Monday, February 1, 2010

SEARCHING FOR TINA TURNER Blog Tour: Author Article, Preview, & Giveaway

GIVEAWAY ENDED
SEARCHING FOR TINA TURNER

BY JACQUELINE E. LUCKETT

ABOUT THE BOOK:

On the surface, Lena Spencer appears to have it all. She and her wealthy husband Randall have two wonderful children, and they live a life of luxury. In reality, however, Lena finds that happiness is elusive. Randall is emotionally distant, her son has developed a drug habit, and her daughter is disgusted by her mother's "overbearing behavior." When Randall decides that he's had enough of marriage counseling, he offers his wife an ultimatum: "Be grateful for all I've done for you or leave." Lena, realizing that money can't solve her problems and that her husband is no longer the man she married, decides to choose the latter.

About Author

Jacqueline Luckett is a former sales representative for Xerox. After leaving the corporate world, Jacqueline took a creative writing class on a dare (from herself) and began writing short stories and poetry and never looked back. Jacqueline loves living in Oakland, but travels frequently to nurture her passion for photography and learning to cook exotic foods. She is currently hard at work on her next novel.

Audio and Video



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jacqueline worked in sales for Xerox for twenty years. During that time she married, raised a family and took creative writing classes where she reignited her love of writing.

In 2004, Jacqueline formed the Finish Party (featured in O Magazine, October 2007) along with seven other women writers-of-color. The group provides strong support for each other's writing, good meals, friendship and fun.

Jacqueline is an avid reader and lover of books, excellent cook, aspiring photographer and world traveler. She lives in Northern California and is currently working on her second novel.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW:

I was so pleased when Jacqueline agreed to tell me about her writing. Here is what she told me about here reading and writing habits:


I’ve been an avid reader all my life. My reading choices are varied. I don’t like to put myself into a “reading box.” There’ve been times when I read nothing but murder mysteries and detective novels (Valerie Wesley Wilson, John Sandford, Barbara Neely, Patricia Cornwell). Then I might switch to fiction (Bebe Moore Campbell or Dianne McKinney Whetstone), or become obsessed with literary fiction (Toni Morrison, Jhumpa Lahiri, Junot Diaz, Jeffery Eugenides, Julia Alvarez, ZZ Packer, Lalita Tademy, John Edgar Wideman)—and almost anything in between, including coffee table books on every subject from photography to music to architecture and design. I read what I like, often taking suggestions from friends, book reviews, and end-of-the year “best lists.” Sometimes I’m intrigued by book covers, or jacket copy and first paragraphs.

Before I started writing in earnest, I read solely for pleasure—what happened, where, why and to whom. I appreciated an author’s skill with plot and wording. My reading has shifted. Oh, don’t get me wrong—I still love a good, well-written story. Now, I read for both pleasure and to study the craft of writing. It takes me longer to read a book these days, because of the time devoted to my writing. But also, because I reread paragraphs and sentences to understand how an author successfully presented an idea, a place or a character. My best advice to anyone, young or not-so-young, interested in writing is: read, read, read. Choose an author that you love and break apart her/his sentences and paragraphs to get an idea of what makes the book work.

These days, I alternate between fiction and non-fiction. I just finished Where Did You Sleep Last Night? by Danzy Senna (Caucasia, Symptomatic). Part mystery, part memoir and desire to learn more about her father, Danzy has a way with words and story that is inspirational.


GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO MIRIAM AND THE
HACHETTE BOOK GROUP, I HAVE
FIVE COPIES OF THIS
WONDERFUL
BOOK TO GIVEAWAY!



THE RULES:

--U.S. AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES, PLEASE
--INCLUDE EMAIL ADDRESS IN COMMENT
--ALL ENTRIES/COMMENTS MUST BE
SEPARATE IN ORDER TO COUNT
AS MORE THAN ONE ENTRY



HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING IN AUTHOR JACQUELINE E. LUCKETT'S ARTICLE

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK I CAN FOLLOW IN THE ENTRY

+1 MORE ENTRY:
TELL ME IF YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG AND HOW (AND IF YOU ARE #600 ON GOOGLE FRIEND, LET ME KNOW!)

BONUS ENTRIES: WATCH FOR MY REVIEW AND MORE FOR THIS BOOK COMING SOON WITH BONUS ENTRIES FOR YOU

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, FEBRUARY 28


GOOD LUCK!


SOME OF THE BLOG TOUR STOPS COMING UP:
February 1
http://my-book-views.blogspot.com
http://aseaofbooks.blogspot.com/
http://luanne-abookwormsworld.blogspot.com/
http://justanothernewblog.blogspot.com/
http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/
http://booksoulmates.blogspot.com
http://ilratb.blogspot.com

February 2
http://www.bibliophilicbookblog.com
http://myfoolishwisdom.blogspot.com
http://www.frommipov.blogspot.com
http://jensbooktalk.blogspot.com/
http://www.thedivinemissmommy.com
http://booksiesblog.blogspot.com
http://www.mybookaddictionandmore.wordpress.com
http://ojoyofmylife.blogspot.com

February 3
http://maryinhb.blogspot.com/
http://brokenteepee.blogspot.com
http://www.crazy-for-books.com
http://www.buuklvr81.blogspot.com
http://dreyslibrary.blogspot.com
http://www.jeannesramblings.com
http://haleymathiot.blogspot.com
http://thecajunbooklady.blogspot.com/

56 comments:

Commchick said...

I find it interesting that since Ms. Luckett became an author it takes her longer to read a book because she will re-read some paragraphs to pick them apart and see how the author got across what they were trying to say.

belchers@jccal.org

Commchick said...

I follow you on blogger.

belchers@jccal.org

rubynreba said...

I found it interesting that she likes all types of books as I do too.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

bermudaonion said...

I really enjoyed this book - it was deeper than I expected it to be. No need to enter me.

Yvonne said...

I'd love to be entered. I follow you on blogger.

yvone473[at]optonline[dot]net

Also, I gave you an award :)

ANovelMenagerie said...

I really wanted to read this book! Miriam said it was really good.

I do follow you on Google Reader.

Please enter me... I'd love to win this book and review it!

justpeachy36 said...

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

I found it interesting that while she worked and raised a family she still had time to take creative writing courses.

Please enter me in the giveaway.

traveler said...

Thanks for this giveaway. Fascinating to learn about this author and about her reading habits. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Linda Kish said...

I like her encouragement of those interested in writing..read, read, read

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

holdenj said...

I thought it was interesting how she still reads for pleasure, but also for seeing how the craft is done! She reads very broadly too, which I thought was great. (I read a pretty eclectic grouping myself).
Thanks for the chance to win.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I am a google friend connect follower.
Thanks.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

scottsgal said...

she tells everyone to read, read read
msboatgal at aol.com

scottsgal said...

follower via google
msboatgal at aol.com

g.g. said...

I found it interesting the way she now reads and rereads to break apart paragraphs and such to get ideas on what makes the author's writing good so it help her with her writing

anjamie4 AT gmail dot com

g.g. said...

I follow by email and google friend connect

anjamie4 AT gmail dot com

Wickdogg said...

I like how she reads all kinds of books and sometimes reads a bunch in one genre

wickdogg AT gmaildotcom

Unknown said...

I love that she reads in groups...I do the same.

ashleymaymott(at)aol(dot)com

Unknown said...

I get e-mail updates.

ashleymaymott(at)aol(dot)com

Aik said...

It's great to hear that she's an excellent cook! I'd love to read her book(s)!

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Aik said...

I'm a follower.

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Annmarie Weeks said...

I love to see that becoming a writer changed how she reads books. That it's not just for pleasure anymore, but also to study the writing!

Annmarie Weeks said...

I tweeted! http://twitter.com/amweeks/status/8604624154

justpeachy36 said...

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

Please enter me in the giveaway.

I found it interesting that she reads for both pleasure and to learn the craft of writing.

justpeachy36 said...

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

I am a follower.

dsandyboy said...

It's interesting that she likes all different types of books. I do too!

dsandyboy@gmail.com

dsandyboy said...

I am a follower on Google friend.

dsandyboy@gmail.com

FrankSandy said...

While working and raising a family, she took creative writing courses.

walkerd@primus.ca

FrankSandy said...

I am a Google friend.

walkerd@primus.ca

Anonymous said...

I found it interesting that Jacqueline is such a good cook. Good food and good books just go so naturally together.
I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I am a follower of your blog.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

kalynnick said...

I found interesting that she read all kinds book and not one specific genre of books.

kalynnick At yahoo DOT com

kalynnick said...

I'm follower!

kalynnick At yahoo DOT com

Sarah Osborne said...

I found it interesting that Ms. Luckett tells aspiring writers to read read read...nothing better than researching those that have already done it :)

sarahosborne12(at)gmail(dot)com

Sarah Osborne said...

I follow you via GFC and google reader!

sarahosborne12(at)gmail(dot)com

Sarah Osborne said...

I blogged!
http://myfavoritegiveaways.blogspot.com/2010/02/searching-for-tina-turner.html

sarahosborne12(at)gmail(dot)com

409cope said...

I found that like me,Tina changes her reading genre often. cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

409cope said...

I follow through google friend. cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

409cope said...

I follow through google friend. cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

Linda Henderson said...

I was interested in the fact that she formed Finish Party with 7 other women writers of color.

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

I follow on Google.

seriousreader at live dot com

Anonymous said...

Hi! I would love to read this book. I thought it was great that the author likes all sorts of books to read and gets inspiration from other authors.

Please enter me.:)
Thanks for the great giveaway!

Connie
connie_bryant@hotmail.com

Marian Perera said...

I like the fact that Jacqueline is so eclectic in her reading tastes. I try to do the same thing - read nearly everything I come across - because it's all grist for the mill.

Marian

mdperera at hotmail dot com

Darcie K. said...

I like how she talked about reading specific genres at a time. I often find myself going through periods like that
dmkayes@gmail.com

Darcie K. said...

I follow on blogger
dmkayes@gmail.com

Misusedinnocence said...

I thought it was interesting that she worked at Xerox. Reminds me that no matter what jobs i'm currently working now, I can still be working toward my goals.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Misusedinnocence said...

I follow on Google Friend Connect.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed reading about Jacqueline's writing habits.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I follow you through Google Friend Connect and via Google Reader.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Benita said...

Here's what I find interesting: Jacqueline is an avid reader and lover of books, excellent cook, aspiring photographer and world traveler. She lives in Northern California and is currently working on her second novel.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Bombtastic Belle said...

I thought it was interesting tha tit takes her longer to read a book than to right one since she likes to reread things.
eod_army_wife04(at)yahoo(dot)com

CherylS22 said...

I found it interesting that Ms. Luckett's reading tastes are so close to my own. I have very eclectic tastes in what I read & I like the variety available for reading.

Thanks ~ megalon22 at yahoo dot com

CherylS22 said...

I follow in GFC
megalon22 at yahoo dot com

Marilu said...

I think it is neat that she formed the Finish Party with seven other women writers-of-color.
I would love a copy of this. Please enter me! thanks

lovemykidsandbooks AT gmail DOT com

Marilu said...

I follow through Google Friend Connect!
lovemykidsandbooks AT gmail DOT com

sharon54220 said...

She reads all types of genres. While reading she also pulls them apart to see how it's done.

sharon54220@gmail.com

sharon54220 said...

I follow on GFC and Facebook.

sharon54220@gmail.com

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