Kate Willis's Blog, page 107
February 10, 2017
(Slightly) Romantic Books Part 2
Who else
Last Friday I gave a list of ten (slightly) romantic books I felt comfortable recommending and promised more to come. You can find all of these books (and any new ones I discover!) on my Goodreads shelf “Sweet Romance”. Read them at your own (and your parents!) discretion. 
February 8, 2017
Book Review: Hartly Manor
[image error]“There were six of them…
And these six children have an important lesson to learn when it comes to Mr. Hartly and his manor. Is he the scary man that Rees says he is? Or will the children discover something else as they get to know him?” (from Goodreads)
Such a sweet, Gospel-centered story by Amanda Tero! The way “the six” related to each other was very cute, and I love how Maud is so motherly to them all.
February 6, 2017
Allison Tebo Interview
Join me in welcoming author Allison Tebo to Once Upon an Ordinary! *sets off celebratory fireworks*
Allison, tell us a bit about yourself.
[image error]I’m a Christian homeschool graduate in my mid-twenties. I work part time in a family owned freight brokerage as an agent for a major transportation company, but my real ambition is to be a full time writer. I am also a children’s illustrator and cartoonist, a singer, with plans to move towards voice acting.
I blog at Allison’s Well and I’m also on Youtube, Goodreads, Facebook, and Pinterest.
What first made you decide you wanted to be an author?
My big sister! I wanted to be just like her, and – I’m embarrassed now to admit it – I wanted all the accolades and attention that her stories were getting. Since then, I’ve learned that I don’t have to compare my stories to other people’s writing, and I don’t have to do something just because someone I admire is doing it. I don’t write for accolades anymore (though it’s always fun to have people get excited about my writing, of course), I write because I must. I write because it’s what I want to do for the rest of my life. Writing has become as much a part of me as breathing. The words are there, and they must come out.
Congratulations on publishing! May we have an introduction to The Reluctant Godfather?
[image error]Burndee is a young and cantankerous fairy godfather, who would rather bake cakes than help humans. A disgrace to the fairy order, Burndee has only two wards entrusted to his care…a cinder girl and a charming prince.
A royal ball presents Burndee with the brilliant solution of how to make his wards happy with the least amount of effort. He’ll arrange a meeting and hope the two fall in love.
A humorous and magical re-telling of Cinderella from a unique perspective.
What is your favorite aspect of the ordinary life God has blessed you with?
My faith – I would be nothing without Him. My family; my life would be empty without my amazing parents and siblings. After that, probably beauty – the beauty of a flower, of a cloud, or even a lovely sound. The beauty of wonderful friendships. The beauty of words and good stories. Beauty is definitely something I can’t live without, and I want to learn even more about what God considers beautiful, not what the world calls beautiful.
Any plans for further projects?
Oh wow – I didn’t realize this interview was going to take the rest of the day…. Just kidding! Yes, I always have plans for future projects! My plan for 2017 is as follows:
Publish a science fiction short story called ‘The Key to the Chains’.
Write a fairy tale retelling of the Princess and the Pea – a novella.
Write and publish one other novella, the details are yet unknown!
And if I have any time left over, I would like to complete my second draft on my ‘baby’ – a space opera novel – and write my first draft on a Roman Steampunk novel that I have started outlining.
Thank you so much for coming!
Thank you so much for having me, Kate!
February 3, 2017
(Slightly) Romantic Books Part 1
It’s February, A.K.A. National Romance Month. Ick. Oh, sorry.
February 1, 2017
Plate Update: Mansions, Grammar Rules, and Hashtags
I blinked and January is over! Moral of the story–never blink.
January 30, 2017
Adventures in Storyland
GoogleDocs informs me it’s been a week since I last worked on “Kiera”. I didn’t realize it had been that long maybe because I took a break to edit my short story “Enjoy the Poodle Skirt” for publication. (The date has been pushed back a bit, but you can still mark it as to-read on Goodreads! And check out the pretty cover by Victoria Lynn Designs while you’re at it… :D)
Or maybe it’s that I helped my brother with the final push to publish his brilliant, witty detective short story “Diamond” last week. It’s seriously cool! And you just might laugh out loud.
January 27, 2017
Shadows of the Hersweald Cover Reveal!
I can’t believe it y’all!!!! I got beta-read the third Legends of Light novella, and now I get to help show you the cover!
*squeals*
Shadows of the Hersweald is a retelling of the fairytale of Hansel and Gretel, and out of this world awesome. 
January 25, 2017
Book Review: Journey to Love & Letter of Love
[image error] “Now orphaned, Marie is swept miles away from the only life she knew to be sheltered by unknown guardians. Caught in the challenges of a new life, she cannot prevent changes from happening, but she can keep the Bowles and their friends at arm’s length. Or can she?
While things appear to transition smoothly on the outside, Marie struggles against the turmoil she faces on the inside. She sees something in the Bowles and her new friends that she had never experienced before…but should she trust what the preacher is teaching when it goes against everything she had accepted as truth? Is God really a God of love? If He is, then is Marie willing to accept it?
Follow Marie as she begins the journey to love.” (from Goodreads)
This was such a sweet book by Amanda Tero and a great reminder of God’s love for us! Although it was very slow in some parts, I found the natural sharing of the Gospel through everyday conversations (and a few church services) very encouraging. 1 John is seriously one of my favorite books, so I was happy to see it featured so much. Marie was a nicely complicated character, although it was hard to pinpoint her age. I kept changing my mind on that one.
January 23, 2017
Ivy Rose Interview
[image error]
About the Book
[image error]Lindy Greene’s life is perfect. Too perfect. But living as a missionary nurse, serving in a small hospital in China, soon brings the disaster she fearfully anticipates. All of her well-thought-out plans for the future disintegrate after pulling a fatally ill, disfigured, abandoned child from a pile of trash. She doesn’t even like babies.
Nathan Thomas can’t find balance. College suited him just fine until his cash ran out, forcing him to the Chinese mission field with his parents. The chaotic atmosphere in China does little to relax his agitated mind, and the pretty blonde nurse at the hospital does nothing to help him focus.
The Chinese mission field isn’t for the faint of heart. Nathan wonders how he can survive his remaining time there, while Lindy struggles to help everyone she can. With different ideals pulling them in separate directions, there is one thing drawing them together: a tiny, sickly, crippled orphan who relies on them to stay alive.
Find on Goodreads ~ Find on Amazon
About the Author[image error]
Ivy Rose is an 18 year old history lover and literary enthusiast. Aside from writing, she enjoys being outdoors, eating chocolate, traveling, reading, and doing TaeKwonDo. She resides with her family of 9 on the banks of the Long Lake in eastern Washington.
She can be found at various places on the internet:
Author Interview
Join me in welcoming author Ivy Rose to Once Upon an Ordinary! *cheers*
Ivy, tell us a bit about yourself and what first made you decide you wanted to be an author.
I’m a coffee-drinking, quad-riding, Converse-loving girl who stays up way too late wrapped in fuzzy blankets working through stacks of books and nibbling on chocolate. 
January 20, 2017
Let’s Talk About Dialogue
Dialogue is crucial for character development and will ultimately make or break a story. Let’s talk about it!
Vernacular! I jes ‘appen to love this wee bit o’ aprostrophying to ‘elp spice up yer dialogue and draw yer readers into tha setting, but the meaning soon gets drownded in translation if ya ken what I mean. Vernacular can be a very useful clue to the speaker’s country of origin or level of education, but let’s be careful not to overload readers as I likely did in my example.
