June McCrary Jacobs's Blog: ~ Author June McCrary Jacobs ~, page 29
August 6, 2022
~ REVELL READS BLOG TOUR CRITICAL ALLIANCE ~
About the Book: She's seeking answers. He's seeking respite.
The past is seeking both of them.
Mackenzie Hanson's special set of skills opened the door to a successful career as a professor of cybersecurity at a Michigan university, allowing her to put her criminal past behind her. But when a long-ago partner in crime delivers a cryptic message about her father's tech company being under cyberattack, she heads for Montana to secure exposed assets, close security breaches, and protect her father's company.
Diplomatic Security Services special agent Alex Knight is back home in Montana to decompress from a mission gone wrong. But even as he's trying to relax, he's drawn into another mystery, complete with suspicious deaths, lethal threats, and whispers of espionage that all have one thing in common--a beautiful cybersecurity expert with a dark past.
When the situation turns deadly, Alex and Mackenzie will have to work together to find the answers they need--before someone silences Mackenzie for good.
LINK TO EXCERPT COURTESY OF THE PUBLISHER ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Elizabeth Goddard is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than 50 novels, including the Rocky Mountain Courage and Uncommon Justice series. Her books have sold over 1 million copies. She is a Carol Award winner and a Daphne du Maurier Award finalist. When she's not writing, she loves spending time with her family, traveling to find inspiration for her next book, and serving with her husband in ministry. For more information about her books, visit her website at www.elizabethgoddard.com . REVIEW: This is the third installment of the author's riveting romantic suspense series, Rocky Mountain Courage. I have read and enjoyed the previous two books in the series.
The lead male character in this book, Alex Knight, played a supporting role in books one and two of the series. He is home in Montana on vacation. The lead female, Mackenzie Hanson, is an acquaintance of Alex's who is in Montana to spend time with her siblings.
The opening scene kicks off this action-packed journey when Mackenzie is on a wild carnival ride that causes her to doubt that she actually saw someone she was close to in the past watching her from the ground.
This book is about cybersecurity, technology, hacking, cyberattacks, and advanced technology drones; it contains a lot of technical information. It is obvious the author has conducted a great deal of research into these areas. Even though I began reading the book knowing virtually nothing about the subject matter, the author introduced the facts at appropriate times so readers will be able to follow the plot(s).
The supporting cast includes Mackenzie's older sister, Nora, and Nora's fiance, Carson. Extreme fear drives Nora's every thought and action, and she and Mackenzie clash on more than one occasion. Alex is vigilant about keeping Mackenzie safe, and he risks his own life many times to try to find out who is terrorizing the two sisters. Even though the villain's 'cat and mouse' game to gain revenge is intense and violent, the book is completely clean in language and content. The faith thread is subtle, but runs throughout the story.
The satisfying ending held some unexpected surprises which I enjoyed.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All of my thoughts and opinions shared here are solely my own. # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
August 4, 2022
~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE A SEARCH FOR REDEMPTION ~
BLOG TOUR STOP -- 'SEARCH FOR REDEMPTION' -- AUTHOR JO ANN BROWN~Post Includes: Book Spotlight + Excerpt,Author Bio & Giveaway~ 💠◪◩ ▦💠◪◩▦ 💠◪◩▦💠◪◩▦
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ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: A Search for Redemption
Series: Secrets of Bliss Valley #3
Author: Jo Ann Brown
Publisher: Love Inspired Trade
Release Date: August 23, 2022
Genre: Amish-inspirational romance
Bestselling author Jo Ann Brown returns to the Amish community of Bliss Valley, where finding a new beginning means facing the past…
After losing both her fiancé and the happy life she anticipated, Amish maedel Grace Coffman is still stitching the pieces of her life back together. But between working in a quilting shop with an unscrupulous Englisch boss and caring for her ill parents, her threads keep unraveling. At first, the arrival of a kind, attractive stranger feels like a coincidence. But the more Grace learns about Joel Beachy and his story, the more their meeting seems like providence…Joel's return to Bliss Valley—and the Plain people—is his last chance to redeem a life filled with missteps. Yet in Grace, Joel finds something he never imagined: trust, courage and even the possibility of hope. When Grace suddenly finds herself the guardian of her nephews, Joel sees an opportunity to keep two wayward boys from repeating his mistakes. But Joel's dark past isn't quite finished with him. And now he must pray that his new life is strong enough to withstand the pending storm of trouble…and secrets.
“Brown is a gifted writer who makes unforgettable characters that invite the reader to join them on their journey.” —Publishers Weekly bestselling author Marie E. Bast
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EXCERPT:
Now he was back in Bliss Valley, and he was wearing the broadfall trousers Grace’s mamm had had waiting in the dawdi haus last night. His fingers had fumbled buttoning them closed. Before he’d left home, he would have buttoned them up without thinking. He’d become too accustomed to zippers. His cotton shirt in a purple that he would never have chosen himself was looser and allowed more air circulation than the T-shirts he was used to. At first, he’d disdained the suspenders lying next to them, but after having to hold on to the waist of his trousers to keep them from dropping, he’d hooked them in place.
Setting the paint can on the ground, he touched his goatee. Did he look as if he was straddling two worlds that had little in common? Like he felt?
He’d waited in the dawdi haus until Grace had left for the shop. He wasn’t sure if she’d be amused or appalled to see him in such clothing. He’d been astonished how important it had become for her to think well of him. For a moment, he allowed himself the special delight of thinking about her. Her pretty smile, her sparkling green eyes, her fiery hair that he longed to see loose along her back as he let his fingers sift through its rich silk.
Two things hadn’t changed since the first time he’d seen her. He still yearned to draw her close and sample her soft lips. Yet, even if he hadn’t been a convicted felon, she was plain and he was… He wasn’t sure what he was any longer, but even a single kiss would mean something different to Grace than it did to an Englisch woman. For an Amish woman, a kiss was a pledge of one’s heart.
His fingers tightened around the paintbrush he held as he took a deep, deep breath of the fragrant air. Smells from the neighboring farms and the heat off the asphalt road flavored it. Cheerful voices reached him, and he noticed a group of scholars walking toward the school building that was hiddenby a sharp corner in the road. The same school he’d attended in what seemed like someone else’s life. He must once have sounded as carefree as the kinder passing this farm on his way to school, but he couldn’t recall now. By cutting his connections to Bliss Valley, he’d ripped away so much of his childhood.
Joel pried open the can and stirred its contents before dipping his brush in the thick, white paint. He’d already washed the fence with a dripping sponge, getting rid of spiderwebs as well as debris. It hadn’t taken long for the wood to dry in the hot sunshine. The calendar might have turned over to September, but summer wasn’t ready to give them any surcease from the heat and humidity.
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PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub MORE BOOKS IN THIS SERIES
Jo Ann Brown has published over 100 titles under a variety of pen names. A former military officer, she enjoys taking pictures and traveling. She has taught creative writing for more than 20 years and is always excited when one of her students sells a project. She has been married for more than 40 years and has three children and two rambunctious cats. She lives in Amish Country in southeastern Pennsylvania. She enjoys hearing from her readers.
Connect with Jo Ann by visiting joannbrownbooks.com to subscribe to email newsletter updates.
💠◪◩ ▦💠◪◩▦ 💠◪◩▦💠◪◩▦ TOUR GIVEAWAY(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 1, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 8, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
💠◪◩ ▦💠◪◩▦ 💠◪◩▦💠◪◩▦ Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
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August 2, 2022
~ SOMETHING DEADLY ON DESERT DRIVE ~
Something Deadly on Desert Drive (The Accidental Detective)by Kris Bock About Something Deadly on Desert Drive
Starting over at fifty might be hard, but it shouldn’t be deadly…
Still recovering from an injury that might have permanently derailed her career as an international war correspondent, Kate Tessler is living in her childhood bedroom and pondering her second act when another case lands in her lap. Kate’s father and his coffee group are worried. Their friend Larry married a younger woman who now insists he has dementia and won’t let any of his friends visit. They’re convinced that Larry’s wife and her two adult, dead-beat kids are out to steal his money. Can Kate help?
Soon Kate and her unusual gang of sidekicks are unofficially, officially investigating. But before they can dig out the truth, a murder raises the stakes. Now they need to prove Larry is both mentally competent and not a killer. They’ll have to find the real murderer—without risking their own lives in the process.
I’ve lived in New Mexico for over twenty years, with frequent trips to Arizona to visit my mother. The Southwest has inspired my writing and my cooking.
New Mexico is most famous, at least in culinary terms, for its green chile, which comes slathered over almost any dish. The official state question is “Red or Green?” – which version of the chile sauce do you want? This is notchili, which is a stew that may contain beans and/or meat. Rather, chile refers to chopped or puréed New Mexico chile peppers, possibly cooked in broth with some onion and garlic.
Red chile is simply green chile that has ripened. It is usually dried and powdered, whereas green chile is roasted over open flames, chopped, and frozen until use. The flavor of red chile is generally sweeter and mellower, though either color can have a variety of heat levels. “Red or green?” is partly a personal preference, though certain dishes tend to come with one or the other. You can also order something “Christmas” style, meaning with both red and green.
If you like a milder flavor, canned green chiles from the grocery store may work fine for you. You can also use your favorite powdered chile/chili spice.
RecipeQuick Enchilada Casserole:
This recipe is not exactly traditional, but it’s my quicker and healthier version of an enchilada casserole. This is one of my standards, because it only takes about half an hour to put together, and it makes enough leftovers for lunches.
Several handfuls of tortilla chips (broken okay)
One large onion
1 Tbsp. oil for cooking
3 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 can (~10 oz) cream of chicken soup
1 can or jar (12-15 oz) of enchilada sauce
2 cans (15 oz) pinto beans or black beans, drained and rinsed
Red chile powder or green chile to taste
1 - 2 cups shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend cheese
1. Spray oil a 9 x 13 casserole dish or rub lightly with oil.
2. Scatter broken tortilla chips in the bottom of the dish. (This is a great way to use the broken chips at the bottom of the bag. It doesn’t really matter what size they are or if they’re stale.)
3. Chop a large onion and sauté in oil until golden.
4. Add about 3 cups of chopped cooked chicken (from a rotisserie chicken, leftover cooked chicken, or frozen chicken tenders that you cook in advance). You can also use raw chicken and cook it in the pan.
5. Add cream of chicken soup, enchilada sauce, beans, and red chile powder. Mix well.
6. Pour half the chicken and sauce mixture over the tortilla chips. Cover with another layer of broken tortilla chips and then the rest of the sauce mix.
7. Top with a layer of shredded cheddar, Jack, or Mexican cheese.
8. Bake at 350° for about 45 min.
Options:
Try sautéed ground beef or turkey instead of chicken.Skip the meat and add extra vegetables – bell peppers, corn, zucchini, summer squash, mushrooms, or whatever you like.Use chopped green chile instead of the red chile powder. About Kris Bock
Kris Bock writes novels of mystery, suspense, and romance, many with outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. Get a free Accidental Detective short story and bonus material when you sign up for her newsletter. You’ll also get a free 30-page sweet romance set in the world of the Furrever Friends cat café and a printable copy of the recipes mentioned in the cat café novels
Kris is also writing a series with her brother, scriptwriter Douglas J Eboch, who wrote the original screenplay for the movie Sweet Home Alabama. Follow the crazy antics of Melanie, Jake, and their friends a decade before the events of the movie. Sign up for our romantic comedy newsletter and get Felony Melanie Destroys the Moonshiner’s Cabin. Or find the books on Amazon US or All E-book retailers
Find Kris:
Website Blog GoodReads Author Page BookBub Amazon US Author page or Amazon UK page. Twitter Instagram TikTok Facebook Pinterest
Find the book: Tule Amazon Kindle Amazon Kindle UK Barnes & Noble Nook Apple Books Kobo Google Play
TOUR PARTICIPANTS:August 1 - Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT August 2 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT August 3 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW August 3 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – RECIPE August 4 – Mysteries with Character – GUEST POST August 4 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPTAugust 5 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW August 6 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPTAugust 7 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT August 8 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT August 8 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT August 9 – Christy's Cozy Corners – GUEST POST August 9 – The Mystery Section – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT August 10 – Celticlady's Reviews – RECIPE August 11 – Novels Alive – REVIEW August 11 – Novels Alive – SPOTLIGHT August 12 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT August 12 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW August 13 – Books Blog – SPOTLIGHT August 14 – Rebecca M. Douglass, Author - REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POSTHave you signed up to be a Tour Host?
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July 31, 2022
~ MMGM THE SECRET GARDEN OF GEO WASH CARVER ~
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ABOUT THE BOOK {from Goodreads}:
The story of George Washington Carver and his childhood secret garden is brought to life in this picture book biography. When George Washington Carver was just a young child, he had a secret: a garden of his own. Here, he rolled dirt between his fingers to check if plants needed more rain or sun. He protected roots through harsh winters, so plants could be reborn in the spring. He trimmed flowers, spread soil, studied life cycles. And it was in this very place that George’s love of nature sprouted into something so much more—his future. 🌱🌿🍃🌻🌼🌸🌱🌿🍃🌻🌼🌸
ABOUT THE AUTHOR {from Goodreads}:
Gene Barretta is the author and illustrator of Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin and Neo Leo: The Ageless Ideas of Leonardo da Vinci. He is also author and illustrator of Dear Deer, which was a Notable Children’s Book in the Language Arts and listed on the Parenting Magazine Mom-Tested Books of the Year List. He holds a B.F.A. in Film Studies from New York University, and has worked for many years in film and television production. He lives in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania with his wife and son. 🌱🌿🍃🌻🌼🌸🌱🌿🍃🌻🌼🌸 MY REVIEW:This is Part 2 of my George Washington Carver features. If you missed last week's post on a Rookie Reader bibliography of this inspiring American, you may find it at: https://authorjunemccraryjacobs.blogspot.com/2022/07/mmgm-geo-washington-carver-part-1.html
This beautiful picture book biography of Mr. Carver caught my eye on the library shelf because of its evocative cover artwork which made me want to read the book the instant I glanced at it!
The beginning of the book reviews the information about Mr. Carver's early life as a member of an enslaved family of three who were owned by Mr. and Mrs. Carver in Diamond Grove, Missouri. When he was an infant, he and his mother were kidnapped in 1864 and taken to Arkansas. George was rescued by a family friend, but his mother was never seen again.
Skip forward to 1874 . . . Readers are introduced to a garden the boy kept hidden on the Carver's farm. He liked to grow flowers, but the Carvers told him not to let his love of flowers take him away from his real chores.
George was a sickly child, so he spent more time collecting rocks and filling the house with interesting plants. Susan Carver taught him to be helpful by teaching him creative ways of making use of the little that they had to make sewing needles from turkey feathers, dyes from nuts and berries, and medicine from plants and leaves.
His dream was to go to school to learn as much as he could about stones, flowers, insects, birds, and beasts. However, the schools were segregated and he was not permitted to attend schools for White children.
This determined child decided to study nature by creating his own 'classroom' in the woods on the Carver's farm. He wanted to grow flowers. He made a decision to grow his flowers in a secret garden. He called God 'the Great Creator', and he believed his garden was a gift from God. He experimented with seeds and a variety of growing techniques.
He used berries to make paints along with twigs and grasses to make paintbrushes. Then he painted the life cycles of the flowers in his garden. He discovered how to protect the roots of his plants during the harsh Missouri winters so that the plants would return in the spring.
The secret got out about George's ability to heal sick plants, so part of his garden was used as a plant hospital. Neighbors called George the 'Plant Doctor.' With great relief, he realized he no longer needed to keep his garden a secret.
At the age of twelve, he left home on his own to become educated and to give back to 'his' people as he had learned from an early mentor. In 1896 he graduated from Iowa Agricultural College as the first Black man to study at, graduate from, and teach there.
Booker T. Washington hired George to teach agriculture at the Tuskegee Institute. Carver built the institute's first farming laboratory. Along with all of his experiments with peanuts, soybeans, and sweet potatoes, he taught the local farmers how to improve their yield by growing food crops over cotton.
Mr. Carver created a traveling schoolhouse to visit poor farmers. The Jessup Agricultural Wagon offered "everything from tool demonstrations to medical care to pamphlets on how to improve farms and live healthier."
The book ends with this powerful quote from George Washington Carver,
"Regard Nature.Revere Nature.Respect Nature."
Back Matter includes a detailed timeline beginning with his birth and ending with the entry that in 1945 the US Congress designated the anniversary of his death--January 5, 1943--as George Washington Carver Recognition Day; a Bibliography; and a Further Reading list.
Highly-recommended for children and adults alike!
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Find the links to read more great Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts from middle-grade authors and bloggers at Greg Pattridge's 'Always in the Middle' Blog. 🌱🌿🍃🌻🌼🌸🌱🌿🍃🌻🌼🌸
July 28, 2022
~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE OFF THE CHAIN ~
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~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~TAKEOVER TOUR: -- 'OFF THE CHAIN' -- AUTHOR JANICE THOMPSON~Post Includes: Book Spotlight,Author Bio & Giveaway~ 🐕🐶🐕🐶🐕🐶🐕🐶🐕🐶🐕🐶
Welcome to the Takeover Tour for Off the Chain by Janice Thompson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
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Title: Off the Chain Series: Gone to the Dogs Mysteries #1 Author: Janice Thompson Publisher: Barbour Fiction Release Date: July 1, 2022 Genre: Cozy Mystery, Christian The Town of Brenham, Texas, Has Gone to the Dogs!
Curl up with your pup and sink into a delightful small-town mystery as riddles and rescues stack up in book one of a new cozy mystery series.
Marigold Evans’s first attempt at rescuing an abandoned pooch lands her in the underground sewer lines of Houston’s Buffalo Bayou. . .and almost in jail, until Parker Jenson comes to her defense. Then a bad day only gets worse as the Lone Star Vet Clinic, where they both work, is vandalized and the list of suspects starts to climb. With the help of her fellow employees, Marigold sets out to simultaneously solve the crime, rehab the rescued dog, and help more dogs in crisis. But why would anyone continue to work against all their good efforts?
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Christianbook | BookBub 🐕🐶🐕🐶🐕🐶🐕🐶🐕🐶🐕🐶
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Janice Thompson, who lives in the Houston area, writes novels, non-fiction, magazine articles, and musical comedies for the stage. The mother of four married daughters, she is quickly adding grandchildren to the family mix.
Connect with Janice by visiting janiceathompson.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates. 🐕🐶🐕🐶🐕🐶🐕🐶🐕🐶🐕🐶 TOUR GIVEAWAY(1) winner will receive a print copy of Off the Chain and a $15 Amazon egift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight July 27, 2022 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on August 3, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
🐕🐶🐕🐶🐕🐶🐕🐶🐕🐶🐕🐶 Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops! *NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
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July 27, 2022
~ NEW SEWING PATTERN RELEASE CUPCAKE ORNAMENTS ~
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~ My newest sewing pattern e-book, 'Beaded Wool Felt Cupcake Ornaments ~ 2 Sewing Patterns', is now available in the Kindle Store!
~ The book features full cutting and sewing instructions, downloadable patterns, and tips for working with wool felt so you can make these two unique wool felt cupcake ornaments. The ornaments are embellished with silk ribbon roses, glass beads, trim, and hand-embroidery which can be hung on your Christmas tree or used as party favors for a wedding, bridal or baby shower, birthday party, or child's party.
~ Free on Kindle Unlimited.
~ Link to purchase this book is:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B7Q69XQ9/
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THANK YOU!
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July 24, 2022
~ MMGM GEO WASHINGTON CARVER PART 1 ~
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ABOUT THE BOOK (from Goodreads):
Young children can now enjoy a biography series written just for them. "Rookie Biographies" introduce the beginning reader to interesting people who helped shape history. With short, easy-to-understand text, historical photos, and eye-catching illustrations, these introductory biographies will motivate children into wanting to learn more about noted individuals. Each book includes a index.
(from Amazon):
Describes the life and accomplishments of the former slave who became a scientist and devoted his career to helping the South improve its agriculture.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR (from Goodreads):
Has degrees in English Literature and musicology. She has worked in international exchange programs, as an editor, and as a teacher of writing. Lives in Webster Groves, Missouri.
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LINK TO TEACHING RESOURCES FROM THE GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER NATIONAL MONUMENT🇺🇸 🥜🍠🇺🇸 🥜🍠🇺🇸 🥜🍠🇺🇸
REVIEW: {NOTE: This post is part one of two posts about Mr. Carver because I found not only this biography but another picture book with exceptional artwork depicting his life as a child which I will share with you next week for MMGM.} After hearing a little about this great American recently on PBS, I realized I really didn't know much about George Washington Carver. So on my next visit to the local public library, I headed straight for the children's collection.This book is from the Childrens Press Inc. 'Rookie Biography' series. I used books from this series when I taught primary grades because of the quality of the text and the illustrations.
The book begins with a photograph of Mr. Carver and a brief synopsis of the book which invites children to learn about this gifted man.
His mother was enslaved by a couple named Moses and Susan Carver on their property in Diamond Grove, Missouri, in 1835. When George was a baby some 'raiders from the south' kidnapped Mary and George and took them to Arkansas. George was returned to the Carvers by a friend, but he and his brother, Jim, never saw their mother again.
The brothers were raised by the Carvers. The family was able to attend church together, but the boys were not allowed to attend the local school because they were black. So Susan and Moses Carver helped George to learn to read and write.
He wanted a real education so when he was 12 he left home to try to find a place where he could learn. He moved around from school to school in Kansas for a few years until he went to Simpson College in Iowa.
George earned two degrees from Iowa State. Booker T. Washington asked George to come teach at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. The young man felt that it was the right place for him, so he moved there and began working with farmers in the area to help them plant crops other than cotton. Cowpeas (I know these as 'black-eyed peas') and sweet potatoes grew well there. He taught them how to make compost and use it to enrich the soil. The most powerful part of his story for me was that George believed that God had a plan for him--He wanted George to help other black people.
He worked in his lab and did research on peanuts. He discovered/developed three hundred products from peanuts! He appeared before a Congressional committee to share about sweet potatoes and peanuts. The committee originally allowed him ten minutes to speak. Soon they told him to continue sharing, and he ended up speaking for almost two hours.
He received offers from many large companies where he would be paid a lot of money to work for them. He always said 'no' because he believed in the Lord's plan for his life. He would stay a teacher.
George's greatest joy was working with white and black students sharing about nature and what he had made from plants. He started a museum and a foundation; he won many awards for his work. He was nearly eighty years old when he died. An 'Important Dates' timeline is included in the Back Matter for this book.
In summary, I was moved by this man's dedication to his career and to the inner strength he garnered when he was criticized and shunned because of his race. I admire his steadfast faith in the Lord's plan for his life. He inspired countless young people over his years of service at the Tuskegee Institute and beyond.
Highly-recommended for teachers, librarians, and families who want to share the life story of a selfless and inspirational American whose discoveries continue to be used to grow food crops to feed millions. 🇺🇸 🥜🍠🇺🇸 🥜🍠🇺🇸 🥜🍠🇺🇸
Find the links to read more great Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts from middle-grade authors and bloggers at Greg Pattridge's 'Always in the Middle' Blog.
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July 21, 2022
~ TAKEOVER TOUR HEART OF THE MOUNTAINS ~
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Title: The Heart of the Mountains Series: My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge #2 Author: Pepper Basham Publisher: Barbour Fiction Release Date: July 1, 2022 Genre: Christian, Historical Romance Can their hearts overcome the darkness of the mountains?
To escape a forced marriage, Cora Taylor travels from England to the Blue Ridge Mountains in search of her brother, who is working as a teacher in a mission school. She hopes to find a place where her nursing skills and independent ideas will be accepted and appreciated, but nothing prepares her for the wild mixture of isolation, community, brokenness, and hope within these mountains…or in the person of Jeb McAdams.
Returning from the devastation of World War 1 emotionally damaged, Jeb McAdams struggles against the rampant mountain alcoholism to soothe his nightmares. It’s easy to hide within the mountains, or it was, before Cora Taylor arrived. Now, she seems to show up at every turn, bringing her modern ideas, curiosity, and beautiful eyes with her.
Bound by their shared war history, the pair develop an unlikely friendship, which unexpectedly hints to something more. But when Cora’s desire to help the women of the mountains crosses an unspoken line, will Jeb be able to protect this feisty flatlander from the wrath of the mountain men or will he end up losing much more than his heart?
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Christianbook | BookBub ALSO AVAILABLE
Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor with southern Appalachian flair. Both her historical and contemporary novels have garnered recognition in the Grace Awards, Inspys, and ACFW Carol Awards. Her historical romance, The Thorn Healer, was a finalist in the 2018 RT Awards. Her historical romance novels, My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge and The Red Ribbon, and her contemporary novels, the Mitchell’s Crossroads and Pleasant Gap series, showcase her Appalachian heritage, as well as her love for humor and family. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist to about fifty more, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.
CONNECT WITH PEPPER: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter ❤️🌄❤️🌄❤️🌄❤️🌄❤️TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a print copy of The Heart of the Mountains and a $15 Amazon e-gift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight July 20, 2022 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on July 27, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops! *NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
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CHRISTMAS IN JULY ROMANCE E-BOOK SALE
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Beginning at 12AM PDT on Thursday, July 21st, and running through 12AM PDT on Tuesday, July 26th, four of my Christian and clean, wholesome romance e-books will be on sale for $.99!
💗💘💝 ~ The books on sale include: 'A Holiday Miracle in Apple Blossom,' 'Romance By Proxy,' 'Robin's Reward,' and 'Jorie's Journey.'
💗💘💝 ~ These books and all of my books are always free with Kindle Unlimited.
💗💘💝 ~ Find these books on Amazon at:
https://www.amazon.com/June-McCrary-Jacobs/e/B00E7YV522
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Thank you! 😉
July 14, 2022
~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE FINDING HER AMISH HOME ~
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Finding Her Amish Home by Pamela Desmond Wright, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
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ABOUT THE BOOK
Title:
Finding Her Amish Home
Series: Humble Blessings #1 Author: Pamela Desmond Wright Publisher: Love Inspired Release Date: June 28, 2022 Genre: Contemporary Amish Romance, Christian What she wants more than anything
Could also be the most dangerous…
After her twin sister’s death, Maddie Baum flees to Wisconsin Amish country with her nephew in tow in the hopes of protecting him from his criminal father. Befriending Amish shopkeeper Abram Mueller gives her a glimpse of the happiness she’s been yearning for all along. Can she find a fresh start with Abram—or will old sins tear them apart?
From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope. 🌻🌼🌸🌹🌻🌼🌸🌹🌻🌼🌸🌹 EXCERPT:
Abram Mueller wasn’t the sort to take a second look at a woman. Still, something about Maddie Baum made him pause. Her image hovered at the forefront of his mind, refusing to be banished.
Intuition tapped him on the shoulder.
Turn around.
The fine hairs at the nape of his neck rose. The first thing he’d been taught as a child was to never ignore the still, small voice. As a man firmly committed to his faith, the one thing he never doubted was that Gott moved in mysterious ways.
His servants were obligated to obey.
“What are You telling me, Lord?”
Pivoting on his heel, he searched for and found Maddie and her son as they headed to the checkout stand.
With her blonde hair neatly plaited and pinned, her simple gray dress, light sweater and black flats weren’t anything a fashionable Englisch woman would wear. Add a white kapp and apron and she would look like any proper Amish woman.
Knowing she was from Pennsylvania and that she spoke the Deitsch language led him to guess she was formerly a member of the community or at least closely associated through familie ties. Hard to tell if she was married or not. Amish women didn’t wear wedding rings.
Abram watched as she casually dipped a hand into her purse and then stopped dead. Her head dropped as she dug frantically, obviously seeking something she couldn’t locate. A moment later, she abandoned her basket and headed for the exit.
It didn’t take a rocket scientist to interpret the scene.
Empty purse. No money.
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REVIEW:A moving story filled with faith, love, and suspense . . .
I read a lot of Amish romance novels because it has been one of my favorite genres for twenty years. What made this book stand out, in my view, is the male lead, Abram Mueller. He is gentle, kind-hearted, patient, and understanding. It doesn't take him long to sense that something is not quite right with the English newcomer to their community and her young son.
Maddie Baum is running from something or someone. She is covering up something horrible from her past in an effort to begin a new life. Her fear has driven her to move across several states to start over in a small Amish community to a place where she has no family ties and where she knows no one.
Her seven-year-old son, Josh, has problems of his own. He is energetic and gets into trouble when he's bored--which is often. His impulsive behavior often leads to some extremely awkward moments for Maddie, and at times she seems unable to handle the strong-willed child and his challenging behavior.
As we move through the story, the author deftly reveals Maddie's past by peeling back layer after layer of the young woman's emotional scars. The author strategically chooses when she is ready to divulge her character's secrets, leaving the reader spellbound.
To my surprise and delight, there was a good portion of suspense in this story. There are many faith messages woven into the plot including forgiveness, hope, healing, not being judgmental of others, and trust. The story is completely clean in language and content.
I received a copy of this book from the author through JustRead Publicity Tours. All of my opinions and thoughts shared here are solely my own.
🌻🌼🌸🌹🌻🌼🌸🌹🌻🌼🌸🌹 PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound | Christianbook | BookBub ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Pamela Desmond Wright grew up in a small, dusty Texas town. Like the Amish, Pamela is a fan of the simple life. Her childhood includes memories of the olden days; old-fashioned oil lamps, cooking over an authentic wood-burning stove and making popcorn over a crackling fire at her grandparent’s cabin. She also loves needlepoint and has dozens of projects to work on! Someday, she hopes to move into van life, living on the road as a traveling writer.
CONNECT WITH PAMELA: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter 🌻🌼🌸🌹🌻🌼🌸🌹🌻🌼🌸🌹 TOUR GIVEAWAYMain Prize - (1) winner will receive a Kindle eReader 1st runner-up
(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card 2nd runner-up
(1) winner will receive a signed print copy of Finding her Amish Home and a King James version of the Bible
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight July 12, 2022 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on July 19, 2022. US only. Items may vary from image. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
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~ Author June McCrary Jacobs ~
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