Georgina Warren's Blog: Georgina Warren

Freakier Friday - Perspectives and Reviews

After many weeks of anticipation, I finally had a chance to see the new Freakier Friday movie; the sequel to Freaky Friday with Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsey Lohan reprising their roles from as Tess and Anna Coleman. So many changes have occurred since we first saw this mother and daughter swap places in Freaky Friday. This time the fun is quadrupled when Anna's daughter Harper (Julia Butters) and future stepdaughter Lily (Sophia Hammons) also get swapped with them just before Anna's upcoming wedding to Lily's father Eric (Manny Jacinto). I found some articles and critical opinions from others that have seen the movie. Now I know that these two "freaky" movies offer a timely and sympathetic portrayal of blended families and single parents that resonate with modern viewers. Minor spoiler warnings lie ahead. I will share my own thoughts about this movie later.

These words from one of Curtis's interviews perfectly summarize the value of these two films and how other viewers can see their own experiences reflected in the lives of the Coleman family.

Jamie Lee Curtis interview with journalist Mawunyo Gbogbo of ABC in Sydney
Question
Blended families are a big part of Freakier Friday, so how much does this organically generate drama?
Answer
Blended families come from some loss, sometimes conflict. Conflict is sort of at the core of every family blended or not and in Freaky Friday and Freakier Friday you deal with loss, conflict and resolution and if there's ever a time in the world, we need to say walk a mile in my shoes, I'll walk a mile in your shoes and maybe you'll understand me better. If ever we needed that it's today.

Freakier Friday: nostalgia-soaked sequel explores grief and blended families
https://theconversation.com/freakier-...

Freakier Friday is a Must-See for Millennial Moms—Here’s Why
https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/p...

How 'Freakier Friday' Slyly Remakes 'The Parent Trap'
https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/news...

Elaine Hendrix's Cameo in 'Freakier Friday' Is Also a Nod to her 'Parent Trap' Role
https://www.today.com/popculture/movi...

Sydney rolls out the purple carpet for Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan at Freakier Friday premiere https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-0...

Freakier Friday (2025) Explained: How the Multigenerational Body Swap Heals (and Heats Up) Family Dynamics
https://www.whatsafterthemovie.com/bl...

Overnight Parent: What I Learned in My First Year as a Stepmom
https://theeverymom.com/overnight-ste...

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Published on September 04, 2025 07:22 • Tags: blended-families, children, families, movies, stepmothers

Don't Forget Stepfamily Day! (September 16, 2025)

My family created our own Stepmother's Day before learning years later that Stepfamily Day is an official calendar holiday! Read more about the history here:

National Stepfamily Day is celebrated on September 16 every year. Families come in all shapes and sizes — small, big, biological, adoptive, and even step, and they all deserve to be celebrated. Unlike most types of families, members of a blended family choose to come together. Whether it’s because of divorce, estrangement, death, or another reason, stepfamilies need to unite and rebuild their lives together, and that deserves recognition.

In 1997, Christy Borgeld proposes a day to recognize and celebrate stepfamilies, founding National Stepfamily Day.

https://www.holidaycalendar.io/holida...

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Published on September 04, 2025 06:51 • Tags: families, holidays

Best Summer Reads 2025 Collections of Heroic Women in History and Fantasy

Allow me to share some of the best collections of stories about heroic women whether they are fiction or nonfiction. These are some titles I have enjoyed or currently getting ready to add to my TBR list. Pick any of these titles and share your thoughts about your favorite heroic women stories in fantasy or history.

If you liked Tales of Virtuous Stepmothers you might also enjoy:

FICTION

The Book of Forgotten Witches: Dark & Twisted Folklore & Stories from Around the World

Fearless Girls, Wise Women & Beloved Sisters: Heroines in Folktales from Around the World

Women of the Fairy Tale Resistance: The Forgotten Founding Mothers of the Fairy Tale and the Stories That They Spun

NONFICTION

Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World

Lighthouse Ladies: Shining a Spotlight on Hardy Heroines

Women Who Dared: 52 Stories of Fearless Daredevils, Adventurers, and Rebels

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Published on August 22, 2025 11:42 • Tags: fairy-tales, feminism, history, women

Please Vote on Reading Lists for Tales of Virtuous Stepmothers

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Published on July 24, 2025 19:38 • Tags: stories

Key Words - Tales of Virtuous Stepmothers

Next time you enter your favorite reading website or app, consider adding the following key words to your reviews on Tales of Virtuous Stepmothers. Key words will help more readers discover the book.

GOODREADS
Short Stories
Fantasy
Fairy Tales
Adventure
Humor and Comedy
Children
Family
Feminism

THE STORYGRAPH
Adventurous: 100%
Emotional: 100%
Hopeful: 100%
Inspiring: 100%
Reflective: 100%
Relaxing: 100%
Funny: 50%
Informative: 50%
Lighthearted: 50%

FABLE
Captivating
Challenging
Educational
Engaging
Accurate
Credible sources
Balanced perspectives
Accessible
Clear
Concise
Engaging
Funny
Lyrical
Relatable
Bigotry
Grief

BARNES & NOBLE
Laughed Out Loud
Emotional
Family
Feminist
Inspirational
Quick Read
Instagram-able Cover
Action Packed
Couldn't Put It Down

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Published on July 21, 2025 12:20 • Tags: adventurous, emotional, funny, grief, inspiring, relatable

Ways to Support Tales of Virtuous Stepmothers

Fellow readers and followers there are several ways to support Tales of Virtuous Stepmothers and help other families discover these riveting new fantasy adventures with heroic stepmothers.

The author is accepting book reviews on the following websites:

Goodreads
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
The Storygraph
Fable

Any parents reading the stories with their children are welcome to share their words when they submit reviews if these younger readers do not have their own kindle account yet.

For readers that use a reading app, add relevant key words to help others discover these middle grade fantasy adventures with inspiring life lessons and powerful women. Great for the young and young at heart!

On Goodreads, please submit recommendations to readers in your friend group if they like fairy tales. You can also add votes on your favorite reading lists in Listopia.

Thank you for your support and participation! Details pending on the second book.

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Published on July 07, 2025 06:33 • Tags: adventure, children, fairy-tales, fantasy, romance, stepmothers

A Note to Followers

The Cover of the Month Contest on All Author for June 2025 has concluded and the winners have been selected. My title did not win this round, but I might enter the contest again with my next book. Thank you to all the friends and followers that supported Tales of Virtuous Stepmothers in this contest. Next time we will have more voters to bring my book to the top.

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Published on July 01, 2025 07:57

FINAL ROUND - All Authors Book Cover of the Month Contest June 2025

Welcome to the final round of voting for All Authors June Cover of the Month!

Thank you to all the friends and followers that have supported Tales of Virtuous Stepmothers. We are now in the top 24 titles. But only three books can win the final round! This is your last chance to vote. Follow the link below and vote today!

https://allauthor.com/cover-of-the-mo...

24 titles
7 days
Only 3 can win

All voters that participated in the previous round are welcome to vote again in this one. Thank you for your support.

Tales of Virtuous Stepmothers
Rank #15
153 Votes

Final day for voting is June 29th.

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Published on June 23, 2025 07:07 • Tags: authors, blended-families, bookstores, fairy-tales, stepmothers

ROUND 3 All Authors Book Cover of the Month Contest June 2025

Welcome to Voting Round 3

I'm excited to announce that my book, Tales of Virtuous Stepmothers has been selected for the All Authors Cover of the Month Contest for June 2025. Help me win by signing in and adding your vote in each round every week until the winner is announced at the end of the month. Follow the link below and vote today!

https://allauthor.com/cover-of-the-mo...

All voters that participated in the previous round are welcome to vote again in this one. Thank you for your support.

Tales of Virtuous Stepmothers
Rank #32
76 Votes

Round 2 voting ends on Saturday, June 21st.
Final day for voting is June 30th.

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Published on June 14, 2025 19:01 • Tags: books, contest

Exploring Widowed Fathers in Film

Before Father's Day, I will include my reflections on the role of the widowed father in the following movies:

While exploring portrayals of the blended family in media; I noticed that there are many stories about widowed fathers finding true love and rediscovering joy when they meet a new woman. A second marriage heals the family and allows the patriarch to let go of his grief for his dearly departed first wife. As a bonus, his children get another mother to care about them.

But there are many stories that feature widowed fathers that don't remarry after the death of their first spouse. In fact, these fathers achieve resolution and move on from their grief without relying on a new wife to help them resolve their problems.

Often when I see widowed fathers in film, they are disconnected, indifferent or even overprotective to their children because they are stuck in the early stages of grief (denial, anger, fear, bargaining, depression). Sometimes it is the children or other external circumstances that force the patriarch to face the ways that his expression (or suppression) of his grief has negatively impacted his family. Only then can he move into the next stage of acceptance and achieve a reconciliation with his children.

All the widowed fathers in the films listed below experience a different journey in their stories. Share your ideas about these films if you have seen them and compare the similarities and differences in each one.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade - 1989
The Little Mermaid - 1989
Aladdin - 1992
Forrest Gump - 1994
Casper - 1995
The Patriot* - 2000
Thirteen Ghosts - 2001
Signs - 2002
Virginia's Run - 2002
Finding Nemo - 2003
We Bought a Zoo* - 2011
Mary Poppins Returns - 2018
The Boogeyman - 2023

*A minor disclaimer - these titles feature the widowed father meeting a new love interest with a subtle implication that they might become a long-term couple. But the story does not end with their wedding.

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Published on June 13, 2025 18:01 • Tags: children, fathers

Georgina Warren's Blog: Georgina Warren

September 4, 2025

Freakier Friday - Perspectives and Reviews

Don't Forget Stepfamily Day! (September 16, 2025)

August 22, 2025

Best Summer Reads 2025 Collections of Heroic Women in History and Fantasy

July 24, 2025

Please Vote on Reading Lists for Tales of Virtuous Stepmothers

July 21, 2025

Key Words - Tales of Virtuous Stepmothers

July 7, 2025

Ways to Support Tales of Virtuous Stepmothers

July 1, 2025

A Note to Followers

June 23, 2025

FINAL ROUND - All Authors Book Cover of the Month Contest June 2025

June 14, 2025

ROUND 3 All Authors Book Cover of the Month Contest June 2025

June 13, 2025

Exploring Widowed Fathers in Film

Georgina Warren