Happy Tuesday, readers! Welcome back to Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly blog challenge hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. Every Tuesday, multiple bloggers share their favorite books from a selected topic. Today’s topic is “Best Books Involving Food (That are not Cookbooks)”, which was more challenging that I expected. It turns out that my personal disdain for cooking means I haven’t read many books with foodie characters. But I have read lots of kids books about food.
Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin & illustrated by Daniel Salmieri – If you only ever buy one kids book, make it this one.
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Suess
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff & illustrated by Felicia Bond
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett & illustrated by Ron Barrett
Dragons Love Tacos2 by Adam Rubin & illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Jamberry by Bruce Degen
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown by Charles M. Schulz
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault & illustrated by Lois Ehlert
Have you read any of these? Which of your favorite books also feature food?
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Happy Tuesday, readers! Welcome back to Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly blog challenge hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. Every Tuesday, multiple bloggers share their favorite books from a selected topic. Today’s topic was a Relationship Freebie which meant we could choose books related to any type of relationship, romantic or family. Since I write family sagas and have a pretty great brother in real life, I decided to share my favorite books featuring brothers.
Broken Lines by Kelsey Gietl – The first book in my War Across Waters series features a complicated dynamic between three brothers (Charles, Emil, and Fred) and their friend-who’s-like-a-brother, Reuben, during World War I.
Larksong Legacy series by Kelsey Gietl – My 1850s Westward Expansion series deals with five brothers (Daniel, Tobias, Garrett, Jamison, and Cade) and the unique gifts they possess.
Sons of Vigilance series by Hannah Hood Lucero – Romantic Suspense about 4 Irish red-headed military brothers
All These Threads of Time by Sarah Crowne – 1980s Time Travel with a spunky 11-year-old genius brother, Sebastian
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis – Fantasy with two brothers who would be kings of a mythical land
Two to Tango by Kathleen Fuller – Contemporary Romance where a librarian falls for her best friend’s brother
Wisteria House series by Jennifer Q. Hunt – 1920s Historical Fiction with two pilot brothers
The Hardy Boys series by Franklin W. Dixon – a classic brothers mystery series
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling – The Weasleys! Do we really need to say more than this?
Avatar: The Last Airbender graphic novels by Various Authors – Fantasy series (and tv show) that includes a wonderful comic relief brother
Have you read any of these? Which of your favorite books also feature brothers?
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Welcome back to the Extra Edition newsletter! I’m excited to bring you bonus content each month with a special inside look at my novels and the history behind them.
What’s in this Edition:
Sing it Loud– Book-Inspired Playlists on Spotify
Is that my Samovar? – Adventures in Thrift Store Shopping
What would you like to see next? – Share your thoughts!
Sing It Loud
Do you enjoy listening to music? How about playlists inspired by your favorite books? I recently joined Spotify (yes, I know I’m behind with the times) and have added playlists for each of my 7 published novels and my work in progress. These are the songs I feel fit the mood of the story or brought me inspiration while writing different scenes. Most of them are Christian-based and would also make for good praylists. In the future, I also plan to move several of my personal playlists over and create new ones to share. If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, I invite you to follow me and share your favorite playlists, too.
Legal Disclaimer: Please note that none of the music artists or their production companies have endorsed my books or paid me to promote their songs.
Is That My Samovar?
Last week, my kids and I went thrift store shopping. Originally intending to find some clothes, we came across a very different, yet spectacular find – a samovar. What the heck is a samovar, you ask? It’s a metal urn, used by Russians for heating water and making tea. According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, its origins are in the 1830s.
So, why were we so excited to find one? Why not just buy a teapot? A few years ago, my children’s school put on a performance of Baba Yaga, based on the Russian fairy tale of a witch who lives in a house with chicken feet and kidnaps and eats little children. Happy stuff, right? Well, their version was surprisingly comical and involved one line where Baba Yaga asks, “Is that my samovar?” Not only did this provide an occasion to learn a new word, but became an inside joke in our house. The kids spent their own $10 to purchase their new treasure.
For health reasons, we’re not going to actually drink out of it, but it goes nicely with our other antique china, such as the teacup and saucer in the photo above. Those are my great-grandparents’ from Czechoslovakia, which was as close as I had to Russia.
What would you like to see next?
In June, I concluded my series on social media discoveries. Due to the positive feedback received, I would like to continue offering serialized (3-6 month) newsletter articles on topics of interest. At this time, I am planning to include these articles within the Extra Edition newsletter, rather than the main monthly newsletter, and would love to hear your feedback. I’ve included several suggested topics in the form below, along with an area to write in your own ideas. All responses are anonymous. Thank you in advance!
Due to variability in social media algorithms, the best way to receive this newsletter is through e-mail. If you were directed to this site via social media or a search engine, you can subscribe to updates by entering your e-mail on the Contact page. E-mail addresses are never sold or distributed. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Happy Tuesday, readers! I recently came across a blog share that I just had to join: the Top Ten Tuesday blog share hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl (although I discovered it through Carrie at Reading is My SuperPower). Every Tuesday, they share a topic and multiple bloggers share their favorite books from that topic. Sometimes that includes their own novels, sometimes not. Depending on the topic, most Tuesdays I’ll be joining them, posting both here on my website and on my Goodreads Blog, if you prefer to follow along there. And so, without further ado, today’s Top 10 Tuesday topic is:
Books Featuring Travel
I absolutely love books about historical travel, especially nautical travel. There’s just something about a steamship, sailing ship, or battleship that I find simply delightful. What’s funny is that I’ve actually never been on a cruise and my one attempt at deep-sea fishing left me with my head in a bucket. But I’ve toured lots many a military ships and visited many a museum. If you’ve never walked through an aircraft carrier, that’s my #1 recommendation for your life list. The sheer size is overwhelming.
Here are some of my favorite books that feature ships on the cover:
Across Oceans by Kelsey Gietl – My first published novel takes place in 1912 and prominently features a fictional German steamship along with a side plot surrounding the Titanic.
The Captain’s Bride by Lisa Tawn Bergren – 1890s Norway and America
In Pieces by Rhonda Ortiz – 1790s Boston, Massachusetts
Drawn by the Current by Jocelyn Green – 1915 Chicago, Illinois
Until the Last Note by B.M. Baker – 1912 on Titanic
Undercurrent of Secrets by Rachel Scott McDaniel – 1920s Louisville, Kentucky
My Enemy, My Heart by Laurie Alice Eakes – 1812, England and America
Boston Jane by Jennifer L. Holm – 1850s Washington Territory
A Heart Adrift by Laura Frantz – 1755 York, Virginia
Passenger by Alexandra Bracken – Time travel, so all over the place.
If you enjoyed this post, I encourage you to subscribe to my monthly newsletter, which includes updates on my books, behind the scenes information, and upcoming promotions. You can subscribe to updates by entering your e-mail on the Newsletter page. E-mail addresses are never sold or distributed. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Happy August, readers! Thank you for a wonderful release day of Sparks Fly Upward! I greatly appreciated your personal emails, texts, photos, and reviews to celebrate. Each one brought a smile and made the day all the more special.
Thank you also to those who participated in the trivia game giveaway. Our winners were Sarah E. and Erin L. Congratulations, ladies!
What’s in this Edition:
Reviewing Sparks Fly Upward with author Tiffany Goldman
The Next Thing – What’s coming next?
Cover Reveals – My three latest cover designs
Releasing in August – Other authors’ new releases I’m most excited about.
Reviewing Sparks with Author Tiffany Goldman
I love this release day photo sent from author Tiffany Goldman, my sensitivity beta reader for Sparks Fly Upward. Don’t you think she resembles a younger version of Martha herself? She provided fantastic notes on the book’s draft, including insightful suggestions, witty character comments, and this amazing review. Thanks, Tiffany!
“WOW, Sparks Fly Upward packs a punch! I have to say well done to the author, she took several real life hardships (slavery, human trafficking, church hurt, etc…) and with care, woven a story that still encourages, edifies, and inspires you. I love the blend of historical accuracy with speculative abilities! The world of Larksong Legacy that Kelsey Gietl created leaves the readers wanting for more.
The character development of not just the main cast but support characters as well had me rooting for almost everyone! And you’ll realize why I said almost everyone. LOL. I especially liked one of the main character’s spiritual arc! He came to the Light when he was at his darkest. This tale was brutally honest (but clean! Nothing graphic was shown on the page) however that hope thread was woven deep all throughout the story so while the tragedies were felt, so was the redemption and light. I was positively blessed by this story; it’s my favorite by far from Kelsey Gietl!”
Tiffany writes “Christian YA fantasy with all the swoon but without the steam” and I can’t wait to read her first novel. Make sure to keep up with her on either Goodreads or Instagram.
The Next Thing
Now that Sparks Fly Upward is out in the world, I’m hard at work on Larksong Legacy Book 4, Stars in the Storm, which is also the final book in the series. In writing this one, I’m feeling a bit like St. Bede the Venerable, riding the waves and letting God steer the story where He wills. I know it always works out in the end, but right now I’m riding the waves of chaotic drafting and wondering how in the world it’ll all come together.
I’ve included an initial back cover blurb below. Let me know your thoughts! Note: If you haven’t read Books 1-3, the blurb below does contain spoilers.
Alice Ann Lark remembers everything, most especially the husband and daughter she abandoned for a life on the sea. Almost four years later, having failed to achieve her adventurous dreams, she would never ask for a forgive-and-forget return to Larksong, nor deserve it. Tormented by vivid flashbacks that become more frequent every day, she sequesters herself in the Ghost Forest, a wasteland of barren trees surrounded by Washington’s mountainous beauty—the perfect metaphor for her now empty life.
Following a year of agonizing adversity, Cade Lark has one final mission to complete before he can find peace with his daughter—to locate the origin of the Larks’ mysterious Gifts. His only clue, however, is a compass his mother died to protect and is now in his estranged wife’s possession. Determined to either restore the past or lay it to rest, he asks Alice Ann to join him on the adventure, exactly as she always wanted him to. If he can’t win her back by the time they find the origin, she’s free to leave. No strings attached, nor questions asked.
Surrounded by a hurricane of unresolved questions, Cade and Alice Ann set off to discover the truth behind Larksong’s legacy. Unbeknownst, a worse storm is lurking beyond the horizon, and when the clouds finally clear, there may not be anything left to save.
Cover Reveals!
In the busyness of releasing a book, I forgot to show you my latest cover designs for some of my fellow authors. All of these books are full of inspiration and Christian faith. Releasing in September, Jennifer Q. Hunt’s Purest Joys Restored is the third book in her Wisteria House series and takes place in the 1920s. Releasing in November, Hannah Hood Lucero’s The Glory of Light is a standalone military romantic suspense. Finally, I had the honor of redesigning the cover for Breathe Deeply, the first book in Allison Ramirez’s series of Catholic Rosary devotionals.
I am in love with how all of these covers turned out. This is my seventh design for Jennifer and sixth for Hannah and every time, I’m amazed at how a single picture can encompass the feeling of an entire novel. For Jennifer’s book, we included an arched window from her own 1920s home. For Hannah’s, note the nod to the American flag in the night sky. And Allison’s series incorporates a different flower for each devotional with specific meaning to the Virgin Mary. Every book is a truly God-inspired collaboration.
Are you an author in need of a cover design? I only design for clean fiction, never use AI images, and offer discounts for active members of the Catholic Writers Guild, the Christian Mommy Writers, and the Daughters of the American Revolution. Reply to this email to schedule a free consultation.
Releasing in August
Need another read? Here are the new releases I’m excited about:
Love in the Eternal City by Rebecca W. Martin – Catholic Christian rom-com between a Swiss Guard and an American expat set in the heart of Rome
Valerie Rose by Liz Chapman – contemporary Christian romance between a single mom and her son’s school chaplain
Where Trees Touch the Sky by Karen Barnett – 1920s/1970s split-time set amid the majestic California redwoods and the secrets of a family legacy
Something Borrowed by Rachel Scott McDaniel, Allison Pittman, and Susie Finkbeiner – 3 romance novellas bound together by one wedding dress
Bohemian Dragon Awakening by Sarah Everest – the third book in the Aristonia dragon fantasy series, this time set in the Czech Republic
Want to know what I’m currently reading? Follow me on GoodReads.
Did you know reviews help both readers and authors? Even one sentence is enough, and every word greatly appreciated. Consider leaving a rating on Amazon, Goodreads, BookBub, and/or your favorite retailer!
Due to variability in social media algorithms, the best way to receive this newsletter is through e-mail. If you were directed to this site via social media or a search engine, you can subscribe to updates by entering your e-mail on the Contact page. E-mail addresses are never sold or distributed. You may unsubscribe at any time.
