Interview with Jason Reid, Author of Dinner Conversations

Jason Reid is an entrepreneur by trade and a dad by passion. He currently lives in Murrieta, California with his wonderful wife and amazing four children. Over the years he has written numerous business books, a novel, and children’s The Protector Bug book series.

SOCIAL LINKS:

TWITTER | FACEBOOK

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I am an entrepreneur, husband and father who really enjoys his time with his family.

When did you begin writing?

I started writing about 10 years ago, I was looking for a new hobby. I wrote a novel called Liar Loan, a few business books as well as two children’s picture books and five of the best screen plays that you may never see… LOL

Do you write during the day, at night or whenever you can sneak a few moments?

I don’t have a set pattern, this latest book was written over 5 years, one conversation at a time.

What is this book about?

It is a collection of conversations that I have had with my kids as they were growing up. Mostly funny stuff that they have said to me over dinner.

What inspired you to write it?

Facebook, I posted all our conversations on my Facebook over the years as a fun way of memorializing our time together. Finally, some friends said, “Hey you should turn this into a book”

Who is your biggest supporter?

My family are my biggest supporters

Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?

The book is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Do you have a website and/or blog where readers can find out more?

I currently just have a Facebook page @DinnerConversations where readers can follow our recent family conversations, post their own fun family conversations, fun and interesting articles, events, etc

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with aspiring authors everywhere?

The best advice I have is to write for you, if it makes you happy then do. Don’t write for the critics, why would you want to make them happy?

What is up next for you?

I am working on a new screenplay about an old mall in middle America and a not so young guy who wants to prove to his father that he can turn it around.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Yes, life is way busier than it was 30 years ago--there are many more distractions. Make sure you take the time to have dinner with your family and above all, enjoy the conversations!

Book Review: The Mommy Diaries: How I'm Surviving Parenting without Killing Anyone by Dallas Louis

Take a humorous roller coaster ride along with Dallas Louis as she shares the ups and downs, the joys and the trials, the embarrassing moments and the frightening moments of parenting three young children in  The Mommy Diaries: How I'm Surviving Parenting without Killing Anyone.

While Dallas and her husband, Jeff, knew they wanted to kids, God proved He has a sense of humor by sending them three children in the span of twenty-six months. Oh joy!

In The Mommy Diaries Louis shares many of the moments that make parenting such a blessing, while sprinkling in several of those times you pray your kids move out soon. With humor and good, old-fashion Texas gumption, Louis talks about sleepless nights, body changes, broken bones, family vacations, troubles at school, and the challenges of keep husband and wife time sacred.

In some ways this book reminded me of Motherhood: The Second Oldest Profession by the late Erma Bombeck. Louis finds the humor in everyday life and makes you feel better about your own similar struggles. You'll buy this book because you hope someone, somewhere understands what you're going through. You'll enjoy it because it's funny watching all this mischief happen to someone other than you.

Paperback: 200 pages
Publisher: Anomalos Publishing LLC (May 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0983621667
ISBN-13: 978-0983621669

I've read this book for the following challenges:

I purchased a copy of this book from Amazon. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in any way.

Interview with Author Kersten Campbell and Giveaway at Linda Weaver Clarke's Blog

My friend, Linda Weaver Clarke is up to her tricks again. This week she has a fabulous international giveaway that every mother I know will want to enter. I really should keep it under wraps so I can win this book, but I know even if I don't win, I'm picking up a copy of Confessions of a Completely (In)sane Mother.

"Confessions is a book full of humor stories about life with five kids and a mother who is far from perfect. In fact, that's why I wrote the book, so that women would be inspired to relax and enjoy motherhood and realize that nobody is perfect. I hoped it would inspire them to laugh at the little disasters that happen every day in family life. The message is: Just do your best, enjoy your family, and rely on the Savior to make up the difference."

Now, I'm sure not a perfect mother. My kids will eagerly tell you that. But I really like the message this book shares. It's something I try to remind myself of every day.

So, how can you enter to win a copy of Confessions of a Completely (In)sane Mother? Visit Linda Weaver Clarke's blog and leave a comment with your email address.

This contest ends on July 26th, so hurry on over. Wait, I take that back. Stay away so my chances of winning the book are increased!



Kersten Campbell has always loved books and chocolate doughnuts. When she was a young girl her parents had her hearing tested because she would be so involved in reading a book that she couldn't hear what was going on in the outside world. There was nothing they could do about the chocolate doughnuts.

She grew up in Wisconsin until she turned sixteen, when her family moved to Boise, Idaho. When she protested the move, her father said, "Don't worry, you'll probably find some nice Mormon boy to marry."

Confused, Kersten replied, "What's a Mormon?"

She soon found out, and joined the LDS church at age twenty-one. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Idaho in English Literature and has written many articles and stories for church publications and other magazines. When not writing, she enjoys reading, painting, family history research, playing the clarinet in a city band, playing with children, and eating chocolate doughnuts. She is currently working on more humor essays, a young adult fiction novel, and a spiritual book about motherhood.

She and that "nice Mormon boy," live in Washington with their five beautiful children.

Visit Kristen online at www.kerstencampbell.com.