Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Thirty And A Half Excuses, and Why I Love The Rose Gardner Mysteries


I love the Rose Gardner Mysteries so much.

I fell in love with Rose and the other crazy and colorful residents of Henryetta Arkansas 
when I read "Twenty Eight And A Half Wishes".

And I loved her, and felt sorry for her, and worried about her and cheered for her
 and cried along with her in "Twenty Nine And A Half Reasons".

And, well, I also fell in love with her boyfriend Joe. 
Sigh. Joe. Mmmmm....

So when I found out Denise was writing "Thirty And A Half Excuses", 
well, I practically begged to review it 
(translation: read it as soon as possible!!!)




Denise Grover Swank is my friend, a fellow adoptive mama, and a brilliant writer.
Here is a little more about her. 

New York Times and
USA Today bestselling author Denise
Grover Swank was born in Kansas City, Missouri and lived in the area until she
was nineteen. Then she became a nomadic gypsy, living in five cities, four
states and ten houses over the course of ten years before she moved back to her
roots. She speaks English and smattering of Spanish and Chinese which she
learned through an intensive Nick Jr. immersion period.  Her hobbies
include witty Facebook comments (in own her mind) and dancing in her kitchen
with her children. (Quite badly if you believe her offspring.)  Hidden
talents include the gift of justification and the ability to drink massive
amounts of caffeine and still fall asleep within two minutes. Her lack of the
sense of smell allows her to perform many unspeakable tasks.  She has six
children and hasn’t lost her sanity. Or so she leads you to believe.




Thirty And A Half Excuses is the third book in the Rose Gardner Mysteries and I think it is my favorite!


THIRTY AND A HALF
EXCUSES Synopsis:

Life in Henryetta, Arkansas is turned upside down with the
arrival of a televangelist, but it’s the death of a little old lady on Rose’s
street that catches her attention. The Henryetta police deem her death natural
causes, but Rose suspects foul play and so does an unlikely supporter–-the
president of the Busy Body Club, her eighty-two year old neighbor Mildred.



But Rose is in the middle of opening her nursery with her sister Violet, who’s
separated from her husband Mike, as well as stalling her boyfriend Joe’s
family, rich socialites who are determined to meet her. Along with her multiple
encounters with Fenton County’s new assistant DA, Mason Deveraux III, it’s just
another day in the life of Rose Gardner–-chaos.


What can I say about this book to tell you how much I love it?
Well, as I said before I love the characters. I love Rose and how she has grown as a person just in the span of a few months since "28 1/2", and then "29 1/2" and now. Rose is a hard worker who is experiencing first love, really the first love in her life. She has been mocked and belittled and lied to her whole life. Yet she is learning to embrace her special "gift" and use it for good.
Rose and her sister Violet are thrilled to open their new florist nursery 
and more intrigue arrives on their grand opening day. 
I get so mad at how the townspeople treat her and mistrust her, yet there is redemption as some grudgingly admit her curious ways are solving crimes. 
Well, and Joe. hmmmm. Yeah, Rose's boyfriend Joe is just a bundle of mystery. And then 
there is Mason Deveraux, who is Rose's friend, but he wants to be more, as well as having 
his own touch of mystery. And Rose's sister Violette just needs to have some serious therapy!
And the new minister in town....well......there is a story...........
and I must add that if we lived in Henryetta, my HRH would
probably be playing in the church band....well maybe.  
Somehow trouble and mystery, seem to follow Rose. 
I think you will love her as much as I do.

You can buy Denise's books at
Amazon. 

 Denise has offered a giveaway to celebrate the release of "Thirty And A Half Excuses"!!
I am hoping I did this correctly. A Rafflecopter should appear. If not, well, I did something wrong.

href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9172c149/" rel="nofollow">


href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9172c149/"
rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Reading!
Sivje


href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9172c149/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Attempting To Post From My IPad




So the aging Macbook is not behaving and I am working on learning how to post from my iPad.

So far, I have not managed to remain calm. 


Nor have I found the secret to eternal youth, as the office next to this sign was abandoned. 




However, I can look at my engagement photo from when HRH and I were actually young.



This is a dumb post, but if it works, I will be very happy and maybe even join the girls in a round of 
"Just Dance".
 

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Harriet Doll Outfit By Genniewren


Did you just swoon with delight
at this darling little sailor outfit? 

I adore sailor outfits!


And I have a wonderful talented
friend who designs gorgeous patterns
for 18" dolls.

Her name is Genine and 
her company is Genniewren Designs.


This little outfit was made using her
brand new "Harriet" pattern.

I adore this pattern!


The pattern comes as a PDF
complete with pattern pieces
and instructions to make the dropped waist
pleated skirt dress,
the beret,
and the sailor blouse.



I made the blouse with the short sleeves,
but there is also a long sleeve variation,
and even a ruffled collar variation. 

Ahnalin's Molly and Elizabeth dolls
each had to have their chance modeling
the outfit.

They both love it as well.

Ahnalin and I sewed this little outfit together.

She picked out the fabric from my stash,
and helped me with the cutting and the straight seams.



And it was her idea
to use the tiny piece of tucked trim for the
inset on the dress. 



(Ahnalin styling her model for the perfect photo)

She wants to make another dress
using this pattern,
to be more like a cheerleading outfit!



If you have a little girl 
(or are a little girl at heart)
who loves
her 18" doll, then you need to 
get right on over to Genine's store
and load up on her gorgeous patterns.

She has so many darling designs 
and her instructions are so easy to follow.

Oh Genine,
thank you for allowing us
to enjoy your wonderful design.

I can't wait to make up
even more of your amazing designs.



Happy Sewing!
Sivje