This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Eva Legre Zigre will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
If you've had a chance to visit Temecula, California, you'd be one of many who have had the privilege of watching hot air balloons take flight during sunrise and descend at sunset, walking the grounds of one of the most beautiful rose gardens in California, and visiting a rare and noble tree that looks to have stood the test of time. You will find some of the most popular and heavily visited sights in Temecula, beautifully illustrated and captured in child-like conversation.
RJ’s Adventures in Temecula is a vibrantly colored board book featuring thirteen of Temecula’s most visited attractions. The illustrations jump off the page, offering children fun images to look at while learning more about Temecula, California’s historic sights.
Beware. Your child may ask to visit some of the attractions presented in this 20-page book, such as Professor Pennypickles' Workshop or the Sugarplum Zoo and Chocolates. Come visit for a week, but first, do your research and take this adventure around Temecula, California with RJ.
Read an Excerpt
Hello Friend!
My name is RJ.
Welcome to the beautiful and sunny city of Temecula. Today is a great day to show you around!
Are you ready for an exciting tour?
Author Interview
Tell me about yourself. Where are you from?
ELZ :From a young age, I have enjoyed reading and writing children's books. I’ve lived in various countries in Africa, and have traveled around different states in America. For a decade, I was a volunteer teacher and a nanny, and I loved both jobs. I learned a great deal from the communities I lived in. This is where my book-writing inspiration comes from.
What genre do you read? Who's an author you read? Name your top 5 authors.
ELZ: I love books that teach me about new places, cultures, and the history of a people. Historical books and memoirs of those living in different eras are fun and I must admit to loving children’s books myself.
Mmmm. One of my favorites is Karen Blumenthal. Top five. Wow. Let me think.
1. Margaret Wise Brown
2. Karen Blumenthal
3. Tonya J. Orr
4. Tim Brady
5. Francine Rivers
What book are you reading right now, and what do you like about it?
ELZ: I’m enjoying Revolutionary Mary by Karen Blumenthal right now. I love the detail and writing style. It is easy to follow and intriguing so it has kept my interest.
Favorite sports.
ELZ :I like watching croquet, but it isn’t easy finding matches on television. I also like pickleball. Two sports low on the sports totem pole. LOL
Favorite thing about the state/country that you live in.
ELZ: One thing I love about living in the United States is the fact that with each new person you meet you could be exposed to a whole different culture, country, and language than your own. It makes life colorful.
How long have you been writing?
ELZ: I have been writing since I was young. I have had an active imagination and it was fun to script out what I saw on paper. It was not for publishing, just for myself but when I decided to publish, I wasn’t starting from scratch since I also read a lot and know what I like.
What inspired you to become a writer?
ELZ: What inspired me to become a published children’s book writer was the birth of my son, whom my series is based on.
What is your writing process like? Are you more of a plotter or a pantser?
ELZ: I love to write from my balcony looking at the sky, the mountains and hearing the voices of children playing in the playground in front of my building. I am both a plotter and panster. My ideas come as a panster, and I let my imagination go wild with the general topic, but as I get more focused on the story, I become more of a plotter, especially when it comes to choosing photos for the illustrator to reference for the book.
How did you come up with the ideas for your series? (If your book is a standalone, please skip)
ELZ: The community of Temecula inspired me to write this book. The unique, interesting stories the people of this close-knit community shared with me led to this book. It caused me to look deeper into the city of Temecula, and that’s where I found the wonderful family-friendly attractions and sites in this town that is mostly known for its wineries. It then caused me to wonder about other cities and from that curiosity sprung the series of RJ’s Adventures.
How do you celebrate finishing a book?
ELZ: Ice cream. I love ice cream. It is my favorite reward and Butter Pecan was my ribbon for finishing the first book in this series.
What would you tell a writer who is just starting? What program do you use for writing?
ELZ: I would tell a new writer, “Do not procrastinate, make time, enjoy the process! A community is waiting for your books.”
I use notes and Microsoft Word to write and communicate with my team.
How do you organize everything and find the time to sit down and write?
ELZ: I do a great deal of my writing in the morning. I love going out on my balcony with my cup of tea, sometimes way before the world around me wakes up, and I sit in the quietness and wait to see what comes.
As an author, what would you choose as your spirit animal?
ELZ: Probably a Red Knot bird, which is small but covers vast distances.
Who has been the biggest supporter of your writing?
ELZ: I would say my husband. He has cheered me on and come with me to signings.
How do you name your characters?
ELZ: Well, my main character is named after my son, so I would say I pull names from people I know or have associated with.
Can you describe a typical day in your writing life?
ELZ: My writing day is fairly short, since it happens during the few hours before the house wakes up. It is hard to get writing done when you are constantly running after a toddler who has just found their footing and then working for eight hours.
Tell us about your current release.
ELZ: “RJ’s Adventures in Temecula” is a children’s board book that celebrates the city and community of Temecula. It highlights thirteen of the beautiful, family-friendly places of the city! It is actually Temecula's first children’s book. Both the photographer and illustrator are from Temecula so it is a family affair.
A resident of Temecula, California, known for its wineries, Mrs. Legre-Zigre was inspired by her own child to find and highlight family- and child-friendly attractions in her city. Some of these attractions are featured in her debut book.
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/authorevalegre
Website: http://www.rjsadventures.com
1 comment:
Thank you for featuring today's book.
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