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