The January 2019 Newsletter Highlights are here!

One of my 2019 ideas for the website & email list is to publish some highlights from the month. This post gives you a way to search for the books, recipes, crafts, and more you read about the past month. Plus, it shows blog followers some of what they are missing by not subscribing to the email list. Not everything from the newsletter will be listed here, only some of the most popular. After all, it is the January 2019 Newsletter Highlights post.

There may be affiliate links in each post on the blog. If you click a link and make a qualified purchase, I may earn a small referral fee, which is at no additional cost to you.

What to Read – January 2019 Newsletter Highlights

My reading list is growing so fast. Here are the January 2019 newsletter highlights of books I found that you might like.

Fiction

Multicultural Fantasy, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult Romance

Kingdom Cold by Brittni Chanelle
Attempted murder, that’s how sixteen-year-old Princess Charlotte’s engagement starts. It seems like the only thing she has in common with Prince Young of Vires is their mutual discontent.

Kingdom Cold is an addictive read. The story pulled me in more every chapter I read. The characters are well written. I had a love/hate relationship with more than one. I knew Kingdom Cold was multicultural with characters of different ethnic backgrounds. However, this aspect flows throughout the story so that it isn’t a noticeable issue. I love this! It’s how the world SHOULD be! The plot twists and the unexpected ending left me hoping there will soon be a follow-up book.

Book one of a three book series

The Innocents Book 1 by C.A. Asbrey
Abigail MacKay, female Pinkerton detective, is out to arrest the infamous Innocents, train robbers in the Wild West of 1868.

Little does she know what fate has in store for her. Enter Nat & Jake, the very law-breakers she is after. Through twists & turns, murder & mystery, the trio must overcome their suspicions and work together. The book has comedy, drama, and a little sexual tension, but most of all a storyline that keeps you turning page after page. I love that so many suspicious characters keep us guessing until the very end. Abi to the rescue as she ties the mystery all together with a neat bow.

A double delight from Carol & Tom Phipps!

Wham! Timewalker Book 1 by Carol & Tom Phipps
Then… Timewalker Book 2 by Carol & Tom Phipps
A two book dystopian fantasy series from a husband & wife writing team is a mesmerizing book about a world in turmoil and danger. Can decency & love prevail? Could this be a foreshadowing of our current turbulent times? A 5-star must read.

This book will make you think about Heaven & Hell in a new light.

In the Shadow of the House of God by Jeffrey G. Roberts
The ultimate battle between God & Satan with the fate of all humankind at stake. How could you go wrong with this storyline?

I enjoyed this book, even more than I expected to. Perhaps I am just as guilty as the characters of preconceived notions concerning religion. I found the story entertaining, suspenseful, riveting, and extremely thought-provoking.

Please give this one a read. It’s a unique concept. Put one person of every religion known into a magical space. Satan bets they will kill each other over their religious bias while God bets on the inherent good in the heart of all his children. Who will win this chess match? You have to read to find the answer.

Peek behind the curtain at the elite patrons of a Hollywood restaurant.

Waiter to the Rich & Shameless by Paul Hartford – A down-and-out musician chops off his hair to become a server at the top of the Hollywood food chain, discovering a cloistered world of money, fame, bad behavior, and intrigue.
Waiter to the Rich and Shameless is not just a peek into the secretive inner workings of a legendary 5-star restaurant; it is not just a celebrity tell-all or a scathing corporate analysis. It is a top-tier waiter’s personal coming-of-age story, an intimate look into the complicated challenges of serving in the country’s most elite, Hollywood-centric dining room while fighting to maintain a sense of self and purpose.

WINNER: Pinnacle Book Achievement Award – Summer 2018 – Best Adventure

The Colonel and the Bee by Patrick Canning

A peculiar explorer and downtrodden acrobat span the globe on a building-sized hot air balloon, in search of a precious artifact and the murderous treasure hunter who seeks it.

The Colonel & the Bee has been favorably compared to many wonderful classic books like Around the World in 80 Days, The Wizard of Oz, Sherlock Holmes. I can certainly see aspects of each in this book. That’s not bad company to keep, Patrick Canning.

The only thing young acrobat Beatrix longs for is freedom from an abusive ringmaster and her captive life in the circus. Once she makes her escape with the help of Colonel James Bacchus, she embarks on the adventure of her life. She finds her freedom while soaring to exotic locals high above the clouds in The Ox, a four-story hot air balloon. The Colonel and the Bee find adventures, dangers, excitement, and so much more on their treasure hunt. Most importantly, they learn to trust.

The Colonel and the Bee is a fantastic steampunk type story. The language is exquisite and paints a glorious picture while you are reading. I feel like I watched a fabulous movie instead of reading a book. I wonder if the Colonel and Beatrix will soon soar off searching for new adventures?

Short Stories on the January 2019 Newsletter Highlights List

Essays from Raymond’s youth to his more elderly years.

And Another Thing, just saying… by E. Raymond Tatten – In his first collection AND ANOTHER THING just saying…, E. Raymond Tatten offers thirty-five essays – stories and musings with topics as diverse as the childhood death of his pony, high school days, parenthood and now his new “senior discount” – even “Two Bad Things” and “Finding Trouble.” Most of the essays are short bursts in response to writing group prompts, while others concern current events, reactions or have bubbled up memories.
Several pieces have appeared in other publications, including Sterling Meetinghouse News, The Landmark, The Bolton Independent, The Harvard Press, MUSED Literary Journal, and Adelaide Literary Magazine.

Flash Fiction at its finest!

100 Tiny Tales: Short Stories Told in Exactly 100 Words by K. Kris Loomis
Many people love fiction but don’t have the time to take up a weighty novel. Why not try some micro-fiction short stories instead?

What a fun concept, 100 tiny tales of precisely 100 words! No more, no less. That is so much harder than it sounds, but the author carries it off in her concise but descriptive style. She is an artist painting with words.
It would be hard to pick my favorite story, but if I had to narrow it down to one, I choose “She Would Miss This One.” It tugged on my heartstrings.
Each tiny story packs a lot of punch into just a few paragraphs. Some are funny, some slightly morbid, several a little scary, but all of them make you think. At the end of the day, what more can you ask from a good book?

Kudos to the author. You rocked this one!

Non-fiction on the January 2019 Newsletter Highlights list

Magnolia Table: A Collection of Recipes for Gathering by Joanna Gaines
Magnolia Table includes 125 classic recipes—from breakfast, lunch, and dinner to small plates, snacks, and desserts—presenting a modern selection of American classics and personal family favorites.

Do you want to better your reading skills?

Read to Succeed by Stan Skrabut
In “Read to Succeed” learn that there are countless benefits to reading including idea generation, longevity, and increased mental functions among many others.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book, but since I have been an avid reader my entire life, it seemed worth a read.
I am so impressed by the research and hard work the author has put into the book. You can tell it was a labor of love. Only a person truly in love with the written word could have tackled this project so efficiently.
There are so many essential points listed that it would be easy to lose track of them. I appreciated the “wrap up” at the end of each chapter; it helped me lock the critical points into my brain and gave me a chance to make sure my notes captured the highlights.

If you are looking to better your reading skills, learn to get the most from what you read, or even to build your library, this is an excellent resource to guide you,

A holistic look at alternative treatment.

Wave Goodbye to Type 2 Diabetes by Dr. Nicki Steinbergen
Is diabetes or wild blood sugar swings holding you captive? Discover how to break free from being sick, tired, and symptomatic.

Finally! Someone to recognize and speak out for the massive number of people fighting Type 2 diabetes. The book provides a refreshing look at the many holistic options you have. No more blindly following when traditional health providers push pills & shots. You have the right to accept or reject their recommendations. Only you know what the right path for you is.
Dr. Steinberger explains her 16 Holistic Lifestyle Practices in language that is understandable to the average reader. She speaks realistically about the pitfalls, falling off the wagon, how to climb back on, and how to take control of your health. The book contains many resources to back up her work and to help you gain even more insight into this condition.

If you have Type 2 diabetes or a loved does, this is an excellent guide to begin the road to recovery.

Children’s Books on the January 2019 Newsletter Highlights list

A Home for Sally by Stenetta Anthony

Sally has a longing to be adopted that began when she was placed in a kennel permanently. A Home for Sally shares the story of a young poodle who considers she is unlovable and unadoptable because of her disability. Sally believed that her dream of once again having a family might never come true.

A Home for Sally is a delightful children’s book about a handicapped puppy hoping to be adopted. Don’t worry, definitely a happy ending to this story.

A unique story told from a kitten’s point of view.

Kitty Born at Sea by Donna Mae Smith
Ages 9-90: Kitty grows up at sea and lives a fun and adventurous youth. Written for middle graders but delightful for adults. Kitty Born at Sea is descriptive, informative, and heartwarming.

What an unusual little kitty. This story would be suitable for most children in the 8 – 12 age group. However, it would make for excellent bedtime reading to younger children.
I appreciated the subtle tie-ins to life lessons, manners, safety and more. The explanations of sailing terms and life on a boat are extraordinary. For a landlocked reader like me, it was quite educational, so maybe I should expand the recommended reading ages.
Overall, I believe this book is well worth your time to read no matter what your age.

Named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2018

Norman by Michelle Olsen

Norman is a sweet story of perseverance for kids 4-8. No one loved his job as much as Norman the button. He helped keep his coat closed and his person warm. His career made Norman feel needed, and that made him very happy. But after falling off his coat Norman feels depressed, he feels he must find a new job to feel needed again. He tries several new jobs, but none are a good fit. After being burned as a firefighter and nearly drowned as a plumber, Norman almost decides to give up and head for the recycling office. Once Norman realizes his greatest strength is in being a button, he finally sees the perfect job is right in front of him.

What to Eat – January 2019 Newsletter Highlights

Broccoli Apple Salad from Cooking Classy

This broccoli apple salad is the perfect salad for fall! Made with raw broccoli, onions, walnuts, golden raisins, cranberries and carrots it’s the perfect mix of savory and sweet. Plus it’s tossed with a lighter creamy, tangy dressing that doesn’t compromise on flavor at all!

No-Bake Oatmeal Energy Bites from Bless This Mess. Don’t they look yummy? I’m sure my first thought was about how healthy they are. Wink!