Mondays With Michelle Obama

By

-

23 April 2020

“Mondays With Michelle Obama,” Story-Times with Penguin Random House and PBS Kids Streaming on YouTube and Facebook

Children’s Books, and PBS KIDS today announced a special collaboration with former First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, in support of the recently announced “Read Together, Be Together” Penguin Random House literacy initiative and PBS KIDS’ “Read-Along” effort on Facebook and YouTube. On Monday, April 20, at 12 noon (ET), “Mondays with Michelle Obama” will kick off a four-week series of videos that will feature Mrs. Obama reading aloud from beloved children’s books (one book every Monday through May 11). “Mondays with Michelle Obama” (#PBSKIDSRead, #ReadTogetherBeTogether) will be livestreamed simultaneously on PBS KIDS’ Facebook page and YouTube channel, and on Penguin Random House’s Facebook page, and will remain available for viewing on demand on all of those platforms immediately thereafter. The four books Mrs. Obama will read are:

April 20, 12 Noon (ET): THE GRUFFALO
Written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler

April 27, 12 Noon (ET): THERE’S A DRAGON IN YOUR BOOK
Written by Tom Fletcher and illustrated by Greg Abbott

May 4, 12 Noon (ET): MISS MAPLE’S SEEDS
Story and pictures by Eliza Wheeler

May 11, 12 Noon (ET): THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR
By Eric Carle

Michelle Obama says, “As a little kid, I loved to read aloud. And when I became a parent, I found such joy in sharing the magic of storytelling with my own children—and then later, as First Lady, with kids everywhere. At this time when so many families are under so much stress, I’m excited to give kids a chance to practice their reading and hear some wonderful stories (and to give parents and caretakers a much-needed break).”

A suite of activities, tips, and resources for each of the books that Mrs. Obama will read are available at www.readtogetherbetogether.com, and companion literacy resources are available on pbskidsforparents.org.

Heroic WW II Women Air Force Pilots Featured in New Book

By

Jocie McKade

-

22 April 2020

0

Our new Igloo Book Buzz selection is Katherine Sharp Landdeck’s THE WOMEN WITH SILVER WINGS: The Inspiring True Story of the Women Air Force Service Pilots of World War II, published by Crown on April 21. This remarkable book tells the riveting true story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), an elite group of over a thousand women who flew planes for the United States military during World War II.

“The women profiled in THE WOMEN WITH SILVER WINGS were incredibly inspiring,” says Landdeck. “They survived the Great Depression, faced danger and tragedy during World War II, dealt with the realities of post-war adjustment, fought for recognition in the 1970s, were celebrated with the Congressional Gold Medal, and then fought again to be interred at Arlington National Cemetery. These women faced real, global crises, and made it through. They pushed against the limits of their times and supported others in their journey. I was honored to know many of these women personally, and I’ve drawn on their stories for inspiration in tough times like the one we’re in now. I hope that in sharing some of these stories, THE WOMEN WITH SILVER WINGS will inspire readers to face their own challenges with grit, determination, and good humor.”

Crown Editor Emma Berry says, “The story Kate Landdeck set out to tell in THE WOMEN WITH SILVER WINGS was incredibly ambitious–we’re talking about a program that included more than 1,100 women, and over 75 years of material, from their first experiences in the sky to their final fight to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Luckily, Kate could not have been more suited to the task. Not only is she a historian who has spent her career researching the WASP, she’s also a pilot herself, and a close friend of many of the WASP and their families–all of which allowed her to write a book that captures the sweep of history through a personal, intimate, and character-driven lens. It was such a pleasure working with Kate to tell the stories of these remarkable women, and I can’t wait for readers to meet them.”

THE WOMEN WITH SILVER WINGS has generated high praise. Here is a selection:

“With the fate of the free world hanging in the balance, women pilots went aloft to serve their nation. They came from all parts of the country and all walks of life, united by their love of aircraft and the desire to prove women flyers are as skilled as men. In every way, they succeeded. The WASPs withstood danger, cold, heat, military red tape, bureaucratic confusion, scorn and second-class treatment. They proved their courage, their patriotism, their talent, their ability to master powerful new machines–fighters, bombers, transports–and their staying power. Some gave their lives. After spending years capturing their vivid stories, Katherine Sharp Landdeck has written a soaring tale in which, at long last, these daring WW2 pilots gain the credit they deserve. You will be riveted and inspired by their story.”
—Liza Mundy, New York Times bestselling author of Code Girls
“THE WOMEN WITH SILVER WINGS is the true story of America’s unsung heroines of World War II. Katherine Sharp Landdeck has written a beautifully researched tribute to the courageous women who bravely served their nation in a time of need.” —Fannie Flagg, New York Times bestselling author of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café and The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion
“A must-read for those interested in women’s and World War II history.” —Library Journal (Starred)

Uncut and Uncensored at Home with Lisa Kessler

By

Sheila English

-

21 April 2020

0

Reader’s Entertainment caught Lisa Kessler at home where she kindly donned clothes and brushed her hair for this uncut, unedited and uncensored interview with Sheila English.

Both authors admit to being terrible cooks and hope people watching will take pity on them and send easy-to-cook recipes!

Lisa recently started the process of turning one of her books into an audiobook and we learn about her Muse Chronicles series! You’ve got to listen to her describe this series, it’s so original!

The Sweetie Jar by Venell Mitchell Book Trailer

By

Sheila English

-

20 April 2020

0

This book is targeted primarily at younger children, but will certainly be enjoyed by older ones as well, and even parents and guardians alike.

This is a book to which most children could relate, in that, sweets, sweeties or candies – by whichever name they are known – are well liked by children the world over.

As they read the story, or, in some instances, the story is read to them, their imagination will come alive as they see their favourite sweets come to life as they speak from within the sweetie jar.

This book is vividly creative, and one that every child would enjoy and treasure.

Alex Trebek Book To be Released July 2020

By

Jocie McKade

-

20 April 2020

0

The Answer Is…: Reflections on My Life by Alex Trebek on July 21, 2020.

Since debuting as the host of Jeopardy! in 1984, Trebek has been something like a family member to millions of television viewers, bringing entertainment and education into their homes five nights a week. Last year, he made the stunning announcement that he had been diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. What followed was an incredible outpouring of love and kindness. Social media was flooded with messages of support, and the Jeopardy! studio received boxes of cards and letters offering guidance, encouragement and prayers.

For over three decades, Trebek had resisted countless appeals to write a book about his life. Yet he was moved so much by all the goodwill, he felt compelled to finally share his story.

“I want people to know a little more about the person they have been cheering on for the past year,” he writes in The Answer Is…: Reflections on My Life.

The book combines illuminating personal anecdotes with Trebek’s thoughts on a range of topics, including marriage, parenthood, education, success, spirituality and philanthropy. Trebek also addresses the questions he gets asked most often by Jeopardy! fans, such as what prompted him to shave his signature mustache, his insights on legendary players like Ken Jennings and James Holzhauer, and his opinion of Will Ferrell’s Saturday Night Live impersonation. The book uses a novel structure inspired by Jeopardy!, with each chapter title in the form of a question, and features dozens of never-before-seen photos that candidly capture Trebek over the years.

“Today, when there is so much uncertainty and turmoil in the world, Alex Trebek is a beacon of stability and positivity,” says Sean Manning, Executive Editor at Simon & Schuster, who acquired world and audio rights from Trebek. “This wise, charming and inspiring book is further evidence why he has long been considered one of the most beloved and respected figures in entertainment.”

Trebek is currently in his 36th season as Jeopardy! host. The Answer Is… will be published one day ahead of his 80th birthday.

Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare Book Trailer Live Action

By

Sheila English

-

19 April 2020

0

Cordelia Carstairs is a Shadowhunter, a warrior trained since childhood to battle demons.

When her father is accused of a terrible crime, she and her brother travel to London in hopes

of preventing the family’s ruin. Cordelia’s mother wants to marry her off, but Cordelia is

determined to be a hero rather than a bride. Soon Cordelia encounters childhood friends

James and Lucie Herondale and is drawn into their world of glittering ballrooms, secret

assignations, and supernatural salons, where vampires and warlocks mingle with mermaids

and magicians. All the while, she must hide her secret love for James, who is sworn to marry someone else. Find out more at https://www.cassandraclare.com/books/…

SHELTERING IN WITH C.H. ADMIRAND

By

Jocie McKade

-

19 April 2020

0

Sheltering In with C.H. Admirand

We live in a 950 square foot cottage in the wilds of northern NJ, so space is always at a premium around here. Our sons still live at home and are saving for homes of their own. So between my husband, who is recuperating from a health crisis, our two sons, and two semi-crabby dogs, our house is busting at the seams and runneth over with love!

Our daughter and son-in-law and two darling grandsons live 25 minutes north of us in NY. Because my hubby was in the hospital for a month, I wasn’t able to watch them after school in January and February. He came home from the hospital on the last day of February and 13 days later the schools here in and in NY closed. Our governor passed a “stay-at-home order” on the 21^st of March. Being in the tri-state area, NY, NJ and CT, is a scary place to be.

Our youngest is an elevator repair apprentice and in NYC everyday repairing elevators. Our oldest and my hubby are able to work remotely.

It’s been forever since I’ve been able to see our grandsons’ smiling faces and spoil them rotten. I realized that I’ve been babysitting them during the week since our oldest grandson was born 9 years ago! It’s like withdrawal not being able to see them, hug them and just be with them.

CHAdmirand_new clothesline

Things I’ve been doing:

Staring each day with my morning prayers, thanking God for the many gifts in my life.
Writing in my journal
Reading daily devotions in my Bible.
Daily chores: one of my faves—hanging out the clothes!
Baking up a storm! It’s my stress relief.
Grocery shopping, runs to the pharmacy, post office, bank, etc.
Working in the yard…raking out garden beds, setting up outdoor furniture, the hummingbird feeder…and my favorite outside chore…scooping puppy poop!
Cleaned off my upstairs desk and started working up there instead of the kitchen table.
Working on a writing project to get my writing muscles working again so I can get back to my WIP and my extended deadline, courtesy of my publisher.

It’s hard to gear myself up to go run errands to keep our household going, but with the men in my life working (and my CHAdmirand_sweet potato praline pie husband’s fragile health) I’m the one who has. But my secret to getting it done, besides praying for the strength is using my Young Living Essential Oils to get me through.

Young Living Essential Oils (YLEO) saved my sanity while my husband was in the hospital. I had my great grandmother’s Rosary beads with me, but I also had my YLEO with me.

With each drop of oil on my heart chakra or inside of my wrist, I say a prayer:

Abundance Oil: A drop on my heart chakra…Dear Lord, please grant me abundance that I may share it with my family.

Hope Oil: A drop on the inside of my left wrist, then I place my wrists together…Dear Lord, please grant me hope that I may always have it.

Valor Oil: A crop on my heart chakra…Dear Lord, please grant me the valor and courage to move forward in the direction you have planned for me.

Believe Oil: A drop on my heart charka…Dear Lord, please let me believe in myself and my God-given talents from you.

Amen

We’d like to know one of the best things about quarantine and one of the worst.

The best thing: Having most of our family close and knowing they were safe for the time being.

The worst: Not seeing our grandsons, daughter and son-in-law.

How are you doing business? How are you staying entertained?

CHAdmirand_writing desk I’m trying to work my way back to doing business as usual after my husband’s long hospital stay—and even longer on-going recuperation for my hubby. It’s been a challenging time for my family, but we have faith and that gets us through. It’s going to take me awhile to get back to my writing routine.

Reading has always been an escape for me…I’ve been reading on my Kindle…a lot! I’ve gotten hooked on HGTV’s “Home Town,” and watching favorite movies on Disney+ Frozen II and Onward were the hot movie tips from our grandsons.

I noticed Disney+ does not have The Gnome Mobile yet. Mom and Dad took us kids to see it at the Totowa Drive-in. When we got there my brother, sisters and I all piled in the back of our almost brand-new turquoise 1964 Plymouth Belvedere station wagon after Dad laid the back seat down. We had our pillows and were wearing our PJs… good times!

Is there anything you’d recommend people do? Or some inspirational something you’d like to say?

Do something that lightens your heart and your soul. Watching shows that remind me of my childhood and simpler times is something that works for me.

I love watching cartoons, Disney movies, musicals, westerns, and any movie John Wayne ever made.

Favorites on DVD: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers with Howard Keel *sigh* love, just love when he sings “Bless Your Beautiful Hide” of course my guys love the fight scene during the barn-raising.

The Quiet Man with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara—we wore out two videos before I finally bought the DVD. Funny thing, but my guys love the fight scene after Sean and Mary Kate go to see Red Will asking for her dowry…

Darby O’Gill and the Little People with Albert Sharpe, Sean Connery and Janet Munro…love when Sean Connery sings “My Pretty Irish Girl.” Again…there’s this fight scene in the pub at the end of the movie, well I’m sure you can guess what part my guys like best. LOL!

Watch something that will sweep you away, make you laugh, make you cry.

Before our daughter got married, we used to watch movies together. How Green Was My Valley with Maureen O’Hara and Walter Pidgeon, Donald Crisp, was one of them…Lord, we’d cry together. Just loving that movie and the trials and tribulations of the Morgan family.

Whatever you do, keep the faith, share this time with your loved ones if you can in person if you live together, or via zoom or facetime, or just via telephone. Stay connected to your loved ones, they need you too!

Be safe and be smart.

Wash your hands!

Practice social distancing.

Stay 6 feet away from others when you have to go to the grocery store or pharmacy, etc.

Remember you’re not in this alone, we’re all in this together, and I’m praying for you!

Don’t feel that you have to do it all.

My latest release (March 9^th) is the 3^rd book in the sweet version of my Small Town USA Series: Welcome Back to Apple Grove.

The large print version of my Sweet Small Town Series releases April 11^th (the 45^th anniversary of my hubby and my first date <g>)

SHELTERING IN WITH SUSAN CARLISLE

By

Jocie McKade

-

18 April 2020

0

Sheltering In With Susan Carlisle

During this craziness I’ve been writing (had a book due), released a book on March 17, and had another come out on April 1. I’ve been reading a lot, eating too much and checking in on family and friends.

Knowing readers needed something to do and leave them with a good feeling, I have given away almost 100 books. I have also been making masks for my local medical people. They are made of all the material left over from my grand children’s clothes and nurseries. I’ve walked down memory lane while sewing.

Susan

SHELTERING IN WITH AMANDA JAYDE

By

Jocie McKade

-

17 April 2020

0

Set-Up — My current work set up – including my home PC telling me what I SHOULD be doing.

Sheltering In With Amanda Jayde

Day 1,695 of March – well, it seems that way anyway. I suppose there are worse ways to spend your days than being home all day, as a self-professed introvert I really haven’t had much trouble adjusting. That being said, I also have a regular 9 to 5 that I miss going to. I live alone, so my coworkers were my social circle on a day to day basis, and I do miss that interaction. Luckily due to technology, I’ve been able to keep working, and joining video meetings a couple of times a week helps with that desire for a little outside contact.

My new home office coworkers, though have also needed to make adjustments, having their food provider home all day means they get a little confused about their feeding schedules. Many arguments have ensued the last couple of weeks about when it’s Oreo time to eat. Yes, I argue with my cats, doesn’t everyone?

The toughest part about quarantining has been the weather, its GORGEOUS here in central Florida and has been for the last few weeks. Usually, I’d have been enjoying the pool, grabbing some sun and relaxing. I also come from a very tight-knit family, and we regularly gather for dinners weekly. I have elderly parents (though they refuse to believe they are), and not being able to spend time with them is very difficult. However, my brother has now shown my mother how to use WhatsApp to video message with us much to her enjoyment – she is also very proud of herself, LOL.

Onyx So now how to juggle the day job with writing. It used to be so easy. My home office was my writing cave. It was the place I came to when I wanted to get away from “real” life and lose myself in the worlds and friends I created. I have to say that it is a little difficult now to separate the two since the office has become my all-around office. I think a lot of writers are struggling with the changes happening so quickly around us, but we as a group are pushing through trying to get more content out to everyone. I try to get back into my creative groove with MUSIC! I’ve always found that writing to music helps, maybe it’s the background noise or whatever. I make soundtracks for each of my books and write with those playing in the background. So putting on my writing playlist helps to get me focused on my creative self.

Meanwhile, while I am working on my day job duties, I have realized that if I play Broadway show tunes and movie soundtracks, it makes the day go a little faster – I start with 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton every morning then shuffle everything else. And yes, I sing along – sometimes to my furry coworkers, sometimes to the squirrels outside, mostly to myself. In my mind, I could have won several Tonys.

In the early days of working from home, I was editing. Well, I was supposed to be. I found myself getting distracted easily, especially since my office mates would wait until I was seated at the computer to decide they wanted attention. But I got my revenge. I mean, if they were going to demand attention, I would give it to them (Onyx on the left, Oreo on the right).

I did manage to get the editing finished eventually – but look at those faces, it was pretty tough.

Beguiled Cover With March behind me (It IS over right? Longest month EVER), I look to April, where I will begin the third book in my Boudoirs and Broomsticks series. The series takes place in a small town in Massachusetts and features witches. If you like small-town romances with a little bit of a paranormal edge and lots of sexy times, this is definitely a series you should check out. The first book, Beguiled, was released this past October. Book 2 Bewitched, will be released in mid-late June (Cover reveal for that book in May).

When not working, I find that the best thing to do for an hour or so a day (and this is something that I cannot recommend enough) is to disconnect. Shut off the laptop, get away from social media and the news, and try to reconnect with yourself or your family. Meditation is a great way to do this. Apps like Calm or Headspace can assist with this. Self-care, especially now, is so critical. Also, find something to do that you enjoy and do it. Love to read? There are LOTS of books you can borrow from your local libraries without having to leave your home. Several authors have their books discounted right now as well, or maybe you have a TBR pile that you can tackle. Puzzles are a great way to pass the time, and there are puzzle apps you can download if you don’t have any, same for coloring apps (I love these). Want to learn a new hobby? Now is the time to do it. Youtube has lots of tutorials. When you’re done with all that, you can always catch up on that series you’ve meant to watch.

Whatever you do, I hope you all stay safe and healthy. We’re in it together, and we WILL get through it.

~Amanda

SHELTERING IN WITH JOCIE MCKADE

By

Jocie McKade

-

16 April 2020

0

Sheltering In With Jocie McKade

Honestly, I’m the weirdo that loves to be at home. As the meme says: “I’ve been training for this my entire life.” Except for missing my occasional excursions to the garden center, home improvement store, or monthly office supply run, it’s been kinda normal for us, with the exception of my ‘mama worry factor’.

My youngest daughter is a paramedic and RN, her husband is also a paramedic, so my normal worrying level is pretty much off the scale right now.

I keep very busy on our little farm we affectionately call Dust Bunny Farm. We grow lots of veggies, I spend time in my small greenhouse, splitting firewood, adding to the compost bin, and I spend an extreme amount of time ‘doing grass’— what others call mowing. LOL

The best part of this quarantine is more time to write. I not only pen cozy mysteries and romantic comedies, but I also write for several national magazines. Of course, while doing that grass, my mind conjures up all kinds of stories, huh, grass really does work. LOL

The worst part, is missing time with my family. We have been very blessed to be able to spend most every holiday together and we had a large Easter dinner planned. I’m not sure that will be possible now which breaks my heart. (Since my kids work holidays – paramedics and RNs work those. Our Easter dinner is scheduled later in April.) I know I’m not alone in these feelings, and everyone else is suffering that same way.

Now, for my best suggestions for getting through the quarantine……..stay busy!

I’m finishing craft projects that have been sitting there for, geez, a decade? I am up to walking 3 miles a day, and we’ve been cleaning out all those boxes that have been stored in the basement since we moved here. Crap, that stuff really does multiply in the dark!! LOL

MD1 I’ve just finished the fourth book in my Mayson-Dickson cozy mystery series, which is now at the editors. I don’t have an exact release date yet, but you can sign up for my newsletter or follow me on Facebook to get the latest details.

Wishing everyone a safe and healthy spring!

Jocie

Webpage
Facebook
Amazon Author Page
Instagram