Summer of Joy is the third book in the Hollyhill Series trilogy by Ann Gabhart. The principal character of the series is Jocie Brooke, a young teen in 1964 small-town Kentucky. Her single dad is bi-vocational, working as a newspaper editor and a minister. But Jocie’s world includes lots of characters, as you would come to know in most small towns: a busy-body gossip, Jocie’s adopted grandfather who tells fanciful stories of being from Jupiter, a jealous and mentally unbalanced teacher, Jocie’s mother who abandoned her, Jocie’s sister who is the mother of a bi-racial child, a caring woman who could become Jocie’s stepmother, and the other people who become the mortar to the bricks of our existence.

Will Jocie’s dad get up the courage to propose to a younger woman? Will the busy-body’s interference drive away Jocie’s adopted grandfather? Will Jocie make peace with not being loved by her mother? Will the town accept her unwed sister’s half-black child? Will Jocie’s teacher fail her out of spite? Will God make a way of escape when Jocie’s life is endangered?

There’s plenty going on in Hollyhill, and Gabhart spins a story with comfortable familiarity told from a Christian perspective. The audiobook is a treat, with Gabhart as the narrator.

If you enjoy clean romance and drama, Summer of Joy will meet your expectations. I enjoyed it so much that I’m now looking forward to the first two books in the series, Scent of Lilacs and Orchard of Hope.

@AnnHGabhart @RevellBooks #SummerofJoy #paidlink #Christianfiction

Until a few years ago the consensus among rod builders and rod handlers was that ferrules, the connections where the sections of a rod slide together, produced a dead spot in the transference of energy during the cast.

Then lighter and more durable materials, along with improved tapers, virtually eliminated this problem. This is especially true in fly-fishing, where the cast is elevated to an art form.

The better materials and more powerful tapers, along with the ease of transporting a telescoping or multi-sectioned rod, made these the rods of choice for most fishers across the board.

Still, anglers who sought larger game, and those who relied less on the cast itself in fishing, often preferred the single-piece rod for its toughness. For this reason you can find a one-piece rod when that is your choice.

Zebco offers a Quantum RNGC561MB.PB2 Rhino one-piece rod in 5’6”, 6’, and 6’6”.

I recently paired this six and a half foot rod with the iconic Zebco 33 spincast reel. The Zebco 33 features all-metal gears, a 4.1:1 gear ratio, thumb-dial adjustment drag, “Quickset anti-reverse”, and a bite alert. I had high hopes the bite alert would let me know a big catfish had taken my bait. The Zebco 33 comes pre-spooled with 120 yards of 10 pound line.

While stringing my rod for the first time, I noticed some slight imperfections or perhaps damage to the blank between the second and third guides from the top. (See picture.) If this were a high dollar rod, I would not tolerate any defects. A blemish on a $30 rod didn’t upset me. The copy on the product page says: Zebco Rhino rods are warranted for a period of ten (10) years from date of original retail purchase against defects in workmanship and/or materials.

Red wraps with silver accents compliment the dark gray matte finish of the blank.

The baffling description calls the rod a glow tip. It does not glow.

The down-locking ring on the reel seat held my reel securely.

The EVA handle has no butt cap, just more EVA foam. I expect this will become dirty and ragged as I rest my rod on the butt.

I was pleased with the casting performance of the rod and reel. My dough ball bait sailed far out to the deep water. Unfortunately, this fishing trip only yielded a couple bumps to my bait, and they weren’t strong enough for me to set the hook. I wasn’t able to test the strength of the rod by reeling in a heavy cat this time, but I’m sure my Zebco Rhino will see plenty of action in the future.

I have an affiliate association with Amazon and may benefit from purchases made through outbound links.

https://amzn.to/2P5n7wj

#ZebcoRhino #Zebco33 #onepiecerod #zebcofishing @ZebcoFishing

Vesper is defined as an evening prayer, and I find it fitting that the MoonShine Rod Company named one of their newer (2020) rod offerings the Vesper Series. How many times have I whispered a prayer in the fading light, asking for a strike as I make just one more cast?

I ordered the 9 foot 10 wt. “High Modulus, Nano Matrix Carbon Fiber” graphite Vesper because until now, my arsenal of fly rods topped out at 9 wt. I live on a land-locked lake where striped bass swim. Most folks don’t stalk these stripers with fly rods, but now I believe I have the gear for the challenge.

One of the first things you notice about this rod is the extra tip. Often rod damage occurs on the tip section, and MoonShine includes a second tip with new rods at no additional charge, in the five-slot rod sock. MoonShine’s Lifetime Warranty involves a fee, which is $55 for the Vesper. This compares favorably with rod repair fees across the industry.

Aesthetically, the Vesper gives off a formidable vibe with a matte finish of deep dark blue-gray, bright copper-colored accents on the wraps, and small orange alignment dots. Vesper rods 6 wt. and below have a tiger wood reel seat insert, while the 7-10 wt. rods have a “salt ready” aluminum reel seat. My reel remained securely in place, tightened with two up-locking rings.

The 10 wt. Vesper has a white lightning bolt opposite the reel seat, appropriate for a company named MoonShine. (I also appreciate their tagline, “Small Batch Fly Rods”.) The AAAA grade cork is two-toned, darker at each end of the grip and on the end of the fighting butt. Imprinted on the bottom of the butt is a lightning bolt between an M and an R.

No guides are on the butt section, but in what may be an anomaly among saltwater rods, the 10 wt. Vesper has a hook-keeper. The stripping guides are titanium frames with what appear to be ceramic inserts. The snake guides are wire with a single foot.

As you might expect, the 10 wt. Vesper is a fast action rod. That means it is stiff, and can potentially develop a higher line speed. This is helpful when you need to cast farther, punch through the wind, and throw bigger flies.

So how does it perform? The rod feels lightweight and powerful. I paired it with a 9 wt. front-tapered line and laid down a 50-foot cast with ease. I’m quite pleased to find a rod of this caliber at the $450 price point.

I was a little disappointed to learn the Vesper is made in Korea. I was under the mistaken impression that MoonShine’s high-end rods are assembled in the US (right in my home state of Virginia) using mostly outsourced materials. MoonShine’s website makes the case that regardless of where the rod is assembled they keep a close eye on quality control, and their motivating factor is offering a quality rod at an affordable price.

I don’t think you can go wrong with the Vesper if you are looking for a fly rod that performs like a more expensive rod from the long-established rod companies, has a lifetime no-fault warranty, and comes in under $500.

As for my striper hunt, I’ll use my Vesper and whisper a little prayer.

@moonshinerods @moonshineUSA

#moonshinerodcompany #whitelightning #moonshinevesper #flyfishing #striperfishing #rodreview #flyrod

I have an affiliate relationship with Amazon and may benefit from outbound links. https://amzn.to/3uPe3w8

In Star Rising, Janet W. Ferguson writes about a young woman making the hard, correct choices which are exemplary of living the Christian life. Temptations aren’t discounted. Hurts aren’t glossed over. Romantic tension courses through the pages.
Just about anyone can relate to the characters in this Christian romance. Have you gotten mad at God because you think life’s circumstances turned on you? Or are you coming out of a rough time or place and clinging to God just to make it? Perhaps you are feeling the effects of age or disease, but you still have a lot to offer?
In Star Rising, Janet W. Ferguson shows God doing what he does best: mending the hearts and lives of broken people. This book has a decidedly hopeful tone, but it isn’t a fairy tale. The characters encounter real-life problems, and things don’t always work out the way we might expect.
If you like a good clean romance with a flair of Irish, Star Rising fits the bill.

#IrishRomance #ChristianRomance #cleanromance #CostalHearts #bookreview #paidlink @JanetwFerguson

Author Judy Batalion grew up in Canada and was educated in northeastern United States, but it wasn’t until she was living and working in London that she felt a pervasive rejection of her Jewish-ness. Her ethnicity and religion seemed offensive to those around her.

This set Batalion on a research quest to discover strong Jewish female role models. She stumbled across a book in Yiddish about Jewish women resistance workers in Poland during World War II. Some of the women actually fought alongside their male counterparts with guns, knives, and any other weapon they could obtain or make. They helped to organize and carry out the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.

Some of these brave women naturally ascended to strategic and leadership positions in these underground cells, but the majority worked as curriers. This was possible especially if their looks did not betray their ethnicity. The women were better suited for this role than men, who were often challenged to prove they weren’t Jewish by revealing a lack of circumcision.

Jewish males were frequently given the costly traditional Hebrew education, while girls were publicly schooled with Catholic and Christian girls. This helped the Jewish girls more easily assimilate into society as a non-Jew, having already experienced the culture and customs of non-Jews.

Even so it was dangerous work, and many died when their true identity was discovered. Some were shot or hung. Others perished in work camps or extermination camps. Torture of political prisoners was especially brutal.

This can be a hard book to read – emotionally – especially with the backdrop of America’s current upheaval. It isn’t easy to read about murder, starvation, betrayal, rape, brutality, torture, and the unabashed evil that perpetuated it. Sometimes hard truths have to be taken in smaller bites. I consumed this book in three-days-time and it has affected me powerfully.

Thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC of The Light of Days for review.

#TheLightofDays #NetGalley #ResistanceMovement #JewishWomen #paidlink @JudyBatalion

I have an affiliate relationship with Amazon and may benefit from sales from outbound links.

You’ve probably heard of Zebco fishing equipment, but did you know the company started out making bombs?

As 2020 winds down, many of us won’t be sorry to see this year end. But even with all the craziness, one thing hasn’t changed.

Fishing is a great sport for all ages!

Are you thinking of buying a rod and reel combination outfit for yourself or as a gift, but you’re not sure where to start? I extensively tested Zebco rod and reel combos made for kids and adults. Here’s what you need to know:

ZEBCO

Zebco is a well-established name in fishing, long known for good quality fishing gear at an affordable price. Your first fishing experience as a kid may have been with the iconic Zebco 33 Reel; they have been making fishing equipment since 1954.

The forerunner of Zebco started in 1932 as the Zero Hour Bomb Company making not fishing reels, but electronic time bombs. The primary use of the bombs was to break up underground structures, so crude oil could be accessed.

When the bomb company’s explosive patent expired in 1948, they purchased a new reel design that allowed line to spool off without backlash. This was to become the Zebco 33 Reel.

That type of longevity and affordability, combined with the nostalgia of fishing trips gone by, make Zebco a good choice if you are in the market for a new rod and reel.

Most Zebco rods are made of durable fiberglass, and many of the reels have all-metal gears. Outfit rods and reels are paired to be a balanced unit, so you don’t have to guess which rod to buy with which reel.

Outfit reels are pre-spooled with the appropriate weight and length of line. Almost all of the reels can be easily switched from left- to right-handed retrieve. Most Zebco reels have either Instant or Quickset Anti-Reverse, a dial-adjustable drag, ceramic pick-up pins, and the patented No-Tangle Design.

Bite Alert is a feature available on some Zebco reels. Bite Alert is especially helpful when you are fishing in the dark and can’t see the fish pull on the line. The electronic Bite Alert system uses a battery and has lights and beeping sounds. The non-electronic Bite Alert produces a clicking noise when a fish takes your line.

Zebco products have a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.

FIT-TO-FISH KIDS’ RODS

If you are buying a rod and reel outfit for a youngster, Zebco has made the right choice easier with their “Fit-to-Fish” categories.

Zebco has designated rods up to 30″ for kids 3-5 years old.

Rods up to 4’3″ are made for youth 6-9 years old.

Rods up to 5’3″ are for the targeted ages 10-14.

SPLASH

For the youngest fishers, the 30”, one-piece, Zebco Splash is a great first rod and reel outfit. The spincast reel is built right into the rod handle of the Splash, and features an oversized reel handle knob and line release button, and a thumb-dial drag. The Splash reel is pre-spooled with 6 lb line, just right for pan fish and trout. A practice casting plug is included. One of my favorite features of the Splash outfit is that it floats!

WILDER

Zebco’s Wilder is a nice little spinning reel outfit for the kid who is ready to graduate from a push-button spincast reel. Flipping the bail can require some practice for the novice angler, and the Wilder is a great outfit to learn on. The moderate action, 2-piece rod is 4’3″, to be more easily handled by kids aged six to nine-years-old.

The Wilder can also be bought as a Wilder 2-piece spincast outfit, or a Wilder Telescoping rod with a spincast reel.

The Wilder reels are pre-spooled with 6 lb line, which works well for trout and panfish. The color scheme is a flashy orange and blue (perfect for a Wahoo). The Wilder’s price point is in line with a kid’s rod as well; you can take a kid fishing without breaking the bank.

RAMBLER

The next size up in Zebco’s lineup of kids’ rod outfits is the Rambler, made for ages 10-14. The 2-piece Rambler rod is a foot longer than the Wilder, at 5’3”. The action for all the Rambler rods is considered moderate. The Rambler reels are pre-spooled with 8 lb line, but will accommodate 4-8 lb test. Either the Rambler Spincast Reel or the Rambler Spinning Reel will yield 20” per turn of the handle. The Rambler outfit comes in three models: telescopic, spincast and spinning reel. The Rambler color scheme is black and seafoam green.

The Rambler outfit with the spincast reel is a good combo for an older kid who is a first-time fisher.

The Rambler outfit with the spinning reel requires slightly more skill and will work well for the serious teen angler. I found this to be a good rod for flipping jigs.

The Telescopic Rambler comes as an outfit with either the spincast reel or the spinning reel. The biggest advantage of a telescoping rod is its easy portability. It expands from 23.6” (spinning) or 24.6” (spincast) to 5’3”. That means it is a convenient rod to take on a trip, carry in a backpack, or handle in a kayak.

Rambler Telescopoic spincast reel

Rambler Telescopic spinning reel

ROAM

Zebco Roam rods have a medium action and are built for targeting mid to large fresh water species, such as walleye and bass. Roam rods have the ComfortGrip handle which is molded EVA with a patterned texture for a firmer grip. The handle is more comfortable than using a solid hard handle, especially over several hours.

I don’t consider the Roam to be strictly a kid’s rod. It dosn’t feel undersized and it performed well.

The Roam Telescoping rods expand to 6’ and are paired with a reel pre-spooled with 8 lb (spinning) or 10 lb (spincast) line. It comes in four configurations:

Roam green telescoping spincast

Roam seafoam telescoping spincast

Roam green telescoping spinning

Roam seafoam telescoping spinning

The Zebco Roam Spincast two-piece, 6’ rod outfits are available in orange or green, also with the ComfortGrip rod handle.

The Zebco Roam two-piece Spinning Reel Outfits come in these sizes and colors:

Roam Spinning Size 20 Reel, Orange, 6’Rod

Roam Spinning Size 30 Reel, Orange, 6’6” Rod

Roam Spinning Size 30 Reel, Pink, 6’6”

Themed Kid’s Rods

I also tested the Zebco Kylo Ren Star Wars Combo with the Light-Up Rod. This must be for the kid who isn’t sure if he wants to be a Jedi or a fisher, or maybe he loves both equally!

This black and red, 29” one-piece rod lights up like a light saber. The light is activated by a push button in the butt of the rod. One push will light the entire shaft and the tip for about 20 seconds. The batteries – which are included – are replaceable. The rod is recommended for pan fish, trout, walleye, and bass. A practice casting plug is included.

In construction similar to the kid’s Splash Combo, the Kylo reel is integrated into the handle of the rod. The line release button is way oversized. The single-paddle handle is right-hand retrieve only. This reel has QuickSet Anti-Reverse, which is handy for a Jedi just learning to set the hook. A thumb-adjust drag sits atop the reel. The reel is loaded with 100 yards of 6 lb test.

A slightly different 2-piece 4’, non-light up Kylo Ren  model is also available.

A blue and silver 29” Zebco Rey Star Wars Light-Up Combo is available, as is the Rey 2-piece 4’, non-light up Combo.

GROWNUP GEAR

The Zebco 33 Platinum Combo is great for tight spaces with a two-piece, 5.5-foot silver fiberglass rod. The cork handle is ergonomically merged with molded EVA. Designed for most fishing applications (pan fish, trout, bass, walleye, catfish, stripers and light saltwater) this combo comes with a bonus, three included lures! You get a top-water popper, a lipless rattle crankbait, and a diving minnow.

A 6′ version of the 33 Platinum Combo has an EVA handle only, no cork.

Pre-spooled with 120 yards of 10 lb test line, this Zebco 33 Platinum Spincast Reel can accommodate line weights from 6-12 lbs. The dual-paddle crank will bring in a whopping 26-inches-per-turn. This reel has a solid brass pinion gear with a gear ratio of 4.7:1. The silver all-metal body is durable.

FUNNY BUT TRUE: While fishing from a canoe, I accidently dropped the The Zebco 33 Platinum Combo in a lake where it is 40-50 feet deep. Fortunately I was fishing a top-water frog. I knew if I could find my frog I could probably recover the rod and reel. I spotted the frog several yards away. After retrieving it, I began hand-pulling line. Eventually I hauled up the slightly muddy – but still in excellent condition – outfit. Only the hand-pulled line had become a bird’s nest and couldn’t be saved.

The 33 Gold MAX Spincast Combo includes a 6.5 foot medium-fast action fiberglass rod with a cork handle. The rod is thick with a substantial feel. I’d have no qualms taking this rod striper fishing or rigging it for big catfish. The blank in the bottom half of this two-piece rod is black with black wraps with pinstripe gold accent wraps. The upper blank is black on the bottom half and gold on the top. The wire guides have metal inserts.

The 33 Gold Max Spincast Reel is mostly silver with a band of gold around the center of the reel, which extends to the handle and reel foot. The brushed metal finish looks sleek. The gears are all-metal. In the combo the reel comes loaded with 100 yards of 20 lb line, and will accept 10- to 20-lb test. The gear ratio is 2.6:1. None of the 33 Gold Spincast Reels have Zebco’s Bite Alert. The 33 Gold Spincast Reels have a dual-paddle handle.

The 33 Gold Spincast Reel also comes in a midsize for light-medium-heavy applications, loaded with 120 yards of 10 lb line. The gear ratio is 4.1:1

For your lightest fishing pursuits I recommend The 33 Gold Micro Spincast Reel, loaded with 90 yards of 4 lb test. The gear ratio is 4.3:1.

The regular (not Gold) 33 Max Spincast Reel does feature the non-electronic Bite Alert.

The Folds of Honor Foundation exists to provide educational scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service-members. Their logo is a triangular folded American flag.

For every Zebco Folds of Honor Outfit purchased, Zebco donates a dollar to the Folds of Honor Foundation.

The Folds of Honor Rod is medium action, fiberglass, 6′, 2-piece, with gray blanks and darker gray wraps. The EVA molded handle has a cool gray camo pattern. A sentry of three stars flanks both sides of the Zebco name on the rod with the Folds of Honor logo above that.

The rod is paired with a special edition Folds of Honor Zebco 33 Spincast Reel. The reel has the thumb-adjust drag and an on/off switch for Bite Alert. It is pre-spooled with 120 yards of 10 lb test. The dual-paddle handle can be changed to left- or right-hand retrieve.

This is a terrific all-around combo, appropriate for older children and adults. It can be used to target pan fish, trout, bass, and walleye. In fact, this is quickly becoming one of my favorite rods! As for supporting the Folds of Honor Foundation I say, Well Done!

The Zebco Omega Pro Spincast Combo Outfit has a 6.5 foot, two-piece graphite rod with aluminum-oxide guides. The rod has a matte black finish with epoxy coated black wraps with silver pinstripe accent wraps on the hook-keeper and the first guide. Of the multiple Zebco Outfits I tested, the hook-keeper is unique to the Omega Pro Rod.

The Omega Pro Outfit is designed for medium-heavy fishing situations, targeting walleye, bass, catfish, stripers, and light saltwater.

The handle is ComfortGrip EVA, and can be quite nice to hold. However, there isn’t enough clearance between the single-paddle reel handle when it’s in the 7-o’clock position and your hand and forefinger when grasping the grip. It is necessary to readjust the reel handle before making a cast.

The Zebco Omega Pro (Size 30) Spincast Reel has an all-metal frame and comes loaded with 85 yards of 10 lb test line. The verbiage on the reel boasts a Mach3 Gear System. The gear ratio is 3.4:1. The Omega Pro Spincast Reel is smooth-casting. It feels like a precision-crafted piece of equipment. The line release button area is covered with rubber, and I have concerns about the durability of this design over time.

The Zebco 808 Spincast (size 80) Reel  comes spooled with 145 yards of 20 lb test line. The single-paddle crank will retrieve 19 inches-per-turn. The matte black finish gives this big reel an understated bold look. A toggle switch easily activates the non-electronic Bite Alert. Use this reel for heavy fishing applications, like catfish, stripers, and saltwater.

Zebco Spyn Spinning Fishing Reel (Size 30) arrived pre-spooled with 12 lb line. In my opinion, it was over-spooled with too much line. Besides that, the line had a lot of memory. Any slack immediately twisted and kinked. I removed some of the excess line and had better results.

The reel itself works well, and allowed for smooth casting. The Spyn Reel has all-metal gears and retrieves 28 inchs (the highest rate of tested reels) per turn of the handle. The gear ratio is 5.3:1. At only $19 this is a terrific deal.

As you can see, there’s a Zebco outfit for just about any fishing situation! I hope this guide will help you select the perfect rod and reel. Be sure to check back; I will be updating this article as new fishing equipment arrives.

I may benefit from purchases in outbound links.

#TakeAKidFishing #GiftIdeas #ZebcoOutfits #RodandReelReview #CatchOn #paidlink #foldsofhonor #standwithus

@ZebcoFishing @FoldsofHonor

Promotional Strategies for Books is the second in the Amazon Self-Publishing series by Dale L. Roberts. The first book, Amazon Keywords for Books, was fantastic. I believe this book is just as good.

Roberts covers topics such as owning your domain name, the importance of the author’s web site, brand congruency, targeting the audience, leveraging social media, email marketing, Amazon advertising, author appearances, and networking.

Roberts has the experience and credibility to tackle this book and series, and his coverage of the topics is comprehensive. Promotional Strategies is a must have for indie authors!

@selfpubwithdale #writingcommunity #selfpublish #indieauthor #bookpromotion #bookmarketing #bookadvertisement

Dale L. Roberts has been in the self publishing business for over six years, and I’m familiar enough with his podcasts, videos, and courses to know that he knows what he’s talking about. That’s why I was so excited when I got a chance to read an advance copy of his new book, Amazon Keywords for Books.

If you’ve self-published a book you may have stumbled through the process until your book is finally out there, for sale. But there’s so much more to it than that! What will make your book sell?

In this book, Dale fleshes out every aspect of using keywords. He includes information on relevancy, how to get reviews, using categories, how search engines work, what the ABSR means, the benefits of incognito searching, the importance of metadata, the best way to use KDP’s seven keyword slots, and he unlocks the secrets of Amazon advertising.

Even if you have been self-publishing for a few years as I have, I’m sure Amazon Keywords for Books will give you new information and deepen your understanding of what you may already know. Don’t miss this book!

#selfpublishing #bookreview #amazonads #dalelroberts #keywords

Are you homeschooling your Pre-K through 2nd Grader? BethBirdBooks has developed some great resources for that grade range!

The ABC Letter Tracing WorkbookTracing pages have dotted lines in the shape of the letter for the child to trace with a pencil, not just once but for the whole page.

Each line has dashes in the center to help with proper placement and formation of letters.

Twenty-one blank lined pages are in the back of the book for writing without tracing.

Each letter of the English alphabet has a

*Coloring page (A is for Apple)

*Tracing page for Capital Letters

*Tracing page for Lower Case Letters

OTHER ATTRIBUTES:

*Large 8.5×11 Inch Trim Size (Stays open easier!)

*100 Pages (Good Value!)

*Great Resource for Homeschool

*Excellent for Learning and Practice

Also Available, the 123 Number Tracing Workbook

And the Manuscript Handwriting Workbook

As an Amazon Associate I may earn from the sale of these books.

#BethBirdBooks #homeschool #homeschooling #Pre-K #Kindergarten #Kindergartener #1stGrade #1stGrader #2ndGrade #2ndGrader #paidlink