Ashley Elizabeth Tetzlaff's Blog

New and Improved!

Hey all!

I'd like to introduce you to a new and improved version of my book, Squeaky.

https://www.amazon.com/Squeaky-Ashley...

I had the book re-illustrated by the talented Daniel Aiers (https://www.fiverr.com/danyelayers) and I am LOVING it!

Check it out!

Ashley

So, I'm Now in the Top 1%?!

Hello Ashley,



In our community of readers, you stand out in a notable way: You're one of the top 1% of reviewers on Goodreads!

With every rave and every pan, with every excited GIF and every critical assessment, you've helped the Goodreads community get closer to a very important milestone – the 50 Million Reviews mark! Check out the fun infographic we made to celebrate!

You've written 191 reviews since joining Goodreads on August 24th, 2013.

Reading reviews by book lovers like you is one of our favorite things on Goodreads. Thank you for helping other readers find a good (or avoid a not-so-good!) book.

Keep reading (and reviewing!)

Otis and Elizabeth
Co-Founders of Goodreads

Book Review for GREAT NEW BOOK!!!

A Different Kind of Courage by Sarah Holman

** spoiler alert ** "A modern Christian classic!" "Now one of my top ten most favorite books!"

This is one of the best written modern works I've read this year... maybe for a couple years.

The setting was compelling and descriptive. I felt like I was really there... walking up and down the streets and on the wharves. The roles played were realistic for that day. The plot was fascinating - I hated to have to put the book down for any length of time. The emotions and characters were realistic and refreshing. There was just the right amount of tension and room for character grow to make you root for the main character.

I felt like I learned a lot about the historical figures, the times, and the facts. I really appreciated that both sides, and what they dealt with, were shown. It wasn't just pro-USA everything... there were legitimate wrongs done on both sides, including revolutionary.

I loved the deep wisdom given in dealing with man's approval/disapproval, dealing with double-lives, as well as the awesome portrayal of God and His character.

All-in-all, this made it to my top ten favorite books - a rare occurrence. I will definitely read it again and can think of so many who would enjoy this work as well.

I received an advanced copy of this book for free. This did not in any way influence my critique... I feel I can be very mean sometimes when giving an honest review. Thankfully, this one didn't need that :)

No James - Things You Learn From The Greek

Did you know there is no James in the Bible? No James the brother of the Lord, no apostle James, no epistle of James.

Nope. The real name is JAKOBUS. Otherwise known as Jacob. The epistle of Jacob. By the apostle Jacob. Mmmmm hmmmm.

So, why do we have James in our Bibles? Simple. King James had the Bible translated into English, so some of the Jacobs were translated into James even though all the others were left as Jacob. (Interestingly, all the "bad" Jacobs were kept as Jacob - those who stole their brother's birthright. The important "good" ones - i.e. followed Jesus and wrote letters - were translated as James.)

This was partly justified because James, in English, has similar meaning to the Hebrew definition of Jacob.

I guess we can be glad there wasn't a Queen who had the Bible translated or we might have gone for centuries thinking Maureen or Molly was the mother of Jesus (those are English equivalents of the Hebrew name, Mary; just like James is for Jacob). Hmmm... Molly the mother of Jesus. The Virgin Molly. Hail Molly, full of grace.... Interesting thought.

Top #5 List - Mysteries!

In no particular order, these are my favorite books/sets of mysteries.

G. K Chesterton -- The Complete Father Brown

Franklin W. Dixon -- Hardy Boys Complete Series Set Books 1-66

Gertrude Chandler Warner -- The Boxcar Children

Dorothy L. Sayers -- Whose Body?

Stephen B. Castleberry -- Footprints in the Barn

That is my list. What are YOUR top five favorite mysteries?

New Addition

***Drumroll***

I am expecting my second child. (And no, I am not talking about the books I've written... I've got 16 of those ;P)

Tetzlaff number Two is due around late January - early February.

The joys of being an author, reviewer, wife, and mother... are endless :)

Top #5 List - Contemporary "Secular" Music

To continue my list of top five favorite songs in various genres, I bring you my top "secular" favorites (to distinguish from "religious"). Again, in no particular order :)

Taylor Swift - Love Story = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xg3v...

Ashly Williams - I Will Always Love You = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4_vF...

Miley Cyrus - Hoedown Throwdown = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BI_a...

SHINee - Ring Ding Dong - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rough...

Idina Menzel - Let It Go = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moSFl...


Heh heh heh... This list might come as a shock to some who didn't know I enjoyed "such" music. But :) variety is the spice of life!!!

What music do you like that others, even your family members, might not know about?

Top #5 List - Contemporary Christian Music

I like listening to music. Lots of music. I like walking around my house singing. I like songs playing in different rooms of the house. It ministers to my soul.

So over the next couple days I am going to share my top five songs from different Genres :)

Top Five Contemporary Christian Songs (in no particular order)

BJ Putnam - Glorious = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVlEC...

Newsboys - God's Not Dead = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_OTz...

Israel and the New Breed - You are Good = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E0yg...

Darlene Zschech - Jesus at the Center = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIezG...

ACC WM 2010 - Above Every Other Name = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kma2V...


Stay tuned for other genres of music! And let me know what songs float your boat :)

Reader's Favorite

https://readersfavorite.com/annual-bo...
I just recently discovered Reader's Favorite. They have yearly contests, awards, and review opportunities.

Okay, okay, so besides entering their contest, I have become a paid reviewer for Reader's Favorite. Hence, my enthusiasm ;) But come on, folks! this gives me a chance to not only help others get their books reviewed, but to enjoy a smorgasbord of free books myself.

Go on, you know you are interested. Go check them out yourself. You can also get your books reviewed for free.

FREE kindle kid's book!

March 7-10

Grab YOUR own FREE copy of this NEW kindle kids book. Click here NOW http://tinyurl.com/mk2vb33

This book contains EIGHT fun children's stories that are engaging, easy to read, delightfully illustrated, and teach valuable life lessons. Whether you read this book aloud to your preschooler or give it to your first-grader to read on his own, this book is sure to be a family favorite!

Illustrated in black-and-white sketch drawings by three different artists. (Homeschoolers will especially appreciate this style as they probably are familiar with it through reading the Classics, Rod and Staff books, and from their own art.)

This ONE BOOK contains: Mr. Moppet's Mailbox, Debra the Dove, Billy the Bullfrog, Squeaky, Castles in the Sand, Hannah the Hummingbird, Ellie's Elephant, and Girl and Dude.