“The Pursuit of Elena Bradford,” by Ann H. Gabhart

Posted on May 12, 2025 by WordPress.com Support

The Husband Hunt

Twenty-five-year-old Elena is reeling. First, the sudden death of her father. Next, the discovery that her father had lost all their wealth, and put them deeply into debt. Now, her mother has announced she has scraped together the money they had left to finance a trip for her sister, her mother, and Elena to go to Graham Springs, a playground for the wealthy.

Her mother’s plan is that Elena will catch a rich husband at the Springs. That way, their debts would all be paid, and the rest of the family could live in comfort, instead of as paupers. Elena always knew she was the plain one, who was already considered a spinster, how can her mother think she can catch a husband?

To Elena’s surprise, there are three men at the Springs that seem to be interested in her.

But mystery also surrounds Elena there when she befriends a beautiful young woman, who dies under strange circumstances.

This is an exciting book which takes place in an amazing location that existed at the time of this story, in 1842. Former fiancés, danger, and faith all make appearances in this tale. The descriptions are so vivid you will feel you are there. I highly recommend this five-star book, fans of mystery, historic tales, and well-written stories will enjoy this.

Thanks to the author for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.

The Author’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AnnGabhart/

The Author’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/AnnHGabhart

The Author’s Website:  https://www.annhgabhart.com

 

 

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“Bunnies on the Bus,” by Philip Ardagh

Posted on May 8, 2025 by WordPress.com Support

Illustrated by Ben Mantle

Oh No, Bunnies on the Bus!

Get ready for some hilarity.  The bunnies are back, and this time they have taken over a bus.  As they zoom through the town, they ignore the bus stops, even though passengers are waiting.

The animals at the bus stop are so flustered by the bus, they throw their packages in the air.

Everywhere the bunnies go, they leave mayhem in their wake.

This is such a fun book.  Children will giggle at the story.  The illustrations will make everyone laugh harder.  To make it even better, the story is done in rhyming verse.

Sharp eyes will notice there is also a story taking place that involves two burglars that keep crossing paths with the bunnies.

I highly recommend this book.  Big and little ones alike will have a good time with this funny book.  Ages two through five will like this. Depending on the child, even older children could have a good time with this.

Thank you, Candlewick Books, for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.

 

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“The Angel of Second Street,” by Barbara Tift Blakey

Posted on May 5, 2025 by WordPress.com Support

Poking the Bear!

Ida is a naive young woman who loves Jesus and wants to tell the world about Him. She wants to convert the women of the red-light district, along with the members of Chinatown. But the way she goes about it opens a hornet’s nest.

The time is 1884 California, and she has grown up knowing there are certain ways to stay in good standing in society. Despite that, she innocently does things that could ruin her position.

Blaine is home from college, and ready to take his place in his father’s business. His parents push him to find a girl, and get married. When he picks Ida, his family does everything possible to break them up.

When they follow their hearts, both Ida and Blaine face criticism from those they love.

This is a great story that will clue you in on what life was like at that time. Both Ida and Blaine have a strong faith, and that directs their decisions.

This is a five-star book, but it the ended suddenly with a cliff hanger, leaving unanswered questions. Since this is a new series, answers should be found in upcoming installments. I really liked this story.

Thank you, Barbour Books, for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.

The Author’s Website:  https://www.barbaratifftblakey.com/

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Tropical Tea Naturally Gluten-Free

Posted on May 3, 2025 by WordPress.com Support

One half of a large Quiktrip cup of Pineapple Papaya Green Tea with ice

2-4 Tablespoons of Swerve, or sweetener of choice

3/4 cup unsweetened pineapple juice

Mix all together and enjoy.

I don’t get anything from Quiktrip for this, I just like it!  It is refeshing & delicious.

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“Let’s Be Bees,” by Shawn Harris

Posted on May 2, 2025 by WordPress.com Support

The Buzz!

Get ready to have fun with this.

Listen to the things around you, birds chirping, trees rustling, growling animals, and all the other sounds.  In this book, a child will be challendged to make all these sounds and more.

From the loudest sound, to the silence of snow, this book wants you to pretend be those things.

Kids will have a blast with this book. Something that asks kids to be loud, and to make unusual sounds, will be highly prized by the younger set.  Be prepared to join in, have a very good time together, and, perhaps, collapse in giggles and laughter.

This noisy, five-star picture book will be enjoyed by ages two through five-years old.  Be ready to roar!

Thank you, Candlewick Books, for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.

 

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“Chick, Chick, Chick, Chick, Chicken!” by Vivian French

Posted on April 29, 2025 by WordPress.com Support

Illustrator Nanette Regan

Don’t Count Your Chickens….

Do you like chickens, have you seen one in real life?  Well, Julie and Bob learn all about them when their grandfather shows them his chickens.

All grandfather’s types and colors of chickens pepper the pages of this book. Chickens have personalities, and there really is a pecking order.  One will be the leader, or head chicken, and that one gets to eat first.

There is much excitement for the children when an egg a hen is sitting on begins to crack.  Eventually it hatches, and a chick comes out!

 

All this and more await readers inside this volume.

This great picture book is a story, and teaches, too.  Children will like the story, while they learn things without knowing it. 

The illustrations are amazing, including the inside of the front and back cover.  The back of the book contains even more chicken information. It even tells what chickens are easiest to tame.  Ages three through eight-years-old will enjoy this book.

Thank you, Candlewick Books, for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.

 

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“Hatch and Match,” by Ruth Paul

Posted on April 26, 2025 by WordPress.com Support

No Pecking Order Here!

Be ready to see the coolest chickens ever, sprinkled across all the pages of this picture book.  This is a seek-and-find book, with instruction for what to look for throughout the volume.  Not only is there lots of fun to be had, these beautiful chickens get themselves into all kinds of places.

Little ones will have a blast looking at this book, and finding these chickens—and I did, too.  It can be read alone, but it is lots of fun to do it together with your child.

I really like this book, not only for the challenge of seeking things out, but what a great time it is to look at these brilliantly colored pictures.  The author is the one who created all these fun chickens.  Children two through six-years-old will have a great time with this five-star book.

Thank you, Candlewick Books, for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.

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Dr. Brown’s Infant-to-Toddler Toothbrushes

Posted on April 23, 2025 by WordPress.com Support

 

Let’s See Those Pearly Whites!

I recently received these toothbrushes to try, and really like them.  They are easy to hold, and have extra soft bristles—just perfect for a little one’s tender mouth.

The toothbrush heads are the perfect size for children. They can get in difficult to reach places in an infant’s or toddler’s mouth.

When we used these brushes, our toothbrush session went well. That has not always been the case in the past. The rounded handle makes it perfect for little hands to grab.  Because they are light-weight they are easy to hold on to.

If you are in the market for a child’s toothbrush, give these a try.  We are very happy with them.

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“Seven Little Ducklings,” by Annette Leblanc Cate

Posted on April 20, 2025 by WordPress.com Support

First There are Seven, then There are Eight…

Poor Mother Duck is in a panic.

When she went to sleep, she was sitting on seven eggs, but when she woke up, they had hatched—and they were all gone.

Frantically, she looks for them, and she is so happy that she finds them. But she keeps finding them, all day long.  By the time she is done, she has more babies than she started out with.  In the end, she claims all thirteen of them, and they head off to sleep.

This is a great picture book that is a counting book, too.  Be sure to point out to little ones that the numbers are getting bigger than seven.

Children will squeal at the pictures of the “babies” Mother Duck finds.  It will bring chuckles that she keeps adding more, and more to her family.  As Mother Duck discovers, we sometimes have unexpected additions.

But that is just fine in this big happy family. This feel-good, five-star book will be enjoyed by ages three through seven-years-old.

Thanks to Candlewick Books, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Seven Little Ducklings,” by Annette Leblanc Cate, for the purpose of review. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.

 

 

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“To Kiss a Knight,” by Grace Hitchcock

Posted on April 18, 2025 by WordPress.com Support

A Knight to Remember!

Vivienne’s step-brother is trying to marry her off to a terrible man, Sir Josiah.  It is 1813 England, and women don’t have many options.  But if she can make her way to the home her dad left her, along with the small amount of money she has saved from writing books, she could be safe. Viviene makes her escape in the dead of night, only to have her stage stopped and robbed by a masked highwayman. He then abducts her.

It was harrowing to be with the highwayman.  But despite fighting it, Vivienne found herself attracted to him—in a small way. He was dashing, but although he brought her safely home, he robbed her, too.

To her horror, Vivienne discovers the pseudonym she has written under on her books, Lady Larkby, is part of a title still in use.  To make matters worse, she meets Sir Sebastian Larkby, called Bash, at a party, and everyone assumes they are married.

As Sir Walter Scott said, “Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive,” Vivienne must tell more lies to cover-up the initial one.  She gets in deeper and deeper, and ends up telling Bash’s dying grandmother they are married.

Additionally, Sir Josiah has tracked her down, and is insisting she marry him, while he tries to take everything she owns.  Not only must Vivienne defend her home, Bash must defend his from other dangerous sources, as well.

Vivienne finds herself in all kinds of predicaments in this delightful story.  It is full of wit, humor, and adventure. I enjoyed the character’s faith that was woven throughout the book.

Once you start reading this, you will not want to put it down.  This clean, five-star book will be enjoyed by fans of historical stories or well-written tales.  You will not want to miss this!

Thanks to the author for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “To Kiss a Knight,” for the purpose of review. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

The Author’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gracehitchcockbooks/

The Author’s Twitter: https://x.com/grace_hitchcock?lang=en

The Author’s Website: https://gracehitchcockbooks.com/grace-hitchcock-bio/

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