“Plain Jane’s Secret Admirer,” by Anne Blackburne

Posted on January 15, 2026 by Becky

The Course of True Love is Never Smooth

Lizzie is only willing to go on her honeymoon if Jane takes care of her bakery, and her beloved cat, Little Mouse. Lizzie is barely gone when Little Mouse disappears.

Samuel, Jane’s crush since grade school, has volunteered to try to find Little Mouse, along with helping with repairs at the bakery. Unknown to Jane, Samuel, has liked her since they were children, but was also responsible for her hurtful nickname, Plain Jane.

Samuel has not wanted to admit his responsibility for the nickname, so has wasted many years not telling Jane how he feels.

Out of the blue, an interloper starts trying to steal Jane’s affections. Just when it seems Samuel will make a clean breast of things, and tell her his feelings, everything blows up between them.

All kinds of things start going wrong, including Samuel’s life hanging in the balance. Jane is devastated by that, along with the continued loss of Little Mouse.

This is a very enjoyable story that will draw you in–you won’t want to stop reading it. There are lots of twists and turns, along with some very interesting side stories.

I liked that the faith of the characters is included, that this is a clean read, and the way it ends. Fans of well-written Amish tales will enjoy this five-star story.

Thanks to Barbour Books, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Plain Jane’s Secret Admirer,” by Anne Blackburne, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

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

The Author’s Twitter:  https://x.com/AuthorAnneB

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

 

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“The Winter of the Dollhouse,” by Laura Amy Schlitz

Posted on January 9, 2026 by Becky

And They All Lived Happily Ever After!

If you’ve ever felt like an outsider looking in, this story is for you. Tiph is a girl who is obsessed with the miniature world of dollhouses, and the dolls in them. Her heart is set on a doll named Gretel, but there’s a catch: the store owner has banned Tiph from the shop, leaving her to stare longingly through the window.

Things change when Tiph meets Szilvia, an older woman who loves dolls and dollhouses, too.  Szilvia hires Tiph to take care of her pets.  The two become friends.  Szilvia listens, and gives attention, to Tiph, something her dad and stepmother don’t have time for.  Life is getting better for Tiph.

But one day, Tiph does something wrong, so bad, Tiph surprises herself.  Tiph is afraid that if it is discovered, her parents, and Szilvia will never forgive her.

This is a great story.  You will experience, along with Tiph, wonderful things, and hard things—and what Tiph thinks and does.

The choice Tiph makes in the end may surprise you.

A cool part about this book is the way it’s told. There are two narrators: Tiph and Gretel, the doll.

Children aged eight through thirteen-years-old will enjoy this five-star story.

Thanks to Candlewick Books, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “The Winter of the Dollhouse,” by Laura Amy Schlitz, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

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“Dastardly Deeds Down on the Farm,” by Cynthia Hickey; Linda Baten Johnson; Teresa Ives Lilly; Janice Thompson

Posted on December 31, 2025 by Becky

4 Cozy Farmyard Mysteries

Out in the Not So Peaceful Country

Enjoy four different mysteries that each have a rural twist:

“Hog Wild,” by Cynthia Hickey

Shelby tries to uncover who took her champion hog, Big Red. At the same time, her high school sweetheart shows up as the town’s new vet. Ten years ago, he left cutting things off badly between them, and she hasn’t heard from until now. Shelby doesn’t know if she can survive the dangers she uncovers, along with the feelings for her old flame.

“The Dark Side of the Moo,” by Linda Baten Johnson

Liv returns home to help her parents with their dairy farm. Cows are sick, some have died, and things go from bad to worse. The disliked vet is found murdered in their barn, and Liv is the suspect. Trying to clear her name, Liv finds someone may have deliberately made the cows sick, and now her parents are ill. Will her knowledge be the death of her?

“Fowl Deed,” by Teresa Ives Lilly

April needs money to pay off a huge debt to the bank. She also needs money to keep her dad in the retirement home he enjoys. To make money, April started raising chickens to sell their eggs, along with opening a gift shop with a chicken theme.

Recently, she turned her home into an Airbnb to bring in more money. But Jeff Barr is trying to pressure the bank to foreclose on her. He wants her property for a deal that will make him rich.

When Jeff is found dead, April is the number one suspect. She must find out who really did it before she is put in jail.

“Searching for Sunshine,” by Janice Thompson

Jessie has taken every penny that friends and family gave her to save the farm, to use on the stud fee for her hose. She is hoping the foal will bring in enough money to save everything. But the night she arrives where it will take place, her horse is stolen.

Suspects are everywhere. As Jessie tries to sort it out, she finds herself having feelings for the son of the stud farm’s owner.

The culprit in this one has a twist.

All these mysteries are five-star. I like that they include the character’s faith, along with some fun, and suspense. Pick this up, and read these tales one-at-a-time, or have them all at once. Either way, you will enjoy yourself.

Thanks to Barbour Books, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Dastardly Deeds Down on the Farm,” for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

The Author’s Websites:

Cynthia Hickey:  https://cynthiahickey.com/

Linda Baten Johnson:  https://www.lindabatenjohnson.com/

Teresa Lilly:  https://teresalilly.wordpress.com/meet-teresa/

Janice Thompson:  https://janiceathompson.com/

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“How the Forest Feels,” by Wendi Silvano

Posted on December 30, 2025 by Becky

More Than a Hike

In this book, a grandson and grandfather go on a hike together on a beautiful fall day. They will find all kinds of things that will involve one or more of our five senses.

Our senses are: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.

The boy and his grandfather experience all five of those things while out for their walk. The book also states there are more than forty textures in this story.

This tale will inspire a child to pay attention to the things around them that touch their senses. Maybe they will want to take a walk with their grandparent, or another adult, to explore these things.

Also included are instructions to make a texture mystery box, which is a fun way to learn about textures.

I like that the book warns children not to explore things in nature alone. It is best to take an adult along because there are things that might be poisonous or cause pain.

Children ages four through seven-years-old will enjoy this five-star picture book.

Thanks to Candlewick Press, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “How the Forest Feels,” by Wendi Silvano, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

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Hobos, Naturally Gluten-Free

Posted on December 29, 2025 by Becky

 

 

2 lbs hamburger, pork, or ground meat of choice

1 onion, thinly sliced

4 frozen mini corn on the cobs

4 medium potatoes, use red or golden, peeled and sliced thin

2 – 2 ½ carrots, per Hobo, peeled and sliced, or made into match sticks

2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes

1 teaspoon chopped garlic

Salt and pepper to taste

2 Tablespoons real butter, in 4 pieces

Real olive oil spray

4 pieces of aluminum foil

2 cookie sheets

Heat your oven to 350 degrees F.

 

You will need one piece of foil per Hobo, making sure it is large enough to hold all the ingredients, and have room to fold over.

Lay out your 4 foil pieces.  Make 4 meat patties out of the ground meat, and place the patties in the middle of each piece of foil.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.  Add the chopped garlic over each of the patties.

Divide onion slices between the 4 Hobos, and lay them on top of the meat patties.  Then add potatoes, and carrots, putting them on top, and around, the meat patties.

Add one mini corn on the cob to each Hobo.  Salt and pepper the entire thing to taste.  Sprinkle parsley flakes over each Hobo, and add a pat of butter to the top of the potato carrot mixture.

Spray the entire thing with olive oil.  Fold up the foil, put them on cookie sheets, and bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour 15 minutes.  You want to make sure the carrots are done, so it may take longer.

You can easily change these around, adding more or less vegetables, add different vegetables, or change the spices.  For example, we have made these with pork chops instead of ground meat, and included sliced and peeled apple.  Be creative with these, always use a meat thermometer to make sure it is done.

You can make more Hobos depending on the size of your crowd, and how hungry you are.

Children have fun eating these like this: put a cooled foil packet on a plate for each person.  Open the foil, careful of the steam, and eat right out of the packet.

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“Interrupting Chicken Saves the Nutcracker,” by David Ezra Stein

Posted on December 27, 2025 by Becky

Unlike Any Nutcracker Performance You’ve Seen

Chicken goes to see The Nutcracker, but can’t help herself, and keeps interrupting the performance by jumping on the stage.  Each time she does it bring hilarious results.

First, she does it to show Clara her tutu. Next, she does it to save the nutcracker from Fritz.  Finally, she interrupts to break up the fight between the Mouse King and the Nutcracker—and that causes them to be kicked out.

But without Chicken, the show can’t go on.  She saves the day with even more crazy, funny results.

Children will love this story, it is very funny, and they just might see themselves in some of the things chicken does.  If you are familiar with The Nutcracker, you will laugh even more.  Her poor Papa is beside himself.

The back of the book features Chicken’s Nutcracker Game, it too, is hilarious! 

Children ages three through eight will enjoy this book.

Thanks to Candlewick Press, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Interrupting Chicken Saves the Nutcracker,” by David Ezra Stein, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

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“Not Exactly Mr. Darcy,” by Carolyn Miller

Posted on December 23, 2025 by Becky

The Way of True Love is Complicated

Olivia, is from Australia, but is temporarily in an English village to take care of her grandmother. She finds herself at odds with Liam, the gardener of Harbury Hall. This historic home used to be open to the public, but has been closed for some time.

Olivia would like to see it reopened, and volunteered her services to make that happen. Many local people are willing to help as well. She deals with lots of obstacles, including the gardener himself.

Slowly, she wins him over as the house is reopened and tours start coming through. But the biggest thing Liv doesn’t know is Liam’s true identity.

When she understands that, it changes the relationship Liv and Liam were starting to develop. Liv feels like she has been used, and is a fool.

The relationship between Liv and Liam is fun to experience, and keeps you wondering if they will ever like each other. The story also has a tie-in to the book, “Pride and Prejudice,” stating that a movie version was filmed on the Harbury grounds. I like that this tale includes the character’s faith.

I recommend this clean, five-star book.

Thanks to Barbour Books, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Not Exactly Mr. Darcy,” 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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“Merry Mittens,” by Jordan Morris

Posted on December 13, 2025 by Becky

A Moontime Cats Christmas Story

Illustrated by Charlie Mylie

The Cats will Play

Join the adventures with three cat friends as they explore the night filled with snow. After they discover the missing star from the top of the Christmas tree, they do their best to put it back–finishing it off singing carols that only another cat would love.

They have been unaware that they have been followed during the night by a new kitty. But then the shy spy joins their singing, and they have a good time playing together.

All but one of the cats have owners that call them to come home. That one, is the new friend, who doesn’t have a home.  A Christmas miracle takes place when they find the perfect place.

This sweet picture book is a story that children will love to hear. While laughing at the cat antics, they will be concerned for the cat without a home, and will cheer happily for the ending.

This nice story is even more fun since it takes places during the holidays.  Wonderful, colorful illustrations make this already good tale, even better. Children ages three through eight-years-old will enjoy this five-star book.

On a personal note, I also enjoyed this book because I am very familiar with the Rabbit hOle Museum—a family favorite–that both the author and illustrator helped create.

Thanks to Candlewick Press, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Merry Mittens,” by Jordan Morris, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

 

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Gluten-Free Spanish Pyramids

Posted on December 11, 2025 by Becky

Makes 4

1 to ½ lbs chicken, cut into thin strips

3 pieces of bacon

1 onion, sliced thinly

1/2 Tablespoon butter

1 to 2 Tablespoons olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

1 cup uncooked jasmine rice

1 teaspoon ground cumin, divided

1 teaspoon gluten-free buffalo sauce, or to taste

2 teaspoons Swerve or sweetener of choice

1 teaspoon Sea salt, divided

1 teaspoon chopped garlic

2 cups chicken broth

6 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

1/3 cup Pace Picante Sauce or picante sauce of choice

2 cups of grated cheese

1 can of refried beans

Shredded lettuce

In a large skillet, cook bacon until done, keep bacon grease.  Remove bacon, drain, and crumble.

In same skillet, with the bacon grease, add sliced onion, and sauté until translucent.  Remove the onion.

Add chicken, 1/3 teaspoon sea salt, olive oil, and 1 teaspoon Swerve.

Cook 6 minutes or until chicken is done—always check meat with a thermometer.  When finished, stir in buffalo sauce, if desired.

For the rice:

In a saucepan, stir in the chicken broth, Pace, ½ tablespoon butter, ½ teaspoon sea salt, 2/3 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon Swerve, and garlic.  Bring to a boil, then stir in Jasmine rice.

Lower heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, turn off heat, but keep rice on burner for 5 minutes.

Remove lid and fluff.

For the refried beans:

Warm the refried beans in the microwave one minute, or until easy to stir.  Mix in the crumbled bacon, 1/3 teaspoon cumin, and half of the sauteed onion slices.

Assemble the pyramids:

Divide rice between four plates, making a flat circle.  Add ¼ of refried beans to the top of the rice, not quit going to the edges.

Add cooked chicken to the top of that, and then remaining sauteed onions on top of the chicken.

Next, put grated cheese over the top of the pyramids, and heat until cheese is melted, and everything is warmed.  Sprinkle remaining cilantro over the tops.

If desired, surround edge of pyramids with shredded lettuce.  Serve with sliced avocados, salsa, or sour cream.

 

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“Christmas in the Trenches,” by John McCutcheon

Posted on December 8, 2025 by Becky

The Christmas Miracle

This story begins in modern England, at the end of Christmas day.  Two grandchildren ask their grandfather what his favorite Christmas was, and he tells them the story of the 1914 Christmas.

Version 1.0.0

He recalls that it was during World War I, The Great War, and it was raging.  The young soldiers were living and fighting in the trenches.  It was freezing, with frost on the ground, and the soldiers all knew they would be spending Christmas outside and miserable.

Suddenly, they heard a Christmas carol sung by the German soldiers coming from their trenches on the other side of the field.  The English soldiers answered back with a carol of their own.

Version 1.0.0

Before they knew it, hesitantly at first, the English and German soldiers came out of their trenches, and met each other in the field between them.

With common agreement, they laid down their weapons and celebrated Christmas with each other.  The Germans produced a small Christmas tree with candles, soldiers from both sides exchanged gifts of what they had like chocolates, and canned meat.

Version 1.0.0

The Christmas truce went on all through the night until the next dawn, when they returned to the war, and how they were before.  But stopping the fighting, and celebrating Christmas together, was never forgotten by the ones there.

This was a real Christmas miracle because it was based on a Christmas truce that really happened.

Although this is a picture book for children, ages seven to ten-years-old, adults will enjoy this based-on-facts story.  Gore is not shown, the one illustration of fighting is not in color, but the spirit of the situation is told.

This five-star book makes it easy to learn an amazing part of history.

Thanks to Candlewick Press, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Christmas in the Trenches,” by John McCutcheon, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

 

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