The smell of Christmas #familytraditions #ThankfulThisHoliday

We all have our special family traditions. Something that sparks deep within us and makes us smile at the memory. For me, it is Christmas morning. The tradition stretches back to the time of being a little girl. The excitement of the morning, and the smell of Christmas.

The smell of Christmas. That is an odd phrase, but if you think upon it for a moment, I am sure you will agree. Christmas does have a smell. It may be different for you than for me, but it is there. 

I loved Christmas as a child. I still do. The excitement of the evening and waiting for jolly old St. Nick; the anticipation was palpable. My Christmas morning started the same every year. I would wake up in the middle of the night, sneak out to see what Santa left, and play with my toys until my parents awoke...or the phone would ring. If my parents overslept, I could always count on my dear grandmother to call at 6:00 a.m. I would race to the phone and happily answer it to hear my grandmother's cheery voice greeting me with Merry Christmas and assuring me breakfast was ready. 

Once that call was received, I knew it was safe to pounce on my parents. Sometimes they would stretch it out another half hour while I would anxiously bob up and down waiting. I was ready to start the day! Finally, they'd head toward the door and I was gone. I would race down our walkway, out the front gate, up the sidewalk---all the way next door---and arrive at my grandparents' doorstep. I wouldn't bother with the doorbell, knowing my grandfather would have already unlocked it. As I burst into their home, the smell of Christmas would hit me. Hot fresh blueberry muffins and bacon. It was the same every year, and it was my favorite. This was Christmas to me. This was love. It was the prequel to my grandparents' waiting arms. 

The good thing about family traditions is that they stick with us, even into adulthood. Gone are the days of Christmas morning at my grandparents' home as they passed long ago. But the tradition remains. Not one Christmas has passed that the aroma of blueberry muffins and bacon hasn't filled my home. And there is always one extra plate dished with a warm muffin. It stands alone, uneaten. It serves only as a memory and tribute to two very special people that meant the world to me. To a woman whose voice is embedded in my mind and my heart and still whispers Merry Christmas to me with each passing year.

God bless everyone. May your Christmas be rich with tradition.

K. Lamb

In Between by Jenny B. Jones #YA #bookreview #kidlit

I must say that I truly enjoyed this book. I instantly felt connected to the storyline.

In Between by Jenny B, Jones is the story of one girl's journey in learning to trust in adults when all she has known in the past is disappointment. With a mom in prison, Katie Parker is shipped off from her group home to her new foster parents. Not only is she thrust into a new household, but when she finds out that her "foster father" is a preacher, she all but goes off the rails. She pushes the boundaries continually in an effort to test their limits and expects to be shipped back to Sunny Haven Home for Girls at any moment.

Katie's wit and reactions are full of realism. More than a time or two did I find myself outright laughing, chuckling, or smiling. I truly found myself connecting with the character as I watched her progress through the book and the life changes that helped her accept her position, and importance, in her new home.

Although religion and God were brought up many times throughout the book, I never felt it became heavy handed or presented in such a way as to turn off young adult readers. In truth, I found just the opposite to be true. I think it will open up, or strengthen, young minds to the concept of God. Religion can be such a touchy subject, and I love when an author can present it in a responsible manner.

Ultimately, I think I felt such a connection to this book because over the years I have volunteered hundreds of hours working with children in my community. Not all of them have been fortunate in their circumstances in life and this book reminded me of those special moments working with some of the children that had a natural distrust of adults. These children were always the ones to capture my heart, and make me work even harder to insure they had a fantastic summer. The only thing a child truly needs in life is to know someone cares about their well-being. In my opinion, In Between reinforces this statement.

I would definitely give this book 5 stars. I look forward to reading more in the Katie Parker Production series, and to many more laughs ahead. Very well done, Jenny B. Jones!

Wishing you all an amazing adventure, and reminding you to never pass up the opportunity to help a child,

K. Lamb

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Writing Software - Is it for you? #authors #writers #software

Today in the Author's Corner, I thought we would talk about writing software. I use several different programs, all of which we will discuss. 

I want to send out a strong caution of what writing software will not do:

• Replace an editor or proofreader
• Will not read human emotion
• Will not catch dropped words, wrong word use, etc.
• Will not guarantee you success as a writer

What can writing software do?

• Help you to better prepare your manuscript for an editor and proofreader
• Teach you how to strengthen your writing
• Make you more confident in your writing

The three writing programs, which I will again further discuss in detail, are:

• Office 365
• StyleWriter 4
• ProWriting Aid

Microsoft Office 365:

We are all familiar with Microsoft Word. If we don't use, we've at least heard of it. The reason I upgraded to the subscription service is two-fold:

• You get all the newest Office upgrades
• The subscription service includes the text-to-speech feature, which previous versions have done away with

The most important feature in this version of Word is the text-to-speech. What your eyes see on paper can sometimes deceive you. Hearing your manuscript read back to you by the program, tedious as it may be, will allow you to catch those little nuances that your eyes bypass. This is a key factor! Your manuscript must "read aloud" well, especially if you are writing for children.

Stylewriter 4:

I have heard pros and cons about this software. I will tell you that I love it and use it constantly! It does get a little buggy at times with Windows 8, but if you check your document chapter-by-chapter, it usually runs fine. I have found it gives me trouble when I have it review the whole manuscript.

I like this program because I find it to be more intensive than Microsoft Word's grammar check. Now this is strictly my opinion. Since this is a UK company, you will find there are a few differences between American English and British English. Despite that, I find it useful. It will grade your writing style as dreadful, fair, poor, good, and excellent. I always strive for an excellent rating, and will keep re-structuring my paragraphs until I achieve that goal. It also gives you different format styles from which to choose based on what you are writing, i.e. fiction, business letters, etc.

The more you use the program, the stronger your writing becomes. Think of it the same as exercising your muscles. The more you work out the easier your routines gets. This is the same principle.

The software is expensive, but they do offer a free trial download. I suggest you see how it works for you. If you don't like it, nothing lost. The software ranges from $90-$190.00 depending on the version you purchase. I have the pro edition and use it almost daily.

ProWritingAid:

This is a web-based grammar program. It also comes with a plug-in, if you prefer, but I found the web works best for me. I don't use this software program until the end of the writing phase when I am editing. This program is great for picking up redundancies, which is my most used report.

This is a subscription program, which is $35.00 a year—definitely worth the price! If you purchase more than one year at a time they offer a discounted rate.

There is another program similar to this one that I have tried, but will not mention by name. I preferred the other program a little bit better, but not enough to warrant the steep price difference—$35.00 vs. $144.00.

Why use software?

As I mentioned before, I believe it helps you stay in tune with your writing and improves it over time by letting you see your weak spots.

Another important aspect that I feel strongly about is the cleaner you make your manuscript before handing it off to an editor to do their job, the more they will be able to help you. Make your manuscript the best so your editor can give you their best.

Cautionary Word:

Software will never be able to read emotion and feel your words. It gives you recommendations based on programming, but it is up to you, the writer, to be sure the sentence ultimately moves your reader. Do not let any program strip your voice. For example, I write for children. In my dialog, I am constantly using the word/fragment, really? The program is not happy with me when I do. However, this is a child's voice, this is how they speak, which is why I need to follow my instincts and be able to put aside what the program is telling me.

Finally, do not make the mistake of thinking any of these programs replace a good editor. An editor offers what no program can:  the human eye, feeling, and experience.

I hope you found this article helpful and it has given you a couple more tools in your arsenal. It is our job as authors to put forth our best efforts. Remember, the world needs quality literature.

Wishing you success,

K. Lamb

Twitter Talk

If you're an author, chances are you belong to the Twitter world. Now if you've come here for some sage advice on mastering the world of tweets, I will warn you, you are going to be sadly disappointed. I don't have the answers. This is a world that has a life of its own, and the recommendations on how to have a successful Twitter feed are as varied as the people who use it.

I've read a lot of different articles, downloaded books, and I still haven't a clue. I've tried different formulas. To me, IMHO, it all comes down to being true to yourself and the amount of time you have to devote to this mysterious world.

A while back when I found myself getting lost for hours on end as I happily tweeted along, I found I was enjoying the human interaction, but losing valuable writing time. I knew I couldn't sustain that if I ever wanted to get my next book out. So I decided to implement a plan. I would devote one whole day to interacting with my friends and followers each week. I called it Thankful Thursdays. The idea was to give shout-outs to my followers and enjoy a good old-fashioned gab fest. Only I discovered it was a major fail for two reasons:

• First, one day wasn't enough. I missed the daily interaction, and whereas my followers didn't decrease, they stopped increasing at the same rate as before. This proved one thing to me: my followers needed the interaction just as much as I did. I am now back to tweeting daily, although I try to limit myself.
• Secondly, my all-day shout-out list proved to be annoying to some followers. They appreciated the mention, but the continual list was a bit too much. Being grateful and saying thank you to my followers is important to me, however. Therefore, I now send out a small daily batch of "Grateful 4:" to express my appreciation and litter my posts throughout the week.

Then of course there is the whole topic of WHAT to tweet about. Do we keep it strictly personal or is it okay to promote our books? Again, the advice offered is extremely varied. As writers, we all want to introduce ourselves to new individuals and expand our reader base. Although I do believe it is important to do so in a genuine manner so as not to be obnoxious about it, and sometimes, it can be difficult to know when we are being obnoxious as it is difficult to "read" our friends and followers in the cyber world. What is too much? I really enjoyed the explanation put forth on this topic by Benjamin Wallace, the author of Giving the Bird: The Indie Author's Guide to Twitter, as he describes a scenario of a man at a party.  (You'll have to buy the book to find out what he says...)

What is my "tweet formula?" Honestly, I don't have one. It is ever-changing as I find what works for me and what doesn't. Not to confuse you any more than what you might already be on the subject, here is what I currently tweet in the twitter world:

• I post socially just because I enjoy it. I love interacting with my friends and those I've met online. We can act like big kids. Is it always professional? No, but it's fun and it is genuine. Being true to yourself and who you are has to be at the forefront of everything you do. The key is honesty. Let others see the real you. You can be both the consummate writer and the goofball joking with your friends. 
• Quotes are one of my favorites. The wisdom that can be found within a few short words can touch the soul. 
• Projects my friends are working on. I am one of those individuals that believe in promoting the success of others. We all win when one of us succeeds. You cannot be afraid to support others in their goals. 
• Words. I love posting a "word of the day" when a good one comes along. 
• My blog postings. Where my tweets can sometimes show the silly side of me, my blog shows my heart. I talk about all kinds of things from children's literacy to cherished memories, and even my experiences as a writer. 
• Book reviews I've posted. I'm always looking for quality children's literature to recommend to my readers and nieces and nephew. 
• Interesting articles. Although one of the books I read said this was a definite no-no as you shouldn't direct traffic away from your site. However, the "helpful" side of me wants to share interesting articles when I find them so I doubt that is going to change. 
• Snippets from my books and links. Yes, I do send out the dreaded promotional tweets. It is always in the hope my followers will forgive this transgression and even take a peek! 

As I said in the beginning, what people tweet about is as varied as they are themselves. I don't know if there will ever be any "set formula" as things are forever changing, expanding, and going in new directions. All any of us can do is hope to wade through all the advice and find a solution that works best for us as individuals.  

Wishing you all success,

K. Lamb

Eligibility in the Local Context #college #education #students

If you are the parent of a high school student in California you may or may not be aware of Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC). I will admit, I was not. It wasn't until I attended an informational college night at our daughter's high school that I first found out about this program. 

Being the parent of a very goal-oriented child/young adult can be a challenge. You have to try and help balance the time they spend on school work, and their over-achieving nature, with being sure they experience life. At the same time, you truly have to appreciate that determination. Well, in California, that determination pays off in a big way and it is something every parent should know!

California has a program called Eligibility in the Local Context. Basically, if your child meets all the course requirements to enter college, and is within the top percentage of their high school, they are guaranteed admission into the UC school system. (I believe the only two schools exempt from automatic acceptance are UC Berkeley and UCLA, however ELC status will improve your child's chances.) From their website:

"To be designated as ELC, a student must have attended an eligible, participating California high school, satisfactorily completed a specific pattern of 11 UC-approved courses prior to the start of senior year, and have a UC-calculated GPA that meets or exceeds the top 9 percent GPA benchmark established by UC for their school. To maintain the ELC status, the student must satisfy the general admissions requirements including the successful completion of the 15 required “a-g” courses, maintain a 3.0 GPA and submit an official copy of ACT with Writing or SAT Reasoning Test scores."

Before you get too excited, be sure to read the fine print. It says, "the top 9 percent GPA benchmark established by UC for their school." Unless the overall GPA is extremely low for your child's high school, a 3.0 is not going to give them automatic entrance. That is the reality of the situation. Gaining entrance into college is extremely competitive. I know for a fact that GPAs ranged well over 4.0 in my daughter's school. 

How can you help your child? If they are up to the challenge, you can encourage them to:

• Take honors courses in their Freshman year to acquaint them with a more demanding course load
• Take AP courses in their sophomore, junior, and senior years (which will also give them college credit and get some of those general education courses out of the way)
• DO NOT push your child beyond their capabilities; it will only damage their self-esteem and lower their GPA if they cannot keep up
• Provide the necessary tools and a good working environment for them to study
• Be supportive, check in daily, and make sure they are balancing life

Find out if your child is on track for the ELC program in their junior year. Taking away the added pressure of worrying about whether or not they will be accepted into a 4-year college will allow them to focus on their studies and enjoy their final year, which should be full of memories and camaraderie with friends.

For more information, please go to: Eligibility in the Local Context

Now, if you really want to help get your child on track---start with them when they are young. Early readers become better students. Give them a head start in life. Read to your child today!

Wishing your child every success,

K. Lamb

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A Ghost went Trick or Treating #kidlit #bookreview #free

I picked up A Ghost Went Trick or Treating by A.J. Cosmo (written under the penname Gene Wilikers) on Amazon.com. As of the date of this blog, it is available for a free download. My best recommendation is to grab a copy while it is still available―otherwise, it will run you $1.99, which is still a bargain!

At only 22 pages and 12 illustrations, it is a short read, but one your child will delight in. It is the perfect tale to get young ones excited about the upcoming holiday, read after a long night of trick-or-treating or as a classroom read aloud on Halloween day. 

What I enjoyed about this story is that I thought I had it all figured out, until nearly the end, when the author threw in a twist that made me smile. How many times can you say that as an adult, a child's book throws you a curve? It goes to prove that a well-written children's book can surprise us all.

The best part is that I love stories that have a message or lesson within them. This one is presented so perfectly, your child will not recognize it for what it is, but will find themselves engaged and immersed in the unfolding events. 

This book teaches children about:

• friendship
• bullying
• not to judge a "book" by its cover
• helping others

This is a book that I look forward to sharing with my young nieces. I have no doubt it will win their seal of approval as well.

Wishing you all a safe and hauntingly good time,

K. Lamb

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Just in time for Halloween! #free #kindle #kidlit

How about sharing with your little ghost or goblin a different type of Halloween treat this year? Perhaps you're trying to find a way to quiet your little princess or pirate down after arriving home from a long night of trick or treating. Is your buzzing bee or fireman coming down off their sugar-high? You can settle them in by cozying up together and reading, Dani and the Haunted House! 

Since kids shouldn't be the only one getting a treat this Halloween, I'm offering a free Kindle download on Thursday, October 16th!

Wishing you all a safe and hauntingly good time,

K. Lamb

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The Giver by Lois Lowry #kidlit #book #review

I first had the opportunity to read, The Giver, when my daughter was in grammar school. I always made it a practice to read the same books as my daughter so that we could discuss them in detail. I loved getting her perspective on the material she read and the keen insight she always seemed to gain from the pages of a book.

This story by Lois Lowry has always been one of my favorites. It very much reminds me of the old cliche of looking at the world through rose-colored glasses. 

The setting is a "perfect" community. All the citizens have jobs that are chosen for them by the Elders of the community that are best suited to their abilities. Just as their positions are chosen so are their families. Husband and wives are matched up--think back to the days of arranged marriages--and children are assigned. Birth mothers are not allowed to raise their children, but are merely the equivalent of brood mares.

To the citizens, all seems idyllic. This is their way of life, which seems normal and comforting. It isn't until a young boy, Jonas, comes of age and prepares to take on his role in the community does the rose-colored facade strip away and he sees the community for what it truly is: lost within their own complacency. He knows there has to be something better out there and with the help of The Giver, who is his mentor, and whom he is meant to replace, does he  start to challenge the ideas of the Elders. 

His delegated position as the new Giver demands that he take on both the pleasure and pain of the communities' memories. For the first time in his life he understands the beauty of color and the pain of war, the searing heat of the sun's rays to the delicacy of a fragile snowflake. It is the task of a mere child to bear the weight of both so that the citizens of this "utopia" can live in their dream-like world, carefree in their naivete. 

I highly recommend this book for young readers. There are true lessons to be found within its pages about taking life as it is meant to be and how one must learn to accept both the highs and lows if they are to live a true full life, and in the grand scheme of things, what is more beautiful than that?

Share this book with a child you know today. It is worth the read for both the young and old.

Wishing you all a little adventure,

K. Lamb

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A.J. Cosmo: Where Monsters Lurk #interview #author #kidlit

I want you to stop for a moment. Really stop. Now think back to when you were a child; a curious, wide-eyed little adventurer. Did you ever wonder.....

• where socks disappeared to?
• if ghosts went trick or treating?
• what that slobbering noise in the dark was?
• if there was an A-Z encyclopedia on monsters?  

You have? Well, then you are going to love my guest today because he had the same questions! Please help me welcome the creative genius behind the wildly popular monster series, A.J. Cosmo. I couldn't wait to ask him some questions and grill him about his experiences as an author and illustrator. My own seven-year old self can't wait to hear his answers, so let's get started!

With an impressive 13 books listed on your website, can you please tell my readers how long you've been publishing and what inspired you to become an author? 

Firstly, thank you for checking out my website, I'm always honored whenever anyone has a look! To answer your question, I've been self-publishing exclusively on the Amazon Kindle platform for three years now. In that time, I've created a little over forty books, however not all of them are currently available. 

About three years ago I found myself in a bit of a conundrum. I was thirty at the time and was having a sort of pre-mid-mid-life crisis (astrology folks call it the Saturn return.) I looked at who I was and what I had dreamed of being as a child and realized that they weren't lining up. I also happened to be unemployed at the time (something a lot of my generation has in common with me) and was incredibly frustrated that I didn’t have a job that used my hodgepodge of skills. So I went back to my dream. The dream that has always kept me going: writing, or, more correctly, creating. I moved to Los Angeles to become a screenwriter and, after failing at that hard, started exploring other writing forms. I stumbled upon Kindle and became interested in children's books after downloading a few of the early eBook offerings. I've always been a boy stuck in the body of a man, so it wasn't hard to get into it. All I did was ask, "What would the eight year old me want to read?"

That's where "The Monster That Ate My Socks" came from. I wrote and illustrated that in two weeks without really knowing what I was doing and it became a huge success. God blessed me with that title, and since then I have been striving to honor that creativity.

Children's books turned out to be at the intersection of everything I loved and could do. They allowed me to write, to tell a story, to create a world, and to illustrate that world. It was an unexpected joy and something I never thought in a million years I would wind up doing. Yet it makes perfect sense!

I love your illustrations and their vivid colors. These expressive drawings are sure to be well received by children. Do you illustrate your own books or do you have an illustrator that handles this aspect for you? 

Aww, thank you so much! I do all of the illustrations on all of my books. I use several different techniques and styles to create the work, changing ngredients to fit the story. I like colors to pop, so I take a lot of time selecting color palettes and arranging color space. From what I've heard, the children love the colors too! I approach the illustrations from a film perspective (going so far as to refer to the pictures as "shots") as such I sometimes find myself at odds with traditional illustration techniques. I really want these characters to come to life, to communicate, and I want the children who are reading them to understand the story from the pictures, even if they can't understand the words. Childhood reading is practically a theatrical experience and I want to give everyone the tools to enjoy it as much as possible.

What do you find to be the most challenging part of being an author? Time restraints? Writer's block? Marketing? 

Here's a short list: marketing, promotion, exposure, and advertising, in that order. Seriously, writing is an incredibly difficult skill that takes years to master and an immense amount of failure to become proficient at. Yet, also a skill that is universally de-valued by the public. We used to be at the mercy of the publishers, now we're at the mercy of search engines and they have a rather unique set of demands. Pricing is difficult: too cheap and no one will buy it because it's "desperate," too expensive and no one will buy it because "eBooks should be cheap, there's no printing involved!" 

As such each book requires it's own promotion, pricing, and marketing strategy. I have done everything that the marketing books recommend. However, as most self-publishers know, none of it works. Well, not exactly. The truth is that some things work and other things don’t and you won’t really know until you try it. I've spent a little over a year learning book marketing, have learned a lot, failed a lot, and have come away with the realization that very few people, including the big boys at marketing agencies, actually know what they’re doing. The rest is money thrown at vacuums.

In that spirit, I have begun helping other authors market and advertise their work. I support indies because I know how hard it is to make a living off of our work. And I believe we have a right to make a living. We have a right as artists to make money and continue to create, even if sometimes it seems like everyone else makes money off of us. I got lucky with an early hit, but most people don’t 

have that fortune, and it pains me to see indie predators hawking the promise of success to the naïve.

What do you find to be the most rewarding part of interacting with your readers? 

I have a policy of never responding to reviews, but I always respond to emails. My readers, unknowingly, have directly guided my work. Early on I constantly offered various stories and characters but the audience spoke and I started to specialize in monsters. I don't mind being typecast. In fact it's an honor. It's a wonder of the digital age that we get constant feedback about what readers 

respond to.

Reviews are such a funny thing and can be extremely damaging if you’re not prepared for them. I have five stars that talk about how the book helped a child through a difficult situation. How "I Love You" helped a parent to express themselves to their child and for their child to understand that love. I have reviews that have called me a hack, have said that I support puppy mills or some other nonsense. Reviews that deride me and then advertise their own book! And reviews that say I am combative or inflammatory which, again, I have never responded to anyone for their review. But my absolute favorites are the ones left by children. They are so honest and brief and sometimes don't understand the rating system. Here's my favorite:

"Awesome! I loved it! I want the next one to have monsters fighting, so cool!" * One Star

Is there one particular letter or photo you've received that has touched you in

such a profound way as to affirm why you became an author in the first place?  

A few months ago I randomly stumbled upon one of my biggest fans on twitter. Her resulting enthusiasm blew me away. Beverly told me that not only was I her son's favorite author, but that he anxiously awaited each new book. I was stunned. She said that he had learned about honesty through "The Truth Fairy" (her favorite book) and that I had helped him to fall in love with reading. If I died that day, I would have died satisfied.

I have since kept in contact with her, and a handful of other fans, and have tried to actively involve them in guiding my work and life. I want to help people. I want to make the world a better place and I want my work to reflect that. "The Monster That Ate My Socks" has been downloaded over 300,000 times. That means on any given night there are at least a hundred children reading something I created just before they turn off the lights. How amazing is that?

Despite everything that has challenged me in life, the set backs, the nay-sayers, the horrible reviewers, that one fact keeps me going, keeps me creating. It's an honor, a God bestowed honor, to have created one little book that has touched so many lives. That's why we create. That's why we go through what we go through to bring a thought into flesh. We yearn to be heard. We yearn to affect 

the world. 

To anyone out there reading this that has thought about being a writer, or has dreamed of creating something, anything, I implore you to pick up that pen or that brush and continue. Finish it. Whatever it is, get it out there. You want to make it for a reason and we have no right to deny the world our creations any longer. You never know what God has planned for what you made. Don't mess up that 

plan. Create. Live.

Today, in this moment, if you could give your 10-year old self one piece of advice, what would it be? 

Don’t cry. Don’t be afraid. Everything will be all right.

Thank you, A.J. for joining me today. It was truly a pleasure having the opportunity to interview you and learn from such a down-to-earth, creative mind. I look forward to following your progress, hopefully learning from the sage insights you gave us here today, and watching your continued success.

Well, dear readers, I hoped you enjoyed looking back at your own childhood thoughts and dreams. Never forget that just because you have grown up, doesn't mean you have to lose contact with your inner child. Embrace that part of yourself. Let yourself feel the wonderment that only youth can comprehend.

To learn more about A.J. Cosmo, please visit him at his website, ajcosmo.com

Wishing you all a day filled with mystery and adventure,

K. Lamb

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Remembrance #memories #gratitude #laughter

I turn the knob on the door and step out onto the small patio with a metal table and two chairs. My cheeks instantly feel the cool, crisp air as it assaults my senses and I breathe in deeply, appreciating the smell of the Ponderosa Pines. I smile and take in the beauty that can only be found in Yosemite. It is a bittersweet moment as I think about the cause behind my drinking in the surrounding view.

It was a little over a year ago that my father-in-law lost his battle with cancer. It wasn't until my nuclear family arrived in the valley did my husband divulge the true reason for our family weekend to one of our most beloved locations. Prior to his passing, my father-in-law made my mother-in-law promise to take all of the children and grandchildren to Yosemite to celebrate what would have been their 50th wedding anniversary; a special place the two of them shared half a century ago when they first honeymooned at this magical location. Always the outdoorsman, it was his ideal romantic getaway to spend with his new bride.

I knew we were coming to the park in honor of their anniversary, but I thought it was in support of my mother-in-law. I did not realize it was one of my father-in-law's last wishes. Instantly, the trip took on new meaning. Once realization dawned, I was not surprised by the perfect conditions that settled over the park for our long weekend.

As we jumped onto an early morning tram to take a two-hour tour, something we hadn't done in years, and my mother-in-law graciously arranged, sixteen of us bundled together in hoodies, hats, and blankets. The morning air was still crisp despite the sun rising higher in the sky. Soon the temperatures would reach the high 80s, but for now, we still huddled for warmth as the open air tram made its way along the valley floor. We listened intently as we took in the rich history of this majestic National Park with the shear granite cliffs that beckons millions of visitors each year to pay homage to its undeniable rugged allure.

As we ascended Highway 41 on the way to the Tunnel View overlook, I looked forward to one of my favorite views in the park. We disembarked and made our way through the throng of people, all trying to make their way to the stone wall. It is the easiest and most accessible place in the park to see the gorgeous view of the granite cliffs, created by glaciers passing through the valley during the ice age.

It didn't take long for my daughter to hop onto the wall, throw out her arms, and smile for the camera while my heart leapt in my chest. When she casually jumped off, without thought to the cliff behind her, I shook my head in wonderment at the abandonment of youth. Before I could stop myself, and reason out the insanity of what I was about to do, I jumped up and took her place. It was time to seize the day, take a chance, and live in the moment. In my ear, I could almost hear my father-in-law asking if we had both lost our minds. He was near famous for his safety lectures, which brought about a smile all its own.

Before we knew it, the tour was over and we were headed up the trail to one one of my other favorite places in the park, Vernal Falls. With our backpacks loaded with water, we headed up the incline. The heat of the day radiated down on the side of the mountain and we quickly wished for the cool air of the tram ride. It took longer than normal to climb up to the bridge, and I will it admit, I was the one lagging behind. I prefer to keep my hiking limited to the coolness of the early morning. The mid-afternoon sun had worn me out sooner than expected and once we passed the foot bridge and climbed a little further up the way, I broke from the trail and headed out onto the rocks to my favorite spot in Yosemite: a large boulder that extends out to the rushing water at the base of the falls. Being late in the year, with drought conditions, only a small trickle made its way past this year. The normally wide expansive falls, only a ribbon of water flowing over the top. My husband and I settled down in what I find to be one of the most tranquil spots in the busy park, unless you're willing to go hiking off trail, and watched as our daughter made her way up to the top along the Mist Trail. Nevada Falls, which looms above Vernal Falls, would have to wait for our next visit.

As I sat there, I thought of my father-in-law and what it would have meant to him to have all of his family together. I was filled with happiness and gratitude to be surrounded by my own family. My husband and I enjoyed the moment as we recounted our memories over prior visits and laughed over the killer squirrel that kept threatening to attack us because we would not share our jerky.

It was a weekend of remembrance; to be thankful for the love of family and a reminder to always count your blessings for the moments of shared joy.

K. Lamb

There's a Monster in the Dark #kidlit #imagination #bookreview

I recently had the pleasure of meeting A.J. Cosmo, the author of today's selection, There's a Monster in the Dark. We met over the internet when he asked me to guest blog on his website. I was so impressed by what I learned about him, I not only wanted to review one of his books that I had read in preparation of appearing on his site, but I also requested to interview him because I thought you would find his personal story of interest. 

There's a Monster in the Dark is 18 pages, contains 10 wonderfully, bright & vivid illustrations, and is recommended for second graders and up. It is available on Kindle.

Synopsis:

What starts out as friendly child's play telling monster stories in the dark soon becomes quite a fright as three young boys discover they are not alone.

The Book:

Right from the opening line, the story will grab young readers. After all, how can they ignore such an opening line as this?

• "What if I told you that right now there's a big scary monster hiding in the dark?" Jacob asked as he shone a flashlight under his chin. 

In case you haven't yet caught on through my blog, I'm a huge kid at heart. I was instantly transported into a dark room with a blanket covering my head; hanging on to Jacob's every word. From the very first illustration of a snot, slobbering monster—I was hooked. After all, as Jacob tells us, whether we know it or not, we've all been visited by this scary, slobbering, winged monster.

• "At night it flies around the town, dancing on people's rooftops with its big hooves. I bet you've heard it before on your roof, Mason."

Of course, as I read it, he wasn't talking to Mason. He was talking to me. Had I heard those sounds before? I was still fine, until the dire warning came...

• "It can find you, wherever you hide, because its many eyes can see through walls. And once it gets ahold of you, it never, ever, lets go..."

As the story continues to unfold, children will be delighted with this playful spooky tale, which is written in a fun, imaginative way; the illustrations will further strengthen the author's words by strong visualization. 

I can easily imagine a child returning time and again to their virtual bookshelf to read this adventure. Had this book been available when my daughter was young, I would have easily made a fun night of providing blankets and flashlights to her and her friends as I read aloud in my most chilling voice—even if that meant I might lose a bit of sleep that night! 

The author is careful not to leave a scary image in the minds of young children and twists the tale in a surprising turn that I do not want to reveal. Ultimately, we learn that we all have monsters in the dark. Amongst all the childhood antics, AJ Cosmo manages to insert a message into his words in such a sagacious manner that the reader will not be the wiser for it, but it will be absorbed nonetheless. 

Conclusion:

A.J. Cosmo has created a children's book that will engage young transitioning readers from the first line until the last. Kids will be left asking for more—and as parents—what is a better recommendation than that?

I would like to invite you to return next week as A.J. joins me for an insightful interview. How do I know it is insightful? Because it has already occurred and it is merely waiting for me to write up! You will enjoy his thoughtful answers to the questions I posed to him. I know I did immensely.

Thank you for joining me this week on my Book Review segment! 

Wishing you all a little mystery and adventure,

K. Lamb

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Els Oot and the Lost City #kidlit #childrensbook

My first professional review under this platform is a book that I chose. I was not asked to do a review by the author. It comes from the Tilley Pond Mouse series of books that can be read independently of one another and they are for established readers with a grade recommendation of third through sixth.  

The book is entitled, Els Oot and the Lost City by Nelson Suit. 

Synopsis: 

The story is littered with woodland creatures, big and small, but mostly small, that are out to discover if the Lost City holds the key to finding their most desired wish: the recovery of their long-lost relatives. After being separated for many years after a great flood, a lone traveler arrives at the doorstep of the Mapmaker of Tilley Pond with the first clue to the whereabouts of the missing inhabitants of Meadowlark Falls. A search party is quickly formed as they prepare to embark on a grand adventure. 

The main character:

Although the story is full of interesting characters, our main character is Els Oot. He is the apprentice of the Mapmaker and the story centers around his journey. The bond Els has with his traveling companions, as well as the ones he forms along the way with each new friend he makes, shows us that this tiny little mouse has a caring, strong determination to help others—often times at his own peril. 

What makes this book special:

As an avid reader, when I pick up a children's book I often expect to breeze through a story in a light-heart manner with child-like wonderment; a quick little read before bed, an afternoon time out from my busy schedule. This story will appeal to children because they will get to trek across a marsh on the back of a turtle, ride a wild, snarling bat, climb trees with a squirrel, build a boat and ride in the Great Race, rescue a damsel, and ultimately, discover the Lost City. 

An adult will discover, almost immediately, the words of wisdom that can be found hidden among the pages:

• "Stay quiet inside. There is a place there that doesn't change wherever you are."
• "It is through the broken box that the light shines in."

There are many more passages I highlighted on my Kindle, which I have not included. I soon discovered this book was not designed only for children, but as inspiration for all of its readers, young or old, to gain knowledge of how we can lead richer lives. 

Conclusion:

This is not a story that belongs strictly in a children's library. It deserves a place in a family's library. It has something to offer to everyone. It is a classic for children and a reminder to adults that inspiration can strike anywhere—even on the pages of a children's book.

For all of you who are about to embark upon an adventure, bring a child with you. Show them the magic that can only be found in a far off land, where creatures speak, and heroism abounds. Read to your child today.

Safe journey,

K. Lamb

To learn more about Nelson Suit please visit his website at: wordcaper.com

Meet Dani P. Spinelli #kidlit #mystery #iartg

Wow, here I am again on another blog hop! I love participating in blog tours because it allows me the opportunity to show you who I am as a writer. This particular article excites me because I get to introduce you, in depth, to my sweet and sassy, little protagonist. 

Before I move on, let me take a moment to introduce you to the children's author that invited me on to this particular blog hop. Her name is Kimberly Sentek, and she is the author of Oh Brother!: A Nico and Tugger Tale, which is available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle. Aside from the two of us sharing a passion for children's literature, we have another commonality: We both love the group Bon Jovi! 

Kimberly has spent her entire life telling stories--so much so that her parents swear she was born talking. A lifelong resident of New Jersey, Kimberly is owned by two cockapoos, Nico and Tugger. Her first book was inspired by them, and she is currently working on a second book featuring her two furry children.

To learn more about Kim and her pups, please hop on over to her blog at: Kimberly Sentek.

Your can also connect with her at:www.kimberlysentek.com
@kimberlysentek on TwitterOn Facebook

Buy the book at:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
iTunes Interactive App of the Book

Meet Dani P. Spinelli: The Best Almost-Eight-Year-Old Detective in the World

What is the name of your character?

My main character's full name is Danielle Pippi Spinelli, however everyone calls her Dani. When she's in trouble, which is a lot of the time, her parents and friends will call her Dani P. 

When and where is the story set?

My story takes place in the sleepy, tourist town of Shady Hollow. It is a small, quaint town that hosts antique stores and sidewalk cafes in the heart of the community, while still maintaining a mall and amusement park on the outskirt of its borders. It is a mix of modern day times and a throwback to days gone by. 

What should we know about her?

Dani loves to solve mysteries. She's earned the reputation of being "the best almost-eight-year-old detective in the world" according to her uncle, Sheriff Spinelli, and she has become the youngest deputy in the history of Shady Hollow, and probably everywhere else, too!

Dani doesn't fit into any particular mold, and she doesn't want to! She's quirky, sassy, and sweet all rolled up into one. She's not afraid to stand up for herself or for her friends. You'll never find someone as loyal as her in a time of need. She can run the gamut emotionally. There's definitely no hiding when she's mad or happy; her face says it all. She is fearless and determined, which leads her into more mischief than she bargains for most of the time. Does that sometimes place her into dangerous situations? Absolutely! But with a smart head on her shoulder, she always manages to find a way out of trouble. Well, until she get home and then she finds herself in a different kind of trouble! 

What messes up her life?

The two biggest obstacle Dani faces are her own rash decisions at times and being grounded by her parents. Although she tries her best to come up with intelligent, well thought out plans, they always seem to go a little awry---leading her, and her best friend, into a heap of misfortune. But, what can you expect? She's only seven. Of course, that puts her in the predicament of having to explain to her parents why she was caught in a burning, haunted house or being captured by jewels thieves. 

What is the personal goal of your character?

This is one of the easiest questions yet: To fight injustice! Dani wants to solve crime and make sure all is right with the world. She wants to prove to everyone that age shouldn't matter when it comes to doing the right thing. She may be small, but she's mighty! If she can make difference, she'll stop at nothing to prove her cause. 

Is there a working title for this novel, and can we read more about it? 

Dani P. Mystery is the name of the series. To date, two books have been published and they have both earned Readers' Favorite 5-star ratings. The first book released in December 2013 on Amazon and has become a best seller in Children's Detectives. The second book, Dani and the Mall Caper was released in May 2013. There are several places you can find out more about the series. You can visit the Dani P. Mystery website, her official Facebook page, Twitter, my Amazon author page, or peruse the articles on my blog!

Do you want to know a little more more about the Editorial Review done by Readers' Favorite? Here's what they had to say:

• "The friendship between the two girls and their different personalities add more vigor to the plot and their realistic portrayal lends credibility to the events."
• "The story is well crafted from the beginning to the end."
• "The interactive questions at the end of the story will interest kids."
• "It is a good book for children and perfect to be kept in school libraries."
• "The plot is intelligent and creative and makes for a fun read."

Inkspoke.com recently published a stellar Editorial Review on their online site stating:

• Dani and the Mall Caper is a book that should be shared with young kids. It’s one of those books for early grades that one comes across only once in a long while, something that is not only a well-crafted and well-written story but a story that instills important values about grit, determination and friendship. The warm and likeable characters, dialogue and plot-line will inspire young readers to read (and perhaps write). The book is also a fun one for a parent, teacher or caretaker to share with a younger child. It’s a gem within the rich tradition of kids’ detective books.

When can we expect new books to be published?

I am concurrently working on the next two books in the series. Dani and the Rocking Horse Ranch, Book 3, is currently being illustrated while I do the final rewrites before submitting to my Editor for final review. I am also working on Dani and the Hidden Treasure, Book 4. I am excited to bring these new books to Dani's readers. However, I do not yet have a firm release date. Please be sure to follow my website or Facebook for more up-to-date information. I will let you in on a little secret:  Dani's Facebook page always hears the news first! She'd love it if you'd like her page and follow along! 

Thanks for "hopping" on over and learning more about Dani P. Spinelli. She may be a handful, but her charming smile and goofy antics will melt your heart every time.

Before you leave, I'd love to introduce you to some additional authors who are passionate about writing and their characters. I'm sure you'll enjoy meeting them as much as I have.

Wishing you all a little mystery & adventure,

K. Lamb

CAT MICHAELS:

Is a writer, small-space gardener, devoted auntie, and digital dabbler who started writing stories in fourth grade and hasn’t stopped since. 

She spins tales of everyday life, with a twist of magic or mayhem, that open young minds to new ways of looking at the world.  She spent more than two decades helping students from kindergarten to college overcome the challenges of learning disabilities and Asperger’s syndrome.  Her books encourage students to use their imagination and problem-solving skills while enjoying and interacting with a story.

Watercolor artist Irene A. Jahns illustrates Cat's Sweet T tales, a series of chapter books for early readers about the adventures of three sisters.  Book 1, Sweet T and the North Wind, is available in print and will debut as an e-book in winter 2014. Book 2, Finding Fuzzy, a You-Decide Tale of a Lost Friend,  where children write or draw the story’s ending, earned second place honors in the Purple Dragonfly Book Award.  Both books received the Readers’ Favorite five-star review and are available on Amazon @http://goo.gl/vF2kcn 

website: www.catmichaelswriter.com
twitter: @CatMichaelsBook      

Marko Kitti:

Is a Finnish-born author who currently lives in East Sussex, England. He has been writing fiction since 2001 and his Finnish publications include two collections of short stories, two novels for adult readers, and one novel for young adult readers. 

In May 2014 Marko released his first children's book written in the English language. Jesper Jinx is the first of the series of books to feature an eleven-year-old Jesper; a determined, action-seeker and probably the unluckiest person in all of Puffington Hill. 

Find out more about Marko Kitti and his literary works on his website, Amazon author page, or Twitter account. His blog will be available to read on September 29th.

...and my dear friend, Laura Lee Scott:

Born and raised in Edina, Minnesota, Laura Lee Scott checks in with over 20 years of experience as a professional writer. Although The Santa Switch isn't the first children's book she's written, it's her first "solo" project as a children's author. Says Laura, who now lives in West Linn, Oregon with her family: "My hope is that this unique book -- and the subsequent series that's currently in the works -- will bring a modern Jessica Claus to life, and, in so doing, create a strong, positive female role model for children. I think the time is long overdue that Santa's wife be thought of as an icon to admire, know, and love, alongside her world-famous husband. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to find Cheryl to help me bring her to life. I can't imagine doing this book series without her!"

Learn more about Laura on her website, Amazon author page, or on Twitter. Her blog will be available on September 29th.