Heather Huffman's Blog, page 22
February 5, 2013
Review at Bookish Temptations
One of my favorite bloggers posted a review of Roses in Ecuador today. Be sure to stop by Bookish Temptations to check it out!
Thank you, Elena!
February 4, 2013
Guest post over at Library Cat
While you’re perusing the Web today, be sure to stop by Library Cat to check out her review of Roses in Ecuador and my guest post.
Thank you, Marina, for being a part of the launch week for Roses in Ecuador!
February 3, 2013
Roses in Ecuador blog tour stop
Be sure to stop by City of Books today to check out the review, interview and giveaway of Roses in Ecuador. Thank you, Richa, for having me as a guest today!
And if you haven’t bought your copy of Roses in Ecuador yet, it’s $0.99 for a limited time only!
February 1, 2013
Roses in Ecuador release day!
It’s a big week for Booktrope with three new books releasing today. Congratulations to the riotously funny Steven Luna on the release of Joe Vampire: The Afterlife and the ever-delightful Tess Thompson on the release of Caramel and Magnolias. And, of course, I’m super excited to finally share Roses in Ecuador with the world!
So much work goes into getting a book ready for launch; by the time the day gets here, I’m a ball of nerves. It never fails that the readers and bloggers who share my excitement over the release turn it into something fun and the nerves melt away.
I offer my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has tweeted, reviewed or otherwise shared the book. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to properly convey how much I appreciate you.
Be sure to stop by the following blogs today as part of the release-day festivities!
Jay’s Insight for an insightful review (no really, I’m not just being punny)
Reading Renee for a review and giveaway
My Fiction Nook for an excerpt and giveaway
Autumn After Dark for an excerpt
Wi Love Books for a review
And, not book related, we have exciting news on the farm. My lone Easter Egger chicken to survive the great dog attack of 2012 has finally started laying eggs, even if it’s three months late. Maybe the traumatic memories from the attack caused the delay. Probably not, but it’s a theory.
For those who thought I was pulling your leg when I said I had Easter Eggers that laid blue and green eggs, and you know who you are Jesse James Freeman, here’s proof:
January 31, 2013
What’s in Your Vase?
Did you know that according to some sources the roses in the vase on our kitchen table have toxicity levels fifty times that allowed on food imports and shouldn’t be handled without the use of gloves?
Rose producers in Ecuador use an average of six fungicides, four insecticides, and three nematode poisons, along with several herbicides. Some of these chemicals are restricted heavily or even banned in the United States.
I’d heard some of this when researching my latest novel, Roses in Ecuador, but when I tried to dig deeper, I struggled to find current articles beyond the one that initially piqued my interest in the topic. The problem is this industry only gets attention about every five years, so most of the articles I found were from 2003 and 2008. After reading everything I could find, I started talking to those who’d actually been in Ecuador to confirm this is still the case in the industry as a whole, although I’m happy to say things seem to be heading in the right direction!
The short version of what I learned is this: Ecuador has a few characteristics that make it an ideal exporter of roses. Among those are things like its elevation, nearness to the equator and constant temperature. Unfortunately, things like a lack of human rights laws and a lack of regulation on the use of chemicals also play a role. This means plantation owners can freely use dangerous pesticides and other chemicals without fear of reprisal.
Workers are forced to continue working while the plants are being sprayed, which leaves them in a chemical fog. The majority of these employees are suffering serious side effects from this, like headaches, blurred vision, kidney pain, and tremors. Women comprise 70 – 80% of the workforce, and experience a significantly higher level of still births, sterility and giving birth to children with abnormalities and defects. Children are another fifth of the workforce and they show a higher rate of neurological damage. Setting the impact on the workers aside, this rampant chemical usage is detrimental to the surrounding communities and has catastrophic effect on local agriculture.
Compounding the problem is Ecuador’s low minimum wage, which makes rose production economical viable for the plantation owners, but keeps the workers from being able to provide adequate nutrition for their families or seek medical care, despite working long hours.
If you want to learn more, here are a few of the articles I found helpful when I was hunting for more information:
Deflowering Ecuador by Ross Wehner
Behind Roses’ Beauty, Poor and Ill Workers by Ginger Thompson
TED Case Studies, World Intellectual Property Organization
These are just a start, but they capture a lot of the information out there. Happily, there are responsible plantation owners out there who grow beautiful roses without the high human cost.
Worried about where to find roses for Valentine’s Day? Check out these Fair Trade options that are pesticide free!
Almost there…
I can’t believe it’s almost here! Tomorrow is the official launch for Roses in Ecuador, my eighth novel. It will be $0.99 as an ebook for a limited time only, so grab it fast!
To celebrate, Ring of Fire is currently free for your Kindle. If you have friends who haven’t read my books yet, let them know now is a great time to start!
Please help me spread the word about both books – and stay tuned for news on other releases in 2013.
For all who’ve told others about my books, who’ve offered words of encouragement, and who’ve simply been there on the journey with me, I offer my sincerest thanks. Without you, this would have been an incredibly short and uneventful trip. I’m honored and humbled for the chance to know you.
January 30, 2013
Project Liberty’s Urgent Request
I just received the below from Project Liberty:
URGENT REQUEST!
Project Liberty’s most recent case needs funding to cover the cost of the investigation. At this time, $1,000 is needed to cover the immediate investigation and the cost may exceed $2,000.
Project Liberty has been asked to assist in locating a missing young mom who may be the victim of human trafficking. So far Project Liberty has been successful in contributing leads to the family and law enforcement. This particular case is a well known, international investigation due to all the news media and newspapers. Because this is an open, ongoing investigation and to protect the privacy of the family and organizations that are a part of the investigations we are not able to divulge further information. Any amount you can give to help locate this mom of two precious young children is appreciated.
Your tax deductible donation may be sent to: Project Liberty, PO Box 1463, East Lansing, Michigan 48826.
Project Liberty is committed to keep you abreast of this fundraising until all costs have been secured. Please continue praying for this victim and family, Project Liberty, and all those involved in this situation.
I promised to pass it along to see what we can do. If you’d like to learn more about Project Liberty or donate using your credit card, you can check out their website at 4projectliberty.org.
Thank you so much for any help you might be able to give, including spreading the word!
January 29, 2013
Three free ebooks!
For those who haven’t read it yet, Ring of Fire is currently free for your Kindle. I think you’ll enjoy my upcoming release, Roses in Ecuador, more if you’ve read Ring of Fire first.
While you’re out there downloading free books, there are two other reads from Booktrope that I recommend you snag while they’re free!
The Puppeteer by Tamsen Schultz: CIA agent Danielle “Dani” Williamson never stops believing that one day she’ll find the man who killed her parents and stole her childhood. And when the nightmare she relives in her dreams is played out in carbon copy and linked to a group the CIA believes is planning a terrorist attack in the US, Dani thinks she might finally have her chance.
Detective Ty Fuller loved being a Navy SEAL, but after seeing one too many innocent children killed, he was no longer able to stomach the world of politics, manipulation, and death. Now, as a detective with his local vice squad, he likes to think he’s helping kids by keeping drugs off the streets–local problems, local solutions.
But when Dani and her team arrive, they bring a case bigger than anything Ty’s small New England town has seen in decades, drugs in exchange for weapons-lots of them. And as the case unfolds and the tensions simmer between them, Dani and Ty discover that all is not what it seems. Uncovering a web of manipulation that spans the globe and reaches all the way to the US president, they know the price for justice will be high, risking not just their fledgling relationship, but their very lives.
Riversong by Tess Thompson: When Lee Tucker’s husband commits suicide, he leaves her pregnant and one million dollars in debt to a loan shark. Out of options, she escapes to her deceased mother’s dilapidated house located in a small Oregon town that, like her, is financially ruined, heartbroken and in desperate need of a fresh start. Lee’s resilience leads to a plan for a destination restaurant named Riversong, to new chances for passion and love, and to danger from her dead husband’s debt as her business blooms.
Author Tess Thompson (formerly known as Tess Hardwick) assembles a colorful cast of endearing small-town characters and takes you on a journey that will make you believe in the possibilities of life – even in the face of overwhelming adversity and unimaginable grief. Lee Tucker is the kind of woman you find yourself rooting for long after the last page is read.
A surprising mix of romance, humor, friendship, intrigue and gourmet food – Riversong entertains while reminding you of life’s greatest gifts.
January 24, 2013
I love my dog (and goat)
Since my last farm-related post was one of my more frustrating moments, I figured I’d share one of the more touching ones today. Yesterday was surprisingly warm and sunny. Unfortunately, I had to spend way too much of it inside catching up on work. Towards the end of the day, I decided the rest of my to-do list could wait because I wanted to spend at least a few minutes outside.
When I stepped out, I found my 9-month-old Anatolian Shepherd cross,Kali, snuggling in the sun with the six-week-old Nigerian Dwarf goat, Goatsy. As I watched, Kali proceeded to clean Goatsy off like a mama would her baby. It was a very sweet moment that reminded me why I love the Livestock Guardian dogs; they’re such gentle giants.
January 21, 2013
Free Kindle Books and Tips
Many thanks to Free Kindle Books and Tips for helping spread the word that Ring of Fire is free for the Kindle right now!
