How to eat your ABCs by Theresa A. McKeown

"L" is for Lemon, a fruit oh so tart, it makes your lips pucker and quickens your heart" begins the L page of this clever and witty book for young readers. Kids join BuzzBee the honey bee on an A to Z garden adventure. Thought there was no fruit or vegetable that started with the letter "X"? Well, Buzzbee has one (and here's a hint: "It lives in deserts low and high, where cacti love it hot and dry"). Written entirely in rhyme, the book is one fun way for kids to learn their alphabet!

Meddlin' Madeline by Chautona Havig with Giveaway!!!

It is my hypothesis that social conventions are created to test our fortitude. Rockland circa 1900- As the mayor's daughter, Madeline Brown enjoys a rich social life that many might envy. But a sharp mind and a growing talent for observation leaves Madeline torn between avoiding social censure and exploring the world around her. With an aunt who considers higher education and employment equally unsuitable for the mayor's daughter, there is little to amuse her save endless committee meetings, evening socials, and her favorite pastime: curling up with an exciting detective novel. The temperance and suffrage movements hold little interest for a young woman who has just endured the rigors of her father's mayoral campaign. So when a young man shows interest in her friend, Madeline's interest piques--until his actions hint that he might not be the upstanding gentleman everyone presumes him to be. Unable to ignore her concerns, Madeline finds herself in the middle of an investigation into his character and discovers a side of Rockland she's never encountered. Will her new hobby reduce the tedium of her life, or will her "meddling" create tension for herself and her father? Will she be forced to squelch this budding skill of hers or has Madeline finally found her calling in life. Meddlin' Madeline: Welcome to Rockland's infancy.

Available @ Amazon as well as other retailers

When asked about writing, author Chautona Havig says, "Books. I love them– always have. From my earliest years, I spent most of my free time lost in a book, until one day I realized that I had stories in my heart and mind that I wanted to tell. Time passed, life, family, and work got in the way, and my dream of being a writer seemed to vanish into the desert winds.

Dreams are beautiful things, though; they never quite disappear. I began writing again, editing, writing, editing…more editing… and now I have over a hundred books in progress and a few dozen published. I write the stories of fictional people who have real problems, weaknesses, and triumphs. Through their stories, I try to share the Hope that is within me."

Chautona lives in a small, remote town in California’s Mojave Desert with her husband and seven of her nine children. When not writing, she enjoys paper crafting, sewing, and the knowledge that someday she'll be able to retire from home education.

She can be found at chautona.com

Here is what I thought.........

I have really enjoyed reading this book.  I have only read one other thing by this author and I liked it as well. The characters are great and the storyline was good.  I very much enjoyed this story and i can't wait to read more by this author.  I received this book from celebrate lit for free.  A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.  

     Enter the Giveaway!!!!

https://promosimple.com/ps/aa59

Giver of Wonders by Roseanna M. White GIVEAWAY!!

A miracle once saved her life ~ will another give her a future?
Cyprus was little more than a child when a fall left her paralyzed...and when the boy known as the wonder-worker healed her. Ever since, she has wondered why the Lord spared her, what he has in store for her. But her pagan father thinks she was spared solely so she could be introduced to the wealthy wonder-worker, Nikolaos.
Nikolaos has never questioned that his call in life is to dedicate himself to the church and to God. Never, that is, until he and his cousin Petros meet the compelling Cyprus Visibullis. For years he struggles with the feelings she inspires...and with the sure knowledge that Petros loves her too.

Petros knows he will never be good enough for Cyprus's father to consider him as a match for his favorite daughter not as long as Nikolaos is there. But when tragedy strikes the Visibullis family, he will do anything to save his beloved. Unfortunately, his beloved is determined to do anything to save her sisters ~ even at the cost of herself.

As the festival of lights bathes their Greek city in beauty, Cyprus, Petros, and Nikolaos celebrate the miracle of their Savior s birth together one last time. And in remembrance of their Lord's greatest gift, one of them will make the ultimate sacrifice for the others...and a centuries-long tradition will be born.

Woman at the Well by Rachel Tucker and GIVEAWAY!

Are you ready for a rigorous spiritual bootcamp? This 4-week intensive Bible Study is about a journey of self discovery. One that will incite and ignite something amazing and wonderful in you. This is the story of how one person's transformation can create a massive wave of change for Jesus Christ in the world.
Buy the Bible study: Amazon
Buy the Leader Guide: Amazon

Author's Bio:

Rachel was born in Dayton Ohio to a already large family of 5. She was the baby of the family, and literally about killed her Mother on her entrance into the world. Rachel was the 5th child to a school teacher and truck driver and soon found herself as a child of a single Mom of 5 who was forced to work 3 jobs to support her children. So Rachel is no stranger to seeing and living what it means to be a virtuous woman, as she watched her Mother do it, and continue to do it. Rachel is a devoted wife, Mother of 4 and Founder of Women at the Well Ministries. She is an author and currently writing her first in-depth Bible Study. She has been the keynote speaker at Mother’s of Israel conference, and several of her local church’s women’s events.

Her passion is studying scripture and then teaching those lessons to others, with the goal that they will then turn around and pay it forward. Her #each one #teach one philosophy is her mission. She is passionate about helping women by giving them tools to help them break strong holds so they can pursue whatever the Lord has for them. So, training them up for the call! That is what spurred her ministry.

She knows that God didn’t create women to just sit around and get pedicures and swap recipes and tackle the dust bunnies everyday, but to be side by side with the men in fighting the war against evil and taking as many people to heaven with them as possible.

She now does life with her best friend, her husband Curt and will tell you, her children are the best kids on the earth. They love to do Bible studies together and love traveling with their family.

If she isn’t at home with her family, you will find her checking something off her bucket list! Her biggest so far would be competing in figure competitions, competing at the Arnold class in fitness, being in a beauty pageant representing her county as Mrs. Miami County in the Mrs. Ohio America pageant, and authoring a 30 day bible study devotional. And, she is only getting started.

She loves to weave her own personal stories in with her message, because she believes she is living her calling day by day, and sometimes it gets pretty funny!

Connect with the author:   Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook  ~  Instagram

Author interview:

How did you research for your book?
Well, I guess you can say I have been doing it everyday for the last 11 years of my life. I went into this Jesus thing both feet in. So, I have been reading and studying scripture everyday since. I never wanted to be a "church playing" Christian. I wanted to grow in wisdom, and that meant, I needed to have knowledge which only comes from the word of God.

If you could put yourself as a character in your book, who would you be?
I would be the Woman at the Well. She is actually what spurred my ministry and this Bible Study, because I relate to her. I was her! That lost woman, looking for love in all the wrong places. Trying to fill that Jesus sized whole in my heart with men, and other things....But after the encounter with Jesus, she too went ALL IN, and went and told everyone about it, (evangelized) which is what I do!

If you're a Mom writer, how do you balance your time?
My husband and I run 2 businesses and a ministry from home. So I have time freedom. My kids are in school all day, so I use that time to do what I need to do. I pride myself on being "present" with my kids. I am not on my phone, I don't even answer my phone when it's "kids" time. I don't talk on the phone while in the car with my kids for a couple reasons. 1. I cannot do 2 things at once. I have ended up lost on the highway one time from trying to talk on the phone and drive. and 2. I don't want my kids to think that the person on the phone is more important than them.

What is your next project?
Probably going to write one on marriage and co-author with my husband. They say, your ministry comes from your greatest wound, and our marriage was pretty messed up those first year's because neither of us had good pictures of what marriage is supposed to be growing up. Our mess became our message!

What is your writing schedule?
To be honest, I wait for inspiration. I wanted my Bible study to be spirit led and not led by my flesh. The Holy Spirit wrote this book. My first book was a little different. I think I rushed through that one! So, I learned my lesson to just let the Lord lead me on this project.

Rafflecopter Giveaway

Charlie the Tramp

Charlie the Beaver wants to be a tramp when he grows up. “Tramps don’t have to learn how to chop down trees and how to roll logs and how to build dams. Tramps just tramp around and have a good time. Tramps carry sticks with little bundles tied to them. They sleep in a field when the weather is nice, and when it rains they sleep in a barn.” Charlie sets off with his bundle. But when he hears water trickling, he can’t get to sleep. Will he be able to resist the urge to make it stop? As Grandfather Beaver says, “You never know when a tramp will turn out to be a beaver.”

An American classic is back in a special 50th anniversary hardcover edition.

Winner of the Boys Club of America Junior Book Award, 1968.
Available on Amazon

Author:
Russell Hoban was the author of A Bargain for Frances, A Baby Sister for Frances, Best Friends for Frances, A Birthday for Frances, and Bread and Jam for Frances, all illustrated by Lillian Hoban. He also wrote Bedtime for Frances, illustrated by Garth Williams.
Illustrator:
The youngest of three children, Lillian Hoban was born in Philadelphia on May 18, 1925. She attended the Philadelphia Museum School of Art, studied dance for ten years (and danced with the Martha Graham dancers), taught Modern Dance and danced professionally in the 1950s.

She learned to draw still life and began to write her own stories only after having children (Phoebe, Brom, Esme and Julia), and based her tales on their experiences.

Here is what I thought. ....

 This is such a great kids book. I  know my children will love it.  I love how they stayed with the original art work. This will make an excellent gift.  I love old stories like this one. They are simple and well written and have a great message for kids. This classic story is a wonderful addition to entry child's library.  I am so pleased to have been able to read this story and can't wait to share it with my kids. I received this book from FlyBy for free. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.  

Giveaway
To enter to win your own print copy of this sweet story, leave a comment on this blog post. 
Don't forget to leave your email in safe format. 
Must be 18 to enter. US entries only please.
Giveaway ends December 18, 2016

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.
Seasons of Opportunities is not responsible for distribution of prizes.

Healing of the heart

Ruby McCoy is haunted by her father's sins.... 

When Ruby McCoy arrives in Fairplay, her ornate carriage is followed by an entourage who heft steamer trunks, hatboxes, and traveling bags into the hotel...where she has booked the entire second floor. Upon her notorious gangster father's death, the now–wealthy Ruby, hiding under her mother's maiden name, set out to right her father's wrongs. Ruby is determined to spend every penny of the inherited "blood money" on those who paid the price for her father's crimes. 

Sheriff Rex Truett doesn't trust Ruby and doesn't care who knows it. The keeper of Fairplay's law and order makes it his business to find out why a stranger—especially a beautiful, spoiled, rich, female stranger—would set up businesses, donate to schools, hire workmen to rebuild houses, and provide access to the best medical care. But when a typhoid epidemic sweeps through the city, he is forced to reconsider. 

Will Rex blame Ruby for her father's sins? Or will he accept the possibility that she is trying to create—and feel—the peace her father stole?

Available on Amazon

About the Author:

Once upon a time, best–selling author Loree Lough literally sang for her supper, performing before packed audiences throughout the Midwest. Now and then, she blows the dust from her 6–string to croon a tune or two for her grandkids or to sing at weddings or funerals, but she mostly just writes. Over the years, her stories have earned hundreds of industry and Readers' Choice awards and 4– and 5–star reviews. 

Loree has nearly five million copies of her books in circulation, and in March 2014, she added her hundredth published book to the shelves. She has written fiction and nonfiction for kids and adults (2,500–plus articles and 68 short stories), and four of her novels have been optioned for movies. 

To date, there are almost 66,000 letters in her "Reader Mail" file, and she has answered every one, personally. (A carton of books is on its way to Corinna P. of San Antonio, Texas, for writing the 65,999th letter. Corinna said she plans to donate the books to her local library!) 

Loree loves sharing learned–the–hard–way lessons about the craft and the industry, and her comedic approach to teaching makes her a favorite (and frequent) guest of writers' organizations, book clubs, private and government institutions, and college and high school writing programs in the U.S. and abroad. 

A writer who believes in "giving back," Loree dedicates a portion of her income to Soldiers' Angels, Special Operations Warrior Foundation, and several other worthwhile organizations (see the "Giving Back" tab at her Web site, http://www.loreelough.com, for a complete list). She splits her time between a tiny home in the Baltimore suburbs and an even tinier cabin in the Allegheny Mountains, where she continues to perfect her Critter Tracks Identification skills. She shares her life with her real–life hero, Larry, who rarely complains, even when she adds yet another item to her vast collection of "wolf stuff." 

Here is what I thought. .....

I have really enjoyed reading this book.  I liked the setting and all the characters. The way that Loree deals with love and forgiveness was very touching. Each of the characters were very realistic. I really have had trouble putting this book down. I was hooked from page 1. Loree tells a fantastic story that is sure to please. I highly recommend it.  I received this book from celebrate lit for free.  A positive review was not required.  All opinions are my own.