The Importance of Being Little (+ Giveaway)

I have an interesting book to tell you about today that I think you’ll also find quite informative and you can enter to win your own copy.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING LITTLE: What Young Children Really Need from Grownups by Erika Christakis is a bold challenge to the conventional wisdom about early childhood, with a pragmatic program to encourage parents to rethink how and where young children learn best. Parents of young children today are in crisis: Pick the "wrong" preschool and your child won't get into the "right" college.

But our fears are misplaced, according to Yale early childhood expert Erika Christakis. Children are hardwired to learn in any setting, but when "learning" is defined by strict lessons and dodgy metrics, it devalues a child's intelligence while placing unfit requirements on the developing brain; we have confused schooling with learning.

◊ THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING LITTLE
What Young Children Really Need from Grownups
◊ by Erika Christakis

◊ Penguin Books

◊ $17.00

◊ On-sale: February 7, 2017

◊ ISBN: 9780143129981 

◊ Available as an eBook

Now available in paperback, the hardcover of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING LITTLE was featured on the New York Times Non-fiction Extended Bestseller list and received national review attention such as: “THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING LITTLE makes a bracing and convincing case that early education has reached a point of crisis . . . her book is a rare thing: a serious work of research that also happens to be well-written and personal . . . engaging and important.”—The Washington Post

“What is it like to be a young child?” That is the powerful and fundamental question driving Erika’s revelatory. Strikingly, this question also drives the formation of early education, and as Erika argues in a popular piece in The Atlantic adapted from this book, “The New Preschool is Crushing Kids,” today’s young children are working more, but they’re learning less. In THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING LITTLE, Erika celebrates preschoolers’ unique strengths and potential, and offers a radical reevaluation of the how and why of early learning.

Early childhood education is front page news and a platform issue for political candidates, but missing from the discussion of early education are those most directly affected by changes in approach: the children themselves. Early learning is social, and Erika (who has been both a preschool teacher and director), shows parents and educators how sometimes the best thing to do is to get out of children’s way, allowing them space to make discoveries on their own.

Erika describes what a child-focused learning environment really looks like (less is definitely more) and explains why schooling does not always equal learning. Above all, Erika empowers parents and teachers to support their children’s learning potential by observing them closely and trusting in their natural curiosity and drive to learn. Readers will come away with a greater understanding of how to improve a child’s entire learning habitat, from home to preschool and beyond.

Some of the improvements Erika recommends are deceptively simple:

      * The most important predictor of preschool effectiveness is the quality of the relationship between teacher and child. Valuing and promoting this relationship can drastically improve any early childhood education setting. 
      * Declutter the classroom! Children learn best in environments that are clean, open, and inviting. Taking down the lists of vocabulary words, busy decorative borders, and ubiquitous alphabet charts lets little kids engage more deeply with classroom activities. 
       * Focusing on the process of learning rather than the delivery system of curriculum leads to more engagement and better learning. For preschoolers, the environment is the curriculum.

The good news is that young children are hard-wired to learn in any setting, and tools to improve preschools are within reach of any parent and educator. Drawing on pedagogy, science, policy, and politics, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING LITTLE offers a clear and rational road map to giving children what they really need.

Erika Christakis, credit Andrea Reese

 
Erika Christakis is an early childhood educator and school consultant. She was a faculty member at the Yale Child Study Center and is a Massachusetts-certified teacher (pre-K through second grade) and licensed preschool director.

She has an MA in communication from the Annenberg School (Pennsylvania); and a M.Ed. in early childhood education. Her work on children and families has appeared in numerous outlets, including CNN.com, the Washington Post, the Boston Globe, the Financial Times, the Atlantic, Time.com and ABC's Nightline.

This giveaway is for one print copy of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING LITTLE by Erika Christakis. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Monday, Feb. 13.

To enter the giveaway, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient. A winner will be selected by the Rafflecopter widget and I’ll send an email with the subject line “Thoughts in Progress Giveaway.”

The winner will have 72 hours to reply to the email or another winner will be selected. PLEASE be sure to check your spam folder from time to time after the giveaway ends to make sure the notification email doesn’t end up there. If you win and you’ve already won the book somewhere else or you just decided for whatever reason you don’t want to win (which is fine), once again PLEASE let me know.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Do you think too much pressure is put on young children to success, especially in pre-school to second or third grade? What about the pressure parents place on themselves to make sure their child gets ‘the right’ education?

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Court of Vampires {+ Giveaway}

It’s a pleasure to be a part of the COURT OF VAMPIRES by Megan Linski blitz with Xpresso Book Tours today.

Be sure to check out the Amazon Gift Card giveaway below.

◊ Court of Vampires

◊ by Megan Linski

◊ (The Shifter Prophecy #1)

◊ Publication date: January 31st, 2017

◊ Genres: Mythology, Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult

Vampires and werewolves shouldn’t fall in love.

          Lysandra was born for one reason; to kill shifters. Princess of vampires, the heir to Vlad Dracula’s throne and the last descendant of Princess Anastasia, Lysandra lives in a castle of witches and human slaves, engaged to a dark vampire prince and prophesied as the one who will end the war between vampires and werewolves forever.

          Everything changes when Lysandra finds a dying werewolf. She takes him into her care and quickly falls in love, unable to explain the magical connection between them. If she’s discovered, she will be put to death. But how can she stop the war when her worst enemy is her true love?

          A heart-stopping love story filled with shocking twists, Court of Vampires is a thrilling young adult fantasy that readers will devour over and over again. The legend of what really happened to the Romanov family is retold in Megan Linski’s newest haunting paranormal romance.

Goodreads / Amazon

Author Megan Linski

Megan Linski is the owner of Gryfyn Publishing and has had a passion for writing ever since she was a little girl. Her specializations are romance, fantasy, and contemporary fiction for teens and adults.

When not writing, she enjoys ice skating, horse riding, and being outdoors. She is a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention and is an active fighter against common variable immune deficiency disorder.

In December 2016, Megan signed a deal with Amazon's Kindle Press for her Kindle Scout Winner, Court of Vampires, due to be published 2017. You can find Megan at www.meganlinski.com and receive a FREE book, The Witch's Curse, by signing up for her VIP List there.

Megan Linski also writes under the pen name of Natalie Erin for the Creatures of the Lands Series, co-authored with Krisen Lison.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

The blitz-wide giveaway is for a $5 Amazon Gift Card. To enter just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. It may take a few seconds for the widget to open so please be patient.

Thanks for stopping by today. Do you enjoy reading about vampires or werewolves more? What do you think of the two together?

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Some Kind of Magic {+ Giveaway}

I'm thrilled to be taking part in Mary Ann Marlowe's Release Blitz for her debut, SOME KIND OF MAGIC!

Check out the teaser excerpt, and be sure to enter the giveaway below.

* SOME KIND OF MAGIC

* by Mary Ann Marlowe

* Publisher: Kensington Publication

* Date: January 31, 2017

"An amazing first novel." —Sydney Landon, New York Times bestselling author

In this sparkling debut novel, Mary Ann Marlowe introduces a hapless scientist who's swept off her feet by a rock star—but is it love or just a chemical reaction?... 

Biochemist Eden Sinclair has no idea that the scent she spritzed on herself before leaving the lab is designed to enhance pheromones. Or that the cute, grungy-looking guy she meets at a gig that evening is Adam Copeland. As in the Adam Copeland international rock god and object of lust for a million women. Make that a million and one.

By the time she learns the truth, she’s already spent the (amazing, incredible) night in his bed. Suddenly Eden, who's more accustomed to being set up on disastrous dates by her mom, is going out with a gorgeous celebrity who loves how down-to-earth and honest she is. But for once, Eden isn't being honest. She can't bear to reveal that this overpowering attraction could be nothing more than seduction by science. And the only way to know how Adam truly feels is to ditch the perfume—and risk being ditched in turn.

Smart, witty, and sexy, Some Kind of Magic is an irresistibly engaging look at modern relationships why we fall, how we connect, and the courage it takes to trust in something as mysterious and unpredictable as love.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Excerpt from SOME KIND OF MAGIC:

I scanned the rest of the room. I wasn’t surprised to see he had a turntable. Micah had been buying vinyl for years. An entertainment unit held a wide-screen TV and a stack of DVDs. I walked over to check out his movie collection. A Netflix envelope sat on top, and I read the address. The name rang a bell.

“Adam Copeland?”

Then I remembered. Stacy and Kelly had crushed on a rock singer with the same name for a few weeks last summer, another impossibly hot guy with red hair. No, wait, that was a different band. I could never keep their celebrity crushes straight.

My eyes went wide. What if this was that same guy? They would die. He was a musician, after all. A wave of nausea crested as I took in my surroundings. The guy certainly had money.

Adam glanced up from a stack of records and caught me staring at him. “What?”

“Your name is Adam Copeland?” My mind raced. The apartment was his parents’, so the money was probably his parents’, too. If he was a rock star, wouldn’t he have some lavish penthouse overlooking Central Park?

He went back to flipping through albums, nonplussed. “Oh, yeah.”

I narrowed my eyes. If I asked him straight up, he’d think I was crazy, so I casually sauntered over to the side of his bed and leaned back, facing him. I picked at the hem of my shirt, and then, as though I was teasing, I tested the waters. “So, does everyone ask you if you’re any relation to that guy from that band?”

“Huh?” He pulled out a Van Morrison album and then dropped it back down, still on the search for whatever he was looking for.

Then it hit me. “Oh, God. I’m sorry. It must be an incredibly common name.”

He froze in place like a deer caught in the headlights, like he had no idea what I was talking about.

This was embarrassing. Awkwardly, I fumbled for an explanation, rambling. “You know that band? They have a song that gets played about a million times an hour.” On the spot, I couldn’t even remember the band’s name. I scraped my brain, tapping my fingers on the bed post. It came to me out of nowhere. “Walking Disaster!”

Adam rolled his eyes. “Riiiight.” He settled on an album and slid the vinyl record from the sleeve.

I hoped I hadn’t offended him somehow. Maybe it was an irritating comparison. If someone famous had my name, I’d find it annoying.

What was I thinking? As if some famous musician would just hang out at a club and buy me beers. And flirt. He’d definitely been flirting with me. Guys within my limited reach rarely bought me beers and flirted. How much chance would I have with a freaking rock star? I laughed at myself for losing my head temporarily.

Unfazed, Adam dropped an album onto the turntable. I smiled as a dead sexy Arctic Monkeys song started. “I love this song!”

He sidled up next to me and bumped me with his shoulder. “So you like that band, Walking Disaster?”

Was this a litmus-test question? Like asking someone if they like Nickelback? What if he had a checklist, too? What if he only liked girls who listened to the “right” music and immediately disdained girls who listened to whatever he found uncool? And why did I suddenly care what kind of girls he might like?

I shrugged, reaching for a safe nonchalant answer. “I don’t normally listen to them unless they come on the radio. I don’t intentionally listen to much current rock music, except for Micah’s. But my coworkers gush about that band. They tried to drag me out to see them just recently.”

“But you didn’t want to go?”

“No, I would’ve gone. But it was at the Meadowlands, and it was a weeknight. I had to get up early the next day.”

“To make perfume, right?” He leaned closer and breathed in. “What’s the name of this one?”

“Oh, I don’t know.”

“Mmm. You should call it ‘Irresistible.’ It smells nice.” He lifted my hand and laid a kiss against my wrist. My brain told me I should leave. I barely knew him.

But I didn’t want to leave. Adam’s lips felt so good against my skin. His dark eyes sought mine, looking for permission, maybe. The naked desire etched on his face sent a tingle through me. I wanted to feel his lips on mine, but he held back, so I bent toward him. He kissed me soft, and I tasted the hint of Jamaican spiced rum.

He broke away and drew back, so close but too far away. His eyes pierced mine, and his breathing hitched, but he hesitated. I felt tethered there, unable to move back, wanting to move forward. I reached up to touch the stubble on his cheek, then that cord on his neck I’d wanted to touch earlier. Without another thought, I twisted my fingers in his hair and pulled him back to me.

Be sure to add SOME KIND OF MAGIC to your Goodreads to-read list, and grab your copy today!

About Mary Ann Marlowe

Author Mary Ann Marlowe

Some Kind of Magic is Mary Ann Marlowe’s first novel. When not writing, she works by day as a computer programmer/DBA. She spent ten years as a university-level French professor, and her resume includes stints as an au pair in Calais, a hotel intern in Paris, a German tutor, a college radio disc jockey, and a webmaster for several online musician fandoms, plus she has a second-degree black belt.

She has lived in twelve states and three countries and loves to travel. She now lives in central Virginia where she is hard at work on her second novel.

She loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website at www.maryannmarlowe.com as well as Facebook and Twitter.

One winner will receive a $50 Amazon OR Book Depository Gift Card (International). Three winners will win a signed copy of SOME KIND OF MAGIC (U.S. only).

Thanks for stopping by today. Do you think we are attracted to scents? Is there a scent that is your go-to smell?

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Starlight Bridge {+ Giveaway}

It’s a pleasure today to be a part of the Teaser Blitz for STARLIGHT BRIDGE by Debbie Mason.

Debbie is sharing an excerpt today from her tantalizing new release. As part of the blitz-wide tour, you can also enter to win one of five (5) mass market copies of STARLIGHT BRIDGE. Please see the end of the post for more giveaway details.

◊Title: STARLIGHT BRIDGE

◊Author: Debbie Mason

◊Series: Harmony Harbor, #2

◊On Sale: February 28, 2017

◊Publisher: Forever

◊Mass Market: $7.99 USD

◊eBook:  $5.99 USD

Add to Goodreads

A second chance for romance...

          Hidden in Graystone Manor is a book containing all the dark secrets of Harmony Harbor, and Ava DiRossi is determined to find it. No one—especially not her ex-husband, Griffin Gallagher—can ever discover what really tore her life apart all those years ago. With Griffin back in town, it's more important than ever that she find the book before someone else does. Because her ex is still angry with her for leaving him. And he still has no idea Ava never stopped loving him...

          Ava is no longer the vibrant, happy woman Griffin had once loved and married, and he would do anything to bring back the sparkle to her brilliant green eyes. But what's never changed are the sexy sparks of attraction between Ava and Griffin, and he won't give her up again without a fight. He knows there's the real possibility of a future together...if the truth doesn't burn the bridge between them forever.

You can pre-order STARLIGHT BRIDGE at the following sites: Walmart, Target, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Google Play, iBooks, Indiebound, and Kobo.

THE HARMONY HARBOR SERIES

MISTLETOE COTTAGE, Book #1

CHRISTMAS WITH AN ANGEL, #1.5

STARLIGHT BRIDGE, Book #2

PRIMROSE LANE, Book #3

Series Page on Goodreads

Now here’s the excerpt from STARLIGHT BRIDGE for your reading pleasure.

“We’re in business, Simon. This should do—”

“Tell Grams I’ll see her in a bit.”

Her gaze shot to the door. She’d recognize that voice anywhere. Griffin was here. Now. Outside the door. She shot to her feet, shoving the candelabra in front of the fireplace.

Meow.

She’d trapped Simon. She grabbed the cat, put him on the floor, and scooped up the bucket and sponges while frantically searching for somewhere to hide. The balcony. She didn’t care if she froze to death; she couldn’t let him find her here.

As she turned to run, Ava heard the beep of the passkey. She wouldn’t make it. She spun around and ran the short distance to the bathroom. Her breath coming in panicked puffs, she stepped inside the bathtub and carefully inched the crimson and gold shower curtain across the rod. She sagged against the tile wall, praying his in a bit meant he’d drop his bags off and leave.

If it had been anyone other than Griffin, she’d pretend to be cleaning the room. But she remembered all too clearly the humiliation of being discovered by Griffin and his ex-wife the last time they’d stayed at the manor. He’d looked at Ava like he hadn’t known who she was, and his wife had asked for fresh towels, acting as though Ava hadn’t done her job.

And then there was the book. She couldn’t leave without it.

“How did you get in here?”

Her gaze jerked to the curtain, her heart beating double time. She let out the breath she’d been holding when the bed creaked. Simon. Griffin was talking to the cat. “Better question would be, what have you been up to? Your paws are black. Off the bed, buddy.”

Her toes curled in her shoes, a warm, fluttery sensation settling low in her stomach in response to the slow drawl of Griffin’s deep voice. He always spoke in that low, unhurried tone. Even when he was angry or when he was whispering how much he loved her or when he was talking her out of her temper. Only then there’d been a hint of laughter too. Her temper used to amuse him. He had a long fuse; she had a short one. She used to, at least.

Her lips curved at the memories; then her wistful smile faded when the consequences of what he’d just said penetrated her lovesick brain. Simon’s paws were dirty. All she’d need was for Griffin to start looking for the source. She had to…

There was the rasp of a zipper, then the light thud of something hitting the floor. At the sound of heavy footfalls approaching the bathroom, Ava’s eyes went wide, and she pressed her back against the tiled wall. A bare, muscled arm reached past the curtain, a large hand turning on the water. The cold spray from the showerhead hit her in the face, and a small, shocked squeak escaped before she could contain it.

Griffin whipped back the shower curtain. His thick, toffee-colored hair glistened under the fluorescent light, his dazzling, deep blue eyes wide in surprise. She opened her mouth to say something, but the words got stuck in her throat as her eyes drifted down his body. He was completely and gloriously naked. And even more beautiful than she remembered.

Debbie Mason is the USA Today bestselling author of the Christmas, Colorado and Harmony Harbor series. Her books have been praised for their "likable characters, clever dialogue and juicy plots" (RT Book Reviews).

When she isn't writing or reading, Debbie enjoys spending time with her very own real-life hero, three wonderful children, two adorable grandbabies, and a yappy Yorkie named Bella in Ontario, Canada.

For more on Debbie and her writing, visit her website and connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

You can also follow the publisher, FOREVER, online by visiting their website and connecting with them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

This blitz-wide giveaway is for five (5) mass market copies of STARLIGHT BRIDGE by Debbie Mason. To enter just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient.

Thanks for stopping by today during Debbie’s visit. Do you believe in second chances for romance and happiness?

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Wicked Cowboy Charm {+ Awesome Giveaway}

I’m always delighted to welcome author Carolyn Brown back to Thoughts in Progress as it means she has a fun new book to read. Carolyn joins us today to talk about WICKED COWBOY CHARM, the fourth installment in her Lucky Penny Ranch series.

As part of the tour, Carolyn has graciously answered some questions about her writing. In addition, during this tour, you have the chance to win one of five (5) sets of the complete Lucky Penny Ranch series. Please see the end of the post for more giveaway details.

I’ve just started listening to the audio version of WICKED COWBOY CHARM and I’m loving it. I’ve liked Deke Sullivan since the first book and he just gets better and better. I’m so glad he’s finally got his own story.

◊Title: WICKED COWBOY CHARM

◊Author: Carolyn Brown

◊Series: Lucky Penny Ranch, #4

◊On Sale: January 31, 2017

◊Publisher: Forever

◊Mass Market: $7.99 USD

◊eBook: $7.99 USD

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ONE BLIZZARD, ONE BUNKHOUSE, AND A WHOLE LOTTA TROUBLE . . .

Josie Dawson is new in town, but it doesn't take a local to know that Deke Sullivan is trouble—in a smokin' hot package. He's sweet, sexy, and has charmed just about every woman in Dry Creek, Texas. Well, Josie won't be next. She'll keep her distance, even if he is great with babies and makes a mean cup of homemade hot chocolate.

          Deke Sullivan really is a one-woman type of guy. He just had to do a lot of looking to find that one woman. Now he thinks he's found her and he won't let a strong, sassy gal like Josie slip away. Just when he's wondering how to convince her he only has eyes for her, they get stranded in a tiny cabin during a major blizzard. If Deke can melt her heart before they dig out of the snow, he'll be the luckiest cowboy in Texas . . .

You can order WICKED COWBOY CHARM through the following sites: Walmart, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Google Play, iBooks, Indiebound, and Kobo.

THE SERIES

WILD COWBOY WAYS, Book #1

HOT COWBOY NIGHTS, Book #2

MERRY COWBOY CHRISTMAS, Book #3

WICKED COWBOY CHARM, Book #4

Series Page on Goodreads

Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Carolyn as she gives us some insight into her writing. Welcome, Carolyn.

Carolyn:
Good mornin’! It’s great to be here at Thoughts in Progress to answer a few questions about Wicked Cowboy Charm. Lots of my fans have asked if Deke would get a story and the answer is yes, our charming cowboy has finally gotten his story told. I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I have writing it!

What has been the most fun about writing this book and/or series?

Carolyn:

Showing everyone in Dry Creek that the Dawson cowboys were serious about turning around the bad luck surrounding The Lucky Penny and making it a prosperous ranch.

When writing your stories, which comes first the sexy cowboy or the sassy cowgirl?

Carolyn:

In this series, it had to be the sexy cowboy since Deke has been a prominent secondary character throughout the previous three books.

Do you have a ritual you follow when writing (favorite place to write, favorite drink to have on hand, etc.)?

Carolyn:

I’m fortunate to have an office right across the hallway from my bedroom. It has my favorite little antique oak desk that just fits me and my walls are covered with framed covers of all my books. I call it my ego room! Country music and I have a long-standing relationship so I usually have a set of earphones on my head while I write. I’m very disciplined and I write every day except Sunday (sometimes I do sneak in a few words that evening if my characters are insisting that I get their scene finished) and my goal is 5K words per day. I don’t always reach that goal but it’s what I get up thinking about.

Was there a cowboy hero (real or movie star) from your childhood that inspired you to write about cowboys or had an impact on your writing about cowboys?

Carolyn:

Not really. What had a bigger impact was simply writing what you know. I live in southern Oklahoma, was born in Texas and cowboys are a way of life in my world. So, it’s writing what I know. But then who doesn’t like Tom Selleck in Quigley Down Under and the Sackett movies.

What can fans look forward to from you next?

Carolyn:

Keep your boots on and a glass of sweet tea all ready because this is a busy year. The 2017 lineup looks like this:

The Barefoot Summer, Jan. 3 (Available now)

Wicked Cowboy Charm, Jan. 31 (Available now)

Small Town Romance Collection, February

Talk Cowboy To Me, March 7

The Lilac Bouquet, March 28

The Toughest Cowboy in Texas, May 30

The Strawberry Hearts Diner, July 25

Lucky in Love (reissue), Aug. 1

Long, Tall Cowboy Christmas, Sept. 26

Thank you, again, and happy reading to all my friends, family and fans!

Carolyn, thank you for visiting with us and giving us a look at what’s to come. It’s going to be a busy year. I’ve already got The Barefoot Summer and Wicked Cowboy Charm on audio. Can’t wait to hear all the others.

Now for those of you who aren’t familiar with Carolyn, here’s some background on her.

Author Carolyn Brown, Credit Charles C. Brown

Carolyn Brown is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author and RITA® Finalist who has sold more than 2.75 million books. She presently writes both women's fiction and cowboy romance. She has also written historical single title, historical series, contemporary single title, and contemporary series.

She lives in southern Oklahoma with her husband, a former English teacher, who is not allowed to read her books until they are published. They have three children and enough grandchildren to keep them young.

For more on Carolyn and her writing, visit her website and connect with her on Facebook and Goodreads.

You can also follow the publisher, FOREVER, online by visiting their website and connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

This tour-wide giveaway is for one of five (5) sets of the complete Lucky Penny Ranch series. To enter, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient.

Thanks for stopping by today during Carolyn’s visit. Was there a cowboy hero (real or movie star) from your childhood that inspired you to read western-themed books?

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