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Since I have a young friend who LOVES dragons I knew I had to check out Dibs the Dragon. I'm more familiar with the dragons of Cressida Cowell's series How to Train Your Dragon so I was pleasantly surprised by a more cuddly version of dragons in Dibs the Dragon . You can also read my post inspired by the book posted last week HERE . More about Dibs the Dragon and the Marshmallow Rescue How does a bubble-blowing dragon make his very first friend? In the magical land of Lickit

I'm so excited today to welcome author Elizabeth Crowens with a peek at the work an author does AFTER their book has been published. Elizabeth just released the third book in her Golden Age of Hollywood Mystery series: Round Up the Unusual Suspects. You can check out my review next week but for now, here's Elizabeth (don't miss a book giveaway and a special offer from Elizabeth at the end of her guest post). Emotional Survival as an Author Every year, I attend a handful of wr

I'm visiting at The Muffin to write about doctors, balloons and luxuries. Plus a fun writing challenge. Check out my guest post HERE .

Happy First Day of Spring! To celebrate, let's learn more about Teresa H. Sabankaya, a lover of flowers and author of several books about flowers including the recently released Modern Floriography. You can read my review HERE . About Teresa H. Sabankaya Teresa is one of the most innovative floral designers in the San Francisco and Monterey Bay Area and has exhibited her floral art at various museums and flower shows including the Bouquets to Art exhibition at the De Young M

I'm miffed at my local postal worker. She still hasn't delivered my copy of Dibs the Dragon and the Marshmallow Rescue and I'm so eager to read it! My review will have to wait until next week but for today I thought I'd answer one of the writing prompts provided by author Ellie Moss. What makes a story a “repeat read” in your house? It's funny how some books just capture your children's attention and make them an endless read. Of course, as parents we sometimes get frustrat

Earlier this week I reviewed Zigzag Girl . Who could say no to that intriguing title? Check out my review HERE and get to know the author, Ruth Knafo Setton today. Jodi: Have you found any uniting themes or traits in all of your books? Ruth: Three things unite everything I write: passion, wonder, and mystery. I'm drawn to the dance of desire between two people, especially when it's forbidden or dangerous—I don't like to play it safe. My characters search for magic in the re

I couldn't resist the title Zigzag Girl. Learn more about the book today and more about what exactly "zigzag girl" means in the interview of author Ruth Knafo Setton in the interview on Thursday. Plus a giveaway! Now, back to the review. More About Zigzag Girl Zigzag Girl, by Ruth Knafo Setton, is a twisty contemporary mystery with a touch of magic, set in Atlantic City and the eerie New Jersey Pine Barrens. Lucy Moon, a brilliant young magician with a mysterious past, work

When the temperature is in the single digits and you're required to head out into the arctic tundra to shovel snow, it is lovely to be able to head back inside to hot chocolate and a book about flowers. Which was exactly the circumstances under which I read Modern Floriography . We're on the countdown to the release of this book, as well as the blooms poking their eager heads through the soil. So while we wait, more about Modern Floriography. More about Modern Floriography A

I reviewed Kim McCollum's second novel Harriet Hates Lemonade last week. Check it out HERE. But Kim is back this week for a fun interview so we can all learn more about the woman behind the words. You can also check out her WOW blog tour with plenty of book excerpts, guest posts, interviews, reviews and more HERE . Jodi: Harriet Hates Lemonade and your debut novel What Happens in Montana are similar because they both portray female friendships but in so many ways they ar

Harriet Hates Lemonade takes on the difficult subject of abusive relationships. I must confess that, in the beginning, I was reluctant to review the book because I've read some novels on this subject and they drifted into horror for me and made me question if I could finish them. But I want to let you know that any physical violence is "off-stage" or buffered by being the memory of a person while the book focuses on other aspects of abusive relationships. Stop by next week fo

More About Marie Conner, A Leading Lady Marie was born a girl. That was only her first mistake, according to her father. In an era when daughters and wives are not supposed to be concerned with matters outside the home, Marie is determined to prove him wrong. To do this, she must break down barriers placed on women in society, overcome difficulties that befall her, surpass hardships from the Great Depression, and then face an inevitable relocation. Marie steps into her commun

As part of the WOW-Women on Writing blog tour for Marie Connor, A Leading Lady by Elle Mott, I'm answering a writing prompt about volunteerism. Marie Conor was a woman who found ways to volunteer and make her community a better place. You can learn more about this memoir, read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy HERE . You can also read my review tomorrow. The Secret to Volunteerism I've volunteered to do a lot of different things through the years, led to

Happy Release Day! Author R.J. Koreto latest book Winter's Season is being released today. Where's the cake, the balloons, the confetti? If this book sounds good to you don't forget to check out the other series he has written. Like me, R.J. is a history lover with series revolving around Historic Homes, Alice Roosevelt and Lady Frances Ffolkes. More About Winter's Season In 1817 London, Before the Police, There Was Captain Winter. London, 1817. A city teeming with life, ye

As a fan of Humphrey Bogart and his movies, how couldn't I be a fan of Lauren Bacall? They seemed like such an unlikely pairing that somehow, worked. To me, Bacall was everything most movie stars of the Golden Age weren't. She wasn't perky, blond, petite or bursting into song (or dancing) in random scenes. She was tall, mysterious, enchanting. I wanted to be Lauren Bacall. I first saw Lauren Bacall on the screen around four decades after she uttered those immortal words, "You

More About Bright Midnights In a world where viruses possess and dreams unlock new realms, 17 year old Amelie must navigate danger, love and her own dark powers to survive Amelie has always been different. Most high school students find life challenging, but 17-year old Amelie has a lot more to contend with than typical teenage angst. Ever since she turned 11, others have been irresistibly drawn to her-with tragic consequences. Her only escape is at night when she flies to di

Although it won't be released until March 10, I couldn't resist sharing this new children's picture book that takes place in the chilly days of early winter. I received a review copy of it through Edelweiss (thanks!) and if my review intrigues you, pre-order the hardcover or paperback edition HERE. While you're waiting for your copy to arrive, celebrate World Whale Day on the third Sunday in February, this year on February 15. More About Where There's a Whale There's a Way

If like me, you have a choice between bundling up and going out to shovel snow or burrowing under a few blankets and doing some writing, you might be meaning toward the latter. If you need some inspiration here are a few fun contest/markets to explore today. WOW - Women on Writing Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest Deadline: January 31 Fee: $12 Theme: Open Word Count: 200-1000 More details: HERE WOW - Women on Writing Flash Fiction Contest Deadline: February 28 Fee: $10 Theme:

Today I have a review and giveaway of one of the latest books touring with WOW blog tour - Rumination Remedies by Sheri McGregor. Yesterday I answered their writing prompt. Read my thoughts about awe in Nature HERE . You can also check out the author interview HERE . More About Rumination Remedies In Rumination Remedies, Sheri McGregor offers 41 powerful, practical tools to help you recognize, interrupt, and release repetitive thought loops. Thoughtfully written, immediatel

As part of the WOW-Women on Writing blog tour for Rumination Remedies by Sheri McGregor, I'm answering a writing prompt about finding awe in Nature. You can learn more about this book, read an interview by the author and enter to win a copy HERE . Stop by for my review tomorrow! The Unfolding of Nature As a gardener, I plant the easy things. The things that are predictable, just won't die and don't require a lot of special care. The standards: daffodils, irises, black eyed S

Wait! I know what you're thinking, "This isn't Create Write Now." True. Create Write Now is on an unexpected break but we didn't want you to miss an encouraging and informative guest post for writers written by Sheri McGregor, author of Rumination Remedies as a part of her WOW blog tour. So please enjoy the post, learn more about Rumination Remedies and then, visit Create Write Now where you'll find some great past posts about healing, personal growth, journaling and writin