Sunday, June 16, 2024

Review: Earning the Mountain Man's Trust by Misty M. Beller



My rating: 3 stars / I liked it



About the Book

In the wild mountains of the Montana Territory, the Coulter ranch is a place of family, second chances…and a hidden fortune.

Naomi Wyatt has finally given up on the man who once promised to love her for the rest of his life—then disappeared after a business trip, never responding to her letters. She’s now alone with a beautiful baby to provide for, a daughter whose red hair reminds her daily of the man she gave her heart to. She has to move on, though, and she did, going west with her sister. When Jonah Coulter asks for her hand in marriage, she knows she would be hard-pressed to find a better father for her sweet child. He’s a Coulter, after all, and he’s proven to be a good friend during her darkest hours.

Eric LaGrange thought he’d lost Naomi forever. But when he finally gets word that she’s in the Montana Territory, he drops everything to go after her…and their daughter? How could Naomi have kept their beautiful child from him? And how could she move on so quickly that she’s already engaged to another man? He loves Naomi so much that he’ll accept whatever choice is best for her, but is that him…or this settled rancher who clearly cares for them? No matter what, he’s determined to know his daughter and become the father he always wanted to be.

With Eric’s sudden appearance, Naomi’s heart is shredded once again. She barely has time to catch her breath before a new threat appears on the horizon. This time she has far more at stake than her heart, and only a Divine hand can turn this disaster for their good.

From a USA Today bestselling author comes a mountain family saga filled with a second chance romance, love triangle, hidden treasure, and faith that heals wounded hearts.

My Review

I've enjoyed this series so far and love the premise of an isolated ranch of brothers (reminiscent of Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer), but I struggled with the love triangle in this book. I want to root for Jonah as a Coulter brother, but he really gets the short end of the stick. It was difficult for me to be sympathetic to Eric, and I didn't always relate to Naomi's attitude. I think it was the non-communication that contributed, and the secrets Naomi kept that prohibited those around her from giving the support she needed in the aftermath of her trauma. Her silence also caused some of the later danger and conflict, and speaking up would have given Eric vital information that would have protected him and helped him make safer choices. I was glad for her to have a happy ending and look forward to more in the series focusing on the Coulter brothers finding love.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

The Brothers of Sapphire Ranch series 












Review: The Fake Out Flex by Ash Kelly



My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it



About the Book

He's a guarded pro hockey player. My brother's best friend. My high school crush. And now…my fake date to my ex's wedding. What could possibly go wrong?

After my breakup on live TV goes viral—yep, I'm Breakup Sneeze Girl, hi!—I cannot go to my ex's wedding alone.

So my totally non-meddling—cough, yeah right—brother ropes in his best friend as my date.

The only problem is, Fraser and I share a history. He was my high school crush…until he left without even saying goodbye.

But that was seven years ago, and I am completely, one thousand percent, over it.

One fake date with Fraser? No problem. I can handle that.
Until one date turns into me being his fake girlfriend.

The more time we spend together, the more I catch glimpses of the Fraser I knew back in high school. Under his gruff exterior, he's kind. Protective. Encouraging. He's also got the most intense blue eyes and cutest smile I've ever seen.

And yep, okay, my crush is back with a vengeance.

Only this time, it doesn't feel so one-sided. Fraser buys me my favorite flowers. He flies across the country just to check in on me. And when he gazes into my eyes, there's something simmering between us I can't deny.

But will Fraser leave again, or can our fake relationship turn into something real?

The Fake Out Flex is a closed-door pro hockey romance with plenty of banter, fast-talking friends, truth fries, the granddaddy of grand gestures, and a heartwarming happily-ever-after. It's the first book in the Hockeymances series and can be read as a standalone.


My Review

My love for hockey romances began early in the trend, and it still hasn't died out! This is a fun one with a charismatic narration full of banter and mid-level angst. I didn't relate to Evie's desire for vengeance by attending her ex's wedding- who does that? I did enjoy her reconnecting with Fraser and their fake dating turned real. Her meddling brother was funny, and the other side characters really added to the story. It was cool to have Evie be such an expert on hockey and the way Fraser trusted her analysis, even when it was harsh. I appreciated that they both have a goal to save intimacy for marriage, and think that is a wonderful perspective to include in books these days since it's not assumed anymore. I didn't think it needed to be a secret with an awkward reveal though- that made it seem less than normal, rather than destigmatizing the idea. Overall I enjoyed this book and plan to read more from the author!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

I'm looking forward to the upcoming books in the Hockeymances series . . .






Friday, June 14, 2024

Book Tour & Excerpt: The Hudson Collection by Jocelyn Green






About the Book

Step into the beguiling world of 1926 New York and discover the power of resilience, friendship, and love from award-winning author Jocelyn Green.

Elsa Reisner's lifelong dream of working as an ornithologist at the American Museum of Natural History is fading as the job begins to drain her passion. But fate takes an unexpected turn when she is assigned to catalog the bequest of a recently deceased patron whose Gothic country mansion holds secrets and treasures waiting to be discovered.

As Elsa delves into her task, she forms an unlikely bond with the estate's delightful gardener and her daughter, as well as an architectural salvage dealer who still bears scars from the Great War. Together, they embark on a thrilling treasure hunt for a missing relic intended to safeguard the servants' futures before the estate is sold. At the same time, Elsa's body seems to betray her with new symptoms from a childhood disease that isn't through with her yet.

With the brooding veteran and her handsome colleague joining the search, Elsa must navigate the tangled web of secrets and hidden motives along with the changing state of her health. As her deadline looms ever closer, will she be able to secure a new life for her friends before the estate slips from their grasp?

Excerpt

When she reached the art gallery, she rested on a bench and stared at the stained-­glass windows, if only to anchor herself in the present time and place. She was no longer the child she’d been at boarding school, trying to keep up with the other girls and failing, laughter ringing in her ears. She had been playing hide-­and-­seek with her classmates, only to realize they’d broken the rules and left the agreed-­upon boundaries. They left her alone to wander in vain until her weak leg collapsed. The matron had sent her to bed, where she’d stayed for three days to recover. Three more days alone when she desperately longed for companionship. Her parents, who lived less than five miles from the school, did not come to visit her, either.

Elsa would search no more today. Drawing a fortifying breath, she stood and went back to the stairs. Going down would be easier.

Wind buffeted the stone tower. Beyond the windows, lightning forked. Thunder clapped, and she took the stairs a little faster.

“Mr. Dupont? Barney?” Boy, she must be really desperate to want to locate a dog. But having a friendly canine at her side had its charms right about now.

She tried a light switch, but nothing happened. Either the power had gone out from the storm, or Mr. Spalding had already had the electricity shut off. She normally enjoyed a good summer storm. But being here alone when she hadn’t expected to be . . . It was all too Gothic for her taste.

Her mind played tricks. Was that a person or the wind? Then the moaning stopped, and shouting took its place. The tone held not anger but fear. Urgency. Someone was in distress.

At the bottom of the tower, she hurried along the corridor as much as she dared, looking and finding no one. Then a flash of lightning illuminated the silhouettes of two men outside on the covered veranda. One smoked a cigarette between words frayed with shredded nerves. The other voice held steady. She’d heard him speak this morning, but barely. She must have been so preoccupied with the scars and the dog that she hadn’t noticed how rich the sound was.

She couldn’t see their faces with their backs turned to the window. But as Mr. Dupont soothed the other man, he didn’t sound scary. He sounded like . . . well, like someone you’d want by your side in a storm, whether it raged in the sky or in one’s soul. Clearly he’d weathered his own.

Thunder rolled, and rain blew sideways, spraying the windows. Baskets of ferns swung wildly from the veranda’s ceiling.

The man with the cigarette was shaking. “I want to go inside,” Elsa heard him say.

“That’s a good idea, but you can’t smoke in the house,” Mr. Dupont told him. “So you either stay out here and get wet or come inside out of the storm. It is just a storm, Tom. It’s 1926, this is New York, and we’re on a job. You’re safe now. You’re safe.”

“No.” Tom shook his head. Thunder boomed again, and he sank to the floor, covering his head with crossed arms.

In a flash of fur, Barney bounded onto the veranda, ran to Tom, and nudged under his arms to lick his face.

Mr. Dupont waited until Tom buried his fingers in Barney’s fur, returning the affection.

“Come on.” Mr. Dupont took the cigarette and smashed it in a planter. “You don’t need that.” With a hand to his elbow, he helped him up. Barney placed his head beneath Tom’s palm. This time, the dog’s tail wasn’t wagging.

Elsa backed away from the windows and watched the trio walk toward the door. When they came inside, she was waiting by one of the fireplaces in the library.

Both men stood straighter when they saw her. Barney pressed against Tom’s side.

“Hello again,” she said to Mr. Dupont. “I’m afraid we didn’t have a proper introduction this morning. I’m Elsa Reisner,” she added for Tom’s sake, then explained why she was here. “Mr. Spalding told me you’re salvaging some of the architecture for Dupont & Son, correct?”

“That’s right. I’m the son in that equation—­Luke Dupont—­and this is Tom Lightfoot, assisting me.” He rolled down sleeves that had been pushed to his elbows and buttoned the cuffs.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Dupont, Mr. Lightfoot.”

“Oh, please, none of that for me. Tom’ll do fine.” A dimple appeared as a smile formed and then faded. Dark blond hair was pomaded back from a smooth face that would seem boyish if not for the sunken cheeks.

“And just Luke,” added the man whose voice ran deep. He was only an inch or so taller than Tom, but his presence felt far more solid. Tom held his shoulders slightly forward, creating a hollow in front of his chest.

Elsa smiled, happy to shed the stiff high-­society manners with which she’d grown up. “All right, then. Let’s dispense with formalities all around, or at least between the three of us.”

Excerpt from The Hudson Collection © 2024 Jocelyn Green, Bethany House Publishers
 

About the Author


Jocelyn Green (JocelynGreen.com) inspires faith and courage as the bestselling author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books, including the Christy Award-winning The Mark of the King and Drawn by the Current and her On Central Park series.

 

 

Thursday, June 13, 2024

Blog Tour, Author Interview & Giveaway: A Cameo for a Cowgirl by Carolyn Miller

A Cameo for a Cowgirl JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for A Cameo for a Cowgirl by Carolyn Miller, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

A Cameo for a Cowgirl

Title: A Cameo for the Cowgirl
Series: Three Creek Ranch #1
Author: Carolyn Miller
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date:
June 14, 2024
Genre:
Christian Romantic Comedy

Welcome to Three Creek Ranch, home of the James family for over a hundred years, complete with its own Western movie set. 

Franklin James might be a famous pro hockey player, but just because he's Cassie's older brother doesn't mean she wants to step into the limelight. She's too busy helping her dad run the ranch and managing the ranch's movie set, and negotiating with the giant egos of movie stars like Harrison Woods, who's supposed to be filming the new TV series of As The Heart Draws. And while his TV hero characters might be hugely popular, Harrison's real character seems anything but noble. Cassie is convinced he's hiding something, and that this diva's nice guy moments are just an act. 

Can she remind him what being a true hero is all about?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub


Interview with Author Carolyn Miller


Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Sure! My name is Carolyn Miller, and I’m an Australian author of 40+ contemporary and historical romance books. I’m married to Josh, have 4 children 21 & under, and a fluffy muffy named DeeDee, and we live in a small town about halfway between Sydney and Canberra in New South Wales, Australia. I’ve worked as a high school English teacher and in learning support roles, and my husband and I pastored a church for ten years. I love reading, writing, traveling, eating – which means I also love walking DeeDee and taking pics of beautiful things I see on the way.


What do you do besides writing?

I have 6+ books releasing each year so writing is definitely my day job! It means when I take time off I enjoy going to the movies or watching Escape to the Country or other TV shows that help provide inspiration for some of my settings. I recently watched Farming For Love, a Canadian-based reality show, because it features some people in a not-too-dissimilar scenario, looking for love in rural North America. I’m also a hockey fan, which means listening to games while walking DeeDee – and using some of these descriptions to deepen the authenticity of my Christian hockey books.

 
What was your favorite part of researching for this book?

I LOVED the fact that the ranch featured in A Cameo for a Cowgirl is based on a REAL ranch, that—just like in my book!—has its own Western Town movie set! This naturally meant HOURS of perusing images and videos and maps working out some of the descriptions and so on. I discovered that the CL Ranch I based my ranch on actually has filmed episodes of everything from Lonesome Dove to Jackie Chan’s Shanghai Noon to early episodes of When Calls the Heart – which naturally led to yet more inspiration for this story. You can see some of those pics here. My daughter was actually studying at Calgary University while I was writing this, so it was great to have her outsider take on things, and blend that with some of details checked by some awesome Alberta-based authors and readers I’ve come to know over the years.


Do you have images you can share that come close to how you picture your characters? Do you like to find visual inspiration for your characters before or during your writing process?

Gosh, sometimes I do, but I like to leave a lot of that up to the reader’s imagination. Obviously there is the cover image (which I actually had before I’d written the book, so there was a fair bit of direction there), and I’ve attached a hero-esque picture, but I have more pictures of scenes and character inspiration on my Pinterest board here. (And just a heads up for all the When Calls the Heart fans out there – you’ll see some very similar inspiration for my book, seeing it deals with the filming of a TV show called, ahem, As the Heart Draws ☺. So think Mounties, and schoolmarms, etc.)



 
What are some songs that you listened to or inspired you while writing your book?

I might have started listening to some Josh Baldwin tracks to get my ‘country’ on. Songs like ‘Narrow Road’, which talk about the challenge of following God when it means saying ‘no’ to the world, which really resonates with one of the themes of this book.


What message would you like readers to ultimately take away from the book?

No matter our façade, we all need God to fix the hidden (or not so hidden) broken parts inside. So don’t judge; see through the eyes of Jesus and you may just see someone come to know Him.


What can we look forward to coming from you in the future?

I’m SUPER excited about my next hockey book, Pointe, Shoots, and Scores, which has a kind of Dancing With The Stars scenario, which sees a reluctant hockey hero partner with an ex-ballerina on the show. It’s so much fun, with banter galore, and yet delves into some pretty realistic and relatable issues too. I think readers will love it! It’s out July 25th and people can preorder now.

And very soon I’m going to start writing the second book in the Three Creek Ranch series, A Valentine for a Vet. In this one, we see Cassie’s younger sister, veterinarian Jessie James, figuring out how to bring one of her older brother’s teammates to heel, in a fun friends-to-more story packed with heart and humor.

Also Available

Fire and Ice   


About the Author

Carolyn Miller

Carolyn Miller is a bestselling Australian author of historical and contemporary romance. A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English Literature, and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. Her Regency novels include the Regency Brides and the Regency Wallflowers series. Her contemporary novels include the Original Six and Northwest Ice hockey romance series, the Muskoka Shores romance series, and those in the Independence Islands series. Her stories have been described by Publishers Weekly as "a winsome exploration of life, love and faith" and witty "with snappy repartee that rockets off the page" (Library Journal). Readers enjoy these books that are humorous yet also deal with real issues, such as dealing with forgiveness, the nature of really loving versus 'true love', and other challenges. Her novels can be considered 'inspirational', and may appeal to readers of Christian fiction, who want stories of hope and redemption - with a twist of Aussie humour.

Connect with Carolyn at carolynmillerauthor.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a print (US only) or ebook (where available) copy of A Cameo for the Cowgirl plus a $20 Amazon gift card!

A Cameo for a Cowgirl JustRead Tours blog giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 12, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 19, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only for print. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours




Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: When the Ocean Roars by Charlsie Estess

When the Ocean Roars JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for When the Ocean Roars by Charlsie Estess, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

When the Ocean Roars

Title: When the Ocean Roars
Author:
Charlsie Estess
Publisher:
Iron Stream Media
Release Date:
June 11, 2024
Genre:
Contemporary Christian Romance

He needs to surrender. She needs to fight. Are they ready for their next battle?​ 

Weeks before the Ultimate Fighting World Championship, Keane “The Golden Lion” Temple lands in Japan for the battle of his professional life. The adored prizefighter is primed to take the win. And nothing has ever distracted him from victory in the ring. 

 But when his path collides with an intriguing woman, he gives in to impulse and asks her to spend his day off from training with him. Surely, he can keep his heart safe for one day. 

Ami Ono cannot pass on the invitation but also hides her full identity. As their extraordinary day bleeds into night, both realize one day won’t be enough. Then the excursion ends in disaster when Keane discovers who Ami is. They part ways, but compelling circumstances and an undeniable attraction draw them back together, driving their attraction―and her high-society family drama―to something more intense than Keane has ever faced. As the forbidden romance threatens to take down his principles in the knockout of his life, he struggles to honor his beliefs. Will The Golden Lion surrender his heart? Will Ami defy the domineering men in her life and accept it? Do they stand a chance against nature?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop

 

Excerpt


Perhaps Ami’s reasons for pursuit extended beyond mere intrigue. So what? Keane Temple was a potent force. Like a black hole, he was drawing her in, closer and closer. Most men were predictable. And she knew more than one thing about fighters. But he was unexpected. Attentive. Patient. A fleeting opportunity for the taking.

With a glance, she admired him, head to toe. One second, her wild imagination was rushing in a treacherous direction. The next, she was flying through the air. Her toe had snagged a chunk of driftwood. As the rough beach raced toward her face, a strong arm darted under her to break the fall. Keane toppled beside her. But she wasn’t complaining.
 

About the Author

Charlsie Estess

Charlsie Estess holds a master of business administration degree and worked in finance and strategic planning before becoming a writer. She is a member of ACFW and Faith, Hope, and Love Christian Writers and was an ACFW 2023 Genesis Finalist. She currently resides in Mississippi with her husband and two sons.

Connect with Charlsie at charlsieestess.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win an Ocean Adventure Giveaway, including a woven beach bag, a print copy of When the Ocean Roars, & a ROAR T-Shirt!

When the Ocean Roars JustRead Tours blog giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 10, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 17, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours


Sunday, June 9, 2024

Review: Dry Climate Gardening by by Noelle Johnson

 

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it



Synopsis

In Dry Climate Gardening, author and desert horticulturist Noelle Johnson, also known as AZ Plant Lady, delivers all the know-how you need to grow a breathtaking, colorful, and vibrant garden in low-water conditions.

Gardening in an arid climate doesn’t have to mean a yard full of rocks with a few cacti plunked in. With careful plant selection and thoughtful design , you can create a low-water landscape that’s an oasis for humans and wildlife alike. There are hundreds of plants well-suited to xeric conditions , and with the proper care, they create a living desert landscape that will stop passersby in their tracks. Let Dry Climate Gardening be your guide to crafting a climate-appropriate outdoor living space that’s the envy of the neighborhood, whether you live in the American Southwest, the Mediterranean region, or any other arid climate.

Inside you’ll find:
- The best arid-adapted plants to feature in your landscape
- Information on which plants struggle in dry climates and how to avoid them
- The five “desert seasons” and which are best for planting
- How to handle desert soils
- Plant care techniques specific to dry climates, including pruning, fertilizing, and more
- How to design a planting for maximum impact and minimal water needs
- Plant profiles and charts for every category, from trees and shrubs to groundcovers, vines, succulents, and perennials
- Sample garden designs and plant lists you can adapt to your own space
 
With water restrictions and the number of gardeners dealing with drought conditions on the rise, we all need to get more creative in the way we grow. Water-wise landscaping is a must for millions of gardeners. In Dry Climate Gardening, you’ll learn how to do it with care and style.

My Review

Reading this book was a bit dry (pun intended), but full of so much useful information. It delved into the technical, which doesn't make for engaging reading but will set the reader/gardener up for success. Living in a semi-arid/Mediterranean climate, it was gratifying to learn about plants and landscape ideas that would apply to the unique challenges of our area. I definitely feel more prepared as I plan our yard and meet the purposes of each area. I would have liked a more comprehensive plant guide as well as which are native to my area, but this book gave me a strong foundation and start to the process.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.


Saturday, June 8, 2024

Review: Science Art and Drawing Games for Kids: 35+ Fun Art Projects to Build Amazing Science Skills by Karyn Tripp



My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it



Synopsis

In Science Art and Drawing Games for Kids, you’ll find an amazing collection of more than 35 hands-on art activities that make learning about science fun. 

Written by Karyn Tripp, author of Math Art and Drawing Games for Kids and creator of the popular educational blog TeachBesideMe.com, the book guides children ages 8 and up through hands-on activities that explore an engaging variety of art and craft techniques and science concepts, including:

Energy & Motion. Create art, toys, and sculptures that spin, flap, and climb.

Electricity & Magnetism. Make special light-up greeting cards, and use magnets to create abstract paintings and solve mazes.

Living Science. Craft tiny terrariums, create plantable seed paper, and make your own paints using natural materials.

Chemical Reactions. Create exploding paintballs, grow a garden of crystal flowers, and learn to make plastic out of milk.

Color & Light. Combine shaving cream and food coloring to make marbled paper, use the sun to print on paper and fabric, and make an awesome kaleidoscope from scratch.
Take a creative path to studying science with Science Art and Drawing Games for Kids!


My Review

So much art and science fun! These projects are perfect mini-science lessons with hands-on creativity. I loved the wide variety of concepts, materials, and techniques. It would be easy to add on some science and art history to give a deeper understanding. Most of these projects seem like they would be best for small groups or individual families, especially the ones that require special or unique supplies. I plan on doing the Neuron Blow Paintings with my third grade class of 26 students and can't wait to see the colors and patterns they make!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.


Review: Fresh Paint: Discover Your Unique Creative Style Through 100 Small Mixed-Media Paintings by Flora Bowley, Lynzee Lynx


My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it



Synopsis

Discover and deepen your creative style through the process of creating 100 small mixed-media paintings.

In Fresh Paint, creative influencer, workshop leader, and author of Brave Intuitive Painting and Creative Revolution, Flora Bowley, and her collaborator and fellow artist, Lynzee Lynx, offer transformational, accessible, and lasting ways to infuse more meaning and authenticity into your artwork.

For years, Flora and Lynzee have witnessed their students struggling to find their own voices. The desire is there, but coming up with innovative and unique ways to express yourself can feel daunting. In response to this persistent challenge and fueled by their passion for authenticity, they spent years cultivating and distilling a potent curriculum to support creative seekers looking for more integrity, depth, and originality in their work. Their online course Fresh Paint was the result, and now with this book, you too can explore how finding your creative voice translates into a more courageous, inspired, empowered, nourishing, and world-changing way of living and making art.

Fresh Paint uses mixed-media art projects along with prompts for movement, meditation, and writing to explore personal experience, individual preference, ancestry, intuition, and body wisdom. Through the process of creating 100 small mixed-media paintings based on these inquiries, your style will reveal itself to you, and your artmaking will be more satisfying and fun.

If you’re ready to infuse more meaning, personal story, and satisfaction into your work, while truly setting yourself apart from the rest and avoiding the common pitfall of making work that looks and feels derivative of other artists’, this book is for you.

Welcome to Fresh Paint, an inspiring adventure all about discovering and developing a unique creative style!

My Review

This book was a mixed bag for me- lots of vague mindfulness in the beginning, some brief tutorials with materials and techniques, and lots of examples of student work, showcasing a wide variety of styles. The most beneficial element of the book for me were the few "Writing Inquiries" scattered throughout the chapters. I appreciated how they asked more specific questions to provide the artist/reader with personal revelations. I also benefited from the chapter on incorporating inspiration from other artists. I had hoped that there would be 100 prompts for small paintings as the subtitle infers, but it turns out to be a challenge from the authors to create a collection of 100 based on the ideas generated from the practices in the book. I can see how this can work, especially if an artist creates several pieces from each section since they are more broad in their scope rather than specific prompts. A useful book that I plan to refer back to when I need to tap into a deeper well of creativity.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.


Review: Wonder Art Workshop: Creative Child-Led Experiences for Nurturing Imagination, Curiosity, and a Love of Learning by Sally Haughey


My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it



Synopsis

In Wonder Art Workshop, educator and educational development expert Sally Haughey shares her approach to hands-on, play-based learning with parents, teachers, and other facilitators, offering 25 activities that let your child take the lead in developing their own sense of intrinsic motivation to imagine, experiment, and discover.

The author's wonder-based approach reflects and synthesizes several child-centered educational movements, including Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, and Montessori.

Become a catalyst for cultivating your child’s curious mind through these steps and activities, which start with art and apply to other subjects, including science and literacy: 
- Take stock for your wonder journey with helpful guidance on collecting materials, preparing a space, and nurturing the process while allowing children to make independent choices.
- Harness curiosity through a collection of sensory-based activities that use a variety of loose parts and other creative materials for open-ended play.
- Encourage experimentation by unleashing your child’s inner alchemist with “potion trays” they can use to mix color, create fizzing concoctions, make play dough, and more.
- Unlock literacy play with activities that inspire children to imagine and create their own characters, structures, and landscapes. 
 
Give your children the precious gifts of wonder and curiosity and help them become the best they can be with Wonder Art Workshop.

My Review

I love the concept of children discovering and exploring without restraint or "rules." The role of the parent as a guide frees up both parent and child from expectations and frustration. The art process described in this book is more experimental and focuses on the journey rather than the product. The element of play is strong, and be prepared to get messy! I like the projects that utilize found objects and nature such as sticks, flowers, and crushed eggshells. This is a good resource for parents and educators whose goal is to foster true creativity in children.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.