Are You Ready For The Blogging From A to Z Challenge?

The Blogging From A to Z Challenge starts Sunday, April 1st.  There is still time to join.  Don't miss out on the fun.  There are over 1500 blogs signed up!

http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com 

Here's a couple of fun alphabet videos to watch.

QUESTION OF THE DAY:  Which alphabet video do you like best?

A Review of The Tulip Kiss

TITLE:   The Tulip Kiss

AUTHOR:   Elysabeth Eldering

GENRE:   A paranormal romance

PUBLISHED:   December 2011

COVER ARTIST:   Heather C. Paye


This e-book can be found at Amazon.com


BOOK DESCRIPTION - A bittersweet tale of love, loss, and hope and how meaningful a simple flower can be.  And a reminder to never, ever leave an argument hanging between two hearts.  Find out how Amanda's world comes crashing down on that fateful day and how she is reminded of the tulips she loves when she receives her very own Tulip Kiss.


MY REVIEW - The Tulip Kiss is a short story about newlyweds, Amanda and Brock, who have been married for about six months.  This particular day starts out with an argument over a house but, due to unforeseen events, ends in being a day that forever changes both their lives.

Being a hopeless romantic, I found myself reaching for the tissues as I was drawn into this tale of love, regrets, loss and of wondering what the future might hold.  Although The Tulip Kiss is a quick read, you will remember it long after you have finished reading it.

I enjoyed reading The Tulip Kiss and look forward to reading more of Elysabeth Eldering's work.  


* SPECIAL NOTE * - Elysabeth Eldering will be offering her short story, The Proposal, for free for Kindle only.  It will be available for free on Saturday, March 31st and Sunday, April 1st.  This is the only time this story will be offered for free, so this would be the perfect opportunity to read something by this author.  

AUTHOR BIO - Ms. Eldering is the award winning author of the Junior Geography Detective Squad (JGDS), 50-state, mystery, trivia series.  Her stories "Train of Clues", "The Proposal" (available as an ebook), "Tulip Kiss" (available as an ebook), and "Butterfly Halves", all placed first, second, or runner up in various contests to include two for Armchair Interviews and two for Echelon Press (Fast and ... themed type contests).  Her story "Bride-and-Seek" (available as an ebook) was selected for the South Carolina Writers' Workshop (SCWW) anthology, the Petigru Review.  Ms. Eldering makes her home in upper state South Carolina and loves to travel, read, cross stitch and crochet.  When she's not busy with teenaged children still at home, working her full-time job as a medical transcriptionist or participating in virtual classroom visits, she can be found at various homeschool or book events promoting her writing. 

For more information about the JGDS series, please visit the JGDS blog at http://jgdssseries.blogspot.com or the JGDS website at http://jgdsseries.weebly.com

For more information about Elysabeth's other writings, please visit her general writing and family blog at http://elysabethsstories.blogspot.com or her website at http://eeldering.weebly.com

 

Celebrate Earth Day With Pictures

Welcome to the first day of award winning author Kathy Stemke’s book tour for TROUBLE ON EARTH DAY! Her charming picture book, which doubles as an activity book, teaches kids how to rethink, reuse and recycle our Earth’s precious resources. 

Here’s an excerpt of a review written by Karen Cioffi:

Adding to the invitingness of this delightful story are amazing full page illustrations by Kurt Wilchen. Each page has vivid and bold illustrations that will surely grab and hold a young reader’s attention. Along with all this, Stemke includes pages and pages of activities, and additional information about conservation and the environment, all to help children better understand the story’s theme. It even includes a song titled “The Fuzzy Squirrel” that children can sing to with the music from “I’m a Little Teapot.”

Some of the activities and information include in Educator’s Edition of TROUBLE ON EARTH DAY:

·     Reading comprehension activities

·    Original topic related lyrics that children can sing to the melody of classic favorites

·  Discussion topics, such as Why Trees are Important and What Things Can be Reused

·     Games, including the Going Green Game

·    Recycling activities, such as making napkin rings using recycled toilet paper rolls, recycling old CDs to make ornaments, and how to recycle old crayons

·     Dolch Sight Word activity page

My favorite information page in Trouble on Earth Day briefly explains what went on before the first Earth Day in April 1970, what the focus of Earth day is, and why it’s so important.

Learning how each of us can take steps to protect our environment is important for children and adults alike. It will take all our efforts to help improve the environment for a healthier tomorrow. Trouble on Earth Day is a great start for children.

Kathy’s book is available at a discounted price on her blog educationtipster: http://educationtipster.blogspot.com or on Amazon, B & N, and many other online book sites.

With Earth Day approaching on April 22^nd let’s celebrate our beautiful Earth by meditating on its majestic splendor.  Take a look at the following five photos and let us know your favorite by commenting below.

NUMBER ONE

NUMBER TWO

NUMBER THREE

NUMBER FOUR

NUMBER FIVE

As a freelance writer and ghostwriter, Kathy Stemke has published over one hundred of articles in directories, magazines and on websites. She is a reviewer for Sylvan Dell Publishing and a former editor for The National Writing for Children Center. As a retired teacher, Kathy has several activities published with Gryphon House Publishing. Stemke is also part of the team at DKV Writing 4 U, a writing services company that includes ghostwriting, copywriting, editing, proofreading, critiquing, and resumes. http://www.dkvwriting4u.com


Award winning author, Kathy Stemke’s first children’s picture book, Moving Through All Seven Days, was published on Lulu. Her next two picture books, Sh, Sh, Sh Let the Baby Sleep, and Trouble on Earth Day were released in 2011. Both of these books have been awarded the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.  Visit her book blog at http://shshshletthebabysleep.blogspot.com Kathy has several WIP: two picture books and a Young Adult Historical Novel. 
 
Mrs.Stemke offers great teaching tips and children’s book reviews as well as a monthly newsletter titled, MOVEMENT AND RHYTHM, on her blog. http://educationtipster.blogspot.com

An Author With A "CAN DO" Philosophy

Woman on Life Support, Inspirational Speaker, & Published Author interviewed by

Joan Hallmark “Proud of East Texas"

Miss Kennedy shares her struggle recovering from bacterial spinal meningitis as well as complications due to a brainstem stroke.

The illness and stroke that left Aday a legally blind ventilator-dependent quadriplegic, failed to dim her love of life and determination to spread a message of inspiration and hope.

Joan Hallmark shares Aday’s story of triumph over tragedy in a memorable interview. In the fourteen years since becoming disabled she has cried and laughed her way through the hard times. Aday’s “CAN DO” philosophy shapes her speeches and writing.

Her writing has appeared in many newspapers and magazines including five inspirational essays in the popular Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Currently she is writing her memoir, “Laughter Through Tears,” about her physical and spiritual recovery.

J. Aday Kennedy is the differently-abled writer and speaker making her dreams come true one story and speech at a time. As a speaker, she entertains, instructs, motivates and inspires audiences of all ages by focusing on what she CAN do instead of CAN’T. She surrounds herself with family, friends and positivity in Mineola, Texas. Her picture books, Klutzy Kantor, Stella the Fire Farting Dragon, and Marta’s Gargantuan Wings, published by Guardian Angel Publishing are available through Amazon.

To learn more about her, visit her website at www.JAdayKennedy.com.

Ways to Get More Traffic to Your Blog

You've written a great blog post.  Check. 

You've posted about your blog post on Facebook, Twitter and any other social media sites you frequent.  Check, check, and check. 

So why are you only getting a few visitors to your blog and even fewer comments?  I wish I knew the answer to that one.

If you are open to some ideas on how to get more traffic to your blog, then check out the following links:

10 Smart Ways to Get Massive Traffic to Your Blog

25 Ways to Get More Traffic to your Blog


If you have any ideas on how to drive more traffic to your blog, be sure to post them in the comments.  They might be helpful to other bloggers who are stopping by.

Read An E-Book Week

Did you know that Read an E-Book Week is March 4 - 10, 2012?

I've set aside the hardcover book I've been reading and will read only e-books this week.  Then I will do future blog posts about them.

Are you looking for a good e-book to read?  Then check out the following sites:

Twilight Times Books

MuseItUp Publishing

Smashwords

Amazon.com

I know I've only listed a few of the sites out there that feature e-books.  If you'd like, share an e-book site link in the comments section so that other people can check them out.