Pre-Order The Opposite of Me on March 3, 2010 and Be Entered into a Raffle Hosted by the Author

In anticipation of her book release, Sarah Pekkanen, author of the twin fiction novel The Opposite of Me, is offering a chance to win some awesome prizes by pre-ordering her book on March 3, 2010 only.

Pre-order your copy of The Opposite of Me at Double Up Books  and we’ll send your information to the author to be entered!

Here are her raffle prizes:

• A small, sleek HD camcorder from DXG USA’s Pro Gear line for 2010, which retails for $300.
• A gift bag containing five hot new Simon & Schuster releases.
• Five high-end, cotton t-shirts from Heart Threads Clothing. You pick the size, color and secret message printed on the inside of your shirt and worn close to your heart. Five winners!
• A 30-minute phone consultation in which Sarah will explain, step-by-step, how she got signed by a literary agent and publisher. This will include an editorial critique of your manuscript of up to 40 pages. If you’re not interested in writing a novel, you can gift this prize to anyone you choose.
• A $35 gift certificate to MAC cosmetics (Lindsey is a fan of their eyeshadow) and a gorgeous red bustier from Affinitas Intimates.

But that’s not all!  #1 New York Times bestseller Jennifer Weiner, author of 7 blockbusters including Best Friends Forever and In Her Shoes, is supporting The Opposite of Me by holding an incredible giveaway of her own! Please visit Jen’s website at www.jenniferweiner.blogspot.com for the details of how she is giving a free, autographed copy of one of her books to every single person who orders The Opposite of Me on March 3 only, until she runs out of books – which she says won’t be for a while (yes, you read that right – you get a Jen Weiner book – two books for the price of one, while supplies last.

I got my hands on an advance copy of this book and I’m loving it!  It’s just what I needed to read right now while I’m waiting for the dark winter days to pass and the start of spring to begin.  If you’re a fan of authors like Jennifer Weiner, Emily Giffin, and Sophie Kinsella I think you’ll also like this debut novel.

This is a story about fraternal twin sisters Lindsey and Alex.  Lindsey, although successful in her own right, always felt inadequate when comparing herself to her beautiful twin sister.  We meet single Lindsey when she is just about to receive her dream job offer – to become the youngest VP ever at the NYC ad agency that she has been working countless hours at.  One mishap happens after another and the door to her opportunity shuts just like that.  She must now pick herself up, dust herself off, and head back home to be reunited with her family and start her career anew.  But, can she cope with her failures at the same time that her perfect sister is planning her dream wedding?

I’m really enjoying the story so far and I know it’s going to be one of those books that I’m going to be sad when it ends.  Although my description above makes it sound heavy, it’s actually a fun read with a lot of humor and warmth.  I can see this as a perfect summer read too.

So head on over tomorrow (March 3, 2010) to pre-order your book at Double Up Books and be entered into the raffle PLUS get a Jennifer Weiner book too, while supplies last.  We’ll ship your book as soon as it’s published.

Good luck! 

The Last Will of Moira Leahy by Therese Walsh

A few months ago I was introduced to Therese Walsh through Twitter (@ThereseWalsh) who was getting ready for the release of her debut novel about identical twin sisters called The Last Will of Moira Leahy.  I emailed her, introduced Double Up Books as the “only bookstore specializing in all books twins related,” and told her that as soon as the book gets published (October 13, 2009) that we would stock it immediately.  I also asked her if she would be interested in giving Double Up Books an exclusive interview about writing about twins as characters which she eagerly agreed to.

I’m not a fan of generic interviews where it’s clear that the interviewer knows nothing about the interviewee (or doesn’t really even seem to care) so I like to take the time to first read the book and come up with thoughtful interview questions that add value to the book buying process.  I’m pleased to say that I finished the book last week and presented Therese with seven interview questions which she has since answered for us.  You can read Therese’s interesting interview here in our Double Up Books Author Interview area on our website.

The Last Will of Moira Leahy is a mesmerizing tale about identical twin sisters, the lives they share, and the bonds that tie them together forever.  Spanning from Maine, New York, and Rome, the novel is part family drama, suspense, and mystery with a little bit of the mystical and romance thrown it.  It is a classic and classy novel, the way they should be written, and a true pleasure to read.

Read Therese Walsh’s exclusive interview with Double Up Books here.

Author Marc Weissbluth, M.D. is no stranger to children’s sleep patterns and programs.  He is also the author of the bestselling book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child.  To say that I’m excited for his new book is an understatement.  I am a huge fan of Dr. Weissbluth’s earlier book and was lucky enough to have read it well before my twins came along.  I still reference it whenever a sleep issue with my twins pop up.

Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Twins is currently available as a pre-order.  We will start shipping copies when published on June 9, 2009.  Order yours today and get some happy twins!

Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Twins

Get to know Dr. Le-Bucklin by reading her author interview on our site.

Twins 101 by Khanh-Van Le-Bucklin, M.D. - Pediatrician and mom of twins.

To read more about her book or to purchase your copy, visit the Twins 101 page on our website.

Double Trouble Squared  is a book with a mystery theme about the Starbuck Family’s double twins: preteens Liberty and July, and their little sisters Charly and Molly. All four children have the ability to teleflash—they can talk to each other without saying a word.   When twins Liberty and July accompany their father on a business trip to London, a mysterious voice starts speaking through their teleflashing channels.  The twins set out to solve a puzzle that takes them on an exciting journey through the streets of London.

This is the first book in a 3 book series featuring the Starbuck Twins.  Its reading level is 5.5 and is perfect book for grades 6 – 8.

Double Trouble Squared

The second book I found is The Magic Half  by Annie Barrows and it just came out in a paperback version.  Miri is the “extra” sibling in a family with two sets of twins – older brothers and younger sisters. The family has just moved to an old farmhouse in a new town, where the only good thing seems to be having her own bedroom. But, this bedroom isn’t just any bedroom, Miri’s ten-sided attic bedroom is special. When Miri gets sent to her room after accidentally hitting her big brother on the head with a shovel, she gets sent to her bedroom, but is it?  The reading level is 4.1 and is perfect for grades 3 – 5.

The Magic Half

Annie Barrows is an award winning children book author.  On her website, you can find some interesting facts about twins, including the REAL statistic of how common having 2 sets of twins in your family are.  While you are on her site, be sure to read about Mrs. Fyodor Vassiliev – the woman with SIXTEEN sets of twins! 

And for a real life tell-all blog written by a mom with 2 sets of twins in her family, be sure to check out  http://2setsoftwins-helene.blogspot.com/.

Chicken Soup for the Soul Twins and More is a collection of stories submitted by real people who have been touched by twins and multiples in one way or another, from the mom who is going to have twins, to twins themselves, to grandparents of twins.  The book carries the message that having twins or being a twin or multiple is a special thing and should be cherished.  You’ll laugh at some of the stories, cry at others, but either way you’ll be glad that you shared in this celebration of twins and multiples.

Chicken Soup for the Soul Twins and More

Chicken Soup for the Soul Twins and More makes a perfect gift for anyone expecting twins, triplets and multiples!