Thank you for your support during an exciting year and happy new year 2020! I wanted to give an update about some neat things in the works and what will be coming in the months that follow. Upcoming and recent appearances I wrote a science/devotional about the amazing inner world of diamonds and gems for Clubhouse magazine for children with Focus on the Family, and it will be out in February, 2020! I just received this preview and have to share how rewarding it was working with the Gemology community in researching the specialty of Photomicrography – taking very detailed…
Favorite Reads of 2018
The Not-To-Miss Books, Great Gift Ideas, and Favorite Reads for Middle Graders I’m so excited to share some of my favorite reads to add to your Christmas list for boys and girls ages eight to thirteen years. One of my pet peeves is hearing parents at school say their kids don’t like to read. I think, really, they may just not have found their niche. My favorite ones are fantasy, comedy, mysteries, and historical fiction. I’ll highlight some series with new releases and favorites in this blog post so you can shop for your kids this holiday season. Ahoy, Pirates!…
Flashback Book Launch Event with Author Shannon Messenger
Recently, author Shannon Messenger, who writes the wonderful Keeper of the Lost Cities series began her book launch tour for her book Flashback. I was excited to meet up with a friend in our MG Lunch Bunch readers group and enjoy Messenger’s talk sponsored by Kepler’s Literary Foundation. I had met and interviewed her a couple of years ago (you can see the interview HERE) and was so very delighted to watch the mounting excitement as kids and parents entered the room. I sat next to a group of middle-school aged girls who were carrying sparkly backpacks and had home-made…
Great Adventurous Reads For Middle Grade – 2017
Great adventurous holiday reads for stocking stuffers! Recently I was walking out of a school and I overheard some moms lamenting the fact that there’s “so little good fiction for middle grade.” I’ll bet my eyes bugged out a bit since I write upper middle grade fantasy and love to read super adventures. “All my son will read is about underpants or gross comedy.” They’re really missing out. Since I know of some wonderful books, and great authors, and perhaps you’re looking for a fun book to read or recommend to a friend who’s a tween or teen, here’s some…
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…
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