Blog
As a homeschooling veteran, I review middle-grade stories to help parents, librarians, and teachers choose good books.
Look for author news here too!
An Award for The Dog Snatcher!
My chapter book The Dog Snatcher has been named a winner of a Purple Dragonfly Award from Story Monsters Magazine. I am thrilled to receive this honor! It's also been named a finalist for the prestigious Selah Award for Christian Fiction, middle grade. The Dog...
I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys, a review
I recently found myself reading I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys. It’s a young adult historical novel about life in communist Romania as well as the revolution that upended it.
Award finalist, young fans, and a Lorehaven review for The Dog Snatcher!
I have three brags to report for The Dog Snatcher, Book 1 of my chapter book series for ages 8-11. Drum roll please! The Dog Snatcher was named a finalist for this year's Selah Award for Christian Fiction, Middle Grade. This is a prestigious award given by the Blue...
Guardians of Time! Author news, April edition
The second book of my Guardians of Time series is off to the illustrator and coming soon! I am so excited! Its current name: Secret of the Lost Dragons. Each book of this series for ages 8-11 concerns an interesting place somewhere on earth. So our readers will be...
The Dog Snatcher: Selah Awards finalist!
Selah Awards! EEP! I'm so excited! My chapter book The Dog Snatcher has been named a finalist in the Selah Awards for middle grade novels. These prestigious awards will be given June 1 by the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. I am thrilled to have my...
Woodencloak, by Dawn Ford, a review
It’s a page turner, all right, as Horra barely escapes her castle during a coup. Together with her pet eagle, Horra flees into the wilderness and finds herself facing giants and all manner of other opponents. How can she find the help she needs?
The Star That Always Stays by Anna Rose Johnson, a review
The Star That Always Stays by Anna Rose Johnson tells the tale of a young girl, Norvia, who grapples with changes. She moves from island life to town life in 1914 Michigan. Not the least of her issues is her mother’s request that she conceal the fact that she is half Native American.
My New Short Story!
I have a new short story in this 99-cent anthology from St. Louis Writers Guild. It's a tale about my 11-year-old time-travelers, Jake and Ava, who are from St. Louis. The story is called The Spine Flower. Why? Find out!...
A 5-minute Author Interview
Susan K. Marlow, author, interviewed me for a series of three short videos planned for homeschool use. It's an author visit in the form of a video. Five minutes! Perhaps you'd like to see this first interview with me. In it I discuss my two published books,...
A Fractured Tale by Phyllis Wheeler and Kandi J. Wyatt
Another writer, K.A. Cummins, suggested we create a fractured tale for our main characters from our very-different family-friendly stories. She gave us the ground rules: a Victorian market, the dragon is transformed into a human for this encounter, and some plot...
Family-friendly giveaway: nine paperbacks, two ebooks, two special toys
Contragulations, Katrina S.! We know your family will enjoy these books!
Annette: A Big, Hairy Mom, by John S. McFarland
Annette, a Big, Hairy Mom, is a romping read, good for a family read aloud. A funny would-be villain, a small boy, and a wily Bigfoot creature all come together in a woodsy area of northern California.