Day 2

I didn't get nearly as much done as I wanted to. I did read a few chapters of Silent Enemy. I'll admit now that the first chapter was slow and hard to get through, but now that I have gotten farther into it, I can't wait to read what happens next. I didn't really get any writing done, but I am not entirely sure that I will get anything done this weekend on the writing front. Truth be told, I haven't figured out where I want either story to head. I need to make some decisions before I move on in the writing. So, today was yet another unproductive day. But really, I am on vacation, right?

We've Seen Santa BookTrailer

Experimenting a little bit. I am checking how this link/video will show up on my blog. This is the homemade trailer that we created for We've Seen Santa. Still looking for feedback on how we did. Please, be nice. It is, after all, our first ever attempt at making any sort of YouTube video let alone a book trailer.

Day 1

I dropped my son off at camp this afternoon. He couldn't get rid of me fast enough. I had to threaten to stay the week if he didn't give me a hug. Ultimately, I won. I got my hug and an "I love you" before I left the campgrounds.

From there, I headed over here to my mother's house. I got a little turned around on my way here, but I found my way back to the familiar and safely arrived here. I had figured it would be a little late by the time I got here.

I won't be getting much done tonight. I did attempt to read, but I just couldn't get into it today. Perhaps, I will get a little reading done tonight once I crawl into bed. I won't be doing much in the way of writing tonight either.

Really, tonight's focus is on relaxation. I have my feet kicked up, my coffee cup beside me, and I am just watching TV and not doing much thinking or doing. Later, I will take a bubble bath and just unwind. Tomorrow can be spent on things such as reading (and reviewing) and writing. I have the next few days to myself.

Of course, there is always the possibility that I won't be able to sleep and then I will get more accomplished tonight than I originally expected. So, that about sums up day 1 of my "vacation." Pretty boring, but for now that is just the way I like it. :)

My weekend plans

This weekend, I will be house sitting (well more like dog sitting) for my mom while she goes on vacation. For me, this is a vacation of sorts. I will be dropping my son off at camp first. My husband and daughter will be staying home.

Due to this, I intend to devote my entire weekend to reading (Silent Enemy
and perhaps The Mistress's Revenge: A Novel) and writing a review. I also intend on getting some of my writing done. I currently have 2 stories started. One is an early reader chapter book. My daughter is sort of helping me with that one. The other one is a novel, but it has only just begun. I have my main character established, but she has yet to tell me where she wants to go. Perhaps this weekend she will sit down with me and tell me her story.

Beyond that, I intend to take this long weekend to relax. I really haven't spent much time just focusing on me over the years. My doctor actually demanded that I start spending some very valuable "me time" alone. It has been more than a year since she told me to do this. I guess it is about time that I actually do. The only other time I have taken time to just unwind, no demands, no one around, I rented a motel room for a night. That really was only a few hours of me time, cramped in a little motel room. While the scenery was lovely, it wasn't much. I am looking forward to having days alone.

I know, it is my mothers home, so how exotic of a vacation could it possibly be, right? But, when you figure that I haven't spent more than a night alone in more than 13 years. It is definitely far more extravagant than any vacation, and the best part is, it is free. I'm avoiding stress because it is not costing me money. I am also getting freedom from stress because I will be staying there alone. No one saying "Mommy can I" or "Mom I need" or any of the millions of demands laid upon a woman when she is married with children. If you are among us, then you know what I am talking about.

When did my life reach a point where going to babysit my mother's and sisters' dogs was a vacation? What happened to the carefree days when I was young? Now, don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade my children for anything. But sometimes a mother just needs a break. So this weekend, I will get my break. Yes, it will be a working break. But some days, it seems as if it is the only way I will get any real work done anyways.

Christmas in July Giveaway

Check out my guest post over on The Christmas Spirit. Leave a comment and your email address to be entered to win a copy of We've Seen Santa. Details follow the blog post.

I love reading reviews by the little ones

I was so excited to receive this review today. I love hearing straight from the kids what they think of the book. They are honest and have the most adorable way of wording their thoughts. So, thank you to Max (and his mom) for this wonderful review.

_______________________________________________________________________

A fun holiday book, July 19, 2011
By Reader Views “Reviews, by readers, for readers”
This review is from: We’ve Seen Santa (Paperback)
Reviewed by Max Aures (age 4.5) and Mom for Reader Views (7/11)

“We’ve Seen Santa” tells the story of a boy and a girl who sneak out of bed in hopes of seeing Santa.

Max:

“I try to stay awake for Santa all of the time but I never see him. I liked watching them see him. This book rhymes. I like that the book looked like it was colored with a crayon. They stayed in the lines pretty good. This is a good book to read at Christmas when Santa comes.”

Parent’s comments:

“We’ve Seen Santa” is a simple, fun book that would be perfect for the holiday season. What child hasn’t thought about sneaking out of his/her room and seeing Santa?

All Previous Posts...

The posts previous to this one have been reposts from my old blog. I just moved the reviews both of We've Seen Santa and the books I have reviewed thus far. I am not moving all of my posts from that blog, as that will take far too long, and some of those posts would be considered outdated anyways. From here on out, all posts will be fresh and new.

A Necessary Heir by L.A. Hilden was a fantastic read. I am partial to historic fiction. I love reading about the London elite falling in love. This story did not disappoint. The entire process of falling in love, marrying and all the trials and tribulations that go with it were laid out in full. The only thing this book left to me wanting is more. I wish that it could go on forever. However, that cannot be.

Unlike your typical historic romances where the handsome aristocrat seduces the young girl into his bed before they have even wed, this young couple follows the propriety of the time. I like that. It is true to the period in every sense. I like that.

L.A. Hilden writes in a way that makes you feel like you are there. You have a vested interest in this couple’s lives. When they hurt, so do you. Their joy is yours to share. My favorite line in the book is repeated numerous times. It is, “Stuff and Applesauce.” I can picture the matronly woman saying this. I can even picture my own grandmother using this line. It put a smile on my face each time I saw it.

This book will definitely please historical romance readers of all ages. Although there are a few sex scenes, they are not distasteful. The storyline is believable. It could honestly have happened to some or many. How many titled men would do anything for a male heir? I found myself angry for the characters and inspired by their strength as they worked through their own personal dramas.

I found it nearly impossible to put this book down. Each time I had to put it down, I dwelled on what would happen next. I wondered where the story line would lead. I pondered what I would do if I were in the characters shoes. I considered what I would do if it were my own story.

L.A. Hilden did an astonishing job with A Necessary Heir. I have never read another historical romance like hers. It is original and enjoyable. I look forward to reading many more of her books.

~Tiffany A. Higgins, children’s author

The Last Day of Kindergarten

The story made me feel excited to start kindergarten. It tells me that I will make new friends. It sounds like kindergarten will be fun. I’ll get to paint and I’ll clean up my messes. I’ll get to play.

I liked The Last Day of Kindergarten because it’s such a good book. My favorite part was when they were peeking in to see the crowd. I really liked their hats. It made me happy that their mom and dad was there, too.

I think other kids will like this book, too. They should read it and keep it forever. They should even keep it for their kids.

~Alexandra, 5 years old, almost a kindergartner~

I chose The Last Day of Kindergarten by Nancy Loewen in the hopes that it would help to ease some of my daughter’s worries about kindergarten, even though the story itself is clearly about the end of kindergarten. I was not disappointed. The story covers many aspects of kindergarten, from the first day all the way until the last.

The intended message of helping a child just finishing kindergarten to be happily and comfortably prepared to transition into the first grade was well done. I am positive that many kindergartners are worried about what will happen when they come back for first grade in the fall. This book is a great way to help ease those fears.

The story line flows nicely. It starts off a little sad and as the story progresses you can feel the excitement building. “I did it! First grade here I come!” This is probably exactly the flow of emotions a kindergartner feels on the last day.

The illustrations are very bright and eye catching. There is a softness to the illustrations that keeps them well-blended to the page. Even the illustrations build with excitement. Sachiko Yoshikawa did a beautiful job with these illustrations.

Nancy Loewen did an excellent job with this book, and I recommend it to all mothers of kindergarten aged children.

~Tiffany A. Higgins, children’s author~

Another Awesome Review

Wanting a nice story for the children about Christmas and Santa ?

Review: We’ve Seen Santa – Tiffany A; Higgins – April 2011

It’s Christmas time and what’s the best thing about Christmas besides Jesus being born, it’s the one time of the year where you get lots and lots of presents , yummy food and get to spend time with your family. When you are little Santa is a huge deal , as we hang up our Christmas stockings , write Christmas Letters to Santa letting him know what we want and then making sure all year round we are good little kids so that we don’t end up on Santa’s bad list and get a lump of coal for Christmas , which is actually wanted my cousin ended up getting one year as a punishment from his parents. In We’ve seen Santa it tells the short story of two children sneaking down on Christmas eve and watching Santa come down the chimney and eating his cookies and milk and of course , the favourite part of Christmas for children – leaving them presents.

We’ve seen Santa is a nice simple straight-forward story to share with babies and toddlers about the viewing of Santa Claus.

A great read that I guarantee everyone should give a go.

~Paula Phillips




http://thephantomparagrapher.blogspot.com/2011/06/review-weve-seen-santa-tiffany-higgins.html

Another Review

Jun 03, 11

As this story was a children’s picture book, the review will be handled slightly different from my others. First, there are really only a few things to rate: illustrations and storyline. As I was going through the book, I found there was indeed one more category, child reaction. Although I have my own feelings about the book, they are meaningless for a children’s market book without taking into account how a child would actually react. So my child test was conducted with the help of my young son.

The book We’ve Seen Santa by Tiffany Higgins (Author) and Clark Higgins (Illustrator) is cute in many ways but lacks certain elements that keep it from being a great book. The story is about two children who wake on Christmas Eve only to find Santa in their house.

Initially, the drawings were just a little too crude to fully engage me. However, after reading through, I found there was some real whimsy with the character design. Although their faces were primitive in many ways, the illustrator added a flare that made them work. I think the art might have been benefited from the use of water colors instead of color pencil. This may have buffered some of the other issues.

The writing is very basic in the story, not wholly unexpected in a book for younger readers. It was basically a cute poem in a sing-song style. I did find a time or two that the words used didn’t quite fit the established cadence, but they weren’t necessarily wrong.

Overall: 3 Stars
In the end, I found it to be a decent read. It is something I would buy and be happy to bring out once a year at Christmas. I would also be on the look out for more books by the Higginses.

Caveat: 3.5 Stars
Despite my feelings, my three year-old son loved the story. He wasn’t as gaga over it as some of the other books I read to him, but he did love certain parts. Santa was well drawn and seemed to really speak to him, along with a few pages where the kids are being silly (a particular favorite being where the kids are peering around the wall sideways). Because of his love for the book, I have added an additional strong half star.

Happy Reading!
My indie, my tea and me
~Bethany




http://www.lastdraftediting.com/reviews/?p=46

Delightful Trip into the Minds of Children

5.0 out of 5 stars

The Three Sibling Adventure: What We Want To Be is a delightful children’s book. It is packed full of adventure. It takes you inside the imaginative play of children. As a grown-up, I found myself longing for those innocent days of living inside my imagination. Where you could imagine yourself all the way into a new reality and never leave the house. My daughter also found this book enjoyable and has begged to hear it over and over again. Erika Talbot did an excellent job with this story and I hope to read a lot more about the Three Sibling’s Adventures.

Our First Review

5.0 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable Kids Book!

We’ve Seen Santa, by Tiffany A. Higgins, was a very enjoyable read. It explores every kid’s fantasy-to hear a noise, check it out, and find Santa leaving presents under the tree. The rhyming flows nicely and has that certain bounce to it. I loved the pictures, especially the reactions on the brother and sister’s faces. This book is a great Christmas story and should be a top choice for all parents. I look forward to more work from Mrs. Higgins.

-Erika Talbot, author of The Three Sibling Adventures: What We Want To Be.

This is just a holding place...

For now, there is no actual blog to read. Tomorrow, I will start moving posts from my old blog to this blog. And then, I will start posting new posts. Please bear with me during this transitional period. Thank you.