Blitz: Bloomers on Pikes Peak (The Story of Julia Archibald Holmes) by Clarissa Willis, illustrated by Armand Hayes, with a giveaway

Bloomers on Pikes Peak

by Clarissa Willis

Children's Historical

Date Published: 10-21-2024

Publisher: Solander Press

The mountain stood tall, daring anyone to conquer its peak.

Julia Archibald Holmes was not one to back down from a challenge, especially when it meant fighting for justice. Her journey to the top of Pikes Peak was just the beginning of her many adventures. In the mid-1800s, amidst the rugged terrain of the Rocky Mountains, Julia Archibald Holmes set out to make a name for herself. Her life was a series of daring escapades, all in the name of justice. Her involvement in the Underground Railroad, a perilous journey fraught with risk, was a testament to her unwavering commitment. Her later advocacy for Women’s voting rights was a continuation of this fearless spirit.

However, as Julia's diary reveals, her journey was not without its challenges. From facing dangerous obstacles to overcoming personal setbacks, her unwavering commitment to justice would be tested. Julia’s story provides a powerful message of determination, courage, and resilience that will leave a lasting impact on readers.

 

Bloomers on Pikes Peak won a Will Rogers Medallion Award and was the finalist for the Women Writing the West Willa Award.

  

About the Author

Clarissa Willis is an award-winning author, consultant, and professional developmental specialist. She provides workshops, keynote addresses, and customized professional development both nationally and internationally. She writes early childhood curricula, teacher resource books, and books for children.

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Teaser: Just Call Me Pardner by Sherry Roberts with an excerpt and a giveaway, illustrated by Kashif Qasim

Just Call Me Pardner

by Sherry Roberts

Children's Book

Date Published: 08-16-2025

Publisher: Solander Press

A.J. had always dreamed of being a cowboy on his family's Oklahoma farm. Without a horse, he felt like something was missing. How could he care for the animals and help with the farm work without a trusty steed?

One afternoon, A.J. returned home from school to find a surprise waiting for him in the barn - a beautiful little horse named Lady Star. She was now his to ride and care for. From that day on, A.J. spent all his free time learning how to ride Lady Star and caring for her. He dreamed of being skilled enough to ride alongside his grandfather, father, and Jon, the farm hand, during the cattle roundups.

Award-winning author Sherry Roberts weaves a heartfelt story about growing up in the 1930s and 1940s. Based on the tales passed down by her father, Just Call Me Pardner is a must-read for history lovers and those who enjoy stories of the American West. 

Excerpt

“Hey, Grandpa. I got the stall cleaned out. Is it time?”

“Follow me.” Grandpa says as he goes to the corral. There stands Lady Star with Jon. Already saddled up and ready for a ride.

“You have to listen to everything Jon tells you.”

“Yes, sir,” I tell Grandpa as I climb up the corral railing. “Hi, Jon.”

“Hi, pardner. Are you ready to ride?” Jon is smiling as big as me.

Leaning over the rail, I pat Lady Star on the neck. Lady Star is brown with white marks all over. Right above her eyes there’s a white mark like a star. The mark must be how she got her name.

“Okay. Lady Star is a really gentle horse and will give you a good ride. Be nice to her, and she’ll be nice to you, too.” Dad comes to stand beside me at the corral rails.

“I wish I had a new cowboy hat. My old one barely fits.”

“Well, you’ll have to wear the old one for now when you ride your horse. You decide.” Dad says as he leans over the railing.

I push my old hat tight on my head. Grandpa grins and gives Dad that look. You know the one. When an adult thinks they’re right and you have to agree.

I head to where Jon holds Lady Star close to the fence. He tells me how to mount Lady Star from the fence. Jon told me we’d work on how to get on her from the ground another day. Then I’ll be like a real cowboy. “Cowboys learn this way all the time. Especially when they’re young.” Jon gives my knee a tap.

 

About the Author

Sherry Roberts is an award-winning children’s book author. She holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Louisville. She has written multiple award-winning fiction picture books such as ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas…A First for Gus, Hello, Can I Bug You?, Gabriel and the Special Memorial Day, What’s Wrong with Barnaby, and The Best Reading Buddy. She also has written two non-fiction award-winning picture books, Sonnet, Sonnet, What’s in Your Bonnet? and A Visit Through the Wetlands. These two were illustrated with her photography. Sherry’s newest picture book, Amica Helps Zoe, was featured in Kirkus e-newsletter June 2025 as Indie Pick and received a Get It: Recommend review.

As a former middle school teacher, Dr. Roberts decided to write her first middle-grade novel (ages 8-13). Her debut novel, The Galaxy According to CeCe, is the first book in a three-book series. It was officially released on February 24, 2024. Book two, The Galaxy According to Cece: The Mysterious Dr. Pruitt, was released August 2024. Book three, The Galaxy According to Cece: The Stars Align, released February 2025.

Sherry’s next venture is a chapter book series (ages 6-8). The first book, Just Call Me Pardner, was released August 1, 2025. The series is about a young boy in the 1930s on a small farm in Northeastern Oklahoma and is inspired by stories of her father’s childhood in the 1930s. Book 2, Just Look at Those Boots, launches in early 2026, with Book 3, Just Don’t Give a Girl a Frog, launching in November 2026.

Dr. Roberts has also written many articles that appear in various academic journals, along with three textbooks. Personal Financial Literacy is in its fourth edition (Pearson). She is an associate professor of Marketing in Jones College of Business at Middle Tennessee State University.

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Blitz: Just Call Me Pardner by Sherry Roberts, illustrated by Kashif Qasim, with a giveaway

Just Call Me Pardner

by Sherry Roberts

Children's Book

Date Published: 08-16-2025

Publisher: Solander Press

A.J. had always dreamed of being a cowboy on his family's Oklahoma farm. Without a horse, he felt like something was missing. How could he care for the animals and help with the farm work without a trusty steed?

One afternoon, A.J. returned home from school to find a surprise waiting for him in the barn - a beautiful little horse named Lady Star. She was now his to ride and care for. From that day on, A.J. spent all his free time learning how to ride Lady Star and caring for her. He dreamed of being skilled enough to ride alongside his grandfather, father, and Jon, the farm hand, during the cattle roundups.

Award-winning author Sherry Roberts weaves a heartfelt story about growing up in the 1930s and 1940s. Based on the tales passed down by her father, Just Call Me Pardner is a must-read for history lovers and those who enjoy stories of the American West.

 

About the Author

Sherry Roberts is an award-winning children’s book author. She holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Louisville. She has written multiple award-winning fiction picture books such as ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas…A First for Gus, Hello, Can I Bug You?, Gabriel and the Special Memorial Day, What’s Wrong with Barnaby, and The Best Reading Buddy. She also has written two non-fiction award-winning picture books, Sonnet, Sonnet, What’s in Your Bonnet? and A Visit Through the Wetlands. These two were illustrated with her photography. Sherry’s newest picture book, Amica Helps Zoe, was featured in Kirkus e-newsletter June 2025 as Indie Pick and received a Get It: Recommend review.

As a former middle school teacher, Dr. Roberts decided to write her first middle-grade novel (ages 8-13). Her debut novel, The Galaxy According to CeCe, is the first book in a three-book series. It was officially released on February 24, 2024. Book two, The Galaxy According to Cece: The Mysterious Dr. Pruitt, was released August 2024. Book three, The Galaxy According to Cece: The Stars Align, released February 2025.

Sherry’s next venture is a chapter book series (ages 6-8). The first book, Just Call Me Pardner, was released August 1, 2025. The series is about a young boy in the 1930s on a small farm in Northeastern Oklahoma and is inspired by stories of her father’s childhood in the 1930s. Book 2, Just Look at Those Boots, launches in early 2026, with Book 3, Just Don’t Give a Girl a Frog, launching in November 2026.

Dr. Roberts has also written many articles that appear in various academic journals, along with three textbooks. Personal Financial Literacy is in its fourth edition (Pearson). She is an associate professor of Marketing in Jones College of Business at Middle Tennessee State University.

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Blitz: Field of Memories (A Tapestry of Heartwarming Short Stories) by D.L. Norris

Field of Memories

A Tapestry of Heartwarming Short Stories

by D.L. Norris 

Autobiographical Short Stories, Historical Non-Fiction

Date Published: December 2, 2025

Field of Memories is a deeply evocative collection of autobiographical short stories and vignettes, chronicling the author's journey from childhood through adulthood. The book is artfully structured as a tapestry of memories, with each narrative thread representing a formative experience, a cherished relationship, or a poignant lesson learned along the way. Through this structure, the author, D. L. Norris, invites readers to traverse the landscape of her life, exploring the moments that have shaped her identity and worldview.

Norris's writing is imbued with a profound sense of nostalgia, celebrating the warmth and comfort of family bonds, the innocence and wonder of youth, and the resilience that emerges from overcoming loss. The stories span several decades, beginning with the author's earliest years and progressing through significant coming-of-age moments, family traditions, and historical events that have left an indelible mark on her life. Central to the narrative is the enduring influence of the author's mother, whose presence and guidance serve as a touchstone throughout the collection. The joys and sorrows of growing up are explored with sensitivity and insight, highlighting the universal experiences that connect us all.

A key theme in "Field of Memories" is the importance of preserving family stories for future generations. Norris emphasizes how these stories serve as a bridge between the past and the present, allowing us to honor our heritage and pass on valuable lessons to those who come after us. The narrative is enriched by vivid character sketches, introducing readers to a cast of neighbors, teachers, friends, and relatives who each contribute to the rich tapestry of the author's life. These characters are portrayed with warmth and authenticity, reflecting the complexities and nuances of real human relationships.

Throughout the book, Norris reflects on universal experiences such as childhood innocence, friendship, grief, forgiveness, and the bittersweet passage of time. Her stories are interwoven with poems and reflections, offering readers moments of both laughter and tears. The inclusion of poetry adds a lyrical quality to the narrative, deepening the emotional resonance and inviting readers to pause and contemplate the themes presented.

Ultimately, Field of Memories is a celebration of legacy, love, and the power of storytelling to connect generations. Norris's writing encourages readers to reflect on their own lives, to cherish the memories that have shaped them, and to recognize the enduring value of sharing stories with others. The collection serves as a reminder that our experiences, both joyful and sorrowful, contribute to the fabric of who we are, and that by honoring these memories, we can find meaning, healing, and connection.

About the Author

 

 D. L. Norris is a distinguished author and motivational speaker, widely recognized for her insightful contributions to literature and personal development. With a prolific career spanning several decades, Norris has explored themes of health, emotional wellness, family dynamics, and cultural history, earning her a devoted readership. Her acclaimed novels, “The Long Way Home,” “Where the Heart Is,” and “Old Books and Faded Dreams: Collector’s Edition”—are celebrated for their vibrant, humorous stories and authentic portrayal of real-life events and mindsets inspired by her beloved Scandinavian heritage.

Norris’s writing is characterized by its warmth, wit, and ability to capture the complexities of human relationships, drawing from her own experiences and family traditions. Through her work, she invites readers to reflect on the importance of resilience, hope, and unconditional love, weaving together narratives that resonate across generations.

She and her husband, Quincy, reside in the picturesque city of Hartford, Connecticut, where they continue to inspire others through their commitment to storytelling and community engagement.

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Teaser: Carrie Ingalls - The Forgotten Sister by Clarissa Willis, illustrated by Kashif Qasim, with an excerpt and a giveaway

Carrie Ingalls - the Forgotten Sister

Non-fiction Chapter Book Juvenile Fiction

Date Published: 10-30-2025

Publisher: Solander Press

While her sister Laura chronicles their life on the frontier, Carrie Ingalls forges her own path. This is the story of the “forgotten” sister, a frail child who grows into a resilient woman of the American West. From the hardships of pioneer life, Carrie emerges as an independent journalist, newspaper editor, and landowner, quietly shaping the futures of fellow homesteaders and proving that strength comes in many forms.

Excerpt

 Chapter Six A Single Bag of Wheat

On October 15, 1880, a fierce blizzard struck the Dakota Territory. It soon became clear that the Ingalls family could not survive the coming winter in a one-room shanty.

First, Charles took his haystacks to town in the wagon. Then he returned to the shanty, and he and Caroline packed the wagon with their few pieces of furniture, bedding, and clothes. They returned to town and moved back into the rooms above the small store Charles had built. The good news was that Laura and Carrie could go to school.

A lot had changed over the summer while they lived in the shanty. The school had been completed and opened on November 1, 1880. Laura and Carrie were two of the first fifteen students to attend De Smet School. When another blizzard hit during a school day, Laura and Carrie struggled to find their way back to where they lived.

Settlers depended on the train for their supplies. Not only did they get food delivered daily by train, but they also received mail and, most importantly, coal for fuel. Charles and the other men from town often shoveled snow from the tracks so the train could reach the station.

As the blizzards continued into January 1881, the railroad made a decision that significantly affected Carrie and her family. They would not deliver more supplies until spring and would cease operations for the winter.

The school was shut down because there wasn’t enough coal to keep the children warm, and soon food became scarce in the town. Food prices rose sharply, with flour costing $50 a pound, and the last few pounds of sugar selling for $1 a pound. Without coal, the Ingalls burned hay twisted into bundles. As their kerosene ran low, they burned the oil lamps less and less at night. But a good deed by Charles may have saved the family.

About the Author

 

 Award-winning author Clarissa Willis writes children's books. She has authored four picture books and one chapter book. Bloomers on Pike’s Peak, the story of Julia Archibald Holmes, received a Will Rogers Medallion Award and was a finalist for the Women Writing the West 2025 WILLA Literary Award in Children's Picture Books. Her book Fast as the Wind: The Story of Johnny Fry Pony Express Rider won a Will Rogers Medallion in 2023. The Three Little Pigs and the Not So Big Bad Wolf, released in early 2025. It tells a familiar story with a new twist. She believes childhood is a journey and strives to make it joyful through her books and public speaking.

Clarissa loves traveling and has a special connection to the American West. She finds inspiration in the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona, and the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. In fact, her next book, Not from Around Here, is set in Sedona and chronicles an unusual friendship between a young cowboy and his friend from far away.

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Book Tour: The Cats' Museum by Viviana Falleti with my review

Children's Books / Cats

 

 

The Cats' Museum - Mom’s Choice Awards® Recipient!

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF CATS WORKING AT A MUSEUM ???

Catherine the Great, in 1766, recruited stray cats to protect her beloved Hermitage Museum from rodents. Generations later, to this day, cats are still working there, protecting the artwork and doing their zany mischief…tune in for a splash of fun!

Award-winning author Viviana Falleti has a new book out The Cats’ Museum. This spunky, historically-based book contains illustrations from the world-famous artist, Victoria Fomina. Victoria has just recently won an international award for the illustrations in this book. Publishers Weekly / Booklife and Kirkus have given The Cats’ Museum great reviews, and it has received the Mom’s Choice Award.

Just for your info, this is a high-quality, hardcover, oversized book (11” x 10.5”). This larger size makes the exquisitely-detailed illustrations even more beautiful.

Little Feather Press is becoming the go-to place for the parent who is “hungry for wholesome.” Happy reading!

My Review - 5 of 5 stars -

A wonderful book. A mix of history and fiction as the cats in the Hermitage Museum were explained but included the fun side of the cats at night. I would recommend this book as a bedtime story or just to entertain the children during the day. The beautiful illustrations by Victoria Fomina really enhanced the story, bringing color and action to the eye.

About the Author

Viviana Maria Falleti is a woman of faith, an insightful children’s storyteller, a lover of all things cats, and an aficionado of splendidly-illustrated books. She aims to produce only the highest quality books, containing wholesome and engaging stories every child is sure to love. The talented world-famous artists she employs bring her wondrous books to life even more.

Viviana created Little Feather Press for the parent who is ‘hungry for wholesome’. Every book ordered from Little Feather Press can be presented to a child with the assurance that the child’s innocence and the beauty of childhood are respected. The stories entertain in the magical world of a child’s mind, without any corrupting influences.

In her childhood in Germany, Viviana would never tire of listening to storybooks that her mother lovingly read to her. She draws inspiration from those memories.

Viviana was born in Germany but has lived most of her adult life in America. She has a lovely daughter Ashley and son-in-law Brent, two wonderful nieces Maria and Maria Luisa, and a suave Italian husband Gino. Her current residence is in Southwest Florida.

 

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Audiobook Tour: The Human Trial by Audrey Gale with my review

 

The Human Trial

by Audrey Gale

Medical Thriller / Historical Mystery

Date Published: Sept. 21, 2023

Publisher: Books Fluent

Narrator: Scott Graff

Run Time: 9 hours, 8 minutes

 

Dr. Randall Archer is a misfit....

....in the brutal blue-collar home where he grew up.

....as a 16-year-old escaping to college, then medical school, on a full scholarship to Harvard.

....in the highest echelons of Boston society, where the woman he marries and the blueblood research partner with whom he shares his laboratory belong.

Even Archer’s brilliance as a pathologist catapults him into direct and dangerous conflict with the medical establishment he fought so hard to join.

As the Great Depression presses down around him, Archer teeters at the edge of a precipice. He must choose between his hard-won career and the sacred oaths he took as a doctor and scientist—before all his choices are lost forever.

My Review - 4 of 5 stars - 

Not my usual genre, but I did enjoy this story. A medical thriller/mystery that began in the 1920's. It was interesting how the events of that time period affected the story. Randall had a rough upbringing, but he was incredibly intelligent, determined, almost single minded at times, and moved upwards quickly. Over a decade, he graduated high school and college early, fell in love, met influentially people, succeeded during the Depression, discovered a medical miracle, and lost everything when he decided to do the right thing. I was not quite prepared for the ending, but it was one of the many possible outcomes.

The narration by Scott Graff was intriguing and well done. His different voices for each of the main players in this thriller enhanced the story.

About the Author

Audrey Gale long dreamed of being a writer, but never anticipated the circuitous road she’d take to get there. After twenty-plus years in the banking industry, she grew tired of corporate gamesmanship and pursued her master’s in fiction writing at the University of Southern California. Her first novel, a legal thriller entitled The Sausage Maker's Daughters, was published under the name A.G.S. Johnson. Her second, The Human Trial, is the first book in a medical thriller trilogy inspired by Gale’s own experiences with the gap between traditional medicine and approaches based on the findings of the great physicists of the 20th Century. Both The Sausage Maker’s Daughters and The Human Trial incorporate Gale’s fascination with historical and scientific research, and always with women finding their places. Gale lives in Los Angeles with her husband and dogs where she is found hiking the Santa Monica Mountains every chance she gets.

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Blitz: The Widow Queen and Her Lover by Alan Gold with an excerpt and a giveaway

The Widow Queen and her Lover

by Alan Gold

Release date: September 1st, 2023

Genres: Adult, Historical

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195023451-the-widow-queen-and-her-lover

Blurb:

No longer one of the spoils of war, Catherine, Queen of England and France, resolves to fight for her new life – on her own terms.

Catherine of Valois, daughter of the defeated king of France, looks down from the battlements as her future rides to greet her.

As one of the spoils of war, she is to be married to her father’s enemy, Henry V of England. She is prepared to do her duty – what could be worse than continuing to live with her ailing father and cold mother – but she wasn’t prepared to fall in love.

Henry is everything that she wanted in a husband, and a king. In him she finds a devoted lover and inspiring ruler. When he dies, shortly after she has delivered his heir, her future and that of her son is in doubt. Not only must she protect her baby, the young Henry VI, she must protect his legacy from the grasping and scheming of his uncle and protector.

When Owen Tudor — Welshman, commoner, troublesomely attractive — stumbles into her lap, she sees her future. A man who will not lead armies, nor rule kingdoms. Instead, one who will devote himself to protecting what is hers. But he must sacrifice everything he has in order to marry her, and even that may not be enough to keep them all safe.

Excerpt:

Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, Gaspar saw movement. It was a woman coming up the steps from the rooms below in the castle. She’d heard the singing and wanted to see who was chanting. Monks? Townsfolk? Jongleurs? She didn’t look scared, and Gaspar recognised her immediately. It was the young and beautiful Catherine of Valois, only eighteen and the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen. Tall, majestic, regal, yet happy in her life, friendly, open, and warm … the very opposite of the mad father and especially the cold cow of a mother. God knows how she could be so happy and cheerful when she had a mother like that woman down below, that Bavarian bitch and a lunatic for a father.

GIVEAWAY

Blitz-wide giveaway (INT) ends August 10

• $25 Amazon gift card

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d04251235510/

AUTHOR BIO:

Alan Gold began his career as a journalist, working in the UK, Europe, and Israel. In 1970, he emigrated to Australia with his wife, Eva, and now lives in St. Ives, Sydney, where he divides his time between writing novels and running his award-winning marketing consultancy.