When you were a tween, wouldn’t you have loved having a road map to help with the twists and turns of puberty? Sherry Kyle is a wonderful author I met at ACFW a couple of years ago. When I saw her new book called The Girl’s Guide to Life, I loved the cover and wanted to know more. The sage wisdom is presented effortlessly in a fun format for girls. Here’s an excerpt from our interview: What inspired you to begin to write and specifically about your most recent book, The Girl’s Guide to Life? When my kids were small,…
Resilient YA Author Lorie Langdon’s Wit, Struggles, and Triumphs
Lorie Langdon shares about her series Doon, co-written with Carey Corp, in which the tale of Brigadoon is retold in a modern context for teens. Magical bridges, foggy moats, castles, musical theater, big cities and pastoral lands, and romance with handsome Scots make this all fun. I love the enchanted premise and Lorie brings us behind the scenes for key decisions she made with Carey about the story and characters. Lorie also opens up about her own path to resilience through her battle with Crohn’s disease which has taken a great toll on her in the past. She’s so inspiring…
Let Your Creativity Take Flight with Actress Wendy Speake
Have you ever felt like the edges of your dreams—the ones where you’re a creative, lovely person writing, painting, drawing, or sewing—had slipped so far from your grasp as a wife and mother that you wondered whether you could really find them again? I have. After a summer of travel to launch the blog and for my writing projects, things were, well, a bit crispy on the fringes. I missed the simple joys of cooking a dinner and laying a table with pretty flowers and candles. And then I got to sit with Wendy Speake. She is part of a…
The Other Side of Unblemished with YA Author Sara Ella
My dear friend Young Adult Author Sara Ella shares all kinds of insights about her debut novel, Unblemished, which is launching October 11th, 2016. Scroll down to see the YouTube interview. As a resilience expert, I dig deeper into character insights and choices Sara made while developing the plot and character aspects. Sara shares interesting tidbits to watch for, like the influence of musical theater on the chapter titles, and even about a character that took over the whole story line. He just wouldn’t keep in check! Check out my review of her wonderful adventurous book and connect with Sara…
Situational Forgiveness and Podcast with Rev. Misty Tyme
As a survivor of losing every possession and our home in a wildfire, I sometimes get to share my story with others who have a special heart for helping hurting families. Recently I was asked to share some insights about situational forgiveness by Rev. Misty Tyme on her podcast. (Link here: Situational Forgiveness). We hit all the biggies, what it was like to evacuate, and how to find a path for forgiveness for self, others, and even God in the midst of stark tragedy. I was very open about how people treated us, both good and bad, and how we…
Never Let Go Of Magic with Author Shannon Messenger
Recently I met Shannon Messenger, author of the middle grade Keeper of the Lost Cities series and the Sky Fall series for young adults. Shannon is a delight and her stories are so wonderful. It was a genuine pleasure to meet her and hear about her books for both groups. Shannon is an accomplished artist and really helps us to never let go of our love for magical things in life. Her characters learn that belonging isn’t as important as being genuine and realizing their true value. Shannon gave me great swag (photo below) for two lucky winners of…
Great things and Giveaways, Author Interviews in September
Here’s a quick video update about wonderful things coming, starting TOMORROW! With Shannon Messenger’s interview about Keeper of the Lost Cities Series for middle grade and her young adult series as well. Later this month we’ll see Sara Ella and learn more about having a creative life with Wendy Speake and Kelli Stuart’s new book, Life Creative. We’ll dive deep with updates about bullying and what you can do to not feel so helpless if it happens, how to diagnose it with young ones too. Sign up for the blog and my first giveaway, wonderful swag from Shannon Messenger and…
Get Ready For A Sparkling September
September is our kick-off month for three blog themes to encourage, embolden, and inspire you, and some sparkle not to miss at Disneyland before the end of their 60th Anniversary Diamond Days celebration. Late August Note: As a gemologist, I’m always on the lookout for something beautiful to see. Pictured above is some sparkle not to miss at Disneyland before the 60th anniversary is over on September 5, 2016. Make sure to stop by The Disney Gallery right as you enter Disneyland to view this spectacular castle and some other gorgeous gems with Swarovski crystals. There are also fascinating paintings…
The Glass Sentence: A Different Reality With Amazing Imagination – Book Review
The Glass Sentence by S. E. Grove My age recommendation: upper middle grade through young adult. Novel’s strongest point: Amazing premise and unrivaled descriptive abilities for a contemporary work while keeping a tight pace. A bit about… Take a modern world-map and crumple it in your hand. Then pretend each wrinkle is a territory border, and each section has split into a different time. This is what really happens in The Glass Sentence though a Great Disruption in 1789 that threw all continents into different time periods, different eras coexisting in a chaotic mix and match of generations and…
The Grimm Legacy: A Magical Library Where Stories Come To Life -Book Review
The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman My age recommendation: upper middle grade through young adult. Novel’s strongest point: Whimsical and amusing premise, use of the author’s real-life background as a librarian in an inventive way that makes it come alive. A bit about the book… Elizabeth Rew knows what it’s like to have some serious bumps in life, and then have a magical encounter. New school, new stepmother, and a best friend moves away all at the same time! She finds herself friendless until Mr. Mauskopf, her social studies teacher, recommends her for a position at unique library. The New…
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