January: Human Trafficking Awareness Month

While this challenge may seem as vast as the Grand Canyon,
don't be discouraged, even small acts of kindness make a
huge difference. (pc Peggy Urry)

Reposting from the Starling Box (Starling Murmurs) blog:

January is human trafficking awareness month. Trafficking is a crime that touches people all over the world and deprives people of their lives, independence, and freedom. To recognize this month, we’re highlighting some steps you can take to join the fight against human trafficking. 

1.Do your research

The first step is to learn more about what trafficking is. Before taking steps to fight trafficking, it’s important to first educate yourself about the complexities and extent of the issue. Some good starting resources can be found at the Polaris Project and the National Human Trafficking Hotline, or you can look to our article Human Trafficking: The Hidden Story. 

2. Raise Awareness

While raising awareness may seem unimportant or ineffective, the power of spreading the word cannot be underestimated. Raising awareness can open people’s eyes to this enormous issue and spur action. The more people who know about human trafficking, the bigger the movement will grow and the more change will happen. 

3. Keep your eye out

Watch for signs of human trafficking, some of which can be found here. If you see something that may be a sign of trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (888) 373-7888.

4. Make your path

There are ways that everyone can help and hundreds of amazing organizations you can choose to support that fight human trafficking. Whether through donations or volunteering time, we can all find a way to make an impact.

These easy steps to fight trafficking may seem small but they can make an enormous difference. Start this month and join the movement. 

My comments:

Human trafficking touches all of us in some way. But working together, we can combat this atrocity. Do your best to buy ethically sourced goods. Join a movement in your own community or one online (there are more than just a few). I love my Starling Box! It's so fun and it's for a good cause. Some others I have discovered on Instagram: @sudaragoods, @seladesigns, @saribariindia, @rethreadedinc, @mulxiply, and @uncvrdjewelry. 

Operation Underground Railroad (OUR) is another organization to check out. Their focus is rescuing children from child sex trafficking. 

We can make the world a better place. And, people, love those around you, your family, your friends. Be grateful and be kind. We do not know the burdens others carry or have carried. 

Let's Begin Again

This is the latest installment in the Pine Valley series by Heather B. Moore. 

If you've enjoyed this series (which I have... a lot!), then you will enjoy this new tale of adventures in the California ski town of Pine Valley. 

Growing up, Grant and Maurie knew each other under less than ideal circumstances. The years since have changed a lot of things for both of them. But when they finally come back together, they help each other find courage to overcome some pretty steep obstacles. I really liked their mutual support and that they were grounded enough to give it. 

It's a quick, fun read that I recommend for any day of the week. You can pre-order on Amazon (which I highly recommend). And you can

I received a free Advance Reader Copy of this book. My opinions are my own. 

Support Small/Local Business

This past weekend I had the opportunity to do a book signing with two other local authors: Valerie Ipson and Tamara Passey. We hosted the event at The Chateau, a lovely reception center in Mesa.

A huge thank you to those who came out and supported us. If you missed it, we will also be at the Mesa Book Festival this coming Saturday, December 8, from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. along with other authors and vendors.

What's all the fuss about? In case you missed my last post, we have put together a collection of three full-length novels inspired by Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. You can read about them here.

Contemporary Holiday Romances

The holidays are coming. (I miss Halloween already.) Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday and DECEMBER are right around the corner. I've already started shopping. 

Do you need a way to embrace the season? Or a gift for the Hallmark lover in your life? Or a gift for that difficult to buy for person? 

Well, you're in luck. I've teamed up with two fabulous authors for the Holiday Romance Collection. This ebook boxset contains three full-length contemporary romances inspired by Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. The novels are available individually in several formats but the best deal is the ebook collection which contains all three.

Eleanor and the Christmas Carol Fudge by Tamara Passey

Eleanor is saving her grandmother's fudge business but is becoming like Scrooge in the process. The consultant she hires to help happens to be the friend from high school that hasn't given up his crush for her. Will the Christmas spirit melt her heart or will she miss out on the love of her life?

Christmas Future by Valerie Ipson

While Scarlett Ambrose works her PR magic landing Alaska on the nice Christmas spirit list, her wedding plans and a longing for Arizona’s heat have to wait. But when the wait’s too long will a warm-hearted doctor in town for his own reasons be just the prescription for lifting her cold, Scrooge-like spirit?

A Christmas Carol for Candy by Peggy Urry 

Candy Kaine exchanges a philandering fiance for college. School and a small town community save her from facing the past. In the fast-paced city, Jace Marlowe takes the only job offered since an ugly breakup: web design for a posh resort. The resort plans to buy Janssen Manor, home of the satellite campus located in Jace's small home town. Will Past, Present, and Future experience help Candy overcome her challenges? Can Jace find a solution before he loses what is most important?

A huge thanks to SageFoxDesigns for my cover. I think it's perfect! (you can also find her on FB and Instagram)

Beach Time

You know, beach time is reading time, right?

I love the ocean, watching the waves and my kids playing, looking for sand dollars, finding little crabs scurrying over the rocks after the waves roll out. I never seem to tire of it. Sometimes I don't read, but this time, I did.

First, Calico Ball. 

I don't usually read western-ish books and was unfamiliar with Calico Balls, but this was a fun way to find out about them and life in the old West. I have been through Wyoming many times, so it was fun to read about a place not often featured (at least in the books I usually read). I liked all of the stories. A Keeper of the Western Door dealt with prejudice against the Native Americans and what a difference we can make in treating people like people. A Convenient Arrangement was cute, but didn't feel as impactful for me. Isabella's Calico Groom was probably my favorite. This one dealt with professional prejudism against women in "men's work". But it was fascinating and fun and I really liked how the heroine and the hero learn to get along.

Second, A Night in Grosvenor Square.

I loved this collection. Loved. The stories had different approaches which was nice because I didn't feel like I was reading the same formulaic story. And the characters. Yeah, I liked them all. My favorite? Ellen in Little London by Heather Moore. But a very close second is Mrs. Northrop in A Match for Princess Pompous. Sometimes I think the prejudices of the ton are lost on us, but after reading these, and a conversation with friends, I pondered on my own prejudices and wanted to be less judgmental.

New York Rights Fair Honors Visual Books

Publishers Weekly, in conjunction with BolognaFiere and Combined Book Exhibit, organized New York Rights Fair (an international rights and licensing marketplace).

In an article by Calvin Reid on May 8, 2018, in Publishers Weekly they announced the winning titles from their inaugural competition Talking Pictures:Selected Books which honors excellence in visual books.

You can find the list below and on New York Rights Fair's website as well as sign up for the symposium in Manhattan. The article is not too lengthy and gives some great information. I recommend reading it.

Anyway, I was so excited to see the list and see the stunning visuals so worthy of this award. Not to be. It is just a list. So, for your viewing pleasure, I have added the book covers. Do you have a favorite? And did you want to spend hours perusing through the pages between the covers? I did.

Top Honorees for 2017

Art and Photography

The Black Trilogy
Photos by Ralph Gibson
Text by Gilles Mora
University of Texas Press

The Fire Next Time
James Baldwin and
Steve Schapiro
Taschen

Artists Who Make Books
Philip E. Aarons
Claire Lehmann
Phaidon
Edited by Andrew Roth




Cookbooks

Catalonia
Jose Pizarro
Hardie Grant Publishing

Igni
Aaron Turner
Photos by Julian Kingman
Hardie Grant Publishing

On Vegetables
Jeremy Fox with
Noah Galuten
Photos by Rick Poon
Phaidon




Children's Picture Books

Cabanes
Aurelian Debat
Les Grandes Personnes

Town Is by the Sea
Joanne Schwartz and 
Sydney Smith
Groundwood Books
House of Anansi Press

Nos Vacances (The Holidays)
Blexbolex
Trapeze Albin Michel Jeunesse






Comics and Graphic Novels

The Hunting Accident
David L. Carlson and 
Landis Blair
First Second Books

My Favorite Thing Is Monsters
Emil Ferris
Fantagraphics Books

Whatsa Paintoonist
Jerry Moriarty
Fantagraphics Books






Architecture and Graphic Design

LOT-EK
Ada Tolla and 
Guiseppe Lignano with
Thomas de Monchaux
The Monacelli Press

Star Wars Super Graphic
Tim Leong
Chronicle Books

The Sausage of the Future
Carolien Nieblins
Lars Muller Publishers

The Promise of Home by Michele Paige Holmes

New from Michele Paige Holmes, Amazon’s bestselling historical romance author and Whitney Award Winner, comes the Hearthfire Historical Romance, THE PROMISE OF HOME. 

Cover Reveal!!!

And isn't it gorgeous? I love the contrasting colors.

Back of the Book:

As Katie and Collin MacDonald prepare to embark on the most perilous journey of their lives—crossing the Atlantic to Nova Scotia—an ocean away Collin’s brother Ian is seeing the coast of Virginia for the first time.

Katie and Collin cross the ocean swiftly, with the smaller ship Cleopatra making good time until she encounters a fierce storm near Sable Island. The tempest threatens both the ship and Katie’s fragile health, and their arrival in Halifax brings little relief, but further proof that the dangers of this new continent will equal or surpass the old. 

Ian’s voyage proves perilous as well, and would have cost Ian his life, except for the courageous and timely aid of Elizabeth Campbell. Yet, Ian plans to return to Scotland as soon as possible. But his unlikely friendship with Eliza makes him reluctant to abandon her to the cruel fate that awaits her. His responsibility as laird propels him to risk his own freedom, and he decides to stay in America for the time being and do what he can to help. 

Pre-Order it HERE.

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