Interview With My Overstuffed Bookshelf

I first came upon the My Overstuffed Bookshelf site by browsing a client's blog. She had a list of sites currently running book giveaways, and I decided to check out a few of her links. I'm so glad I went to My Overstuffed Bookshelf! Amy Jacobs, the woman behind MOB (You know I'm going to love a site I can nickname MOB!), reads and reviews a wide range of books--from children's to paranormal to many of the sub-genres within romance. I find her reviews to be concise, insightful, and straightforward. She also interviews authors, hosts giveaways, and consistently displays the kind of books-are-my-crack mentality that makes me feel right at home.

I subscribed to MOB and love getting emails with two to three short reviews in it every day or two. When I contacted Amy and asked if she'd be willing to be interviewed on my blog, she seemed excited about the prospect. I asked her to recommend a favorite book to my blog readers, and she chose Michele L. Montgomery's RIVER OF TEARS because "it will leave your emotions completely out of whack. To me a great story is a book that throw your emotions all over the place." If you're one who enjoys being deeply emotionally invested in the story you're reading, check out RIVER OF TEARS.

Amy chose to be interviewed by the inimitable Spork of Doom.

Spork of Doom



Amy Jacobs



When I asked Amy what she wanted for her cupcake design, her answer was (unsurprisingly) "anything to do with books." I turned that piece of vague instruction over to my incredibly talented hubby, and he made one of my favorite cupcakes yet! So, without further ado, I give you the Bookshelf Cupcake and Amy's interview with the Spork of Doom.



1. I’m all about world domination, and I’m always looking for good help. Why would you be an acceptable minion in my quest?

I accept no prisoners!! Well, unless they have an ARC or a signed book from an author to bribe me with. You know, we all have our price!

2. I suppose we do. I, however, long ago decided never to be bribed with anything less than a small country or two. Being a Spork of Doom takes moxie. What’s the sporkiest thing you’ve ever done?

I once pushed a lady out of the way at the library book sale to get a copy of a book from my favorite author. That book was mine! She learned very quickly not to get in my way!

3. Hm. You may have the kind of moxie I need in a minion. When I’m not busy taking over the world, I like to eat pie. What kind of pie do you think is worthy of my Spork of Doom status?

That would be cheesecake! Yeah, it says cake but it is really a pie. Who can resist that yummy goodness. Of course, I would bring a back up pie for you as well. My Grandmother's chocolate pie would leave you weak in the knees (eh, handle?) and you would be begging for her to join your army!

4. Beg? Bah! I'm the Spork of Doom. I don't even ask nicely, much less beg. Favorite dessert to eat with a spork?

Did you not read the last answer?! My Grandmother's chocolate pie! Only her pie is worthy enough for the mighty spork!

5. I accept your offering. You shall be my minion! I have the ability to be simultaneously spoon, fork, and weapon of mass destruction. What unique ability do you have?

I have the great ability to type, talk on the phone and punish the children all at once! I have the ability to multi-task AND have eyes in the back of my head! My children will also tell you that I have super hearing as I can hear them from another room getting in trouble!

6. Eyes in the back of one's head are handy for any number of reasons. In this day and age, a savvy spork bent on world domination can’t afford to ignore a good marketing campaign. I’m thinking t-shirts with “Spork or Die.” If you made a shirt with your own slogan on it, what would it say?

"Whoever Has The Most Books Wins!" on the front, and on the back--pictures of my favorite covers with the hot men! You know they would make great minions!

7. Only if they know how to take orders and bake a mean lemon meringue. If I had to compare myself to anyone in history, I’d have to say I’m most like Napoleon. Only skinnier. And shinier. And smart enough not to lose my empire at a place with a ridiculous name like Waterloo. Who are you most like and why?

Well, if you were to ask my children, I am like Vicki from Fairly Odd Parents! But I think I am more like Mother Teresa. Okay, I admit, I am more like Vicki from the cartoon twerps!

8. I don't know this Vicki, but one would hope she has the good sense to know how to overthrow a government and rule in my stead. Why is your job just as much fun as world domination?

Where else can you sit on your butt, tell the kids what to do, and read a hot romance book to relax? Some call it lazy, but I call it the evolution of the life chain. I use to be that child at the bottom! Now I am queen Mama sitting on my butt laughing! HAHAHAHA

9. I believe I detect a faint note of evil in your laugh. In between conquests, I like to read a good story. What can you recommend and why?

Anything by Susan Mallery, Shayla Black, or Lynsay Sands. Of course if you are looking for just 1 book I would have to say River of Tears by Michele L. Montgomery. The best book I have read in a few years was River of Tears.

10. The River of Tears? Must be a documentary on my host of defeated enemies. You need to accomplish a secret, night-time mission as my minion. Cloak? No cloak? Why?

Cloak. Only because if the have a library where we are going, I can haul all the books inside the cloak!

11. You're obsessed. I like that in a woman. My best piece of advice to others is this: “Fear the spork!” What’s your best advice?

If you see me coming, prepare to have your books raided and possibly taken when you are not looking. They are like candy to me. I can't have just one.


Thank you, Amy, for such a fun interview! You were more than a match for the Spork of Doom. To learn more about Amy, and to find reviews on a plethora of books, check out her website.

Today's Giveaway:

In honor of Amy's author recs to the Spork of Doom, one lucky winner will get to choose a paperback title from Susan Mallery, Shayla Black, or Lynsay Sands! Here's how to enter:

1. Earn entries:

*Comment on this post = 1 entry

*Be a follower of this blog = 2 entries

*Tweet the link to this interview = 3 entries (Use @cjredwine or leave url to tweet in your comment so I can see it.)

*Post the contest on your blog = 3 entries


2. Tally it up: Please tally up your entries and leave the total in your comment.

3. Check back: The contest is open until 8 p.m. Saturday, April 24th. Please check back to see if you've won and to claim your prize!

Good luck to all, and happy reading!