And Heere She is, Folks. Deborah Heal! (Drum roll or music)

 I'm today's stop on the bloggy train for Deborah Heal's YA book, Unclaimed Legacy. There is a guest post from the lovely author herself following my review. 

"I call it time-surfing," Abby said. "It's like being there,

 except no one can see or hear us."

"Whatever you call it," John said, "that was crazy--what we just did.

 Beyond realistic. I mean, I was in that guy's head

and knew everything he was thinking."

Abby's weird computer program is working again. And it comes in handy when they agree to help the Old Dears next door with their family tree. Except Abby and John learn more about one of the ladies' ancestors than they ever wanted to know. Convicted in 1871 of murder and arson, Reuben Buchanan is a blight on the family's reputation. But was he really guilty? Abby and John get inside the mind of a murderer to find out.

But while they're rummaging around in the Old Dears' family history, they discover the truth of God's promise to bless a thousand generations... and a legacy waiting to be reclaimed.

My review: 

Merrideth (Merri) and Abby have come across a remarkable computer program that was installed on Merrideth's computer. So now they can make a simulated trip back into time to see how life was for the people who lived there. The story centers around the fact that they can't get the program to work in the Miles Station home. Could there be a virus? 
This book is beautifully written and extraordinarily fun and exciting to read. Deborah plops us right into the story with her vivid descriptions and strong characterizations. I fell in love with all of the characters and felt as though I knew Merrideth and Abby personally. John is utterly awesome and I wholeheartedly recommend you read both of these super fantastic stories. 

Now for the guest post:           

I’m grateful for the crew of volunteers who worked so hard to preserve a bit of local history with the careful restoration of Sand Bank School in Columbia, Illinois. Built during the 1850s, it stands on the site of an even earlier school, a log cabin built in 1801 to serve the original seventeen families pioneering in the area. Perched on a hill overlooking the Mississippi Valley, the one-room schoolhouse looks like the sort of place (to me anyway) that might be a portal for time travel. Every time I visit a historical site, I start imagining the people who lived and died there, wishing I could go back to just see what it was like. (Maybe if I went back to the school when the sun was down and all the visitors were gone…?)

I’ve always loved thinking about the “olden days.” I thought about them a lot, growing up in the tiny once-upon-a-time village of Woodburn, Illinois. How could I not, living in a house with the date 1874 carved into its soft red brick?

My siblings and I acted as amateur historians when we collected arrow  heads Native Americans had left behind for our chickens to scratch up centuries later. We explored the old, nearly forgotten roads. On one, we found a barn where an old stagecoach was being kept out of the rain. (Sorry for trespassing, Mr. Stevens. We couldn’t help it.) And we listened to the stories about how the Woodburn had once bustled back in the day with its stagecoach inn, blacksmith shop, stores, mill, and brick factory.

We heard how the stages used to pass through on their way from Springfield down to Alton and how Abraham Lincoln sometimes stayed at the inn. I heard the stories and read the scant entries in the Macoupin County History Book and I wished that I, like our chickens, could scratch up more clues to the past. I wished men and women had written more about their lives. I wished I could see for myself. I wished Mr. Peabody would loan me his WABAC Machine.

I never found the way back. But the beauty of fiction is that my characters can. In Time and Again, I allow Abby and Merrideth to see it all exactly the way it really was when a girl named Charlotte lived in their old house as part of a bustling village. And while Abraham Lincoln didn’t spend the night there, he did sit down to a nice meal Charlotte cooked. I always thought it would be cool to go back to see if I resembled my great, great, great grandparents. Alas, I don’t know the way. But, in Unclaimed Legacy, I let Abby and John go back to uncover heroes in their friends’ family tree.

I’m not sure where I’ll let them go next. But I’ll have fun thinking it up. I can’t go back myself, but that’s all right, for now.

Thank you Deborah. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed meeting you and reading these wonderful stories. 

Bio

Deborah Heal is the author of the young adult novel Time and Again. She lives in Waterloo, Illinois, where she enjoys reading, gardening, and learning about southern Illinois history. She is married and has three grown children, three grandchildren, and a canine buddy named Scout (a.k.a. Dr. Bob). Currently, she is working on book three in the Time and Again trilogy.

You may learn more about the author by visiting her website: www.deborahheal.com, her  Facebook Fan Page, and Goodreads. Her books may be purchased on Amazon.com.

CLICK TO LEARN MORE:

About Time and Again: Charlotte of Miles Station

The History behind Miles Station

About Unclaimed Legacy, the second book in the series

The History behind Unclaimed Legacy

About the Author

            Her house: http://www.deborahheal.com

            Deb's facebook: http://facebook.com/DeborahHeal

Where to buy the books     

            Amazon

            Barnes & Noble

(Psst. There's a giveaway, peeps!) 

Win a copy of Time and Again, the first book in the trilogy. ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Leave a comment telling me why you want to win a copy of this exceptional story. For additional chances to win, see Deborah Heal’s official website and LIKE her Facebook Fan Page.

Excerpt (from Time and Again)

“No…There’s no way that would work. I mean no one could invent a software program that could do that. No way.”

“What are you talking about?” Merrideth said, staring at her.

Abby didn’t answer, but taking the mouse from Merrideth, she placed the cursor on the View icon on the menu bar and clicked. “This is so similar to my brother’s architecture program,” she began, “that maybe we’ll be able to …”

When she clicked on Flip, both girls simultaneously gasped. “…do this,” Abby said with satisfaction.

The screen view had rotated on its vertical axis and now they were seeing the back side of Colonel Miles’ house. White sheets on a clothesline snapped in the wind. A young woman in a long blue dress and bonnet was stooping to pull a wet sheet from the wicker basket at her feet. A gray cat came out of the barn and, stepping delicately through the wet grass, cautiously bypassed the flapping sheets to lay in the sun on the back step.

After a moment of stunned silence, Merrideth said, “It’s her! It’s Charlotte.”

Excerpt (from Unclaimed Legacy)

Merri leaned forward and studied the monitor and then, laughing, said, “It’s them.”

Frowning, John looked closely at the monitor. “That’s crazy. This is just a computer program. It can’t be them.”

“See the resemblance? Just project forward fifty to sixty years,” Abby said. “That’s definitely Beulah and Eulah.”

“Boo and Yoo,” Merri said. “Get it?”+

“That’s insane! No one could make a program that could—”

“We don’t know what this is or where it came from. All I know is that it’s awesome,” Abby said. “And we really are seeing Beulah and Eulah back in the forties—you got the bit about food rationing, didn’t you? And if you think that’s wild, just wait until you see what happens when we lock onto one of them and go virtual mode.” 

 “Virtual mode? Show me.”

Abby smiled smugly and turned back to the controls. “Okay, John. Hold onto to your hat.”

First, there was a confusing blur of color and whirring sounds and then…

Here's the rest of the tour y'all: (Forgive the formatting)

Oct 12th: http://itstimetoreadmamaw.blogspot.com  

Oct15t:http://www.christianchicksthoughts.blogspot.com/p/book-reviews.html
Oct16th:http://www.christianchicksthoughts.blogspot.com/p/book-reviews.html
Oct 17th: http://labornotinvain.blogspot.com/
Oct 18th:http://gabina49.wordpress.com/about/
Oct 19th: http://kerrificonline.blogspot.com/
Oct 22nd: http://hottbooks.com/
Oct 23rd: http://myguiltyobsession.blogspot.com/
Oct 24th: http://christianbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/
Oct 25th: http://thelifeandtimesofwanda.blogspot.com/
Oct 26th: http://thelifeandtimesofwanda.blogspot.com/
Oct 29th: http://hottbooks.com/
Oct 30th: http://allisonsbookbag.wordpress.com/
Oct 31st: www.bloomingwithbooks.blogspot.com
Nov 1st: www.abookloverslibrary.com
Nov 2nd:http://armsofasister.com/
Nov 5th: http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/
Nov 7th: http://faerytalesarereal.blogspot.com/
Nov 8th: http://ctfdevourer.blogspot.com/2012/08/time-and-again.html
Nov 17th: http://edgychristianfictionlovers.ning.com
Nov 23rd: http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/

Don't forget to comment for a chance to win.

Introducing! The One! The Only!

    That crazzy, cracked, comical, curious, callithumpian! (That actually means the offspring of a zebra or donkey but today it means funny lady Lynn Kelley! I thought it sounded cool.) *wink* 
P.S. I review Curse of the Double Digits at the end of this post. P.S.S. Lynn's doing a giveaway. One signed paperback and one ebook to two lucky people. Just wish Lynn good luck with her lovely story, ask her a question, or sing a song, and you'll be entered to win.

    LYNN KELLEY!!!!!!! Wahoooo. She's here folks. And she's real! She's a real person. She's going to talk about her latest venture, which is self publishing her chapter book, Curse of the Double Digits. And it is hilarious. All kids of the chapter book age will LOVE it. You can visit her over at her houses, (she has two) Lynn Kelley's house, Lynn Kelley: Random Acts of Weirdness. 

     So here's that giggle maker, the woman with that knee slappin' humor, and yours truly, of course. 


      Lynn, I'm so happy to have you over at my place today. Tea? Crumpets? Let us have a sit down and talk about Curse of the Double Digits.

I’m jazzed to be hanging out with you today, Robyn. You’re so easy to talk to, but I’m still kind of nervous and hope I don’t wangle my tords. I mean tangle my words. Sheesh!

Don't be nervous. I'm not that famous. :-) Lynn Kelley, are you just like Becky your MC? Spill the beans!

Young and cute? That’s a big no. Hmm, I suppose I am like Becky as far as dealing with comedies of errors in my life, which I often cause myself. You know how the ripple effect works. Sometimes I feel like my life is a sitcom.

Who or what was your inspiration for Curse of the Double Digits?

The idea that sparked the whole book was a real life incident. My niece was about six and her bangs were way too long to look presentable for a family event. My sister-in-law tried to trim them, but the scissors were too dull, so my brother had a light bulb moment and grabbed his electric razor. . .

To avoid a spoiler here, let’s just say the event made me wonder how a ten-year-old would react. And of course I left the parents out of the scene and had Becky, the main character, ask her best friend Jenna to do the trimming with the electric razor.

Are you a geek? I ask this because you uploaded your story and fixed a lot of problems you were having. So. Geek or dork??

Definitely a dork in the highest degree. The whole self-pubbing journey has been trial and error. Thank God for my writer peeps who helped me figure out what I was doing wrong. My eyebrows have more gray after all this. Time to invest in an eyebrow pencil!

Why did you decide to self-publish?

Regarding Curse of the Double Digits, chapter books are a hard sell, a niche market. They’re not lengthy, so the spines are thin and aren’t noticeable on the shelves. A series of chapter books stands out.

Also, publishers aren’t too keen on accepting new authors. Too risky. Most agents and editors don’t request manuscripts for early readers or chapter books, so the odds were against Curse of the Double Digits being acquired by a traditional publisher.

Years of thought went into my decision. For the full scoop, here’s the link to a post on my blog, “My Choices in Publishing” (http://lynnkelleyrandomactsofwriting.blogspot.com/2011/10/my-choices-in-publishing.html). It has lots of links for anyone considering going this route. Seven bloggers participated in a blog ring on this subject, so their links are well worth a read, too. Some of us chose the self-publishing or indie route, others the traditional route, and others were still trying to make up their minds.

Where did you find Alanna Heck, your illustrator?

We’re in the same writers critique group. Alanna writes YA books. When I discovered she’s also artistic, I asked her if she wanted to give illustrating my book a shot. She was under the gun at the time teaching a class of special ed high school students, going to school for her master’s degree, and taking her son to activities like karate, where she worked on many of the drawings. Good thing she works well under pressure!

How did you go about finding the publisher?

Some of my writer friends went through Amazon’s print on demand division, CreateSpace. I heard good things about them, so that helped me decide.

How long did it take you to publish Curse of the Double Digits?

“Long” is the right word here, Robyn. It’s been a long journey. I started this book over ten years ago, working on it off and on. I read various versions at two different critique groups during those years. We had lot of laughs over poor Becky’s escapades.

It’s been a learning process, and each revision got better. Lots of ups and downs. The ups kept me going, like nice comments from agents and editors. I’d get my hopes up, only to crash when rejections came, but it’s part of the process. It’s been a good journey. I’ve met awesome friends like you along the way.

Did you have to ask an attorney any questions before going ahead with this?

No, I haven’t consulted an attorney. Not yet. Hope I didn’t just jinx myself!

I have to ask about marketing, Lynn. What are the major challenges you face?

Big challenges. Huge. The odds are against me. I can relate to that little ant that tried to climb the rubber tree plant. Do you remember that song?

First, I’m basically an unknown. Second, bookstores don’t usually carry self-pubbed books. I had the option on CreateSpace to choose their Expanded Distribution, which could get more exposure, but then my cost per book would go up substantially, so I’d have to price my books so high, it wouldn’t be feasible.

So I went with their basic marketing and priced them at $4.99. The paperbacks are available on Amazon and CreateSpace (authors get a higher royalty if their books are bought on CreateSpace), and I can hand sell them when I do school visits or get invited to events, but mass marketing really isn’t an option right now.

As far as the eBook version, children’s eBooks haven’t really taken off yet. That day is coming. It’s a matter of when, not if. So Double Digits is ready whenever kids are. It’s a fun read for $2.99. I think that’s affordable in this slow economy. Parents will get a kick out of the story, too, and they can read it aloud to or with their kids in just an hour and a half.

The best marketing is still word of mouth. The eBooks are available on Amazon and Smashwords. Smashwords has formatting for all e-readers, plus they distribute to Barnes & Noble, Apple, and pretty much all eBook stores.

You have been traditionally published, too. What’s the difference as far as how it affects your creative process?

My prior experience was with two small presses. The publisher basically had the final say, although both presses asked for my input. As an author, I had less control, but it all worked out, and I wasn’t asked to make any major changes. So, as far as my creativity, I had to be flexible and be willing to work with them and make changes to my manuscript.

With my picture book Merry as a Cricket, WhipperSnapper Books liked my manuscript, but they wanted to publish two stories in one book. They asked me to write a companion title about the Blessing of the Animals, a ceremony celebrated in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi.

At first it seemed like a lot of pressure, having to come up with another story in order to sell the first one. I did some research, which sparked ideas for a story about kids and their pets. It was a relief when they accepted it, so Pocketful of Chocolate became the second story.

Going the self-pub route, I have the final say on the whole shebang. What I love is skipping the querying and submitting process and all the time it takes, getting my hopes up, waiting, waiting, and waiting. And once they acquire it, there’s more waiting, waiting, and waiting.

I worked on Curse of the Double Digits for ten years, submitting off and on. After five or so rejections, I’d put the manuscript away for sometimes six months or a year. I should have been more aggressive, but the submissions process is draining and a major time suck. I worked at a stressful job, had four kids, and was working on other books.

Making the decision to self-pub felt good. I get a lot of valuable feedback from my writer friends, so I’m not on my own. Self-publishing is a lot of work, especially formatting the paperback, getting rid of widows and orphans, catching typos or mistakes made in last-minute revisions. No shortcuts allowed. The last thing I want to do is publish a sloppy product. My goal is to sell quality books at an affordable price.

Will you do this again? Could there be more books featuring Becky? She’s an awesome character who all kids that age can identify with.

Yes, I hope to write another chapter book featuring Becky, but two more books in the Monster Moon series are in the works right now (coauthored under the pen name BBH McChiller), and then I need to get back to my edgy YA book. It’s screaming for attention!

Thank you, thank you, for sharing your experience with all of us, Lynn.

Thank you for having me, Robyn. It’s an honor to be featured on your blog. So, are you ready to jump in the bounce house? I mean, hey, we’re children’s writers, so we need kiddie fun. We need to be careful not to flip it, though! You first, hop in!

 (Lynn is having a bouncey house at her book launch today. Anyone else wanna give it a go?) But first. Where can people go to find out more about your books?

Oh, I better share that info before we go play in the jumper.

Here are the links for Curse of the Double Digits:

Amazon – Link for paperback ($4.99) and eBook ($2.99):

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Curse+of+the+Double+Digits

Smashwords – Formats for all e-readers ($2.99). They'll distribute it to Barnes & Noble and other e-stores soon, but the formats for all e-readers are available here now:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/240329

Now for my review peeps.

Want to have some rip-roarin' fun? Then have a sit down with your kids ages 5-9 and read Lynn Kelley's Curse of the Double Digits. Trust me. It's a rollicking good time. Becky is going to be turning ten years-old. Double digits, of course. But when things go from bad to worse for Becky, well, you know how a curse can be? Right? Lynn's writing is sidesplitting fun to read. Her characters come to life. I loved Darlenie-the-Meanie (darn those long blonde waves) and Aunt Dottie. I felt like I had known some of these characters of Lynn's at one time in my own life. I know the kids who read it will too. I wholeheartedly recommend Curse of the Double Digits. I can't wait to read the next book featuring Becky and her pals. 

Do you know Deborah Heal???

Be here Thursday October 11th for a stop on Deborah Heal's virtual book tour.  Her YA book, Unclaimed Legacy is bodaciously and beautifullly written, peeps. (Like my alliteration?) 

Here's a peep: Abby's weird computer program is working again. And it comes in handy when they agree to help the Old Dears next door with their family tree. Except Abby and John learn more about one of the ladies' ancestors than they ever wanted to know. Convicted in 1871 of murder and arson, Reuben Buchanan is a blight on the family's reputation. But was he really guilty? Abby and John get inside the mind of a murderer to find out.

But while they're rummaging around in the Old Dears' family history, they discover the truth of God's promise to bless a thousand generations... and a legacy waiting to be reclaimed. 

You gotta read this.

Next week I'll review two books and coming soon: An interview with the fabulous, funky, funny (there I go again), gal Lynn Kelley. Her book, Curse of the Double Digits is out now. Any kidlets ages 5-9? Then they will have to read it. Go visit Amazon for a Curse of the Double Digits.

Out of the Darkness Auction,

starts at 11 AM (EST) until 5 PM (EST). Go to it peeps. Bid on some really cool, bodacious, stuff! Stuff like a query or first chapter critique from a literary agent, books, and a lot of other cool things. Remember, this helps suicide prevention. What better way to do a super de duper thing today!  Quickly! Head over to
Justine's place.

OUT OF THE DARKNESS Suicide Prevention Giveaway & Fundraiser!

*Waves* This is the story of my life. THE HACKERS KILLED MY BLOG! I want them thrown into the lions den! But since there is no way I can find out who or WHAT they are, I'm going to be deleting Putting Pen To Paper after October. I have four more posts I have to get up this month. I'm late with this one, because of all the things on my plate. Hubby's fall, all the farm chores, including getting the hay up, homeschooling, and etc, etc! Apologies to Justine. It takes forever just to get into my blog, so that's why my comments have been null. (Stupid hackers!) I will try to move around today and comment as much as possible. But remember I love you all and miss you so very much!

Our family knew of a young guy who was intelligent, talented, and personable. He hung himself a month before high school graduation three years ago. This is for you Clayton and all those like you.

From Justine Dell's blog:
Do you want get some AWESOME books? Cool swag? AND help raise money for Suicide Prevention? Pop over there as soon as you finish reading: Justine Dell's house.

YA author, Sarah Fine and I are joining forces to bring you this wonderful opportunity to win cool stuff AND help a wonderful charity.  LOTS of other bloggers and authors and agents have donated the cool stuff! 

If you want to bypass the giveaway/auction and donate straight to the cause, YAY! Here is our Out of the Darkness Donation page: HERE. 

The giveaway starts on Monday, Oct. 1st and you can find some deets on Sarah Fine's Blog. But for your ease, I have put the widgets here so you can enter!  There are two widgets:

1. Epic Giveway. Just follow the Rafflecopter instructions and enter to win SUPER cool stuff. Oh, and here's a bonus: for every 250 entries we receive (up to 1250), Sarah Fine will donate $100 dollars to the Out of The Darkness Walk. YAY! Which means if we get 1250 entries, Sarah will donate $500 dollars to the cause!! So ENTER! And tell your friends! 

2. Sarah and Justine's Dynamite Donation Giveaway. For every $1 dollar you donate, you will be given ONE entry into the Sarah's giveaway and Justine's. So if you donate $50 bucks, that 50 entries for each giveaway! (check the widget for the prizes). Just enter with an easy entry on the Rafflecopter, donate, then email your receipt to Justine and we'll manually enter your entries! You only have to donate ONCE and you will be entered into BOTH giveaways (which means you also only need to fill out one Rafflcopter thing...manual entries will take care of the rest) HOW COOL IS THAT? And how EASY?

 

Get on over peeps. You only have so much time, due to my ineptness. *sigh*

EGAD PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The reason you have had no visits from me, no comments, no nuthin', is because my blog has been hacked. Compromised. (Thanks to the LOVELY  Theresa M. from Theresa's Tales for helping me out.) I have decided to change my password every day now. Oh, and my hubby fell off the roof of our house. He has arrived back home but has a lot of issues. Punctured lung, broken ribs and shoulder, etc.. The thing about the blog is this: I changed my password and right after I did that, it was hacked again. *sigh* I will start coming by today. As long as it will let me. Then tomorrow I will change my password again. And so it goes. Hugs and smooches everyone.

Beneath the Slashings people!!!!!!!!!

Beneath the Slashings is the third book in the totally bodacious trilogy Divided Decade. And may I say that the FIRST sentence in Beneath the Slashings  MADE MY MIND AND HEART SCREAM, "READ MORE!" Here it is for your pleasure.                                                        
Grace Nickerson hated surprises. Okay. Need I say more??  DOES THAT SENTENCE SCREAM, GIVE ME SOME BOOKY LOVE, or what?? Eh? There is a cover face-lift happening, people. The new cover is much better. I have posted it for your looking pleasure. > See it?
The other two books in the trilogy are The Candle Star and Broken Ladders. You MUST read these wonderful historical fiction books. Michelle is a beautiful woman and her writing is just right. Everything fits. Everything works. It all comes together with finesse.
Broken Ladders is dedicated to ALL those who fought in America's bloodiest war AND the families they left behind. That dedication struck me, which is why I wanted to include it in my post. I truly recommend that you buy all three books and anything else Michelle writes.
And to do that I urge you to travel the linkage:
Kindle
Paperback
Nook
Smashwords

Here's the Extended Description (From Smashwords)
Beneath the Slashings is the final book in Ms. Isenhoff’s Divided Decade Trilogy, which views the American Civil War from three different angles. But because they’re only loosely related, each book can be read independently.

The story begins with 12-year-old Grace Nickerson celebrating the end of the war. After four long years, Pa’s finally coming home! Grace is eager to move back to the family farm (from her aunt and uncle’s house) and resume a normal life. But then Pa’s letter comes in the mail–he’s sold the farm and taken a job in a lumber camp, and Grace and her twin brother, Sam, are to go with him.

Grace is devastated. She’s never been brave. “She wasn’t one to swing out over the creek on a hot summer day and drop blindly into a pool.” And her fear quickly turns to anger. When her tears and tantrums don’t change Pa’s mind, she stops speaking to him altogether.

In camp, Grace spends long hours working with Sam and Ivan, the surly Russian cook, but at least in the kitchen she’s safe from the lumberjacks. She’s seen them from the window. They’re rough, unkept, and terrifying. But slowly, with Sam’s help, she comes to understand they’re all missing home and recovering from loss, just like she is. Her fear begins to evaporate–until she learns one of them is trying to kill Pa.

This is more than a suspenseful adventure, it’s a little slice of history wrapped up in entertainment. Many returning Civil War vets really did look to the lumber camps for a fresh start. The setting is authentic and well-researched, and the colorful language of the logging camps is employed. The author even touches on the challenges that arose from so many new black freemen and the tragedy of diminishing Native American cultures. The years after the war were a time of uncertainty, rebuilding, and learning to live with changes. Isenhoff, with her distinctive prose, captures them beautifully. But mostly, this is a story of family and forgiveness.

My review, peeps!
I love Grace. She's full of spice and that's hard after all those years of war. She's had to learn about loss, regret, and sorrow.  I imagined her very real as I read this super fantastic 'kid growing up' story. I think coming of age is overused people and should be banned from our vocabulary. Anywho, Grace has a twin brother named Sam and they move with their pa to a logging camp. Can anyone say action? Conflict? This story has it all. And Grace is in the middle of it. I also liked Pa. He had some decisions to make after the war and whether or not we agree with them, he's a great character to write. This was a time of insecurity, especially for kids. So we fall in love with Grace because we understand her. She sparkles at times and at times she's very stubborn (but she sparkles even then). One thing is for sure, we feel in our hearts for her and for all those coming back from the civil war or any war and trying to rebuild their lives. I found that the historical parts of this story are spot-on. Michelle draws pictures in our minds that show us about life after. Now all that said, this is not a story for your ten-year-old. It does take place in a logging camp. Right? 
Honorable mention to the characters Ivan and Fiddlesticks. Both very well written. I won't say anymore, lest I start blabbering about the end. (I have a tendency to want to tell you EVERYTHING) :-)

Here's the rest of the tour. It lasts the entire month of August. Go hang with these cool folks. 

8          http://abigailboyd.blogspot.com

9          http://karenelange.blogspot.com

10        http://wwwburiedinbooks.blogspot.com

11          http://thegirlnamedjack.wordpress.com

12        http://thecrookedword.blogspot.com

13        http://yummy-books.com/

14        http://magwunderlich.wordpress.com

15        http://childrensbooksheal.com/

16        http://readersandwritersparadise.com

17        http://kidsebookfinder.wordpress.com/for-authors

18        http://chatwithvera.blogspot.com

19        http://www.audreybarnett.com     

21        http://geolibrarian.blogspot.com

22        http://bookreaper.blogspot.com

23        Michelle's house

24        http://bookreaper.blogspot.com

25        http://www.thecreativepenn.com

26        http://bookreaper.blogspot.com

27        http://sosimplesara.blogspot.com

29         http://www.thiskidreviewsbooks.com
30         Michelle's place 
31         http://www.lindsayburoker.com/

  

        And here's her lovely face. >

       Michelle Isenhoff,

       Children's Novelist

 

Linkage on where to find this talented woman folks:
Michelle's house (Her website for those of you not up on THE lingo) 
Michelle's second home (her blog)
Michelle's cabin where she tweets with the birdies (hehe)
Where we go to follow Michelle's toing and froing (Facebook)
Michelle's great reads at Goodreads
Watch her awesome trailers here peeps  


Thanks for all your awesome support during the sickness and death of my beloved sis-in-law. You people are BEAUTIFUL man! Hugs and smooches.