June McCrary Jacobs's Blog: ~ Author June McCrary Jacobs ~, page 107

~ Spotlight & Review of 'How to Window Box' ~

~ GARDENING BOOK SPOTLIGHT& REVIEW ~ -- 'HOW TO WINDOW BOX' BY CHANTAL AIDA GORDON & RYAN BENOIT --


ABOUT THE BOOK:
Grow a few square feet of green no matter where you live. Meet the window box: by far the most accessible container garden for any skill level, space, or quality of light. Whether your window faces south where the sun floods in or north with nothing but shade, these indoor and outdoor projects show you how to easily arrange and cultivate succulents, herbs, cacti, vegetables, monstera, and more. Bright photography and instructions take you from understanding soil and watering needs to personalizing your own box, making this a great primer for anyone who is green to gardening.


Praise for 'How to Window Box'  ~
“Learn how to make the cutest (and most space-efficient) window boxes of your dreams.” –Country Living


“A pocket-sized guide that suggests a range of themed window boxes for the novice gardener [and] talks you through the intricacies of mixing different potting mediums for optimal plant happiness.” –The Telegraph

“This is a great way for apartment-dwellers to dip a toe in the dirt.” –BookPage

“[This book] teaches readers how to build the right window box to fit their individual needs.” –Heirloom Gardener
  Published by Clarkson Potter
Feb 27, 2018 | 176 Pages | 8-1/4 x 5-1/2 | ISBN 9781524760243 
MY REVIEW:This book covers everything you need to know about window box gardening--A to Z! 

The introduction presents basic information such as light requirements for indoor and outdoor gardening, light requirements for window boxes, tools, how to buy plants, etc. I found the soil types charts and hydration information to be extremely detailed and helpful. The authors lead readers through the fertilization and pruning processes and how to replace dead plants. 

'The Boxes' section of the book is colorful, engaging, and intriguing. Here the authors display the various window boxes they have designed and give detailed 'recipes' for each project. The projects range from cacti gardens {The Sand Box} to the lush Rain Forest window box and everything in-between! 

The kitchen boxes are unique and clever. I was fascinated with the 'Edible Petals' project which includes flowers that can be eaten. Nasturtium, alyssum, marigold, geranium, and dianthus are a few of the varieties included in this project. The 'Salad Bar' box includes lettuces, kale, and spinach. The 'Herb Garden' is whimsical with its chalkboard paint sides on which a gardener can label the plants with chalk. This garden includes oregano, thyme, parsley, sage, etc.

The photography is excellent as are the stepped-out instructions for the projects. The type is rather small on some of the sidebars in the book, so be aware of that if you're buying the book for someone who prefers or needs a larger text size.

All in all, this book is highly-recommended for gardeners, plant and flower lovers, inventive cooks, do-it-your-selfers, and parents/grandparents who like to work on DIY projects with their children/tweens/teens!


I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for this review. I received no compensation from Blogging for Books or any other party for posting this review here or on any other sites. ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~  COMING UP SOON ON 'READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC':
-- Wednesday, April 11th: Cedar Fort Author Nedra Secrist will be my guest on the blog for an author interview and spotlight on her new book about perennials.

-- Thursday, April 12th: Review of Author Tracie Peterson's newest release, 'In Places Hidden'. Bethany House Blog Tour.

-- Friday, April 13th: Book Spotlight and Snippet for 'A Place Called Hope'. SLB Tours.

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~ MMGM 'The War That Saved My Life ' ~

~ MIDDLE-GRADE HISTORICAL
FICTION FEATURE ~
-- 'The War that Saved My Life'
by Author Kimberly Brubaker Bradley --

LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS
--ABOUT THE BOOK {from Goodreads}: An exceptionally moving story of triumph against all odds set during World War 2, from the acclaimed author of Jefferson’s Sons and for fans of Number the Stars.
Nine-year-old Ada has never left her one-room apartment. Her mother is too humiliated by Ada’s twisted foot to let her outside. So when her little brother Jamie is shipped out of London to escape the war, Ada doesn’t waste a minute—she sneaks out to join him.

So begins a new adventure of Ada, and for Susan Smith, the woman who is forced to take the two kids in. As Ada teaches herself to ride a pony, learns to read, and watches for German spies, she begins to trust Susan—and Susan begins to love Ada and Jamie. But in the end, will their bond be enough to hold them together through wartime? Or will Ada and her brother fall back into the cruel hands of their mother?

This masterful work of historical fiction is equal parts adventure and a moving tale of family and identity—a classic in the making. 

--ABOUT THE AUTHOR {from Goodreads}:   I grew up loving books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Lois Lenski, L.M. Montgomery, Madeline L'Engle, K.M. Peyton, Noel Streatfield, Mary Norton, and Sydney Taylor. Patricia MacLachlan and Jane Yolen helped me start writing.

As a child I always imagined how wonderful it would be to wake up to a pony in the back yard, but the way the farm I live on now sits it makes better sense for the pastures to be in the front of the house. So I look out my office windows on Gully and Sarah, Pal and Mickey, Syd and Silver, and my son's red pony Hot Wheels. We have utility cats and not enough dogs.

I have no idea what inspires my stories. They aren't inspired, they're written: it's work. If you ask me this question in public I'll give you some sort of answer, but it won't be the truth. The truth is, I have no idea.

--MY REVIEW:   This 2016 Newbery Honor Book is another excellent middle-grade historical novel about World War II. The story is set in London and Kent at the beginning of the war.

The main character, Ada, has a club foot and has suffered verbal and physical abuse at the hands of her 'Mam' since she was born. These parts of the story were difficult to read, as her mother was the worst kind of parent in every sense of the word.

Because of her deformity, Ada's mother makes her stay inside their flat. Ada is not allowed outside for any reason, and she has been denied the right to attend school. She has no friends.

Ada takes care of her younger brother, Jamie. He is able to go out to play with his friends and to attend school. He is also afraid of their Mam, but it appears that he is not nearly as abused as Ada. Ada shelters him from their mother as much as she possibly can.

When the government feels German bombing of London is imminent, the children are sent to live with other families out in Kent. The evacuees are divided up amongst the villagers. Ada and Jamie are the last ones to be placed. They live with a single woman named Susan Smith.

I will not spoil the story for you by going into any further detail. There is a second book in the series titled, 'The War I Finally Won'. I can't wait to read what happens to Ada and Jamie. There are a dozen and a half other books by this author listed on Goodreads, and I will likely try them all.

This is a story where the characters, setting, and events stick with you--even if you want to forget some of the really bad scenes and cruelty Ada and Jamie endure. This author has written a powerful, multi-layered tale based on true historical events as they occurred in the United Kingdom in the 1940s. This was a very emotional read for me because of the horrible things these siblings suffered through in their young lives. I believe when a reader feels an emtional attachment to the characters the author has done her job!

Highly recommended for fans of middle-grade fiction, historical fiction, World War II fiction, and readers who like to see characters triumph over the obstacles on their journey of life.
----------------------------------
Borrowed from the local public library.
 ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~CURRENT GIVEAWAYS:  Hop on over to my Current Giveaways Page to enter some fun Rafflecopter giveaways while there's still time left!~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~COMING SOON ON 'READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC': 

-- Tuesday, April 10th: Book spotlight and review of a gardening book written by authors Chantal Aida Gordon & Ryan Benoit. Blogging for Books Blog Tour.

-- Wednesday, April 11th: Cedar Fort Author Nedra Secrist will be my guest on the blog for an author interview and spotlight on her new book about perennials.

-- Thursday, April 12th: Review of Author Tracie Peterson's newest release, 'In Places Hidden'. Bethany House Blog Tour.

-- Friday, April 13th: Book Spotlight and Snippet for 'A Place Called Hope'. SLB Tours.
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~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE -- 'ALIENS GET THE SNIFFLES TOO!' ~

~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~-- CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK BOOK SPOTLIGHT & REVIEW -- 'Aliens Get the Sniffles Too! AHHH-CHOO!' Written by Katy S. DuffieldIllustrated by K.G. Campell
LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS
ABOUT THE BOOK {from Goodreads}:
Ahhh-flying-saucer-shooting-star-CHOO! Laughter is the best medicine when you're a little alien feeling under the weather.

Little Alien is sick. And sick is extra-terrestrial bad when you have two scratchy throats, five ears that hurt, and three runny noses. Splatch! Sputter! Spurt! Luckily Mama and Daddy Alien have an arsenal of lunar decongestants and meteor showers on hand to make him feel a little better (not to mention a Milky Way milkshake to help the medicine go down). Even so, the family's alien pooch, Mars Rover, can't stand to see his little buddy feeling out of sorts. Can a loyal pup's funny tricks finally coax a smile?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: {from Goodreads}:
Katy is the award winning author of more than twenty-five books for children including FARMER MCPEEPERS AND HIS MISSING MILK COWS (illus. Steve Gray), CALIFORNIA HISTORY FOR KIDS, and LOUD LULA (illus. Mike Boldt).

Her newest picture book, ALIENS GET THE SNIFFLES TOO, (illus. K.G. Campbell), is forthcoming from Candlewick Press in November 2017.

Katy's work has also appeared in numerous children's magazines, and she has written for several educational publishers.

For more information about Katy and her work, please visit: http://katyduffield.com/HOME.html
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR {from Goodreads}:K. G. Campbell is the author-illustrator of Lester’s Dreadful Sweaters. He was born in Kenya, raised in Scotland, and now lives in southern California. http://kgcampbell.com/
MY REVIEW:   This book is set in outer space at the home of Little Alien and his parents. The cast includes his canine companion, Mars Rover.
The story begins when Little Alien comes down with a cold. This is a major event because this guy has two throats, five ears, and three noses. Can you imagine?
Daddy Alien jets off in his spaceship to retrieve some cold remedies from around the galaxy. These clever remedies include a Milky Way milkshake, some water mixed with stardust, and shooting-star ear drops.
Never far from Little Alien's side, Mars Rover gets tired of seeing his buddy suffer. So he does whatever he can think of to cheer up Little Alien as a means of getting the alien to forget how miserable he is with the sneezing and sore throat and everything else. 
I won't spoil the ending for you and your little ones, but there is a great surprise in store for readers at end of the book!
The illustrations are created by award-winning illustrator, K.G. Campbell. The images are colorful and engaging; they enhance the story very well.
**Highly recommended!  This whimsical, unique story with its rich vocabulary and delightful illustrations is certain to entertain youngsters reading after reading. ---------------------------------------------------------- NOTE FROM BLOGGER:  I was fortunate enough to win this book in a Rafflecopter giveaway on the KidLit 411 website last autumn around the time of the book's release. I was not compensated by the publisher or anyone else to post my review here or on any other sites. 

                       ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ COMING UP SOON ON 'READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC':
 
-- Monday, April 9th: Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday Feature: Title TBA.
 
-- Tuesday, April 10th: Book spotlight and review of a gardening book written by authors Chantal Aida Gordon & Ryan Benoit. Blogging for Books Blog Tour.

-- Wednesday, April 11th: Cedar Fort Author Nedra Secrist will be my guest on the blog for an author interview and spotlight on her new book about perennials.

-- Thursday, April 12th: Review of Author Tracie Peterson's newest release, 'In Places Hidden'. Bethany House Blog Tour.

-- Friday, April 13th: Book Spotlight and Snippet for 'A Place Called Hope'. SLB Tours.
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~ Love in Bloom Kick-Off ~

~ LOVE IN BLOOM APRIL 2018 CLEAN ROMANCE EVENT KICK-OFF ~   

-- Love in BloomHosted by I Am A ReaderApril 2018 --

Throughout the month of April, we will be featuring 10 fabulous authors who write clean romance. There will be a dozen giveaways, free ebooks, and lots of great deals on books. We’re starting off with a $100 Kick-Off Giveaway. One lucky winner will receive a $100 Amazon Gift Code or $100 in Paypal Cash. Check out this great list of authors we will be spotlighting!  

   
Participating AuthorsMelinda CurtisLiz IsaacsonMelanie D. SnitkerCarol RossLaurie (L.C.) LewisRachael AndersonDelaney CameronDonna HatchBrooke St. JamesBecky Monson
   
Giveaway Details:
$100 in Paypal Cash or a $100 Amazon.com eGift Card Ends 4/30/18 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via PayPal or gift codes via Amazon.com. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the participating authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~COMING UP SOON ON 'READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC':

-- Friday, April 6th: My Friday Fiction Feature will be a picture book entitled 'Aliens Get the Sniffles Too! by Katy S. Duffield and Illustrated by K.G. Campbell.

-- Monday, April 9th: Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday Feature: Title TBA.

-- Tuesday, April 10th: Book spotlight and review of a gardening book written by authors Chantal Aida Gordon & Ryan Benoit.

-- Wednesday, April 11th: Cedar Fort Author Nedra Secrist will be my guest on the blog for an author interview and spotlight on her new book about perennials. 
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~ MMGM Non-Fiction Feature 'MAKE: Edible Inventions' ~

~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADE
MONDAY NON-FICTION S.T.E.A.M.
EDUCATION FEATURE ~
-- 'Make: Edible Inventions--Cooking Hacks and
Yummy Recipes You Can Build, Mix, Bake, and Grow'
Written by Author/Educator Kathy Ceceri -- LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS

ABOUT THE BOOK {from Goodreads}:
Believe it or not, there's a lot of inventing going on in the kitchen. Unless you only eat fruits and veggies right off the plant, you are using tools and techniques invented by humans to make food more tasty and easier to digest. When you cook food, you start to break it down into a form your body can absorb. When you add chemicals to make it thicker, gooey-er, or puffy-er, you turn a bunch of boring ingredients into a mouth-watering snack. Edible Inventions: Cooking Hacks and Yummy Recipes You Can Build, Mix, Bake, and Grow will show you some unusual ways to create a meal, and help you invent some of your own.

Projects include:
--3D printing with food
--Chemical cuisine and molecular gastronomy
--Prepared foods like jellies and pickles at home
--Growing your own ingredients
--Cooking off the grid

ABOUT THE AUTHOR {from Goodreads}:
Kathy Ceceri is the author of activity books for kids and families including "Musical Inventions," "Paper Inventions" and "Making Simple Robots" from Maker Media, and "Robotics: Discover the Science and Technology" and "Video Games: Design and Code Your Own Adventure" from Nomad Press. Online, she was the Homeschooling Expert for About.com (now Thoughtco), a founding editor of GeekMom.com, and a top writer for the GeekDad blog. When she's not busy writing, Kathy presents hands-on STEAM workshops based on her books for kids and educators.

**Please note: Kathy was my guest on 'Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic' in early February 2018. Please follow this link to read my interview with this awesome author: Interview with Author/Educator Kathy Ceceri  


MY REVIEW:  I have been cooking since I was about eleven years old, and I learned so much about the science behind cooking from reading this book!

I learned about the invention of baking powder in 1869 by Eben Norton Horsford. This simple combination of two chemicals made a product that was quicker than waiting for yeast to rise and it also had a long shelf life. The author points out on page 85 that this invention 'made convenience foods like pancake mix possible.'

Other favorite projects included the chapter titled, Grow Your Own Ingredients, where students are taught how to grow celery, sprouts, onions, herbs, etc. in jars and pots. The aquaponic jar project is amazing and uses several recycled items from around the house.

My favorite chapter is Cook Off the Grid. Readers will learn how to cook with the sun by building a solar cooking unit, construct a thermal cooker, and assemble an outdoor tin-can cooker. Detailed instructions with photos are given for each project. Information about the science behind the projects is included in detail. Delicious recipes to cook in the various off-the-grid cookers are included.

As an adult, I appreciated all of the safety tips the author carefully places admidst her instructions. There is a lot to like about this book. Highly recommended for families, teachers, scout leaders, and others who enjoy combining science with food to have some good old-fashioned off-screen fun!
------------------------------
I borrowed this book from the Children's section of the local public library.
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COMING UP SOON ON 'READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC':
-- Monday, April 2nd: My Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday Non-Fiction S.T.E.A.M. Education Feature will be: 'MAKE: Edible Inventions' by Author/Educator Kathy Ceceri.

-- Friday, April 6th: My Friday Fiction Feature will be a picture book entitled 'Aliens Get the Sniffles Too! by Katy S. Duffield and Illustrated by K.G. Campbell.
--  Monday, April 9th:  Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday Feature:  Title TBA.
--  Tuesday, April 10th:  Book spotlight and review of a gardening book written by authors Chantal Aida Gordon & Ryan Benoit.
--  Wednesday, April 11th:  Cedar Fort Author Nedra Secrist will be my guest on the blog for an author interview and spotlight on her new book about perennials.# # # # #  
   

~ Friday Amish Fiction Feature 'Always Close to Home' ~

~ FRIDAY AMISH FICTION FEATURE ~ 'Always Close to Home:   St. Lawrence County Amish, Book #3' by Author Jerry S. Eicher 
LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS    About the Book {from Goodreads}: Are Two Miracles Too Much to Ask For?
Twins Laura and Lydia Mast keep few secrets from each other, but even Laura doesn't sense the great ache Lydia has held in her heart since Laura started dating the charming John Yoder. When will it be Lydia's turn for love?

Despite having a willing suitor in Wendell Kaufman, who once unsuccessfully pursued her sister, Lydia's attention is fixed on Milton Beiler. Milton hasn't paid Lydia the least bit of attention, and worse still, he's on rumspringa and conflicted about permanently joining the church.

Meanwhile, Laura's world is turned upside down when a tragic accident threatens her dreams of becoming John's frau. Despite the obstacles in her path, Laura remains steadfast in her faith.

Will Lydia's love for Milton win out over his love for the world, and is Laura strong enough to face an uncertain future with John? Only the Lord has the answers the Mast sisters so desperately search for.

About the Author {from Goodreads}:Jerry Eicher’s bestselling Amish fiction (more than 210,000 in combined sales) includes The Adams County Trilogy, the Hannah’s Heart books, and the Little Valley Series. After a traditional Amish childhood, Jerry taught for two terms in Amish and Mennonite schools in Ohio and Illinois. Since then he’s been involved in church renewal, preaching, and teaching Bible studies. Jerry lives with his wife, Tina Eicher, and their four children in Virginia.
My Review:
The story has three separate plots involving twin Amish sisters, Laura and Lydia, and the local middle-aged school teacher, Nancy. None of these women have ever been married. The challenge and deepest heart's desire of each of the women is to fall in love and marry the man of their respective dreams!

Tragedy strikes Laura's fiance when he is involved in an horrific construction accident. The twins' mother dies suddenly and unexpectedly, and schoolteacher Nancy becomes increasingly risky in her behavior and actions with a new set of Englisch friends.

The setting for this book, St. Lawrence County, is well-developed. The main and supporting characters are interesting and varied. There are lots of references to the traditions and beliefs of the Amish including how they dress, worship, and live their daily lives.

Read the book to find out how these women courageously manuver through life's trials and tribulations to follow their faith and reach their goals.

This is the second book I've read by this author. I recommend it to fans of Amish fiction, historical fiction, Christian fiction, and small-town fiction. 

NOTE:  I won this book from the publisher, Harvest House, in a Facebook giveaway back in the autumn of 2017. I have received no compensation of any kind for posting this review on this blog or any other site.

***SPECIAL NOTE:  CLICK OVER TO THE AUTHOR'S WEBSITE TO READ SOME SAMPLE CHAPTERS FROM THIS BOOK AND HIS OTHER AMISH FICTION BOOKS:
http://eicherjerry.com/books.html

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~CURRENT GIVEAWAYS:  Click over to my Current Giveaways Page to see which giveaways are still accepting entries!  ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
COMING UP SOON ON 'READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC':
-- Monday, April 2nd: My Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday Non-Fiction Feature will be: 'MAKE: Edible Inventions' by Author/Educator Kathy Ceceri.

-- Friday, April 6th: My Friday Fiction Feature will be a picture book entitled 'Aliens Get the Sniffles Too! by Katy S. Duffield and Illustrated by K.G. Campbell.
--  Monday, April 9th:  Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday Feature:  Title TBA.

--  Tuesday, April 10th:  Book spotlight and review of a gardening book written by authors Chantal Aida Gordon & Ryan Benoit.

--  Wednesday, April 11th:  Cedar Fort Author Nedra Secrist will be my guest on the blog for an author interview and spotlight on her new book about perennials.
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~ Blog Tour for 'My Sister's Intended' ~

~ BLOG TOUR POST ~
Blog Tour - March 28th to April 12th

BOOK BLURB:  For as long as Prudence can remember, it has been understood that her sister will one day wed the eldest son of their nearest neighbor. Such an alliance will benefit both families and bring a great deal of joy to all parents involved. Unfortunately, Prudence has never been able to feel as joyful. She believes her sister is mad to consider marrying a man she hardly knows, even if he will one day make her a countess. Titles and wealth shouldn't factor into matters of the heart, and as an aspiring romance novelist, Prudence cannot fathom how anyone could even think of settling for less than love. She certainly wouldn’t, and she doesn't want her sister to either. Unable to stand by and do nothing, Prudence sets out to help the awkward couple discover the best in each other with the hope that they will eventually find love. What she neglected to foresee, however, was the possibility that she might fall in love with Lord Knave herself.


EXCERPT:  When Prudence lifted her eyes to his again, they sparkled with a challenge. “I was going to save this question until later so as not to shock you from the get-go, but I really do need to know . . . What does it feel like to kiss a woman?”

A large lump formed in Brand’s throat, and his mouth went dry. What the deuce? She had promised not to ask questions that would make him uncomfortable, but already he wanted to flee like a frightened kitten. How could he possibly explain how it felt to kiss a woman?

Brand searched his mind for a way to avoid answering until he heard a snicker escape her lips. She was laughing at him. Him! Hildebrand Ethan Cannon, Viscount Knave—a man at least eight years her senior and a great deal higher in social standing.

Unbelievable.

“You are teasing me,” he said, hoping it was true. If she’d posed the question to make him squirm—and perhaps make him more inclined to answer her other questions—then she wouldn’t be expecting an answer.

She shook her head, still smiling. “I’m afraid not, my lord, although I did find the look of terror on your face vastly amusing.”

“I’m glad I could entertain you.”

“I hope you will be equally glad to instruct me on a few things as well. The first scene in my book will include a kiss, and I have no idea how to describe the experience. Do a woman’s lips feel warm or soft or even moist? Would your pulse quicken? Aside from touch, what other senses are engaged? How would it make you feel and what would you notice when you held a woman in your arms?”

If she thought he’d appeared terror-stricken before, there would be no word for how he looked now. Did she earnestly expect him to answer such questions? Surely even she knew how inappropriate it would be to discuss such things, her being an innocent.

“I cannot say,” he finally muttered.

Her brow puckered in confusion. “Have you never kissed a woman, my lord?”

Brand was sorely tempted to lie and say he had not, but he couldn’t bring himself to do so. Any man of six-and-twenty who had never experienced a kiss would be laughed out of his manhood. Women were expected to remain innocent until married. Men were not.

“Yes, I have kissed a woman,” he finally admitted, “but I have no intention of discussing any of the details with you.”

“Why not?” she asked, her large brown eyes blinking at him curiously. “Would you rather I invent the information?”

“Yes.”

She obviously didn’t appreciate his retort because she scowled. “Can you not tell me at least a little?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because a kiss could never be described with any sort of accuracy, at least not by me. It involves too many feelings and sensations and complexities of thought. If you wish to know what a kiss feels like, you’ll have to experience it for yourself.”

Too late, Brand realized his mistake. Her expression became contemplative, as though she was actually considering doing just that. Good gads, had he really just encouraged an innocent young woman to go hunting for a kiss? Who would she ask? A groom? Stablehand? The next peddler that came to town?

“I think you are right,” she said at last. “I really must experience a kiss for myself if I am to describe it with any sort of accuracy.” She blinked up at him with that innocent expression again. “Will you kiss me Lord Knave? No, how silly of me. You are to marry my sister, so that would never do.” She pursed her lips for a moment before musing, “Perhaps one of the footmen would be kind enough to show me how it’s done.”

Kind enough? Brand could think of a great many reasons a footman would comply with such a request, and kindness did not factor into any of them. Brand would kiss her himself before he allowed a footman near her.

He rubbed the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache coming on. “Perhaps I can try to explain what it feels like after all.” Better that than having her chase after a footman.

“But you only just said you couldn’t do it justice,” she pointed out. “I realize I sound dreadfully forward, but I really must know, and experience is the best teacher, is it not?”

“No, it isn’t,” he lied. “And you are not going to kiss a footman.”

“Then who? Felix or Lionel, perhaps? I’m fairly certain I can convince one of them to do it, if given the opportunity. The question is how to go about it?”

It was plain to see by the firm set of her jaw that she would not rest until she had experienced a kiss of her own. She didn’t seem to care who did the deed, only that the man did a thorough job of it. A quick peck on the lips wouldn’t satisfy her curiosities.

“Perhaps I could send a note to Felix and ask him to call on me,” she continued to muse. “We could take a stroll through the maze in the gardens. There is a hidden alcove on the south side, which could be quite perfect. We would have to evade Ruth, obviously, but—”

“Devil take it,” Brand growled as he pulled her to him. Her quick intake of breath was the only sound she made before his mouth covered hers.

 
AUTHOR RACHAEL 
       ANDERSON:
A USA Today bestselling author, Rachael Anderson is the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can’t sing, doesn’t dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.

Website * Facebook * Twitter

-- Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Code or $25 in Paypal Cash Ends 4/22/18  --Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
COMING UP SOON ON 'READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC':

-- Friday, March 30th: Friday Amish Fiction Feature Book Spotlight & Review of Author Jerry S. Eicher's 'Always Close to Home: The St. Lawrence County Amish, Book #3'.

-- Monday, April 2nd: Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday Non-Fiction STEAM Education Feature by Author/Educator Kathy Ceceri, 'MAKE: Edible Inventions'.

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~ MMGM HISTORICAL FICTION FEATURE--'IVY TAKES CARE' ~

~ MIDDLE-GRADE HISTORICALFICTION FEATURE ~
'Ivy Takes Care'
-- Written by Rosemary Wells
Illustrated by Jim LaMarche --

 LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS


ABOUT THE BOOK {from Goodreads}: 
After her best friend, Annie, leaves for a fancy camp in New Hampshire, Ivy can’t imagine how she’s going to endure the long, hot Nevada summer with no one around but that pain-in-the-neck Billy Joe Butterworth next door and all those melancholy visitors to the Red Star Guest Ranch. Happily, an answer comes to Ivy in a flash of honey-colored topaz, and she cleverly hires herself out to take care of people’s farm animals or pets while they’re away.

So begins a summer of discovery for tenderhearted but sensible Ivy, who must win over the stubborn pony Chestnut, take on the challenge of training a puppy named Inca, and patiently court the trust of the magnificent but scarred racehorse Andromeda. All this while tending to her own private hurts and hopes and managing the hapless tagalong Billy Joe, who has a knack for trouble and accidents like nobody else!

Celebrated writer Rosemary Wells delivers a compassionately observed and exquisitely distilled novel set in the midcentury Southwest about a young heroine with an exceptional gift, a heart of gold, and a budding dream for her future.
 ABOUT THE AUTHOR {from Goodreads}: Rosemary Wells is the author of a number of popular children's books, most notably the Max and Ruby series which follows the everyday adventures of sibling bunnies - curious three year old Max and bossy seven year old Ruby. She gets the inspiration for Max and Ruby from her two daughters and the experiences they have with friends and school.
 Her West Highland Terriers Lucy and Snowy have also worked their way into her books, as McDuff and insight for other characters. She has also written Noisy Nora, Yoko, Voyage to the Bunny Planet series, a Christmas Book called Morris's Disappearing Bag and a collected book of illustrations of Rodgers and Hammerstein songs.
In April 2007, her children's book The Gulps featuring illustrations by Marc Brown was released. Also that year she published Red Moon at Sharpsburg, a historical novel featuring a young girl in the American Civil War. 2008 brings Otto Runs For President, followed by Yoko Writes Her Name, scheduled to be published in July.

MY REVIEW:  This story is set in the summer of 1949 on a dude ranch located in the mountains of northwester Nevada. Ivy's parents work for the owners of the Red Star Guest Ranch as the wrangler/tour guide and cook. The family struggles to make ends meet each month of the year.

Ivy is an eleven-year old who will begin sixth grade in the fall. She is an only child who is nurtured and encouraged by her parents to be whatever she chooses to become. Ivy loves animals and decides she would like to go to college to become a veterinarian.

In order to save money for her college envelope, she opens up a summer business taking care of animals while the owners are away on vacation. She names her business Ivy Takes Care.

Ivy is interested in learning about caring for animals and veterinary medicine. The local veterinarian mentors Ivy and even allows her to perform some simple procedures with him while they're out on calls. She learns how to give injections and how to assist a horse who has been bitten by a rattlesnake.The vet pays Ivy to clean his office and the animal cages every afternoon during her summer vacation.

The son of the owners of the dude ranch, Billy Joe Butterworth, is a pest and a constant challenge who wears on Ivy's every nerve. He causes some traumatic situations with his crazy antics and impulsive behavior, but the two have a bond that grows stronger as the story progresses.
Ivy's best friend, Annie, leads a privileged life so the issues of social disparity are dealt with in a sensitive manner. I believe Ivy learns and grows tremendously through the way Annie distances herself from Ivy because of their varying lifestyles.
This is a heartwarming story I thoroughly enjoyed reading. I enjoy midcentury fiction written for adults and children, and I felt this book was authentic to the time period in every way. Ivy's family used a telephone with six party lines. Our neighborhood was on party lines when I was a child, but I think we only shared our line with two other families! I remember the chaos, not to mention the lack of privacy, we experienced every time we received a telephone call.

I respected and liked Ivy very much because of her kindness toward people and animals, her ambition, and her resilience in the face of adversity. I'd also like to mention how much the illustrator's drawings enriched the story. The cover art, in particular, is simply stunning.

**Highly recommended for fans of western fiction, historical fiction, and fiction about caring for animals.
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I borrowed this book from the children's section of our local public library. The book was published in 2013 by Candlewick Press.~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~COMING UP SOON ON 'READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC': 
-- Wednesday, March 28th: Spotlight Post for the 'I Am a Reader' Blog Tour for Author Rachel Anderson's newest release, 'My Sister's Intended'.

-- Friday, March 30th: Friday Amish Fiction Feature Book Spotlight & Review of Author Jerry S. Eicher's 'Always Close to Home: The St. Lawrence County Amish, Book #3'.

-- Monday, April 2nd: Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday Non-Fiction STEAM Education Feature by Author/Educator Kathy Ceceri, 'MAKE: Edible Invention'.
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~ Release Day Book Blast for 'My Sister's Intended' ~

~ Happy Release Day to  'My Sister's Intended'  by Author Rachael Anderson! ~
We're celebrating with a $50 Giveaway!




--ABOUT THE BOOK:
'My Sister's Intended' by Rachael Anderson: 
For as long as Prudence can remember, it has been understood that her sister will one day wed the eldest son of their nearest neighbor. Such an alliance will benefit both families and bring a great deal of joy to all parents involved. Unfortunately, Prudence has never been able to feel as joyful. She believes her sister is mad to consider marrying a man she hardly knows, even if he will one day make her a countess. Titles and wealth shouldn't factor into matters of the heart, and as an aspiring romance novelist, Prudence cannot fathom how anyone could even think of settling for less than love. She certainly wouldn’t, and she doesn't want her sister to either. Unable to stand by and do nothing, Prudence sets out to help the awkward couple discover the best in each other with the hope that they will eventually find love. What she neglected to foresee, however, was the possibility that she might fall in love with Lord Knave herself.




--ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Author Rachael Anderson A USA Today bestselling author, Rachael Anderson is the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can’t sing, doesn’t dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.
Website * Facebook * Twitter



Blog Tour March 28th to April 12th


Release Day Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Code or $50 in Paypal Cash Ends 4/13/18 
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway 
 ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~COMING UP SOON ON 'READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC':

-- Wednesday, March 28th: Spotlight Post with Excerpt for the 'I Am a Reader' Blog Tour for Author Rachel Anderson's newest release, 'My Sister's Intended'.

-- Friday, March 30th: Friday Amish Fiction Feature Book Spotlight & Review of Author Jerry S. Eicher's 'Always Close to Home: The St. Lawrence County Amish, Book #3'.

-- Monday, April 2nd: Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday Non-Fiction STEAM Education Feature by Author/Educator Kathy Ceceri, 'MAKE: Edible Inventions'.

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~ Little Known Facts About 'A Holiday Miracle in Apple Blossom' ~

~ LITTLE KNOWN FACTS ABOUT 'A HOLIDAY MIRACLE IN  APPLE BLOSSOM' ~

My holiday novella, 'A Holiday Miracle in Apple Blossom', was released on October 8th, 2013. This book won Cedar Fort Publishing's 2013 'Holiday Tale Contest'. Here are some unknown, or little known, facts about the book:

-- The original title of the book was 'Angels for Mary Noel'. The editor thought the book would appeal to a wider audience if we did not use the word angel in the title. We brainstormed, and I believe an outside sales person for Cedar Fort is the one who suggested 'A Holiday Miracle in Apple Blossom'. We all agreed it was the one, and it stuck!

-- In the autumn of 2012 I drafted a short Christmas story about a first grader named Mary Noel for my own pleasure and to practice my fiction writing after years as a sewing designer writing instructions for the patterns I designed. I learned about the Cedar Fort Holiday Tale Contest when I searched on my computer for writing contests in November of 2012. I worked diligently for the next couple of months to expand the story into a novella, and eventually sent in my entry in mid-January of 2013.

-- At the time I found out I had won the contest and that my book would be published by Cedar Fort, I had no idea that Goodreads even existed nor did I have any experience using Facebook. I opened my Facebook Author's Page in July, 2013, and set up my Goodreads Author Page in September, 2013. Once again, old dogs can {and must} learn new tricks! My former blog/website launched in March, 2013. Learning Wordpress was a new experience for me, too.

-- When the Cedar Fort editor sent me the draft of the cover art in the spring of 2013, I immediately fell in love with it--except for one small thing. The main male character on the cover, Paul Watkins, was originally wearing a gold band on his left thumb--the hand he has resting on Amber's shoulder there on the cover. I asked that the ring be removed because Paul is a master carpenter, and I didn't feel a man working in the trade would wear a gold ring on his thumb. The designers removed the ring as I requested.

-- I decided Paul would be a master carpenter because my grandfather was a carpenter in New Orleans beginning in the early 1940's. I remember he built a shower in their house so my grandmother wouldn't have to get in and out of their very deep and difficult-to-navigate clawfoot tub. My young mind thought Grandpa was very clever for figuring out how to design and build a shower!

-- There are many Christmas memories from my childhood included in the story. In particular, the Christmas Eve candlelight service at Paul and Amber's church. I can still remember the congregants gathering around in a circle on the patio area outside of the sanctuary of the church I attended as a child and teen holding candles and singing 'Silent Night'. The memory brings back a special feeling of closeness with the other worshipers and God. What a beautiful way to commemorate a special baby's birth.
 
-- Amber Kellen is a new first-grade teacher in the book. I was blessed to have taught primary grades for over twenty years, eighteen of those years working with first graders. Some of Amber's experiences and interactions with her sweet students are reflections of my own career in the classroom.
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Enter the Rafflecopter contest below for a chance to win some ebooks and hardcover books including an ebook copy of my book, 'Robin's Reward' and a hardcover copy of my holiday book, 'A Holiday Miracle in Apple Blossom'.
a Rafflecopter giveaway  

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ GIVEAWAYS: VISIT MY 'CURRENT GIVEAWAYS' PAGE RIGHT NOW TO ENTER FOUR AWESOME GIVEAWAYS SPONSORED BY AN ASSORTMENT OF AUTHORS.   ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ COMING UP SOON ON 'READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC': --

Friday, March 23rd: 'SPRING MULTI-AUTHOR GIVEAWAY' organized by Singing Librarian Book Tours will feature my two inspirational romance novels--'ROBIN'S REWARD' & 'A HOLIDAY MIRACLE IN APPLE BLOSSOM'. 

Enter to win an e-copy of 'Robin's Reward' {giveaway sponsored by me} and a hardcover copy of my Christmas book {giveaway sponsored by my publisher, Cedar Fort, Inc.} There are several other authors participating.

-- Monday, March 26th: Release Day Giveaway for 'My Sister's Intended' by Author Rachael Anderson. 

-- Monday, March 26th: It'll be another Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday Fiction Feature here on the blog. This week I'll spotlight and review a heartwarming historical novel by Author Rosemary Wells, 'Ivy Takes Care'.

-- Wednesday, March 28th: Book Spotlight for 'My Sister's Intended' by Author Rachael Anderson.

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