Tuesday, January 6, 2009

The 4th Most Entertaining Books of 2008 are...

The 4th
Most Entertaining Books of 2008 are
"Only Uni" & "Single Sashimi"
by Camy Tang





Why do these books rate so highly for me? Chick-Lit was a new genre for me a mere year ago (I know - hard to believe) and the first few I read really didn't impress me much... then came the Sushi Series. Here I found strong women who had flaws. They didn't necessarily have to have the latest designer purse and they weren't looking for Mr. Right with a ring - but Grandma was sure trying to find Mr. Right with a ring for them. A mix of culture, character, conflict and comedy. What more could I ask for? Not much and so that is when I fell for the Sushi Series. Last year I gave a nod to "Sushi For One" and this year I can't help but give an award to "Only Uni" and "Single Sashimi" as they round out the series.

"Only Uni" is probably my favorite. How can Camy take my le
ast favorite character and turn her into someone that I really respected and admired? That is good writing - good drama and great resolution.

"Single Sashimi" brings us to Venus who is the least like me but fascinating. I love getting into her mind and seeing what makes her tick. And, wow, this is a great finish to a fantastic series. Do yourself a favor and curl up with this series - don't forget the wasabi - Camy sure didn't!

And now let's meet Camy...

1. Your Sushi series is so fun and unique. It introduced me to a culture that I didn't know much about. For instance, I can't imagine either of my grandmas trying to set me up and marry me off, of course I didn't give them much time to do that anyway since I married at age 20. :-) What are some of the major differences (good or bad) between the "typical American" culture and the "Sushi" culture?

The sad fact is that it's not unique to Asian American culture to have a grandma, mom, or aunty who is intent on nagging every single family member into marriage. I've had letters from people from German, Swiss, Scandinavian, Italian, and Irish American families who say they have a family member just like Grandma Sakai! (I'm not sure if I should laugh or pray for them! LOL) What I've learned from writing the Sushi books is that no matter what your ethnicity, families are all alike. The only differences seem to be the foods eaten at family gatherings and the language. I think that's why so many people who aren't Asian have enjoyed the series because aside from learning about different family parties and Asian food, they're seeing their own family foibles in the characters.


2. Your series is about 4 cousins – Lexi, Trish, Venus and Jenn. Sadly, the publishers are not having you write the book about Jenn whom I was really looking forward to getting to know. Were you sad to see this series end?

I was, but I am also planning a novella to finish off Jenn's story. This will be available as a free ebook to my newsletter YahooGroup members (it's free and easy to join:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Camys_Loft/join). I was hoping to have it done by December, but it looks like I may not have time until spring or summer 2009. I'll post to my YahooGroup when it's available. I'll also have it available to purchase as a hard copy on Amazon if people don't like reading ebooks or want a hard copy for theirbookshelves.



3. What is the main thing you would like readers to take with them after they visit the Sushi Cousin's world?

That God is always there for you, no matter what you do and what you go through. That when we surrender to His will, His love, and His guidance, things always end up okay.


4. I am a huge sushi fan and my husband and I go to a great Japanese restaurant for our special treat. I love edamame, california roll and the bento box with shrimp tempura and gyoza – I can handle wasabi in little bits – so what should I get next time if I want to be daring?

My favorite favorite favorite sushi is deep fried soft shell crab roll (I mean, what can be bad about anything deep fried???). It's also sometimes called a Spider Roll. Yummos!


5. I am sad to see the Sushi series end, but I am looking forward to what you have for us next. What can we be looking forward to seeing from you in the near future?

I have a romantic suspense coming out in July or August 2009 from Steeple Hill's Love Inspired Suspense line. It's called Deadly Intent, and it's about a massage therapist in her family-owned spa who finds a dead client in her massage room at the same time a mysterious (and handsome) acquaintance shows up asking to see the woman who's, well,dead.


6. Where can readers find you online so they can keep track of everything you are up to?

Here's my website: http://www.camytang.com/




I'm also on Twitter: http://twitter.com/camytang





7. Thank you so much for joining us today and congratulations on writing some of the best books of the year (according to little 'ol me :-)

Thank YOU for having me here, Janna! And I'm sooo glad you enjoyed the Sushi series!

*****************************************
Camy and I at ACFW in Minneapolis in September!
Because of the awesomeness of Camy, - she has agreed to giveaway 2 copies of "Only Uni" to 2 lucky winners! I will go one better - if we get over 40 comments then I will add a copy of "Single Sashimi" to the mix! That is 3 different books you can win! Don't miss out! The rules are the same as the other current giveaways -

1) Leave a comment and tell me who you know that would most enjoy this series (1 entry)

2) Link to this post from your own blog and leave a comment here letting me know (2 entries)

3) Tell someone else about this contest and have them put your name in their comment - (3 entries)

It's that easy! Don't miss out on these awesome books - good luck!

44 comments:

Camy Tang said...

Thanks so much for the interview, Janna!
Camy

Barb said...

I also love Camy's books. Thanks for interviewing her. Please enter me in your contest. Thans.
sbsalzer(at)gmail(dot)com

hippmom said...

I am so excited to read these books as I have read Sushi for One. I would love, love to win these to complete the set. SO to answer your question : Me, I am the one who would most enjoy this series!

THanks, Janna.

silverhartgirl said...

I would love to read this. I loved the interview.

Anonymous said...

I would enjoy reading this series most and probably also the other ladies in my book discussion group :)

Anonymous said...

I would love to read Camy's books. I have been following her blog frequently and I can't wait to read one of her books now! Do enter me!

ramyasbookshelf(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I love camy's books!
they're great!
rebornbutterfly (at) sbcglobal (dot) net

Alyce said...

I would love to be entered to win a copy of Only Uni - I already own Single Sashimi (but I haven't read the series yet - hopefully I will sometime soon).
akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

Merry said...

I would love this and my teenage daughters. Please include me, thanks!
worthy2bpraised{at}gmail{dot}com

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the interview, I love reading Camy's books because they are so true to life, where we find ourselves walking ahead of God and then backpedaling to seek God's wisdom on the situation. I know my friends from high school and college would enjoy this realistic portrayal. I've put up a link on my lj page for them to check this interview out.
Thanks for the contest Janna and I would love to enter it.

Pamela S said...

My daughter in college would LOVE to read this book. And hopefully it would keep her out of trouble (not that she needs help...she's a wonderful child!!!)

Corinne said...

Definitely I am the one who'd like to give these a try. I've been following Camy's blog for quite a while but never gotten my hands on any of her own books. Count me in!

Minathia said...

Thank you for the opportunity to read these books! I never would have known about them if not for this blog. they look so interesting!

Reihaisha said...

When I picked up the first book in the series, I could not put it down. It had been years since I read a book in a single day. I liked it so much I reread it a few weeks later and enjoyed it just as much. I also lent the book to friends. I really enjoyed enjoying the cousins and their adventures.

Please count me in.

Hazel

reihaisha(at)yahoo(dot)come.

apple blossom said...

Oh, how cool. Only Uni is the one in this series I don't have. I'd love to win it. Please include me in the drawing.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Anonymous said...

I have been wanting to read these books! Please count me in for the giveaway. If I won it would give me extra motivation to get my hands on the first book because I have a touch of OCD when it comes to reading books in order, LOL.

author_erin(at)lycos(dot)com

P.S. You are awesome for all these giveaways.

Anonymous said...

I think I would enjoy reading this book the most. As a fellow Asian American, I am excited in reading about these books. Please count me in!

okibi_insanity@yahoo.com

NeedANap2 said...

I think my friend K. at church would enjoy it. I've talked to S. about it quite a bit b/c she's single.

Please give away Single Sashimi - it's the only one I don't have. :(

Simply Stacie said...

My sister and I would both enjoy the series.

Gin said...

I would love to read these books,
they sound great! I think my sister would like them too.

le15307@msn.com

Anonymous said...

I'd love to read this series :) *Thanks* for the giveaway!

lucky[dot]ladybug[at]verizon[dot]net

Tarasview said...

I'd LOVE to win this book!!! I found your blog through Camy's!

Asylumgirl said...

I would love to read this to learn more about Asian culture. I live in a small town, so we're all pretty much black and white around here. LOL

Deidre

Anonymous said...

My best friend would love the series.
13rubberducks [at] gmail.com

valerie2350 said...

my sister would love this

valerie2350 said...

blogged entry 1
http://sweeps4bloggers.blogspot.com/2009/01/cornhuskeracademy-book-giveaway.html

valerie2350 said...

blogged entry 2
http://sweeps4bloggers.blogspot.com/2009/01/cornhuskeracademy-book-giveaway.html

cheryl c said...

I am the one who would most enjoy these books! ;-)

I have actually had my eye on Camy's books for a while. I have heard great things about them.

castings[at]mindspring[dot]com

Jackie said...

I found your blog through another blog. I enjoyed reading the interview and am really looking forward to reading Camy's books. I guess the answer to your questions would be Me!
P.S. I also love sushi!
Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Who would enjoy the most? Me. :D

Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I think I'd love this series, I've been a reader of Camy's blog and she seems wonderful and so down to earth and her books all sound amazing I just haven't had a chance to read any of them yet. I'd love to be entered please! Thank you!
unforgetable_dreamer_always AT hotmail .com

ReadingRobin said...

I have been trying to win these books for what seems like forever! I would LOVE to win these,
thanks for the chance.
cmrobin at bellsouth net

The Giveaway Diva said...

ooo i heard lots about these books and i would really enjoy reading them!

nicolemarielum @gmail.com

Susan Stitch said...

I agree -- these books are fabulous! I can't wait for what Camy will do next.

Susan

Anonymous said...

my sister, thegiveawaydiva told me about ur giveaway! I love the sound of those books and i would definelty share them iwth my sister and friends
glittergurl04 @hotmail.com

KR said...

Almost to 40! These sound great!

Martha A. said...

I would love to own the complete set of these! I love her books! I agree that every nationality has a relative like their grandma! I sure do!!!
martha(at)lclink(dot)com

Carolynn said...

My friend Maria absolutely loves Camy's books. She's read the first 2 in her series about 20 times. I would love to win the 3rd book for her.
Thanks for the chance to win!
carolynnwald at hotmail dot com

kalea_kane said...

So I'm reading and thinking. Is this over? I hope not, because I would totally be comment number 40 and that would be a good thing for everyone wouldn't it? :) I love Camy's work, her blog, and her personality. Please enter me for a chance to win! Pretty please.

Thanks!

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

kalea_kane said...

I took a shot and posted about your giveaway on my blog. :) Thanks again, Janna!

http://enroutetolife.blogspot.com/2009/01/it-is-giveaway-kind-of-nightor-day.html

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I really enjoy reading about the family and I was told about this contest by Diane at
di88wllmnn@yahoo.com.
rachelmarie42@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Please enter me in the blog. YOur books are so interesting.
di88wllmnn@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I haven't read any of Camy's books yet!

Janna said...

And the winners are...

Only Uni - Mary
Only Uni - AmandaSue
Single Sashimi - valerie2350

Congratulations!