Special Guest - Carman Boley talks about her Christian Book Giveaways blog (and a GIVEAWAY!)
Posted by Tina Dee Books | Labels: Author and Musician Guests | Posted On at 12:04 AM
Some of you know our guest, Carman Boley, very well from her blog Christian Book Giveaways. But for those of you who don't, you'll want to get to know her very well, especially if you enjoy reading Christian fiction!
Carman is not a writer yet, but she does something fabulous for readers and authors and we thought you'd love to know about it.
Carman, you have a wonderful free service you provide to authors ~ please tell us about it.
On my first blog, A Sequence of Continuous Delights http://continuousdelights.blogspot.com/, I host author interviews and giveaways featuring one or more of the author’s books. It mainly helps get the word out about a new release and generate excitement about reading the book. I also do reviewing, which (I hope) is helpful to both readers and writers.
On my second blog, Christian Book Giveaways http://christianbookgiveaways.blogspot.com/, I post about giveaways that other people are having on their blog. This creates a site dedicated to helping readers find giveaways that interest them. This also helps bloggers get more traffic, and author’s books get more exposure.
It's wonderful! I know so many authors and readers appreciate what you're doing. So, how and why did you get into doing this?
It's wonderful! I know so many authors and readers appreciate what you're doing. So, how and why did you get into doing this?
It all started when I got a facebook. Weird, I know, but it’s true. I was really excited when I found out that a lot of my favorite authors were on facebook, so I added as many of them as I could to my friend list. On day I got an email from Jenny B. Jones asking if I would like to review her next two books that were about to be released. Needless to say, I was ecstatic.
I kept on reviewing and posting my reviews on places like amazon, borders, Shelfari, and other places like those. But, a few authors said that they couldn’t send a person a book, unless they had a blog to post their review on. That stunk but I still didn’t want to get a blog. (It seemed like way too much work and I was a little overwhelmed by the idea.) But then, I heard from Julie Lessman that you had to have a blog to review one of her books. Well, that sealed the deal for me. I had my first blog (SCD) set up by the end of the day.
For my other blog, CBG, it got started when I found the site, Sweepstakes & Contest List Directory http://theblackcell.com/blogs/. I loved the idea of the site, and I would go everyday and see the book giveaways going on at the time. But, I grew tired of sifting through those giveaways trying to find ones with Christian books. Not to mention the book covers of some of the books were not things I should be looking at. I thought it would be nice to make a place that dedicated itself to Christian giveaways. Then people could go there and find good books without having to mess with all the other ones. Now, I’m posting around 45-60 giveaways a month on my site with more coming all the time.
Tell us about the type of books you enjoy reading.
Tell us about the type of books you enjoy reading.
Mainly I like to read romance. I’m a romantic at heart and love Jane Austen, and the Christian fiction romance authors. I try to avoid reading secular fiction, and only read things that I don’t have to feel guilty about later. :) Also, I’ve lately tried to add in more non-fiction books to my regular every-day reading. They might not be the most FUN things to read, but they are important and they can help us to grow in Christ.What was the most recent book you read that you'd highly recommend to others?
Hmmm… let me think. That would be “So Over It” by Stephanie Morrill. Actually that whole series is amazing. I know it is a teen’s story, but the lessons in it are truly uplifting and inspiring for all ages.
What's in your 'To Be Read' pile?
Have you ever thought about writing books? If so, what types of stories would you write?
My mom thinks I should write, but I’ve never wanted to. However, if that is what God wants me to do, then I’ll gladly try, because I know that if He calls me to do it, He’ll equip me for it. :) I would probably write CF romance novels. As to the time periods… anything really. I love learning/reading about any time period from ancient history to contemporary. (The funny thing is that I HATE learning history from a schoolbook, but I love reading about it in a historical fiction setting.)
Where can we visit your site on giveaways? Do you have a subscriber signup--for email notices of new giveaways posted, so we don't miss any?
Where can we visit your site on giveaways? Do you have a subscriber signup--for email notices of new giveaways posted, so we don't miss any?
Here is the link to my blog, CBG: http://christianbookgiveaways.blogspot.com/
Yes, I have that option for readers on both of my blogs. That really is the best thing, in my opinion, because that way if you forget or don’t have time to go to my blog to search for giveaways, you don’t have to. You’ll get an email with all the latest giveaways listed right in your inbox. The place where you enter your email address is in my blog’s sidebar.
Favorite dessert
Um, just about anything with sugar. :P I’m a confirmed sugar addict. But, one of my favorite every-day desserts is homemade whipped cream with strawberries. YUM. It is fantastic.
Someplace, anyplace in the world you'd love to visit?
I’ve *always* wanted to go to Europe. See all the old places that I’ve read about, the palaces, the history, the people’s ACCENTS! It sounds wonderful. But, I’ve been very blessed with lots of family vacations and have seen many beautiful places.
Favorite music:
Just about anything. I like praise music, Christian rock, rap, dance music (gotta love that dance music), and, yes, even a few country songs. ;)
Authors you'd love to meet:
Too many to count!
Here are my favorite authors and I would just about faint from excitement if I got to meet any of them (listed in no particular order):
Michelle Sutton, Julie Lessman, Jenny B. Jones, Mary Connealy, Deeanne Gist, Jill Williamson, Roseanna White, Sarah Sundin, Susan May Warren, Erynn Mangum, Sharon Gillenwater, MaryLu Tyndall, Denise Hunter, Janice Thompson, Linore Rose Burkard, Cathy Marie Hake, Tracie Peterson, and Lynn Austin.
Also, I think it would be so fun to get to meet my fellow bloggers. I love all you guys!
Wow! That's quite a list of incredible authors! Carman, we loved having you and hope you'll join us again!
Thanks so much for having me Tina! It’s been fun. :D
Go to one of Carman's blogs and from one of the books/author's she has listed, let us know what book sounds like a good read to you. Leave your answer here, along with your email addy.
Thanks so much for having me Tina! It’s been fun. :D
You can get on Carman's email list to be
notified of upcoming interviews and giveaways.
Just sign up in the sidebar of her blogs.
Well, she may not be an author (yet!), but we've got...
a giveaway!
Speaking of Cathy Marie Hake
as one of Carman's favorite authors,
we'll giveaway a copy of...
Texas Brides
by
Cathy Marie Hake
Go to one of Carman's blogs and from one of the books/author's she has listed, let us know what book sounds like a good read to you. Leave your answer here, along with your email addy.
This giveaway ends October 31, 2010
Now, please go back to Carman's blog and check out
some of those other interviews and giveaways!
Thanks so much for offering an interview with Carman. I've enjoyed her blogs for some time, so I found it quite interesting. Two authors that I would really like to read that I haven't are Tracie Peterson and Mary Connealy.
julesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Tina and Welcome Carmen,
You've come to a nice place to visit. I'm already signed up on your blog, Carman. And it is helpful to be automatically notified.
The book that you have for giveaway interest me. Texas Brides by Cathy Marie Hake. I've not read any of her work yet and this sounds like a fun read.
Love your blog, Tina.
A J Hawke
ajhawkeauthor at aol dot com
I'll be #1. I have won on a #1 comment before. I'd love to be included in this book giveaway. thanks.
I have Caraman's sites on my URL listing. Nice interview.
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
Thanks Julia,
I just love Carman. Can't wait for the day I can meet her! Or have a book of my own featured on her site.
Lord bless your day!
AJ,
You stopping in is like family dropping by, so thank you for being here!
Cathy Marie Hake has a good deal of humor in her books. You should interview her! I'll email her about you.
Missed you a lot and thanks for all the neat sites you email Lil Tiger, he's loving them!
Apple Blossom,
Been too long since I posted and had you drop by, thank you so much for stopping in, sweetie!
Blessings on your day!
That's it! I'm boarding a plane to come visit you, Carman, just to see you faint from excitement. So where do you live again (hehehehe) and maybe I'll bring Julie Lessman with me. She'd enjoy that, too.
I enjoy Carmen's blogs and her reviews. I'd love to read the newest book she reviewed, The Healer's Apprentice. Please include me in the drawing, Cathy Marie Hake is a favorite author. Thanks!
worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com
HI Tina,
Enjoyed your interview w/ Carman...I love visiting her blog...and yours, too...
Thanks for the giveaway :)
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
Hey everyone! It's kind of surreal for me to be doing this, and seeing myself being interviewed. LOL
I have read each of your comments, and I want you all to know how much I appreciate them! :D It really warms my heart, you guys!
And, Michelle, I think I really would pass out or at least start screaming and jumping up and down and laughing if that happened..... ;D
I have read CMHake and I'd love to be entered in the giveaway this time. The last Hake book I read was in a novella, and I didn't want it to end. I am looking forward to a longer story this time. Thanks.
First, Carman sent me.
Would love to read Cathy's book. It will be my first by her. Please enter me.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com
I've been wanting to read one of Siri Mitchell's books, which Carmen listed on her giveaways. It's so nice of her to go through the work of finding these giveaways and putting them in one place!
(Oops, forgot my e-mail in my comment!)
In case that doesn't get accepted, I'll say over again:
I've been wanting to read one of Siri Mitchell's books, to which Carmen posted a giveaway link. She's so nice to find and list all these giveaways!
hismercysurrounding(at)yahoo(dot)com
I enjoy Carman's blog very much! Great interview! I would love to win this book. If I could meet an author I would choose Karen Kingsbury, Beverly Lewis, Lori Wick, and Wanda Brunstetter.
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Love Cathy's book!
Please enter me!
April
apeygirl@gmail.com
Loves Persuit sounds REALLY good!! :-D
Please count me in the giveaway!
legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com
Would love to read this book. Count me in on the giveaway. Book sounds great. Thanks for giving away a copy. Carman sent me.
plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net
Great interview! I would love to read Wrangler in Petticoats by Mary Connealy. Would love to be entered into your giveaway.
Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com
Hey! I'd love to be apart of this giveaway.
Tessaehall at gmail dot com
Thanks!
Tessa
Just gonna say thanks to everyone else who has entered this giveaway! I appreciate all of your kind comments! :D
I don't need to be entered into the giveaway. I just want to say one more thing, Carman, and that is that I'd love to have you as a guest on my Healing Hearts blog now that you are getting used to being a guest blogger. Gotta keep the momentum going. Write me for more details.
Michelle~ Sounds awesome! I got your email, and I'll read it and email you back ASAP. :D Thanks!
I love Carman's blogs and Cathy's books! Great interview! Please enter me in the contest . . . reneeasmith61 [at] yahoo [dot] com
I love Carman's blogs and Cathy's books! reneeasmith61 [at] yahoo [dot] com
Thanks for posting a great interview!
Thanks, Renee!!
"a memory between us" by sarah sundin sounds like one i need to add to my "to read" pile!!
thanks,
amber (afren07@gmail.com)
What an awesome young lady to be doing these things for her fellow Christians :) I have been a follower of hers for a while now. Always enjoy her reviews. Found a few new authors to read, too :) I have a copy of Surrender the Heart that I really want to read. Thanks for the giveaway!
homesteading[at]charter[dot]net
Amber~ Oh, you definitely should! It's great. :) (Actually, the first bookin that series is great too!)
Anne~ Thank you so much for your comments! Surrender the Heart is a great book. :) Hope you enjoy it!
The Master's Wall, Bloodmaiden, and Time and Eternity sounded like great reads.
Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com
I would love to win this giveaway. Thank you so much for hosting this giveaway.
steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for stopping by and commenting Ann and Steve!