Spotlight on Lauren Baratz-Logsted-The Twin's Daughter Tour

Today I am pleased to welcome the unbelievably talented and kind Lauren Baratz-Logsted back to my blog for a Q&A!  Lauren is the author of a number of books for kids, teens, and adults.  Some of her titles include The Education of Bet and Crazy Beautiful.  More recently she wrote The Twin's Daughter, which is available in stores now!


The Twin's Daughter intrigued me because its premise is unalike any other YA novel.  What inspired you to tell this story?

LBL: I'm really intrigued by twins. Aren't you? But one perspective I haven't seen explored in fiction, or even discussed in general, is that of the child who has a parent who is an identical twin. Imagine if the face you loved most in the world, or at least while growing up, was shared by another person - that's the sort of idea that drove the novel.  

Which of the characters from The Twin's Daughter did you most connect to during the writing process?

LBL: That's actually a really tough question. Lucy and me are different from one another in a lot of obvious respects - age, country, era, and of course my mother's not an identical twin or even a twin - but I suppose I'd have to pick her because in so many ways she lives an isolated existence, and being a writer, I've experienced plenty of isolation too. It gives a person lots of time for mental knitting over ever problem that arises.

You've also written books with your husband and daughter.  How does the writing process differ on a solo project?

LBL: And that's an easy question! The only time I've ever written by committee, as I call it, is with The Sisters 8 series I write with Greg and Jackie. We all have to be in agreement on how things should proceed. When I write solo, no one gets to argue with me about how I think things should be. Well, except for maybe the editor. And later the public. But really, the two ways of writing are different.

What is the most rewarding part about writing for teenagers (or teens at heart, like me)?

LBL: "Rewarding" is the exact word to describe the whole experience of writing for teens and teens at heart. And the reason that's true is because despite the eternal teen pose of wanting to appear jaded, the world is still fresh. Ideas can still seem new, which is refreshing for the writer too, plus today's teens and teens at heart are imaginatively open to such a wide range of books in a way that adults often lose.   

Fill in the blanks:

The color that best describes my personality is sunny yellow.

If my life were like the movie GROUNDHOG DAY, the day I'd like to relive over and over would be any day with my daughter.

My favorite place is my bench outside when I'm reading.

In 11 (my favorite number) words or less, The Twin's Daughter is suspenseful, atmospheric, romantic-one of the best book I've ever written.


Thank you Lauren so much for taking the time to visit the blog again.  As always, it was a pleasure having you!!!

The Twin's Daughter by Lauren Baratz-Logsted & Contest

The Twin's Daughter
Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
Release date: August 31, 2010
Source: ARC received from publisher


Summary (from the publisher's website): Be careful who you let in the door . . . they may not want to leave.

Lucy Sexton is stunned when a disheveled woman appears at the door one day…a woman who bears an uncanny resemblance to Lucy's own beautiful mother. It turns out the two women are identical twins, separated at birth, and raised in dramatically different circumstances. Lucy's mother quickly resolves to give her less fortunate sister the kind of life she has never known. And the transformation in Aunt Helen is indeed remarkable. But when Helen begins to imitate her sister in every way, even Lucy isn't sure at times which twin is which. Can Helen really be trusted, or does her sweet face mask a chilling agenda?

Filled with shocking twists and turns, THE TWIN'S DAUGHTER is an engrossing gothic novel of betrayal, jealousy, and treacherous secrets that will keep you guessing to the very end.

Review: Let me start by simply saying, WHOA, I did not see that ending coming!

The Twin's Daughter is an invigorating read, unlike any YA novel I've ever read.  Following the life of young Lucy, this novel is like a roller coaster--so nerve wrecking that you want to close your eyes, yet so thrilling that you have to see what's coming next.  


This novel truly showcases Lauren Baratz-Logsted at her best.  The story is beautifully articulated through her precise writing and fine attention to details.  Such details are presented through her careful attention to developing the characters.  Each of the characters,whether main or secondary, is unique, yet relatable.  Each character is given a strong personality and his/her traits are easily acknowledged through his/her actions, speech, and mannerisms.


Baratz-Logsted obviously did her homework, as it is apparent by the details of the Victorian setting.  Her descriptions of the wardrobes and accurate use of dialect make the reader feel as though they are living in the era.  These historical details mixed with strong characterization make The Twin's Daughter a winner.

Because the beginning of the novel moved quite slowly, I struggled to get into The Twin's Daughter at first.  However, after the background information was presented, the pace of the book quickly picked up, almost like a snowball.  The further I read, the more I could not put it down!  The excitement and suspense just kept building up, until the unimaginable ending.


The Twin's Daughter is much more than a satisfying read--it is one that keeps you on the edge of your seat and leads to an unforeseeable climax and resolution.  With vivid descriptions of the setting, beautiful imagery, and realistic, yet unique, characters, Lauren Baratz-Logsted's novel plays out like a movie on the big screen.

Rating: 8-You've gotta read this one!


Bloomsbury has been so kind as to offer a copy of The Twin's Daughters to one lucky reader.  


This contest is open to those with a U.S. mailing address.  Entrants must be 13 or older, and if you are under the age of 18, please be sure to receive permission from a parent/guardian before entering.


The contest will end at 12:00 AM Friday, October 1.


For your chance to win, please complete the secure Google Docs form located here. Good luck to all!