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Tag: Middle Grade Mystery

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Welcome back! We made it to Friday! Our last day of my book launch for “Magical Fashion Show Contest.”

Friday, July 18, 2025

Today we’ll discuss the last section on the back of my book, and so much more.

Will they manage to emerge at the top of the contest while unearthing the mysteries that the connect them all?

The complete back of my new book.

Question of the Day

What do you think? Do you think they will make it to the top of the contest?

Or, what mysteries connect them all?

*Answer in the comment section below for a chance to win a $10.00 ecard for Amazon. See Rules below.*

Amazon Gift Cards

Reminder of The Rules:

USA players only. You must be 18 years or older and have a valid USA Amazon account since an ecard will be sent. (Sorry international friends. I learned the hard way how sometimes these ecards have a hard time sending.) With that being said, you also must have a valid email that you are willing to share through my email account at my Books by Rose email. (Please do not share your email here in my blog.) Let me know if you have any questions.

(Although this book launch will be announced on Facebook and other social media sites, it is not affiliated with them and only here at Books by Rose.)

FIVE winners will be announced Monday, July 21, 2025. (If winners do not respond within 72 hours of contact, I will have to move the winnings to the next person. Watch for a message from me, “Books by Rose,” Rosie Russell.

Learn about these next two authors and their books.

Catherine Michaels

Meet Catherine Michaels. She and I go way back to the time when we both started writing books. She and I even wrote a Middle-Grade book together, (“Just Between Sam and Me”) which was released in 2020. You may remember her author name as “Cat Michaels” when she was a children’s author. Find those books ► here. She now writes cozy, fun romance books.

About the author

Catherine Michaels whisks you away to sun-drenched shores with her kisses-only beachy romances. Get ready to laugh, shed a tear (or two), and swoon over heartwarming characters you’ll instantly connect with.

In her Gull Island Romance series, set against the backdrop of a small town in coastal North Carolina, her flawed but relatable characters navigate heartbreak, rediscover love, and find their soulmates.

Catherine and her family live outside of Raleigh, North Carolina, where she visits her happy places on the coast every chance she gets.

Catherine MichaelsWebsiteAmazon books (Find more of her books at other retail sites, too.)

Next up…

Here’s another wonderful, supportive author. She recently released a Middle- Grade book you might want to check out. I read it, and it was cleverly written with much research on the subject.

Carol Baldwin

About the author

Frequent library trips, Saturday mornings reading in bed, word games around the kitchen table, and letters to pen-pals—these are the photographs from my childhood. My mother told me, “You have a way with words.” I believed her and grew into that blessing.

I started by publishing nonfiction because I felt comfortable translating my observations and experiences into words. Gradually, I left the safety of my own experiences and worked into writing fiction. I didn’t leave nonfiction behind though. Every story I plan to write will be rooted in real events and real places. Every writer has their favorite genre. I admire books that show tapestries of relationships and the interior life of a character’s emotions and choices. I hope that my books will capture that same experience for my readers.

Carol Baldwin’s ► WebsiteAmazon Books (Don’t forget to check out her book at other retail sites, as well.)

Where To Get Your Copy of “Magical Fashion Show Contest.”

Magical Fashion Show Contest Books

Amazon HardcoverAmazon PaperbackAmazon Kindle

Barnes & Noble Hardcover

Type the title of this book or Rosie Russell into your browser to find this book in other online stores.

Libraries – This title contains an LCCN. Look for “Magical Fashion Show Contest” to add to your bookshelves.

Reviews welcomed. If you are on Goodreads, I’d love it if you would add it to your “Want to read shelf.” Thank you! ❤️

There So Many More Things I’d Like To Tell You!

It’s hard to end it all here without adding a few other very special things to this book launch!

You’ll see some bonus fun at the back of the book. There are simple recipes (well, one is a little more intense than the others, but readers will wow their family with this one.) It’s a special meal that Grandmother wanted me to share.

Recipes – Page 77

Recipes from the 50s, 70s, and 90s.

Art Projects – Page 87

There are art activities! Yes, some you may have seen these before in my other books. Older readers may have a better idea on how to approach these projects.

Book Discussions – Page 95

Oh, and book club discussions! Yes! Gather your friends, read the book, and have fun talking about all the adventures in this book and so much more.

Book Club Discussions.

See You Back On Monday!

Don’t forget to check back in on Monday, July 21, 2025 to see if you are one of the winners for a Amazon Gift Card!

Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

Until then,

Happy Reading!

Rosie

The Magic Continues with Book Launch News at Books by Rose!

Celebrating Friends!

Who’s ready for some more fun with my book launch?

Today, I’ll share paragraph #4 on the back of my book.

Buckle up for a whimsical-filled ride with cherished friendships that transcend time!

Hmm, friendships? So there are more characters in this book?

Question of the Day

Who Do You Think Maggie, Millie, and Merrie Will Meet In This Story?

I can assure you, there are many friends in this book for every reader to enjoy. In fact, there are at least ten other characters. Not all of them have strong dialogues, but they still add value to the story. 🤗

I can’t wait for you to read about them! ❤️

*Answer in the comment section below for a chance to win a $10.00 ecard for Amazon. See Rules below.*

Reminder of The Rules:

USA players only. You must be 18 years or older and have a valid USA Amazon account since an ecard will be sent. (Sorry international friends. I learned the hard way how sometimes these ecards have a hard time sending.) With that being said, you also must have a valid email that you are willing to share through my email account at my Books by Rose email. (Please do not share your email here in my blog.) Let me know if you have any questions.

(Although this book launch will be announced on Facebook and other social media sites, it is not affiliated with them and only here at Books by Rose.)

FIVE winners will be announced Monday, July 21, 2025. (If winners do not respond within 72 hours of contact, I will have to move the winnings to the next person. Watch for a message from me, “Books by Rose,” Rosie Russell.

Extra Bonus News

These next two authors have some wonderful books and I’ve enjoyed them all.

Rebecca Lyndsey is not only an author, she is an artist and a full-time teacher, too!

About the author

Rebecca Lyndsey is a children’s book author, illustrator and teacher who was born in and still lives in the mountains of West Virginia with her wonderful husband and their two very spoiled cats. In her spare time she likes to paint, sing, read, play Wii dance games and mystery game apps on her Kindle Fire and spend time outdoors with her husband. “World of Color” is her first book release and plans to continue writing and illustrating many more books in the future.

Rebecca Lyndsey’s ► WebsiteAmazon Books (Look for her books on other store sites, as well.)

Sandra Bennett

Author Sandra Bennett lives in Australia and writes wonderful stories!

About the author

Sandra Bennett has been writing children’s stories for as long as she can remember. Right from her childhood in the early 1970’s Sandra used her imagination to develop adventure stories from where she lived in the southern suburbs of Sydney, to now where she lives with her family on a tranquil little property just outside of Canberra. As a little girl she always dreamed of becoming a teacher and sharing her stories with the children in her classes to encourage and improve literacy skills. Sandra believes Literacy skills are the building blocks to all further education. Once you can read you can learn anything and grow to become whatever your dreams desire.

Sandra enjoys writing children’s stories that will entice even the most reluctant reader to pick up a book and laugh so much they will not want to put it down. Her children’s books are for ages 4-10, early readers, reluctant reader and ESL students. They are perfect to read aloud at home with the entire family.

Her first book Gingerbread Aliens has achieved that objective and been selected for use in the 2013 Australian National Eisteddfod under 10 years Championship Division of Speech and Drama.

Sandra has taken not only her 25 years of experience as a classroom teacher but also as a mum to three boys and now writes a weekly blog titled Raising Awesome Readers, it can be found at http://gingerbreadaliens.blogspot.com.au/ or on her website http://sandrabennettauthor.com/

Gingerbread Aliens is the first in a series of five planned books. Book 2 Alien Shenanigans should be released later this year

Sandra Bennett’s Website Amazon Books (Look for more of her books in other sites, as well.)

Where To Get Your Copy of “Magical Fashion Show Contest.”

Magical Fashion Show Contest Books

Amazon HardcoverAmazon PaperbackAmazon Kindle

Barnes & Noble Hardcover

Type the title of this book or Rosie Russell into your browser to find this book in other online stores.

Libraries – This title contains an LCCN. Find this title to add to your bookshelves.

Reviews welcomed. If you are in Goodreads, I’d love it if you would add it to your ► “Want to read shelf.” Thank you! ❤️

See You Back Tomorrow!

I hope to see you back tomorrow, Friday, July 18, 2025, for our final reveals and a question to answer.

Until then,

Happy Reading!

Rosie

The Case of the SMASHED WINDOW, by Toby Williams

We are back to tell you about, Toby Williams’s 2nd installment of her mystery series.

You may remember, back in September 2021, we talked about her first book, “The Case of the HIDDEN SHOE.” You can read more about that here.

Click on the cover below.

"The Case of the HIDDEN SHOE"
“The Case of the HIDDEN SHOE”

Interview

Let’s get started for our second interview.

(Author Toby A. Williams, Cover Design by Artist Corrina Holyoake, Edited by Lor Bingham-Calico Editing)

Was it easier to write this second book than your first middle grade book?

Overall, yes. With several characters already developed in Book 1, The Case of the HIDDEN SHOE, plus seeds of Brooke Lynn wanting to get involved in the community, the new supporting friends and family were more easily woven into each scene in Book 2.

About the Book: The Case of the SMASHED WINDOW (The BROOKE LYNN Mysteries – Book 2) by Toby A. Williams – Middle-graders Brooke Lynn and sleuth pal Mike are itching to crack the next case! When a respected neighbor, Mr. Wilkens, asks for their help after spotting some vandals break his window, they begin their new investigation – pronto! But the crime-busting duo are thrown off the trail as tensions arise and Brooke Lynn finds herself questioning everyone – even Mike and her very own BFF Susie! With the town’s hyped-up Chili Cookoff looming, a big cleanup day planned – which Brooke Lynn is helping organize, will they be able to solve the case in time before any further vandalism strikes the once-quiet town? And just like Book 1, this sequel will keep you on your toes… a real page-turner!

Credits: Cover Design – Corrina Holyoake (@corrinaholyoake); Editor – Lor Bingham, Calico Editing Services (@calico_lor)

When writing this new book, did you have the end all figured out or did it even surprise you?

The original concept for The Case of the SMASHED WINDOW did in fact have another ending. During the rewriting process, an additional incitement was incorporated to punch up the mystery, thus creating suspicion toward some less-than-obvious characters. This new direction ultimately led to a more suspenseful ending. And I am grateful to Lor Bingham of Calico Editing for pushing me when I was stuck; her professional talents were terrific once again!

Do you prefer writing shorter stories or chapter books?

Both genres offer a vast expanse of creativity yet they are completely different in plotting and planning. I have a slight preference to children’s picture books because of the magical compliment offered by the colorful illustrations. But honestly, they are both rewarding in their own way. Stirring any reader’s interest, no matter the level, is so important. Yes, to child literacy!

The Case of the SMASHED WINDOW link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09PJS87NF

Tween readers will relate to your story with friendships woes and more. Did you interview or visit with readers this age for ideas for this book?

A couple of pre-teens were consulted for the first book to get a feel for tween lingo, and age-appropriate subject matter which carried over into Book 2. One of the tweens was a beta reader too. The input was enlightening and welcomed!

What is one message you would like to send out to your readers?

Being open-minded, kind, compassionate, and helping others is so important, now more than ever. Like Brooke Lynn, there are opportunities to volunteer in the community via local youth groups, school, church organizations, fundraisers, and team sports. From graffiti paint-over and cleanup days to charitable fundraisers through the various groups I’ve been involved in over the years, the most rewarding aspect has been helping others – no matter how small it may seem.

Thank you so much for this interview, Toby. Please tell our readers where they can find this book and other ones you have written.

Thank you, Rosie for this blog interview. It’s such a kind gesture when a fellow author supports another author in various ways. And I’m glad you are a fan of Brooke Lynn!

My books are available in three formats through online booksellers and at the links below:

Author Website:  https://www.tobyawilliamsauthor.com

Amazon Page:  https://www.amazon.com/author/tobywilliams

The BROOKE LYNN Mysteries series:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0985W37GT

The BROOKE LYNN Adventures series:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RLVL5TB

The BROOKE LYNN Adventures and Mysteries

News At Books By Rose

I had the honor to do an interview with Dr. Heather Rivera.

About Dr. Heather Rivera:

Heather Rivera, Ph.D. is an Amazon best-selling author. She has written eleven books—fiction, nonfiction, and books for young readers. Heather hosts writing workshops and offers private coaching.

Contact her directly at drheatherrivera@gmail.com for coaching services.

Click on the bookcase below to read our interview and what’s coming soon at, Books by Rose.

Thanks for stopping by. Let us know what you’ve been up to and any exciting plans you’d like to announce.

As always,

Happy Reading!

Rosie

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