June McCrary Jacobs's Blog: ~ Author June McCrary Jacobs ~, page 79
March 12, 2020
~ REVELL READS REIVEW OUT OF THE EMBERS ~
~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~
-- 'OUT OF THE EMBERS' --
AUTHOR AMANDA CABOT~Post Includes: Book Spotlight, Link toExcerpt, Author Bio & My Review~
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A young woman with a tragic past has arrived in town . . . and trouble is following close behind.
Ten years after her parents were killed, Evelyn Radcliffe is once more homeless. The orphanage that was her refuge and later her workplace has burned to the ground, and only she and a young orphan girl have escaped. Convinced this must be related to her parents' murders, Evelyn flees with the girl to Mesquite Springs in the Texas Hill Country and finds shelter in the home of Wyatt Clark, a talented horse rancher whose plans don't include a family of his own.
At first, Evelyn is a distraction. But when it becomes clear that trouble has followed her to Mesquite Springs, she becomes a full-blown disruption. Can Wyatt keep her safe from the man who wants her dead? And will his own plans become collateral damage?
Suspenseful and sweetly romantic, Out of the Embers is the first in a new series that invites you to the Texas Hill Country in the 1850s, when the West was wild, the men were noble, and the women were strong.
EXCERPT FROM THIS BOOK: LINK TO AN EXCERPT COURTESY OF THE PUBLISHER
LINK TO TRAILER FOR THIS BOOK
Endorsement:
"Out of the Embers is part prairie romance, part romantic suspense. I can't remember when I've enjoyed a book more. Amanda Cabot has written an intriguing, chilling mystery and she winds it through the pages of a sweet romance in a way that made me keep turning the pages fast to see what was going to happen next. An absolutely excellent read. And now I'm hungry for oatmeal pecan pie!"Mary Connealy, author of Aiming for Love, book #1 in the Brides of Hope Mountain series
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of A Stolen Heart, A Borrowed Dream, and A Tender Hope, as well as the Texas Crossroads, Texas Dreams, and Westward Winds series. Her books have been finalists for the ACFW Carol Awards, the HOLT Medallion, and the Booksellers' Best. She lives in Wyoming. Learn more at www.amandacabot.com.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MY REVIEW:
What a great read! This is the first book I have read by Author Amanda Cabot, and I am definitely a fan of her beautiful writing style and her assortment of consequential characters.
Out of the Embers is set in 1855 Texas mostly in the small town of Mesquite Springs. From the opening lines of the book a reader feels Evelyn Radner's anxiety, fear, and dread about being watched by what we would today probably label a stalker.
Layer by layer the truth about Evelyn's past and the past of her six-year-old charge, Polly, is revealed to readers. Nothing is divulged by the author until the time is right for readers to be enlightened. The fine pacing of the revelations adds to the suspense and drama of the story.
Evelyn proves herself to be a survivor, a strong woman, and a woman with dreams for her future. Yes, she is fearful of certain people and things from her past; but she is ambitious, determined, loving, and most of all kind to others. I admired this character.
The main characters of the story besides Evelyn and Polly are Wyatt Clark and his mother and sister who each harbor dreams and regrets which affect their own behavior and their treatment of others.
As expected, there are a fair number of 'villains' who add risk, danger, and excitement to the book. I found myself rooting against these characters throughout the story--a sure sign that the author had accomplished her goal of drawing her readers into the story as it unfolded.
As I read the story I was reminded of how close-knit small communities in the Wild West became out of necessity. People drew together to accomplish common goals for their community and worked hard with the hope their town would grow and thrive to benefit all of the town's citizens.
As always, I enjoyed the faith element included in Revell's fiction, and I was inspired by the attitude of many of the characters toward the teachings in the Bible and how those teachings applied to their own lives.
There were some surprises at the end of the story which I will refrain from sharing here because I do not want to spoil the story for those of you who have not yet read it. Suffice to say this is an outstanding book, and a great way to kick off this new Mesquite Springs series by the author.
This book is highly recommended to fans of Christian/clean romance, historical fiction, Wild West fiction, and Christian/clean fiction.
Disclosure from blogger: I received a paperback copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review to be posted on my blog and on retailer sites and Goodreads. I received no compensation for my review or posts here or on any other site.
# # # # #
ABOUT THE BOOK:A young woman with a tragic past has arrived in town . . . and trouble is following close behind.
Ten years after her parents were killed, Evelyn Radcliffe is once more homeless. The orphanage that was her refuge and later her workplace has burned to the ground, and only she and a young orphan girl have escaped. Convinced this must be related to her parents' murders, Evelyn flees with the girl to Mesquite Springs in the Texas Hill Country and finds shelter in the home of Wyatt Clark, a talented horse rancher whose plans don't include a family of his own.
At first, Evelyn is a distraction. But when it becomes clear that trouble has followed her to Mesquite Springs, she becomes a full-blown disruption. Can Wyatt keep her safe from the man who wants her dead? And will his own plans become collateral damage?
Suspenseful and sweetly romantic, Out of the Embers is the first in a new series that invites you to the Texas Hill Country in the 1850s, when the West was wild, the men were noble, and the women were strong.
EXCERPT FROM THIS BOOK: LINK TO AN EXCERPT COURTESY OF THE PUBLISHER
LINK TO TRAILER FOR THIS BOOK
Endorsement:
"Out of the Embers is part prairie romance, part romantic suspense. I can't remember when I've enjoyed a book more. Amanda Cabot has written an intriguing, chilling mystery and she winds it through the pages of a sweet romance in a way that made me keep turning the pages fast to see what was going to happen next. An absolutely excellent read. And now I'm hungry for oatmeal pecan pie!"Mary Connealy, author of Aiming for Love, book #1 in the Brides of Hope Mountain series
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of A Stolen Heart, A Borrowed Dream, and A Tender Hope, as well as the Texas Crossroads, Texas Dreams, and Westward Winds series. Her books have been finalists for the ACFW Carol Awards, the HOLT Medallion, and the Booksellers' Best. She lives in Wyoming. Learn more at www.amandacabot.com.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MY REVIEW:
What a great read! This is the first book I have read by Author Amanda Cabot, and I am definitely a fan of her beautiful writing style and her assortment of consequential characters.
Out of the Embers is set in 1855 Texas mostly in the small town of Mesquite Springs. From the opening lines of the book a reader feels Evelyn Radner's anxiety, fear, and dread about being watched by what we would today probably label a stalker.
Layer by layer the truth about Evelyn's past and the past of her six-year-old charge, Polly, is revealed to readers. Nothing is divulged by the author until the time is right for readers to be enlightened. The fine pacing of the revelations adds to the suspense and drama of the story.
Evelyn proves herself to be a survivor, a strong woman, and a woman with dreams for her future. Yes, she is fearful of certain people and things from her past; but she is ambitious, determined, loving, and most of all kind to others. I admired this character.
The main characters of the story besides Evelyn and Polly are Wyatt Clark and his mother and sister who each harbor dreams and regrets which affect their own behavior and their treatment of others.
As expected, there are a fair number of 'villains' who add risk, danger, and excitement to the book. I found myself rooting against these characters throughout the story--a sure sign that the author had accomplished her goal of drawing her readers into the story as it unfolded.
As I read the story I was reminded of how close-knit small communities in the Wild West became out of necessity. People drew together to accomplish common goals for their community and worked hard with the hope their town would grow and thrive to benefit all of the town's citizens.
As always, I enjoyed the faith element included in Revell's fiction, and I was inspired by the attitude of many of the characters toward the teachings in the Bible and how those teachings applied to their own lives.
There were some surprises at the end of the story which I will refrain from sharing here because I do not want to spoil the story for those of you who have not yet read it. Suffice to say this is an outstanding book, and a great way to kick off this new Mesquite Springs series by the author.
This book is highly recommended to fans of Christian/clean romance, historical fiction, Wild West fiction, and Christian/clean fiction.
Disclosure from blogger: I received a paperback copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review to be posted on my blog and on retailer sites and Goodreads. I received no compensation for my review or posts here or on any other site.
# # # # #
March 11, 2020
~ CALL FOR MEMORIES ABOUT THE SKUNK TRAIN ~
~ CALL FOR MEMORIES ABOUTTHE SKUNK TRAIN ~
March 8, 2020
~ MMGM DREAM HORSE SERIES BLOG BLITZ ~
~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADEMONDAY BLOG BLITZ FORA HORSE ADVENTURE SERIES ~
-- 'DREAM HORSE ADVENTURE SERIES' --
AUTHOR SUSAN COUNT~Post Includes: Book Spotlights, AuthorBio, Excerpts & Giveaway~
Welcome to the Blog Blitz and Giveaway for Dream Horse Adventures series by Susan Count, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOKS
Title:
Mary's Song
Series: Dream Horse Adventures #1
Author: Susan Count
Publisher: Hastings Creations
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Release Date: October 13, 2016
A young artist falls in love with a foal that is lame, just like her. The expensive surgery the foal needs has little chance to correct the problem. Still Mary plots and conspires to raise money to save the horse, even as time runs out.
She sacrifices what she holds dear - the trust of her papa, to gain her heart's desire. But she could lose everything in her struggle to save the foal.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository
Title:
Selah's Sweet Dream
Series: Dream Horse Adventures #2
Author: Susan Count
Publisher: Hastings Creations
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Release Date: December 15, 2015
Twelve-year-old Selah’s quest to be equestrian superstar is impossible without a horse. Then she spots buzzards circling in the grasslands behind Grandpa’s farm. They’re stalking a horse trapped in wire and Selah is its only hope. But the mare she rescues might be a bigger challenge to her dream than not having a horse at all.
An old friend of Grandpa’s and a world renowned horse trainer offers to work with the wild and defiant mare. Selah jumps at the opportunity. She trains with a fierce determination to equal the equestrian talent of the deceased grandmother who instilled the love of horse in her. But when the horse causes mayhem at the trainer’s facility, he sends them home. Selah must gather her courage and face up to the trainer or watch her dreams gallop away.
EXCERPT:
Clouds slipped over the moon as if a child was playing with the lights of the world. One second it was dark like coal tar, and then almost bright enough to read a book. The clouds held no promise of rain, only beauty and entertainment. The whistle of the northbound train traveled crisply through the woods.
Selah sat curled up in a folding camp chair, just outside the stall but near the hay bucket. Her eyes were the only thing moving as she sucked in every detail, every movement, and every twitch of the black mare. Skunk slept soundly at the foot of the chair.
The mare stayed an easy, comfortable distance away from Selah all evening. Still, the horse’s eyes, and at least one ear, remained riveted on her new little friend with cream-colored hair.
“She is watching me, thinking carrots could appear at any time.”
Grandpa stared at Selah from the house and sighed. Stepping out on the porch, he tried to draw her into the house without putting his foot down too hard. “Selah, it’s time for bed. Come on in now.”
“Okay, Grandpa. I’m coming,” Selah answered without moving. “Just a few more minutes with my dream.”
From deep inside Selah, a yawn started and engulfed her whole being. With a Texas-sized exhale, she slipped from her chair onto the barn floor, where she nestled next to Skunk. Selah gathered under her head some of the hay that had filtered down from the net. The sleeping dog dreamed in the soft sand beside her. In spite of Selah’s great effort, she was losing the battle to stay awake. “What should I name you? Hum... You feel like a song in my heart,” she whispered as her eyes curtained.
Grandpa brought a small blanket out of the house for his sleepy girl. Selah kept her eyes closed and pretended not to hear him coming. Skunk raised her head as he approached. He rubbed under her chin, and then draped the blanket over a curled-up Selah. Selah’s cat, Pearl, drifted soundlessly toward the pile of sleepers in the sand to take her rightful place next to Selah. “Sweet dreams for now, girls. I’m afraid you’re in for broken hearts tomorrow.”
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository
Title:
Selah's Painted Dream
Series: Dream Horse Adventures #3
Author: Susan Count
Publisher: Hastings Creations
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Release Date: May 7, 2018
Unless thirteen-year-old Selah can convince Grandpa she should live at the farm, her life is ruined. She'll be forced to move hours from her horse and abandon her equestrian dreams.
Determined to stay, Selah must distract Grandpa from his new sweetheart. She searches for a painted dream horse from Grandpa's past. But, Selah finds his old equine partner neglected and near death.
Then Grandpa reveals his life changing decision that tramples Selah's plans. Will the one thing that stood in Selah's way become her saving grace?
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository
Title:
Selah's Stolen Dream
Series: Dream Horse Adventures #4
Author: Susan Count
Publisher: Hastings Creations
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Release Date: March 1, 2020
One girl’s victory is another’s tragic defeat.
Thirteen-year-old Selah’s perfect life unravels when her beloved horse is stolen. Then ten-year-old Emma buys the dream of a lifetime at a horse auction. When she learns the horse was stolen, even removing her hearing aid won’t drown out the voice telling her to make it right.
But two girls can’t divide the horse they both adore. So will life surprise them with an answered prayer?
EXCERPT: “Chocolate is like joy that melts in your mouth.” Emma unwrapped a chocolate bar and waved it under her nose. “I can’t think of anything as good as chocolate except having your own horse.”
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Susan Count is a life-long equestrian and owned by a Rocky Mountain Horse that is kind hearted enough to take her on long forested trail rides. She adores grandchildren, horses, and bunnies.
Instilled with the need to create, she loves building projects and writing adventure stories. She writes at an antique secretary desk that occupies a glass room with a forest view. Fittingly, it once belonged to the grandmother who introduced her to the love of reading via Walter Farley's horse books. That desk has secret compartments which hold memories, mysteries, and story ideas.
Susan has published four books in an equestrian series. As a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Texas Association of Authors, she takes studying the craft of writing seriously. Revision is her super-power.
She says the only thing more fun than riding might be writing horse adventure stories and she invites you to saddle up and ride along. You can learn more about Susan's work by visiting her website!
CONNECT WITH SUSAN: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a copy of Selah's Secret Dream, Selah's Painted Dream, and Selah's Stolen Dream plus a $25 Amazon gift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight March 5, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on March 12, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Continental US mailing addresses only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
**************
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.
# # # # #
Welcome to the Blog Blitz and Giveaway for Dream Horse Adventures series by Susan Count, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOKS
Title:
Mary's Song
Series: Dream Horse Adventures #1
Author: Susan Count
Publisher: Hastings Creations
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Release Date: October 13, 2016
A young artist falls in love with a foal that is lame, just like her. The expensive surgery the foal needs has little chance to correct the problem. Still Mary plots and conspires to raise money to save the horse, even as time runs out.
She sacrifices what she holds dear - the trust of her papa, to gain her heart's desire. But she could lose everything in her struggle to save the foal.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository
Title:
Selah's Sweet Dream
Series: Dream Horse Adventures #2
Author: Susan Count
Publisher: Hastings Creations
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Release Date: December 15, 2015
Twelve-year-old Selah’s quest to be equestrian superstar is impossible without a horse. Then she spots buzzards circling in the grasslands behind Grandpa’s farm. They’re stalking a horse trapped in wire and Selah is its only hope. But the mare she rescues might be a bigger challenge to her dream than not having a horse at all.
An old friend of Grandpa’s and a world renowned horse trainer offers to work with the wild and defiant mare. Selah jumps at the opportunity. She trains with a fierce determination to equal the equestrian talent of the deceased grandmother who instilled the love of horse in her. But when the horse causes mayhem at the trainer’s facility, he sends them home. Selah must gather her courage and face up to the trainer or watch her dreams gallop away.
EXCERPT:
Clouds slipped over the moon as if a child was playing with the lights of the world. One second it was dark like coal tar, and then almost bright enough to read a book. The clouds held no promise of rain, only beauty and entertainment. The whistle of the northbound train traveled crisply through the woods.
Selah sat curled up in a folding camp chair, just outside the stall but near the hay bucket. Her eyes were the only thing moving as she sucked in every detail, every movement, and every twitch of the black mare. Skunk slept soundly at the foot of the chair.
The mare stayed an easy, comfortable distance away from Selah all evening. Still, the horse’s eyes, and at least one ear, remained riveted on her new little friend with cream-colored hair.
“She is watching me, thinking carrots could appear at any time.”
Grandpa stared at Selah from the house and sighed. Stepping out on the porch, he tried to draw her into the house without putting his foot down too hard. “Selah, it’s time for bed. Come on in now.”
“Okay, Grandpa. I’m coming,” Selah answered without moving. “Just a few more minutes with my dream.”
From deep inside Selah, a yawn started and engulfed her whole being. With a Texas-sized exhale, she slipped from her chair onto the barn floor, where she nestled next to Skunk. Selah gathered under her head some of the hay that had filtered down from the net. The sleeping dog dreamed in the soft sand beside her. In spite of Selah’s great effort, she was losing the battle to stay awake. “What should I name you? Hum... You feel like a song in my heart,” she whispered as her eyes curtained.
Grandpa brought a small blanket out of the house for his sleepy girl. Selah kept her eyes closed and pretended not to hear him coming. Skunk raised her head as he approached. He rubbed under her chin, and then draped the blanket over a curled-up Selah. Selah’s cat, Pearl, drifted soundlessly toward the pile of sleepers in the sand to take her rightful place next to Selah. “Sweet dreams for now, girls. I’m afraid you’re in for broken hearts tomorrow.”
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository
Title:
Selah's Painted Dream
Series: Dream Horse Adventures #3
Author: Susan Count
Publisher: Hastings Creations
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Release Date: May 7, 2018
Unless thirteen-year-old Selah can convince Grandpa she should live at the farm, her life is ruined. She'll be forced to move hours from her horse and abandon her equestrian dreams.
Determined to stay, Selah must distract Grandpa from his new sweetheart. She searches for a painted dream horse from Grandpa's past. But, Selah finds his old equine partner neglected and near death.
Then Grandpa reveals his life changing decision that tramples Selah's plans. Will the one thing that stood in Selah's way become her saving grace?
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository
Title:
Selah's Stolen Dream
Series: Dream Horse Adventures #4
Author: Susan Count
Publisher: Hastings Creations
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Release Date: March 1, 2020
One girl’s victory is another’s tragic defeat.
Thirteen-year-old Selah’s perfect life unravels when her beloved horse is stolen. Then ten-year-old Emma buys the dream of a lifetime at a horse auction. When she learns the horse was stolen, even removing her hearing aid won’t drown out the voice telling her to make it right.
But two girls can’t divide the horse they both adore. So will life surprise them with an answered prayer?
EXCERPT: “Chocolate is like joy that melts in your mouth.” Emma unwrapped a chocolate bar and waved it under her nose. “I can’t think of anything as good as chocolate except having your own horse.”
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Susan Count is a life-long equestrian and owned by a Rocky Mountain Horse that is kind hearted enough to take her on long forested trail rides. She adores grandchildren, horses, and bunnies.
Instilled with the need to create, she loves building projects and writing adventure stories. She writes at an antique secretary desk that occupies a glass room with a forest view. Fittingly, it once belonged to the grandmother who introduced her to the love of reading via Walter Farley's horse books. That desk has secret compartments which hold memories, mysteries, and story ideas.
Susan has published four books in an equestrian series. As a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Texas Association of Authors, she takes studying the craft of writing seriously. Revision is her super-power.
She says the only thing more fun than riding might be writing horse adventure stories and she invites you to saddle up and ride along. You can learn more about Susan's work by visiting her website!
CONNECT WITH SUSAN: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a copy of Selah's Secret Dream, Selah's Painted Dream, and Selah's Stolen Dream plus a $25 Amazon gift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight March 5, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on March 12, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Continental US mailing addresses only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
**************
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.
# # # # #
March 6, 2020
March 1, 2020
~ MMGM HOW TO RAISE A READER ~
~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADEMONDAY LITERACY FEATURE ~
-- 'HOW TO RAISE A READER' --
AUTHORS PAMELA PAUL & MARIA RUSSO
LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS
ABOUT THE BOOK {from Goodreads}:
An indispensable guide to welcoming children—from babies to teens—to a lifelong love of reading, written by Pamela Paul and Maria Russo, editors of The New York Times Book Review.
Do you remember your first visit to where the wild things are? How about curling up for hours on end to discover the secret of the Sorcerer’s Stone? Combining clear, practical advice with inspiration, wisdom, tips, and curated reading lists, How to Raise a Reader shows you how to instill the joy and time-stopping pleasure of reading.
Divided into four sections, from baby through teen, and each illustrated by a different artist, this book offers something useful on every page, whether it’s how to develop rituals around reading or build a family library, or ways to engage a reluctant reader. A fifth section, 'More Books to Love: By Theme and Reading Level,' is chockful of expert recommendations. Throughout, the authors debunk common myths, assuage parental fears, and deliver invaluable lessons in a positive and easy-to-act-on way.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR, PAMELA PAUL {from Goodreads}: Pamela Paul is the editor of The New York Times Book Review and oversees books coverage at The Times. She also hosts the weekly Book Review podcast. She is the author of five books, My Life with Bob: Flawed Heroine Keeps Book of Books, Plot Ensues, By the Book, Parenting, Inc., Pornified, and The Starter Marriage and the Future of Matrimony. Prior to joining the Times, Paul was a contributor to Time magazine and The Economist, and her work has appeared in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and Vogue. Her next book, How to Raise a Reader, co-authored with Maria Russo, comes out in September, 2019. She and her family live in New York.
MY THOUGHTS:
When I was enrolled in the teaching credential program at the university, I took a theory class in Language Arts. One of our supplemental reading materials was Author Jim Trelease's, 'The Read-Aloud Handbook', which was originally published in 1982.
LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS
Mr. Trelease's book became a valuable resource for me as I navigated my way through student teaching and onto my first few years as a first grade teacher.
'How to Raise a Reader' is an extension of what I believe Mr. Trelease was attempting to share with parents, educators, and librarians. This book, originally published in 2019, is updated to include current literature, current trends, and the changes in parenting styles from the 1980s until now.
'How to Raise a Reader' opens with engaging 'Introductions' from both of the authors relating to their own background as readers and including their own children's reading experiences and preferences.
As mentioned in the Goodreads description above, this book is divided into four different age groups. I read the entire book, but for the purposes of this Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday post I will focus on Part Three -- Your Middle-Grade Reader.
The chapter is entitled, 'The Leap to Middle Grade'. It begins with a brief explanation of the publishing industry's origination of the label middle grade to distinguish books focused on this age, eight to twelve years, from picture books and young adult novels.
The authors then move on to list of facts named, 'Here's What You Need to Know'. This segues into 'What to Look For: Middle Grade' and then on to 'Be Wary Of' about a child's red-alert buttons and age/maturity appropriateness which I felt was presented in a straight-forward and helpful manner. The authors present lists of their favorite middle-grade picks for novels, series, their post-Harry-Potter-slump.
Next, they cover the same topics for middle-grade graphic novels, middle-grade audiobooks, and audiobooks for families. Throughout this entire section there were only a few books I have ever read, such as, 'Charlotte's Web', 'Danny the Champion of the World', 'The Oz Books', and the 'How to Train Your Dragon' series.
I flipped through the teen reader (YA) section and discovered one of my personal favorites, 'The Joy Luck Club', by Amy Tan. I've read my paperback copy so many times it's almost come unhinged! There were also several books which were required reading from way back when in my high school lit classes--1984, Slaughterhouse-Five, Catch-22, The Bell Jar, Go Tell It on the Mountain, and In Cold Blood.
Perhaps my favorite section is Part Five, 'More Books to Love'. Moving from picture books through YA the authors share lists of books that make us laugh, tearjerkers, heart warmers, family stories, great friendship stories, fear and bravery, kindness and empathy, self-acceptance and identity, great boy characters, great girl characters, history and biography, science and nature, and historical fiction.
I found many of my personal favorites included on the lists named in the preceeding paragraph. For example, Where the Red Fern Grows; Beyond the Bright Sea; Because of Winn-Dixie; The Secret Garden; Little Women; Raymie Nightingale; The Little Princess; Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret; Harriet the Spy; Julie of the Wolves; and The War That Saved My Life.
Highly-recommended for teachers, parents/grandparents, librarians, reading specialists, and anyone interested in learning more about great children's literature!
I borrowed a copy of this book from the 'new non-fiction arrivals' shelf at the local public library.
**************
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.
# # # # #
LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS ABOUT THE BOOK {from Goodreads}:
An indispensable guide to welcoming children—from babies to teens—to a lifelong love of reading, written by Pamela Paul and Maria Russo, editors of The New York Times Book Review.
Do you remember your first visit to where the wild things are? How about curling up for hours on end to discover the secret of the Sorcerer’s Stone? Combining clear, practical advice with inspiration, wisdom, tips, and curated reading lists, How to Raise a Reader shows you how to instill the joy and time-stopping pleasure of reading.
Divided into four sections, from baby through teen, and each illustrated by a different artist, this book offers something useful on every page, whether it’s how to develop rituals around reading or build a family library, or ways to engage a reluctant reader. A fifth section, 'More Books to Love: By Theme and Reading Level,' is chockful of expert recommendations. Throughout, the authors debunk common myths, assuage parental fears, and deliver invaluable lessons in a positive and easy-to-act-on way.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR, PAMELA PAUL {from Goodreads}: Pamela Paul is the editor of The New York Times Book Review and oversees books coverage at The Times. She also hosts the weekly Book Review podcast. She is the author of five books, My Life with Bob: Flawed Heroine Keeps Book of Books, Plot Ensues, By the Book, Parenting, Inc., Pornified, and The Starter Marriage and the Future of Matrimony. Prior to joining the Times, Paul was a contributor to Time magazine and The Economist, and her work has appeared in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and Vogue. Her next book, How to Raise a Reader, co-authored with Maria Russo, comes out in September, 2019. She and her family live in New York.
MY THOUGHTS:
When I was enrolled in the teaching credential program at the university, I took a theory class in Language Arts. One of our supplemental reading materials was Author Jim Trelease's, 'The Read-Aloud Handbook', which was originally published in 1982.
LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS
Mr. Trelease's book became a valuable resource for me as I navigated my way through student teaching and onto my first few years as a first grade teacher.
'How to Raise a Reader' is an extension of what I believe Mr. Trelease was attempting to share with parents, educators, and librarians. This book, originally published in 2019, is updated to include current literature, current trends, and the changes in parenting styles from the 1980s until now.
'How to Raise a Reader' opens with engaging 'Introductions' from both of the authors relating to their own background as readers and including their own children's reading experiences and preferences.
As mentioned in the Goodreads description above, this book is divided into four different age groups. I read the entire book, but for the purposes of this Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday post I will focus on Part Three -- Your Middle-Grade Reader.
The chapter is entitled, 'The Leap to Middle Grade'. It begins with a brief explanation of the publishing industry's origination of the label middle grade to distinguish books focused on this age, eight to twelve years, from picture books and young adult novels.
The authors then move on to list of facts named, 'Here's What You Need to Know'. This segues into 'What to Look For: Middle Grade' and then on to 'Be Wary Of' about a child's red-alert buttons and age/maturity appropriateness which I felt was presented in a straight-forward and helpful manner. The authors present lists of their favorite middle-grade picks for novels, series, their post-Harry-Potter-slump.
Next, they cover the same topics for middle-grade graphic novels, middle-grade audiobooks, and audiobooks for families. Throughout this entire section there were only a few books I have ever read, such as, 'Charlotte's Web', 'Danny the Champion of the World', 'The Oz Books', and the 'How to Train Your Dragon' series.
I flipped through the teen reader (YA) section and discovered one of my personal favorites, 'The Joy Luck Club', by Amy Tan. I've read my paperback copy so many times it's almost come unhinged! There were also several books which were required reading from way back when in my high school lit classes--1984, Slaughterhouse-Five, Catch-22, The Bell Jar, Go Tell It on the Mountain, and In Cold Blood.
Perhaps my favorite section is Part Five, 'More Books to Love'. Moving from picture books through YA the authors share lists of books that make us laugh, tearjerkers, heart warmers, family stories, great friendship stories, fear and bravery, kindness and empathy, self-acceptance and identity, great boy characters, great girl characters, history and biography, science and nature, and historical fiction.
I found many of my personal favorites included on the lists named in the preceeding paragraph. For example, Where the Red Fern Grows; Beyond the Bright Sea; Because of Winn-Dixie; The Secret Garden; Little Women; Raymie Nightingale; The Little Princess; Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret; Harriet the Spy; Julie of the Wolves; and The War That Saved My Life.
Highly-recommended for teachers, parents/grandparents, librarians, reading specialists, and anyone interested in learning more about great children's literature!
I borrowed a copy of this book from the 'new non-fiction arrivals' shelf at the local public library.
**************
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.
# # # # #
February 25, 2020
~ BLOG TOUR HOMETOWN HEALING ~
~ BLOG TOUR STOP ~
-- 'HOMETOWN HEALING' --
AUTHOR JENNIFER SLATTERLY
~Post Includes: Book Spotlight, Excerpt,
Author Bio, Unique Author Interview &
Giveaway~
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour & Giveaway for
Hometown Healing
by Jennifer Slattery, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title:
Hometown Healing
Author: Jennifer Slattery
Publisher: Love Inspired
Release Date: August 1, 2019
Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Romance
She’s home again, but not for long… Unless this cowboy recaptures her heart.
Returning home with a baby in tow, Paige Cordell’s determined her stay is only temporary. But to earn enough money to leave, she needs a job—and her only option is working at her first love’s dinner theater. With attraction once again unfurling between her and Jed Gilbertson, can the man who once broke her heart convince her to stay for good?
EXCERPT:
Paige followed to the archway that signaled the end of the kitchen, and then she stopped short. Jed was sitting on the ground, next to Ava, and had begun playing with her grungy stuffed cat, talking to it as if it were real. The image triggered memories of dreams—of her and Jed and their happily-ever-after—she’d long since let die.
She could not—would not—allow them to resurface.
Two heartbreaks in one lifetime were more than enough. Besides, by summer’s end, she’d be back in Chicago, with its museums, restaurants and shopping malls.
Upon seeing Paige, he stood and sort of hovered there, as if uncertain where to land. He eventually chose the edge of the couch where her mom hadn’t piled laundry.
Paige took his place on the floor, largely to distance herself from him.
She grabbed some board books from her backpack and handed one over. Ava started flipping through the pages, repeating random words from memory.
That entertained the adults for a bit, but soon the conversation, which had already felt stilted, stalled.
Jed shifted. He scratched at the back of his neck, looked at her and then at Mom, with his brow pinching in that way it always did when he was trying to come up with something to say but had reached a blank. But then he grabbed a cookie and shoved half of it into his mouth.
Paige was tempted to do the same, if only to distract herself from the much-too-handsome man sitting in her mother’s living room.
It was almost like old times.
But if her divorce had taught her anything, it was that she had no business dabbling in romance. The deeper one fell, the more it hurt when everything came undone. And based on the way her breath stalled every time his chocolate eyes latched on to hers, she was dangerously close to regressing back to her teenage years, when Jed’s crooked smile and laughing eyes had threatened to steal her reason. She’d responded to her ex-husband in much the same way and had allowed his sweet talk and promises of forever blind her to some major red flags.
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jennifer Slattery is a writer and speaker who’s addressed women’s groups, Bible studies, and writers across the nation. She’s the author of the soon to release Building a Family and numerous other titles and maintains a devotional blog at JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud.com. As the founder of Wholly Loved Ministries, she’s passionate about helping women discover, embrace, and live out who they are in Christ. Visit her online to learn more about her speaking or to book her for your next women’s event and sign up for her free quarterly newsletter HERE and make sure to connect with her on Facebook and Instagram.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW:
June: Welcome to 'Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic', Jennifer. I'm delighted to have you as my special guest for this blog tour stop. Congratulations on your newest Love Inspired release, 'Hometown Healing'!
Jennifer: Thank you so much for letting me visit with you and your readers!
June: Please tell us how you created and developed the characters for this novel. Are any of the characters or their personality traits or physical descriptions based on people you've come across in your own life? If yes, what prompted you to include them in 'Hometown Healing'?
Jennifer: My daughter often teases me about how often my husband finds his way into my stories. Though my heroes have unique personalities, they’ve all followed some of the more romantic examples set by my husband. He used to be my cowboy, coming to see me in his cowboy hat and boots. He wears a ballcap more often than not now, but he still sweeps me off my feet and helps me remember what a true hero acts like—how a true hero treats a lady.
I’ve encountered a few Paiges as well—women who want to live their dream, try to plot and plan their way to achieving it, but learn sometimes their greatest steps come when they relinquish their grip and grab hold of unexpected opportunities.
June: Who is your favorite character in this story? Why is this person your favorite? Without spoiling the story, is there anyone in the story whom you do not like? Why not?
Jennifer: Definitely Mrs. Tappen, my hero's grandmother! She is the sweetest thing, always ready to open her home, and she's always got fresh baked treats. She loves to bake and shows her love through yeasty, sugary concoctions. During her teen years, Paige spent many afternoons sitting at Mr. Tappen's breakfast counter, a steamy cinnamon roll in front of her. Oh, the conversations they had, and during a time when Paige desperately needed someone to listen. Everyone needs a Mrs. Tappen in their life!
June: When you write a book, do you outline the entire story, or do you have a different way of organizing your plot, characters, etc.? Do you always know the ending of your story before you begin putting things down on paper, or into your computer? Do you have any particular organizational tips that you'd like to pass along to other authors and aspiring authors?
Jennifer: I have to laugh at myself here. I begin plotting and will plot every scene from beginning to end. But then I get to writing and forget about all that hard work entirely. Then, I get about a quarter of the story in, realize I have no idea where I’m heading, and take a day to plot and plan again. But then my muse takes over, and after another 25,000 or so words, I once again realize I’ve veered so off track, I’m writing an entirely different story. I’m certain there’s a more efficient way to go about things, but I doubt my muse would listen.
June: I noticed on your website that you have written novels in the romance and women's fiction genres. I also noticed, with interest, that you have published a non-fiction work, 'Becoming His Princess: A Seven-Week Bible Study Based on the Life of Sarah {Genesis 12-22}'. Do you plan on writing more Bible Study materials? Have you ever considered writing in any other genres in fiction such as middle-grade, picture books, mystery, historical, or a fictional genre other than inspirational romance? How about poetry? If yes, what projects would you like to work on in the future?
Jennifer: My ministry team and I are actually working on a Bible study now: Unbreakable, Unshakable Joy. I’ve also enjoyed writing devotions and Bible reading plans. Going forward, I anticipate working on fiction and various nonfiction projects, but I don’t see myself venturing into other fictional genres.
June: What writing project(s) are you currently working on? Does 'Hometown Healing' kick off a series or is it a standalone?
Jennifer: Thanks for asking! I recently finished what I hope to be my fourth Love Inspired novel (My third will release in June.) I’m doing a final read through now and hope to get it to my agent by mid-March. Hometown Healing isn’t part of a series but I have set all my Love Inspired books in the same town, so readers will encounter the characters they’ve grown attached to in other stories.
June: Are there any hobbies or interests you would like to pursue in the future? Where would you like to travel if and when your busy schedule allows?
Jennifer: I really should pursue more hobbies, but I find, when I have spare time, I tend to find a book—either one I’m working on or one I can read. For traveling, I love going anywhere with my man. In fact, I’m answering these questions while in the car heading to Oklahoma City. Though I’m going for a speaking engagement, we have some fun things planned. We’ve gotten to where we plan our trips around my speaking engagements. It’s a great way to see new places, meet new people, and combine our love for travel with my love for words.
There are two trips I would really like to make, however. One, I want to go to South Korea, where my baby brother and sis-in-law live, with my husband, daughter, and her soon-to-be husband. Her fiancé hasn’t had an opportunity to meet my brother, and I want to make sure that happens. I also want to take a trip with my daughter, just the two of us. I don’t really care where we go so long as we experience it together. But knowing her, we’ll likely end up in Europe somewhere.
June: Thank you for sharing your time with us today, Jennifer. I appreciate your chatting with us about your writing journey. Best wishes for your continued success in your writing endeavors.
* * * * *
CONNECT WITH JENNIFER: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
TOUR GIVEAWAY(1) winner will receive a signed four print book bundle including Restoring Her Faith (Love Inspired), Hometown Healing (Love Inspired), Breaking Free (New Hope), and Restoring Love (New Hope)!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight February 22, 2020, and last through 11:59 PM EST on February 29, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and will be given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Continental US mailing addresses only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
# # # # #
-- 'HOMETOWN HEALING' --
AUTHOR JENNIFER SLATTERLY
~Post Includes: Book Spotlight, Excerpt,
Author Bio, Unique Author Interview &
Giveaway~
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour & Giveaway for
Hometown Healing
by Jennifer Slattery, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!ABOUT THE BOOK
Title:
Hometown Healing
Author: Jennifer Slattery
Publisher: Love Inspired
Release Date: August 1, 2019
Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Romance
She’s home again, but not for long… Unless this cowboy recaptures her heart.
Returning home with a baby in tow, Paige Cordell’s determined her stay is only temporary. But to earn enough money to leave, she needs a job—and her only option is working at her first love’s dinner theater. With attraction once again unfurling between her and Jed Gilbertson, can the man who once broke her heart convince her to stay for good?
EXCERPT:
Paige followed to the archway that signaled the end of the kitchen, and then she stopped short. Jed was sitting on the ground, next to Ava, and had begun playing with her grungy stuffed cat, talking to it as if it were real. The image triggered memories of dreams—of her and Jed and their happily-ever-after—she’d long since let die.
She could not—would not—allow them to resurface.
Two heartbreaks in one lifetime were more than enough. Besides, by summer’s end, she’d be back in Chicago, with its museums, restaurants and shopping malls.
Upon seeing Paige, he stood and sort of hovered there, as if uncertain where to land. He eventually chose the edge of the couch where her mom hadn’t piled laundry.
Paige took his place on the floor, largely to distance herself from him.
She grabbed some board books from her backpack and handed one over. Ava started flipping through the pages, repeating random words from memory.
That entertained the adults for a bit, but soon the conversation, which had already felt stilted, stalled.
Jed shifted. He scratched at the back of his neck, looked at her and then at Mom, with his brow pinching in that way it always did when he was trying to come up with something to say but had reached a blank. But then he grabbed a cookie and shoved half of it into his mouth.
Paige was tempted to do the same, if only to distract herself from the much-too-handsome man sitting in her mother’s living room.
It was almost like old times.
But if her divorce had taught her anything, it was that she had no business dabbling in romance. The deeper one fell, the more it hurt when everything came undone. And based on the way her breath stalled every time his chocolate eyes latched on to hers, she was dangerously close to regressing back to her teenage years, when Jed’s crooked smile and laughing eyes had threatened to steal her reason. She’d responded to her ex-husband in much the same way and had allowed his sweet talk and promises of forever blind her to some major red flags.
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jennifer Slattery is a writer and speaker who’s addressed women’s groups, Bible studies, and writers across the nation. She’s the author of the soon to release Building a Family and numerous other titles and maintains a devotional blog at JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud.com. As the founder of Wholly Loved Ministries, she’s passionate about helping women discover, embrace, and live out who they are in Christ. Visit her online to learn more about her speaking or to book her for your next women’s event and sign up for her free quarterly newsletter HERE and make sure to connect with her on Facebook and Instagram.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW:
June: Welcome to 'Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic', Jennifer. I'm delighted to have you as my special guest for this blog tour stop. Congratulations on your newest Love Inspired release, 'Hometown Healing'!
Jennifer: Thank you so much for letting me visit with you and your readers!
June: Please tell us how you created and developed the characters for this novel. Are any of the characters or their personality traits or physical descriptions based on people you've come across in your own life? If yes, what prompted you to include them in 'Hometown Healing'?
Jennifer: My daughter often teases me about how often my husband finds his way into my stories. Though my heroes have unique personalities, they’ve all followed some of the more romantic examples set by my husband. He used to be my cowboy, coming to see me in his cowboy hat and boots. He wears a ballcap more often than not now, but he still sweeps me off my feet and helps me remember what a true hero acts like—how a true hero treats a lady.
I’ve encountered a few Paiges as well—women who want to live their dream, try to plot and plan their way to achieving it, but learn sometimes their greatest steps come when they relinquish their grip and grab hold of unexpected opportunities.
June: Who is your favorite character in this story? Why is this person your favorite? Without spoiling the story, is there anyone in the story whom you do not like? Why not?
Jennifer: Definitely Mrs. Tappen, my hero's grandmother! She is the sweetest thing, always ready to open her home, and she's always got fresh baked treats. She loves to bake and shows her love through yeasty, sugary concoctions. During her teen years, Paige spent many afternoons sitting at Mr. Tappen's breakfast counter, a steamy cinnamon roll in front of her. Oh, the conversations they had, and during a time when Paige desperately needed someone to listen. Everyone needs a Mrs. Tappen in their life!
June: When you write a book, do you outline the entire story, or do you have a different way of organizing your plot, characters, etc.? Do you always know the ending of your story before you begin putting things down on paper, or into your computer? Do you have any particular organizational tips that you'd like to pass along to other authors and aspiring authors?
Jennifer: I have to laugh at myself here. I begin plotting and will plot every scene from beginning to end. But then I get to writing and forget about all that hard work entirely. Then, I get about a quarter of the story in, realize I have no idea where I’m heading, and take a day to plot and plan again. But then my muse takes over, and after another 25,000 or so words, I once again realize I’ve veered so off track, I’m writing an entirely different story. I’m certain there’s a more efficient way to go about things, but I doubt my muse would listen.
June: I noticed on your website that you have written novels in the romance and women's fiction genres. I also noticed, with interest, that you have published a non-fiction work, 'Becoming His Princess: A Seven-Week Bible Study Based on the Life of Sarah {Genesis 12-22}'. Do you plan on writing more Bible Study materials? Have you ever considered writing in any other genres in fiction such as middle-grade, picture books, mystery, historical, or a fictional genre other than inspirational romance? How about poetry? If yes, what projects would you like to work on in the future?
Jennifer: My ministry team and I are actually working on a Bible study now: Unbreakable, Unshakable Joy. I’ve also enjoyed writing devotions and Bible reading plans. Going forward, I anticipate working on fiction and various nonfiction projects, but I don’t see myself venturing into other fictional genres.
June: What writing project(s) are you currently working on? Does 'Hometown Healing' kick off a series or is it a standalone?
Jennifer: Thanks for asking! I recently finished what I hope to be my fourth Love Inspired novel (My third will release in June.) I’m doing a final read through now and hope to get it to my agent by mid-March. Hometown Healing isn’t part of a series but I have set all my Love Inspired books in the same town, so readers will encounter the characters they’ve grown attached to in other stories.
June: Are there any hobbies or interests you would like to pursue in the future? Where would you like to travel if and when your busy schedule allows?
Jennifer: I really should pursue more hobbies, but I find, when I have spare time, I tend to find a book—either one I’m working on or one I can read. For traveling, I love going anywhere with my man. In fact, I’m answering these questions while in the car heading to Oklahoma City. Though I’m going for a speaking engagement, we have some fun things planned. We’ve gotten to where we plan our trips around my speaking engagements. It’s a great way to see new places, meet new people, and combine our love for travel with my love for words.
There are two trips I would really like to make, however. One, I want to go to South Korea, where my baby brother and sis-in-law live, with my husband, daughter, and her soon-to-be husband. Her fiancé hasn’t had an opportunity to meet my brother, and I want to make sure that happens. I also want to take a trip with my daughter, just the two of us. I don’t really care where we go so long as we experience it together. But knowing her, we’ll likely end up in Europe somewhere.
June: Thank you for sharing your time with us today, Jennifer. I appreciate your chatting with us about your writing journey. Best wishes for your continued success in your writing endeavors.
* * * * *
CONNECT WITH JENNIFER: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
TOUR GIVEAWAY(1) winner will receive a signed four print book bundle including Restoring Her Faith (Love Inspired), Hometown Healing (Love Inspired), Breaking Free (New Hope), and Restoring Love (New Hope)!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight February 22, 2020, and last through 11:59 PM EST on February 29, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and will be given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Continental US mailing addresses only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.# # # # #
February 23, 2020
~ MMGM CLASSIC FICTION FEATURE LASSIE COME HOME ~
~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADEMONDAY CLASSIC FICTIONFEATURE ~
-- 'LASSIE COME-HOME' --
ADAPTED BY: AUTHOR ROSEMARY WELLSORIGINAL SHORT STORY BY:AUTHOR ERIC KNIGHTILLUSTRATED BY: SUSAN JEFFERS
LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Lassie is Joe's prize collie and constant companion. But when Joe's father loses his job, Lassie must be sold. Three times she escapes from her new owner, and three times she returns home to Joe, until finally she is taken to the remotest part of Scotland—too far a journey for any dog to make alone.
But Lassie is not just any dog.
First published in 1940, Lassie Come-Home has become one of the best-loved dog stories in the world.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR OF THIS ADAPTATION, ROSEMARY WELLS {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.
Wells grew up in Red Bank, New Jersey. She is the daughter of Helen Bamberger.
ABOUT THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR, ERIC KNIGHT {from Goodreads}:An author who is mainly notable for creating the fictional collie Lassie.
He was a native of Yorkshire in England, and had a varied career, including service in the Canadian Army during World War I and spells as an art student, newspaper reporter and Hollywood screenwriter.
His first novel was Song on Your Bugles (1936) about the working class in Northern England. As "Richard Hallas," he wrote the hardboiled genre novel You Play The Black and The Red Comes Up (1938). Knight's This Above All is considered one of the significant novels of The Second World War.
Knight and his wife Jere Knight raised collies on their farm in Pleasant Valley, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. His novel Lassie Come-Home (ISBN 0030441013) appeared in 1940. It was adapted into a movie in 1943 and has been reprinted several times since then.
In 1943, at which time he was a major in the United States Army - Special Services, Knight was killed in an air crash in Dutch Guiana (now Surinam).
BONUS CONTENT:
-- MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR FROM ROSEMARY WELLS'S WEBSITE, INCLUDING A VIDEO OF WELLS WORKING IN HER STUDIO MAY BE FOUND AT: https://www.rosemarywells.com/about
-- TO VIEW SOME FULL-SIZED ILLUSTRATIONS FROM THE BOOK, CHECK OUT THE BOOK'S PAGE ON THE PUBLISHER'S WEBSITE AT: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780805059953
MY THOUGHTS:I was inspired to read, or should I say 'reread', this story by an elderly collie. Let me explain. We were walking on a bayshore trail recently when a gentleman returning to the trailhead approached us. He was holding his dog's leash in his hand. I said, "Good morning."
He smiled at us and said, "Gentle old collie coming through!" Following along behind the man, at a slow pace, was a beautiful collie. The dog stopped briefly at my side and looked up at me. I smiled and softly greeted the collie with "Hello."
We all continued on our way, and I said to my walking partner, "That dog reminds me of Lassie. I used to love those stories and the TV show when I was a kid." Right then I decided to look for a Lassie book at the local public library.
This book was the only Lassie book I could find on the shelf at our branch. When I saw it was an adaptation of Eric Knight's original short story from 1938 written by one of my favorite children's authors, Rosemary Wells, I knew I wanted to read it and share it here for Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday.
The story is touching, heartwrenching, and engaging all at the same time. Susan Jeffers's delightful illustrations add even more emotional depth to the story because they depict the bond between Joe, the young protagonist, and Lassie, his family's champion dog.
Without telling Joe, his father sold Lassie to a Duke who had a kennel full of champion dogs. Joe's father had lost his job in the coal mine, and the family was in dire need of the money gained from the sale of their dog. The Duke lived three miles away from Joe's family's home.
Lassie escaped from the kennel and ran back home to Joe. The Duke's hired hand came to retrieve Lassie and took her back to the Duke's kennel. The next day, Lassie escaped again and was waiting for Joe at his school, as she was on every other school day. Joe and his father took the dog back again.
The dog escaped one more time and was reluctantly returned to the Duke. This time the Duke moved Lassie up to the mountains of Scotland, the Highlands, eight hundred miles away! The journey was a two and a half day train ride from Joe's home in Greenall Bridge in England.
The Duke's granddaughter, Priscilla, was instrumental in helping Lassie escape from bondage on the grounds of her grandfather's castle. This part of the story was pretty amazing and exciting.
The rest of the story relates Lassie's long, arduous journey through Scotland and England. She was heading home. Kind humans helped Lassie along the way by feeding her. A woman demanded the dog catchers free Lassie from a dog catcher's net. With a promise to return in one hour to take the dog to the her home, Lassie was taken to the pound temporarily.
Desperate to escape from the pound, Lassie jumped out a window twenty-feet above the cobblestone street below. She was badly injured. An elderly couple found Lassie, collapsed, on their property and nursed her back to health. They named her Bonnie.
Meanwhile, back in Greenall Bridge, Joe was adjusting to not having Lassie around. By now it had been nearly a year since Lassie had been taken to the Highlands. Lassie was fewer than one hundred miles from home, but her trials and tribulations were not over yet. There was a fight with a farm dog in which Lassie was badly injured. There was a lack of food and bad weather. She was weak and sick.
One day Lassie was lying in the schoolyard when Joe's class was dismissed. She was too weak to walk any further, so Joe carried her home. The family nursed their beloved pet back to health, but that is not the end of the story . . . You'll have to read the story for yourself to learn the entire story!
➤ What are some of your 'classic' favorite reads from your childhood? Please share in a comment on this blog post.
Highly recommended for fans of animal/dog stories, historical fiction, fiction set in the United Kingdom, and family sagas.
I borrowed a copy of this book from the local public library.
**************
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.
# # # # #
LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS ABOUT THE BOOK:
Lassie is Joe's prize collie and constant companion. But when Joe's father loses his job, Lassie must be sold. Three times she escapes from her new owner, and three times she returns home to Joe, until finally she is taken to the remotest part of Scotland—too far a journey for any dog to make alone.
But Lassie is not just any dog.
First published in 1940, Lassie Come-Home has become one of the best-loved dog stories in the world.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR OF THIS ADAPTATION, ROSEMARY WELLS {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.
Wells grew up in Red Bank, New Jersey. She is the daughter of Helen Bamberger.
ABOUT THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR, ERIC KNIGHT {from Goodreads}:An author who is mainly notable for creating the fictional collie Lassie.
He was a native of Yorkshire in England, and had a varied career, including service in the Canadian Army during World War I and spells as an art student, newspaper reporter and Hollywood screenwriter.
His first novel was Song on Your Bugles (1936) about the working class in Northern England. As "Richard Hallas," he wrote the hardboiled genre novel You Play The Black and The Red Comes Up (1938). Knight's This Above All is considered one of the significant novels of The Second World War.
Knight and his wife Jere Knight raised collies on their farm in Pleasant Valley, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. His novel Lassie Come-Home (ISBN 0030441013) appeared in 1940. It was adapted into a movie in 1943 and has been reprinted several times since then.
In 1943, at which time he was a major in the United States Army - Special Services, Knight was killed in an air crash in Dutch Guiana (now Surinam).
BONUS CONTENT:
-- MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR FROM ROSEMARY WELLS'S WEBSITE, INCLUDING A VIDEO OF WELLS WORKING IN HER STUDIO MAY BE FOUND AT: https://www.rosemarywells.com/about
-- TO VIEW SOME FULL-SIZED ILLUSTRATIONS FROM THE BOOK, CHECK OUT THE BOOK'S PAGE ON THE PUBLISHER'S WEBSITE AT: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780805059953
MY THOUGHTS:I was inspired to read, or should I say 'reread', this story by an elderly collie. Let me explain. We were walking on a bayshore trail recently when a gentleman returning to the trailhead approached us. He was holding his dog's leash in his hand. I said, "Good morning."
He smiled at us and said, "Gentle old collie coming through!" Following along behind the man, at a slow pace, was a beautiful collie. The dog stopped briefly at my side and looked up at me. I smiled and softly greeted the collie with "Hello."
We all continued on our way, and I said to my walking partner, "That dog reminds me of Lassie. I used to love those stories and the TV show when I was a kid." Right then I decided to look for a Lassie book at the local public library.
This book was the only Lassie book I could find on the shelf at our branch. When I saw it was an adaptation of Eric Knight's original short story from 1938 written by one of my favorite children's authors, Rosemary Wells, I knew I wanted to read it and share it here for Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday.
The story is touching, heartwrenching, and engaging all at the same time. Susan Jeffers's delightful illustrations add even more emotional depth to the story because they depict the bond between Joe, the young protagonist, and Lassie, his family's champion dog.
Without telling Joe, his father sold Lassie to a Duke who had a kennel full of champion dogs. Joe's father had lost his job in the coal mine, and the family was in dire need of the money gained from the sale of their dog. The Duke lived three miles away from Joe's family's home.
Lassie escaped from the kennel and ran back home to Joe. The Duke's hired hand came to retrieve Lassie and took her back to the Duke's kennel. The next day, Lassie escaped again and was waiting for Joe at his school, as she was on every other school day. Joe and his father took the dog back again.
The dog escaped one more time and was reluctantly returned to the Duke. This time the Duke moved Lassie up to the mountains of Scotland, the Highlands, eight hundred miles away! The journey was a two and a half day train ride from Joe's home in Greenall Bridge in England.
The Duke's granddaughter, Priscilla, was instrumental in helping Lassie escape from bondage on the grounds of her grandfather's castle. This part of the story was pretty amazing and exciting.
The rest of the story relates Lassie's long, arduous journey through Scotland and England. She was heading home. Kind humans helped Lassie along the way by feeding her. A woman demanded the dog catchers free Lassie from a dog catcher's net. With a promise to return in one hour to take the dog to the her home, Lassie was taken to the pound temporarily.
Desperate to escape from the pound, Lassie jumped out a window twenty-feet above the cobblestone street below. She was badly injured. An elderly couple found Lassie, collapsed, on their property and nursed her back to health. They named her Bonnie.
Meanwhile, back in Greenall Bridge, Joe was adjusting to not having Lassie around. By now it had been nearly a year since Lassie had been taken to the Highlands. Lassie was fewer than one hundred miles from home, but her trials and tribulations were not over yet. There was a fight with a farm dog in which Lassie was badly injured. There was a lack of food and bad weather. She was weak and sick.
One day Lassie was lying in the schoolyard when Joe's class was dismissed. She was too weak to walk any further, so Joe carried her home. The family nursed their beloved pet back to health, but that is not the end of the story . . . You'll have to read the story for yourself to learn the entire story!
➤ What are some of your 'classic' favorite reads from your childhood? Please share in a comment on this blog post.
Highly recommended for fans of animal/dog stories, historical fiction, fiction set in the United Kingdom, and family sagas.
I borrowed a copy of this book from the local public library.
**************
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.
# # # # #
February 20, 2020
~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE THE SHERIFF'S SECOND CHANCE ~
~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~BLOG TOUR STOP
-- 'THE SHERIFF'S SECOND CHANCE' --
AUTHOR TANYA AGLER~Post Includes: Book Spotlight, Excerpt,Author Bio, Unique Author Interview &Giveaway~ 
Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for The Sheriff's Second Chance by Tanya Agler, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!ABOUT THE BOOK
Title:
The Sheriff's Second Chance
Author: Tanya Agler
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming
Release Date: January 1, 2020
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Broken things can’t be fixed… Or can they?
Officer and single dad Mike Harrison doesn’t believe in second chances. Ever. That is, until he learns that his former best friend—gorgeous green-eyed car mechanic Georgie Bennett—is back in town. Unfortunately, she’s also a suspect in a recent break-in! But it’ll take an old classic car to show Mike and Georgie that almost anything can be restored with a little patience…and a whole lot of love.
EXCERPT:
The thieves knew what they were doing. Mike would give them that much. They’d make a mistake, though. When they did, he would solve the string of B&Es and get his dependable life back. The one that didn’t involve people asking him pesky questions about running for sheriff. The one he’d scrabbled together the day Caitlyn sashayed into his dorm room announcing his impending fatherhood and he’d had to grow up quick.
As soon as Georgie provided an inventory of what was missing, he’d write up the report. Back at the station, without her. With the adrenaline of seeing her again wearing off, he needed to step back. Whenever he ran on emotion rather than logic, he ended up in a heap of trouble.
Excerpt From: Tanya Agler. 'The Sheriff’s Second Chance'
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
An award-winning author, Tanya Agler moved often during her childhood and settled in Georgia where she writes sweet contemporary romance novels, which feature small towns, family and pets, and themes of second chances and hope.
Her debut, The Sheriff’s Second Chance, is a January of 2020 Harlequin Heartwarming release. A graduate of the University of Georgia with degrees in journalism and law, she lives with her wonderful husband, their four children, and a lovable Basset, who really rules the roost. Represented by Dawn Dowdle and the Blue Ridge Literary Agency, she’s currently at work on the sequels to her debut. When she’s not writing, Tanya loves classic movies, walking, and a good cup of tea.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW:
June: Welcome to 'Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic', Tanya. I'm delighted to have you as my special guest for this blog tour stop. Congratulations on your debut Harlequin release, 'The Sheriff's Second Chance'!
June: Please tell us how you created and developed the characters for this novel. Are any of the characters or their personality traits or physical descriptions based on people you've come across in your own life? If yes, what prompted you to include them in 'The Sheriff's Second Chance'?
Tanya: Books revolving around small towns and family have always been some of my favorites. My debut novel, The Sheriff’s Second Chance, came about from a couple of ideas that all came together at once. One of the main inspirations was a classic car show occurring at a park where my family stopped for a picnic (I love picnics!) on the June: Who is your favorite character in this story? Why is this person your favorite? Without spoiling the story, is there anyone in the story whom you do not like? Why not?
I love Georgie and Mike, but Rachel stole my heart when she came on the scene. She definitely has some of my favorite lines in the book, including a line early on when she asks Georgie if twenty-three dollars and fourteen cents will be enough money to hire Georgie to fix her father. I’ll also admit I’d adopt Beau from an animal shelter in a second.
Overall, I love all the characters, but Mr. Crabtree, a minor character who only appears once in the book, is probably my least favorite character. Second chances and hope are key themes throughout the book, and he’s a close-minded person who’s not willing to give Georgie a chance. He’s set in his ways and refuses to open his mind to new opportunities.
June: When you write a book, do you outline the entire story, or do you have a different way of organizing your plot, characters, etc.? Do you always know the ending of your story before you begin putting things down on paper, or into your computer? Do you have any particular organizational tips that you'd like to pass along to other authors and aspiring authors?
Tanya: Overall, I do spend quite a time outlining the story and trying to get to know the characters before I start writing the story. For The Sheriff’s Second Chance , I had a chapter outline at the beginning, but I also take time during the course of writing to make changes. For instance, the original ending is different, and I knew during the first draft that I had to change the resolution scene, but that’s all I’ll say so I don’t ruin the surprise! So, I did know the ending but there were details of the ending that changed along the way. I do write the book in chronological order so I’m more adaptable to surprises that pop up. For instance, Beau was not in the original plotting stages and he came to me during the first day of writing the actual book.
I’m a mom of four so organization is key for me. Personally, my calendar planner helps keep me somewhat on track. My advice to aspiring authors is to tell the people around you what you’re doing and get them on board. Having my family’s support is a big part of my being able to write on a consistent daily basis. For instance, right now, my older son is sitting across from me working on schoolwork while I’m typing my answers. One other piece of advice is to write a story you love. As one workshop presenter once said, if you’re excited about your characters and you think of them as friends, you’ll want to spend every day with them getting to know them better. In my current manuscript, I love the heroine and I can’t wait for her and the hero to overcome their internal conflicts to earn their happy ending. June: Have you ever considered writing non-fiction or writing in any other genres in fiction such as middle-grade, picture books, mystery, historical, or a fictional genre other than inspirational romance? How about poetry? If yes, what projects would you like to work on in the future?
Tanya: When my twins started preschool, I thought about writing a non-fiction book about being the mom of twins. There are a couple of books on surviving the first months, but not that many about what to do after that point. However, I’ve wanted to write fiction, and I love romance. Even my stuffed animals had weddings, and my childhood favorite ended up married with three little stuffed animal children, including twins. So, romance has always been dear to my heart, and I’ve always wanted to write romance.
I’d love to expand to romantic suspense someday but, for now, I love working on sweet contemporary romance blending laughs and tears. I love books that make me laugh and tug at my heartstrings, and I hope that I’m able to give readers that same emotional experience.
June: What writing project are you currently working on? Does 'The Sheriff's Second Chance' kick off a series or is it a standalone?
Tanya: Thanks for asking this! Yes, The Sheriff’s Second Chancekicks off a series. I just turned in Lucie’s book, which deals with redemption and hope, and I’m now working on Natalie’s book. Lucie and Natalie are Georgie’s friends, and Natalie is also Mike’s sister.
June: Are there any hobbies or interests you would like to pursue in the future? Where would you like to travel if and when your busy schedule allows?
Tanya: My husband and I are already planning a trip to Europe after our twins graduate high school. We have plenty of time to plan, however, as our twins are in fourth grade. Traveling is definitely on my agenda in the future. I’d love to visit Europe and Australia and New Zealand.
I’m also interested in canoeing and would love to introduce our two youngest to whitewater rafting in the upcoming years. I’d also like to see more national parks and hike to more waterfalls. I love seeing nature and, while I’m not a camper, I do love day hikes and would like to pursue more of those in the future.
June: Thank you for sharing some time with us today, Tanya. I appreciate your chatting with us about your writing journey and other interesting topics! Best wishes for your continued success in your writing endeavors. Tanya: Thank you so much for having me! * * * * *
CONNECT WITH TANYA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
TOUR GIVEAWAY(1) winner will receive a print copy of The Sheriff’s Second Chance, swag, and a bookmark!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight February 18, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on February 25, 2020. 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. Ebook prize available to Canada. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
# # # # #
Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for The Sheriff's Second Chance by Tanya Agler, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!ABOUT THE BOOK
Title:
The Sheriff's Second Chance
Author: Tanya Agler
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming
Release Date: January 1, 2020
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Broken things can’t be fixed… Or can they?
Officer and single dad Mike Harrison doesn’t believe in second chances. Ever. That is, until he learns that his former best friend—gorgeous green-eyed car mechanic Georgie Bennett—is back in town. Unfortunately, she’s also a suspect in a recent break-in! But it’ll take an old classic car to show Mike and Georgie that almost anything can be restored with a little patience…and a whole lot of love.
EXCERPT:
The thieves knew what they were doing. Mike would give them that much. They’d make a mistake, though. When they did, he would solve the string of B&Es and get his dependable life back. The one that didn’t involve people asking him pesky questions about running for sheriff. The one he’d scrabbled together the day Caitlyn sashayed into his dorm room announcing his impending fatherhood and he’d had to grow up quick.
As soon as Georgie provided an inventory of what was missing, he’d write up the report. Back at the station, without her. With the adrenaline of seeing her again wearing off, he needed to step back. Whenever he ran on emotion rather than logic, he ended up in a heap of trouble.
Excerpt From: Tanya Agler. 'The Sheriff’s Second Chance'
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
An award-winning author, Tanya Agler moved often during her childhood and settled in Georgia where she writes sweet contemporary romance novels, which feature small towns, family and pets, and themes of second chances and hope.
Her debut, The Sheriff’s Second Chance, is a January of 2020 Harlequin Heartwarming release. A graduate of the University of Georgia with degrees in journalism and law, she lives with her wonderful husband, their four children, and a lovable Basset, who really rules the roost. Represented by Dawn Dowdle and the Blue Ridge Literary Agency, she’s currently at work on the sequels to her debut. When she’s not writing, Tanya loves classic movies, walking, and a good cup of tea.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW:
June: Welcome to 'Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic', Tanya. I'm delighted to have you as my special guest for this blog tour stop. Congratulations on your debut Harlequin release, 'The Sheriff's Second Chance'!
June: Please tell us how you created and developed the characters for this novel. Are any of the characters or their personality traits or physical descriptions based on people you've come across in your own life? If yes, what prompted you to include them in 'The Sheriff's Second Chance'?
Tanya: Books revolving around small towns and family have always been some of my favorites. My debut novel, The Sheriff’s Second Chance, came about from a couple of ideas that all came together at once. One of the main inspirations was a classic car show occurring at a park where my family stopped for a picnic (I love picnics!) on the June: Who is your favorite character in this story? Why is this person your favorite? Without spoiling the story, is there anyone in the story whom you do not like? Why not?
I love Georgie and Mike, but Rachel stole my heart when she came on the scene. She definitely has some of my favorite lines in the book, including a line early on when she asks Georgie if twenty-three dollars and fourteen cents will be enough money to hire Georgie to fix her father. I’ll also admit I’d adopt Beau from an animal shelter in a second.
Overall, I love all the characters, but Mr. Crabtree, a minor character who only appears once in the book, is probably my least favorite character. Second chances and hope are key themes throughout the book, and he’s a close-minded person who’s not willing to give Georgie a chance. He’s set in his ways and refuses to open his mind to new opportunities.
June: When you write a book, do you outline the entire story, or do you have a different way of organizing your plot, characters, etc.? Do you always know the ending of your story before you begin putting things down on paper, or into your computer? Do you have any particular organizational tips that you'd like to pass along to other authors and aspiring authors?
Tanya: Overall, I do spend quite a time outlining the story and trying to get to know the characters before I start writing the story. For The Sheriff’s Second Chance , I had a chapter outline at the beginning, but I also take time during the course of writing to make changes. For instance, the original ending is different, and I knew during the first draft that I had to change the resolution scene, but that’s all I’ll say so I don’t ruin the surprise! So, I did know the ending but there were details of the ending that changed along the way. I do write the book in chronological order so I’m more adaptable to surprises that pop up. For instance, Beau was not in the original plotting stages and he came to me during the first day of writing the actual book.
I’m a mom of four so organization is key for me. Personally, my calendar planner helps keep me somewhat on track. My advice to aspiring authors is to tell the people around you what you’re doing and get them on board. Having my family’s support is a big part of my being able to write on a consistent daily basis. For instance, right now, my older son is sitting across from me working on schoolwork while I’m typing my answers. One other piece of advice is to write a story you love. As one workshop presenter once said, if you’re excited about your characters and you think of them as friends, you’ll want to spend every day with them getting to know them better. In my current manuscript, I love the heroine and I can’t wait for her and the hero to overcome their internal conflicts to earn their happy ending. June: Have you ever considered writing non-fiction or writing in any other genres in fiction such as middle-grade, picture books, mystery, historical, or a fictional genre other than inspirational romance? How about poetry? If yes, what projects would you like to work on in the future?
Tanya: When my twins started preschool, I thought about writing a non-fiction book about being the mom of twins. There are a couple of books on surviving the first months, but not that many about what to do after that point. However, I’ve wanted to write fiction, and I love romance. Even my stuffed animals had weddings, and my childhood favorite ended up married with three little stuffed animal children, including twins. So, romance has always been dear to my heart, and I’ve always wanted to write romance.
I’d love to expand to romantic suspense someday but, for now, I love working on sweet contemporary romance blending laughs and tears. I love books that make me laugh and tug at my heartstrings, and I hope that I’m able to give readers that same emotional experience.
June: What writing project are you currently working on? Does 'The Sheriff's Second Chance' kick off a series or is it a standalone?
Tanya: Thanks for asking this! Yes, The Sheriff’s Second Chancekicks off a series. I just turned in Lucie’s book, which deals with redemption and hope, and I’m now working on Natalie’s book. Lucie and Natalie are Georgie’s friends, and Natalie is also Mike’s sister.
June: Are there any hobbies or interests you would like to pursue in the future? Where would you like to travel if and when your busy schedule allows?
Tanya: My husband and I are already planning a trip to Europe after our twins graduate high school. We have plenty of time to plan, however, as our twins are in fourth grade. Traveling is definitely on my agenda in the future. I’d love to visit Europe and Australia and New Zealand.
I’m also interested in canoeing and would love to introduce our two youngest to whitewater rafting in the upcoming years. I’d also like to see more national parks and hike to more waterfalls. I love seeing nature and, while I’m not a camper, I do love day hikes and would like to pursue more of those in the future.
June: Thank you for sharing some time with us today, Tanya. I appreciate your chatting with us about your writing journey and other interesting topics! Best wishes for your continued success in your writing endeavors. Tanya: Thank you so much for having me! * * * * *
CONNECT WITH TANYA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
TOUR GIVEAWAY(1) winner will receive a print copy of The Sheriff’s Second Chance, swag, and a bookmark!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight February 18, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on February 25, 2020. 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. Ebook prize available to Canada. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.# # # # #
February 16, 2020
~ MMGM HISTORICAL FICTION FEATURE SOMEPLACE TO CALL HOME ~
~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADEMONDAY HISTORICAL FICTIONFEATURE ~
-- 'SOMEPLACE TO CALL HOME' --
AUTHOR SANDRA DALLAS
LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS
ABOUT THE BOOK {from Goodreads}:In 1933, what's left of the Turner family--twelve-year-old Hallie and her two brothers--finds itself driving the back roads of rural America. The children have been swept up into a new migratory way of life. America is facing two devastating crises: the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl.
Hundreds of thousands of people in cities across the country have lost jobs. In rural America it isn't any better as crops suffer from the never-ending drought. Driven by severe economic hardship, thousands of people take to the road to seek whatever work they can find, often splintering fragile families in the process.
As the Turner children move from town to town, searching for work and trying to cobble together the basic necessities of life, they are met with suspicion and hostility. They are viewed as outsiders in their own country. Will they ever find a place to call home?
New York Times-bestselling author Sandra Dallas gives middle-grade readers a timely story of young people searching for a home and a better way of life.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR {from Goodreads}:Award-winning author SANDRA DALLAS was dubbed “a quintessential American voice” by Jane Smiley, in Vogue Magazine. Sandra’s novels with their themes of loyalty, friendship, and human dignity have been translated into a dozen foreign languages and have been optioned for films.
A journalism graduate of the University of Denver, Sandra began her writing career as a reporter with Business Week. A staff member for twenty-five years (and the magazine’s first female bureau chief,) she covered the Rocky Mountain region, writing about everything from penny-stock scandals to hard-rock mining, western energy development to contemporary polygamy. Many of her experiences have been incorporated into her novels.
While a reporter, she began writing the first of ten nonfiction books. They include Sacred Paint, which won the National Cowboy Hall of Fame Western Heritage Wrangler Award, and The Quilt That Walked to Golden, recipient of the Independent Publishers Assn. Benjamin Franklin Award.
Turning to fiction in 1990, Sandra has published eight novels, including Prayers For Sale. Sandra is the recipient of the Women Writing the West Willa Award for New Mercies, and two-time winner of the Western Writers of America Spur Award, for The Chili Queen and Tallgrass. In addition, she was a finalist for the Colorado Book Award, the Mountain and Plains Booksellers Assn. Award, and a four-time finalist for the Women Writing the West Willa Award.
The mother of two daughters—Dana is an attorney in New Orleans and Povy is a photographer in Golden, Colorado—Sandra lives in Denver with her husband, Bob.
MY THOUGHTS:Sandra Dallas has been one of my favorite historical fiction and non-fiction authors in the adult book market for over two decades. Some of my favorite books by this author include:
The Christmas Quilt, The Bride's House, The Quilt that Walked to Golden: Women and Quilts in the Mountain West from the Overland Trail to Contemporary Colorado, and The Persian Pickle Club.
Naturally, I was delighted to learn that she has been writing middle-grade novels for the past few years, too! When I found a copy of Someplace to Call Home on the new middle-grade fiction shelf in the children's section of the local public library, I knew I wanted to give it a try. It turns out, this is one of the best middle-grade historicals I've read since I began blogging about middle-grade books two years ago. It is right up there with Lauren Wolk's Wolf Hollow and Kirby Larson's Code Word Courage in my list of top books for this genre.
The three Turner siblings--sixteen-year-old Tom, twelve-year-old Hallie, and six-year-old Benny--are on the road to California during the Great Depression in 1933. They end up in Kansas to be exact. They are out of gas, out of food, out of money, and out of hope.
Then some very fortuitous events begin happening. Sure, there are plenty of bad times; but there is also kindness from strangers who throw the family a lifeline during these hard times. There are challenges to overcome and obstacles along the road of life, but this tight-knit family is devoted to each other and their love and dedication to staying together takes them a long, long way.
I don't want to reveal to much about the plot in case you decide you would like to read this gem for yourself, but I will say that the bullying the three Turners suffer through in this book is realistic and unfortunately, probably all too common. I feel I can say this with assurance because two of the incidents directed at Hallie at school are very similar to things perpetrated against me by a few of my classmates when I was in the fifth grade.
This is one thing that Author Sandra Dallas does so well through her writing. She draws the reader into the plot and makes her/him feel the pain of the characters in the story. I believe that first and foremost, Sandra Dallas is a masterful storyteller. She includes a lot of historical facts and era-accurate lingo, events, and social culture in her books; but she weaves a thread through her tales that causes the reader to have great empathy for the characters in the story.
Highly-recommended to fans of historical fiction, small-town fiction, and American family fiction.
I borrowed this book from the local public library.
**************
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.
# # # # #
LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS ABOUT THE BOOK {from Goodreads}:In 1933, what's left of the Turner family--twelve-year-old Hallie and her two brothers--finds itself driving the back roads of rural America. The children have been swept up into a new migratory way of life. America is facing two devastating crises: the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl.
Hundreds of thousands of people in cities across the country have lost jobs. In rural America it isn't any better as crops suffer from the never-ending drought. Driven by severe economic hardship, thousands of people take to the road to seek whatever work they can find, often splintering fragile families in the process.
As the Turner children move from town to town, searching for work and trying to cobble together the basic necessities of life, they are met with suspicion and hostility. They are viewed as outsiders in their own country. Will they ever find a place to call home?
New York Times-bestselling author Sandra Dallas gives middle-grade readers a timely story of young people searching for a home and a better way of life.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR {from Goodreads}:Award-winning author SANDRA DALLAS was dubbed “a quintessential American voice” by Jane Smiley, in Vogue Magazine. Sandra’s novels with their themes of loyalty, friendship, and human dignity have been translated into a dozen foreign languages and have been optioned for films.
A journalism graduate of the University of Denver, Sandra began her writing career as a reporter with Business Week. A staff member for twenty-five years (and the magazine’s first female bureau chief,) she covered the Rocky Mountain region, writing about everything from penny-stock scandals to hard-rock mining, western energy development to contemporary polygamy. Many of her experiences have been incorporated into her novels.
While a reporter, she began writing the first of ten nonfiction books. They include Sacred Paint, which won the National Cowboy Hall of Fame Western Heritage Wrangler Award, and The Quilt That Walked to Golden, recipient of the Independent Publishers Assn. Benjamin Franklin Award.
Turning to fiction in 1990, Sandra has published eight novels, including Prayers For Sale. Sandra is the recipient of the Women Writing the West Willa Award for New Mercies, and two-time winner of the Western Writers of America Spur Award, for The Chili Queen and Tallgrass. In addition, she was a finalist for the Colorado Book Award, the Mountain and Plains Booksellers Assn. Award, and a four-time finalist for the Women Writing the West Willa Award.
The mother of two daughters—Dana is an attorney in New Orleans and Povy is a photographer in Golden, Colorado—Sandra lives in Denver with her husband, Bob.
MY THOUGHTS:Sandra Dallas has been one of my favorite historical fiction and non-fiction authors in the adult book market for over two decades. Some of my favorite books by this author include:
The Christmas Quilt, The Bride's House, The Quilt that Walked to Golden: Women and Quilts in the Mountain West from the Overland Trail to Contemporary Colorado, and The Persian Pickle Club.
Naturally, I was delighted to learn that she has been writing middle-grade novels for the past few years, too! When I found a copy of Someplace to Call Home on the new middle-grade fiction shelf in the children's section of the local public library, I knew I wanted to give it a try. It turns out, this is one of the best middle-grade historicals I've read since I began blogging about middle-grade books two years ago. It is right up there with Lauren Wolk's Wolf Hollow and Kirby Larson's Code Word Courage in my list of top books for this genre.
The three Turner siblings--sixteen-year-old Tom, twelve-year-old Hallie, and six-year-old Benny--are on the road to California during the Great Depression in 1933. They end up in Kansas to be exact. They are out of gas, out of food, out of money, and out of hope.
Then some very fortuitous events begin happening. Sure, there are plenty of bad times; but there is also kindness from strangers who throw the family a lifeline during these hard times. There are challenges to overcome and obstacles along the road of life, but this tight-knit family is devoted to each other and their love and dedication to staying together takes them a long, long way.
I don't want to reveal to much about the plot in case you decide you would like to read this gem for yourself, but I will say that the bullying the three Turners suffer through in this book is realistic and unfortunately, probably all too common. I feel I can say this with assurance because two of the incidents directed at Hallie at school are very similar to things perpetrated against me by a few of my classmates when I was in the fifth grade.
This is one thing that Author Sandra Dallas does so well through her writing. She draws the reader into the plot and makes her/him feel the pain of the characters in the story. I believe that first and foremost, Sandra Dallas is a masterful storyteller. She includes a lot of historical facts and era-accurate lingo, events, and social culture in her books; but she weaves a thread through her tales that causes the reader to have great empathy for the characters in the story.
Highly-recommended to fans of historical fiction, small-town fiction, and American family fiction.
I borrowed this book from the local public library.
**************
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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February 13, 2020
~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE DESERT WILLOW ~
~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~BLOG TOUR STOP FOR
-- 'DESERT WILLOW' --
AUTHOR PATTI STOCKDALE~Post Includes: Book Spotlight, AuthorBio, Excerpt, Unique Guest Post
Shared by the Author & Giveaway~
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour & Giveaway for
Desert Willow
by Patricia Beal, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title:
Desert Willow
Author: Patricia Beal
Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas
Release Date: February 12, 2020
Genre: Contemporary Romance
After a failed engagement, Captain Andrew Lee James has focused on building a career in the Army he loves. That commitment includes helping a feisty, out-of-work ballerina whose devotion to her grandmother’s dying wish immediately grabs his heart. She’s the one, but will he be able to win the heart of a woman who has vowed to never be involved with a soldier?
College graduate Clara Malone swore to never love anyone in the military again but when her dying grandmother asks her to deliver a love letter to the general who broke her heart decades ago, she agrees and finds herself escorted by a handsome Army captain whose kindness challenges her beliefs. Surrounded by desert willows that shower her path with pretty pink flowers and sing with the buzzing of hummingbirds, Clara enjoys the wild beauty of El Paso—and her time with Andrew—more than expected.
Can she deliver her grandmother’s last love letter without losing her heart to a man who represents everything she fears?
EXCERPT:
She surveyed the large atrium of the El Paso International Airport, fanning herself with her grandmother’s jasmine-scented, maple-gold envelope. No sign of the general yet. Instead, across a playful and sunny path created by a series of tall arched windows, she spotted him—the young Army captain she’d seen at the airport’s Placita while falling in love with an overpriced silver bracelet she couldn’t possibly afford.
He’d stood close, so close that the subtle soap scent of his freckled skin had reached her with ease. And now here he was again.
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Patricia Beal has danced ballet since her childhood and has performed with pre-professional companies in South America, Europe, and the United States. She fell in love with a handsome airborne infantryman at Fort Bragg, married him, and quit her day job to have his babies. Soon came the desire to have book babies, too. Patricia is a Genesis Award semi-finalist, First Impressions finalist, and the author of A Season to Dance (Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, 2017). She writes from Fayetteville, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband and two children.
GUEST POST SHARED BY THE AUTHOR:
~Desert Willow: A Love Song to the City of El Paso, to Family, and to Prince Harry
Thank you for having me on the blog!
Desert Willow started as a NaNoWriMo project in 2015 and has a lot of my grandma’s history in it—life in the German colonies of the south of Brazil, the beginning of the shoe industry there, and the story of the most influential man her town has ever known, my great-grandfather.
And what does that have to do with El Paso and Prince Harry?
Well, my Prince Harry lookalike, a young Army captain named Andrew Lee James who lives in El Paso, is helping the protagonist deliver her grandmother’s last love letter, a letter she was urged to write all those years ago after what happened in Brazil.
The contemporary story of Clara (protagonist) and Andrew was fun to write too because I’ve been around the Army since the nineties. We moved to Fort Bliss/El Paso in 2012 and lived there for six years. I thought I was going to hate it, but I loved it, so I just had to write an El Paso story.
Now I think that what I enjoyed the most about writing this novel was making all the connections and showing how the actions of a distant past affect and inform the modern story so deeply.
Some of you have journeyed with me for a while and know that my debut, A Season to Dance, was my salvation process. What comes after salvation can be hard. What’s that? Well, looking at past mistakes through God’s eyes and realizing just how wrong we were, for starters.
We know how quickly God forgives us, but can we forgive ourselves and each other as quickly?
Desert Willow deals with all that. And with Prince Harry…
Shared by the Author & Giveaway~
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour & Giveaway for
Desert Willow
by Patricia Beal, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!ABOUT THE BOOK
Title:
Desert Willow
Author: Patricia Beal
Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas
Release Date: February 12, 2020
Genre: Contemporary Romance
After a failed engagement, Captain Andrew Lee James has focused on building a career in the Army he loves. That commitment includes helping a feisty, out-of-work ballerina whose devotion to her grandmother’s dying wish immediately grabs his heart. She’s the one, but will he be able to win the heart of a woman who has vowed to never be involved with a soldier?
College graduate Clara Malone swore to never love anyone in the military again but when her dying grandmother asks her to deliver a love letter to the general who broke her heart decades ago, she agrees and finds herself escorted by a handsome Army captain whose kindness challenges her beliefs. Surrounded by desert willows that shower her path with pretty pink flowers and sing with the buzzing of hummingbirds, Clara enjoys the wild beauty of El Paso—and her time with Andrew—more than expected.
Can she deliver her grandmother’s last love letter without losing her heart to a man who represents everything she fears?
EXCERPT:
She surveyed the large atrium of the El Paso International Airport, fanning herself with her grandmother’s jasmine-scented, maple-gold envelope. No sign of the general yet. Instead, across a playful and sunny path created by a series of tall arched windows, she spotted him—the young Army captain she’d seen at the airport’s Placita while falling in love with an overpriced silver bracelet she couldn’t possibly afford.
He’d stood close, so close that the subtle soap scent of his freckled skin had reached her with ease. And now here he was again.
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Patricia Beal has danced ballet since her childhood and has performed with pre-professional companies in South America, Europe, and the United States. She fell in love with a handsome airborne infantryman at Fort Bragg, married him, and quit her day job to have his babies. Soon came the desire to have book babies, too. Patricia is a Genesis Award semi-finalist, First Impressions finalist, and the author of A Season to Dance (Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, 2017). She writes from Fayetteville, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband and two children.
GUEST POST SHARED BY THE AUTHOR:
~Desert Willow: A Love Song to the City of El Paso, to Family, and to Prince Harry
Thank you for having me on the blog!
Desert Willow started as a NaNoWriMo project in 2015 and has a lot of my grandma’s history in it—life in the German colonies of the south of Brazil, the beginning of the shoe industry there, and the story of the most influential man her town has ever known, my great-grandfather.
And what does that have to do with El Paso and Prince Harry?
Well, my Prince Harry lookalike, a young Army captain named Andrew Lee James who lives in El Paso, is helping the protagonist deliver her grandmother’s last love letter, a letter she was urged to write all those years ago after what happened in Brazil.
The contemporary story of Clara (protagonist) and Andrew was fun to write too because I’ve been around the Army since the nineties. We moved to Fort Bliss/El Paso in 2012 and lived there for six years. I thought I was going to hate it, but I loved it, so I just had to write an El Paso story.
Now I think that what I enjoyed the most about writing this novel was making all the connections and showing how the actions of a distant past affect and inform the modern story so deeply.
Some of you have journeyed with me for a while and know that my debut, A Season to Dance, was my salvation process. What comes after salvation can be hard. What’s that? Well, looking at past mistakes through God’s eyes and realizing just how wrong we were, for starters.
We know how quickly God forgives us, but can we forgive ourselves and each other as quickly?
Desert Willow deals with all that. And with Prince Harry…
~ Author June McCrary Jacobs ~
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