June McCrary Jacobs's Blog: ~ Author June McCrary Jacobs ~, page 83

~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE 'THE RESCUE' ~

~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~Christian Historical Romance --  'THE RESCUE'  -- AUTHOR TANYA EAVENSON~Post Includes:  Book Spotlight, AuthorBio & My Thoughts~
  LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS
ABOUT THE BOOK {from Goodreads}: Upon the death of her mother, Rosalind Standford’s life shatters, the pieces scattering to the wind when she is forced into a betrothal to a cunning banker. But when a telegram arrives announcing the man who captured her heart is on a train to Boston, Rosalind must hide her true feelings before the thin cord of her existence unravels the deadly secrets she keeps. 
Cowboy Trent Easton returns to his roots in Boston society to find his childhood friend, the love of his heart. Instead he finds a broken woman engaged to a man close to her father’s age. Though she once rejected him, when Trent learns she’s in danger, he determines to do whatever it takes to keep her safe—even taking her to the altar in the black of night. But will his name and the remote wilds of his Texas ranch be enough to protect her? Or will freedom cost them their lives?
Find This Book on Amazon                                                                                   ABOUT THE AUTHOR {from Goodreads}: Tanya Eavenson enjoys spending time with her husband, and their three children. Her favorite pastime is grabbing a cup of coffee, eating chocolate, and reading a good book. Tanya is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.
MY THOUGHTS:Christian historical fiction/romance is one of my favorite genres, and this was the first book I have read which was written by Author Tanya Eavenson.

One of my favorite things about this well-written story was that the main character, Rosalind Standford, was realistic, likeable, loyal, kind, and compassionate. She was a loving person to her friends and family. She went well beyond normal circumstances to reach out to those in need, and I greatly admire this quality in people.

The villain in the story was a thoroughly and completely distasteful human being. The author did a fine job of constructing a multi-layered heartless, abusive, and cruel character for this role in the story.

The surrounding characters were of varying backgrounds and enriched the story by contributing in their own individual ways. The six-year-old girl, Lilly, who was central to the theme of the part of the story set in Texas, was a delight. Her behavior, moods, and dialogue were age-appropriate.

The story was filled with action from the beginning until the ending. Rosalind was always on edge, and her fear of the villain and worry about he might do next was palpable.

The strong Christian faith elements and Bible verses threaded throughout the story were meaningful and added depth to the action and dialogue.

This book is completely clean in language and content. Domestic abuse is dealt with in a straight-forward manner throughout this book.

Highly-recommended to fans of Christian fiction, Christian historical fiction, Christian romance, clean romance/historical fiction, and Western romance {story is set between 1886 and 1888}.

Disclosure from reviewer: I was given access to a digital copy of this book by JustRead Publicity Tours. I was not compensated in any way for posting my review on this site or any other site.
 

~ MMGM S.T.E.A.M. BH&G NEW JUNIOR COOKBOOK ~

~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADEMONDAY S.T.E.A.M. FEATURE ~ --  'BETTER HOMES & GARDENS NEW JUNIOR COOKBOOK' -- 


LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS  
ABOUT THE BOOK {from Goodreads}:
This new and fully-revised edition of the beloved New Junior Cookbook is the perfect way to introduce children ages 6 to 10 to the rules of the kitchen and successful cooking.

The book begins with the framework needed for navigating the kitchen––safety is always first. Then recipe chapters that cover breakfast, brunch, supper, snacks, and desserts draw in children with their colorful and whimsical illustrations. All recipes in this edition are new, and are nutritious without sacrificing great taste.

Throughout, kids learn the message that good food fuels the body, and the recipes, tips, and hints hone that message.
Each recipe is easy to follow, with a simple-to-read ingredient list, a list of tools needed, and a step-by-step method. In addition, there are food swaps in recipes, turning kids from picky eaters into chefs who customize their food as they please. Full nutrition, including grams of sugar, is included in every recipe.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR {from Goodreads}:
Better Homes and Gardens is the fourth best selling magazine in the United States. Better Homes and Gardens focuses on interests regarding homes, cooking, gardening, crafts, healthy living, decorating, and entertaining. The magazine is published 12 times per year by the Meredith Corporation. It was founded in 1922 by Edwin Meredith, who had previously been the United States Secretary of Agriculture under Woodrow Wilson.

Better Homes and Gardens is one of the "Seven Sisters", a group of women's service magazines.


MY THOUGHTS:

Last week I featured a middle-grade cookbook compiled by Williams Sonoma of California. This week I am sharing a completely different style cookbook designed by Better Homes and Gardens especially targeting middle-grade students.

This cookbook is colorful and engaging with its diverse cast of graphic-novel style boys and girls of various races and ethnicities engaged in various activities and sports such as martial arts, skateboarding, surfing, baseball, horseback riding, cooking, playing musical instruments, golfing, cycling, swimming, running, etc.
Each recipe includes a fun name, i.e. 'Hole-in-One Spaghetti & Meatball Pies' for a meatball cooked in a 'nest' of cooked spaghetti and covered with marinara sauce. There is also a detailed ingredient list, number of servings, tools, stepped-out instructions, and a sidebar with tips with suggestions for side dishes to serve with the recipe. Included in every recipe are the nutrition facts listing calories, fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, fiber, sugars, and protein. This information is a bonus, in my opinion, because it assists children in learning about their dietary needs as they are learning to cook healthy meals for themselves and their families and friends.
The book also includes kitchen and food safety, provides graphics of various kitchen tools, instructs readers how to measure ingredients correctly, and shares a glossary of cooking terms included in the book, and illustrates nutritional information about how to make a great plate and how to eat the rainbow. 
My favorite recipes include:  'Space Monkey Bars' {banana-flavored granola breakfast bars}; 'Up & Away Oatmeal'; 'Rappin' BBQ Wrappers' {tortilla wrap stuffed with meat, coleslaw, cheese, and barbecue sauce}; 'Pump-it-Up Veggie Soup'; Triathlon Tortillas'; 'Serve-an-Ace Meat Loaf Muffins'; 'Fill 'er Up Granola Cups'; and the 'Snow Fairy Ice Cream Sandwiches'. 
The back matter includes an index and 'Metric Information', 'Product Differences', 'Oven Temperature Differences', etc.
Highly-recommended for children/tweens interested in learning to cook using a fun and engaging book. Some of these recipes would be great to take on a camping trip.
I borrowed this book from the local public library.

~ MMGM S.T.E.A.M. FEATURE THE COMPLETE JUNIOR CHEF COOKBOOK ~

~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADE
MONDAY S.T.E.A.M. FEATURE ~ --  'THE COMPLETE JUNIOR  CHEF COOKBOOK'  -- BY: WILLIAMS SONOMA OF CALIFORNIA

 LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS 
ABOUT THE BOOK {from Goodreads}:
Packed with more than 65 tasty recipes and easy cooking tips, Williams Sonoma Complete Junior Chef features an inspiring collection of kids’ favorite recipes in a colorful, easy-to-follow format that is perfect for the aspiring young chef.

Kids will love recipes like Nutella Donuts, Wonton Soup, Chicken Salad Sliders, Thin Crust Pizza, Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce, Pretzel Bites, Ultra Chocolate Cake, Watermelon Ice Pops, and Peanut Butter Chocolate Swirls.

More than 80 kids’ recipe favorites Recipes for all times of the day, from Breakfast through Dinner and Dessert Illustrated cooking techniques for easy comprehension at a glance Easy step-by-step recipe instructions make cooking easy Gorgeous color photography provides visual inspiration. Perfect for kids age 8-12
 
Aspiring junior chefs will never be at a loss about what to cook again. With this yummy and comprehensive collection of kid favorites, young cooks will learn to master their favorite recipes with easy step-by-step instructions, helpful illustrations, and beautiful color photography to guide them.

Whether the objective is a family breakfast for four, pasta for supper, soup on a cold day, or ice cream on a hot one—the recipes in this colorful book ensure that a yummy kid-friendly recipe is always close at hand and easy to accomplish. Fresh-tasting recipes appeal to kids and adults alike, and many offer simple variations for picky eaters. All will appreciate the colorful graphics and photography throughout.

Chapters include:  Breakfast; Soups, Salads & Sandwiches; Mains; Snacks; and Desserts.
MY THOUGHTS:
I became interested in cooking--and creating my own recipes--at around age nine. I was given a copy of the Betty Crocker cookbook with the bright red cover for Christmas one year, and I used that cookbook until the cover fell off and the pages separated.

If you have not had the opportunity to visit a Williams Sonoma of California store, you are missing out on a special treat. If you love to cook and you haven't gone into one of their stores, you have probably saved yourself several hours of time along with several hundred dollars.

~ BACK TO SCHOOL BOOK GIVEAWAY ~

 

~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE 'NATIONAL READ A BOOK DAY' ~

~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~

VISIT MY AUTHOR'S FACEBOOKPAGE FOR A CHANCE TO WINAN E-BOOK COPY OF ONEOF THESE THREE BOOKS:








HERE'S THE LINK TO MY AUTHOR'S FACEBOOK PAGE 

MMGM JAGGER JONES AND THE MUMMY'S ANKH

~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADE
MONDAY HISTORICAL FANTASY/ADVENTURE FEATURE & GIVEAWAY ~ --  'JAGGER JONES & THE MUMMY'S ANKH'  -- AUTHOR MALAYNA EVANS~Post Includes:  Book Spotlight, AuthorBio, Link to Excerpt, My Thoughts &Giveaway {One signed copy of thepaperback to one US winner}


LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS  

ABOUT THE BOOK: Malayna’s debut novel, Jagger Jones and the Mummy’s Ankh, features a biracial thirteen-year-old whiz kid from Chicago’s South Side traveling over 3,000 years back in time to the court of Amarna, Egypt, with his eleven-year-old sister, Aria, in tow.
Jagger, a devoted history buff, is shocked when he discovers that books don’t teach you everything there is to know. Sure he knew ancient Egyptians believed in magic, but he didn’t expect amulets that alter time and space, giant crocodiles with blood red eyes and teeth like daggers, and evil generals who want to murder the royal family and, by extension, Jagger’s own. It’s enough to make even a die-hard Egyptophile like Jagger anxious to get back to Chicago.
The series was inspired both by Malayna’s son and by her favorite ancient Egyptian blessing: ankh, wedja, seneb, which means (may you have) life, prosperity, and health. In book one, Malayna explores both modern and ancient notions of “life.” Books two and three will similarly contrast modern and ancient ideas surrounding “prosperity” and “health,” respectively. The series juxtaposes modern modes of thinking and objects with ancient artifacts, people and beliefs. But mostly … mummies!
CLICK ON THIS LINK TO READ AN EXCERPT FROM THIS BOOK 

Release Date:  May 28, 2019
Available at: Amazon, IndieBound, Barnes & Noble, Kobo & More
Trade Paperback ISBN: 978-1-948671-62-0
Price: $12.99
Approx. 200 pages
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
  Malayna Evans spent ten years in the Chicago media market, another ten in academia, and the last decade as an entrepreneur. Years after earning her Ph.D. in Egyptology from the University of Chicago, her son, then nine, suggested she write a story about a kid, who looked like him, lost in ancient Egypt.
Excited both by the idea of sharing her passion for ancient history with today’s middle graders and pursuing her dream of becoming a published author, she jumped into the project with abandon. Her debut novel, Jagger Jones and the Mummy’s Ankh, was released in May, 2019.
A single mom with two kids, one rescue dog, and a hamster, Malayna lives in Oak Park, IL. She spends much of her time writing–and balancing her writing with kids and career–but she’s “mature” enough to have wandered through Havana with her kids, shopped the souks of Bangkok and Istanbul, eaten her way through Italy, enjoyed deep sea diving in Bermuda, and, of course, trekked the ruins of Egypt. 
CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR:Malayna loves meeting new people, so reach out to her on Twitter, Instagram, or Goodreads or visit her at www.malaynaevans.com
MY THOUGHTS:In keeping with my policy of being transparent on this blog, I will admit that the first thing I did before I began reading this book was to search for the definition of 'ankh' because I had absolutely no idea what it was or what it meant. ankh
/äNGk/ noun
noun: ankh; plural noun: ankhs

an object or design resembling a cross but having a loop instead of the top arm, used in ancient Egypt as a symbol of life.

Once I understood what the title meant, I was ready to delve into reading the book.
Combine a multi-dimensional main character, time travel, adventure, Egyptology, and some snappy dialogue and you have this appealing, action-packed story.

Follow 13-year-old Jagger Jones and his 11-year old sister, Aria, on their adventures in ancient Egypt. With strong character development and unique settings, this fast-paced story will appeal to upper-middle-grade and tween readers who enjoy a mix of current lingo and historical surroundings.

The cover art and the illustrations complement the story well and will enrich the reader's understanding of the action occuring on the page.

Note from blogger: I was given access to a digital copy of this book by the publisher. I was not compensated in any way to read this book, write this review, or post this review on my blog or any other site.
☥☥☥☥☥☥ GIVEAWAY ☥☥☥☥☥☥

The author has generously offered to give a signed paperback copy of 'Jagger Jones & The Mummy's Ankh' to one lucky US winner! Enter by completing the Rafflecopter form below. NOTE:  I will award extra entries to those of you who post a comment to this blog post. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~ MMGM SMOKEY BEAR 75TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION! ~

~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADEMONDAY SPECIAL FEATURE ~ --  SMOKEY BEAR'S 75th BIRTHDAY   --

 MY THOUGHTS: 


I am fortunate to have my own well-worn copy of this Little Golden Book of Smokey the Bear, originally published in 1955. It was gifted to me by another primary grade teacher who no longer wanted it. My students loved this little book which I read aloud several times each fall during our Fire Safety unit in October. Below is the book blurb I found on Amazon:
Ever since his rescue from a raging forest fire, Smokey the Bear has been a symbol of our national effort to fight the terrible destruction of our national woodlands by fire. The publishers are proud to present Smokey's story as a Little Golden Book. They hope that this book will help Smokey in his work. It has the official approval of the State Foresters and the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
I think it is ironic that even though the mascot's name is Smokey Bear, the title of this 'officially-approved' book is Smokey the Bear.  The real Smokey was rescued by firefighters on August 7th, 1944, so that's date his birthday is celebrated.

~ CALIFORNIA VINTAGE & ANTIQUE TOWNS ~

~ TOP TEN CALIFORNIA VINTAGE & ANTIQUE TOWNS ~

 

~ MMGM GOODREADS CHILDREN'S BOOKS LISTS ~

~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADEMONDAY SPECIAL FEATURE ~ --  'GOODREADS CHILDREN'S BOOK LISTS FROM DAYS GONE BY'  --

While conducting research for my next book, I discovered a treasure trove of children's book lists on Goodreads. The books are organized by decade, beginning with the 1920s. As I read through the list for each decade, I realized that while I have read a lot of really good children's books as a child, educator, and adult, there are still dozens and dozens of good books I haven't taken a peek at yet.  The prospect of reading some beloved, but unknown to me books, fills my heart to overflowing with joy. I'd like to share a few links and highlights from these lists with you in case you'd like to add to your TBR list or select some old favorites for your students, children, or grandchildren to enjoy in this new millenium.   “If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.”
― Oscar Wilde    “There is no friend as loyal as a book.”
― Ernest Hemingway   “You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children.”
― Madeleine L'Engle    ------------------------------------------------------------- Here are some covers from a few of the books from each decade that I have enjoyed as a reader and as a teacher sharing books in the classroom:  *1920s:
BEST CHILDREN'S BOOKS OF THE 1920S  
 



 


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*1930s:
BEST CHILDREN'S BOOKS OF THE 1930S 



 

 

 



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 *1940s:

BEST CHILDREN'S BOOKS OF THE 1940S 

 

 





 
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*1950s:
 BEST CHILDREN'S BOOKS OF THE 1950S

 



 

 


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~ WESTERN ROMANCE WEDNESDAY AMELIA C. ADAMS ~

   ~ WESTERN ROMANCE WEDNESDAY ~
             Featuring Best-Selling Author, Amelia C. Adams
                    ~Post Includes: Spotlights for Three of
                  Amelia's Sweet Western Romance Novels,
              Author Bio & Giveaways {2 winners, open to
                           US & International readers}~


Photo from Amelia's Website

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Amelia C. Adams is a wife, a mother, and a novelist. She spends her days dreaming up stories and her nights writing them down. Her biggest hero is her husband, and you might just see bits and pieces of him as you read her novels. She's also the mother of four brilliant, creative, and exceptional children, and is not biased at all.

She was born and raised right in the heart of the Old West, and has visited countless historical sites and loves learning about days gone by. She must say, though, how grateful she is for modern air conditioning, and that women no longer have to wear petticoats.

She enjoys watching good movies, taking very long naps, and finds tacos quite inspirational. Chapstick is her writing friend - the Aloha Coconut flavor being her favorite. She has reached Amazon bestseller status three times, but it's not like she's counting or anything.

CONNECT WITH AMELIA:
~WEBSITE: http://www.ameliacadams.com/
~FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/AmeliaAdamsAuthor/
~PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/ameliaadamsauth/
~E-MAIL: ameliaadamsauthor@gmail.com

THE BOOKS & THE GIVEAWAY:
Amelia has generously offered to give two lucky winners an Audio Book of the following three books! {Yes, you read correctly, folks! If you win, you will receive an audio book for all three of these sweet western romances! Thank you, Amelia. }Read the book blurbs, then enter to win in the Rafflecopter form at the end of this post.

Kansas Crossroads, Book #1: A New Beginning

Handsome young heir Adam Brody sees nothing but possibilities in the sprawling old building he's just purchased. With a little hard work, he will transform it into a hotel to meet the needs of those traveling by railroad. Aunt Caroline believes he's lost his mind, but she agrees to help him give it a try.
 
Left a widow with a small daughter, Elizabeth Caldwell must find work. When she sees an advertisement in the newspaper inquiring about cheerful young women to work in a hotel, she decides to apply. However, the hotel owner specifically requested single ladies, so she must hide her former marital status, and her child, if she wishes to get the job.
 
With cloudy pasts to overcome, both Adam and Elizabeth want to believe in a bright future. Will they find the strength they need in each other, or will their differences keep them apart?

Kansas Crossings, Book #6: The Whisper of Morning


Caroline Hampton is an unmarried, independent woman, able to come and go as she pleases. Working as the manager of the Brody Hotel has suited her, giving her both a home and a career. But lately, she has begun to feel restless, wondering what else might be out there for her.
Since the death of his wife, Wallace Dupree has spent his time alone, working as a train conductor and reading poetry. When he catches sight of the beautiful Miss Hampton, he realizes that a second chance just might be in his future. First, though, he has to convince her to give it a try.

Can a man with a soft heart and an iron will win the heart of a woman who has sworn to remain single forever?

American Mail-Order Brides, Book #3: Hope, Bride of New Jersey:


In this faithful Jane Eyre retelling, Hope Middleton was all but thrown away by the family that was supposed to care for her. Now on her own, she loses her job when the factory where she worked burned to the ground. With no other alternatives, she answers an advertisement for a mail-order bride and travels to Newark, New Jersey, expecting a simple life in a quiet community. Instead, she is thrown into the middle of the dark mystery that surrounds her enigmatic fiancé, with only the chance of falling in love as her saving grace.

This retelling brings the drama of a Bronte classic together with the romance of a mail-order bride novella.