Crystal Marcos's Blog, page 20

I will be at Monica's Bakery-Winter Party-Jan. 22nd, 2011 11am-2pm Saturday. Join the fun for free samples of fabulous food & wine, Meet local authors and get personalized copies of their books, Hear wonderful music by a local musician, and more! Books make wonderful Valentine's Gifts!

This is the place my book set a record for fastest books sold. I think it has something to do with the cover. =)


Monica's Bakery
Old Town Silverdale
3472 NW Bryron St
Silverdale, WA 98383
www.monicasbakery.com

I am honored to have my book reviewed, an author interview, & a book giveaway hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer. So simple to enter this giveaway! Winner receives one signed copy of BELLYACHE: A Delicious Tale by Crystal Marcos!

GIVEAWAY is open until Jan 28th, 2011
http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot....

Review can be viewed here
http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot....

One of my dreams has come true! In the Dec 20th issue of Publishers Weekly Magazine, my book BELLYACHE: A Delicious Tale made an appearance and even had a cover image in the first ever PW Select section! I also feel very honored to be a part of this magazines history! I can't explain the feeling. I knew in my heart it would happen someday. I just didn't expect that someday to be so soon!

Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World: 75 Dairy-Free Recipes for Cupcakes that Rule was a definitely delicious find. Let me start by saying I love cupcakes! Not just eating them, but looking at them. They are just so cute! I guess that is why I call my daughter “Cupcake” as a term of endearment.

Even though I have only made two recipes from this book, I feel I can leave a confident review. Well written, easy to follow directions, extra added tips, and the healthy factor makes this a cupcake book I will return to over and over. Both recipes I made were not 100% vegan; partially because I am not a vegan and partially because I could not find some of the ingredients. Through conversations here on goodreads with vegan friends, I am now prepared to make 100% vegan cupcakes to get the full experience. The two recipes I made were the Dulce Sin Leche Cupcakes (I used regular powdered milk instead of soy powdered milk) and the Golden Vanilla Cupcakes with Rich Chocolate Ganache Topping. I made both in double batches for church parties. Each recipe makes 12 cupcakes. I only had to make one serving of the Ganache; there was plenty for all 24 cupcakes and enough to indulge in before throwing the pan in the sink. Oh my, was that divine! I made a substitution on both recipes one calling for maple syrup and the other for brown rice syrup. I used agave syrup instead. I never used it before and wanted to try it. I will say I will continue to use it, it is a winner. The cupcakes were a hit. I decorated the Golden Vanilla’s to look like reindeer which I saw in a FamilyFun magazine http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/rudol... If you are a parent or anyone who cares for children you really should check out this magazine. I am always finding something in it of value. If you don’t want to get the magazine they have a wonderful website. The candies used to make the reindeer were not vegan. Either way the kids and adults loved the cupcakes! My little girl wanted to be lifted up several times to see them on the counter. I also felt better about letting her eat the cake portion of these cupcakes. My hubby snapped two pictures for me to share with you. He is not a professional photographer, no lighting or any fancy stuff was used. You have to admit these cuppies (my little girl’s word for cupcakes) say “EAT ME.”

At this event donations will be collected pf non-perishable food items and unwrapped gifts for children in need who live in our community. Those who donate will be entered into a raffle for a Thirty-One Gift Basket.

Saturday, December 11, 2010 from 10am-5pm
I will be signing BELLYACHE: A Delicious Tale at
Tis' the Season Craft & Vendor Festival
The Eagles
4001 Jackson Avenue
Port Orchard WA 98366

I am hosting another signed book giveaway for a chance to win a copy of my children's novel BELLYACHE: A Delicious Tale here on Goodreads! Please do enter! I have been getting fantastic reviews! Win it for yourself or give it as a gift!

http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...

I wanted to share some “firsts” shared with Kaylee this fall season. Although, around here it sure feels like winter! Record setting lows! The following pictures are of a trip to the pumpkin patch with her cousin Max. We picked out a pumpkin that stood out in the crowd, a gourmet white. After the trip she wanted to see pumpkins all the time and when she did, she was very excited. I even bought her a novelty Halloween book Little Jack. See our short review here: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/70....
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The next pictures are of our haunted garage and my little angel, Kaylee and her cousins Max & Alyssa. There is only 6 months between them, Kaylee is very tall and Alyssa is very small. For 3 years, my family has put our thinking caps on and built our haunted garage. The neighborhood kids absolutely love it. We skipped the year when Kaylee was born. The kids were disappointed, but I think they understood. I knew this was something we would continue to do. I wanted to introduce Kaylee to it early so she wouldn’t be afraid. We took her around and showed her when we were creating it. She thought it was funny. I also introduced her to the book Goodnight Goon: A Petrifying Parody. I thought this was a great book for aiding against Kaylee being afraid of the dark or monsters. See my review here: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31...
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FOR A LIMITED TIME, SIGNED COPIES AVAILABLE directly from my website 11-7-2010 to 1-7-2011 (limit 10/person). Books make a wonderful gift!

In celebration of the holiday season, for every 25th signed book sold using the "ADD TO CART" button, 1 book will be donated to an elementary school. (I hope to be donating many books!)

http://crystalmarcos.com/locations.php

Have a safe and Happy Holiday Season!
Crystal Marcos =)

I just found out BELLYACHE: A Delicious Tale has been nominated for the 2010 Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards, better known as the CYBILS. So excited and so very honored! CATEGORY: Fantasy and Science Fiction - Middle/Elementary. Thank you so very much to whoever nominated my book! I am so grateful! http://www.cybils.com/

Here are some of the upcoming places I will be this holiday season. Hope to see you there! http://www.CrystalMarcos.com

Saturday and Sunday, November 13-14, 2010 from 9am-4pm
Crystal will be signing BELLYACHE: A Delicious Tale
at The Brownsville Elementary Craft Bazaar
8795 Illahee Road
Bremerton, WA 98311

Friday and Saturday, November 19-20, 2010 from 10am-6pm
Sunday, November 21, 2010 from 10am-5pm
Crystal will be signing BELLYACHE: A Delicious Tale
at The 2010 Holiday Gift and Food Fair
Kitsap Sun Pavilion
1200 NW Fairgrounds Rd
Bremerton, WA 98312

Saturday, December 4, 2010 from 1-4pm
Crystal will be signing BELLYACHE: A Delicious Tale
at The Bethel Avenue Book Company
1037 Bethel Avenue
Port Orchard, WA 98366