherd boy, so even a child can understand what it must have been like on that wonderful special night that Jesus was born. And having the child go with his dad to see the baby Jesus makes this book so very special. And it is simple enough that even my 2 ½ year old niece can understand it."

Stop by http://thislittlebookofmine.wordpress.com/2011/11/03/pump-up-your-books-little-shepherd-virtual-book-tour/ to read her entire review.

Little Shepherd can be purchased at the following:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Guardian Angel Publishing

Indiebound.org

Autographed copies may be ordered directly through the Books page on my website.

A Book and A Chat Podcast Postponed

My podcast interview scheduled for Friday, November 4th has been postponed due to continued lack of electricity from the recent snowstorm. I'll let you know when it is rescheduled, as soon as Storyheart and I settle on a new date.

I am still scheduled to appear at Stories from Unknown Authors on Monday, November 7th starting at 1 PM Eastern. Here are the details for that one:

Number you need to call is: (619) 566-0945

Location: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/storiesfromunknownauthors

Thanks for your patience. I hope some of you will call into the show on Monday.

Cheryl

Little Shepherd VBT 2011 Starts Today

I'm still working from  my makeshift office after the storm. The good news is we might have power restored earlier than expected. Praying hard.

The Little Shepherd VBT 2011 starts today with this lovely review from Melanie at So Many Books..So Little Time. I hope you'll stop by at http://melanieski.blogspot.com/2011/10/little-shepherd-cheryl-cmalandrinos.html

I'll check in here and there for comments throughout the day, but I'm not online as much as I usually am because I'm still going back and forth between home and here to work on clean up.

All my best,

Cheryl

Little Shepherd 2011 VBT

The Little Shepherd 2011 Virtual Book Tour starts tomorrow. Right now, I am sitting at my in-laws' house, since a freak October snowstorm has left us without power. I'll still be checking it at my stops and traveling around the Internet. Hopefully I'll be back home and things will be a bit more normal by Friday.

Hope to see you around the blogosphere!

Cheryl

Tuesday, November 1^st

Book reviewed at So Many Books..So Little Time

Wednesday, November 2^nd

Book reviewed at Splashes of Joy

Thursday, November 3^rd

Podcast interview at A Book and A Chat 6:30 PM Eastern (Lack of electricity may cause rescheduling)

Friday, November 4^th

Book reviewed and giveaway at Day By Day in Our World

Monday, November 7^th

Podcast interview at Stories from Unknown Authors 1:00 PM Eastern

Tuesday, November 8^th

Book reviewed at Unionvale Homeschool

Wednesday, November 9^th

Book reviewed at One Day at a Time

Thursday, November 10^th

Interviewed at 4 the Love of Books

Friday, November 11^th

Guest blogging at Nancy Stewart Books Blog

Monday, November 14^th

Book spotlighted at The Plot

Tuesday, November 15^th

Guest blogging at The Plot

Wednesday, November 16^th

Guest blogging at Let’s Talk Virtual Book Tours

Thursday, November 17^th

Book reviewed at Shaky Mommy

Friday, November 18^th

Guest blogging at InkyBlots

Interviewed at Examiner

Monday, November 21^st

Guest blogging at J Q Rose

Tuesday, November 22^nd

Blogging at Little Shepherd

Wednesday, November 23^rd

Book reviewed at Coffee and a Keyboard

December dates coming soon!

Internet Book Fair Blogfest - Little Shepherd

I am participating in today's Internet Book Fair Blogfest. Let me tell you something about my first children's book, Little Shepherd.

This is the story of five-year-old Obed, who is in the fields watching his first flock. When the angel appears to announce the Savior's birth, all the shepherds are very afraid. After the angels disappear, Obed is relieved to feel the comfort of father's arm around him. That is until father suggests leaving their sheep behind to visit the newborn King. Obed is conflicted. Surely his father wouldn't suggest leaving the sheep unattended, especially with hungry wolves howling in the distance.

Little Shepherd retells the story of the first Christmas from a child's point of view. Obed, like our modern-day kids, must take a risk and step out in faith. And like us, when we step out in faith, Obed is greatly rewarded.

I hope you'll consider Little Shepherd for your young reader this year. The book is geared toward readers ages 4 - 8. You can purchase the book online at:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Guardian Angel Publishing

Indiebound.org

Autographed copies may be ordered directly through the Books page on my website.

Here is a list of others who are participating in the Internet Book Fair Blogfest. I hope you'll pay them a visit.

1.	M.A. Leslie	2.	Le Vanity Victorienne
3.	www.lachesispublishing.com	4.	Dianne Hartsock
5.	Susan Kaye Quinn	6.	Kai Strand (The Weaver)
7.	Kate Avery Ellison	8.	Nancy Stewart Books Blog
9.	AdoraPet Children's Books to Nourish a Happy Mind	10.	William & Pamela Deen
11.	My Sister Is My Best Friend	12.	REMEMBERING NINE ELEVEN
13.	MARIE AND THE SEA TURTLE	14.	Nancy Lynn Jarvis
15.	Donna J. Shepherd	16.	1 Zany Zoo
17.	Shelley Buck Author SIte	18.	http://tinyurl.com/5rby7oc
19.	fiddleeebod	20.	Urban Mythos
21.	The Underwear Dare	22.	Ashfall
23.	A Day in Doha	24.	The Golden Pathway
25.	CLOCKWISE by Elle Strauss	26.	Jessica Bell @ The Alliterative Allomorph
27.	Signs of Trouble	28.	The Doll by J.C. Martin
29.	J.L. Campbell @ The Character Depot	30.	Once Upon a December Nightmare by Cherie Reich
31.	Nicole Zoltack	32.	Lyon's Legacy by Sandra Ulbrich Almazan
33.	The Night Watchman Express by Alison DeLuca	34.	THE LEGEND OF VICTOR STANDISH
35.	Indies are GO!	36.	The Legacy of Kilkenny
37.	Silent No More	38.	Angela Fristoe @ Turning the Pages
39.	The Once and Future Wizard by Tom Averna	40.	200 SHORTS
41.	Screwing Up Time by C.M. Keller	42.	Connection of the Minds
43.	Double the Trouble	44.	A Second Chance
45.	Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island by C.K. Volnek	46.	Stranger on the Shore
47.	May I Have this Dance	48.	If I Could Be Like Jennifer Taylor
49.	Erotic Deception (Romantic Suspense) by Karen Cote'	50.	Shadows Steal The Light
51.	Reluctant Companions by Christine London	52.	Hog Wild by Christine London
53.	Sunshine Boulevard	54.	The Turn of the Karmic Wheel, Monica Brinkman
55.	Spirit Stealer	56.	Guinevere: On the Eve of Legend
57.	Under the Hat	58.	Screwing Up Time by C.M. Keller (blog)
59.	The Chronicles of Caleath	60.	Larion Wills/Larriane Wills
61.	Nathan's Angel by Melissa Bradley	62.	Culloden Spirit by Anita Davison
63.	Trencarrow Secret by Anita Davison	64.	Killer Valentine Ball Chris Verstraete
65.	Stephen Tremp Breakthrough Blogs	66.	The Powers by S. Durham
67.	Madeline Sharples @Choices	68.	Hostage Heart by Chelle Cordero
69.	Rachel's Children: Surviving the Second World War	70.	Hostage Heart by Chelle Cordero
71.	Hyphema by Chelle Cordero	72.	Impeccable
73.	45 Minutes by Kristen Young	74.	Final Sin by Chelle Cordero
75.	To Be Continued by Charmaine Gordon	76.	Now What? by Charmaine Gordon
77.	One Pelican at a Time	78.	http://goo.gl/EWgYg
79.	Love's Long Shadow	80.	Patricia Lynne's Journey Through the Pages
81.	Anne Gallagher - Regency Romance Writer	82.	"I Believe"
83.	Johanna Garth, urban fantasy, Losing Beauty	84.	OnWords Blog
85.	Getaway by DD Symms	86.	Jennifer M. Hartsock

Internet Book Fair Blogfest Coming October 25th!

An author friend referred me to this link at M.A. Leslie's blog. On October 25th we'll be participating in an Internet Book Fair Blogfest. This is right up my alley, as it combines two of my favorite things: book fairs and online book promotion. 

Come back here on October 25th for a special post. I'll be giving away a PDF copy of Little Shepherd to celebrate the event.

Here are other authors who are participating:

1.	M.A. Leslie	2.	Le Vanity Victorienne
3.	www.lachesispublishing.com	4.	Dianne Hartsock
5.	Susan Kaye Quinn	6.	Kai Strand (The Weaver)
7.	Kate Avery Ellison	8.	Nancy Stewart Books Blog
9.	AdoraPet Children's Books to Nourish a Happy Mind	10.	William & Pamela Deen
11.	My Sister Is My Best Friend	12.	REMEMBERING NINE ELEVEN
13.	MARIE AND THE SEA TURTLE	14.	Nancy Lynn Jarvis
15.	Donna J. Shepherd	16.	1 Zany Zoo
17.	Shelley Buck Author SIte	18.	http://tinyurl.com/5rby7oc
19.	fiddleeebod	20.	Urban Mythos

I hope you'll consider visiting them too!

Please Like My Facebook Fan Page

I'm trying to get better about branding and segregating my business information from my author information. To that end, I started a Fan Page. I would appreciate it if you would consider liking my new page at  https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Cheryl-C-Malandrinos/170542359697682

Thanks!

Why I Love My Library!

There's a lot of talk these days about budget cuts having negative impacts on libraries. As an avid reader since childhood, the public library has been a part of my life since I turned six and applied for my first library card.

My husband and I find ourselves on opposing sides when it comes to libraries. He feels that computers and e-Reading devices have made libraries obsolete. My writing, however, has depended upon libraries in some ways. When I first began exploring writing as a career, I visited the library to browse through magazines I might want to write for. I've borrowed books to supplement online research or for times when I couldn't find the right information online.

Today, I snuck into the library for help with three of my current writing projects. Next month, I'll be pitching a couple of manuscripts at two different conferences. I searched the agencies online and wrote down some of their titles to read. Then I spent time browsing the Internet to find books that might compare to the ones I'll be pitching. I found most of the titles I was looking for, but had to request some assistance from our children's librarian, Elaine.

Not only did she help me find the books I didn't see on the shelf; she went down to the basement to find seasonal titles that were in storage, and when I shared my book ideas with her, she came up with other books that might be comparable. I left the library with a dozen books to browse through that will help me shape my pitches.

And that's why this writer loves her library!

Book Review: Not Fat Because I Wanna Be by LaNiyah Bailey

A book that shares a powerful message is what you’ll find in Not Fat Because I Wanna Be by LaNiyah Bailey.

Six-year-old LaNiyah is tired of being picked on by her classmates just because she’s different. Even though she eats a healthy diet, she’s still a big girl. She doesn’t know why until her new doctor runs some tests. With the love and support of her family, LaNiyah is able to share her story with her classmates, so they understand the “inside her.”

I’m not sure what amazes me more about this book: that a child of this age is selfless enough to want to be an advocate for others or that she has the courage to write her story and share it with the world. Not Fat Because I Wanna Be is a truly inspiring story that captures the importance of family love and support in tackling the issue of bullying and helping bullied kids to feel good about themselves. As someone who was teased through her school years, I’m very sensitive to this issue. Now, it seems even more dangerous than it was back then. In our local communities we have had two young people in the past three years commit suicide after being subjected to extensive bullying and cyber-bullying.

Six-year-old Bailey tells her story in the first person, which helps the reader connect with her and feel the emotions she feels as the book moves along. Your heart aches when you read the names she is called; just as much as it leaps for joy when her new doctor helps her understand what is going on with her body.  You cheer for her when she courageously answers a mean classmate who asks why she is so fat. And you can’t help but smile when the same girl becomes her best friend.

The artwork is provided by Laura Perez Ricaud. She did a superb job in telling LaNiyah’s story in a visual way. From the cover to the very last page, her illustrations will captivate young readers and encourage questions and discussion points.

Not Fat Because I Wanna Be by LaNiyah Bailey needs to be in all our elementary schools and shared often.  This book can help parents and educators open the door for discussions on tolerance and diversity. I highly recommend Not Fat Because I Wanna Be by LaNiyah Bailey!

Paperback: 42 pages

Publisher: CreateSpace (March 2, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1461006767

ISBN-13: 978-1461006763

SRP:  $13.99 paperback (also available in eformats)

Guest Blogging Today at Cafe of Dreams

My friend, April over at Cafe of Dreams is running a special Summer Memories feature this month. You can find my post at http://www.cafeofdreamsbookreviews.com/2011/08/cheryl-malandrinos-summer-memories.html where I talk about a special vacation my family took when I was only 8. I hope you like it.

Cheryl

Being Interviewed at One Writer's Journey on August 5th!

I'm being interviewed at Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz's blog tomorrow, where I'll be talking about my children's picture book, Little Shepherd.

Obed is in the hills outside Bethlehem when the angels appear to announce the Savior’s birth. Can he trust that the miracle of the first Christmas will keep his flock safe while he visits the newborn King?

Here is what early reviews had to say about Little Shepherd:

“Your first reaction may be, oh goodness another story on the birth of Christ. Toss those thoughts away and immerse yourself and your children into the magical arrival of Christ the Lord. Children’s author, Cheryl C. Malandrinos has re-explored and created a beautiful re-enactment of Christ the Lord’s birth in a unique and awe inspiring rendition which surely will become classical reading in Christian religious school studies and home libraries.


The old time illustrations expertly created by illustrator, Eugene Ruble will leave you feeling that you journeyed through the countryside with Obed and his fellow shepherds.”

--Donna McDine, award-winning author of The Golden Pathway

“Little Shepherd by Cheryl C. Malandrinos is a fresh rendition of the familiar story of the angels appearing to the shepherds in the field and announcing the birth of the Savior. The unique slant to this particular retelling of the scriptural story is that the reader sees the event through the eyes of a little shepherd boy, tending his first-ever flock of sheep. As a grandmother, I would be delighted to read this story to my grandchildren. As such, I recommend it to parents/grandparents/teachers everywhere who wish to bring this passage of scripture to life for impressionable young hearts to understand”.

–Kathi Macias, radio host and award-winning author of more than 30 books, including the Extreme Devotion series and Valeria’s Cross


Little Shepherd is available for purchase from:

Amazon


Barnes and Noble

Guardian Angel Publishing

Indiebound.org

Autographed copies may be ordered directly through the Books page on my website.
 
I hope to see you at Penny's blog tomorrow at http://pennylockwoodehrenkranz.blogspot.com/
 
Thanks!
 
Cheryl