Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Guest book review - The Tin Whistle by Kathleen Shoop ('Tis the Season)


Inspired by a true story... 

1854 
Jacob Gusky wakes up hoping Santa has arrived. And he has... but not for Jacob, one of two Jewish boys living at the Boys’ Home of Manhattan. When a friend gifts him a tin whistle, Jacob learns the power of giving, the joy in receiving, and hears what he considers to be the sound of happiness. 

1881 
Recently widowed and completely out of options, Frannie takes her daughter Molly to the Home for the Friendless. “You’ll be back before Christmas?” Molly asks. Frannie gives Molly half a quilt square and keeps the other, choking on her reply. 

Now a happily married father of three, Jacob Gusky owns Gusky’s Grand Emporium, Pittsburgh’s first premier department store. After unearthing the tin whistle from the orphanage, he is reminded of what it felt like to have nothing, and decides to make a difference in the lives of others no matter their faith. But with so little time before Christmas morning, can he even begin to give the orphaned children of Pittsburgh what he knows they need? 

When giving is more important than receiving...

FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED


"This short novel is the MOST inspirational novel I have ever had the pleasure of reading."

"Beautiful, heartwarming story."

"A heartwarming and inspiring story. I highly recommend it."

"This is such a fantastic Christmas story with great characters and a very unique plot. There are also several wonderful messages on the importance of giving at this time of year. I am so glad I found this book."

"Terrific holiday story with well-defined characters and a setting that could have been any big city in the 19th century. Ms. Shoop’s novella reflects the good in human nature."
Above reviews from Amazon readers


Untitled
"Writing this book was wonderful. Bringing aspects of the Guskys’ good works to life was more fun than I could have imagined!" ~ Kathleen Shoop

Guest book review by Carly Louise Wilson
If you have a penchant for captivatingly detailed historical reads, then I would highly recommend Kathleen Shoop. I've become an avid reader of her work over the last couple of years, and every story she writes completely encapsulates me and leaves me with all kinds of thoughts and feelings. Tin Whistle was no exception, and put me in that light-hearted Christmas spirit, and the moral of giving back and remembering those who perhaps aren't as fortunate felt prominent.

The book focuses around two characters over two differing timelines; A young Jacob Gusky in 1854 and Frannie a destitute widow who is forced to make an impossibly heart-wrenching decision.

Jacob was a poor boy who grew up in a Boys home. He's experienced having nothing, but remembers a true act of kindness when he was given a small tin whistle. Now that he has forged a successful career for himself, the memory evokes a need for him to give back.

This story is a true page-turner that totally highlighted so many thought provoking morals. To remember those who aren't as fortunate, to help people if you have the means as you never know if/when you may need it, and also that it doesn't matter your faith or religion, everyone is capable of being nice to one another.

I adored this book and would recommend to those looking for a good historically festive read. It is detailed, the imagery on point and Shoop always transports me back to another place in time and enables my imagination to run free.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Also available...
Two days before Christmas, ornery Elliot Ebberts is tasked with school drop-off even though distracted by an important real estate transaction. In the holiday carpool chaos his extravagant, lucky coat goes missing. In a panic, he searches for his coat, tracing its path as it passes through the hands of good people in dire situations. Meanwhile, his plan to WOW his wife Libby with an ostentatious gift reveals Elliot’s shallowness to the world and mortifies his entire family. Is it too late for him to rediscover the meaning of Christmas, to remember who he is without all the trappings of the job that defines him? Can Libby and their children ever forgive him?

FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED






About Kathleen Shoop
Bestselling author, Kathleen Shoop, holds a PhD in reading education and has more than 20 years of experience in the classroom. She writes historical fiction, women’s fiction and romance. Shoop’s novels have garnered various awards in the Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY), Eric Hoffer Book Awards, Indie Excellence Awards, Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Readers’ Favorite and the San Francisco Book Festival. Kathleen has been featured in USA Today and the Writer’s Guide to 2013. Her work has appeared in The Tribune-Review, four Chicken Soup for the Soul books and Pittsburgh Parent magazine. Kathleen coordinates Mindful Writing Retreats and is a regular presenter at conferences for writers.

I adore writing historical fiction (The Letter series, After the Fog and Donora Stories) but am having a blast writing romance like Home Again, Return to Love and Tending Her Heart (Endless Love series). Thank you so much for the time you take to read.

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Website   Facebook   Twitter   Pinterest   Goodreads   Amazon   Bookbub

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Guest book review - Please Explain Vaccines to Me: Because I HATE SHOTS! by Laurie Zelinger PH.D



Shots, injections, needles, and vaccines-whatever their purpose, they all hurt. More than half of children in the 6-17 year-old range report a strong fear of needles. Nearly 25% of adults do as well. This book is for those families who cringe at the thought of getting one. 

For some children, getting a shot is a major ordeal. Ramped-up anxiety can lead to tantrums, meltdowns, outbursts and even fainting. That 30-second experience can be a nightmare for parents for and nursing staff alike. This resource will help to improve that dreaded scenario.

The book opens with an engaging story for children where rhyme, colorful illustrations and characters of diversity capture a child's interest as they identify with a girl who has similar fears. The children's section is followed by a comprehensive guide for parents and caregivers, based on empirical research as well as Dr. Zelinger's decades of experience as a child psychologist, where she offers information and explicit solutions to help deal with the anxiety surrounding this common medical procedure. 

Children will: 
• Identify with the main character and her fear of shots 
• Enjoy the colorful illustrations and happy story ending 
• Learn coping mechanisms to deal with frightening situations 
• Feel supported by their parents who will know how to help 
• Reduce their anxiety and become more cooperative during medical visits 

Parents/Caregivers will: 
• Understand the reasoning behind the fear of injections 
• Learn strategies to help their child before and during a medical visit 
• Be better able to comfort their child 

"Dr. Laurie Zelinger has done it again with another excellent child and parent-friendly book that helps to allay fears and empower families and professionals with the tools to help children develop healthy coping skills. Please Explain Vaccines to Me has it all: a relatable and simple yet engaging text in rhyme that is fun to read aloud, as well as colorful illustrations that provide an honest and relatable depiction of the emotions involved. As an experienced nurse and health educator, I see this book as a "must-have" resource for all caregivers, educators and health professionals." --Darlene Glasser, RN, MSEd 

"Please Explain Vaccines to Me is a book that every parent will want to read to their child before getting a shot. It demystifies vaccinations with language that a child will both understand and want to question further. It also gives both children and parents the language they need to express their anxiety about the process and the tools to lessen that anxiety. It gets 5 stars!" --Yael Kula, MSW, LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) 

From the Please Explain series at Loving Healing Press.

Available to buy from...

Enjoy these excerpts!
Guest book review by Devorah Bergman
Wow! From start to finish, I really enjoyed reading this book. I found that the story was at a basic level to help children really understand that it is okay to be nervous about getting shots while explaining the reason for shots. I absolutely LOVE the children's artwork embedded in the book - that is a powerful tool for children to see the work of others.

The piece for parents and caregivers was great as well. I really enjoyed reading the section on "How Can I help my Child Manage Their Fear" because I get asked that question as a teacher. There are 13 strategies listed and I'm sure parents can use the variety of strategies to help their child learn about shots and help their children overcome the fear of shots.

Finally, the back of the book is GREAT with the objectives. It is a quick snapshot for parents and educators to learn about the contents of the book to decide if it is the right fit for the child.

I'm looking forward to more work by this author.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

More books from the 'Please Explain to Me' series...

Please Explain Alzheimer's Disease to Me: 
A Children's Story and Parent Handbook About Dementia 

Please Explain Time Out to Me: 
A Story for Children and Do-It-Yourself Manual for Parents 

Please Explain Terrorism to Me: 
A Story for Children, P-E-A-R-L-S of Wisdom for Their Parents

Please Explain Tonsillectomy & Adenoidectomy to Me: 
A Complete Guide to Preparing Your Child for Surgery, 3rd Edition
 
Please Explain Anxiety to Me! 
Simple Biology and Solutions for Children and Parents, 2nd Edition

About the Author
Dr. Laurie Zelinger, Diplomate, is a Board Certified Psychologist with a specialty in School Psychology, and a Registered Play Therapist with forty years' experience. She is a licensed New York State psychologist who recently retired from a Long Island public school system and is now devoting her time exclusively to writing, consulting, and her busy private practice. Dr. Laurie's previous books include: "Please Explain Anxiety to Me: Simple Biology and Solutions for Children and Parents," The "O MY" in TonsillectOMY & AdenoidectOMY: How to Prepare Your Child for Surgery (in its second edition), A Smart Girl's Guide to Liking Herself Even on the Bad Days for American Girl, and a chapter on selective mutism in the compendium, School Based Play Therapy (second edition). She is also credited with being a consultant for the Bitty Baby book series by American Girl where she assisted in the development of the "For Parents" sections, as well as editorial development of another American Girl book. Dr. Laurie's interest in writing began in 4th grade, when a play she wrote was performed by students in her public school. Dr. Zelinger is a fellow and elected officer in the nationally based American Academy of School Psychology and spent four years on the Executive Board of the New York Association of Play Therapy. As a media referral specialist for the American Psychological Association, she has contributed to nearly 200 venues regarding child development. Dr. Laurie and her psychologist husband, Dr. Fred, are both certified Red Cross Disaster Mental Health volunteers. They have been happily married for over thirty-five years and have raised four children. You can learn more about Dr. Zelinger and her books at DrZelinger dot com. 

You can also follow the author here...
Website    Facebook    Goodreads   Amazon author page

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Friday, November 5, 2021

Guest book review - Maybe We Should (Silver Harbor Book 2) by Melissa Foster


Embracing Her Heart (The Montgomerys Book 1) by [Foster, Melissa]
An emotional and sexy novel about guarded hearts, finding love, and families lost and found by Melissa Foster, the New York Times bestselling author of Maybe We Will. 

After spending years wondering who she was, tattoo artist Cait Weatherby finally found her answers on the sandy shores of Silver Island. With two half sisters she never knew existed, a group of friends she adores, and a devastatingly charming admirer who flirts with her at every turn, she’s ready to figure out her next steps. The trouble is, Cait lives in the shadows of a dark past, and she can’t afford complications that might cause her to lose the family she’s only just found―complications like blue-eyed boatbuilder Brant Remington, who is as open as she is guarded. If only the sexy charmer would take the hint… 

Brant is Cait’s opposite in every way, but he’s drawn to everything about the sexy newcomer―from the quiet strength that rivals the caution in her mossy-green eyes to her tough facade that he can’t wait to strip away. 

As Brant works his magic, Cait’s walls come down. But as sweet as that feels, Cait knows how quickly good things can turn bad. It’s going to take more than a little trust to beat the ghosts of her past and claim the future they both deserve.

Available to buy from ...
**FREE in KU
The Silver Harbor series is published by Montlake Romance and will be available in paperback and audio formats, and exclusively in digital format for Kindle and Kindle apps. Download a FREE Kindle reading app HERE (or order the paperback)

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Also available in audio!

 "Melissa Foster is synonymous with sexy, swoony, heartfelt romance!" - NYT Bestseller Lauren Blakely​

"You can always rely on Melissa Foster to deliver a story that's fresh, emotional and entertaining. Make sure you have all night, because once you start you won't want to stop reading. Every book's a winner!" - New York Times Bestselling Author Brenda Novak 

"With her wonderful characters and resonating emotions, Melissa Foster is a must-read author!" - New York Times Bestseller J. Kenner

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Guest book review by Devorah Bergman
Wow! This book blew me away. I've been curious about Cait's backstory since I met her in other books and this book did not disappoint. I could feel all of Cait's pain as she had to push past her demons to figure out that life is better with Brant by her side.

What can I say about Brant...he's got the hero thing in the bag and clearly is willing to go at Cait's pace. I love how he worms his way into her heart and helps her push past her demons so they can face an amazing future together.

I'm looking forward to seeing more of these two in the coming books.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Also available...
Maybe We Will (Silver Harbor Book 1)
Embracing Her Heart (The Montgomerys Book 1) by [Foster, Melissa]
When chef Abby de Messiéres returns to Silver Island with her sister to get their late mother’s affairs in order, she expected to inherit her mother’s bistro along with their childhood home, not to discover a half sister they never knew existed, and a handsome vacationer camped out on her mother’s patio. 

Workaholic Aiden Aldridge has been sent to Silver Island on a work-free vacation, armed with a “Let Loose list,” and ordered to get a life by the much-younger sister he raised after the death of their parents. After years of focusing on his sister’s well-being, he’s blindsided by his intense attraction to the gorgeous, free-spirited Abby. 

Aiden might not know much about chilling out, but he’s excellent at striking deals. He helps Abby with the restaurant in exchange for her help in tackling the items on his list. Sparks fly as Aiden and Abby work, and play, side by side. Intimate conversations lead to steamy kisses and undeniable passion. But there’s more to Aiden than Abby knows, and when the truth comes out, their new romance is put to the test, as the two find out if true love really can conquer all.

Available to buy from ...
**FREE in KU

Releasing April 26th 2022!
Maybe We Won't (Silver Harbor Book 3)
Full description coming soon!

Available to pre-order from ...
Amazon.com    Amazon.co.uk    Paperback
**FREE in KU

About the author
Melissa Foster is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented–perfect beach reads for contemporary romance and new adult romance lovers who enjoy reading about loyal, wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines with complex relatable issues.

Melissa also writes sweet romance under the pen name Addison Cole.

Melissa enjoys chatting with readers and book clubs. Send her an email invitation to your next event!

Never miss a brand new release, special promotions or inside gossip again by simply signing up to receive your newsletter from Melissa.

Find Melissa on the following sites....
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I have volunteered to share my review and all the opinions are 100% my own.



NOW FOR THE AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY !!
Win A Little Bit Wicked ebook
Two Winners
Ending on Sunday 21st November at 11.59pm EST
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