Month: August 2022

Sunday Post: Road Trips and Bling #SundayPost #Bengals

BonnieReadsAndWrites24 Comments

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post

I missed a lot of posting this week, but I decided to drive out to Cincinnati on Saturday to pick up my special gift for Bengals season ticket members. We got replica AFC Championship rings. I drove up to Cincy, stayed a couple hours, and headed back. Here’s a picture of the ring and of me with the Lamar Hunt trophy.

So that was a fun, quick trip that I just decided to do the day before. The only way to get the ring was to pick it up in person. Then I immediately hit the road and headed back to Tennessee.

I am behind on some posts and reviews this week due to my work schedule and unplanned trip, but I’ll be making those up.

LAST WEEK ON BONNIE READS AND WRITES

Sunday I participated in The Sunday Post.

Wednesday I reviewed Murder for the Modern Girl

NEXT WEEK ON BONNIE READS AND WRITES

Today I’m participating in The Sunday Post

Today I’m putting up Self-Published Saturday a day late.

Monday I’m reviewing Jaguar Paloma and the Caketown Bar

Tuesday I’m reviewing an audiobook of A Bookshop Christmas and participating in Top Ten Tuesday if time permits.

Friday I’m participating in Book Blogger Hop and Friday 56.

And on Saturday I will review self-published/indie books.

BOOK HAUL THIS WEEK

“No one writes bright, bold, bad, and beautiful women of history like C.W. Gortner, and he outdoes himself with his latest heroine: Jennie Jerome, American heiress, royal mistress, and mother of Winston Churchill. The American Adventuress shines on every page with Jennie’s irrepressible thirst for adventure, love, and everything else life has to offer!” — Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Rose Code

The story of Jennie Jerome Churchill, mother of Winston, a New York-born heiress who always lived life on her own terms.

Daughter of New York financier Leonard Jerome, Jennie was born into wealth—and scandal. Upon her parents’ separation, her mother took Jennie and her sisters to Paris, where Mrs. Jerome was determined to marry her daughters into the most elite families. The glamorous city became their tumultuous finishing school until it fell to revolt. 

Fleeing to Queen Victoria’s England, Jennie soon caught the eye of aristocrat Randolph Spencer-Churchill, son of the Duke of Marlborough, one of Britain’s loftiest peers. It was love at first sight, their unconventional marriage driven by mutual ambition and the birth of two sons. Undeterred by premature widowhood or society’s rigid expectations, Jennie brashly carried on a lifelong intimate friendship with Edward, Prince of Wales—a notorious bon vivant—and had two later marriages to younger men. When her son Winston launched his brilliant political career, Jennie guided him to success, his most vocal and valuable supporter.

By turns scandalous, tragic, and exciting, Jennie Jerome lived an unconventional life full of defiance—one that enshrined her as an American adventuress.

Escaping her shattered past is much more difficult than she imagined.

Julia Schultz has a reputation for being a storyteller, or as others see it, a liar. But with her dark and painful past, stories are all that have kept her company throughout her life. Longing for a fresh start and a second chance to earn real trust, Julia takes a job as a Harvey Girl at the El Tovar Hotel, where she’s challenged to be her true self.

Learning the trade of a master jeweler is hard work, but Christopher Miller takes pride in running his family’s small shop and earning the respect of the people around him. But when he discovers that he has six weeks to buy his building from his landlord before it is sold, he must find a way to save his grandfather’s legacy.

United by the discovery of a legendary treasure, Chris and Julia find hope in each other. But when Julia’s past catches up with her, doubt creeps into Chris’s heart. Can he really trust her and her stories?

Have a great week, everyone!

#bookreview: Murder for the Modern Girl #HistoricalNovelSociety

BonnieReadsAndWrites9 Comments

This is a wonderful historical paranormal fantasy that I reviewed for the August edition of Historical Novels Review, the magazine of The Historical Novel Society.

In 1928 Chicago, young Ruby is the daughter of the state’s attorney and popular at parties, but she also knows dangerous secrets—because Ruby is a mind reader. When her abilities put men in her path who prey on and murder women, Ruby takes matters into her own hands. Guy has talents of another kind, and his brilliance and abilities just may uncover Ruby’s hidden life. However, Guy has secrets of his own. When the two of them meet, sparks fly, and they become a powerful and gifted team. They soon begin investigating a crime that is close to Ruby’s heart.

This unique novel combines gangland Chicago of the late 1920s with young adult and paranormal fiction. Ruby, the witty flapper who also reads minds, explodes off the page. Her gift and cunning take her from respectable society to back-alley bars, and from the best gatherings to the best poison. With the ability to pull the thoughts right out of a murderer, she is a young vigilante, determined to make things right. Guy has talents of his own, and he is looking for answers as to where they came from. He brings caution to Ruby’s bravado, and she pulls him out of the shadows. These two characters are brilliantly crafted, and they instantly pull the reader in. The plot is thrilling and engaging, and the touches of romance are beautifully balanced. This is a fun and original historical paranormal thriller that will have readers begging for a sequel.

My rating is 4.6 stars, rounded up to five on sites without a half-star option.

I received a free copy of this book from Holiday House via the Historical Novel Society. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kendall Kulper is an author and artist living in Cambridge, MA. She writes historical fantasy for young adult readers and has published three novels, beginning with Salt & Storm (YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, Junior Library Guild Selection) and Drift & Dagger (JLG Selection), and a novella, Saltwater Heart. Her latest novel, Murder for the Modern Girl (JLG Selection), is currently available, and her next novel, A Starlet’s Secret to a Sensational Afterlife, will be published in 2023.Since 2018, she has hand-crafted unique, custom embroidered pieces for clients around the world. She graduated from Harvard University with an honors degree in History & Literature in 2008 and lives with her husband, two daughters, and much-Instagrammed dog, Abby.

Kendall’s Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

BUY LINKS

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Google | Kobo

Sunday Post: 40 Years and 20 Pounds. #SundayPost #RubyAnniversary #Weightloss

BonnieReadsAndWrites13 Comments

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post

Today I turned 58 years old and we had our 40th wedding anniversary. Yes, we got married on my 18th birthday. We’re crazy like that. I always joke that I have to buy Doug a present on my birthday. This is the ruby wedding anniversary. I didn’t ask for a ruby though. Instead I got Bengals season tickets, which are supposed to cover all my presents for the whole year. I got some other presents too, though–jadeite bowls and a beautiful glass candy dish.

I hit another milestone on this milestone day. I changed my weigh-in to today, and I’ve passed the 20-pound weight loss mark! I’ve lost 21 pounds so far! I started my diet on May 31st. This is a huge accomplishment for me. I still have a long way to go, though. I have 90 pounds to go to get to my goal weight, get these weight problems behind me, and avoid diabetes. I would like to get there, or close, by 5/31/23. I thank everyone for cheering me on so far. I need it.

LAST WEEK ON BONNIE READS AND WRITES

On Tuesday I reviewed the audiobook of In The Middle of Hickory Lane

On Thursday I participated in a blog tour for Elodie’s Library of Second Chances

On Friday I participated in Book Blogger Hop and Friday 56.

For Self-Published Saturday, I reviewed The Key House

NEXT WEEK ON BONNIE READS AND WRITES

On Tuesday I will participate in Top Ten Tuesday if time permits and I will review Jaguar Paloma and the Caketown Bar

On Wednesday I will review Murder for the Modern Girl

On Friday I will participate in a blog tour with Rachel’s Random Resources for The Wedding Cake. I will also participate in Book Blogger Hop and Friday 56 if time permits.

On Self-Published Saturday I will review self-published/indie books.

NEW BOOKS THIS WEEK

Founded by the mysterious genius known as the Designer, the archipelago of Prospera lies hidden from the horrors of a deteriorating outside world. In this island paradise, Prospera’s lucky citizens enjoy long, fulfilling lives until the monitors embedded in their forearms, meant to measure their physical health and psychological well-being, fall below 10 percent. Then they retire themselves, embarking on a ferry ride to the island known as the Nursery, where their failing bodies are renewed, their memories are wiped clean, and they are readied to restart life afresh.

Proctor Bennett, of the Department of Social Contracts, has a satisfying career as a ferryman, gently shepherding people through the retirement process—and, when necessary, enforcing it. But all is not well with Proctor. For one thing, he’s been dreaming—which is supposed to be impossible in Prospera. For another, his monitor percentage has begun to drop alarmingly fast. And then comes the day he is summoned to retire his own father, who gives him a disturbing and cryptic message before being wrestled onto the ferry.

Meanwhile, something is stirring. The Support Staff, ordinary men and women who provide the labor to keep Prospera running, have begun to question their place in the social order. Unrest is building, and there are rumors spreading of a resistance group—known as “Arrivalists”—who may be fomenting revolution.

Soon Proctor finds himself questioning everything he once believed, entangled with a much bigger cause than he realized—and on a desperate mission to uncover the truth.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK, EVERYONE!

Self-Published Saturday: The Key House

BonnieReadsAndWrites6 Comments

Self-published Saturday is my effort to help self-published and indie authors with marketing. Self-published/indie authors have to do it all, from cover design to editing to spreading the word about their book. If I can help even a little with marketing, I’m happy to do it.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

After moving into a newly inherited house, the Noland kids discover clues to a supposed treasure hidden by their great-great-grandfather. But when town rumors and some spiteful neighbors suggest foul play was involved, Caleb and David set out on a quest to prove otherwise.

With unexpected dangers looming large and threatening their mission, can the Noland kids discover the mysterious treasure or whatever lies at the end of their treacherous venture, before time runs out and all is lost?

BOOK REVIEW

This is a Christian middle-grade adventure that kids will enjoy. Set in the mid-1990s, we follow the Noland kids as they move into a new house and discover its secrets. Hidden rooms, tunnels, and clues hint at pirates and maybe treasure. The Noland kids’ parents are very involved in the story and their children’s activities, which is a refreshing change from many middle-grade books, where the parents are completely out of the picture. The kids’ experiences and lessons learned are often tied into scripture, which Christian parents will appreciate. The pirate mystery is intriguing.

I have one minor scriptural disagreement: The continued insistence by Mr. Noland that there are no ghosts and that spirits are either in Heaven or Hell conflicts with 1 Samuel 28: 7-20, where a medium who disobeyed the law brought back the spirit of Samuel, and it obviously wasn’t the first spirit she’d ever summoned. Also, while not ghosts, there is definitely a vast spiritual world described in the Bible where angels and demons are at war. I realize this is a kid’s book, however.

Overall, The Key House is a compelling adventure puzzle that kids will enjoy solving.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Pastor and author Mike Curtis brings adventure to life in his new Noland Kids Adventure book series. Growing up in a sports-focused family that loved camping, exploring, and all things adventure, Mike dove into teen ministry in his early twenties to bring the Good News to a distracted and struggling generation.

He is married to the popular homeschooling author and speaker Meredith Curtis. They live in Lake Mary, Florida, and have five children and five grandchildren. As a spiritual dad and pastor of Powerline Church, his passion is sharing life-giving principles from God’s Word that impact and transform others.

In his spare time he loves to watch adventure movies like The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies with his family and friends, and on occasion has been found sacrificing for those he loves by watching a Hallmark romance. He can also be found indulging in books on apologetics, theology, and leadership, in addition to some aggressive ping pong matches during discipleship time with young men. And next to a good steak, Mike’s favorite dish is beef tongue!

His desire is to use his books to mentor the next generation, sharing Christ and biblical principles of character in relevant and enjoyable adventure stories and practical studies.

BUY LINKS

Amazon | Amazon UK

BEFORE YOU GO

*If you buy the book(s), please leave reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, as well as anywhere else you review books.  Some people feel very daunted by writing a review. Don’t worry. You do not have to write a masterpiece. Just a couple of lines about how the book made you feel will make the author’s day and help the book succeed. The more reviews a book has, the more Amazon will promote it.

*Please click on the “share” buttons below and share these books with your Twitter, Facebook, and WordPress followers. A little bit of help from all of us will help self-published/indie authors go a long way!

The Friday 56 #Friday56 #bookblogger

BonnieReadsAndWrites11 Comments

The Friday 56 is sponsored by Freda’s Voice.

* Grab a book, any book.

*Turn to Page 56 or 56% on your e-reader.
If you have to improvise, that is okay.

*Find a snippet, short and sweet, and post it.

The rules are here: Friday56 Rules.

I’m currently reading Mustique Island by Sarah McCoy. You can click on the cover to find out more about the book. This snippet starts at the end of page 56 and goes into page 57. It’s a perfect description of a person so that by the end of it we know what he looks like, as well as his entire personality.

“The rest of the royal party disembarked. Anne introduced Willy May to the entourage: Jean, the princess’s cousin, Janie, wife to Queen magazine’s owner, and Patrick, the Earl of Lichfield, a professional photographer. Patrick was sporty lean and handsome as the devil. His hair was flaxen and feathered back against the wind like wheat at full harvest. He stood wide-legged confident in khaki pants and a white cotton shirt as if he’d just debarked an Admiral Cup-winning ship and not a pedestrian ferry.”

Please feel free to share your page 56 or 56% of your chosen book below. I’d love to see it.

Book Blogger Hop #BookBlogger

BonnieReadsAndWrites16 Comments

The Book Blogger Hop was originally created by Jennifer @ Crazy-For-Books in March 2010 and ended on December 31, 2012. With Jennifer’s permission, Billy @ Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer relaunched the hop on February 15, 2013. Each week the hop will start on a Friday and end the following Thursday. There will be a weekly prompt featuring a book-related question. The hop’s purpose is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to their own blog.

Today’s Question:

by Julie @ Stepping Stone Book Reviews

I could go on and on, but I’ll stick to a few of my favorite fiction books only. You can click on the covers to learn more about them.

My favorite fiction book of all time is:

The Door Into Summer is the book that introduced me to time travel, and I liked the idea of someone trying to change their circumstances by changing the time they are in. And it’s by one of the great science fiction icons, Robert Heinlein.

I talk about Jodi Taylor’s books a lot, and this is the one that started it all. This is the first book in the Chronicles of St. Mary’s series. This is about a hilarious group of time-traveling historians. While it makes you laugh, it also makes you cry.

This is not the first book in Fannie Flagg’s Elmwood Springs Series, but it’s my favorite. Elderly Elner Shimfissle falls out of her fig tree and finds herself having a near-death experience. This is absolutely laugh-out-loud funny.

I devoured this series when I was 11 or 12. Magical wardrobes? Talking animals? Doors into other lands? Count me in. I reread it a lot even now that I’m pushing 60.

My favorite self-published book. Now, I admit I’m the editor, but this book has 340 Amazon reviews, which is not an easy thing to do for self-published authors. Gail Meath is amazing. This is the first book in the Jax Diamond Mysteries series, about a 1920s private detective and his German Shepherd partner. Book two, Framed, is already out. Book three is about to come out in September.

How about you? What are your favorite books?

Blog Tour and #bookreview: Elodie’s Library of Second Chances #RachelsRandomResources

BonnieReadsAndWrites7 Comments

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Elodie’s Library of Second Chances

An uplifting story about fresh starts, new beginnings and the power of stories, from the bestselling author of Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop!

When Elodie applies for the job of librarian in peaceful Willow Grove, she’s looking forward to a new start. As the daughter of a media empire, her every move has been watched for years, and she longs to work with the thing she loves most: books.

It’s a chance to make a real difference too, because she soon realises that there are other people in Willow Grove who might need a fresh start – like the homeless man everyone walks past without seeing, or the divorcée who can’t seem to escape her former husband’s misdeeds.

Together with local journalist Finn, Elodie decides these people have stories that need sharing. What if instead of borrowing books readers could ‘borrow’ a person, and hear the life stories of those they’ve overlooked?

But Elodie isn’t quite sharing her whole story either. As the story of the library’s new success grows, will her own secret be revealed?

BOOK REVIEW

I love books about libraries, but this is more than just a book about a library. This is a book about people, and getting the chance to tell your own story. The beginning of the book which describes Elodie’s experiences as the daughter of media moguls is not as interesting, but it takes on a completely different life when she arrives in Willow Grove and starts planning to save the library. I am not always a fan of the “poor little rich girl” theme, but this book won me over.

I especially loved the way Elodie was drawn to the town outcasts and wanted to know about their lives. The misunderstood, ostracized, bullied, and betrayed were given a voice. They became living books in the People’s Library, which I think is an extraordinary part of this novel. Elodie’s idea to have library patrons meet with a person at the library for 30 minutes and hear their story is completely inspired. I can think of so many people I would like to “check out” at the library in real life. There is a sweet romance, and somewhat of a villain in this novel, but overall this is not a complicated book. Elodie’s Library of Second Chances is a meaningful book that teaches us an important lesson–everyone has a story to tell, if we are willing to listen.

I received a free copy of this book from the pubishers via Rachel’s Random Resources. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rebecca Raisin writes heartwarming romances from her home in sunny Perth, Australia. Her heroines tend to be on the quirky side and her books are usually set in exotic locations so her readers can armchair travel any day of the week. The only downfall about writing about gorgeous heroes who have brains as well as brawn is falling in love with them – just as well they’re fictional. Rebecca aims to write characters you can see yourself being friends with. People with big hearts who care about relationships and believe in true, once-in-a-lifetime love. Her bestselling novel Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop has been optioned for film with MRC studios and Frolic Media.

REBECCA RAISIN’S SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

BUY LINKS

Amazon UK | Amazon US | Amazon Australia

#AudiobookReview: In The Middle of Hickory Lane

BonnieReadsAndWrites9 Comments

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Emme Wynn has wanted nothing more her whole life than to feel like part of a family. Having grown up on the run with her con artist mother, she’s been shuffled from town to town, drawn into bad situations, and has learned some unsavory habits that she’s tried hard to overcome. When her estranged grandmother tracks her down out of the blue and extends a job offer—helping to run her booth at an open-air marketplace in small-town Sweetgrass, Alabama—Emme is hopeful that she’ll finally be able to plant the roots she’s always dreamed of. But some habits are hard to break, and she risks her newfound happiness by keeping one big truth to herself.

Cora Bee Hazelton has her hands full with volunteering, gardening, her job as a color consultant and designer, and just about anything she can do to keep her mind off her painful past, a past that has resulted in her holding most everyone at arm’s length.

In the magical neighborhood garden in the middle of Hickory Lane, Emme and Cora Bee learn some hard truths about the past and themselves, the value of friends, family, and community, and most importantly, that true growth starts from within.

#BookReview

Emme is an outsider–cast aside, neglected, and abused by her con artist mother and desperately looking for a family to be part of. When Glory, her father’s mother, finds her and offers her a job, Emme warily accepts, hoping for a family, although she knows something Glory does not. Cora Bee has experienced rejection, heartbreak, and betrayal of her own, and is dealing with the aftermath. Slowly Cora Bee and Emme form a friendship, but can either of them ever trust anyone? At the same time, a body has been discovered in a sinkhole in the community garden. Do some of the residents of Hickory Lane know more than they are telling? Rejection, secrets, judgments, and missing pieces all come together in this wonderful novel set in Sweetgrass, Alabama.

When I think of small-town fiction, this is what I want. I want a community of interesting characters who are so fun and engaging that I feel like I’ve joined the town myself. I want secrets, big personalities, loss, misunderstandings, and hope of belonging. This book meets all of that and more. Now here’s the kicker: throw in a bit of magical realism! I was hooked! I laughed and cried, and I wondered how in the world I missed Heather Webber’s 25 other books! I definitely want to go and live on Hickory Lane, but in the meantime, I’m going to be catching up on this author’s other works, which I hope are as delightful as this one. This book is perfect for fans of Fannie Flagg’s small-town novels.

I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed an absolutely stellar performance by Hallie Ricardo and Stephanie Willis.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from Macmillan Audio via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Heather Webber, aka Heather Blake, is the author of more than twenty-five novels. She loves to read, drink too much coffee and tea, birdwatch, crochet, and bake. She currently lives near Cincinnati, Ohio, and is hard at work on her next book.

BUY LINKS

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Google | Kobo

Sunday Post: Crazy Days and a Lazy Day

BonnieReadsAndWrites23 Comments

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Mem

This has been a crazy week. My work has been very busy, with only a few hours to rest in the evenings and do our Netflix bingeing. We just finished The Blacklist and started on The Practice, which is a late 90s/early 2000s legal drama. I also want to try Virgin River.

Yesterday there was not much time for rest. After a trip with Doug (my husband) to the wholesale store and one of our favorite antique stores (I also collect vintage glassware), I confronted the large pile of banana peppers and turned them into six pint jars of banana pepper rings, adding some jalapenos to create a medium heat, as banana peppers are quite mild. All of my jars sealed and the pile of peppers is gone for now, so I’m very happy. I might use the same method to pickle some spears of squash.

An example of some of the vintage glass similar to what I collect. I love Jadeite, but I collect a lot of other glass too. I would have taken a picture of my own glass, but the house is really messy today.

Today I was going to go to the store and then create a tomato tart, but Doug saw how wiped out I was and suggested just eating leftovers and canning the remaining tomatoes that I have in a small batch before they go bad. We have some tomatoes gifted by my Aunt Bonnie, from whom I get my name. Our tomatoes are just now beginning to ripen, but we’ll have a bunch in the next couple of weeks. I’m also excited about some habaneros that are ripening right now. I have nine watermelons (nine!) ripening on the vine. Doug went out and pinched all the remaining flowers off of the vine because nine is more than enough for the two of us. The idea I have so far for preserving the excess watermelon is to puree it and freeze it in ice cubes trays to use in watermelon slushies later. I’ve also seen recipes for watermelon fruit leather.

Our crazy watermelon patch that has grown out of the garden and into the backyard.

So I’m sitting on my couch watching the Escape to the Chateau series on Peacock in its entirety. If you haven’t seen it, it’s about a British couple who buy a 19th Century French chateau (Chateau De La Motte Husson) and completely restores it, going from rubble and holes in the roof to glorious over several years. It’s not only about home restoration and crafts projects, but they also show clips from the weddings they host there and the food they prepare. It’s wonderful and is literally an escape. It reminds me how much I loved France the two times I’ve gone there.

My weight loss is still going well. I’m at 18.5 pounds down with a weigh-in coming up on Tuesday. I haven’t been exercising much, so I’m trying to come up with a realistic plan with baby steps that I can stick to. I need something that won’t burn me out. I tend to take on too much in everything I do.

LAST WEEK ON BONNIE READS AND WRITES

On Monday I did a book review as part of a Bookouture blog tour for The Orphan’s Mother by Marion Kummerow.

On Wednesday I did a book review of The Pilot’s Girl, the second book in the Hanni Winter series by Catherine Hokin.

On Friday I participated in Book Blogger Hop and Friday 56.

NEXT WEEK ON BONNIE READS AND WRITES (schedule subject to change)

On Monday I will do an audiobook review of In the Middle of Hickory Lane.

On Tuesday I will participate in Top Ten Tuesday, if time permits.

On Thursday I will participate in a blog tour for Elodie’s Library of Second Chances

.On Friday I will participate in Book Blogger Hop and Friday 56 if time permits.

On Self-Published Saturday I will promote/review Self-Published/Indie books.

SOME OF MY BOOK HAUL THIS WEEK

Julia Child’s fictional best friend solves murder mysteries in Post World War II Paris. I couldn’t resist!

In 1942, an impulsive promise to her brother before he goes off to the European front puts Avis Montgomery in the unlikely position of head librarian in small-town Maine. Though she has never been much of a reader, when wartime needs threaten to close the library, she invents a book club to keep its doors open. The women she convinces to attend the first meeting couldn’t be more different–a wealthy spinster determined to aid the war effort, an exhausted mother looking for a fresh start, and a determined young war worker.

Although this is another WWII-themed book, it has a different take–a library on the home front. I also used to live in Maine, so I love to read books set in Maine.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK, EVERYONE!

Self-Published Saturday: Katya’s Sunflowers #Ukraine

BonnieReadsAndWrites14 Comments

Self-Published Saturday is my effort to help Self-Published/Indie authors with marketing. These authors have to do it all, from cover design to editing to marketing. If I can help even a little bit with promotion, I’m happy to do it. This week’s feature is Katya’s Sunflowers, a meaningful story for children and adults, with proceeds going to Ukraine.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Katya’s Sunflowers’ is inspired by a true story and is dedicated to the current war and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine (as well as World War 2).

The book tells a story of a Ukrainian woman Katya who saved two Jewish boys during World War 2. The boys grew up and left Ukraine while staying in touch with Katya and her family. 80 years later (and after Katya’s death), when the current Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February of this year, the children of those two boys flew back to Ukraine. They rescued Katya’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, by moving the whole extended family from Ukraine to a nearby Poland.

My name is Julie. I am a half-Russian, half-Ukrainian and the author of this story. Barbara, the wonderfully talented illustrator of this book, is Polish. Our goal is for this book to reach as many people as possible as it has to do with the current crisis, which currently claims 11 million refugees and thousands of deaths. I would love for the book to be noticed and serve a cause, i.e. help children understand the current situation and place in history. All the funds from ‘Katya’s Sunflowers’ sales will be donated to refugee families. Thank you!

BOOK REVIEW

What a wonderful tribute to the people of Ukraine! Katya’s Sunflowers by Julie G. Fox is a Children’s story that is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. It is also both sad and uplifting. It is about the heroism and kindness that can come out in terrible times. The illustrations by Barbara Owczarek are absolutely beautiful and really are a huge part of this story. In only 27 pages, Katya’s Sunflowers conveys the horrors of war and shows us the good people who fight back and help others. It is about how the good you do will circle back to you when you need it most.

I always put up buy links for books, but I want to make sure you know that all proceeds of this book go to Ukrainian refugees.

I received a free digital copy of this book via Booksirens. I also purchased a copy. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

(Julie G. Fox In her own words from her website, Clever Fox Press)

When I came up with the idea for my first book ‘Goodbye, Emma’ which tells a story of a child refugee forced to leave his dog behind, I decided to start my own charitable publishing venture that would raise funds and awareness for children refugees around the world. And so, Clever Fox Press was born, a company dedicated to all children refugees. We work with charities assisting children refugees in England, Canada, Germany, Greece, Iraq, Ukraine and Turkey. Through a unique collaboration with artists and toy makers around the world, we’ve created more than 20 children’s books since January 2016, and more books are on the way. We treat children how they want to be treated – as intelligent human beings who can comprehend and explore the many social and scientific issues our stories touch on.

BUY LINKS

AMAZON | AMAZON UK

BEFORE YOU GO

*If you buy the book(s), please leave reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, as well as anywhere else you review books.  Some people feel very daunted by writing a review. Don’t worry. You do not have to write a masterpiece. Just a couple of lines about how the book made you feel will make the author’s day and help the book succeed. The more reviews a book has, the more Amazon will promote it.

*Please click on the “share” buttons below and share these books with your Twitter, Facebook, and WordPress followers. A little bit of help from all of us will help self-published authors go a long way!