“Not Precisely Mr. Knightley,” by Carolyn Miller

Posted on July 2, 2026 by Becky

Getting Rid of Small-Town Ties

EJ (Emma-Jane) has always hated living in a little town in the middle of nowhere. She has dreams of making it big in the city, wearing expensive clothes and rubbing elbows with the rich.

All that seems to be coming true for her. She lives in an amazing apartment in Sidney (it really belongs to her relative). EJ and her best friend, Jordan, have created a dating app that has really been taking off.

It has done so well she has quit her 9-to-5 job. At the same time, EJ has attracted the interest of a well-known man-about-town, Eric Churchill. He along with another member of the fast crowd EJ has become a part of, are interested in her dating app. But they don’t like the Christian tie-in, and would like to get rid of it.

Even though she has always told Jordan she would never get rid of that part, maybe it isn’t as important as EJ thought. Now that Eric has been wining and dining her so much, maybe keeping the Christian part is just small-town thinking.

Each time EJ gets closer to Eric, Jordan dies a little more inside. He has loved her for years, but doesn’t know how to tell her. Now, he doesn’t know if he wants to. Jordan feels like he doesn’t know EJ anymore since she is turning her back on her faith. Although it hurts that she has been ignoring him, it is even worse that she has been doing that to her family.

Maybe they were never meant to be a couple. But that thought doesn’t stop Jordan from worrying about EJ when he discovers all is not as it seems with Eric.

This will keep you turning the pages to see what EJ decides to do. This is the second book in the series, but the story stands on its own. I like the faith aspect of the tale. The characters were asking very real questions about why things happen, and about God. Fans of Jane Austin and modern stories will enjoy this five-star-book.

Thanks to Barbour Press, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Not Precisely Mr. Knightley,” by Carolyn Miller, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

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

The Author’s Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/carolynmillerauthor/

The Author’s Pinterest:  https://au.pinterest.com/camillering/

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

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My Favorite Gluten-Free Cornmeal

Posted on June 28, 2026 by Becky

I like this because it does not have any kind of artificial sweeteners in it, and it tastes great!

  • 2 cups Yellow Cornmeal
  • 2 cups Corn Flour
  • 4 teaspoons Baking Powder
  • 2 teaspoons Baking Soda
  • 1 teaspoon Sea Salt
  • 1 1/2 cups Cashew Milk or Cow Milk
  • 8 tablespoons Butter melted and cooled
  • 2 Eggs at room temperature, beaten
  • 2 tablespoons Honey
  • 2 tablespoons Maple Syrup
  • 3 tablespoons Apricot Spreadable Fruit
  • 3 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 ½ cups Non-dairy Yoghurt or Cow Milk Yoghurt

Instructions

  1. Warm spreadable fruit in microwave
  2. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Grease a 9 x 13 baking pan.
  3. In a large bowl, place the cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, and whisk to combine well. In a separate bowl, place the cashew milk, yoghurt, butter, honey, maple syrup, spreadable fruit and egg, and whisk to combine well.
  4. Create a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients and the honey. Mix until just combined. The mixture will be relatively thin. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan.
  5. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until lightly golden brown on top, golden brown around the edges, and firm to the touch in the center.
  6. Allow the cornbread to cool in the pan until no longer hot to the touch before slicing and serving.
  7. This is good with beans or serve it alone, warm, and enjoy the goodness!

 

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“The Story of Passover,” by David A. Adler

Posted on June 26, 2026 by Becky

What is Passover?

Join the author as he tells us what Passover is. He explains that the Children of Israel lived in Egypt as slaves. One of their people, Moses, on instruction from God, wanted to take the people out of Egypt. But when he went to Pharoah, the ruler of Egypt, to ask for the people to go, he said, “no.”

Because of that, God made bad things happen in Egypt. Right before the tenth thing, Pharaoh said they could go. That is because he did not want the last bad thing to happen. The Children of Israel left right away, but then Pharaoh changed his mind. He and his soldiers chased after them to bring them back.

Pharaoh thought that he had them trapped by the Red Sea. But God had Moses hold up his stick over the sea and the waters parted and all the Children of Israel walked through dry land to the other side.

Pharaoh and his soldiers started to chase them, but God had the waters fall down on all of them, and the Children of Israel were free. That event is known as the Passover.

Every year, the Jewish people have a special Passover dinner to remember and celebrate their freedom from slavery. The dinner is called a Seder and everyone eats the same thing, and every item eaten symbolizes something about Passover. The celebration lasts eight days.

Even though this book is written on a child’s level, I learned a lot reading this, too. The very last page goes into great detail about the food and celebration that take place.

Children will enjoy all the colorful illustrations and hearing about all the different plagues that took place, and how the people got free. Ages four through ten-years-old will enjoy this five-star book.

Thanks to Candlewick Press, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “The Story of Passover,” by David A. Adler, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

 

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Gluten Free Seasoning Salt

Posted on June 6, 2026 by Becky

This is very easy to make; I like making my own seasoning because I can make sure everything is gluten free.  I can also control the amount of salt in it.  You can adjust the salt to less or more.  Store this in a glass container or recycle an old shaker jar.  You can also adjust the seasonings to your taste making it spicier, or have a more Italian feel.  Let your imagination soar with this!

6 teaspoons Sesame Seeds

1 teaspoon Onion Powder

1 teaspoon Garlic Powder

1¼ teaspoon Dried Parsley

1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt*

1 teaspoon Dried Basil

Mix well and enjoy.

*Sometimes, I like substituting smoked sea salt for regular sea salt. 

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“Marty Moose,” by Clair Powell

Posted on June 2, 2026 by Becky

The First Day as a Mailmouse

Join Marty Moose’s adventures on his first day as a Mailmouse.  Not only does he want to do a good job, he wants to live up to his legendary Great-Aunt Ada, a famous Mailmouse.

The first day, he faces many challenges including when he meets Nibbles Frizzby who wants to be Marty’s friend, and tags along with him.

Lots of things happen including Marty and Nibbles trying to find their way through a booby-trapped yard.  The two toads who live there fight terribly until they decide Marty would taste delicious. That is when his new friend, Nibbles, comes in handy.

Lots of mayhem goes on, including Marty discovering he had been pranked, and it was done by the last one he expected.  Because of that, the end of the book has a big finish.

Be warned, this story has a lot of toots–flatulence–involved which causes many children to laugh uncontrollably.  This five-star book will be enjoyed by children aged six through nine-years-old who will find this book very funny.

Thanks to Candlewick Press, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Marty Moose,” by Clair Powell, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

 

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“A Chance for Kallie Mae,” by Ann H. Gabhart

Posted on May 19, 2026 by Becky

Reaching for the Impossible

Set in the Appalachian Mountains in 1911, this book tells the story of Kallie Mae Bertram, a girl who has spent her whole life dreaming of two things: getting an education and being with Quinn Spencer.

But there isn’t a school near her, and the Bertrams and Spencers have been at each other’s throats feuding for years. Their families’ hatred is deep, and it seems like there is no way for them to ever be together without causing more chaos.

Everything changes the day her mother died giving birth to Emmie. Her last words to Kallie Mae, still a child herself, was to take care of the baby.

The years since have been long and hard. Kallie Mae had to grow up instantly. She suddenly had to take care of a new baby, a toddler and all the cleaning and cooking. Kallie Mae could no longer get away for secret rendezvous with Quinn.

Then one day, everything changed again when, accidently, Quinn and Kallie Mae run across each other, and they talk for the first time in years. Young adults now, with feelings even stronger for each other, there seems to be no hope for them. Their family’s hatred of each other has continued to grow.

But there may be hope for Kallie Mae to go to school. A Moonlight School is starting locally, a school that teaches adults at nighttime. While Kallie Mae is thrilled to finally go to school, her heart breaks daily for want of Quinn.

There are many things happening–love, death, broken hearts and much more. They all come together in such a beautiful way, it made me want to cry.

You will cheer for Kallie Mae, but just like her, you will not see any way for things to work out. However, this five-star story will have some surprises for you. I appreciated that the character’s faith is included. If you like well-written stories about overcoming hardships and secret romances, you need to read this amazing tale.

Thanks to the author for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “A Chance for Kallie Mae,” by Ann H. Gabhart, for the purpose of 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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“Unicorn Post,” by Emma Yarlett

Posted on May 6, 2026 by Becky

Just the Right Home for a Unicorn

A little girl, who loves unicorns, suddenly has one show up at her door. She is thrilled and tries to find it a home.  She looks at a farm, a carnival, a castle and more.

As they travel to these different sights, the little girl becomes attached to the unicorn.  Every place has a reason it does not work for the unicorn until the last one. Instead of the little girl being happy to find a place for the unicorn, she is sad.

But as the story states, the world can be happy and full of rainbows, and that is the kind of ending this has.

This picture book includes lots of interactive items throughout the tale.  Your child will have fun doing those while you ask them questions about the items on them.

The artwork is gorgeous, bringing every location to life with vibrant colors and charming details.

While this book stands on its own, it offers a fantastic opportunity for parent-child discussion. As you read through the pages, try asking your child questions about the girl’s changing feelings. It turns a simple reading session into a fun and meaningful experience for both of you.

The more you add to this book with your questions and statements, the better time you and your child will have with this book and a richer experience for you both.

Children ages 5 to 9-years-old will enjoy this upbeat and cheerful five-star book.

Thanks to Candlewick Press, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Unicorn Post,” by Emma Yarlett, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

 

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Baked Pineapple, Gluten-Free

Posted on May 5, 2026 by Becky

This is easy & delicious!

¾ stick real unsalted Butter*

4 Eggs, beaten

1 can Pineapple Tidbits, with Juice

1 heaping cup Powdered Swerve or ¾ cup regular Sugar

5 slices large slices of cubed, Gluten-Free Bread, 9 slices if not large

1 Vanilla Bean, split open and scraped out, or 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Dash of Sea Salt

Prepare:

Cream Swerve (or sugar) and butter.  Add the beaten eggs and vanilla scrapings (or extract), and mix well.  Add the pineapple and fold in the bread cubes.

Spread out evenly in a greased 1 ½ quart casserole.

Bake uncovered at 350° F. for 45 minutes, or until nicely brown.

*This must be real Butter.

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“My Bicentennial Summer,” by G. Neri

Posted on May 1, 2026 by Becky

An Epic Road Trip

The author, Greg, was eight-years-old when our country celebrated its two hundredth birthday. The year was 1976 and the celebration was called the Bicentennial.

Washington D. C. was going to have a huge celebration with a parade for the 4th of July.  Greg’s family decided they would take a family trip to see the United States and part of it would include being in the capital for the celebration.  Greg, his parents and two brothers left their California home for a 7-week road trip in their station wagon with their pop-up tent to sleep in.

As they traveled across the country, they saw amazing things like the Grand Canyon, the time his dad had to chase off a couple of bears and the white sand dunes, to name a few.  They visited cousins in Texas who had 13 children who loved to play tricks on Greg and his brothers.

Unfortunately, as they traveled further south, they also witnessed a family that would not be served food because of the color of their skin.

They learned other things, too, like the realism of war when they saw reenactments of battles in the Civil War.  The family made it to Washington D. C. to join half a million others who crowded in for the celebration.  Despite the crowd they decided to experience the celebration in Philadelphia, too, including watching awesome fireworks.

The family had an epic trip that included much more.  Lots of it are captured in photos in this book, along with lists from the young Greg of things he experienced such as rattlesnake in a can and Amish buggies.

This was truly an adventure of a lifetime for the family and it is fun experiencing it with them in this book.

I highly recommend this 5-star book it is both entertaining and educational.  Although it is written for 7- to 10-year-olds, I and others of a certain age (I’m talking to you, Boomers) will find it will be a nostalgic journey taking us back in time.

Thanks to Candlewick Press, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “My Bicentennial Summer,” by G. Neri, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

 

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“Is This Spring,” by Helen Yoon

Posted on April 25, 2026 by Becky

Achoo!

Spring is here and so is an excited puppy dog.  He takes his over-the-top energy outside where he romps around in the new growth and makes snow angels in the dirt.

He is having a great time until he starts sneezing, and sneezing all over the place.  Allergies have brought his fun to a halt.

Just when he thinks everything is over for him and he won’t be able to go outdoors, he comes up with a hilarious way to go outside and not sneeze.

Just like children, the puppy shows his excitement and joy by running around.  Little ones will identify with him, and like the idea of doing that themselves.  They might even know someone with allergies.

The author does a good job of weaving in funny moments.

As you read, pause and ask your child: “What would you do if you were that puppy and couldn’t stop sneezing? How would you get back outside?” Enjoy what you two talk about. Then, prepare to laugh out loud at the puppy’s actual solution.

Children three to seven will enjoy this five-star picture book.

Thanks to, Candlewick Books, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Is This Spring,” by Helen Yoon, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

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