I’m hosting a Back to School Giveaway! No, I’m not launching a new book. I like to treat my readers to unexpected surprises now and then. I also hope to acquire new readership. This is one reason authors hold contests. Contests are a fun way to help build your on-line platform. I’ve held several and they are tons of fun. …
What do you want to read about?
I truly want to create a blog that is fun, entertaining and useful. We are all short on time, aren’t we? The last thing we need to do is waste our time reading blogs that we don’t connect with. I deeply desire to connect with you, Dear Reader. Would you be so kind as to fill out this survey? I’d …
The Blessings of Friendship by Mary Engelbreit — 5 /5 stars
I had little doubt when I ordered The Blessing of Friendship to review for BookLook that I would fall in love with it. I’ve been an Engelbreit fan for at least twenty years. I especially love her “Queen of Everything” theme and own several products from that line. The Blessings of Friendship, is a cheerful and touching treasury of poetry, …
The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron: 4.5/5 stars
If you enjoy WWII fiction, you’ll want to read Cambron’s book, The Butterfly and the Violin. This love story is about an art gallery owner’s search for a haunting painting found at Auschwitz-Birkenau. I normally don’t like to read about the Holocaust because it’s too painful for me. I internalize much of the pain and it takes me days to …
Strong Girl: Malala Yousafzai
Imagine riding the bus home from school and being ambushed by the taliban because you blog about girls getting an education. This is what happened to Malala Yousafzai on a Tuesday, October 9, 2012. The young militants opened fire on the bus, shot Malala in the head and neck, wounded two others, and left them for dead. They thought they’d …
Dad is Fat by Jim Gaffigan 5/5 stars
There are just so many reasons why this book is epic. First of all, it’s written by a dad. Second, it’s written by a dad who loves his kids Third, it’s written by a dad who adores his wife Fourth, it’s written by a dad who is a conservative who takes his kids to church Fifth, it’s written by a …
The Supreme Macaroni Company by Adriana Trigiani — 4.5/5 stars
I don’t know where I’ve been and why I’ve not heard of Adriana Trigiani but here is an author I can’t get enough of. Actually, I think I have read her before, but until I re-read her Big Gap book, I’m not positive. Funny how that happens. This book was kind of surreal for me because it mentioned places I …
The Daring Ladies of Lowell by Kate Alcott — 4 out of 5 stars
I love historical fiction and when it features a strong and feisty heroine who is true to her ideals, I think I like it most. This book fit the bill. Alice is a farm girl with a dictatorial father. She chooses to leave the farm after her mother dies to work at the cotton mills in Lowell, Massachusetts. While working …
The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg — 5 out of 5 stars
I’m a long, long, long-time Fannie Flagg, author fan. One of my all-time favorite movies is Fried Green Tomatoes. Fannie Flagg wrote that. I love books that explore the lives of women. That’s one of the reasons I wrote my novel, The Pastor’s Wife Wears Biker Boots. I yearn for good girlfriend relationships, but I think they’re really difficult. I …
Live Blogging Realm Makers Conference: Keynote Speaker Tosca Lee
What an amazing day I’ve had at Realm Maker’s conference today! This morning’s Keynote Speaker was best-selling author, Tosca Lee. If you’ve never read any of her books, I highly recommend you do. Her style and voice are unique and powerful. As I wrote before, she has a voice akin to liquid velvet. I can’t get enough of her. Did …