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Guest Post & Giveaway with Belinda Acosta, author of Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz
August 11th, 2009
I am very pleased to have Belinda Acosta, author of Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz to Peeking Between the Pages today. I read her novel for her blog tour and really enjoyed it. You’re welcome to take a peek at my review here. I asked Belinda what her inspiration for writing Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz was and this is what she had to share with us…
When I was contacted about writing a series on quinceañeras I had just reviewed Julia Alvarez’s nonfiction book, Once Upon a Quinceañera for The Austin Chronicle. So, the subject was in high on my radar.
What intrigued me about the subject was similar to what intrigued Alvarez: What does it mean to be a woman today? Is there something about the Latina experience that is unique? Why have a ritual to mark this “passage”? Where did the tradition stem from? And on and on and on.
I find it amusing that I did not have a quinceañera, I had never been to one prior to writing this book, and I don’t have any children. I do know, from first hand experience, how complicated the relationship between mothers and daughters can be.
Part of what makes Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz stand out is that it focuses on that relationship—the good, the bad, and hopefully, with honesty and candor. In short, I drafted an outline and once it was approved, I began writing.
About the Book
All Ana Ruiz wanted was to have a traditional quinceañera for her daughter, Carmen. She wanted a nice way to mark this milestone year in her daughter’s life. But Carmen was not interested in celebrating. Hurt and bitter over her father Esteban’s departure, she blamed Ana for destroying their happy family, as did everyone else. A good man is hard to find, especially at your age Ana was told. Why not forgive his one indiscretion? Despite everything, Ana didn’t want to tarnish Carmen’s childlike devotion to her beloved father. But Ana knows that growing up sometimes means facing hard truths. In the end, Ana discovers that if she’s going to teach Carmen anything about what it means to be a woman, it will take more than simply a fancy party to do it…
About the Author
Belinda Acosta has written and published plays, short stories, and essays. As a journalist, her work has appeared in the Austin American-Statesman, The Austin Chronicle, the San Antonio Express-News, The San Antonio Current, and AlterNet. Her short story Tortilla Dough appeared in Saguaro, a publication of the University of Arizona in 1992. In 1993, she produced, directed and performed in a multi-media dance-theater performance of La Llorona. National exposure came in 1995 when she read her personal essay Gran Baile, on Latino USA – the Radio Journal of News and Culture, carried on National Public Radio.
Acosta received a Master of Fine Arts in Writing from The University of Texas in 1997. She lives in Austin, Texas and is the TV and media columnist for The Austin Chronicle.
Be sure to visit Belinda Acosta’s website here and join her Facebook Fan Group here.
~~~~~~~
Belinda, thanks so much for joining us at Peeking Between the Pages today and sharing some your thoughts with us. I can’t wait to read Sisters, Strangers, and Starting Over!
~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY DETAILS
I’ve got 3 copies of Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz by Belinda Acosta to share with my readers. What do you need to do to enter…
- For 1 entry leave me a comment with a way to contact you.
- For 2 entries follow my blog. If you do let me know and the extra entry is yours.
- For 3 entries blog or tweet this giveaway to spread the word.
This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winners on Sunday, August 30, 2009. Good luck everyone!
Hey Dar! Just wanted to say I Was here
Don't enter me for this one though.. and I love the profile pic change! Love your dog!
+1 missremmeres@gmail.com
+2 I'm a follower
+3 I tweeted about this giveaway via @MissRemmers
Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
Wow, I find it interesting that Belinda didn't have a quinceañera herself. I feel kind of bad for her! I would love a chance to win this one.
I am also a follower.
joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com
#2's Spanish teacher just explained what a quinceanera was. Hard word to say!
No need to enter me. I am dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail. I've got this posted at Win a Book.
Count me in!
I'm a follower too!
melacan at hotmail dot com
After your review, I want to read this one. Please enter me! milou2ster(at)gmail.com
+1 I subscribe in Google Reader
Please enter me as well! It looks great.
JHolden955 (at) gmail (dot) com
Thanks.
I'd like to be included! tWarner419@aol.com
I want to read this one. I'm a follower. Count me in!
dlodden at frontiernet dot net
I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/darcy1956/status/3253659674
dlodden at frontiernet dot net
Looks like a good book, please enter me into this drawing.
I'm also a follower via Blogger.
Thanks for hosting this giveaway.
jake.lsewhere[at]gmail.com
I would love to read this one!
dancealert (at) aol (dot) com
I'm a follower of yours on google reader!
dancealert (at) aol (dot) com
I'd like a chance to read this thanks!
unforgetable_dreamer_always(at)hotmail.com
I'd love to win a copy of this book, please enter me in your giveaway.
- email: joana(at)nanashi-inc.net
- now following your blog
- tweeted: http://twitter.com/joanana/status/3258777825
Wow, would love to win this book.
Count me in. 
1) amaranth.moon@yahoo.com
2) I followed (Charity Lynn)
3) Tweeted about the giveaway @CharityGamble
Thanks so much for hosting this giveaway!
would love to read this! AND i'm a follower…
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
I would love to enter this giveaway, thanks.
jen4777[at]hotmail.com
+1 tashiluvsu@live.com
+2 follower
I would like to be entered for this giveaway. This book looks interesting.
linn.hsu (at) gmail (dot) com
+1 already a follower
count me in please!
Im a follower
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
Please enter me! Thanks
dcf_beth at verizon dot net
I've never heard of quinceaneras before, but after looking at pictures I recognize the dresses. I'd be interested in reading a story about this aspect of a culture that I am unfamiliar with. Please count me in.
I follow
I blogged it:
http://cerebralgirl.blogspot.com/2009/08/book-giveaways-in-blogworld-08-08-09.html
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
Am a follower, too
I've also blogged about this giveaway here.
Thanks,
jake.lsewhere[at]gmail.com
Looks like a good read, I'd la la LOVE to win!
heatheranne99 at hotmail dot com
I'm a blog follower!
heatheranne99 at hotmail dot com
I'd like to be entered for the giveaway. Count me in please. Thanks.
jessica(at)fan(dot)com
I would love to be entered. This sounds like a great book.
I subscribe with Feed Demon, if that counts.
carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com
This sounds like a really good read!
I am a follower.
marielay@gmail.com
I forgot to mention that I'm a follower thanks.
unforgetable_dreamer_always(at)hotmail.com
I'm a follower.
My contact: harvee44@yahoo.com
Thanks for the chance to win the book!
I blogged about your contest here.
joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com
Please enter me!
allygotts567 at hotmail dot com
and I'm a follower.
thanks!
Book sounds really good. Please enter me to the draw.
kkhaas AT bellsouth DOT net
+2 I am a follower
kkhaas AT bellsouth DOT net
I loved this book!
I raved about it so much that my sister-in-law has taken my copy.
+1 Is it possible to sign up for the contest for my mother? I know that she'd love this.
+2 I'm a follower
+3 I've posted about the contest on my blog – under the review and Q&A with Belinda Acosta.
http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/2009/08/book-review-damas-dramas-and-ana-ruiz.html
AND
http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/2009/08/damas-dramas-and-ana-ruiz-quinceanera.html
I'm listing this in my sidebar too.
http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com
Thanks!
gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com
Just blogged about your contest here
http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/2009/08/contest-highlights.html
Thanks!
gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com
+1 Just became a follower of yours
jen4777[at]hotmail.com
Please include me in your giveaway
+2 I follow your blog
Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat – join us at CoolCanucks.ca
bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com
Love to read this – thanks for the chance!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
As you know, I included this in a blog post.
http://carolsnotebook.wordpress.com/2009/08/15/giveaways-in-blogland-13/
I might not have picked up this book if I hadn't read your review. Thanks! I'd love to win it. I also just signed up for your blog.
Please enter me to win a copy of Damas, Dramas and Ana Ruiz! This book sounds fascinating. Thank you for the chance!
knittingmomof3 (AT) gmail (DOT) com
I am indeed a follower of your blog.
Entry 1
knittingmomof3 (AT) gmail (DOT) com
I am indeed a follower of your blog.
Entry 2
knittingmomof3 (AT) gmail (DOT) com
Would love to read this one
chocolateandcroissants at yahoo dot com
I follow
chocolateandcroissants at yahoo dot com
cococroissantsDamas, Dramas book giveaway http://bit.ly/CvZYT
chocolateandcroissants at yahoo dot com
I would love to win this book please enter me in your giveaway.
I am a follower.
budletsmom at yahoo dot com
I would like to enter. I am a follower.
kirar59(AT)yahoo(DOT)ca
I would really like to read this book. Please enter me. Thanks!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
Thanks for the chance to win this book ~ megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com
I follow ~ megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com
Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the chance to win!
ruthann (dot) francis (at) gmail (dot) com
+1 badassfemmes at yahoo dot com
+2 I am a follower!!
Please count me in…thanks.
karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com
I'm a follower
karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com
I've heard a lot about this book lately. I'd enjoy reading it. Thanks for this giveaway and please count me in.
chinook92(at)gmail(dot)com
I already follow your blog.
chinook92(at)gmail(dot)com
Tweet:
http://twitter.com/chinook92/status/3586806521
chinook92(at)gmail(dot)com
thanks once again minsthins at optonline dot net
This sounds really good. Count me in.
+2 follower
Marie
utah91960(at)yahoo(dot)com
Sounds like a great book!
amandasandico at yahoo dot com
Sounds like a great book.
Would love to read this.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(Dot)com
I would love a chance to win! Thank you!
tiffanys819 at gmail dot com
Sounds like something I would enjoy reading.
mamie316(at)sbcglobal.net
Sounds like a wonderful book! Thank you
mishiareads(at)gmail(dot)com
I follow your blog.