April 9, 2018
Ralphie, Always Loved Spotlight
Ralphie, Always Loved is the story of the life, love, and adventures of a beloved family dog, and how he delighted and touched his family and everyone he met.
About Ralphie, Always Loved
This is the story of the life, love, and adventures of a beloved family dog, and how he delighted and touched his family and everyone he met.
Ralphie was born with a heart on his belly.
He loves food, his family, his friends, his neighbors.
He loves pretty much everything and everyone.
And they love him back.
And that’s how it is all through his life.
Read the book and fall in love with him too.
Rambunctious and hyperactive, Ralphie had already been returned to the animal shelter three times, but when Andrea and her husband adopted him and gave him a loving home where he was understood, accepted, and taught, he learned fast. As Ralphie’s human family grew, so did his capacity for love and the ways he could express it. He remained a loving and beloved family member who touched the hearts of the whole neighborhood until he was ready to say goodbye at the grand-old age of sixteen. Ralphie, Always Loved will remind you of all that is good, and reaffirm your belief in love’s power to uplift and transform.
You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and IndieBound.
About the Author
Andrea has always been an avid reader and that jumpstarted her imagination at a very early age. In fact she escaped to the Land of Make Believe more often than her mother liked.
She is a former marketing professional who is a mom to kids both with and without fur. Andrea says that it helps to have one foot planted firmly in reality while the other is foot loose and fancy free in Imagination Land. She enjoys the best of both worlds.
In 2013, Andrea and her husband started About Something Good (ASG) as a vehicle to curate, inspire and share goodness in the world. In a world where negative images flood the media, and words like “hate” get tossed around so easily, Andrea felt she needed a space that encouraged and focused on the words like “love” and the beauty that is life. Andrea is committed to finding the good in everything, and believes: that a sense of belonging to someone’s heart is what makes us feel complete, that kindness goes a long way, and that keeping your mind and heart open can help when things happen that you don’t understand.
Andrea lives in New Jersey with her husband and children. You can connect with her on her website, Twitter and Facebook.
The Giveaway!
Question and Answer with Andrea
Q: How did you come up with the character of Ralphie?
A: Ralphie is based on my real-life dog named Ralphie. He was a rescue dog, and we were his fourth and forever family. Ralphie was a character: full of life and love, and always up to something. He made us laugh and stressed us out by “exploring the neighborhood” on a regular basis. Thankfully we always found him and brought him home. He was always underfoot, demanding attention and treats and never giving up till he got some. Ralphie loved everyone he ever met. He was an amazing dog and was very, very loved.
Q: But he’s no longer with you?
A: Ralphie passed away in October 2016, from cancer. He was diagnosed at age sixteen and was unable to be treated in any of the traditional ways. He lived for three months after he was diagnosed, and those are some of my most treasured memories. I will always love my Ralphie.
Q: Why did you write a picture book?
A: Ralphie had a very animated face. It’s almost like you could tell what he was thinking by looking at him. When it came time to writing his story, it was easy for me to visualize it in picture form, and that is why a picture book made sense to me. Picture books also have a way of eliciting emotions from children and the parents who read the books to them. I think any parent who has loved and lost a dog would understand the story on a deeper level and be able to associate with the book.
Q: How did you come up with the idea for the story?
A: I always wrote little stories about Ralphie. When I had children, I told them those stories. As Ralphie got older, I felt the need to make his story official and enduring, so I decided to write an actual book. The beginning of the book was pure imagination, based on the real-life Ralphie’s actual markings. The rest of the book was based on what actually happened. The ending was shaped by the fact that Ralphie’s long life was coming to an end, and I wanted a chance for closure. Also, the way the book ends, the reader can assume that Ralphie is still with us or that he is back up with the angels, painting clouds.
Q: Would you consider yourself to be a dog person?
A: I am definitely a dog person. I have rarely if ever met a dog I didn’t like. Over the past twenty years I have been a dog mom, and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
Q: Rescue or buy?
A: There is no real right answer; to each his own. However, I am a proponent of rescuing. There are so many dogs abandoned in shelters around the world, not to mention strays who could enrich any home. When you rescue, you save a life; you give hope and love a chance. I would always rescue. I hope everyone who is considering getting a new puppy would consider it too.
Disclosure: This is a spotlight tour, I did not receive compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.
April 4, 2018
Red Sky Over America Book Review
In Red Sky Over America, William and America confront evil, but will it costs them everything?
About Red Sky Over America
William and America confront evil, but will it costs them everything?
In 1857, America, the daughter of a slave owner, is an abolitionist and a student at Oberlin College, a school known for its radical ideas. America goes home to Kentucky during school break to confront her father about freeing his slaves.
America’s classmate, William, goes to Kentucky to preach abolition to churches that condone slavery. America and William find themselves in the center of the approaching storm sweeping the nation and may not make it home to Ohio or live through the struggle.
My Thoughts
This novel takes place during a difficult time in America’s history, prior to the war to end slavery between the North and the South. Our main character is a young woman, America, who is the daughter of a slave owner. She goes away to Oberlin College which helps to foster her ideas of abolishing slavery and freedom for all people. From a young age, she has known that slavery is wrong but she has been afraid of hurting her Father and feared his anger.
Almost finished her studies, America decides to return home and confront her Father at last. She was not ready for the extreme response from her Father and those that she loves around her. She is shocked by her Father’s actions towards the slaves that she has always viewed as family and vows that she will not stop until slavery is abolished. He truly believes that what he is doing is for America’s future and well-being, keeping their family history alive never understanding that a future built on other’s suffering is not what America wants.
She embarks on a journey of helping slaves escape and her classmate (who also happens to be someone she is greatly attracted to for his convictions) William is tied into her future. William preaches at churches throughout Kentucky to abolish slavery – which in many places as we were to find out is almost a death sentence.
This is an excellent story of faith and hope during a time period that held very little. America was strong in her convictions but sometimes lacked the confidence and strength to follow through. As the case with many women during this time frame, she was stuck under the wings of her Father’s decisions. With William, she was free to make her own decisions and give her opinions – opinions that were much in line with his own. I loved every moment of this powerful book, I cried at times and other times my heart was full of hope. It is a beautiful story in a dark time.
You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.
Rating: 5/5
About the Author
Tamera Lynn Kraft has always loved adventures and writes Christian historical fiction set in America because there are so many adventures in American history. She is married to the love of her life, has two grown children, and lives in Akron, Ohio. Soldier’s Heart and A Christmas Promise are two of her historical novellas that have been published. She has received 2nd place in the NOCW contest, 3rd place TARA writer’s contest, and is a finalist in the Frasier Writing Contest. Tamera is the leader of a ministry called Revival Fire For Kids where she mentors other children’s leaders, teaches workshops, and is a children’s ministry consultant and children’s evangelist. She has curriculum published and is a recipient of the 2007 National Children’s Leaders Association Shepherd’s Cup for lifetime achievement in children’s ministry.
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
April 4, 2018
Refugees (Mud, Rocks and Trees) Book One Review
One star. One impossible task. One chance to save the world they love.
About Refugees (Mud, Rocks and Trees) Book One
“An epic journey of a lifetime.” That’s what three young individuals from three different corners of the world have dreamed about. They were destined for greatness since the moment they were born. But what if they don’t want it? What if they’re not ready? What if their desires no longer align with the prophecy?
The problem is, they have no choice. The star has appeared. Their destiny has already begun to unfold.
It’s not the send-off that they’ve been dreaming of. Forced out. Banished. Raided. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. Now they must discover who they really are while embarking on the most exciting journey of their lives. One star. One impossible task. One chance to save the world they love.
My Thoughts
Refugees (Mud, Rocks and Trees) was such an exciting read from start to finish!
I wasn’t quite to sure what to expect when I first picked up the book and started reading but I wasn’t pleasantly surprised. In this novel, we have three young individuals who are destined to save the world except none feel quite ready and they are not quite sure how. Each comes from a different past and culture, even their bodies are made differently. One is in the human form of a duck, another like a flying squirrel and another with the hard skin of an armadillo. What could they possibly have in common?
They have one man who becomes their guide and the star that set their destiny.
Each chapter is told from one of the young characters view-point as they struggle to leave their home to begin this new journey. All have risked banishment, being an outcast and one even is spared death. The novel is an exciting journey from start to finish, you never really know what is going to happen next and you feel connected to our main characters. I felt more connected to Amanki (the duck man) and Brina (the one that resembles the flying squirrel) and I am not quite sure why. Every time I came to their chapters, I just had to have more! I was emotionally invested in these two characters especially Brina.
This is an excellent novel for young adults (and adults who enjoy a great fantasy read!). I can not wait to read book two in this series as I was so sad when the book ended and where it ended.
You can purchase a copy of this boon on Amazon.
Rating: 4/5
About the Author
R.A. Denny started writing epic fantasy novels when, after watching the first Hobbit movie, she began excitedly spouting off information about C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien’s writer’s group called the Inklings and how their greatest fantasy novels were created. One of her sons commented, “We could do that.” She laughed. Then, he turned it into a challenge.
Her unexpected journey had begun. For several years, she continued her day job as a criminal prosecutor and escaped by night to the world of the Tzoladian Empire. Then, she decided to just do what she loved.
She completed writing her six-book epic fantasy series: Mud, Rocks, and Trees. The series should be read in this order: Refugees, Seekers, Captives, Warriors, Visionaries, and then Deliverers.
R.A. enjoys ancient history, board games, and LEGO. That’s the nerd in her. She rides horses, raised flying squirrels and lives with two cats. That’s the animal lover in her. Oh, and did I mention that she loves a challenge? That’s the adventurer in her.
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
April 3, 2018
Educate and Grow with Bring Back The Bees and Honey Nut Cheerios
600 Million.
That is the number of wildflower seeds that Canadians have planted across our country in the first two years of the Bring Back The Bees initiative from Honey Nut Cheerios. Pretty impressive right?
In 2018, Honey Nut Cheerios hopes to add another 300 million more wildflowers planted in Canada and want YOU to be a part of this journey.
Children are naturally curious and love to learn about the world around them. They love to be in nature, exploring and learning how the world works. They can learn a lot from educational resources like books and teachers but it is just as important to take that lesson outside and give them a hands on approach to learning.
The bees are such an important part of our environment – so many food crops rely on the pollinating assistance that bees provide (is this bringing back memories of a movie where turmoil started when bees stopped pollinating and so much was affected). Without bees, the world that we know and love wouldn’t be the same.
To help inspire children (and parents!), this year Honey Nut Cheerios has partnered with Canadian author, Paulette Bourgeois and Kids Can Press to bring you a fantastic new book, Bella and Jack Bring Back The Bees. Paulette is known for her work in the Franklin series of children’s books and brings her style to this special book that is illustrated by Josee Bisaillon.
The book tells the story of Bella and Jack as they learn about what threatens our bees and how they want to do their part to bring back the bees. What starts off as a discussion about a possible science project, leads them on a great journey to find a special group of bees. During their travels, they learn a lot of cool new facts about bees (some were new to me too!) and how every person can do their part to help them. Bella and Jack share simple ways that children of all ages can participate in this great campaign. The book also contains beautiful illustrations that really help to bring the story to life and showcase the importance of bees in our everyday life. This includes the simple planting of wildflowers anywhere you can, regardless of what type of home you live in – from rooftops, to window planters to balconies to gardens, a child can turn their space into a haven for bees.
If you are interested in receiving a free copy of Bella and Jack Bring Back The Bees head over to the Bring Back The Bees home page to find your nearest location and online ordering details. The books are available in both English and French through Indigo, Chapters and Coles. Once you receive your book, get ready to dive into action with your child as you learn all about bees and what you can do to help them.
To enter to win the prize pack pictured above (including Bella and Jack Bring Back The Bees, three seed packages and two boxes of Honey Nut Cheerios) head over to my Facebook page now.
Have you participated in the Bring Back The Bees campaign with planting wildflowers? Will you be participating in 2018?
Disclosure: I received a Bring Back The Bees Packaged (pictured above), all opinions expressed are my own.
April 2, 2018
ICE Book Review
Lauren Carr has added a new series with the Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries, ICE.
About ICE
The clues for a close-to-the-heart missing person’s case heat up when Chris Matheson starts chipping away at the ice on the cold case.
When Sandy Lipton and her unborn child disappear, the court of public opinion finds young Chris Matheson guilty. Decades later, the retired FBI agent returns home to discover that the cloud of suspicion cast over him and his family has never lifted. With the help of a team of fellow retired law enforcement officers, each a specialist in their own field of investigation, Chris Matheson starts chipping away at the ice on this cold case to uncover what had happened to Sandy and her baby and the clues are getting hot.
My Thoughts
Lauren spins an amazing web of lies, murder and love that will have you on the edge of your seat.
In this story, a young woman who has a fascination with Chris Matheson states he is the Father of her unborn child. While some know the truth, before he can prove his innocence with a DNA test both Sandy and her unborn child disappear never to be heard from again. Even after years of a successful career in the FBI, a marriage that did not quite work out and being the Father of a group of smart young ladies, this incident is still hovering over him like a dark cloud.
When he returns home after the death of his wife to give his daughters some normalcy, he is drawn to a group of former law enforcement officers who have retired but still love the thrill of solving a case. This group has a wide range of shockingly amazing skills! They assist him with this cold case that as they begin to unravel the case, leaves you shocked and in horror. We follow a story of deceit, betrayal, murder and family lies. These events from the past lead into a string of current deaths in an interesting twist that constantly leaves you guessing to who is the real culprit.
I love the way Lauren spun this novel – I could not put the book down! I had to know what happened to Sandy and her unborn child and how this disappearance was tied into a string of other murders. I never saw the end coming but it was perfect and suited the novel. A definite must read novel!
You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.
Rating: 5/5
About the Author
Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns.
Now, Lauren has added one more hit series to her list with the Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries. Set in the quaint West Virginia town of Harpers Ferry, Ice introduces Chris Matheson, a retired FBI agent, who joins forces with other law enforcement retirees to heat up those cold cases that keep them up at night.
Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.
Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband, and three dogs on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.
Book Trailer
The Giveaway!
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.