Thanks and Book Review--Once in a Blue Moon by Leanna Ellis

First of all I wish to thank all those who left a comment on my last post about my 8 year old granddaughter's story. She sat on my lap last night while I read them to her, and she was so pleased and encouraged! And if you haven't read it yet, be sure to check it out and let her know what you think. I believe she will be giving writers some stiff competition in a few years! She's already got engaging characters and the drama of conflict and a race!

Now I want to share my review of Once in a Blue Moon, a very intriguing book! I met Leanna Ellis at last year's ACFW conference when we sat near each other in Donald Maass' class. I loved meeting this friendly lady, and I love her writing!

When I first started this book, it felt different from most of the books I read--not in a bad way, but in a good, intriguing way. The heroine, Bryn Seymour, is good at many things, including writing obituaries and investigative newspaper reporting. She is willing to let herself fall from an airplane, but not into a relationship. Even her relationships with her daughter and grandmother are strained by a secret she has kept since she was nine years old--the day Apollo 11 landed on the moon, and the day her mother who worked in the space industry died.

Bryn meets many quirky characters along her journey to find out if there was any conspiracy concerning her mom's death. She also meets a man who isn't what she thinks when they first meet. There are many twists and turns, and I found myself wondering what was true and what wasn't. I don't want to give away any more of the plot, but I hope you will read this book for yourself and find out what happens only "Once in a Blue Moon." I will let you know that you can expect a happy ending since Library Journal had this to say about it: "Sharp prose and an appealing love story make this tale a winner." I second that emotion!

I want to share something special with my readers today--a story written by my youngest granddaughter, Danielle. I hope it will be as encouraging to you as it is to me to keep reaching for your dreams, no matter what your age! The picture is of her with me and my husband on her 8th birthday last June.

My First Horse Training

By: Danielle

Chapter #1

Hi my name is Sam. I’m 8 years old. I have 4 brothers, they call me names all the time at home. My mom died last year, I still think about her.

My dad loves Horses but I’m not good at riding them, so my dad teaches me how to ride. But I’m just not good enough.

Chapter #2

My friend is good at riding Horse I told her my Horse Emily she is tall and pretty I never ever ride on Emily at all. On Sunday I go to church. After church I went to the barn. And feed Emily but I got on Emily's back and was riding on Emily my dad was proud of me and my brothers to.

Chapter #3

My dad teaches me more about how to ride Horses I could go to the race only for horses but in 2 more Days I will be There at 2:00 sharp 2 Days later I went to the race and I was shocked but Emily was running so fast that I won the first round that I was getting ready for round 2.

Chapter #4

It was round 2 so Emily ran as fast as she could but the crowd was wild so I ran to the finish line. That I won round 2 it was round 3 so I got on my Horse. But a man said you’re going down!

Chapter #5

But he was wrong so I ran even faster. Then I won! I won the race! I got the trophy my dad was happy my brothers are happy to. I went home and I put my trophy in my bedroom I went to bed it was morning I went to school. I told my friend that I won the race she was happy when I want to be a horse rider I will be. When I grow up I want to be just like my daddy .

The End

Danielle is an 8 year old girl. She is a third grade student. She wrote this book by herself on a snow day in February 2010. She enjoys art, gymnastics, and making her own stories, sometimes without words!

Check out www.karenelange.blogspot.com for a neat contest...

to celebrate my cyber-friend Karen Lange's first year of blogging--her blogaversary. This week you can win Cadbury chocolate and a book by Tamera Alexander plus she is running a different contest each week of this month. Karen always has neat articles and tips on her blog, so hurry on over.

Although Karen and I have never met in person, we both live in KY and both like to write and both love the Lord, so we were instant friends the first time she visited my blog! Visit her site (Write Now), and I bet you will feel the same way, plus you might even win a prize!

Mary DeMuth is a winner...Who will win a copy of Love is a Battlefield by Annalisa Daughety?

Mary has won a copy of The Pastor's Wife by Jennifer AlLee. And you could be the next winner! If you would like to win an autographed copy of Love is a Battlefield, by Annalisa Daughety, leave a comment on this blog anytime the month of March. The rules are that you must have a US mailing address and leave a way for me to contact you if you win. The only person not eligible is the previous month's winner, which in this case is Mary. So, read the review below, and I know you will want to sign up for this new author's delightful book! Or run out and buy a copy if you can't wait a month!

Annalisa, who used to work for the National Park Service, has come up with a unique idea for a series, published by Barbour, set in various National Parks. The series title is "A Walk in the Park." The first book is set in Shiloh National Military Park in Tennessee. I loved the multiple meanings of the title Love is a Battlefield. Several of the scenes take place at some of the many Civil War battlefields in Shiloh. Plus the main female character, Kristy O'Neal, starts out battling the new man who took her job, Ace Kennedy, then has to battle her heart to keep from trusting him. As the back cover asks, "Can she risk her heart on the battlefield of love one more time?"

You'll have to read the book to find out. And I hope you will check out her website at http://www.annalisadaughety.com/ I can't wait for the next book in this series to come out. Her site mentions the titles of those books plus a new book she wrote for Summerside Press entitled Love Finds you in Charm Ohio. It is already available at WalMart or your local Christian bookstore. This young author is off to a great start with a book that will make you laugh and cry and even learn some interesting facts! 5 Stars!

Note: This book was a gift from the author.