Write What Inspires You! ~ Donna M. McDine ~

Children's Book ~ Boo's Bad Day by Penny Lockwood

noreply@blogger.com (Donna McDine) — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:01:00 +0000

I'm pleased to welcome Penny Lockwood today to Write What Inspires You as she shares details of her latest children's book. The cover of makes me want to pick it up right away. The intriguing title and the darling illustration by Deborah C. Johnson is just the beginning. Welcome Penny!

Donna, you asked me what inspires me to write. I enjoy writing in many different genres and for both adults and children. My inspiration comes to me in many different forms from fleeting conversations to articles I’ve read.

Boo’s Bad Day, the picture book I’m currently touring on several blogs, including yours, came from an adventure our own black cat Boo had when he was a teenager. At the time, we allowed our cats to go in and out as they pleased. One winter day, during a particularly cold spell, Boo went out. As the day wore on, weather turned, and we had an ice storm. That evening, when we called Boo, he didn’t return. The next day, we located him high up in a fir tree. My husband tried to get him down but couldn’t reach him, not even standing on the top of our 50-foot ladder. We called the fire department, but they told us they no longer rescued cats. Poor Boo’s meows were getting weaker, and we were worried. We finally arranged for a friend, taller than my husband, to come over. He was able to grab Boo and get him down from the tree. Once Boo got inside, he refused to leave the hearth in front of our wood stove for a week.

When my grandchildren were born, I knew I wanted to try my hand at writing for younger children. I thought of Boo’s story and decided this would be a good way to talk about caring for pets as well as being safe.

My middle grade novel, Ghost for Rent, started brewing in my head after I had a conversation with a former neighbor. After divorcing, she left her home and moved into an old farmhouse rental with her children. One night, they heard a piano playing in their living room. When they went downstairs to investigate, they saw a ghostly being sitting on the piano stool.

My young daughter had told me I wasn’t a real writer because I didn’t have a book published. Up to that time, I had published numerous articles and stories in magazines, but I hadn’t written a novel. My friend’s story got me thinking this would be a great book for the middle grade readers, and one my daughter might enjoy. She was a great fan of Poe at the time. I was fortunate to find a publisher and I finally had a “book.”

The follow-up to Ghost for Rent is Ghost for Lunch. When I finished the first book, I thought it would be a fun paranormal mystery series for kids. I live in an area which has had numerous ghost sightings, so when I wrote Ghost for Rent, I located it in my town. One day, I came across an article in the local newspaper about a restaurant in a town seven miles away. I knew this was the focus for the next book, and Ghost for Lunch was born. Since my original publisher had gone out of business, I was lucky that the publisher who accepted Ghost for Lunch was interested in the first book, too.

The next book in the series is my current WIP. A friend told me about an experience with a ghost she had while working in a local craft store. I immediately realized this would be the perfect mystery for my young sleuths to solve. Ghost for Rent and Ghost for Lunch are under contract with 4RV Publishing, the publishers who released Boo’s Bad Day. I hope they will be ready for release by the end of the year, packaged as a two-book deal. I’m also keeping my fingers crossed that 4RV will be interested in the next book, too.

Another picture book under contract with 4RV, Many Colored Coats, is a direct result of a diversity training I took while volunteering for our local women’s crisis line. One of the programs the agency developed was a child abuse prevention presentation. I wanted to translate this into a picture book which would be available to more children than those in our county. Using animals instead of children, I tried to make the message subtle yet strong enough that young readers will take away the important information.

My adult fantasy story, Ice Man, was inspired by an article in National Geographic about a man frozen in ice for thousands of years. I wondered what his life was like and if he left any family behind. Another adult fantasy, Ashley of Ashland, came from an article in a statewide newspaper about a man whose home burned, and they found him staring into the ashes. Mirror, Mirror, a time travel romance, popped into my head one day when I was looking at mirrors in a local antique shop. I wondered what it would be like to travel through the mirror to another time, and the story was born.

I read a lot of fantasy, so most of my short stories tend toward that genre. I guess I find inspiration in the authors I read, although I do feel my style is my own and not a rehash of someone else’s work.

My non-fiction work has been in the areas of parenting, teen self-help, and writing tips. As a writer, I’ve learned a great deal about polishing a manuscript, where to find ideas, marketing, blogging, and other areas of the craft. I wanted to share what I learned with other new writers. When I was younger, I didn’t know where to start, where to look for markets, or even how to properly edit a manuscript for submission. Being able to share my knowledge with others is important to me.

By the same token, my articles for parents and teens have come about through my own experiences and from training's I had as a volunteer for Girl Scouts and my children’s after school programs. For many years, I was actively involved in our local Women’s Resource Center. There I learned about diversity, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and child abuse prevention. What I was taught, I translated into articles for various parenting and teen magazines. Again, I wanted to share my knowledge with others who might not have access to the information I had.

My inspiration for writing comes to me in unexpected places and from all around me. I’m never at a loss for an idea, and I have so many ideas stashed away, I’ll never get to all of them. I want to tell stories to my children, my grandchildren, and my friends. I’m thrilled that others can enjoy them now, too, thanks to the support and belief of my various publishers.

Donna, thanks for hosting me. At the end of the tour, I will pick out one commenter’s name and send an autographed copy of Boo’s Bad Day to a United States address only. If the name I pick is someone who lives outside the U.S., I will send a PDF copy of the book. So remember, readers, be sure to leave contact information when you comment!

If your readers missed yesterday’s post, they can catch up at http://4horsemenseriesbr.blogspot.com/. Tomorrow, I’ll be visiting with http://snugglewithpicturebooks.com/.

About the book:

BOO’S BAD DAY
By: Penny Lockwood
Picture book for children aged 18 months to 6 years
Published by 4RV Publishing
ISBN# 13: 978-0-9852661-5-8

4RV - http://www.4rvpublishingcatalog.com/penny-lockwood.php

$8.99 includes s/h

Look inside at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Boos-Bad-Day-Penny-Lockwood/dp/0985266155/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Blurb: Boo is a very bored kitten. When Timmy and his mom return home, Boo sneaks out of the house. Boo is frightened by the noises of the big world outside of the safety of his warm home. When Timmy coaxes Boo back into the house, Boo realizes some places are safe and some are not.

About the author: Penny Lockwood has published more than 100 articles, 75 stories, a chapbook, and her stories have been included in two anthologies. She writes for both adults and children. Her fiction has appeared in numerous genre and children’s publications, and non‑fiction work has appeared in a variety of writing, parenting, and young adult print magazines and on line publications. She edits for MuseItUp Publishing. Visit her web site at http:// pennylockwoodehrenkranz.yolasite.com. Her writing blog is located at http://pennylockwoodehrenkranz.blogspot.com/.

She has recently released Boo’s Bad Day with 4RV Publishing and has three other children’s books under contract with them: Ghost for Rent, Ghost for Lunch, and Many Colored Coats. She has three romances published by MuseItUp Publishing: Love Delivery, Lady in Waiting, and Mirror, Mirror. Her short story collection, A Past and A Future, is available through Sam’s Dot Publishing and Smashwords.

Penny, it's been a pleasure hosting you today. Your experiences in your life are fascinating. I wish you the very best in both your personal and professional lives!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
Connect with Donna McDine on Google+

The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Children's Book - Powder Monkey Galley

noreply@blogger.com (Donna McDine) — Fri, 03 May 2013 10:59:00 +0000

What better way for a children's author to start their day... Checking email and receiving the galley proof of their latest book. I finally learned how to take a snippet of the computer screen (yes, Thomas John...I can now do this for what we need to do) and I'm over the moon to share with you.

Illustrator, K.C. Snider once again has blown me away! This is our second book together and she has exceeded my expectations!

Thanks to my wonderful publisher, Lynda Burch of Guardian Angel Publishing. She is a true gem!

Over the next several months plans will be set into motion for a virtual book tour, which will include Powder Monkey and Hockey Agony.

Let the final proofread begin!

Best-selling Children's Author, Nancy Stewart Visits Write What Inspires You

noreply@blogger.com (Donna McDine) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:01:00 +0000

Welcome to Write What Inspires You!

I'm delighted to host Best-selling and Award-winning children's author, Nancy Stewart on her latest virtual book. I had the honor of meeting Nancy in person in the fall of 2010, I can hardly believe how much time has past since our first meeting! I was unable to travel to Florida for the February 2013 Guardian Angel Publishing gathering and hope to meet up with my fellow "Angels" at the next gathering.

Without further ado, I present to you Nancy's guest post and be sure to follow Nancy throughout cyberspace during her latest virtual book tour. Welcome Nancy!

You Have a Great Idea for a MG or YA Book? Now What Do You Do?
by Nancy Stewart

So you have a wonderful idea for a book. How can you turn that fabulous idea into a great book? And how do other authors do it? Certainly middle grade novels require a bit of amping down, but with young adult, all bets are off. You can create the creepiest, meanest, or most selfless and heroic characters you want without fear of doing so. In fact, young adult novels have become known as “crossovers,” appropriate for teens and adults alike!

Let’s start with characters—protagonists and antagonists. Immediately move them out of the ordinary but not too slant. By that I mean, keep them a little bit “everyman” while making them non-ordinary. Most of us write characters with which we can identify—those within our comfort zone. Get rid of that notion. Try writing about the hapless, the flawed, those who are different than you but, of course, are still human with many of the same desires and wishes. Hard to do? Yes, but so worthwhile in creating a complex and memorable character. (Think Tennessee Williams, Ernest Hemmingway, Margaret Atwood.) In The Handmaid’s Tale, Atwood gives the Cinderella protagonist no quarter—and no handsome prince to save the day. She’s on her own, and the readers love it!

Have your characters do—not describe, or talk the reader to death, or kill them with boredom. In other words (and I hate to say it again but will) show, don’t tell. Let the people you’ve brought to life on the page live, betray, love, and hate—all the time showing what they do instead of describing how they do it.

Think of gestures you or others do. Things we’re not really aware of many times on a conscious level. A look, a non-look when one should occur, a gesture, a speech hesitation, too much speech, a realization that one knows s/he has said too much, and s/he knows you (and perhaps the whole table) knows…I could go on forever. These human markers drive fiction, they drive the story, heck—they drive life! Use them to your advantage. But remember, don’t describe them, make your characters live them.

If we (and I place myself first here) can infuse our writing with such techniques, our stories will improve. They will stand out. They will shine. They will be art imitating life. And who knows? They may be as true to life as life itself.

About the book:

Bella and Britt are worried about all the trash appearing on their beautiful beach. But what can they do? Britt is leaving on vacation, and Bella can’t solve the problem alone. Without adults to lend a hand, can they possibly save their beach?

Excerpt:

Bella, Britt and all their friends built sand castles and filled moats with salty sea. But this summer, the girls were worried.

“Look at all this trash, Britt,” said Bella.

She nodded. “Yeah, and I leave on vacation tomorrow. I can’t help pick it up!”

Next morning, Bella walked along the beach alone. “Hello.” Bella said to the old crooked beak pelican, perched on his piling. “Somebody has to help, and I guess it’s me.”

Purchase from:

NANCYSTEWARTBOOKS.COM
GUARDIAN ANGEL PUBLISHING
AMAZON
BARNES AND NOBLE

Nancy Stewart Bio:

Nancy is the bestselling and award winning author of the four Bella and Britt Series books for children: One Pelican at a Time (eighteen weeks on Amazon Bestselling List), Sea Turtle Summer, (which won the Children’s Literary Classic Gold Award), Bella Saves the Beach (which won the Gold) and Mystery at Manatee Key. The authorized biography, Katrina and Winter: Partners in Courage, is the story of Katrina Simpkins and Winter, the dolphin. One Pelican at a Time and Nancy were featured in the PBS Tampa special, GulfWatch. All are published by Guardian Angel Publishing.

Nancy is a frequent speaker and presenter at writer’s conferences throughout the United States. She conducts workshops and seminars and speaks to school children on writing and helping save their planet. A blogger with a worldwide audience, she writes of all things pertaining to children’s literature.

Nancy’s travels take her extensively throughout the world, most particularly Africa. She is US chair of a charity in Lamu, Kenya, that places girls in intermediate schools to allow them to further their education. She and her husband live in Tampa and St. Louis.

Visit her online at www.nancystewartbooks.com and her blog at http://www.nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com

Bella Saves the Beach Tour Schedule

Monday, April 22^nd

Guest post at The Children’s and Teens’ Book Connection

Tuesday, April 23^rd

Book trailer feature at If Books Could Talk

Wednesday, April 24^th

Book review at On Words - Opening Eyes, Opening Hearts

Thursday, April 25^th

Book spotlight and giveaway at The Busy Mom’s Daily

Book review at Shannon Hitchcock Pen and Prose

Monday, April 29^th

Book review at Hook Kids on Reading

Guest post at The Pen and Ink

Tuesday, April 30^th

Guest post at Write What Inspires You

Wednesday, May 1^st

Book review at LadyD Books

Thursday, May 2^nd

Book review at Kid Lit Reviews

Friday, May 3^rd

Guest post at Lori’s Reading Corner

Monday, May 6^th

Interview at Tribute Books Reviews and Giveaways

Tuesday, May 7^th

Book reviewed at The Picture Book Review

Wednesday, May 8^th

Book reviewed at My Devotional Thoughts

Thursday, May 9^th

Book review at It’s About Time Mamaw

Friday, May 10^th

Book review at The Children’s and Teens’ Book Connection

Monday, May 13^th

Book review at 4 the Love of Books

Tuesday, May 14^th

Book spotlight at Review from Here

Book review at The Jenny Revolution

Wednesday, May 15^th

Guest post at Literarily Speaking

Thursday, May 16^th

Book review at Mrs. Mommy Booknerd’s Reviews

Friday, May 17^th

Book spotlight at I’m A Reader, Not A Writer

Nancy, congratulations on your latest release! It's always a pleasure to host you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
Connect with Donna McDine on Google+

The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Social Networking Enough Already…When It Hinders Your Writing

noreply@blogger.com (Donna McDine) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 04:01:00 +0000

Social Networking Enough Already…When It Hinders Your Writing

By Donna M. McDine

As a society we are bombarded with technology at every angle. Often times overloading our brains of too much information. No matter what type of business world you travel in it has become a constant buzz of checking our email and voice mail at a frantic pace, and hanging out on social media networks to the point that our face-to-face communication suffers.

Personally, I’ve come to the decision I need to turn off the technology to rejuvenate my creative juices for my writing. When I say turn-off, I don’t mean completely, but with limitations. I always write my first draft of an article or new manuscript long hand with my favorite pen. In my case, my Graf Von Faber-Castell pen. Yes an indulgent but oh so worth it! Using this method to write away from my computer greatly reduces my temptation to check email every 30 seconds and surf various social media networks.

Over the years I have forced myself to get to the task at hand and write first, marketing second (yes, I know many feel social networking is a form of marketing, but when you spend the majority of your time socializing with peers and not connecting with your readers what’s the point?), researching publishing markets and blogging (which is a form of social networking) and in my opinion instrumental in developing one’s platform. How to build your platform is a topic for another day.

It’s wonderful to connect with people through social networking whom you most likely would have never met otherwise, however if you allow social networking to become your “job” you risk valuable writing time that could result in the next “big” book!

Yes, utilize social networking but with responsibility. Do you want to concentrate on honing your writing skills and writing the best manuscript possible or have hundreds of thousands followers on your social networks with no concrete publishing credits to show for your efforts? You decide what’s important to you. I made my decision to get out from behind my computer and engage in-person with members of my community who are instrumental in getting the books in to the children’s hands, librarians, teachers, parents, after school program directors, etc. The end and continued result is my business relationships have soared.

Good luck and expand your outreach beyond your computer!

Guest Author - Lorita Kelsey Childress visits Write What Inspires You!

noreply@blogger.com (Donna McDine) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 04:01:00 +0000

Why did I decide to write Grandma, how do you know God is real?

by Lorita Kelsey Childress

I have a grandchild who I adore and love with all of my heart. She is a joy, very inquisitive and bright. She has been going to church with my husband and me since she was born. One day, I was praying about my next project and telling God I wanted to write a children’s book to leave as a legacy for my granddaughter, Kamia. I didn’t want just any story but a story that honored the God; I serve which would uniquely evangelize to her and all children of the world regarding the multitude of reasons as to why God is real. I also wanted a book which would remind adults about the everyday things we take for granted that He has created. We as a society are inundated with just living life and often forget that an old tree, green grass or a bird flying are all beautiful creations designed by God. I wanted to convey through my writing a thought provoking fun story which had great illustrations and simplistic teachings. Thus my book was imparted into my spirit.

As Christians our faith is increased by attending Sunday school, church and reading the Bible. These are instrumental tools in aiding us with continually building a strong deep rooted foundation in our Christian walk and our relationship with or Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. However, at a young age it is often hard to decipher. I wrote Grandma, how do you know God is real? to help children obtain another point of view regarding our God and to unite those who read it by rejoicing over His many blessings.

Title: Grandma How Do You Know God Is Real?

Synopsis: Grandma, how do you know God is real is about a six-and-a-half-year-old girl named Kendra, who spends a few weeks of her summer vacation with her Grandma. She awakens one bright and sunny morning and asks her Grandma how does she know God is real? Grandma takes Kendra on an adventure to show her all the reasons as to why she knows God is real.

Bio: Lorita Kelsey Childress lives with her husband David, in Northern CA. She has three daughters and a granddaughter. Lorita’s first novel The Turning Point of Lila Louise was published in May 2010. December 2012, she published her first children’s book titled, Grandma, how do you know God is real? She is a member of Sistahs on the Reading Edge book club. Lorita’s work is featured in Gumbo for the Soul; The Recipe for Literacy in the Black Community and Gumbo for the Soul; Women of Honor Special Pink Edition. Her latest work is featured in Suspect; A Confessional Anthology. Her poem Our History is Rich was featured in the January/March 2010 edition of Kontagious Magazine. She is currently working on her second novel.

Author website: www.loritawrites4u.com

Lorita, thank you for visiting Write What Inspires You! and sharing your personal publication journey.

Children's Author, Jo Linsdell visits Write What Inspires You!

noreply@blogger.com (Donna McDine) — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 05:01:00 +0000

I'm delighted to host Jo Linsdell as she tours the atmosphere promoting her latest book, Fairy May. I always find it interesting where fellow writer's find their inspiration. I invite you to sit back and enjoy getting to know Jo through her guest post.

We invite you to share with us where you find your inspiration too! We look forward to hearing from you.

A Constant Font of Inspiration

By Jo Linsdell

When writing for young children a writer needs to go back mentally to their childhood to remember what it was like at that age but they also need to get in touch with today's generation of young children.

Times have changed and kids today see the world differently to the way we used to. Even the youngest of kids would look at you strange if you told them that mobile phones didn't exist when you were their age. How about explaining about computers like the Commodore 64 that would take hours to load so you could play "high tech" games like Tetris... in black and white no less, were considered advanced technology? Most kids would just laugh at you in disbelief.

You need to think about these kinds of things when writing for children. You need to get inside their heads and see the world the way they do. As a mum of two young children (one is 5 years old, the other 17 months) I'm lucky to have a constant font of inspiration for my children's books. My 5 year old is also particularly good at sharing his opinion about things and is about as honest as they come and doesn't hold back on criticism.

Ways I find inspiration for my books include;

Playing together. Spending time with my kids and getting involved in games with them is great for seeing how they react to different ideas. If I suggest something that isn't "right" in their book you can be sure I'll get a "silly mummy" and a shake of the head in reply.

Watching them play. Observing how they play, the language they use and the games they create is very inspiring. Seeing how they interact with each

other and others of different ages is also useful.

Watching cartoons with them. Kids love cartoons but not all cartoons. My 5 year old is quite the channel hopper already. Just watching TV with him gives a huge amount of insight into what kind of cartoons catch his interest and what doesn't.

Reading together. I should probably have put this at the top of this list. I read a lot with my kids in both print and ebook format. I try to make sure they get to experience a wide variety of books. Whenever a book lights a spark with them I mentally note what they liked about it.

Listening to music. I usually have some music on in the background and I sometimes find that a phrase from a song with spark my imagination.

Art. A visit to a gallery can really kick my creativeness into top gear. I love art and the right picture can take me mentally into a whole different world.

Inspiration is all around us. It's just a case of being aware of it. Where do you get your inspiration from?

About the author: Jo Linsdell is an award winning blogger and freelance writer living in Rome ,

Italy

. She is also the author of several books including the popular Italian for Tourists, A Guide to Weddings in Italy and the best selling children's picture book Out and About at the Zoo. Her latest book Fairy May was released on 1st February 2013. You can find out more about her at www.JoLinsdell.com

Jo, thank you for joining me today, it's always a pleasure to have you visit. Wishing you all the very best as you travel through cyberspace and beyond!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
Connect with Donna McDine on Google+

The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

29th Annual Rockland Read-In - Chestnut Ridge Middle School

noreply@blogger.com (Donna McDine) — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 12:44:00 +0000

In the ever changing technology landscape, it's imperative to have a web presence no matter the line of work you are in. Colette Politzer, Library Media Specialist recently contacted me through my website to invite me to participate in The 29th Annual Rockland Read-In during the week of February 11th.

I'm delighted to be visiting Chestnut Ridge Middle School this morning. During my visit I will share The Golden Pathway book trailer, read an excerpt, and engage in what I'm sure will be a lively discussion of what inspires each of us to write.

An extra shout out and huge thank you goes to my wonderful boss...who encouraged me to never turn down an opportunity to share my children's books (even though we are in the midst of two huge events for him this week). Thanks Thomas!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
Connect with Donna McDine on Google+

The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Children’s Ezine Guardian Angel Kids: Imagination – February 2013 Issue

noreply@blogger.com (Donna McDine) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 02:00:00 +0000

A stagnate mind squashes the imagination. To keep one’s creativity and imagination flowing it’s essential to explore the unknown and take chances to think outside the box. Imagine for a moment if everyone thought, worked and acted the same way. What a boring world this would be! Read beyond the normal genre you gravitate to, explore the what if’s of everyday life, enjoy nature and soak in the wonders all around you. Challenge yourself on a daily basis and watch your imagination soar to new levels.

Come explore the world of Guardian Angel Kids www.guardian-angel-kids.com through the thought provoking poetry, short stories and articles to expand your imagination and have fun along the way.

To the dedicated GAK readers and contributors after soul searching her own writing career path, Donna McDine has decided to step down as GAK Editor-in-Chief and dedicate more time to her personal writing and book promotional efforts. This decision did not come lightly, but to be able to expand her imagination and efforts she needed to lighten her work responsibilities. McDine shares that it has been a distinct privilege working with Lynda Burch, Donna Shepherd, Kevin McNamee, and Mary Sue Roberts over the course of the last two plus years. And of course, her daily interactions with the valuable contributors, without whom Guardian Angel Kids Ezine would not exist.

McDine wishes you all the very best in imagination and inspiration throughout 2013 and beyond! She looks forward to staying in touch. Please feel free to drop her a line any time at donna@donnamcdine.com.

We also invite you to stay connected with Guardian Angel Kids through our Facebook Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Guardian-Angel-Kids-Ezine/163785080346247.

Please feel free to drop Editor-in-Chief, Mary Sue Roberts an email at submissions@guardian-angel-kids.com and let them know what you think of Guardian Angel Kids and what you'd like to see in the future. They aim to please.

The Guardian Angel Kids Ezine staff and contributors look forward to your visit. Thank you for your time and interest.

Guest Blogger, Nancy Stewart Visits Write What Inspires You!

noreply@blogger.com (Donna McDine) — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 05:01:00 +0000

A full month into 2013 Nancy Stewart and I are back into the swing of exchanging monthly guest posts. Nancy visits with today to share her tips and expertise on "Deep Point of View: What is It?"

Welcome Nancy!

Deep Point of View: What is It?

by Nancy Stewart

Deep Point of View? What is it? Never heard of it.

These are the kinds of answers I get many times when I mention this technique of writing. I thought it just may be time to discuss this effective way of truly getting into one's character's head and staying there. It's time to give the pesky narrator the boot! Goodbye author intrusion.

Deep Point of View, sometimes called Close Third Person, can be used with First Person as well and is a writing style in great demand these days.

The reader climbs into their protagonist's skin—tasting, feeling, hearing, smelling what they do. Deep POV is a skill that must be learned, like anything else. But the four tips below are a great place to start.

Tip 1: Delete the phrase "s/he saw.

Obviously not every use of the word saw (observed, noticed, wondered etc.) will be slashed. But go through your manuscript looking for lines like these:

Olivia smiled at her uncle. She saw that he was really into it now.

And change to:

Olivia smiled at her uncle. He was really into it now.

State the action only. Saw always distance the reader. Bring the reader up close instantly.

Tip 2: What words would you say in the manuscript?

Use realistic internal dialogue. What you would say to yourself if you were living the scene, then replace the pronouns with "s/he" (unless you're writing in first person, of course.)

The knife’s blade rubbed her throat. The metal felt so cold. She had to stay still and keep from blinking. She was panicked.

Deep Point of View: The knife's blade rubbed her throat. Why was the metal so cold? Sweat dripped into her eyes, burning them. What does it feel like to die?

Tip 3: Don't label emotions

This is classic show vs. tell but is vital to Deep POV. Delete from your mind the name we give to an emotion and force yourself to describe it. What physical movements would show the emotion without naming it?

Example: Anger

Olivia was angry.

Becomes: Olivia's eyes became slits.

Tip 4: Physiological responses

Once you lay out some strong internal dialogue and remove emotion labels, follow up with physiological responses. Depending on the situation, these might be: knees buckling, chest tightening, throat clamping, an adrenaline rush, goose bumps, nausea, dizziness, sweating, etc. Describe them! This will really pull the reader deep into the story, particularly in high-intensity moments.

Example: Excessively hot

Olivia was too hot.

Becomes: If only Olivia could remove the enormous blanket of heat bearing down on her. Breathing hard, sweat poured from her body and dried quickly. "We all have to drink, or we're not gonna make it." A frog's croak. Was that her voice?

I hope this post has encouraged you to throw out all the distance-making words in your manuscript. Let yourself be invisible. Allow your protagonist to shine through those pages. You'll be happy and so will your readers!

I invite you to visit Nancy at to learn more about her personally and her illustrious writing career - http://nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com/.

Nancy, thank you for visiting with me today and my readers. It is always a true pleasure and wonderful learning experience.

Warmest regards,
Donna

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
Connect with Donna McDine on Google+

The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Boys' Quest - Fishing Through a Frozen Lake by Donna McDine

noreply@blogger.com (Donna McDine) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 05:01:00 +0000

Life is a whirlwind and time goes by so quickly. When I first received the acceptance for my article "Fishing Through a Frozen Lake," by Boys' Quest several years ago I thought Winter 2012 issue would never get here. Well it finally arrived and I'm over the moon to hold the print edition of Boys' Quest Winter issue in my hands!

I know for myself the joy of seeing my story and/or articles in print along with my name is a thrill each and every time!

I'd enjoy hearing about what is going on in your writing life. Please share!

Wishing you all well!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
Connect with Donna McDine on Google+

The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Hockey Agony Galley Proof in my hands - Yippee!

noreply@blogger.com (Donna McDine) — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 13:45:00 +0000

I'm over the moon.... I've received the galley proof to Hockey Agony and I'm enjoying reading through and admiring the incredible illustrations by Julie Hammond. Don't worry Thomas, I'll get moving shortly.

Thanks Julie, you've captured the essence of Hockey Agony!

Now to reality...time to get the wheels moving on book reviews, interviews, etc!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
Connect with Donna McDine on Google+

The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Children's Ezine Guardian Angel Kids: Sewing - January 2013 Issue

noreply@blogger.com (Donna McDine) — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 05:01:00 +0000

Children’s Ezine Guardian Angel Kids: Sewing – January 2013 Issue

Publisher, Lynda S. Burch remembers fondly as a young girl how her grandmother, mother, and aunt had a quilting frame suspended from the ceiling in their basement. Burch and her relatives sat around it for hours, busily quilting away on their assigned sections. No TV or other noise, only the quiet sound of the quilter’s voices chatting. Time spent here was not only valuable in honing one’s sewing skills, but intertwined the family bond, much like the precise and tight stitching from each quilter to produce a beautiful quilt to be cherished for generations to come.

Come explore the world of Guardian Angel Kids through the thought provoking short stories and articles and learn sewing tips along the way. A hemming your pants poetry, Fingers Hats share s the history of thimbles, Calico Corners brings family history to life through quilting, Ribbons tests one’s sewing talents, how Hand Sewing teaches a new way of fun beyond video games, and essential tips for Easy Literacy Activities. Surf on over to Guardian Angel Kids today www.guardian-angel-kids.com, enjoy a child safe ad free Ezine and visit the writers and illustrators in the Guardian Angel Kids January 2013 issue and enjoy the inspiring poetry, stories, articles and activities. We also invite you to stay connected with Guardian Angel Kids through our Facebook Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Guardian-Angel-Kids-Ezine/163785080346247.

Please feel free to drop Editor-in-Chief, Donna McDine an email at submissions@guardian-angel-kids.com and let them know what you think of Guardian Angel Kids and what you'd like to see in the future. They aim to please.

The Guardian Angel Kids Ezine staff and contributors look forward to your visit. Thank you for your time and interest.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Best wishes,Donna M. McDineAward-winning Children's AuthorConnect with Donna McDine on Google+The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Guest Blogger at Carolyn Howard Johnson's Sharing with Writers

noreply@blogger.com (Donna McDine) — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 20:18:00 +0000

I'm delighted to be Carolyn Howard Johnson's guest blogger today - January 5, 2013. Come on over and visit while I share my article, Children's Book Award Contests: The Importance of Entering" http://sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com/2013/01/chiildrens-award-contests-you-have-to.html.

We are looking forward to your visit!

Wishing you an inspirational day!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
Connect with Donna McDine on Google+

The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

noreply@blogger.com (Donna McDine) — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 05:01:00 +0000

A New Year Prayer

Holy Father,

God of our yesterdays, our today, and our tomorrows.

We praise You for Your unequaled greatness.

Thank You for the year behind us and for the year ahead.

Help us in Your new year, Father, to fret less and laugh more.

To teach our children to laugh by laughing with them.

To teach others to love by loving them.

Knowing, when Love came to the stable in Bethlehem, He came for us.

So that Love could be with us, and we could know You.

That we could share Love with others.

Help us, Father, to hear Your love song in every sunrise,

in the chriping of sparrows in our backyards,

in the stories of our old folks, and the fantasies of our children.

Help us to stop and listen to Your love songs,

so that we may know You better and better.

We rejoice in the world You loved into being.

Thank You for another new year and for new chances every day.

We pray for peace, for light, and for hope, that we might spread them to others.

Forgive us for falling short this past year.

We leave the irreparable past in your hands, and step out into the unknown new year

knowing You will go with us.

We accept Your gift of a new year and we rejoice in what's ahead, depending on You to

help us do exactly what You want..

I say it again, we rejoice!

In Jesus name,

Amen

Michael And The Elf by Kathryn Sullivan

noreply@blogger.com (Donna McDine) — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 05:01:00 +0000

Michael And The Elf
Written by Kathryn Sullivan
Illustrated by Jo Dunningham

Synopsis: Michael likes to pretend. A tiny elf he finds in his parent’s garden asks him to pretend to fly him home. But a witch might stop Michael from pretending, and he must believe in himself.

Purchase: http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/michael-elf.htm

About the author: Kathryn Sullivan has been writing science fiction and fantasy since she was 14 years old. Any place and any object is at risk of appearing in her stories – the river bluffs surrounding Winona, MN, where she lives, can become the windswept cliffs of an alien planet or the deep mysterious woods of a fantasy tale. Any birdlike beings in her books only slightly resemble her cockatoo owner. Her website is http://kathrynsullivan.com and her Facebook author page is https://www.facebook.com/KathrynSullivan.author

Visit Kathryn Sullivan http://kathrynsullivan.com/ to learn more about her illustrious writing career.

noreply@blogger.com (Donna McDine) — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 05:01:00 +0000

El Burro Sonriente (Spanish version)

Por: Mary Esparza-Vela

Illustrado por: Mike Motz

Synopsis: Un pequeño burro se presenta en la casa de un niño y se convierte en un valioso miembro de la familia. El día que desaparece, nunca esperan volver a verlo hasta que aparece una noche oscura y temerosa.

The Smiling Burro (English version)

Written by Mary Esparza-Vela

Illustrated by: Mike Motz

Synopsis: A tiny burro shows up at a little boy’s house and becomes a real asset to the family. The day he disappears, they never expect to see him again until he prances in one dark spooky night.

About the author:

Mary Esparza-Vela is an award-winning author who has written articles for religious publications and online non-profit organizations. She has published a total of 15 short stories and five of her children’s books are available thru Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. Her work includes:

“A Miracle for Juanito” won Honorable Mention in a Writer’s Digest competition.

A 1^st Place winning entry on the Pen & Ink Blog.

The Turtle Who Imagined was selected as 2012 Book of the Year by Creative Child Magazine.

The Odd Chick

Bearly Learning About Water

The Smiling Burro

El Burro Sonriente (Spanish)

Mary is also a patented inventor. Her plush dolls, called LUV-BEAMS®, received Preferred Choice and Seal of Excellence awards from a panel of parents and educators. TDMonthly Toy Magazine has featured them as “winning toys.” Adventure stories about the doll characters are COMING SOON.

Mary lives in Texas with her husband who is her writing partner, and their three children. Her books are available from various online bookstores, including Amazon.com, Guardian Angel Publishing, Barnes & Nobles, Target, and as e-books. The dolls are available at www.marysdollsandbooks.com.

Links to her books:

The Odd Chick - http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/odd-chick.htm

The Turtle Who Imagined - http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/turtle-imagined.htm

Bearly Learning About Water -http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/bearly-water.htm

The Smiling Burro - http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/smiling-burro.htm

El Burro Sonriente - http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/burro-sonriente.htm

On Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1/178-3579070-0255144?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=mary+esparza-vela

Merry Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Donna McDine) — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 05:01:00 +0000

A CHRISTMAS BLESSING

Wilda English, n.d.

God grant you the light of Christmas,

which is faith;

the warmth of Christmas,

which is purity;

the righteousness of Christmas,

which is justice;

the belief in Christmas,

which is truth;

the all of Christmas,

which is Christ?.

Children's Book: Birds in the Flower Basket by Mary Jean Kelso

noreply@blogger.com (Donna McDine) — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 05:01:00 +0000

Just in the time for the Christmas season! Do you have a young girl on your Christmas list? Give the gift of a charming children's book today.

About Birds in a Flower Basket: Abbi’s mother struggles to keep her flowering plant alive while birds raise their family in it. This gives Abbi a valuable lesson on how birds create a nest and raise their young. It is a learning experience from identifying the birds through watching the young hatchlings grow and take wing.

Children's Book: Ava's Secret Tea Party by Donna J. Shepherd

noreply@blogger.com (Donna McDine) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 05:01:00 +0000

I'm pleased to share with you the announcement of Donna J. Shepherd's latest children's book, Ava's Secret Tea Party. Offered in both hard cover and paperback, Ava's Secret Tea Party is sure to be cherished by little girls and their parents for years to come.

BLURB:
Has your child dreamed of meeting Tooth Fairy, Santa, Sandman, or Easter Bunny? Ava wants to invite them to tea, but how? The answer lies with one special character who knows them ALL! In the style of a classic fairy tale, Donna Shepherd has written Ava's Secret Tea Party. Enjoy the tale, look for hidden teacups and chocolate chip cookies in the sweet illustrations, and have fun making the recipes and crafts included in the book!

Visit author, Donna J. Shepherd and discover her world of tea parties and other children's books:

Blog: http://www.asecretteaparty.blogspot.com

Topsy Turvy Land: http://www.topsyturvyland.com

Purchase info:

Publisher: http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/avas-tea-party.htm

Amazon:
Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1616332867/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=devotionalbyd-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=1616332867&adid=1FQ0NXX5AZDK64R5ZVX9

Hardcover: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1616332859/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=devotionalbyd-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=1616332859&adid=1PE8FNSHDMDS8YQCWAPP

Barnes and Noble:
Paperback: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/avas-secret-tea-party-donna-j-shepherd/1112360542?ean=9781616332860

Hardcover: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/avas-secret-tea-party-donna-j-shepherd/1112360542?ean=9781616332853

Guest Blogger: Lucy Markham - Using Universal Archetypes in Children’s Literature

noreply@blogger.com (Donna McDine) — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 05:01:00 +0000

Using Universal Archetypes in Children’s Literature

by Lucy Markham

Archetypes have been used in folklore for centuries to help adults and children alike understand the concepts of good and evil in storytelling. These archetypes are just as effective and important in modern children’s literature as they have been in mythology.

As the holiday season is approaching, there are several valuable lessons that can be learned from the Christmas story found in the Book of Luke. The reason why stories such as the Christmas story are so popular with children is because it presents archetypes such as the hero, the great mother, the devil, and the mentor, all universally recognizable characters that help children quickly relate to a plot line. The Christ child’s mother was said to be the most virtuous and beautiful above all other women, the Angel Gabriel appeared not only to Mary, but also to her fiancé Joseph to provide counsel and instruction to the couple. At the same time, there is a king, truly the representative of evil that is trying to rob all women of the joy of their baby boys.

The story of Christ continues by the baby boy growing up to be the martyr and best known hero of all time. His life is surrounded by characters such as the devil in a representation of being a trickster, a damsel in distress who will be killed without his help. These stories can be worked into your own children’s story to provide clear and recognizable characters. Why do you think so many children’s stories include an evil queen, a virtuous princess, and a knight in shining armor? These are terrific archetypes to help a story move a long and help children learn valuable life lessons of good prevailing over evil and the main characters overcoming triumphs and temptations.

As you are writing your own children’s story, consider the popular archetypes and how you can create your characters and their traits, flaws, and triumphs to help children dive into the story and understand easily with the familiarity of these universal archetypes.

Lucy Markham has a Bachelor’s Degree in English: creative writing from the University of Florida and worked as an academic and career counselor for three years before pursuing her Master’s degree in Education. She enjoys blogging, taking online classes in creative writing and discovering new books.

Children’s Ezine Guardian Angel Kids: Courage – December 2012 Issue

noreply@blogger.com (Donna McDine) — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 14:38:00 +0000

M E D I A R E L E A S E

CONTACT: Donna McDine, Editor-in-Chief, Guardian Angel Kids Ezine

Email: submissions@guardian-angel-kids.com

Website: http://guardian-angel-kids.com

For Immediate Release

Children’s Ezine Guardian Angel Kids: Courage – December 2012 Issue

Courage instilled in children from the onset will develop over time to monumental positive actions. Starting with the simplest act of having the courage to ask questions in an effort to learn, especially when you think no one else could possibly have the same question. To always telling the truth even though disciplinary actions may be the result or standing up to the school bully when everyone else is afraid to. Courage comes from one’s positive surroundings and the support from our loved ones to live our lives in a positive manner.

Come explore the world of Guardian Angel Kids through the thought provoking short stories and articles of what it means to be courageous and how being so can be rewarding in immeasurable ways. Digging deep down to right a wrong in The Secret and Beyond the Evergreen are examples of truthfulness, discovering the admiration of sisterhood in Its Life, encouraging our children to reach their full potential in Courage-Reach for the Stars, and how teaching children to write their own stories provides them with an outlet to let their voice soar in Writing with Kids.

Surf on over to Guardian Angel Kids today www.guardian-angel-kids.com, enjoy a child safe ad free Ezine and visit the writers and illustrators in the Guardian Angel Kids December 2012 issue and enjoy the inspiring poetry, stories, articles and activities.

We also invite you to stay connected with Guardian Angel Kids through our Facebook Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Guardian-Angel-Kids-Ezine/163785080346247.

The Guardian Angel Kids Ezine staff and contributors look forward to your visit. Thank you for your time and interest.

###

Thanksgiving Prayer

noreply@blogger.com (Donna McDine) — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 14:13:00 +0000

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Walter Rauschenbusch

O God, we thank you for this earth, our home;

For the wide sky and the blessed sun,

For the salt sea and the running water,

For the everlasting hills

And the never-resting winds,

For trees and the common grass underfoot.

We thank you for our senses

By which we hear the songs of birds,

And see the splendor of the summer fields,

And taste of the autumn fruits,

And rejoice in the feel of the snow,

And smell the breath of the spring.

Grant us a heart wide open to all this beauty;

And save our souls from being so blind

That we pass unseeing

When even the common thornbush

Is aflame with your glory,

O God our creator,

Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

iTunes for iBooks – The Doll Violinist Picture Book by Mayra Calvani

noreply@blogger.com (Donna McDine) — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 05:01:00 +0000

Just in time for the Christmas season, award-winning children’s picture book now available through iTunes for iBooks. Enhanced with real aloud sound, The Doll Violinist is available for download on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iBooks and on your computer with iTunes. Books must be read on an iOS device.

About The Doll Violinist: Five days before Christmas, Emma is captivated by a doll in a shop window. Each day, she sneaks out of the orphanage to check if it’s been sold, but the shop owner, Madame Dubois, sends her away. Will the magic of Christmas bring Emma, Madame Dubois, and the doll violinist together?

About the author: Mayra Calvani writes fiction and nonfiction for children and adults and has authored over a dozen books, some of which have won awards. Her stories, reviews, interviews and articles have appeared on numerous publications such as The Writer, Writer’s Journal, Multicultural Review, and Bloomsbury Review, among many others. Her love for the violin has inspired her to pen three “violin” children’s picture books: The Magic Violin, Frederico the Mouse Violinist, and now the latest, The Doll Violinist www.violinandbooks.wordpress.com/books-i-wrote.

Visit her website at www.MayrasSecretBookcase.com and get the first two lessons of her popular Walking on a Rainbow Picture Book Workshop free!

Title: The Doll Violinist
Author: Mayra Calvani
Illustrations: Amy Cullings Moreno
Apple ID: 560908783
Published: September 1, 2012
Level: P-3
Pages: 28
Price: $4.99
ISBN: 9781616331870
Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-doll-violinist/id560908783?ls=1
Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/doll-violinist.htm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
Connect with Donna McDine on Google+

The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Sharon Stanley Announces Debut Children’s e-Book ~ Olive Ann

noreply@blogger.com (Donna McDine) — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 05:01:00 +0000

Sharon Stanley Announces Debut Children’s e-Book ~ Olive Ann

Children’s author Sharon Stanley, a self proclaimed non techie, embraces new e-Book format.

Seizing the opportunity to jump on the e-Book bandwagon, children’s author Sharon Stanley collaborated with illustrator Barb Dragony to create a uTale entitled, Olive Ann. uTales is a new world of picture books for kids; a world one can access anytime, anywhere. It’s both a website and an app for your laptop, iPhone and iPad, and soon tablets and phones operating on the Android system. It’s a way of making picture books for kids modern and engaging…it doesn’t replace traditional books, it’s another option.

About the book: Olive Ann is a small rabbit who wants to be big. She makes several clever attempts to grow but in the end, is it really necessary? This brightly illustrated story follows Olive Ann as she thinks through her dilemma and tackles the problem head on in her own unique and humorous way.

Title: Olive Ann

Author: Sharon Stanley

Illustrator: Barb Dragony

Publication Date: October 2012

Pages: 37

Price: $2.99 e-Book

Publisher: uTales.com http://utales.com/books/olive-ann

Sharon Stanley and Barb Dragony live with gratitude and appreciation for others and to celebrate the release of their book Olive Ann they are proud to announce that 10% of their proceeds will be donated to the Pencils of Promise charity. To learn more, visit www.pencilsofpromise.org.

About the author: Although Sharon Stanley has been writing for years, it was only after her youngest graduated high school that she got serious about it. She picked up her pencil and paper, joined the SCBWI and got busy. She has two picture books under contract and looks forward to seeing them published. Sharon lives with her husband, two grown boys, three dogs, three cats and lots and lots of cows on a working farm in Virginia. Her life is a crop circle of craziness that affords her a never-ending supply of subject matter for all the stories she writes. She enjoys all sorts of artistic and creative endeavors and blogs about her publishing journey and farm life at www.sharonstanleywrites.blogspot.com.

Be sure to visit with Stanley and download a FREE coloring sheet and word search activity to celebrate the release of Olive Ann.

About uTales: uTales is a worldwide community of authors and illustrators who together are building a library of digital picture books. Readers can visit the uTales website (utales.com) and download their favorite picture books or get unlimited access to the entire uTales library with a monthly subscription. And since all books are approved by their editorial panel, uTales is perfectly safe.

Book Review: Caves, Cannons and Crinolines by Beverly Stowe McClure

noreply@blogger.com (Donna McDine) — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 05:01:00 +0000

Title: Caves, Cannons and Crinolines

Written by: Beverly Stowe McClure

Ages: 12 and up

Publisher: Twilight Times Books

ISBN: 1-60619-112-8

Published: September 2009

Soft cover: 153 pages

Price: $16.95

The year 1863 finds outspoken, 14-year-old, Lizzie Stamford at a crossroads of what her parents believe to be acceptable behavior for a young lady, and secret desire to join the Confederate Army disguised as a boy. Her two brothers, Willie and Joseph willingly joined the Confederacy to defend Vicksburg from the Yankees and Lizzie longs to be part of the glory. Her blind courage brings her into the midst of a battleground at nighttime. Much to her dismay war is not what she believed it to be. The horrific acts of violence overwhelm her and she runs away as quickly as she arrived.

Her emotions and beliefs that all Yankees are evil is put to the test when an unexpected encounter with a Yankee soldier has her doubting her belief system. Will Lizzie come to terms of the ever changing world and circumstances which surround her? And what is to become of her beloved brothers and the city of Vicksburg?

McClure balances the emotions of the Confederate and Yankee characters with such in-depth feeling the reader will find themselves switching sides throughout the perilous journey of Lizzie Stamford and her family, and their quest to reclaim Vicksburg.

To learn more about Beverly Stowe McClure visit: http://beverlystowemcclure.wordpress.com/